It’s summer and writing is hard. The space around me has shrunk to next to nothing with the kids home, …
Lighten Up #81: Dog Days of Summer with Jamie Ivey
Today I’m kicking off a fun series called the Dog Days of Summer, and my first guest is the author …
Lighten Up #80: Contentment Crossover with Sarah Bragg
Today’s our monthly crossover episode with Sarah Bragg of Surviving Sarah. I look forward to these episodes so much and …
Lighten Up #79: Kelly Balarie
Today I’m talking with Kelly Balarie. Kelly is a delight and I can’t wait for you guys to meet her. We …
Lighten Up #78: Kathy Khang
Today I’m talking with Kathy Khang, author of the book Raise Your Voice: Why We Stay Silent and How to …
Coffee+Crumbs: The Coconuts Stayed On
You know those friends who keep life interesting? Everyone has them. Your fun friends, the ones with whom anything can …
Lighten Up #77: Coffee Date with Alex and Melanie
Well, I just celebrated 18 years of marriage with Alex, which is ridiculous since we’re both only 25. If you …
Lighten Up #76: Summer Crossover with Sarah Bragg
It’s our monthly crossover episode with Sarah Bragg of Surviving Sarah! This month we’re talking about all things summer and …
Lighten Up #75: Barb Roose
Today I’m talking with Barb Roose, author of Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua, and oh my …
Lighten Up #74: Amber Runyon
Today I’m talking with Amber Runyon, a former hospice nurse turned social entrepreneur. She founded Eleventh Candle Co. to bring …
Coffee+Crumbs: Just Do It Scared
My daughter learned to swim while screaming. My son was fearless in the water. When Elliott was two, I’d start …
Lighten Up #73: Bronwyn Lea
Today I’m talking with Bronwyn Lea, blogger, lawyer, immigrant, and mom. She loves puns, and we get punny, and then …
Lighten Up #72: Anna Quinlan
If you like laughing hysterically, you guys are in for a treat today. My friend Anna Quinlan, a freelance writer …
Lighten Up #71: Personal Growth Crossover with Sarah Bragg
It’s the monthly crossover episode with Sarah Bragg of Surviving Sarah, and this month, we’re chatting about personal growth. I …
The Lighten Up Guidelines for Laughing at Life
I was sitting on my thinking chair (the toilet) the other day when it occurred to me that while my …
Lighten Up #70: Beth Bruno
Today I’m talking with Beth Bruno, the founder and director of a nonprofit aimed at preventing domestic minor sex trafficking …
Coffee+Crumbs: The Horrifying and Hilarious Tale of the Rogue Suburban Flasher
His junk is burned in my brain. I can’t unsee it. Last week I was walking down the street at …
Lighten Up #69: Karla Akins
Today I’m talking with Karla Akins, author of A Pair of Miracles: A Story of Autism, Faith, and Determined Parenting. Do …
Lighten Up #68: Wynter Pitts
Hey, anybody else find parenting hard? Ugh, I basically use this podcast to hang out with parents who are way better …
On the MOPS Blog: “Gird Your Loins”
“I have seeds in my balls? How do they come out? Surgery? IS IT WITH A NEEDLE?!” The sex talk …
Lighten Up #67: Marriage Crossover with Sarah Bragg
It’s time for our monthly crossover with Sarah Bragg, where we take a topic and talk about how to lighten …
Lighten Up #66: Shaunti Feldhahn
Alex and I got married almost 18 years ago and one of the first books I was given was a cute, little …
Lighten Up #65: Lighten Up About Gardening
Spring has sprung, or at least it should spring sometime in the next month or two depending on where you …
Coffee+Crumbs: You Might Think I’m a Serial Killer
I hope you don’t find the box in my closet. I hope no one finds it because if they do, …