Being Different with Liz Durham

Y'all, I think all this stuff we think we need is just weighing us down. My friend Sarah Verzyden is here, and she's the queen of helping people ditch the clutter and find their freedom. We're talking minimalism, getting rid of the crap that doesn't serve us, and how to teach our kids not to be slaves to material things. Sarah's been in the trenches, seeing it all - from h...

Can modern women find real fulfillment in the old-school template of homemaking without losing themselves? I'm tackling the "Trad Wife" debate in today’s episode. I’ve been chewing over a podcast featuring Lauren Southern, who swung from political commentator to "Trad Wife" and then critiqued the movement. Don't get me wrong, I had my moment as a self-proclaimed femin...

Welcome back. It’s been a while since you’ve heard a good feminism rant from me, so that’s what we’re doing today. I’m ready to tackle the stigma around stay-at-home moms and the societal pressure to maintain a career. In this episode, I reflect on my own decision to pause my career to raise my children, challenging the ridiculous narrative that women should balance it all. I’m going to debunk the...

Having worked in mortgages for years and now watching my kids grow up, I’m thinking about how to talk to them about money and investing. It strikes me that many parents struggle with this because they don’t fully grasp it themselves. To get some insight, I sat down with Drew Nix, my financial guru, to talk about empowering our kids with money smarts. Drew talks about how early financial education,...

Today, I’m diving into the whirlwind of Mac’s transition to full-time pre-K at a private school here in Knoxville. Let me tell you, it’s been a journey—from battling early morning routines to handling the long commutes. The rigid schedule has been tough on Mac, leading to exhaustion and those dreaded meltdowns. I just don't think every kid fits this mold. I’m also getting real about our breas...

Today I'm talking about regrets and lessons learned. From the over-the-top birthday parties I used to throw to the rigid schedules I tried to force, I'm going to share how I've simplified things and focused on what really matters - quality time with my family. I'll also talk about how I've changed my approach to feeding, sleep, and dealing with my own stress and anxiety as...

Have you seen those hilarious videos about black SUV moms vs white SUV moms? After I finished laughing - I'm a gray SUV mom, by the way - it made me think about the deeper issues there, like the realities of homemaking and the expectations of being a 'perfect' mom. Today, I'm talking about the pressure to keep up appearances and the importance of finding practical resources to...

Balancing careers and motherhood is no joke. In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Tori Ivey to discuss the challenges we've both faced. Tori and I have known each a long time and we've both been through the wringer when it comes to managing the demands of work and family life. Tori talks about realizing her desire to be a full-time mom, how she explained it to her husband Zach...

There’s a huge societal expectation for moms to do it all—all by ourselves. But it’s time for some honesty about reaching out for help when we need it. I'll be honest - I've relied on cleaning services, grandparents, babysitters, you name it, just to keep my house afloat. The media, especially influencers like the Kardashians, sell the "boss mom" image while hiding the support...

Welcome to ‘Being Different with Liz Durham’—where we don’t just go with the flow, we stir it up! Tired of being spoon-fed what to think? So was I. That’s why I started this podcast - a no-holds-barred experiment of being different. Join me as we challenge the norms, embrace new perspectives, and engage in the art of lively debate. Forget the echo chambers; let’s bring humor and lightness back to...

When it comes to breaking the mold of traditional parenting and education, forging your own path as a mother isn't always easy. I sat down with Kate Panchal and we hit it off right from the start. We both know the struggle of balancing demanding careers with raising our kids.  But it was her experience with adopting nature-based Waldorf practices and worldschooling our kids that really struck...

I’m thrilled to bring you this episode of Being Different with a very special guest, Congressman Tim Burchett from Tennessee’s 2nd District. I’ve been tuning in to Tim’s podcast, Tennesee Talks , and honestly felt like I knew him before we even met. His straightforwardness and willingness to call out corruption in Washington really struck a chord with me. Tim opens up about his upbringing and the...

