Today I had the opportunity to interview Ashlee Gadd, founder of Coffee + Crumbs and author of Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood.    Ashlee is passionate about encouraging women to embrace creativity in their lives as a means to enhance their well-being and that of their families.  We talked about overcoming the guilt of pursuing creative passions: Ashlee noted that many women feel guilty for taking time to pursue their creative passions, viewing it as selfish, but reminds us how creativity can be a vital source of self-care and can contribute positively to family life.  We touch on how creativity brings solidarity between you and your children, the importance of doing things solely for the purpose of enjoyment and how creativity can improve your mental health, leading to a more fulfilling, God-honoring life.   Follow along with us on IG @ashleegadd and @livingeasywithlindsey.     

116 | Thriving as a Creative Mama: Balancing Passion and Parenting with Ashlee Gadd

Marriage, adult friendships, relationships, personal growth - all with a biblical foundation. Lindsey Maestas talks about the raw and hard topics with a focus on growth and encouragement. She discusses her own personal marriage and motherhood struggles, learning how to forgive, heal and grow, how to study the Bible and thrive in your faith and how to continue growing as a person every day in all areas of life. Her motto is, 'Nothing changes if nothing changes' and calls her listeners up to make active changes after listening to each episode. 

Lindsey believes in doing things together to make life a little bit easier, and that means sharing life with honesty and authenticity. You likely won't find conversations like this anywhere else.

On The Living Easy podcast, we will laugh together, struggle together and create a thriving life together. You will hear in-depth about theology, gospel truth, travel, friendship, biblical marriage, strengthening your faith, growing as a godly parent and much more. 

Come and join the tens of thousands of people in Lindsey's community who crave authenticity and desire to think & live big - just like you.

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The difficulties of life are easy to see when they're right in front of us. They're even easier to see when it's all that we're looking for.  I recently heard a podcast episode that shifted my entire perspective on how I view the difficult moments of life. After a season of much difficulty, a lot of complaining, and a lot of stress, I realized that I needed a perspective shift and a heart change. Life is really tough. It's such an interesting experience to walk through life; it's deeply sweet and beautiful but equally confusing and painful.   I believe that our faith and our minds shape the way that we live. I pray that this brief episode helps you to navigate the hard moments of life and want to leave you with the question, "Would you take away all of the hard if it meant that you also had to take away the good?"   The Living Easy Podcast will be taking a break after this episode so that I can focus on some family time and will be back in mid-June. We are, as always, praying that you will still be here when we get back!   

Feeling the Hard: A Refreshing Perspective on Life's Difficulties | A 20-Minute Episode

On today's conversation with Sarah Bragg, Lindsey Maestas delves into the complexities of aging as a woman and self-reflection at the age of 30+. Sarah shares insights on navigating feelings of invisibility, reflecting on the past years lived, and finding ways to actually appreciate getting older while not allowing yourself to feel invisible.  They discuss the importance of noticing the good, reassessing priorities, and addressing the unique dynamics of parenting teenage daughters. 

139 | Aging and Feeling Invisible? Living Well Past Your 30's with Sarah Bragg

In today's honest conversation, Lindsey Maestas talks with Pastor Paul Daugherty about his personal struggles with failure, depression, and suicidal thoughts as a Christian.  He discusses candidly the struggle that Christians often face with shame and masking emotions when it comes to genuine mental health struggles. He shares his story of attempting to take his life, how suicide is often misperceived as a selfish tendency, and the importance of community and accountability for mental health healing.   Pastor Paul shares practical and spiritual ways to work through personal mental health battles and his own story of grief, failure, and moving forward.  Follow along with Pastor Paul on Instagram: @pauldaugherty  Follow along with Lindsey on IG: @livingeasywithlindsey  Get Paul's book today: Mind Games: Winning the Battle for Your Mental and Emotional Health    

138 | Mind Games: Winning the Battle Over Failure, Grief & Suicidal Thoughts with Pastor Paul Daugherty

This slightly untraditional Valentine's Day episode is as heart-challenging as it gets. I had the incredible opportunity to speak with Delilah, long-time radio host, who I grew up listening to from childhood into my adult years. She speaks about the only kind of love that Jesus showed in His lifetime: unconditional love.   As an adoptive mom of twelve children, Delilah touches on topics that challenge the way that we unconditionally love: how we love on the widows and the orphans, the way we share and gather stories, the way we speak to our children, how we love Christians, sinners and unbelievers, and how we connect in friendship and in community.  As Delilah says, "The only kind of love that exists is unconditional love".  Happy Valentine’s Day! 

137 | The Only Kind of Love with THE Delilah

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:9). In today's conversation, Lindsey and Jesse Maestas discuss friendship, their different perspectives on 'showing up' for people, and Jesse candidly reveals his own struggle with the temptation to navigate life independently.  He addresses men who grapple with discomfort in seeking help, supporting, or expressing love for their friends. Silently battling financial burdens and parenting stresses, these men often confront a sense of fear or pride surrounding their vulnerabilities. Within this discussion, the episode explores the misconception that friendship requires sacrificing the greatest things in life. Contrary to this, scripture teaches the integral role of friendship within the church, the body, and fellowship.  Lindsey shares insights into managing expectations surrounding others' involvement in her greatest achievements, shedding light on the emptiness and loneliness that can arise from unhealthy expectations.  Don't forget to click SUBSCRIBE for new episodes every Tuesday.  Follow along with Lindsey on IG @livingeasywithlindsey and Jesse @nashvillehomeshq.  

116 | Thriving as a Creative Mama: Balancing Passion and Parenting with Ashlee Gadd

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