Out of the Ordinary

This is a story about how to make ordinary life a little bit easier. Today we share some very basic and weirdly life changing tools that make ordinary life run that little bit smoother. Got a basic piece of equipment, hack or tool that makes ordinary Wednesdays more manageable? We want to hear about them! Tag us on Instagram! @lisajobaker @christiepurifoy   Show Links: Noise canceling headphones  ...

This is a story about making sense of our universal exhaustion. You're not alone if you feel mentally, physically and emotionally finished here at the end of summer and month six of a global pandemic. Christie and Lisa-Jo share their own experiences and the stories that are helping them make sense of this hard-to-shake weariness. And do not miss the last ten minutes. That story gave us all chi...

This is a story about a completely unexpected development in both Christie and Lisa-Jo's lives. These uncertain days crave pockets of certainty. Here is one change that has proved certain, scientific results with real mental health benefits. It was unplanned and wildly unprecedented for both Lisa-Jo and Christie. Maybe it's a way to help you as you navigate your own limits in these days, l...

This is a story about a few very specific things that are making a very real difference in our days. When it seems like all hope is lost, turns out it never actually is Join Lisa-Jo and Christie this week as they share what's getting them through the groundhog days of this season. And follow them on Instagram where they share the journey in real time: @lisajobaker @christiepurifoy _______ Spon...

This is a story about being homesick for how home used to be.  About loving our people and still wishing NONE of them were in our house right now. And how to do all that on the days you feel like you're literally losing your mind. This is parenting in a pandemic. We talk about WHY it is so, so hard. And how to begin processing the experience. Follow Lisa-Jo and Christie on Instagram where they...

This is a story about struggling to breathe. In a pandemic, our houses and surrounded by trees. Today's story is for anyone trying to catch their breath in these difficult days. Come walk awhile with us as we walk you out into some big, wide open spaces laced through with generations of memories that will help you breathe in and out again. _______ Sponsor appreciation: In these uncertain times...

This is a story about your middle. And how to love it.  Both the stage of life and your beautiful body. This week it's almost one year to the day since Lisa-Jo's book, The Middle Matters, launched into the world. We're celebrating by sharing a reading from the book. Think of it like a love letter to your waist. And a reminder of how to show it grace.  Get comfy, here we go. You can pic...

This is TWENTY of our favorite Christmas stories! Buckle up, here come a smorgasbord of our very favorite Christmas reads! Last December we'd created a special bonus podcast episode that folks were able to download as a standalone paid episode. This summer, we thought it would be fun to finally release this nearly two hour binge listen to our whole audience. Lisa-Jo and Christie share their To...

This is a story about choosing a table and a teacher. For all who want the deepest, richest community experience, we offer an opportunity to sit with our teachers around a Table, enjoying the virtual equivalent of good food and good conversation. For less than the cost of a class or conference, your monthly Table fee gives you access to a carefully prepared banquet, an eight- and four-week menu of...

This is a story about turning social media's usual ways upside down. Are you weary of online spaces where everyone shouts and no one listens?  Do you wish the online world nurtured more goodness, truth, and beauty?  Would you like to grow and connect online in ways that transform and enrich your real, everyday life? Then we’d love to invite you to the Black Barn Online! There is no membership...

This is a story about how being willing to hear and share uncomfortable stories are how we learn and grow. It's like being willing to walk around in someone else's shoes -- being willing to see the world through their story. Will you come take a walk with us today? Christie and Lisa-Jo explore some of their own memories of growing up on the one hand near Galveston Texas and the other, in P...

This is a love story about summer. A celebration of all the stickiest, most delicious, uncomfortable, weird and wonderful ways that summer wraps itself around us each year. You're invited to share your own three summer lovin' favorites -- ping Christie @christiepurifoy and Lisa-Jo @lisajobaker on Instagram. _______ Sponsor appreciation: In these uncertain times we're so grateful to par...

