Revel in the Chaos

Tara Schifsky

Revel in the Chaos is your go-to podcast for unfiltered, relatable conversations about the messy and meaningful parts of life. Hosted by Tara Schifsky—a mom, wife, former teacher, and chaos navigator—this show dives into mental health, motherhood, trauma, relationships, and more. Tara blends humor, vulnerability, and heart, sharing her journey and hosting guests to tackle life’s toughest topics. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection, growth, and finding beauty in the chaos. Tune in and feel seen, heard, and a little healed.

  1. Jul 17

    13 - Same Diagnosis. Different Chaos. - An Unfiltered Conversation Between Two Very Different ADHD Brains

    What happens when two women with ADHD sit down to compare notes? Turns out... the same diagnosis can look completely different. After sharing my own late ADHD diagnosis in the last episode, I wanted to continue the conversation by talking with another woman whose experience with ADHD looks a little (or a lot) different than mine. She's built a career helping people get organized. I spend way too much time overthinking simple decisions, avoiding tasks, and wondering why my brain works the way it does. So how do we both have ADHD? In this episode, we're unpacking what ADHD really looks like beyond the stereotypes. We talk about childhood, late diagnosis, masking, motherhood, relationships, organization, overwhelm, procrastination, perfectionism, and all the invisible ways ADHD shows up in everyday life. Along the way, we laugh, call ourselves out, compare notes, and discover that even when our experiences are different, so many of the feelings underneath are the same. Whether you have ADHD yourself, love someone who does, or you've ever wondered why your brain seems to work differently, I hope this conversation helps you feel a little more understood and reminds you there's no one "right" way for ADHD to look. In this episode, we talk about: • Why the same ADHD diagnosis can look completely different • The ADHD traits we missed growing up • Late diagnosis and finally making sense of the past • Organization, overwhelm, procrastination, and perfectionism • Motherhood, relationships, and the mental load • The strengths, struggles, and surprising gifts of an ADHD brain If this episode resonated with you, I'd love for you to follow the show, leave a rating or review, or share it with someone who could use this conversation. Thanks for being here. Resources taraschifsky@gmail.com⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram Twin Cities Taskers

    13 - Same Diagnosis. Different Chaos. - An Unfiltered Conversation Between Two Very Different ADHD Brains
  2. Apr 20

    12 - I Thought I Was Just Bad at Life... Until I Learned Why

    I thought I just sucked at being an adult.Like… why can’t I keep up with basic life things without feeling completely overwhelmed? Laundry piles up. Emails go unanswered. I avoid the smallest tasks like they’re life-threatening… and then beat myself up for all of it. I tell myself “I’ll do it tomorrow”… and then tomorrow comes, and somehow it’s worse. At 38, I was diagnosed with ADHD. And suddenly… it wasn’t just a personality flaw. In this episode, I’m taking you inside my brain; the constant noise, the overthinking, the decision paralysis, the doom scrolling, the starting everything and finishing nothing… all while looking like a relatively functional adult on the outside. We’re talking about what ADHD actually looks like in women, why it gets missed for so long, and how it shows up in real life: parenting, relationships, responsibilities, and just trying to keep up. And the relief of finally having answers… along with the grief of realizing how long I went without them. If you’ve ever thought, “What is wrong with me?" or "Why can't I just get my life together?" this might explain more than you think. 👉🏼 In this episode, I talk about: What ADHD actually looks like in women (especially inattentive type)Why it’s often missed or misdiagnosed as anxiety or depressionWhat daily life feels like (overwhelm, paralysis, procrastination)How it impacts parenting, relationships, and self-worthThe relief—and grief—that comes with a late diagnosis CHAPTERS 00:00 Understanding ADHD: A Personal Journey 06:49 Inside the ADHD Mind: Chaos and Clarity 15:00 Neurodivergence vs. Neurotypical: A Deeper Look 21:47 The Overlap of ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression 28:32 Executive Functioning: The Daily Struggle 34:06 Distraction Spirals and Task Overload 38:42 Time Blindness and Rushing Through Life 42:47 People-Pleasing Tendencies and Emotional Sensitivity 50:47 Reflections on Life Before and After Medication 53:40 The Positive Aspects of ADHD 58:17 Understanding Different Operating Systems of ADHD

