Table Talks with the Tares

This episode is for everyone who's doing the right things and still feels like they're running behind because that's been us lately. We're getting honest about what happens when the timeline you set for bouncing back from postpartum (your health, your family rhythms, your social life) just doesn't hold. Spoiler: ours hasn’t. Here's what we're unpacking: Why “bouncing back” takes longer than we wan...

Sunday nights started feeling kinda tense… like we were already behind before Monday even hit. We realized it wasn’t our schedule, it was us being out of sync. Different expectations, missed communication, and all the other little stuff that adds up fast. So, we started asking 3 simple questions before the week starts. It’s helped us get on the same page and cut down a lot of unnecessary friction....

Giving a real time health update and what it’s actually been like after 3 pregnancies. We talk about the pressure to “bounce back,” why we’re pushing against it, and what a slower, more sustainable approach to health looks like. If you’ve ever felt stuck and discouraged when it comes to your health journey, this one’s for you. ‌ Resources mentioned: ‌ Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.app...

How do you handle stress in your relationship and how do you show up when your spouse is the one feeling it? This week we’re talking about how we’ve learned (and are still learning) to navigate stress without letting it take over. From recognizing each other’s signals to supporting without fixing, we’re sharing what’s helped us stay grounded and connected when life feels a little chaotic. ‌ Resour...

We just celebrated 10 years of marriage with a cabin trip… and brought all three kids along. 😅 It was a blast and also a little reality check. We’re debriefing what we expected vs. what actually happened, where we maybe overshot things for this season, and how we’re learning to adjust expectations so they match real life with littles. If you’ve ever tried to make something special happen and ende...

Everyone says they need more margin, but who actually takes time to create it? In this conversation, we talk about how stacking small habits has helped us build rhythms that create real buffer in our lives. Not perfectly, but enough to breathe, rest, be present with our kids, and show up for others without feeling constantly maxed out. If your life feels full to the brim, this one might give pract...

We’re talking about how love and respect land differently in marriage and how that showed up in a recent conflict for us. Turns out, it’s not just what you say but how you say it that matters too. We unpack how tone, timing, and delivery can completely change the message, and what we’re learning about speaking in a way so the other person feels respected. Based on a recent conversation we had, you...

In this episode, we talk about the tension of speaking truthfully while still speaking lovingly, especially when dealing with people who have narcissistic tendencies. We share some of what we’ve learned through living with Gram and navigating those dynamics day to day. It’s an honest conversation about compassion, speaking truthfully but lovingly, and how we try to hold both at the same time.    ...

It’s crazy how two people can live the same parenting moment and have totally different instincts. In this episode, we talk about how our differences show up in real time especially with ADHD in the mix. From structure vs. spontaneity to handling everyday chaos, we unpack where our approaches complement each other and where we think, “Wait… you’re doing what?” ‌ Next episode recommended: https://p...

Why do we hesitate to ask for help and how do we know if we’re actually showing up well in our roles as husband, wife, mom, or dad? In this episode, we put those questions on the table. We talk through expectations we carry, the reality of limited capacity, and how we’re learning to meet each other’s needs without keeping score. It’s an honest conversation about roles, communication, and working a...

Ever notice how the same situation can feel completely different to two people? In this episode, we talk about how our differences don’t just come from personality but culture too. Growing up with NY and Filipino backgrounds means we often interpret conflict, respect, and even apologies in totally different ways. We unpack the Western justice/guilt framework vs. the honor/shame perspective common...

In this episode, we realized we don’t actually think about “stuff” the same way. One of us leans toward practicality… the other notices the brand. What is that really about? We talk through how status subtly pulls on us, how it shows up in purchases and preferences, and why certain things feel important even when we know they probably shouldn’t.   Resources mentioned: Watch: Panthère de Cartier wa...

Valentine’s Day hits different when you’re sleep-deprived and surrounded by tiny humans! In this episode, we reflect on how love looked when we first started dating vs. what connection looks like now in a low capacity season. From shifting expectations to finding small moments that matter, we talk about how we keep choosing each other through every stage of life. ‌ Next episode recommended: https:...

