Messy but Meaningful (formerly Ed Pursuits) Podcast - Happy Healthy Meaningful Life

Sometimes we all need to step away from our busy lives and get lost in a good story. After being forced to slow down for a few days, I watched several movies that all seemed to ask the same question: What do you really want? In this episode, I share how those stories reminded me to think about what truly matters, appreciate the life I have, and make room for a little more beauty, rest, and joy. Ma...

Do you ever end the day feeling like you didn’t accomplish enough? It’s easy to focus on everything left undone and miss the meaningful work that filled your day. Whether you’re caring for young children, supporting older kids, helping loved ones, or simply navigating a busy season of life, not all of your work shows up on a checklist. In this episode, I share a few experiences that changed the wa...

Comfrey is one of my favorite herbs—and one that has been part of my family’s natural wellness journey for years. In this episode, I share how I first learned about comfrey, why it earned the nickname “knit bone,” some of the controversy surrounding its use, and the many ways I’ve used it over the years. We’ll talk about homemade salves, herbal traditions, garden uses, animal feed, and a few perso...

Do you ever wake up worried about things you can’t control? In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve been learning about moving from fear to gratitude and from gratitude to faith. Through books, scriptures, prayer, and personal experience, I’ve discovered that the thoughts we rehearse matter—and that peace often begins with choosing what we focus on. I’ll share a few practices that have helped me, i...

For more than 13 years, I’ve been trying to figure out my body. In this episode, I share the journey of diets, exercise programs, stress, motherhood, migraines, and major life transitions—and what began to change when I stopped trying to fix my body and started trying to heal it. Maybe your body isn’t broken. Maybe it’s been carrying more than you realize. Get my free 7 day Reset Journal when you...

For years, I expected myself to have the same energy, patience, and productivity every single day — and when I didn’t, I thought something was wrong with me. In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve been learning recently about the female cycle, perimenopause, and the importance of working with our bodies instead of constantly fighting against them. We’ll talk about the difference between the first...

In this episode, I’m sharing a recent experience with migraines, emotional overload, and perimenopause that forced me to slow down and reevaluate how I’ve been caring for myself. We’ll talk about nervous system stress, pushing through burnout, the importance of rest and reflection, and why I’m learning to work with my body instead of against it. This is a gentle conversation about slowing down, he...

Coming home after a trip can feel like a lot. In this episode, I’m sharing how I’ve been easing back into everyday life—choosing a slower transition, focusing on small tasks, and letting go of the pressure to do everything all at once. We’ll talk about simple rhythms, listening to your body, and finding peace in the middle of unfinished things. And a quiet reminder that sometimes the most powerful...

Episodes will be shorter, some reflective, some practical. I've been through many seasons of motherhood and the purpose of this podcast is to encourage moms in all seasons to keep going and to find meaning and joy in the midst of the messes! Get my free 7 day Reset Journal when you sign up for the newsletter here: https://edpursuits.kit.com/resetjournal1 Follow me on instagram @edpursuitscom and f...

If your oils are gathering dust on a shelf, it’s time to bring them back to life. I’ll show you how to use essential oils in ways that actually fit your day—like freshening laundry, easing headaches, supporting hormones, or winding down before bed. You’ll also get my favorite roller ball recipes, diffuser blends, and natural cleaning tips. Simple, beautiful, and completely doable. Books and Resour...

Life is full of bumps, breakdowns, and unexpected setbacks — but what if obstacles aren’t detours, but part of the road itself? In this episode, I share stories from scripture and my own life that reminded me to expect resistance and trust God’s hand through it all. From Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall under attack, to Nephi refusing to give up on the brass plates, to my own recent migraine a...

Menstrual migraines are more than just a bad headache—they’re a full-body experience that can knock you off your feet. In this episode, we dive into why they happen, what’s going on hormonally, and the natural ways you can support your body before, during, and after a migraine hits. We’ll explore common triggers, how to track your symptoms, and the power of nutrition, herbs, and gentle lifestyle p...

