Making Merry: Practical Tips for Thriving During Holiday Family Gatherings

Welcome to A Christmas, Present: Strategies for Juggling Jingle Bells and Joy! In this special holiday series, we’re tackling the top holiday challenges submitted by listeners—sharing practical, heartfelt strategies to help you navigate the highs and lows of the season.

In Making Merry, we’re focusing on the complexities of family dynamics during the holidays. Whether your gatherings are cozy and full of joy or fraught with awkward moments and tension, this episode is packed with insights to help you thrive.

We’ll start by answering the three most frequently asked questions about family dynamics this season—covering everything from navigating political debates to handling critical relatives and managing gift-giving across different financial situations. From there, we’ll dive into five actionable strategies for maintaining peace, setting boundaries, and leaning into what truly matters this Christmas.

Tune in for thoughtful tips and relatable humor as we tackle the real-life moments that make or break holiday gatherings. Let’s create a season where joy and connection take center stage, even when things don’t look like a Hallmark movie.

Subscribe now and join us for this festive episode of A Christmas, Present! 🎄

Links You Need!

Lumebox (use coupon code inspiringheights

at checkout!)

Holiday Conversations Cheat Sheet

⁠Free Christmas Priority Finder Worksheet⁠

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Music in today’s episode:

"We Wish you a Merry Christmas" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The holiday season can bring both joy and stress, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. In this episode of A Christmas, Present, we share effective strategies for staying present and calm during the busy holiday season. From managing holiday traditions to reducing stress, we’ll provide actionable tips to help you create a joyful, meaningful, and intentional holiday experience. Learn how to find balance, set boundaries, and make time for what matters most, all while embracing the beauty of the season. Whether you're juggling family, work, or holiday planning, this episode offers the tools you need for a peaceful and fulfilling holiday. Tune in for practical advice and mindset shifts to make this Christmas your best yet.

Links You Need!

Free Christmas Priority Finder Worksheet

⁠Free Holiday Budgeting Guide⁠

⁠Free Personal Strategic Planning Guide⁠

⁠⁠The Productivity Playbook Course ⁠⁠⁠

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Music in today’s episode:

"We Wish you a Merry Christmas" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The holidays bring joy, connection, and—let’s face it—a few financial challenges. In this episode, we’re tackling one of the season’s trickiest topics: money. From navigating Christmas budgets to avoiding overspending during sales, and finding creative ways to decorate without breaking the bank, we’ll cover your top questions about holiday finances. Tune in to learn five practical strategies for managing expenses while keeping the season merry and bright. Let’s make this year’s holidays joyful and budget-friendly!

Links You Need!

Free Holiday Budgeting Guide

Free Personal Strategic Planning Guide

⁠The Productivity Playbook Course ⁠⁠

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Music in today’s episode:

"Oh, Christmas Tree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Are you tired of setting ambitious New Year’s resolutions only to see them fade by February? In this episode, we explore a powerful alternative to traditional goal-setting: personal strategic planning. Drawing on years of experience in leadership and strategic planning across non-profit social work and firm administration, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-rounded plan can bring even our most ambitious dreams within reach.

Instead of creating a list of isolated New Year's goals, what if we took a comprehensive look at our lives—wins, setbacks, growth areas, and upcoming seasons—and used that insight to shape realistic, sustainable goals? Join me as we dig into practical ways to replace fleeting resolutions with a strategic plan that fits our whole life and priorities.

We’ll break down how a year-end review and a strategic, holistic approach to planning can help you design goals that fit into the bigger picture of your life, setting you up for genuine, lasting success. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a roadmap for crafting meaningful goals that align with who you are and where you want to go.

The Productivity Playbook Course ⁠

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode, we explore actionable strategies to prepare for life’s big projects—whether launching a business, managing a major work project, or organizing a personal milestone. Drawing from lessons learned during my recent launch, I’ll share tips to stay organized, reduce stress, and maintain productivity.

Tune in for essential planning techniques, mindset shifts, and wellness practices to help you succeed in any high-stakes endeavor. If you’re gearing up for a big project or just want to stay productive and balanced, this episode is for you!

Links You'll Want:

The Productivity Playbook Course

**Use code LIVEPRESENT24 until November 1st, to grab the course for just $69!**

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this special episode, I’m inviting you to grab a coffee and join me for a candid conversation about the course I’ve been pouring my heart into: The Productivity Playbook: Strategies for a Harmonious Life. This course is more than just tips and tricks; it’s a foundation for managing your time in a way that supports your whole life—your work, your family, your well-being. I’ll share the inspiration behind creating the course, why time management is the essential first step, and how this content can help you build a more balanced, fulfilling life.

The course launches on October 23rd at 2:00 PM MST with an exclusive price of $69, available until October 31st—after which the price will increase to $97. Whether you’re looking to establish better routines, reclaim your time, or find balance in a busy world, this course is designed to equip you with practical, sustainable strategies.

