Whatever Is Excellent with Leanne Tuggle

The week between Christmas and New Year’s can feel like a soft landing: sweatpants, slow mornings, and a rare sense of completion. We lean into that pause and ask a bigger question—how do we finish the year well so we can begin the next aligned with God’s heart? With Scripture as our guide, we explore the joy of ending strong without striving, and the freedom to rest while still preparing our step...

What if your home became the place where people exhale the moment they walk in? That picture guides our conversation with Deanne, a longtime friend who has spent decades turning ordinary rooms into a refuge—welcoming neighbors, college kids, missionaries, and foster children with a calm, open-handed approach that prioritizes people over performance. We unpack the real difference between entertaini...

What if the most memorable part of December isn’t the packed calendar but the quiet moments at home? We open the bins of decorations and talk about a countercultural Christmas built on simple traditions, secret generosity, and a steady gaze on Jesus. From watercolor afternoons and gingerbread chaos to favorite stories read by the tree, we reframe “holiday magic” as presence over performance. Toget...

Holiday tables can feel like tightropes: old roles resurface, expectations collide, and the urge to keep the peace can eclipse the call to make peace. We open up about awkward family moments, the pressure to please, and the liberating truth that you’re only responsible for your actions, feelings, and words—not for anyone else’s reaction. From there, we map a clear, grace-filled plan to navigate te...

A friend’s kitchen-table Bible study turned into a national movement. Brittany Dunn joins us to share how Safe House Project is confronting child trafficking in America with a strategy built on training, survivor support, and evidence-based safe house certification—and why proximity, not sensational headlines, should reshape how we see this crisis. The numbers are sobering, but the path forward is...

Ever notice those quiet moments when the life you once prayed for shows up in plain sight—tiny socks in the laundry, laughter down the hall, a kiss at the door—and yet your heart still aches for the thing you don’t have? We lean into that tension and chart a clearer route from comparison to contentment, guided by Scripture, honest stories, and simple habits that actually stick. We unpack gratitude...

Have you ever felt like you were drowning under the weight of impossible circumstances? That moment when life piles on more than any human could possibly handle?  A military wife shares her raw, unfiltered journey through the perfect storm of overwhelm: solo parenting three children under five during a pandemic while preparing for an overseas move, only to face an unexpected second deployment just...

"Mama, how do I know if my name is written in the book of life?" When my young son asked me this question during our nightly Bible reading routine, I realized once again the profound responsibility we bear as Christian parents. Those innocent yet profound questions about salvation remind us that our children are spiritually curious and seeking answers about eternity. The Great Commission...

What happens when your most important work is the work no one sees? The mental load of tracking school uniforms, doctor appointments, meal planning, and a thousand other details can feel overwhelming—and often thankless. When your achievements aren't visible or celebrated, how do you find meaning in the mundane? In this soul-stirring conversation, Emily shares her journey through the invisibl...

Have your children ever asked you why they can't play the same video games as their friends or why your family doesn't celebrate certain holidays like everyone else? These seemingly innocent questions reveal a profound challenge facing Christian parents today: raising children who can discern truth in a world that deliberately blurs the lines between good and evil. When my seven-year-old...

Imagine waking up on December 1st feeling peaceful instead of panicked. The soft twinkling lights illuminate your living room as you enjoy a quiet moment before the day begins. Your gifts are purchased, your calendar has breathing room, and you feel genuinely excited about the season ahead. This peaceful December morning isn't a fantasy—it's entirely possible when you start preparing for...

Have you ever kept something special tucked away, saving it for a perfect moment that never seems to arrive? Whether it's the beautiful coffee mug gathering dust in your cabinet or the dream you've postponed until "someday," this anniversary episode of Whatever is Excellent tackles our tendency to delay joy and purpose. Reflecting on one year of podcasting, I share the personal...

What if the most powerful tool you have as a parent isn't what you say, but how you listen? In this illuminating conversation with Shelley Tyson, we explore the transformative impact of speaking life over our children – especially during the challenging teenage years. Shelley, a mother of four including three teenage girls, shares with remarkable candor how she's discovered that effectiv...

Ever found yourself caught between what you feel God is calling you to do and what others expect of you? You're not alone in that struggle. After years of agonizing over my children's education, I finally made a decision that felt right for our family—only to lose cherished friendships because of it. The painful reality hit me: sometimes following God's unique calling for your famil...

Ready for a fresh start this fall? There's something almost magical about September that sparks that "new beginning" feeling in all of us – whether we have school-aged children or not. But as we embrace this seasonal reset, I'm challenging us to think differently about excellence. What if true excellence isn't found in those picture-perfect moments worthy of sharing online...

Reading has always held a special place in my heart—so much so that I joke with friends that one reason I had children was to have someone to read aloud to! But beyond those cozy moments under blankets with classic stories, reading serves as a cornerstone for spiritual growth, family connection, and character development. At its foundation, reading begins with Scripture. "The book of the law...

Remember in fourth-grade where cliques first form and best friendships begin to blossom? That pivotal age when children transition from befriending everyone to selecting their inner circle marks a critical developmental stage in social awareness. The Bible offers profound wisdom about friendship's true nature. Genesis tells us clearly that solitude was never God's design – "It is no...

The whirlwind of fall schedules looms just around the corner. Are you prepared to trade the peaceful rhythms of summer for the potential chaos of a new school year? What if this year could be different? Discover the transformative power of simplicity as we explore three critical areas that need attention before summer ends: your overflowing calendar, your cluttered home, and your overwhelming soci...

What does motherhood look like across the different seasons of our lives? From the sleep-deprived chaos of babies and toddlers to the bittersweet freedom of the empty nest, each phase brings unique challenges and unexpected joys. Linda Buffington takes us on her journey of raising three children under two – twins followed by a third baby just nine months later – in what she lovingly calls "or...

Navigating the delicate balance between technology and childhood development has become one of parenting's greatest challenges. Drawing from insightful works like "The Anxious Generation" and "Opt Out Family," this raw exploration delves into what happens when families dare to set counter-cultural boundaries around screens and devices. Through personal stories of both stru...

Summer should be magical—carefree days with happy children, beachside memories, and starlit evenings. But halfway through summer, most of us are facing a different reality: sibling squabbles, constant noise, mounting messes, and our own fraying patience. That gap between expectation and reality is where our emotional triggers live. When you're ready to scream if you have to break up one more...

Every parent faces that moment of dread – when it's time to have "the talk" with their children. The questions flood in: When should we have it? Who should lead the conversation? What exactly should we say? Most importantly, how do we frame these discussions within God's design? This episode breaks down this challenging parental responsibility using simple who, when, where, wha...

The beauty of marriage often lies in the ordinary moments—the regular Tuesdays that make up a lifetime together. Thirteen years ago, my husband and I chose to get married on a Tuesday, a detail that perfectly captures the essence of what marriage truly is: not just a special occasion, but the beginning of countless ordinary days spent united as one. Marriage isn't the perfect 50-50 split we o...

What does true hospitality look like when your home is a work in progress? Join us as we welcome Bonnie Ivester from "Embracing Outdated" who shares her journey of transforming an 80s fixer-upper into a welcoming haven while nurturing a heart for hospitality. Bonnie reveals how her understanding of hospitality was shaped by watching others create "revolving door" homes where pe...

Remember that magical feeling when summer break begins? The promise of adventure, quality time, and freedom from schedules? I certainly did when my daughter finished kindergarten during our time in Japan. We started with pedicures and garden walks, but soon reality hit—I still had work to accomplish while wanting to be fully present with her. This familiar parenting tension led me to discover some...