In this episode of Seeking Excellence, my wife Emily and I sit down to share a full family update after one of the biggest seasons of change in our lives.

We talk honestly about moving from Denver to Kansas City, welcoming our second child, living temporarily with family, traveling constantly, finding a new parish, rebuilding routines, and learning how to stay grounded as a young Catholic family during major transition.

This is a real conversation about marriage, parenting, faith, finances, community, and peace in the middle of change. If you’re considering a big move, adjusting to life with kids, or trying to build a strong family culture while everything feels new, this episode is for you.

In this video, we cover:

• Moving states as a family and what we learned

• Life with two kids and toddler transitions

• Finding peace during constant change

• Building routines, rhythms, and stability

• Cost of living, housing decisions, and finances

• Parish life, community, and belonging

• Marriage, parenting, and faith in real life

Subscribe for conversations on family life, marriage, leadership, faith, and personal excellence.

2025 was one of the most intense years of my life.

In this episode of Seeking Excellence, I share 12 hard-earned lessons from 2025 that helped me grow as a husband, father, leader, and professional. From grief and major life changes to career growth, marriage counseling, discipline, fitness, faith, money, and parenting, these lessons are practical, honest, and tested in real life.

If you’re navigating change, feeling stretched thin, or trying to avoid drifting in your personal life, marriage, career, or faith, this episode is for you.

In this video, I cover:

• How to handle major life transitions without losing yourself

• Why routines matter most during chaos

• The truth about marriage counseling and accountability

• Screen addiction, discipline, and focus

• Fitness, prayer, and habits that fuel excellence

• Money, contentment, and lifestyle decisions

• Parenting, discipline, and raising strong kids

• Leadership lessons from work, coaching, and speaking

Whether you’re preparing for 2026 or just trying to live with more intention, these lessons will help you build a life of personal excellence.

Subscribe for weekly content on leadership, faith, discipline, personal growth, marriage, fatherhood, and living an excellent life.

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Fill out the SE feedback form to help guide content planning in 2026: https://forms.gle/kgcFYL9W3HU6dRCT8

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Let's make 2026 our best year yet!

Without vision, the people will perish. If you don't take initiative and responsibility for your life and for your family, who will? In this video, I walkthrough a great strategy for annual family planning in a way that will impress your wife and bring her clarity, peace, and confidence going into the rest of 2026. For access to the resources mentioned in this video, join our Locals community for free at https://seekingexcellence.locals.com/landing/video

Want to make 2026 an excellent year? Join the SE community on Locals so you don't miss weekly articles, livestreams, and newsletters!

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You can join as a paid supporter for 40% off until 12/31!

Nathan Crankfield discusses why New Year's resolutions often fail and offers practical tips for setting and achieving goals in 2026.

He emphasizes the importance of accountability, creating action goals, and setting checkpoints throughout the year.

Nathan also introduces his coaching program, the Excellent Life program, which helps individuals set and achieve goals across six pillars of excellence: mind, professional life, finances, relationships, spiritual life, and physical health.

To apply for the Excellent Life Program, visit our website here: https://www.seekingexcellence.us/coaching

Summary

In this conversation, Nathan Crankfield shares valuable insights on navigating the complexities of family dynamics during the holiday season. He emphasizes the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and managing expectations to maintain peace and joy. Crankfield encourages listeners to view challenging family interactions as opportunities for personal growth and sanctification, while also advocating for discernment in conversations to foster healthier relationships.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Holiday Stress

02:15 Prioritizing Family Values

04:50 Managing Expectations

07:47 View It As Sanctification

10:46 The Importance of Self-Care

13:31 Quality vs. Quantity in Relationships

Thanks for watching, and Merry Christmas! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and connect with us on social media.

LinkedIn: @seeking-excellence

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Find exclusive content on Locals as a paid or unpaid supporter:https://seekingexcellence.locals.com/.

