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Rated Mom Podcast

Rated Mom Podcast

By: Heather Frye Jessica Peyton & Dena Cooke
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Rated Mom is an honest podcast for women navigating real life. Identity. Mental health. Relationships. Work. Burnout. The mental load. And the hard stuff you will not find in the social media version of perfect. Hosted by Jessica, Heather, and Dena, three real women having real conversations, the show feels like sitting around with girlfriends talking about life as it actually is. Raw. Funny. Messy. And sometimes heavy. Some episodes talk about motherhood. Many do not. All of them tell the truth. We talk about losing yourself and finding your way back. About carrying too much for too long. About the pressure to have it all together when you do not. The wait is it just me moments that remind you that you are not alone and you are not doing life wrong. Rated Mom is not about being perfect. It is about being real and figuring it out on your own terms.2025 Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Why Adult Friendships Are So Hard - And Why They Often Hurt More Than Breakups

    Why Adult Friendships Are So Hard - And Why They Often Hurt More Than Breakups
    May 26 2026
    n this episode of Rated Mom, Heather, Dena, and Jessica explore the complexities of adult friendships. They discuss how life changes—marriage, children, and personal growth—naturally shift relationships, introducing the concept of "seasonal friendships." The hosts reflect on toxic dynamics, social media's role in fueling judgment, and the challenges of making new friends as adults. They also address how differing beliefs can test friendships, emphasizing empathy and respect. Ultimately, they encourage listeners to cherish core friendships, trust their intuition, practice forgiveness, and embrace the idea that outgrowing certain relationships is a natural, healthy part of life. Timestamps: Introduction to Adult Friendships (0:47) The hosts introduce the episode's topic: the challenges and drama of maintaining friendships as an adult. Seasonal Friendships and Life Changes (1:07) The hosts discuss how friendships can be for a "season" and often end due to life changes like marriage. The Evolution of Friendships (00:02:16) Friendships change because people are always evolving; some friends grow with you, while others grow apart. Connecting Through Similar Life Stages (6:19) Friendships are often easier when people are in similar life stages, such as having kids of the same age. Friendships as a Young Mom (7:08) Jessica shares her experience of having few friends after becoming a mother at 18, as her life differed greatly. The Value of Core Friendships (8:32) The hosts praise friendships that can pick right back up after time apart, calling them "core" friendships. Children's Friendship Struggles (12:28) The hosts discuss how their children have struggled with friendships, sometimes due to moving frequently or personality differences. Making New Friends as an Adult (14:39) The difficulty of putting yourself out there to make new friends as an adult, especially when feeling insecure. The "Mean Girls" Phenomenon (16:22) The hosts agree that cliquey, judgmental behavior, like in the movie "Mean Girls," persists into adulthood. Social Media and Judgment (17:39) The hosts discuss how social media creates a false perception of reality and fosters judgment among people. Differing Beliefs and Friendships (19:29) The hosts discuss how differing beliefs, like vaccination choices, can cause conflict and judgment, especially on social media. The Importance of Self-Awareness (26:16) The hosts emphasize the importance of self-awareness, self-reflection, and owning your mistakes in friendships and life. Making Friends in Your 40s (29:01) The hosts talk about how making new friends later in life often happens through kids' activities or hobbies. When Friends Show Their True Colors (31:54) The hosts discuss the disappointment of realizing a friend isn't who you thought they were, often due to insecurity. Communication Challenges in Friendships (33:59) The hosts talk about the difficulty of maintaining communication, with group chats being a lifeline for busy lives. Being an Introverted Extrovert (36:57) The hosts describe themselves as "introverted extroverts" who enjoy socializing but also need time to recharge at home. Lessons Learned About Friendship (40:16) The hosts share their final advice on adult friendships: cherish core friends, trust your intuition, and apologize when wrong. Powerful Quotes from the Episode: Heather "Not everyone will clap for you when you grow, and that's a hard truth." Deena "I had friendships that I thought were great, but I realized it was just for a season." Jessica "I didn't have any core friends because I was at one point like, I'm gonna stop because as soon as I make friends, it hurts when we have to move again." RESOURCES: Connect With Us: https://www.ratedmom.com/ https://linktr.ee/ratedmom Dena: https://www.facebook.com/share/1YYxWExz9R/?mibextid=wwXIfrHeather: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DSnFyt4Gk/?mibextid=wwXIfrJessica: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D1f3e9iKD/?mibextid=wwXIfr Follow the Podcast: Rated Mom on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Podcast Produced and edited by the team at ResilientVoiceMedia.com Contact us for expert podcast production and support.
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    42 mins
  • From First Steps to Empty Nests: A Conversation on Motherhood Transitions

