Hi friends! This is episode 50 of the Greta Eskridge Podcast. If you didn’t get to listen to my first interview with Christina, you need to be sure to go back and listen to episode 49. You’ll love getting to know Christina and her story better.

In this episode we focused on what Christina’s life looks like now as a homeschool mom who loves to travel and adventure with her family, and how she makes it happen.

That is where I think this episode shines!

You’ll want to hear what Christina has learned about making family travel doable and affordable as she shares tips with us like: traveling in the off season, and especially midweek, reaching out to hotel and homeowners directly (not through Air B&B!) and exploring your own part of the world with day trips instead of making it an overnight.

And if you feel like travel is impossible for you, remember what I shared about travel with my kids when we didn’t have a big, or any, travel budget: I traveled the world by exploring where I lived! You don’t have to go far or go big to make your travel count. There is beauty, adventure and inspiration all around you.

There is so much more on this episode: we talked about the magic of misadventure, how it connects us, the time I peed in a trashcan while tent camping in the middle of a lightening storm in Yosemite, apologizing to our kids when we don’t handle misadventure well…..you’re gonna love it!

Where to find Christina:

Find her on Instagram here

Find her media and travel inspo Instagram account here

Find her You Tube channel here

Find her podcast here

Find her Made 2 Homeschool community here

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Find Air B&B here

Find my book on connecting with your kids through adventure right here

Find the Made 2 Homeschool digital conference here

So this episode starts in what appears to be the new way I begin podcasts now--messing up my guest’s last name. Guys! This is becoming a real problem for me. Insert palm to forehead. But my guest Christina Franco handled it just fine. And you might know Christina Franco better by her Instagram name, Rooted Home Life. Christina is a home schooling mom, a content creator on Instagram and you tube, a lover of travel and adventure.  

The conversation we had planned for this episode was going to focus on Christina’s life as those things, but it took a different turn as we talked about her choice to drop out of high school as a teenager, and how she chose a less traditional path for learning. Then we discussed how she became a public high school teacher, went through a divorce, never thought she’d marry again, but did, and then eventually became a home schooler. It was such a good conversation about how life may take some unexpected and even difficult turns, but God’s hand is present the whole time. It was beautiful to hear Christina share her story. I just loved this episode, and I know you will too. Enjoy! 

Remember, one of the best ways to show your support for me and this podcast is to leave a review and to share with your friends! I can’t tell you how much both of those things help my podcast and my message get out into the world. Would you consider doing one, or both those things today? Thank you! 

Where to find Christina: 

Find her on Instagram here 

Find her media company on Instagram here 

Find her on You Tube here 

Find her podcast here 

Find her Made 2 Homeschool community here 

The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

What a joy it is to finally share some bits of my newest book with you! I am so excited that in just 6 weeks you’ll be able to begin using it to help your families. While this is the book I never wanted to write, I am glad that God gave me the strength and courage to do so. Even more, I am glad that so many of you will have the tools to protect your kids from danger and damage of pornography. I know this book, It’s Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn: a Parent’s Handbook to Helping Children and Teens Develop Sexual Integrity, will be a great help to many. I am celebrating that! 

So in advance of the book coming out, and in hopes to help you see all the ways it will be helpful to every parent, teacher, youth worker, aunt, uncle, and anyone who cares about kids, I am answering questions you asked about the book.  

I am also asking you to help me spread the news about the book by sharing my Instagram post about it, sharing this podcast episode, and by pre-ordering the book if you haven’t already. Your support will get this book into so many more hands! 

If you’d like to pre-order the book, below you’ll find all the places to do so. Thank you for all your help and support. You can’t know what it means to me, and far more to the many kids and families whose lives will be touched because of you. 

Where to pre-order my new book: 

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

Christian Book.com  (currently on sale!) 

Baker Book House  (currently on sale!) 

Thrift Books 

 The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Today’s guest is my internet friend, Elizabeth Parsons. I found Elizabeth a few years ago when I ordered some of her elderberry syrup kits and over the years, I’ve learned so much from her. 

She is a former pediatric RN, a home-schooling mom to 6 and she runs her own holistic living business. 

Elizabeth helped me learn to pursue natural healing remedies for my family, starting with her elderberry syrup. Her Instagram page is full of truly helpful tips from what to do when your child has a wart, to how to help your child with an ear infection or a burn and so much more. I have learned so much from her in an area of my life and motherhood where I really wanted to grow. 

In this episode Elizabeth and I talk about how she moved from the traditional medical field to a more wholistic, natural led mindset, when there is a place for each. We also talk about her surprise twins born at home, yes really! We cover home schooling, making simple choices to start whole health living and so much more! I loved our conversation, and I know you will too. 

