Chris and Jen in the Morning: Self-Care Conversations on Personal Growth, Happiness, and How Our Brains Work

ChrisandJenITM
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Two friends with a podcast about gratitude, self-care, personal growth, and finding happiness - all with a side of levity and laughter.Long-distance friends, we shorten the miles between DFW and NYC in our weekly podcast where we focus on self care, seeking happiness, and trying to live our best life. We add in a splash of neuroscience and talk about what happens in our brains, why we feel and react the way we do, and how to live better, more authentic, more fulfilling, happier lives. In our middle-life years, we decided to share our conversations about adulting, chasing joy, being part of the LGBTQ+ community, parenting, personal growth, awkwardness, anxiety, mental health, and so much more to help others who can relate find kinship and a sense of community. Ready to live your best life (and laugh along the way)? Subscribe and join us on our journey through life together.#growth #wittywisdom #storytelling #podcast #friends #selfcare #motivation #inspiration #happiness 

  1. 1d ago ·  Video

    Unlocking Growth Through Curiosity: Part Two

    In part two of this two-part episode on approaching life with a curious mind, hosts Chris and Jen examine how curiosity serves as an active choice and essential tool for building resilience, hope, and fulfillment. Moving beyond simple wonder, the conversation breaks down psychological models that explain how curiosity functions, how to reframe negative self-talk, and how to maintain healthy boundaries around information consumption. Three Pivotal Points: The Five Dimensions & Four Profiles of Curiosity: Citing research by Dr. Todd Kashdan, the hosts explore the five dimensions of curiosity—joyous exploration, deprivation sensitivity, stress tolerance, thrill seeking, and social curiosity—and how they form four distinct profiles: the fascinated, the problem solver, the empathizer, and the avoider.Building the "I Don't Know" Muscle & Reframing: Curiosity requires humility and flexing the "I don't know" muscle as an opening for growth rather than a sign of weakness. By replacing absolute statements like "I'll never be good at this" or "I don't understand" with reframes like "I don't know what I'm capable of yet," we disrupt knee-jerk judgment and keep future possibilities open.Curiosity as a Choice and Overcoming "Overdose": While curiosity expands our world and supports resilience during uncertain times, it can become compulsive or toxic when used for gossiping, intrusive behavior, or late-night doom-scrolling. Ultimately, staying healthy requires finding balance and choosing curiosity intentionally to remain actively engaged in our lives.Curiosity and pathways to well-being and meaning in life: Traits, states, and everyday behaviors https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226074053_Curiosity_and_pathways_to_well-being_and_meaning_in_life_Traits_states_and_everyday_behaviors Website - www.chrisandjenitm.com Email - connect@chrisandjenitm.com    Voicemail and Text available at 940-278-8129 Merch - https://chris-and-jen-itm.printify.me/ Store - https://www.fabulousfavoritefinds.com/ Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ATKOBS4HCUCTWF8P Intro and Outro Music ‘Vienna Beats’ By RadioPink, Blue Dots Sessions Licensed under a Attribution Non-Commercial License Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode and core principles of curiosity 00:26 Introduction to the Power of Curiosity 02:02 Research findings on curiosity and growth-oriented behavior 03:57 The five dimensions of curiosity and their significance 04:09 Curiosity vs. Judgment in Daily Life 07:00 Joyous exploration and wonder in everyday life 08:26 Deprivation sensitivity and the drive to find answers 09:59 Using Curiosity to Understand Others 11:09 Stress tolerance and embracing uncertainty 12:54 Social curiosity: overt and covert types 14:59 Curiosity profiles: fascinated, problem solver, empathizer, avoider 15:02 Curiosity in Relationships and Family 20:00 Balancing curiosity with humility and boundaries 20:11 Balancing Curiosity to Avoid Overload 24:54 Curiosity as a Tool for Hope and Resilience 29:57 Practical Ways to Cultivate Curiosity 35:04 Curiosity in Challenging Situations 39:53 The Role of Curiosity in Personal Growth 45:00 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement Support the show

