Crystal Paine Show

Latest Episodes:

224. The Secret Art of Confident Motherhood (with Alli Worthington) Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

Get ready for an episode of the show that I have been looking forward to for so long! I am joined today by the incredible Alli Worthington, author of the recently released book Remaining You While Raising Them: The Secret Art of Confident Motherhood. Believe me, if you're seeking empowerment and practical guidance in navigating the challenging waters of parenting, this episode is an absolute must-listen!

In our conversation, Alli opens up about her journey as a mother to five boys and a stepdaughter, offering relatable stories that will resonate deeply with so many mothers. From tackling the pervasive grip of mom guilt to disassembling the myth of perfection that tends to be perpetuated by social media, we delve into many of the challenges and pressures that mothers face today, including the hesitation to ask for help when it's needed.

We also explore Alli's refreshing concept of slacker parenting (which Jesse and I have discussed on the show before), encouraging us to focus on what truly matters and shed the unrealistic expectations that often weigh us down. Listen in to discover actionable steps to prioritize self-care, cultivate emotional health, and empower your children to become responsible adults!

In This Episode

[0:35] - I am chatting with Alli Worthington today!

[1:44] - Alli gives us some background information about herself.

[3:03] - Alli reveals why she was initially hesitant to write a book about family.

[5:18] - I share a relatable experience about my own struggle with mom guilt.

[7:13] - Alli emphasizes the importance of teaching kids self-sufficiency.

[9:20] - Alli defines slacker parenting.

[12:12] - Human connection matters most to kids, not perfect meals.

[13:37] - Emotional health encompasses mental, spiritual, and relational well-being.

[15:55] - I emphasize a part of Alli’s book about there being no such thing as perfect parenting.

[16:55] - Alli points out what managing emotional health looks like for mothers.

[18:33] - Alli argues that women often feel like they can’t ask for help.

[21:30] - If someone can complete a task at 75% of your ability, it’s worth letting them help.

[23:42] - How can moms find the balance between helping their kids without enabling them?

[26:00] - Teenage responsibility requires fostering independence and avoiding over-parenting.

[28:24] - I share how college orientation advised me to send my daughter with a medicine box.

[30:13] - Alli wishes she’d known about self-care and rejecting unrealistic parenting sooner.

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine

The Crystal Paine Show - 208. Slacker Parenting (AKA How to spend less time micromanaging and more time enjoying your kids)

Books

Remaining You While Raising Them: The Secret Art of Confident Motherhood by Alli Worthington

Social Media

Crystal Paine on Instagram

Crystal Paine on Twitter

Crystal Paine on Goodreads

Money Saving Mom

Money Saving Mom on Facebook

Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group

crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

223. Love is Worth the Risk Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Crystal Paine Show, Jesse and I dive deep into the topic of how love is worth the risk. We share how recent experiences have challenged us to embrace the vulnerability of loving wholeheartedly. Whether it's fostering a child and facing the heart-wrenching goodbyes, navigating friendships with the potential for hurt, or parenting in a way that opens our hearts to the unknowns of the future, we've discovered that to truly love is to take a risk... but it is worth the risk.

We also discuss the importance of living in the moment, savoring each day, and recognizing that the uncertainties of tomorrow shouldn't deter us from loving fully today. Join us as we explore the significance of opening our hearts, being vulnerable, and choosing to love in a way that echoes the unconditional love we receive from God. It's a reminder that even though love comes with its challenges, it's a risk that is absolutely always worth taking!

In This Episode

[0:35] - We’re talking today about how loving comes with risks but is still worth it!

[1:49] - I reflect on recent events like our daughter's freshman year of college and a vacation.

[4:00] - We talk about how baseball tryouts for Silas have been character-building for him.

[6:37] - Despite relinquishing control as a parent, I still sometimes want control over outcomes.

[7:19] - I reflect on changed perspectives from navigating travel baseball.

[10:02] - Jesse has had more time to read and mentions two books he started.

[11:16] - Hear how Mayhem Nation has been saving my life.

[14:16] - Jesse highlights the difference between CrossFit Games and everyday activities.

[15:28] - I give a personal example of love coming with risk.

[17:05] - I elaborate upon the pain of having to say goodbye to a child -- twice.

[21:41] - Fostering can be unpredictable, and foster parents have to be able to adapt to change.

[22:31] - I reflect on the risk of opening my heart and how being vulnerable is worth the risk.

