Explore every episode of the podcast Mostly Thriving Podcast with Amanda + TJ

Welcome to the debut episode of the Mostly Thriving Podcast! Amanda from @comestayawhile and her husband TJ, a veterinarian and business owner, share the real story behind their marriage, businesses, and chaos with kids in between.

In this episode, they open up about how Come Stay Awhile started in a one-bedroom rental house, TJ’s path from rejection letters to becoming a vet and owning his own veterinary hospital, and how they built two seven-figure businesses while raising two boys and staying (mostly) sane.

Because while it may look like they’re thriving... they’re just mostly thriving and that’s perfectly normal.

We’re diving deep into the impact of screen time on kids — what the research says, what we’ve seen firsthand, and how we’re trying to find balance in our own home. From language delays and sleep struggles to the surprising benefits of moderation, we unpack the scary truth behind screens and how to raise kids who thrive in a digital world. Plus, this week’s Ask the Vet covers everything from ear infections and allergies to TJ’s least favorite dog breeds to see in appointments.

In this episode, Amanda opens up about her lifelong struggle with anxiety and panic attacks and what it’s like navigating that while juggling motherhood, marriage, and two thriving businesses. TJ shares what it was like stepping into a world of anxiety he’d never experienced before, and how it shaped their relationship and parenting. Together, they get honest about perfectionism, fear of failure, and raising confident kids in an imperfect world. It’s raw, real, and a reminder that even in the chaos, you can still be mostly thriving.

What was supposed to be a dream bathroom turned into our absolute nightmare. In this episode, Amanda finally shares the full story she never posted on Instagram about what really happened with the master bathroom renovation. It's safe I should of just did this project myself instead of hiring this company.

We open up about how this project pushed us both to our breaking point, what it’s really like partnering with brands behind the scenes, and the lessons we learned the hard way about hiring, communication, and keeping your sanity when everything goes wrong.

🎙️ New episodes every Thursday
Follow @mostlythrivingpodcast for behind-the-scenes clips and chaos.

This week on Mostly Thriving, we’re tackling two big things: holiday chaos and a hidden crisis almost no one’s talking about: the men’s loneliness epidemic.

First we talk through, the holiday juggling act of trying to make it to multiple houses, keep the kids semi-civilized, and still find a moment to breathe. We talk about setting boundaries, giving grace, and remembering that the holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

TJ gets vulnerable when we shift gears into something deeper: why so many men feel disconnected. From shrinking friendships to silent struggles, we break down the loneliness crisis that no one’s talking about and how purpose, brotherhood, and real connection can change everything.

It’s honest, heartfelt, and maybe the conversation you didn’t know you needed before the holidays hit.

Inside the NBA Entertainment World: What You Don’t See on Game Day

What really goes on behind the scenes of an NBA game? From trampoline dunks to court-side dances, we’re sharing the wild, funny, and unforgettable stories from our time performing for the Detroit Pistons — how it brought us together, what we learned, and the moments we’ll never forget. Amanda shares her experience as an NBA dancer for 3 seasons and TJ shares the story of how he fractured his skull being a member of the acrobatic dunk team. Plus, we’re answering all the burning questions everyone always asks… What was the pay really like? Did dancers ever date players? And what was it actually like performing under all those lights?

Today we’re sitting down with Kelsey & Ryan — the powerhouse couple behind @Newbuild_Newlyweds. With 1.6M TikTok followers, 518K on Instagram, a #3 spot on Forbes’ 2025 Top Home Creators list, and an HGTV debut on Battle of the Beach, they’ve built a DIY empire from the ground up.

We talk all about:

• How their DIY journey started
• The messy moments nobody sees
• Ryan leaving engineering
• Moving states + flipping houses
• What really happened behind the scenes of HGTV
• The questions they get asked the MOST
• Rapid-fire relationship + creator life moments

It’s real, inspiring, and a reminder that “mostly thriving” is still thriving.

In this lighthearted episode, Amanda and TJ recap Thanksgiving, talk Q4 chaos, and TJ shares a wild vet clinic story. Then things get competitive with an Agree or Disagree showdown and a very heated Start, Bench, Cut segment.

We wrap with some real talk about why Christmas lists feel weird as adults… and a simple challenge that might make someone’s holiday a little brighter.

🎄 Grab your coffee, take a breath, and come be mostly thriving with us.

This week we’re catching up on our holiday chaos before diving into a very real day-in-the-life of TJ as a veterinarian. From a shattered femur and back-to-back urgent cares, to a behavioral euthanasia, a tongue-laceration emergency, and finally… two adorable puppies saving the day, we walk through the emotional rollercoaster of what vet med really looks like behind the scenes hour by hour.

We’re reflecting on the wins, the mess, and the growth that defined 2025. From celebrating 10 years of marriage to navigating home projects, faith, and deeper connection. This episode is about slowing down, celebrating milestones, and learning what it really means to be mostly thriving.

