Podcasts about homemakers

Home Is for Hospitality: homeisforhospitality.com - the book is now available! Having people over for dinner can feel intimidating. What do you say? Is your house clean enough? What if dinner isn't ready on time?In this episode of Simply Convivial, I share practical, real-life tips for making hospitality feel natural instead of awkward. As I prep lasagna and brown butter pound cake, I walk through the simple principles that make hosting dinner doable — even if you don't feel naturally gifted at it.You'll learn:   What to do the moment guests walk in   The 3 things that matter most before people arrive   Why you don't need a perfectly clean house   How to avoid being flustered   Why hospitality is practice, not performanceHospitality isn't about impressing people. It's about sharing real life together.

New book! homeisforhospitality.comGet the book! HomeIsForHospitality.com

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.In this final long form episode of our winter 2026 season, I am presenting a portrait of a single homemaker, Brittany Shepard, who has been keeping a home as a single woman for many years.Though being single in her 40s is not what she expected, she has learned to see the unique value and beauty of the life God has given her right now. Brittany is, by nature, a storyteller and story keeper. She loves filling her home with family heirlooms and vintage treasures, so much so that her passion has grown into a flourishing side business called The Sentimental Decorator. Whether she's gathering women around the shared love of story-keeping or gathering family and friends around her dinner table set with treasured dishes, Brittany understands how to leverage the home and her singleness to bring people together and foster a place of welcome and belonging for whomever God puts in her path.NOTES & LINKSConnect with BrittanyWebsite | thesentimentaldecorator.comInstagram | @brittanyshepardThe Sentimental Twist Podcast | apple | SpotifyMIL/DIL Relationships SurveyFull Episode Notes including Brittany's Signature Dish will be on the Blog. theartofhomepodcast.com/blog > search "Brittany Shepard"Support the showHOMEMAKING RESOURCES Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum Newsletter Archive JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide SUPPORT & CONNECT Review | Love The Podcast Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email Follow | Follow The Podcast Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend

Send a textIn this episode of The Riley Black Project, John and Crystal sit down with Blake from Great Lakes Laser Supply to talk about the Michigan Maker Summit—how it started, why smaller meetups matter, and what really happens when makers get in the same room without the pressure of massive expos.What began as an idea on a 17-hour drive home from Next Level turned into a full-blown summit planned in just three weeks—and it worked. This conversation digs into the power of community, intimate breakout sessions, real conversations, and why these smaller events often create bigger breakthroughs than giant conferences.We cover:How the Michigan Maker Summit came together in record timeWhy smaller, more intimate events create safer spaces to ask questionsThe difference between learning online vs learning in personWhy not everyone can make it to Vegas, APA, or massive exposHow meetups help newer makers avoid feeling “stupid” asking questionsWhy teachers learn just as much as attendeesThe hardest part of events: implementing what you learn after you get homeMaker burnout, travel exhaustion, and real-life constraintsThis episode is for makers, creatives, and small business owners who want real growth, real connection, and real implementation—not just motivation that fades when you get home.Support the showIf you enjoy our content, consider supporting us on Patreon!! You can check out the tier options and perks here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRileyBlackProjectCheck out my Linktree for my social media links & all the different things I have to offer! https://linktr.ee/RileyBlackWant more info on Aeon Lasers?? If so, show me some love by clicking on my partner link below and then hit the "Get Started" button! If you found my content helpful,and decided to call or DM instead, make sure to mention "Crystal Aguila" as the referral.

Housework feels dull and monotonous when we forget why we're doing it.In this episode of Simply Convivial, I read chapter one of my newly released book Home Is for Hospitality: Why Your Home and Homemaking Matter. This chapter lays the foundation for the entire book: your home is on a mission, and hospitality is that mission.Homemaking isn't about aesthetics, guilt, or proving your worth. It's about stewarding the place God has given you to shape people—your family, your guests, and yourself—in love and faithfulness.In this reading, you'll hear:Why housework feels meaningless without purposeHow hospitality reframes everyday choresWhy homemaking reflects God's own work in the worldHow homes function as centers for discipleship

Today's episode will challenge you to look at your home in a whole new light! And it doesn't take money as much as it takes creativity! Swapping rooms, troubleshooting weird corners-- Not to make your home the perfect showpiece for guests coming through, but for your family who lives and lands here every day! We'll discuss ways to stop looking at your home through an Instagram lens and not only tolerate the quirks of your home, but celebrate and appreciate them. And in our usual chatty fashion we'll also be discussing our Valentine's, thrifting woes, and someone is losing their childhood home. By the end, we hope you feel like you have permission to make the practical changes in your home that will impact your family long past winter. Let's make our homes peaceful. Not performative.A huge thank-you to our sponsors! Voetberg Music Academy:Use our code HOMEMAKER20 to get 20% off every month your family is enrolled and learn music in a way that sticks.https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/Cozy Earth:Go to https://cozyearth.com and use our code HOMEMAKER for up to 20% off.Wild:Thanks to Wild for partnering with us on today's video! Use code HONEYIMHOMEMAKER20 at https://shopwildrefill.com/HoneyImHomemaker-9 , and get 20% off all Wild products (refillable deodorant, body wash, lip balm, and hand wash)! Available worldwide!Watch our first 3 seasons: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqdjqwDnpIMx_GhVzCWsT4LF-1EsRhwJm&si=8hmyDW0lI4-yWhQ-Please subscribe! You can also find this podcast on Spotify and iTunes!THINGS WE MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE:Creami: https://amzn.to/4qGQ9yxPodcast I was on with Lisa Bass: https://youtu.be/F0RDSsCsPVA?si=oI9UYPZbSlFjMVcVViolet Witchel kitchen tour:https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT33aumDyMB/?igsh=MW0wZHBja2lqbXN3bg==If you'd like to see Jayna's childhood home (and maybe buy it,) here's the link:1361 Woodland Circle, Denver Pa. - Martin & Rutt Auctioneers https://share.google/mh42tw7NUIZ0URbLxShop Megan's lifestyle brand FoxSparrow over at www.meganfoxunlocked.comShop Megan's Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/meganfoxunlockedShop Jayna's Amazon Storefront:https://www.amazon.com/shop/jaynalynnhandmade?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_aipsfshop_aipsfjaynalynnhandmade_8JT0JHV8AH0KP8VJX5XN&language=en_USSign up for Scribd: (audiobook library): https://www.scribd.com/gitx/a33qb4(If you use this link you'll get a free month trial!)Chairs: https://www.walmart.com/ip/SINGES-Acc...Wallpaper: https://glnk.io/4x0x0/meganfoxunlockedgmailcomUse code MEGAN35Lamp: https://amzn.to/46Dyuy7Mustard throw: (the softest thing you've ever felt!) https://amzn.to/39CgZG2Contact/Collab: meganfoxunlocked@gmail.comP.O. BOX- send us some mail!P.O. BOX 9Akron, PA 17501Follow us on Instagram:Honey I'm Homemaker: https://www.instagram.com/honeyimhomemaker/ Megan: https://www.instagram.com/meganfoxunlocked/Jayna: https://www.instagram.com/jaynaburkholder/Megan's Business: https://www.instagram.com/shopfoxsparrow/Jayna's Business: https://www.instagram.com/jaynalynnhandmade/0:00 A scandalous Valentines 6:30 The Hive and the Headlines 9:05 Housekeeping10:30 A beautiful junk drawer? 13:06 Flipping rooms-- a huge change17:45 Hibachi lunch at home23:35 How considering your family first works best26:24 Thrifting has been tragic31:40 Troubleshooting odd shaped walls33:25 Cracker Barrel core?39:52 Chickfila distracted us-- oops41:09 Moving onto the home place45:30 Your home is a shelter, not a stageSome links are affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my channel!Music from YouTube and Epidemic Sound

