Moving out of Endless Survival Mode with Chelsie Jenkins [Episode 372]

If you’re a mom with a house full of hungry people, you already know: they eat all day long. And if you’re trying to cook more from scratch - whether to save money, reduce processed foods, or just feed your family real meals - you’ve probably hit that point where it feels overwhelming to keep up. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what I cook from scratch every single week. This isn’t a big batch freezer meal plan or a Pinterest-worthy prep system. These are the simple things that fill in the gaps without taking tons of time or energy. You’ll hear: The 5 scratch-cooked staples I make every week (in under 10 minutes of active time each) How I build in leftovers during the week to make lunches easier Why this approach supports both independence and connection at home What it looks like to simplify food as part of the normalizing phase on the 5-step path from surviving to thriving.   If cooking from scratch feels impossible or you’re just tired of constantly figuring out what to feed everyone next, this episode is full of ideas to make it feel more doable and less draining. 📋 Grab the free Surviving to Thriving Checklist to see where you’re at on the 5-step path: 5 Step Path From Surviving to Thriving

What does it really look like to move out of endless survival mode? In this episode, I’m joined by Chelsie Jenkins, a mom of five who has weathered some of the most intense seasons life can bring: the loss of a child, cross-country moves, special needs caregiving, supporting a spouse through grad school, and more. Chelsie shares how, despite years of feeling like she was barely keeping her head above water, she began to shift her mindset, create sustainable systems, and prepare for her next big transition - adding a new baby and starting school - without spiraling back into chaos. As a founding member of the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit, Chelsie learned to: Recognize survival mode patterns Implement home systems in a way that worked with her capacity Involve her kids in meaningful ways Approach upcoming life changes with peace instead of panic If you’ve ever felt like you can’t catch a break, or like you’re failing at motherhood because everything feels so hard, this episode will offer real hope and show you how the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit can help you too.  

I’m just days away from entering the newborn phase with my fifth baby, and as we prepare for all the unknowns ahead, I’ve been reflecting on the lessons that have carried me through over the last 12 years of motherhood. In this episode, I’m sharing five truths I’m reminding myself of right now. Truths I’ve leaned on through moves, healths challenges, grief, and growing a family. If you’re in a hard season too, I hope these offer you the same lifeline they’ve offered me. I talk about: The mindset shifts that completely changed how I experience hard days One powerful question that helped me stop spiraling and start healing What I now expect when everything feels like it’s falling apart A moment that proved I’m never walking through this alone The hardest truth to accept, but the one that’s brought the most growth You don’t have to wait for life to calm down to feel better. There are simple things that can help right now! You’re not alone. And even in the middle of hard, there’s still so good ahead. If this episode was helpful and you're in a survival season, I’d love to invite you to check out the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit. It’s full of encouragement, practical things you can do today, and support for every phase of the journey—whether you’re just trying to make it through the day or starting to build something more.  

I’ve been through five pregnancies and honestly, none of them have been easy. But this one surprised me. Yes, there were hard days, but something was different. I wasn’t drowning in the way I had in the past. In fact, I’ve found myself feeling grateful, even in the middle of the hard.  And I believe anyone, pregnant or not, can experience the same shift.  In this episode, I’m talking about some simple mindset shifts, practical tools, and totally unexpected lessons that made this season feel lighter, more joyful, and even productive. If you’ve ever wondered: How do I keep moving forward when I feel stuck in survival mode? Is it possible to thrive in a season where I can barely function? Can I actually enjoy life when everything feels hard? …this episode is for you!  