In this episode, TJ and his grandpa share how faith shaped two generations of veterinary medicine. From rejection and perseverance to building clinics and answering hard calls, they reflect on what it means to follow a true calling. This conversation is a reminder that purpose, obedience, and an “emotional paycheck” matters more than anything else.

This week we’re sharing our unfiltered Disney hot takes, vacation delusion moments, and what really happens when routines fall apart. Plus, a real conversation about mom guilt, imposter syndrome, and learning how to set work boundaries when your job never turns off. It's real, it's raw, and it's a good reminder to step back and talk things out with a loved one when you're feeling overwhelmed.

What if stress in marriage isn’t a red flag… but an invitation? In this episode, we break down our “Marriage Meeting” (guided by this template from @shawnjohnson + @andreweast) Every year we have a date night to a align on goals, finances, parenting, faith, health, and the future. From arguing better to dreaming bigger, this is how we stay purposefully aligned.

This is Part 2 of Debriefing Our 2026 Marriage Meeting—if you missed Part 1, tap here. We continue the conversation about how we set goals, plan for the future, and communicate using this template (from @shawnjohnson and @andreweast) as our guide. From personal growth and parenting to business goals and therapy, we’re setting our intentions for 2026. If you’re trying to grow together, hold each other accountable, and move through life with intention, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we dive into our current Olympic obsession, share our spicy Valentine’s Day hot takes, and tell the terrifying story of how we almost got kidnapped in Italy. We’re also bringing back Ask the Vet — but with a twist. TJ challenges Amanda to read real client notes from the clinic to see just how much she’s absorbed after 10 years of being married to a veterinarian. It’s chaotic, hilarious, slightly unhinged… and one of our favorite episodes yet.

From construction noise chaos to car trouble and near-accidents, this episode is the definition of mostly thriving. Amanda shares her streak of lemon cars (including an engine dying before 40,000 miles) and TJ unpacks the “hit & run” situation that felt like a setup. Then we pivot into marriage in the thick of parenting — divorce stats, fighting in front of your kids, the glass ball theory, and why doing the inconvenient things now might protect your relationship later.

In this episode, Amanda recaps her trip to Hilton Head Island with fellow DIY influencers who’ve grown into real-life friends. We unpack the stigma around influencing, how networking trips have transformed into fun girl trips, and what it's actually like to have 20 influencers in one house.

The conversation takes a deeper turn as Amanda shares a powerful moment when she felt a nudge from God to pray out loud with her friends — even knowing they don’t all share the same beliefs. It’s vulnerable, honest, and a reminder that faith isn’t always loud… but it is bold.

If you’ve ever wrestled with identity, expectations, or speaking up about your faith, this one’s for you.

RERUN: In this episode, Amanda opens up about her lifelong struggle with anxiety and panic attacks and what it’s like navigating that while juggling motherhood, marriage, and two thriving businesses. TJ shares what it was like stepping into a world of anxiety he’d never experienced before, and how it shaped their relationship and parenting. Together, they get honest about perfectionism, fear of failure, and raising confident kids in an imperfect world. It’s raw, real, and a reminder that even in the chaos, you can still be mostly thriving.

We’re baaaack! Did you miss us? 😅

In this episode, we catch you up on everything from the past two weeks, share our most random “icks,” and put TJ to the test as he tries to guess common girl terms (with mixed results). Let’s just say we weren't exactly thriving this week, between technical difficulties and lingering sickness, it felt like the odds were against us. Nevertheless, we're here to show you the real and the raw that puts the "mostly" in Mostly Thriving.

Don’t forget to cast your vote below for which day we should drop new episodes! 🎙️

We’re spilling all the tea from our spring trip to Anna Maria Island 🌴 From our favorite moments to the things we’d 100% do differently, we’re giving you the full, unfiltered recap—highs, lows, and everything in between.

Plus, we’re bringing back the Q+A segment! We answer your questions about debt and finances, reveal next week’s special guest, and Amanda answers which DIY project was her all-time least favorite 😅

Trust us—you’ll want to hear this before you book your next trip.

We’re spilling it ALL! We told you to ask us anything… and you absolutely delivered 😂 From our dumbest decisions to how we actually manage our finances, nothing was off-limits and we’re answering it all with full honesty. This is one you don’t want to miss! And if we didn’t get to your question, don’t worry—we’re making Q&A a regular thing in future episodes.

This week, Amanda sits down with special guest Jaqueline Chiarot—mom of two, interior designer, and wife of NHL Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot. She gives us an honest look at what it’s really like balancing life in the NHL, running a business, and raising two young kids.

Jaqueline also shares her take on current design trends and offers encouraging advice for anyone who feels like they’re barely holding it all together. It’s a refreshing reminder that even when it looks like everyone else is thriving… most of us are just mostly thriving.

