The Encourager Podcast: Equipping Christian Moms to Harmonize Work and Home

This week on The Encourager, I’m joined again by my dear friend and resident brain-science-meets-Bible expert, Ellie Saxer, and we’re talking about something we see everywhere — an identity crisis hitting every generation, from moms to teens to college students.

Ellie shares powerful research on why our teens (and honestly, we adults) feel more lonely, anxious, and disconnected than ever — and how much of that traces back to not knowing who we are outside of our roles, and to the massive influence of social media and comparison culture.

We talk about:

• Why “Tell me about yourself” is so hard for most people to answer
• The shocking stats around teen loneliness, perfection pressure, and screen time
• How our brains process emotional pain the same way as physical pain
• Why we’re wired by God for connection, service, and joy
• How to help your kids recognize curated/fake content online
• Practical steps to rediscover who you were uniquely created to be
• How to help your teens build identity, resilience, and confidence
• The power of calling out the God-given qualities you see in your children
• Why serving others actually rewires your brain toward joy

This is a deep, encouraging, eye-opening episode that will help you support your teens, reconnect with who you are, and understand why identity matters so deeply in our walk with Christ.

And here’s your first step:

1.  Write down the question Ellie’s counselor asked her
2.  Who are you… outside of your roles?
3.  Sit with it. Pray over it. Begin noticing what lights you up. This is a journey, not a quick assignment.

At the end, Ellie and I share practical next steps for you and your family, including a simple way to capture identity “clues” on your fridge.

🔗 Links & Resources:

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 

 💗 Join the Encourager Community: encouragerpodcast.com
📝 Explore the 5 Systems & Courses: encourageracademy.com
🛍️ Shop Rebekah Scott Designs: shoprsd.com
🛒 Browse Rebekah’s Favorite Tools: Amazon Shop
⭐ Leave a Review: It helps more women find the show!
📱 Connect on Instagram: @encouragerpodcast

🙌 Share this episode: Tag us and tell us how you’re starting this year! 

Love the Episode? Leave review here!

Today’s episode is a little different. I’m sharing why coaching has become such a profound part of my work — and my walk with God.

This is not a how-to episode. It’s a heart episode.

I’m sharing:

• How the Encourager Podcast led naturally into one-on-one coaching
• Why I believe coaching should never be cookie-cutter
• What I’ve seen happen when women stop forcing systems and start honoring their season
• Real coaching stories where small, faithful steps led to real transformation
• Why permission can be just as powerful as productivity

✨ Why Personalized Coaching Matters?  Over and over again, I’ve watched women:

• Discover hidden pockets of time they didn’t believe existed
• Create momentum without sacrificing their marriage or family
• Build businesses, systems, and confidence without burning out
• Learn how to honor both their calling and their capacity

Coaching isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about seeing clearly.

📖 Scripture That Shapes My Coaching

• 1 Peter 4:10 – Use whatever gift you’ve received to serve others
• Ephesians 2:10 – You were created for good works prepared in advance
• Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpens iron

God didn’t make carbon copies — and coaching shouldn’t treat women like one.

If you’ve been telling yourself:

• “I’ll start once things calm down”
• “I just need to get through the next few weeks”
• “I don’t even know where to begin”

I want you to pause and ask:
What would change if someone helped you sort this out — one step at a time?

You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a starting point.

🔗 Links & Resources:

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 

 💗 Join the Encourager Community: encouragerpodcast.com
📝 Explore the 5 Systems & Courses: encourageracademy.com
🛍️ Shop Rebekah Scott Designs: shoprsd.com
🛒 Browse Rebekah’s Favorite Tools: Amazon Shop
⭐ Leave a Review: It helps more women find the show!
📱 Connect on Instagram: @encouragerpodcast

🙌 Share this episode: Tag us and tell us how you’re starting this year! 

Love the Episode? Leave review here!

In this short but powerful episode, I share 10 one-sentence prayers that any business owner can use to invite God into their workday. From wisdom to creativity, strength to surrender, these prayers help ground my heart, steady my hands, and remind me Who I’m truly working for.
 Whether I’m feeling anxious, inspired, or exhausted, these quick prayers help me refocus on God’s purpose in my business. 

What I Talk About:
 • My story of praying through my “where” — the cozy studio attached to our farmhouse
• 10 one-line prayers for specific business needs
• How prayer anchors (not slows down) productivity
• Encouragement to post these prayers in your workspace
• A free downloadable resource you can print and keep nearby 

Free Resource:
 🕊️ Download your printable “10 Quick Prayers for Business Owners” at EncouragerPodcast.com 

Key Verse:
 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” — Proverbs 16:3 

Love the Episode? Leave review here!