    Unlocking Growth Through Curiosity: Part Two

  2. Oct 8 ·  Video

    Unlocking Growth Through Curiosity: Part One

    In part one of this two-part series on curiosity, Chris and Jen discuss how adopting a curious mindset serves as a fundamental pillar of self-care and personal growth. Moving beyond a simple desire for answers, they examine curiosity as a way of staying actively engaged with life, cultivating wonder, and softening internal self-criticism. Drawing from real-world reflections and neuroscience research, the hosts explore how curiosity enhances memory, deepens relationships, and transforms how we navigate life's hurdles. Three Pivotal Points: Curiosity as Self-Care vs. Judgment: Curiosity allows us to suspend internal self-criticism and judgment. Instead of asking self-deprecating questions like "Why am I like this?", shifting to a curious stance like "I wonder why I do this?" transforms personal shortcomings into puzzles to be understood rather than failures to be judged. The Brain Science and Memory Boost: Neuroscience research shows that curiosity activates reward circuitry in the brain. Being in a curious state not only helps retain specific details but also boosts memory for incidental information, putting the brain into a flexible "sponge mode" ready to store new insights. Building Connection and Community: Staying open and curious creates space for meaningful human connection—whether finding community through niche hobbies or seeking to understand differing perspectives in difficult conversations without immediately shutting them down. Website - www.chrisandjenitm.com Email - connect@chrisandjenitm.com    Voicemail and Text available at 940-278-8129 Merch - https://chris-and-jen-itm.printify.me/ Store - https://www.fabulousfavoritefinds.com/ Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ATKOBS4HCUCTWF8P Intro and Outro Music ‘Vienna Beats’ By RadioPink, Blue Dots Sessions Licensed under a Attribution Non-Commercial License Chapters 00:00 Introduction to curiosity and its importance 00:26 The influence of curiosity on understanding history and perspective 00:42 The significance of first-person experiences in learning 00:54 Curiosity's connection to reward, motivation, and memory 01:04 Overcoming rote memorization through curiosity 01:05 The importance of understanding questions, not just answers 01:06 The role of curiosity in self-care and mental health 01:24 How curiosity reduces judgment and enhances compassion 01:27 Using curiosity to navigate political and social differences 01:36 The impact of internal dialogue and self-criticism 01:57 The value of mastery, creativity, and embracing failure 02:05 The significance of wonder and playful discovery 02:06 Practical tips for cultivating curiosity daily 02:26 Closing thoughts: curiosity as a way of life 02:34 Gratitude for community and shared experiences 04:03 Challenges faced by the LGBTQ community and resilience 06:02 The role of curiosity in community and connection 07:57 The essence of curiosity and its relation to wonder 09:55 Curiosity as a mental model and core value 12:09 Curiosity and self-care: seeking fulfillment 14:01 What is curiosity? Personality trait or learned skill? 15:58 The psychology and neuroscience of curiosity 17:54 The difference between curiosity, openness, and nosiness 19:52 The role of curiosity in creativity and innovation 22:01 Childhood curiosity and the loss of wonder 23:47 The value of sitting with uncertainty and not always knowing 26:08 The science behind curiosity and the knowledge gap 28:06 Using curiosity to explore the world and ourselves 30:00 Practical ways to cultivate curiosity daily Support the show

    Unlocking Growth Through Curiosity: Part One

  3. Oct 1 ·  Video

    Feng Shui Secrets: Decoding Your Energy

    In this episode, Feng Shui Master Harry Tran reveals how ancient Chinese astrology and environmental chi can be leveraged to transform life outcomes, health, and personal destiny. Beyond "Fast Food" Feng Shui: Harry explains why commercialized, symbolic feng shui falls short, highlighting the necessity of decoding true personal elements, space chi, and Chinese astrology pillars rather than relying on generic internet advice. Decoding the 5-Pillar Blueprint: The discussion covers how knowing your complete birth date—including year, month, day, and time—reveals your zodiac animal, element, and 10-year luck cycles to strategically time major life moves. Prioritizing Energy and Core Health: Emphasizing that health and human connection outweigh material wealth, Harry outlines how environmental setups, magnetic fields, and balancing spatial energy directly influence daily well-being and personal peace. https://www.fengshuijourney.com/ harry@fengshuijourney.com https://thechialliance.com/ info@thechialliance.com https://www.instagram.com/fengshuijourneyllc/# https://www.linkedin.com/company/feng-shui-journey-llc/home/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tranharry/ https://www.youtube.com/@YourChiWiz Website - www.chrisandjenitm.com Email - connect@chrisandjenitm.com    Voicemail and Text available at 940-278-8129 Merch - https://chris-and-jen-itm.printify.me/ Store - https://www.fabulousfavoritefinds.com/ Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ATKOBS4HCUCTWF8P Intro and Outro Music ‘Vienna Beats’ By RadioPink, Blue Dots Sessions Licensed under a Attribution Non-Commercial License Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Harry Tran and Feng Shui 02:20 Harry's personal journey and cultural background 08:16 How energy and environment influence our lives 10:32 Decoding personal energy through Chinese astrology 17:01 Living authentically by understanding your blueprint 22:08 The significance of the construction year of a home 27:39 Using personality and energy assessments in life and relationships 36:27 The five elements and their role in Feng Shui 42:22 Timing, luck pillars, and life transitions 57:46 Finding peace and authenticity in life 01:04:50 Harry's upcoming events and community building Support the show

