Before you set a single goal, choose a word, or swear you’re becoming a new person next year (or next month), there’s one thing that matters most — knowing where you’re actually starting from.

In this episode, we break down the difference between choosing a word of the year, setting goals, and making resolutions, and why they aren’t the same thing. Then we walk you through the real work: taking a simple, honest inventory of your life.

We guide you through 10 core life categories and help you rate where you’re at using a simple 1–10 scale. It’s not about judgment. It’s about awareness. You’ll want a pen and paper for this one — and we encourage you to pause, rewind, and save this episode so you can come back to it anytime.

This isn’t just a New Year exercise. It’s a reset you can use whenever you’re ready to reconnect with yourself.

#goals #resolutions #newyearseve

Sure… it’s two days before Christmas. And sure… most people are watching Santa trackers instead of podcasts. But we’re coming in HOT with a hospital episode — and somehow, it’s full of comedy. 🤷🏼‍♀️🎄

We go live (nurses and all) to capture this from Cal's hospital bed while being treated for a mastectomy expander infection (because nothing says holiday cheer like 2 IV drips of big gun antibiotics and beeping machines).

We talk about why she’s hooked up to two different drips, losing her boobs not once but TWICE (rude), and how patience is the hardest part of healing — especially when surgery delays have you ready to rip off your bracelet and sprint to the OR. 🏃🏼‍♀️💨

But in the middle of that frustration, Caley found clarity: she needed those extra moments to process the emotional reality of going fully flat — forever. It wasn’t the plan she wanted, but it was exactly the timing she needed. ❤️

#MatureishMommas #BooblessAndBlessed #HospitalHumor #FaithInTheTiming #LifeUnfiltered

Before kids, staying up until 1am drinking all the libations was the JAM… but after babies - not so much.  You’re tired, they’re tired - and let’s be honest, a late bedtime for them does NOT mean they are going to sleep in.   In fact usually that means they’re going to be tapping on your shoulder an hour early no matter how much of a perimenopause hangover you’re harboring.  

This year, we’re giving you permission to flip the script and ring in the New Year in the middle of the day. We’re talking Noon Year’s Eve — guests showing up at 10AM, full-on themes, tini-tiny tables full of kid friendly junk food, adult libations, kid-friendly chaos, grown up converations, and absolutely irresponsible amounts of confetti.

Ringing in the New Year at 12PM means you can party all afternoon, get the kids tucked in on time, hydrate like a boss, and wake up January 1st feeling like you run the world instead of dragging yourself into another year.

This episode is your survival guide to celebrating smarter, not harder.

#MomLife #NewYearsWithKids #NoonYearsEve #ParentingHumor #MatureMomLife

Holidays are supposed to be magical… but sometimes they bring out alllllll the emotions — from pure joy to the “why am I crying in Target again?” moments.

In this episode, we dive into how the holidays can trigger memories and trauma we didn’t even know we were holding onto.

Caley starts by sharing what she once believed was her worst Christmas ever — the year she wasn’t allowed to sneak-peek the presents under the tree. That tiny childhood heartbreak somehow overshadowed the truly hard Christmases that came later: bankruptcy, brain injury, and even the ones during Whitten’s chemo.

Megan opens up about some emotional weight she recently realized she’s been storing in her body for years. We go deeper talking about grief, holidays after loss, and giving ourselves grace through changing seasons. Every Christmas looks a little different — and doing our best is enough.

#MatureishMommas #HolidayTriggers #GriefAndGrace #MomLifeUnfiltered #ChristmasFeels

Nothing says “real mom energy” like recording a Christmas episode from a hospital bed—ugly sweaters on, IV drip going, and still laughing through the chaos. Because parenting doesn’t pause… even on the hard days.

In this episode, we’re talking about simplifying gift-giving so the holidays actually feel meaningful again. We break down five practical tips that help you choose presence over presents, cut the pressure, and make Christmas easier on your mind, your wallet, and your time.

If you’ve ever felt the stress rise with every gift you think you “should” buy or every tradition you feel obligated to keep, this is your reminder that you are allowed to rewrite the rules.

You get to choose what matters. You get to make the season lighter. And you absolutely get to make December less exhausting.

