The Heart AF Podcast: Conversations for Burned-Out Millennial Moms ready to Heal & Step Into Their Feminine Power

Chelsea VanBuskirk
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The Heart AF Podcast is for Millennial Moms ready to rise above life’s hardest seasons and come home to themselves with courage, compassion, and strength. Hosted by Chelsea VanBuskirk—wife, mom of three, and recovering mother hustler— this show dives into what it really means to heal, soften your heart, and step back into your power. Each week you’ll hear honest stories, practical tools, and soulful conversations with other women and healers who’ve walked through fire and found joy again. Together, we’ll unpack betrayal, burnout, grief, messy parenting, marriage struggles, and all the ways we self-sabotage—while discovering how to set boundaries, nurture faith, and live with more ease, purpose, and love. If you’re craving authenticity, encouragement, and spiritual growth, you’re in the right place. Pain is inevitable, but your suffering doesn’t have to be. Subscribe now and join a community that refuses to let life’s hard moments harden us.

  1. JAN 28

    50. Love Responds to Energy: Why Overfunctioning Is Creating Disconnection ⛓️‍💥

    Are you a mom who does everything, holds it all together, and still feels disconnected from your partner? In this episode of The Heart AF Podcast, Chelsea VanBuskirk explores how energy—not effort—is often the missing link in modern marriages and long-term relationships. This episode dives into the emotional and energetic patterns many women fall into after years of caregiving, overfunctioning, and silently carrying the mental load. Chelsea breaks down how resentment, burnout, and disconnection don’t come from a lack of love—but from chronic self-abandonment and unmet needs. You’ll learn why love doesn’t respond to demands, control, or quiet bitterness—but instead to clarity, softness, emotional safety, and aligned boundaries. Chelsea explains how overgiving and doing it all can unintentionally teach your partner to step back, and how shifting your energetic presence can transform how support, intimacy, and partnership show up in your relationship. This episode offers practical, grounded examples of how to: Stop overfunctioning without guilt Ask for support in a way that invites connection instead of conflict Shift from resentment to self-alignment Create emotional safety without shrinking yourself Trust your partner to step forward by learning how to step back Strengthen your relationship through feminine energy, boundaries, and appreciation If you’re a mom in your late 30s or 40s who feels exhausted, unseen, or emotionally disconnected in your marriage, this episode will help you reclaim your power, soften your nervous system, and create space for love to meet you where you are. This is a powerful conversation about burnout recovery, emotional boundaries, feminine energy, and rebuilding connection in long-term relationships—starting with you. Connect with me: www.instagram.com/chelsea.vanbuskirk www.facebook.com/chelsea.vanbuskirk

    18 min

  2. JAN 21

    49. Love Isn’t Earned: Breaking Free from Conditional Love

    Have you ever felt like love is something you have to earn—by doing more, being better, or holding it all together? In this opening episode of a new Love & Relationships miniseries on The Heart AF Podcast, Chelsea VanBuskirk invites millennial moms to question everything they’ve been taught about love, worthiness, and connection. This episode explores how many women unconsciously place conditions on love—both in their relationships and with themselves—by performing, overgiving, people-pleasing, or abandoning their authentic needs in order to feel chosen, accepted, or secure. Chelsea breaks down how these patterns often begin in childhood, how they show up in long-term relationships and marriage, and why conditional love slowly erodes intimacy, polarity, and emotional connection. Through personal stories and relatable examples, she reveals how hyper-independence, control, and constant “doing” can block a woman’s ability to receive love, support, and partnership. You’ll reflect on questions like: Am I performing for love instead of being loved for who I truly am? Am I placing expectations and conditions on my partner without realizing it? Have I lost my softness, receptivity, or feminine energy in my relationship? Am I open to receiving love in the ways my partner is able to give it? This episode is a gentle but powerful invitation to return to authenticity, self-alignment, and unconditional self-love—because the way you love yourself sets the energetic tone for every relationship in your life. If you’re a mom who feels emotionally disconnected, stuck in resentment, or exhausted from doing everything yourself, this episode will help you slow down, gain awareness, and begin shifting how you show up in love—starting with you. This is the beginning of a deeper conversation about feminine energy, healing relationship patterns, emotional safety, and creating partnerships rooted in truth instead of performance. Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelsea.vanbuskirk Facebook: www.facebook.com/chelsea.vanbuskirk

