Listen now Re: Identity click here

Listen now Re: Purpose click here

Thank you so much for being here!!

I saw a post that said how people often make the mistake of expecting our friends to fill all of our friend needs, when really, the happiest people recognize that our friends each represent a piece of our identity. Recently, I was lucky enough to have all three of my closest friends together. It made me realize how different friends often represent different parts of our identity and life journey.

While childhood, college, and early parenthood naturally create opportunities for connection through proximity and shared experiences, midlife friendships require much more intention. As children grow up, careers evolve, and life becomes busier, many of the structures that once made friendship effortless begin to disappear.

The episode examines the difference between quantity and quality in relationships, challenges the pressure created by social media's portrayal of friendship, and reminds listeners that there is no single "right" way to build community. Whether you have one close friend, a large friend group, or are still searching for deeper connections, meaningful relationships are built through vulnerability, consistency, and a willingness to reach out.

Ultimately, this is a conversation about being seen, supported, and remembered. It is a reminder that the people who walk beside us through life's transitions become keepers of our stories and help us stay connected to who we are, even as we continue to grow and change.

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Available NOW - listen to the free introductions of my NEW courses - Re: Identity and Re: Purpose - both are available now on the Kajabi app/website. 

Listen now Re: Identity click here

Listen now Re: Purpose click here

How many ideas have you had that never became anything? What idea have you buried that still whispers to you from time to time? Is it time to let it rest – or dig it back up?

In this Jen is Zen episode, I explore what I call The Cemetery of Abandoned Ideas – the mental graveyard where unfinished projects, unrealized dreams, and "maybe someday" plans often end up. But what if those ideas weren't failures? What if they served a purpose simply by helping us discover what we do and don't want? Or maybe it's The Cemetery of Abandoned Identities - the versions of us who had the ideas. 

If you've ever wondered whether you gave up too soon, started too many things, or left pieces of yourself behind along the way, this episode is for you.

Keywords: personal growth, identity, purpose, abandoned dreams, self-discovery, midlife, personal development, creativity, fear of failure, reinvention, Jen is Zen, Reframing Me podcast.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for being here!!! This week's episode is a reminder that endings and beginnings often exist side by side.

After losing the state championship lacrosse game in golden goal overtime, my son's high school sports career came to an end - as well as my role as a sports mom, and my family's identification as a sports family. With graduation this week too, we find ourselves in a strange emotional limbo, and it would be easy to think this is a story about sports.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize it's so much more than the end of sports. It's about transitions and grief and identity. The end of sports, the end of high school, graduation, and the uncertain summer before college have all collided at once, leaving our entire family feeling a little lost.

In this episode, I explore why these endings feel so much bigger than a game. We talk about identity, grief, and the difficult space between chapters of life. For years, our kids have known exactly who they are: athletes, teammates, captains, performers. Then suddenly the season ends, the uniform comes off, and they are left asking a much bigger question: Who am I now?

We'll discuss why our teens may seem directionless before they seem excited, why they're losing far more than a sport, why grief often shows up months later, and how we can support them without rushing them into the next version of themselves. We'll also talk about the transition parents experience as our own identities, routines, and family rhythms begin to shift.

If your family is navigating graduation, the end of sports, or any major life transition, this conversation is a reminder that endings and beginnings often exist side by side.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for being here! In the U.S. (and especially living at the beach!), Memorial Day is the "official" launch of summer! And never is our unappreciation of our bodies as great as it is during the summer. Can we say that we love our body... and mean it? What if instead of crititicizing all of our flaws based off of narratives that have been planted in our heads we appreciated and loved our bodies for all that they do?

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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 Thank you so much for being here! In honor of my oldest's graduation from the teen years, here are the top 20 things that I learned about parenting teenagers. Not as someone who has all the answers - because clearly I do not - but just as someone who has not only survived the teen years for one child, but actually loved them!! My favorite parenting stage, so far! It's crazy how somehow the years that felt endless while you were in them suddenly feel impossibly short.  

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here! There’s a conversation happening right now between wellness culture, aging, fitness, femininity, and identity, and I think many women are quietly struggling with it more than we admit.

In this episode, I talk honestly about the emotional side of body change in midlife. Not from a “diet culture” perspective or a “just love yourself” perspective, but from an identity perspective.

Because sometimes we are not just grieving a body. We are grieving the version of life that body belonged to.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Welcome! Thank you for being here!

There’s a phase of motherhood that no one really prepares you for.

It’s not the chaos of little kids, and it’s not the emptiness of the empty nest. It’s the in-between—when your teenagers are starting to launch, and everything is quietly shifting.

In this episode, I explore the tension we all feel between staying connected to our kids and allowing them the autonomy they need to grow, and what that same tension looks like for us.

Because while our kids are becoming more independent, we’re being asked to rediscover parts of ourselves that may have been tied to being constantly needed. And that’s not something we always talk about.

I share a moment that caught me completely off guard, realizing how much I miss the built-in community that came with earlier stages of parenting, and how easy it is to feel socially full, yet still disconnected.

And then there’s the piece I truly wasn’t prepared for: the “revolving door.” The friendships, relationships, and extended circle that become part of your life through your kids… and then slowly begin to change, fade, and move on.

This isn’t just about our kids growing up.

It’s about identity, connection, and learning how to move through a season where everything is evolving at once.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re in that quiet, shifting space - still deeply in it, but also starting to feel the pull toward something more - this episode is for you.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Welcome back! I'm so happy you're here! This is part 3 of my Things I wish I knew sooner series - #s 41 through 50. I just turned 50 last week, and to count down, I stepped drastically out of my comfort zone and started recording and posting reels/TikToks every day of things I wish I had known sooner - things that would have made my life a lot easier. In that process, I learned a number of other things, starting with I can do hard things. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for being here!! I am so appreciative of you for tuning in!

Last year, we had a conversation about hypernormalization that I think it's important to revisit. We’re living in a time when the world feels increasingly chaotic, and somehow we’re expected to keep functioning like everything’s fine. In this episode, I explore the concept of hypernormalization - how dysfunction becomes our default, and what that does to our minds, our bodies, and our relationships. From the global to the personal, this is a reflection on what happens when we stop noticing what’s not okay. If you’ve felt off, numb, or overwhelmed by the news cycle, the silence in your own home, or the heaviness in your chest that you can’t quite name, you’re not alone. This one is for your nervous system. We cannot normalize hypernormalization.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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In this episode, I continue my 50 Things I Wish I Knew Sooner series, walking through lessons 16 through 40.

This part of the list shifts from what we do to how we experience our lives - our thoughts, our habits, our self-image, and the way we show up in our relationships.

This isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about learning how to think differently, trust yourself more, and move through your life with a little more awareness and a lot more intention.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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"I am going to warn you in advance that it has been a rough few days and I am not feeling like my best birthday girl self." This was the message I sent to my friend who is coming to visit to celebrate my birthday.

Nothing is wrong and yet everything feels wrong. I think a lot of you can relate to some of the heaviness I'm carrying, but it all comes back to roles - the roles we play because we've chosen them, or more often, they've chosen us.

We don't necessarily want out of them - in fact, often, we like them - but maybe just a little less?? Maybe for a day? Or perfume is fine too, I guess.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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This week’s episode started with a random moment in my attic looking for an old box of college photos and turned into something bigger.

There’s a growing trend right now of teens recreating 90s aesthetics… and even subtle shifts in what’s considered “cool” (yes, including the whole smoking vs vaping conversation). But this episode isn’t about trends.

It’s about what those trends mean.

We’re talking about why teens are performing a version of the past they never lived, how constant visibility and social media have changed identity development, and why so many young people are craving something that feels more real, less curated, and less performative.

From social learning and shifting cultural “signals” to the pressure of growing up in a world where everything is seen and evaluated, this episode unpacks what’s really going on beneath the surface and why it actually makes more sense than we think.

Most importantly, we bring it back to parenting: how to move from reacting to behavior to understanding what our teens are trying to feel, and how to create small moments of real, unfiltered connection in a very filtered world.

Because maybe what they’re chasing isn’t the 90s. Maybe it’s a version of life where they don’t feel like they have to perform who they are.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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As we (in the Northern Hemisphere) enter Spring, can we trust that we are on the right path, even if the balance we seek is only an illusion? Maybe we, like the Earth are only meant to find balance at times, 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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This week I found myself thinking about something a lot of parents probably feel but don’t always say out loud.

Two of my kids had tough weeks. Nothing catastrophic, but enough that I spent hours talking things through with them, listening, trying to help them make sense of it. And during a text conversation with my cousin, she said something that stuck with me.

“You’re only as happy as your unhappiest child.”

That feels very true. When your kids are hurting, it’s almost impossible not to feel it too. But is there’s another way to think about it?

Because as our kids grow up, there are more and more things we can’t fix for them. We can’t control the outcome of the game, the job interview, the friendship, the opportunity they were hoping for. And part of parenting older kids is learning how to support them through disappointment without carrying all of that weight ourselves.

In this episode, I talk about that shift in parenting and how our role changes as our kids navigate their own paths. I also share an exercise called the Odyssey Plan that can help both parents and kids zoom out and see life as a series of possible paths rather than one moment that defines everything.

If you’ve ever felt the emotional weight of watching your kids struggle and wishing you could fix it for them, this conversation is for you.

Make sure to find me on socials @ReframingMe on TikTok and IG and follow along with my 50 days til 50 series. Also, 'Twas the Night Before Move-In makes an excellent keepsake for graduation season - and now, the Campus Series is rolling out!! Check it out on Amazon 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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You can start something new any time. It doesn't need to be January 1st or a Monday - it can be a random Wednesday in February at 2pm when, after YEARS of saying that "I'm going to work on my socials," you finally start.

As I approach my 50th birthday, I made a list (that I didn't know what I was going to do with) of "50 things I wish I had known sooner." On a random Wednesday afternoon in February, I happened to ask my Alexa "how many days until April 9? (my birthday!)" To which, she replied, "There are 50 days til April 9." No way! The Universe was sending me a clear message - 50 days, 50 years, 50 things I wish I knew sooner, 50 reels. And so I began my social media series journey. Today is day 17 (because, you know, life!), but here is numbers 1 through 15.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Welcome back! I'm so happy you're here! 

You don’t need to be your best every day. You just need to show up consistently and be authentically you.

After three years of saying that I was going to build my socials/be consistent in my socials/focus on my socials (spoiler: I didn't/wasn't), on a random Wednesday in February, I committed to 50 consecutive days of making and posting reels, leading up to my 50th birthday. The series is "50 things I wish I had known sooner," but the most amazing thing I've found is not in the content itself, it's in how posting the content is helping me release my expectations of perfection.

If you're not already doing so, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @reframingme

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Welcome back! I'm so grateful you are here! Last week, we talked about men and women processing information differently. I wanted to follow up on that conversation with an episode to share with the men in your life to help them to understand how to better communicate with you about it. No, men are not from Mars and women are not from Venus; We are all from Earth, and right now, Earth is a bit of a hot mess, but if we stick together, we'll make it through! 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here for a quick zen with me! Happy Lunar New Year!! As we exit the year of the snake and enter the year of the fire horse, can you reflect on what you have shed - the good and the grief. Are you ready to take on the fire horse?! I am! 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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 Hello! Welcome back to Reframing Me! I'm so happy that you're here for a quick moment of zen (with Jen!)... I decluttered my pantry yesterday (finally! after MONTHS of saying I need to...), and the mental space it gave me... 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Welcome back! Another quick zen for you today, because I've been reflecting on what is the right amount of "enough?" I feel like one minute I'm convinced I'm not doing enough and another I'm too much. My ideas about what is "enough" comes from the events that shaped how I see myself and the narratives that I tell myself. So today, let's talk about that, and go through an activity from the book "Believe you were Made for More" that looks at those narratives. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here! I saw a message I wanted to share - the monks who have been walking for peach across the U.S. reached Washington D.C. today! I saw a speech one gave where his message was to "Clean the mirror right away," and I think it's a valuable one to bring into today. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Welcome back! I'm so happy you're here today for a Quick Zen. I have not been talking to myself very kindly lately - in fact, I've been even unkind. If we can show ourselves kindness, it filters into everything - we feel joy; we see the world with gratitude; we feel confidence; and we bring grace to ourselves, to everything and everyone we encounter. and to the world. So I am working on me kinder to myself today.  

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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This episode explores why disagreement feels so much heavier right now - and why so many conflicts aren’t actually about beliefs, but about how people process information, emotion, and threat.

Using the current news cycle as a stress test, I explain how people with shared values can react in completely different ways without one of them being apathetic or wrong and why that confusion is exhausting and damaging to relationships.

