Kindred Conversations

Minimalism can feel like a buzzword that only the most committed can attain. Our guest today, Rachel Bright, made living a more simplified lifestyle seem like both a worthy goal and also a realistic one. Paris and I are both feeling inspired to clear out our excess in order to make room for calm, clean, and intentional time in our homes.  

Recommended Books:  

- Outer Order Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin  

- The Joy of Less by Francine Jay  

- The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up & Spark Joy by Marie  

- Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne and Lisa Ross  

- The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies  

Other tips not mentioned:  

- Rent or borrow when you can before you buy something! (Ex: power tools, library books, even clothing rental )  

- It is easiest to do my closet after I’ve gotten something new that I loooove—this helps because I can compare all my other things to the new item  

-On Holidays start with your focus on the other senses first before you buy decor! Holiday candles/oils, food menu, music, etc.  

- One-in-one out! If I get a new toaster I’ll donate the old one  

- It is important once you’ve finished to put systems in place so that others can maintain what you’ve done—like labels and clear categories  

You can see more of Rachel on Instagram @rachelmbright.

Find us on instagram @brittanywestoverfrye and @paris.tews.

We can’t wait to introduce to you our guest for this episode! Jessica Kettle is a collaborator for The Gathering Home, a brand and commercial photographer, and creator of Jess Kettle and Studio McGee Presets. Also a mother to 4 children: Max, Lucy, Vivi, and Gus! This episode was inspired by a Q+A Jess did on her instagram answering the question “what advice would you give your younger self about life, love, and faith?”. We discuss her answers to this question and her involvement in The Gathering Home and how to cultivate faith in your life and your home. We ask Jess about how she manages being a working mother and we discuss the myth of balance. 

You can learn more about Jess on her Instagram @jesskettle. 

The Gathering Home 

If you enjoyed this episode of Kindred Conversations it would mean the world if you would subscribe and leave us a review!   

Find us on instagram @brittanywestoverfrye and @paris.tews.

In this Valentines themed episode we talk about giving a little self love through your routines of self care. We review the submissions we got from our listeners on regular routines of self care. From exercise to naps and luxurious baths to cleaning your house, we got all the best advice on how to feel the love from the inside-out.

As always, if you enjoyed this conversation a review would mean so much! Don't forget to subscribe and join in the conversation @kindred_conversations on Instagram.

Find us on instagram @brittanywestoverfrye and @paris.tews.

The title says it all! Alyssa is the mom of six kids- a set of twins, a singleton, and triplets- and they’re all within four years of each other! We were so excited to have the opportunity to sit down with Alyssa and get her insight on motherhood. We hope you enjoy listening to this encouraging and surprisingly relatable conversation and walk away feeling as uplifted as we did.  

If you enjoyed this episode of Kindred Conversations it would mean the world if you would subscribe and leave us a review!  

Find us on instagram @brittanywestoverfrye and @paris.tews and our fantastic guest, @alyssa_mcewen.

The perfect follow up from last week’s episode- we focus on the physical elements of a home in a question and answer session with Savanna Gallacher. Savanna is an interior designer in the Phoenix, AZ area working for interior design firm, Modern Nest. 

She answers the questions submitted to us for this conversation about all things paint, spending v. splurging, and easy ways to level up your home’s design. Being Q+A style, this episode looks a little different than our typical conversation style but we’re sure you’ll love listening to our interior design expert!

You can find Savanna on instagram @savgallacher. More info on Modern Nest can be found on their instagram @modern_nest or on their website https://modernnesthomes.com.

If you enjoyed this episode of Kindred Conversations it would mean the world if you would subscribe and leave us a review!

Find us on instagram @brittanywestoverfrye and @paris.tews.

You can get more info about Anchor by downloading the anchor app or visiting https://anchor.fm/.

This is our second submission episode to date and we loved all of the advice that we received. We asked you, our listeners, what you to do make your home a warm and happy place. 

