Crystal Paine Show

Is there something that you are relying on to give you joy, fulfillment, or that you just feel like you “have to have” or “can’t live without”? I was recently convicted about how much I was relying upon sugar… and it inspired me to try doing a three-week-long no sugar challenge.

In this episode, we share why and how I went twenty-one days without sugar as well and what changes I experienced along the way. Don’t worry! The purpose of this episode is not to shame you for your sugar intake or even to try to convince you to give it up, but I hope it inspires you in some way to consider if there’s something you are relying upon in an unhealthy way.

We start the episode by sharing some life updates, what books we have been reading, and an interesting drink I’ve been drinking recently and then we move into talking about how Natalie Runion inadvertently inspired me to this no-sugar challenge for twenty-one days. I share the reason why I have decided to do this, why I have not been extremely militant about the rules, what has surprised me about this challenge, and how it has made a difference in my life.

As I said, though, the purpose of this episode is not to shame you for something like sugar consumption or to try to convince you to do what I have been doing. This is my own personal journey that I am choosing to share, and I don’t even have a plan yet for what I am doing after my twenty-one days are up! I just really want to encourage you to think about things that you might be mindlessly using to get through your day in a dysfunctional way.

[00:35] - Don't stop listening just because of today's topic!

[01:34] - Jesse is about to go on a deep-sea fishing trip.

[03:14] - Micah just turned a year old.

[04:19] - Hear another exciting update we haven’t yet shared on the podcast.

[07:54] - I read a book recently that I absolutely love!

[11:53] - Jesse is just about finished reading Breaking History by Jared Kushner.

[15:35] - Check out my What I’m Loving Wednesday series on Instagram.

[19:00] - Pickleball Cocktail has been saving my life.

[20:52] - Three weeks without sugar: why I'm doing this and what inspired it.

[24:39] - What my parameters are for this challenge and how it has impacted me.

[31:20] - Hear some closing wisdom from Jesse.

• Crystal Paine
• The Crystal Paine Show - “79. Our Craziest Travel Stories"
• The Crystal Paine Show - “131. A crazy travel story”
• The Crystal Paine Show - “186. A Crazy Travel Story”
• Margaret Barry’s Instagram Page
• Pickleball Cocktail
• The Crystal Paine Show - “215. Hope and Healing from Church Hurt & Disappointment”
• Books
• Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
• Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
• Breaking History: A White House Memoir by Jared Kushner
• Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
• 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Heather MacFadyen and I have both been blogging for a long time, but our paths took very different directions online. And that's exactly what this conversation is about! Heather is a well-known podcaster and author of the book, Right Where You Belong: How to Identify and Fully Occupy Your God-Given Space.

In this podcast episode, Heather shares about her journey and how she set out to write a book years ago and ended up getting rejections that led her to podcast instead -- something that has opened more doors and made more impact than she could have ever dreamed.

If you struggle to know what your space is to fill, if you ever wonder if you were made for more, or if you have a longing in your heart to step out in faith but fear is holding you back, I believe this podcast episode will encourage your heart so much!

In This Episode

[00:35] – I have been reading Right Where You Belong written by today’s guest!

[03:24] – Heather explains why she pivoted to podcasting instead of pursuing her book-writing dream.

[06:04] – Writing and publishing a book is not easy.

[09:37] – Heather realized that it wasn’t yet her time to publish the book.

[13:36] – Learn what inspired the title of the book.

[15:48] – Heather identifies her target reader.

[18:12] – How we can use both our positive and negative experiences to help others.

[19:45] – Listening to God helps Heather find clarity.

[21:37] – An example of how Heather puts listening to God into practice.

[24:30] – What are you carrying that you don’t need to be carrying?

[27:31] – Hear what we should do instead of blaming God for our difficulties.

[33:08] – God does not want us to be broken and trapped.

• Heather MacFadyen
• Don't Mom Alone podcast
• Right Where You Belong: How to Identify and Fully Occupy Your God-Given Space by Heather MacFadyen
• Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
• 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

You may recall from a couple of episodes ago our conversation in which we shared our thoughts on the Shiny Happy People docu-series. That episode was very unplanned and off-the-cuff, so we thought that we would do a follow-up episode because we got a lot of feedback wishing that they had heard more from Jesse.

I am therefore doing my best to let Jesse lead this conversation so that you can hear more of his perspective surrounding the docu-series. Jesse shares how even though he wasn’t directly in the IBLP/ATI program, his church was heavily influenced by it, so listen in as Jesse shares details of his own experience. 