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.Hey Homemaker!We kick off this episode with a few updates and a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Then we jump into a brand new homemaker portrait.I am chatting with Jazmine Wyland who is making a home with Matthew, her husband of 2 years, and their 17-year-old foster son. Jazmine shares her journey of the past 10 years beginning when she left home to live in her pastor's family's basement apartment, through becoming a newlywed with BIG expectations and idealized visions of home that were immediately challenged by the reality and unpredictability of married life. Jazmine's story is a beautiful reminder that home isn't found in perfect homemaking, but rather in present homemaking. That is, in being flexible, intentional and resourceful to create an atmosphere and a space where you and your people feel at home and can connect with one another whatever your present circumstances.NOTES & LINKSFull show notes on the blog, theartofhomepodcast.com/blog > search "Jazmine Wyland".Mother-in-Law/Daughter-in-Law Relationship Survey, https://forms.gle/TMchcyYD7DM7vawD8The Homemaker's Journal Magazine News and Updates, theartofhomepodcast.com/subscribeSupport the showHOMEMAKING RESOURCES Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum Newsletter Archive JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide SUPPORT & CONNECT Review | Love The Podcast Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email Follow | Follow The Podcast Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend

In today's episode, I'm sharing my most recommended tips for making your life better right now. I'm walking you through your spiritual life, marriage, motherhood, homemaking, and health today. It's time to evaluate what barriers are slowing you down or overwhelming you as you serve in the roles of wife, mom, and homemaker. It's time to make adjustments! Let's do it! If you want to join our 365 Women's Bible Study, we'd love to have you! It's a self-paced, no-pressure, no guilt, 365-day, grace-filled Bible study for women—a quiet place to stay rooted in God's Word without pressure, performance, or perfection. JOIN US TODAY

Hospitality can feel overwhelming when we think it has to mean hosting big dinners or perfectly planned events. But biblical hospitality doesn't start there. FREE Hospitality workshop: simplyconvivial.com/hospitalityIn this episode of Simply Convivial, I break hospitality down into three concentric circles and explain why lasting, joyful hospitality has to start at the center. When your home serves your family well, hospitality can naturally expand outward without stress, guilt, or pretending.Using a simple whiteboard framework, I'll show you:Why hospitality isn't an aesthetic or an eventHow family life is the foundation of real hospitalityWhy church hospitality comes before evangelistic hospitalityHow everyday homemaking supports a hospitable lifeThis concept is central to my upcoming book Home Is for Hospitality: Why Your Home and Homemaking Matter.Christian homemaking takes deliberate practice, not perfect systems. Every week on Simply Convivial, I share practical mindset shifts and small, steady habits that help you build a home anchored in truth and run with cheerful consistency. If you want less overwhelm, stronger routines, and a more faithful way to manage your day, you're in the right place. Grab a basket of laundry, press play, and let's grow in cheerful productivity together.

You know us today, but what was life like in 2016? I'll give you a hint-- VERY DIFFERENT! We loved this trend on Instagram and decided to take it to the airwaves. Join the cousins as they reminisce about what life was like startin out on their homemaking journeys. For Megan, 2016 was the Grand Finale. For Jayna-- the year that life actually started. We cover topics such as our most stressful moments, crazy homemade flying machines, quitting a job and traveling halfway across the country to make it on their own, and how motherhood changed EVERYTHING. Our 2016 could not have been more different. Buckle up, and come along with us for a little blast from the past!P.S. What did life look like for you in 2016?THANK-YOU to this episode sponsors:Voetberg Music Academy:Use our code HOMEMAKER20 to get 20% off every month your family is enrolled and learn music in a way that sticks.https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/Cozy Earth:Go to https://cozyearth.com and use my code HOMEMAKER for up to 20% off. And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey be sure to mention you heard about them here! The pajamas will change your life in my humble opinion. What a perfect Valentine's Day Gift!Hydroponic garden:https://amzn.to/49ULYdpWatch our first 3 seasons: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqdjqwDnpIMx_GhVzCWsT4LF-1EsRhwJm&si=8hmyDW0lI4-yWhQ-Please subscribe! You can also find this podcast on Spotify and iTunes!Shop Megan's lifestyle brand FoxSparrow over at www.meganfoxunlocked.comShop Megan's Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/meganfoxunlockedShop Jayna's Amazon Storefront:https://www.amazon.com/shop/jaynalynnhandmade?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_aipsfshop_aipsfjaynalynnhandmade_8JT0JHV8AH0KP8VJX5XN&language=en_USSign up for Scribd: (audiobook library): https://www.scribd.com/gitx/a33qb4(If you use this link you'll get a free month trial!)Chairs: https://www.walmart.com/ip/SINGES-Acc...Wallpaper: https://glnk.io/4x0x0/meganfoxunlockedgmailcomUse code MEGAN35Lamp: https://amzn.to/46Dyuy7Mustard throw: (the softest thing you've ever felt!) https://amzn.to/39CgZG2Contact/Collab: meganfoxunlocked@gmail.comP.O. BOX- send us some mail!P.O. BOX 9Akron, PA 17501Follow us on Instagram:Honey I'm Homemaker: https://www.instagram.com/honeyimhomemaker/ Megan: https://www.instagram.com/meganfoxunlocked/Jayna: https://www.instagram.com/jaynaburkholder/Megan's Business: https://www.instagram.com/shopfoxsparrow/Jayna's Business: https://www.instagram.com/jaynalynnhandmade/0:00 A doozy of a cold3:35 The hive and the headlines-- Things are happening6:50-- How we're doing sponsorships this season8:20 When we weren't friends10:40 A whole different world12:12 The crescendo of young married life15:57 A new obsession19:20 Navigating the bordem of new motherhood21:10 A violent wreck 23:22 A country bumpkin in the city27:19 So skinny!30:04 Building Noah's Ark32:58 My first lose35:00 Falling from the sky?37:06 Girl boss garage saler39:38 Traveling like thieves! 41:00 The MOST STRESS at the time45:00 Never ready to have kids47:56 Dresses from my 2016 archives Some links are affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my channel!Music from YouTube and Epidemic Sound

