Whatever Is Excellent with Leanne Tuggle

Ever found yourself caught between what you feel God is calling you to do and what others expect of you? You're not alone in that struggle. After years of agonizing over my children's education, I finally made a decision that felt right for our family—only to lose cherished friendships because of it. The painful reality hit me: sometimes following God's unique calling for your famil...

Ready for a fresh start this fall? There's something almost magical about September that sparks that "new beginning" feeling in all of us – whether we have school-aged children or not. But as we embrace this seasonal reset, I'm challenging us to think differently about excellence. What if true excellence isn't found in those picture-perfect moments worthy of sharing online...

Reading has always held a special place in my heart—so much so that I joke with friends that one reason I had children was to have someone to read aloud to! But beyond those cozy moments under blankets with classic stories, reading serves as a cornerstone for spiritual growth, family connection, and character development. At its foundation, reading begins with Scripture. "The book of the law...

Remember in fourth-grade where cliques first form and best friendships begin to blossom? That pivotal age when children transition from befriending everyone to selecting their inner circle marks a critical developmental stage in social awareness. The Bible offers profound wisdom about friendship's true nature. Genesis tells us clearly that solitude was never God's design – "It is no...

The whirlwind of fall schedules looms just around the corner. Are you prepared to trade the peaceful rhythms of summer for the potential chaos of a new school year? What if this year could be different? Discover the transformative power of simplicity as we explore three critical areas that need attention before summer ends: your overflowing calendar, your cluttered home, and your overwhelming soci...

What does motherhood look like across the different seasons of our lives? From the sleep-deprived chaos of babies and toddlers to the bittersweet freedom of the empty nest, each phase brings unique challenges and unexpected joys. Linda Buffington takes us on her journey of raising three children under two – twins followed by a third baby just nine months later – in what she lovingly calls "or...

Navigating the delicate balance between technology and childhood development has become one of parenting's greatest challenges. Drawing from insightful works like "The Anxious Generation" and "Opt Out Family," this raw exploration delves into what happens when families dare to set counter-cultural boundaries around screens and devices. Through personal stories of both stru...

Summer should be magical—carefree days with happy children, beachside memories, and starlit evenings. But halfway through summer, most of us are facing a different reality: sibling squabbles, constant noise, mounting messes, and our own fraying patience. That gap between expectation and reality is where our emotional triggers live. When you're ready to scream if you have to break up one more...

Every parent faces that moment of dread – when it's time to have "the talk" with their children. The questions flood in: When should we have it? Who should lead the conversation? What exactly should we say? Most importantly, how do we frame these discussions within God's design? This episode breaks down this challenging parental responsibility using simple who, when, where, wha...

The beauty of marriage often lies in the ordinary moments—the regular Tuesdays that make up a lifetime together. Thirteen years ago, my husband and I chose to get married on a Tuesday, a detail that perfectly captures the essence of what marriage truly is: not just a special occasion, but the beginning of countless ordinary days spent united as one. Marriage isn't the perfect 50-50 split we o...

What does true hospitality look like when your home is a work in progress? Join us as we welcome Bonnie Ivester from "Embracing Outdated" who shares her journey of transforming an 80s fixer-upper into a welcoming haven while nurturing a heart for hospitality. Bonnie reveals how her understanding of hospitality was shaped by watching others create "revolving door" homes where pe...

Remember that magical feeling when summer break begins? The promise of adventure, quality time, and freedom from schedules? I certainly did when my daughter finished kindergarten during our time in Japan. We started with pedicures and garden walks, but soon reality hit—I still had work to accomplish while wanting to be fully present with her. This familiar parenting tension led me to discover some...

Do you dread the long, unstructured days of summer with kids at home? You're not alone. That well-meaning quote about "only having 18 summers with your kids" often creates more anxiety than inspiration for parents already feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of filling endless summer days. Seven years ago, I felt exactly this way—anxious about managing preschoolers and twins wi...

Remember that time when life suddenly shifted beneath your feet? Maybe it was a cross-country move, a new job, or an unexpected loss. Now imagine experiencing that as a child, without the emotional vocabulary or life experience to process it. Transitions are inevitable in family life. As parents, we're entrusted not just with navigating these changes ourselves, but with guiding our children t...

The search for stability in an ever-changing world resonates with all of us, but perhaps none more deeply than military families. In this heartfelt conversation, Emily shares her fourteen-year journey as a Navy spouse that has taken her family through eight different homes across multiple continents. With refreshing honesty, Emily begins by revealing how she once declared she'd never marry so...

Beauty isn't some elusive standard we chase—it's woven through our very design as image-bearers of God. Are you caught in a cycle of comparison, always feeling you fall short of some impossible ideal? What if true beauty radiates most brilliantly from a heart transformed by grace? We journey through the layers of genuine beauty in this soul-stirring exploration. Starting with inner radia...

Ever noticed how different cultures approach their work? During my years living in Germany, I was struck by something extraordinary—the profound sense of pride and excellence people brought to their jobs, regardless of title or status. From butchers to plumbers, each person approached their work with remarkable intentionality and ownership that transformed ordinary tasks into expressions of dignit...

What if the most powerful ministry tool you have isn't your knowledge, talent, or resources, but simply your willingness to open your front door?  This heartfelt exploration of hospitality reveals the profound difference between cultural entertaining (which seeks to impress) and biblical hospitality (which aims to bless). Through compelling contrasting scenarios of friend visits, we see how o...

The moment I collapsed from exhaustion at my high school homecoming dance should have been my wake-up call. As a determined overachiever balancing academics, ballet, relationships, and faith, I had created an unsustainable rhythm that left me physically depleted. That night, friends caught me before I hit the floor – a perfect snapshot of how disordered patterns of work and rest can literally brin...

Looking at your phone first thing in the morning instead of your Bible? Arriving at destinations with no memory of how you got there? These automatic behaviors reveal the hidden power of habits—routines that shape our lives while operating beneath our conscious awareness. The small, daily decisions we make gradually determine our life's trajectory. As Scripture reminds us, "The beginning...

Discovering your identity in Christ creates a foundation that everything else builds upon. Just as I learned that ballet discipline transfers to other dance styles, I've found that knowing who you are in Christ creates the solid foundation needed for all relationships, including marriage. The uncertainty of your twenties brings overwhelming questions about career, purpose, relationships, and...

What if the key to creative excellence wasn't perfection but courage? Professional cellist-turned-business coach Ina-Wilme reveals transformative insights on unlocking your creative potential while maintaining excellence in both business and motherhood. After spending seven months meticulously crafting a course that initially earned less than $1,000, Ina learned a pivotal lesson that changed...

Can your thoughts influence the way you handle things like anxiety? This episode dives deep into the complexities of women's mental health, especially concerning anxiety and worry that many face due to societal pressures and expectations. We unravel the science behind why women are more prone to anxiety, considering research by notable figures like Jonathan Haidt and Leonard Sax that highligh...

What does it mean to truly embrace the unique design for women as envisioned through a biblical lens?  Join me on a heartfelt journey as we honor Women's History Month and International Women's Day, reflecting on the divine attributes instilled in women, from strength and grace to wisdom and gentleness. Amid these reflections, I share a personal story about giving birth to twin boys on I...

Ever felt like you're fighting an uphill battle with habits that seem impossible to shake?  Join me as I recount my recent personal health journey. I share how participating in a challenge initially broke my chain of unhealthy eating habits, only for them to return with a heavier emotional toll. Discover the rollercoaster of emotions and self-doubt that accompanied my quest for maintaining a...