Whatever Is Excellent with Leanne Tuggle

The week between Christmas and New Year’s can feel like a soft landing: sweatpants, slow mornings, and a rare sense of completion. We lean into that pause and ask a bigger question—how do we finish the year well so we can begin the next aligned with God’s heart? With Scripture as our guide, we explore the joy of ending strong without striving, and the freedom to rest while still preparing our steps for what’s ahead.

We start by reframing the calendar as training for a longer race. Drawing from 2 Timothy 4, we talk about what it means to “keep the faith” when distractions multiply and itching ears chase easy answers. Then we pivot to purpose: we were made to worship and enjoy God, image-bearers restored by Christ’s coming. From there, we offer three practical anchors for the final stretch of December—purpose, praise, and prayer—each grounded in passages like Ephesians 2:10, Psalms 103/145/150, Proverbs 16:3, and Hebrews 12:1–2. You’ll hear simple, honest reflection prompts to assess drift and fruit, and encouragement to let praise become the daily soundtrack that builds trust for the year ahead.

As we close, Psalm 90 gives language for wisdom and work: teach us to number our days, establish the work of our hands. We celebrate the small victory of completion, enjoy the gift of rest, and lace up for the next lap with our eyes fixed on Jesus. If you’re craving a clear, faith-filled roadmap into the new year—one that trades pressure for presence and resolutions for reliance—this conversation will steady your heart and sharpen your focus.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s setting goals, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps more listeners find gospel-centered encouragement for the year ahead.

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

What if your home became the place where people exhale the moment they walk in? That picture guides our conversation with Deanne, a longtime friend who has spent decades turning ordinary rooms into a refuge—welcoming neighbors, college kids, missionaries, and foster children with a calm, open-handed approach that prioritizes people over performance.

We unpack the real difference between entertaining and hospitality and why it matters most during the holidays. Deanne shares how she moved from a packed December calendar and Pinterest-perfect checklists to a slower, simpler season built around what her family actually loves—favorite foods, nights at home, and unhurried conversations. You’ll hear practical ways to host without stress: paper plates, takeout pizza, game nights, and small, repeatable rhythms that make guests feel seen and safe. We also talk about involving kids so hospitality isn’t a one-woman job—letting them choose traditions, help set the table, play music for neighbors, and own small acts of service that grow into a shared family culture.

Rooted in biblical hospitality, we explore how to create a life-giving space where expectations soften and presence grows. From the Jesse Tree to shared Advent readings, these simple practices keep Jesus at the center and turn the month into a time of spiritual formation rather than frantic activity. Anchored by Psalm 85’s promise of peace and harvest, this episode invites you to reclaim your home as a haven: less noise, more grace, and an open door that people want to walk through again.

If this conversation helps you breathe a little easier, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review with one simple tradition that centers your season.

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

What if the most memorable part of December isn’t the packed calendar but the quiet moments at home? We open the bins of decorations and talk about a countercultural Christmas built on simple traditions, secret generosity, and a steady gaze on Jesus. From watercolor afternoons and gingerbread chaos to favorite stories read by the tree, we reframe “holiday magic” as presence over performance.

Together, we push back against the cultural current that glorifies busy. We walk through practical ways to reject the rush—starting with the planner—by choosing one or two aligned events and protecting unhurried evenings. We share our “one thing” daily focus, why Mary’s habit of treasuring and pondering still speaks, and how morning time with Scripture resets the heart. Then we step into giving: a humble wooden manger that fills one straw at a time for unprompted kindness, neighbor cookie deliveries that light up a block, and ideas for quiet service that doesn’t ask for credit. We also rethink kids’ gifts with a simple three-gift approach that calms expectations and elevates gratitude.

At the center is Christ. We reflect on John 1:14 and the joy of Advent practices that trace the story from creation to the cradle, keeping Jesus in view even as we enjoy seasonal fun. Expect Scripture anchors, family-tested rhythms, and gentle challenges to prepare hearts more than homes. If you’re hungry for a slower season, clearer priorities, and a home that feels like peace, this conversation is your starting place.

If this episode helps you breathe easier this December, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Recommended Resources:

The Giving Manger

The Wonder of the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

Holiday tables can feel like tightropes: old roles resurface, expectations collide, and the urge to keep the peace can eclipse the call to make peace. We open up about awkward family moments, the pressure to please, and the liberating truth that you’re only responsible for your actions, feelings, and words—not for anyone else’s reaction. From there, we map a clear, grace-filled plan to navigate tense dynamics without losing your center.

We break down biblical boundaries as stewardship, not selfishness, and explore how guarding your heart actually frees you to love better. You’ll hear why pre-decisions reduce stress, how simple scripts like “Yes” and “No” protect your peace, and what it looks like to be both firm and kind. We dig into prayer as preparation, not an afterthought: confessing bitterness, asking for compassion, and receiving the peace of Christ that steadies you when conversations get loud. For heavier situations, we talk about fasting as a way to surrender control and seek wisdom, much like Esther did before a hard moment.