This is a story about listening. On this podcast, two friends share their stories; one talks while the other listens. And it's deepened our friendship like almost nothing else.  That's what we're doing today. To make room to learn from the voices and stories of our black brothers and sisters, this week we're sharing stories from black authors and poets.  From love stories about bra...

This is a story about the most intimate of rooms -- the bedroom.  The place where we retreat, where we are fully known and where we find comfort. May you find rest and room for weary souls to exhale here at the end of our Home Series together. _______ Sponsor appreciation: In these uncertain times we're so grateful to partner with show sponsors that keep making our work possible.  This week it...

This is a story about that room we sometimes forget -- the backyard.  Whether it's fun with chainsaws, fires, bikes or weeding, this week we remind ourselves that the backyard might just be the best room of all! _______ Sponsor appreciation: In these uncertain times we're so grateful to partner with show sponsors that keep making our work possible.  This week it's timely to be able to...

This is a story about bathroom hospitality.  What on EARTH?!?, you might say. Yup, as wild as it sounds. We've actually got those stories for you today. So get comfy, get ready to laugh and happy sigh. Here's the latest in our series of stories from home. (We recommend listening in the bathtub while snacking on something yummy :) _______ Sponsor appreciation: In these uncertain times we&#3...

This is a story about tunneling out of our quarantined homes through our sofas and into two memories from when the couches in our living rooms were just newborns.  It's amazing how much love and what wild stories can live in the droopy pillows of a family sofa.  We hope today offers a fresh lungful of life before quarantine and love in the season of so much time spent together in our living ro...

This is a story about how rest does NOT require a cabin in the woods or room service.  Instead, it's a helpful guide to finding rest in the very middle of your ordinary rhythms.  While this conversation was recorded before this strange season of global extended stay at home, we think it's so timely to remember how to rest in the middle of our now sometimes stressed homes.  Join us this wee...

This is a story about two out of control kitchens. And the power of grace and sugar. This is The Home Series. For the next few weeks we'll be telling stories from our favorite rooms in the house. We hope this series offers you new ways to see your space, and a fresh appreciation for all the magic that lives within your ordinary walls. No matter how tired, frazzled or frustrated you might feel...

This is a story about seeing our homes less like places where we’re trapped with frighteningly low supplies of toilet paper and more like places of refuge and welcome for ourselves and others we love. This is The Home Series. For the next few weeks we'll be telling stories from our favorite rooms in the house. We hope this series offers you new ways to see your space, and a fresh appreciation...

This is a story about how everything that wasn't normal about this Easter can't detract from the feast that teaches like no other and the father that rescues like no other.     Follow Lisa-Jo on Instagram here:  @lisajobaker Follow Christie on Instagram here:  @ChristiePurifoy 

This is a story about Holy Week in the time of social distancing, the courage we've seen in unexpected places, and what we have to learn from the saints of old and the everyday heroes of Corona.  Travel with us this Holy Week as we walk in the footsteps of men and women who have lived the tension of mortal courage and miracles in these extraordinary times. "No matter how flawed or frighten...

This is a story about ALL YOUR stories. Listeners from all over the world sent in stories of hope and laughter and love in the time of Corona this week. And boy did we need them.  Thank you for doing what community does -- carrying each other. This week your stories helped carry Christie and Lisa-Jo. From virtual birthday parties to wild grocery trips to an unexpected bus rescue in Senegal. We hop...

This is a story about laughing our way through tears, toilet paper shortages, and the wild mashup of homebound kids and a global quarantine.  Friends, how are you all doing, eh? In these unpredictable times we wanted to bring you a slice of laughter. Today's episode includes the ridiculous in all shapes and sizes that this week has brought us. Next week we plan to share YOUR stories. Yup!  Wan...

This is a story about being allergic to life. This week Christie went in for allergy testing and discovered that she's allergic to her very favorite thing in the world. It's like a parable for these times we're living through. Listen to her share about how she has responded. May we all respond to the headlines, our fears, and our neighbors in the same way. Reading from this episode:  J...