Struggle Well School
427 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 1.2K ratingsThe podcast that helps you love your actual life so you don’t need to run away from home. Join your friend Emily each week to practice thought work guaranteed to yield perspective shifts which will move you from struggling to struggling WELL.
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Episodes
#176: Struggling Sisters: Community, St. Patrick's Day & Beyond
March 11, 2019 10:00 - 30 minutesDo you need a laugh break? Have you always wanted to know the truth about St. Patrick’s Day? This week we give you a quick rundown of St. Patrick’s day history (as we understand it) and we explore some Irish phrases and accents that we enjoy. The original plan was to focus on community, so Emily shared her normal community “fake news”. A quick round of Are You into That? helped us determine we aren’t scrunchie girls anymore, even if it’s cool. WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT: in honor of St. Patrick...
#175: Flawed is the New Fabulous with Dr. Barbara
March 04, 2019 11:00 - 44 minutesWould you like to be released from the pressure to be perfect? Meet Dr. Barbara! Her job is to help people love the life they have and I’m so excited to share her with you! Dr. Barbara Lowe is a licensed psychologist who founded and owns her own practice in Durham, NC. She is also a Board Certified Life Coach, Somatic Experiencing practitioner, Speaker, Author, and Lay Minister. She is a wife, mother, and step-mother, and has used her training and the wounds of her past to minister professi...
#174: February Problem Solved
February 25, 2019 11:00 - 30 minutesWHAT WE CHAT ABOUT: how we’re struggling not very well at the moment where to start when you’re overwhelmed with clutter how to enjoy your sanctuary, even when the kids keep destroying it identifying your non-negotiable clean spots the two types of people - clean, but cluttered and tidy, but dirty the frustration of unfinished projects which Girl Scout cookie is the best Girl Scout cookie tip for finding cute, affordable house decor LINKS MENTIONED: Ep. 173: Working Through the Cl...
#173: Working Through the Clutter with Dana White
February 18, 2019 11:00 - 47 minutesI feel overwhelmed by housework. My brain can’t seem to process monotonous tasks like de-cluttering. There is a HUGE difference between how I want my house to look and how it looks right now. Dana K. White is an author, podcaster, speaker, and (much to her own surprise) a decluttering expert. In a desperate attempt to get her own home under control, Dana started blogging as "Nony" (short for anonymous) at A Slob Comes Clean in 2009. Today, Dana shares realistic home management strategies an...
#172: Struggling Sisters: Sanctuary
February 11, 2019 11:00 - 38 minutesI don’t even have a place to BE in this house! What am I even going for design-wise? These are valid and we are here to help! Struggling Sisters are at it again talking about how to make your house into a sanctuary with our organization tips plus ideas on how to make your very own most-favorite spot. Em shares how hard it is to wake up in the mornings and how she likes to live by lamp light most hours of the day. Katie makes fun of Emily accordingly and all is right in the land of the Strug...
#171: Reframing Home with Sarah Bragg
February 04, 2019 11:00 - 57 minutesSarah Bragg is a popular host and communicator. You can find her on iTunes hosting the podcasts Are My Kids On Track and Surviving Sarah. Her book titled Body. Beauty. Boys. The Truth About Girls and How We See Ourselves helps young women find their value in the One who made them. Sarah has a long career of working in ministry and has helped launch several ministry curriculums for Orange during that time. And while she seems to be a master at brewing coffee, cheering for others and surviving...
#170: January Problem Solved
January 28, 2019 11:00 - 46 minutesDo you worry that you’re messing your kids up when it comes to body image? Maybe YOU feel a little messed up when it comes to body image. That’s where Rebecky and I come in. We are here to solve all of the body problems and let you know that we feel a little messed up too. These are the things we are sure of: nakedness can be used to repel children when you need a moment alone, “boring” meal preps are some peoples bag and finally, this is 100% the best episode we’ve recorded yet. WHAT WE C...
#169: A Body Image Deep Drive with Kara Osborne
January 21, 2019 11:00 - 34 minutesHave you been caught up comparing yourself to others? Are you finding LITTLE imperfections in yourself and feeling inadequate in a BIG way? Shoot girl, you forgot your worth AGAIN! Body image is tri-cky and you are not alone in this struggle. Meet Kara. She is the mastermind behind Wellness Witness, a program that helps women on their journey towards better health: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She is a gifted champion for wellness who married her best friend and became a Mama t...