[25:15] - God gives us beautiful opportunities to show love and receive love ourselves.

[25:54] - Whatever your situation, I encourage you to open your hands and your heart.

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine
The Crystal Paine Show - 213. Every Woman a Theologian (with Phylicia Masonheimer)
Mayhem Nation
Stop Calling Me Beautiful: Finding Soul-Deep Strength in a Skin-Deep World by Phylicia Masonheimer
The Worry-Free Parent: Living in Confidence So Your Kids Can Too by Sissy Goff
Dead Fall: A Thriller (The Scot Harvath Series Book 22) by Brad Thor
Three Felonies A Day: How the Feds Target the Innocent by Harvey Silvergate and Alan M. Dershowitz
Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
MoneySavingMom.com
My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

222. When Your Worries and Whys Need More Than Temporary Relief (with Lisa Whittle) Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

We don't have many repeat guests on the podcast, but I was so happy to have Lisa Whittle back in the studio to talk about her new book God Knows: When Your Worries and Whys Need More Than Temporary Relief!

This book is all about finding rest and comfort in God, and I just really love how Lisa's heart points people to Jesus through her work. Lisa and I dive deep into her trilogy of books, Jesus Over Everything, The Hard Good, and now God Knows, which, together, offer a full picture of living a spiritual life.

Lisa's insights on trust, faith, and finding rest in God are incredibly powerful and practical. They aren’t just theoretical; they give you actual ways to practice resting in God in your everyday life, and I strongly encourage you to grab copies of her books! The newest book especially will allow you to soak up what it means to live with those two simple words: God knows.

In This Episode

[00:35] - Welcome back to the show, Lisa Whittle!

[3:04] - Lisa used to love giving opinions but has learned the value in pointing towards Jesus.

[6:06] - Lisa discusses her trilogy of books.

[8:48] – Getting priorities in order and working through personal issues can enhance rest.

[10:22] - Why is rest so important, according to Lisa?

[14:04] - Lisa addresses some of the things people look to for pain relief.

[17:21] - Hear about what Lisa calls the “thin line” between healthy and unhealthy behaviors.

[20:32] - I point out how I really appreciate how practical the book is.

[21:29] - Lisa expresses the profound impact that writing the book has had on her life.

[24:52] - Embracing the idea of "God knows" has transformed me for the better.

[29:38] – Lisa offers advice to listeners, encouraging them to avoid complicating the process.

[32:23] – I wrap up, emphasizing the importance of opening up our hands and releasing control.

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine
The Crystal Paine Show - 138. How to Keep Going When Life Is Hard (with Lisa Whittle)
Jesus Over Everything: Uncomplicating the Daily Struggle to Put Jesus First by Lisa Whittle
The Hard Good: Showing Up for God to Work in You When You Want to Shut Down by Lisa Whittle
God Knows: When Your Worries and Whys Need More Than Temporary Relief by Lisa Whittle
Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
MoneySavingMom.com
My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

221. The Worry-Free Parent (with Sissy Goff) Aug 01, 2023

Show notes

I’m so honored to have Sissy Goff back in the studio to discuss her new book, The Worry-Free Parent: Living in Confidence So Your Kids Can Too. When Sissy was here a couple years ago for her book Raising Worry Free Girls, the response was phenomenal, and to this day, I still hear from so many parents who were deeply impacted by that book!

A counselor for over 30 years who helps families through her counseling practice, Sissy joins me today to discuss her new book, The Worry-Free Parent. I highly recommend this book if you have ever struggled with feeling like you aren’t doing enough as a parent or stressing over the present and the future for your kids.

In this episode, Sissy shares how so many kids today are dealing with anxiety that actually stems from their parents’ own anxiety. She gives practical tools parents can implement immediately to help them feel less uptight, scared, or stressed about how they might be messing up their kids or missing the mark as a parent.

I especially appreciated how honest she was about how trying to bubble wrap and protect our kids from struggle is actually a way we end up hurting our kids and making life harder for them in the long run.

She shares how anxiety in both parents and kids can stem from intrusive thoughts becoming stuck in a “loop rollercoaster” in our minds. In our conversation, I ask her to walk us through calming techniques to help shift us out of that loop. We talk about what it looks like to get to the root of where our worry and fear is coming from and what to do about it.

This is another powerful episode that you don’t want to miss!