To round it out, we offer practical, memorable steps: cover the gathering in prayer, clarify your limits ahead of time, communicate clearly and with kindness, and compliment generously—even when kindness isn’t returned. Expect some disappointment from others and let that be okay. You can’t engineer outcomes, but you can cultivate a heart posture that honors God and blesses your family. If you’re ready to trade people-pleasing for peacemaking and step into the holidays with calm clarity, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help others find the show.

Recommended Reading:

Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

A friend’s kitchen-table Bible study turned into a national movement. Brittany Dunn joins us to share how Safe House Project is confronting child trafficking in America with a strategy built on training, survivor support, and evidence-based safe house certification—and why proximity, not sensational headlines, should reshape how we see this crisis. The numbers are sobering, but the path forward is clear, practical, and hopeful.

We talk through the real shockers—like how many victims are first trafficked by family members—and the tools anyone can use to help, including the Simply Report app for learning and reporting, and On-Watch training designed for short, focused learning. Brittany opens up about excellence as stewardship: transparent finances, measurable outcomes, and programs that stand up to scrutiny. Her leadership philosophy is simple and demanding—excellence without perfection, compassion without naivety, and prayer before plans.

If you’ve ever felt torn between meaningful work and being present at home, you’ll find a blueprint here. Brittany rejects the myth of balance and leans into managing energy and seasons, setting clear expectations at work and with her kids, and integrating family into mission so purpose becomes shared, not siloed. She also shares the spiritual rhythms that hold everything together: a 5:30 a.m. prayer call, Scripture, the “full armor” mindset, and physical training to metabolize stress and stay grounded.

Ready to engage? Become a Safe House ambassador, take On-Watch training, share the Simply Report app, or give to fund emergency housing, transportation, and case management for survivors. Subscribe, share this conversation with a friend, and leave a review to help more people learn how to spot, report, and support—because awareness paired with action can save a life.

Recommended Resources:

Simply Report 

OnWatch Training 

Eradicating Human Trafficking by Bill Woolf & Brittany C. Dunn

Safe House Project's Survivor Support Team serves hundreds of survivors every month exiting a trafficking situation and helping them get the services they need. To connect with our Survivor Support Team, please call (507) 769-0819 and select option 1 or start the process here.

Donate to The Safe House Project

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

Ever notice those quiet moments when the life you once prayed for shows up in plain sight—tiny socks in the laundry, laughter down the hall, a kiss at the door—and yet your heart still aches for the thing you don’t have? We lean into that tension and chart a clearer route from comparison to contentment, guided by Scripture, honest stories, and simple habits that actually stick.

We unpack gratitude as more than a feeling or a seasonal hashtag—it’s a practiced choice to acknowledge God’s goodness in all circumstances. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5 and Philippians 4, we explore how contentment is learned in both feast and famine, and how “I can do all things” is really about the strength to be steady when life swings wide. With insights from Melissa Kruger’s The Envy of Eve, we name how coveting starts when we suspect God is holding out on us, and how that suspicion fuels comparison that drains joy. You’ll hear candid moments of envy—from distance from family to a first year of marriage marked by deployment—and the practical ways gratitude reframed each season without denying the pain.

From there, we move into doable rhythms: start your day with a short prayer of thanks, notice beauty in the ordinary (full gas tanks, crowded counters, messy desks that signal provision and purpose), speak gratitude aloud so your home can hear it, and redirect comparison the moment it surfaces with praise and remembrance. Philippians 2 calls us to shine without grumbling; gratitude becomes the daily resistance that keeps our tone soft and our witness bright. Along the way, we revisit Psalm 16’s language of portion and inheritance and close with the renewing cadence of Psalm 103, a reminder that forgiveness, healing, redemption, steadfast love, and true satisfaction are already at work in us.

If this conversation helps you trade striving for steadiness, share it with a friend who needs that shift today. Subscribe for more faith-filled, practical episodes, and leave a review to tell us one small blessing you’re naming this week. Your story might spark someone else’s gratitude.

Recommended Reading:

The Envy of Eve by Melissa Kruger

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

Have you ever felt like you were drowning under the weight of impossible circumstances? That moment when life piles on more than any human could possibly handle? 

A military wife shares her raw, unfiltered journey through the perfect storm of overwhelm: solo parenting three children under five during a pandemic while preparing for an overseas move, only to face an unexpected second deployment just after reunion. Her breaking point reveals a profound truth many of us miss when we're struggling to keep our heads above water.

The most powerful revelation comes not in finding extraordinary strength within herself, but in surrendering to the reality that excellence in difficult seasons flows from connection, not striving. "Apart from me, you can do nothing," Jesus' words from John 15 illuminate the path forward when we've reached the end of ourselves. 

Through vivid storytelling and vulnerable reflection, we discover how abiding in Christ transforms our understanding of excellence during life's heaviest moments. This isn't about pushing through on willpower or maintaining a perfect façade when everything is falling apart. It's about the counterintuitive truth that our darkest moments of overwhelm can become the very places where God's strength is most perfectly displayed.