#168: Struggling Sisters: Body
January 14, 2019 11:00 - 47 minutes - 19 MBIt’s body month (Have you downloaded the printable yet?) and in this episode, Katie and I are talking all things kitchen including our kitchen irritations and habits as well as tips and tricks for getting our kids involved in the kitchen. We also share a few of our favorite recipes and stories from our childhood. WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT: music we like to listen to while we’re in the kitchen things we do to keep our kids involved in the kitchen tips for hosting dinner parties our favorite ki...
#167: Struggling Sisters: Body
January 14, 2019 11:00 - 47 minutesIt’s body month (Have you downloaded the printable yet?) and in this episode, Katie and I are talking all things kitchen including our kitchen irritations and habits as well as tips and tricks for getting our kids involved in the kitchen. We also share a few of our favorite recipes and stories from our childhood. WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT: music we like to listen to while we’re in the kitchen things we do to keep our kids involved in the kitchen tips for hosting dinner parties our favorite k...
#167: Solving Dinnertime Drama with Polly Conner
January 07, 2019 11:00 - 46 minutesIt’s not called the “witching hour” for no reason. Dinnertime comes to the Thomas house daily and with it comes crying and drama (and sometimes my kids are upset too…). I got a lot out of this chat and I hope you do as well! Polly is a wife, mother, blogger, foodie, money-saver, animal-lover, and freezer cooking evangelist. She has a heart for equipping and encouraging young moms and women to thrive in their homes. Her blogging journey began when she and Rachel Tiemeyer founded Thrivinghome...
#166: Translating Teenagers with Drew Hill
December 24, 2018 11:00 - 53 minutes“It’s impossible to connect with my teenager!” “My child is only 9, we aren’t battling teen issues yet.” “My relationship with the Father doesn’t REALLY impact my relationship with my kids.” In the words of the great Dwight Schrute: FALSE! In this chat, Drew helps us understand how to approach hurdles with the teens we love. Drew Hill is the author of Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel. He is also a pastor in Greensboro, NC and serves on the mission-wide leadership team for Young ...
#165: December Problem Solved
December 17, 2018 11:00 - 51 minutesChristmas is just a week away - are you feeling frazzled? Don’t worry, we are too. Fortunately, we’re here to solve your holiday problems from contentious in-laws to all those annoying toys your kids will get this year. We also weigh the pros and cons or real vs. artificial Christmas trees and tackle the age-old question - what do you do when your mom won’t let you stop delivering angel food cake to strangers? It’s a real conundrum. What we chat about: feeling frazzled Rebecky’s first r...
#164: Struggling Sisters: Family
December 10, 2018 11:00 - 55 minutesIs your family weird/amazing/loud/embarrassing/picky? Or at least one of those things? Us too! The Struggling Sisters talk about strange (and accidentally true crime) family traditions that Em found on the interwebs and we divulge the traditions we have started with our own families. We also did an extensive quiz to find out which Disney family we are. These are the facts: Katie’s family yells, Emily’s family can’t stand DiGiorno and hearing about serial killer families just plain makes us ...
#163: The Magic of Empathy with Kim Stuart
December 03, 2018 11:00 - 1 hourDo you frequent the parenting shame cycle? Could you use tips on how to genuinely engage with teenagers? How can you help your children choose quality friendships? Kimberly Stuart grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where she learned to be snobbish about corn on the cob and good storytelling. She earned degrees at St. Olaf College and the University of Iowa, both fine institutions that did very little to prepare her for the lethal cocktail of parenting and writing. Kim is the author of eight novel...
November Problem Solved
November 26, 2018 11:00 - 58 minutesCould you use practical tips on how to find your identity outside of motherhood? What can you do to not feel old or out of touch with your ideal style? Are there things you had to put down because of adulting but would like to rediscover? Identity can be a complex and vast concept, but we actually managed to come up with some great tips! What we chat about: Rebecky’s birth story and an update on her ill-timed bathroom remodel maintaining an identity separate from motherhood Emily r...
