Simple

The next four episodes, starting with this one, will be an extended conversation on extended travel with kids. My friend Stephanie Langford and I have both taken round-the-world trips with our clan when they were (are) young ages, and our family's paths even crossed for six weeks last spring in southern Europe. We'll hash out stuff like what we packed, how we decided where to go, how we handled worldschooling, and yep, the things that were miserable. We talk about how we handled our own work on the go, the things that made us stronger as families, and ultimately, why we're both itching to do another big trip before our oldest children leave the nest. This first episode is an intro to the idea, where we answer the question we both get frequently: Why travel in such a big way while the kids are so little? Head here for the show notes! Also, big thanks to this episode's sponsor, Around the World Stories. They create original audio stories about the adventures of children from other cultures, providing fun, memorable and culturally authentic stories that help develop a child's interest in the broader world. We love 'em!

Ever wanted to start a book club? Nicole Bennett did, too—and so, she did. In this episode, she shares the ins and outs of how she started it—how she picked the right people, how they decide which book to read next, how often they meet, and why the right food makes it even more fun. Consider this your primer to start a club of your own. Pair this with episode 29 with Anne Bogel and her reading guide, and you'll have what you need. Head here for the show notes!

Home—why does it matter? Christie Purifoy has great insight into this—the significance of what she calls “placemaking,” and what it means to dig deep into where you’re planted. Her book, Roots and Sky, is a memoir on her first year in their Pennsylvania farmhouse, and what it meant to find where she’s supposed to be, even though she never knew it. She and Tsh talk about the significance of seasons, of gardening, of being a good neighbor, and more. You'll want to be her neighbor. Head here for the show notes!

When you hear the word "noncomformist," your imagination might conjure up a black-sheep rogue protestor dancing in the streets. If you hear "dominating the world," the first thing that comes to mind might be Pinky and the Brain. Chris Guillebeau is one of the nicest, most generous guys around, and yet he's a big believer in both those things. He's also a traveler and author—in this chat, he and Tsh talk about when he traveled to every country in the world, what happened when he wrote a brief guide to world domination (it's not what you think), working a side hustle, and his new book, Born For This. Head here for the show notes! And head here for Tsh's steps on starting a blog.

Minimalism is a word used so much these days, it’s easy to roll our eyes at it. But when it’s defined right, minimalism can actually be pretty great. That’s what Joshua Becker thinks, anyway. He's a dad of two and a writer, and his new book, The More of Less, explores the deeper benefits of living with less. Head here for the show notes! Also, head here for Tsh's recommended books on simple living.

What better way to start off the summer season than a fun chat about books and reading? Tsh is joined by friend of the show, Anne Bogel, to talk all about summer reading—what you should be reading, how you should be reading, and how to help your kids with what they choose to read. (Note: The sound on Tsh's end isn't so hot. So very sorry about that. Womp womp.) Head here for the show notes! Also, sign up for the weekly digest email and never miss a new podcast episode or blog post. And check out the sponsor of this episode, Morrocco Method—fantastic, all-natural hair care!

We all know who ISIS is, and we all know there’s a major worldwide refugee crisis. But what does it even mean? What does it look like on the ground? In this chat Tsh talks to Jeremy and Jessica Courtney from their house in Iraq, where they’ve lived for almost a decade. We talk about ISIS, who they are, what they’re doing, what it looks like right in front of their faces. And we talk about soap—a really, really cool thing they’ve helped start to help Iraqis fighting for their lives, their homes, and their dignity so that they can provide for their families. Links from this episode: Preemptive Love Sisterhood Soap Kinsman Soap In Iraq, chemical-free is more than a luxury Jeremy's favorite thing: the Sleep playlist on Spotify Tsh’s favorite thing: Chuck on Netlflix Leave a quick review of The Simple Show on iTunes! Sign up for the weekly digest email For photos and videos of this work in action, head to the show notes of this episode.

It seems a given that "simple living" is a little easier out in the country, perhaps on a farm, or maybe in a small town. Not so much a big city. Tsh has a friend that argues otherwise. Kristen Kill is a Pacific Northwest transplant to Manhattan, and in this Simple Show episode, we chat about the benefits to big city living, and how in many ways, it's simpler than living just about anywhere else. Links from this episode: Kristen's blog Kristen on Instagram and Twitter Zipcar Seamless Instacart New York Historical Society homeschool program From The Atlantic: Homeschooling in NYC Kristen’s favorite thing: Workday Pop playlist on Spotify Tsh’s favorite thing: Travel Yoga Skort on Betabrand Tsh's packing list for women Tsh on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Don't forget to sign up for the weekend email!

Tsh's guest for this episode is Katherine Willis Pershey, a pastor who's also a mom to two little kids, so she personally knows the challenge of incorporating daily spiritual practices into life. She’s a smart cookie who is very much a normal person who gets real life. They talk about things like Lectio Divina, Examen, praying with color (yep, that’s a thing), meeting with spiritual directors, why the simple act of reading is a spiritual practice, and why we need to celebrate truth and beauty equally. Our chat isn’t heady at all—we do our best to cut through the Christianese and talk about what spiritual practices look like for us normal people. Even those of you who don't consider yourself Christians can glean some wisdom from this one! Links from this episode: Katherine’s Blog Katherine's forthcoming book: Very Married Katherine on Twitter Lectio Divina on AoS Found by Micha Boyett Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas Praying in Color by Sybil MacBeth Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson Pray as You Go app The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy, and Women's Work by Kathleen Norris Sabbath in the Suburbs by MaryAnn McKibben-Dana Daily Examen on AoS Modest Coffee Katherine’s favorite thing: A finished bathroom! Tsh’s favorite thing: Bodum French Press tumbler Tsh’s blog, The Art of Simple Tsh on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Got an idea for a Simple Show episode? Head here!

Lots of listeners have asked Tsh the simple but broad (and sometimes loaded) question, “How and when should I introduce my kids to Harry Potter?” In this episode Tsh asked one of her great friends (and AoS contributing writer), Robin Dance, to join this chat. Tsh's three kids are between ages 5 and 11, yet Robin's three kids are all in their late teens/early twenties and out of the house. They talk about all things raising kids around Harry Potter: Is there a magic age for the series? How about the naysayers in their life? What powerful life lessons can be drawn from the series, and how does that affect and steer their parenting? Links from this episode: Robin's Blog Robin on Instagram and Twitter Vault episode of The Simple Show: Episode 3 with Megan Tietz is all about HP The Harry Potter complete set, of course Tsh’s blog, The Art of Simple Tsh on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Robin's favorite thing: The Gift of Friendship by Dawn Camp Tsh's favorite thing: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is coming out! Bonus—Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Try out Audible with a free audiobook (it can be Harry Potter—or not). Sign up for a 30-day trial here. Don't forget to leave a quick review in iTunes—it's an easy way to support the show! Head here.