From gift guides to Instagram Ads, to those Amazon kids toy magazines, to Black Friday deals—everyone right now is telling us that we should be buying more, that we should have more, that we should be dressing in cuter clothes and decorating more perfectly. And today, I just want to be a voice that says: You don't. You don't! You don't have to buy all of those things. You don't have to do more. The good stuff, the really good stuff of this holiday season, is found in the quiet, grateful moments. For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/174.   Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!) The Work & Play Patreon The Contentment Challenge Episode 172 - My Christmas Gameplan Song of the Stars, by Sally Lloyd Jones An Angel Story, by Max Lucado Episode 033 - Our Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition Golden Coil Planners The Giving Manger Episode 171 - Let Your Yes Be Yes Every Moment Holy, by Douglas Kaine McKelvey An Integrated Life Course  My Christmas “Be Merry” Playlist

174 - Cultivating Contentment During the Holidays

Work and Play with Nancy Ray is a weekly podcast all about learning to balance the two most competing areas of our lives: work and play.

She dives into topics like productivity, work life balance, leading a team, time management, contentment, play, sabbath, marriage, parenting, and rest, always pointing back to scripture, the ultimate guide for a life of faith. This is a podcast all about learning to work and play well, which ultimately leads to a healthy soul and a fulfilling life.

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Today’s episode is all about my summer projects and how having some projects to anchor you in the summer is really good for you. Resources from this episode: Legacy Photo System Artifact Uprising Legacy Binder Checklist Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

238 - Summer Projects

Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.” Well, I had this thought: What if we took that quote and applied it to motherhood? I thought of a few examples, but not many. But man, when I took it to Instagram and my email list, you guys delivered! I have a whole list of ways that this quote can apply to motherhood and you are in for a treat. Get ready to make your life a whole lot more practical and easier in this last “May is for Mamas” episode. Resources from this episode: Legacy Binder Checklist  Clorox Bleach Toilet Tablets Lululemon  Frost Free Freezers Mom Agenda 8 Cube Organizers  Teaching from Rest by Sarah MacKenzie Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

237 - Abe Lincoln

I’m so excited to welcome you back to another episode of “May is for Mamas” where every episode in the month of May is dedicated to mamas. Today, we are talking with an expert on health, nourishing ourselves, and how to change our families forever by taking care of our bodies with the food that we eat. I’m so excited for you to hear from Ilana Muhlstein. Now, if you’ve ever been part of the “Beach Body” program or heard of the “2B Mindset”, this is who created it. Guys, I’m geeking out. I don’t usually say “Yes” to people who I get random emails from in my inbox, but when I saw hers come thorough, I started geeking out because I personally have done “2B Mindset”, I’ve gone through her program (I’ve done it last year, I’m doing it now), I believe in it and it works. So I thought to share something that’s been so life changing for me with my listeners with Illana herself would be such a gift, especially in the month of May for “May is for Mamas.” So I’m so excited. She is a dietician, a nutritionist, and a best-selling author. Guys, at the age of 13, Ilana weighed over 200 pounds. Her story is so inspiring. She came up with this model that really works and I can say that honestly because it works for me. It is like a track to run on; so helpful. The conversation is going to be so great. I hope you enjoy this episode of “May is for Mamas” with Ilana Muhlstein. Resources from this episode: Illana Muhlstein Website 2B Mindset Program Ilana Muhlstein on Instagram Illana Muhlstein on TikTok Ilana Muhlstein on YouTube Ilana Muhlstein on Facebook  You Can Drop It Podcast Ilana Muhlstein Cookbook Use Code "HWPOD10" for $10 Off Ilana Housewares orders over $70 Use Code "PODCAST10" for $10 Off Your First Meal + 5% Off When You Subscribe Goodles Mac & Cheese Immi Ramen Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

236 - Being a Healthy Family with Ilana Muhlstein

I don’t know if you’re like me in this way, but I love to sit around and picture the time that I am a grandmother. It’s something about the legacy that we are leaving right now, in the thick of motherhood and keeping the vision of me as a grandmother. It just keeps me going. Today, I am going to share a little secret. I have a note on my phone (in the Notes app) that I have been writing down all of the things that I don’t want to forget when I’m a grandma. Notes to myself, advice to myself that I will never forget and will hopefully be the grandma that I want to be someday. Today, I am going to share everything that I’ve written down in that little Notes app with you. Resources from this episode: 25% Off Dwell Bible App Kate Strickler (Naptime Kitchen) Instagram The Mommy Talks Instagram Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

235 - Dear Grandma Nancy

Welcome to the first episode of my “May is for Mamas” series, where every episode in the month of May is dedicated to the mamas listening. I’m starting out with a great conversation with my friend, Molly Stillman, who just wrote an amazing book called, “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry.” It’s so good. We talk all about it, but it really honors the life and story of her mom, which is just amazing. You’ll hear all about it. I’m so excited for this series! I hope you love it. Resources from this episode: If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry book by Molly Stillman Molly Stillman Podcast: Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?  Home Before Morning book by Lynda Van Devanter Molly Stillman Website Molly Stillman on Instagram Molly Stillman on Facebook Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

174 - Cultivating Contentment During the Holidays

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