About this episode

Jess and Kelly discuss the implications of starting over with a baby at their current stage of life, reflecting on postpartum hormones and the emotional impact of motherhood.

Jess and Kelly discuss what it would actually mean to start over with a baby at their stage of life — and why they're both firmly in the "no thank you" camp. They explore new research on postpartum hormones and the five-year timeline for hormonal homeostasis, and reflect on how that science reframes some of the harder seasons of early motherhood. Dr. Gabor Maté's work in The Myth of Normal comes up, particularly around how a mother's emotional state during pregnancy and early childhood shapes a child's long-term wellbeing. The conversation also touches on the unexpected gifts of older parenthood, the instinct to protect and over-worry, and the beautiful shift that comes when you finally start trusting your kids to figure things out. And yes — there is a full dramatic reading of their kids' text messages. You will not be disappointed. Resources & References Mentioned The Myth of Normal by Dr. Gabor Maté Untamed by Glennon Doyle Chasing Brighter Newsletter: chasingbrighter.com/newsletter Follow Chasing Brighter on socials: @chasingbrighter Connect With Us Subscribe to the Chasing Brighter newsletter at chasingbrighter.com/newsletter and follow us on Instagram @chasingbrighter…

More episodes of Chasing Brighter Podcast: Choosing Real Over Perfect

• The Woman You Were vs. the Woman You're Becoming · May 7, 2026 · 22 min
• Are You Living Your Values or Someone Else's? · April 30, 2026 · 18 min
• Hot Takes: What We Actually Think About Energy, Overwhelm & the Mental Load · April 23, 2026 · 15 min
• Super Woman Diaries #11: Blue Eyeshadow, Skin Tints & the Eye Color Discovery We Never Expected · April 20, 2026 · 18 min
• The Unpaid Job Nobody Talks About: Invisible Labor · April 16, 2026 · 17 min
• Super Woman Diaries #10: Spring Vibes, Jelly Shoes & Trader Joe's Tote Chaos · April 13, 2026 · 18 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Chasing Brighter Podcast: Choosing Real Over Perfect podcast page.