He shares what ideals his church had and when he started to question those ideals and move away from legalism. We are so grateful for the lessons that we have learned and how we went into marriage on the same page, and we hope that you get a lot out of Jesse’s words in this episode!

In This Episode

[00:35] - This is a follow-up episode to the Shiny Happy People episode!

[03:33] - Jesse shares some of his own experience with IBLP/ATI.

[05:10] - What did it mean to get anointed?

[07:04] - We got in trouble for holding hands under a workbook.

[08:16] - How did IBLP/ATI influence Jesse?

[09:54] - Jesse reveals whether or not he was ever bothered by the ideals.

[11:49] - When did Jesse start questioning things?

[14:22] - How fully immersed was Jesse?

[15:58] - Jesse was in college or so when he got out of legalism.

[18:42] - I reflect back on the move from Kansas to Tennessee.

[22:00] - Jesse’s chains of legalism weren’t as strong as mine.

[23:45] - We went into marriage as a unit on the same page.

[26:36] - Jesse offers his definition of legalism.

[28:56] - Formulas led to frustration in our marriage.

[30:53] - God did not create us to be carbon copies of everyone else.

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine

Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets on Amazon Prime

The Crystal Paine Show - “214. Shiny Happy People: Our Honest Thoughts”

Books

Raised to Stay: Persevering in Ministry When You Have a Million Reasons to Walk Away by Natalie Runion

Social Media

Crystal Paine on Instagram

Crystal Paine on Twitter

Crystal Paine on Goodreads

Money Saving Mom

Money Saving Mom on Facebook

Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group

[email protected]

I am so excited to have Natalie Runion on the podcast this week, and this couldn’t have possibly happened at a better time! In the last episode, Jesse and I shared our thoughts about the docu-series Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets, and a lot of you reached out to me to say that you have struggled to know how to feel about church because of difficult experiences you have had. Natalie is here to discuss what to do and how to process through church hurt and disappointment, something she has experienced deeply herself.

Natalie has a new book coming out titled Raised to Stay: Persevering in Ministry When You Have a Million Reasons to Walk Away. In this podcast, she shares her story of how she was hurt by the church when she was younger and how she processed through that hurt and disappointment and ended up saying yes to something she never expected she would: be involved in church ministry!

This episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement (Jesse listened to it and said it's one you need to listen to more than once!). Whether you have experienced church hurt and are still walking through it and processing it, whether you've been disappointed by church and are avoiding it altogether, or whether you are just curious about Natalie's story, I believe you'll be very blessed by listening.

[00:35] - This episode could not have been planned more beautifully -- and I didn't plan it!

[02:08] - Natalie shares a little background on herself and her own story with church hurt.

[05:57] - How did Natalie hold onto God?

[07:25] - Natalie explains her initial responses to this hard situation.

[09:22] - I ask Natalie how she learned to trust again after being so hurt.

[10:50] - When did Natalie return to church?

[14:38] - What do we do if we have been hurt by church?

[16:58] - How do we avoid being the cause of church hurt?

[19:25] - Is there a difference between hurt and offense?

[23:54] - Natalie offers encouragement, telling us that we are not alone.

[26:10] - Abusers do not represent the heart of God.

• Crystal Paine
• Natalie Runion
• Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets on Amazon Prime
• Last week's podcast: Our Honest Thoughts on Shiny Happy People
• Books
• Raised to Stay: Persevering in Ministry When You Have a Million Reasons to Walk Away by Natalie Runion
• Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
• 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

This may be one of the most controversial episodes I’ve ever recorded – and also the most personal! Amazon recently released a 4-part docu-series called Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets. While this series focuses on the Duggar family primarily, it dives into the world and beliefs of those who were part of the IBLP/ATI program – which was the program and culture I grew up in.

We got so many requests from people to share our thoughts on the docu-series, so we sat down and recorded a very unscripted podcast on what it was like for me to grow up in this culture + our honest thoughts on the docu-series. 

You might not agree with our perspective, but I hope that this episode makes you think and/or encourages you in your journey, whether you may be.

In This Episode

[00:38] - Today’s topic is on the show Shiny Happy People.

[03:31] - I share a little of my background and what it was like growing up in the IBLP/ATI program.

[08:15] - Is the docu-series sensationalized?

[10:09] - We all bring baggage and dysfunction from childhood.

[12:11] - Jesse and I caught something interesting in the first episode.

[15:01] - We discuss the idolatry of the family.

[17:27] - Hear about how it was interesting to watch this show with our kids.

[20:30] - We discuss how obedience was instilled/taught.

[24:36] - Why success was so important in the IBLP/ATI program.