In this episode of Messy but Meaningful, I share some personal stories that taught me the power of gratitude — from the time my arm was paralyzed and healed, to near-misses on the road, to the car trouble that reminded me how thankful I am for our new-to-us vehicle. Life is full of challenges, but sometimes the obstacles are invitations to notice what we’ve taken for granted. We’ll explore simple...

How do you simplify life so things run smoothly — without having to overthink every detail? In this episode, we dive into the power of rhythms and routines to help you accomplish what matters most. We’ll explore self-care routines that keep you grounded, homeschool rhythms that give kids clarity and ownership, and household habits that make cleaning and decluttering feel more doable. Every family...

In this episode, we’re cutting through the noise of trendy diets and nutrition fads to talk about what really matters: finding what works for you and your family. I’ve tried it all—keto, paleo, plant-based, raw, low-fat—and here’s what I’ve learned: every diet works for someone, but no diet works for everyone. We’ll explore the simple truths most approaches agree on—like the importance of whole fo...

This is the first episode in a new Messy but Meaningful series on self-care for moms—and we’re kicking things off with real talk. What is self-care, really? And how do you find time for it when your days are already packed with kids, chores, and constant demands? I share a personal story, the truth about what happens when we don’t take care of ourselves, and why self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essent...

In this first deep-dive episode of the Messy but Meaningful Self-Care Series, I share a turning point in my own healing—a time when I was burnt out, spiritually dry, and weighed down by life. A friend (and therapist) introduced me to Come to Your Senses by Dr. Stanley Block, and it completely shifted how I approached my inner world. I began learning to be present—not just in a vague sense, but as...

In this episode, I’m sharing the real-life rhythm of how I make my everyday sourdough bread using 100% spelt flour. This is the bread I bake again and again—nourishing, simple, and forgiving enough to fit into real life with kids, chaos, and all. I’ll walk you through how I prep my starter (yes, it lives in the fridge most of the time), how I mix the dough more like a batter and let time do the wo...

What if the medicine your body needs is already growing between the cracks of your sidewalk? In this episode, I share the time my friend started admiring my weeds and asked if she could have some! That moment made me realize that all the herbs I was buying at the store were real live beautiful actual plants, some of which were growing right in front of my eyes!! I started blending clovers and dand...

In the thick of everyday life, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling short. But friend, you’re doing better than you think. In this encouraging episode, I share honest stories from my own messy, beautiful journey raising eight kids—moments of doubt, grace, and growth. You’ll hear a heartfelt mix of personal experiences, scripture, and reflective questions designed to help you pause, notice your pr...

In this episode, we explore positive affirmations—why they work, how they help rewire the subconscious mind, and the power they have to shift your internal dialogue. You’ll learn how repeating intentional, encouraging phrases can actually create new neural pathways and help replace negative thought patterns as you become more aware of them. Whether you’re new to affirmations or looking to deepen y...

In this first episode, I’m sharing why I’ve rebranded the podcast from EdPursuits to Messy but Meaningful—and what this new direction is all about. If you’ve ever felt like life is beautifully chaotic, like you’re trying to do it all but still want to stay grounded in what truly matters, this space is for you. I’m here to cheer you on, offer encouragement, and help you find peace and purpose in th...

We are planting seedlings, capturing chickens and getting ready for bees. Hopefully we're able to follow through and not get too tired! We're plugging along with school and trying to declutter too! Hopefully it will make you feel encouraged too, we all just do the best we can!

In this episode we talk about how important it is to follow up on the homeschool assignments we give our kids. Whenever you require more from your kids, it can be hard for them to make the transition to doing more than before. There may be complaints and feet dragging, but if you persevere and follow up with them before they are allowed to do the fun things, then they will know you are serious and...

I share my experiences and thoughts on learning languages basically from my own experience and the experiences of my family. I spent 5 years in Mexico as a child and almost 4 years in France as an adult. The biggest thing is to listen so you can get used to the sounds of the language and to just keep trying!!