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
Episodes
71 episodes
Grounding Skills: How to Live in the Present
In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, the hosts dive into the practice of grounding—a vital skill for maintaining internal stability in an unpredictable world. They explore how stress and trauma pull us out of the present mo...
Birthday Traditions: Cake, Reflection, and New Adventures
In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, the hosts explore the multifaceted experience of birthdays, moving from lighthearted traditions to deep personal reflections. Jen celebrates her 42nd birthday by discussing the importanc...
Why You’re So Angry: Moving from Suppression to Self-Care
In this episode, Chris and Jen explore the complex relationship we have with one of our most misunderstood emotions: anger. Many of us were taught that anger is 'bad' or 'unattractive,' leading to a cycle of suppression that eventually ends in ...
Navigating Information with Objective Curiosity
In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, the hosts dive into the complexities of navigating the modern information landscape. They discuss how the rapid escalation of internet algorithms and social media has shifted the focus f...
The Truth About Burnout: Why Self-Care Starts with You
In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, the hosts dive into the complex relationship between self-care and burnout. Moving beyond generic "to-do" lists, the discussion centers on a 'hot take': managing burnout is a personal accountabil...
Curiosity Over Conflict: Building Empathy Through Listening
In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, the hosts explore the internal and external dynamics of handling difficult conversations, specifically focusing on how to navigate polarizing topics like politics and religion without lo...
Overcoming Self Untruths: Break Free from Limiting Self Beliefs
In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, the hosts explore the "untruths" and subconscious stories that act as barriers to a fulfilling life. They discuss how automatic social comparison can lead to feelings of jealousy and FOM...
Why You Feel There’s Never Enough: Scarcity Mindset
In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, the hosts deconstruct the scarcity mindset—the persistent, often irrational feeling that resources, time, or emotional supports are finite. Jen shares her personal journey of real...
Finding Peace: How to Set Boundaries in Real Life - Part Two
In this "Book Club" edition of Chris and Jen In The Morning, Chris, Jen, and Ace explore the transformative concepts in the second half of Nedra Glover Tawwab's bestseller, Set Boundaries, Find Peace. The team discusses the em...
Finding Peace: How to Set Boundaries in Real Life - Part One
This will be Part One of Chris and Jen In The Morning Reviewing 'Set Boundaries, Find Peace' by Nedra Glover-Tawwab. Part Two will be posted next week.In this "book club style" episode, Chris, Jen, and Ace discuss Set Boundaries, Fin...
Is Cereal a Soup? Solving Life’s Great Unanswerable Questions
In this episode, the team pulls their producer, Ace, front and center to join a lively discussion on "emotable questions"—topics that spark intense passion despite having no objective answers. The conversation moves through personal moments of ...
Making Friends as an Adult: How to Build Lasting Connections
In this episode, Chris and Jen explore the evolving nature of friendship as we age. They contrast the effortless, proximity-based social circles of childhood with the intentionality required to maintain bonds in adulthood. The hosts share perso...
From Panic to Purpose: Understanding Anxiety and Control
In this conversation, Chris and Jen explore the intricate relationship between anxiety and the need for control. They discuss how anxiety manifests physically and emotionally, the coping mechanisms people use to manage their anxiety, and the im...
Why We Crave Love: Science, Self-Care & Connection
In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, hosts Chris and Jen dive into the complex "neuroscience of love" and the biological reasons behind our deep-seated need for connection. Sparked by recent binges of LGBTQ+ romance series like Heat...
Perfection Is a Trap: How It Hurts Your Mental Health
In this candid and emotionally grounded episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning: Where Self-Care Meets Real Life, Chris and Jen take on perfectionism—how it sneaks into our work, relationships, and self-care, and why it so often lea...
Feeling Overwhelmed: Self-Forgiveness and Coping Tools
In this grounded and refreshingly honest episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning: Where Self-Care Meets Real Life, Chris and Jen dive into what it actually looks like to cope during high-stress seasons—especially when work, pressure...
Feeling Stuck Already? How to Reset Through Micro Changes
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 ...
Hope, Resilience, and Real Life: How to Keep Going When the Future Feels Unclear
In this deeply honest and timely episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning: Where Self-Care Meets Real Life, Chris and Jen explore what hope and resilience really mean when life feels heavy, uncertain, and overwhelming. Against the backdrop of on...
Setting New Year Intentions: Why Writing it Down Works & The 42% Rule: Science-Backed Tips for Achieving Your 2026 Intentions
In this episode, Chris and Jen kick off Season Two by reflecting on their journey through Season One, discussing the lessons learned, and expressing gratitude for their growth. They explore the importance of setting intentions for the New Year,...
Live-ish From the Sauna: Sauna Hats, 2-Hour Uno, and the Lost April 2025 Tapes
In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, the hosts explore their unique experiences at a drip bar and sauna in Texas. They discuss the benefits of sauna therapy, share reflections on friendship and family, and recount their fun activiti...
2025 in Review: Lessons Learned in Gratitude, Anxiety, Growth, Confidence, Self Worth, Bravery, Self Compassion, and So Much More
In this episode, Chris and Jen reflect on their journey throughout the year, discussing personal growth, the challenges of vulnerability, and the importance of gratitude during the holiday season. They share insights from their podcasting exper...
Chris and Jen - Christmas Movies are Self Care...and Jen hates the Jim Carrey Grinch
In this festive episode, Chris and Jen dive into the world of holiday movies, gift-giving, and the nostalgia that comes with the Christmas season. They explore their differing opinions on classic films like 'The Grinch' and 'It's a Wonderful Li...
Why Gift Giving Causes Anxiety (and How to Make It Meaningful Again)
Gift giving can bring joy—or overwhelming anxiety. In this episode, Chris and Jen explore the neuroscience behind gift giving stress and how focusing on connection over perfection can make the holidays more meaningful. They discuss...
Chris and Jen - Wicked: For Good Movie Review
In this episode, Chris and Jen dive deep into their thoughts and feelings about the movie adaptation of Wicked. They discuss their personal connections to the story, the emotional journeys of the characters, and the musical highlights that stoo...
How to Have Difficult Conversations Without Losing Respect or Connection
Difficult conversations are unavoidable — especially in a time of cultural division and heightened emotion. In this episode, Chris and Jen explore how to disagree without dehumanizing, using empathy, curiosity, and active listening to pre...