In This Episode

[00:35] – Sissy Goff returns to the podcast today!

[4:04] – A suggestion from Sissy’s editor prompted her to write two books.

[8:55] – It’s normal for parents to worry, but anxiety is when intrusive thoughts become stuck and take control.

[13:49] – Parents should realize that many times their anxiety stems from wanting the best for their kids.

[15:04] – What it looks like to practice deep breathing and grounding techniques.

[18:22] – My anxiety stemmed from caring too much about what others thought of my parenting.

[19:50] – Sissy feels that mothers are too hard on themselves nowadays.

[22:42] – The five different types of parenting.

[25:49] – Letting your kids experience discomfort helps build character and resilience in them.

[28:30] – How releasing my need for control to God helps alleviate my anxiety.

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine
The Crystal Paine Show – 100. Raising Worry-Free Girls (with Sissy Goff)
Raising Boys & Girls Podcast
The Worry-Free Parent: Living in Confidence So Your Kids Can Too by Sissy Goff
Raising Worry-Free Girls: Helping Your Daughter Feel Braver, Stronger, and Smarter in an Anxious World by Sissy Goff
Braver, Stronger, Smarter: A Girl’s Guide to Overcoming Worry & Anxiety by Sissy Goff
Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
MoneySavingMom.com
My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

220. 3 Unexpected Lifestyle Changes I Made This Summer Jul 25, 2023

Show notes

In this podcast episode, Jesse and I discuss three unexpected life changes that I have made over this summer -- inspired by a blood test I took earlier this year. I share why I made them, how I'm tracking them (and an app that has worked so well!) and the unexpected impact they have made on my life. We also talk about how these have turned into some daily choices that are now habits that I do without thinking.

While I don't expect you to make these same changes, I hope this episode can serve as inspiration and motivation that small consistent tweaks to our life can add up to big overall changes. I'd love to hear if you set any goals as a result of listening and I'd love to hear the accountability you set in place for your goals.

In This Episode

[00:35] – Today’s topic is about the three big changes that I’ve made to my routine this summer.

[02:16] – Jesse had so much fun on his recent fishing trip with Silas.

[07:18] – We just got back home last night from a trip to Branson, Missouri.

[08:59] – Hear about the exciting events that happened before we left — and on the trip itself!

[14:04] – We stayed in a condo on the trip instead of a hotel.

[17:49] – We had a blast in Silver Dollar City, but it was definitely hot!

[20:23] – Jesse and I started listening to The Fountains of Silence on the trip.

[22:21] – I move into talking about my three unexpected life changes.

[23:43] – Because I like alliteration, I called the goals: sun, steps, and sleep.

[25:10] – The app I’m using is called Strides.

[30:59] – Starting my day with sunlight and fresh air has been so good for me.

[31:46] – Learn what I have learned about my sleep schedule.

[33:18] – This has also encouraged our kids, too.

[35:10] – My main objective has been a healthier lifestyle. What is your why?

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine
The Crystal Paine Show – 218. 21 Days of No Sugar and the surprising lessons I’m learning
The Crystal Paine Show – 212. How to Help Your Kids Have an Intentional Summer
1000 Hours Outside – Website
1000 Hours Outside – Instagram Page
The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Strides App
10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
MoneySavingMom.com
My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

219. How to find and build better friendships (with Laura Tremaine) Jul 18, 2023

Show notes

I have really been looking forward to this topic and to having this guest on the show for weeks because a question that I frequently get asked on social media is regarding friendship and how I go about making friends.

What do you do if you’re dealing with feeling like no one ever invites you to do anything and you are lonely? My guest today, Laura Tremaine is the perfect person to help me tackle this topic because she has written a whole book about it titled The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs!

Laura joins me today to discuss friendship and community especially when it comes to women. She discusses how women struggle to make and then keep friends as adults and how the pandemic made the struggle even worse for some people, and then she recommends that we think of friends as a life council (hence the title of her book) of different types of people who each bring different strengths to our lives.

We also talk about how unrealistic expectations of others and of friendships can be harmful because they can lead to disappointment. I love how she encourages us in practical ways to look around and see the gifts in people already in our lives. It's so easy to miss that and to take those already in our lives for granted.