We look at common processing and communication styles, how they get misread as indifference or overreaction, and why cognitive dissonance and moral load are hitting women especially hard right now. I also offer grounded, practical guidance for staying in relationship without silencing yourself and for showing up without turning away.

The takeaway is simple: difference isn’t danger. Before you decide what someone’s reaction means, get curious about how they process.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here with me! Yesterday's quick check in made me feel so good that I found myself thinking of y'all again this morning. Today, when I asked myself what I want to bring into the day, I was primed by the upcoming Olympics and following Lindsay Vonn and her injury, and I immediately thought of resilience and perseverance and where I fall in that intricate balance. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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I'm so happy you're here. This isn't our weekly episode - it's me just reaching out - a touchstone, if you will - to remind you that even though things are crazy and you may feel frustrated or sad or angry or emotional - you're not alone! We need a sense of community now more than ever. And I'm here to remind you that I am here - we are here - and somehow, we'll get through - together! 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for being here!

This episode reflects on how my understanding of confidence has changed over time. What once felt tied to performance, comparison, and getting things “right” now feels quieter and more stable, rooted in self-trust rather than validation. I talk about the difference between arrogance and confidence, why confident people used to bother me, and how creating this podcast required speaking without permission in ways I never would have before.

I also name the sadness many of us are carrying - grief for the life and world we imagined, shaped by years of political chaos, a pandemic, and constant vigilance. That sadness isn’t a failure or a lack of gratitude. It’s a reasonable response to an exhausting, relentless moment.

Recently, I've really been seeking out happiness - not as positivity or denial, but as something small and grounding. I share the everyday things that still make me happy and help my nervous system remember that good still exists, even when the world feels icky.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Senioritis, often dismissed as a mere case of laziness in high school seniors, is a complex phenomenon affecting both students and those around them. With symptoms ranging from lack of motivation to irritability, senioritis can disrupt households during the final months of high school. As college decisions loom and the future feels uncertain, seniors may struggle with feelings of aimlessness and disconnection. Understanding the psychology behind senioritis, including cognitive dissonance and the desire for control, can help parents and students navigate this challenging time. Encouraging seniors to explore hobbies, gain practical skills, or even take on part-time jobs can provide purpose and alleviate some of the pressure. Additionally, recognizing behaviors like "soiling the nest," where individuals create conflict to ease separation, can foster healthier relationships during this transition period. By embracing the journey and supporting each other through senioritis, families can find peace amidst the chaos of change. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here today! Topping my list of "50 things that would have made my life a lot easier if I had known sooner:"

Only you need to see your potential. Only you need to understand. Only you need to believe it’s possible. Your opinion is literally the only one that matters. You need to be your own cheerleader.

Grieving the life you thought you'd have seems heartbreaking to me. Three and a half years ago, I started this journey - uncertain how I would integrate my worlds. Without much support or external validation, I made the decision that I saw my potential and understood; I believed in me.

Today, I saw the first tangible evidence that I actually am finding my odd little niche and integrating my worlds, so I wanted to share that success with you!

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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We are complex enough beings to experience multiple emotions at once, and as parents of teens - and oftentimes, also caregiving for aging parents - two of those emotions that we're constantly balancing are gratitude and grief. Gratitude and grief coexist because parents are holding two timelines at once: the past version of the relationship that worked, and the future version that has not fully revealed itself yet. This dialectic is a clear sign of reorganization. Also - my always fun hot take on why we should let our teens have socials ***disclaimer - it does involve our participation too! 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for being here!

What does it look like for you to reclaim a sense of control in your life?

This Jen is Zen episode explores what it truly means to reclaim a sense of control when life feels overwhelming. Rather than focusing on fixing everything or forcing positivity, the episode reframes control as creating steadiness and orientation in the midst of uncertainty.

The reflection begins by acknowledging that chaos doesn’t only exist on a global scale. It often shows up in everyday life – within homes, relationships, careers, bodies, and demanding seasons of parenting and midlife transition. Through personal examples, the episode illustrates how small, repeatable rituals – such as maintaining simple routines, tending to one intentional space, or returning to basic practices like movement, meditation, and gratitude – can help regulate the nervous system when things feel out of control.

The episode then explores gratitude in a nontraditional way, focusing on appreciation for situations that feel problematic or unfinished.

The episode addresses parenting teens during uncertain and unsettling times. It responds to common questions about how to comfort our teens when reassurance feels dishonest and explanations feel incomplete. The key message is that comfort does not come from certainty, but from presence. Honest acknowledgment, emotional steadiness, and shared containment offer more safety than promises or solutions.

The episode also highlights the importance of helping teens identify their own stabilizing anchors – routines, activities, creative outlets, and structures that provide a sense of agency and regulation. These behaviors are reframed not as control-seeking, but as coping strategies that help young people feel grounded.

Steady presence, intentional rituals, and emotional grounding are powerful tools for navigating both personal and collective uncertainty.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Right now, many of us are being asked to function normally while living through ongoing instability, fear, and institutional breakdown, and that disconnect is exhausting. If you’re struggling to focus, feeling emotionally overwhelmed or numb, pulling back socially, or finding yourself more irritable or fatigued than usual, this isn’t a personal failure. It’s a nervous system responding normally to prolonged stress.

For parents of teens, this season is especially complicated. Our teenagers are old enough to understand what’s happening in the world but don’t yet have fully developed emotional regulation or perspective. They may respond with anxiety, withdrawal, cynicism, or emotional shutdown - not because they don’t care, but because their nervous systems are protecting them.

This is not a season for flawless parenting or emotional certainty. It’s a season for gentleness, honesty, and regulated presence. Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re failing -it means you’re human in a moment that is genuinely heavy.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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 Thank you so much for being here! The only two people whose opinions should matter are the 9-year-old version of you and the 90-year-old version of you. In this first Jen is Zen episode of 2026 - my 50th birthday year! - I reflect on aging, identity, and why I look and feel better now than I did four years ago despite cultural narratives that tell us midlife should look like decline. Someone I love showed me a past photo and described as “old” and “stringy.” Former Jen would have felt insecure, but current Jen saw it as catalyst for deeper reflection. My mantra for 2026 is: The only two people whose opinions should matter are the 9-year-old version of you and the 90-year-old version of you. Many of us begin to edit and manage ourselves between ages 9–12, slowly drifting away from our authentic selves in response to expectations, approval, and responsibility. Midlife, maybe isn't about reinvention or fixing what’s broken - it’s about remembering who we were before the world taught us to hide. Also, stay tuned because I'm inspired to create an upcoming podcast and social media series based on 50 things I wish I had known sooner. Every insight on the list somehow traces back to this core mantra and a deeper realization: When the world feels out of control, the only thing we truly control is our own behavior - and our behavior sets the energy. For me, small, genuine acts of kindness created a ripple effect in my life, leading to joy, gratitude, peace, confidence, and grace. This shift helped my nervous system soften, both emotionally and physically. I openly acknowledge the role my (borderline obsessive!) wellness practices and investments play in how I feel and look today, emphasizing that there is no single magic fix - only a thoughtful combination of supports and an aligned mindset. I don't gatekeep, so follow me on socials and I'll share what I love. I invite you to reflect on your own life through the lens of the 9-year-old and 90-year-old versions of yourself - not as a form of self-improvement, but as an act of remembering - and carry that clarity forward into the new year. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Happy Holidays! Merry Twixtmas! Happy 2026! I am so grateful to have you here!

In this New Year’s episode of Reframing Me, I reflect on Twixtmas - that quiet, in-between week where time has no meaning and our perspective widens. My family’s New Year’s traditions have evolved, making me really think about what it means to grow alongside our children, to grieve what was while embracing what is, and to let traditions change without losing their meaning.

This episode invites you to pause before rushing into resolutions and instead close out the year with intention because the New Year is a true “line in the sand” – a moment of delineation between who we were and who we are becoming. I ask you to consider what no longer serves you, what you are ready to leave behind, and what you want to consciously carry forward.

Through reflection, honesty, and a guided metaphor of packing a suitcase for the year ahead, I encourage you to release old narratives, limiting beliefs, and roles that no longer fit. Rather than doing more, I'd love to see you step into the new year by embodying the woman you've been waiting to be – grounded, aligned, and true to yourself.

See you in 2026!

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here! 

This episode is an honest reflection on feeling deeply connected yet quietly alone – a place many women find themselves in during midlife and parenting the teen years. Moving between lived experience, parenting observations, and relational insight, the episode explores the surprising parallel between teen loneliness and adult invisibility in a hyper-connected world.

Rather than offering solutions or tidy conclusions, this conversation sits inside the discomfort of being needed but unseen, productive but unmirrored, surrounded by people yet craving resonance. It reflects on how digital connection can replace depth, how identity shifts disrupt belonging, and why loneliness often shows up not as isolation, but as a lack of reflection.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for being here! Today, I'd like you to think about this:

You can begin again anytime.

Not next week.

Not next semester.

Not when life “calms down” because we all know that’s never.

Not when the kids launch or when the holidays end or when the stars realign.

Just… begin again.

What if beginning again is simply the next breath you take?

The next thought you choose?

The next decision you make without dragging your past self into it?

YOU are the one who decides when the new chapter begins - not the calendar, not other people, not the version of you who accidentally fell into an old habit, or forgot her goals for a few weeks, or made a mistake that felt like a setback.

You can begin again the moment you choose to.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Welcome back to the show! I’m so grateful you’re here! And I’m so happy to have my voice back to normal after an icky cold that I may have rambled a bit more than usual – hahaha! But today, we’re talking about something many families do without ever naming itn - recreational arguing. You know the dynamic: nothing is actually wrong, but yet somehow you’re in a debate about tone, or not listening, or why someone “waited until now” to mention something. But underneath the surface-level conflict is something surprisingly human: connection attempts very ungracefully disguised as friction.

I walk through why teens (and adults) use tension to create closeness, how patterns from childhood homes show up in present-day relationships, and why some people only feel seen when things are slightly dramatic. We talk about how conflict can become ritualized, how certain personalities need emotional activation before they can bond, and why disengaging can change the entire system.

This isn’t an episode about fixing anyone. It’s about understanding the function behind the friction, and remembering that sometimes a raised voice isn’t hostility – it’s actually a clumsy, but familiar, way to reach for connection. And when you can see it clearly, you don’t have to take the invitation to argue to still meet the need underneath it.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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What if it wasn’t you after all? What if that rejection was a redirection to something better or to where you are supposed to be?

Thank you so much for being here! In today’s Jen is Zen, I’m inviting you to look at rejection through a completely different lens. What if the “no” you got wasn’t about you at all? What if it wasn’t a failure or a flaw or proof that you’re not enough, but a quiet nudge redirecting you toward the place you’re actually meant to be?

If this realization had hit me sooner in my own life, how much peace could I have given myself! Yet, many of us instead take every “no” as a personal indictment instead of a sign of alignment.

This is your reminder that the universe does not give you peace in situations that aren’t right for you, and sometimes the disappointments that sting the least are the ones speaking the loudest.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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In this Thanksgiving episode, I am extra thankful for you being here! Many moms (including me!) are anxious to have their college students home for the holiday, but that doesn't mean it won't be without its possible challenges. We'll have a conversation exploring the joys and challenges of welcoming college freshmen back home for the holidays. As our families reconnect, we need to adapt to the changes our child has experienced in their first months at college, from newfound independence to identity growth, and how these shifts impact family dynamics, which have also had to adapt.. Whether it’s managing expectations, fostering open communication, or finding gratitude in the chaos, this episode is packed with advice to help families make the most of this special time together.

Dr. Brubaker’s warm and relatable approach offers encouragement and empathy, reminding listeners to focus on connection, gratitude, and the love that binds families. Perfect for parents navigating their child's return from college, this episode is your guide to a meaningful and memorable Thanksgiving.

Listen now on Reframing Me and connect on social media at @reframingme or at reframing-me.com.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for being here! 

You can create your own magic.  You can create your own future.  You do not have to be chosen.  You do not have to wait to be chosen.  You are the creator of your own life.

There's a moment that so many midlife moms quietly fear: the one where they sense that their purpose is fading just as their children’s lives are expanding. Being caregiving becomes an identity, and how losing that role can feel like losing yourself. 

But you don’t have to wait to be chosen or validated. You can choose yourself. You can create your own magic. See this as an invitation for women to reclaim their purpose, trust their voice, and remember that midlife isn’t a decline; it’s an awakening.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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It's the home stretch for my years as a "Football Mom," and I am feeling the feels. When your kids are involved in an activity that becomes consuming of your time, energy, and money, and when we find ourselves on the sideline or in the stands or seats watching day after day, week after week, year after year, there comes a point when it all ends. For many, senior year is that end. But for some, it happens sooner, whether they don’t make the team or grow out of love with the sport or activity and just decide they are done – but wait! You might say – but what if I’m not done? 