We discuss both the tangible and the intangible things that we can do to add to an inviting environment for our families and all who enter our homes. We would love to hear more about what you do in your own home to make it a happy place! 

If you have any thoughts or input after listening to this episode we would love for you to share them with us on Instagram @kindred_conversations. 

If you enjoyed this episode of Kindred Conversations it would mean the world if you would subscribe and leave us a review! 

Find us on instagram @brittanywestoverfrye and @paris.tews. 

You can get more info about Anchor by downloading the anchor app or visiting https://anchor.fm/.

This has been one of our favorite episodes to date! Mostly because we KNOW that mom's are notorious for multitasking and spending every waking second being as efficient as possible. This efficiency is so helpful... until it isn't. We often find our efforts to make life perfect get in the way of being present and enjoying the messy and mundane moments that make up a lifetime. 

In this episode we discuss the book Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist (which you should read!).  We talk about being intentional in our commitments and building a life that we love through connection, vulnerability, and reflection.

Mentioned in this episode:

Present Over Perfect

If you enjoyed this episode of Kindred Conversations it would mean the world if you would subscribe and leave us a review!

We want to hear from you! You can join in the conversation on Instagram @kindred_conversations.

Find us on instagram @brittanywestoverfrye and @paris.tews.

You can get more info about Anchor by downloading the anchor app or visiting https://anchor.fm/.

We all know that life doesn’t always go as planned, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In motherhood, both in the day-to-day and in the long term, life can throw surprises at us. These can often turn into our greatest joys when we fully embrace them. 

In this episode we sit down with Kenna Chatterley to talk about the unexpected turns her life has taken. She is an example of living life wholeheartedly. We discuss the joy she finds in her farm, her neighbors, and, most importantly, her family.

Find Kenna on Instagram @kennachatty.

If you enjoyed this episode of Kindred Conversations it would mean the world if you would subscribe and leave us a review!

We want to hear from you! You can join in the conversation on Instagram @kindred_conversations.

Find us on instagram @brittanywestoverfrye and @paris.tews.

You can get more info about Anchor by downloading the anchor app or visiting https://anchor.fm/.

Setting goals for this new year has felt a bit overwhelming... especially given the way last year's goals went. We know that focusing on another to-do list can feel like you are setting yourself up to fail. But was also know that investing in yourself and your goals is an important part of motherhood.

 In this episode we discuss why we feel it is important to look to the future with hope and expectation of self improvement.  Whether it be through goal setting, creating new habits, or setting meaningful intentions for the future, finding time to invest in ourselves can be such a gift.   

We are grateful for the opportunity the new year always brings for self reflection.  It is our hope that after listening to this episode, you feel ready and confident to embrace your own form of goal setting this year. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

Atomic Habits 

If you enjoyed this episode of Kindred Conversations it would mean the world if you would subscribe and leave us a review!

 We want to hear from you! You can join in the conversation on Instagram @kindred_conversations.  

Find us on instagram @brittanywestoverfrye and @paris.tews.  

You can get more info about Anchor by downloading the anchor app or visiting https://anchor.fm/.

In this episode we discuss all the submissions from you- our amazing listeners. We asked for the best advice you've received in motherhood and you seriously delivered.  Motherhood is the ultimate balancing act and that applies to all parts of it. We talk about finding balance in the advice you receive as a mother and tailoring it to your situation. Patience with yourself and your children is a common theme in the submissions we received. 

We also talk about mother's intuition and knowing your children best.  We thoroughly enjoyed the advice you sent in and can't wait to do another submissions episode to hear more of what you have to add to the conversation! 

If you enjoyed this episode of Kindred Conversations please subscribe and leave us a review! 

You can join in the conversation on Instagram @kindred_conversations. 

Find us on instagram @brittanywestoverfrye and @paris.tews. 

You can get more info about Anchor by downloading the anchor app or visiting https://anchor.fm/.