[26:08] - Pursuing Godliness without the gospel leads to dysfunction.

[29:17] - Where might I be seeking formulas in my own life?

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine

Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets on Amazon Prime

Social Media

Crystal Paine on Instagram

Crystal Paine on Twitter

Crystal Paine on Goodreads

Money Saving Mom

Money Saving Mom on Facebook

Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group

[email protected]

Today’s podcast guest has deeply impacted my life this year as I've been reading her work and following her on Instagram and I really looked forward to recording this episode with her. It didn't disappoint!

Phylicia Masonheimer is the author of Every Woman a Theologian and founder of the organization with the same name, a ministry that teaches both Christian women and men how to identify what they believe and communicate it in a loving way. In this podcast episode, she shares why theology matters, how what we believe impacts our every day lives, why she believes the Bible is true, how to reconcile some of the hard parts of the Old Testament with the belief that God is good and that women are valued, how to communicate what we believe in a gracious manner, and what it looks like to lean into and rely upon the Holy Spirit.

No matter what you believe, I hope that what Phylicia shares in this episode will challenge you and make you think.

In This Episode

[00:35] - I have been excited about this episode for a while!

[02:18] - Phylicia shares some background information about herself.

[03:24] - What did Phylicia want to do for a living when she was young?

[05:05] - What does the term theology mean and why is it important?

[06:36] - What if someone is doubting their faith?

[08:32] - Phylicia addresses the historical context of the Old Testament.

[10:41] - How would Phylicia address women not being valued in the Old Testament?

[13:03] - Phylicia defines theology without intimacy.

[14:59] - How do people have heart knowledge about Christianity?

[16:40] - Phylicia explains what it means to walk alongside the Holy Spirit.

[18:55] - Phylicia offers encouragement on how to find time for Jesus.

[20:36] - Perfection is the enemy of consistency.

[21:38] - Phylicia argues for the grace that comes with learning with your kids.

[25:42] - How does Phylicia communicate her faith to someone who has different beliefs?

[28:27] - Phylicia encourages people who ask how God can be good when they’re struggling.

• Every Woman a Theologian: Know What You Believe. Live It Confidently. Communicate It Graciously. by Phylicia Masonheimer
• Phylicia Masonheimer
• Phylicia's Instagram
• Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
• 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Want to help your kids be more intentional with their summer? In this podcast episode, Jesse and I share 10 questions to ask your kids to help them come up with some great ideas to be more intentional with their time this summer.

Use these questions as a springboard to set goals or just to get yours kids' creative juices flowing! As we talk about in this episode, we sat down with our kids and went over these questions together and we had such a fun time hearing our kids' answers, learning more about what they are hoping to do and accomplish this summer, and setting some goals and planning some activities for the summer.

In This Episode

[00:35] - Feeling overwhelmed by having kids home over summer?

[01:55] - Hear some family updates.

[04:16] - Kathrynne's last-minute graduation party and how it all came together.

[09:03] - I have been reading Listen to Your Day by Paul Angone.

[10:41] - A deodorant I've been loving.

[15:48] - Boredom isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[17:20] - The first question: what’s one thing I want to learn how to do?

[17:41] - What is a new idea I want to try?

[18:34] - What do I want to read?

[19:04] - Where is one place I want to go?

[19:55] - Who would I like to help?

[20:22] - What life skill do I want to learn and/or practice?

[20:55] - What do I want to learn to cook or bake?

[22:55] - What would I like to organize better?

[23:26] - What goal would I like to accomplish?

[24:03] - The final question: what is a business idea I’d like to try or job I'd like to apply for?

• Listen to Your Day by Paul Angone
• Hello deodorant
• 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Okay, full disclosure: I'd never heard of Addison Bevere until his publisher reached out and asked if he could be on my podcast. I did some research and was so impressed with what I found, that I said yes. And I'm so grateful I did because I was absolutely blessed by the time I got to spend with him.

Not only did he share so much wisdom on our podcast episode, but I loved getting to know him more in our conversations before and after we recorded. He was so humble and I would have never known that he was leading this huge organization had I not kept asking question after question until he finally shared more!

Addison is the author of a brand new book titled Words with God: Trading Boring, Empty Prayer for Real Connection. In this episode, we talk about growing up with parents who were both public figures, what his parents did well and what he wished they had done difference, the difference between doubt and disbelief, why prayer matters and how it might be different than what you think it looks like, and how it can impact and influence our every day life.

[01:05] - Learn about today’s guest, Addison Bevere.

[03:22] - Addison gives examples of things his parents did well and things he thought they could have done better.

