Mostly Thriving Podcast with Amanda + TJ

Amanda and TJ Vernaci

Welcome to Mostly Thriving with Amanda + TJ! It may look like we are thriving but really we're just... mostly thriving. Real talk about marriage, parenting, business, mental health, and growing together. Hosts Amanda Vernaci (from @ComeStayAwhile) and her husband TJ, a veterinarian and vet hospital owner, take on the raw, messy, beautiful sides of life. Each week we bring honest conversations about parenting, marriage, mental health, business and more and welcome guests who remind us that none of us really have it all figured out.

New episodes EVERY Monday!

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34 episodes
Updated Monday

Episodes34

Newest first

Monday · 46 min
35. Amanda's Criminal Record?!
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!
July 20 · 48 min
34. Amanda Feels a Shift Coming
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.
July 13 · 54 min
33. Panic Attack Rehab?
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. ❤️
June 29 · 54 min
32. *Barely* Thriving: Our Trip to Mackinac Island
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. ❤️
June 22 · 1 hr 6 min
31. Home Depot Influencer Trip Recap, Anxiety Updates & TJ Got Cussed Out?!
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) ☕😂
June 15 · 57 min
30. We Might Get Canceled For This...
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.
June 8 · 1 hr 1 min
29. An Olympic Gold Medalist Visited Our DIY Hockey Rink?!
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.
May 25 · 1 hr 8 min
27. The Marriage Advice We Wish We Had Sooner
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 ❤️
May 18 · 50 min
26. Hot Takes on Weddings, Bridesmaids & Bachelorette Trips
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.
May 11 · 1 hr 5 min
25. How Influencers ACTUALLY Make Money
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.
May 4 · 1 hr 8 min
24. The Chaos Behind the Content: A Real Day in the Life of an Influencer
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.
April 27 · 43 min
23. Getting Through the Trenches: Our Honest Parenting Struggles
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.
April 20 · 1 hr 10 min
22. What Life is Really like as an NHL Wife, Mom & Interior Designer | Jacqueline Chiarot
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/
April 13 · 1 hr 4 min
21. Spilling All the Tea from Our Trip to Anna Maria Island
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.
March 30 · 1 hr 3 min
20. You Asked... We Overshared (Q+A)
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.
March 19 · 42 min
19. Bumper Sticker Beef & TJ Guesses Common Girl Terms
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! 🎙️
March 13 · 40 min
18. Anxiety, Panic Attacks & Parenting Through the Chaos (RERUN)
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.
March 5 · 1 hr 1 min
17. What It's REALLY Like When 20 Influencers Go on a Trip
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.
February 26 · 59 min
16. Did TJ Hit a Biker?! Broken Glasses, Hush Money & What Actually Went Down…
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.
February 19 · 1 hr 1 min
15. Reliving the Night We Thought We Were Being Kidnapped in Italy
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.

Mostly Thriving Podcast with Amanda + TJ

35. Amanda's Criminal Record?!

34. Amanda Feels a Shift Coming

33. Panic Attack Rehab?

32. *Barely* Thriving: Our Trip to Mackinac Island

31. Home Depot Influencer Trip Recap, Anxiety Updates & TJ Got Cussed Out?!

30. We Might Get Canceled For This...

29. An Olympic Gold Medalist Visited Our DIY Hockey Rink?!

27. The Marriage Advice We Wish We Had Sooner

26. Hot Takes on Weddings, Bridesmaids & Bachelorette Trips

25. How Influencers ACTUALLY Make Money

24. The Chaos Behind the Content: A Real Day in the Life of an Influencer

23. Getting Through the Trenches: Our Honest Parenting Struggles

22. What Life is Really like as an NHL Wife, Mom & Interior Designer | Jacqueline Chiarot

21. Spilling All the Tea from Our Trip to Anna Maria Island

20. You Asked... We Overshared (Q+A)

19. Bumper Sticker Beef & TJ Guesses Common Girl Terms

18. Anxiety, Panic Attacks & Parenting Through the Chaos (RERUN)

17. What It's REALLY Like When 20 Influencers Go on a Trip

16. Did TJ Hit a Biker?! Broken Glasses, Hush Money & What Actually Went Down…

15. Reliving the Night We Thought We Were Being Kidnapped in Italy

32. Barely Thriving: Our Trip to Mackinac Island