Clutter Free Academy

Peaceful. Connected. Meaningful.

Those are all words that should describe the Christmas season, but do they? So often we get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the season and lose sight of what really matters. We want to help you change that. This week, Kathi and Erin will:

• Give you simple, meaningful ideas on how to get rid of what doesn’t matter during the holidays so you can focus on what does. • Share fun shopping tips, easy decorating ideas and even a few photo mishaps to help you realize that the holidays can be so much more than a time of hurried frenzy. • Give you 21 days of simple projects that will give you the simple tools and organizational strategies you need to make this holiday season peaceful, connected, meaningful and much more.

Listen in, and then click the sign up button below in the resources section to subscribe to Kathi’s 21 Days to Organize Your Christmas Project. Plus, download our freebie list of shopping ideas that will help you find the perfect, budget-friendly gift for everyone on your list (scroll down to the Download section for the list).

Thank you.

I’m sorry.

How can I help you?

Have you ever had a hard time knowing what to say to your husband, especially when you’re at a tough place in your marriage? It’s hard. But often all it takes to rebuild a connection is a few, intentional and encouraging words. In this podcast, Erin and Kathi will:

• Share simple things you can say (or text) to your husband when marriage is tough.
• Help you to find the sticky points in your marriage so you know how to avoid those rough places—and to climb out of those dark corners when you are stuck in them.
• Encourage you to intentionally pursue your husband with respectful and encouraging words.

Listen in, and then click here to read Kathi’s entire list of words you can use to build connections in your marriage.

What is one word you would use to describe your motherhood?

Kathi said overwhelming.  Erin said chaotic.  Leslie Ludy, our guest, said neither have to be part of your parenting story.  Leslie put off having kids for a long time as she feared all the horror stories.  She didn’t want to lose the wonderful love story that she had built by adding kids to the mix.  But when her kids came, life may not have been simple (her oldest son had acid reflux) but it was wonderful. In this podcast, she tells women how they can:

• gather their community,
• change their attitudes,
• and realize God is building them,

as they partake in the joyous, exciting and sometimes crazy ride that is motherhood.

When you are feeling overwhelmed as a mom, what is one thing you do to get yourself back on track? Share a tip below for your chance to win a book from Set Apart Motherhood.

Marriage is both messy and beautiful.

This week’s guest, Darlene Schacht, author of Messy Beautiful Love and the Time Warp Wife blog, shares with us her wise thoughts on marriage and how women in any messy beautiful marriage can:

• Handle the big stressors in marriage so she can grow stronger and closer to both, each other and God. • Pray for her husband and her marriage in an intentional and meaningful way. • Find her joy from God and not from her husband. • Build a marriage that’s not 50-50. (Which, according to Darlene isn’t a good thing.)

Listen in, and then download Darlene’s free printable prayer cards. Plus, tell us the biggest stressor in your marriage in the comments below and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Darlene’s new book, Messy Beautiful Love.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a real, live rock star?

The lights, the cameras, the music, the swarming fans… we got a little star struck just imagining it as we sat down with Rachel Hamar, one part of the top-rated country duo Cloverdayle. And while Rachel has shared a stage with music legends like Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Eric Church and Jason Aldean, Rachel was totally willing to get down-to-earth with us as she filled us in on:

•  How she manages to keep her marriage strong when she lives and works with her adorable rock-star husband Chad.
•  How she finds balance in a crazy schedule (and even finds time to go to the gym!)
•  How she finds the creative space to write songs (and what she does when she comes up with a great song line in the middle of the grocery store).
•  How we as women can pursue or own big dreams, even when life makes it seem impossible.

Listen in, and then download a free copy of Cloverdayle’s new song “Call Me Crazy” and get inspired to live your own crazy dream.

Have you ever taken a selfie? Of your butt?

That’s just what Leeana Tankersley, author of Breathing Room, did so of course, that’s the first thing that Kathi and Erin ask her about. Why did she take a picture of her butt and how did she live to tell about it?

