Chris and Jen in the Morning: Self-Care Conversations on Personal Growth, Happiness, and How Our Brains Work
Two friends with a podcast about gratitude, self-care, personal growth, and finding happiness - all with a side of levity and laughter.
Long-distance friends, we shorten the miles between DFW and NYC in our weekly podcast where we focus on self care, seeking happiness, and trying to live our best life. We add in a splash of neuroscience and talk about what happens in our brains, why we feel and react the way we do, and how to live better, more authentic, more fulfilling, happier lives.
In our middle-life years, we decided to share our conversations about adulting, chasing joy, being part of the LGBTQ+ community, parenting, personal growth, awkwardness, anxiety, mental health, and so much more to help others who can relate find kinship and a sense of community.
Ready to live your best life (and laugh along the way)? Subscribe and join us on our journey through life together.
#growth #wittywisdom #storytelling #podcast #friends #selfcare #motivation #inspiration #happiness
Chris and Jen in the Morning: Self-Care Conversations on Personal Growth, Happiness, and How Our Brains Work
Feeling Stuck Already? How to Reset Through Micro Changes
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In this thoughtful and deeply relatable episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning: Where Self-Care Meets Real Life, Chris and Jen unpack why New Year intentions often turn into self-criticism, and how micro changes—not massive overhauls—are the key to sustainable growth, resilience, and self-compassion
The episode begins with a grounding gratitude practice, reflecting on sunsets, chosen family, and the reminder that every day is a new beginning, even after setbacks. From there, the conversation turns vulnerable as Chris opens up about an intense moment of negative self-talk triggered by physical exhaustion and unmet expectations—revealing how easily good intentions can activate shame, fear, and our brain’s threat response
Jen and Chris explore the neuroscience behind this spiral, including the role of the amygdala, perfectionism, and why failure—real or perceived—can feel like danger to the nervous system. Together, they challenge the idea that motivation must come from judgment and instead offer a compassionate reframe: you can fully accept yourself as you are while still wanting change.
Throughout the episode, they share practical tools for getting unstuck:
- Reframing failure as data, not a verdict
- Celebrating effort instead of outcomes
- Breaking goals into small, achievable steps
- Talking to yourself the way you would a close friend
- Using affirmations, journaling, and trusted support to reset when you fall off track
This episode is especially powerful for anyone who:
- Struggles with perfectionism or harsh inner dialogue
- Feels discouraged after falling off a goal or routine
- Wants to build self-compassion without giving up on growth
- Is tired of “all-or-nothing” thinking
- Believes real self-care includes honesty, vulnerability, and kindness
At its heart, this conversation is a reminder that progress isn’t linear, change happens in the in-between spaces, and falling off track doesn’t mean starting over—it means you’re still on the journey. You’re not at zero. You’re just at 8.5. And that still counts.
Website - www.chrisandjenitm.com
Email - connect@chrisandjenitm.com
Voicemail and Text available at 940-278-8129
Merch - https://chris-and-jen-itm.printify.me/
Store - https://www.fabulousfavoritefinds.com/
Chapters
00:00 Navigating New Year's Resolutions
12:50 The Struggle with Self-Talk and Compassion
15:53 The Struggle with Self-Judgment
23:30 Reframing Failure as Growth
32:34 The Journey of Self-Compassion
39:17 Navigating Negative Self-Talk
41:35 Celebrating Progress Over Perfection
43:41 Outro
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