In this episode of Grateful Not Greedy™, hosts Kris and Rachel unpack Rachel’s recent adventure to Australia and recount her earlier visit— a journey filled with self-discovery, connection, and a few unexpected first dates. After more than 25 years out of the dating scene, Rachel shares what it was like to reenter the world of modern dating while traveling, to explore new dynamics through using apps for the first time, and to embrace the excitement (and vulnerability) of meeting new people abroad.

Together, Kris and Rachel reflect on what it means to approach dating — and life — from a place of gratitude rather than scarcity. They discuss the importance of mindset, safety, and intentionality when building new connections, as well as how meaningful growth often happens when we step outside our comfort zones.

Tune in as they explore how being grateful, not greedy can transform the way we experience life.

Episode Takeaways

1. Mindset Matters:

   • Approach dating with curiosity, openness, and gratitude.

   • Keep expectations low to allow genuine connections to form.

   • The energy and attitude you bring can shape your experience.

2. Enjoy the Process:

   • Treat first dates as opportunities to meet new people, not high-pressure auditions.

   • It’s okay to feel unpracticed after time away from dating — ease back in.

   • Learn from every experience, even casual ones.

3. Practical Tips:

   • Let friends help with your dating profile for fresh perspective.

   • Be cautious and aware, especially when dating in new places.

   • Notice how people talk about their past relationships — it reveals character.

   • A kiss can offer insight into compatibility.

• Empowerment and Perspective:

  • You control your dating narrative and choices.
  • Online dating can feel less intimidating when stakes are low in an are outside of where you live
• • New experiences (like travel) can renew your confidence and perspective.

  
  

  Sound Bites

  • "I have zero expectations."
  • "We really hit it off."
  • "Be intentional about it."
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  Chapters

  00:00Introduction and Australia Trip Overview

  02:56Dating App Experience and Insights

  05:59Understanding Bumble and Dating Dynamics

  09:00First Date Reflections and Expectations

  12:00Navigating Conversations and Connections

  14:49Embracing the Dating Process

  17:59Side-by-Side Dates and Comfort in Dating

  23:40Reflections on Past Experiences

  27:07The Importance of Connection

  28:47Navigating New Encounters

  35:02Lessons from Dating

  40:27Understanding Online Dating Dynamics

  46:31The Power of a Kiss

  47:50Jedi Master Date: Learning from Connections

  49:32Exploring New Connections: The Joy of Dating

  51:47Growth Through Travel: Reflections on Dating

  54:02Opening the Door to New Opportunities

  56:42Returning Home: Applying Lessons Learned

  01:01:12Reflecting on Personal Growth

  
  

🎙️ In this episode of the Grateful Not Greedy™ podcast, Kris and Rachel dive into the beautiful (and sometimes messy) dance between passion and productivity. They chat about how perfectionism can sneak in and steal the joy from our creative projects, why mindset matters more than we think, and how fear of judgment often keeps us playing small.

With their signature mix of honesty and heart, they explore how gratitude, self-compassion, and a supportive environment can bring ease back into the creative process. It’s a reminder to celebrate progress over perfection—and to find your way back to the fun of creating just because you love it. With a few mantra takeaways. this episode will satisfy the task rabbit in you as well as the creative cat.

Episode Takeaways

• The complexity of life can be overwhelming.
• Perfectionism can hinder productivity.
• It's important to embrace imperfection in creative projects.
• Mindset plays a crucial role in how we approach tasks.
• Fear of judgment can prevent us from sharing our work.
• Recognizing progress is more important than focusing on what hasn't been done.
• Creating a supportive environment fosters creativity.
• Gratitude can shift our perspective on challenges.
• We need to model the behaviors we want to embody.
• Accumulating many small increments of time can lead to significant progress.

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Keywords: Grateful Not Greedy™, productivity, perfectionism, creativity, mindset, passion projects, fear of judgment, gratitude, personal growth, self-improvement, progress over perfection, podcast production, motivation

Do you ever catch yourself fantasizing about living in a cabin in the woods… or maybe a brownstone in Brooklyn… or honestly anywhere but where you are? In this episode of Grateful Not Greedy™, we're diving into the dreamy (and slightly delusional) world of wanderlust — and the weirdly comforting ritual of Zillow scrolling. 🏡💭

From romanticizing new cities to creating full-on imaginary lives based on real estate listings we’ll never buy, we explore the balance between dreaming of more and staying grounded in enough. Is it escapism? Inspiration? Just fun? Or maybe a little of all three?

