Chaotic Compass Podcast

🎙️ EPISODE 110 — If You’re a Husband, Listen Up: Navigating the Emotional Labor of the Holidays The holidays are officially here… which means I’m out here juggling 12,000 invisible tasks, three potential meltdowns (usually my own), and the emotional blueprint of the entire family — while the husbands of the world are like: “What time do we leave again?” 😅 This week’s episode of Chaotic Compass is...

🎙️ EPISODE 109 — 40 Things I’ve Learned by 40 (Part 2): The Clarity Half Your girl is officially in her 40s (still wild to say 😅), and we’re back with the second half of this birthday series — the grown-woman, softer-but-still-chaotic, “okay but here’s what we’re NOT doing anymore” half. Last week was the messy half. This week? 👉 The clarity half. 👉 The “wow, therapy would’ve helped” half. 👉 T...

🎙️ EPISODE 108 — “40 Things I’ve Learned by 40 (Part 1): The Messy Half” Your girl is turning 40 on Tuesday (what the actual hell 😅), so we’re kicking off a two-part birthday series where I break down the real , raw , and ridiculously honest things I’ve learned on my way to the big 4-0. This week? 👉 The messy half. 👉 The “why did no one warn me adulthood was like this?” half. 👉 The “I’m tired...

🎙️ Episode 107 — The Monsters in My Mind: Navigating the Stories I Tell Myself Description (SEO-Optimized): This week on Chaotic Compass , we’re not talking about haunted houses — we’re talking about the real horror story: our own minds. 👀 In this Halloween-themed episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the mental monsters that love to show up uninvited — Overthinking Olivia, Guilt Gremlin, Comp...

🎙️ Episode 106 — “The Art of Doing Nothing (Badly): Navigating the Fear of Slowing Down” Series: Scary Things I’ve Learned in 2025 Scary Truth #2: Resting is harder than working. 💬 What It’s About If being vulnerable with other people is scary, try being vulnerable with yourself. This week I’m turning the chaos inward and talking about something that makes my skin crawl: slowing down. Because app...

🎙️ Episode 105: Why Relationships Are Terrifying: Navigating What Women Really Want 💀 Love, Communication & Trying Not to Throat-Punch Your Partner Before 8 A.M. Hey friends 👋 It’s spooky season, and I’m kicking off a brand-new series called “Scary Things I’ve Learned in 2025.” And let me tell you… we’re starting with the scariest of them all — relationships. 😱 From dishwasher diplomacy and...

🎙️ 104:September Snapshots: Navigating Cold Snaps, Birthday Chaos, and Real-Life Marriage Work In this month’s recap, Stefanie dives into the chaos that was September — from a freezing Labor Day weekend in the Outer Banks ❄️ to back-to-back birthday madness 🎂, another concert adventure with her daughter 🎤, and a whirlwind Atlanta work trip with Ryan that somehow doubled as their anniversary geta...

🎙️ Episode 103: Is It the Universe Testing Me or Just Coincidence and Chaos? Navigating Signs, Synchronicities & Setbacks Okay, real talk—have you ever wondered if the universe is testing you, or if life is just one big cluster of chaos? Because SAME. 🙋‍♀️ In this episode of Chaotic Compass , I’m trying to figure out if the random crap in my life—like rainstorms at the worst moment, nails in...

🎙️ Episode 102 — Am I Having a Midlife Crisis… or Finally Waking Up? So here’s the thing — a midlife crisis doesn’t always look like a red sports car or a dramatic haircut ✂️🚗. Sometimes it looks like sitting in your driveway sobbing because you have to make dinner again 🍲😭. Or catching your reflection in the mirror — messy bun, yesterday’s mascara — and realizing you don’t even recognize yours...

🎙️Episode 101 – Boats, Concerts & Chaos: Navigating the Beautiful Mess of Summer This summer was nothing short of chaotic — and I’m bringing you along for every wild, beautiful, and downright ridiculous moment. In this episode, I share how I: ⚓️ Earned my boater safety card and braved a terrifying but exhilarating solo trip on our 13-foot Boston Whaler. 🎶 Took Kylie to an elegant Laufey + Vi...

🎙️ Episode 100: 10 Years Later – Navigating the Chaos, Choosing Life and Healing Ten years ago, on Memorial Day, I almost didn’t make it. I was in a dark place, convinced the world — and even my kids — would be better off without me. Today, I’m here, celebrating my 100th episode of Chaotic Compass . In this raw and unedited conversation, I share the lessons I’ve learned over the past decade — from...

Episode🎙️ 99. Back from Burnout: Navigating Midlife, Meltdowns & Figuring Sh*t Out I’m back—and wow, it’s been a ride. In this brutally honest comeback episode, I’m peeling back the curtain on the chaos I’ve been living through. From the end-of-school madness to full-blown burnout, I’m talking about what it’s really like to hit a wall in midlife and wonder if you even recognize yourself anymor...