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.I am chatting with in-the-trenches homemaker, Amanda Webb, who is no stranger to homemaking in unexpected and challenging circumstances. Just a few years into her marriage, her husband, Jonathan, was diagnosed with chronic leukemia, which among other things, prevents him from working a regular 9-5 job to provide for the family. They have had to get creative with cutting expenses, finding streams of income and shifting traditional household roles and responsibilities to meet their family's needs . Amanda has much wisdom and valuable perspective to share. Whatever your homemaking circumstances you will walk away from her interview with insight to help your own practice of the art of home. NOTES & LINKSFull Show Notes on the Blog; theartofhomepodcast.com/blog > search "Amanda Webb"Connect with AmandaInstagram @JonathanNAmandaWebbIn Dallas Area? Check out the Webb's bakery, Taste & See Sourdough. Place orders, sign up for classes, check market schedule. Support small businesses! tasteandseesourdough.com MAIL BAG:MIL/DIL Relationship SurveyDottie's Favorite Game, Chronology-The Game Where You Make HistoryBOOKS MENTIONED:You Who: Why You Matter and How to Deal With It by Rachael JankovicEve in Exile: The Restoration of Femininity by Rebekah MerkleBe Our Guest! I'm looking for guests for our Spring 2026 season. Apply or Nominate Through 02.15.26 or before all spots are filled. theartofhomepodcast.com/guestSupport the showHOMEMAKING RESOURCES Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum Newsletter Archive JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide SUPPORT & CONNECT Review | Love The Podcast Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email Follow | Follow The Podcast Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend

Birthday parties don't have to be expensive, elaborate, or exhausting. In this episode of the Simply Convivial podcast, I talk with Convivial Circle mentor member Elaine about how her family shifted from “big, perfect milestone parties” to simple, repeatable, at-home celebrations that actually build connection.FREE Hospitality Workshop - simplyconvivial.com/hospitalityInstead of Pinterest-worthy events, Elaine learned something better: hospitality is a skill you practice.We talk about:Why elaborate parties burn moms outHow lowering expectations made hosting easierKeeping a simple “party bin” for zero-decision decoratingHosting at home instead of paying for venuesLetting kids help (and eventually run the party themselves)Why practice makes hospitality easier over timeHow birthdays create natural opportunities for friendship and communityLearning to stop worrying what other people thinkThe goal isn't perfection. It's opening your home cheerfully and often.If you want to grow confident in everyday hospitality without overwhelm, this conversation will help you rethink what a “good” party actually looks like.

Decluttering will never be “done.” And that's not a failure — it's reality.In this final episode of my decluttering series, I show you how to stop treating decluttering like a dramatic life overhaul and start treating it like what it actually is: a normal part of managing a real home for real people.In this video we talk about:   Why minimalism is not the goal for families   Why decluttering will always be ongoing   How to build a simple 10-minute habit   How accountability creates momentum   Why small progress beats big overhauls   How to stop attaching guilt to clutter   How to become calm and confident about managing stuffYour home is not a dollhouse.Your stuff is not the enemy.And you are not failing because things get messy.You are a home manager. And this is part of the job.If clutter overwhelms you, I invite you to join:The February Declutter Challenge inside Convivial Circle20 sessions × 10 minutes × real progressLearn more at convivialcircle.comThis video is part of my decluttering series for Christian homemakers who want peaceful, functional homes without chasing minimalist ideals.Christian homemaking takes deliberate practice, not perfect systems. Every week on Simply Convivial, I share practical mindset shifts and small, steady habits that help you build a home anchored in truth and run with cheerful consistency. If you want less overwhelm, stronger routines, and a more faithful way to manage your day, you're in the right place. Grab a basket of laundry, press play, and let's grow in cheerful productivity together.

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.I am chatting with seasoned homemaker of 45 years, Pam Stockdale. Pam was nominated by her daughter, Kristen Howard, who was a guest on The Art of Home several years and ago and who has written a few pieces for our newsletter. Pam is genuine, forthright and her love for her husband, home and family is only outshined by her love for Jesus. We talk about her whirlwind romance/courtship and engagement with Jim…believe me , you've never heard one quite like theirs! Then we cover their time as traveling evangelists, horse trainers, ranchers and even airplane owners spanning 45 years of married life as well as Pam's reflections on how being raised by her widowed father and some influential women in her life shaped the homemaker she became. Through it all, God has bent His ear time and again to Pam's prayers and provided answers to questions she didn't even know to ask, because He is that good. His provision has allowed Pam & Jim to "live loud and wide open," staying rooted in the things that matter most. RESOURCES & LINKSShow Notes blog post with Pam's biscuit recipe! theartofhomepodcast.com/blog search "Pam Stockdale"Pam's Book: Snapshots: Moments Captured in a Flash Be Our Guest! I'm looking for guests for our Spring 2026 season. Apply or Nominate Through 02.15.26 or before all spots are filled. theartofhomepodcast.com/guestSupport the showHOMEMAKING RESOURCES Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum Newsletter Archive JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide SUPPORT & CONNECT Review | Love The Podcast Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email Follow | Follow The Podcast Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend

Learn my simple decluttering method that works with real family life! Enroll in Convivial Circle: convivialcircle.comThis video provides valuable decluttering motivation and practical declutter tips for managing your home. I'll show you how to declutter effectively with a "Bite-sized action" approach and introduce the "February 2026 Declutter Challenge" to help you with decluttering and organizing. This method makes it easy to declutter home without feeling overwhelmed, even with a quick 5 minute declutter.Why decluttering feels discouraging even when you're “doing it right”How to stop treating decluttering like a finish line and start treating it like maintenanceWhat to focus on first so decluttering actually reduces mental loadHow to make peace with ongoing decisions instead of restarting from scratch every yearChristian homemaking takes deliberate practice, not perfect systems. Every week on Simply Convivial, I share practical mindset shifts and small, steady habits that help you build a home anchored in truth and run with cheerful consistency. If you want less overwhelm, stronger routines, and a more faithful way to manage your day, you're in the right place. Grab a basket of laundry, press play, and let's grow in cheerful productivity together.

Today, I want to share a lesson from Sarah with you. This sparkling gem stood out to me as I was reading some passages in our 365 Women's Bible Study. I hope it encourages you on your marriage journey. This is all Bible, Sis! May we have a hunger and desire to pick up our crosses to follow Christ, regardless of what the world says. Remember, submission is strength!    If you want to join our 365 Women's Bible Study, we'd love to have you! It's a self-paced, no-pressure, no guilt, 365-day, grace-filled Bible study for women—a quiet place to stay rooted in God's Word without pressure, performance, or perfection. JOIN US TODAY

Decluttering is not a one-time reset. It is part of managing a real home that real people use every day. If clutter overwhelms you, I invite you to my free workshop: Decluttering Made Simple: 3 Surprising Ways to Get Organized WITHOUT Tossing Everything - Sign up at simplyconvivial.com/declutterIn this episode of my decluttering series, I show you how to turn decluttering into a small daily habit instead of a stressful life overhaul. I walk through three real spaces in my home and demonstrate how much progress you can make in just a few minutes at a time.In this video we talk about:   Why homes will never stay “done”   Why systems always require maintenance   How to declutter in 3–5 minute pockets   How to manage changing family needs   Why clutter is not a moral failure    How to think like a competent home managerYour family will grow. Your seasons will change. Your space will be used. That is not a problem to fix — it is life to manage well.This video is part of my decluttering series for Christian homemakers who want peaceful, functional homes without chasing minimalist ideals.Christian homemaking takes deliberate practice, not perfect systems. Every week on Simply Convivial, I share practical mindset shifts and small, steady habits that help you build a home anchored in truth and run with cheerful consistency. If you want less overwhelm, stronger routines, and a more faithful way to manage your day, you're in the right place. Grab a basket of laundry, press play, and let's grow in cheerful productivity together.