It’s the end of a chapter. There is a loss – a sense of grief – it’s the loss of an activity – of a group of people you’ve grown to feel a community with – the loss of something that you share with your child. It's ok to feel sad. It’s ok for us to look back and reflect. It just won’t be the same. And it’s ok to mourn that end – mourn the loss.  We may feel an ambiguous loss. At its core, ambiguous loss is about a lack of resolution. The loss of what could have or should have been. The loss of someone or something as it was. 

But we aren’t the only ones who will feel the end because obviously, the kids will feel it even more than we do. So what comes next - what can we expect from our teen athletes post sports, and how you can help them find their identities.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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 This month, the focus will be on gratitude. To show my gratitude to all of you, I've unlocked this November meditation, so you can have a peek inside, and because gratitude is something that you must have before you can receive. It’s not simply something you feel after something good happens. So today we’re going to cultivate that feeling of gratitude for what we do have so we can be open to the abundance of all that we want.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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What does it really take to build openness, honesty, and trust with our kids as they grow into teens? It's not by becoming the "cool mom" and loosening all boundaries, but it is by evolving right alongside them.

As kids grow up, parent–child relationships shift from vertical to horizontal -from top-down authority to side-by-side connection - and this change asks us to redefine what authority, influence, and love look like in modern families. Believe it or not, both openness and structure and both freedom and safety, can peacefully coexist.

It's not about perfect parenting, but it is about relational growth - learning to listen more than lecture, to respond instead of react, and to trade control for connection. It’s about the moment we stop trying to “win” as parents and start learning to walk beside our kids instead.

Because the goal isn’t to raise perfect children - it’s to raise honest ones. And that kind of honesty is built, moment by moment, in a climate where trust feels safer than silence.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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In this bonus episode, we continue our weekly series, reading and discussing excerpts from my new book, Reframe the Moment. It's super fun and appropriate because each essay grew out of a Jen is Zen episode, so why not bring it full circle. Today we talk about Chapter 8 - Our Discontent. 

Our discontent often comes from our desire to control the situation and to predict the outcome. Acceptance that we can’t do that can be a huge relief and an opportunity to move forward. Maybe it’s not from where you want to be, but it’s from where you are. What would happen if instead of putting that positive or negative frame around it, you just accepted it? As is.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Welcome back to the show! I hope you enjoy this episode - it's not a typical episode; instead, it's more of a guided walk-through of the ReFRAME process, a six-phase model for personal and identity transformation.

Do you feel like you're not quite sure who you're becoming, but you know you're not who you were? Identity discovery is a fluid, ongoing practice of communication between our past, present, and emerging selves, and the ReFRAME model exists to help you through it.

The class-style session introduces each phase with short explanations and reflective exercises.

1. Recognize – Becoming aware that something no longer fits and identifying the gap between external expectations and inner truth through the Identity Gap Audit.
2. The little e – Choosing an emotional current—Kindness → Joy → Love → Confidence → Gratitude → Grace—as the controllable energy that powers all other steps.
3. Feel – Allowing emotions to surface and interpreting them as information using the Feel & Flow Scan (Name it, Notice it, Nurture it).
4. Reflect – Making meaning from emotion and identifying personal narratives with the Reframe the Story exercise, transforming limiting beliefs into new perspectives.
5. Articulate – Giving language to the new understanding through the IRL Identity Map (“Right now, I am someone who …”), turning inner truth into lived communication.
6. Move – Translating awareness into action with the GROW Action Plan (Goal, Reality, Options, Way Forward) and committing to one aligned micro-movement.
7. Embody – Integrating the work through the Identity Embodiment Exercise (Before, Current, Becoming) and a daily affirmation that anchors the desired state.

Beginning In November, you'll be able to dig deeper into this process by subscribing to the Reframing Circle for bonus content. And in January, you will be able to really do a deep dive in a six-week course. I hope you'll join me on this wonderful journey!

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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In this bonus episode, we continue our weekly series, reading and discussing excerpts from my new book, Reframe the Moment. It's super fun and appropriate because each essay grew out of a Jen is Zen episode, so why not bring it full circle. Today we talk about Chapter 6 - Feeling the Feels.

We waste so much energy avoiding uncomfortable emotions. Whether it’s sadness, worry, fear, or uncertainty, pushing feelings away doesn’t make them disappear - it only delays healing. Emotional growth comes from sitting with difficult feelings instead of resisting them, so if we can stop avoiding what we feel, accept emotions as they are, and move through them with awareness, we'll emerge stronger and more centered on the other side. 

Beginning next week - join me in The Reframing Circle and begin to ReFRAME you!

Video is available on YouTube, my website, and socials (I think y'all know how rare that is for me! I guess I'm turning over a new leaf!). You can order the book now if you'd like to read along.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook, on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme

I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content!

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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I hope you enjoy this episode! Teen friendships can be beautiful -and brutal. This episode explores why some kids become “mean girls,” how exclusion and gossip take root, and what’s really happening beneath the surface. Drawing from Relational Aggression and Social Identity Theory, it explains how insecurity, power dynamics, and the need to belong shape behavior in middle and high school friend groups.

The discussion discusses how social media magnifies hierarchy and comparison, how mean-mom culture models competition, and why boys can mirror the same dynamics through humor and dominance. It also examines the emotional, academic, and neurological impact of exclusion, showing that friendship loss can hurt as deeply as physical pain.

With insights from Family Communication Patterns Theory and Lisa Damour’s research on emotional development, the episode offers evidence-based strategies for parents to support teens: fostering open dialogue, teaching reflection over rumination, encouraging digital boundaries, and building resilience through empathy and compassion.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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In this bonus episode, we continue our weekly series, reading and discussing excerpts from my new book, Reframe the Moment. It's super fun and appropriate because each essay grew out of a Jen is Zen episode, so why not bring it full circle. Today we talk about Chapter 5 - The In Between. This episode feels a little different — more like a page from my journal than a polished podcast.

But that’s the point of all of this, right? Identity isn’t something we talk about from a safe distance - it’s something we live through. I feel right inside one of those in-between seasons, where I’m figuring out who I am now, not who I used to be.

So if you’re with me in a season of rediscovery, or if you’ve ever felt yourself shifting and growing out of old versions of you, maybe you’ll resonate with how I feel today.

 The "in-between" is the space between who we were and who we are becoming. And the more we can trust it, the more we can start to see it not as a pause or a waiting room, but as an initiation. Not something to be observed, but something to be embodied. Honor this part of your story. Don’t try to skip over it just because it's uncomfortable or uncertain. Let it teach you something. Let it soften you. Let it remind you that becoming isn't a straight line. It's a trust fall. And you're allowed to be held by the space between who you were and who you're becoming. What would it feel like to fully trust that space?

Video (kinda - i accidentally took a photo instead of a video - omg really?!) so had to go back, and the video is only the chapter not my (therapy-session-adjacent) episode. is available on YouTube, my website, and socials (I think y'all know how rare that is for me! I guess I'm turning over a new leaf!). You can order the book now if you'd like to read along.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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In this bonus episode, we continue our weekly series, reading and discussing excerpts from my new book, Reframe the Moment. It's super fun and appropriate because each essay grew out of a Jen is Zen episode, so why not bring it full circle. Today we talk about Chapter 4 - Underneath the Emotions. It's ok to feel all of the feels, but we just can't live there. We are not our emotions; emotions are like the weather - just passing through - and we are the clear blue sky underneath. Video is available on YouTube, my website, and socials (I think y'all know how rare that is for me! I guess I'm turning over a new leaf!). You can order the book now if you'd like to read along.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Kindness realigns us - one small, intentional act can shift our energy and open our hearts to something bigger. When we lead with kindness, we invite joy. That joy clears the lens through which we see the world, allowing us to view life and people through love. Love naturally awakens gratitude - not the performative kind, but the deep, grounding awareness that helps us see the good that’s still here. Gratitude builds confidence - quiet, steady, authentic confidence —- the kind that softens your energy and lets you meet every moment, and every person, with grace. This episode is a reflection on how we can’t fix the darkness around us, but we can light our own corner of it by choosing kindness, again and again.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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College application season brings pressure, opinions, and plenty of myths about what makes higher education valuable. This episode unpacks the biggest fallacy of higher education - that college is job training - and explores four common misconceptions parents often hear: choosing majors only for profitability, dismissing the value of minors, chasing prestige instead of fit when selecting a school, and assuming general education courses are a waste of time. With a mix of practical guidance and communication theory, the conversation reframes how to think about majors, minors, schools, and gen eds while offering parents tools to support their teens through the application process and beyond.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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In this bonus episode, we continue our weekly series, reading and discussing excerpts from my new book, Reframe the Moment. It's super fun and appropriate because each essay grew out of a Jen is Zen episode, so why not bring it full circle. Today we talk about Chapter 3 - Life's a Rollercoaster, and it's appropriate because I know I often find myself comparing where I'm at on my journey and questioning if I will ever be "successful" if someone else "has ALL of the success." Video is available on YouTube, my website, and socials (I think y'all know how rare that is for me! I guess I'm turning over a new leaf!). You can order the book now if you'd like to read along.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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In this Jen is Zen , we explore the difference between balance and harmony in midlife. Balance often feels like an impossible demand, dividing time, energy, and attention equally across parenting teens, family communication, relationships, career, and self-care. Harmony, on the other hand, invites flow, flexibility, and grace. Harmony can help us navigate midlife transitions, embrace both joy and struggle, and live with more peace and presence. This episode offers inspiration for women seeking midlife empowerment, identity rediscovery, personal growth, and stress relief, reminding us that even when life isn’t balanced, it can still be harmonious.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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In this bonus episode, we continue our weekly series, reading and discussing excerpts from my new book, Reframe the Moment. It's super fun and appropriate because each essay grew out of a Jen is Zen episode, so why not bring it full circle. Today we talk about Chapter 2 - I Am, and it's really relevant because of how off balance I've been feeling this week. Video is available on YouTube, my website, and socials (I think y'all know how rare that is for me! I guess I'm turning over a new leaf!). You can order the book now if you'd like to read along.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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I could NEVER forget my Southern Hemisphere friends (I see you and love you, Australia!) Reposting just for you :)

It's the Spring Equinox! For the Southern Hemisphere, brighter days are on the horizon. It makes us realize that sometimes, it's our time to shine (literally!), and sometimes, it isn't. Can we celebrate others and know that it's just not our time right now, but still trust that we are on the right path? Manifesting is about speaking it out loud – and writing it down, of course – and then putting in the work, and in due time, we can watch our dreams come true. But sometimes it’s really hard to keep plugging along, right? What can you do today to work towards manifesting your dreams?

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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As we in the Northern Hemisphere (sorry, Australian friends!) reach the Autumnal Equinox, we can use it as a time to reflect on our own summer abundance. We may not be tending to crops, but we have each been tending to and nurturing other aspects of our lives. Each of us is growing and changing, and each of us is doing so in our own way. This change of season is a good time for us to look at our family system to see how our interconnectedness has changed and how our communication needs to adapt. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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In this bonus episode, I'm starting a weekly series, reading and discussing excerpts from my new book, Reframe the Moment. Not only do I think it'll be fun, but I also think it's appropriate because each essay grew out of a Jen is Zen episode, so why not bring it full circle. Plus, i love the fact that I can share where I am now or what/how I'll see each episode now versus then. Video is available on YouTube, my website, and socials (I think y'all know how rare that is for me! I guess I'm turning over a new leaf!). You can order the book now if you'd like to read along.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Gratitude doesn’t need perfection. Some days are filled with sunshine and ease, while others feel heavy, overwhelming, and far from what we hoped for. But gratitude isn’t about flawless circumstances - it’s about choosing to notice the good, even in the middle of the mess.

This Jen is Zen reflection explores how to practice gratitude in everyday life, especially when parenting teens, caring for aging parents, and juggling the endless responsibilities of home and work. It doesn't need to be complex - just simple ways to create a daily gratitude practice, like anchoring yourself with the breath, reframing everyday frustrations into small blessings, and using positive affirmations to shift your perspective.

