Being Different with Liz Durham

Liz Durham first heard Jack Barsky 's story on Jordan Peterson's podcast and she knew she needed to talk to him - but she didn't think in a million years he would ever respond. Jack is the author of "Deep Undercover: My Secret Life and Tangled Allegiances as a KGB Spy in America," and today his story is on Being Different.  In part one of this mind-blowing interview, Jack...

Liz lays bare her raw and real experience with postpartum emotions and body image after welcoming her third bundle of joy. From feeling like a walking zombie to battling insecurities about her post-baby bod, Liz holds nothing back as she dishes on the rollercoaster of emotions that come with new motherhood. Liz gets real about the hormonal rages and the struggle of feeling like she's not bein...

With the news of child sex trafficking rings running rampant, host Liz Durham wants to know: Is real justice actually served to perpetrators? In this episode, Liz sits down with journalist and author Nick Bryant to shed light on the hidden corners of child exploitation, justice, and reform. Nick shares insights from his book "The Franklin Scandal," which uncovered a trafficking network i...

Are people making their kids "soft" by protecting them too much? In this episode, our host Liz Durham is joined by Armando SanMiguel, her former boss and mentor, for a conversation about coddling and its impact on children's development.  Drawing parallels from their professional experiences, Liz and Armando discuss how shielding kids from adversity can hinder their growth and resil...

Ever wondered about the secrets to raising resilient children? Turns out, farming and the animal care can offer some valuable insight. Today, Liz Durham is joined by Lexi Young Peck to discuss how she helps her kids navigate the process of life and death. They both agree: facing difficulties head-on shapes confident children who embrace challenges rather than shying away from them. After their las...

Liz Durham's experience raising chickens on her farm has been far from easy. From foxes to hawks, raccoons to skunks, Liz dishes on the relentless attacks on her feathered friends.  She talks about the various predators that have attacked and killed her chickens over the past year, and shares a chaotic story about trapping and relocating a raccoon that had been decapitating her chickens.  But...

Modern parents are getting caught up in unneccessary fears and excessive reliance on parenting books. But after reading "Free-Range Kids: How Parents and Teachers Can Let Go and Let Grow" by Lenore Skenazy, our host Liz Durham has some new ideas about embracing a more liberating approach to parenting and fostering confident, resilient children. Now with three children, Liz shares stories...

From new iPhones and after school curricular activities to college tuition - how do parents decide where to draw the line with financial support? In this episode, our host Liz Durham is joined by Armando SanMiguel, her former boss and mentor, for a conversation about parenting, money, and how to instill a strong work ethic in the next generation. Liz reflects on watching her mom sacrifice a career...

Women are faced with polarized roles in today's society: either being a stay-at-home mom or pursuing a career. But Liz wants something more. In this episode, she advocates for finding a middle ground that allows women to have successful careers while also prioritizing their families. This polarization has been happening for decades. Drawing parallels to historical technological advancements l...

And then, there were three! Liz is navigating a transformative season with her newborn son, Cooper, at the center of it all. In this solo episode, she shares the whirlwind of emotions and challenges that come with caring for three young children while recovering from childbirth.  Liz shares her personal struggles, from the complexities of nursing Cooper to the daily juggling act of getting her kid...

At her 36-week ultrasound, host Liz Durham received unexpected news that her unborn baby boy might not have a left kidney. After meeting with a high-risk doctor, who offered both reassurance and insight into the unknown, Liz was left with the choice: worry, or trust in God's plan. In this episode, Liz candidly shares her emotional struggle with the lack of control over her baby's health,...

Television shows have the power to shape and influence our perceptions of the world around us. In this episode, Liz considers the impact of shows she watched growing up. Have beloved sitcoms like Friends and Sex and the City contributed to negative stereotypes about gender roles? As Liz reflects on these shows, she recognizes their influence on her own views of men and relationships. Now, she sees...

