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Reframing MeAuthor: Dr. Jennifer Brubaker
Your kids are growing up - but so are you. Reframing Me is the podcast for moms of teens ready to reframe family, identity, and self-development in midlife.Parenting teens is hard -and parenting while rediscovering yourself in midlife can feel even harder. Reframing Me is the parenting podcast for moms raising teenagers who are also navigating the transition out of hands-on motherhood, identity shifts, and the search for balance, fulfillment, and self-development.Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Brubaker, a Communication Studies professor, mom of three teens, and intrapersonal communication expert, each episode blends family communication strategies, honest conversations about parenting teens, and self-reflection tools to help moms strengthen family relationships while rediscovering who they are as women. Together well talk about the issues moms face but dont always say out loud: changing family dynamics, feeling invisible, letting go of control, and creating new purpose. Through research, theory, and compassionate conversation, youll find support, strategies, and a sense of community in this season of parenting and personal growth.Join the Reframing Me community to connect with other midlife moms, share your stories, and reframe how you see yourself, your family, and your future.Send emails to jen@reframing-me.com; or on socials: Reframing Me on FacebookAND join the Facebook group Reframing Me: The Podcast Community; @reframingme on Instagram; Reframing Me on YouTube @reframingme on TikTok Language: en-us Genres: Health & Fitness, Kids & Family, Mental Health, Parenting Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Jen is Zen - The Only Opinions That Matter
Thursday, 8 January, 2026
Send us a text Thank you so much for being here! The only two people whose opinions should matter are the 9-year-old version of you and the 90-year-old version of you. In this first Jen is Zen episode of 2026 - my 50th birthday year! - I reflect on aging, identity, and why I look and feel better now than I did four years ago despite cultural narratives that tell us midlife should look like decline. Someone I love showed me a past photo and described as “old” and “stringy.” Former Jen would have felt insecure, but current Jen saw it as catalyst for deeper reflection. My mantra for 2026 is: The only two people whose opinions should matter are the 9-year-old version of you and the 90-year-old version of you. Many of us begin to edit and manage ourselves between ages 9–12, slowly drifting away from our authentic selves in response to expectations, approval, and responsibility. Midlife, maybe isn't about reinvention or fixing what’s broken - it’s about remembering who we were before the world taught us to hide. Also, stay tuned because I'm inspired to create an upcoming podcast and social media series based on 50 things I wish I had known sooner. Every insight on the list somehow traces back to this core mantra and a deeper realization: When the world feels out of control, the only thing we truly control is our own behavior - and our behavior sets the energy. For me, small, genuine acts of kindness created a ripple effect in my life, leading to joy, gratitude, peace, confidence, and grace. This shift helped my nervous system soften, both emotionally and physically. I openly acknowledge the role my (borderline obsessive!) wellness practices and investments play in how I feel and look today, emphasizing that there is no single magic fix - only a thoughtful combination of supports and an aligned mindset. I don't gatekeep, so follow me on socials and I'll share what I love. I invite you to reflect on your own life through the lens of the 9-year-old and 90-year-old versions of yourself - not as a form of self-improvement, but as an act of remembering - and carry that clarity forward into the new year. Thank you for listening and being part of this community! Let's get social. Follow me on Facebook, on Twitter @reframing_me, on Instagram @reframingme and on TikTok @reframingmeI hope you enjoyed the episode! Please leave a review, catch up on any missed episodes, and be sure to follow the show, so you don't miss new content!