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.Join me for the first Homemaker Portrait of 2026. I'm chatting with In-the-Trenches homemaker, Colleen Rockwell, about homemaking, homesteading and homeschooling. After working many years as a full-time nurse, Colleen left her job to stay home with her 3 children. They moved to a more rural area, got some animals, started homeschooling and haven't looked back. Colleen admits, "My biggest challenge was, and still is, running my home smoothly, learning the best systems to clean, cook, and preserve food." We cover all of this and more in her story of home. Be sure to listen till the end for this episode's emoji. :) NOTES & RESOURCESFull show notes will be up on the blog soon! www.theartofhomepodcast.com/blogConnect with Colleen | @littleridgeacresMentioned in This Episode:Passionate Penny Pincher PlannersSupport the showHOMEMAKING RESOURCES Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum Newsletter Archive JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide SUPPORT & CONNECT Review | Love The Podcast Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email Follow | Follow The Podcast Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend

If minimalism keeps tempting you — or decluttering feels overwhelming — this episode will change how you see your home. Your house is not a pile of clutter. It is a collection of inventories that serve real people. If clutter overwhelms you, I invite you to my free workshop: Decluttering Made Simple: 3 Surprising Ways to Get Organized WITHOUT Tossing Everything - simplyconvivial.com/declutterIn this episode of my decluttering series, I explain:    Why every functioning home has inventories    Why all inventories require ongoing management    Why decluttering is not about emotions or aesthetics    Why minimalism often feeds perfectionism    How to manage books, clothes, food, and tools without guiltHomemaking is not about achieving a final “done” state. It is the ongoing work of stewarding resources so your home can serve your family with competence and hospitality.This is not about having less stuff.It is about managing what you have well.This video is part of my decluttering series for Christian homemakers who want a peaceful, functional home without chasing minimalist ideals.Christian homemaking takes deliberate practice, not perfect systems. Every week on Simply Convivial, I share practical mindset shifts and small, steady habits that help you build a home anchored in truth and run with cheerful consistency. If you want less overwhelm, stronger routines, and a more faithful way to manage your day, you're in the right place. Grab a basket of laundry, press play, and let's grow in cheerful productivity together.

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.Historically, for homemakers, winter was not a time of inactivity, but of different activity; making and mending, close to the hearth, to prepare for the busier days of spring, summer and fall. Today I want to share some ideas for cultivating your soul, mind and skills through the practice of winter homemaker culture.Full Show Notes on the Blog: https://www.theartofhomepodcast.com/blogMore On Homemaker Culture:Monday Motivation #6; Cultivating a Creative LifeMonday Motivation #29; Nature Study & JournalingMonday Motivation #30; An Artful LifeSupport the showHOMEMAKING RESOURCES Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum Newsletter Archive JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide SUPPORT & CONNECT Review | Love The Podcast Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email Follow | Follow The Podcast Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend

By this time of year, you might be feeling a little lonely or shut in. We're here to stew over life with you! In this magazine style episode we will be chatting about life lately, our perfect no recipe soup solution, the perfect cozy winter outfit formula, powering through sickness and deep winter, and how to infuse joy and coziness into this sometimes unloved season. Whatever season of life you're in, grab a cozy drink, or prop us up on the window sill while you catch up on dishes. Let's hang out!Watch our first 3 seasons: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqdjqwDnpIMx_GhVzCWsT4LF-1EsRhwJm&si=8hmyDW0lI4-yWhQ-A huge thank-you to our sponsors! Voetberg Music Academy:Use our code HOMEMAKER20 to get 20% off every month your family is enrolled and learn music in a way that sticks.https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/Cozy Earth:Go to https://cozyearth.com and use our code HOMEMAKER for up to 20% off.Wild:Thanks to Wild for partnering with us on today's video! Use code HONEYIMHOMAKER20 at https://shopwildrefill.com/HoneyImHomemaker-9 , and get 20% off all Wild products (refillable deodorant, body wash, lip balm, and hand wash)! Available worldwide!Not a sponsor, but Little Cocalico gave us a code to share with you!Use code homemaker15 for 15% off sitewide at https://littlecocalico.com until January 31st!Please subscribe! You can also find this podcast on Spotify and iTunes!Shop Megan's lifestyle brand FoxSparrow over at www.meganfoxunlocked.comShop Megan's Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/meganfoxunlockedShop Jayna's Amazon Storefront:https://www.amazon.com/shop/jaynalynnhandmade?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_aipsfshop_aipsfjaynalynnhandmade_8JT0JHV8AH0KP8VJX5XN&language=en_USLeggings: https://amzn.to/460z8YqLayering tops:https://amzn.to/4pKLJWPChopper:https://amzn.to/4sKxAvtDuraflame log:https://amzn.to/4qTyRyABeaver Family Adventures:https://amzn.to/4sLEPDtSign up for Scribd: (audiobook library): https://www.scribd.com/gitx/a33qb4(If you use this link you'll get a free month.)Contact/Collab: meganfoxunlocked@gmail.comP.O. BOX- send us some mail!P.O. BOX 9Akron, PA 17501Follow us on Instagram:Honey I'm Homemaker: https://www.instagram.com/honeyimhomemaker/ Megan: https://www.instagram.com/meganfoxunlocked/Jayna: https://www.instagram.com/jaynaburkholder/Megan's Business: https://www.instagram.com/shopfoxsparrow/0:00 Doom, gloom, and miracles7:22 Housekeeping 8:15 The Hive and the Headlines13:02 Winter stew begins--simmer down16:34 Megan's ideal winter outfit formula22:10 Jayna's no recipe soup formula28:15 Sickness and anxiety31:40 Spending money on mouths34:10 A brighter winter-- use that fireplace35:59 Decluttering the second time around37:47 Creating community when its cold with third spaces40:58 Bring this 2000's trend back!Some links are affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my channel!Music from YouTube and Epidemic Sound

Declutter with me! Decluttering does not need to be a weekend project or a life overhaul. Register for the Free Workshop: Decluttering Made Simple: 3 Surprising Ways to Get Organized WITHOUT Tossing Everything - simplyconvivial.com/declutterIn this episode of my decluttering series, I show you how to make decluttering a small, repeatable habit using just 10 minutes at a time. Instead of waiting until you are fed up, exhausted, or drowning in mess, you can learn how to stay on top of clutter as a normal part of managing a home.I walk through decluttering a real drawer in real time and explain:    Why big decluttering projects usually backfire    How to choose the right small space to start    Why trash comes first    How to build momentum without making a huge mess    How to turn decluttering into regular maintenance instead of a crisis response