Laura also shares personally about recognizing her own weaknesses (not prioritizing returning texts promptly enough and more) and how she worked on being more intentional in these areas in order to show her friends love in ways that would be meaningful to them. She also leaves listeners with some helpful advice, encouraging lonely women to not give up, to keep trying with new friends but to get rid of the narrative that they tell themselves that they are unlikable. She challenges us to let go of holding too tightly to our idea of a perfect friendship to make space for appreciating the people already in our lives and being in a healthy space to allow new friendships to bloom.

Laura helps us understand how to reframe friendships and think of them from a brand-new perspective. Many of the things she shared in this episode are things I've thought about time and time again since we recorded this.

In This Episode

[00:35] - Please welcome Laura Tremaine to the show today!

[02:08] - Laura and I have known each other for years through blogging

[03:35] - How blogging anchored Laura and gave her a voice.

[04:32] - Why did Laura write her book?

[06:50] - Laura shares why she thinks women struggle with friendships.

[09:15] - I share how I relate to Laura’s struggle with maintaining friendships.

[12:15] - The meaning behind the title of her book.

[16:21] - I talk about some broken relationships in my life.

[17:22] - How does Laura ensure that she’s bringing her best self into relationships?

[23:12] - Hear about how Laura wanted to be sure that her feelings matched her actions.

[28:26] - Laura argues that pop culture doesn’t always portray friendship accurately.

[30:46] - What about those who feel lonely and want community but feel tired of trying and reaching out?

Links & Resources

Laura’s Instagram account
Laura’s 10 Things to Tell You Podcast
The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs by Laura Tremaine
Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
MoneySavingMom.com
My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

218. 21 Days of No Sugar and the surprising lessons I'm learning Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

Is there something that you are relying on to give you joy, fulfillment, or that you just feel like you “have to have” or “can’t live without”? I was recently convicted about how much I was relying upon sugar… and it inspired me to try doing a three-week-long no sugar challenge.

In this episode, we share why and how I went twenty-one days without sugar as well and what changes I experienced along the way. Don’t worry! The purpose of this episode is not to shame you for your sugar intake or even to try to convince you to give it up, but I hope it inspires you in some way to consider if there’s something you are relying upon in an unhealthy way.

We start the episode by sharing some life updates, what books we have been reading, and an interesting drink I’ve been drinking recently and then we move into talking about how Natalie Runion inadvertently inspired me to this no-sugar challenge for twenty-one days. I share the reason why I have decided to do this, why I have not been extremely militant about the rules, what has surprised me about this challenge, and how it has made a difference in my life.

As I said, though, the purpose of this episode is not to shame you for something like sugar consumption or to try to convince you to do what I have been doing. This is my own personal journey that I am choosing to share, and I don’t even have a plan yet for what I am doing after my twenty-one days are up! I just really want to encourage you to think about things that you might be mindlessly using to get through your day in a dysfunctional way.

In This Episode

[00:35] - Don't stop listening just because of today's topic!

[01:34] - Jesse is about to go on a deep-sea fishing trip.

[03:14] - Micah just turned a year old.

[04:19] - Hear another exciting update we haven’t yet shared on the podcast.

[07:54] - I read a book recently that I absolutely love!

[11:53] - Jesse is just about finished reading Breaking History by Jared Kushner.

[15:35] - Check out my What I’m Loving Wednesday series on Instagram.

[19:00] - Pickleball Cocktail has been saving my life.

[20:52] - Three weeks without sugar: why I'm doing this and what inspired it.

[24:39] - What my parameters are for this challenge and how it has impacted me.

[31:20] - Hear some closing wisdom from Jesse.

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine
The Crystal Paine Show - “79. Our Craziest Travel Stories"
The Crystal Paine Show - “131. A crazy travel story”
The Crystal Paine Show - “186. A Crazy Travel Story”
Margaret Barry’s Instagram Page
Pickleball Cocktail
The Crystal Paine Show - “215. Hope and Healing from Church Hurt & Disappointment”
Books
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Breaking History: A White House Memoir by Jared Kushner
Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
MoneySavingMom.com
My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

217. How to Identify & Occupy Your God-Given Space (with Heather MacFadyen) Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

Heather MacFadyen and I have both been blogging for a long time, but our paths took very different directions online. And that's exactly what this conversation is about! Heather is a well-known podcaster and author of the book, Right Where You Belong: How to Identify and Fully Occupy Your God-Given Space.

In this podcast episode, Heather shares about her journey and how she set out to write a book years ago and ended up getting rejections that led her to podcast instead -- something that has opened more doors and made more impact than she could have ever dreamed.