Kathi and Erin fell in love with Leeana from the first moments of the interview. Leeana gets real. Fast. (And you know how we love that around here.) She talks about how to lovingly come alongside ourselves as a good friend would, and be compassionate when we need it the most.

Leeana talks about:

• How Pinterest is changing how we feel about ourselves, and others.

• How the 12-step program Emotions Anonymous changed her life.

• How as moms we can give ourselves permission to “begin again” with our kids.

Win a copy of Leeana’s book, Breathing Room! For your chance to win, leave a comment below about something in your life that you feel powerless in the face of- your anonymous.

Have you ever felt ashamed at the playground? Have you worried that your kids are the only ones playing Ninja Warrior while the others swing peacefully? Have you felt like you just can’t measure up as a mom? This week, Kathi and Erin discuss the reaction to Erin’s new blog post entitled “I’m Worried About Our Girls” and the ways that parents can help their kids build strong, healthy relationships with other kids.

Knowing that every mom has felt shame, worry and stress about playground behavior– and that every mom earnestly seeks what’s best for their children– we openly discuss:

* How little girls can respond to wild boys on a playground.

* The difference between a dangerous situation and a situation that a child can take care of on his or her own.

* How moms can get rid of the shame they feel when their children misbehave.

* How to communicate to our kids that God created both genders lovingly and intentionally– and that neither is inherently “good” or “bad.”

Listen in and then share your own playground experiences in the comments below. One winner will get his or her choice of one of Erin’s books! Plus, check out the “Download” section below to get Erin’s playground toolkit for girls.

Do you see yourself as God’s masterpiece? Do you live as a piece of art? Does the entire concept of living as a work of art totally intimidate you?

Emily Freeman, author of A Million Little Ways, joins us on the podcast and really makes the concept of living as a work of art real for all of us, even those of us that aren’t necessarily “artists” in the traditional sense. Whether your a mathematician or a painter, God is the creator and we were made in His image. Emily inspires us to show up and be ourselves wherever God has put us and in whatever stage we are living. In the podcast we discuss:

• the true definition of an artist
• why it’s important to see ourselves and the people around us as God’s masterpieces
• how to identify tiny little ways we can be artists in our day-to-day lives

To win a copy of Emily’s book for you and a friend, leave a comment below on how you are going to be present for the benefit of other’s and only for God’s glory this week.

* We also discussed Emily’s Art Course. Sign-up for Emily’s Art Course (or Life Course!) here.

All of the parenting books, the intentional planning, and the “I’m going to be a great parent” attitude meant nothing the minute Ellen had her firstborn, Erin. None of the discipline strategies worked the way they promised. So Ellen began the adventure of finding ways to understand the different hearts of her children. Only then, was she able to understand their needs so she could be the parent she really wanted to be.     Ellen Schuknecht (Erin’s mom!) joins us on So Here’s the Thing this week with amazing advice for every parent out there. Whether your child is compliant or strong-willed, you will want to have a pen and paper with you when listening! We cover topics such as:

• Getting to the root of disobedience
• Strategies to focus on the heart for a more positive long-term impact
• Letting go of the fear of parenting failure
• Why traditional parenting advice may not be working for you kids

We want to give away two copies of Ellen and Erin’s new book, Free to Parent (more info on the book below) to our listeners. Leave us a comment and tell us what was most freeing in what you heard on the podcast today.

Heartache. Searching. Loneliness. An overwhelming need to be exquisitely loved.   Can you relate? Our guest this week, Emily Wierenga, shares her journey in searching for “home”. She was raised in a Christian home but never felt truly loved. She longed to know she fit in with her own family, turned to an eating disorder and eventually felt healed just to turn back to the eating disorder years later.   Her story will touch your heart, inspire you and fill your heart with hope. Her heart for her family, her adopted family of Uganda and the way she lives out the love and home she has found is special and I am so excited to introduce her to you.  

To find out more about Emily’s work and her non profit visit thelulutree.com

Would you like to win a copy of The Atlas Girl? Leave a comment below about what home feels like to you.