Gary Ashton is a trailblazing entrepreneur and accomplished real estate agent based in Nashville. With a background that spans continents and industries, Gary's journey is a testament to the power of early adoption, entrepreneurial spirit, and the fusion of human intelligence with technology. In this episode of Being Different, host Liz Durham sits down with Gary to talk about how working wit...

As the definition of motherhood changes over generations, it becomes harder to pin down the idea of “balance.” In this episode of Being Different, host Liz Durham chats with Taylor Brasel, a loan officer who has decided to focus on her career and wait to have children. Thus begs the question, when? From navigating gender roles to maintaining work-life balance, Liz and Taylor provide different gene...

Pouring a glass of wine may seem like a reward after a tough day with the kids, but did you know alcohol is actually a depressant? And it could make your anxiety worse, not better. The normalization of alcohol consumption peaked during the pandemic, and with phrases like "mommy juice" and "wine mom" culture, the trend is clear among moms, too. In this episode of Being Different...

We all know proper money management skills are crucial in our lives, so why not equip our kids with these tools early on? In this episode of Being Different, host Liz Durham dives into her personal journey of teaching her kids about money and finances. Liz reflects on her own desire to go beyond traditional approaches to instill invaluable lessons about credit scores, responsible credit card usage...

So we’ve heard from Liz - but what’s her husband’s experience?  Host Liz Durham and her husband Luke sit down to chat about Liz's journey of leaving her job to become a stay-at-home mom. From COVID to household labor - they cover it all. Hear about his unwavering support for Liz's decision, initial struggles with the transition, and navigating the division of labor at home - plus, advice...

As a parent, vacations can be the ultimate test of patience and flexibility. It can be challenging, tiring, and downright frustrating at times. In this solo episode, Liz reflects on the challenges she faced during her summer vacation with her young kids.  She shares her experiences and highlights the importance of adjusting expectations and working on our own selfishness - alongside being willing...

Are there hierarchy issues within modern parenting? Today we explore the ever-evolving landscape of motherhood with Tammy Peterson – a seasoned mother and host of The Tammy Peterson Podcast. Together, host Liz Durham and Tammy delve into the impact of feminism, the significance of outdoor play, and the importance of self-directed learning for young children. Tammy shares hard-learned lessons, thou...

As a working mom, Liz was once taken in by these misconceptions, and now she’s ready to challenge them head-on. In today’s reflection, she breaks down why it’s crucial to understand the impact these lies have on families. Liz breaks down the difference between quality time versus quantity, the daycare dilemma and early socialization, and the myth of our children’s memories in younger years.  How d...

How much of our trouble starts with a lack of of family structure at home? In this episode of Being Different, Liz Durham is joined by recent guest, New York Times bestselling author Mark Mathabane. Mark highlights the crucial roles both parents play in a child's upbringing and how the absence of family structure can give rise to issues. Liz and Mark discuss different approaches to discipline...

In today's society, staying at home as a mother can be met with mixed opinions and even judgment from others. In this solo episode with host Liz Durham, she reflects on the last five months and her journey into her role as a stay-at-home mom. Liz shares the unexpected obstacles and surprising rewards, lessons in balancing her days, and giving herself grace. Learn how spending more time togeth...

How do we navigate the conversation of race with our children? Host Liz Durham sat down with Ace Battle to discuss a topic that is as important as it is complex. On his podcast Until The Tables Turn, Ace raises concerns about the dangers of looking at people in groups and not as individuals, fostering divisiveness and agendas. In this episode of Being Different, he shares the impacts of social med...

In this second episode with Mark Mathabane, we hear more about his experience growing up in South Africa during apartheid and how his life changed in America.  He joins host Liz Durham to talk about the crucial role of mothers and parents in educating children with balanced experiences and and opportunity. He emphasizes the importance of embracing our common humanity and reaching across racial bou...

Despite joining a gang at just five years old, Mark Mathabane’s mother encouraged education and he found hope and a new path through tennis. With the help of legend Stan Smith, he secured a college scholarship in America and his life changed forever. But Mark's message goes beyond personal success. On this episode of Being Different, New York Times bestselling author Mark Mathabane shares his...