Chris and Jen in the Morning: Self-Care Conversations on Personal Growth, Happiness, and How Our Brains Work

In this special, relaxed, free-flow episode, Chris, Jen, and Ace step away from their traditional structure to tackle three distinct and entertaining segments filled with surprising facts, personal rants, and wild travel stories. The trio kicks things off by testing their knowledge on the massive scale and astronomical costs behind public and consumer fireworks. From there, the conversation shifts...

In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning , the hosts explore the powerful relationship between music, neuroscience, and emotional well-being. Moving beyond a basic appreciation for a good beat, they unpack how music acts as a total-body experience that recruits multiple brain networks simultaneously—affecting memory, movement, and emotion centers. From analyzing why we experience goosebumps...

Episode Overview In this final Pride Month episode for 2026, Chris and Jen dive deep into the essential concept of chosen family and why creating a supportive community is vital for mental health, healing, and personal growth. While navigating life's everyday moments—from bad hotel mirrors to hilariously botched dog-grooming sessions—the hosts explore how our nervous systems naturally scan fo...

In this special Pride Month episode of Chris and Jen in the morning , the hosts challenge the concept of normalcy and explore the psychological and sociological frameworks that separate communities into "us and them" groups. By looking at how the human brain processes repetition, the hosts unpack why we mistake familiarity for absolute truth and how rigid societal norms can negatively im...

In this special Pride Month episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning , the discussion focuses on the intersection of representation, identity, and self-care through the lens of Taylor Jenkins Reed's book, Atmosphere . The episode explores how individuals absorb limits from the world around them, how the human brain processes familiarity, and how intentionally curating your environment can unlo...

In this kickoff episode for Pride Month on Chris and Jen in the morning , hosts Chris and Jen dive deep into the concept of identity, exploring how we shape, lose, and consciously create who we are. Rather than viewing identity as a static label or over-rotating into a career, the hosts discuss how identity operates as a continuous evolution. They look at the societal pressures of defining oneself...

In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning , the hosts shift the conversation from surface-level interests to the deep framework of personal values. Moving away from corporate speak, Chris and Jen explore how defining your core values is essential for transitioning out of life's 'hamster wheel' and stepping into intentional, authentic living. They share personal reflection stra...

 In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning , hosts Chris and Jen dive deep into the vital role holistic healthcare plays in your personal self-care journey. Joining the show is professional chiropractor Dr. Wim Devos from Southlake Chiropractic. Together, they unpack how the body's musculoskeletal system is completely interconnected and bust the most common misconceptions surrounding ch...

In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning , the hosts dive into the practice of grounding—a vital skill for maintaining internal stability in an unpredictable world. They explore how stress and trauma pull us out of the present moment, triggering survival instincts that steal resources from our ability to reason and find peace. By building the "muscle" of grounding, listeners can l...

In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning , the hosts explore the multifaceted experience of birthdays, moving from lighthearted traditions to deep personal reflections. Jen celebrates her 42nd birthday by discussing the importance of being present and the effort required to view aging as a series of earned experiences rather than a countdown of finite time. The conversation covers everythin...

In this episode, Chris and Jen explore the complex relationship we have with one of our most misunderstood emotions: anger. Many of us were taught that anger is 'bad' or 'unattractive,' leading to a cycle of suppression that eventually ends in physical problems or emotional explosions. By shifting our perspective to see anger as a protective signal rather than a character flaw,...

In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning , the hosts dive into the complexities of navigating the modern information landscape. They discuss how the rapid escalation of internet algorithms and social media has shifted the focus from information gathering to the critical need for vetting and sifting through "sensationalized" content. The conversation explores the intersection of in...

In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, the hosts dive into the complex relationship between self-care and burnout. Moving beyond generic "to-do" lists, the discussion centers on a 'hot take': managing burnout is a personal accountability rather than an external occurrence. Through personal stories involving health struggles, house fires, and the physical manifestation...

In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning , the hosts explore the internal and external dynamics of handling difficult conversations, specifically focusing on how to navigate polarizing topics like politics and religion without losing connection. They discuss the neuroscience of "amygdala hijacks" and the Polyvagal theory, which explains why our bodies often perceive disagreement a...

In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning , the hosts explore the "untruths" and subconscious stories that act as barriers to a fulfilling life. They discuss how automatic social comparison can lead to feelings of jealousy and FOMO, explaining how our brains often misinterpret a "highlight reel" as an attainable reality without considering the trade-offs. By moving away f...

In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning , the hosts deconstruct the scarcity mindset —the persistent, often irrational feeling that resources, time, or emotional supports are finite. Jen shares her personal journey of realizing how this mindset conflicted with her core values, while Chris provides a relatable analogy comparing mental bandwidth to a draining phone battery. Together, they di...

In this "Book Club" edition of Chris and Jen In The Morning , Chris, Jen, and Ace explore the transformative concepts in the second half of Nedra Glover Tawwab's bestseller, Set Boundaries, Find Peace . The team discusses the emotional weight of boundary setting, highlighting that while it may feel uncomfortable initially, it is essential for long-term mental well-being. By reframin...

This will be Part One of Chris and Jen In The Morning Reviewing 'Set Boundaries, Find Peace' by Nedra Glover-Tawwab. Part Two will be posted next week. In this "book club style" episode, Chris, Jen, and Ace discuss Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover-Tawwab. The hosts share their personal journeys with the text—from Jen’s therapist-assigned "homework" to Ace’s...

In this episode, the team pulls their producer, Ace, front and center to join a lively discussion on "emotable questions"—topics that spark intense passion despite having no objective answers. The conversation moves through personal moments of gratitude before diving into a series of spirited culinary and categorical debates. Website - www.chrisandjenitm.com Email - connect@chrisandjenit...

In this episode, Chris and Jen explore the evolving nature of friendship as we age. They contrast the effortless, proximity-based social circles of childhood with the intentionality required to maintain bonds in adulthood. The hosts share personal stories about moving to new cities, finding community through work and hobbies, and the internal hurdles like social anxiety and guilt that can make rea...

In this conversation, Chris and Jen explore the intricate relationship between anxiety and the need for control. They discuss how anxiety manifests physically and emotionally, the coping mechanisms people use to manage their anxiety, and the importance of recognizing when control becomes unhealthy. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-awareness, community support, and practical strategies...

In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, hosts Chris and Jen dive into the complex "neuroscience of love" and the biological reasons behind our deep-seated need for connection. Sparked by recent binges of LGBTQ+ romance series like Heated Rivalry and Heartstoppers, the duo explores everything from the initial "puppy love" phase to the enduring bonds of long-term marriag...

In this candid and emotionally grounded episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning: Where Self-Care Meets Real Life , Chris and Jen take on perfectionism—how it sneaks into our work, relationships, and self-care, and why it so often leads to burnout instead of fulfillment . With humor, vulnerability, and real-life examples, they explore how the pressure to “do it right” can quietly drain joy and make...

In this grounded and refreshingly honest episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning: Where Self-Care Meets Real Life , Chris and Jen dive into what it actually looks like to cope during high-stress seasons—especially when work, pressure, and expectations feel relentless . Rather than offering quick fixes, they explore how stress shows up in the body, the mind, and our self-talk, and why survival itse...

In this thoughtful and deeply relatable episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning: Where Self-Care Meets Real Life , Chris and Jen unpack why New Year intentions often turn into self-criticism , and how micro changes—not massive overhauls—are the key to sustainable growth, resilience, and self-compassion The episode begins with a grounding gratitude practice, reflecting on sunsets, chosen family, an...