    Feng Shui Secrets: Decoding Your Energy

  4. Sep 24 ·  Video

    Rumination: Why You Overthink at 2 AM & How to Stop

    In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, hosts Chris and Jen explore the science behind why our brains get caught in repetitive mental loops and how to break free from continuous overthinking. Starting with their weekly practice of gratitude, the conversation transitions into an in-depth exploration of rumination, how it functions in the brain, and why we often struggle to let go of past mistakes or uncompleted tasks. The hosts share practical strategies to help shift focus, gain psychological distance, and give ourselves grace when dealing with intrusive thoughts. Three Pivotal Points: Rumination vs. Overthinking & Problem-Solving: Unlike productive problem-solving—which moves logically from an issue to an actionable solution—rumination is a cyclical "washing machine" process that endlessly recycles negative emotions and past experiences without generating new insights or progress. The Neuroscience Behind Mental Loops: The episode explores two key psychological mechanisms behind overthinking: the Zeigarnik Effect, where the brain keeps unfinished tasks mentally active until resolved, and the Default Mode Network (DMN), which engages in self-reflection and threat detection but can trap us in circular narratives, especially late at night when external distractions fade. Actionable Steps to Break the Spin Cycle: To disrupt a rumination loop, Chris and Jen recommend a 4-step framework: Awareness (identifying the loop without judging yourself), Action (finding the smallest useful thing you can do, like writing it down), Attention Shift (redirecting focus instead of suppressing thoughts), and Reframing (changing the inner question to give yourself grace). Website - www.chrisandjenitm.com Email - connect@chrisandjenitm.com    Voicemail and Text available at 940-278-8129 Merch - https://chris-and-jen-itm.printify.me/ Store - https://www.fabulousfavoritefinds.com/ Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ATKOBS4HCUCTWF8P Intro and Outro Music ‘Vienna Beats’ By RadioPink, Blue Dots Sessions Licensed under a Attribution Non-Commercial License Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rumination and Its Impact 02:01 Personal Stories and Gratitude Practices 13:00 Why Our Minds Keep Returning to Unresolved Thoughts 24:00 The Neuroscience of the Default Mode Network 35:59 Differences Between Reflection, Problem Solving, and Rumination 47:58 Strategies to Break the Rumination Cycle 01:01:06 Changing the Questions We Ask Ourselves Support the show

