A month ago, I hated fasting. I mean hated it; dreaded it, dismissed it, never understood the point. This episode is the story of how that changed.

We're tracing fasting back to its roots; from Jesus in the wilderness, to a regular twice-weekly rhythm that shaped Christians for centuries, to the quiet way it slipped out of Western practice almost by accident. Along the way, we'll dig into what fasting actually does in us: how it builds trust, forms discipline, draws us into spiritual mystery, and turns our hearts toward justice. Not as a box to check, but as a genuine gift.

And because moms don't need one more thing to fail at, we'll talk honestly about what this can look like in real, full seasons of life, including when food fasting isn't safe, and how abstaining from something else entirely can be just as formative.

I'll also share what happened when I put this into practice, including an unexpected crisis that put everything I was learning to the test.

Scripture References: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 4:1-11, Deuteronomy 8:3, Colossians 2:9, Proverbs 25:28, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Romans 8:5, Isaiah 58:5-8, John 4:32

Recommended Resources:

Rule of Life Podcast by Practicing the Way

Practicing the Way Fasting Course

God’s Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis

Lisa Balkwill spent years on Broadway stages, ran her own dance studio, and even danced her way as an extra in the movie Chicago. But this conversation isn't about the spotlight - it's about what happened after the curtain fell, when she became a mom of four and walked through marriage seasons hard enough to test everything she believed about love.

What she didn't expect was to feel pursued. Not just enduring, or surviving but being romanced by God in the middle of the hardest parts.

We talk about what it's like to trade a stage for a nursery, what marriage taught her that dance never could, and how she learned to recognize God's pursuit even when it didn't look like rescue.

This month, we're exploring the practice of simplicity. Not minimalism trends or decluttering hacks, but the deeper work of removing what's unessential so we can focus on the One who is. We'll walk through five everyday distractions that quietly compete for our hearts as moms (stuff, wealth, status, comfort, and busyness) and see how Jesus met each one head-on in the Gospels.

If you're a mom in the thick of it (exhausted, distracted, maybe feeling like you're never quite doing enough) this episode is an invitation to remember: you already are enough, because everything you need is found in Him.

Scripture References: 1 Timothy 6:10, Luke 12:13-21, Mark 10:17-22, Luke 18:9-14, Psalm 16:11, Luke 16:19-31, Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 6:31-33

Recommended Resources:

The Treasure Worth it All Sermon

The Best Yes Sermon

Four Categories of Stewardship List

Unrushed Living by Sopha Rush

This month, we’re exploring the spiritual practice of Sabbath through the lens of motherhood. In a culture that constantly pushes us toward productivity, hurry, and exhaustion, Sabbath invites us into something different: trust, delight, rest, and presence with God. Together, we’ll talk about why it’s so hard to slow down, what Sabbath reveals about our hearts, and how this practice can reshape the way we approach motherhood, family, and even our relationship with ourselves. Whether you feel burned out, spiritually dry, or simply exhausted from carrying the weight of everything, this episode is an invitation to slow down and remember: before you ever accomplished anything for God, you were already loved by Him.

Scripture References: Genesis 2:1-3, Exodus 16:4-5, Exodus 16:29-30, Psalm 116:7, Isaiah 30:15

Recommended Resources:

Practicing the Way: Sabbath Course

The Christian Mom’s Guide to a Simple Family Sabbath

⁠The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry⁠ by John Mark Comer

Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest by Ruth Haley Barton

Sabbath as Resistance by Walter Brueggemann

Holy Ground Motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Links⁠

⁠Season 2 Introduction Episode

Prayer can sound simple… until you’re in the middle of motherhood.

In this episode, we explore what it really looks like to practice prayer in a season that is loud, busy, and often overwhelming. What if prayer isn’t about saying the right words or having long, uninterrupted time with God, but about staying connected to Him throughout your day? We’ll talk about three simple and sustainable ways to pray in this season: structured prayer, breath prayers, and surrender prayers. If you’ve ever felt like your prayer life doesn’t “measure up,” this episode is an invitation to let go of perfection and rediscover prayer as a place of connection, honesty, and dependence on God.

