Optimistically Overwhelmed

September 9th marks eight years since Chelsea’s oldest sister, Claudine, passed away.  Join Chelsea & Dede for this incredible episode honoring one FABULOUS woman whose example continues to bring light & happiness to the world.  Who better to interview than Claudine’s husband and oldest son, Brent & Justin Taylor?  These men share heartfelt thoughts, stories, and sweet insights to Claudine and her legacy of service and optimism.  Listen in as they all share a Claudine “beauty” that she has left with them.  Become inspired by her gift of being everywhere, and by how she made everyone who crossed her feel like they were her very best friend.  Please join us in providing small acts of kindness in Claudine’s honor on September 9th … use #makeitaClaudineDay and tag us on Instagram so we can share with our listeners.

Come one, come all! Grab your Skinny Margarita or an ice cold Diet Coke and join the Ladies as they pour it out! They are emptying that stress cup that has runneth over after another week of Quarantine living. But more importantly,  they are serving up three amazing new Beauties along with a dash of hot topics.    So, listen in and let DeDe, Jamie and Chelsea help fill that pitcher of yours with some self-love and goodness. The world may be social distancing but we can all find a way to gather round and intertwine as one, even if only virtually. You are not alone in this, friends. Remember that! And also remember to go show us some love over on Instagram. Until next week, bottoms up!   Episode Links: “Intertwining Roots - A Lesson on Community” by Joanne Eddy “Braving the Wilderness” by Brené Brown 

"Ladies & Gentlemen, the Captain has turned on the seatbelt sign as we are experiencing some turbulence. As we attempt to reach our cruising altitude of 30,000 feet, we recommend you remain seated and allow the soothing voices of DeDe, Jamie and Chelsea to calm your stresses and nerves. And thank you for flying with Optimistically Overwhelmed Airlines." Friends, if you have had a turbulent week or maybe five days straight of having THAT kind of day, then listen in to this episode. The ladies are here with three new Beauties to share, along with some laughs and, okay okay, maybe even a tear or two. Everything you have come to know and love from the Tribe. So, get comfy and settle in to a recliner, or go hide out in a closet away from the kids and get your weekly dose of goodness. We are all in this together. "You are now free to move about the Cabin."     Episode links: Untamed by Glennon Doyle Good Things to Come by Jeffrey R. Holland

Guess who’s back in the Beauty Hunting house?! DeDe, Jamie and Chelsea are coming at you with a fresh new season of optimism. The ladies have spent their Summer Break searching high and low for those Beauties and they are here to share three great ones with you on today’s episode.   So whether you are gearing up for school to start back up (whatever version that means these days) or you are stressed beyond belief and just waiting for the murder hornets to arrive, listen to this feel good hit of the Summer! And as always, we would love to hear the beauties you have hunted along the way. Until then, go shine bright!   Episode Links: “Come What May, and Love It” by Joseph B. Wirthlin "Welcome to Holland" by Emily Perl Kingsley The Happiness Lab: Episode 6 "Dial D for Distracted" by Dr. Laurie Santos

Hooray!! The gang is back together! Even though DeDe, Jamie and Chelsea are smack dab in the middle of Summer Break, the ladies wanted to do a quick check-in with the Tribe they miss so very much. And the best part of all, they are finally all in the studio together, while maintaining their distance of course.  On this episode, the ladies each share something that has inspired/comforted them recently. When times are tough, we must continue to search for the good. To spot the ladybugs. To be a "Beauty Hunter" (big thanks to Jennifer Pastiloff for coining the term). So listen in to the "Beauties" they found for you! And as always, we would love to hear some of yours. Until next time, go shine bright! 

Now, more than ever, we need an anthem. Graduation season is upon us, Stay-At-Home orders are being extended while others are being lifted... So, what better way to get some of that anxiety, stress and numbness out than with a little Bon Jovi. While on one of her morning runs, DeDe shares how one song basically saved her and she found herself belting out the tunes while crying at the same time. The lyrics to this song ring so true in this current time, and the ladies can't help but share them with all of you.    DeDe and Chelsea also show some love for the Graduating Class of 2020 before rounding out the episode with the remaining voice memos from our fellow Tribe members. The Ladies can't thank everyone who contributed enough for opening your heart and sharing it with all of us. We are all forever changed. Until next time, friends, we're halfway there! We are all livin' on a prayer! Keep shining bright! Episode Links: - Josh Gadd's "Reunited Apart" YouTube Channel - John Krasinski's "SGN Network" (Some Good

DeDe, Jamie and Chelsea do a quick check-in before they share some more of the incredible voice memos they've received over the last few weeks. And as the Country prepares to tiptoe out of Quarantine, Chelsea and DeDe read some amazing inspiration and tips that everyone should hear. Tip #1 - Be Kind To One Another.  So while the kids are on a school Zoom meeting, settle in to your cozy chair, grab your headphones and relax while listening to what our amazing Tribe has learned in the time of COVID. And as always, you can share some love or give us a follow over @optimisticallyoverwhelmed on Instagram. Until next time, go shine bright!  

