Bitter to Better

Tracie Pinnock
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Relationships
  • Updated Weekly

Tracie Pinnock is a Marriage & Family Therapist and Dating Coach for women. She uses both personal and professional experience to share thoughts and advice that help women thrive after breakups, separations and divorces and provides guidance for dating better the next time around.

  1. Sep 14

    Are We Going On Shark Tank?!" Mom Moments with Rachel Forbes

    FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services In this Mom Moments episode, I sat down with my friend Rachel Forbes for an honest conversation about the highs and lows of motherhood, work, and identity. Rachel shared what it has looked like to expand her therapy practice while staying grounded in the work that matters most to her: attachment, adoptee-centered healing, trauma, and internal family systems. We also talked about the realities of parenting stress, the intensity of maternal worry, the transition out of breastfeeding, and how becoming a mother can bring both clarity and a deeper connection to ourselves. Throughout our conversation, we reflected on the value of softness, patience, community, therapy, solitude, and giving ourselves permission to say no. We also explored how Rachel’s lived experience as a Korean transracial adoptee deeply shapes both her motherhood and her clinical work. Together, we talked about identity, attachment wounds, raising children with a strong sense of belonging, and the intentional choices parents make around race, culture, schools, and community. Rachel shared how motherhood brought new layers of compassion for her birth mother and renewed commitment to helping her own children feel connected to their heritage. We wrapped with practical and meaningful parenting resources, thoughts on emotional resilience, and a lighthearted brainstorm for what might just be the next must-have invention for coffee lovers who love their quiet time.

  2. Sep 7

    Let's Talk About It: Mom Moments with Loveli Brown

    FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services In this episode I sat down with Loveli Brown for a rich, honest conversation about womanhood, motherhood, identity, and the very real experience of navigating perimenopause. We talked candidly about hormone replacement therapy, brain fog, sleep struggles, mood swings, libido shifts, and how these changes can affect our relationships, work, and sense of self. Loveli shared her own early experience with HRT, while we reflected on how often women are left to piece this stage of life together without enough medical guidance, language, or support. We also explored the many layers of Loveli's life as a mother, author, coach, podcast host, and advocate for women. She opened up about parenting a transgender child with love, curiosity, and a willingness to grow alongside them, offering a moving perspective on acceptance, grief, and joy in the parenting journey. We closed with one of my favorite takeaways from the episode: Lovely’s parenting “report card” approach, where she regularly asks her children how she’s doing as a mom, creating space for honesty, connection, and helping kids learn to advocate for themselves.

  3. Mar 9

    Ep. 63: Beware of the Lazy Dater

    FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services In this short, straight-to-the-point episode of Bitter to Better, I share a PSA for women: beware of the lazy dater. I unpack what a lazy dater looks like—and why attractive qualities like looks, money, or status can mask minimal investment. I draw a clear distinction between companionship and partnership, and encourage you to align your dating choices with your long-term goals rather than accepting breadcrumbs or “scraps.” I offer guidance on recognizing mismatched expectations, redefining some connections as friends-with-benefits when appropriate, and taking responsibility for protecting your time and energy. If he’s not showing up, not following through, or repeatedly downgrading plans, pay attention to what he’s showing you. The bottom line: don’t be blinded by surface appeal—choose partners who date you well and demonstrate real partnership potential. -------------------------- FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services Watch the pod on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CoachTracie/videos

  4. Mar 2

    Ep. 62: Preparing to Date In The Spring As A Busy Mom

    FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services In today’s episode I’m gearing you up for spring dating. I share practical, low-stress prep to help moms date with confidence: from creating a spring-ready rotation of five go-to outfits and nailing an easy hair and makeup routine, to proactively blocking calendar time during the kids’ spring break so dates (or self-care and solo dates can actually happen). I also walk through building your “Ready List” of five restaurants and five activities so you’re never scrambling for ideas. My goal is to help you be ready before dating season truly kicks in (May–September), so you can enjoy it while it’s here. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services Watch the pod on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CoachTracie/videos Ep. 32: Preparing To Date In The Fall As A Busy Mom https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/32 Ep. 45: Preparing To Date In The Winter/During The Holidays As A Bust Mom https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/45 Ep. 28: Dating As the Default Parent https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tracie-pinnock3/episodes/Ep--28-Dating-As-the-Default-Parent-e332a93 Ep. 50: Making the Most of Your Child-Free Time https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/ep-50-making-the-most-of-your-child-free-time FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services