    24 min

  3. JAN 14

    48. Faith Over Fear: Anchoring Yourself in Uncertain Times

    When life feels uncertain, heavy, or completely out of your control—what do you lean on? In this heartfelt episode of The Heart AF Podcast, Chelsea VanBuskirk explores how faith can become a steady anchor during seasons of fear, uncertainty, grief, and change—especially for moms who carry the emotional weight of their families. Speaking directly to women who feel overwhelmed by “what ifs,” Chelsea breaks down the difference between what is within our control and what simply isn’t—and why trying to control the uncontrollable only deepens anxiety, burnout, and emotional exhaustion. This episode is a compassionate reminder that you were never meant to carry everything on your own. Chelsea shares how fear often shows up as overthinking, planning, and mental spirals—especially during challenges like parenting struggles, relationship uncertainty, health scares, or major life transitions. She explains why surrendering to faith isn’t giving up—it’s releasing what’s too heavy to hold and trusting a higher power to support you. You’ll learn how faith: Creates emotional safety during uncertainty Helps regulate your nervous system when fear takes over Anchors you so you can lead your family with calm instead of panic Allows you to release control without abandoning responsibility Chelsea also shares practical, accessible tools to strengthen faith and inner peace, including prayer, journaling, releasing rituals, asking for signs, and tuning into spiritual support—without needing to be “religious” in a traditional sense. This episode is especially powerful for mothers who feel responsible for everyone else’s emotions and outcomes. Chelsea reframes the role of a mom as the emotional “flight attendant” of the household—showing how anchoring yourself first helps everyone around you feel safer. If you’re navigating uncertainty, parenting challenges, emotional overwhelm, or simply feeling worn down by life, this episode will remind you that you are supported, you are not alone, and you don’t have to have all the answers right now. Faith doesn’t remove the storm—but it can help you stay grounded while you move through it. Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelsea.vanbuskirk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelsea.vanbuskirk Resources & Links Mentioned in the Show A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson: A Return to Love Book My favorite Oracle Card Decks: Angels and Ancestors Oracle Cards by Kyle Gray Work Your Light Oracle Deck by Rebecca Campbell The Psychic Tarot Oracle Deck by John Holland Pendulum Tools: Healing Crystal Point Pendulum Prayer Beads and Malas:  Activated Malas by Deb Sheppard, 30% off ! Devi_Malas

    27 min

  4. JAN 7

    47. Goals, Control, and the Power of Letting Go. How To Soften, Trust, and Redefine Success On Your Own Terms.

    What if the reason your goals feel heavy is because you are gripping them too tightly? In this episode, I invite you into a gentler, more aligned way of thinking about success, goals, and achievement. We talk about control versus surrender, why detaching from outcomes can actually accelerate your growth, and how joy and ease are powerful catalysts for manifestation. This conversation will challenge the hustle mindset and offer a more feminine, soul led approach to creating a life that feels truly successful. We explore what success really means, how attachment can block flow, and why taking aligned action while releasing control opens doors we never could have planned for. This is an invitation to soften, trust, and redefine success on your own terms. If this episode resonates with you, make sure to subscribe to the Heart AF Podcast so you never miss a conversation like this. Key Take-aways Success is personal and must be defined on your own terms Being attached to outcomes can block flow and joy Taking action matters more than perfectly planned goals Surrender does not mean doing nothing, it means releasing control Joy, ease, and feeling good raise your ability to attract opportunities Living from the feeling of success is more powerful than chasing it Letting go can open doors that effort alone cannot Resources Mentioned Forrest Gump (movie) Office Space (movie) Wayne Dyer   Weight Loss Mindset Episode on Heart AF Podcast Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelsea.vanbuskirk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelsea.vanbuskirk

    27 min

  5. 12/31/2025

    46. Deep Conversations on Soul Contracts, Free Will, Healing, Guilt, Grief, Addictions and Learning to Receive Love, with my Dear Friend and Spiritualist Heather Posey-Ware

    What happens when your soul knows the plan, but your mind wants certainty? In this episode, I sit down with Heather Posey-Ware to explore healing across lifetimes, guilt, abandonment wounds, and why we test love when we do not feel worthy of receiving it. Together, we talk about listening to the soul’s voice, choosing yourself even when it is uncomfortable, and understanding that your struggles are not failures but powerful invitations to grow. This episode is a reminder that healing asks for honesty, self compassion, and the courage to trust what your heart already knows. Subscribe to the Heart AF Podcast for more heart led conversations on healing, boundaries, and creating a life with more joy, ease, and freedom. Key Take-aways Your soul knows the plan even when your mind wants control Guilt and conditional love shape how we give and receive love You cannot escape soul lessons Healing requires self compassion and honesty Choosing yourself creates deeper freedom and alignment About the Guest Heather Posey-Ware Website: https://www.heatherposeyware.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/go2heather YouTube: https://youtube.com/@heatherposeyware Email Heather Posey-Ware: go2heather@icloud.com Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelsea.vanbuskirk Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chelsea.vanbuskirk

