Mostly Thriving Podcast with Amanda + TJ

Marriage, mental load, parenting burnout, and feeling supported when life gets overwhelming—we’re getting REAL about what it takes to thrive in marriage when you’re in the thick of raising little kids. We’re talking about why marriages fall apart, what your spouse actually needs from you, navigating intimacy when you’re touched out, and why listening might matter more than you think.

We're spilling the tea on what REALLY goes on behind the scenes of the influencer industry ☕ From trade secrets like commission and trend tracking to an influencer getting exposed in a DIY snark Reddit thread, we're diving in to what it actually takes to make a living online. Plus, we're unpacking a playdate invoice that left us speechless, unhinged hockey parent behavior, and hot takes you might not agree with. 👀 If you've ever wondered what it's really like to be an influencer, this one's for you.

From bedtime battles and toddler birthdays to the emotional roller coaster of adding a second kid, we're getting real about the parts of parenting you don't always talk about. We're answering your parenting dilemmas, sharing a few hot takes, and reminding ourselves that there's no perfect formula for raising good humans. 🫶

EMDR Video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcBvSW1uUWx/?exln=MWRoZ3pmMHBkY3VxOA==

If you are interested in joining our team as a podcast analyst, please email amanda@mostlythrivingpodcast.com 🎙️💚

We had A LOT to cover this week! From “The Unspoken” and our very honest conversation about anxiety + EMDR, to Red Wings drama, parenting, and a wild weekend recap that somehow ended with TJ being invited to play golf with Shay from THE Dan + Shay?! Plus, we’re bringing back “Ask the Vet” with a conversation about euthanasia, advocating for your pets, and why veterinary care costs what it does. Basically… this episode has RANGE. 😂 Link to Amanda's jacket: https://url.comestayawhile.com/link-amazon/csa-bomberjacket

WE’RE BAAACKK!! Did you miss us?! We have A LOT to catch up on from our summer break, including our Turks + Caicos trip, what we loved, what we definitely wouldn’t do again, and everything in between. We’re so excited to be back for Season 2 with new segments, a little more structure, and plenty of chaos. 😂

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe/follow @mostlythrivingpodcast on all platforms!

In this episode, we're recapping our massage appointments that definitely didn't go as planned, and TJ shares a wild story about an unhappy client at the vet clinic that you'll have to hear to believe. It's the perfect mix of laughs, chaos, and the kind of random life moments that always seem to find us.

ANNOUNCEMENT: We're taking a little break to soak up the rest of summer with our family! We'll be back this fall for Season 2 with fresh ideas, new segments, and plenty more stories to share. In the meantime, we'd love to hear from you—if there's a topic you'd like us to cover next season, leave us a comment! Thank you so much for listening and supporting Mostly Thriving. ❤️

This week's recap went completely off the rails—from TJ's golf tournament that left him with a smoker's cough to Amanda's questionable driving record, things got a little wild. We also need your advice on whether it's time to say goodbye to our trouble-prone Escalade and would love your best ideas for screen-free summer activities that encourage kids to play independently!

In this episode, we're recapping our much-needed parents' night out and chatting about what our hobbies might look like if we weren't busy being mom and dad. Amanda also shares an update on her journey with anxiety and panic attacks, including the lifestyle changes that have been making a real difference.

Last week was one of the hardest weeks I’ve had in a long time. Anxiety and panic convinced me my world was getting smaller. Getting out of bed felt impossible. Every symptom felt real. Every fear felt true. Then I realized something that changed everything: I don’t have to wait until I feel brave to start living again. Was it easy? Hell no. There were some very dark moments but I kept going.

I’m not sharing this because I’ve “arrived.” I’m sharing it because if you’re in the middle of it, I want you to know there is hope. Your brain can re-learn. Your body can heal. And anxiety doesn’t get the final say.

If you’re fighting this battle too, you’re not alone. ❤️

Our trip to Mackinac Island gave us so many memories we'll cherish forever, but it also brought some real parenting struggles to the surface. In this episode, we're having a candid conversation about what this season has been like for us, because we never want to be the people who only share the highlight reel. This is the mostly part of Mostly Thriving. If parenting feels hard right now, you're not alone. ❤️

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) ☕😂

From unpopular opinions to the decline of modern society to whether having doubts makes you a bad Christian-- no topic was off limits in this episode. We had no plan, followed every tangent, and somehow ended up having one of our favorite conversations yet.

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’re answering your biggest marriage questions, opening up about the moments that could’ve changed everything, and sharing the conversations, therapy lessons, and advice that have shaped our relationship. If marriage has ever felt hard, messy, or lonely… this one’s for you ❤️

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 diving into all your burning questions from last week’s episode, The Chaos Behind the Content: A Real Day in the Life of an Influencer! From how influencers actually make money (spoiler: it’s not from Instagram) to the real strategies that helped grow Come Stay Awhile into what it is today—nothing’s off limits. If you’ve ever been curious about the business behind the content, this one’s for you.

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.

We’re getting real about the phase of parenting we’re in right now—and honestly, it’s a tough one. With boys ages 5 and 2, we’re in the thick of it and feeling the challenges. If you’re in a hard season too, this episode is for you. You’re not alone.

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 @jacquelinechiarotdesign

To make a donation or register for the 2026 Scotland's Yard Road Hockey Tournament visit http://www.syhockey.ca/

We’re spilling all the tea from our spring trip to Anna Maria Island 🌴 From our favorite moments to the things we’d 100% do differently, we’re giving you the full, unfiltered recap—highs, lows, and everything in between.

Plus, we’re bringing back the Q+A segment! We answer your questions about debt and finances, reveal next week’s special guest, and Amanda answers which DIY project was her all-time least favorite 😅

Trust us—you’ll want to hear this before you book your next trip.