Tune in to hear the "why" behind it all, and get ready to build a foundation for long-lasting productivity and peace.

Links You’ll Want! 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Earthly Wellness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For 10% off:

For First Time Customers Use Code: HelloNatural 

For Returning Customers Who Haven't Ordered In The Past 30 Days Use Code: HelloAgain

⁠Two Weeks Notice Book⁠

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of work-life integration and why it’s time to move beyond the traditional idea of work-life balance. Inspired by the insights from the Goal Digger podcast by Jenna Kutcher, we explore how blending personal and professional responsibilities can create more harmony in your daily life.

Whether you're a working professional, a busy mom, or someone striving for success in both career and life, this episode will guide you on how to prioritize what truly matters. We'll discuss actionable strategies for managing your time, setting boundaries, and embracing the flexibility needed for work-life harmony.

Tune in to learn how to recognize "seasons of sacrifice" and thrive in both your personal and professional roles by integrating them in a way that feels meaningful and sustainable.

Links You’ll Want! 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Earthly Wellness⁠⁠⁠⁠

For 10% off:

For First Time Customers Use Code: HelloNatural 

For Returning Customers Who Haven't Ordered In The Past 30 Days Use Code: HelloAgain

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this unexpected and raw episode, I share a deeply personal account of the wildfire that threatened my family’s home and land. What started as a normal day quickly turned into a fight for safety and survival. In the midst of flames, adrenaline, and uncertainty, we were forced to pack our most important belongings, prepare for evacuation, and hold on to hope.

I reflect on the lessons we learned during this crisis—how having a plan in place made all the difference, the importance of rest amidst chaos, and the emotional challenges that arise when fear and uncertainty take over. This episode is a reminder of the strength we find in our communities, the importance of asking for help, and how even in the midst of crisis, there are moments of grace.

Join me as we explore what it means to stay grounded, even when the ground itself seems to be burning.

Links You’ll Want! 

⁠⁠⁠⁠Earthly Wellness⁠⁠⁠

For 10% off:

For First Time Customers Use Code: HelloNatural 

For Returning Customers Who Haven't Ordered In The Past 30 Days Use Code: HelloAgain

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode, I dive into the world of time blocking, a time management technique I've been experimenting with over the past several months. I share an honest assessment of how it's worked for me, what hasn’t worked, and how I've adapted the method to fit my current season of life.

I start by defining time blocking and acknowledging that while it might sound appealing, it’s not always feasible in every situation. I explore how my shift from a fast-paced job to running my own business made time blocking more practical for me, and I break down the three different approaches I’ve tested:

1. Traditional Time Blocking: Creating a weekly to-do list, assigning time blocks for each task, and using a timer to stay on track. While it’s been helpful in keeping me focused, it also requires a balance between productivity and self-compassion.

2. The 45/15 Rule: Setting a timer for 45 minutes of focused work followed by a 15-minute break. This method has been particularly effective for deep work but comes with its own set of challenges, especially when interruptions occur.

3. Time Blocking for Home Tasks: Using short, timed sessions for household chores, which has proven to be an efficient way to maintain a tidy home while freeing up more leisure time.

Throughout the episode, I share my insights, including the pros and cons of each method and the importance of finding what works best for your unique circumstances. Ultimately, I highlight that while time blocking can be a powerful tool, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, and it’s okay to embrace a slower, more enjoyable pace when needed.

Links You’ll Want! 

⁠⁠⁠Earthly Wellness⁠⁠

For 10% off:

For First Time Customers Use Code: HelloNatural 

For Returning Customers Who Haven't Ordered In The Past 30 Days Use Code: HelloAgain

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the thought of an entire season ahead, filled with challenges, uncertainties, and emotions? It's like the "Sunday scaries," but instead of worrying about the week ahead, you find yourself anxious about the whole season. Whether you're anticipating difficult news, already feeling exhausted, or just anxious about what's to come, you're not alone.

In this episode, we tackle the "season frights" head-on by exploring five simple yet powerful steps to help you regain your peace and approach the future with confidence. From processing emotions and seeking support from trusted friends to establishing healthy coping mechanisms and scheduling intentional rest, we'll guide you through practical ways to ease your worries and lighten the load.

Join us as we delve into the importance of understanding our emotions, connecting with others, and preparing ourselves mentally and emotionally for whatever lies ahead. 

Tune in for an episode filled with encouragement, actionable tips, and a reminder that you don’t have to face the season ahead alone!

Links You’ll Want! (P.s The links below to products are affiliate links. This means, when you purchase from the links, Inspiring Heights gets a small kick-back, but there is no additional cost to you! Thanks so much for supporting our small business in this way!)

Untangle Your Emotions Audio Book

Untangle Your Emotions Kindle Book

Untangle Your Emotions Hard Cover Book

⁠⁠⁠⁠Harvest Right Freeze Dryers ⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music in today’s episode:

"Autumn Day" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

"Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/