Please be sure to follow Elizabeth so you can start learning from her too. 

Where to find Elizabeth: 

On her website here 

On Instagram here 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Find Elisabeth’s elderberry syrup here 

See the “Swaps Highlight” in Elizabeth’s Instagram highlights here 

Find more information on Bible Study Fellowship here 

The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Hello friends and happy new year! This is the first episode of 2025 and it is a wonderful one. Before we get to it though, I want to be sure to remind you to pre-order my upcoming book, It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn: A Parent's Guide to Helping Children and Teens Develop Sexual Integrity. You can place your pre-order here . When you pre-order, you won’t pay until the book is sent to you,, you’ll get the lowest price on the book, and best of all, you’ll be helping get this book and it’s vitally important message out into the world! Pre-orders really can do that. The book will release on March 4th, so please get those preorders in today!| 

Now about today’s episode. 

I loved talking with my friend, Sue Lee, or Madame Lee, as her French students call her. Sue is a real life friend of mine, a home schooling mom to 3 and a home school French teacher to students all over the US. She is wise and funny, smart and cultured, motivational and kind. She’s just great! 

Sue shares her story of learning 4 languages, and ultimately landing on French as her absolute favorite. She also shares why she believes it is so important for everyone to learn a new language and how doing so opens up worlds of culture, art, food and culture. You will come away from this episode inspired to learn French alongside your kids with Sue’s new course, French Feast with Madame Lee. I know you’ll love this episode! Find all the info about Sue and her courses below. 

Where to find Madame Lee: 

On her website here 

On Instagram here 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Find French Feast here 

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry here 

The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Hello friends and Happy New Year! Or happy New Years Eve, depending on when you listen to this. Whenever it is, I am so glad you are here. Thank you for being a part of my community in 2024 and I pray you continue in 2025. 

For this last episode of the year I decided to do a Q & A. It was a lot of fun! And I promise that if I didn’t get to your question this time, I will in the future since I am going to be adding these to my podcast line up every month or so. Thank you for sending in such great questions. You make my job easy! 

And this is your last reminder of 2024 to you to grab your copy of my upcoming book, It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn: a Parent’s Guide to Helping Children and Teens Develop Sexual Integrity. If you pre-order now you’ll get it as soon as it releases, won’t get charged until the book ships, and your orders get the book out into more book stores and retailers. It truly helps more people see this book and get the message they need so much! Pre order info below! 

I am already looking forward to all that 2025 holds and I can’t wait to share it with you. 

God bless you! 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Pre-order your copy of It’s Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn here 

The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Merry Christmas all! Whether you are up late wrapping presents, up early making breakfast, or on a long drive to visit family and friends, I am glad to spend a little bit of Christmas with you. 

In this episode I am so excited to share one of our family’s favorite Christmas stories with you. It is a true story from WWI, and happened on Christmas eve and Christmas day in 1914. There are numerous places where you can read about the real life event. There are even pictures, taken by soldiers who were there experiencing it. 

This is a heartwarming tale and I hope it fills your heart with hope. And that it will remind you that even in the darkest times, the light still shines!  

God bless you all. 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Get your copy of Shooting at the Stars here 

Read more about the Christmas truce of 1914 here 

See pictures and watch a video about the Christmas truce of 1914 here 

See James and Lilly’s original coloring sheets here 

In this episode I got to talk with the wonderful Lyndsey Mimnagh of Treehouse Schoolhouse. Lyndsey and I talk for a bit about home schooling and then we get to the heart of the episode, celebrating Christmas with our families in meaningful and intentional ways. This episode is full of inspiration and ideas, but also there is a lot of grace for the mom who might feel overwhelmed by Christmas when she’s in a tough season. Lindsey offers fun and creative ideas, but she’s also great at providing simple and practical ways for any family to have fun at Christmas. 

There are so many ideas for Christmas this year and next. I came away inspired and I bet you will too. 

Where to find Lyndsey: 

Find Lyndsey on her website here 

Find Lyndsey on Instagram here 

Find Lyndsey on You tube here 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Get 15% off all products from the Treehouse Schoolhouse shop here  

*Use the code GRETAESKRIDGE15 

Find Greta’s cinnamon roll recipe here 

Find The Legend of the Candy Cane book here 

Find An Orange for Frankie book here 

Find The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey here 

Find the “Favorite Things” party details here 

Find the “If You’re Sad at Christmas” post here 

Some of my favorite quotes from this episode: 

“We need to see something pretty that helps us strive toward something and at the same time we need to know how to do it. I want to be a place that provides both.” Lyndsey Mimnagh 

“We can see who God has designed our children to be when they play.” Lyndsey Mimnagh 

