Struggle Well School

Latest Episodes:

#173: Working Through the Clutter with Dana White Feb 18, 2019

Show notes

I feel overwhelmed by housework. My brain can’t seem to process monotonous tasks like de-cluttering. There is a HUGE difference between how I want my house to look and how it looks right now.

Dana K. White is an author, podcaster, speaker, and (much to her own surprise) a decluttering expert. In a desperate attempt to get her own home under control, Dana started blogging as "Nony" (short for anonymous) at A Slob Comes Clean in 2009. Today, Dana shares realistic home management strategies and a message of hope for the hopelessly messy in her books: Decluttering at the Speed of Life and How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind. Dana lives with her husband and three kids just outside of Dallas, Texas. Oh, and she's funny.

WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT:

our fascinating backstory
how Dana’s life changed when she came clean about her biggest shame

what has changed in Dana’s life and in her spirit since decluttering
the difference between a person with clutter and a hoarder
a practical solution to your Tupperware lid dilemma

LINKS MENTIONED:

How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind Decluttering at the Speed of Life A Slob Comes Clean podcast Cascade dishwasher pods Broken Harts podcast

CONNECT WITH Dana:

website | instagram | facebook

CONNECT WITH EMILY:

website | instagram | facebook | patreon

EPISODE SPONSORS:

Noom: visit noom.com/SWP to start your trial today BioClarity: get 40% off a skin care routine + 15% off other items using promo code SWP at checkout Branch Basics: get your free trial kit for only $5 shipping using promo code SWP5 at checkout Zola: sign up for your free wedding website and get $50 off your registry by visiting zola.com/SWP

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Patreon | Amazon

SHARE THE STRUGGLE!

If you've been encouraged, share this episode with a friend. The struggle is real. We might as well do this together! Do you love the Struggle Well Project? Please leave a review here!

#172: Struggling Sisters: Sanctuary Feb 11, 2019

Show notes

I don’t even have a place to BE in this house! What am I even going for design-wise?

These are valid and we are here to help! Struggling Sisters are at it again talking about how to make your house into a sanctuary with our organization tips plus ideas on how to make your very own most-favorite spot. Em shares how hard it is to wake up in the mornings and how she likes to live by lamp light most hours of the day. Katie makes fun of Emily accordingly and all is right in the land of the Struggling Sisters. Enjoy!

WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT:

clarification about the future of the podcast and an update on Emily’s job search
Katie’s plan to become both a Starbucks Grand Master Coffee Ninja AND a college graduate
cheap ways to improve your home
our favorite spots in our homes
the non-negotiables of house cleaning
our design styles according to HGTV
tips to keep clutter from piling up

LINKS MENTIONED:

Cozy Minimalist Home HGTV Design Personality Quiz

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

instagram

CONNECT WITH EMILY:

website | instagram | facebook | patreon

EPISODE SPONSORS:

Brooklinen: get $20 off + free shipping with promo code SWP Butcher Box: get 2 free filet mignons, free bacon and $20 off your order by visiting butcherbox.com/swp and entering promo code SWP Blinds Chalet: get an exclusive discount when you use promo code STRUGGLEWELL at checkout Lasting: unlock the premium content and get your first month for $.99 by visiting getlasting.com/swp and using promo code SWP

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Patreon | Amazon

SHARE THE STRUGGLE!

If you've been encouraged, share this episode with a friend. The struggle is real. We might as well do this together! Do you love the Struggle Well Project? Please leave a review here.

#171: Reframing Home with Sarah Bragg Feb 04, 2019

Show notes

Sarah Bragg is a popular host and communicator. You can find her on iTunes hosting the podcasts Are My Kids On Track and Surviving Sarah. Her book titled Body. Beauty. Boys. The Truth About Girls and How We See Ourselves helps young women find their value in the One who made them. Sarah has a long career of working in ministry and has helped launch several ministry curriculums for Orange during that time. And while she seems to be a master at brewing coffee, cheering for others and surviving life, she has an actual masters degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. Sarah and her husband, Scott, and their daughters, Sinclair and Rory, reside in Marietta, Georgia.

WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT:

what it’s been like for Sarah to be the wife of an entrepreneur
“selective hearing” when it comes to your husband’s barrage of ideas
coping with the loss of a friendship
making your house a home, even if it’s temporary
not allowing our identity and self-worth to be tethered to people’s opinions
self-acceptance and the acceptance of others

LINKS MENTIONED:

Rising Strong Oprah’s Master Class podcast What About Bob?Lion Coffee

CONNECT WITH SARAH:

website | instagram | facebook | youtube

CONNECT WITH EMILY:

website | instagram | facebook | patreon

EPISODE SPONSORS:

Robin Hood: sign up at struggle.robinhood.com and get free stock Prep Dish: get a free 3 week trial at prepdish.com/swp Lola: get 40% off any subscription when you use SWP at checkout Blinkist: get a free 7-day trial at blinkist.com/swp

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Patreon | Amazon

SHARE THE STRUGGLE!

If you've been encouraged, share this episode with a friend. The struggle is real. We might as well do this together! Do you love the Struggle Well Project? Please leave a review here!

#170: January Problem Solved Jan 28, 2019

Show notes

Do you worry that you’re messing your kids up when it comes to body image? Maybe YOU feel a little messed up when it comes to body image. That’s where Rebecky and I come in. We are here to solve all of the body problems and let you know that we feel a little messed up too. These are the things we are sure of: nakedness can be used to repel children when you need a moment alone, “boring” meal preps are some peoples bag and finally, this is 100% the best episode we’ve recorded yet.

WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT:

when should you stop being naked in front of your children
ways to help instill a healthy body image for your daughter
tips on how to feel more confident in a bathing suit
the never-ending struggle to find time and motivation to work out
Rebecky’s solution to her Double Stuffed Oreo cravings
easy, portable healthy lunches

LINKS MENTIONED:

Lime Ricki maddy_gutierrez_ ashley_dorough

CONNECT WITH REBECKY:

website | instagram

CONNECT WITH EMILY:

website | instagram | facebook | patreon

EPISODE SPONSORS:

Branch Basics: get 15% off your starter kit using promo code SWP at checkout Carma Project: join the project now at joincarma.com/swp Daily Harvest: use promo code SWP and get 3 free cups in your first box Prep Dish: get a free 2 week trial at prepdish.com/swp

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Patreon | Amazon

SHARE THE STRUGGLE!

If you've been encouraged, share this episode with a friend. The struggle is real. We might as well do this together! Do you love the Struggle Well Project? Please leave a review here!

#169: A Body Image Deep Drive with Kara Osborne Jan 21, 2019

Show notes

Have you been caught up comparing yourself to others? Are you finding LITTLE imperfections in yourself and feeling inadequate in a BIG way? Shoot girl, you forgot your worth AGAIN! Body image is tri-cky and you are not alone in this struggle.

Meet Kara. She is the mastermind behind Wellness Witness, a program that helps women on their journey towards better health: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She is a gifted champion for wellness who married her best friend and became a Mama to two. She’s also got a WILD golden doodle puppy named Boone and a 4-year old rescue dog named Bailey.

As a Cancer Survivor, Kara wants to do everything she can to take care of her body so that she never has to hear the words “You have Cancer” again. She plays the bass guitar, sings in a worship band at church and used to work as a school counselor. God has called Kara into leading ministry full-time at Wellness Witness and as a certified Revelation Wellness Instructor.

Kara is wise beyond her years in the wellness field and has a lot to offer us in this short chat. Let’s not chase after that perfect body every day. It’s a mirage creating exhausted and discontent. Let’s LOVE the body we have been given and have a little fun with wellness along the way!

WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT:

the story behind Wellness Witness and how it’s evolved
measuring results by obedience
how God has used Kara’s “mess” to meet other women where they are
the truth that you don’t have to have it figured out, you just have to keep trying

LINKS MENTIONED:

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up Tidying Up with Marie Kondo

CONNECT WITH KARA:

website | instagram | facebook | twitter | youtube

CONNECT WITH EMILY:

website | instagram | facebook | patreon

EPISODE SPONSORS:

BioClarity: get a free clarity mask when you purchase a routine using promo code SWP at checkout Zola: sign up for your free wedding website and get $50 off your registry by visiting zola.com/SWP Branch Basics: get 15% off your starter kit using promo code SWP at checkout Noom: visit noom.com/SWP to start your trial today

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Patreon | Amazon

SHARE THE STRUGGLE!

If you've been encouraged, share this episode with a friend. The struggle is real. We might as well do this together! Do you love the Struggle Well Project? Please leave a review here!

#167: Struggling Sisters: Body Jan 14, 2019

Show notes

It’s body month (Have you downloaded the printable yet?) and in this episode, Katie and I are talking all things kitchen including our kitchen irritations and habits as well as tips and tricks for getting our kids involved in the kitchen. We also share a few of our favorite recipes and stories from our childhood.

WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT:

music we like to listen to while we’re in the kitchen
things we do to keep our kids involved in the kitchen
tips for hosting dinner parties
our favorite kitchen memories
what we dislike about being in the kitchen

LINKS MENTIONED:

Egg Slicer Nom Nom Paleo Instant Pot Carnitas Emily’s Party Punch Sonoma Chicken Salad Whole Foods Market Cookbook

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

instagram

CONNECT WITH EMILY:

website | instagram | facebook | patreon

EPISODE SPONSORS:

Branch Basics: get 15% off your starter kit using promo code SWP at checkout Carma Project: join the project now at joincarma.com/swp Brooklinen: get $20 off + free shipping with promo code SWP Prep Dish: get a free 2 week trial at prepdish.com/swp

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Patreon | Amazon

SHARE THE STRUGGLE!

If you've been encouraged, share this episode with a friend. The struggle is real. We might as well do this together! Do you love the Struggle Well Project? Please leave a review here.

#167: Solving Dinnertime Drama with Polly Conner Jan 07, 2019

Show notes

It’s not called the “witching hour” for no reason. Dinnertime comes to the Thomas house daily and with it comes crying and drama (and sometimes my kids are upset too…). I got a lot out of this chat and I hope you do as well!

Polly is a wife, mother, blogger, foodie, money-saver, animal-lover, and freezer cooking evangelist. She has a heart for equipping and encouraging young moms and women to thrive in their homes. Her blogging journey began when she and Rachel Tiemeyer founded Thrivinghomeblog.com and found that blogging and writing has not only kept her mind sharp during these foggy-sleep-deprived years but has also served as a much-needed creative outlet. Polly is a go-getter, project manager, sometimes a bit too honest, hard-working mom who enjoys a challenge... and a strong mocha with extra whip on the hard days.

What we chat about:

the story behind Polly and Rachel’s freezer cookbook, From Freezer to Table
building community while meal prepping
letting go of the expectations you had for your kids and embracing who they are
how nurturing her child’s ADHD has affected their relationship

Links mentioned:

Thriving Home From Freezer to TableLoving the Little YearsShoe DogHellbound on His TrailLibby Thriving Home recipe tester team

Connect with Polly:

website | instagram | facebook | pinterest

Connect with Emily:

website | instagram | facebook | patreon

Episode Sponsors:

Daily Harvest: use promo code SWP and get 3 free cups in your first box Noom: visit noom.com/SWP to start your trial today Care Of: get 20% off your first month with code SWP Blinkist: visit blinkist.com/SWP to start you free 7-day trial

Support the show:

Patreon | Amazon

Share the Struggle!

If you've been encouraged, share this episode with a friend. The struggle is real. We might as well do this together! Do you love the Struggle Well Project? Please leave a review here!

#166: Translating Teenagers with Drew Hill Dec 24, 2018

Show notes

“It’s impossible to connect with my teenager!” “My child is only 9, we aren’t battling teen issues yet.” “My relationship with the Father doesn’t REALLY impact my relationship with my kids.”

In the words of the great Dwight Schrute: FALSE! In this chat, Drew helps us understand how to approach hurdles with the teens we love.

Drew Hill is the author of Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel. He is also a pastor in Greensboro, NC and serves on the mission-wide leadership team for Young Life. Drew received his BA in Communications from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary. He is married to Natalie and they have three children: Honey, Hutch, and Macy Heart.