Okemos Library Assistant Laura joins the group to talk Mysteries, winter reading, enthralling history and dogs. Cheryl's Books:    Square Haunting: Five Writers in London Between the Wars by Francesca WadeNever Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro Mentioned:Never Let Me Go movie The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (book)The Remains of the Day movieThe Secret History by Donna TarttJessica's Books:   All of Us Murderers by KJ CharlesWater Moon by Samantha Sotto YambaoQueer Enlightenments: A Hidden History of Lovers Lawbreakers, and Homemakers by Anthony DelaneyMentioned: Gentleman Jack by Anne Choma  The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao (Jan 20th release)Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro Mari's Books:   Whodonut? : A Holiday Mystery by Josh FunkAgatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Marci Kay MonsonWhy Did the Chicken Cross the Road? A Hard-Boiled Mystery by Brianna Caplan SayresBeth Is Dead by Katie BernetMentioned:The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm by Mark Teague (coming soon)Lauras's Books:   The Finders by Jeffrey B. BurtonAt First Light by Barbara NicklessNettle & Bone by T. KingfisherMentioned:The Dead Years by Jeffrey B. BurtonDark of Night by Barbara NicklessThe Twisted Ones by T. KingfisherA House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

Minimalism promises peace. Calm. Control. A home that finally feels manageable. But for busy families, minimalism often becomes just another guilt trap. In this first episode of my decluttering series, I explain why minimalism is not the answer to clutter, why homes exist to serve people (not aesthetics), and what homemakers actually need instead.Register for the Free Workshop: Decluttering Made Simple: 3 Surprising Ways to Get Organized WITHOUT Tossing Everything - simplyconvivial.com/declutterWe talk about:    Why minimalism and over-shopping are two sides of the same problem    Why clutter is not a moral failure    What it really means to manage a home well    Why hospitality requires equipment and use    How to think about stuff as a tool, not an enemyDecluttering matters. But it only works when it flows from ownership, competence, and purpose — not shame or image-management. I also share details about my upcoming workshop and what's coming next in this series, including real-life decluttering in my own home.This is episode 1 of a 5-part series on decluttering.Christian homemaking takes deliberate practice, not perfect systems. Every week on Simply Convivial, I share practical mindset shifts and small, steady habits that help you build a home anchored in truth and run with cheerful consistency. If you want less overwhelm, stronger routines, and a more faithful way to manage your day, you're in the right place. Grab a basket of laundry, press play, and let's grow in cheerful productivity together.

“Slow living” is often presented as the cure for stress and overwhelm, especially for moms. But what if slowing down isn't the answer at all? Free Smile & Start Attitude Challenge: https://simplyconvivial.com/smileThe speed of life isn't the point. Working in the place God has put us and living in His grace and kindness that makes the impossible doable without stress, fast or slow, is the point.In this episode, I explain why slow living is a false ideal and how chasing a peaceful aesthetic can actually increase anxiety and burnout. Peace doesn't come from fewer responsibilities, fewer people, or a quieter-looking life. It comes from aligning our expectations with God's calling and trusting His grace to equip us for the work He's given us.Read the article version here: https://www.simplyconvivial.com/blog/slow-living-is-a-false-ideal/Minimizing your life doesn't automatically remove stress, social media aesthetics distort our standards, and Scripture calls us to zeal in good works, not retreat from them. God may call you to seasons that feel full, demanding, and intense. You can be cheerful and content in busy seasons, too.The speed of your life isn't the point. Faithfulness is.Christian homemaking takes deliberate practice, not perfect systems. Every week on Simply Convivial, I share practical mindset shifts and small, steady habits that help you build a home anchored in truth and run with cheerful consistency. If you want less overwhelm, stronger routines, and a more faithful way to manage your day, you're in the right place. Grab a basket of laundry, press play, and let's grow in cheerful productivity together.

Welcome back! Yes, you're at the right place! If you are watching the video version of our podcast, you might notice something different! We are excited and proud of our rebrand! We really think it speaks to our mission and purpose here at Honey I'm Homemaker and we're excited to talk about that with you today. Along with new year thoughts, a death in the family, a tropical trip, and tips for starting the new year as a homemaker in 2026-- we have a lot of ground to cover today! So grab a blanket, curl up on the couch with us, and let's get into the season premier! A huge thank-you to our sponsors! Voetberg Music Academy:Use our code HOMEMAKER20 to get 20% off every month your family is enrolled and learn music in a way that sticks.https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/Dwell: To get 25% off our annual subscription and 50% off our lifetime subscription or to check out the platform, go to www.dwellbible.com/homemaker Cozy Earth:Go to https://cozyearth.com and use our code HOMEMAKER for up to 20% off.Not a sponsor, but Little Cocalico gave us a code to share with you!Use code homemaker15 for 15% off sitewide at https://littlecocalico.com until January 31st!Watch our first 3 seasons: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqdjqwDnpIMx_GhVzCWsT4LF-1EsRhwJm&si=8hmyDW0lI4-yWhQ-Please subscribe! You can also find this podcast on Spotify and iTunes!Shop Megan's lifestyle brand FoxSparrow over at www.meganfoxunlocked.comShop Megan's Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/meganfoxunlockedShop Jayna's Amazon Storefront:https://www.amazon.com/shop/jaynalynnhandmade?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_aipsfshop_aipsfjaynalynnhandmade_8JT0JHV8AH0KP8VJX5XN&language=en_USSign up for Scribd: (audiobook library): https://www.scribd.com/gitx/a33qb4(If you use this link you'll get a free month trial!)Chairs: https://www.walmart.com/ip/SINGES-Acc...Wallpaper: https://glnk.io/4x0x0/meganfoxunlockedgmailcomUse code MEGAN35Lamp: https://amzn.to/46Dyuy7Mustard throw: (the softest thing you've ever felt!) https://amzn.to/39CgZG2Contact/Collab: meganfoxunlocked@gmail.comP.O. BOX- send us some mail!P.O. BOX 9Akron, PA 17501Follow us on Instagram:Honey I'm Homemaker: https://www.instagram.com/honeyimhomemaker/ Megan: https://www.instagram.com/meganfoxunlocked/Jayna: https://www.instagram.com/jaynaburkholder/Megan's Business: https://www.instagram.com/shopfoxsparrow/Jayna's Business: https://www.instagram.com/jaynalynnhandmade/Some links are affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my channel!Music from YouTube and Epidemic Sound

Overwhelm isn't caused by how much you have to do. It's caused by perfectionism.If you constantly feel behind, discouraged, or frozen when you look at your home, this video explains why. The problem isn't your schedule, your kids, or your to-do list. It's the unrealistic standards you're measuring your real life against.In this video, I explain• why a full life is not the same thing as an overwhelming life• how perfectionism creates paralysis, procrastination, and burnout• why planning and organizing often make overwhelm worse• how perfectionism fuels the boom and bust cycle so many moms experienceOnce you can identify perfectionism at work, you can start undoing it.If you want a simple way to begin letting go of perfectionism, I'll send you my free Smile & Start Challenge by email. You'll get three short, practical emails that help you take small steps instead of chasing perfect plans.