Grab a cozy drink and come hang out with us for some honest talk and fresh perspective.

#MatureishMommas #MomLifeUnfiltered #HolidayStress #PresenceOverPresents #RealMomEnergy

This week the Mommas are serving up something delicious — a fresh take on Thanksgiving traditions. Megan LOVES the holiday (like… it’s her Super Bowl), but Caley and guest Sarah? Not exactly top five material. More like: get in, get stuffed, get out.

So we dive into what makes Thanksgiving magical for some, miserable for others, and why it’s okay to rewrite the rules. From honoring family traditions to tossing out the ones that make you want to fake a nap, we share practical, funny, and heartwarming ways to make the holiday feel more you.

Then we build our dream Friendsgiving from scratch — food, vibes, games, décor — giving listeners a full blueprint for a stress-free, joy-filled celebration.

If you’ve ever wished Thanksgiving came with an instruction manual (or an escape hatch), this episode is for you.

#MatureishMommas #ThanksgivingYourWay #HolidayTraditions #FriendsgivingIdeas #MomLifeUnfiltered

Not every episode starts with clean hair and good lighting — and this one definitely didn’t. Just days after Caley’s double mastectomy, she and Megan sat down (looking like total hot messes) to have a brutally honest talk about authenticity.

Caley opens up about sharing her recovery journey online — the high-energy, pain-blocker days that had people wondering if she was “faking it,” and the hard day when everything hurt, her emotions crashed, and she just needed to cry.

Together, the Mommas unpack how social media often shows either the highlight reel or the doom and gloom, and why the truth usually lives somewhere in between. It’s honest, relatable, and a beautiful reminder that authenticity isn’t about perfection — it’s about perspective.

#MatureishMommas #AuthenticLiving #RealNotPerfect #MomLifeUnfiltered #HonestConversations

Some episodes feel like a deep breath — this one feels like a prayer.

Right before Caley’s double mastectomy, she shares a powerful visualization from yoga that became a moment of divine surrender. She and Megan begin by laughing through real life — pumpkin carving, surgeries, and chaos — before diving into a heartfelt conversation about gratitude, release, and faith.

Caley describes a vision of Jesus beside her beneath a glowing oak tree — each falling leaf representing something she’s ready to let go of. With every release, the light shines brighter until the tree stands tall and radiant — a symbol of healing, renewal, and the beauty that comes from surrender.

It’s a conversation about the storms that strip us bare, the grace that follows, and the light we’re meant to shine once we finally let go. 🌳✨

Grab a cerveza and pull up a chair — we’re back in Mexico, baby! 🇲🇽☀️

This episode kicks off with a cheers and a whole lot of sunshine energy. While soaking up the beauty (and maybe a few margaritas), we noticed something amazing — everywhere we went, people commented on our light. Not the sun, our light. The energy, joy, and genuine love we were pouring into the world. ✨

We talk about what it means to be the light — how we all have that glow inside of us, even when life’s darkness tries to cover it up with fear, envy, or the past. It’s up to us to peel it back and let our light shine again, one spark at a time.

A little laughter, a little Mexico magic, and a whole lot of heart — this one will leave you glowing.

#MatureishMommas #BeTheLight #MomLifeUnfiltered #MexicoVibes #PositiveEnergy

This week’s episode kicks off with a laugh as Jeff Caston reveals the surprising roots of Megan’s dance moves (hint: it’s tied to his international heritage). From there, the conversation unfolds into an incredible journey—born in Venezuela, traveling through Europe, growing up in Florida, and then, on a whim, moving to Panama after a work trip stole his heart.

Jeff describes falling in love with a smaller country of just three million people, where neighbors became friends and community life took on a whole new rhythm. Later, he brought his daughter to join him, where her education included both the classroom and the “school of life.” Think: skipping school to fish, learning to live among crocodiles, and even playing checkers with what Jeff affectionately called “the good criminals.”

At the heart of his stories lies a deeper wisdom—live as your truest self, don’t waste energy pretending to be anyone else, and always stay connected to your higher power.