#161: Sex, Money and Your Marriage with Cherie Lowe
November 19, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour“Passionate Patience” and “Financial Foreplay” are coming up today, so buckle up! Have you ever considered how intertwined sex and money are in your marriage? This fascinating conversation Cherie Lowe outlines how to save money and improve your love life. This conversation is jam-packed with info you’re going to want to put in place! What we chat about: You’re bringing a covered dish to a party. Is it a potluck? A pitch-in? A “pot blessing”? (I may have made up that last one.) Finding ...
#160: Feeling Too Far Behind to Catch Up with Katie Ordway
November 12, 2018 11:00 - 50 minutesDo you ever feel inadequate because you don’t know enough? Do you tell yourself you’re too behind to ever catch up? In this episode with Katie, we discuss her recent decision to follow Jesus and the identity questions she still wrestles with. We do official internet “research” (via online quizzes) to drill down to our true identities as well. What we discovered is: the concept of identity is a hard one to wrangle and we all wonder if we’re on the right track from time to time. What we chat ...
Podcast I Can't Stop Talking About: Imagined Life
November 07, 2018 18:00 - 4 minutes - 3.57 MBWhat is it like to be famous before you’re famous? What is it like to walk in the shoes of another person? Each episode of IMAGINED LIFE takes you on an immersive journey into the life of a world-famous person. It’ll be someone you may think you know, even admire -- or maybe the opposite. You’ll get clues to your identity along the way. But only in the final moments will you find out who “you” really are. So sit back, let go, and -- imagine your life. Subscribe today at wondery.fm/struggle
New Podcast I Had To Tell You About: Imagined Life
November 07, 2018 18:00 - 5 minutesFamily time while driving can be a challenge. I wanted to share a family-friendly new podcast with you that will have everyone engaged. Give it a listen and subscribe here!
#159: Demystifying Counseling with Ann Taylor McNiece
November 05, 2018 11:00 - 50 minutesDo you think you might need counseling, but don’t know where to start or even if it’s okay to get help? Ann has got answers. Ann Taylor McNiece is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a wife, a mom, a daughter, and a friend. Over the past few years, she has worked in the schools with kids of all ages, in private practice with individuals and couples, and in a community mental health agency where she served low-income clients and family reunifying after problems with child abuse. Her pa...
Just Em #16: Identity
November 01, 2018 10:00 - 12 minutesExcited to kick off our first-ever Struggle Well Project Focus! Interestingly, as I studied the concept of identity, I got very involved in the study of icebergs…I know. It’s odd. Just stay with me here. I promise it is interesting. Connect with Emily: website I instagram I facebook I patreon
#158: The Wondering Years with Knox McCoy
October 29, 2018 10:00 - 55 minutesI enjoy pop culture AND Christianity. Did you know this can be a thing? Knox McCoy loves laughing and making people laugh. Really anything that’s laughter-adjacent, he’s into. He’s also super into the word “swashbuckling” and his dream is to one day use it in a bio. Knox began podcasting in 2011 as a way to talk more about popular culture, and to his extreme surprise, he’s still doing it every week on The Popcast with Knox and Jamie. As a resident of the South, Knox’s heritage is to enjoy f...
#157: Holding Tight to Permanent with Amanda Williams
October 22, 2018 16:14 - 58 minutesAmanda Bible Williams likes words and books more than just about anything. She holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and English, nearly a master’s in religion, and a deep love for a farmhouse east of Nashville, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and their four children. Chief Content Officer of She Reads Truth, Amanda spends her days happily rearranging sentences and explaining that her maiden name really is Bible. She is the co-author of She Reads Truth: Holding Tight to Permanen...
October Problem Solved
October 18, 2018 10:00 - 40 minutesFall is here are we’re solving all of your Halloween headaches like picking a couples costume, appropriate trick or treat age limits and handing out candy. We also determine when it’s appropriate to start watching Hallmark Christmas movies and tackle the challenge of getting your kids to wear winter clothes. And our friendship is tested when Rebecky reveals she doesn't like pumpkin spice flavored anything. WHAT?! Ways to support the show: Patreon Amazon Share the Struggle! Find me on Insta...
