Thriving In Motherhood Podcast | Productivity, Planning, Family Systems, Time Management, Survival Mode, Mental Health, Visio — Podcast

Planning Without Guilt with Mallory [Episode 410] 14.10.2026 48min

Feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do, but not sure where to start? In this episode, Jessica sits down with Mallory, a working mom of three, to walk through how to take everything swirling around in your head and turn it into a plan that actually feels manageable. They talk about prioritizing what matters right now, finding a safe place for everything else, letting go of perfection, and using your planner to support your real life, not add more to your plate.

Creating Family Culture with Laura [Episode 409] 07.10.2026 32min

What do you want your family life to actually feel like? In this episode, Jessica sits down with Laura, a mom of three, to talk about using the Thriving in Motherhood Planner to move beyond simply managing everyday life and start intentionally creating a family culture. Laura shares how she uses the planner to collect ideas for traditions, plan meaningful experiences, keep her brain from holding onto everything, and slowly work toward bigger goals—even when they take years to come together. They also talk about making space for personal goals and interests in motherhood, letting go of ideas that no longer fit, and figuring out what your family genuinely enjoys instead of trying to do everything. One of the biggest takeaways? You don't have to do every project you plan. Your vision isn't about accomplishing everything. It's about having enough clarity to know where you want to spend your time and energy. If you're in a season where you're ready to move beyond just getting through the days and start exploring what brings you and your family joy, this conversation will give you plenty of practical ideas and encouragement.

A Live Planner Coaching Session with Lili [Episode 408] 30.09.2026 49min

Jessica sits down with Lili for a real-life planner coaching session to look at what's working, where she's feeling stuck, and how to make the planner better support the season she's actually in. They talk about creating a simple vision, using the Big Three to understand where your time and energy are going, what to do with tasks that keep getting moved from week to week, and how identifying the next action can make an overwhelming task feel doable. They also explore how planning can help you make intentional choices without feeling guilty when your priorities change. If you've ever wondered whether you're using your planner "right," this conversation is a reminder that the goal isn't to fit your life into your planner, it's to use your planner to support your life.

Becoming Through Motherhoods with Jessica M. [Episode 407] 23.09.2026 34min

Guest Jessica Morgan shares how years of small, intentional changes have shaped the way she approaches motherhood and prepared her for an unexpected season of welcoming surprise twins. She and Jessica talk about letting go of control, finding joy even when life feels chaotic, giving yourself more compassion, and recognizing how tiny steps over time can lead to meaningful growth. Ready to bring more intention and clarity to your own season of motherhood? Get your Thriving in Motherhood Planner at the link below. https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/planner-priority-list/

Planning without Pressure with Hannah [Episode 406] 16.09.2026 28min

Motherhood doesn't always fit into an hour-by-hour schedule. In this conversation, Hannah shares how the Thriving in Motherhood Planner has given her structure and an anchor through newborn days, survival seasons, home projects, and everyday life. She shares how she's learned to use the planner imperfectly, take small steps when she only has pockets of time, and recognize just how much she's actually doing and experiencing. Want a planner that's there to serve you in whatever season you're in? Get your own Thriving in Motherhood Planner here.

The 5 Phases Of Planning [Episode 405] 09.09.2026 21min

If you have things you want to do but can't seem to find the time, energy, or attention to actually get to them, this episode is for you. I'm walking you through the five phases of planning that have helped me get all of those thoughts out of my head, figure out what matters right now, and keep making progress even as life and motherhood change. We'll talk about reality checking, managing what has to happen, creating a vision for what you actually want, building momentum, and ultimately getting to a place where your time and energy are going toward the things that matter most to you. These five phases are all built into the Thriving in Motherhood Planner, but you can take these ideas and use them with whatever planning system already works for you. And if you want to use the planner with me in 2027, join the waitlist below so you don't miss the launch or the chance to order a coil-bound planner! https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/planner-priority-list/

September Reset and Leaning Into The Middle [Episode 404] 02.09.2026 2min

September can feel a little like a second January. A fresh start, a new school year, and a chance to look at where you are and where you want to go. In this episode, I'm talking about how to revisit your vision for the year, get clear on what still matters to you, and make the most of the next few months. I'm also sharing something I've been learning about the middle, that long stretch after the excitement of starting has worn off but before you've reached the finish line. If your motivation has faded or you've stalled on something that once felt exciting, it doesn't necessarily mean you're on the wrong track. You might just be in the middle. Wherever you are right now, you're not behind. There is still plenty of time to make meaningful progress, have new experiences, and intentionally shape the rest of your year. Plus, I'm sharing details about our upcoming live 12-week walk-through of the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit, where we'll work together on creating systems and rhythms that support you and your family.