Overwhelmed by all there is to do at home? If you feel like you're failing at managing your home, ask yourself this first: what standard are you judging yourself against?For many homemakers, discouragement doesn't come from real life. It comes from comparing their homes to idealized images on Instagram and YouTube. Soft music. White farmhouses. Perfect routines. No interruptions. No mess. No real work.That picture is not the goal—and it was never meant to be.In this video, I explain how perfectionism sabotages your attempts to get organized and why so many systems fail before they even begin. The problem isn't your effort or your desire to be responsible. The problem is trying to live up to a false standard that doesn't match real family life.You'll learn• how perfectionism hides behind “high standards” and good intentions• why planning and organizing often turn into avoidance• how perfectionism creates the boom-and-bust cycle• why baby steps are the only way out of overwhelm• how 10 minutes of real action beats perfect plans every timeReal progress in homemaking comes through steady, incremental improvement—not flawless execution or aesthetic ideals.If you want help getting started, I have a free Smile & Start Challenge that delivers three simple baby steps by email over three days.

If systems alone could fix overwhelm, you wouldn't still feel overwhelmed.By the time most homemakers find this video, they've already tried planners, routines, schedules, and organizing systems. The problem isn't that those systems failed. The problem is that systems were never meant to be the starting point.In this episode, I explain the mindset shift that actually dissolves overwhelm: moving from perfectionism and control to stewardship and faithfulness.You'll learn• why perfectionism looks productive but leads to procrastination and burnout• the difference between control and stewardship in homemaking• why faithful action today matters more than ideal conditions tomorrow• how iteration replaces guilt with growth• why small, incremental steps expand your capacity over timeOverwhelm grows when you measure yourself against an imagined future version of your life. Peace grows when you steward what's right in front of you with humility, faithfulness, and patience.This video introduces iteration—the practice of making small changes, evaluating what's working, and building forward over time. It's the opposite of chasing perfect plans, and it's how real progress is made in real homes.If you want help practicing this mindset, my free Smile & Start Challenge will give you daily encouragement and simple, incremental steps by email.

Most overwhelmed moms keep looking for the perfect planner, the right app, or a better routine. But deep down, you already know that no external system is going to fix overwhelm.The problem isn't your tools. The problem is in your thinking.In this final episode of the series Why Perfectionism Makes Homemaking Feel Overwhelming, we get straight to the real solution: support, community, and mindset change. Perfectionism grows in isolation. It loosens its grip when you stop trying to manage everything alone.In this video, you'll learn• why perfectionism thrives when you're isolated with your thoughts• how community resets unrealistic expectations• why sharing small wins matters more than waiting for big results• how accountability builds follow-through without pressure• three practical ways to practice repent, rejoice, repeatHomemaking is real work. It takes attention, effort, and wisdom. It's not something to be embarrassed about or hidden. It's worth talking about, sharing strategies for, and growing in together.That's why I created Convivial Circle—a community for women who want to practice cheerful, faithful stewardship at home without chasing perfection or pretending the work is effortless.Inside Convivial Circle, we• confront perfectionism together• practice baby-step progress• build routines that fit real families• develop accountability through small standup groups• grow in skill, confidence, and joyful responsibilityIf you're tired of trying to fix overwhelm on your own, this is your invitation to stop isolating and start building momentum with support.

Do you have homemaking goals for the coming year? Do you want to make real progress at home in 2026 but don't want another year of overambitious goals that fall apart by February? You need Community Coaching: https://simplyconvivial.com/coachingIn this episode, I walk through three ways to set homemaking goals that actually fit mom life. Not business goals. Not productivity guru goals. Homemaking goals that work when your days are interrupted, your plans change, and real life keeps happening.You'll learn why focusing on basic daily routines matters more than big projects, how choosing a word of the year can shape your attitude and habits, and why accountability is essential if you want progress instead of perfectionism. This is about steady improvement, not picture-perfect outcomes.If you want to invest in your home, your family, and your calling as a homemaker without setting yourself up for failure, this video will help you think clearly and plan wisely for the year ahead.Christian homemaking takes deliberate practice, not perfect systems. Every week on Simply Convivial, I share practical mindset shifts and small, steady habits that help you build a home anchored in truth and run with cheerful consistency. If you want less overwhelm, stronger routines, and a more faithful way to manage your day, you're in the right place. Grab a basket of laundry, press play, and let's grow in cheerful productivity together.

Join us - https://simplyconvivial.com/coaching | Perfectionism blinds us to the beauty already in front of us. In this episode, I talk with Rachel Wendel, a wife and mom of four who discovered how small touches of beauty—and a massive mindset shift—changed her homemaking from burdensome to joyful.Rachel shares:Why perfectionism kept her from starting anythingHow tiny, inexpensive beauty touches lifted the whole mood of her homeWhat happened when she let her kids participate in creating beautyHow conversations with her husband shifted her entire vision for their homeWhy she had to repent of wanting a “picture-perfect” house instead of a family homeThe heart-level issue behind why adding beauty felt overwhelmingHer story is a powerful reminder: you don't need a perfect house to make it beautiful. You need attention, iteration, and a willingness to let real life—not Pinterest—shape your home.

Join us: https://simplyconvivial.com/coaching - When nothing about your life changes—but everything still feels overwhelming—the problem usually isn't your schedule. It's your attitude.In this episode, I talk with Melissa Wood, a homeschooling mom of four living in Australia, about how Simplified Organization Community Coaching helped her move from chronic overwhelm and migraines to peace, clarity, and confidence—without changing her circumstances.Melissa shares:Why her life looked easy on paper but felt unbearably hardHow brain dumping and weekly review changed her mental loadWhy adding small touches of beauty actually improved her attitudeHow mindset work made it possible to handle a suddenly very busy lifeWhat happened when she stopped pushing through and started reflectingIf you feel worn down, resentful, or constantly overwhelmed—even though you “should” be fine—this conversation will help you see a better way forward.

Today, I'm reflecting on the past year and thoughtfully looking ahead to what I hope the next one will hold as I prepare for motherhood. I share how I'm approaching New Year goal-setting differently this time, breaking my goals down by month and focusing on three categories: House, Family, and Personal. Episode Resource Do you Hear What I Hear Origin Story: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/december-2017/do-you-hear-what-i-hear-the-story-behind-the-song/  Follow along on Instagram: @untraditionallytraditionalpod Subscribe to my newsletter: www.untraditionallytraditional.com Support the podcast www.buymeacoffee.com/UTPod  

