Simple Purposeful Living Podcast

Have you ever felt like you’re carrying the invisible weight of your family while quietly wondering, “When is it going to be my turn”? You’re not alone. In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with psychologist, author, and mom Dr. Morgan Cutlip to unpack the mental load so many women carry every single day.  We talk about why moms so easily lose themselves in the demands of family life, how gu...

Summer rarely goes exactly as planned….and that’s okay. In this episode, I’m sharing an honest halfway-through-the-summer update on what’s actually working in our home, what hasn’t gone according to plan, and the tiny tweaks that are helping us navigate a season full of unexpected schedule changes, backyard construction, growing kids, and shifting expectations. From realizing I don’t have to be pa...

Summer is supposed to feel restful, yet so many of us reach the end of the season feeling more exhausted than when it began.  Today I’m sharing what I’ve been learning about rest after working through burnout, inflammation, and the realization that I had unknowingly tied my sense of purpose to productivity. Through conversations with my counselor, doctor, and business coach, I’ve discovered that r...

This week I’m joined by a VERY special guest, my husband, Scott as we celebrate 20 years of marriage and reflect on the lessons we’ve learned through two decades of life together.  From raising four kids and navigating financial struggles to walking through adoption, heartbreak, personal growth, and everything in between, we share an honest conversation about what has strengthened our marriage ove...

Summer may be full of sunshine and slower schedules, but if you’re the one responsible for feeding everyone all day long, it can also feel like an endless cycle of meals, snacks, and dishes. In this episode, I’m sharing the simple systems that help me keep food manageable during the summer months, from our family’s “burger of the week” tradition and cook-once-eat-twice meal strategy to kid-led lun...

If you’ve ever spent weeks planning for summer only to feel overwhelmed once it actually arrives, this episode is for you.  After talking through summer mindset shifts and planning strategies the last few weeks, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing exactly what summer looks like in our home this year. From how I’m structuring my work schedule and teaching more independence through age-appropri...

If you’re already feeling the pressure of summer before it’s even started, this episode is going to feel like a deep breath.  I sat down with planning expert Megan Sumrell to talk about how to create a summer that feels intentional instead of chaotic. We talked about the mindset shifts that helped her stop feeling like she was constantly torn between work, motherhood, and everything else demanding...

Summer used to feel overwhelming before it even started,  not because I didn’t love the season, but because I felt the pressure to make it magical while still managing everyday life.  That’s why today I’m sharing the tiny mindset shifts and practical planning tweaks that are helping me approach summer with more intention, less pressure, and way more joy. We’re talking about how to stop fighting th...

Today I’m sharing the little saving graces that are helping me get through this busy “Maycember” season lately.  From easy air fryer meals and simple family traditions to the mindset shifts, routines, and tiny comforts making life feel lighter right now, these are the small saving graces keeping me grounded in the middle of a very full season. I’m sharing a more personal look at what our family ha...

What if you actually have MORE time than you think… and you’re just not seeing it yet? Today I sit down with time management expert Laura Vanderkam to completely rethink the way we view our schedules, our routines, and those elusive “free hours.” If you’ve ever felt like there’s just not enough time in your day, this conversation might surprise you in the best way. We talk about shifting from a sc...

If May already feels like a lot, you’re not alone. Between end-of-school events, packed calendars, and the everyday responsibilities that don’t magically disappear, this “Maycember” season can feel overwhelming fast. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 simple, practical tweaks to help you navigate the chaos with more ease and intention. We’re talking about lightening your mental load, planning ahead in...

If this season of life feels full and dinnertime is starting to feel like one more thing on your plate… this episode is for you. Last week we talked about planning for a busy season, this week we’re tackling how to actually feed your family in the middle of it. Because somehow, they still expect dinner every night, right? 😉 I’m sharing tiny tweaks that have made meals so much easier in our home l...

If life feels extra full right now, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m talking about that “1.5 speed” season so many of us are in… where the calendar is packed with good things, but it still feels like a lot. And here’s the truth we all need to hear: you can love your life and feel stretched by it at the same time. Instead of overhauling everything, I’m sharing the tiny tweaks that are helping...