[05:15] - Hear more about Addison’s parents and his upbringing.

[06:32] - Humility creates safety.

[07:07] - Why Addison wrote his new book and how important silence is when it comes to prayer.

[16:14] - The different types of prayer.

[20:30] - What does prayer look like for Addison in his every day life?

[22:54] - Addison gives us examples of practical prayers.

[26:32] - How can we identify whose voice we’re hearing when we listen?

[28:30] - Addison identifies how having words with God has been helpful to him.

• Words with God: Trading Boring, Empty Prayer for Real Connection by Addison D. Bevere
• Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
• 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Listen in to this week's podcast episode as I welcome our daughter, Kathrynne, back to the show! She joins me today to discuss her high school experience -- a topic inspired by a recent night where she spoke at youth group. She had such wisdom to share there and I wanted her to get to share some of that on the podcast.

In this episode, Kathrynne talks about how she was really dreading going into her senior year. She decided to focus on loving the younger kids and looking for ways to serve them and make them feel loved. She's ending the year so thrilled by the friendships she made, the the memories she's carrying with her, and the many opportunities she had to love the younger kids and hang out with them. It ended up being a GREAT year!

Kathrynne tells us about a teacher who inspired her and made a difference in her life by going out of her way to show kindness to her -- something that made her want to do the same for others. She gives some great advice to parents and other adults who want to connect with their teens, emphasizing the importance of making them feel like their interests and ideas matter.

She also talks about how the idea of selling pizzas and sodas at lunchtime have led her to plan to major in business in college. This likely wouldn't have happened had she not decided to make the most of her senior year rather than be miserable or just sad.

My hope is that this conversation with her will inspire you to make the most of your opportunities and make a difference in the lives of others!

[00:35] - Our daughter Kathrynne is today’s guest!

[02:19] - Kathrynne feels bittersweet about high school being over.

[03:41] - Hear about Kathrynne’s rough transition between junior year and senior year.

[05:48] - Kathrynne reflects on Back-to-School camp.

[08:24] - Senioritis hit Kathrynne hard.

[12:14] - Hear about a surprise party that was thrown for Kathrynne.

[15:15] - What would Kathrynne say to adults who want to inspire teens?

[17:21] - Kathrynne gives advice to parents who want to connect deeper with their kids.

[18:35] - Kids are probably communicating with you even if it’s not verbally.

[20:52] - Kathrynne has realized that she loves things related to business and earning money

[22:50] - In addition to helping run pizza sales, Kathrynne began selling drinks at lunch.

[24:18] - Kathrynne is considering majoring in business.

[26:53] - Gratitude and attitude are the biggest takeaways here.

• Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
• 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Mother’s Day isn’t always flowers and chocolate and handmade cards. For many women, it’s a hard reminder of something that isn’t, something that once was, or something that might never be.

Maybe you’ve lost a child.

Maybe you’re estranged from your mom.

Maybe your child has a life-threatening disease.

Maybe you’ve lost your mother.

Maybe you’re single and longing for marriage and motherhood.

Maybe that adoption you thought was going to go through didn’t.

Maybe you never really had a mother figure in your life.

Maybe you’re desperately longing for a child and struggling with infertility.

Maybe you are estranged from your grown child.

There are many, many reasons why today might be painful for you. I don’t know your exact circumstances or the burdens you are carrying today. But if Mother’s Day is hard for you, I want you to know this: You are not alone.

I can’t be there physically to hug you and pray with you like I wish I could, but I want you to know that I care about you and others in this community here do, too.

You are loved. You are not alone. You are not forgotten.

I recorded a special Mother's Day episode of my podcast a few weeks back with Katie Faris, the author of the book God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood.

Katie has walked through really devastating times as a mom: miscarriage and three of her children being diagnosed with a genetic condition that has caused many difficult health struggles and will impact her kids for the rest of their lives.

In this episode, she shares more of her story and how she has clung to God and relied upon Him during the hard and dark seasons. I appreciated her honesty and vulnerability, but also her empathy and compassion. If you're walking through a really difficult season related to motherhood or if Mother's Day is really hard for you, I think this episode will encourage your heart.

In This Episode

[01:01] - Today’s guest is Katie Faris!

[05:02] - Katie shares the story of walking through the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency diagnosis with three of her kids.

[13:14] - How has Katie held on to the belief that God is good?

[16:25] - Why having a go-to list of Bible verses has made such a difference.

[21:49] - Encouragement for the woman feeling discouraged and hopeless.

[26:08] - What would Katie say to women for whom Mother's Day is hard?

• God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood by Katie Faris
• Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
• 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com