This week I sit down with Michelle Compton, one of the most impactful teachers in my kids’ lives, for a conversation every parent needs to hear. Michelle opens up about her journey from public schools to private education, the mentors who shaped her, and why she believes childhood should be full of curiosity, play, and joy.

We talk about what’s broken in our schools, from standardized testing to one-size-fits-all curriculums, and how she’s built a classroom that looks and feels completely different. Michelle shares how Reggio Emilia, inquiry-based learning, and maker spaces are transforming the way kids engage and grow.

If you’ve ever questioned the system or wondered what education could look like when kids (not tests) come first, this episode will challenge and inspire you.

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Ya'll...I’ve been in a funk. No sleep, kids in my bed, the AC went out, I quit breastfeeding, and somehow those last 10–12 pounds are still hanging on no matter how hard I work. I’m frustrated, I’m tired, and I’m just talking it out.

I also get into why I tossed my son’s summer packet in the trash and what we did instead. I know the school system has its reasons, but I want my kids to love learning, not just check boxes.

If you’re feeling stuck, tired, or annoyed with the way things are “supposed” to be done, you’re not alone. 

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This week I sit down with Congressman Tim Burchett for a real, unfiltered conversation about some of the biggest issues facing our country. We talk about America’s relationship with Israel, the role of AIPAC, and why billions keep flowing overseas while our own nation drowns in debt. I press Tim on where Congress really stands, and we don’t shy away from calling out the hypocrisy.

We also dig into the Epstein case a topic that continues to frustrate me and so many of you. Tim shares his perspective on the legal roadblocks, the cover-ups, and what it will take to finally get accountability.

If you’re tired of politicians dodging the tough questions, you’ll want to hear this one. 

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

Back-to-school is here, and let me tell you - we are not thriving. Early mornings, cranky kids and zero sleep makes me miss our slow, sunshine-filled summer so much it hurts. In the middle of all that chaos, life smacked us with something heavier, losing my father-in-law, one of the best men I’ve ever known. Walking through his last days made me think a lot about how we deal (or don’t deal) with death in this country, and how broken our medical system really is.

And because I still can’t keep my mouth shut about the injustices happening in the world, I get into Gaza, Israel, and America’s role in the suffering. Call me opinionated, call me crazy, whatever. I’m not going to pretend like turning away from this is okay.

I also share why I still won’t quit talking about Epstein, blackmail, and the rot in our political system (yeah, I’m not letting this go), plus the nightly war I’m fighting with my one-year-old who thinks climbing out of his crib at 2 a.m. is hilarious.

Let's get into it.

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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
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It’s just me this week, and I’m covering a lot from Mac learning how to read (spoiler: we’re sticking with phonics) to why I think Disney is feeding our kids more harmful messages than magical ones. I talk about the challenges of finding safe, meaningful content for my kids, especially on YouTube, and why I’m so cautious about what’s getting into their minds.

I also open up about a scene from the show Ginny & Georgia that really shook me because it made abortion look easy, casual, and consequence-free. As a mom who once considered that path, I share why that portrayal felt so heavy, and why it’s more important than ever to talk honestly about life, motherhood, and the choices we make.

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

Michael “Cheez” Brown has lived a life most of us couldn’t imagine—growing up between chaos and comfort, chasing punk rock dreams in California, and managing some of the biggest names in music. In this episode, we talk about his rise from a turbulent childhood to a career shaped by grit, intuition, and raw honesty—and how he’s stayed grounded through it all.

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

Y'all better buckle up because this episode is a rollercoaster... We’re covering it all, from shattered dishes before the first day of swim team, to overpriced Mickey waffles, and my very strong opinions on Disney World (spoiler alert: we won't be going back).

I’m recapping our first ever trip to Disney, why it was chaos from start to finish, and how it confirmed I’m just not a “Disney mom.” I also share some real talk on letting our kids try hard things, even when it makes a mess, and my conflicted feelings about how schools teach reading through sight words versus phonics.

If you’ve got thoughts on teaching kids to read, the Steiner method, or why princess culture is totally overhyped, I want to hear from you. And if you're a Disney fanatic... maybe skip this one.

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

Here’s the thing—just because someone’s wearing a white coat doesn’t mean they have all the answers. In Part 2, Jill and I pick up where we left off and dive straight into the deep end. We talk about the pushy vaccine talk, why tongue tie revisions might be a total scam (yep, I said it), and how even the “crunchy” holistic world can be just as profit-driven as Big Pharma. We also get into COVID, fear tactics, and how moms are expected to make huge decisions with zero real support—while also keeping their kids alive and maybe brushing their teeth once a day. It’s messy, it’s honest, and it’s exactly the kind of convo I wish more moms were having.

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

Let’s be real—the first year of motherhood is basically a blur of leaking boobs, zero sleep, and wondering if you’ve totally lost yourself. In Part 1 of my convo with Jill Wright (a fellow mom and chiropractor I met on Instagram, because social media does occasionally do something right), we get into all of it. We talk about why that first year feels like you got hit by a hormonal freight train, how Jill’s background in holistic health influenced the choices she made as a mom, and why planning your nursery is cute—but maybe researching vaccines and daycare matters more. No fluff. No pretending. Just two moms saying the quiet parts out loud.

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

Welcome back y'all. This solo episode of Being Different is going to be about problems AND solutions. I've been thinking about the differences between stay at home moms versus working moms. And I'm going to share my ideas for a new outdoor play program at my son's school.

Look, I've been on both sides of the situation. I have worked 60-70 hour weeks, closing high pressure deals and now I'm a stay at home mom with three kids. I don't like that people make that distinction because being a stay at home mom, in my opinion, is every bit as hard as being a working mom. It's just a different kind of hard - but it's relentless and it's never ending, and it's thankless and you're not getting paid.

Also, we've got to make some changes in school priorities for our kids. It's so important for children to have free play, risk-taking opportunities, and less helicopter parenting. Tune in to find out how I plan to make it happen...

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