In Praise of the Eldest Daughters

We are SO GLAD if you've been around with us since the beginning! Happy 200! In this episode, Vanessa, Sarah, and Julie discuss how they'll reward themselves after making it through May. They also romanticize a simple summer. One where you don't have to do too much to still have a good time. It's the little moments like jumping on the trampoline, going out with the kids to the gas station, and finding your favorite local spots. It's an episode to really feel a lot less mom guilt and a lot more relief of pressure.

Not to bring the mood down, but we can't always be positive! This week, Sarah and Vanessa start the podcast off with just a little wallowing, because what's motherhood and womanhood without a little time to complain about it? And in a crazy twist, Julie is there to bring up the mood! She gives some hard, but helpful advice: sometimes you actually might need to be doing more. We know, sounds crazy. And of course, it's not a message of running yourself ragged, but instead a message of simply "it's okay to not always have to face your problems." This episode has it all: conversations about having roommates in your adulthood, Harry Jowsey, marraige advice, and tips on going on a humanitarian trip with teenage kids!   Get started with your Monthbooks today!

Julie and Sarah, who are the two youngest daughters, are coming into the episode today to sing the praises of their older sisters, while also picking a few bones because, hey, they're still the babies. Vanessa, the eldest of TWELVE children and FIVE sisters shares in her wisdom, and in true eldest daughter fashion claims that it was a "privilege" to be an older sister to younger sisters. Sarah and Julie lament that eldest sisters never got to have older sisters to rely on. What would we do without the older sisters of the world?

In this episode, the ladies celebrate how learning Mahjong has become an intentional ritual that has helped them log off and put their phones away. The intentional, forced slow down has reminded us that we're all craving community and connectedness, and that we have to be disciplined in order to achieve this.

Vanessa opens the episode with a story about Rudy—the dog she was watching for her son—and the unexpected lesson he taught her: sometimes we misjudge others until we take the time to truly understand them. From there, the conversation explores the shame many women carry around emotional regulation, especially in early motherhood, and what it looks like to grow through it with more awareness and compassion. They also dive into the weight of big life decisions—like whether to stay home or return to work—and how choosing what's right for your unique circumstances, even when it's hard, can ultimately help you show up as a better, more grounded mom.   Get started on your Chatbooks today!

This week on the podcast, we're talking about the characteristics of confident people. We share how the way we were raised helps us understand and find an internal confidence. We also discuss some of the vulnerabilities that come with insecurities.   On this episode, Julie shares, "as a mom and a boss, something I always try to prioritize is to leave people more confident than you found them."

In this episode, we share how we were inspired by the Artemis II mission and what those astronauts learned while traveling to the dark side of the moon. One of the quotes that got us thinking was from Astronaut Jeremy Hansen. He said, "We're not always on the joy train, this crew, there are many times we're not on the joy train, but we are committed to getting back on the joy train as soon as we can. And that is a useful life skill for any team trying to get something done."   Julie shares how sometimes facing reality helps her more easily get back on the joy train. Sarah shares about how when she takes the time to have awe in her life, she feels joy. Vanessa shares how she's getting her family to feel that inspiration and rally around something powerful like this experience.   Don't forget to start Chatbooking! Get started on your first classic photo book or monthbook subscription now.

This week's episode is all about coming home. Vanessa was in Paris last week and when she got back she was reminded that despite coming back to Utah where the inversion had settled in and the weather wasn't nearly as lovely as the beautiful Parisian spring, it was the excitement of being surrounded by her people that helped her to realize that the cliche, "home is where the heart is," truly made sense. Julie and Sarah discuss how they make their own lives feel like home amongst their families and they also discuss what those memories mean all these years later.

When your child calls from school because they forgot their lunch or homework, do you rush to save the day, or let them face the consequences? In this episode, Vanessa and her sisters are tackling the tough question of when saying "no" is actually the more loving choice. They reflect on their own family experience with "parallel work" — being available to help, but only when asked — and explore how small moments of discomfort can build long-term resilience. They also break down a few key factors to consider: safety, whether it's a pattern or a one-time mistake, and how to offer grace without creating entitlement. This episode is all about raising independent kids — and having the courage to step back when it counts. DM us your stories (we can share anonymously!) so we can all feel a little less alone in the process.

In this episode, Vanessa is joined by her sisters as they tackle a question many parents quietly wrestle with: are we spoiling our kids, or simply loving them well? From sharing their own "Cinderella story" childhood memories and the differences between oldest and youngest siblings, to reflecting on modern pressures like TikTok unboxings and overindulgence culture, they explore where generosity can tip into excess. Drawing on insights from experts like Dr. David Bredehoft, Jean Illsley Clarke, and Ron Lieber, the conversation dives into gratitude, entitlement, financial literacy, and the values we model through our everyday decisions. It's an honest, thoughtful discussion about what they'd do again, what they might change, and how to raise kids who feel both deeply loved and well-grounded. Download the Chatbooks app today to get started! Follow us on Instagram!