Whether you're addicted to "just browsing" or convinced your soul lives in Portugal, tune in for laughs, lightbulb moments, and a reminder that it’s okay to dream — as long as you're also watering your own grass.

"Sometimes Love Isn't an Open Door (Especially with Teenagers)"

Let’s talk about closed doors—and not just the physical kind. In this episode, Kris and Rachel dive headfirst into one of parenting's most awkward and emotionally charged questions: What do you do when your teen has a date over and closes their bedroom door? And while we’re at it—what about when YOU have a date over?

This conversation unpacks the layered family dynamics and power plays behind those shut doors, and explores how to lead with healthy communication, emotional intelligence, and vulnerability—even when it feels uncomfortable. From teaching emotional readiness and modeling healthy relationships, to navigating personal boundaries and encouraging self-awareness, Kris and Rachel dig into it all both with some laughs and some hard-earned, real-life parenting wisdom.

They’ll explore how to shift from reactive to responsive, turning moments of tension into opportunities for connection, growth, and guidance. Because when it comes to teen relationships, the rules may be changing—but the need for support, communication, and gratitude stays the same.

If you’ve ever tiptoed past your teen’s room wondering if you should knock—or found yourself wondering how to model love and respect in your own dating life—this one’s for you!

Some key Takeaways:

• Modeling healthy relationships whether between spouses or significant others is crucial for children.
• Conversations about relationships should be ongoing, not one-time events.
• It's important to balance protection with exposure to real-life situations.
• Men and women can provide different, equally helpful perspectives to help children make informed decisions.

• Encouraging children to own their choices fosters responsibility and the decision-making skill.
• Love and relationships are learned within the family context. Navigating teenage relationships requires us as adults to own our own stuff.
• Children's emotional reactions often stem from deeper fears and insecurities.

• Be grateful for the closed door! It can be an invitation to a conversation.

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  If you need more inspiration for how to get through it- we got you! Relax with our curated Grateful Not Greedy™ playlist "Raising Teens Without Losing Your Mind" on Spotify!

In this reflective episode of Grateful Not Greedy™, Kris finds herself back in the hot seat, diving into the haunting echoes of “what could have been.” From a pivotal career decision to the ache of lost loves, we explore the regrets that linger and the missed opportunities that shape who we are today. Why do certain moments stick with us, and how do we make peace with them in our present reality?

Through a deeply personal story and an unfiltered, honest conversation, we wade through the greedy wasteland of regret in search of something more meaningful—gratitude. (Spoiler alert: there’s still no Time Machine.) But maybe that’s the point. Today, we’re unpacking how even our biggest regrets can offer hidden gifts, and how hindsight, when viewed through the right lens, not the rear view mirror, might just show us the way forward.

What if we stopped viewing aging as a decline — and started seeing it as evolution?

In this episode, Kris and Rachel apply Grateful Not Greedy™️ to unpack Rachel’s experience with her 83 year old mom and the subtle ways society (and adult children) can innocently devalue their aging parents by comparing them to who they “used to be.” We explore the damaging myth that older adults are simply diminished versions of their younger selves — and how that mindset leads to impatience or frustration.

Instead, we talk about how to shift from comparison to compassion. From control to connection. From greed to gratitude.

This episode is a call to see aging parents not as fading reflections of the past, but as full, worthy people in their present — with a different presentation, new wisdom to share, their dignity to protect, and love that still runs deep.

Because aging isn’t a malfunction. It’s a masterpiece in progress.

Dating can feel like a rollercoaster— exciting one moment, exhausting the next. In this episode, Rachel lets us in on her dating approach and mindset tips to help you stay grounded, hopeful, and confident.

We’ll talk about shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance, how to detach your self-worth from the dating experience, and why staying positive isn’t about pretending everything is perfect— it’s about resilience, self-awareness, and clarity. Whether you’re newly single, burnt out, or just losing energy to the apps, this upbeat episode is your reminder that dating doesn’t have to break you— it can build you!

In this episode of Grateful Not Greedy™️, Rachel and Kris chat about one of the biggest milestones in a kid’s journey to independence- getting a driver’s license! What does this mean for us as the fired Uber Mom and how can we adjust our framing to be grateful for this transition and to see all of the opportunities it opens up for conscious decision-making and paving the way for our future relationship?

Making real life decisions with real life consequences has massive implications for launching a successful adult. Rachel dives into avoiding the greedy trap of wanting the kids to stay young or dependent in this funny and relatable episode. 🚗💡