    From First Steps to Empty Nests: A Conversation on Motherhood Transitions
    May 19 2026
    In this episode of the Rated Mom podcast, Heather, Deena, and Jessica share candid conversations about the many seasons of motherhood. From the exhausting early days with newborns to the emotional transitions as children grow into young adults, each host brings a unique perspective shaped by their personal experiences. They reflect on the challenges of balancing identity, relationships, and parenting at different life stages, while emphasizing the importance of slowing down, staying present, and maintaining a sense of self throughout the journey. Their honest storytelling offers comfort and encouragement to moms navigating every chapter of motherhood. Timestamps Podcast Intro & Return (00:00:00) The hosts introduce the episode's theme about the seasons of motherhood and explain their recent hiatus from recording. Rushing Through Early Motherhood (00:02:06) The hosts reflect on wishing away the early, exhausting stages of motherhood, like breastfeeding, and not appreciating the moments. Heather's Journey as a Young, Single Mom (00:04:32) Heather shares her experience of becoming a single mom at 22, discussing the financial and emotional exhaustion she faced. Jessica's Experience as a Teen Mom (00:08:45) Jessica talks about getting pregnant at 17, being a stay-at-home mom, and how having kids close together was challenging. Losing Your Identity in Motherhood (00:13:52) The hosts discuss how easy it is for mothers to lose their personal identity while raising young children. Deena's Motherhood Story (00:16:22) Deena shares her journey, starting motherhood later and emphasizing the importance of maintaining her own identity and personal outlets. Grieving Your Children Growing Up (00:21:42) The conversation shifts to the emotional experience of grieving children's childhoods as they become independent young adults. The Importance of a Support System (00:24:27) The hosts discuss how having supportive family, like their own mothers, helped them navigate marriage and motherhood more successfully. Parenting Older vs. Younger Children (00:27:23) Heather reflects on how her perspective changed with her youngest child, allowing her to slow down and cherish the moments. The COVID-19 Silver Lining (00:28:49) The hosts talk about the unexpected positive side of the pandemic, which allowed them to slow down and bond with family. Navigating Life with Adult Children (00:30:34) The discussion focuses on the challenges of parenting adult children who are still financially dependent but crave independence. Letting Kids Learn from Their Mistakes (00:34:34) The hosts agree on the importance of letting their older children fail and learn from their own mistakes and consequences. Advice for Moms in Transition (00:37:34) The hosts offer their best advice for mothers struggling with the transition as their children grow up and leave home. Powerful Quotes from the Episode Heather 00:41, 'Nobody prepares you for the moment your kids stop needing you the same way, and somehow that's both the goal and the heartbreak.' Dena 2:09, 'I look back and I'm like, why did I even think that? I would give anything to have some of those moments back.' Dena, 17:06, 'I remember when he was first born and Myles had to go to work, and I was on maternity leave. I was like, "You can't leave me alone. I don't know what to do with him."' Heather 39:44, 'My best piece of advice would be just meet them where they are.' RESOURCES: Connect With Us: https://www.ratedmom.com/ https://linktr.ee/ratedmom Dena: https://www.facebook.com/share/1YYxWExz9R/?mibextid=wwXIfrHeather: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DSnFyt4Gk/?mibextid=wwXIfrJessica: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D1f3e9iKD/?mibextid=wwXIfr Follow the Podcast: Rated Mom on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Podcast Produced and edited by the team at ResilientVoiceMedia.com Contact us for expert podcast production and support.
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    41 mins
  • Behind the Mic - Meet Jessica

    Behind the Mic - Meet Jessica
    Mar 24 2026
    In this episode of Rated Mom Confessions, we sit down with Jessica, who brings raw honesty and real-life perspective to the mic. From becoming a teen mom to building a successful career as a mortgage loan officer, Jessica shares the highs, the hard moments, and everything in between. She opens up about navigating maternal mental health, overcoming depression in motherhood, and balancing career and motherhood while managing the complexities of family dynamics. Her story is one so many women will see themselves in—especially those walking the path of young motherhood, personal growth, and redefining success on their own terms. Through candid conversation and our signature rapid-fire questions, Jessica reminds us that resilience in motherhood isn't about perfection—it's about showing up, doing the work, and finding joy in the everyday chaos. This episode is a powerful reminder that you're not alone in your journey. It's about real stories, real struggles, and the kind of honest conversations that support women's empowerment, authentic motherhood, and building confidence through life's challenges. If you're navigating mom life, mental health, career growth, or simply looking for relatable stories that make you feel seen and supported—this conversation is for you. Powerful Quotes from the Episode "I love exposing my children to things in this world that I never got to see as a child." "I was probably pretty deep in a level of depression that I covered pretty well, that most people didn't realize was there, and it took a really long time to come out of it." "That season of my life taught me not to take life so seriously; it's always going to be hard, but you have to find joy even in the smallest things." "The biggest lesson I've taught my kids as a mom is not to rush into adult life—as a teen mom, that is something that gives me a lot of anxiety for my children to go through." "I'm most proud of becoming a teen mom, still going to college, getting a degree, and then going on to find a career." "Any time you have children really young, especially as a teenager who is a kid themselves, it teaches you so much." Jessica, 00:14:13, "In this current season of my life, my why is financial stability for myself, my children, and my family, no matter what is going on, and finding joy in anything throughout the day to keep going forward." Timestamps: (01:47) Jessica shares where she's from, her college experience, and her associate's degree from a local community college. (03:52) Jessica discusses her age, becoming a teen mom, marriage history, and meeting her husband. (04:55) Jessica talks about her career as a mortgage loan officer, her interest in real estate, and her childhood dream jobs. (6:25) Jessica reflects on advice for her younger self, misconceptions about her, strengths, and perfectionism as a blind spot. (08:51) Jessica shares favorite family activities, lessons for her kids, and her children's ages. (11:14) Jessica discusses parenting rules she's abandoned, boundaries she's set, and what she's most proud of. (12:33) Jessica talks about her "why," experiences that shaped her, and finding joy and stability. (15:08) Jessica answers rapid-fire questions about music, vacations, weekends, and personal preferences. (16:08) Quick choices on topics like beach vs. mountains, early bird vs. night owl, sweet vs. salty, and more. RESOURCES - Connect with us: Connect With Us: https://www.ratedmom.com/ https://linktr.ee/ratedmom Dena: https://www.facebook.com/share/1YYxWExz9R/?mibextid=wwXIfr Heather: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DSnFyt4Gk/?mibextid=wwXIfr Jessica: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D1f3e9iKD/?mibextid=wwXIfr Follow the Podcast: Rated Mom on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Podcast Produced and edited by the team at ResilientVoiceMedia.com
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    8 mins
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