Gratitude in parenting helps reframe the bittersweet moments of watching kids grow up; daily affirmations for gratitude can train the brain to notice good things; and how a mindset of thankfulness can transform even storm-cloud days. Gratitude won’t erase challenges, but it will change how you carry them, reminding you that life, even in its imperfection, is still worth saying thank you for.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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Parenting teens has a way of stirring up echoes from our own adolescence. When our kids face rejection, heartbreak, or big milestones, it can trigger memories of our past - and without realizing it, we may project our old wounds or family narratives onto their story. In this episode of Reframing Me, we explore how to notice when we’re parenting our younger selves instead of the teen in front of us, how to disrupt the limiting scripts we inherited, and how to avoid the “empathy trap” that entangles us in their experiences. Drawing on communication theory, we’ll talk about the power of reframing, creating open family dialogue, and letting our teens author their own chapters. You’ll walk away with practical tools to pause before projecting, reframe old narratives, balance empathy with boundaries, and anchor your parenting in love rather than performance. This is about helping your child live their story - not relive yours.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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It’s a hard time to be a teenager. Many worry about their safety at school, feel overwhelmed by daily pressures, and struggle with anxiety about the future. Recent studies show what parents already know in their hearts: our teens are hurting, and they need support.

It’s a hard time to be a parent, too. Watching your child feel stressed, anxious, or hopeless — and not always knowing how to help — can feel overwhelming. But there are ways we can make a difference.

In this episode of Reframing Me, we explore practical strategies for parenting teens through stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. We’ll talk about how to strengthen connection, support teen mental health and resilience, and reframe how we think about wellness at home. Because mental health is health — and when we treat it that way, we give our teens the tools to not only cope but also thrive.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Invisible labor is the unseen work that keeps families, relationships, and workplaces running smoothly, yet it often goes unrecognized. Tasks like scheduling appointments, handling logistics, emotional support, and household responsibilities are rarely acknowledged as productivity, but they are the foundation that makes visible accomplishments possible.

Sociologists call this the mental load - the constant planning, anticipating, and remembering that disproportionately falls on women and mothers. This hidden work includes coordinating family schedules, preparing meals, managing healthcare, and smoothing over everyday challenges. While invisible labor may not produce immediate, measurable results, it creates stability, trust, and the conditions that allow others to succeed.

Reframing productivity means valuing not only visible outcomes but also the unseen contributions that build strong families and balanced lives. Recognizing invisible labor as real accomplishment challenges the cultural belief that worth is tied only to tangible output. Invisible does not mean nothing - it is essential, powerful, and deserving of acknowledgment.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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***My new book is available now on Amazon!! Reframe the Moment: Choose Your Zen!***

Three years ago, this podcast began as a way to make sense of parenting teenagers and the shifts that happen in midlife. Since then, it’s become a space for exploring both family communication and personal rediscovery. In this episode, I share the journey of starting Reframing Me, what I’ve learned along the way, and why this community matters for moms raising teens who are also redefining who they are as women. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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Too often we save things for “someday” - the outfit, the earrings, the nice dishes, or even the opportunities that matter most. This reflection explores how waiting for the perfect time can keep us from experiencing joy and growth right now. A reminder that the present moment is all we truly have, and sometimes the best thing we can do is simply use the sticker. 

***My new book "Reframe the Moment: Choose Your Zen" is available right now on Amazon! If you enjoy this Jen is Zen, there are 67 more very much like it to return to again and again***

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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Back-to-school season brings big shifts for everyone - middle schoolers learning their place, high schoolers chasing independence, college students finding their footing, and moms adjusting to the changes at home. This episode explores why these transitions feel so heavy, how family systems shift when kids grow and launch, and what it means to navigate both the chaos and the quiet that follow. 

Thank you so much for being here! ***My new book is available now on Amazon!! Reframe the Moment: Choose Your Zen!*** Order now!

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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Marking 20 years at UNCW and 25 years in the classroom, this reflection looks back at what I wish I could have told my 23-year-old self. Words and thoughts have power - they can be tools that build the life we want or weapons that tear us, and others, down. This episode is a reminder to choose them wisely. 

Order Reframe the Moment: Choose Your Zen and 'Twas the Night Before Move In NOW!!

Thank you so much for being here!!

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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The launching stage of family life - as we empty the nest - brings both growth and grief. As kids step into independence, parents often face a quieter house, shifting family roles, and the ache of ambiguous loss - missing someone who is still “kind of here.” This episode explores how the ReFRAME model can help midlife women navigate these changes, reconnect with their identity, and find meaning in the swirl of transition. Drawing on Family Life Cycle Theory and the concept of ambiguous loss, it offers a guide to grounding, clarity, and peace in seasons of change. 

Order Reframe the Moment: Choose Your Zen and 'Twas the Night Before Move In NOW!! 

Thank you so much for being here!!

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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It doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. You are better, stronger, and smarter than you think you are. If you are going to make assumptions about your abilities, why not assume the best?

This week, I launched my book - Reframe the Moment: Choose Your Zen. I was so excited to share it with everyone that I posted a super cute reel announcing the book, and the response was amazing! So many kind words. So much support. People liked and commented and shared – they sent me so many amazing messages – they even bought lots of copies. I was so very happy, excited, and proud of myself all day.

And then… the spiral hit.

Because now? All of a sudden I realized – ummm… People I know are going to read this. What if it's not good? But you know what? It IS good. It IS powerful. It WILL help people.

We all doubt ourselves, but we are better, stronger, and smarter than we think we are. So, if we are going to make assumptions about our abilities, why not assume the best?

Order your copy of Reframe the Moment: Choose Your Zen here now! Also on www.reframing-me.com

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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Thank you for being here! Get excited! my new book is almost here!

Are you a sharent? Do you share pictures, stories, videos and information about your kids online? Many of us do it regularly without ever thinking about how it impacts our kids. As the Facebook generation hits their "digital coming of age," we are starting to see the consequences of our oversharemting. 

What about teens who overshare?

And the big question - should you wait to give your kids social media access??

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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Thank you so much for being here! Get excited! My new book is coming soon! Ordering info to follow!

Practice the Pause. There’s a big difference between our reaction and our response. We can’t do much about our reactions, but can you practice the pause before responding? In that slight pause, we can often see a very different response, which can lead to a very different result.

We can’t control what our day brings - unexpected texts, disappointing nails, or 11th-hour to-do lists - but we can control how we respond..

Because life’s too short to hate your nails.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Exercise is medicine for our body and soul, but what if it's the secret ingredient you've been missing in your family? A communication tool that fosters trust, emotional regulation, and lifelong bonding. Exercise is an unexpected but powerful way to build connection with your teen through movement.

Whether you're walking side by side, cheering from the sidelines, or swapping stories about your workouts over dinner, shared fitness experiences can become an emotional bridge in the often-complicated world of parenting teens.

You’ll learn why co-exercising (or even just talking about it) can help teens open up, why modeling movement matters during menopause and midlife, and how to talk about fitness in a way that supports self-esteem and avoids body shame.

If you’ve ever struggled to connect with your teen - or wondered how to prioritize your own health without guilt - this episode is for you. Tune in to reframe fitness as more than a habit. It’s a heart-centered strategy for growing stronger - together.

fitness and parenting teens, menopause and exercise, co-exercising with teens, how to connect with teenagers, family fitness, emotional regulation in teens, parent-teen bonding, reframing midlife, Jen Brubaker podcast, Reframing Me

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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Thank you so much for being here! Happy July! I am simultaneously shocked that it is already July and confused as to how it is ONLY July, when I feel like I have lived four lifetimes since January! It's time for our annual check-in to see where we're at six months into the year - your intention, your goals - I had ZERO idea what my intention even was for this year, so don't feel bad if you may be just a bit off course yourself - we have plenty of time to course correct. We can reroute and realign - set or edit our goals - change the course of our lives at any moment - it doesn't need to be January 1! Join me today for a conversation about who you were six months ago, who you are now, and where you're headed.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for listening! I'm so happy you're here!

Most people spend more time thinking about what they don’t want than thinking about what they do want.

The overall narrative to focus on what we don’t want – avoiding the bad – or thinking in terms of the negative – quite often overshadows what we do want. And that tends to create a vacuum in our present because we don’t really find ourselves with anything to hold on to. And focusing on what we don’t want can actually end up directing us down the wrong path.

Where our attention goes, energy flows.

This fear-based thinking about the things that we don’t want to have happen actually end up leaving us little space to create the life we want.

But what about what you are trying to move towards? What you want to achieve? What you want to manifest? We can’t attain any of that if we’re stuck on what we DON’T want.

What would happen if you let yourself want?

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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Thank you so much for being here! Welcome to our fabulous community of women - most of us are moms who are raising teens and rediscovering ourselves.

I am in the process of planning our summer vacation, so I thought it was the perfect time to revisit this episode because traveling with teens is always an adventure!!

After a couple of weeks way from the mic, I am back and ready to go!! Well, kinda... and kinda out of my comfort zone. How about you? Are you pushing yourself out of your comfort zone enough? Well, I am biting down, closing my eyes and doing it, so we can have a conversation about traveling with teens and the 10 universal reflections we experience on those trips. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for being here!! I am so appreciative of you for tuning in!

We’re living in a time when the world feels increasingly chaotic, and somehow we’re expected to keep functioning like everything’s fine. In this episode, I explore the concept of hypernormalization — how dysfunction becomes our default, and what that does to our minds, our bodies, and our relationships. From the global to the personal, this is a reflection on what happens when we stop noticing what’s not okay. If you’ve felt off, numb, or overwhelmed by the news cycle, the silence in your own home, or the heaviness in your chest that you can’t quite name, you’re not alone. This one is for your nervous system.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for being here!!

It wasn’t about the berries! In this episode of Reframing Me, we explore how small, everyday moments—like an almost missed berry picking trip—can trigger deeper emotional responses in parents of teens. Grounded in Family Systems Theory, Relational Dialectics Theory, and Metaphor Theory, this episode explains how family rituals carry symbolic meaning, and how their disruption can signal emotional shifts in family dynamics. We discuss strategies for navigating these transitions, improving emotional awareness, and supporting both ourselves and our teens as roles and relationships evolve. Includes five practical tips for processing emotional spirals and reframing connection during periods of change.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for being here! In the U.S. (and especially living at the beach!), Memorial Day is the "official" launch of summer! And never is our unappreciation of our bodies as great as it is during the summer. Can we say that we love our body... and mean it? What if instead of crititicizing all of our flaws based off of narratives that have been planted in our heads we appreciated and loved our bodies for all that they do?

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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Welcome to the show! I'm so happy that you're here! 

If you’re a mom, especially a mom of teenagers, you are probably feeling tired. All. The. Time. But what if your exhaustion isn’t just about lack of sleep? What if it’s about the type of rest you're not getting?

There’s a powerful framework I want to share with you today - I was introduced to it in the book The Hustle Cure by Sophie Cliff, but it comes from Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a physician who wrote the book Sacred Rest and gave a TED Talk that went viral for good reason. She breaks rest down into 7 distinct types. 

Today, we'll have a conversation about these seven different types that we need because, guess what? Our teenagers need them too! And, surprise! None of us are getting them!

Check out the NEW "Reframing Me" blog available NOW at www.Reframing-Me.com

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for being here! It's our 200th episode!! And today, for the first time, "Reframing Me" is ranking in France, so I am dusting off my high school French (well... that may be a BIT of a stretch...).

“You are the sky. Everything else—it’s just the weather.”

Or, maybe more simply: You are not your feelings. You are the one who feels them. Emotional complexity is the ability to separate yourself from your feelings. This is what it means to communicate without making everything personal. 

But it's not how we, as midlife - GenX or older Millennial women, were taught. So now, here we are: Hormonal messes. Parenting teens who are hormonal messes.

 Trying to model emotional intelligence we were never taught.

 Trying to teach our kids to express what they feel.

 Trying to name our own feelings accurately.

 Trying to decode what’s happening in our homes while living in bodies that feel foreign.

 Trying to understand our spouses - who were trained in the grand tradition of: anger, or nothing.

And while we're doing all that... we’re also often supporting aging parents who have never processed an emotion out loud in their lives.

So yeah. It’s a lot. Somedays, it feels like we are the emotional managers of our households.

• • What emotions have you been carrying that aren’t yours?
  • What emotion have you been flattening into something easier to name—when really, it’s more layered than that?
  • Where have you been managing emotions for people who haven’t learned to name their own?
  • What would change if you trusted yourself to feel it all—but not become it?

This is not about becoming emotionless. -  It’s about becoming emotionally fluent.. Because you are the sky, and even on the stormiest days—you are still steady and still you;

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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With prom season in full swing, and graduations upon us, and wedding season – tryouts – the post-college decision day aftermath - and of course the always a favorite "What are you going to do after graduation?” question that may be looming in the air, I wanted to revisit a favorite conversation of mine because Sometimes it’s almost as if your teens didn’t see your parenting vision board, isn’t it? What happens when they deviate from the plan? This isn’t how it was supposed to be. This isn’t how I planned or what I thought. 