    Rumination: Why You Overthink at 2 AM & How to Stop

  5. Sep 17 ·  Video

    Why Do We Laugh? The Science of Laughter

    In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, hosts Chris and Jen explore the complex mechanics, evolutionary roots, and social significance of human laughter. Beginning with a lighthearted celebration of Chris's birthday and reflections on vacation memories, the conversation shifts to why humans laugh—not just at jokes, but during moments of stress, nervousness, and social awkwardness. They unpack how laughter acts as a tool for emotional regulation, social bonding, and co-regulation. Three Pivotal Points: Laughter Beyond Humor: Laughter is not governed by a single "laughter center" in the brain; rather, it emerges from different neural pathways. Spontaneous emotional laughter involves subcortical circuitry, while voluntary or performative laughter relies on cortical motor systems. Consequently, laughter often functions as an emotional regulation mechanism during high-arousal or awkward situations rather than simply indicating happiness. Evolutionary and Social Bonding: Research highlights that laughter serves as a key mechanism for social signaling, co-regulation, and group cohesion. Over 65 animal species (including primates, dolphins, and rats) use laugh-like vocalizations during play. In humans, shared laughter and inside jokes build unique relationship boundaries and non-physical bonds. Adult Laughter vs. Childlike Abandon: While laughter isn't a direct "cure-all," it can lower cortisol levels and trigger dopamine release within the brain's reward system. As people age, stress, self-monitoring, and social expectations often reduce their willingness to laugh freely. Reclaiming childlike presence requires actively giving oneself permission to relax and prioritize joy. Website - www.chrisandjenitm.com Email - connect@chrisandjenitm.com    Voicemail and Text available at 940-278-8129 Merch - https://chris-and-jen-itm.printify.me/ Store - https://www.fabulousfavoritefinds.com/ Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ATKOBS4HCUCTWF8P Intro and Outro Music ‘Vienna Beats’ By RadioPink, Blue Dots Sessions Licensed under a Attribution Non-Commercial License Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Psychology and Science of Laughter 00:19 Introduction to the social and biological importance of laughter 02:35 Why Humans Laugh and Its Social Significance 03:02 The evolutionary roots of laughter in humans and animals 04:38 The Role of Laughter in Building Community and Connection 07:01 How laughter signals safety and builds social bonds 09:19 Gratitude and Self-Recognition in Life Experiences 12:00 The role of humor in reducing stress and boosting dopamine 12:12 The Complex Behavior of Laughter and Its Neural Pathways 15:58 Childlike laughter and how stress inhibits spontaneous joy 16:11 Nervous Laughter and Social Contexts 19:21 The Brain's Prediction Machine and Humor 19:59 The contagious nature of laughter and emotional contagion 24:20 Why We Fake Laughter and Its Emotional Implications 24:52 Laughter as a vulnerability and a sign of trust 28:52 Benign Violations and Humor Theory 29:59 Practical ways to incorporate more laughter into daily life 33:19 The Physical and Emotional Effects of Genuine Laughter 34:59 The cultural shift in parenting and permission to laugh 40:08 The science of laughter in animals and its evolutionary significance 45:11 How social media influences mimicry and laughter 49:50 The importance of humor in health and recovery 54:57 Closing thoughts: laughter as a fundamental human experience Support the show

    Why Do We Laugh? The Science of Laughter

  6. Sep 10 ·  Video

    Rethinking Your Self-Worth & Internal Scorecard

    In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, Chris and Jen dive into a candid conversation about self-worth, identity, and the subconscious "scorecards" people use to measure their value in daily life. They unpack how external factors like career accomplishments, physical appearance, intellect, and social expectations often trap people into believing their value must be earned. By identifying how brain mechanics like negativity bias and comparison drive these feelings, they offer practical insights on taking control back, redefining personal success, and recognizing that human worth is foundational rather than situational. Three Pivotal Points: The Origin of the Personal Scorecard: Society, family dynamics, and early school environments condition us to link our value to metrics like grades, titles, looks, and productivity. Negativity Bias and the Comparison Trap: Our brains naturally dwell on single negative criticisms over praise and use other people as reference points, making self-worth feel contingent on constant performance. Worth is Foundational, Not Earned: Making a mistake doesn't make you a failure, and being rejected doesn't make you undesirable; true worth exists independently of external achievements or other people's approval. Website - www.chrisandjenitm.com Email - connect@chrisandjenitm.com    Voicemail and Text available at 940-278-8129 Merch - https://chris-and-jen-itm.printify.me/ Store - fabfavefinds.etsy.com Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ATKOBS4HCUCTWF8P Intro and Outro Music ‘Vienna Beats’ By RadioPink, Blue Dots Sessions Licensed under a Attribution Non-Commercial License Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the concept of self-worth and societal scorecards 02:02 The origins of our internal and societal scorecards 07:25 How we measure our value and the influence of childhood conditioning 12:33 The impact of societal and cultural norms on self-esteem 20:15 The role of comparison and societal standards in shaping self-worth 26:52 Understanding the brain's wiring and the influence of negativity bias 33:10 The spiral of negative self-talk and how to interrupt it 39:19 The importance of intentionality and redefining your scorecard 50:58 Practical steps to assess and change your internal scorecard 01:02:21 The power of reflection, curiosity, and self-awareness 01:09:24 The distinction between worth and achievement 01:11:36 Encouragement to share personal journeys and insights Support the show