Hashtags:

#MatureishMommas #LifeUnfiltered #FishingLife #LivingAbroad #LifeLessons

Sometimes life hands you pajamas, pain meds, and pure magic—all in one day. In this unfiltered episode, Caley and Megan hit record just after Caley’s lymph node biopsy… and mid-conversation, her doctor calls with the best news: no cancer in her lymph nodes! What follows is an emotional rollercoaster—equal parts relief, laughter, and raw honesty.

The two dive into everything that’s happened since Mexico: Megan’s realization that the magic is in the middle, Caley’s proactive (and slightly hilarious) pre-surgery nesting that included decorating for Christmas in September, and the emotional breakdown that turned into a beautiful release.

It’s a real-time look at surrender, sisterhood, and slowing down long enough to see the beauty between the chaos. Because sometimes, the middle really is where the magic happens.

#MatureishMommas #TheMagicInTheMiddle #BreastCancerJourney #MotherhoodUnfiltered #LifeInTheMiddle

What happens when you mix step-parenting, teenagers, a kindergartener, and even grandparents—under one roof? In this week’s episode, we sit down with Autumn, who opens up about her beautifully complicated household of seven. Between her and her husband’s 6-year-old, two teenage stepsons, her mom, and her mom’s husband, life is anything but quiet.

Autumn shares the real challenges that come with blending families, balancing different parenting styles, and keeping peace in a multigenerational home. But she also talks about the gratitude and perspective she leans on daily to stay grounded—and the moments of connection that make the chaos worth it.

If you’ve ever struggled with co-parenting, step-parenting, or just trying to create harmony in a crowded house, you’ll find encouragement (and maybe a little relief that you’re not alone!) in Autumn’s story.

#MatureishMommas #BlendedFamilyLife #Stepparenting #MultigenerationalLiving #MomLifeUnfiltered

In this episode, we circle back to the cliffhanger from a previous conversation—the irregular mammogram. This time, there’s no more waiting or wondering. Caley shares openly about receiving her breast cancer diagnosis, what type it is, and the plan moving forward. Though the topic is heavy, the conversation is honest and surprisingly lighthearted, because perspective makes all the difference.

We talk about how uncomfortable moments are woven into life, and how learning to sit with that discomfort can actually lead to joy. We remind ourselves (and you) that attitude is everything when facing adversity, and that showing up with courage and humor is always an option. With nearly 40% of people facing cancer at some point in their lives, our goal isn’t to make it “normal,” but to empower you to take care of your mental and emotional health if cancer affects your family.

#BreastCancerAwareness #breastcancer #invasiveductilecarcinoma #breastcancerdiagnoses

This week, we’re sitting down with Mallory—a hairdresser turned spiritual guide—whose journey is nothing short of transformational. For years, she lived in the world of external beauty, helping women feel confident in the mirror. But five years ago, Mallory took a leap into something deeper: the path of spiritual awakening.

From sitting with a full-on spiritual teacher to exploring modalities like Reiki, tarot, and mediumship, Mallory has embraced the inner work that changed her life. Her ultimate mission? To merge the worlds of external beauty and internal healing—so that when someone leaves her chair, they don’t just look amazing, they feel it in their soul.

Whether you’re curious about spiritual practices or just wondering what it means to start “waking up,” Mallory offers both inspiration and a dose of exposure therapy for anyone who hasn’t yet dipped their toes in the woo-woo waters.

We love bringing in voices from the next generation, and this week’s conversation with Olivia is one you don’t want to miss. 

As a college student, daughter, and friend, she opens up about being diagnosed with diabetes in eighth grade — and later with celiac — and what it was really like to manage both as a teenager. 

Between the comical missteps and the tough realities, Olivia’s story shines a light on resilience, grief, and the strength of the mother-daughter bond. 

Toward the end, Olivia drops wisdom that hits like a freight train — raw, real, and impossible to forget. It’s the moment that cracked us wide open (yes, tears were shed), and it’s the reason you need to stick with this conversation until the very last minute. Honest. Unfiltered. Absolutely worth it.

