A Heart That Beats for Home – Details, episodes & analysis

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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

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/18BKGXEuJ6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/devanholman?igsh=M2ZpZjV1dmo5b3Fj&utm_source=qr

Website:
www.devanholman.com 

Faith, Wellness, & a Whole Lot of Real Life
A mix of devotionals, honest reflections, Arbonne favorites, and a little encouragement for 

Seeds Family Worship Music:
https://seedskidsworship.com/product-category/music/
On Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/5kV2pC0biCYFh3y9HxgNkS
On Apple:  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/seeds-family-worship/251295888

Scripture Lullabies:
On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3egDut5sE3JIphJpVLO0z4
On Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/scripture-lullabies/464465134

Praise Baby:
On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0uIyzjmP48YI0dpgdAjdeI
On Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/sleepytime-lullabies/372543219

Abby Houston - Melodically Memorizing:
On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1CcoMJoJtlZrt2w6XSbj6c?si=9kKzk_T-Tc2JWQq2CQFVog
On Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/abby-houston/1173348681

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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
 • How children learn love primarily through modeling
 • Why apology and humility strengthen families
 • How daily decisions shape the emotional climate of your home
 • Why boundaries and discipline are powerful expressions of long-term love
 • The balance of truth and compassion in correction
 • How small, unseen acts of service form lifelong security

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.

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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.

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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.

We dig into the messy middle of online life and real family. Lindsay explains how she and her husband Eric (a physician and seminary grad) sought margin—financially and emotionally. 

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.

If you’ve been feeling a nudge to simplify, to create margin, or to choose peace over optics, this conversation will meet you where you are. Listen, share it with someone who needs courage for a hard choice, and if it resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it on so more families can find practical hope.

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

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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. 

We go behind the scenes on The Baxters and the serendipity that landed her favorite character at exactly the right time. Then we step into Soul on Fire: why this story of resilience, faith, and purpose feels urgent right now, and how set life was shaped by a real soul on fire—John O’Leary—who sees people, not flash. Masey unpacks agape love in action, the power of words that speak life, and a richer meaning of “helper” from Genesis—a fierce battle partner who pushes back darkness and brings in the light. It’s practical for marriage, friendship, and parenting, and it’s a blueprint for how to show up in life.

You’ll hear why opening weekend truly matters for impact and distribution, and you’ll leave with a renewed sense of purpose you can act on today. Bring your family, invite a friend who needs hope, and “vote with your dollars” to keep stories like this on the big screen. If this conversation sparks something in you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs the reminder, and leave a review—then grab your tickets to Soul on Fire and tell us who you’re bringing.

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

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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.

We unpack the honesty of “I want to grow but I’m busy,” then map desire to obstacles we can actually change: screen and sleep hygiene, thin spiritual rhythms, and scorekeeping that poisons connection. From Colossians 3:23’s call to work as unto the Lord to Galatians’ sober truth about sowing and reaping, we explore how our words and pace shape the harvest we’ll see in our kids. We talk about choosing people over productivity, embracing motherhood as a sacred calling, and why the “thermostat” of a home is often the posture of a mother’s heart.

There’s practical help too: device-free zones and bedtimes, a 30-day praise-only playlist, five-minute eye-contact check-ins with kids, and clear, calm contribution for older children so the load is shared without turning home into a barracks. We also look at marriage as a refuge you build together—how encouragement fuels hard work, why respect and warmth travel both ways, and how a peaceful house strengthens everyone’s calling outside its walls.

If this encouraged you, share it with a mom who needs a nudge of hope today, and leave a rating or review so more families can find these conversations. Subscribe for more real talk about faith, family, and the everyday rhythms that form a life.

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:

https://seedskidsworship.com/

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

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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.

The fire began unexpectedly in their garage during pandemic lockdown, with the family unaware for crucial minutes as flames engulfed their truck and spread toward the house. Andrea recounts the terrifying moments of uncertainty, not knowing if everyone had escaped safely, followed by overwhelming joy when the family reunited on their front lawn. While firefighters battled the blaze that would ultimately destroy their home entirely, the Hryszczuk's experienced a profound shift in perspective – they were alive, they were together, and nothing else mattered.

What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite losing all identification, credit cards, photographs, and possessions, the family witnessed God's provision in remarkable ways. A neighbor offered their vacant house before they even needed to ask. Envelopes of cash miraculously survived the inferno when their fireproof safe did not. Small treasures emerged from the ashes that felt like personal messages – a singed paper reading "To God be the glory" and a necklace with the words "Where your treasure is, your heart will be also."

Andrea reveals the intentional strategies she and her husband employed to guide their family through trauma – what she calls "good defense and good offense." They refused to let their minds dwell on devastating what-ifs, instead taking those thoughts captive and deliberately practicing gratitude at every turn. When painful losses surfaced, they attached new, hope-filled meanings: "We're alive to make new memories" became their response to losing irreplaceable family photos.

