Progress Over Perfection: A Journey Through Motherhood and Mental Health
Release Date: 12/30/2025
Why Women Self-Isolate (And When It Becomes Unhealthy)
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Self-isolation is a common coping mechanism for many women — but when does it help, and when does it quietly turn into emotional withdrawal? In this episode of Rated Mom, Heather, Dena, and Jessica talk honestly about why women self-isolate, how overwhelm and overstimulation trigger it, and how to recognize when alone time stops being restorative and starts becoming harmful. We share personal experiences, unpack the shame and self-judgment that often follow isolation, and talk about the pressure women feel to “perform” socially even when they’re depleted. You’ll hear how to reframe...
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The Seasons That Changed Us (Money, Addiction, Loss, and Healing)
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Hard seasons don’t look the same for everyone — and they don’t arrive on the same timeline. In this episode of Rated Mom, Heather, Dena, and Jessica share personal stories from different difficult seasons of their lives: financial uncertainty, addiction and recovery, caregiving through terminal illness, panic attacks, grief, and the work of healing afterward. We talk about how these experiences shaped our boundaries, challenged our faith, forced self-reflection, and changed how we show up for ourselves and others. This isn’t a comparison of pain or a dramatic collapse — it’s an...
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Progress Over Perfection: A Journey Through Motherhood and Mental Health
Rated Mom Podcast
In this episode of "Rated Mom," Heather, Dena, and Jessica have an honest, humorous discussion about New Year’s resolutions, self-care, and mental health as women navigating motherhood and aging. They share personal stories about the challenges of goal-setting, body image, hormonal changes, and anxiety, emphasizing the importance of therapy, realistic intentions, and self-compassion. The hosts offer practical tips for meal planning and managing daily stress, encouraging listeners to embrace progress over perfection and to seek support when needed. The episode blends laughter, vulnerability,...
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Mom Life, Glitter & the Magical Mess of Christmas
Rated Mom Podcast
In this heartfelt podcast episode, Heather, Dena, & Jessica share candid stories about the joys and stresses of Christmas. They discuss the emotional labor of holiday preparations, the pressure to create magical moments, and the evolving nature of gift-giving as children grow. The conversation touches on family dynamics, loss, and setting boundaries to protect well-being. Emphasizing simplicity, gratitude, and meaningful connection, the women encourage listeners to let go of unnecessary obligations and focus on what truly matters, making space for authentic joy and self-care during the...
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Balancing Act: The Emotional Rollercoaster of Motherhood and Homeownership
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In part two of the "Rated Mom" podcast, Heather, Dena, Jessica, and guests continue their candid conversation about motherhood, homeownership, and personal growth. They share heartfelt stories about raising children at different ages, overcoming guilt, and learning to set boundaries. The episode explores the emotional challenges of buying and selling homes, the importance of support systems, and the impact of addiction and recovery on families. Through honest reflections, the hosts highlight the value of presence, self-awareness, and open communication, offering encouragement and solidarity to...
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From Perfection to Progress: How Three Moms Are Redefining Success
Rated Mom Podcast
👉 New here? This is the debut episode of Rated MOM and the first part of our opening conversation — start here. In this episode, Heather, Dena, and Jessica introduce Rated MOM and share how this podcast came to life. They talk openly about perfectionism, losing yourself in motherhood, redefining success, and the pressure women carry to appear like they have it all together. What began as years of conversations between friends turned into a space for honesty, humor, vulnerability, and healing. This episode sets the foundation for Rated MOM — real stories, real growth, and permission to...
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Rated Mom: Real Stories, Real Moms
Rated Mom Podcast
In this episode of Rated Mom, Heather, Dena, and Jessica introduce themselves and set the stage for honest conversations about the experiences that shape women’s lives. They discuss the stories—spoken and unspoken—that define, challenge, and empower women, emphasizing resilience, growth, and the importance of community. The hosts invite listeners to join a supportive space where both struggles and triumphs are shared, highlighting that every woman’s journey is unique and worthy of being heard. This episode celebrates the strength and authenticity of women, especially mothers,...
info_outlineIn this episode of "Rated Mom," Heather, Dena, and Jessica have an honest, humorous discussion about New Year’s resolutions, self-care, and mental health as women navigating motherhood and aging. They share personal stories about the challenges of goal-setting, body image, hormonal changes, and anxiety, emphasizing the importance of therapy, realistic intentions, and self-compassion. The hosts offer practical tips for meal planning and managing daily stress, encouraging listeners to embrace progress over perfection and to seek support when needed. The episode blends laughter, vulnerability, and practical advice for women in midlife.
Timestamps
Resolutions: Why We Stopped (00:00:46) Discussion about giving up traditional New Year’s resolutions and struggles with consistency.
Small Goals & Habits (00:02:20) Emphasis on setting small, manageable goals instead of overwhelming resolutions.
The “One Word” Approach (00:03:34) Sharing experiences with choosing a “word of the year” and its impact (or lack thereof).
Meal Prep & Real Life Struggles (00:04:21) Anecdotes about failed meal prep attempts and the realities of busy family life.
Post-Holiday Reset & Overwhelm (00:05:21) How the chaos after Christmas leads to a need for a reset, and feeling overwhelmed in January.
Progress Over Perfection (00:07:03) Choosing progress and small steps over perfection and rigid goals.
Aging, Body Image, and Hormones (00:08:07) Open conversation about perimenopause, body changes, and self-image in their 40s.
Therapy & Mental Health Journeys (00:14:44) Personal stories about starting therapy, vulnerability, and the importance of mental health support.
Marriage, Therapy, and Communication (00:17:10) How therapy and counseling helped strengthen marriages and communication.
Medication, Hormones, and Advocacy (00:23:44) Experiences with hormone therapy, medication side effects, and advocating for proper medical care.
Delegation & Household Management (00:33:03) The importance of delegating tasks like cleaning and laundry to reduce stress.
Meal Planning & Life Hacks (00:36:00) Tips and tools for meal planning, grocery shopping, and using apps to simplify routines.
Self-Care & Personal Needs (00:39:57) Discussion about self-care, therapy, and the challenges of prioritizing personal well-being.
Panic Attacks & Anxiety (00:43:07) Describing experiences with panic attacks, anxiety, and the journey to understanding and managing them.
Powerful Quotes from the Episode
Heather, 'I do love myself. I just don’t love what I see when I look in the mirror. I’m like, where did that really hot chick go?'
Dena, 'I was suicidal. Very few people know that, but there was a period where I was really suicidal in life.'
Heather, 'It feels like internally I’m having a heart attack—heart palpitations, I’m going to pass out, I need to throw up, my heart’s racing.'
Heather, 'Even knowing it, you just can’t control it.'
Jessica, 'You get overwhelmed and just shut down. So, you know what? I’m not putting all these hard expectations on my life. I’m just going to make a couple small changes.'
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- Dena: https://www.facebook.com/share/1YYxWExz9R/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Heather: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DSnFyt4Gk/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Jessica: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D1f3e9iKD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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“You don’t need a new you for the new year—just a kinder way of showing up for the you that already exists.”
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