🎙️ Episode 268: “A Nostalgic Look Back in Time”

This week on the Life Happens, Laugh Anyway podcast, Tracy and Cathrine dive headfirst into the weird, wonderful, mildly dangerous world of growing up before smartphones, streaming, GPS and Amazon Prime. 😂

If you ever:

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☎️ Technology Trauma

And if you liked someone?

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🗺️ MapQuest & Getting Lost

Plus:

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📼 TV Was a Commitment

We discuss:

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🚬 Things That Were Weirdly Normal

We talk about:

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✨ 3 Takeaways

1️⃣ Every generation thinks theirs was normal

2️⃣ Convenience changed us

3️⃣ Nostalgia reminds us to laugh

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❤️ Spiritual Encouragement

Every generation has struggles.

Today’s kids may never understand our weird childhood experiences… but they’re navigating challenges we never faced too.

📖 Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NIV)

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📣 We Want to Hear From You!

What’s something young people today will NEVER understand? 😂

Send us:

Email Tracy at:

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🎧 Listen, laugh and subscribe to Life Happens, Laugh Anyway wherever you get your podcasts!

We all have decisions to make:

Today we’re talking about:

Not just:

But:

Inspired by the teaching of

These questions become a filter for wise decision-making.

📖 Identity matters.

If you belong to Christ, every decision reflects that identity.

Sometimes a “good” opportunity is still the wrong direction.

💬 Discuss:

👉 God’s will ALWAYS matches God’s Word.

If Scripture clearly says no…

Not:

📖 1 Corinthians 10:31

Talk about:

That’s such a revealing question.

💬 If we’re embarrassed to pray about it…that tells us something.

Not excitement.

👉 REAL peace.

This is powerful.

Talk about:

📖 God honors obedience.

Not always immediately.

Confess sin.

📖 Psalm 51:10

💬 Sin clouds discernment.

Commit yourself to doing God’s will—even if it’s not your preferred outcome.

This one is HARD. Because usually we already know what we WANT God to say 😅

📖 1 Chronicles 14:14–15

David waited for God’s instruction instead of rushing ahead.

💬 Waiting is not punishment.

Family.

📖 2 Samuel 7:3

Even good people can sometimes give premature advice.

Not one emotional prayer.

👉 Ongoing prayer.

📖 Philippians 4:6–7

God often clarifies direction through continued communion with Him.

📖 Colossians 3:15

📖 Colossians 3:17

💬 Peace becomes the umpire.

Not pressure.

Sometimes God’s direction:

But obedience and trust go together.

📖 Proverbs 28:26

📖 Proverbs 3:5–6

He wants to lead you.

Not before.

Impulsive decisions often create unnecessary pain.

“Are you there God? It’s Me Margaret. (Faith, Feelings & the Awkward Years)”

Ever wish you could go back and give your middle school self a hug… and maybe a better training bra? 😆

This week, we’re joined by Cathrine’s daughter Emily (film & theater grad 🎬) as we dive into the coming-of-age classic Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret—and WOW did it take us back.

From awkward junior high dances 💃 to spin-the-bottle disasters 😳 to whispering honest prayers to God… this episode is equal parts hilarious, nostalgic, and surprisingly meaningful.

Margaret talks to God—even when she’s confused.

And honestly? So do we.

We unpack what it looks like to:

👉 Truth: God isn’t intimidated by your questions… but He also doesn’t leave you stuck in confusion.

1. Awkward seasons are normal (even necessary)

2. You don’t have to rush identity

3. God welcomes honest questions

James 1:5

Instead of trying to figure everything out…

No perfect words.

🎙️ Episode 264: Why We Overcomplicate Things

Ever taken something super simple… and turned it into a full-blown emotional documentary in your head? Same. 🙋‍♀️

Today we’re talking about why we do this—especially as women—and why “simple” can feel uncomfortable, risky, or even… wrong.

Cathrine dives into:

We also chat about insights from Jordan Peterson—how overthinking can stem from broken trust, and why (his words, not ours 😆) you should never lie to an over-thinker… because they will find it.

Matthew 11:30 (NIV)

Jesus didn’t design this life to feel like mental gymnastics 24/7.

Sometimes we overthink because we’ve been hurt before.

But not everything is a puzzle to solve.

Pick ONE thing you’re overcomplicating this week…

Don’t rewrite the text.

Just… let it be.

🎙️ Episode 263: First-Time Mom: What No One Tells You (and What Actually Helps)

✨ Featuring Cathrine, Tracy and our special guest and Humor Contributor Valerie

1. You don’t have to be perfect to be a great mom—your baby just needs YOU. 💛

Let’s be real… the pressure is intense. But perfection isn’t the goal—presence is.

2. Shocking truths of motherhood 😳👶

3. This season is hard, emotional, and exhausting… but it’s also sacred and meaningful. ✨🙏

📖 Scripture:

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🎯 Call to Action:

💗 Moms: Give yourself permission to not have it all together today—rest, ask for help, or let something go.

