Sunshine in My Nest

Latest Episodes:

Finding Fun in Family Discipleship with Carl Laferton Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

When we think of discipleship, family worship, or devotions, we often think of cute little faces all in a circle while we read from the Bible, recite a Bible verse, or catechism question. But when Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." He knew what kids were like. He made kids to love fun and laughter. I'm going to chat with Carl Laferton about how to make teaching little ones fun. He's written two of my favorite books for discipling kids, and just finished one full of discipleship games and activities. I had the joy of pre-testing that one with my kids and then writing an endorsement for it, because we fell in love.

Kid's discipleship resources seem to be a passion of yours over the last few years. Does your stage of life encourage that?

You've done rich theological resources for kids in the past... Why do you think fun in discipleship is so important that you poured your time into writing so many activities?

When you're looking at a passage or story, how do you gather ideas to make it fun?

Is there ever a place for seriousness in discipleship, or should all of it be gamified?

How do we keep that balance as parents?

What are the vital elements of teaching the Bible to kids?

How do we prioritize connection in discipleship?

Follow Carl Laferton HERE ⁠ ⁠or get "⁠God's Big Promises Storybook Bible" and the companion "Beginning with God"

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Training Yourself to Do Hard Things with Min Hwang Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

I don't know about you, but I want to do more than manage schedules and be a chauffeur in my own life. I want to have good habits that lead to a connection with my family. Many habit books talk about how to revolutionize our lives, but so many of them focus on professional success, and that's not really the metric I'm chasing. I want to learn to do the hard things in my relational life and in my home. Today I'm chatting with Min. She's a homeschool mom and on the board of the Charlotte Mason Institute. She leads many coaching groups that help moms succeed in their homes or in their small businesses.

-What inspired you to do more than just survive everyday life?

-What are some of the Band-Aids you notice moms use to get through the day?

-What is a better way to have clarity around our goals as moms?

- What is the first step a mom can do to start training herself to do hard things?

You can find Min Hwang at Life-giving Motherhood or Coram Deo Planner!

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Our Favorite Habits to Strengthen Faith with Kyle Worley Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

I was reading an article the other day. It was saying you become like the sum of your 5 closest friends. The things that we think about, talk about, and watch shape us more deeply than we are aware most of the time. I think the podcasts we listen to and tv we watch also would apply to this. In fact, I so deeply believe this I recently deleted a bunch of shows I listen to because I think the messages and language it was using were starting to affect the words I reach for when I don't know what to say.

Today I'm talking to Kyle Worley about how what we expose ourselves to transforms our lives. Kyle is a host of the wildly popular "Knowing Faith Podcast" and Author of "Formed for Fellowship."

What is a way that you have noticed yourself being formed by who you are around, for good or bad?

How do we start becoming aware of what is shaping us?

How do we start creating a vision for our life and family based on Biblical truth?

What are some of your favorite family rhythms, and who influenced you to pick them up?

Follow Kyle Worley ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠or get "⁠⁠Deep Discipleship" or "Formed for Fellowship."

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Yes, I know I'm Crazy On A Random Wednesday Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

I know so many of you are already day 1 listeners... would you help me chase a curiosity?

I've been winging this podcast situation, but I just found out you can get on the Apple podcast charts if a bunch of people hit follow on the show on the same day!

The email list is ON IT! And Instagram is ON IT!! Would you experiment with me and hit FOLLOW on the podcast for today, and then invite a friend also!

I know it's a random Wednesday, but I'd really love to try and see if we could do something!

Speak Words That Heal, Not Hurt Your Kids with Amy Hughes Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

As parents, we know the words we say matter so much. But in the heat of the moment, many parents still find that angry or degrading words come pouring out. After these moments, hot tears of repentance stream down cheeks, and oaths are sworn. It will never happen again. Amy is a mother of nine, parenting coach, and writer in the Wild and Free community. She and I are going to explore how God's grace can cover angry words and how that grace can transform the words we speak.

-From a child psychology perspective, why do the words that parents speak matter so much? Can it affect our kids' anxiety and depression?

-What are some of the most damaging words and phrases a parent can use?

-How do we repair when we've found we've used those words again?

-In what way do we need to see ourselves to change the way we speak?

-Does the way we talk to ourselves matter? (How does seeing ourselves held in grace matter?)

-If a woman is starting to feel heavy with the thought of watching every little word that comes out of her mouth, what hope do you have to offer her?

Follow Amy Hughes ⁠HERE ⁠or get "⁠Words Like Honey."

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Are Catechisms Just for Catholics? with Leah Nicklaus of Living Bright Homeschool Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

The number one thing I get asked when I share about memorizing the catechism is "Wait... I didn't know you were Catholic." Trying to explain that there are many kinds of catechisms and we use a Protestant one leaves even more questions. That's sad to me because teaching my kids the catechism has become one of the most formative faith practices I've had.