Delve into a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges and complexities associated with deviating from societal and familial canonical storylines. Let’s have a conversation about how social norms and values use canonical stories to shape our understanding of the world and our place within it. Unpack the significance of embracing individuality while navigating the rigid structures imposed by canonical narratives, and reflect on the ways in which these narratives influence our perceptions of self and others.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here today! In celebration of Mother's Day, let's revisit our special Mom episodes! When these first aired, I was excited about our upcoming 50th episode. Now, here I am, about to record our 200th episode!

In part 1 we talked about the struggles that working moms face, so we continue our conversation by looking at the struggles of stay-at-home moms. SAHMs report feelings of sadness, loneliness, frustration and boredom. With teenagers, they often begin to question their role, as their kids have become more independent, which leads many to look to reclaim their careers. Many find that easier said than done with a decade-plus gap on their resumes, so let's look at SIX tips for rejoining the workforce and how we can all build our personal brand identity. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here today! In celebration of Mother's Day, let's revisit our special Mom episodes! When these first aired, I was excited about our upcoming 50th episode. Now, here I am, about to record our 200th episode! I guess I was right: Girls CAN do anything!

In part 1 of this MONSTER-sized mom episode, we're celebrating moms, girl power. Girls can do ANYTHING and be ANYTHING, but telling girls that they can or should do EVERYTHING is one of the factors that establishes the societal bias that places moms as the Default Parent, a mentally and physically draining role of providing primary care for parenting and home-related tasks. This syndrome exists and exhausts both working and stay-at-home moms, but it is especially challenging for working moms, so let's also have a conversation about 7 tips for work-family integrations. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you SO much for being here! Today’s Jen is Zen is episode number 199! As I approach 200, I can't help but reflect on what a transformation I have undergone over these last couple/few years!

Through my curiosity, I discovered myself, who I am underneath and who I wanted to be. And by focusing on what I wanted, rather than what I didn’t want - I found my passion. And once I found my passion, my purpose became abundantly clear. And that… that is transformation.

So today, can you ask yourself - How much of your attention are you giving to what you DO want versus what you DON’T want? Because most of us devote much more of our time and energy to what we don’t want to happen – what we don’t want for our day or for our future  - who we DON’T want to be - than to what we actually do want. And what would happen if you changed that focus? Would you transform?

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/WunxbwZ7L1MmvWEF6

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With summer creeping up, college students about to come home, and teens ready to enjoy summer break at home, I’ve been thinking a lot about how much the dynamic in many of our homes is about to shift. For some of us, the daily routines we’ve gotten used to will be flipped upside down - again. And even though we love having our kids back under our roofs, let’s be honest, it’s not always as smooth or idyllic as we imagine it will be.

So I’ve been asking myself: What’s the one piece of advice I’d give to another parent heading into this season? What is the bang for your buck as close to the secret of parenting teens that I can give you in a one and done answer.

And my answer is actually probably the best change I’ve ever made in myself as a parent. It’s not about new rules, or stricter consequences, or some clever new strategy. It’s about something a little harder to define - but way more impactful.

I made the boundary of our family more permeable.. I gave my teens space. And making family boundaries more permeable might just be the best change you could make, too.

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/WunxbwZ7L1MmvWEF6

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you so much for being here! Today, I invite you to hold two truths at once: I can celebrate her. And I can believe in me.

They’re not opposites. They’re connected. They make each other stronger.

And as we start living from that place of abundance - of lifting each other up instead of tearing ourselves down - we create a world that’s bigger, brighter, and more beautiful for all of us.

So where can you choose admiration over envy today? Where can you genuinely celebrate someone else’s success - and trust that yours is still coming too?

Because Someone else’s success is not your failure. Celebrate others’ successes. Support each other. A candle doesn’t become any dimmer when it lights another candle.

Let’s keep lighting each other’s candles, y’all because the world needs all the light we can give.

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/WunxbwZ7L1MmvWEF6

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I've been reading the book "Power Manifesting" by Paul McKenna, and he talks about a process called "Clean and Clear" to do an ecology check on your goals. An ecology check is how you ask, If I change one thing—will the rest of me still thrive?

And the questions are simple:

• • What are you willing to do to reach this goal?
  • What are you not willing to do?

But what they reveal?

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/WunxbwZ7L1MmvWEF6

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our true character doesn’t lie in not getting mad or upset or angry or jealous or disappointed – or feeling any of that negative energy. Our true character lies in how quickly we can shake that feeling off and refocus on what we need to do now. 

Like many of you, I’ve always been one to hold myself to a really high standard – whether it’s in my career or being a mom or a wife or a daughter or hosting a holiday or working out – and when it comes to being zen or grateful or positive, it's the same thing. It's in the title: it’s Jen IS Zen, not Jen is sometimes Zen or Jen is Zen.. more than she’s not. 

But sometimes we confuse being zen with being unaffected. But that’s not peace—that’s emotional suppression. That’s a performance, and it’s exhausting.

Your true power isn’t in pretending you don’t feel the hard things. It’s in how you tend to yourself when you do. It’s in how quickly you notice the spiral and decide to reroute.

So maybe the next time this happens to you, maybe instead of focusing on the spiral. Maybe you focus on the return.

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/WunxbwZ7L1MmvWEF6

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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In this final episode in our Matrenaissance conversation series, we chat with Amy—a nurse, mom, and now med spa owner—who opens up about rediscovering her identity after years of being “just mom.” Amy shares her emotional journey from full-time motherhood to launching a thriving aesthetics and wellness business, all while navigating grief, guilt, and the fear of failure.

Together, we unpack the deep societal messages that tell women they’re invisible after a certain age—and how Amy refused to accept that story. Whether you’re standing in the school pickup line or standing at the edge of something new, this conversation will remind you that your next chapter can be your most powerful yet.

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/WunxbwZ7L1MmvWEF6

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Keywords: midlife reinvention, Matrenaissance, empty nest, starting over at 40, women entrepreneurs, moms rediscovering purpose, midlife transformation, family communication, female-owned businesses, wellness entrepreneurship

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me on my birthday for a conversation about contextual age and its profound implications on our sense of self and well-being. Delving beyond mere chronological age, we explore how factors such as biological age, social roles, perceived age, and subjective age shape our identity and outlook on life.

Let's challenge conventional notions of aging and embrace an ageless mindset. By redefining our relationship with age, we can cultivate a sense of timelessness and vitality at any stage of life.

We'll discuss nine keys to staying ageless, including: what you put in your body, what you do with your body and what you put on your body; staying open to new ideas; challenging your brain and yourself; continuing to set goals and manifest success; doing things that make you happy; reducing stress and anxiety; building and fostering quality social relationships; and communicate.

Discover the power of contextual age in shaping our identity, relationships, and overall quality of life. Let's embark on a transformative exploration of agelessness and unlock the secrets to a vibrant and fulfilling existence, irrespective of the passing years.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Today, you get to choose, what are you going to focus on? It’s very easy and natural for us to want something different – if I could just go back to the past, or if it could just get to the future already. For years we just wanted to get older, and now, if we could only be young again… It’s ok to have those reactions. Honor wherever you are and however you feel, but let go of that and instead choose to focus on how you want to see the situation. In my special birthday episode, we have a conversation about aging. Because chronological age is such a poor predictor of age and the actual aging process, researchers have developed A LOT of alternative non-chronological age measures: Age Identity, Contextual Age, Subjective Age... All of this research allows us to develop 10 keys to being ageless - not young - just ageless. Today, I choose to focus on how I feel and on what I’m doing and accomplishing. I choose to focus on the context of my life. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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In this special birthday episode of Jen is Zen, I share my top five reasons I feel more peaceful, grounded, and fulfilled at 49 than ever before. From daily gratitude and intentional movement to supplements, intermittent fasting, and deep self-reflection, i share the habits and mindset shifts that have helped ne stay “Zen AF” despite life’s challenges. Perfect for women navigating midlife, this uplifting episode is a guide to healing, growth, and embracing your authentic self—at any age.

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/WunxbwZ7L1MmvWEF6

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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When Kris Janik realized that "you only live once!" also meant, "you DO ONLY live ONCE," she realized that she wanted to make it really mean something special - something that she and her family could be proud of. In this third episode of our Matrenaissance series, I have a conversation with contemporary artist and mother of three, Kris Janik, to explore the beautiful, nonlinear journey of rediscovering yourself after years spent in roles that serve everyone but you.

Kris opens up about her early career, her 15+ years as a stay-at-home mom, and the powerful transformation that led her to embrace her identity as a self-taught artist. At the heart of her Matrenaissance is not only creativity, but also healing — including her deeply personal journey with sobriety.

Through painting, travel, motherhood, and recovery, Kris found a way back to herself — one brushstroke at a time. Her story is one of evolution, resilience, and the courage to reclaim joy on your own terms.

This episode is part of our March Matrenaissance series, highlighting real women who have reimagined their identity, purpose, and power in midlife.

Whether you’re craving creativity, navigating motherhood, exploring sobriety, or simply wondering what’s next, Kris’s story is a powerful reminder: your evolution is not only possible — it’s beautiful.

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/WunxbwZ7L1MmvWEF6

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Check out Kris' art @krisjanikart on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/krisjanikart/)

Keywords:

Matrenaissance, midlife transformation, sobriety journey, identity shift, women over 40, self-discovery, creativity after motherhood, stay-at-home mom to artist, Kris Janik, Reframing Me podcast, coastal art, motherhood and recovery, personal growth in midlife

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you so much for being here! What would it feel like to fully trust the space between who I was and who I am becoming?

This question isn’t about naming where you are. It’s not even about clarity, or about your goals, about or knowing your vision or about manifesting your future self. It’s about trust. Trusting yourself and trusting where you are and trusting the process. 

I am still over here in my healing era, stuck in between - in between who I was and who I'm becoming. Just like our matrenaissance, it's a quiet space, full of reflecting and letting go to make space for who we are stepping into. But it's also an uncertain space, and that can be scary, so we need to trust in ourselves as we take those first few steps, until we can truly see what's on the other side.

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/WunxbwZ7L1MmvWEF6

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before we were moms, we were women—whole, vibrant individuals with passions, dreams, and a sense of self. But somewhere along the way, our identities began to revolve around our kids. And now, as they grow into their independence, we’re left asking: Who am I now?

In this special Matrenaissance re-release, I revisit a powerful conversation with Certified Life Coach Marybeth Cale of Estuary Coaching—someone I’ve long admired as a woman just a few steps ahead of me in life and parenting.

Back when we recorded this episode two years ago, I didn’t yet have the words for the transformation I saw in her. But now, I do. Beth wasn’t just evolving—she was in her Matrenaissance: a powerful midlife rebirth rooted in self-rediscovery, identity shift, and reclaiming purpose beyond motherhood.

 ✔ Midlife identity changes

 ✔ Rediscovering passions, purpose, and self

 ✔ Reframing roles and relationships

 ✔ Embracing personal growth and life coaching

We explore how to slow down, tune in, and start living with more intention. Because midlife isn’t the end of the story—it’s the moment we finally begin writing our chapter.

👉 Ready to step into your Matrenaissance?

 Be part of the movement and support ongoing research by taking the Matrenaissance Survey link. Your voice matters.

✨ Follow along on Instagram and TikTok @reframingme, Reframing Me on Facebook - for more on motherhood, midlife, identity, and communication.

🎙️ And if this episode resonated with you, please share, rate, and review—it helps more women like us find their way back to themselves.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you so much for being here! While I'm currently in my healing era, it’s the perfect time to revisit powerful topics that never lose their relevance—like senioritis.

This time last year, I was right where many of you are now—parenting a high school senior navigating the emotional rollercoaster of their final year. Senioritis is often brushed off as laziness or apathy, but it’s actually a complex emotional and psychological shift that affects both students and families.

From sudden lack of motivation and irritability to feelings of disconnection and overwhelm, the final stretch before graduation can stir up tension in even the most grounded households. In this episode, we explore the real reasons behind senioritis—from cognitive dissonance and fear of the unknown to the need for control and autonomy.

You'll learn how to recognize emotional behaviors like "soiling the nest"—where teens unconsciously create conflict to make separation easier—and discover practical ways to guide your senior through this transitional period. Whether it’s encouraging new hobbies, life skills, or part-time jobs, there are meaningful ways to reframe this season of change.

If you’re parenting a teen preparing for college, experiencing senior year stress, or simply trying to maintain peace during this major life shift, this episode is for you.

Let’s embrace the chaos, find clarity, and walk this path with grace—together.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back! Thank you for being here! In this Jen is Zen episode, we need to chat about the in-between—that space where transformation is happening, even when it feels like everything is falling apart. 

So, I've had a bit of a surprise injury that needs surgery (like, literally tomorrow!) and I'm finding myself unexpectedly sidelined in this limbo, so I’ve had to shift my perspective and lean into the discomfort of slowing down.