#156: Preaching to Yourself with Hayley Morgan
October 15, 2018 10:00 - 52 minutesHayley Morgan is a writer, speaker, and social entrepreneur who inspires women to know what is true about God and themselves. Her first book called Wild and Free, co-written with Jess Connolly, was published in May 2016 and quickly became a USA Today Bestseller. She currently runs the women's boutique Nellie Taft, named after an American First Lady and featuring all Made in the USA products. You can often find her cross-legged on the floor of an art supply store debating between the merits o...
#155: Raising Readers with Sarah Clarkson
October 08, 2018 10:00 - 53 minutesSarah Clarkson is an author, a blogger, and a student of theology. She's the author of Read for the Heart, Caught Up in a Story, and Journeys of Faithfulness, as well as her latest titled, Book Girl (a Woman's Guide to the Reading Life). Through blogs, books, and her current research, she explores the theological significance of story, the intersection of theology and imagination, and the formative power of beauty. She writes regularly about her adventures at sarahclarkson.com and is at slow...
#154: Surrender, Suffering and Community with Shannan Martin
October 01, 2018 10:00 - 1 hourWouldn’t it be amazing if life didn’t include loss? Sometimes we love things so much the idea of letting them go feels like it might be the end of us. If you are walking through a season of surrender (voluntary or forced) or if this season has been one of suffering for you, you’re going to find comfort in Shannan’s story. If you long for a community but don’t know how to get it, you are in for a treat with this episode as well! Shannan has a compelling story of how she has formed a ragtag gr...
September Problem Solved
September 29, 2018 19:35 - 48 minutesHappy September! This month we’re solving everything from coping with your kids growing out of the baby phase to wishing your kids would grow up. Also binge eating, high school hazing, closet organization, and farting Birkenstocks. Trust us. We’re experts (basically). Links mentioned: Wellness Revelation Alisa Keeton Revelation Wellness Podcast House Peace Ways to support the show: Patreon Amazon Share the Struggle! Find me on Instagram because I want to hear YOUR thoughts! If you've bee...
#153: Cultivating What You're Given with Ellie Holcomb
September 24, 2018 10:00 - 42 minutesEllie Holcomb has created a beautiful, scripture rooted, children’s musical project Sing: Creation Songs. She wanted to write songs that were directly inspired by both God’s word and His beautiful creation that is a perfect companion piece to her upcoming children’s book Who Sang The First Song?. Each song is tied to specific Scripture but is also full of rich imagery from the world around us. She wanted kids to be able to sing these songs and see evidence of what they were singing all around...
#152: Holding Space for Others with Chantel Runnels
September 17, 2018 10:00 - 1 hourChantel Runnels is a wife to one and a mom to three. Her leadership path runs from the halls of hospitals, through offices of higher education and to the arenas of television networks and studios. She is currently a home educator, a consultant, and a doula. What we chat about: how and why Chantel lived on the road with her family of 5 challenging social and religious constructs what keeps her grounded in her faith how she responds to criticism of her out-of-the-box thinking th...
#151: Redirected Dreams with Teresa Swanstrom Anderson
September 10, 2018 10:00 - 50 minutesTeresa Swanstrom Anderson is living the life she thought she never wanted. With an art history degree and dreams of living in Europe as a curator, Teresa had big plans for herself. After a decision to lay her exciting plans at the feet of Christ, God began changing her heart little by little and began dating the man who eventually became her husband. Teresa’s life is a series of redirected dreams, stumbling, falling, getting up, and wondering if she is investing her time where it matters mos...
#150: Faith, Humor, and Personality with Jamie Golden
September 03, 2018 10:00 - 1 hourJamie Golden has been co-hosting The Popcast with Knox McCoy since August 2013. It is a nationally ranked, weekly pop culture podcast that’s part deep dive, mostly shallow end. Jamie and Knox also launched their newest podcast, The Bible Binge, in February of 2018. Season 1 wrapped in the top 3% of all podcasts. She makes her home in Birmingham, Alabama where she advocates for foster and adopted children serving as a volunteer for Heart Gallery Alabama and CASA. Jamie also helps people tell ...