Narrator Mia Hutchinson-Shaw joins AudioFile's Michele Cobb to discuss narrating Annie Mare and Ruthie Knox's cozy mystery HOMEMAKER. We follow along with protagonist Prairie Hawk Nightingale, a homemaker extraordinaire, on her quest to solve the disappearance of her former friend. Hutchinson-Shaw shares what it's like to narrate this delightful cast of characters, why she likes cozy mysteries, and how she got into acting and narration. Read AudioFile's review of the audiobook: Published by Brilliance Audio AudioFile's 2025 Best Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks are: THE BUSINESS TRIP by Jessie Garcia, read by Andrew Eiden, Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick, Fred Berman, Gail Shalan, Hillary Huber, Jennifer Pickens, John Pirhalla, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Kirby Heyborne, Tim Campbell HOMEMAKER by Annie Mare, Ruthie Knox, read by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw NEVER FLINCH by Stephen King, read by Jessie Mueller, Stephen King  SOUTH OF NOWHERE by Jeffery Deaver, read by Kaleo Griffith THE SUMMER GUESTS by Tess Gerritsen, read by Hillary Huber A TRUE VERDICT by Robert Rotstein, read by Sean Pratt, Phil Thron, Kelli Tager, Sophie Amoss, Natalie Naudus, Fajer Al-Kaisi, Hillary Huber, Mark Bramhall, Robin Miles, Alex Boyles, Roxanne Hernandez, Eunice Wong, Deanna Anthony, Graham Halstead Explore the full list of 2025 Best Audiobooks on our website. Support for our podcast comes from Dreamscape, an award-winning audiobook publisher with a catalog that includes authors L.J. Shen, Freida McFadden, and Katee Robert. Discover your next great listen at dreamscapepublishing.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Community Coaching in 2026! https://simplyconvivial.com/coaching || Starting over feels productive, but it quietly keeps moms stuck. In this episode, I talk with longtime Convivial Circle member Laney Homan—wife of 29 years, mom of eight, and soon-to-be grandma—about how she finally stopped throwing out her systems every time life went sideways and started iterating instead.Laney shares how:    She moved from “fix my whole life with a new plan” to making small, realistic tweaks.    Weekly reviews help her juggle homeschooling, work, and training for half marathons.    She handles short-term disruptions (like giant laundry weeks and clothing swaps) without declaring her whole routine “broken.”    She uses simple tools—weekly review, daily card, interval planning—to think clearly and respond wisely when life piles on.If you're tempted to scrap everything and start from scratch every time your plans blow up, Lainey's story will give you a saner, more sustainable way forward.

Get homemaking coaching in 2026: https://simplyconvivial.com/coaching || Perfectionism keeps moms stuck in a boom-and-bust cycle. Lauren, a NICU nurse working night shifts while raising three young girls and beginning her homeschool journey, shares how this year inside Convivial Circle changed the way she approaches home, work, and rest.This is her first year in Simplified Organization Community Coaching, and her story is a clear picture of what iterative, grace-filled growth looks like in real life. She talks about letting go of perfect plans, learning to review her week honestly, coordinating with her husband, adjusting expectations, and taking her homemaking one small step at a time.Do coaching in 2026: https://simplyconvivial.com/coachingHer experience shows that overwhelm doesn't have to lead to giving up. When you learn how to iterate, evaluate, and make simple changes, progress becomes possible even in busy seasons.If you want to stop cycling through fresh starts and burnout, this conversation will help you see a sustainable path forward.Mystie Winckler encourages moms to organize their attitudes and get traction at home so we are no longer overwhelmed or frustrated with homemaking. We are a community of Christian women striving to be competent, cheerful homemakers so we are fruitful, faithful, and hospitable. Subscribe for regular encouragement!

Send us a text!Welcome to Bright Hearth, a podcast devoted to recovering the lost arts of homemaking and the productive Christian household with Brian and Lexy Sauvé. In this episode, Brian and continue the "On Being Human Series" with a look at the homemaker's soul.Lexy's new book, Wisdom on Her Tongue, is back in stock and now shipping! Pick up your copy here. We also have two new books out at New Christendom Press—White Knights & Reviling Wives from David Edgington, and The Boniface Option by Andrew Isker. Get 15% off automatically when you buy both here!This episode's Headline Sponsor is: Humble Love — Check out their all-natural magnesium cream. Packed with magnesium chloride and moisturizing oils, it helps ease tension, promote restful sleep, and relieve everyday aches. Click here and use code NCP15 for 15% off your order.The best coffee you'll taste! Lux Coffee Company is caffeinating the New Christendom with artisan roast coffee. Get 15% off your coffee with code "NCP15". https://luxcoffee.co/Want premium, handmade soaps without the seed oils or other nasty hormone disrupters? Check out our partners at Indigo Sundries Soap Co., and use code BRIGHTHEARTH for ten percent off your order!Get all your elderberry products from our friends at The King's Ridge Elderberries! Head to https://tkrfarm.com and use code BRIGHTHEARTH for 10% off!This episode is also brought to you by Live Oak Integrative Health. Visit https://www.liveoakintegrativehealth.com and connect with owner Rebecca Belch, who has served as a critical care and labor and delivery nurse for 20 years and is a licensed practitioner of functional medicine.Thanks to our friends at Gray Toad Tallow for sponsoring this episode! Head over to graytoadtallow.com and use discount code BRIGHT15 for 15% off your order.Wives, get your husband some body armor from Armored Republic. Visit Armored Republic or text JOIN to 88027 to help your husband stand strong.Check out Joe Garrisi at Backwards Planning Financial at https://backwardsplanningfinancial.com for all your financial planning needs!Be sure to subscribe to the show, and leave us a 5-Star review wherever you get your podcasts! Buy an item from our Feed the Patriarchy line and support the show at the same time at briansauve.com/bright-hearth.Become a monthly patron at patreon.com/brighthearth and gain access to In the Kitchen, a special bonus show with each main episode!Support the show

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.In today's episode I am bringing you a reflection from former guest and writer, Jeanette Rath, a young homemaker disenchanted with the commercial trappings and hustle of our culture's version of Christmas. It's in the sacrificial love of the home where her joy and hope in the season are restored. And I have another essay of mine for you to cap off our 2025 season of Advent reflections. So, enjoy these short little stories as you do some christmas shopping or deck the halls.NOTES & RESOURCES:FREE 2025 Daily Advent Guide: theartofhomepodcast.com/christmasCompanion Blog Post with Full Articles, "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays" and "The Greatest of These is Love"Other Episodes featuring Today's WritersJeanette Rath's Homemaker Portrait, S7:E2Support the showHOMEMAKING RESOURCES Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum Newsletter Archive JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide SUPPORT & CONNECT Review | Love The Podcast Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email Follow | Follow The Podcast Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend

Life doesn't sit still, and neither does homemaking. In this conversation with Convivial Circle member Meghan Jackson, we look at what it really takes to stay steady when the year throws every kind of setback your way—kitchen remodels, family illness, extra workload, disrupted routines, and the emotional toll that comes with all of it.Meghan shares how she kept showing up, even when her plans fell apart. Her story is a picture of what community coaching is actually for: not perfection, but resilience. Not sticking the landing every time, but learning to return to the work with strength, clarity, and a cheerful, trusting heart.We talk about weekly reviews, alignment cards, habit statements, delegation, home education, staying grounded in Scripture, and letting the Lord define the next right step—even when the next step is simply praying for strength.If you want support for a year that won't go according to plan (because they never do), community coaching gives you structure, accountability, and a Christ-centered approach to homemaking.convivialcircle.com

What if your habits didn't require a major overhaul or a perfect routine to make a difference? (https://simplyconvivial.com/coaching) What if you could learn to love your daily chore routines? In today's episode, I'm talking with Convivial Circle member Cara Frayer, who walked through our Humble Habits course during a season of chaos, transition, and RV-living prep — and still built habits that stuck.We dig into:   The power of tiny triggers   Why smiling on purpose changes your whole household   How movement habits snowball naturally   What it looks like to grow while life feels upside-down   Why “listening counts” when your capacity is lowThis conversation gives you a clear picture of how habit-building works in real life — with toddlers, stress, and constant interruptions. You don't need a perfect system. You need a cue, a small step, and a reason that matters.If you're ready to build habits that actually stick and reshape your home's atmosphere with joy, you'll love this one.