Today I'm talking to Leah Nicklaus. She is a fellow mom of only boys who homeschools in the classical/Charlotte Mason method. She has hundreds of gospel-centered book recommendations and resources! I've come to love chatting with her because we share so much in common, including how valuable we find the catechism to be.

-How has catechism helped you and your family? -When did you first discover the catechism? How would you define it?

-Which catechism do you like best?

-How do you include it in other discipleship practices? What does discipleship look like in your family?

-Have you found the catechism to help your faith?

-What are other family discipleship practices that work for you?

You can find Leah Nicklaus here!

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Practical Ideas for Studying the Bible with Katie Orr Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

My walk with God has looked so different in different stages of my life, or do we call it Eras now?

But in every one of the new stages of life, I have found myself encouraged by hearing the way other people practice their faith. Today I'm talking to Katie Orr, Bible Teacher and Bible study writer. We are going to compare and contrast what our spiritual walk looked like as we were kids, how it developed through having our own kids, and how it's shifted as Bible teachers. I hope as you listen, you can take and add the practices that feel encouraging to you, and leave what doesn't fit for another season. In this episode, we cover:

Childhood devotional habits and family Bible reading traditions
How to make your faith your own in your teen years
What to do when you feel like walking away from faith
Creative ways to connect with God during busy motherhood
Transitioning from survival mode to pouring into others
Encouragement for adapting your spiritual practices as life changes

We are both participating in a "Bible Study Bundle" available just this week. In it, you'll get a couple of the Bible studies we discussed during this episode, and many, many more!

You can Katie Orr at this link!

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy with Naptime Kitchen Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

I was reading a year or two ago, I can't even remember where now, but a sentence from the article has solidified itself in my memory. It said something along the lines of "Most people on social media follow someone one step ahead of them, or one financial bracket above them.

Any more than that and it's overwhelming, under that and it isn't inspiring." It struck me because it named rather specifically why social media can breed discontentment. If we are only looking at the lives of people a little bit ahead of us, then we are always going to be tempted to spend above than we can afford. Maybe that's taking trips that the financial strain makes us miserable afterward. Sink a deposit into a house that consumes our whole household income. Maybe it's as simple as buying organizing systems that is totally out of reach.

Kate Strickler is the creator behind Naptime Kitchen. For this book, she was just named a New York Times best-selling author! Congratulations! Her new book, "I Just Wish I had a Bigger Kitchen," tackles why we feel discontent when most of us have everything we need.

-What is the first time you started noticing you were believing lies about your life?

-How do you usually identify that you are believing a lie?

-Do you think naming the lie helps remove its power over us?

-Why is the chapter "I just wish I had more friends" resonating most with readers?

Follow Kate Strickler HERE or get "I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen."

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Discerning Fictional Magic with Marian Jacobs Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever wondered why stories hold such power over our hearts? From fairy tales and Greek myths to Disney movies and the Bible itself, stories shape the way we see the world. In this episode of Sunshine in My Nest, I sit down with Marian A. Jacobs, author of On Magic and Miracles, to explore the role of stories in Christian life, how to discern between good and harmful narratives, and why God chose story as the way to reveal His plan of salvation.

Together, we talk about:

Why humans crave hero stories and how they point us toward Jesus.
How the Bible is not just rules or heroes to copy, but the ultimate story of the Savior who rescues us.
The difference between magic and miracles—and why it matters for Christians.
What Frozen, Greek myths, and stories from around the world reveal about the character of God.
The danger of legalism when discerning what media we consume.
Practical questions you can ask yourself while reading or watching to help guide your choices.

Whether you’re a parent reading the Jesus Storybook Bible, a book lover sorting through modern fiction, or someone who simply wants to grow in discernment, this conversation will help you enjoy stories more deeply while keeping your eyes fixed on Christ.

Listen in and be encouraged to find the beauty of God’s truth woven into the stories all around you.

⁠More info about Around the Ancient World HERE!!⁠⁠

You can find ⁠Marian A Jacobs and her book "⁠Watching for the Morning.⁠"

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Surviving When You Have Nothing Left with Vaneetha Risner Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Burnout feels like waiting for the next blow.
I remember sobbing to a friend after three months, where it felt like everything I valued was stripped away. Later, another friend echoed the same words: “I’m just scared of what will happen next.”

Burnout isn’t just exhaustion—it’s the crushing weight of repeated losses. The first time someone explained burnout recovery to me, I nearly cried with relief. What I was experiencing was normal. But recovery wasn’t instant. Healing burnout takes time, grace, and patience.

Today I’m talking with Vaneetha, who has walked through divorce, infertility, post-polio syndrome, and even the loss of a child. In the middle of suffering, she has clung to faith and discovered the hope God offers in burnout, grief, and lament.

We’ll explore:
-What burnout really looks like
-How to recover from burnout with faith
-What lament is and how to practice it
-How to hold on to hope when life feels impossible

Let’s talk: