Mostly Thriving Podcast with Amanda + TJ

Amanda literally got off the plane from Atlanta and sat down to record this episode. We're recapping her Home Depot influencer trip, sharing an update on her mental health journey, and unpacking a wild story from TJ's clinic involving some parking lot drama and getting cussed out. 😳 The tea is piping hot (and slightly delirious) ☕😂

WE'RE BAAACKKK with a new audio and video setup! (Huge thanks to our friend Chris Cook for helping us make these adjustments, check out his podcast Win Today, here.) This week we're recapping our family trip up north, the stomach bug that took down our entire house, and the surreal moment Olympic gold medalist, Connor Hellebuyck, visited our DIY hockey rink. Plus, we're addressing your marriage dilemmas and sharing the relationship advice that's helped us navigate challenges in our own marriage.

We have beef with over-the-top bachelorette trip expenses, outdated wedding traditions, and the unrealistic expectations placed on bridal parties — and we NEED to talk about it. In this episode, we’re sharing our honest hot takes on modern wedding culture, the trends we don’t understand, and what we’d actually do differently if we got married today. Whether you’re planning a wedding or just love a controversial opinion, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

We’re pulling back the curtain on what a “day in the life” actually looks like as an influencer, business owner, and mom. From brand deals and deadlines to school drop-offs and a full hockey schedule, it’s a busy, chaotic, very real day. Get an honest peak behind the scenes into what it takes to run Come Stay Awhile, and get to know the team that makes it all happen. Plus, we talk boundaries, burnout, and the pressure society puts on moms to keep it all together.

This week, Amanda sits down with special guest Jaqueline Chiarot—mom of two, interior designer, and wife of NHL Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot. She gives us an honest look at what it’s really like balancing life in the NHL, running a business, and raising two young kids.Jaqueline also shares her take on current design trends and offers encouraging advice for anyone who feels like they’re barely holding it all together. It’s a refreshing reminder that even when it looks like everyone else is thriving… most of us are just mostly thriving.Check out Jacqueline's design work at https://www.jacquelinechiarotdesign.com/ or on IG @jacquelinechiarotlifestyle and @jacquelinechiarotdesignTo make a donation or register for the 2026 Scotland's Yard Road Hockey Tournament visit http://www.syhockey.ca/

We’re spilling it ALL! We told you to ask us anything… and you absolutely delivered 😂 From our dumbest decisions to how we actually manage our finances, nothing was off-limits and we’re answering it all with full honesty. This is one you don’t want to miss! And if we didn’t get to your question, don’t worry—we’re making Q&A a regular thing in future episodes.

RERUN: In this episode, Amanda opens up about her lifelong struggle with anxiety and panic attacks and what it’s like navigating that while juggling motherhood, marriage, and two thriving businesses. TJ shares what it was like stepping into a world of anxiety he’d never experienced before, and how it shaped their relationship and parenting. Together, they get honest about perfectionism, fear of failure, and raising confident kids in an imperfect world. It’s raw, real, and a reminder that even in the chaos, you can still be mostly thriving.

From construction noise chaos to car trouble and near-accidents, this episode is the definition of mostly thriving. Amanda shares her streak of lemon cars (including an engine dying before 40,000 miles) and TJ unpacks the “hit & run” situation that felt like a setup. Then we pivot into marriage in the thick of parenting — divorce stats, fighting in front of your kids, the glass ball theory, and why doing the inconvenient things now might protect your relationship later.

This is Part 2 of Debriefing Our 2026 Marriage Meeting—if you missed Part 1, tap here. We continue the conversation about how we set goals, plan for the future, and communicate using this template (from @shawnjohnson and @andreweast) as our guide. From personal growth and parenting to business goals and therapy, we’re setting our intentions for 2026. If you’re trying to grow together, hold each other accountable, and move through life with intention, this conversation is for you.

This week we’re sharing our unfiltered Disney hot takes, vacation delusion moments, and what really happens when routines fall apart. Plus, a real conversation about mom guilt, imposter syndrome, and learning how to set work boundaries when your job never turns off. It's real, it's raw, and it's a good reminder to step back and talk things out with a loved one when you're feeling overwhelmed.

We’re reflecting on the wins, the mess, and the growth that defined 2025. From celebrating 10 years of marriage to navigating home projects, faith, and deeper connection. This episode is about slowing down, celebrating milestones, and learning what it really means to be mostly thriving.

In this lighthearted episode, Amanda and TJ recap Thanksgiving, talk Q4 chaos, and TJ shares a wild vet clinic story. Then things get competitive with an Agree or Disagree showdown and a very heated Start, Bench, Cut segment.We wrap with some real talk about why Christmas lists feel weird as adults… and a simple challenge that might make someone’s holiday a little brighter.🎄 Grab your coffee, take a breath, and come be mostly thriving with us.

This week on Mostly Thriving, we’re tackling two big things: holiday chaos and a hidden crisis almost no one’s talking about: the men’s loneliness epidemic.First we talk through, the holiday juggling act of trying to make it to multiple houses, keep the kids semi-civilized, and still find a moment to breathe. We talk about setting boundaries, giving grace, and remembering that the holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.TJ gets vulnerable when we shift gears into something deeper: why so many men feel disconnected. From shrinking friendships to silent struggles, we break down the loneliness crisis that no one’s talking about and how purpose, brotherhood, and real connection can change everything.It’s honest, heartfelt, and maybe the conversation you didn’t know you needed before the holidays hit.