A Rough Draft Life

Merry Christmas! 

The big day is only a few days away and we manage to land a little chat with the Big Man himself and one of his elves. We get answers to questions like how does Santa do it in one night, when is the cut off for the nice list, and when does Santa get to celebrate Christmas? 

Enjoy this special episode as a gift from us to you!

We love the magic of Christmas movies and the way we can suspend all reality to buy in to the idea that the holiday can be that perfect fix-everything moment. 

Reality is far different, though, and the true magic comes from breaking the patterns that cause us strife in the first place. 

Kristi and Lindsey discuss how the appeal of Christmas movies set up our expectations and how we can begin to make them something of a reality. 

If you would like to join our Patreon and receive 2 bonus episodes a month, click here. 

 

Theme music by GoodBMusic on Pixabay.

As we approach December, we know many of you are looking for ideas for Christmas presents for friends and family. We don't know how inspirational this practical list will be, but here's what we're loving right now.... 

Mentioned in the episode: 

- Inexpensive ring light

- Dr. Easy Elephant ear Wash Kit

- Caffeinated carbonated water (Bubbly, Aha)

- Bai and Bai Boost drinks

- Plastic bins and drawer organizers

- Space saving flatware and knife organizers

- Facebook Mobile Business Suite

- Home Chef (This link is Kristi's affiliate link for $35 off, or use code KRISTIH206. You may find a better deal elsewhere and we're okay with that!)

 

If you would like to join our Patreon and receive 2 bonus episodes a month, click here. 

 

Theme music by GoodBMusic on Pixabay.

Are you a good listener? What makes a good listener? How do we help each other learn to communicate better? 

 

Referenced in this episode: 

Last year’s family dynamics episode

It’s a Wonderful Christmas - Party

It's a Wonderful Christmas - Book

Listen to understand, not respond

Mental Health Episode

If you would like to join our Patreon and receive 2 bonus episodes a month, click here. 

 

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Have you been considering becoming a patron of A Rough Draft Life but not sure about what you'll get? 

We're giving you a sample by letting you hear what our patron's received in October. 

Want more? Become a patron!

What does it mean to fail? What would happen if we redefined failure? 

In this episode we mention: 

- The Great British Bake-Off

(In the US, watch the show on Netflix)

- American Ninja Warrior

- Jon Acuff and goal setting

- Previous episode: Simplifying Suppertime with Kimberly Duffy

- Previous episode: Goals with Regina Jennings

- Previous episode: Beginnings

- Her Novel Collective and the It's a Wonderful Christmas novella collection

 

If you would like to join our Patreon and receive 2 bonus episodes a month, click here. 

 

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A huge welcome to our first Season 3 guest, Dr. Natalie Ford! 

Mental health is such an important part of our overall wellbeing but the way it's been handled and viewed has changed a lot in the past thirty years. Join us as we discuss those changes, our own personal journeys, and resources you can use to improve your own mental health. 

Referenced in this episode: 

- Amen Clinic

- NAMI

- TI Lowe, Under the Magnolias

- Sleep (ARDL episode)

 

Find Dr. Natalie Ford: 

Website - tearstojoy.org

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

 

 

If you would like to join our Patreon and receive 2 bonus episodes a month, click here. 

 

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In this episode, Kristi and Lindsey talk about politics! Well. Sort of. What we are actually discussing is the fact that people can actually hold two (or more) different opinions, emotions, ideals, and have them be in conflict with each other. 

The conversation starts because of the difficult scenario the heroine in Elizabeth Camden's A Gilded Lady finds herself in, torn between loyalty to her country and her job and love for and belief in her brother. 

Items referenced in this episode: 

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden

Hamilton the Musical

Thomas Jefferson

Previous episodes: Authenticity and Cancel Culture

The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner

Purity Culture

Our definition of Southern Heritage: Family, Faith, and Food

Backpacks and Boulders sermon series at River Point Community Church

A few of our amazing patrons! 

If you would like to join our Patreon and receive 2 bonus episodes a month, click here. 

 

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Cancel Culture (n): the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure (credit: Merriam-Webster)

After considering a social media discussion about Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain along with an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette (linked) Kristi and Lindsey discuss the repercussions of "Cancel Culture", especially when things are taken out of context. We also discuss the difference between banning books and banning people. 

 

Referenced in the episode: 

- Jane Austen novels

- Carlos Whitaker (@loswhit on Instagram)

- Morgan Wallen

- Feel the Beat (Netflix)

- Banned book list

 

Remember that one mistake does not define you and that cancelling others denies you the chance to grow by learning from someone who thinks differently and someone else the opportunity for redemption. 

* Please note that we are discussing general social interactions in this episode. There is definitely a line beyond which certain actions/words are not okay. 

 

Intro/Outro music by GoodBMusic from Pixabay

Welcome to Season 3! 

We are so happy to have you joining us as we embark on our third year with A Rough Draft Life. Our listening family means a lot to us and we're glad to be back in your ears. 

Lindsey and Kristi spent a great deal of time over the past few months discussing how to make A Rough Draft Life the best it could be. There's going to be a few changes around here but they are going to be for the better! 

A Rough Draft Life will now be a bi-weekly podcast dropping on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month. If there's a 5th Monday, Kristi and Lindsey will share about a few things they are just loving in life. 

On the 2nd and 4th Mondays, special bonus episodes will drop for all of our special patrons over at Patreon! Story Time with Kristi will share a Bible story you're probably a little familiar with but maybe never knew the extra zany details for. In Not Your Grandma's Christian Fiction, Lindsey talks about books you might not have realized existed within Christian Fiction or some general market books with a surprising amount of faith content. 

Sign up for our Patreon here. 

 

Our lives have changed over the course of the summer. Lindsey's back teaching and Kristi is exploring new adventures in the writing world! We'll likely share more about those changes as the season goes. 

Referenced back episode: Inside Publishing with Teresa Tysinger

 

Today's discussion about authenticity is inspired by a passage in Michael Crichton's book Timeline. (It's also a movie.)

In the podcast we discuss: 

- why we feel betrayed by social media influencers but not TV advertisers

- Under the Influence podcast (language warning)

- how the desire for authenticity effects our relationships and how we can more realistically align our expectations for our different connections

- the way the pandemic has shown us that our close circle is possibly smaller than we initially thought

 

Some final take-aways: 

- A relationship can be authentic without being fully deep and intimate.

- Authenticity is not the same as transparency. 

- Placing our relationships where they actually fit helps us feel more settled in life. 

 

 

Credits: 

Podcast hosts: Lindsey P Brackett and Kristi Ann Hunter

Intro/Outro music: GoodBMusic from Pixabay