If you struggle to know what your space is to fill, if you ever wonder if you were made for more, or if you have a longing in your heart to step out in faith but fear is holding you back, I believe this podcast episode will encourage your heart so much!

In This Episode

[00:35] – I have been reading Right Where You Belong written by today’s guest!

[03:24] – Heather explains why she pivoted to podcasting instead of pursuing her book-writing dream.

[06:04] – Writing and publishing a book is not easy.

[09:37] – Heather realized that it wasn’t yet her time to publish the book.

[13:36] – Learn what inspired the title of the book.

[15:48] – Heather identifies her target reader.

[18:12] – How we can use both our positive and negative experiences to help others.

[19:45] – Listening to God helps Heather find clarity.

[21:37] – An example of how Heather puts listening to God into practice.

[24:30] – What are you carrying that you don’t need to be carrying?

[27:31] – Hear what we should do instead of blaming God for our difficulties.

[33:08] – God does not want us to be broken and trapped.

Links & Resources

Heather MacFadyen
Don't Mom Alone podcast
Right Where You Belong: How to Identify and Fully Occupy Your God-Given Space by Heather MacFadyen
Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
MoneySavingMom.com
My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

216. Jesse's Perspective on IBLP Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

You may recall from a couple of episodes ago our conversation in which we shared our thoughts on the Shiny Happy People docu-series. That episode was very unplanned and off-the-cuff, so we thought that we would do a follow-up episode because we got a lot of feedback wishing that they had heard more from Jesse.

I am therefore doing my best to let Jesse lead this conversation so that you can hear more of his perspective surrounding the docu-series. Jesse shares how even though he wasn’t directly in the IBLP/ATI program, his church was heavily influenced by it, so listen in as Jesse shares details of his own experience.

He shares what ideals his church had and when he started to question those ideals and move away from legalism. We are so grateful for the lessons that we have learned and how we went into marriage on the same page, and we hope that you get a lot out of Jesse’s words in this episode!

In This Episode

[00:35] - This is a follow-up episode to the Shiny Happy People episode!

[03:33] - Jesse shares some of his own experience with IBLP/ATI.

[05:10] - What did it mean to get anointed?

[07:04] - We got in trouble for holding hands under a workbook.

[08:16] - How did IBLP/ATI influence Jesse?

[09:54] - Jesse reveals whether or not he was ever bothered by the ideals.

[11:49] - When did Jesse start questioning things?

[14:22] - How fully immersed was Jesse?

[15:58] - Jesse was in college or so when he got out of legalism.

[18:42] - I reflect back on the move from Kansas to Tennessee.

[22:00] - Jesse’s chains of legalism weren’t as strong as mine.

[23:45] - We went into marriage as a unit on the same page.

[26:36] - Jesse offers his definition of legalism.

[28:56] - Formulas led to frustration in our marriage.

[30:53] - God did not create us to be carbon copies of everyone else.

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine

Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets on Amazon Prime

The Crystal Paine Show - “214. Shiny Happy People: Our Honest Thoughts”

Books

Raised to Stay: Persevering in Ministry When You Have a Million Reasons to Walk Away by Natalie Runion

Social Media

Crystal Paine on Instagram

Crystal Paine on Twitter

Crystal Paine on Goodreads

Money Saving Mom

Money Saving Mom on Facebook

Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group

crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

215. Hope and Healing from Church Hurt & Disappointment (with Natalie Runion) Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

I am so excited to have Natalie Runion on the podcast this week, and this couldn’t have possibly happened at a better time! In the last episode, Jesse and I shared our thoughts about the docu-series Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets, and a lot of you reached out to me to say that you have struggled to know how to feel about church because of difficult experiences you have had. Natalie is here to discuss what to do and how to process through church hurt and disappointment, something she has experienced deeply herself.

Natalie has a new book coming out titled Raised to Stay: Persevering in Ministry When You Have a Million Reasons to Walk Away. In this podcast, she shares her story of how she was hurt by the church when she was younger and how she processed through that hurt and disappointment and ended up saying yes to something she never expected she would: be involved in church ministry!

This episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement (Jesse listened to it and said it's one you need to listen to more than once!). Whether you have experienced church hurt and are still walking through it and processing it, whether you've been disappointed by church and are avoiding it altogether, or whether you are just curious about Natalie's story, I believe you'll be very blessed by listening.