Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast A Heart That Beats for Home
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102. The Little Things That Quietly Tear Down Our Homes | 15 oct. 2026 | 00:32:28 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Have you ever stopped to consider the little things that might be quietly stealing joy from your home? We spend so much time trying to protect our families from the big things that we can overlook the small attitudes, habits, distractions, and compromises that slowly begin to take root. In Song of Solomon 2:15, we're reminded to catch the little foxes that spoil the vineyards. And while this beautiful imagery originally speaks to protecting love, I believe there's a powerful lesson here for us as wives and mothers. This week, I'm inviting you into another conversation filled with a little coffee, conviction, and confession as I share four areas the Lord has been working on in my own heart. We're talking about forgetting whom we're really serving, allowing grumbling and complaining to become part of our everyday lives, losing the joy of serving our families, and becoming so distracted by good things that we lose sight of the most important things. Because sometimes the very life we once prayed for can begin to feel like a burden when we lose sight of the blessing. And sometimes, without even realizing it, we can be working so hard to build beautiful homes while allowing little attitudes and habits to quietly tear down what we're trying to build. My hope is that this conversation won't leave you feeling condemned, but encouraged to examine your heart, recognize what needs attention, and invite the Lord to continue refining you. Because the goal isn't simply to do all the right things for our families. It's to love them well in the process. Let's be women who intentionally cultivate homes filled with joy, gratitude, peace, and love. I'm so grateful you're here, friend. Scripture referenced
JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 101. Stop Fixing Everything: Giving Our Kids Room to Grow | 08 oct. 2026 | 00:37:02 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. As our kids get older, one of the hardest parts of parenting is knowing when to step in and when to step back. This week’s episode came out of a conversation I had with a girlfriend about that exact tension. When do we let our kids make their own decisions? When do we allow natural consequences to do some of the teaching? And how do we begin releasing control without releasing the responsibility we still have as parents? I want my kids to fail at home. Not because I want life to be hard for them, but because home is one of the safest places for them to make manageable mistakes, learn how to repair what went wrong, build resilience, and discover that they are capable of figuring things out. In this episode, we talk about:
We don’t have to solve every manageable problem for our kids. We can guide them. We can ask good questions. We can share wisdom. We can protect them when the stakes are truly high. And then, sometimes, we have to give them enough room to try. Because ultimately, we aren’t raising children who will always need us to manage their lives. We are raising future adults who need to know: I can think through this. I can make a decision. I can own the outcome. I can repair a mistake. And I can try again. Maybe the question for us isn’t, “Did I do everything I could to make sure they made the right decision?” Maybe it’s, “Did I say what mattered, give them the guidance they needed, and leave enough room for them to grow?” JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 100. 100 Episodes Later: The Words I Still Carry With Me | 01 oct. 2026 | 01:04:54 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. 100 episodes. It’s honestly a little hard to believe we’re here. When A Heart That Beats for Home began nearly three years ago, I knew I had a heart for encouraging women to cultivate strong marriages, intentional families, and homes centered around biblical truth. What I didn’t know was where God would take it. One hundred episodes later, this little podcast has been listened to in 97 countries, 2,228 cities, and six of the seven continents. We’ve shared 63 solo episodes and welcomed guests for 37 interviews—and somehow this community continues to grow. More than the numbers, though, I’m overwhelmed by the stories. The messages from women who heard exactly what they needed in a difficult season. The conversations that have made their way into marriages and parenting and friendships. The listeners who have shared an episode with someone they love. And the incredible privilege I’ve had of sitting across from people whose wisdom has changed the way I think and live. So for episode 100, we’re going back into the archives. I’m sharing five conversations that have stayed with me long after I stopped recording—truths I still repeat, share with friends, and come back to in my own marriage, parenting, faith, and life. We’ll revisit Marc and Lori’s powerful picture of strengthening a marriage by “overseeding” the good instead of becoming consumed with pulling weeds, along with the reminder that our feelings can be strong without always being true. We’ll hear from Betsy Dirkse about recognizing and honoring the weight our spouses carry—and the importance of seeking to understand one another instead of only focusing on what we ourselves are carrying. Justin Whitmel Earley reminds us that “the Lord is more gracious than we are hardworking,” that we can create healthy ruts of habit for our children without believing their entire future rests on our shoulders, and that while our habits don’t change God’s love for us, our love for God should absolutely change our habits. We’ll return to one of the most difficult and beautiful conversations I’ve ever had, with Hadley, whose story of unimaginable loss taught me something I have repeated countless times since: God does not give us today the grace we would need for tomorrow’s tragedy. He gives us the grace when we need it. We do not have to live today afraid that we couldn't survive something God has not asked us to walk through. And finally, I’m sharing part of one of the most personally meaningful interviews I’ve ever recorded—my conversation with John O’Leary. We talked about our dads, Parkinson’s, suffering, faith, and wrestling with the question of “why?” That conversation eventually led to an experience with John and my own dad that I will treasure for the rest of my life. These are only five moments out of 100 episodes, but they represent so much of what I pray this podcast will always be: a place where we learn from one another, tell the truth about real life, point one another toward Jesus, and become more intentional about the homes and relationships entrusted to us. To every person who has listened, shared an episode, sent me a message, left a review, encouraged me, or simply pressed play week after week—thank you. Here’s to 100 episodes. And, Lord willing, there is so much more to come. If A Heart That Beats for Home has encouraged you, would you take a moment to rate and review the show on the podcast platform where you listen? Those ratings and reviews help more people discover the show—and ultimately help these conversations find their way into more homes. Thank you for being part of this community. 🤍 Marc & Lori’s full marriage episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000757475559 Betsy Dirkse full episode: Part 1- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000676940174 Part 2-https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000677761988 Justin Whitmel Earley’s full episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000734194249 Check out a few of my favorite books of Justin’s: The Body Teaches the Soul: Hadley’s full Beauty From Ashes episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000684221659 John O’Leary’s full episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000727335069 Soul on Fire Movie — https://johnolearyinspires.com/soulonfire/ JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 99. The Stories Our Children Will Need When Life Gets Hard | 24 sept. 2026 | 00:42:31 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What are the “stones” in your family, the stories you never want your children to forget? In Joshua 4, God instructed the Israelites to take twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River and build a memorial. Why? So that one day, when their children asked, “What do these stones mean?” they could tell them the story of God’s faithfulness. In this deeply personal episode, Nikki reflects on the stones within her own family: miscarriage and postpartum depression, closed doors that became protection, unexpected redirection, hospital rooms, a heart attack, pulmonary embolisms, and seasons when the ending was anything but certain. But God’s faithfulness cannot be measured only by whether a story ends the way we hoped. Sometimes the stone says, “Look what God fixed.” Other times, it simply says, “God was with us there.” This conversation is an invitation to remember where God has met your family, and to intentionally pass those stories on to your children. Because someday they will face their own closed doors, unanswered prayers, hospital rooms, and Jordans. When that day comes, may they have stones to look back on that remind them: God was with us there. In this episode:
