Being Different with Liz Durham

This one’s probably going to ruffle some feathers, but when do they not? I want to revisit my earlier episode about why we chose not to do my son’s summer packet and clarify what I actually meant. It’s not about being anti-school. It’s about kids being kids, following their interests, and parents having a real voice in their child’s education.

I’m sharing what happened after that episode aired, including my meeting with my child's school, why I stand by what I said (yes, including the F word), and why I think the conversation around parental partnership, school policies, and childhood itself has gotten so messy.

If you’re a teacher, administrator, or parent, I would LOVE to actually talk about this. Let’s stop being afraid of disagreement and start having real conversations again.

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

If you haven’t listened to part one of this conversation, do that now!

In this second part of my conversation with Major General Terry “Max” Haston, I sit down ready to ask the questions most people tiptoe around. I’ve always believed you can support the troops and still challenge the story we’ve been told about military service, and Max meets me there with honesty, grit, and zero sugarcoating.

We get into what deployment really feels like and Max breaks down what it’s like to bounce between war zones and everyday civilian life. He shares about the pressure of leading people who depend on you, and the hard truth that budgeting and bureaucracy can shape missions just as much as bravery does.

What struck me most is the way he talks about leadership. Hearing him describe the resilience it takes to train, deploy, adapt, and still come home standing hits a lot deeper than the patriotic slogans we’re all used to.

If you’ve ever questioned the narrative, wondered what service actually demands of a person, or wanted to understand the human being inside the uniform, this episode is where that conversation starts.

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

In part one of my conversation with Major General Terry “Max” Haston, we go back to where it all began. Max grew up in small-town Middle Tennessee, surrounded by family, faith, and a deep sense of duty. He opens up about what life was like in the 1970s, how the Vietnam War shaped his generation, and what drew him to ROTC and a lifetime of service.

What struck me most was how clear his purpose was, even early on. From those small beginnings to his first military assignments, you can see the through line of integrity, courage, and commitment that defines his leadership today.

If you’ve ever wondered what true service looks like, or how a leader is shaped long before the uniform, this conversation will stick with you.

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

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

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

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

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
Subscribe Apple Podcast | Spotify

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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Liz Durham Instagram | Website
Subscribe Apple Podcast | Spotify

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