And there's not only a parallel between this in-between space I'm in right now and the in-between space we're in cosmically in eclipse season, but just like the cosmic shifts happening around us—eclipses, retrogrades, and all the chaos they bring—our Matrenaissance is its own kind of transition. It’s unsettling, it’s uncertain, but it’s also where the magic happens. So today, I’m asking you to reflect: What needs to fall away so that you can fully step into who you’re becoming?

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/WunxbwZ7L1MmvWEF6

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you realize the life you’re living no longer aligns with who you want to be? How do you navigate the fear, resistance, and self-doubt that come with stepping into a new version of yourself?

In this episode of Reframing Me, I sit down with Emily Allen, a certified alcohol-free life coach who helps women break free from wine mom culture and reclaim their power in midlife. After transforming her own relationship with alcohol while raising her two children, Emily now guides women in creating a future filled with clarity, authentic connections, and true freedom.

Emily’s story is a perfect example of the Matrenaissance in action—she recognized that the narrative she had been living wasn’t serving her, changed the way she spoke to herself, stepped into her power, and now helps other women do the same.

In our conversation, we dive into:

🔹 Recognizing the need for change—How Emily knew it was time for a shift

🔹 The role of intrapersonal communication—How self-talk shapes transformation

🔹 Overcoming fear and resistance—Navigating pushback from yourself and others

🔹 Rewriting your identity—Becoming the kind of person who shows up for herself

🔹 How relationships evolve when we grow—Setting boundaries and finding support

🔹 Breaking free from wine mom culture—Why alcohol and midlife reinvention are so connected

Find Emily at www.livingfreewithemily.com and @livingfreewithemily

This conversation is for any woman who feels stuck—whether it’s in a habit, a role, or a version of herself that no longer fits. Emily’s journey will inspire you to suspend your disbelief, rewrite your story, and step into the woman you were meant to be.

✨ Join the March Matrenaissance movement! If you haven’t already, listen to the main Matrenaissance episode, and stay tuned as I bring you more conversations with women who have transformed their lives.

📢 Let’s keep the conversation going!

💌 Take the Matrenaissance survey: www.reframing-me.com

📲 Follow along @ReframingMe everywhere

📧 Want to share your story? Email me at jen@reframing-me.com

Midlife isn’t the end—it’s your Matrenaissance. Let’s rewrite the narrative together. 🎙️✨

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/WunxbwZ7L1MmvWEF6

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever let go of the limiting beliefs holding you back and truly allowed yourself to dream? In this Jen is Zen episode, we explore what happens when you suspend your disbelief and give yourself permission to imagine the life you truly want.

We often think self-esteem comes from achieving big milestones—landing the job, losing the weight, earning the degree—but true confidence is built in the small, daily commitments we make to ourselves. The way we treat ourselves when no one is watching, the tiny habits we follow through on, and the promises we keep to ourselves shape the way we see who we are.

In this episode, we ask:

 🔹 What kind of person do I need to become to have the life I want?

 🔹 How do I shift the stories I tell myself about what’s possible?

 🔹 What is one small daily action I can take to start trusting myself more?

By building the habit of keeping small promises—whether it’s making your bed, drinking more water, or sticking to a simple self-care routine—you create a new narrative of self-trust and empowerment. Because you are the kind of person who follows through. And that is where real transformation begins.

So today, I challenge you to suspend your disbelief. Dream big. Then, take one small step toward becoming the version of yourself who actually lives that dream.

✨ Join the March Matrenaissance movement! If you haven’t already, listen to the main Matrenaissance episode from last week, and stay tuned as I bring you conversations with women just like you—women who have transformed their lives and are ready to share what they’ve learned.

📢 Let’s keep the conversation going!

 💌 Take the Matrenaissance survey: www.reframing-me.com

 📲 Follow along @ReframingMe everywhere

 📧 Want to share your story? Email me at jen@reframing-me.com

You are the kind of person who…? Let’s rewrite that story together.

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/spQCBxhLweDXP2zk8

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At some point, every woman in midlife finds herself asking: Who am I now? Maybe your kids don’t need you the way they used to. Maybe your career feels stagnant. Maybe your relationships are shifting in ways you never expected. You’re not the same person you were ten years ago, but where does that leave you?

In this episode, I’m sharing my own story—the moment I realized that I wasn’t lost, I was evolving. That midlife wasn’t a crisis, but a turning point. That’s when I started diving into research, self-reflection, and conversations with other women, and I discovered a pattern—a process we all go through but rarely talk about.

I call it Matrenaissance—a movement, a mindset shift, and a framework for understanding the transformation that happens when women redefine their identity, relationships, and sense of purpose in midlife. We’ll talk about how our internal dialogue shapes the way we see ourselves, how shifting roles in motherhood and family dynamics impact our relationships, and how cultural messages about women “aging out” of relevance couldn’t be further from the truth.

If you’ve ever felt like you were losing yourself, this episode is for you. Midlife isn’t about fading into the background—it’s about stepping fully into who you are meant to be. This is your Matrenaissance.

Please help me with my Matrenaissance Identity Theory of Communication research by completing a completely anonymous survey at https://forms.gle/spQCBxhLweDXP2zk8

This research has been approved by the UNCW Institutional Review Board. 

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you so much for being here!!

Your best is going to look different on different days for different reasons and in different seasons.

We often need a reminder that external pressures, life circumstances, and emotional bandwidth shape our daily "best." And our best today isn't the same as our best yesterday or our best tomorrow. And that's ok. Sometimes our best is just showing up. We need to extend ourselves grace even when it's "the worst performance of your career."

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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Welcome back to the show! Thank you for being here!

Today, we're having a conversation about emotional intelligence, teen brain development, and breaking generational cycles around managing emotions. Many of us who grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s were never taught how to handle emotions—because our parents weren’t taught either. This lack of emotional literacy has impacted our relationships, parenting styles, and even how we process our own emotions today.

We explore:

✅ Why emotional intelligence matters and how it affects our relationships.

✅ How emotions actually last only 90 seconds—it’s the stories we tell ourselves that prolong them.

✅ Why men often struggle to express emotions other than anger, while women are labeled “too emotional.”

✅ How societal expectations have shaped emotional suppression across generations.

✅ Practical strategies for improving our own emotional intelligence as adults.

✅ The best ways to teach emotional regulation to our kids, helping them develop strong, healthy relationships.

If you’ve ever wondered how to manage your emotions better, teach your kids emotional intelligence, or stop the cycle of emotional suppression, this episode is for you. Tune in now and start building emotional awareness in your family!

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share!

#EmotionalIntelligence #ParentingTeens #BreakingGenerationalCycles #MindfulParenting #TeenBrainDevelopment #RaisingEmotionallyHealthyKids

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Thank you so much for being here! I have big dreams - lots of exciting goals. But I am so happy with my life today... am I being ungrateful for her by wanting more? This is a question that I've been pondering over the last week. Or are we holding ourselves back without even realizing it? In this episode of Jen is Zen, we’re diving into the powerful balance between gratitude and ambition—because wanting more doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful; it means you’re growing. We’ll explore how ‘playing small’ can disguise itself as contentment, why reaching for more is actually an expression of gratitude (not a rejection of it), and how to step into your full potential without guilt. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, limiting beliefs, or the fear of wanting ‘too much,’ this episode is for you. The future isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you create, moment by moment. Let’s talk about how to stop playing small and start living fully. The future is today—don’t miss it.

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Thank you so much for being here! Here in North Carolina, the U.S., the Northern Hemisphere it has felt like the winteriest of winters, but we have passed the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, so yay, us! What's been lighting up these dark days for me? Literally, a Happy Light! and magnesium! and intermittent fasting! So let's chat about them all... and don't forget our teens! Why are they feeling the second semester blues?? Let's chat about that too!

Also, check out Diagnosis: Senioritis and Soiling the Nest

In this episode of Reframing Me, Dr. Jennifer Brubaker shares how to navigate the winter blues, maintain emotional wellness, and support teens experiencing second-semester struggles. She reflects on surviving the long stretch of January and highlights three key strategies that have helped her feel better physically and mentally:

1. Intermittent Fasting – Balancing eating and fasting periods to improve brain function, energy levels, and overall well-being.
2. Magnesium Supplementation – Addressing common deficiencies that contribute to stress, poor sleep, and muscle fatigue.
3. Light Therapy – Using a Happy Light to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and regulate mood and energy.

Dr. Brubaker also dives into the reasons why teens may struggle in the second semester, including seasonal depression, academic fatigue, shifting social dynamics, homesickness, burnout, and uncertainty about the future. She offers practical strategies for parents to support their teens through open communication, validation, and mental health check-ins.

🔹 Listen now to learn how to make the rest of winter more manageable for you and your family!

Keywords: seasonal affective disorder, second semester blues, intermittent fasting, magnesium benefits, light therapy, teen mental health, family communication, parental support, academic fatigue, burnout recovery

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Thank you so much for being here!

What is your why? It's so important to ask yourself this question, whether it's to find your focus, make it through something challenging, or simply get yourself out of bed in the morning.

Because you create your own magic. You create your own future. You don’t need to be chosen. You don’t need to wait to be chosen. We are the creators of our own destiny. We have a responsibility to ourselves to create our lives.

Through my recent 28-day gratitude practice, one of my most interesting and impactful takeaways has been the realization that we have everything inside of us that we need. We have all of the answers that we want, all of the tools that we need. It’s already there—we just need to listen to hear it.

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Thank you so much for being here!

We had a rare snow week that has felt a bit bittersweet, so we're having a conversation about changes in family dynamics as children grow and leave home, and we're up in our feelings.

I'll highlight some key theories—Family Systems Theory, Developmental Stage Theory, and the Stability-Change Relational Dialectic—to help parents understand and navigate these transitions. We'll also talk about how we can handle it, including removing guilt from teens, creating new traditions, open communication, and leaning into personal growth during this phase of life.

This episode is a must-listen for parents adjusting to evolving family connections and looking to find balance, empathy, and new meaning in this stage of life. Embrace the changes and discover how to reframe family moments while rediscovering yourself.

Keywords: family dynamics, letting go, parenting transitions, college-age kids, snow day reflections, personal growth, family systems theory, stability-change dialectic, Dr. Jennifer Brubaker, Reframing Me.

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Thank you for being here today! It's a snow day in here in Wilmington (where it never snows!), which is super exciting! Snow day vibes are very different here than they are in places where it regularly snows. It's all in how you see it.

Are you making life more complicated than it needs to be?

The world we live in is inherently subjective. It’s not shaped by some objective reality. It’s shaped by the lens we use to perceive it. We could live through the same day, walk the same streets, face the same situations, and yet leave with completely different interpretations.

Why is that? It’s because the issue isn’t about how the world is—it’s about how we are.

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In this episode of Reframing Me, we tackle the rising wave of anger in society—especially in teenagers—and explore how parents can effectively support their teens through these challenging emotions. We discuss the psychological, social, and biological reasons behind teen anger, from hormonal changes and brain development to academic pressures, social media overload, and family dynamics.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Society Feels Angrier Than Ever: Chronic stress, social media influence, and weakened community ties are fueling global frustration.
• The Health Impact of Anger: Chronic anger increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and mental health challenges.
• Top 10 Reasons Teens Are Angry: Hormonal shifts, identity struggles, social pressures, sleep deprivation, and mental health issues are major factors.
• Effective Parenting Strategies: Learn how to manage and prevent teen anger with practical tools like open communication, emotional validation, setting boundaries, and encouraging healthy outlets.

By understanding the root causes of anger and applying empathetic communication strategies, parents can foster emotional resilience and build stronger family connections.

Listen now to discover actionable steps to help your teen manage anger and create a more peaceful home.

#TeenAnger #ParentingTips #FamilyCommunication #MentalHealthAwareness #ReframingMePodcast

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Thank you so much for being here! What’s the life that you want? If you suspend your disbelief and you take away the doubts and the excuses and narratives in your head telling you otherwise, what is the life that you want?

Now, if you were given that life right now, how would you feel? What would you do? How grateful would you be for that life?

And the hardest question of all – are you that grateful for your life now?

You can probably see a theme with me lately - I am emersed in gratitude as I'm reading the book "The Magic" by Rhonda Byrne. In the book, she says “Gratitude is something you must have before you receive , not simply something you feel after something good happens.”  And I just love that. It’s really to feel gratitude when we receive what we want, but in order to even set ourselves up to receive it, we need to be thankful for what we already have.

It's basic law of attraction – manifestation. Envision what you want – and how you would feel having it – that gratitude. And the easiest way to do that is to feel that gratitude right now – gratitude for what you do have. Gratitude attracts gratitude. Like attracts like - Manifesting - Law of attraction.

Can you feel that gratitude for what you have now to attract what you want?

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Welcome to 2025!

