Being Different with Liz Durham

Modern parents are getting caught up in unneccessary fears and excessive reliance on parenting books. But after reading "Free-Range Kids: How Parents and Teachers Can Let Go and Let Grow" by Lenore Skenazy, our host Liz Durham has some new ideas about embracing a more liberating approach to parenting and fostering confident, resilient children.

Now with three children, Liz shares stories of how things changed after she granted her son more independence - and what she learned while challenging societal norms. Liz also summarizes key points from the book, including analyzing a generational shift in parents harboring heightened fear.

Tune in to find out why Liz encourages parents to trust their instincts to foster confident, independent, and well-rounded individuals.

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Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production

From new iPhones and after school curricular activities to college tuition - how do parents decide where to draw the line with financial support? In this episode, our host Liz Durham is joined by Armando SanMiguel, her former boss and mentor, for a conversation about parenting, money, and how to instill a strong work ethic in the next generation.

Liz reflects on watching her mom sacrifice a career to raise her children, and the decisions she makes now as a parent. Armando shares how hard his parents worked to provide for their family despite coming from very little. Now, as Senior Vice President and Director of Operations for Tennessee at Ameris Bank, he shared the most critical lesson he imparts to his children: the idea that life encompasses more than just themselves and encourages them to think of others. 

But, should parents pay for their children's college education? Tune in to find out why Liz and Armando don't see eye-to-eye on this matter - and what Liz plans to do in the future.

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Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production

Women are faced with polarized roles in today's society: either being a stay-at-home mom or pursuing a career. But Liz wants something more. In this episode, she advocates for finding a middle ground that allows women to have successful careers while also prioritizing their families.

This polarization has been happening for decades. Drawing parallels to historical technological advancements like the printing press and washing machines, Liz delves into the unintended consequences of progress and the subsequent need for societal adjustment. 

Rather than feeling confined to either the "career woman" or "traditional wife" identities, Liz plans to opens up a dialogue with her daughter on how to balance goals and aspirations in today's world. Tune in to find out how you can start these conversations, too.

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Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production

And then, there were three! Liz is navigating a transformative season with her newborn son, Cooper, at the center of it all. In this solo episode, she shares the whirlwind of emotions and challenges that come with caring for three young children while recovering from childbirth. 

Liz shares her personal struggles, from the complexities of nursing Cooper to the daily juggling act of getting her kids in and out of the car and keeping up with household chores. She also reflects on the isolating moments that often accompany motherhood. Despite the chaos, Liz expresses her gratitude for Cooper, who is proving to be a remarkably calm and easy baby. 

Plus, Liz shares a recent revelation about Cooper's health – that he has only one kidney, but it's functioning well - which has brought immense relief to their family.

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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
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Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production

At her 36-week ultrasound, host Liz Durham received unexpected news that her unborn baby boy might not have a left kidney. After meeting with a high-risk doctor, who offered both reassurance and insight into the unknown, Liz was left with the choice: worry, or trust in God's plan.

In this episode, Liz candidly shares her emotional struggle with the lack of control over her baby's health, despite her strong faith. She delves into the complexities of parenting, self-blame, and the spiritual lessons she's learned along the way. 

As Liz explores her newfound empathy for parents of children with medical issues, she shares a powerful story of growth, faith, and unwavering love. This is real life motherhood - reminding us all of the beauty in the chaos.

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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
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Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production

Television shows have the power to shape and influence our perceptions of the world around us. In this episode, Liz considers the impact of shows she watched growing up. Have beloved sitcoms like Friends and Sex and the City contributed to negative stereotypes about gender roles?

As Liz reflects on these shows, she recognizes their influence on her own views of men and relationships. Now, she sees the need to be more discerning about the media she consumes and the shows her children are exposed to.

While these shows certainly brought laughter and entertainment, Liz thinks it's worth considering the long-lasting impact they may have had on societal expectations and gender norms. How do you decide what your children watch? Follow @beingdifferentwithlizdurham on Instagram and let us know!

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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
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Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production

Gary Ashton is a trailblazing entrepreneur and accomplished real estate agent based in Nashville. With a background that spans continents and industries, Gary's journey is a testament to the power of early adoption, entrepreneurial spirit, and the fusion of human intelligence with technology.

In this episode of Being Different, host Liz Durham sits down with Gary to talk about how working with the family business from a young age helped shape Gary's entrepreneurial mindset, and how technological change is impacting parenting now more than ever.

He and Liz discuss the pros and cons of AI and how it could impact education, with Gary being more optimistic about AI's potential benefits. Tune in to find out why Liz is still on the fence. 

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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
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Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production

As the definition of motherhood changes over generations, it becomes harder to pin down the idea of “balance.” In this episode of Being Different, host Liz Durham chats with Taylor Brasel, a loan officer who has decided to focus on her career and wait to have children. Thus begs the question, when?

From navigating gender roles to maintaining work-life balance, Liz and Taylor provide different generational insights into the complexities of managing family and professional lives. They share personal experiences, tips, and the importance of open conversations with partners about expectations and roles. 

Whether you're a mother looking for guidance or interested in the idea of motherhood yourself, this episode offers valuable perspectives and practical advice. Join Liz and Taylor as they delve into the topic of rewriting what work-life balance looks like in this new generation of women.

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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
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Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production

Pouring a glass of wine may seem like a reward after a tough day with the kids, but did you know alcohol is actually a depressant? And it could make your anxiety worse, not better.

The normalization of alcohol consumption peaked during the pandemic, and with phrases like "mommy juice" and "wine mom" culture, the trend is clear among moms, too. In this episode of Being Different, host Liz Durham sits down with her friend Aubrey Arms to shed light on the pressure to indulge in alcohol as a means of coping with the challenges of motherhood.

They discuss Aubrey's decision to quit drinking alcohol and the changes she has seen in her life since quitting, like increases in productivity and overall improvement of health. Liz shares her thoughts on the stigma surrounding not drinking and how to normalize sobriety for herself. Plus, Aubrey shares advice for how to move forward with your own decision.

Looking for more support? You can follow Aubrey on Facebook and Instagram to hear more about her journey.

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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
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Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production

We all know proper money management skills are crucial in our lives, so why not equip our kids with these tools early on? In this episode of Being Different, host Liz Durham dives into her personal journey of teaching her kids about money and finances.

Liz reflects on her own desire to go beyond traditional approaches to instill invaluable lessons about credit scores, responsible credit card usage, and how to steer clear of overwhelming student loan debt. Liz shares why she thinks there are ways to foster financial literacy at any age. 

Plus, find out how Liz introduces piggy banks with a twist - teaching her kids the art of saving, spending, and giving.

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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
Subscribe Apple Podcast | Spotify

Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod Co. production