Simple Purposeful Living Podcast

As a new year begins, so many of us want things to feel different, more intentional and less reactive, but don’t know where to start. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger, pediatric endocrinologist, mom of three, and host of the Best Laid Plans podcast. We talk about why planning isn’t about doing more, but about making room for what truly matters, like rest, relationships, and joy....

Today I’m sitting down with Wynne Elder for a refreshing, honest conversation about creating rhythms that support your real life, not an idealized one. Wynne shares her heart for helping moms move from constantly reacting to their days to living with intention, and why the small, ordinary choices we make each day quietly shape the life we’re building. We talk about seasons of life, how to recogniz...

As we head into a new year,  let’s pause and talk honestly about New Year’s resolutions, because if they’ve never worked for you, it’s not a personal failure.  In this episode, I’m sharing why we crave fresh starts, why resolutions so often fall apart, and why the problem isn’t you, but the system we’ve been handed. Instead of chasing an aspirational version of life that doesn’t fit your current s...

The holidays are a magical time, but when December 26th rolls around, the joy of the season can feel overshadowed by the daunting task of undecorating. In this episode, we’re diving into simple, purposeful strategies to tackle post-Christmas clean-up without the overwhelm. From organizing ornaments to embracing a blank slate, we’ve got tips that will leave your home feeling refreshed, cozy, and re...

Get ready to sprinkle some festive fun into your day because we've got the fabulous Kelsey from Dancing Around the Kitchen, back in action! 🕺 This time, she's dishing out all the secrets on how to turn the holiday cookie decorating chaos into a masterpiece of joy and simplicity. Brace yourselves for Kelsey's wisdom as she spills the beans on keeping messes at bay, no more flour explosions and ici...

Today, I can finally share the news I’ve been bursting to tell you, my very first traditionally published book is here, and I’m giving you all the behind-the-scenes details!  Tiny Tweaks, Happy Life: Simple Changes to Create Space for What Matters releases January 27, 2026, and I’m spilling everything from why I wrote it to who it’s for to how a season of overwhelm and exhaustion birthed this “boo...

Are you ready to create a holiday tradition that will have your guests laughing, bonding, and making unforgettable memories? For the past five years, we’ve hosted Reindeer Games Parties, and they’ve become the highlight of our holiday season! These festive gatherings are so much fun, we host them three times a year—for family, friends, and coworkers alike. In this episode, I’m sharing everything y...

Today we’re diving into holiday gifting, the part of the season that somehow feels both magical and mildly panic-inducing. If you’ve ever found yourself wanting to be thoughtful and generous but also staring at a long list feeling totally overwhelmed… same. This episode is your permission slip to take a breath, simplify, and bring the joy back into giving. I’m sharing the tiny tweaks that have gen...

In this episode, I’m sharing my heart on something that so many moms feel this time of year: the holidays are magical… until the pressure, expectations, and “shoulds” start stacking up. With over half of parents reporting higher stress during the holiday season, and one in five saying their stress even dampens their kids’ joy, I invite you to slow down, breathe, and shift into a gentler, more inte...

Ready or not, the holidays are here, and if you’ve ever found yourself knee-deep in tangled lights or missing the tape when it’s time to wrap gifts, this episode is for you! I’m sitting down with professional organizer and fellow mom, Jaclyn Musselman, to help us take the stress out of holiday prep and replace it with a little more peace and purpose. Jaclyn shares how she turned her passion for si...

We’re officially (or unofficially!) kicking off the holiday season, and what better way to start than with a heart of gratitude?  In this episode, I’m joined by Kerry and April, the creative moms and founders behind Turkey on the Table, a simple, hands-on way for families to practice gratitude together all November long. Born out of a preschool parking lot conversation, this sweet idea turned into...

What happens when God asks you to do something that doesn’t make sense? Today I’m joined by Lindsay Parks, a wife, mom of five, and cohost of the podcast Built for More for a real, faith-filled conversation about obedience, motherhood, and finding peace in the messy middle. Lindsay shares what it looked like for her family to sell their dream home in pursuit of financial freedom, the rhythms that...

Welcome to a spooktacular episode, where we're brewing up some devilishly good Halloween fun! 🎃👻 Today, I'm your ghostly guide through the haunted Halloween season. Whether you're a Halloween aficionado or just a humble participant in the festivities, fear not! We've got your back with a cauldron full of tricks and treats. First up, let's dive into the mesmerizing world of pumpkin carving. 🎃✨...

I’m so excited for you to meet my friend Jenny Marrs in this episode, she is the real deal: generous, grounded, and hilariously honest about what it’s like to parent a big, beautiful, complicated family. Jenny’s new book, Trust God, Love People (out October 7 — grab it wherever you buy books), is a collection of short, bite-sized stories of God’s faithfulness written especially for busy parents wh...

Every few months, I love to hit pause and share what I call my “saving graces”: the small, everyday things that are making life simpler, calmer, or just a bit sweeter in this current season. It’s never about a full-blown life overhaul (who has time for that?), but rather those tiny tweaks that make you exhale and think, okay, I can do this. In this episode, I’m sharing the little shifts and produc...

Today we’re diving into one of those topics that makes most parents squirm, the birds and the bees. I invited expert Megan Michelson from Birds & Bees to join me, and she has such a refreshing way of helping us move past the dreaded “one big talk” into simple, steady, everyday conversations with our kids. Megan shares her favorite “sponge” analogy and how the drip-drip-drip approach, short, age-ap...

Every few months I love hosting an Ask Me Anything episode where your real-life questions take center stage.  In this Fall Edition, we dive into seasonal decorating tips that make your home feel festive without the overwhelm, simple family meal planning ideas that keep snacks and dinners stress-free, and why plan B dinners are a lifesaver for busy moms.  I share encouragement on how to find a ther...

If you’ve ever caught yourself waiting until you feel “ready” before making a move, whether that’s starting something new, having a hard conversation, or stepping out of your comfort zone, then this episode is for you. I’m sitting down with Jill Schulman, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer turned corporate leader and positive psychology expert. Her upcoming book, The Bravery Effect, unpacks how co...

As the school year kicks off and schedules get packed, I’ve got the perfect cure for those mid-day hunger pangs: 10 quick, grab-and-go meals that’ll keep you full and happy. Forget boring sandwiches, these meals have personality. We’re talking endless combinations that’ll keep your taste buds on their toes. Craving something a little fancier? Take a quick trip (with your fork) to the French countr...

Ever looked at a closet full of clothes and thought, “I have nothing to wear”, well this episode is for you. I’m joined by Conni Jespersen, wardrobe stylist and founder of Art in the Find, who has spent the last decade helping women build intentional wardrobes that feel personal, practical, and pulled together. Conni shares how to “shop your own closet” and rediscover pieces you already own, why a...

Back-to-school season has a way of throwing us off balance. One moment we’re celebrating the quiet pockets of space that come with new schedules, and the next we’re drowning in routines, expectations, and overwhelm. In this episode, I share how to steady yourself and your family with small, doable rhythms that layer in slowly, like learning piano one hand at a time instead of trying to master the...

Back-to-school season is packed with emotions—joy, nerves, excitement, and a whole lot of worry about what’s to come. In this episode of the Simple, Purposeful Living Podcast, I share eight tiny tweaks that have helped my kids (and me!) face new seasons with courage. From creating side-by-side conversations and normalizing anxiety, to adding comfort anchors, practicing new situations, and celebrat...

If you’ve ever opened your fridge, spotted a soggy bag of spinach or a fuzzy berry graveyard, and thought, “Well… there goes $7” 🫠 — this episode is going to be your new best friend. I’m joined by Amy Cross, urban homesteader and founder of The Cross Legacy, whose viral kitchen hacks have saved families up to 40% on their grocery bills. Her secret? Learning how to make food last way longer than y...

We’re officially in back-to-school mode, and if that thought feels more overwhelming than exciting, you’re going to love today’s conversation. Erin sits down with Brittany from @homeandkind — aka the queen of practical mom hacks — to talk all things lunchboxes, rhythms, and how to actually make this season feel lighter, not more chaotic. Brittany shares how her business evolved from party products...

Can you believe we’re already at the end of July? Whether your kids are already back in school or you’re soaking up the last few weeks of summer, this episode is here to help you make the transition smoother (and way less stressful). I’m kicking off our Back-to-School series with five simple reminders that will seriously make your life 100x easier. I’m sharing why it’s so important to look back be...