    Rethinking Your Self-Worth & Internal Scorecard

  7. Sep 3 ·  Video

    Balancing Novelty and Familiarity in Life

    This episode explores why humans simultaneously crave predictability and new experiences, reframing the tension between familiarity and novelty not as a contradiction, but as a healthy biological balance. Chris and Jen break down how our brains use routine for safety while seeking small "sparks" of novelty to stimulate learning and focus. Through personal anecdotes—ranging from game progression and hotel review anxiety to opposite-hand toothbrushing—they provide actionable ways to refresh your life without overhauling it. Pivotal Points: Familiarity Serves as an Anchor: The brain functions as a prediction machine; routines and familiar environments lower cognitive demand, create stability, and reduce anxiety. Novelty Drives Dopamine and Learning: New experiences engage the hippocampus and dopamine systems, signaling the brain to pay attention, adapt, and update its predictive model. Micro-Changes Over Life Overhauls: Satiating boredom doesn't require drastic choices like quitting a job or moving; small injections of novelty (like taking a new route or taking a class) provide the optimal balance of safety and excitement. Website - www.chrisandjenitm.com Email - connect@chrisandjenitm.com    Voicemail and Text available at 940-278-8129 Merch - https://chris-and-jen-itm.printify.me/ Store - fabfavefinds.etsy.com Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ATKOBS4HCUCTWF8P Intro and Outro Music ‘Vienna Beats’ By RadioPink, Blue Dots Sessions Licensed under a Attribution Non-Commercial License Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the craving for familiarity and novelty 01:53 Personal stories of gaming and routines 04:03 The paradox of craving both comfort and excitement 05:53 Gratitude moments and personal reflections 12:00 The science of prediction and prediction error 19:57 The role of dopamine in learning and motivation 27:46 Balancing predictability and surprise in life 34:10 Strategies for managing change and routine Support the show

    Balancing Novelty and Familiarity in Life

  8. Aug 27 ·  Video

    Is Crying Self-Care? The Science of Emotional Release

    In this episode of Chris and Jen in the Morning, Chris and Jen discuss the concept of having a "good cry" and examine whether crying serves as a meaningful form of self-care. They unpack the physiological and emotional impacts of crying, discussing how society conditions us to view tears, how sad media helps process difficult feelings, and how to create supportive spaces for emotional vulnerability. Biological & Stress Release Benefits: Crying physically releases stress-related hormones like cortisol and triggers parasympathetic regulation (a vagal rebound), which helps calm and balance the body. Safe Processing via Media: Seeking out sad movies, books, or songs allows individuals to process complex emotions like grief or nostalgia at a safe, controlled distance. Social Connection & Vulnerability: Tears act as a signal for social soothing, but societal conditioning often causes people to associate crying with weakness or discomfort, making space for non-judgmental support essential. Website - www.chrisandjenitm.com Email - connect@chrisandjenitm.com    Voicemail and Text available at 940-278-8129 Merch - https://chris-and-jen-itm.printify.me/ Store - fabfavefinds.etsy.com Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ATKOBS4HCUCTWF8P Intro and Outro Music ‘Vienna Beats’ By RadioPink, Blue Dots Sessions Licensed under a Attribution Non-Commercial License Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the psychology of crying 01:56 Personal stories and gratitude moments 04:52 The concept of a good cry and societal perceptions 06:56 Different types of tears and their meanings 09:47 The science behind crying and emotional regulation 14:52 How vulnerability and support impact emotional health 20:08 Cultural rituals around grief and mourning 24:46 The biological and hormonal aspects of crying 29:59 The role of music, movies, and stories in emotional processing 34:46 The paradox of sad music and emotional pleasure 39:59 Why society stigmatizes crying and how to change that 44:58 Practical tips for embracing vulnerability and supporting others 01:00:11 Summary and final thoughts on emotional self-care Support the show

    Is Crying Self-Care? The Science of Emotional Release
See All (93)

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Two friends with a podcast about gratitude, self-care, personal growth, and finding happiness - all with a side of levity and laughter.Long-distance friends, we shorten the miles between DFW and NYC in our weekly podcast where we focus on self care, seeking happiness, and trying to live our best life. We add in a splash of neuroscience and talk about what happens in our brains, why we feel and react the way we do, and how to live better, more authentic, more fulfilling, happier lives. In our middle-life years, we decided to share our conversations about adulting, chasing joy, being part of the LGBTQ+ community, parenting, personal growth, awkwardness, anxiety, mental health, and so much more to help others who can relate find kinship and a sense of community. Ready to live your best life (and laugh along the way)? Subscribe and join us on our journey through life together.#growth #wittywisdom #storytelling #podcast #friends #selfcare #motivation #inspiration #happiness 

Information

You Might Also Like