A Heart That Beats for Home

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What if the season you’re calling a drought is actually sacred training? I sat down with actress and creator Masey McLain for a candid, deeply encouraging conversation about conviction, calling, and the new feature film Soul on Fire—where she portrays Beth O’Leary. From growing up a pastor’s kid to turning down roles that crossed personal lines...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Some days the kitchen sparkles; an hour later, it’s crumbs and cups and quiet frustration. I share candid stories from 23 years of motherhood and 26 years of marriage, the Scriptures that steady me, and the simple habits that reset a house’s tone when everyone feels stretched thin. We unpack the honesty of “I want to grow but I’m busy,” then ma...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What happens when you lose everything but discover what truly matters? In this deeply moving conversation, Andrea Hryszczuk shares the harrowing yet hope-filled story of watching her family home burn completely to the ground in May 2020. The fire began unexpectedly in their garage during pandemic lockdown, with the family unaware for crucial mi...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What if your darkest moment became the spark that illuminated your greatest purpose? John O'Leary was just nine years old when curiosity led to catastrophe – an explosion that left him with burns on 100% of his body and a 1% chance of survival. Yet from those ashes rose an extraordinary story of resilience, purpose, and profound gratitude...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Have you ever had a season of life that looked nothing like you planned? That's exactly what happened during my summer break from the podcast. What I expected to be a peaceful time of preparation transformed into a rollercoaster of unexpected challenges, profound grief, beautiful celebrations, and deep life lessons. When God nudged me to t...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Summer beckons – that magical time when routines relax and possibilities unfold like wildflowers. But how do we make these precious months truly matter? Instead of approaching summer with the typical achievement-oriented mindset that dominates the rest of our year, what if we shifted our focus to growth? Not the kind measured in completed check...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Lamoris and Megan Crawford return for a candid, humorous, and deeply insightful conversation about keeping the spark alive in marriage through busy seasons, kids, and ministry demands. The Crawfords don't hold back as they share their family hierarchy—God first, spouse second, kids third, then ministry—and how this ordering has sustained t...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. From the projects of Chicago to the cornfields of rural America, Lamoris and Megan Crawford's love story defies cultural expectations while illuminating the transformative power of covenant marriage. Their journey began at Olivet Nazarene University where two worlds collided – his marked by inner-city hardship and her steeped in traditiona...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. The invisible weight of mental load is crushing marriages silently - creating resentment where there once was partnership. Continuing with a candid exploration of household management,I delve deeper into why the mental burden of maintaining a home can fall unevenly and how couples can recalibrate their approach through genuine connection. Drawi...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Have you ever found yourself wondering how you spent an entire day feeling completely exhausted yet somehow accomplished "nothing"? The mental load you're carrying might be the answer, and you're not alone in feeling its weight. In this candid exploration of mental load, I dive into Dr. Morgan Cutlip's illuminating book...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Watching your child walk across the college graduation stage is a moment filled with contradictory emotions – fierce pride alongside the bittersweet realization that a significant chapter is closing. After navigating four transformative years of college parenting, I'm pulling back the curtain on what this journey really feels like from a m...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What if the atmosphere in your home isn't determined by circumstances, but by something deeper you can actually control? In this intimate conversation, we explore the powerful distinction between happiness (that fleeting emotion dependent on everything going right) and joy (the intentional choice that transcends situations).  The truth is,...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed despite everything in your life looking "fine" on paper? This raw, unscripted episode emerged from my own struggles.  Sitting in my bedroom with a makeshift recording setup, no makeup, and desperately needing a shower, I share honestly about my current season of diminished capacity. Menopause...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Alex Woldhuis never expected to be sitting in a hospital room while doctors told her that her three-year-old son Nick had leukemia. What began as puzzling symptoms—persistent low-grade fevers, unusual fatigue, and mysterious spots under his skin—rapidly escalated into a diagnosis that would transform their family's life. With remarkable ca...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. In this fun continuation of my conversation with my 20-year-old daughter Olivia, we peel back the layers of what has made our family relationships strengthen through the ups and downs of life. Olivia shares her beautiful philosophy that "your success is my success, and your failure is my failure," revealing how this mindset has shaped...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What happens when fiery mother-daughter personalities collide under one roof during the college years? Nikki Smith and her 20-year-old daughter Olivia pull back the curtain on navigating this delicate transition with raw honesty that will resonate with any parent of young adults. Olivia, currently balancing nursing school with weekend hospital...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Dive into this heartfelt episode where we explore the canvas of marriage, navigating between being roommates or soulmates. Host Nikki Smith shares personal insights and lessons learned over 25 years of marriage and parenting, drawing inspiration from the book “Reconnected: Moving from Roommates to Soulmates.” With relevant anecdotes and practic...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Dana K. White, the creative genius behind "A Slob Comes Clean." Dana opens up about her journey from a theater arts teacher to a stay-at-home mom, sharing how her struggles with home organization propelled her into a successful writing career. With her books "Decluttering at the Speed of...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback.  Our guest, Kristina Weir, bravely shares her journey through two major health battles, beginning with being diagnosed with breast cancer at just 30 years old. As Kristina recounts the whirlwind of emotions and the dismissal she faced, we reflect on the unexpected blessings that can arise from such challenges. Now a mother of two grown sons, Kr...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What if some of the most powerful tools you have as a parent are simply your words, your ears, and your prayers? In this episode, you'll discover how focusing on character traits like diligence, responsibility, and kindness can build stronger, nurturing relationships with your kids, rather than merely celebrating their accomplishments. The...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Shannon Blas joins us on an enlightening journey through the midlife transition as children leave the nest. With her engaging insights, discover how Shannon found purpose and fulfillment beyond motherhood, inspiring all of us to redefine our own paths. This episode offers a promise of renewed independence and personal growth, as we explore how...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Unlock the secrets to navigating midlife transitions with grace as we share a heartfelt conversation with my dear friend, Shannon Blas. We reflect on our 20-year journey from young motherhood to embracing the empty nester phase. Shannon generously opens up about her experiences, highlighting the importance of nurturing relationships with adult...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Urinary incontinence is a challenge many women face but often shy away from discussing. As someone who has personally experienced the impact of this condition, I take you through my journey of trying various treatments to regain control over my life. From the initial frustration of leakage during everyday activities to discovering the role fasc...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What if you could transform unimaginable grief into a beacon of hope? Hadley Eddings joins us this week on A Heart that Beats for Home to share her incredible journey through loss, resilience, and faith. In 2015, on what should have been a celebratory sixth wedding anniversary, Hadley and her husband Gentry faced a devastating tragedy—the loss...

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Time is a precious yet fleeting element of life that shapes our experiences, especially within our families. In this episode, we reflect on the past year of the podcast, celebrate growth, and share exciting plans for 2025, including discussions on women's health, intimacy in marriage, and parenting young adults, all framed by inspiring sto...