    40 min

  6. 12/24/2025

    45. Looking back at the Pain of Our Past with a Healed Perspective

    In this solo episode, I talk about how innocent questions can bring up painful parts of our past and how, from a healed place, those moments can become powerful reminders of how far we have come. I share personal reflections on grief, family loss, and healing, and how learning to see our story through love instead of shame can bring deeper peace, growth, and freedom. In this episode, I cover: How talking about family and loss can trigger old wounds Growing up with addiction, caretaking, and becoming an adult too early Letting go of shame, guilt, and the need to hide your story Learning to view the past through love, gratitude, and healing How your experiences shape your strength, boundaries, and motherhood 👉 Subscribe for weekly honest conversations about healing, spiritual growth, boundaries, and creating a life with more joy, ease, and freedom. Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelsea.vanbuskirk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelsea.vanbuskirk

    23 min

  7. 12/03/2025

    44. Keeping Your Peace This Holiday Season 🎄

    Are you walking around singing Britney's song "Piece of Me" feeling pissed off for everyone and everything that wants your attention this holiday season? UGH! GIRL, ME TOO!!!  But get this, we actually have permission to say NO, and choose to do what we want! I know it sounds easier said than done, but there is a way to protect your time and energy while navigating the holiday crazies.  In this episode, we talk about: How to keep your peace and protect your energy during holiday chaos Why boundaries matter, especially with family How to say no without guilt Simplifying gift-giving and obligations Why you’re not responsible for other people’s emotions Handling toxic or emotionally draining relationships Grief during the holidays + emotional triggers Setting intentions to stay grounded, peaceful, and aligned Practical tools for staying calm, centered, and connected to yourself Energetic protection, emotional regulation, and choosing joy on purpose Check out this YouTube Video here. for a special energy protection technique with affirmations to help you keep your Peace.  Let me know what you took from week's episode and what things you may try yourself to protect your energy during the holiday crazies. 🫶 Send me a DM and find me on Instagram or Facebook  #protectyourenergy #keepyourpeace #spiritualgrowth #knowyourworth #youareworthy #riseup #raiseyourvibe #energyprotection #selfawareness #selflove #levelup #energy #ownit #standtall #speakup #chooseyou #selfadvocate

    24 min

  8. 11/26/2025

    43. The Courage to Heal: Shadow Work, Sobriety & Spiritual Growth, A Real AF Conversation with my friend Katie Wessles Who is a High End Energy Healer and Integrative Trauma Coach

    On this episode of the Heart AF Podcast, I sit down with high-end energy healer and trauma-integrative coach Katie Wessels to talk about what it really looks like to heal from the inside out. Katie shares her raw sobriety journey—from using alcohol and drugs to dissociate and survive, to the moment she chose to finally give herself a real chance at life. She opens up about the accidental drink at a Nuggets game that went viral on Facebook, how her body instantly remembered alcohol, and the surprising wave of community, support, and conversation that followed. Together, we dive into how trauma gets stored in the body, why our nervous systems hold onto survival mode, and how modalities like yoga, energy work, and shadow work help us feel safe enough to come back home to ourselves. Katie also shares the heart behind her 12-week program, Integrated As F*ck, created for women who are ready to unf*ck old patterns, reconnect with their inner child, and finally live from a regulated, empowered, feminine place. If you’ve ever felt stuck in old identities, burnt out, or scared to take off the mask and truly be seen, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone, and that healing is absolutely possible! 🫶 Links & Resources: Find me on Instagram: @chelsea.vanbuskirk Email: info@chelseavanbuskirk.com Find out more about Katie Wessels and her programs here: https://www.katie-wessels.com/ Find Katie on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/katie.wessels.2025

    38 min
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5
out of 5
44 Ratings

About

The Heart AF Podcast is for Millennial Moms ready to rise above life’s hardest seasons and come home to themselves with courage, compassion, and strength. Hosted by Chelsea VanBuskirk—wife, mom of three, and recovering mother hustler— this show dives into what it really means to heal, soften your heart, and step back into your power. Each week you’ll hear honest stories, practical tools, and soulful conversations with other women and healers who’ve walked through fire and found joy again. Together, we’ll unpack betrayal, burnout, grief, messy parenting, marriage struggles, and all the ways we self-sabotage—while discovering how to set boundaries, nurture faith, and live with more ease, purpose, and love. If you’re craving authenticity, encouragement, and spiritual growth, you’re in the right place. Pain is inevitable, but your suffering doesn’t have to be. Subscribe now and join a community that refuses to let life’s hard moments harden us.

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