It's official. We have all lost track of what day it is. Time? Ha! Forget about it. If you are reading this and feel like you are teetering on the edge of sanity, press play, and LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE! The tribe is coming at you again this week with more unbelievable voice memos. Honestly, they are so good. Dede, Jamie and Chelsea are completely blown away with all the responses they have received and we will keep on sharing them so keep them coming, friends!   The girls also open up about new things they have learned this past week... whether it is slowing the productivity train down or finding the courage to continue. DeDe shares an amazing story from John C. Maxwell about courage. He asks the question "Fear is a negative emotion, courage is a positive emotion, which one are you going to feed?" Enrich that courage of yours with this week's episode, and don't forget to tell us all about it at dedeandjamie@gmail.com. Until next time, friends... go shine bright!

The Tribe has spoken, Friends! The ladies asked for your stories of how you are handling this new "pandemic normal" and, WOW, did you answer! DeDe, Jamie and Chelsea are honored to share the voice memos they have received over these next few episodes, and they are starting things off with a bang with today's episode. Whether you are a young student, a new mom, a homeschooling mom, a grandmother or just a human, we guarantee these messages will hit home. And we encourage you to share your own with the Tribe, because we are all in this together, after all. Email your voice memos to dedeandjamie@gmail.com. DeDe and Jamie also share some Ladybugs that they have found this week, along with a Mirror Challenge that we can all benefit from. So, listen in to an episode the ladies are so very proud of. We could not do this without you, and LOVE hearing from all of you. Until next time, feel the feels and keep shining bright! 

It's the 50th episode!! Can you believe it?! Join DeDe, Jamie and Chelsea while they get sentimental and reflect on this beautiful tribe that has been created, and also laugh about how far they have come since those beginning podcast days. You know what they say about flipping that first pancake! Thanks for sticking with us through it all, friends!  DeDe also shares an incredible story about looking for ladybugs, and there is not a human being on this planet that doesn't need to hear this message right now. No matter what week of quarantine you are currently in, take time in your day to look for life's blessings, miracles or tender mercies. They are everywhere and the ladies share some of their own experiences in spotting the ladybugs in their lives. We challenge you to share some of yours with us! While you're at it, go give us a follow over @optimisticallyoverwhelmed on Instagram. Until next time, go shine bright!  Episode links: - Glennon Doyle - Music and the Spoken Word (Ladybug story)

We cannot WAIT for you to “meet” Denise because we all could use a little “Vitamin D” in our lives … especially now!  Denise is one of our favorite people ever, and DeDe & Chelsea chat with her about everything from being present & balancing life to what it’s like owning her own business.  Our combined 8 kids ALL learned life lessons from her as a swim teacher, and her mantra “I don’t know if I can … but I’ll try!” is often mentioned in our homes.   There truly is a takeaway for any listener because we cover a LOT of ground!   Although we recorded this 5 weeks ago (pre-quarantine) we feel like her wisdom and advice is even more relevant NOW as we juggle and adapt to this new life.  Enjoy your dose of “Vitamin D!”

Join DeDe and Chelsea for their (first) interview with Riely where they discuss finding “Purpose in the Hard.”  After 47 episodes we hit our first technical difficulty and Riely’s microphone ended up not picking up.  We debated whether we should even release this episode - but after re-listening we just absolutely LOVED what Riely had to share, and feel like the episode is even more needed than when we recorded it 4 weeks ago.  So, bear with us, and turn your volume up when it’s Riely’s turn to talk!  :)    In this episode Riely first introduces us to “Run the Mile You are In,”  and vulnerably opens up about her experience with bullying.  Chelsea discusses how to find joyful moments, days, and places; and why it is important to prioritize what is “not optional” when you are going through a trial.  Dede shares about how to lean into the good and the light in your life.  We discuss all of this … and much more about finding “Purpose in the Hard.”