If youth sports have ever made you feel like you’re constantly trying to “keep up,” this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air. Today, I’m joined by Megan Cannon, a former D1 athlete turned counselor who now helps athletes and families navigate the mental side of sports. And wow… this one hit home. Because let’s be honest, youth sports have changed. It’s more intense, more time-consumi...

We just got back from a 7-night family cruise - and today I’m sharing everything I wish I had known before we went. From a chaotic, rain-soaked boarding day to navigating an over-capacity ship, this trip was full of unforgettable memories and a few hard-earned lessons. I’m breaking down the real-life tips that matter, like why your ship choice is just as important as your destinations, how to actu...

If you’ve ever found yourself snapping at your kids and asking yourself how you got here, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. I’m joined by parenting expert Amy McCready, a self-described “recovering yeller,” who shares simple, practical ways to reduce power struggles and bring more calm into your home. We talk about how our own parenting style can unintentionally invite behaviors l...

🎉 Ready for a stress-free vacation? Whether you’re hitting the road, catching a flight, or settling into a cozy vacation rental, a little planning can make all the difference! In today’s episode, I’m sharing 14 simple travel tips to keep your trip smooth, fun, and (mostly) meltdown-free. ✈️🚗 From packing smart (because we’ve all forgotten underwear before!) to meal planning hacks that save time...

It’s time for another Ask Me Anything: Spring Edition, one of your favorite series where I answer the lovely questions you’ve all been sending in. we talk about everything from helping a grumpy 10-year-old get out of bed in the morning to the deeper topics so many of us are quietly carrying: loneliness, overwhelm, relaxation, and creating simple routines that work in real life. I share a few pract...

If feeding your family feels like the most exhausting part of your day, this episode is going to feel both practical and hopeful. Today I’m joined by Natalie Johnson, a homeschool mom of five who manages multiple food allergies (gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free) without turning dinner into a short-order kitchen. She shares the mindset shift that made big dietary changes sustainable, how she adapt...

What happens when life finally slows down… and instead of feeling peaceful, you feel a little lost? After a whirlwind season of holidays, deadlines, and a book launch, I found myself staring at something I hadn’t had in months: margin. And instead of instantly loving it, I felt rusty. Disoriented. Even a little guilty. In this episode I’m sharing the quiet lie I had to confront, that joy and rest...

If you’re tired of decluttering the same spaces over and over again, this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air. In this episode, I’m joined by Katy Wells, the voice behind the Maximized Minimalist and author of Making Home Your Happy Place to talk about why clutter keeps coming back and how to finally break the cycle. Katy shares the moment she realized her home was pulling her away f...

Today I’m sitting down with Melissa Griffiths of Bless This Mess a mom of five and food blogger who has been making dinnertime doable since 2009. Melissa shares how her blog grew from sharing everyday family recipes into a thriving business, all while embracing simplicity, flexibility, and real life in the kitchen. We talk about practical ways to take the stress out of meal planning, including cre...

This week’s episode is a special one because I invited my sister into the “studio” (aka my closet) while she was in town for my book launch. We hit record and talk about what it’s like living far apart, her life as a twin mom, the impact of therapy, our Chick-fil-A orders, and how we navigate not always agreeing on politics while still learning from and respecting each other. It’s honest, funny, a...

Today’s episode is a really special one because it’s release day for my book, Tiny Tweaks, Happy Life! 🎉 To celebrate, I’m doing something a little different and sharing the introduction and first chapter of the audiobook with you.  Tiny Tweaks, Happy Life is for busy women who want more balance, purpose, and peace, but don’t want to overhaul their entire lives to get there. This book isn’t about...

If your home feels like it’s constantly one step away from chaos and you don’t have the time or energy for a full-on overhaul, this episode is for you. Today I’m sitting down with Emily Counts from Small Stuff Counts, and she is such a breath of fresh air when it comes to organizing real homes for real life. Emily is a working mom of two who truly gets the juggle, and she shares how small, intenti...