August Problem Solved
August 30, 2018 23:50 - 49 minutesThis month we're tackling all the problems from picking out the perfect stroller to extreme wedding party expenses. Plus, Emily explains why you need to have a Newfie Poo and we've got an exciting update on Rebecky's book deal! Links mentioned: Common Sense Media VidAngel Ways to support the show: Patreon Amazon Share the Struggle! Find me on Instagram because I want to hear YOUR thoughts! If you've been encouraged, share the episode with another mom. The struggle is real. We might as wel...
#149: Regarding Immigrants and Diversity with Kristel Acevedo
August 27, 2018 10:00 - 52 minutesKrystel Acevedo is a wife, mom, writer, and speaker. She is an introvert who loves people and encourages them to take bold steps in their lives for Christ's sake. She is, admittedly, still working out what that means in her life as well. What we chat about: dispelling stereotypes about immigrants talking with your kids about difficult subjects psychology and Christianity Links mentioned: How to Talk to Kids About Difficult Subjects Switch on Your Brain Enneagram test The Road Back to Yo...
#148: Planting & Celebrating with Jess Connolly
August 20, 2018 10:00 - 1 hourJess Connolly is a woman who wants to leave her generation more in awe of God than she found it. She is passionate about family, God's Word, and seeing women take their place in the Kingdom. She loves communicating, coffee, color, and the local church. She and her husband Nick live in Charleston, SC where they've planted Bright City Church. They have four wild and hilarious kids: Elias, Gloriana, Benjamin, and Cannon. They also have an unruly dog named Deacon. What we chat about: how her g...
#147: Imperfect Courage with Jessica Honegger
August 13, 2018 10:00 - 52 minutesJessica Honegger is a pioneer. As founder and co-CEO of Noonday Collection, the world’s largest fair-trade jewelry company, she has created a new breed of social entrepreneurship that empowers women, connects cultures, and celebrates handmade beauty. Her path to award-winning business leader was anything but traditional: from serving as a midwife in Bolivia, to earning her Master’s degree in Education, to renovating and selling houses in Austin, Texas, Jessica has followed her heart down sev...
Ep. 146: Living Ready to Leave with Kelly Sites
August 06, 2018 10:00 - 53 minutesKelly Sites is a wife and mom to 19-year-old twins who she homeschooled all the way through high school. She has been a registered nurse for 20 years and has worked as an international disaster response nurse with Samaritan's Purse since 2010. She has deployed over 13 times to disasters around the world, including the Cholera outbreak in Haiti, tsunamis, earthquakes, and hurricanes. She deployed twice to Liberia to care for Ebola patients, Iraq twice to work in a mobile field hospital outsi...
ENCORE: Viewing Inadequacies as Gifts with Anjuli Paschall
July 30, 2018 10:00 - 46 minutesThis girl is authentic. She is honest and not afraid to speak up about her struggles because she knows that's how others can know they are not alone. She's my kind of girl. You're going to love hearing her share her heart towards mothering in particular and life in general. I know I did! What We Chat About: the difference between willfulness, willlessness, and willingness how sometimes going to the park is the very WORST how she combats loneliness in motherhood practical steps to make home...
ENCORE: Crazy Incredible Redemption of Horrific Things with Amber Newberry
July 23, 2018 10:00 - 59 minutesSome of us are able to tell stories eloquently. Some of our stories have rough places that can seem too dark to overcome. My friend Amber's story is both; incredibly difficult AND beautifully told. She is a gifted storyteller with a story of forgiveness and grace that will knock your socks off. Or, since it's summer, maybe just knock your flip-flops across the room. What We Chat About: What it's like when no one believes your story Grieving abortion Practically taking thoughts captive Ambe...
ENCORE: Protecting Our Kids from Our Baggage with Jim and Lynne Jackson
July 16, 2018 10:00 - 55 minutesJim and Lynne have worked in the trenches with parents of all kinds – single parents, adoptive parents, parents of teens, parents of kids with intense behavior challenges, parents in blended families, parents of wealth and parents in poverty, and any other kind of parent you can think of. In other words, they have a lot of experience! You're going to get a lot out of this chat. Grab a pen and paper! What We Chat About: The result of believing half-truths How to make a plan to deal with th...
