Ditch the Chaos: The Productivity Rebellion

Cara Chace

The productivity podcast for burned out women entrepreneurs who are tired of holding their business together with duct tape and coffee. Your week fell apart by Tuesday. Again. You started Monday with a perfectly planned calendar, and by Wednesday you're drowning in "quick requests," rewriting the same to-do list for the third time, and rage-eating lunch at your desk because you're behind on everything. You've tried the productivity systems. The morning routines. The time-blocking. The apps that promise to fix everything. And they all assume your life goes according to plan—which it never does. Here's the truth: You're not bad at time management. You're exhausted from being everyone's backup plan. Your brain is running three parallel to-do lists during client calls. You're carrying the mental load for both your business and your family. And no planner app can fix that. You need weekly planning that bends when life doesn't cooperate. Boundaries that actually protect your capacity. And permission to stop apologizing for needing rest. That's what Ditch the Chaos: The Productivity Rebellion is for. I'm Cara Chace—entrepreneur since 2015, homeschooling mom of two, and recovering people-pleaser who learned the hard way that most productivity advice is built for people whose days are predictable. Mine aren't. Yours probably aren't either. This isn't another podcast telling you to wake up at 5am, batch your content, or hustle harder. This is where you learn to build your own systems instead of following everyone else's rules. Every week, you'll get strategies for entrepreneur burnout recovery, real talk about setting boundaries without guilt, and practical ways to create white space in your calendar and breathing room in your brain—before you hit the wall. You'll learn how to stop white-knuckling your way through every week, get your Fridays back, and run your business without sacrificing your sanity. No templates. No rigid time-blocking. No productivity guilt. Just relief that actually works when your Tuesday falls apart. Ready to stop being the failsafe for everything? Subscribe now and let's ditch the chaos together.

  1. Letting Go of Goal Setting to Build Self-Trust

    3D AGO

    Letting Go of Goal Setting to Build Self-Trust

    Every January the internet screams "New Year, New You" like it's a competition. But what if your biggest act of growth this year isn't about chasing goals—it's about trusting yourself instead? In this episode, I'm sharing how letting go of rigid goal-setting can actually build deeper confidence, calm, and clarity. We'll talk about why traditional goals often fail, what presence over perfection really looks like, and how small daily promises can rebuild the self-trust you've been outsourcing to checklists. If you're craving a New Year that feels peaceful instead of punishing, this is your reset. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why traditional goal-setting leads to performance, not transformation - How "presence over perfection" shifts how you work, rest, and grow - Practical ways to rebuild self-trust through small daily promises - Why slowing down might be the smartest way to move forward this year - The mindset shift from achieving to embodying Key Topics Covered: - Why traditional goal setting is broken (00:01:35) - Personal examples: triathlons, 75 Hard, and reading 50+ books yearly (00:02:00) - Presence over perfection: making mindful, intentional choices (00:03:00) - How to build self-trust through small promises (00:04:37) - The mindset of presence in business, personal life, and health (00:05:19) - Practical strategies for embracing presence (00:06:00) - Slow down to speed up: why pausing creates clarity (00:07:00) Reset & Reclaim Action Step: Pick one small daily promise you can keep—something easy enough to do every day, but meaningful enough to matter. Maybe it's five minutes of journaling, turning off your phone after dinner, or taking one mindful breath before your first email. Keep that promise for seven days. Notice how your self-trust starts to build from the inside out. Mentioned in this episode: - Personal challenges: triathlons (2005-2006), 75 Hard challenge (2021), reading 50+ books yearly - Chaos Detox: CaraChace.com/chaos-detox – where mind management comes before time management - The Productivity Rebellion (free monthly guide): CaraChace.com/productivity-rebellion Connect with Cara: - Website: CaraChace.com - Instagram: @carachace - Email: hello@carachace.com --- Love this episode? Leave a review and help other exhausted entrepreneurs find the show. Support the show ❓Want your question answered on the show? Join the Productivity Rebellion for free monthly guidance + the chance to ask me anything! Connect: Instagram | YouTube | Website ✨Start your Chaos Detox 📩Join The Productivity Rebellion ⭐Loved the episode? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