 Actually, the simpler the better!

Today I’m sharing two quick staples I’m using right now inside each of the five systems:

• Me System
• Food System
• Family System
• Work System
• Home System

These tiny habits keep me anchored, peaceful, and present — even during my craziest retail season! I hope this inspires you to choose just one small thing to help you show up well this week.

The 5 Systems + Staples Mentioned

1. Me System
 • Nourish Move Love (YouTube workouts) see links above
 • Walks on gravel + prayer time

2. Food System
 • This Is Not Diet Food blog
 • Fix-It and Forget-It cookbook

3. Family System
 • New mantra: "If it’s important to him, it’s important to me."
 • Journaling weekly to the kids (Mother’s Love Ledger)

4. Work System
 • Top 3 weekly priorities
 • Slack for communication and idea capture

5. Home System
 • Sunday chores
 • Two “peace-protecting” areas: dishes + entryway

📌 Links mentioned in episode:
 → Nourish Move Love: YouTube
→ This Is Not Diet Food Blog
→ Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook
→ Mother’s Love Ledger
→ Free Downloads: Habit Tracker + Weekly Agenda Sheet (encouragerpodcast.com)

Pick ONE system + ONE staple to commit to this week. Simple wins build confidence and peace!

Stay Connected:

• Newsletter + freebies: EncouragerPodcast.com
• Instagram: @encouragerpodcast
• Shop custom bags: ShopRSD.com
• Share this episode with a friend who needs a quick win!

Love the Episode? Leave review here!

Holiday calendars fill up fast… and people still show up hungry! In this episode, I share four easy, affordable meals that make hosting stress-free and joyful — even when plans come together at the last minute. You’ll learn:

• My super-simple lasagna formula
• The chili recipe that won the South Dakota State Fair
• A delicious egg-bake that stretches ingredients for a crowd
• Our family-favorite taco night with all the toppings

Hosting doesn’t have to be fancy — it just has to be together. Full homes, warm meals, and joyful connection around the table.

Scripture referenced: Acts 2:46 – “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”

👉 Grab recipes on Instagram + in our free resource-  this week!

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 

 💗 Join the Encourager Community: encouragerpodcast.com
📝 Explore the 5 Systems & Courses: encourageracademy.com
🛍️ Shop Rebekah Scott Designs: shoprsd.com
🛒 Browse Rebekah’s Favorite Tools: Amazon Shop
⭐ Leave a Review: It helps more women find the show!
📱 Connect on Instagram: @encouragerpodcast

🙌 Share this episode: Tag us and tell us how you’re finishing well this year! 

Love the Episode? Leave review here!

In this heartwarming December mini-episode, I share why love is spelled T-I-M-E. It’s not the gifts or grand gestures that shape our families—it’s the small, consistent moments of connection. From greeting my kids after school to lingering at the dinner table, I’ve learned that presence is the purest form of love.

I share real-life examples from my own home: gravel road walks, quick devotionals before bed, board games at the dining table, and the importance of looking up from our phones. I also reflect on insights from my church’s young adult group—a powerful reminder that even grown kids crave connection over things.

Scripture:
 1 Corinthians 16:14 — “Let all that you do be done in love.”

Reflection Questions:

1. When do I feel most connected to my family?
2. How can I add more “quantity time” into my week?
3. What distractions (like my phone) can I lay down to be more present?
4. How can I intentionally create more shared moments — meals, walks, or games — this month?
5. What does love look like in my home when it’s spelled T-I-M-E?
   
   

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Board game SET — Click here!

 Love grows in the little moments. When we linger longer, listen deeper, and look up from our phones — that’s where memories are made.

Love the Episode? Leave review here!

In this short December episode, I share the 7 mantras my family lives by — phrases that guide how we treat one another, view challenges, and stay grounded in faith. I’ll tell you how these mantras came to be, how they hang on our entryway wall, and how you can create your own “doorframe truths” that shape your family’s legacy.

In this episode:

• The story behind creating our family mantras
• 7 specific mantras we live by:
  1. Everybody is capable of change
  2. You are never as good or as bad as they say you are
  3. Your mic is always hot
  4. What can I learn here?
  5. What does God say about me?
  6. What value can I add?
  7. Zoom out
• How to use these mantras in real life
• The Deuteronomy 6:9 reminder: “Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
• A simple challenge: brainstorm 3–5 of your own family mantras this week

Verse:
 Deuteronomy 6:9 — “Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

Encourager Homework:
 Create 3–5 mantras that reflect your family’s values. Display them where you’ll see them often and use them in daily life.

