Back-to-school is here, and let me tell you - we are not thriving. Early mornings, cranky kids and zero sleep makes me miss our slow, sunshine-filled summer so much it hurts. In the middle of all that chaos, life smacked us with something heavier—losing my father-in-law, one of the best men I’ve ever known. Walking through his last days made me think a lot about how we deal (or don’t deal) with death in this country, and how broken our medical system really is. And because I still can’t keep my ...
Aug 21, 2025•30 min
It’s just me this week, and I’m covering a lot from Mac learning how to read (spoiler: we’re sticking with phonics) to why I think Disney is feeding our kids more harmful messages than magical ones. I talk about the challenges of finding safe, meaningful content for my kids, especially on YouTube, and why I’m so cautious about what’s getting into their minds. I also open up about a scene from the show Ginny & Georgia that really shook me because it made abortion look easy, casual, and conseq...
Jul 25, 2025•36 min
Michael “Cheez” Brown has lived a life most of us couldn’t imagine—growing up between chaos and comfort, chasing punk rock dreams in California, and managing some of the biggest names in music. In this episode, we talk about his rise from a turbulent childhood to a career shaped by grit, intuition, and raw honesty—and how he’s stayed grounded through it all. - - - - - - - - - - - Liz Durham Instagram | Website Subscribe Apple Podcast | Spotify Being Different with Liz Durham is a Palm Tree Pod C...
Jul 03, 2025•2 hr 4 min
Y'all better buckle up because this episode is a rollercoaster... We’re covering it all, from shattered dishes before the first day of swim team, to overpriced Mickey waffles, and my very strong opinions on Disney World (spoiler alert: we won't be going back). I’m recapping our first ever trip to Disney, why it was chaos from start to finish, and how it confirmed I’m just not a “Disney mom.” I also share some real talk on letting our kids try hard things, even when it makes a mess, and my confli...
Jun 20, 2025•36 min
Here’s the thing—just because someone’s wearing a white coat doesn’t mean they have all the answers. In Part 2, Jill and I pick up where we left off and dive straight into the deep end. We talk about the pushy vaccine talk, why tongue tie revisions might be a total scam (yep, I said it), and how even the “crunchy” holistic world can be just as profit-driven as Big Pharma. We also get into COVID, fear tactics, and how moms are expected to make huge decisions with zero real support—while also keep...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Let’s be real—the first year of motherhood is basically a blur of leaking boobs, zero sleep, and wondering if you’ve totally lost yourself. In Part 1 of my convo with Jill Wright (a fellow mom and chiropractor I met on Instagram, because social media does occasionally do something right), we get into all of it. We talk about why that first year feels like you got hit by a hormonal freight train, how Jill’s background in holistic health influenced the choices she made as a mom, and why planning y...
Jun 05, 2025•31 min
Welcome back y'all. This solo episode of Being Different is going to be about problems AND solutions. I've been thinking about the differences between stay at home moms versus working moms. And I'm going to share my ideas for a new outdoor play program at my son's school. Look, I've been on both sides of the situation. I have worked 60-70 hour weeks, closing high pressure deals and now I'm a stay at home mom with three kids. I don't like that people make that distinction because being a stay at ...
May 29, 2025•35 min
In this episode, I’m back with Roman Bystrianyk, co-author of Dissolving Illusions , and y’all—we go deep. We break down the story behind polio, and spoiler alert: it’s not what we were taught. From DDT and lead arsenate to the shifting definitions of polio cases post-vaccine rollout, Roman shows how much of what we “know” has been shaped by fear, not facts. We talk about how public health declined when we started relying on meds instead of nutrition, and how the obsession with vaccination overs...
May 15, 2025•1 hr
Today’s episode is a real eye-opener. I’m sitting down with Roman Bystrianyk, co-author of Dissolving Illusions, and we’re diving into some seriously uncomfortable truths about the Industrial Revolution. We’ve all heard about how vaccines saved the day, right? Well, Roman’s here to flip that narrative. We talk about the grim reality of life back then—think poor sanitation, awful working conditions, and unhealthy living. Roman breaks it down: it wasn’t vaccines that dropped those mortality rates,...
May 08, 2025•51 min
Y'all, buckle up because this episode is WILD! I sat down with Meredith Oke and learned more about light in one hour than I have in my entire life. We're talking about how those stupid blue lights and screens are basically destroying our health, why sunglasses might be the enemy, and how something as simple as morning sunlight can totally transform your body. If you're tired of feeling like garbage and popping supplements like candy, this episode is gonna blow your mind. Trust me, I went from th...
Apr 17, 2025•58 min
Today I’m unpacking what it really means to set ‘stretch goals’ for myself and my kids—beyond just keeping them from turning into little jerks. Inspired by a recent convo, I’m reflecting on how we can prepare our children to be like Joshua—ready to take on God’s plan, no matter where it points. From dealing with daily messes without losing our cool to thinking big about their futures, I’m exploring how embracing flexibility and readiness for change is crucial. This episode is all about pushing b...
Apr 10, 2025•15 min
This week, I’m sitting down with John Brock—my husband Luke’s boss and business partner—who also happens to be one of the most unexpected, unconventional lawyers you’ll ever meet. John didn’t take the typical path to success. As a kid, he struggled in school, barely knew how to read in elementary, and had to fight for every win. Now? He’s running one of the most forward-thinking law firms in Knoxville. We talk about what it took to get here, the hustle (he’s a 4 a.m. workout guy, y’all), and how...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Moms, I don’t know about y’all, but I am over it—the busy-for-the-sake-of-being-busy nonsense, the never-ending school events that do nothing but stress parents out, and the homework that somehow becomes my responsibility. Who decided we needed a themed snack day every other week? And don’t get me started on the over-scheduling—kids don’t need another enrichment class, they need to go play in the dirt. This week, I’m breaking down why less is more when it comes to motherhood and why I refuse to ...
Mar 13, 2025•33 min
I'm in a mood, y'all. Today, I'm talking about why I believe society’s got it all wrong when it comes to raising our kids and making life choices. I’m laying it all out—no filter, no apologies. So if you're feeling easily offended, go ahead and skip to the next episode. From the myths of birth control and the push towards late marriages, I'm over it. I'd rather have real conversations about the benefits of homeschooling and the magic of breastfeeding. I talk about why I think early marriage can ...
Feb 20, 2025•30 min
Today's conversation is deeply personal, and deeply important. I sit down with my dear friend Emily Smith to discuss her incredible journey with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Just months after her shocking diagnosis, Emily's cancer had already spread to her brain - a rare and aggressive progression that left her doctors uncertain of the path forward. But today, we talk about the courage and grace Emily carried in the midst of her fight. It will leave you in awe and eager to embrace each day ...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 16 min
To me, Matt Kaye is a true embodiment of the American dream. From his humble beginnings in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to creating a booming $300 million business that cleaned up old explosives from military sites, Matt’s story is iconic. Now, retired at 49 and diving into the restaurant world with Cazzy’s, he’s living life on his terms. We’re gonna dig into how he made it big, the challenges along the way, and what it’s like stepping away from the corporate grind to spend more time with his beautiful...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Ever feel invisible while doing the hardest job in the world? Yeah, me too. Today I’m talking about losing it over the lack of ‘thanks’ I get and why we need to smash the perfect mom façade. You'll hear about my first big trip away from the kids and how we handled it at home—after we saved a chicken in the freezing cold, of course. This year, it’s all about ditching impossible standards and actually enjoying the experience. Forget perfection—let’s get real about making sure our identity stretche...
Jan 30, 2025•24 min
This week, I am yet again totally inspired by the confidence and creativity of 17 year old entrepreneur, Sofi SanMiguel. With the support of her mother Dena, Sofi launched her own business, Ivory Beau Boutique while tackling life as a high school student. We talk about the flexibility and freedom that comes with running your own business, as well as the challenges of time management and self-promotion. Plus, Sofi and Dena share what it takes to run a business, including details like selecting in...
Jan 16, 2025•54 min
If y’all have been keeping up with my show for a while, you may remember my conversation with Dena SanMiguel about her transition from her career to stay-at-home mom. This week she’s back and she’s not alone - her daughter Sofi joins us to talk about their latest adventure: Ivory Beau Boutique. At just 17 years old, Sofi is already stepping into the entrepreneurship ring with her mom’s support, and you don’t want to miss their story. Sofi and Dena told me all about how they came up with the conc...
Jan 09, 2025•54 min
Have y'all seen the documentary about Martha Stewart? I think she's fascinating. In this episode, I sit down with one of my funniest friends, Kyri Tombras, to talk about Martha's life and legacy: from her unconventional upbringing, her meteoric rise to become a homemaking billionaire, and her dramatic fall from grace after her insider trading scandal. Kyri and I are curious about what Martha's story shows us about the myth of the perfect homemaker. As moms ourselves, we know how unrealistic it i...
Dec 12, 2024•59 min
You know how everyone keeps asking me if I’m going to talk politics on this show? Well, I’m not going to tell you what to think, but I am going to challenge you to think. This episode isn’t about the Trump vs. Kamala drama, but what the recent election means for folks like us. I asked my friend and producer Anthony Palmer to sit down and talk about the complexities of voter behavior and the importance of empathy in our political conversations. Despite our differences, our chat reveals how much w...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 4 min
That's right, I'm back on this topic. I’m over the big, flashy birthday parties. Today, I'm going to tell you about Mac’s latest birthday that Luke went all out for, and honestly, it was just too much. It’s time to rethink the whole event thing—especially with Christmas coming up. I feel guilty about buying cheap toys that barely last and contribute to some real bad stuff globally. We're voting with our dollars, and I think we can do better. So, let’s get real about cutting back, focusing on wha...
Nov 21, 2024•22 min
You all know I've been frustrated with our school options. Well, I heard from Charlene Paffumi - a former public school teacher turned homeschooling guru - and felt like we all needed to hear it. After venting my frustrations about formal schooling, Charlene shared her innovative approach to education using a hybrid homeschool model. She tailors her three daughters’ learning experiences around what they're actually interested in, and balances days between a homeschool academy and time at home. I...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Y'all, I think all this stuff we think we need is just weighing us down. My friend Sarah Verzyden is here, and she's the queen of helping people ditch the clutter and find their freedom. We're talking minimalism, getting rid of the crap that doesn't serve us, and how to teach our kids not to be slaves to material things. Sarah's been in the trenches, seeing it all - from hoarders to people who just can't let go. She's sharing her best tips and tricks to help you get your space and your mind righ...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 39 min
Can modern women find real fulfillment in the old-school template of homemaking without losing themselves? I'm tackling the "Trad Wife" debate in today’s episode. I’ve been chewing over a podcast featuring Lauren Southern, who swung from political commentator to "Trad Wife" and then critiqued the movement. Don't get me wrong, I had my moment as a self-proclaimed feminist. But now as a SAHM, I want to talk about a biblical take on gender roles and mutual respect in marriage, exploring why it’s cr...
Oct 17, 2024•25 min
Welcome back. It’s been a while since you’ve heard a good feminism rant from me, so that’s what we’re doing today. I’m ready to tackle the stigma around stay-at-home moms and the societal pressure to maintain a career. In this episode, I reflect on my own decision to pause my career to raise my children, challenging the ridiculous narrative that women should balance it all. I’m going to debunk the ‘hot mess mom’ stereotype because, honestly, I see motherhood as a dedicated and respectable role. ...
Oct 03, 2024•24 min
Having worked in mortgages for years and now watching my kids grow up, I’m thinking about how to talk to them about money and investing. It strikes me that many parents struggle with this because they don’t fully grasp it themselves. To get some insight, I sat down with Drew Nix, my financial guru, to talk about empowering our kids with money smarts. Drew talks about how early financial education, like starting Roth IRAs and understanding mutual funds, can set our kids up for success. We even co...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 26 min
Today, I’m diving into the whirlwind of Mac’s transition to full-time pre-K at a private school here in Knoxville. Let me tell you, it’s been a journey—from battling early morning routines to handling the long commutes. The rigid schedule has been tough on Mac, leading to exhaustion and those dreaded meltdowns. I just don't think every kid fits this mold. I’m also getting real about our breastfeeding journey, where we navigated the tricky waters of tongue and lip ties, and the painful revisions ...
Sep 19, 2024•33 min
Today I'm talking about regrets and lessons learned. From the over-the-top birthday parties I used to throw to the rigid schedules I tried to force, I'm going to share how I've simplified things and focused on what really matters - quality time with my family. I'll also talk about how I've changed my approach to feeding, sleep, and dealing with my own stress and anxiety as a working mom. If you're a parent, I know you'll relate to a lot of this. And if you're not a parent yet, consider this a ca...
Sep 12, 2024•35 min
Have you seen those hilarious videos about black SUV moms vs white SUV moms? After I finished laughing - I'm a gray SUV mom, by the way - it made me think about the deeper issues there, like the realities of homemaking and the expectations of being a 'perfect' mom. Today, I'm talking about the pressure to keep up appearances and the importance of finding practical resources to manage everything from meal planning to household maintenance. I've even tried to use tools like a planner from "The Con...
Aug 22, 2024•24 min