DeDe, Chelsea and (special guest!) Riely examine more ways to find our purpose during this Coronavirus trial.   Riely shares with us her mantra to “RUN THE MILE YOU ARE IN” … to put one foot in front of the other and focus on the now. Finding PERSPECTIVE: There is power in disruption, and we get to decide what really matters most How to make your (quarantine) days ENJOYABLE   ***We are now going to end each episode with “The Mirror Challenge” and we encourage you to join in!  Write on your mirror in dry-erase marker a takeaway from this episode …. - you can answer, “What is your purpose right now? This week?” - you can write “Run the Mile You Are in” - or ANYTHING that you want to focus on this week!   Episode Links: Shawni Pothier: “Disruption”  https://71toes.com/2020/04/disruption  3 in 30 Podcast episode 123: “What We’re Doing to Survive this Coronavirus Weirdness” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-in-30-takeaways-for-moms/id1296627876?i=1000469946836

All of our lives have turned upside-down because of the Coronavirus.  Our lives might feel like they are on "pause."  Join DeDe & Chelsea as they discuss how they try to find "Peace in the Pause."   How can we still find positivity and remain "optimistically overwhelmed?" The girls mention 3 things we can focus on: 1. What you can control 2. Reaching outside of yourself 3. Finding the joys & positives in this situation. Episode Links: - Coping as a Mom Through Coronavirus-related Stress/Anxiety  - The Happiness Advantage: Linking Positive Brains to Performance by Shawn Achor (TEDxBloomington talk) - Corona Virus is Not a Motherhood Competition by Brooke Romney

Take a break from the relentless Coronavirus news cycle and get your weekly dose of OPTIMISM! Doctors orders, because we all need this more than ever, right?! Whether you have just become an instant homeschool teacher/prison warden to your kids or if the reality of living in a pandemic has sent you into a 24/7 panic, we urge you to give yourself a time-out and add some happiness back in your day, or week.  This is all new territory for us. But DeDe, Chelsea and Jamie are here today to share some positivity in the madness, and some laughter in your day. So listen in while taking your nature walk or sanitizing your recent grocery haul, and remember that we are all in this together, friends. Stay calm, be kind to others and keep shining bright.. while staying 6 feet apart, of course. 

DeDe and Chelsea team up to talk about something near and dear to their hearts … Motherhood!  They discuss how to find JOY in all of the stages of Motherhood (or Fatherhood too!).  Though they are by no means considered experts on the topic, they share some of the ways they’ve learned to find that JOY.   Start your day with gratitude … and do your “basics” Be YOU … your kids need YOU and not someone else Be confident, and teach your kids to be confident.   Influence vs. controlling your kids Take care of yourself Links from our discussion: 3 in 30 Podcast: Episode 118 “How to Raise Confident Children// Marilyn Faulkner” 3 in 30 Podcast: Episode 43 “What to Do When you Realize You Can’t Control Your Children// Marilyn Faulkner” Ralphie Jacobs from Simply on Purpose

Jamie & DeDe are starting off the episode with some exciting news! Something they have always hoped for is finally happening and they can't wait to share the news with you.  And after a brief hiatus, the ladies are back with a topic that has hit very close to home recently, finding their purpose. Whether it is a life purpose, or merely a purpose for the day or hour, the ladies are getting raw and real about their journey to find their own. And DeDe is sharing another amazing story until Jamie gets around to writing more of hers. It is one great episode, friends! 'Treat yo self' and give it a listen.. and if you agree, go give us some love @optimisticallyoverwhelmed on instagram! Or drop a 5 star review! Thanks for all your support!   

Encore Episode of our Valentine's Day special.  The girls LOVE this LOVE episode so much, they wanted to share it again.  "What does 'Love' mean to you? How does love motivate you in your daily lives? And what makes Valentine's Day special for you?" DeDe and Jamie are taking a back seat on this episode and letting their friends and family take over the microphones. From adorable kiddos to outspoken Grandmas, this episode is guaranteed to make you smile and fill your heart with love. So listen in, friends! And don't forget to keep spreading that love! And rate and review the show while you're at it! Thanks again for all your support.

Well, friends.. Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this year, so it looks like Spring is going to be here before you know it! DeDe and Jamie are prepping to shed the winter and emotional weight they have been carrying around, and are also sharing some hilarious weekly updates for you.  And last, but certainly not least, the ladies are sharing some 'Tribe Mail' they have received and the Mom Machine and the Spinster do their best to offer some advice to one amazing listener. DeDe also shares another powerful message on letting go. A short and sweet episode coming at you! Have a great week, and keep on sending in that Tribe Mail! 

As natives to Southern California, Jamie and DeDe were devastated by the tragic loss of their local hero Kobe Bryant, his beautiful daughter Gianna and the other seven passengers on board the helicopter that Sunday morning.  While struggling to make sense of the tragedy with the rest of the world, the ladies are also celebrating the life and legacy that Kobe leaves behind. But more importantly, they are shining a light on the most important message of all: Life is so very precious, just love one another. Love is always the answer.  Last but certainly not least, our hearts and prayers go out to the Bryant, Altobelli, Mauser, Chester and Zobayan families that they may find peace and comfort as they navigate this new reality.