    12 - I Thought I Was Just Bad at Life... Until I Learned Why
  3. 12/28/2025

    11 - Friendship Through Every Season: Why We Need It, How It Changes, and How It Saves Us

    In this episode of Revel in the Chaos, I’m talking about friendship through every season of life, how it starts, how it changes, how it sometimes falls apart, and how it can save us when life gets heavy. From childhood friendships and messy teenage years to motherhood, loss, and the chaos of midlife, this episode is a love letter to the people who walk beside us, loudly, quietly, imperfectly. We’ll talk about: Why friendship is essential at every stage of life How to maintain and nourish friendships when everyone is busy How to know when to keep investing, and when to let go Making new friends as an adult (even when it feels awkward AF) What real support actually looks like Why one good friend can change the quality of your entire life This episode is deeply personal, honest, and inclusive, whether you have a big group of friends, one close friend, or you’re still searching for your people. Because no matter the season you’re in, you’re not meant to go through it alone. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome Back and Season Two Preview 07:20 The Importance of Friendships 08:17 Navigating Midlife Friendships 16:41 Friendships as Chosen Family 17:32 The Nature of Friendship 20:25 Navigating Friendship Changes 25:31 Making New Friends in Adulthood 31:56 Effort in Maintaining Friendships 36:19 The Importance of Supportive Friendships 38:55 Friendship in Motherhood 41:17 Quality Over Quantity in Friendships ORACLE CARD PULL Deck: Wisdom of The Oracle, By Collette Baron-Reid Card: Treasure Island (Pulled in the protection position) Essential Meaning: “The Law Of Attraction bringing dreams into fruition; the results of positive thinking made manifest; abundance appearing as if from nowhere; financial gains and the sharing of good fortune.” Protection Message: “Poverty consciousness and a sense of “not enough” can cast a shadow on your path. These ideas and core beliefs come with a high cost. Do you really want to proclaim yourself a victim of disappointment and failed expectations? Are you avoiding success because you will grow so tall that others may want to cut you down? Or is it possible that you are caught in a fear that you will lose what you have acquired, so you hold on so tight that you miss the opportunities to expand? You are being challenged to change the way you see the world and move from a perception of limitations to a perception of abundance. Take a risk, for you have nothing to lose except your confinement in a prison of your own making. Open the door and find the abundance waiting for you to claim it.” CONTACT: taraschifsky@gmail.com Instagram: @revelinthechaos_official Facebook: Revel in the Chaos

    11 - Friendship Through Every Season: Why We Need It, How It Changes, and How It Saves Us
  4. 06/14/2025

    9 - The Hard Work of Healing: My Journey Out of Postpartum Hell

    In this raw and unfiltered episode of Revel in the Chaos, Tara Schifsky opens up about the brutal reality of postpartum depression and anxiety—the messy, isolating, and often shame-filled side of motherhood that no one warns you about. Tara doesn’t sugarcoat it. She takes you through the darkest corners of her experience, the breaking points that forced her to ask for help, and the hard-won lessons that cracked her open in ways she never saw coming. This is more than a story about surviving postpartum—it’s about reclaiming yourself, finding strength in vulnerability, and smashing the unrealistic expectations placed on moms. If you’ve ever felt lost in the chaos of motherhood, this one’s for you. CONTACT Instagram: ⁠@revelinthechaos_official⁠ Facebook: ⁠Revel in the Chaos⁠ Email: taraschifsky@gmail.com RESOURCES PostpartumDepression.org Postpartum Support International National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988 CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Reflection on Previous Episode 05:57 The Struggles of Postpartum Depression 11:51 Seeking Help and Finding Relief 18:10 The Transformation of Self-Identity 23:59 Navigating Motherhood and Mental Health 30:01 Grief and Acceptance in Motherhood 35:54 Support and Connection with Other Moms 41:52 Empathy and Reaching Out to Others KEYWORDS postpartum depression, mental health, motherhood, self-identity, support, anxiety, healing, intrusive thoughts, emotional well-being, parenting