So, why the fuss around vaccines? Why does mentioning them feel like dropping a bomb? That's what bugs me. Can't we just talk about it without it turning into a political showdown? That's why I sat down with Dr. Jason Hall again. And this time it's not about mommy makeovers, but about the state of vaccine discussions in the US. We cover it all - from the history of vaccine deve...

Today I wanna chat about staying true to your purpose no matter what the world says. Liz here with some thoughts on that buzz-worthy commencement speech by Harrison Buctker, the Kansas City Chiefs' kicker. Now, I'm not one for football, but this guy stirred the pot. He speaks at a Catholic college about sticking to your God-given role, and the internet erupts - especially feminists. Turn...

There is one book that has totally changed my perspective - and I've read a lot of parenting books. Michaeleen Doucleff is the author of "Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans." She joined me on the show to get real honest about the struggles of modern parenting and how it's making us and our kids mis...

When every day feels like chaos, how are you supposed to make time time for your relationship? Ashley Willis co-hosts of the Naked Marriage podcast with her husband, Dave. I was so excited to sit down with her for a raw and real take on the joys and challenges of married life. We talked about balancing marriage and parenting, especially with little ones running around screaming. Like, how can you...

At first I thought there was no way, but after talking to her I am seriously impressed.  Our husbands were friends in law school and now we both have kids - but let me tell you, her son has never seen a screen! At first I was like no way, but Lindsay filled me in on how they do it.  Between juggling work and kid stuff, Lindsay Hall's dedication is next level. Her son is so well-spoken and cur...

Y'all, I'm really struggling with all the changes I've seen in youth sports. It seems like leagues are starting earlier and earlier, and the pressure to participate becomes a handful to balance along with family life. Are we pushing too hard, too young? I decided to talk with my old friend Mark Pancratz to get his opinion. Mark is not just your average sports enthusiast—he's be...

What would you grade yourself as a parent? In this solo episode, I'm gonna give you an honest update on what it's been like transitioning to being a full-time stay-at-home mom after working for so long. I'll fill you in on all the things I'm still struggling with, like getting Mack to school on time and keeping a consistent bedtime routine. Cooking dinner, money management, and...

Alisha Owen is an advocate for justice. In this episode, we discuss the importance of parenting, drawing boundaries, and teaching children moral values and responsibility. Alisha opens up about her own upbringing and experiences with abuse. We also talked about the goals of Alisha's organization Epstein Justice, which is calling for an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission to invest...

After speaking with Nick Bryant about trafficking networks among high-profile people, I knew I needed to know more. In this first part of my conversation with Alisha Owen, it became clear that this really can happen to anyone. Alisha began her journey as a whistleblower and advocate for victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse when she was 19 years old. Now, as the Associate Director of Epste...

Our pastor said we really do have more control over our kids than anyone else and that was something that really hit me. Today I want to talk about using my power as a parent for good, being consistent with discipline, and really listening to what each kid needs. Being a mom is just the wildest ride, and every kid is so different that you're constantly having to adjust. I talk about why Mac&a...

Get ready for a reality check. Liz sits down with and Dr. Jason Hall to peel back the layers of the "mommy makeover" phenomenon. They talk about what it really entails, the sobering truth about recovery times, and the importance of aging gracefully in a world obsessed with youth. Jason Hall, M.D., F.A.C.S., is the director of Trillium Plastic Surgery , and the host of The Trillium Show p...

Have you ever felt pressure to choose between pursuing your career ambitions or prioritizing your family responsibilities? Today, host Liz Durham is joined by successful Knoxville real estate agent Debaran Hughes to swap stories from their experiences and share how their perspectives have evolved over time. From juggling work responsibilities to battling feelings of guilt over not spending enough...

Step back in time with Liz Durham and former KGB spy Jack Barsky. In part two of their conversation, Jack peels back the layers of his journey—from disillusionment with communism to his unexpected embrace of Christianity. Prepare for some straight talk as Jack shares how his experiences in the US shattered his belief in communism and led him down a path towards faith. As you'll learn, Jack&ap...