Happy New Year! Apparently, today is National Quitters' Day because it's the time (one week-ish into the new year) when people fall from their resolutions, which is why, we should abandon "new year, new me" and embrace "new year, same me, new mindset." In this first podcast episode of the year, we discuss a top 10, best of, practical parenting strategies to build stronger, more positive relationships with our teenagers in the new year. The list encourages parents to focus on personal growth through gratitude and mindset shifts instead of traditional New Year’s resolutions. Key advice includes not taking teens' behavior personally, actively listening, showing trust, validating emotions, and balancing stability with flexibility in family dynamics. The episode emphasizes creating a supportive environment by staying calm, offering space, and accepting teens for who they are. It also highlights how raising your personal energy and mindset positively impacts family relationships, encouraging parents to "be the thermostat, not the thermometer" in their homes (last year's intention) and focus on being "grateful for the opportunity" and that "belief is the thermostat for what we can achieve" (which are intentions I am still considering for this year).

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Thank you so much for being here! Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! As we wrap up another year together and enter 2025, I want you to reflect on all that you've done this year - thank yourself for showing up for you. As you move into a new year, now's the time to leave anything behind that you don't want to carry with you. What would your future look like if you started it free? Free of your doubts, your limitations, your worries, and your fears – free of any self limiting beliefs or emotional baggage of the past and of other people’s expectations of who you should be. What if you started 2025 free? What would that look like and who would you be?

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Welcome back! Thank you for being here! In this part two, Dr. Jennifer Brubaker explores how AI tools like ChatGPT can empower personal growth, simplify daily tasks, and help moms envision and achieve their ideal life. Building on the previous episode, she shifts the focus from how teens can use AI to how moms can benefit from it, from goal-setting and visualization to practical uses like meal planning and financial organization. Jen shares her own experience with using AI for life planning and reflects on how it can be a powerful tool for navigating transitions, managing responsibilities, and creating meaningful change. Listen to discover how AI can help lighten your load and guide you toward a more fulfilling life.

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Thank you for being here! In Part 1 of this two-part episode, we have a conversation about Understanding AI to help teens use It responsibly.

We look into the world of artificial intelligence and its impact on our lives, focusing on how moms can guide their teens to use AI tools like ChatGPT responsibly and effectively. Drawing parallels to the early days of the internet, Dr. Brubaker reframes the conversation around AI from fear to opportunity, emphasizing its role as a tool for learning, creativity, and productivity.

Jen explores the strengths and limitations of AI, offering practical insights into how teens can use it ethically for school, skill-building, and personal growth. She highlights the importance of critical thinking and reminds parents that AI is a starting point—not a substitute—for meaningful effort and learning. Through relatable examples, she shares how AI can be a valuable resource for teens while cautioning against overreliance.

Listen to better understand AI, help your teens navigate its use, and prepare for the next episode, where Dr. Brubaker shifts the focus to how moms can harness AI to manifest their dream lives. Don’t miss this informative and empowering conversation!

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Thank you for being here today! Can you believe we're already in December? As we head towards our third new year's together, I've come to the realization in my life that I'm running on vibes alone. But we all know it's easier to stay the same than to embrace change. And it's uncomfortable for us to think about trying new things or heading down new paths because our lives feel full of change, and this would require even more instability, more change, more discomfort and we have enough of that in our lives. 

But sometimes we reach a point that realize that avoiding that change is actually worse than taking it on – maybe we are moving so much that we don't even realize that we actually have become stagnant. Weird, right? But we’re going going going – that’s like the opposite of stagnant, isn’t it? Well… just because we’re quote busy doesn’t mean we’re growing. And if we’re not growing, guess what, we’re stagnant. And so we reach a point where the discomfort of staying the same becomes greater than the discomfort of change.

 Where in your life have you been running on vibes? Where have you been avoiding growth because the thought of change feels too overwhelming?

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In this Thanksgiving episode, I am extra thankful for you being here! Many moms (including me!) are anxious to have their college students home for the holiday, but that doesn't mean it won't be without its possible challenges. We'll have a conversation exploring the joys and challenges of welcoming college freshmen back home for the holidays. As our families reconnect, we need to adapt to the changes our child has experienced in their first months at college, from newfound independence to identity growth, and how these shifts impact family dynamics, which have also had to adapt.. Whether it’s managing expectations, fostering open communication, or finding gratitude in the chaos, this episode is packed with advice to help families make the most of this special time together.

Dr. Brubaker’s warm and relatable approach offers encouragement and empathy, reminding listeners to focus on connection, gratitude, and the love that binds families. Perfect for parents navigating their child's return from college, this episode is your guide to a meaningful and memorable Thanksgiving.

Listen now on Reframing Me and connect on social media at @reframingme or at reframing-me.com.

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Welcome back! It has been a minute since we took time for a Just for Me episode, so in an effort to let my woowoo side out again after months of my more cerebral side taking the lead, we are going to have a conversation about a few of my favorite things (and no, I cannot say that without thinking of Julie Andrews twirling in the Alps). So manifestation, the Law of Resonance, magic elixirs, collagen, mushrooms, functional fitness, castor oil packs, and more - we are all over the place today, but I promise, we'll have fun doing it!

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Thank you so much for being here! It can be very easy to sometimes feel like life and the world, like it’s all out of our control. Like we’re simply responding to things and left wishing they were different. Can you be the change that you are waiting for? Because change can and always should begin with us. So what if we stopped looking outside of ourselves for what we want and instead, if we realized that we actually have the power to create the shifts that we want to see happen? Because we do. Everything we need is inside of us to be the change we want. What do you want to change? In yourself or your life or the world? How can you make that change begin inside of you? How can you change your actions and your reactions to embody that outcome you want? How can you put out into this world – into the lives of the people around you - into the space that you occupy - how can you put out into this world what you want to see? Can you set the vibration – set the tone – set the temperature? Can you be the thermostat not the thermometer? Instead of sitting back and waiting for change, know that that change begins with you – you have everything you need within you.

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Thank you so much for being here!! It's a week post-US presidential election and many are processing it all. Today, we are going to have a conversation about how we as moms can help our teens and young adults to process their feelings following the 2024 presidential election. Our nation feels deeply divided, and these emotions are quite strong among young people. Teenagers and young voters – they often lack the historical context to see this election as one part of a broader political landscape. Teens are going to feel this moment intensely because they’re still developing their emotional and cognitive frameworks for understanding complex societal events. So let’s talk today about how we can help to create a space for them for open dialogue, how we can be sure to understand and validate their feelings, and how we can help to introduce them to healthy coping strategies.

Jon Stewart post-election monologue

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Re: That....It's that time of year again! In the episode "Game Over," we had a conversation for this NEW batch of senior parents (this is my year off - phew! Last year and the next TWO years, I am back ON!) about the loss we feel when our kids' sports or activities end, whether its because they've lost interest or didn't make the team or, as many of us face senior year, they finish their final season. But we aren’t the only ones who will feel the end because obviously, the kids will feel it even more than we do,. So Re: That – I wanted to UPCYCLE our earlier episode to continue our conversation into life after sports or what comes next - what can we expect from our teen athletes post sports, and how you can help them find their identities.

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It is that time of year again! A whole new batch of seniors (and senior parents!) finishing up the sports/activities that have consumed their (our!) lives, time, energy, and money. Afterwords years of finding ourselves on the sideline or in the stands or seats watching day after day, week after week, year after year, this is the point when it all ends. For many, senior year is that end. But for some, it happens sooner, whether they don’t make the team or grow out of love with the sport or activity and just decide they are done – but wait! You might say – but what if I’m not done? 

It’s the end of a chapter. There is a loss – a sense of grief – it’s the loss of an activity – of a group of people you’ve grown to feel a community with – the loss of something that you share with your child.

It's ok to feel sad. It’s ok for us to look back and reflect. It just won’t be the same. And it’s ok to mourn that end – mourn the loss. 

We may feel an ambiguous loss. At its core, ambiguous loss is about a lack of resolution. The loss of what could have or should have been. The loss of someone or something as it was. 

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Thank you for being with me today! Can we all open the door to a life that’s lighter, fuller, and brimming with self-acceptance? 

Can we drop the load we’ve been carrying? 

For so long, we've each been carrying something around with us – something that is heavy – something that is weighing us down. 

What if today, right now, we each just let it go? If we dropped them, and ran? How would our lives, from here on, how would tjhey be different? 

Dropping these loads doesn’t just change our experiences; it reshapes how we relate to others, to our work, and most importantly, to ourselves.

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Election anxiety is the intense stress or nervousness that people feel surrounding elections, but it’s obviously particularly present in periods leading up to a major election, like this one. It’s characterized by a sense of worry about the future, frustration with the political climate, and often a constant preoccupation with political news and any possible developments. And according to an AP poll, at least 70% of Americans are feeling it on the eve of this Election Day. So we're having a conversation about the very real and very valid election anxiety – what it is, why we feel it, what we can do to help – even as we feel like we’re stuck in this purgatory right now.

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Thank you so much for being here!

We know all too well how powerful and sometimes overwhelming our teens’ emotions can be. This period is a time of those huge changes —physically, mentally, and emotionally—and these changes bring a whirlwind of emotions that can often feel out of control for both them and us. In today's conversation, we’ll explore the types of emotions teens commonly experience, how they often express those emotions, and how we, as their mothers, can help them manage their emotions in healthier, more productive ways.

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Thank you so much for being here!

When a candle lights another candle, it doesn’t lose any of its light, and two candles shine brighter than one. Be the candle that lights the others around you, and surround yourself with those who aren’t afraid to light you when you need it. And stay very clear of the "candleblowers" out there.

When I think of it this way – when I think of trying to sustain that lignt in myself and help others to find theirs – I see it as a beautiful reminder of the power of kindness, support, and shared strength. When I imagine one candle lighting another, I think about how we have the ability to ignite hope, or inspiration, or even joy in others without losing anything ourselves. In fact, we gain something—because in giving light, we create a connection. We become part of something bigger.

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Happy World Menopause Day - although most of us celebrate every damn day by feeling 20 degrees hotter than everyone else around them – and spending way too much time trying to remember what we were doing or thinking or saying – by having random aches and pains and itches that seem to come from nowhere – seem absolutely crazy – and then disappear – or by crying or yelling or snapping because… well you don’t even know why – the irritability and the mood swings – and tired, so very tired. So to all of you here in perimenopause or maybe menopause, good job girl, you deserve a day!! Yay on you. I thought it would be an excellent time for us to just take a moment to acknowledge us and the powerful transformations we experience during perimenopause and menopause.

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Sometimes the discomfort of staying the same has to be greater than the discomfort of change.

The discomfort of staying in place can eventually become undeniable. And when it does, it’s no longer the fear of change that holds us back, but the recognition that we are meant to evolve. We are not meant to stay stuck in the same routines, in the same roles, or in the same patterns forever.

Change isn’t always easy. In fact, it’s often uncomfortable, filled with uncertainty and moments of self-doubt. But there’s also a deep, profound truth in knowing that the discomfort of growth is often the very thing we need to experience to reach new levels of fulfillment.

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On October 3rd, he asked me what day it was. “It’s October 3rd.” In observance of “Mean Girls” day, we’re revisiting the Burn Book. Let's start October off with a cleanse - clean that cup so we can fill it up with zen. An airing of our grievances. And while we're at it, we'll have a conversation about the top 10 mistakes that parents make when communicating with their teens, and how we can do better. 

Episode 66 Traveling with Teens

Episode 80 It's Not about the Socks

Episode 78 La Vie est Belle

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On October 3rd, he asked me what day it was. “It’s October 3rd.” In observance of “Mean Girls” day, we’re revisiting the Burn Book. Let's start October off with a cleanse - clean that cup so we can fill it up with zen. An airing of our grievances. And while we're at it, we'll have a conversation about the top 10 mistakes that parents make when communicating with their teens, and how we can do better. 

Episode 66 Traveling with Teens

Episode 80 It's Not about the Socks

Episode 78 La Vie est Belle

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Thank you for being here! 

Your value is not determined by someone else’s ability to see it, so do not edit yourself for anyone. If someone doesn’t think you’re enough, that is their opinion, and that is none of your business. If someone says you’re too much, tell them to go find less. 

Have you ever stopped to think about who you would be, as a person, who you’d be if you hadn’t edited yourself to be who other’s wanted you to be? How much of the person you are has been created because someone else didn’t see your worth – maybe even see your potential? How much power over other your future is placed in other people’s hands every day? 

Can you break that cycle today?

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Thank you for being here for this important and timely conversation! Part 6 is a discussion to guide communication and repair family relationships that have been damaged by political differences. It addresses the growing polarization in society, which has led to strained familial ties, and offers practical strategies for reconciliation. The focus is on understanding the deep emotional bonds within families and how political conflicts, though often surface-level, can exacerbate underlying emotional issues such as past resentments or betrayals.