Closing Prayer:
 “Lord, help our homes reflect Your truth. Let the words we repeat shape hearts that honor You.”

Listen now:

👉 Apple Podcasts
👉 Spotify

Stay Connected:

• Join the newsletter: EncouragerPodcast.com
• Explore The Encourager Academy: EncouragerAcademy.com
• Shop RSD & 1948 Leather: ShopRSD.com
• Follow along on Instagram: @EncouragerPodcast

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts 💛

Love the Episode? Leave review here!

In this heartwarming episode, I welcome my husband Nick and my friend Dan LaRock to talk honestly about blending marriage, faith, entrepreneurship, and family life.

We share:

• Our different decision-making styles
• How we communicate after a hard day
• Why routines like family meals matter
• How we prioritize each other during busy seasons
• The Scriptures that guide our business decisions
• Why we say no to certain “success” opportunities
• Practical ways we invite God into work and home

Some of my favorite moments include:

🛶 My “whitewater rafting with a rescue branch” analogy

📱 The rule that Nick isn’t my first call when I have a big idea

🥔 How everyday chores on the farm teach us gratitude

📖 Our daily habits that remind the kids what matters most

This episode is for any couple building big dreams while staying close and grounded in Jesus.

⭐ Scripture mentioned: Psalm 119:11, 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Corinthians 5:17

Listen now and be encouraged in your own partnership and purpose!

Love the Episode? Leave review here!

Have you ever caught yourself working really hard but not actually getting anywhere? You’re checking the boxes, pushing through, but deep down—you’re tired.

In this week’s episode, Rebekah breaks down the key difference between striving and strategy—and why one leaves you empty while the other keeps you aligned.

Through stories from her business and her faith journey, she explains how strategy invites wisdom, rest, and clarity into your work, while striving runs on emotion, fear, and exhaustion.

You’ll hear:

• The real reason ambition can lead to burnout
• What God says about plans and purpose (Proverbs 16:3 + Psalm 46:10)
• 3 steps to shift from striving to strategy
• How to build systems that serve your goals instead of draining you

Bottom line: Striving drains you. Strategy sustains you.

🪄 3 Practical Steps:

1. Pause before you push.
    Take a two-minute breather before jumping into a new project. Ask, “Is this something God called me to—or something I’m forcing?”
2. Plan before you perform.
    Use your five systems—Me, Food, Family, Home, Work—to see how a new idea fits before acting on it.
3. Pray before you panic.
    When chaos rises, say: “Lord, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You.”

📖 Scripture References:

• Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”
• Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.”

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 

 💗 Join the Encourager Community: encouragerpodcast.com
📝 Explore the 5 Systems & Courses: encourageracademy.com
🛍️ Shop Rebekah Scott Designs: shoprsd.com
🛒 Browse Rebekah’s Favorite Tools: Amazon Shop
⭐ Leave a Review: It helps more women find the show!
📱 Connect on Instagram: @encouragerpodcast

🙌 Share this episode: Tag us and tell us how you’re finishing well this year! 

Love the Episode? Leave review here!

As the year winds down, “finish strong” might sound motivating—but it can also feel like pressure. In this heartfelt episode, I share why i;m choosing to finish well instead.

I explore how to redefine your finish line across all five systems (Me, Food, Home, Family, Work), why 80% is often enough, and how to create space for God to complete His good work in you.

In This Episode:

• Why “finish strong” can lead to burnout
• What “finishing well” really looks like
• How to apply the 80% rule in your systems
• Scriptures to ground your mindset
• Reflection questions to reset your goals with peace
  
  

Key Scriptures:

• Philippians 1:6
• Hebrews 12:1–2
• Isaiah 43:18–19
  
  

Reflection Prompts:

1. What do I need to release before the year ends?
2. How can I realign before the year ends?
3. What one small thing could I do this week to finish well?
   
   

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 

 💗 Join the Encourager Community: encouragerpodcast.com
📝 Explore the 5 Systems & Courses: encourageracademy.com
🛍️ Shop Rebekah Scott Designs: shoprsd.com
🛒 Browse Rebekah’s Favorite Tools: Amazon Shop
⭐ Leave a Review: It helps more women find the show!
📱 Connect on Instagram: @encouragerpodcast
🙌 Share this episode: Tag us and tell us how you’re finishing well this year! 

Love the Episode? Leave review here!