Whether you're currently walking through a season of overwhelming circumstances or supporting someone who is, these insights offer both practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—don't come through our striving but through our abiding. When life feels too heavy to bear, perhaps excellence looks different than we imagined.

Take heart from Psalm 61 and remember that even when your heart is faint, there is a rock higher than yourself. Your circumstances may be overwhelming, but you are never alone in them. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear they don't have to face their overwhelm alone.

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

"Mama, how do I know if my name is written in the book of life?" When my young son asked me this question during our nightly Bible reading routine, I realized once again the profound responsibility we bear as Christian parents. Those innocent yet profound questions about salvation remind us that our children are spiritually curious and seeking answers about eternity.

The Great Commission wasn't just for missionaries traveling to distant lands—it starts within our own homes. As Deuteronomy 6 instructs, we're called to teach God's words diligently to our children, weaving biblical truth into everyday moments "when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise." While Sunday school and youth group are wonderful resources, we parents must be prepared to directly share the gospel when those inevitable questions surface.

The beauty of the gospel lies in its simplicity. We don't need elaborate theological explanations or perfect prayers to introduce our children to Jesus. Like Paul told the Philippian jailer, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." Children between ages 4-14 are typically most receptive to spiritual truths, making this an opportune window for sharing salvation's message. Whether using the bridge analogy or simply explaining sin, forgiveness, and Jesus' sacrifice in age-appropriate terms, our consistent gospel-sharing plants seeds that God faithfully nurtures. When my own child whispered, "I think Jesus touched my heart, mama," I was reminded that while we faithfully share the message, ultimately only God can save through His Spirit's work. What conversations about Jesus might your children be ready for today?

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

What happens when your most important work is the work no one sees?

The mental load of tracking school uniforms, doctor appointments, meal planning, and a thousand other details can feel overwhelming—and often thankless. When your achievements aren't visible or celebrated, how do you find meaning in the mundane?

In this soul-stirring conversation, Emily shares her journey through the invisible terrain of motherhood and homemaking with refreshing honesty. "My kids just magically think 'oh, there's clean laundry on my bed'—the laundry fairy must have done that," she laughs. Yet beneath this observation lies a profound truth: some of our most significant contributions happen behind the scenes.

We explore the tension between craving recognition and finding divine purpose in everyday tasks. Emily offers this perspective-shifting insight: "I am irreplaceable in my home. Everything I do outside my home anybody else could do, but I can only be mom to my kids and wife to my husband." This reframes domestic responsibilities not as burdens but as sacred privileges—the holy work of creating a safe harbor for those we love.

Our discussion doesn't shy away from challenging cultural norms, including social media's impact on our sense of worth and the strange glorification of the frazzled, exhausted mother. We question why busyness has become a badge of honor and offer a counterintuitive alternative: showing up with excellence in whatever season you find yourself.

Drawing wisdom from Psalm 16, we discover that "the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places"—revealing how God's sovereign placement in our lives isn't limitation but invitation to freedom and joy. If you've ever questioned whether your unseen work matters, this conversation will remind you of its eternal significance.

Listen now and rediscover the sacred ground beneath your feet—right where you already stand.

Recommended Reading:

The Gift of Limitations by Sara Hagerty

Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed by Sara Hagerty

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again. 

Have your children ever asked you why they can't play the same video games as their friends or why your family doesn't celebrate certain holidays like everyone else? These seemingly innocent questions reveal a profound challenge facing Christian parents today: raising children who can discern truth in a world that deliberately blurs the lines between good and evil.

When my seven-year-old asked about Fortnite, my fifth-grader inquired about K-pop, and my other son questioned our lack of Halloween decorations, I recognized these weren't just casual curiosities. They were wrestling with something deeper—why our family looks different from others. As believers called to be "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-16), we know standing apart is exactly what we're supposed to do, but helping our children understand and embrace this difference requires intentionality and wisdom.

Children naturally desire to fit in with their peers. Girls typically want to be liked, while boys seek to belong. This natural inclination collides with our biblical calling to be set apart, creating tension when the world celebrates values contrary to Scripture. Isaiah warns about those who "call evil good and good evil," a phenomenon our children encounter daily through media, entertainment, and social pressure. Rather than simply establishing rules, we must equip our children with discernment—teaching them to evaluate everything through the lens of God's truth. This means becoming students of the Word ourselves, engaging with cultural trends (even uncomfortable ones), asking critical thinking questions, and acknowledging the very real struggle of feeling different. Through resources like Pilgrim's Progress and examples of biblical figures who stood firm despite opposition, we can show our children they're part of a long legacy of faithful believers who chose God's ways over the world's.

What questions are your children bringing home? Instead of avoiding these conversations, see them as opportunities to develop discernment. Share your own experiences of standing apart, point them to Scripture, and remember God's promise that He gives wisdom generously to those who ask. The journey isn't easy, but raising children who can navigate this confusing world with biblical clarity is worth every challenging conversation.

Recommended Resources:

Mama Bear Apologetics by Hillary Morgan Ferrer

When Culture Hates You by Natasha Crain

Toxic Empathy by Allie Beth Stuckey

Little Pilgrim's Big Journey

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again.