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Rated Mom Podcast

Rated Mom Podcast

By: Heather Frye Jessica Peyton & Dena Cooke
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About this listen

 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
  • Behind the Mic - Meet Heather

    Behind the Mic - Meet Heather
    Mar 10 2026
    In this episode of Rated Mom Confessions, Heather, a 43-year-old mom from Charlottesville, opens up about becoming a mother at just 21 and the winding path that followed. From navigating two marriages to building a thriving career in real estate and mortgages, Heather shares the lessons she's learned along the way. She reflects on breaking generational cycles, raising three children with honesty and resilience, and learning to embrace her own growth. The conversation touches on family traditions, self-confidence, and the messy beauty of motherhood. With the hosts' relaxed and genuine style, this episode feels like an honest conversation among friends—reminding moms everywhere that imperfection is part of the journey. Powerful Quotes From the Episode - "No is a sentence. I do not have to be everything for everyone all the time." "I'm really proud of the life that I've built. I came from a somewhat toxic environment growing up." "I became a single mom at 21, and it was a lot to overcome." "I'm really proud of the generational curses that I've been able to break." "My why is to use the time I have on earth to change as many lives as I can." "My favorite thing about the podcast is the opportunity to talk about hard things that people don't normally talk about, and to let other women know that they're not alone." TimeStamps: Meet Heather: Background & Family (00:01:30) Heather shares her hometown, age, motherhood at 21, and marriage history. Career Journey & Roles (00:02:32) Heather describes her careers in mortgage, real estate, and helping with her husband's business. Entering the Mortgage Industry (00:03:46) Heather explains starting in mortgage at 16, working with her mom, and her early jobs. Career Longevity & Aspirations (00:06:23) Heather recounts her years in mortgage and childhood dream of being an actress. Advice & Misconceptions (00:06:23) Advice to her younger self, common misconceptions, strengths, and blind spots. Family Life & Favorite Activities (00:08:18) Heather discusses favorite vacations, family activities, and annual traditions. Hardest Season: Single Motherhood (00:09:51) Heather reflects on challenges and lessons from being a young single mom. Parenting Values & Lessons (00:10:56) Heather shares daily messages to her kids and the biggest lesson she teaches them. Kids' Ages & Parenting Rules (00:11:55) Heather reveals her kids' ages and a parenting rule she abandoned. Motherhood in One Word & Boundaries (00:12:17) Describes motherhood as "beautiful" and discusses setting boundaries. Pride & Overcoming Adversity (00:12:45) Heather expresses pride in building a stable, loving family despite a difficult upbringing. Family Structure & Dream Weekend (00:15:38) Talks about her close relationship with her mom, siblings, and ideal weekend activities. Music Preferences & Social Life (00:16:57) Heather shares favorite music genres, artists, and preferences for socializing. Lifestyle Preferences & Habits (00:18:27) Covers planning style, vacation preferences, karaoke songs, and how she spends free days. Personality & Communication Style (00:19:51) Discusses punctuality, TV habits, driving, texting, and dream places to live. Rapid Fire Favorites (00:21:10) Quick answers on food, sleep habits, texting vs. calling, sweet vs. salty, books vs. movies, and more. Superpowers & Hypotheticals (00:22:18) Heather chooses a superpower, movie genre for her life, skills to master, and time travel preference. Podcast Reflections & Closing (00:23:39) Heather shares what she loves about the podcast and offers final thoughts for moms. RESOURCES: 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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    12 mins
  • Rebuilding After Addiction: What Motherhood Taught Dena About Strength

    Rebuilding After Addiction: What Motherhood Taught Dena About Strength
    Feb 24 2026

    This week on Rated Mom Confessions, Dena shares a story of rebuilding that will stay with you.

    Dena opens up about overcoming addiction, redefining herself through motherhood, and building a life rooted in family, purpose, and second chances. From career shifts to becoming a successful loan officer, Dena reflects on what it really takes to rebuild — and how motherhood became both her anchor and her catalyst.

    With heartfelt moments and rapid-fire questions, this episode offers a raw and relatable look into growth, grace, and the complexity of Mom life and a woman who built her life from the ground up after addiction.