Scripture References: Psalm 77, Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4, 1 John 4:4, Psalm 56:3, Philippians 4:13, 2 Chronicles 30:9, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Hebrews 4:16

Recommended Resources:

Breath As Prayer by Jennifer Tucker

Lord, Teach Me to Pray by Kay Arthur

The Lord and His Prayer by NT Wright

Practicing the Way: Prayer Course

Holy Ground Motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Links

Season 2 Introduction Episode

Silence & Solitude Episode

In this episode, I sit down with Katrina Campbell to discuss what it looks like to live a life of steady, uncompromising faith. Katrina shares from her years of raising children who love Jesus, her deep commitment to the local church, and her work in foster care - both personally and professionally.

She talks about faithfulness in the everyday, the responsibility and joy of discipling your children, and what it means to truly live on mission. Katrina’s wisdom is grounded, honest, and deeply rooted in her love for the Lord.

This episode is an invitation to pursue a faith that isn’t swayed by culture, but anchored in Christ - and lived out with consistency, courage, and love.

Scripture References: Philippians 3:13-14, Romans 12:1-2

Holy Ground Motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Links

In this episode of Season 2, we’re exploring the spiritual discipline of silence and solitude - not as an escape from motherhood, but as a way of being present with God in the middle of it. For many moms, silence feels inaccessible, and solitude feels unrealistic, or even selfish. Our lives are loud and full, and the quiet can feel uncomfortable. But throughout Scripture, we see silence and solitude not as luxuries for the spiritually elite, but as formative rhythms modeled by Jesus Himself. We’ll talk about what silence and solitude actually are (and what they’re not), why silence feels so difficult in our modern world, and how this practice reveals what we carry beneath the noise. We’ll also explore what it looks like to come into God’s presence not as a role we carry but simply as a beloved child of God. My hope is not that you would strive to be still, but that you would learn to rest in the presence of a loving Father who delights in simply being with you.

Scripture References: Mark 1:35, 1 Kings 19, Psalm 131:1-2

Rule of Life Podcast: Solitude 03: Encountering Our Self with Bethany Allen

Recommended Resources:

Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton

Solitude Course by Practicing the Way

Holy Ground Motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Links

⁠Season 2 Introduction Episode

In this episode, I sit down with my mentor, Lin Whitlock - a woman whose life is marked by wisdom, humility, and a deep love for both people and wide open spaces.

Lin shares wisdom from years of mentoring women, her love for nature and horseback riding, and how walking closely with the Lord has shaped her perspective on failure and redemption.

If you’re navigating guilt, shame, or wondering how God redeems hard chapters of your story, this conversation offers hope and steady encouragement.

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 13:13, Philippians 4:6

Holy Ground Motherhood ⁠⁠⁠⁠Links

 In this episode, we dive into the first spiritual discipline of Season 2: being in Scripture. Learn practical, grace-filled ways to return to God’s Word each day—even in short, interrupted moments of motherhood—and discover how consistent, small engagements with Scripture can shape your heart, renew your mind, and fill you with wisdom for your family and life.

Scripture References: Psalms 1, Romans 12:2, Hebrews 4:12

Recommended Resources:

Lord, Teach Me To Study the Bible in 28 Days by Kay Arthur

Learn the Bible in 24 Hours by Chuck Missler

Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg

The Bible Project Podcast

BEMA Podcast

The Bible Recap Podcast

Holy Ground Motherhood ⁠⁠⁠Links

⁠Season 2 Introduction Episode

In this episode, I sit down with a former high school creative writing teacher who helped shape my love of words and whose own story has been shaped by motherhood, creativity, and God’s grace. We talk honestly about the pressure to be the “perfect mother,” how perfectionism can become an identity, and the freedom that comes when we allow ourselves to fail without being defined by it. She reflects on raising two daughters who are now adults, learning to loosen her grip, and discovering grace across seasons of motherhood. We also explore her lifelong love of teaching and writing, and what it’s been like to see her book come to life in this season. This conversation is for any mom who feels weary from striving and longs to rest in grace.

Mandy Houk Website

Mandy Houk Instagram

Holy Ground Motherhood ⁠⁠⁠Links