🎙️ Episode 93. Cold Chaos, Cider, and TikTok Troubles: Navigating 2025 SO FAR!

Episode Summary
Welcome back to Chaotic Compass! In this episode, Stefanie dives into the chaos of winter, fires up her microphone to review a new cider, and discusses the wild dynamics of January 2025. From freezing temperatures to TikTok controversies and a heartfelt moment about fire prevention, this episode blends lighthearted humor with real-life seriousness.

What You'll Hear in This Episode

🥶 Winter Woes: Stefanie battles sub-freezing temperatures, snow chaos in the South, and recalls her childhood snow "fashion."

🍎 Cider Spotlight: A review of North Country Hard Cider's "Honey Badger"—find out if it’s worth a sip.

🔥 Fire Safety Anecdotes: Stefanie’s Pop-Tart toaster story and tips on fire awareness for families.

🏠 Mother Nature Mayhem: Thoughts on California wildfires, relief efforts, and how to help.

📱 TikTok on Trial: Stefanie’s take on Congress’s approach to banning TikTok and its impact on creators and businesses.

🎤 Throwbacks & Nostalgia: From baggy jeans to learning tech with your mom—Stefanie compares generational gaps to Congress's understanding of tech.

Featured Cider

North Country Hard Cider: "Honey Badger"

Based in Dover, New Hampshire. Check them out for more unique cider flavors!

Resources Mentioned

North Country Hard Cider (Add their link to your show notes!)

Fire safety resources from the American Red Cross.

TikTok ban developments—check out articles for the latest updates.

Action Items for Listeners

🍏 What’s your favorite winter cider? DM me on Instagram with your recommendations!

🔥 Share your funniest childhood fire-safety fail—bonus points if it involves Pop-Tarts!

📱 Are you affected by the TikTok ban? Let’s discuss!

Let’s Connect!

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.
💻 Visit me at Chaotic Compass.
📱 Follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
✉️ DM me or drop your chaos stories—I’d love to share a laugh with you!

Don’t Forget
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend who hates the cold, loves cider, or has strong feelings about TikTok! And leave a review—it helps the chaos continue

🎙️ Episode 92. Snow, Sickness, and Surviving Solo Parenting: Navigating this Week's Chaos

Episode Summary
Hey there, it’s Stefanie! Buckle up, because this week I’m spilling all the tea about the absolute chaos of my life lately. From surviving the post-holiday stomach bug apocalypse (spoiler alert: we made it!) to sneaking away for a rare kid-free weekend, and then getting snowed in with friends, this episode has it all. Oh, and did I mention solo parenting while trying not to burn the house down? Yeah, it’s been a week. Grab your drink of choice and get ready to laugh, cringe, and maybe even feel a little better about your own life.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

Norovirus: The Holiday Hangover Nobody Wanted
Just when we thought we’d escaped the holiday madness, the stomach bug came for us. It started with my mother-in-law and then struck poor Liam just in time for New Year’s. Nothing says “Happy New Year” like cleaning up puke and praying you’re not next.

Weekend Getaway to Culpeper, VA
My husband and I finally ditched the kids for a weekend! Culpeper was a dream—breweries, cideries, and even a retro arcade where I could relive my Street Fighter glory days. Shoutout to Old Trade Cidery for their epic flights of cider. And Throwback Arcade? You’re my new happy place.

Snowstorm Shenanigans
We got trapped by snow while visiting friends outside Richmond, turning a casual hangout into an overnight adventure. Turns out, snowstorms have a way of derailing your plans and school schedules, but hey, we made the best of it with good wine and great company.

Solo Parenting: Send Coffee (and Cider)
With my husband off on a work trip, I had to manage all the things. Early-morning theater drop-offs, kid-wrangling, and even feeding his fish (which I’m pretty sure hates me). Let’s just say, I’ve never been more ready for Kylie to get her driver’s license.

Shoutouts from the Chaos

Old Trade Cidery: Second only to my one true cider love, Sly Clyde. 💻Wesbite here

Throwback Arcade in Culpeper: Unlimited free-play pinball and retro games—yes, please! 💻Website here

Culpeper’s Main Street: Y’all are killing it with the cute shops and small business vibes.

Coxy, Cute Farmhouse Airbnb - Link here

Let’s Connect!

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.
💻 Visit me at Chaotic Compass.
📱 Follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
✉️ DM me or drop your chaos stories—I’d love to share a laugh with you!

Challenge for My Listeners
Got a crazy story to share? Message me, and you might just inspire a future episode!

Before You Go
If you laughed, nodded along, or just feel a little better about your life after listening, hit subscribe and leave a review. Share this chaos with your friends and family—you know they need it too. Thanks for keeping me caffeinated and motivated, y’all!

Episode 91. Chaos Before the Storm: Navigating the Holiday Mayhem

Host: Stefanie Wainwright

The holidays are here, and they’re bringing all the chaos! From anxiety-inducing chorus concerts to Target shopping mayhem, and even a heated family debate over Santa’s funding, this episode is packed with stories that will make you laugh, cringe, and nod in solidarity.

In This Episode

🎵 Chorus Concert Chaos: No seats, overcrowded rooms, and a short daughter you can’t see—navigating a fifth-grade chorus concert turns into a test of patience and endurance.

🎯 Target Trouble: Stefanie recounts her adventures in pre-Christmas shopping madness, including losing her husband repeatedly, a near cart theft, and hiding in the men's shampoo aisle to escape the chaos.

🎅 Santa's Funding Debate: A lighthearted yet intense discussion among the kids about how Santa finances his operation leads to an unexpected twist—getting the waitress involved!

📸 Family Photo Fiasco: Stefanie shares the drama behind capturing the perfect family photo when her almost-14-year-old stepson refuses to smile.

Takeaways:

Managing expectations during the holidays can help preserve your sanity.

Sometimes, you just have to laugh through the chaos—because what else can you do?.

Let’s Connect!

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.
💻 Visit me at Chaotic Compass.
📱 Follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
✉️ DM me or drop your chaos stories—I’d love to share a laugh with you!