👵 Grandmas: Reach out to a new mom this week and simply say, “I’m here for you—no pressure, just love.”

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🎧 Whether you’re in the thick of new motherhood or supporting someone who is—this episode is your reminder:

🎙️ Episode 262: Dear Cathrine & Tracy – Part 2

💥 HOOK:

Welcome to Part 2 of our Dear Cathrine & Tracy series—where we tackle real-life questions with honesty, humor, and just enough wisdom to keep us all out of trouble 😅

Listener Katie asks the REAL question…

💡 Real-Life Tips We Shared:

🔥 Bottom line: Fun doesn’t just happen—you decide it does.

We’re seeing a HUGE shift with younger generations…

👀 So what’s healthy and what’s not?

✔️ Healthy Boundaries:

🚩 Unhealthy Patterns:

💬 Truth bomb:

This one hits DEEP.

Different beliefs.

So what do you do?

💡 Our Encouragement:

👉 You are NOT the Holy Spirit.

📖 Psalm 1

Be the tree 🌳

Not tossed around by culture, opinions, or emotions.

When you stay grounded in God’s Word…

💍 Married?

🤝 Struggling in a relationship?

👩‍👧 Hurting over your adult kids’ choices?

💬 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Email: [email protected] and make sure you tell us if you want to be kept anonymous

🎧 Life Happens… Laugh Anyway

Anniversaries ✈️ Airplane Etiquette 😳 & Adult Friendships 🫶

Ever wish you had a couple wise (and slightly sarcastic) friends to answer your real-life questions?

Well… you do. 😄

In this episode, we pulled from YOUR submissions and tackled everything from dreamy anniversary trips to airplane drama to the age-old question…

👉 “Why is it so hard to make friends as an adult?!”

Let’s just say… we’ve got thoughts. 😉

First of all… FORTY YEARS?! 👏👏👏

We talk about:

👉 Bottom line: Don't go to Florida in August. Ha ha.

You’re minding your business… sitting upright… being a model passenger…

…and the person behind you turns your seat into a punching bag. 😑

We discuss:

👉 Pro tip: You can be kind AND direct. (Shocking, we know.)

This one hit home… and if you’ve ever thought:

👉 “I have acquaintances… but I want real friendship”

You are NOT alone.

We talk about:

👉 Truth bomb:

📖 Galatians 6:9

Even in friendships. Even in marriage. Even in awkward airplane moments. (no kicking) 😉

💌 Got a question you want us to tackle?

Send us your best “Dear Cathrine & Tracy” scenarios—we’re just getting started! Part 2 next week. Please send your submissions to [email protected]

📲 And share this episode with a friend you’d totally go on a 40th anniversary trip with someday 💕✈️

🎙️ Episode 260: Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Sometimes the simplest messages are the most powerful. ❤️ In this episode, Tracy and Cathrine dive into the heartwarming documentary about the life and legacy of Fred Rogers — the gentle soul behind the beloved children’s show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

What we discovered surprised us… moved us… and honestly made us tear up a little. 🥹

This episode takes a nostalgic trip back to a kinder, simpler time — and reminds us why being a good neighbor still matters today.

We share an overview of the beautiful documentary about Fred Rogers and why it felt so authentic and heartfelt.

It brought back memories of a time when:

Life felt slower 🕰️

People spoke with kindness 🤝

Children were valued and heard 🧸

And here’s something we didn’t know…

👉 Fred Rogers wasn’t just a TV personality — he was an ordained minister who truly lived out his calling every single day.

His show wasn’t just entertainment.

How cool is that? ✝️

Cathrine shares what stood out to her the most in the documentary, including the sincerity and compassion that defined Fred Rogers’ life.

Some of the biggest takeaways:

Kindness is incredibly powerful 💛

Gentle influence often changes hearts more than loud voices

Loving people well is never wasted

Tracy reflects on what struck her the most — and why Fred Rogers’ quiet faith and consistent kindness were so impactful.

It’s easy to think ministry only happens in a church building… but Fred Rogers showed us something different:

✨ Your calling can show up anywhere.

A television set.

Sometimes the greatest ministry is simply loving the person right in front of you.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

You are not an accident.

And sometimes those “good works” look less like big moments and more like everyday kindness.

A smile.

This week ask yourself:

👉 Who is my neighbor?

Not just the person living next door — but the coworker, the cashier, the friend who’s struggling, or the person God places in your path today.

You don’t have to change the world…

Just love the neighbor in front of you. ❤️

Do one intentional act of kindness for someone around you.

It could be:

Sending an encouraging text 📱

Helping someone who needs it 🤝

Letting someone know they matter 💛

Small kindnesses can make a BIG difference.

If this episode encouraged you:

⭐ Share it with a friend

Go love your neighbor.

Because the world could use a little more Mr. Rogers energy. 🧥👟