In this episode, we’re talking about our approach to homeschooling and why we’ve fallen in love with the Homeschool Made Simple method. It’s research-based, interest-led, and literature rich which has brought so much simplicity, freedom, and actual joy to our days. Whether you're deep in homeschool life or just curious what it could look like, we’re pulling back the curtain on what’s worked, what’...

In this episode, we open up about how we think about money, what matters to us, what systems have worked in different seasons, and what still trips us up (spoiler: it’s not just the coffee budget). We’re sharing the real talk behind aligning priorities and figuring out finances as a team. If money convos usually stress you out, this one’s for you. Resources mentioned: Budgeting app mentioned: http...

In this episode, we’re breaking down where we’re at with our health goals. We talk about our journey from keto to strength training, what postpartum has looked like the 3rd time around, and how we’re (slowly) able to prioritize working out again without going to extremes. If you’re trying to get back into a rhythm with your health and need a reminder that slow is still progress, this one’s for you...

We’re kicking off a new series all about setting realistic goals for our family and individually. In this episode, we unpack how our approach to goal-setting has shifted this year being less about crushing checklists and more about cultivating the kind of people we want to become. We’re talking habit-based goals, rightly ordering our loves, and getting clear on wha’s actually important in this sea...

We’re kicking off the year by talking about where we’re at with tech and health in our home because to be honest, both could use a reset. From managing screen time with our kids to realizing we’ve been leaning hard into convenience (hello, Chick-Fil-A nugs), we’re reflecting on what’s working, what’s not, and the one degree changes we’re making to feel more like ourselves again. If you’re needing...

As we wrap up the year, we’re reflecting on the rhythms that helped us keep our sanity in a season of constant unpredictability. From cozy book moments with the kids (thank you, Christmas gifts) to kitchen chaos trying to recreate Gram’s iconic cookies, we’re reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and what we want more of in the new year. Resources mentioned: Book: https://a.co/d/1FJK5e0 Love Sty...

In this episode, we break down a recent conflict and how we worked through it. We talk about how ADHD shows up in our relationship especially in moments of tension, how differently we experience conflict, and the tools we’re using to move toward each other instead of away. ‌ Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/143-whats-in-my-adhd-parenting-toolkit-what-actually-helps/i...

In this episode, we’re taking inventory. We share how we’re applying the things we’ve been learning lately to both marriage and parenting, what’s landing, what’s missing, and what needs more attention in this season. It's a real-time check-in and reminder that growth takes time.   Resources mentioned - Books: ADHD is Awesome: A Guide To (Mostly) Thriving With ADHD Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancien...

Running on fumes? Same. In this episode, we’re talking about how lack of sleep can crank up the tension in our home and how we’ve learned to recognize and navigate it without turning on each other. It’s honest, practical, and full of the little things that help us reset when we’re running low. ‌ Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/131-embracing-lifes-lows-strategies-whe...

“Rest is not indulgence, it’s obedience to how we were made.” - Dr. Richard Swenson In this episode, we’re talking about what it actually looks like to create margin in the middle of a full life. From shifting expectations to tweaking routines, we’re sharing the small but intentional changes we’ve made to get more aligned, breathe a little easier, and make space for real rest without dropping the...

We’ve laid the groundwork with our family vision and weekly meetings, and now we’re getting intentional about the kind of values we want to pass on to our kids. In this episode, we share how we’re building a simple system to capture the truths, phrases, and principles that help steer our children’s imaginations and affections toward what is good, true, and beautiful. It’s all about turning big ide...

Family meetings with a newborn?! Yeah, it sounds kind of impossible, but somehow, we’re making it work. In this episode, we talk about how we squeeze in a family meeting, why it’s been clutch for staying connected, and how it helps us stop side-eyeing each other mid-week. It’s not perfect, but it’s been a game changer for keeping communication open and making sure we’re on the same team, especiall...