Summary

In this conversation, Nathan Crankfield discusses the importance of budgeting during the holiday season, offering practical tips to manage expenses and avoid financial stress. He emphasizes the need for intentionality in spending, the impact of social pressure, and the significance of staying aligned with one's financial goals. The discussion also touches on the balance between generosity and financial responsibility, encouraging listeners to focus on meaningful connections rather than consumerism.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction & Updates04:00 Why Holiday Spending Gets Out of Control08:00 How to Build a Simple, Stress-Free Christmas Budget12:00 Avoid the Post-Holiday Debt Trap16:00 Give With Purpose18:05 Final ThoughtsIf you enjoyed this content, please follow this podcast and find us on your socials! LinkedIn: @seeking-excellenceTikTok: @nathancrankfieldYoutube: @seekingexcellence_Instagram: @seekingexcellence_Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seeking-excellence-with-nathan-crankfield/id1528863617Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3E5Y4v5btc2OGYuoWVbRGM?si=832c88f869484f09&nd=1&dlsi=01e09bb1226e4bacFind exclusive content on Locals as a paid or unpaid supporter:https://seekingexcellence.locals.com/.

Summary

In this recording of the final parish mission talk, Nathan Crankfield explores the concept of hope as a theological virtue, emphasizing the importance of trust in God and reliance on the Holy Spirit. He shares personal anecdotes about overcoming fear, the significance of failure, and the role of suffering in deepening faith. Crankfield highlights the necessity of participating in the life of the Church, including the sacraments and prayer, as essential components of spiritual growth. He concludes by encouraging listeners to embrace hope and actively engage in their faith community.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hope and Its Importance

04:59 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Faith

08:32 The Role of Suffering in Building True Hope

11:43 Relying on the Holy Spirit for Strength

18:39 The Journey of Faith: Trusting God's Plan

22:20 The Four Pillars of the Catechism and Their Relevance

28:19 The Importance of Prayer in Spiritual Growth

33:43 Conclusion: Embracing Hope and Making a Difference

Join Pray25 on Hallow ⁠⁠here!⁠⁠

If you enjoyed this content, please follow this podcast and find us on your socials!

LinkedIn: @seeking-excellence

TikTok: @nathancrankfield

Youtube: @seekingexcellence_

Instagram: @seekingexcellence_

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seeking-excellence-with-nathan-crankfield/id1528863617

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3E5Y4v5btc2OGYuoWVbRGM?si=832c88f869484f09&nd=1&dlsi=01e09bb1226e4bacFind exclusive content on

Locals as a paid or unpaid supporter:https://seekingexcellence.locals.com/.

SummaryIn this conversation, Nathan Crankfield emphasizes the significance of the Advent season as a time for spiritual preparation and reflection. He discusses the importance of evaluating who we listen to and how that influences our spiritual growth. Crankfield encourages listeners to prepare for the new year by focusing on their spiritual lives, maximizing their time during Advent, and embracing silence amidst distractions. He challenges listeners to make Advent meaningful and to set goals that align with their faith and personal growth.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Advent and Its Importance03:50 Living with Urgency: Spiritual Preparation06:34 We Need Silence09:43 Maximizing Time for Spiritual Growth12:13 Make Advent Great Again15:28 Conclusion and Call to ActionFind Waiting Well with Father Mike Schmitz here!Join Pray25 on Hallow here!If you enjoyed this content, please follow this podcast and find us on your socials! LinkedIn: @seeking-excellenceTikTok: @nathancrankfieldYoutube: @seekingexcellence_Instagram: @seekingexcellence_Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seeking-excellence-with-nathan-crankfield/id1528863617Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3E5Y4v5btc2OGYuoWVbRGM?si=832c88f869484f09&nd=1&dlsi=01e09bb1226e4bacFind exclusive content on Locals as a paid or unpaid supporter: https://seekingexcellence.locals.com/.

It's the most wonderful time of the year - which means the Santa debate is BACK! Is Santa innocent fun or is it based on immoral lies deceiving children? Watch this video for some sane takes on the Santa debate!