“School doesn’t have to be in a classroom. School doesn’t even need to be in a home. School can be outside!” Lyndsey Mimnagh 

“If you missed the start date of advent, you can start on whatever day of December you’re on! This is the freedom we need as we celebrate Christmas.” Greta Eskridge 

“Wherever you are at this moment in December, it’s OK to say, I am going to put some of these ideas into practice this week. It’s not too late!” Greta Eskridge  

“If you are in a season where it feels heavy and hard, and you have circumstances that don’t lend themselves to doing all the Christmas things, that is OK. But also, if you are in a season where you can, or you are a person who finds doing all the crafts and Christmas activities life giving, that is OK too. We can be in both places at different times.” Greta Eskridge 

“What kids want and need is a calm and peaceful mom.” Lyndsey Mimnagh 

“Even if I want to be the Pinterest Christmas mom, if that comes at the expense of my peace, then it is not worth it for me.” Lyndsey Mimnagh 

“You have the freedom to do as much or as little as you can mange this Christmas because the focus of Christmas is Jesus and that is what we want to bring our kids back to over and over again.” Greta Eskridge 

The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org 

Don’t forget to pre-order my new book, It’s Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children and Teens Develop Sexual Integrity. This is the book you need to give you all the tips and tools for keeping your kids safe from the danger and damage pornography can cause. And most importantly, this book will help you feel confident and comfortable having some of the most challenging conversations with your kids. Pre-order it today, right here! 

What a perfect time to talk to my friend Alyssa Bethke about her new book, When Doing it All is Undoing You: Meeting God in Your Unmet Expectations. The Christmas season feels so full of to-do lists and activities and many, many expectations that are impossible for us to meet and that leaves us feeling like we’re letting down others and often feel let down ourselves. Alyssa shares her own journey of coming to a place of being undone and what it looked like to draw near to Jesus and His care for her when she began to tend her heart. 

We also talk about the importance of travel, having novelty and wonder in our lives, and peeing in the woods! So take a deep breath and settle in to be encouraged by this episode. I know you’ll come away from this episode feeling refreshed. 

Where to find Alyssa: 

Find her and her husband Jeff’s website here 

Find Alyssa on Instagram here 

Find Alyssa’s book here 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Matt 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Ann Voskcamp’s gratitude journal here 

Some of my favorite quotes from this episode: 

“When I go for my walks, I try to notice one thing that is different or new. It helps me be less distracted and more present, to put away my phone and to ask myself what do I see and what do I feel?” Alyssa Bethke 

“Being an observant person, a curious person, a person who finds joy in your every day are powerful and important things to make a part of our everyday life.” Greta Eskridge 

“I felt like it was my responsibility to make sure everyone around me was OK.” Alyssa Bethke 

“I think you need a season of caring for your heart.” Alyssa Bethke 

“The goal of life is not to be free of pain but to be more and more intimate with the Lord, and letting Him see us through the pain rather than keep us from the pain.” Alyssa Bethke 

“It’s OK to come undone and come to the end of ourselves because that is where God does His best work in our lives.” Alyssa Bethke 

“I wanted to live in my ideal life not my reality, but when we are honest with God He will meet us in our reality.” Alyssa Bethke 

“God always meets us with such grace and kindness. It’s His kindness that leads us to repentance.” Alyssa Bethke 

“We have to ask ourselves, ‘who or what are we doing all this for? What is my legacy? What do I want to leave behind?’” Greta Eskridge 

“Every day I go for a 30 minute walk, without my phone, and I’m going to talk to God. And I ask myself, ‘where have I felt God’s presence and where have I not felt God’s presence’? This was such a time for me to tend to my heart and commune with Jesus.” Alyssa Bethke 

“The world is telling you all these things you need to be and do and that is going to leave you disappointed. But instead, by tending your heart and going to Jesus you’re going to find the antidote to that anxiety and stress and disappointment.” Greta Eskridge 

“There is always wonder to behold so go on a wonder hunt!” Alyssa Bethke 

The Greta Eskridge Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Where to Find Corrie: 

Find her website here 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Find Corrie Ten Boom’s book, The Hiding Place here 

Find out about visiting Corrie’s grave here 

Read about when Davy and I visited Corrie Ten Boom’s grave here 

Find the graphic novel Corrie ten Boom’ story here 

Find Good Book Mom’s reviews and book lists here 

Find the Christmas Mice book here 

Find the Promises Made, Promises Kept book here 

Find the Manger in Danger book here 

Find the A Wonderous Mystery book here 

Find the Little Pilgrims Progress book here 

Find the Little Christmas Carol book here 

Find The Best News of All book here 

Find the Shooting Stars book here