Episode🎙️ 98. The Exhaustion No One Talks About: Navigating The Weight Of it Hey guys. Today’s episode is different. I’m not showing up with a plan, a pep talk, or a solution—I’m just showing up real. Lately, I’ve been feeling the weight of it all, and if you’re anything like me, you probably are too. So I’m sharing something deeply personal—words I wrote on a day when everything felt like too muc...

Episode🎙️ 97. F*ck Winter – Navigating Seasonal Chaos, Work-Life Balance & Finding Joy This week, we are over it – and by it , I mean winter, exhaustion, and the never-ending grind . If you’re also feeling like Mother Nature is playing mind games, your job is sucking the life out of you, and joy feels like a distant memory, this episode is for you. 🔥 Here’s what we’re diving into: ✔️ Weather...

Episode🎙️ 96. Breaking Up With Comparison: Navigating How to Embrace You Description: In this solo episode, I get real about the struggles of comparison, exhaustion, and the pressure to keep up with unrealistic expectations. I open up about navigating life while solo parenting, balancing work, and feeling overwhelmed—yet still showing up. With humor and authenticity, I explore the impact of social...

Episode 95: Fighting Fair – Navigating Conflict Without Chaos 🎙️ Description: Conflict is inevitable in any relationship, but how do you fight fair? In this episode of Chaotic Compass , Stefanie gets real about the struggles of communication, emotional triggers, and how misunderstandings can spiral into chaos. From personal challenges with her husband Ryan to learning how to express needs without...

🎙️ 94. Chaotic Couples Episode: Navigating Our Life In this kid-free episode of Chaotic Compass , Ryan and I sit down with a few drinks and dive into the chaos of our life together. We start with a taste test of fancy tonic waters (because why not?) and somehow end up reminiscing about some of our most chaotic moments—like that time our car broke down in the middle of a swamp with a boat in tow....

🎙️ Episode 93. Cold Chaos, Cider, and TikTok Troubles: Navigating 2025 SO FAR! Episode Summary Welcome back to Chaotic Compass ! In this episode, Stefanie dives into the chaos of winter, fires up her microphone to review a new cider, and discusses the wild dynamics of January 2025. From freezing temperatures to TikTok controversies and a heartfelt moment about fire prevention, this episode blends...

🎙️ Episode 92. Snow, Sickness, and Surviving Solo Parenting: Navigating this Week's Chaos Episode Summary Hey there, it’s Stefanie! Buckle up, because this week I’m spilling all the tea about the absolute chaos of my life lately. From surviving the post-holiday stomach bug apocalypse (spoiler alert: we made it!) to sneaking away for a rare kid-free weekend, and then getting snowed in with friends,...

Episode 91. Chaos Before the Storm: Navigating the Holiday Mayhem Host: Stefanie Wainwright The holidays are here, and they’re bringing all the chaos! From anxiety-inducing chorus concerts to Target shopping mayhem, and even a heated family debate over Santa’s funding, this episode is packed with stories that will make you laugh, cringe, and nod in solidarity. In This Episode 🎵 Chorus Concert Cha...

Episode 90: Surviving Midlife Chaos – Family, Work, and Finding Humor in the Mess Hey there, it’s Stefanie from Chaotic Compass ! This is a big one—Episode 90! 🎉 I’m talking about the beautiful disaster that is midlife chaos. From raising four kids in a blended family to juggling a job, businesses, and everything in between, my life is a constant whirlwind of “what the heck just happened?” moment...

In this episode of Chaotic Compass , I open up about the chaos and craziness of the past six months. I reflect on family life, work, and the personal moments that have kept me away from the podcast. Here's a breakdown of everything I cover: Episode Highlights: 1. Where Have I Been? I start by catching up with you all and explaining the long gap between episodes. Life’s been a bit wild lately with...

In today’s episode, it’s the monthly recap. Why are ya’ll so obsessed with these episodes? I’m here for it just freaking weird. We talk about me traveling multiple times solo recently. I tell you about our oldest kids’ musicals (high school musical: the musical: the series lol). And I also talk about new words kids are saying. I mean what the hell is a skibidy toilet anyways guys? Let’s go! For mo...

In today’s episode, it’s the whole fam! Yes all 6 of us sit down. We ask random questions, reminisce about our past times as a family and try our best to not talk over each other. Editing this episode took me FOREVER. But we have lots of laughs and it gives you a glimpse in what our life looks like on a regular basis. It’s chaos, you guys! Let’s go! For more content, check out my YouTube page here...

In today’s episode, I talk about mental load. What the heck is that? I discuss what it looks like in my life. I also give ways to work through it with your partner or someone you may be trying to delegate some of your tasks to. Let’s dive in! For more content, check out my YouTube page here and my website here .  Thanks for the love! The Chaotic Compass podcast was created by Stefanie Wainwri...