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In this episode of Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain, we dive into real-life motherhood, parenting, special needs advocacy, and what it looks like to start over when life doesn’t go as planned. Host Kayla is joined by author, podcast host, and former mom entrepreneur Jessica Danel for an honest conversation about marriage, burnout, business, and resilience.

Jessica shares her journey from building a million-dollar preschool business from the ground up to stepping away when motherhood — and advocating for a child with special needs — required everything she had. She opens up about identity loss, grief, faith, marriage after 25+ years, and the unexpected courage it takes to begin again in midlife.

Together, Kayla and Jessica talk about:

• Parenting children with special needs and navigating IEP advocacy
• Trusting your gut when professionals don’t listen
• The emotional toll of being the “default parent”
• Marriage, motherhood, and long-term commitment
• Walking away from a successful business without losing yourself
• Using humor to survive trauma, burnout, and overwhelm
• Why sharing your story matters — even when it’s messy

Jessica also dives into her memoir, Bucket List From a Redneck Girl, a raw and heartfelt collection of stories about childhood trauma, faith, resilience, and the moments where God shows up when you least expect it.

This episode is for any mom who has ever felt exhausted, unseen, or unsure if she’s doing enough — and needs the reminder that starting over doesn’t mean starting from nothing.

Guest Information

Jessica Danel
Author • Podcast Host • Mom • Entrepreneur

🌐 Website:
www.jesssaying.net

🎙 Podcast:

Jess Saying with Jessica Danel

📚 Book:
Bucket List From a Redneck Girl
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FC9M66CB

📱 Social Media:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessdanel

X (Twitter): https://x.com/Jessdanel

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-danel-mba-88970283/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessdanel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jessicadanel3

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-danel-mba-88970283/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jessicadanel4240

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/jesscuz

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@jessdanel

Truth: https://truthsocial.com/@JessicaDanel

Podcast Information

🎙 Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain

📱 Follow us on social media:
@Momsbrainisacoffeestain

🎧 Listen on Buzzsprout:
https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com

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What if the question isn’t “Which college should my kid go to?” but “Is my child actually ready for what comes next?”

In this episode of Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain, Kayla sits down with Prasant Nukalapati, lifelong educator, parent, and founder of What Comes Next Ed Consulting, for a deeply honest conversation about teens, college readiness, parent anxiety, and helping young people discover their why—not just their next step.

With over 27 years of experience working with teens and families, Prasant shares why the “college conveyor belt” doesn’t work for every student, how parental pressure (even when well-intended) can cloud decision-making, and what real readiness for college actually looks like.

Together, Kayla and Prasant unpack:

• Why college should be part of the journey—not the destination
• How parent anxiety shapes teen decision-making (often without us realizing it)
• The hidden challenges students face once they get to college
• Why self-advocacy and time management matter more than test scores
• What parents of kids with IEPs and learning differences need to know before college
• The truth about FERPA and why parents may not have access to grades
• Why gap years, trade schools, and alternative paths are not “falling behind”
• How to help teens discover their personal purpose using curiosity—not pressure

Prasant also shares a powerful framework for helping teens uncover their personal why by exploring:

1. What they’re passionate about
2. What they’re genuinely good at
3. How they want to contribute to others

This episode is a must-listen for parents who want to support their kids without forcing them into a one-size-fits-all future—and for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re doing “enough” as a parent during the college years.

Guest Information

Prasant Nukalapati
Founder, What Comes Next Ed Consulting

🌐 Website:

• https://whatcomesnextedconsulting.com
  
  
• https://wcned.com
  
  

Prasant offers free 30-minute consultations for families navigating college readiness, alternative pathways, and purpose-driven planning.

Podcast Information

🎙 Mom’s Brain Is a Coffee Stain

📱 Follow us on social media:
@ momsbrainisacoffeestain

🎧 Listen on Buzzsprout:
https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com

📧 Email us:
momsbrainisacoffeestain@outlook.com

Support the show

Send us a text

What does it really mean to “be that guy” in today’s world—and how can parents support their sons without pushing them further away?

In this powerful and honest conversation, Kayla sits down with DJ Logory, founder of Be That Guy, to talk about what’s really going on with young men today. DJ shares his own story of feeling lost in his early 20s, why confidence and direction can’t be forced by parents, and how habits, accountability, and community can completely change a young man’s trajectory.

Together, they unpack:

• Why so many young men feel stuck, unmotivated, or overwhelmed
• What parents often get wrong when trying to “help” their sons
• How small daily habits build confidence, discipline, and self-trust
• What young men actually want (but rarely say out loud)
• How parents can support growth without overstepping

This episode is a must-listen for parents raising sons, young men trying to figure out their next chapter, and anyone who wants to better understand masculinity, emotional intelligence, and growth in today’s culture.

Guest Information
DJ Logory
Instagram: @DJLogory
Website: http://www.bethatguyclub.com/

Podcast Information
Email: momsbrainisacoffeestain@outlook.com

Instagram & Socials: @momsbrainisacoffeestain
Buzzsprout: https://momsbrainisacoffeestain.buzzsprout.com

🎧 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share this episode with a parent or young adult who needs to hear it.

#Momsbrainisacoffeestain #BeThatGuy #PodMatch

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