Check out Jacqueline's design work at https://www.jacquelinechiarotdesign.com/ or on IG @jacquelinechiarotlifestyle and @jacquelinechiarotdesign

To make a donation or register for the 2026 Scotland's Yard Road Hockey Tournament visit http://www.syhockey.ca/

We’re pulling back the curtain on what a “day in the life” actually looks like as an influencer, business owner, and mom. From brand deals and deadlines to school drop-offs and a full hockey schedule, it’s a busy, chaotic, very real day. Get an honest peak behind the scenes into what it takes to run Come Stay Awhile, and get to know the team that makes it all happen. Plus, we talk boundaries, burnout, and the pressure society puts on moms to keep it all together.

We’re getting real about the phase of parenting we’re in right now—and honestly, it’s a tough one. With boys ages 5 and 2, we’re in the thick of it and feeling the challenges. If you’re in a hard season too, this episode is for you. You’re not alone.

We’re diving into all your burning questions from last week’s episode, The Chaos Behind the Content: A Real Day in the Life of an Influencer! From how influencers actually make money (spoiler: it’s not from Instagram) to the real strategies that helped grow Come Stay Awhile into what it is today—nothing’s off limits. If you’ve ever been curious about the business behind the content, this one’s for you.

We have beef with over-the-top bachelorette trip expenses, outdated wedding traditions, and the unrealistic expectations placed on bridal parties — and we NEED to talk about it. In this episode, we’re sharing our honest hot takes on modern wedding culture, the trends we don’t understand, and what we’d actually do differently if we got married today. Whether you’re planning a wedding or just love a controversial opinion, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

We’re answering your biggest marriage questions, opening up about the moments that could’ve changed everything, and sharing the conversations, therapy lessons, and advice that have shaped our relationship. If marriage has ever felt hard, messy, or lonely… this one’s for you ❤️

WE'RE BAAACKKK with a new audio and video setup! (Huge thanks to our friend Chris Cook for helping us make these adjustments, check out his podcast Win Today, here.) This week we're recapping our family trip up north, the stomach bug that took down our entire house, and the surreal moment Olympic gold medalist, Connor Hellebuyck, visited our DIY hockey rink. Plus, we're addressing your marriage dilemmas and sharing the relationship advice that's helped us navigate challenges in our own marriage.

Amanda literally got off the plane from Atlanta and sat down to record this episode. We're recapping her Home Depot influencer trip, sharing an update on her mental health journey, and unpacking a wild story from TJ's clinic involving some parking lot drama and getting cussed out. 😳 The tea is piping hot (and slightly delirious) ☕😂

From unpopular opinions to the decline of modern society to whether having doubts makes you a bad Christian-- no topic was off limits in this episode. We had no plan, followed every tangent, and somehow ended up having one of our favorite conversations yet.

Last week was one of the hardest weeks I’ve had in a long time. Anxiety and panic convinced me my world was getting smaller. Getting out of bed felt impossible. Every symptom felt real. Every fear felt true. Then I realized something that changed everything: I don’t have to wait until I feel brave to start living again. Was it easy? Hell no. There were some very dark moments but I kept going.

I’m not sharing this because I’ve “arrived.” I’m sharing it because if you’re in the middle of it, I want you to know there is hope. Your brain can re-learn. Your body can heal. And anxiety doesn’t get the final say.

If you’re fighting this battle too, you’re not alone. ❤️

Our trip to Mackinac Island gave us so many memories we'll cherish forever, but it also brought some real parenting struggles to the surface. In this episode, we're having a candid conversation about what this season has been like for us, because we never want to be the people who only share the highlight reel. This is the mostly part of Mostly Thriving. If parenting feels hard right now, you're not alone. ❤️

In this episode, we're recapping our massage appointments that definitely didn't go as planned, and TJ shares a wild story about an unhappy client at the vet clinic that you'll have to hear to believe. It's the perfect mix of laughs, chaos, and the kind of random life moments that always seem to find us.

ANNOUNCEMENT: We're taking a little break to soak up the rest of summer with our family! We'll be back this fall for Season 2 with fresh ideas, new segments, and plenty more stories to share. In the meantime, we'd love to hear from you—if there's a topic you'd like us to cover next season, leave us a comment! Thank you so much for listening and supporting Mostly Thriving. ❤️

This week's recap went completely off the rails—from TJ's golf tournament that left him with a smoker's cough to Amanda's questionable driving record, things got a little wild. We also need your advice on whether it's time to say goodbye to our trouble-prone Escalade and would love your best ideas for screen-free summer activities that encourage kids to play independently!

In this episode, we're recapping our much-needed parents' night out and chatting about what our hobbies might look like if we weren't busy being mom and dad. Amanda also shares an update on her journey with anxiety and panic attacks, including the lifestyle changes that have been making a real difference.