    9 min
  2. 7 Intentional Living Habits for Busy Moms

    12/25/2025

    7 Intentional Living Habits for Busy Moms

    What if the only thing standing between you and a life that actually feels good is a little less busy and a little more intentional? You don't need another planner or "bossbabe" productivity hack. You need a moment to breathe—and a way to live that actually feels good. In this episode, I'm sharing 7 real-life habits that help busy moms reset their rhythm, create space, and protect their energy—without giving up their goals. If you feel like you're constantly juggling flaming swords on a unicycle… this is your sign to get off the ride. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why "being busy" isn't the same as being productive - How to define and protect your work-life harmony (not balance—harmony) - Ways to simplify your time systems without a full-blown overhaul - How to say no without guilt—and why it's a form of self-care - Small self-care habits that actually make a difference - The 7 intentional living habits that create real change Key Topics Covered: - The illusion of busyness and how to escape the trap (00:01:06) - Embracing intentional living: aligning actions with values (00:03:00) - Mastering time management: theme days and ideal week planning (00:04:40) - The power of saying no—to commitments and social media (00:06:00) - Streamlining your systems to reduce stress (00:07:41) - Nurturing self-care as a foundation, not a luxury (00:08:42) - Cultivating work-life harmony, not balance (00:10:00) Reset & Reclaim Action Step: Choose one strategy from this list that resonates with you. Maybe it's saying no, simplifying your systems, or starting a tiny self-care ritual. Commit to it this week. One small, doable shift. That's how intentional living starts. Mentioned in this episode: - Theme day planning and ideal week framework - Tools mentioned: Notion, Asana for task management - Boundary scripts inside Chaos Detox for saying no gracefully - Chaos Detox: CaraChace.com/chaos-detox - The Productivity Rebellion (free monthly guide): CaraChace.com/productivity-rebellion Connect with Cara: - Website: CaraChace.com - Instagram: @carachace - Email: hello@carachace.com --- Love this episode? Leave a review and help other exhausted entrepreneurs find the show. Support the show ❓Want your question answered on the show? Join the Productivity Rebellion for free monthly guidance + the chance to ask me anything! Connect: Instagram | YouTube | Website ✨Start your Chaos Detox 📩Join The Productivity Rebellion ⭐Loved the episode? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

    12 min
  3. Stop Chasing Shiny Objects in Your Business: 5 Questions Before You Buy

    12/18/2025

    Stop Chasing Shiny Objects in Your Business: 5 Questions Before You Buy

    That dopamine hit when you find a new app or course that promises to fix everything? Yeah… it's not your next big breakthrough—it's shiny object syndrome. If you've been bouncing from one "this will fix it" purchase to the next, this episode is your reality check and reset. I'm sharing five brutally honest questions to ask yourself before you buy that next tool, planner, or program—questions that keep your focus on what actually grows your business instead of what distracts you from it. In this episode, you'll learn: - The five questions that reveal whether a new tool is worth your time or just another distraction - How to spot the difference between progress and avoidance - Why your "future self" test is the best filter for new ideas - How to stop planning and start doing without burning out - The expensive lessons I learned the hard way (like my email platform disaster) Key Topics Covered: - Why the problem isn't the tools—it's you (00:01:00) - My costly mistakes: ActiveCampaign, planners, and projects I abandoned (00:01:38) - Question 1: Do I already have a solution available? (00:03:26) - Question 2: Am I avoiding something? (00:04:22) - Question 3: Would my future self or business be doing this? (00:06:34) - Question 4: Will this actually save me time or money? (00:07:33) - Question 5: Am I spending more time planning than doing? (00:08:35) Reset & Reclaim Action Step: Before you buy, pause. Ask yourself these five questions out loud—it'll take less than two minutes and could save you hundreds of dollars and hours of distraction. If even one answer feels off, don't buy it. Or at least bookmark it for later and move on to what actually matters right now. Mentioned in this episode: - My email platform disaster: switching from Kit to ActiveCampaign and back - Tools mentioned: Trello vs Notion, project management systems, planners - Chaos Detox: CaraChace.com/chaos-detox – build systems and boundaries that fit your life - The Productivity Rebellion (free monthly guide): CaraChace.com/productivity-rebellion Connect with Cara: - Website: CaraChace.com - Instagram: @carachace - Email: hello@carachace.com --- Love this episode? Leave a review and help other exhausted entrepreneurs find the show. Support the show ❓Want your question answered on the show? Join the Productivity Rebellion for free monthly guidance + the chance to ask me anything! Connect: Instagram | YouTube | Website ✨Start your Chaos Detox 📩Join The Productivity Rebellion ⭐Loved the episode? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

    12 min
  4. Social Media & Mental Health: What Entrepreneurs Need to Know

    12/11/2025

    Social Media & Mental Health: What Entrepreneurs Need to Know

    Have you ever caught yourself scrolling through social media, supposedly working on your business, but feeling more anxious and inadequate by the minute? Social media connects us—and drains us. It can grow your business or quietly wreck your peace of mind. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my years managing social media for Megadeth and sharing what I learned about the toxic side of the internet, the mental health fallout, and how entrepreneurs can protect their sanity while showing up online. In this episode, you'll learn: - The surprising truth about how social media impacts your focus and mood - What years moderating millions of comments taught me about online hate - Why constant visibility fuels burnout—and how to stop feeding it - Practical ways to set boundaries without losing your business momentum - Six strategies to mitigate the negative effects of social media Key Topics Covered: - The double-edged sword of social media for entrepreneurs (00:00:55) - My defining moment: the makeup artist video that changed my perspective (00:02:24) - Inside Megadeth's social media: moderating 6.5 million fans and trolls (00:03:36) - The mental health toll of excessive social media use (00:05:53) - How echo chambers and polarization affect entrepreneurs (00:07:05) - Six actionable strategies to protect your mental health online (00:08:45) Reset & Reclaim Action Step: Pick one small social media boundary to test for the next week. It might mean deleting an app from your phone, unfollowing accounts that drain your energy, or scheduling your posts once a week instead of daily. Notice how your brain feels after this experiment. Mentioned in this episode: * Research from Iowa State University (2023) on limiting social media use * Rescue Time – track your social media usage * Opal – block social media apps during focus times * Chaos Detox: CaraChace.com/chaos-detox – build boundaries around social media and clear mental clutter * The Productivity Rebellion (free monthly guide): CaraChace.com/productivity-rebellion Connect with Cara: - Website: CaraChace.com - Instagram: @carachace - Email: hello@carachace.com --- Love this episode? Leave a review and help other exhausted entrepreneurs find the show. Support the show ❓Want your question answered on the show? Join the Productivity Rebellion for free monthly guidance + the chance to ask me anything! Connect: Instagram | YouTube | Website ✨Start your Chaos Detox 📩Join The Productivity Rebellion ⭐Loved the episode? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

    12 min
  5. 7 Types of Rest Every Work-From-Home Entrepreneur Needs

    12/04/2025

    7 Types of Rest Every Work-From-Home Entrepreneur Needs

    If rest feels like a luxury item on your to-do list, this episode is for you. Avoiding burnout isn't just about doing less—it's about resting on more than one level. As a work-from-home entrepreneur juggling business and family, you need more than sleep to stay energized and focused. In this episode, you'll learn: - The seven types of rest every entrepreneur needs to avoid burnout - Why sleep alone isn't enough to restore your energy - 10-minute practical ideas for each type of rest - How to build rest into your daily routines without losing time - Why intentional rest is a business strategy, not a reward Key Topics Covered: - Physical rest: stretching, power naps, and gentle movement (00:02:00) - Mental rest: brain dumps, single-tasking, and reading fiction (00:03:00) - Social rest: protecting your energy during holiday season (00:04:24) - Spiritual rest: meditation, gratitude, and grounding practices (00:05:00) - Emotional rest: journaling, therapy, and honest conversations (00:05:55) - Sensory rest: reducing screen time and visual clutter (00:06:15) - Creative rest: inspiration walks and creativity for fun (00:07:00) Reset & Reclaim Action Step: Pick one type of rest you've been neglecting. Schedule it for 10 minutes a day this week. Set an alarm if you have to. The goal isn't perfection—it's awareness and consistency. Mentioned in this episode: Kindle Unlimited – my go-to for fiction that helps me mentally unplugThe Five Minute Journal – a quick way to practice gratitude and presenceMy favorite Yoga + Power Nap tracks – simple tools that make physical rest easyChaos Detox: CaraChace.com/chaos-detoxThe Productivity Rebellion (free monthly guide): CaraChace.com/productivity-rebellionConnect with Cara: - Website: CaraChace.com - Instagram: @carachace - Email: hello@carachace.com --- Love this episode? Leave a review and help other exhausted entrepreneurs find the show. Support the show ❓Want your question answered on the show? Join the Productivity Rebellion for free monthly guidance + the chance to ask me anything! Connect: Instagram | YouTube | Website ✨Start your Chaos Detox 📩Join The Productivity Rebellion ⭐Loved the episode? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