Turns out we are grown ups and we buy and do grown up things. Like bulk ordering toilet roll! Look at us go! We catch up on Thanksgiving in the USA and Mel tells us about her hangover and a really unfortunately bagel situation. Listeners - don't forget to send us your favourite holiday family food tradition stories and recipes! We want a quick voicenote to explain the background and the recipe attached in an email to us on hello@makinganeffortpodcast.com!  The Making An Effort Podcast is a proud listener supported podcast! If you want access to bonus episodes (one coming this week!), weekly episode commentary, community chat, and provide input, we'd love you to consider supporting us at www.patreon.com/makinganeffortpodcast

Send me a one-way text about this episode! I'll give you a shout out or answer your question on a future episode.In today's Monday motivation you'll hear two articles reflecting on the third theme of Advent, Joy. The first, written by Karen Sheppard about Finding Joy in Jesus at the Table and second, a little reflection from me about finding joy in homemaking, which you may have heard in last year's Holiday Homemaking Week 3, but it bears repeating. Karen's article was originally published in Homemaker Happy Mail December 2023 and mine in Homemaker Happy Mail December 2022.FREE Daily Advent Guide: https://www.theartofhomepodcast.com/christmasCompanion Blog Post with Full Articles, Finding Joy in Jesus at the Table and Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart.Other Advent Reflection Episodes 2025Week 1 HopeWeek 2 PeaceSupport the showHOMEMAKING RESOURCES Private Facebook Group, Homemaker Forum Newsletter Archive JR Miller's Homemaking Study Guide SUPPORT & CONNECT Review | Love The Podcast Contact | Voicemail |Instagram | Facebook | Website | Email Follow | Follow The Podcast Support | theartofhomepodcast.com/support **Buy | as an Amazon affiliate, AoH receives a small commission at no extra cost to you when you use our links to purchase items we recommend

Most moms don't enter the new year with clarity—we stumble into it, reacting to the chaos as it comes. We don't feel grounded or confident, we just feel behind.But next year doesn't have to be like that.You don't need a perfect plan. You need a clear one—built with reflection, prayer, realistic goals, and flexibility. A plan that prepares your heart and your home for the responsibilities God has already given you. Not a dream life—a faithful life.In this episode, I'm sharing:✔ Why planning alone leads to guilt and second-guessing✔ The difference between perfect planning and faithful planning✔ Why community planning makes your plan stronger and sustainable✔ How clarity gives you peace, margin, and direction before the year begins

Ever set goals in January that felt motivating—only to realize by mid-February that they just didn't work in real life? You're not the problem. The goal-setting method is. Want your goals to actually work this year? Join Ready5: https://simplyconvivial.com/ready5Most goal-setting doesn't consider season, vocation, family life, interruptions, or the constant adjustments real life requires. But faithful planning isn't about building the ideal year—it's about stewarding the actual one.In this episode, I'll show you how to:✔ Set goals that flex with real mom-life (instead of cracking under pressure)✔ Use vocation—not ambition—to shape your goals✔ Trade unrealistic expectations for sustainable, faithful follow-through✔ Build growth habits that work even when routines changeYou don't need bigger goals. You need truer ones—rooted in your calling, capacity, and season.

Join us: https://simplyconvivial.com/ready5 -- Most moms jump into planning by asking, “What should I do next?”But faithful planning starts with a different question: “What actually happened this year?”When you skip reflection, you end up repeating overwhelm—not learning from it. Reflection is not just “looking back.” It's paying attention to what God has been doing in your home, heart, and habits—so your new plans aren't built on frustration, but on wisdom.In this episode, we'll walk through:✔ Why reflection is the key to meaningful planning✔ How God uses remembrance to shape our priorities✔ A simple 3-question reflection habit you can start right now✔ Why skipping reflection keeps you stuck in the same cycle year after year

https://simplyconvivial.com/ready5 -- Last year's plans fell apart? You're not alone.Most plans fail because they're built for ideal conditions, not for real life. When interruptions happen—kids get sick, routines change, motivation dips—your plan collapses because it wasn't designed to flex.But that doesn't mean you failed.It means the plan wasn't faithful, just perfect-looking.Faithful plans flex, grow, and adjust—just like you do.In this episode, we'll unpack:✔ Why most plans break down✔ How God uses interruptions to grow wisdom (not frustration)✔ The difference between perfect planning and faithful planning✔ How to build a plan that bends—but doesn't break

Join convivialcircle.com -- Planning, even annual planning, isn't a waste of time when you do it in gratitude and for real growth. So, yes—you do have time to plan. Because planning isn't about doing more, it's about being faithful with what you already have.When you take time to plan, you're saying, “Lord, I want to prepare my heart and home for what's ahead.” That's not perfectionism—it's obedience.Inside Convivial Circle, we do this together during Ready5—a simple, guided annual planning process for Christian moms who want peace and clarity for the year ahead.Join us there, and plan faithfully—not frantically.

In this episode, Mystie Winckler talks with Allison Weeks, host of The Art of Home Podcast, about recovering the value and dignity of homemaking, building Titus 2 relationships, and finding true community beyond social media.You'll learn:   why homemaking still matters in a modern world   how to find (and be) a mentor   why online community can't replace real connection   how to overcome the awkwardness of calling yourself a homemaker   how Christ-centered identity transforms your work at home

Building a new home that feels like it's been here for a hundred years has been a labor of love (and a learning curve!).  In this solo episode, I'm sharing the latest updates from our farmhouse build, what's been harder (and more rewarding) than expected, and the details that are truly making our home look historic.  From kitchen plans and farm goals to my favorite baby wrap, birth method, and thoughts on balancing homemaking and entrepreneurship, this conversation is a mix of practical tips and real-life reflection from my current season of life. In this episode, we cover: - An update on where we are in the farmhouse build and what has surprised us throughout this unique building process - How priming and painting every board, trim piece, and bit of crown molding has slowed the process but is worth it for the truly historic look - What I've learned about creating a historic-looking new build and why proportions matter more than you may think - Is it possible to build a “new old home” on a tighter timeline or with a smaller budget? - Some of my kitchen plans, including the Lacanche range and wood cookstove I've been dreaming of for cozy winter baking - What we plan to use our land for and how we are learning from my sister's full-time farm  - Why I'm such a staunch believer in babywearing and which wrap I'd choose if I could only have one - The reason I won't have a water birth and the method I swear by that's made my labors nearly pain-free - Thoughts on whether it's possible for moms to truly balance homeschooling, cooking, and homekeeping all at once - How Luke and I divide our work, homeschool, and business responsibilities in this season as a full-time entrepreneurial family View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out this video where I share our original “new old home” building plans Follow along with my sisters on their YouTube Channels: - Ashley at New Hartford Farm Co. - Andrea at Our Sweet Sunny Days - Laura at Our Oily House Watch my step-by-step Babywearing Wrap Tutorial video on Farmhouse on Boone Find my favorite wrap here: Didymos Prima Natural Woven Wrap Some of my go-to sources for country home decor inspiration: Country House Living by Nora Murphy and a few books by Gil Schafer Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Turn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success Academy Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you'd like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.