The One Thing You Need To Create A Life You Love [Episode 403] 25.08.2026 9min

For years, I thought I needed better systems to make motherhood and life work. Better cleaning routines, more organization, less clutter, better habits. And while I love a good system, looking back over 13 years of motherhood, I can see that systems weren't actually the thing that helped me move forward. What made the biggest difference was learning how to clear the mental clutter, find a home for all the ideas in my head, and get clear on what mattered to me and what my next step was. In this episode, I'm sharing how that process eventually became the Thriving in Motherhood Planner and how it has helped me continue moving forward through busy seasons, survival mode, homeschooling, building a business, family adventures, and everyday life. I'm also introducing the Action + Clarity Matrix and the four places we can find ourselves as moms: bored, busy but not fulfilled, bummed or frustrated, or aligned Plus, the 2027 Thriving in Motherhood Planner launch is coming soon! Join the waitlist to be notified about the pre-launch and coil-bound planner option. https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/planner-priority-list/

Our Favorite Homeschooling Curriculum For 2026: 7th, 5th, 3rd, and 1st Grade [Episode 402] 19.08.2026 22min

In this episode, I'm sharing what homeschooling six kids looks like for us this year. I'll walk you through our daily rhythm, the curriculum we're using, what my kids are doing independently, and what we're still doing together as a family. I'm also sharing what's working really well right now, what we're still figuring out, and how our homeschool continues to change as my kids get older.

Behind the Scenes: Projects, Pausing the Podcast, and Family Life [Episode 401] 11.02.2026 24min

After more than eight years of releasing weekly episodes and recently passed the 400 mark, I wanted to sit down and share what's really been going on behind the scenes. In this episode, I talk honestly about this current season of life - adding another baby, full schedules, late nights, early mornings - and what it feels like when you've been living beyond your capacity for a long time. I share why this podcast is taking a pause, what I mean by doing a "controlled burn," and how I'm learning to stop treading water and start building the boat instead. I'll talk about margin, connection, and redefining what thriving looks like when life feels full.

Prayer for hard seasons. [Episode 400] 04.02.2026 12min

In this episode, I share what I've been learning about prayer during a season that's pushed me beyond my capacity. Drawing from scripture and personal experience, I talk about bringing our weaknesses honestly to God, praying for what only He can do, and trusting that He meets us with a plan, power, and promises. If you're walking through a stretching season, I hope this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and hope.

How I talk to my kids about politics [Episode 399] 28.01.2026 45min

In this episode, I share howmy thinking about politics as evolved over the last decade, and how that shapes the way I talk with my children about it. Rather than focusing on current events or party lines, I walk through the principles we return to in our home: Separating problems from people Understanding influence verses concern Valuing character and leadership And learning to solve problems without attacking one another This episode will help you consider how we can help our kids engage thoughtfully and compassionately with a complex world.

Discouraged or too overwhelmed to set goals? Try this. [Episode 398] 21.01.2026 31min

A few weeks into the new year, it's easy to feel discouraged, especially if the goals you set already feel heavy or out of reach. In this episode, I talk about why that happens and what I do instead. I share why traditional goal-setting can feel like using the wrong map in motherhood, how shifting to a vision changes the entire experience, and why the real work isn't about doing more, it's about who you're becoming along the way. I'll share: Why time-based goals often create pressure and self-doubt in full seasons of life How a vision gives direction without demanding speed or perfection Why regular reflection helps you make progress without carrying shame or discouragement

The Mindset Shift You Need to Homeschool For the Long Haul [Episode 397] 14.01.2026 39min

If you want to homeschool long term, you have to stop letting one hard day convince you you're doing it wrong. In this episode, I share the mindset shifts (and practical systems) that have helped me homeschool consistently for 10+ years—through changing seasons, growing kids, and all the problems that inevitably come up. We'll talk about how to solve the right problem, how to build systems that work when life isn't ideal, and why your role isn't to panic—it's to become the person who can do this. Resources: Masterclass: How to Create a Home Where Everyone Can Thrive (Even You) ➡️ https://thrivinginmotherhood.myflodesk.com/thrive

Our Favorite Homeschooling Curriculum for 2026: 6th, 4th, 2nd, Kindergarten and Baby [Episode 396] 07.01.2026 28min

I'm homeschooling five kids (grades 6, 4, 2, kindergarten… plus a five-month-old baby), and I'm sharing what's actually working now that real life is in full swing. I'll walk through the "filter" I'm using for curriculum decisions, what changed between my plan from seven months ago and what we're doing now, and the biggest fixes we made (especially in math and writing). I also share what our days look like right now — the flow, the routines, and the small setup decisions that make consistency possible. Resources: Other Homeschooling Videos: Favorite for 2023: PreK, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oV70d1kr9A Favorite Curriculum for Fall 2023: Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm3hJAlVTdI Homeschooling in Hard Seasons | Library System for the Best Books: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9wgIgGxQgk How I Decided Our Learning Priorities For the Summer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQkuSufQnJs Our Homeschooling Curriculum for 2024-2025 Pre-K, 1st, 3rd, 5th Grade: Alveary Update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5MvRMKNY1E Planning A Full Year of Homeschool With A Baby On The Way | 6th, 4th, 2nd, Pre-K: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNKz4gz3MzI Curriculum: Growing Brave Writers https://bravewriter.com/products/growing-brave-writers (use this link to get $10 off: https://go.referralcandy.com/share/SVPT9W8?s=sp&t=cp) Math With Confidence: https://amzn.to/3Nezl3K Fix It Grammar: https://amzn.to/3N7CJxy Alveary: https://lddy.no/1jdpq (use code JJACKSON for $25 off) All About Spelling: https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-spelling/?srsltid=AfmBOoq7t0vyOYoJiNU10_kw_RBcPQ6p8CuxneTYVBcK_bCtrgF3TJXb (I actually just buy the teachers manual used for a fraction of the price)