    9 min
  6. Why Business Growth Feels Stalled (And How to Fix It)

    11/27/2025

    Why Business Growth Feels Stalled (And How to Fix It)

    Why Your Business Growth Feels Stalled (And How to Fix It) You've bought the courses, downloaded the strategies, tried all the things—so why does your business still feel stuck? If you're caught in the scroll-buy-scroll cycle, this episode will show you why the quick fixes aren't working and what actually moves the needle. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why chasing shiny strategies keeps you stuck in place - The real reason business growth stalls (hint: it's not the strategy) - How to shift from seeking to doing—and actually see results - My 4-part system to rebuild momentum when you feel paralyzed - One action step to break the cycle this week Key Topics Covered: - Why the "one webinar away" mindset sabotages progress (00:00:26) - The truth about easy solutions and quick fixes (00:02:35) - Why implementation beats information every time (00:03:00) - My business growth story: what worked vs. what stalled (00:04:07) - How to shift from seeking to doing (00:06:00) - Building resilience and the right support system (00:07:29) Reset & Reclaim Action Step: Pick one strategy or tool you've already paid for—a course, a book, a saved tip. Commit to implementing it daily for 30 days. No new downloads. No saved reels. Just one thing. Stick with it. Resources Mentioned: - One-to-one coaching with Cara: CaraChace.com - Chaos Detox: CaraChace.com/chaos-detox - The Productivity Rebellion (free monthly guide): CaraChace.com/productivity-rebellion Connect with Cara: - Website: CaraChace.com - Instagram: @carachace - Email: hello@carachace.com --- Love this episode? Leave a review and help other exhausted entrepreneurs find the show. Support the show ❓Want your question answered on the show? Join the Productivity Rebellion for free monthly guidance + the chance to ask me anything! Connect: Instagram | YouTube | Website ✨Start your Chaos Detox 📩Join The Productivity Rebellion ⭐Loved the episode? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

    10 min

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About

The productivity podcast for burned out women entrepreneurs who are tired of holding their business together with duct tape and coffee. Your week fell apart by Tuesday. Again. You started Monday with a perfectly planned calendar, and by Wednesday you're drowning in "quick requests," rewriting the same to-do list for the third time, and rage-eating lunch at your desk because you're behind on everything. You've tried the productivity systems. The morning routines. The time-blocking. The apps that promise to fix everything. And they all assume your life goes according to plan—which it never does. Here's the truth: You're not bad at time management. You're exhausted from being everyone's backup plan. Your brain is running three parallel to-do lists during client calls. You're carrying the mental load for both your business and your family. And no planner app can fix that. You need weekly planning that bends when life doesn't cooperate. Boundaries that actually protect your capacity. And permission to stop apologizing for needing rest. That's what Ditch the Chaos: The Productivity Rebellion is for. I'm Cara Chace—entrepreneur since 2015, homeschooling mom of two, and recovering people-pleaser who learned the hard way that most productivity advice is built for people whose days are predictable. Mine aren't. Yours probably aren't either. This isn't another podcast telling you to wake up at 5am, batch your content, or hustle harder. This is where you learn to build your own systems instead of following everyone else's rules. Every week, you'll get strategies for entrepreneur burnout recovery, real talk about setting boundaries without guilt, and practical ways to create white space in your calendar and breathing room in your brain—before you hit the wall. You'll learn how to stop white-knuckling your way through every week, get your Fridays back, and run your business without sacrificing your sanity. No templates. No rigid time-blocking. No productivity guilt. Just relief that actually works when your Tuesday falls apart. Ready to stop being the failsafe for everything? Subscribe now and let's ditch the chaos together.