What we chat about:

Drew’s book Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel and his heart to connect teens and parents
what Drew learned through the book writing process
making sure our teens understand loving them is not contractual
extending grace and not projecting our fear of failure on our teens’ behavior
the myth that sharing with our mistakes with our teens will break their trust
care vs. cure mindset
practical ways to connect with your teens

Links mentioned:

It’s Not About the Nail The Tech-Wise Family

Connect with Drew:

website | twitter

Connect with Emily:

website | instagram | facebook | patreon

Episode Sponsors:

Health, Hope & Inspiration podcast: get 3 free downloads by visiting HHIdownload.com Lasting: unlock the premium content and get your first month for $.99 by visiting getlasting.com/swp and using promo code SWP Zola: sign up for your free wedding website and registry by visiting zola.com/SWP Blinds Chalet: get an exclusive discount when you use promo code STRUGGLE WELL

Support the show:

Patreon | Amazon

Share the Struggle!

If you've been encouraged, share this episode with a friend. The struggle is real. We might as well do this together! Do you love the Struggle Well Project? Please leave a review here!

#165: December Problem Solved Dec 17, 2018

Show notes

Christmas is just a week away - are you feeling frazzled? Don’t worry, we are too. Fortunately, we’re here to solve your holiday problems from contentious in-laws to all those annoying toys your kids will get this year. We also weigh the pros and cons or real vs. artificial Christmas trees and tackle the age-old question - what do you do when your mom won’t let you stop delivering angel food cake to strangers? It’s a real conundrum.

What we chat about:

feeling frazzled
Rebecky’s first real Christmas tree
what to do when your mom won’t let you stop delivering angel food cake to strangers
navigating holidays with your in-laws
when your kids get unnecessary/annoying toys
how to approach your family about changing tradition
confronting your family when sarcasm becomes hurtful
splitting time between families

Links mentioned:

Sleeping at Last Enneagram songs The Road Back to You

Connect with Rebecky:

website | instagram

Connect with Emily:

website | instagram | facebook | patreon

Episode Sponsors:

Canvas People: get an 11x14 canvas free + shipping by texting “SWP” to 484848 Butcher Box: get free bacon and $20 off your first box at butcherbox.com/SWP with code SWP BioClarity: get your first month 1/2 off + free shipping with code SWP Lasting: unlock the premium version and get your first month for $.99 by visiting getlasting.com/swp and using promo code SWP

Support the show:

Patreon | Amazon

Share the Struggle!

If you've been encouraged, share this episode with a friend. The struggle is real. We might as well do this together! Do you love the Struggle Well Project? Please leave a review here!

#164: Struggling Sisters: Family Dec 10, 2018

Show notes

Is your family weird/amazing/loud/embarrassing/picky? Or at least one of those things? Us too!

The Struggling Sisters talk about strange (and accidentally true crime) family traditions that Em found on the interwebs and we divulge the traditions we have started with our own families. We also did an extensive quiz to find out which Disney family we are. These are the facts: Katie’s family yells, Emily’s family can’t stand DiGiorno and hearing about serial killer families just plain makes us feel better about our own family situations.

What we chat about:

Katie’s Russian accent tips
unusual family traditions
Thomas family traditions including movie nights, Family Day and Emily making her daughter do math for Valentine’s Day
Katie’s Elf on the Shelf adventures
some things we’re starting, some we’re stopping and some things we’re going to keep doing

Links mentioned:

120-Year-Old Wedding Dress Milestone Blessing Bowl Mom and Dad are Fighting podcast The Wondering Years Bananagrams Guess Who Story Cubes Jenga Farkle Uno Attack Giant Uno Playing Card Holder

Connect with Katie:

instagram

Connect with Emily:

website | instagram | facebook | patreon

Episode Sponsors:

Canvas People: get an 11x14 canvas free + shipping by texting “SWP” to 484848 Prep Dish: get a free 2 week trial at prepdish.com/swp Brooklinen: get $20 off + free shipping with code SWP Lasting: unlock the premium version and get your first month for $.99 by visiting getlasting.com/swp and using promo code SWP

Support the show:

Patreon | Amazon

Share the Struggle!

If you've been encouraged, share this episode with a friend. The struggle is real. We might as well do this together! Do you love the Struggle Well Project? Please leave a review here!

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