If You Feel Behind or Discouraged In Life…Watch This [Episode 395] 31.12.2025 20min

As the year comes to a close, I'm talking about what it feels like to reflect when you're discouraged, uncertain, or just tired. When progress feels slow. When goals didn't turn out the way you hoped. When the future feels unclear. In this episode, I share the thoughts, stories, and spiritual insights that helped me reframe what it means to be "behind," why nothing you've given is wasted, and how to approach vision-setting when dreaming feels hard. I'll talk about seasons of becoming, surrender, and letting God lead when you don't have clarity yet.

I read 60 books in 2025. These 4 will make you rethink weight loss goals. [Episode 394] 24.12.2025 21min

Looking for books that will completely change the way you think about weight, health, and body image? From surprising medical history to cultural myths we've quietly absorbed, these reads helped me question where our ideals about "healthy," "thin," and "ideal" actually come from. Resources: Happiest Man on Earth: https://amzn.to/49lK5G6 The Secret To Unlocking The Stress Cycle: https://amzn.to/4aul90b Everything is Tuberculosis: https://amzn.to/3MMAY8F Semi-Well Adjusted Despite Literally Everything: https://amzn.to/3NbdGt8

My Top 12 Books of 2025 (Fiction, Memoirs, Self-Help & Non-Fiction) [Episode 393] 17.12.2025 21min

As the year winds down, I love slowing things down a bit, opening my 2026 Thriving in Motherhood Planner, working through the vision section, and taking time to reflect on what actually stayed with me this year. One of my favorite parts of that process is reviewing the books I read. This year, I read over 60 books. When I sat down to reflect, I narrowed that list first to the ones that truly stood out, and then distilled it even further to my top favorites across fiction, memoir, nonfiction, and a small handful of self-help books that genuinely impacted how I live day to day. In this episode, I'm sharing: The fiction series that gave me deep, genuine belly laughs at the end of long days The nonfiction and memoirs that expanded how I think about resilience, perspective, history, and human experience The self-help books that actually changed my habits, not just my ideas How I choose what to read in different seasons of life (especially as a homeschooling mom of five) These are the books that shaped how I think, how I rest, how I parent, and how I move into a new year with intention, without pressure to read more, faster, or "better." Resources: Previous Book Lists Top Books of 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLMNVWoyWxQ Top Books of 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDU1QwZm0rM Books I Read During My Tech Fast 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI7v_2DmlP8 Designing Your Personal Curriculum For 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyc-YCDjtfQ Deep Dive Book Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK0Nd4dbVRA Non-Fiction Books An Immense World: https://amzn.to/3Mwtman American Nations: https://amzn.to/4pFAUpR Brave the Wild River: https://amzn.to/48TWI9Z Empire of Pain: https://amzn.to/4s0S6aG Memoir Solito: https://amzn.to/4rWGJ3A The House of My Mother: https://amzn.to/4s0RYIe The Happiest Man On Earth: https://amzn.to/4oZxNrM Semi Well Adjusted Despite Absolutely Everything: https://amzn.to/3XZrUzH Self-Help Books The Glucose Revolution: https://amzn.to/4j04dkf The Power of Now: https://amzn.to/3YB8Ckd Thrivers: https://amzn.to/4oQnmGF Fiction Books The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lions: https://amzn.to/3L21cn6

Feeling Lost About Where to Focus? Do These 2 Things Before January 1st [Episode 392] 10.12.2025 28min

Before you jump into holiday plans or new-year goals, there are two things I want you to do, because they will completely change how you feel heading into next year. In this episode, I walk you through the exact reflection and clarity-building process I'm using right now to close out 2025 and prepare for 2026. It's a simple reset that helps you see what really happened this year, understand where you grew, and get clear about what matters most going forward.

3 principles every mom needs to hear before 2026 [Episode 391] 03.12.2025 16min

In this episode, I'm sharing three things I want you to start thinking about as we get close to the end of the yar. These things will set you up really well when you sit down to create your vision for the new year. They come from two books I read in November, and it was really encouraging to see how much of the research lined up with what we've been doing in the Thriving in Motherhood Planner and Journal since 2015. But these books also highlighted a few angles that I think can help us look at things a little differently. In this episode, I walk you through: Why moms burn out Three ways to actually complete the stress cycle How to use your part as a tool instead of something that weighs you down What makes a future vision powerful enough to influence your present Why pausing every 90 days changes everything These ideas aren't about rushing into goals or "fixing" anything. They're just little shifts that help you understand what's going on inside your days so you can move into the new year with clairty and purpose.