Five years later, having rebuilt on the same property, Andrea's definition of home has been forever transformed. "Home is just where my family is. It's not a building anymore," she explains. The experience deepened her longing for her eternal home while strengthening her conviction that God remains sovereign and good regardless of circumstances.

Whether you're navigating your own tragedy or simply seeking perspective on what truly matters, this conversation will challenge your thinking about possessions, faith, and finding beauty in life's most devastating moments. As Andrea reminds us, "He brings beauty always through the ashes – sometimes in the physical realm, but always in the spiritual realm."

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

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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.

In this deeply moving conversation, John takes us beyond the headlines of his remarkable survival to explore the transformative lessons forged in fire. With raw vulnerability, he reveals how his mother's tough love – leaving him to figure out how to eat without fingers and insisting he continue piano lessons despite his amputations – wasn't cruelty but a profound gift that enabled his independence. "When we snowplow, when we mow down all the weeds, when we roll out the red carpet so our children can fall in line right behind us, we do so at a disservice," John explains. "Resistance is what makes your muscles strong and your life good."

Through poignant stories, John illuminates how ordinary people become extraordinary through simple acts of presence. He shares how an English teacher quietly graded papers in the hospital waiting room night after night, becoming his mother's greatest comfort not through profound words but through consistent presence. These "mundane heroes" remind us that sometimes the most powerful way to help isn't with perfect advice but by simply showing up.

Perhaps most powerful is John's perspective on finding gratitude within suffering, learned from his father who battled Parkinson's disease for decades yet maintained his joy. "My dad died well because he lived that way," John reflects. "He died in joy because he chose gratitude." This radical reframing of the question "why me?" – from anger to curiosity – offers a transformative path through our darkest valleys.

As John's remarkable journey comes to life in the upcoming film "Soul on Fire," his message transcends his personal story: our scars aren't weaknesses to hide but strengths to celebrate. "They are darkened when covered," he writes, "illuminated when exposed." What struggles might you transform by bringing them into the light?

SOUL ON FIRE MOVIE INFO:

https://soulonfiremovie.com/

LIVE INSPIRED POSCAST:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-inspired-podcast-with-john-oleary/id1166682012

GRAB A COPY OF JOHNS BOOKS: 

ON FIRE-

https://amzn.to/4nAn7iT

IN AWE-

https://amzn.to/46a56SF

FOLLOW JOHN ON SOCIAL: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnoleary.inspires?igsh=MTEwZzluZmJlbmtybQ==

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/17FZhbdKJx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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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.

When God nudged me to take a summer podcast break, I struggled with the decision. I'd committed to showing up consistently every Thursday with content to help families cultivate strong homes. But as Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, "We make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Those words became my summer anthem as I navigated a season unlike any other in my 23 years of parenting. For the first time, my children weren't all together for the summer. This shift forced me to confront an uncomfortable truth that home isn't necessarily about a physical location—it's about where your people are.

The concept of cultivating strong families took on new meaning as I researched what cultivation truly entails. The agricultural process of prepare, till, plant, and tend perfectly mirrors what happens in our family relationships. This summer felt like a season of intense tilling—that uncomfortable but necessary breaking up of hard soil to prepare for new growth. Sometimes the most significant growth happens during the most challenging seasons. The tilling stage isn't comfortable—it's messy, disruptive, and often painful. But without it, the soil remains too hard to nurture new life.

As we return to our regular podcast schedule, I'm excited to bring you meaningful conversations that help us all navigate the beautiful, messy process of family life together. Starting next week, we'll feature an amazing interview that came together unexpectedly, demonstrating God's provision even when we feel unprepared. Whether you're in a season of preparation, tilling, planting, or tending in your family life, I hope you'll join our community of parents committed to cultivating hearts that truly beat for home.

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Summer beckons – that magical time when routines relax and possibilities unfold like wildflowers. But how do we make these precious months truly matter?

Instead of approaching summer with the typical achievement-oriented mindset that dominates the rest of our year, what if we shifted our focus to growth? Not the kind measured in completed checklists or Pinterest-worthy activities, but genuine expansion in relationships, rest, adventure, and joy.

That's exactly what I'm exploring in this final episode before our summer podcast pause. I'm sharing my own summer intentions, challenging the anxiety-producing "18 summers" mantra that haunts parents, and offering practical ways to cultivate meaningful moments without the pressure of perfection.

For those who thrive on structure, I've included practical frameworks like themed days and helpful resources in the show notes. For free spirits, there's permission to embrace spontaneity and the simple art of saying "yes" more often when our children invite us into their worlds.

From yard games that create hilarious family memories to intentional digital detoxing that allows us to be truly present, this episode is filled with attainable ways to make this summer one of connection rather than accomplishment.

When September arrives and we return with fresh episodes, I hope you'll have spent these months growing, resting, adventuring, and savoring the relationships that matter most. Because ultimately, that's what makes a summer that truly matters. Join me in embracing this pause, friends – I'll be waiting with new conversations, insights, and interviews when we return.

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

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