#MomLife #RaisingStrongKids #ChronicIllnessAwareness #MotherDaughterBond #LifeUnfiltered

The Mature(ish) Mommas are back with a laughter-filled episode all about back-to-school season. From Caley’s first grader navigating big nerves (and surprising everyone with his smooth transition after some late-night gratitude parties) to Whitten declaring he “hates school” while Mom finds creative ways to support him—this one is packed with relatable mom moments. Caley even admits she told her son she was sitting in the parking lot just to help him through the day.

Meanwhile, Megan opens up about her decision not to send Caston to a second year of preschool. Instead, she’s savoring the one-on-one time, knowing school will claim him for the next 13+ years. Together, they dive into the tension every parent feels—anxiety or excitement, blues or blessings—and remind moms that there’s no single right way to do back-to-school. There are many paths, and the best one is the one that works for your family. With plenty of laughs, honesty, and encouragement, this episode is a back-to-school pep talk for every mom.

Hashtags:

#MatureishMommas #BackToSchool #MomLifeUnfiltered #ParentingRealTalk #LaughterThroughMotherhood

I always say motherhood is humbling — and this night proved it. 

After spoiling my kids with a full day of back-to-school shopping and fair fun, I lost my cool over bedtime whining… and ended up in what my family now calls “The Banana Smash.” 🍌 

On the calm-to-regulated scale, I shot right past 10 into “needs a timeout herself” territory. But this isn’t just a confession — it’s a conversation about what emotional dysregulation really looks like, why it happens, and how we can turn those meltdowns into teachable moments. 

I share how I processed my reaction, repaired with my kids, and created a silly but meaningful family language for those “emotionally dehydrated” days. Spoiler: it involves bananas.

 #MomLife #Parenting #EmotionalRegulation #MomConfessions #BananaSmash

In this powerful episode of Mature(ish) Mommas: Life Unfiltered, Caley and Megan tackle a topic that’s both deeply personal and universally important: mammograms. The conversation starts with humor—Megan shares her lighthearted take on the infamous “boob smashers”—but quickly shifts as Caley opens up about her own recent experience.

At the time of recording, Caley had just received news of an abnormal mammogram that revealed a 2.5 cm mass. She walks listeners through the biopsy process and, more importantly, through her mindset while waiting for results. You’ll hear her choosing gratitude, positivity, and perspective—even as fear and uncertainty loomed large.

What makes this episode especially moving is what listeners already know but Caley didn’t yet: just hours after recording, her biopsy results would confirm breast cancer. Hearing her courage and optimism in that moment makes her authenticity all the more powerful.

It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s exactly why this podcast exists.

Sometimes motherhood hands you a one-way ticket to Pity Party Town… but that doesn’t mean you have to stay there. 

In this episode, Caley shares the unfiltered truth about what happens when your passions get shelved after your child’s diagnosis, and how tricky it can be to find your way back. With her kids finally in school, she felt ready to restart her health and wellness programs for women — until her husband’s sudden work trip (and his suspicious amount of golf time) sent her spiraling into a solo-mom slump. 

The plot twist? A good friend, a little perspective, and a reminder that mom communities can be the secret sauce to getting unstuck. If you’ve ever felt torn between raising kids and raising your own dreams, this one’s for you.

#MomLifeUnfiltered #PassionProjects #MomCommunity #MatureishMommas #FromPityToPower

What if we treated therapy like a wellness tool instead of a last resort? In this episode, we chat with Licensed Professional Counselor Brandi Hosick, who specializes in helping kids, teens, and young adults build emotional skills through play therapy and honest conversations.

We start by debunking the outdated idea that therapy is just for “broken” people (spoiler alert: it’s not) and explore why it should be as normal as going to the gym. Brandi shares how she helps children identify their emotions using visual tools like thermometers and scales, so they can better manage big feelings without melting down.

And then—oh boy—we turn the mirror on ourselves as moms. Are we modeling emotional regulation or losing it on the daily? Brandi helps us reflect on the powerful ripple effect our reactions have on our kids, and what we can do to support calmer, more connected homes. We wrap with tangible steps you can take today—whether it’s journaling, movement, deep breaths, or seeking out your own mental health support.

#MentalHealthMatters #RaisingEmotionallyHealthyKids #TherapyIsNotTaboo #MomLifeUnfiltered #MatureishMommas