Our guest UpNext on the podcast is Ellie Rineck, and this conversation felt like catching up with an old friend who somehow manages to juggle everything. We talk about the reality of building multiple creative projects at once, how Ellie thinks about time and energy, and why making space for joy (yes, even spicy romance novels) matters more than ever. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin but still wildly inspired, this episode will make you feel seen.

Ellie Rineck the Multi-hyphenate

Ellie Rineck is a mom, podcast host, health tech professional, and co-founder of Pepper Books—a romance book subscription box designed around one very important question: how spicy do you want your books to be?

By day, Ellie works in healthcare technology, helping improve the lives of clinicians and patients. By night (often after bedtime routines), she hosts A Day in Her Life, where she invites women to share the honest, nitty-gritty details of what their days actually look like. Her work—across every platform—is rooted in normalizing real life, sparking joy, and reminding women they’re not alone.

Key Takeaways

• Normalize the full day, not just the highlight reel. Talking about the mundane makes life feel more human and less isolating.
• Invest in branding when it tells a story. Thoughtful design creates connection before a word is even spoken.
• Make your mental load visible. Calendars, systems, and visuals can transform overwhelm into clarity.
• Create joy without shame. Reading romance, resting, or choosing fun doesn’t need justification.
• Protect your energy, not just your time. You don’t need more hours—sometimes you need better boundaries.

Episode Highlights

00:01 — Ellie’s beautifully full plate: motherhood, health tech, podcasting, and Pepper Books
03:00 — Why great branding makes a business feel “real” (and fun)
05:47 — Ellie’s winding career path from pre-med to healthcare tech
08:05 — Managing four calendars and the reality of mental load
11:30 — How A Day in Her Life creates unexpected friendships
18:45 — Legacy, joy, and raising kids who know how to live independently
26:45 — Why romance novels deserve zero shame
29:20 — The photo Ellie would never delete
34:55 — The ultimate mom hack (hint: delegate the lunches)

Notable Quotes

“Our purpose is to raise kids who can leave the house.” — Ellie Rineck

“I think it’s clinical how many things I think about in a day—but I know I’m not alone.” — Ellie Rineck

“Reading sparks joy. And honestly? Who cares what kind of book you’re reading.” — Ellie Rineck

“If it’s not a f*ck yes, it’s a no.” — Ellie Rineck

“I want my kids to say my mom knew how to have fun—and taught us how to do the same.”

Resources & Mentios

• Link Kelly from Bright Method Episode on A Day in Her Life
• Link to the Skylight Calendar
• Pepper Books: The Romance Book Subscription Box company Ellie co-founded with Anna.
• Link to my episode on A Day in Her Life
• Ellie’s Substack
• The biz book Ellie Recommends: Unreasonable Hospitality

CONNECT WITH ELLIE:

• Podcast & Substack: A Day in Her Life
• Instagram: @adayinherlifepod
• Pepper Books shoppepperbooks.com | IG: @pepper_books

NEVER MISS AN EPISODE OF THE FRAME OF LIFE PODCAST

• Listen + Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
• Join the Frame of Life Community on Facebook
• Follow along on Instagram

CONNECT WITH OUR SPONSOR:

Get connected to entrepreneurs and resources to help your business thrive with the Retail Playground powered by UpNext . Use our code FOL15 for 15% off your monthly subscription.

You’ll also love…

Reframing the Every Day: Easy Kid Friendly Meals, Traditions, & Family Rhythms with Alix Mackey

Elegant Gifting Made Easy with Anna Ballard

Pop-Up Shops, Retail Playgrounds & Community Building