Today on the podcast, I’m talking with Ginny Yurich from 1000 Hours Outside all about her : new book Homeschooling: You’re Doing It Right Just By Doing It.  But we go way beyond homeschooling — into faith, resilience, growth, and how to stop feeling behind. If you’ve ever questioned your path as a parent, homeschooler, or entrepreneur — this conversation will remind you: You’re more capable than you think. Wherever you’re at — whether homeschooling, building a life that works for your family, or figuring it out as you go — I hope this gives you some encouragement and permission to trust your path. Resources we mentioned:  Ginny’s website: 1000 Hours Outside  Follow along on Instagram: @1000hoursoutside Her new book Homeschooling: You’re Doing It Right Just by Doing It: Grab it here

When life feels overwhelming or you know you’re headed into a hard season the last thing on your mind might be a quarterly review. But I’ve found it’s exactly when I need it most. In this week’s episode of the Thriving in Motherhood Podcast, I’m walking you through how I do a quarterly review when I’m in survival mode—like right now, at the end of my pregnancy, heading into the newborn phase. Spoiler: This is not your typical "set big goals, hustle hard" kind of conversation. Instead, I’m sharing: How I reflect on what actually happened (even when the days blur together) How gratitude, small wins, and honest questions help me shift my mindset What it looks like to plan a quarter focused on surrender, presence, and creating simple joy Why your circumstances don’t have to define the memories you create If you're in a season where energy is low, the future feels uncertain, or you’re holding a lot—this episode is for you. Whether you're using the Thriving in Motherhood Planner or just grabbing a notebook, these simple prompts can help you anchor yourself and your family—even when life feels messy.

Feeling stressed about your child’s writing progress? You’re not alone—and in this episode, I’m joined by the one and only Julie Bogart to talk all things homeschool writing. Julie is the creator of the award-winning Brave Writer program and has helped hundreds of thousands of families find a more peaceful, effective way to teach writing at home. With over 25 years of experience (and five kids of her own!), she brings wisdom, humor, and so much heart to this conversation. We cover how to choose the right writing curriculum, why creative writing matters, and how to stop stressing over whether you’re “doing enough.” Whether you're brand new to homeschooling or just feeling stuck, this episode will give you some fresh perspective and encouragement from one of the best in the field.

Over the years, I’ve built a rhythms that helps me manage the things I want to do, the person I want to become, and the reality of a very digital world.  In this episode, I’m walking you through a 3-part system I use to stay focused and present: The Thriving in Motherhood Planner that helps me move forward in small pockets of time A reflection notebook based on the core of the bullet journaling method (no rulers or fancy spreads required) My Notion-based “second brain” that holds digital tasks, notes inspiration, and big picture thinking This episode gives you an inside look at how I keep things running without burning out and how you can build something similar, on piece at a time. Want to create your own system with real support? The Surviving to Thriving Toolkit is your guide through five intentional phases of growth, complete with tools, strategies, and structure. Join the waitlist here.  

At the start of each year, I don’t just set goals, I also build a personal curriculum. It’s something I first heard from Brendon Burchard years ago, and it’s completely changed how I approach growth in the middle of real life. In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact steps I’m using to design my personal curriculum for 2025. I’m sharing how I choose a few meaningful books, link them to my vision, and apply what I learn in practical, doable ways. Here’s what I cover: How I connect my learning to my bigger vision and goals for the year What it looks like to align reading, reflection, and action in real-time A behind-the-scenes look at how I organize all of this in my second brain system This isn’t about doing more, it’s about growing with intention, in the areas that matter most right to you. Tune in and get inspired to create your own personal curriculum.  

In this episode, I’m joined by time management coach Anna Dearmon Kornick to talk about what really happens when your well-oiled routines stop working. We’re diving into why systems fall apart when life shifts, how to create new rhythms without starting from scratch, and the small habits that make a big difference in your week. From weekly planning that actually fits your season to routines that help you shift from work to home (without bringing your to-do list to the dinner table), this conversation is full of real talk and doable ideas for busy moms. Resources Blueprint to Balance - https://annadkornick.com/blueprint-to-balance Anna's Website: https://annadkornick.com Anna's Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/annadkornick/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/annadearmonkornick/ 🧰 And if you want the weekly planning system I use, it’s all inside the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit