Elevating Motherhood

I love today’s passionate and honest conversation with my in person friend Nikki Phillippi. We’re both freedom loving homeschooling who spend a LOT of time thinking about education standards, education philosophy, and education reform. We’re both life-long learners who like to dive deep into many topics that affect us as mothers and topics that affect our children’s education…and then we discuss them over long voice memos to each other. It’s pretty fun. I 10/10 recommend finding another mom friend to voice memo with. Today you get to be part of our in-depth back and forths as we talk about education reform, protecting our freedom to homeschool, misinformation about homeschool, and our own personal education journeys.   Nikki’s Bio: Nikki Phillippi is a very popular YouTube personality, author, recipe creator, and podcaster. She is a wife, mother, and second-generation homeschooler. Nikki is passionate, authentic, and honest in ways that inspire me--truly. If you already know Nikki, you’ll love hearing her show up in classic Nikki fashion as she shares about her education journey and why homeschool is her hill to die on. If this is your first introduction to Nikki, hold on tight! She is a ball of energy! I’ll be sure to link to her YouTube channel in the show notes as well as my recent episode with her on her YouTube channel where we go even deeper into homeschool freedoms and education reform.   In This Episode, Nikki & I Talk About: · Growing Up: Nikki’s homeschool journey as a child · Bullying in school · Homeschool advocacy · Being advanced and being behind in school at the same time · Feeling held back in subjects in school · Feeling “stupid” in school · Physical and mental abuse in school · John Taylor Gatto's Book Dumbing Us Down · Kids are convinced they are stupid · Learning to love learning · Tailoring education to individuals...& so much more! FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM Please Visit Today’s Sponsor: The Elevating Homeschool Community

I’ve wanted to tackle so many topics over the years but have avoided hitting record because I felt like my thoughts were incomplete. Pettiness has been a topic swirling in my mind for the past few weeks because of two conversations I overheard on Halloween. And, well, here are my incomplete thoughts on the topic. Here are also the bible verses I looked up to help me find peace with these two stories: What Does the Bible Say About Being Petty Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Romans 15:5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Romans 12:3 by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. What Does the Bible Say About Pride Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. What are your thoughts? What do you want to add to these incomplete thoughts on pettiness? Email me: [email protected] More at: www.elevatingmotherhood.com Elevating Homeschool Community: here

Ruth Chou Simons is an artist in so many senses of the word. Her latest book Pilgrim: 25 Ways God’s Character Leads Us Onward is stunning and inspiring. It’s a beautiful exploration of God’s character and faithfulness and is bursting with Ruth’s signature watercolor art. It’s a gift for the eyes and the heart. Years ago I had a friend say to me, “I think Jesus was a great person and someone worth striving to be like. I don’t like all the religion and church stuff, and I wouldn’t call myself a Christian, but I do think that Jesus was real and someone worth striving to be like.” Pilgrim is the book I wish I had to give her in that moment. Understanding the character of God in a biblical context where we can start to break down who He is and what His works show us is important. Understanding His character helps us understand His strength—it gives us not only something to lean in to, but an example of compassionate character to strive toward. We’re on a journey, a path that we travel every day and I can tell you that walking a path set out for me by Jesus is a lot easier than trying to create my own. As mothers, we need strength for our daily journey. It’s available to us. Sometimes we need reminders that nothing separates us from God’s love. Pilgrim is a beautiful reminder of that. Pretty enough to leave out on the table as our daily reminder that God’s provision and grace is available to us. Ruth is wonderful. If you already know who Ruth Chou Simons is, you’re going to love this interview. If you’re hearing about her for the first time here, know that I am so honored to be the one to introduce you to her and her work. Ruth’s Bio: Ruth Chou Simons is a Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author of several books and Bible studies, including GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, and When Strivings Cease. She is an artist, entrepreneur, podcaster, and speaker, using each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people's hearts. Through social media, her online shop at GraceLaced.com, and the GraceLaced Collective community, Simons shares her journey of God's grace intersecting daily life with word and art. Ruth and her husband, Troy, are grateful parents to six boys—their greatest adventure. FULL SHOW NOTES: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM PLEASE VISIT OUR SPONSORS: Nourished Motherhood: www.atnourishedmotherhood.com Elevating Homeschool Community: www.patreon.com/ElevatingHomeschoolCommunity

I’ve never really understood why podcasters do seasons...until I hit a point in my life where my personal seasons started to demand the I shift my professional seasons. So I took a break from podcasting to focus on my family's needs, travel, work on new projects, etc. So what was I up to? Listen and find out! In this episode I talk about: * Finding home when you can’t go back to where you were “born and raised” * Creating home in a new place * We moved…again! New house, same state * Acts of obedience * Needing to be present * Spiritual warfare * The predator load at our new house * New farm additions! * The transition from farm to suburbs to farm * Our 3 week long RV trip * My personal health journey * And more…!  

God’s timing is so good. If you follow me on IG, you’ve probably heard me talk about how I feel like my current life lessons all center around humility and God’s timing over mine. Well, the timing of this episode’s release is just perfect. I needed this episode when I recorded it and I needed it again this week with our family moving (again! We’re still in Idaho, but moving is pretty all consuming no matter the distance!) I have been feeling overwhelmed in this unexpected season of chaos. Bonnie’s books have truly been gifts to me at different moments in my life. Today we’re talking about her newest book Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm (but I also recommend her other book Sweet Like Jasmine). You’ll probably hear the surprise in my voice at how Bonnie and I just jumped right into the deep end with this conversation. Bonnie’s willingness to be vulnerable and connect with people honestly and openly is part of what makes her such a special guest. If you are in a season of chaos (which I feel like is probably most moms with kids at home), this episode is for you. If you’re a mother who is getting things done but you often feel like you’re surviving alone, this episode is for you.   Bonnie’s Bio: Bonnie Gray is the author of Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm, Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine. An inspirational speaker and podcast host of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast, Bonnie touches thousands of lives using storytelling, soul care, and prayer. Bonnie’s global following of readers come to her for inspiring Christian content in her authentic, unique voice. Her writing has been published and syndicated across a broad online audience. Bonnie lives in California with her husband and two sons. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM

“We need sandpaper in our lives.” – Shallon Payne Today I’m excited to introduce you to my friend Shallon from The Appalachian Homestead. Shallon and I talk often over IG and text about all kinds of things. It’s so nice because the two of us share a bit of an automatic understanding of each other and the way we see life because we were both raised in the Appalachian Mountains. I was raised farther North in the foothills and she’s in the heart of Appalachia, but there are things we just “get” about each other and life. I know that our upbringing allows us to see the world differently. We’re a proud people with big ideas. People from Appalachia have a strong sense of family. And yet here I am living far, far away from my family and have for a long, long time. Shallon and I intended to talk about how the internet is ruining motherhood and how it’s gonna be alright because everything comes out in the wash. But we ended up talking about way more than that! This is a different kind of episode…it’s like y’all are gonna walk into the middle of a conversation with Shallon and I. And in that sense it’s waaaaaaay different than my other episodes. I’m glad it turned out this way because I want you to see that it’s possible and important to talk about big ideas about motherhood with other moms. You can be similar in some ways and totally different in others, you can agree, disagree, and still love, respect, and glean from the wisdom of other moms. None of us are exactly the same, even if we’re from a similar area or have a similar background. But all of us need community, “Big C Community”—especially us moms—so we can sort out this world that gets a little cattywompus at times. Shallon’s Bio: Family wisdom is the generational wealth of The Appalachian Homestead. Shallon and her husband Mark share this with their followers via their website and social media platforms. I hope you will join them on their platforms as they share life, the old ways, and the wisdom of the ages. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM

Happy Mother's Day, Mama! This is a super special episode…not just because it’s in honor of Mother’s Day, but because there will be 4 mamas speaking life over you today!  3 of my dear friends in life and business—Jennifer Ford Berry, Amy Debrucque, and Becky Kopitzke are joining me for this conversation. These lovely mamas are all members of the mastermind I’ve had the honor of being a part of for a while now, they are also authors, speakers, podcasters, coaches, wives, and mothers. We talk often about how these multiple roles take a lot of our time and energy and brainstorm together on a weekly basis about how we can thrive in various seasons of motherhood and live a more integrated life where family and business exist to support one another.   And that’s what today’s conversation is about. Thriving in each season of motherhood. Integrating our different roles in different seasons. And what it looks like to work on our own personal growth along the way. This is a beautiful conversation filled with vulnerability and stories as we share about our own personal struggles, times of worry, moments of judgement, and times we grappled for control…as well as how we got to the other side of those tough moments. This episode is packed with truths and encouragement!   I’m excited for you to get to know Jennifer, Becky, and Amy more…these women are also my co-hosts for The Focus Retreat happening this September in beautiful Kentucky. This episode is a great opportunity to get to know them more so you can connect with who will be speaking into your life and business this fall at the retreat. We have unique perspectives and convictions, but always manage to find common ground as women who have hearts for Jesus and encouraging other moms through our businesses and ministries.     I adore these women and know you will, too. Check out the show notes for links to their websites and IG profiles as well as links to The Focus Retreat. www.thefocusretreat.com   Stay tuned at the end, too, for a special message from Becky about The Focus Retreat and our bonus Early Bird Mother’s Day specials!   FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM

Today is a very special interview. I had the honor of interviewing Sally Clarkson, someone whose work I’ve leaned into often. Sally is such a loving resource for my homeschool, mothering, and spiritual growth. In this episode we’re talking about her new book Teatime Discipleship: Sharing Faith One Cup at a Time. I read it from cover to cover and wow—what a gift. Sally shares from the heart about how simple everyday practices like teatime can be a catalyst for connection, friendship, hospitality, ministry, and encouragement. It’s a foundational tool for women to center their hearts and draw nearer to God and one another. And wow, do mothers need more of that right now—we need the opportunity to be impacted by an encouraging host and the opportunity to be such a host. The world tells us we’re too busy for such things…Sally reminds us that we’re not and that there is everlasting greatness in the small moments with those we love.   Sally’s Bio: Sally Clarkson is a bestselling author, renowned speaker, and beloved mentor who has dedicated her life to inspiring countless women to live for Christ. She’s sold more than a million books and her podcast, At Home with Sally, has received more than 20 million downloads. Sally has been married to her husband Clay for more than forty years. They have raised four adult children. Today, Sally splits her time between the mountains of Colorado and the rolling fields of England. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM My Favorite Quotes from Sally’s New Book:   Page 21: “Come here and feast and rest a while. Good food, conversation, and friendship are awaiting you. I have prepared a place for us. You are special and I love spending time with you.”   Page 42: “A host provides for the comfort and security of all who cross her doorstep.”   Page 71: “If wisdom, truth, and love have been built up as resources in our hearts, then when we encounter people, they will draw wisdom, truth, and love from the ways we speak to them and interact with them. People draw from what we have invested in our souls over the years.”   Page 85: “The truth of Scripture is food for your mind—spiritual nourishment for growing in maturity, faith, and wisdom.”   Page 85: “Yet I have found that I often have to be the one who invites, who welcomes, who initiates the very fellowship I need and long for. When women seek out and cultivate fellowship, a community thrives.”   Page 111: “A wise woman takes care of her soul.”   Page 138: “Leaving a legacy of faith requires a lifetime of living steadfastly through each season and its demands.”   Page 139: “What might you do today to help your focus shift from the situation immediately surrounding you to the eternal unseen glory that is being worked out through those situations?” Today’s episode is sponsored by Homeschool Explained, an online course I created to help parents find their confidence as they begin their homeschool journey. Homeschool Explained is also for families who are already homeschooling but feel they could use more resources and a confidence boost to keep going...now with an updated PDF and monthly ongoing encouragement! In Homeschool Explained I show you what modern homeschool days actually look like—all while covering major topics like curriculum, homeschool styles, subjects to teach, cost, state laws, socialization and so much more. This course takes the guess work out of where and how to begin and leaves you with solid support and resources from day one. I would be honored to help you to start your homeschool journey with confidence! Find out more at www.homeschoolexplained.com

Do you ever feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day? That your calendar is full and overwhelming? That busy is your new normal and you wish it weren’t? When my schedule gets too full, I know that something needs to change and that usually it means I need to sit down and have a come to Jesus meeting about my priorities. I need prayer, I need perspective, and I need practical steps. Our guest today is going to speak with us about all of those needs. Overextending ourselves…most of us want to change…   Most modern moms feel overextended and like they want change. Crystal is just the encourager we need to work through those feelings and make actual change. You are going to leave this episode renewed—I was…three times over! Once after reading her book, again after this conversation, and once more when I was editing this episode. At the end of the show I share 4 ways that Crystal’s book changed my life. Get ready for some tips, encouragement, and fresh perspective about how to best budget our time as moms.   Crystal’s Bio: Crystal Paine is the founder of MoneySavingMom.com, host of The Crystal Paine Show podcast, and a New York Times bestselling author. Her desire is to help women across the globe live with more joy, purpose, and intention in their everyday lives. She lives with her husband and six kids in the Nashville, Tennessee, area, where she is actively involved in her local church. Her biggest passions are helping women understand how the gospel can radically transform their lives, raising awareness for foster care, going on adventures with her family (locally, domestically, and internationally), finding great deals at the grocery store, having heartfelt conversations, and trying to read too many books at one time! FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM Today’s Sponsor: THE FOCUS RETREAT www.thefocusretreat.com   The mastermind I’m in with Jennifer Ford Berry, Becky Kopitske, and Amy Debrucque has an exciting announcement! We are hosting our first ever in-person retreat this fall at Shaker Village outside of Lexington, KY.  It’s called The Focus Retreat and we could not be more thrilled to share this opportunity with you! Join us this September for an opportunity to gather with other business minded mamas who long for the opportunity to carve out time to focus on what matters most to them in their businesses and lives—community, strategy, family, organization, and confidence.  We’re taking a whole woman approach to our coaching in this retreat by integrating business, personal, and spiritual growth—I love that this will all happen in-person with other woman who value genuine community over networking. They’ll be keynote workshops, break out sessions, social gatherings, a mastermind panel to help you learn how to form your own, (and the in-person opportunity to introduce you to other women who are also interested in joining a mastermind) PLUS an optional VIP experience at Amy’s lake house with live music, delicious food, and sisterhood. Come hang out with me, Jennifer, Becky, and Amy in-person this September at The Focus Retreat in beautiful Kentucky! Go to www.thefocusretreat.com for more information and to reserve your spot for this boutique retreat. Tickets are limited. Head to www.thefocusretreat.com to reserve yours!

There are so many times in my life I’ve wondered if I’m a people pleaser. I’ve wondered if I was taught to be, if everyone in our society is to some degree. I’ve questioned if some of my decisions are centered around people pleasing, and if it’s something I need to work on it my life. Am I modeling it for my kids? Expecting it from them unintentionally? I’m sure you’re here because you’ve wondered similar things.   My friend Lynn Carter is here to help us unpack our people pleasing habits and provide us with some much needed perspective to refocus our time, attention, values, and schedules and shake our people pleasing tendencies. She’s sweet, funny, kind, and encouraging. She tackles this conversation without making it a “heavy” and for that I’m so grateful.   Lynn’s Bio: Lynn Carter is the creator and host of The Good News Mama Podcast, she is a wife, boy mom, her sons’ coach (which she talks about in the show), and my dear friend. FULL SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT ⁠WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM⁠ Elevating Motherhood Links: Website: ⁠www.elevatingmotherhood.com⁠ Instagram: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood                                                                                                   Today’s Sponsor: THE FOCUS RETREAT ⁠www.thefocusretreat.com⁠   The mastermind I’m in with Jennifer Ford Berry, Becky Kopitske, and Amy Debrucque has an exciting announcement! We are hosting our first ever in-person retreat this fall at Shaker Village outside of Lexington, KY.  It’s called The Focus Retreat and we could not be more thrilled to share this opportunity with you! Join us this September for an opportunity to gather with other business minded mamas who long for the opportunity to carve out time to focus on what matters most to them in their businesses and lives—community, strategy, family, organization, and confidence.  We’re taking a whole woman approach to our coaching in this retreat by integrating business, personal, and spiritual growth—I love that this will all happen in-person with other woman who value genuine community over networking.   They’ll be keynote workshops, break out sessions, social gatherings, a mastermind panel to help you learn how to form your own, (and the in-person opportunity to introduce you to other women who are also interested in joining a mastermind) PLUS an optional VIP experience at Amy’s lake house with live music, delicious food, and sisterhood. Come hang out with me, Jennifer, Becky, and Amy in-person this September at The Focus Retreat in beautiful Kentucky! Go to ⁠www.thefocusretreat.com⁠ for more information and to reserve your spot for this boutique retreat. Tickets are limited. Head to ⁠www.thefocusretreat.com⁠ to reserve yours!