    Powerful Quotes From the Episode

    "Sometimes my blind spot is being too trusting of people."

    "The hardest season of my life was when I struggled with addiction in my late teen years."

    "That taught me growth, perseverance, and perspective on how precious life is."

    "The main thing I teach my kids is to be kind and respectful to others."

    "The biggest thing I'm working on is that 'no' is a sentence and not people-pleasing as much."

    "My why is definitely my family. That's what gets me up every day."

    "I love that I'm starting to catch myself doing things—it's almost like I'm getting some therapy from the podcast, which is awesome."

    RESOURCES:
    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
    Contact us for expert podcast production and support.
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    8 mins
  • Breaking the Cycle: How Small Changes Can Lead to Big Transformations for Women

    Breaking the Cycle: How Small Changes Can Lead to Big Transformations for Women
    Feb 11 2026
    In this episode, Heather, Dena, Jessica, and a guest discuss the challenges women—especially moms—face balancing work, family, and self-care. They explore how overwhelm can lead to self-isolation and share practical strategies like meal planning, delegating chores, and setting boundaries. The hosts emphasize the importance of small, intentional steps, self-reflection, and open communication to regain control and improve mental health. They candidly address imposter syndrome, the hidden burdens women carry, and the power of community support, encouraging listeners to be kind to themselves and embrace growth, even when it feels uncomfortable. Timestamps The Myth of Readiness & Taking the First Step (00:00:45) Discussion on not waiting to feel ready, and the importance of starting to move forward even when overwhelmed. Overwhelm and the Mental Load of Women/Moms (00:01:25) Listing the many responsibilities women, especially moms, juggle daily and how it leads to feeling stuck. Mindset Shift: Removing vs. Adding Tasks (00:02:51) Encouragement to take things off the to-do list instead of always adding more, and changing negative self-talk. Meal Planning Tools & Family Involvement (00:06:19) Sharing practical tools (like dry erase boards), involving family in meal planning, and saving money. Getting Back on Track After Disruptions (00:07:46) Strategies for regaining routines after disruptions and giving yourself permission to restart. Practical Steps to Regain Control (00:09:49) Offering actionable steps for listeners to start making progress, like meal planning and identifying stressors. Inventory & Delegation: Managing Stress (00:10:43) Encouraging listeners to inventory stressors, delegate tasks, and communicate needs to partners. Adjusting to Changing Family Roles (00:16:05) Personal stories about shifting family dynamics, especially after returning to work, and the need for shared responsibilities. Setting Boundaries & Saying No (00:17:33) Learning to say no, set boundaries, and avoid unnecessary busyness for better mental health. Breaking Out of Isolation & Taking Action (00:18:43) How taking small steps and getting out of isolation leads to increased productivity and well-being. Self-Care as Internal Work (00:19:16) Redefining self-care as internal work and clarity, not just relaxation or decompression. Applicability Beyond Moms & Internal vs. External Fixes (00:19:56) Noting these strategies apply to everyone, and emphasizing that internal issues can't be fixed with external solutions. Imposter Syndrome & Growth (00:22:17) Discussing imposter syndrome, feeling unworthy, and the value of being in uncomfortable growth situations. Leadership, Growth, and Potential (00:26:00) Reflections on leadership, helping others grow, and recognizing untapped potential in oneself and others. Permission to Ask for Help & Small Steps at Home (00:27:24) Encouragement to stop carrying burdens alone, ask for help, and start making small changes at home. Consistency, Grace, and Letting Go of Perfection (00:30:30) Advice to make small, consistent changes, involve family, and let go of perfectionism for a happier daily life. Powerful Quotes from the Episode Dena, "You have to move forward and do it even when you're still maxed out." Dena, "Ready isn't something you feel. It's something that you build by moving." Heather, "Give yourself permission to stop carrying it quietly." Dena, "Sometimes just saying, "This is hard. I need help," makes a difference." Dena, "Sometimes we feel like we're not worth the things, but we need that and we're worth it." 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 "Real change doesn't start when life feels calm—it starts when you choose one small step forward, even in the middle of the chaos." Podcast Produced and edited by the team at ResilientVoiceMedia.com Contact us for expert podcast production and support.
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    32 mins
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