Scriptures referenced:
Resources mentioned:
If you are walking through a difficult season—or if you have questions about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus—please reach out. Nikki would be honored to connect with you, pray with you, or help you find a Bible and a place to begin. Next week, join us as we celebrate the 100th episode of A Heart That Beats for Home and revisit some of the most meaningful lessons and conversations from the past three years. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 98. Beyond ‘Fine’: How to Have Deeper Conversations With Your Kids | 17 sept. 2026 | 00:28:29 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. We all want deeper relationships with the people we love, but sometimes we’re waiting for meaningful conversations to happen instead of learning how to invite them. In this episode, Nikki explores the art of asking good questions and how simple curiosity can help our children, teenagers, spouses, and friends feel truly known, heard, and seen. She shares seven practical ways to move beyond questions that produce one-word answers and create conversations that build genuine connection. You’ll learn why our questions need to grow as our children grow, how to ask the important second question, and why listening without immediately correcting, advising, or trying to fix the problem matters so much. Nikki also discusses staying curious about your spouse, becoming a safe place for honest answers, and building enough margin into family life for meaningful conversations to unfold. Loving someone isn’t only knowing who they’ve been, it’s staying curious about who they’re becoming. This week, choose one person you love, ask a question you’ve never asked before, and then stay long enough to truly listen to the answer. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 97. Nothing Humbles You Quite Like Your Kids | 10 sept. 2026 | 00:32:00 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What happens when you ask your kids what you do that makes them cringe? For this episode, the answer came from a simple phrase: “my mama heart.” What started as a funny conversation with a daughter turned into a much bigger realization... of course our kids don’t fully understand the mama heart yet. They haven’t experienced one. Motherhood changes the way a heart operates. We feel their disappointments, celebrate their wins, worry about things completely outside of our control, and sometimes find ourselves wanting to step in and fix what may not actually be ours to fix. This episode explores the joy, worry, pride, fear, letting go, and deep love that come with a mama heart, along with four practical reminders for navigating it all: • Name what you’re actually carrying. From knowing when to step in and when to simply stand close, to learning to surrender the things we cannot control, this conversation is a reminder that we can love our children deeply without carrying everything for them. And maybe that phrase our kids think is a little cringey? Someday, they’ll understand. Show Resources: Praying the Scriptures for Your Children: https://amzn.to/4ysaJqK Praying the Scriptures for Your Teens: https://amzn.to/3UyziDN Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children: https://amzn.to/4A7fnw0 JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 96. Why Mom Sets the Tone of the Home: Tips to Thrive This Summer | 21 mai 2026 | 00:50:45 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Biblical Resources for Families: Favorite Children's Bibles: Favorite Books: You are Special by Max Lucado: https://amzn.to/497d6VM You are Mine by Max Lucado: https://amzn.to/4nJTJrW Because I Love You by Max Lucado: https://amzn.to/4v2vffW Tale of the Poisonous Yuck Bug: https://booksrun.com/9780310709558-tale-of-the-poisonous-yuck-bugs-based-on-proverbs-12-18-insect-inside-series-the This week on A Heart That Beats for Home, we’re talking about the emotional atmosphere inside our homes and the powerful role peace plays within the walls we live in every day. As moms, we often carry more influence over the tone of our homes than we even realize. In this episode, Nikki shares practical ways we can intentionally cultivate peace instead of chaos, connection instead of control, and emotional safety instead of tension, especially heading into the busy summer months when routines shift and emotions can run high. Through personal stories, biblical encouragement, and honest reflections on motherhood, Nikki walks through practical ways to reset when we feel overwhelmed, how to slow the emotional pace of our homes, why quick repair matters so deeply, and the importance of creating homes where people feel safe, seen, and able to exhale. The episode closes with a deeply personal reflection on her children’s recent baptisms and the reminder that the ordinary rhythms of motherhood, bedtime routines, conversations, songs, and small moments, are often the very places where God is quietly doing kingdom work. This episode is an encouragement to every mom who has ever wondered if the little things matter. They do. Podcast Episode with Justin Whitmel Earley: (box breathing reference) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000734194249 Podcast Episode with Marc & Lori Maillefer: (Creating an Environment of Peace/ Candlelight Dinners) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000757475559 Bible Verses:
JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 95. Protecting Our Children in a Digital Age with Ryann Bauer | 14 mai 2026 | 01:05:48 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. This week on A Heart That Beats for Home, I’m joined by Ryann Bauer for one of the most powerful and important conversations we’ve had on the podcast. Ryann shares her deeply personal story of childhood abandonment, depression, self-harm, and becoming a young mom, and how God slowly redeemed her pain and turned it into purpose. What began as heartbreak has now become a passionate mission to protect children and raise awareness around human trafficking, grooming, and child exploitation. Together, we talk honestly about the realities parents are facing in today’s digital world, from gaming platforms and social media apps to the subtle signs of grooming that so many families miss. Ryann shares firsthand stories from her work alongside Dark Horse and law enforcement, helping educate parents and communities on how predators are accessing children online and what we can do to better protect them. This conversation is eye-opening, emotional, practical, and incredibly needed. We also talk about Ryann’s vision for Freedom Bridge, a restoration ranch for survivors of trafficking and exploitation, where healing, purpose, mentorship, and faith can help women and children rebuild their lives. More than anything, this episode is a reminder that we cannot parent from fear, but we must parent with awareness, wisdom, and intentionality. I pray this conversation encourages you to lean in, ask hard questions, stay engaged in your children’s digital lives, and remember that our homes can be places of safety, truth, and healing.
JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 94. Consistency, Grace, and the Legacy of Home with My Mom, Monique Cronk | 07 mai 2026 | 00:59:06 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. This week’s episode is one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve ever shared on the podcast. In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m sitting down with my own mom, Monique, for a conversation about motherhood, faith, marriage, family, loss, legacy, and the beauty found in ordinary everyday life. My mom was married at 18 years old and went on to raise five daughters over nearly three decades of nonstop parenting. She shares openly about seasons of infertility and miscarriage, raising a family on a very tight budget, building a home centered around faith, and the lessons she learned through the many different stages of motherhood. From little girls gathered around the kitchen table to now watching grandchildren and even great-grandchildren grow, her life is a beautiful reminder that consistency, prayer, grace, and simple everyday faithfulness leave a legacy far greater than perfection ever could. Throughout this conversation, we reflect on what made our home feel so safe and connected growing up, how faith was woven naturally into everyday life, why relationships matter more than rigid rules, and how parenting changes as children become adults. We also talk about grief, hard seasons, trusting God through uncertainty, and the importance of staying present in the years that often feel exhausting while you’re living them. There are so many moments in motherhood that can feel mundane, repetitive, and unseen. But looking back now, so much of what felt ordinary at the time became the very foundation of the relationships, memories, and faith that continue to shape our family today. My prayer is that this episode encourages you, whether you are a young mom in the thick of raising little ones, navigating the teenage years, missing your own mother this Mother’s Day, longing to become a mom, or simply needing the reminder that the work you are doing inside your home matters deeply. This conversation is tender, honest, emotional, and full of wisdom I know I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. I’m so grateful I get to share it with you. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 93. Connecting with Your Teen and Young Adults in Ways That Last | 30 avr. 2026 | 00:37:31 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. This week’s episode is a continuation of a conversation that I truly believe every parent of teens and young adults needs to hear. After revisiting one of the very first episodes of this podcast last week, I was reminded just how relevant these principles still are, and how much they continue to shape the way I parent today. So this week, we’re finishing that conversation. In this episode, we walk through three powerful ways to build deeper, lasting connection with your teens and young adults—especially in seasons that can feel overwhelming or uncertain. We talk about:
One of the most powerful reminders in this episode is the idea that parenting is like gardening. Each child has different needs, different wiring, and different ways they grow best, and it’s our role to pay attention and nurture them accordingly. Whether this is your first time hearing this conversation or a revisit, my prayer is that it meets you right where you are and gives you one or two simple takeaways to help strengthen connection in your home. Because at the end of the day… connection is what lasts. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 92. Parenting Teens Without Constant Conflict: Where to Hold the Line (and Where to Let Go) | 23 avr. 2026 | 00:41:33 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. This week’s episode is a little different, and one I’m really excited to bring back. As I was preparing to record a new episode on the topic of principles vs. preferences in parenting, I went back to revisit what I had already shared in the very early days of this podcast… and I was reminded just how much this conversation still matters. In fact, it felt too important to try to recreate. So today, we’re revisiting one of the very first episodes of A Heart That Beats for Home, a conversation around building connection with our teens and young adults, and learning how to choose what truly matters. We’re diving into:
Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or you’re newer to the podcast, I truly believe this is one of those conversations that hits differently depending on the season you’re in. Sometimes we don’t need new information… we need the right reminder. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 91. Navigating Life in Seasons of Soaring and Struggling | 16 avr. 2026 | 00:37:34 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. As this episode goes live, I’m celebrating my 48th birthday, and I felt a strong pull to pause what I had planned and just sit down for a real, honest conversation with you. Looking back over the last 48 years, one thing is so clear: life is not a straight line. It’s a mix of seasons. Seasons of soaring and seasons of struggling. Times where we feel like we’re thriving in one area while quietly falling apart in another. In this episode, I’m sharing personal reflections from my own life in areas like physical health, mental health, marriage, motherhood, and business. The highs, the lows, and the lessons that have come from both. We talk about the pressure to “balance it all,” the reality that something often gives, and how learning to prioritize what matters most is far more important than trying to do everything perfectly. I also share openly about some of the hardest seasons I’ve walked through, including postpartum depression and times of deep struggle, and how God used those moments in ways I never could have seen at the time. If you’re in a season where you feel like you’re dropping the ball, stretched thin, or wondering when things will feel lighter again, this episode is for you. A few takeaways I hope you hold onto: And remember... spring always comes. Resources Mentioned in Episode: Forever Photo Solutions - https://www.forever.com/sign_up?referral_token=nicole-smith--1 Brick: https://www.getbrick.com/NIKKI27406 JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 90. When You Lose It as a Mom (And What to Do Next) | 09 avr. 2026 | 00:43:52 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Have you ever had a moment where you just snap—and the second it’s over, you wish you could take it all back? In this honest and personal solo episode, I’m sharing a moment from last week where I lost my cool as a wife and mom—and what God has been teaching me through it. Because the truth is, so many of us are trying to hold it all together, and when we don’t, we often carry shame instead of allowing it to lead us into growth. We talk a lot about getting things right, but today we’re talking about what to do when we get it wrong. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, dysregulated, frustrated, or like you’re failing in your home, this conversation is for you. I walk through what led to that breaking point, the warning signs I ignored, and the practical tools I’m learning to put in place so I can respond differently next time. We dive into how most blow-ups aren’t about one single moment, but the buildup of exhaustion, unmet expectations, and unspoken needs. I share the importance of naming what’s actually going on beneath the surface, creating space to pause and regulate, and learning how to reframe the thoughts in our mind before they spiral into something bigger than they need to be. We also talk about what it looks like to take real ownership when we mess up—being quick to repent, slower to repeat, and repairing connection without excuses. And most importantly, we unpack the difference between living in grace versus shame in motherhood. Shame tells us we are the problem, that we’ve failed, and that we’ll never change. Grace reminds us that we are growing, that one moment does not define us, and that with God’s help, we can continue becoming the women, wives, and moms we are called to be. This episode is a reminder that the goal is not perfection—it’s progress. It’s about creating a home where love, safety, and grace are felt, where repair is normal, and where our kids don’t remember a perfect house, but a peaceful and secure place to grow. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or discouraged in this season, I pray this conversation meets you right where you are and encourages you to keep going, one small step of growth at a time. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 89. Don’t Burn Down Your Own House: Fighting for Your Marriage with Lindsey Maestas | 02 avr. 2026 | 01:01:57 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. In this episode, I sit down with Lindsey Maestas for a conversation that feels both honest and deeply hopeful for anyone navigating the realities of marriage. Coming off our Marriage Through the Decades series, this conversation couldn’t be more timely. Lindsey brings both truth and tenderness as she shares from her own story—walking through seasons of exhaustion, disconnection, and even moments where their marriage felt like it was on the brink. We talk about what really leads marriages toward breakdown—not the big, obvious issues, but the subtle patterns of contempt, resentment, and unmet expectations that quietly build over time. Lindsey shares openly about the moment she nearly “burned her own house down,” and the turning point that led her and her husband back toward healing. In this episode, we dive into: • Why contempt is one of the most dangerous patterns in marriage Lindsey reminds us that marriage isn’t about perfection—it’s about perseverance. It’s about choosing, again and again, to build instead of tear down. If you’re in a hard season, or even just feeling the slow drift that can happen over time, this conversation will both challenge and encourage you to lean back in and fight for what matters most. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Find and Follow Lindsey at: Website - https://sparrowsandlily.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/livingeasywithlindsey/ Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-easy-with-lindsey/id1481805272 Dont Burn Your Own House Down - https://amzn.to/4sXuJik JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 88. Marriage Through The Decades: 44 Years of Marriage and the Practices That Make Love Last with Marc & Lori Maillefer | 26 mars 2026 | 01:02:13 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. n the final week of the Marriage Through the Decades series, Nikki sits down with Marc and Lori Maillefer, a couple who have been married for 44 years and who have played a deeply meaningful role as mentors in Nikki and Jed’s life. Their marriage has been shaped by decades of ministry, raising five children, navigating grief and hardship, and learning to continually choose one another through every season of life. With humility and honesty, Marc and Lori share the rhythms and practices that have sustained their marriage over more than four decades. From simple habits like walking together and prioritizing family meals to deeper commitments like forgiveness, repentance, and extending grace in seasons of conflict, they offer wisdom gained through years of living out their faith in the everyday moments of marriage. They also speak candidly about communication, trust, and the importance of cultivating healthy rhythms that protect a relationship—whether that means going to bed at the same time, protecting time together, or creating a family culture centered around connection rather than correction. Through stories from their early years of marriage, raising children, and now entering a season of empty nesting and grandparenting, they remind listeners that strong marriages are not built on perfection but on commitment, humility, and God’s sustaining grace. For couples who feel discouraged or weary, this episode offers both encouragement and perspective. Marc shares a powerful image of two doors—repentance and forgiveness—reminding listeners that reconciliation and renewal are always possible through Christ. Whether you are in your first years of marriage or decades in, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that God is faithful to restore, strengthen, and grow a marriage when we continue to seek Him together. Episode 5 - 4 Questions That Can Help You Move Forward with Confidence: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2232091/episodes/14423409-5-4-questions-that-can-help-you-move-forward-with-confidence Episode 20 - Navigating Love Languages in Parenting and Marriage: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2232091/episodes/14924383-20-navigating-love-languages-in-parenting-and-marriage JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 87. Marriage Through the Decades: Trusting God in Every Season with Loren & Sue Tucker | 19 mars 2026 | 00:58:23 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. In week three of the Marriage Through the Decades series, Nikki sits down with Loren and Sue Tucker, a couple who have been married for 35 years and whose influence has stretched across generations. This conversation is especially meaningful as Loren and Sue were Nikki’s youth pastors during some of the most formative years of her life. With warmth, wisdom, and humility, they reflect on marriage, parenting, empty nesting, grandparenting, ministry, and the faithfulness of God through every season. Together, they share what it looked like to raise four children with intentionality, how they learned to release fear as their children grew into adulthood, and why asking good questions became such an important part of their family culture. They talk honestly about the challenge of letting go of control, the beauty of watching adult children build lives and families of their own, and the joy of welcoming grandchildren. Loren and Sue also speak candidly about the realities of marriage over time, including the need to deny self, guard your thought life, communicate with wisdom, and keep your eyes fixed on Christ. This episode is filled with practical encouragement for couples in every season, from raising teenagers to navigating an empty nest. More than anything, it is a conversation about faithfulness—faithfulness in marriage, faithfulness in parenting, faithfulness in ministry, and the steady grace of God that carries us through it all. Loren and Sue’s story is a beautiful reminder that strong marriages are not built on perfection, but on humility, growth, deep trust in the Lord, and a willingness to keep showing up for one another year after year. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 86.Marriage Through The Decades: Protecting What You’ve Built in Marriage with Eric & Lindsay Parks | 12 mars 2026 | 00:54:08 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. In week two of the Marriage Through the Decades series, Nikki sits down with Eric and Lindsay Parks for an honest and encouraging conversation about what it looks like to protect what you’ve built in marriage and family life. Married for 23 years and raising five children, Eric and Lindsay share wisdom from a season filled with busy schedules, teenagers, college students, work demands, and the everyday realities of building a strong home. Together, they talk about why a healthy marriage is foundational to a thriving family, how caring for their individual walks with the Lord strengthens their relationship, and why prioritizing faith, family, and intentional connection has mattered so deeply through every stage. This episode explores the importance of affirming one another in marriage, creating peace in the home, and staying rooted in what truly matters rather than getting swept up in productivity and cultural pressure. Eric offers thoughtful perspective on providing for a family while remaining present at home, and Lindsay shares what it has looked like to faithfully pour into her role as a wife, mother, and homemaker while also stepping into creative work and new opportunities. Their conversation also touches on communication, intimacy, serving one another well, and the power of small, daily choices that strengthen a marriage over time. Throughout the episode, Eric and Lindsay offer practical encouragement for couples in the thick of raising children and managing full lives. They remind listeners that marriage takes intention, communication, sacrifice, and the willingness to keep fighting for what has eternal value. This conversation is a rich reminder that while no marriage is perfect, a Christ-centered home built on love, humility, and shared priorities creates a legacy that lasts far beyond the day-to-day demands of life. The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lysa TerKeurst Find and Follow Lindsay Parks at: https://thehousetheparksbuilt.com/ JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 85. Marriage Through The Decades: Choosing Each Other When It’s Not Easy with Cody & Lyndsey Tinsley | 05 mars 2026 | 01:04:25 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Over the next four weeks, we’ll hear from four couples in four different decades of marriage, from 11 years all the way to 44. Each story is unique, but they share a common thread: faith, real struggles, and the grace it takes to keep choosing each other through every season. To begin the series, I’m joined by Lyndsey and Cody, who have been married for 11 years and are raising two young kids. Lyndsey is an entrepreneur and mom at home, and Cody works in the oil and gas industry while also pursuing graduate school. Like many young families, their life is busy and full. In this conversation, Lyndsey and Cody share their honest story, from a fun blind-date beginning and a whirlwind engagement, to the challenges that came from very different upbringings, busy schedules, and the slow breakdown in communication that eventually brought their marriage to a breaking point around the seven-year mark. What makes their story so powerful is what happened next. Through prayer, humility, and a renewed commitment to seek God first, they began rebuilding their marriage in a completely new way. Cody shares how surrendering control and pursuing a personal relationship with God transformed how he shows up as a husband and father, while Lyndsey reflects on the importance of grace, understanding love languages, and protecting time together in the middle of busy family life. Their story is a beautiful reminder that marriages rarely fall apart overnight—but healing and restoration can begin in the smallest steps of faith, humility, and choosing each other again. Next week we continue the series with another couple in a different decade of marriage. I can’t wait for you to hear what they share. EPISODE RESOURCES: Carletta Nelson Podcast Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000651405059 Love Languages Podcast Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000656490803 5 Love Languages Books: Children’s Bibles: JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 84. Marriage Through the Decades Series | 26 févr. 2026 | 00:21:45 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What if one of the greatest gifts we can give our children isn’t a perfect childhood, but a healthy marriage to grow up inside of? In this special kickoff episode, we’re introducing a four-week series called Marriage Through the Decades. This series isn’t about picture-perfect relationships or pretending anyone has it all together. It’s about real couples in real seasons who keep choosing each other—again and again. Over the next four weeks, you’ll hear from four couples married across four different decades: From raising young children to navigating teens, launching adults, and stepping into retirement, each season looks different. But the foundations of friendship, faithfulness, intentionality, and commitment remain steady. In this episode, we talk about why marriage shapes the atmosphere of our homes, how our kids learn love and conflict resolution by watching us, and why protecting your relationship, even in the busiest seasons, matters more than we often realize. This conversation is about being intentional, not impressive. Marriage is hard, but it is worth fighting for. Next week, we begin with a powerful story of restoration from a couple who nearly lost their marriage in the first decade, and what it looked like to rebuild what felt completely broken. Join us as we walk through the decades together. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 83. Meeting God in the Middle of the Mess with Devan Holman | 19 févr. 2026 | 00:51:04 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Some days feel like you’re barely holding the house, the calendar, and your own heart together, and you wonder if you’re failing at life. Today’s conversation will meet you right there. Nikki sits down with Deon Holman, wife, mom of three, and writer of an upcoming 30-day devotional project Messy Days, Mighty God, to talk about finding Jesus in the middle of full schedules, ordinary motherhood, and real-life discouragement. Deon shares the “building project” framework behind her devotional, including three daily pillars that helped her clear the fog during a hard season: time with Jesus, training your body, and intentional nutrition, with Jesus as the true foundation. They also talk about “demo day” (what to tear down, surrender, and release), how to build rhythms that support genuine faith without legalism, and why secondhand inspiration can never replace meeting with God personally. If you’ve been craving joy, spiritual steadiness, and a faith that fits into messy life instead of waiting for the perfect quiet moment… this episode is for you. Connect with Devan: Newsletter: https://devanholman.myflodesk.com/newsletter
Instagram Website:
Seeds Family Worship Music: JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 82. The Greatest of These Is Love: Raising Kids Who Know How to Love Well | 12 févr. 2026 | 00:45:09 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Valentine’s week often centers around flowers, feelings, and romance. But what if love is meant to be much deeper and much more daily than that? In this episode, we step back and ask a foundational question: if the greatest commandment is to love, what does that actually look like inside our homes? Not the cultural version of love built on emotion and attraction, but biblical love rooted in action, commitment, humility, and truth. Together we explore: • The difference between emotional love and chosen love This is not a formula for flawless parenting. It’s an invitation to faithful love. One day, your children will describe what it felt like to grow up in your house. They may not remember every rule or routine, but they will remember the atmosphere. The tone. The way conflict was handled. The way grace was extended. The way love was lived. We can’t edit the story later. But we are writing it now, in ordinary dinners, random Tuesday nights, and quiet moments no one else sees. Biblical love isn’t seasonal. It’s daily. And it has the power to shape generations. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 81. Excruciatingly Beautiful: When Joy and Grief Collide in Motherhood | 05 févr. 2026 | 00:34:29 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. In this heartfelt episode, Nikki shares an honest conversation about the tension so many mothers feel but rarely name, the joy and grief that exist side by side as our children grow and begin to let go of our hands. From sending a child off to college to watching her youngest drive away for the first time, Nikki reflects on the moments that feel both painful and beautiful at once. She introduces the phrase “excruciatingly beautiful” to describe this season of motherhood where pride, loss, love, and change collide. This episode is an encouragement to every mom navigating transitions, whether you’re holding a newborn, dropping off a kindergartener, or launching a young adult. You are not alone in what you feel, and you don’t have to choose between celebrating your child and grieving what’s changing. Motherhood was never meant to be easy, but it is always sacred, always meaningful, and often… excruciatingly beautiful. Hannah Noelles - American Idol Audition: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DURzx1MkT93/ Song on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6IVVZIm95vjLL9Vmmch30X?si=2fa701e63f1c44aa Song on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/song/string-cheese/1812956887 JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 80. How to Thrive in 2026 Without Burning Out (Part 3): Staying in Your Race for the Long Haul | 29 janv. 2026 | 00:48:14 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. As we wrap up our three-part series on starting the new year with clarity and purpose, this episode focuses on one essential question: How do we stay in our race when the excitement fades and the work gets hard? We explore why we often expect quick results in the beginning but underestimate what steady faithfulness can produce over time. Through personal stories, practical analogies, and biblical wisdom, this conversation invites you to trade the racehorse mentality of burnout and comparison for the pack horse rhythm of balance, perseverance, and long obedience. We talk about learning to be bad before becoming good, how discipline shapes both character and calling, and why progress is still happening even when you can’t see it yet. You’ll be encouraged to evaluate what you’re carrying, quiet the noise of comparison and distraction, and live with the wisdom that your days are numbered. This episode will help you refocus on what truly matters, recommit to the priorities you set at the beginning of the year, and walk forward with confidence, consistency, and peace. Breathing Room by Andy Stanley: https://series.northpointministries.org/breathing-room Reflection Questions:
JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 79. Get Clear in 2026 (Part 2): Vision That Simplifies Your Yes and No | 22 janv. 2026 | 00:47:00 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. In part 2 of our 3-part series on goal setting and vision, we’re talking about clarity and how clear, God-given direction can simplify your life in a way that feels like peace. When you don’t know where you’re headed, everything gets heavier: indecision, overthinking, people-pleasing, and yeses that don’t align with what truly matters. Today, I share a powerful conversation with my husband that changed how I make decisions. We talk about a “clarity test”, a simple filter you can run every opportunity, request, goal, or commitment through: Does this align with the mission of our home and the direction we believe God is leading our family… or not? I also read parts of my personal 10-year vision (2036), a detailed “movie script” of the life we’re prayerfully working toward: a marriage that stays prioritized, a home marked by hospitality, children and grandchildren who are loved and strengthened, health that supports a vibrant future, a business built with integrity, and generosity that stays joyful. And I’m very clear about this: this isn’t “manifesting.” This is stewardship, planning with faith while holding everything with open hands before God. We’ll walk through the four pillars that keep me anchored (the responsibilities only you can carry), and I’ll share practical examples of how clarity shapes everyday life: how I show up in my kitchen, how I protect time with my husband, how I parent adult kids with grace, how I communicate when things get heated, and how I set goals that match the legacy I want to live. If you’ve been overwhelmed by goal-setting or you’ve felt scattered, pressured, or distracted… this episode will help you step back, get honest, and get clear so your yes can be yes, your no can be no, and your days can finally match what you say you value. Next week in Part 3, we’ll talk about finishing your race strong—how to stay engaged when motivation fades and the year gets heavy. “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 Questions That Keep Your Direction Clear (True North):
JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 78. Run Your Own Race In 2026 (Part 1): Why Faithfulness Matters More Than Speed | 15 janv. 2026 | 00:44:04 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. As we step into a new year, many of us feel a mix of hope, pressure, exhaustion, and uncertainty. In this opening episode of Season 3, Nikki invites you to pause, reflect, and reframe what it really means to move forward. This episode kicks off a three-part series centered on running your own race, not chasing comparison, perfection, or unrealistic expectations, but pursuing faithfulness in the life God has entrusted to you. Nikki explores why so many goals fade after the initial excitement of a new year, what “Quitter’s Day” reveals about our habits, and why lasting change is built on consistency, clarity, and grace...not hype. Through a powerful track-and-field story, honest reflection, and a biblical lens on habits, discipline, and stewardship, this conversation challenges listeners to consider not just the new habits they want to add, but the old ones they may need to let go of. Nikki unpacks how our daily choices shape who we are becoming, why faithfulness matters more than speed, and how staying in the race, even imperfectly, leads to real formation over time. Whether you’re feeling energized, discouraged, or somewhere in between, this episode offers encouragement to keep showing up, adjust instead of quit, and remember that growth is a process. This isn’t about a “new you”, it’s about becoming more aligned, more intentional, and more faithful in the race you’ve been given. Next week, we’ll continue the conversation by talking about clarity and how having a clear “why” changes everything about the decisions we make and the goals we pursue. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 77. From Perfection to Peace: A Season Finale for the Mom Who Tries So Hard | 20 nov. 2025 | 00:29:12 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. If perfection keeps stealing your peace, this episode hands it back. In this season finale, we look at a year of growth in the real world — inside homes full of schedules, emotions, and people we love. We talk about the shift that’s changing everything for our families: saying less, being clear, and repairing quickly when we miss the mark. We also offer a simple way to reframe those “I’m failing” spirals — because most moms who feel behind are actually giving more than they can see. You’ll walk away with practical rhythms to protect margin during the holidays, a kinder way to measure progress, and permission to simplify the parts of life that don’t matter as much as connection does. You’re doing better than you think. Let’s celebrate the wins, widen the gap between stumbles, and choose joy in the season we once prayed for. If this encouraged you, share it with a friend who tries so hard too — and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s ahead in Season Three! JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 76. Gratitude, Growth, And Grace - Reflections on 2025 | 13 nov. 2025 | 00:47:12 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. When the calendar starts sprinting and the afternoons turn dark way too early, we get the chance to slow everything down. We can take a deep breath, look back on the year, and see it through three lenses that matter—gratitude, growth, and grace. Not to hustle harder or create picture-perfect plans, but to walk into 2026 with steadiness, a little more peace, and a whole lot more awareness of God’s goodness. We talk about gratitude in the real, everyday ways—celebrating a daughter stepping into her calling, quiet nights by the tree and fireplace, and those little moments at home that shift the whole atmosphere. Then we dig into growth without the pressure—the boundaries we learned to set, the ways parenting older kids stretches us, the wisdom in saying no so our yes actually means something, and the practical helps (like a meal service) that make survival season feel a bit lighter. And woven through all of it is grace… grace for the losses, the weariness, the prayers whispered in the dark, and the strength God provided exactly when we needed it most. You’ll also get reflection questions for adults and kids—easy prompts for a date night, a drive with your teen, or a few minutes around the dinner table. We’ll talk about why rhythms always outlast resolutions, how 10–15 minutes a day can reshape your spiritual life, and how choosing one simple word for the year can anchor your heart. And if you’re walking into this season feeling behind or tired, hear this: you don’t need to reinvent yourself. You need the daily mercies He’s already offering and the courage to take small, faithful steps forward. If this episode encourages you, I’d love for you to tap follow, share it with a friend who needs a gentle landing place, and leave a quick review so more families can find their way here. Episode 6 - Am I Good Medicine for My Family - Do I Pass The Joy Test? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/6-am-i-good-medicine-for-my-family-do-i-pass-the-joy-test/id1719372285?i=1000645426505 Episode 9 - Reclaim Your Calendar: Does Our Family Calendar Reflect Our Values? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9-streamline-your-life-series-week-1-reclaim-your-calendar/id1719372285?i=1000648329013 Books By Justin Whitmel Earley: Habits of The Household - The Body Teaches The Soul- 5 Year Prayer Journal: https://www.dayspring.com/hosanna-revival-one-thing-i-ask-5-year-prayer-journal-edinburgh-theme?ne_ppc_id=21066640061&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21059800542&gbraid=0AAAAAD3t-bW-euiPYlgCwBm3Ry1bFz9ro&gclid=CjwKCAiA_dDIBhB6EiwAvzc1cC4tviyipz95tl-tJRV2QC9hcpWHNPJ1klpv_Yfj7xL91YWIEsj85RoCIDcQAvD_BwE Reflection Questions for 2025: Adults - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_luDmtk8hdLhpFFd4as7vsNqtpFYQmHf/view?usp=drive_link Kids- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GcFg-pFWh06xSOwybvMj3MaFIA-N_vbj/view?usp=drive_link JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 75. Dwell Differently Co-Founder Natalie Abbott: Finding Peace in Scripture When Anxiety and Fear Feel Overwhelming | 06 nov. 2025 | 01:04:54 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. In this podcast episode, Nikki welcomes Natalie Abbott, co-founder of Dwell Differently, a ministry dedicated to helping people memorize scripture. Natalie discusses her life as a wife, mom of five, and author. She shares her personal journey to faith, which started with reading various religious texts, including the Bible given to her by her great-grandmother. Through scripture, she discovered the transformative power of God's word. Natalie explains how Dwell Differently began, recounting her sister Vera's story of overcoming anxiety through memorizing Bible verses. Nikki and Natalie talk about balancing ministry, family life, and how integrating scripture into daily routines can provide strength and wisdom. Natalie emphasizes the importance of grace and finding small ways to engage with God’s word. The episode concludes with practical advice for parents and Christians seeking to deepen their faith. Dwell Differently: Website: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwelldifferently Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dwell-differently/id1485331979 JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 74. Justin Whitmel Earley on The Body Teaches the Soul: Rhythms That Heal, Restore, and Shape Us | 30 oct. 2025 | 00:50:29 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. In this engaging conversation, Nikki Smith interviews Justin Whitmel Earley, exploring the profound connection between our physical habits and spiritual lives. Justin shares his personal journey from a crisis in mental health to discovering the importance of habits in shaping our souls. They discuss the impact of technology in parenting, the significance of instilling healthy habits in children, and the grace that allows for growth and change. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community and shared practices in navigating the challenges of modern life, particularly in relation to technology and mental health. Takeaways:
Books by Justin Whitmel Earley: Habits of the Household: https://amzn.to/48UjVum The Common Rule: https://amzn.to/47Ef6mS Made for People: https://amzn.to/4oezeTx The Body Teaches the Soul: https://amzn.to/4qzCRVu The Big Mess (Childrens Book): https://amzn.to/4343LLi Connect With Justin: Justin’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justinwhitmelearleyauthor/ Justin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinwhitmelearley/ Justin’s X: https://x.com/Justin_W_Earley Justin’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@justinwhitmelearley1630 Justin’s Website: https://www.justinwhitmelearley.com/ Hang 10 Movement: https://www.hangtenmovement.com/ Resources Mentioned in Show: The Anxious Generation: JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 73. Beauty From Ashes Story - Redemption, Obedience and Redefining Success with Debbie Neal | 23 oct. 2025 | 00:53:30 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Today I get to sit down with a dear friend of mine, Debbie Neal. For years, I’ve known Debbie as a woman of incredible drive and determination — a true leader, a go-getter, and someone who has inspired so many through her work and her example. But today’s conversation isn’t about her professional achievements. It’s about something far more personal — the way God has been working in her home and heart over the past several years. Debbie and Scott are parents to four children. Several years ago, their marriage hit a breaking point, and they ended up divorcing. For a while, it seemed like the story had reached its end. But somewhere in the middle of all that pain and searching, Debbie encountered Jesus in a way that completely changed her life. What followed is nothing short of a redemption story — one that only God could write. Over time, He began softening hearts, healing wounds, and restoring what was broken. Debbie and Scott not only found forgiveness but found their way back to one another. And now, years later, they’re preparing to remarry — a beautiful symbol of God’s grace and restoration. We talk about what led to that season of separation, how Debbie found Jesus in the middle of it, what reconciliation looked like, and how her obedience to God has rippled through her family. And we’ll end by talking about what success looks like now — not in terms of accomplishments or titles, but in the peace and purpose that come from walking in step with God. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 72. When God Rewrites the Blueprint: The Story Behind The House the Parks Built with Lindsay Parks | 16 oct. 2025 | 00:45:27 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What happens when your “forever home” isn’t forever after all? We sit down with Lindsay Parks—wife, mom of five, creator, and co-host of Built for More—to unpack the surprising decision to sell the dream house she built in public, and the freedom that followed. This isn’t a story about loss; it’s a story about listening. Lindsay shares how a quiet nudge became a clear call, how she navigated pride and fear, and why obedience sometimes looks like doing less instead of doing more. Along the way, we talk about what home truly is: not square footage, but a place where burdens come off at the door. Lindsay offers encouragement for moms of littles to find community and swap support, and practical wisdom for parenting teens—know their friends, keep the conversation open, and expect beauty alongside the bumps. She also shares the simple marriage rhythms that sustain big decisions: midweek day-dates, evening walks that double as check-ins, and a yearly getaway that flexes with the season. Follow Lindsay at: https://www.instagram.com/thehousetheparksbuilt?igsh=YjB3bHo5eHgzd2R5 Built for More Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-for-more/id1815081511 Comparison Trap - Land of Er: https://youtu.be/3_IAvk1qgfY?si=kN5N4rqkgb37uy66 JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 71. More Than a Role: Actress Masey McLain Talks Faith, Purpose, and Trusting God Through Every Season | 09 oct. 2025 | 01:04:13 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What if the season you’re calling a drought is actually sacred training? I sat down with actress and creator Masey McLain for a candid, deeply encouraging conversation about conviction, calling, and the new feature film Soul on Fire—where she portrays Beth O’Leary. From growing up a pastor’s kid to turning down roles that crossed personal lines, Masey traces the steady thread of choosing God first and letting the work follow. You can follow Masey at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maseymclain Website: https://www.maseymclainofficial.com/ Tickets for Soul On Fire: https://soulonfiremovie.com/ Karen Kingsbury - The Baxter Family: https://amzn.to/47flYrz JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 70. A Mom’s Sacred Calling in a Get-Things-Done World | 02 oct. 2025 | 00:42:49 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Some days the kitchen sparkles; an hour later, it’s crumbs and cups and quiet frustration. I share candid stories from 23 years of motherhood and 26 years of marriage, the Scriptures that steady me, and the simple habits that reset a house’s tone when everyone feels stretched thin. Worship/Praise Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0pXcmurNF8r4Z13y2G5Jpx?si=Ve8mnf5DRHWGE5zgTerung&pi=Upsk39ITTp-k2 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/15rCrBDEOAqYEsRFLrCE3y?si=GwRz_80qQIeUfH4OreSwyQ&pi=HZlXhbxqQ8S9Q Seeds Family Worship: Seeds Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7F2pPY7F8St3bIC30dgDfO?si=v67FaCp0S1-1xls8DlnTMQ&pi=C56YfpseRS2I0 She Works His Ways Book: https://amzn.to/4mNzzLkhttps://amzn.to/4mNzzLk JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 69. Beauty From Ashes Story - Finding Hope After Losing Everything with Andrea Hryszczuk | 25 sept. 2025 | 00:54:10 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What happens when you lose everything but discover what truly matters? In this deeply moving conversation, Andrea Hryszczuk shares the harrowing yet hope-filled story of watching her family home burn completely to the ground in May 2020. Episode 10 - Preserving Precious Memories https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2232091/episodes/14598639-10-streamline-your-life-series-week-2-organizing-your-photos-and-memorabilia-creating-a-legacy-of-cherished-memories-with-sheri-meissner JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 68. When Life Burns Down: John O'Leary's Story of Faith and Resilience | 18 sept. 2025 | 00:57:32 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What if your darkest moment became the spark that illuminated your greatest purpose? John O'Leary was just nine years old when curiosity led to catastrophe – an explosion that left him with burns on 100% of his body and a 1% chance of survival. Yet from those ashes rose an extraordinary story of resilience, purpose, and profound gratitude that now touches millions. SOUL ON FIRE MOVIE INFO: LIVE INSPIRED POSCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-inspired-podcast-with-john-oleary/id1166682012 GRAB A COPY OF JOHNS BOOKS: ON FIRE- IN AWE- FOLLOW JOHN ON SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnoleary.inspires?igsh=MTEwZzluZmJlbmtybQ== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17FZhbdKJx/?mibextid=wwXIfr JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 67. Embracing Life's Unpredictable Seasons | 11 sept. 2025 | 00:32:12 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Have you ever had a season of life that looked nothing like you planned? That's exactly what happened during my summer break from the podcast. What I expected to be a peaceful time of preparation transformed into a rollercoaster of unexpected challenges, profound grief, beautiful celebrations, and deep life lessons. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 66. The Power of Pause: Finding Joy in Summer's Unstructured Days | 22 mai 2025 | 00:35:37 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Summer beckons – that magical time when routines relax and possibilities unfold like wildflowers. But how do we make these precious months truly matter? Printable Resources: Printable Summer Bucketlist: https://sunriseelementarycounseling.weebly.com/blog/summer-bucket-list4977644 Printable Summer Goals: https://writtenreality.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/free-summer-activities-chart-goals.pdf https://drive.google.com/file/d/17yNYnbDAFhRE5x_nHO8wG1u8LP9zY9jD/view Printable Weekly Summary: https://www.unoriginalmom.com/free-printable-weekly-summer-activity-plan/ Printable Five Goals: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71916925287715966 Resources For A Great Summer: https://www.thebettermom.com/summer-with-kids Book Resources: A Million Tiny Moments: Refections to Refresh a Mom's Spirit: https://amzn.to/43cByT6 Homegrown Disciples: Parenting Rythmnsfor Drawing Your Kids Into Life With God: https://amzn.to/44J4FOX From Grouchy to Great - Finding Joy in the Journey of Motherhood https://amzn.to/45myYLw Pressing Pause- 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet with God: https://amzn.to/4jjWkot Risen Motherhood - Gospel Hope for Everyday: https://amzn.to/3H39ngB https://amzn.to/3SOgNXy (beautiful deluxe edition) Gospel Moms - How to Make Biblical Decisions and Discover the Mom Go God Created You to Be: https://amzn.to/4dqnSqO Habits of the Household: https://amzn.to/438lFNh The Flourishing Family: A Jesus-Centered Guide to Parenting with Peace and Purpose: https://amzn.to/3GZkpDI Fun Yard Games: Kubb: https://amzn.to/3SJSXwa Crossnet: https://amzn.to/3SJSXwa SpikeBall: https://amzn.to/4dCfm8s Yard Dice: https://amzn.to/3GZmFea JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 65. The Package Deal: Marriage, Intimacy, and Keeping the Spark Alive with NFL Chaplains LaMorris and Megan Crawford | 15 mai 2025 | 00:37:02 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Lamoris and Megan Crawford return for a candid, humorous, and deeply insightful conversation about keeping the spark alive in marriage through busy seasons, kids, and ministry demands. Connect with the Crawford’s: https://www.covenantcultureministries.com/ https://www.instagram.com/covenantculturepodcast?igsh=bHZ1eGpmOG1wZzhj JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 64. Beyond Contract: The Sacred Covenant of Marriage with NFL Chaplains LaMorris and Megan Crawford | 08 mai 2025 | 00:38:36 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. From the projects of Chicago to the cornfields of rural America, Lamoris and Megan Crawford's love story defies cultural expectations while illuminating the transformative power of covenant marriage. Their journey began at Olivet Nazarene University where two worlds collided – his marked by inner-city hardship and her steeped in traditional religious values that initially rejected their relationship. Connect with the Crawford’s: https://www.covenantcultureministries.com/ https://www.instagram.com/covenantculturepodcast?igsh=bHZ1eGpmOG1wZzhj JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 63. The Silent Weight We Carry: Understanding Mental Load in Relationships | 01 mai 2025 | 00:46:54 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. The invisible weight of mental load is crushing marriages silently - creating resentment where there once was partnership. Continuing with a candid exploration of household management,I delve deeper into why the mental burden of maintaining a home can fall unevenly and how couples can recalibrate their approach through genuine connection.
JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 62. The Silent Weight We Carry: Understanding Mental Load in Motherhood | 24 avr. 2025 | 00:44:01 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Have you ever found yourself wondering how you spent an entire day feeling completely exhausted yet somehow accomplished "nothing"? The mental load you're carrying might be the answer, and you're not alone in feeling its weight. A Better Share by Dr. Morgan Cutlip: https://amzn.to/4itJm6Y JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 61. When Letting Go Is The Hardest (and Best) Thing You'll Do | 17 avr. 2025 | 00:40:29 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Watching your child walk across the college graduation stage is a moment filled with contradictory emotions – fierce pride alongside the bittersweet realization that a significant chapter is closing. After navigating four transformative years of college parenting, I'm pulling back the curtain on what this journey really feels like from a mother's perspective. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 60. Do I Pass the Joy Test? | 10 avr. 2025 | 00:42:53 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What if the atmosphere in your home isn't determined by circumstances, but by something deeper you can actually control? In this intimate conversation, we explore the powerful distinction between happiness (that fleeting emotion dependent on everything going right) and joy (the intentional choice that transcends situations). JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 59. Menopause, Mom Life, and My 5pm Wednesday Meltdown | 03 avr. 2025 | 00:32:34 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed despite everything in your life looking "fine" on paper? This raw, unscripted episode emerged from my own struggles. Reconnected: How 7 Screen-Free Weeks with Monks and Amish Farmers Helped Me Recover the Lost Art of Being Human by Carlos Whitaker: https://amzn.to/4lebDkP Story Behind the Hymn - It Is Well With My Soul: https://www.staugustine.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2014/10/17/story-behind-song-it-well-my-soul/985525007/ JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 58. Beauty From Ashes Story - Walking Through Fire: A Mother's Story of Faith During Childhood Cancer with Alex Woldhuis | 27 mars 2025 | 00:48:40 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Alex Woldhuis never expected to be sitting in a hospital room while doctors told her that her three-year-old son Nick had leukemia. What began as puzzling symptoms—persistent low-grade fevers, unusual fatigue, and mysterious spots under his skin—rapidly escalated into a diagnosis that would transform their family's life. With remarkable candor, Alex shares the raw emotional journey from those first alarming signs through the chaotic first days of treatment, when within hours they faced blood transfusions and learned their little boy would need surgery and chemotherapy the very next day. Book: Suggested Follows for Information: https://www.instagram.com/dagmarabeine?igsh=eGFjeHFlcHY3MGNj https://www.instagram.com/draonline?igsh=MXRmcGt3d2JqMnAxbQ== https://www.instagram.com/seasonjohnson?igsh=MXZ0dWNnNWx4aDc1ag== JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 57. Real Talk About Sibling Relationships with Olivia Smith - Part 2 | 20 mars 2025 | 00:41:14 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. In this fun continuation of my conversation with my 20-year-old daughter Olivia, we peel back the layers of what has made our family relationships strengthen through the ups and downs of life. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 56. Navigating Anxiety and Finding Joy with Olivia Smith | 13 mars 2025 | 00:53:29 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What happens when fiery mother-daughter personalities collide under one roof during the college years? Nikki Smith and her 20-year-old daughter Olivia pull back the curtain on navigating this delicate transition with raw honesty that will resonate with any parent of young adults. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 55. Roommates or Soulmates? A Marriage Check-In. | 06 mars 2025 | 00:35:22 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Dive into this heartfelt episode where we explore the canvas of marriage, navigating between being roommates or soulmates. Host Nikki Smith shares personal insights and lessons learned over 25 years of marriage and parenting, drawing inspiration from the book “Reconnected: Moving from Roommates to Soulmates.” With relevant anecdotes and practical tips, this episode encourages active engagement, less reliance on technology, and a return to meaningful, intentional communication. Reconnected - Moving from Roommates to Soulmates in Marriage: Downloadable Resource Guide: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Reconnected-Study-Guide-gray.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawIusghleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHYreffCli8ckYU4Aiq8kbMCzsSvDBtdJN4UtQTqYkdnE4Mk8AIB3BL50XA_aem__G-jQMghC_fgf3nnnuqIRw JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 54. Jesus Doesn't Care About Your Messy House with Dana K. White | 27 févr. 2025 | 00:51:06 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Dana K. White, the creative genius behind "A Slob Comes Clean." Dana opens up about her journey from a theater arts teacher to a stay-at-home mom, sharing how her struggles with home organization propelled her into a successful writing career. With her books "Decluttering at the Speed of Life" and "How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind," Dana offers a refreshing perspective on finding beauty amid life's chaos. Her candid insights reveal how embracing imperfections can lead to profound personal and spiritualgrowth and inspire others to tackle the clutter in their lives. You can Find Dana at - https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/ JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||
| 53. Beauty From Ashes Story: Kristina Weir - Looking for God Winks in the Depths of Suffering | 20 févr. 2025 | 00:49:32 | |
We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Our guest, Kristina Weir, bravely shares her journey through two major health battles, beginning with being diagnosed with breast cancer at just 30 years old. As Kristina recounts the whirlwind of emotions and the dismissal she faced, we reflect on the unexpected blessings that can arise from such challenges. Now a mother of two grown sons, Kristina offers a heartfelt perspective on embracing life's trials with grace and using them as a springboard for personal growth and to uplift. Kristina’s experience with breast cancer sheds light on the profound role that helpers and a supportive network can play in our darkest moments. A simple act of kindness from another survivor illustrates the power of shared experiences and the comforting reassurance they can bring, showcasing the beauty of human connection. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: | |||