  5. Feb 23

    Ep. 61: Signs That You're Making Progress in Dating

    FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services In this episode I highlight the many small-but-mighty ways you’re likely making progress in your dating life—especially if you’re a mom juggling a lot. Dating is a process, not an event and acknowledging incremental wins is key to staying motivated. I walk through practical markers of progress: seeking resources, building and actively using a dating profile, engaging men in low-pressure conversations, saying yes to dates, and actually going on them. I also cover mindset shifts like bouncing back faster after disappointments, spending less energy analyzing poor behavior (ghosting, inconsistent texting), and continuing to engage with men who show up well while letting others vet themselves out. You’ll hear concrete tips for making conversations flow, lowering first-date barriers to the four essentials (attraction, safety, no offensive behavior, no major turn-offs), and maintaining momentum without letting one bad interaction derail you. By the end, you’ll see how much progress you’ve already made—and how to keep it going, one step at a time. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services Ep. 15: How To EFFECTIVELY Use Dating Apps https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tracie-pinnock3/episodes/Ep--15-How-to-EFFECTIVELY-Use-Dating-Apps-e23suk1 Ep. 26: Lower Your First Date Standards https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/tracie-pinnock3/episodes/Ep--26-Lower-Your-First-Date-Standards-e2a3j5o FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services

  6. Feb 16

    Ep. 60: Matchmaker Mom- Mom Moments with Jill Dunn

    FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services In this Mom Moments episode of the Bitter to Better podcast, I sit down with professional matchmaker Jill Dunn to talk about highs, lows, and the realities of dating—especially for moms. Jill shares how she collaborates with 200+ matchmakers worldwide, the heart-centered people she serves from their 20s to their 80s, and why preferences versus deal-breakers matters more than ever in an app-driven world. We dig into mindset: finding control in your own choices, using dating apps as a directory (not a destiny), and keeping first dates to a simple vibe check. Jill offers compassionate guidance on boundaries, pacing, and remembering that the joy—and clarity—is in the journey. We also explore her personal path through divorce, intentional dating, parenting teens, and building a values-driven business, plus practical first-date rules and mom-life systems that keep a household running as a true team. ------------------------------------------------------- FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services Watch the pod on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CoachTracie/videos -------------------------------------------------------- Contact Jill: Website: https://www.jillinit.com/ Phone:  888-JILL-LOVE Email:  Hello@Jillinit.com FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services

  7. Feb 9

    Ep. 59: I Challenge You To Vet Him Out

    FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services In this episode of the Bitter to Better podcast, I wrap up the Empowered Dating Challenge with Challenge #4: Vet Him Out. Building on last episode’s focus on casually/rotationally dating, I explain why your time and energy are currencies—especially as a mom—and how to protect them by actively vetting out men who don’t meet your needs, values and Ideal Partner list dealbreakers. Think like a hiring manager: bring in new candidates, and release the ones who show unreliability, evasiveness, or misaligned lifestyles. I walk through practical scripts and approaches for ending things—ranging from a simple, respectful decline after a date or two, to a direct conversation with someone you’ve been seeing, to blocking/ghosting when safety or clear boundary violations are involved. The goal is empowered choice: you can’t control others, but you can control who gets your time and attention. Let go of stagnant dating, free up capacity for better matches, and seek connections that genuinely reciprocate and support your vision for a healthy relationship. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services Ep. 54: Introducing The Empowered Dating Challenge https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/54 Ep. 55: I Challenge You To Achieve A Personal Goal https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/55 Ep. 56: I Challenge You To Go On A Date https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/56 Ep. 58: I Challenge You To Casually Date https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/ep-58-i-challenge-you-to-casually-date FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services

  8. Feb 2

    Ep. 58: I Challenge You To Casually Date

    FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services In challenge number three of the Empowered Dating Challenge, I invite you to truly date casually—and explain exactly what that means for moms seeking a long-term, monogamous relationship. I break down the three distinct relationship stages (casually dating, exclusively dating, and committed relationship) and why getting exclusive too soon leads to sliding into mismatched partnerships. You’ll hear how to build and use your Ideal Partner List to distinguish a fun companion from a life partner, the importance of active vetting, and why you should avoid one-sided exclusivity and dating in the DMs. I offer concrete next steps: expand your roster, meet people both online and offline, keep options open until you’ve intentionally chosen exclusivity together, and assess fit in real life rather than in your head. Your mini-assignment: if you’re focused on just one person, get on the apps today, engage new profiles, and secure an additional date. Apply these challenges to date more effectively, efficiently, and enjoyably—so you can choose the right partner on purpose, not the wrong partner by default. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services Watch the pod on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CoachTracie/videos ---------------------------------------------------------- Ep. 54: Introducing The Empowered Dating Challenge https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/54 Ep. 55: I Challenge You To Achieve A Personal Goal https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/55 Ep. 56: I Challenge You To Go On A Date https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-bitter-to-better/56 FREE Date Better As A Mom Webinar registration https://www.coachtracie.life/services

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Tracie Pinnock is a Marriage & Family Therapist and Dating Coach for women. She uses both personal and professional experience to share thoughts and advice that help women thrive after breakups, separations and divorces and provides guidance for dating better the next time around.

Information

  • Creator
    Tracie Pinnock
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tracie Pinnock
  • Show Website
    Bitter to Better