Encore: Lay Your Worry Down & Sing a Song Instead with Ellie Holcomb
July 09, 2018 10:00 - 42 minutesLoss, disappointment, and fear of the unknown have marked Ellie's journey of wrestling through and coming to firmly believe in God’s faithfulness. Her new album Red Sea Road is clearly written as an act of obedience to sing in the middle of the heartbreak. I loved the heart behind this album so much I wanted to share Ellie with you guys today! What we chat about: The benefits and most of working in the music industry When you SWEAR you won't do something but God has other plans Sorting ou...
ENCORE: You Are Loved and Worth Loving with Brandi Lea
July 02, 2018 10:00 - 56 minutesBrandi is a single mom who was just sure God wouldn't use her after she was divorced. She wanted to help people but kept being told her usefulness had ended. She believed it until she sold some cows on Facebook. You'll just have to listen to the rest to believe this amazing story! What We Chat About: How she ended up starting a nonprofit despite her best efforts NOT to How she healed from a broken marriage and the loss of other significant relationships How she walks traumatized women thro...
Problem Solved: Big News in June
June 28, 2018 20:39 - 41 minutesIn this life-changing episode we chat about vegetables, small-group struggles, and Rebecca's dirty fingernails. There's also a moment where we thought she might be getting mugged but (spoiler alert) it was just a misunderstanding. Then in the end we busted out with some news that we hadn't shared before which was fun and also nerve-wracking! Hope you enjoy it!
Just Em #15: Do You Want to be Healed?
June 28, 2018 10:00 - 13 minutesThis week we're reading John 5:1-9. Read along at Bible.com or download the free YouVersion Bible app. How can we learn to struggle well based on this passage? Ask yourself if you truly want God to change you. Ask God why you're alone. Is this for just a season or are you not making an effort? Episode Sponsor: Fabletics: get two pairs of leggings for just $24 when you become a VIP member
#145: Compared to Who with Heather Creekmore
June 25, 2018 10:00 - 45 minutesOriginally an East Coast native, Heather Creekmore is a church planter/pastor’s wife living in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas. Through her ministry, Compared to Who?, Heather speaks and writes to encourage Christian women who struggle with body image and comparison. Heather’s passion is seeing women set free from all that holds them back from finding their true purpose in Christ. In her free time, Heather homeschools their four children—ages 6 to 11, drives the soccer practice shuttle, compet...
Ep. 144: White Girls and Diversity with Nika Spaulding
June 18, 2018 10:00 - 48 minutesMeet Nika Spaulding, a dynamic force with boundless energy. As the Director of Women’s Equipping and Curriculum at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Nika produces the curriculum for her Bible studies for women of all ages. She successfully balances her love of shepherding women with her love of theology. Her classes of more than 500 women are centered around God’s Word, which is sure to transform and inspire those in her care. What we chat about: why diversity is so important to Nika a...
Episode 14: Faith with Experience
June 14, 2018 10:00 - 13 minutesThis week we're reading John 4:46-54. Read along at Bible.com or download the free YouVersion Bible app. How can we learn to struggle well based on this passage? Reading Everybody, Always by Bob Goff Taking God at His word, without asking for proof Examing what you truly believe about God's capabilities and His heart attitude towards you Speaking out loud the things that you're believing God to provide
Just Em #14: Faith with Experience
June 14, 2018 10:00 - 13 minutes - 28.3 MBThis week we're reading John 4:46-54. Read along at Bible.com or download the free YouVersion Bible app. How can we learn to struggle well based on this passage? Reading Everybody, Always by Bob Goff Taking God at His word, without asking for proof Examing what you truly believe about God's capabilities and His heart attitude towards you Speaking out loud the things that you're believing God to provide
#143: Hey Dad with Kevin Madsen
June 11, 2018 10:00 - 1 hourKevin Madsen and his wife Trisha are the team behind HeyDad, a new subscription box for Dads and kids. Kevin attended UCLA and has spent most of his career in the tech world. He is married to his best friend Trisha, and they have three wonderful psychotic children, Gideon (6), Julien (4), and Josie (almost 2). Kevin also hosts a podcast about Dad life (The HeyDad Podcast) with his two brothers and their best friend. Get $10 off your first HeyDad box using the promo code MSW What we chat abo...