Key strategies for repairing relationships include practicing active listening, empathy, and setting clear boundaries around political discussions. It's important to avoid accusatory language and focus on expressing personal feelings and needs in a non-confrontational way. The document also emphasizes reframing conversations to focus on shared values and common ground rather than trying to persuade the other person.

In some cases, professional help may be needed if deeper emotional or psychological issues are at play. The process of reconciliation is gradual and requires consistent effort, trust-building, and a willingness to engage in small, positive interactions over time. The document encourages the use of communication skills and patience as essential tools for navigating political disagreements in families, ultimately aiming to preserve and strengthen these long-term relationships.

Dr. Jennifer Brubaker is a professor of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and teaches and publishes in both Family Communication and Political Communication. “Reframing the Conversation” is a six-part series that focuses on addressing the challenges that families face in communicating across political divides. It explores the psychology behind political polarization and examines how society has reached this point of division. The series emphasizes using strategies like empathy, active listening, and finding common ground to foster healthier conversations and mend complicated relationships. By reframing the way political and family discussions are approached, individuals can work towards reconnecting despite their differences and strengthening their relationships.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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Thank you for being here for this important and timely conversation! Part 5 delves into the development of extreme political beliefs and the impact they have on personal relationships, particularly within families. It explores the roots of political extremism, including social alienation, emotional appeals, and the "us versus them" mindset. These factors often drive individuals to adopt extreme views, which are further fueled by disinformation, conspiracy theories, and the influence of charismatic leaders.

Political extremism is marked by a rigid worldview that rejects compromise and sees opponents as enemies. This episode explains how social identity theory plays a role, with extremists deriving a sense of belonging and moral superiority from their political affiliations. This makes them more likely to dehumanize others and justify harmful actions.

Social media, with its algorithms designed to create echo chambers, is a major factor in amplifying extremism by continuously reinforcing existing beliefs. Disinformation and conspiracy theories further radicalize individuals, deepening polarization and resistance to opposing viewpoints.

The episode also offers strategies for communicating with political extremists in families. Key approaches include active listening, empathy, avoiding direct confrontation, and focusing on shared values. Gradually introducing factual information, respecting autonomy, and setting boundaries are also emphasized as effective ways to engage without escalating conflict.

Ultimately, the goal is not to immediately change an extremist's mind but to create an environment where open dialogue is possible, helping to preserve relationships despite deeply ingrained differences.

Dr. Jennifer Brubaker is a professor of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and teaches and publishes in both Family Communication and Political Communication. “Reframing the Conversation” is a six-part series that focuses on addressing the challenges that families face in communicating across political divides. It explores the psychology behind political polarization and examines how society has reached this point of division. The series emphasizes using strategies like empathy, active listening, and finding common ground to foster healthier conversations and mend complicated relationships. By reframing the way political and family discussions are approached, individuals can work towards reconnecting despite their differences and strengthening their relationships.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here for this important and timely conversation! Part 4 discusses how to effectively communicate political views while managing conflicting opinions within relationships, especially in a highly polarized environment. It emphasizes the importance of civil discourse and provides practical strategies for fostering meaningful conversations without damaging relationships.

Key communication skills highlighted include active listening, empathy, and maintaining a focus on understanding rather than trying to "win" the argument. The episode also discusses how political beliefs are often closely tied to personal identity, making it important to approach discussions with patience and non-defensiveness. By prioritizing relationships over persuasion, the goal is to create an environment where differing views can be shared respectfully.

The episode also outlines different types of conversations—decision-making, emotional, and social—and suggests matching the conversational style to the situation. Understanding the deeper, underlying concerns behind political opinions can lead to more productive discussions and reduce tension.

The overall message is that by applying these communication strategies, individuals can engage in healthier, more respectful political discourse, strengthening both personal relationships and broader community connections.

Dr. Jennifer Brubaker is a professor of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and teaches and publishes in both Family Communication and Political Communication. “Reframing the Conversation” is a six-part series that focuses on addressing the challenges that families face in communicating across political divides. It explores the psychology behind political polarization and examines how society has reached this point of division. The series emphasizes using strategies like empathy, active listening, and finding common ground to foster healthier conversations and mend complicated relationships. By reframing the way political and family discussions are approached, individuals can work towards reconnecting despite their differences and strengthening their relationships.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here for this important and timely conversation! Part 3 explores the critical role of media literacy and political socialization in shaping individuals' political perspectives. Political socialization, a lifelong process influenced by factors such as family, education, peers, religion, socioeconomic status, and major events, plays a central role in how individuals develop their political beliefs. Family is highlighted as the most influential factor, with schools and peer groups also playing key roles in fostering critical thinking and exposure to diverse ideas.

Media, particularly social media, has transformed how political information is consumed and shared. The document stresses the importance of media literacy, which involves critically analyzing media content to recognize biases, misinformation, and persuasive techniques. The rise of social media platforms has created echo chambers where users are often exposed only to information that aligns with their existing beliefs, further deepening political polarization.

To combat misinformation and enhance civil discourse, the document emphasizes the need for critical thinking skills, fact-checking, understanding media ownership, and recognizing manipulative techniques in political campaigns. It underscores how media influences public perception, shapes political discourse, and impacts voter behavior, making media literacy an essential skill for informed citizenship and maintaining a healthy democracy.

Dr. Jennifer Brubaker is a professor of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and teaches and publishes in both Family Communication and Political Communication. “Reframing the Conversation” is a six-part series that focuses on addressing the challenges that families face in communicating across political divides. It explores the psychology behind political polarization and examines how society has reached this point of division. The series emphasizes using strategies like empathy, active listening, and finding common ground to foster healthier conversations and mend complicated relationships. By reframing the way political and family discussions are approached, individuals can work towards reconnecting despite their differences and strengthening their relationships.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here for this important and timely conversation! Part 2 explores the growing political polarization in society and its impact on family relationships, emphasizing the importance of understanding how political divisions have intensified. It traces the evolution of media, from traditional gatekeepers like newspapers and radio to the rise of social media, which has exacerbated political dissension by creating echo chambers and spreading misinformation. The episode explains how platforms like Facebook and Twitter have deepened societal divisions by reinforcing users' pre-existing beliefs, leading to selective exposure, perception, and retention of information.

It also highlights the role of cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, in shaping political opinions and creating a fragmented society. Historical examples, such as the 1828 U.S. election, are used to demonstrate that political negativity is not new but has intensified due to the evolving media landscape.

The discussion outlines the "perfect storm" of modern factors, including the media environment, the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and political events like the 2020 U.S. election, which have led to unprecedented political dissension and strained family dynamics. Theories like Social Judgment Theory and Cognitive Dissonance are introduced to explain how people become entrenched in their political views, often rejecting contradictory information that threatens their core identity.

By understanding these factors, individuals can improve their communication strategies and work toward healthier discussions in their families, focusing on empathy, active listening, and reframing conversations to reduce polarization.

Dr. Jennifer Brubaker is a professor of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and teaches and publishes in both Family Communication and Political Communication. “Reframing the Conversation” is a six-part series that focuses on addressing the challenges that families face in communicating across political divides. It explores the psychology behind political polarization and examines how society has reached this point of division. The series emphasizes using strategies like empathy, active listening, and finding common ground to foster healthier conversations and mend complicated relationships. By reframing the way political and family discussions are approached, individuals can work towards reconnecting despite their differences and strengthening their relationships.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here for this important and timely conversation! Part 1 of this 6-part series highlights the growing polarization in society and its impact on family dynamics, especially when political differences lead to tension and conflict. It emphasizes the importance of reframing conversations around sensitive political topics to promote understanding and connection rather than division. The rise of political absolutism, where individuals adopt rigid "black-or-white" thinking, has created a significant strain on personal relationships.

The episode explains how political beliefs have become closely tied to personal identity, with political affiliation often seen as an indicator of a person’s character or moral values. This shift has contributed to an environment where political discourse has become more hostile, with many people segregating themselves into echo chambers that reinforce their pre-existing beliefs. Social media, the 24-hour news cycle, and media bias have amplified these divisions, making it harder for individuals to engage in respectful, productive discussions.

To address this, the episode advocates for improving communication strategies within families. It emphasizes the need for empathy, active listening, and a focus on understanding others' perspectives. By prioritizing relationships over winning arguments, families can foster healthier political discussions and work toward repairing strained relationships. The overall goal is to create an environment where differing opinions can coexist without damaging personal connections.

Dr. Jennifer Brubaker is a professor of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and teaches and publishes in both Family Communication and Political Communication. “Reframing the Conversation” is a six-part series that focuses on addressing the challenges that families face in communicating across political divides. It explores the psychology behind political polarization and examines how society has reached this point of division. The series emphasizes using strategies like empathy, active listening, and finding common ground to foster healthier conversations and mend complicated relationships. By reframing the way political and family discussions are approached, individuals can work towards reconnecting despite their differences and strengthening their relationships.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
I hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content! 

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Thank you for being here! This episode explores the emotional challenges families face when an older sibling leaves for college, affecting not only parents but younger siblings as well. Using systems theory, it explains how the departure of a family member disrupts the entire family dynamic. Younger siblings often feel sadness, jealousy, and emotional detachment, particularly when they are close in age to the sibling who left. The episode stresses the importance of open communication, emotional support, and redefining family roles to help everyone adjust. Additionally, it covers how college freshmen experience their own adjustment period and emphasizes maintaining connections and creating new routines to help ease the transition for both the family and the student.

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Thank you for listening today! How would your life be different if you could stop only "doing" and allow yourself to "be?" Can you find the place where you are practicing and valuing both?

True fulfillment comes when we learn to integrate both "doing" and "being" simultaneously—being fully present, while engaging in the act of doing. This means finding joy in the process, not just in the outcome - even if the process doesn’t appear to be productive.

Our value is not merely in what we accomplish. Our value is in who we are in each moment.

The difference between doing and being reminds us that life is not just about constant action and productivity. It is also about experiencing the richness of the present moment, It’s about understanding ourselves. It’s about embracing the stillness when we need it. And if we can cultivate a mindful balance between doing and being, we can live much more intentional, and peaceful, and authentic lives.

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Thank you so much for being here! The mindset of the leader is the success or failure of the organization. And you my beautiful friends are the leader of that organization you call your family, and if you want it be successful, then don’t forget you – you need to thrive too. Today, we have a conversation about 10 tips to creating that positive mindset that will allow you to lead your family to success.

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Thank you so much for being here today! The growth we desire is usually on the other side of pain. Growing pains come standard with progress because growth is painful. Stagnation is easy. Are you avoiding the discomfort of a growth mindset? How can you instead sit with that discomfort today? Just like the physical development of bones or muscles or eyelashes growing (I am currently feeling like a Potato Head), growing pains are necessary with any area of personal growth. If you want to grow – to reach a new point – a higher level – whether it’s career or spiritual growth that you’re looking for – or you want to pursue higher education – or you’re looking for growth in your relationships or looking for a new relationships – ANY growth – even the BEST growth – it’s going to include growing pains. As we embark on a new school year - change and growth for many - we face growth that we may prefer to avoid.

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Thank you for being here today and always! I cannot believe it is episode 150! Even more, I cannot believe that I didn't realize that and almost let it slip on by! Let's return to our favorite prompt - the one that started it all - What would I be, who would I be, if I was truly free? Spoiler - I would be me... and that's as good part because of all of you. I hope that I can help you find your freedom too.

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Thank you so much for being here! It's starting to feel a bit like fall - pumpkin spice and football! But it's also that stressful back-to-school time. Let's have a conversation about the top 10 things I would remind my own teens going in to this new school year – the top ten that I would hope they would listen to – even if they roll their eyes – the top 10 things that I wish teenage Jen knew – the top 10 things that I want your teens to know to make them happy and successful in everything that they do. Maybe they’ll listen to you – or maybe they’ll listen to me because I’m not their mom – I’m someone else’s mom.

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It seems like just yesterday that we were reading "'Twas the Night Before Kindergarten," and yet here we are... college move in. My 16-year-old asked "is this a coping mechanism?" and he's not really wrong. So I hope you enjoy the first poem i have written in well over 30 years. Don't worry, I'm not changing genres - I'll be back to regular programming next episode.

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Thank you for being here today! What is one small step that you can take today towards your impossible? Everything is impossible until it isn’t. And the way you get there is the little steps each day that ARE possible but that get you closer and closer to that impossible. And eventually, you’ll reach it and make the impossible possible. Life is a series of possibles that knock down those impossibles. It’s when we only look at the big goal and see where we are today that we see it as being impossible.

Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook,  on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingme
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