    9 - The Hard Work of Healing: My Journey Out of Postpartum Hell
  5. 04/16/2025

    7 - Overstimulated AF

    In this episode of Revel in the Chaos, Tara Schifsky takes a hard look at the burnout culture plaguing millennial moms. With humor and vulnerability, she shares her experiences navigating the relentless overstimulation that often leads to feelings of rage and dissociation. Tara delves into the unrealistic expectations that come with motherhood and how they contribute to a cycle of exhaustion and overwhelm. She emphasizes the crucial role of communication and support systems in combating burnout, reminding us that we can’t do it all. With a focus on setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, Tara encourages listeners to reclaim their sanity in the chaos. So join her as she addresses the trials of millennial motherhood, all while sipping on a cup of lukewarm coffee and trying to find balance in a world that constantly demands more. CONTACT and SOCIALS Email: taraschifsky@gmail.com Insta: @revelinthechaos_official FB: Revel in the Chaos CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Life Updates 05:28 The Pressure of Societal Expectations 06:27 Navigating Overstimulation and Burnout 09:45 Understanding Overstimulation 12:06 Mom Rage and Emotional Overload 24:35 Coping Mechanisms and Mental Health 28:50 Embracing the Chaos of Motherhood 35:37 Navigating Overstimulation and Overwhelm 39:28 Communication as a Key to Connection 48:38 Self-Care and Setting Boundaries 55:25 Finding Balance in a Noisy World KEYWORDS motherhood, overstimulation, parenting, mental health, self-care, societal expectations, communication, burnout, coping strategies, family dynamics

    7 - Overstimulated AF
  6. 03/03/2025

    6 - Who the Hell Put Me in Charge? - The Default Parent Part Two

    Being the default parent isn’t just a title—it’s a full-time, unpaid, and often unappreciated gig. In this episode of Revel in the Chaos, Tara Schifsky rips the curtain off the invisible workload that keeps households running while leaving parents (mostly moms) running on fumes. From the guilt trips to the double standards, she gets real about the emotional toll, the unspoken expectations, and the constant mental juggling act. But it’s not all school drop-offs and snack wars —Tara also dives into reclaiming balance, setting boundaries, and finding the power in owning the role (without letting it own you). Tune in for a brutally honest, slightly cathartic, and refreshingly unapologetic take on the reality of being the “default” parent. TAKEAWAYS The podcast addresses the often unspoken challenges of parenting. Tara shares humorous anecdotes about her children's funny remarks. Being the default parent comes with an invisible workload that is exhausting. The pressure to perform and maintain a perfect household can lead to guilt. Tara discusses the double standards in parenting roles between partners. Open communication within the family is essential for addressing imbalances. Setting boundaries is crucial for managing the overwhelming responsibilities of parenting. It's important to recognize and appreciate the role of the default parent. Tara emphasizes that it's okay to feel overwhelmed and seek help. Finding joy in parenting amidst the chaos is possible. CONTACT Instagram: @revelinthechaos_official Facebook: Revel in the Chaos Email: taraschifsky@gmail.com CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to the Chaos 02:11 The Default Parent Dilemma 09:29 The Invisible Workload 14:49 Navigating Guilt and Expectations 17:43 Understanding the Default Parent Role 21:57 Planning and Preparation for Trips 24:25 Navigating Travel and Freedom in Relationships 27:30 The Double Standards of Parenting 31:50 The Invisible Workload of the Default Parent 39:32 Creating Balance and Equity in Family Responsibilities 43:49 Embracing the Role of the Default Parent KEYWORDS parenting, motherhood, default parent, mental health, family dynamics, parenting struggles, work-life balance, guilt, parenting humor, family responsibilities

    6 - Who the Hell Put Me in Charge? - The Default Parent Part Two

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Revel in the Chaos is your go-to podcast for unfiltered, relatable conversations about the messy and meaningful parts of life. Hosted by Tara Schifsky—a mom, wife, former teacher, and chaos navigator—this show dives into mental health, motherhood, trauma, relationships, and more. Tara blends humor, vulnerability, and heart, sharing her journey and hosting guests to tackle life’s toughest topics. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection, growth, and finding beauty in the chaos. Tune in and feel seen, heard, and a little healed.