What does it look like to be a lifelong learner? Recently, my daughter Sara and her five-month-old baby Annie, came to visit us. Annie was in the middle of hitting some development milestones and what a delight to behold. I I loved watching Annie’s little eyes and ears take in all the new sights and sounds at my house. Her infectious smile and laugh made us so joyful. What if we took delight in learning new things? How would that change the way we viewed life? Would a commitment to becoming life...
Mar 03, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 221
God is the Creator, inherently creative. And he made you in his image. So that means: you are creative . Learning to see yourself as creative is the first step in using creativity as a spiritual practice. Last week, we talked about the practice of creativity as a way to calm our anxiety and soothe our soul in Dear Daughters Episode 219 . This is the second part in a two part series on creativity. I hope you learn more about how God created you to be creative. And I hope you find practical ways t...
Feb 06, 2025•25 min•Season 9Ep. 220
In the beginning God created … God is the Creator. He is creative. He made us in his image. So our birthright is creativity. But sometimes we get in our own way and doubt the creative gifts God has given us. As well, we miss all the things God has for us because of the way he created our brains. Yep, that whole right brain/left brain situation. In this first episode this brand new year, we’ll be looking into a practice of creativity and how it’s helps to quiet our anxious thoughts and soothe our...
Jan 22, 2025•24 min•Season 9Ep. 219
How do you live each day like it’s your last? How can we manage to live each day with delight and gratitude and a big ole thankful heart? And how do we express gratitude and love to those nearest and dearest in a 'last day' kind of way? I will let my friend, Liz, lead the way for us. Liz Benigno is a dear friend, a best friend, a bright light, a woman of wisdom. She is also wildly funny, an adventurer and terrifically fun to be around. How grateful I am for her presence in my life and yours. I’m...
Dec 18, 2024•39 min•Season 8Ep. 218
You’ve probably heard about people that have had a white light kind of pre-death experience. There are some books and even movies out there that recount those kind of experiences but I’ve never talked with anyone who had one, nor did I know before this interview that my friend, Liz Benigno , had one just weeks ago in her hospital room. Liz and I sat down a few weeks back and talked for an hour and a half, which created a trio of thirty minute interviews. This is the second of three. I encourage ...
Dec 06, 2024•36 min•Season 8Ep. 217
I started The Dear Daughters Podcast way back in 2016 as a way to encourage younger women. Especially women in the midst of what I call: the ‘decade of big decisions.’ It’s the time in life when you’re finishing school, deciding on a career, getting married, starting a family. All these kinds of momental decisions that lay a path for the rest of your life. I wanted to be a voice – and provide voices of wisdom via interviews with people I felt could encourage you in living your one beautiful life...
Nov 22, 2024•32 min•Season 8Ep. 216
If you know me, you know that one thing I love to collect are vintage copies of books I adore. Around this time each year, I find myself coming to the same worn book that's perched on the bookshelf in my office: Let's Keep Christmas by Peter and Catherine Marshall . In today's podcast, I sit down to give a live reading of this book to you and yours, in hopes that this story that started as a sermon reminds you that "Keeping Christmas" is something we do when we honor Christ all year long— but es...
Dec 12, 2023•15 min•Season 214Ep. 8
I can't believe that 2023 is coming to a close already. Can you? Today on the podcast, Tori and I look back over this year and talk about the wonderful things that have happened this year, but also the not-so-wonderful things. I hope that you take time to sit down and ask yourself and your loved ones reflective questions as December comes and goes. What were you grateful for this year? What did you learn about yourself this year? What is something small and something big that you're dreaming of ...
Dec 06, 2023•22 min•Season 8Ep. 213
Creating whimsy over the holidays is one of my favorite things to do when we have the whole family at home. Today, Tori and I go through the ways that I've incorporated different traditions into my family's Christmas each year. Whether we're making a yummy milk punch, eating at the table, or opening gifts— there are so many ways that you can make this holiday a little more magical. SHOW NOTES Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things in 2023. S...
Nov 29, 2023•23 min•Season 8Ep. 212
Happy Thanksgiving! I can't believe it's already here. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Tori and we talk about different questions that you can ask at your table this year— and we even do a few rapid-fire Thanksgiving questions! I so hope you like it as much as we did. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving! SHOW NOTES Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall. Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Chris...
Nov 22, 2023•19 min•Season 8Ep. 211
How do you stay hopeful during the holiday season? In last week's episode , I had the chance to sit down with my sweet Dad, and talk about all things gratitude. This week on the podcast, I sat down with Tori, and in a similar vein to gratitude - we talk about having hope around the holidays and what that has looked like for me over the years, even in the seasons that have felt less hopeful than others. I hope you like it! SHOW NOTES Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and...
Nov 15, 2023•14 min•Season 8Ep. 210
Do you ever wonder how to stay grateful and joyful? Today on the podcast I invited my dad, an expert in staying grateful in all things. We talked about the last 9 months of his life and all the changes he experienced after his prolonged illness. Our hope is that you listen in and get a few tips on how to maintain an attitude of gratitude during all of life, regardless of circumstances. Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fa...
Nov 07, 2023•21 min•Season 8Ep. 209
Our phones, TV’s, tablets – and everything in between are such large parts of our lives – and for a good reason. We’re able to connect with our loved ones, the world, listen to music, and so much more. We are back this week talking about all things NON-tech for The Learning Series and this week, Jaclyn and I are discussing ways that technology impacts our lives, the value in unplugging to be present, and different ways we try to put down our phones. From reading to riding horses, we cover it all...
Sep 07, 2023•33 min•Season 8Ep. 208
Communication opens the door for so many different things: vulnerability, discomfort, uncertainty — but it also offers the opportunity for true connection. The more vulnerable and willing you are – the more opportunities you will have to experience something awesome with the people around you. Even more so, when you decide to be a good communicator – the rich reward is relationship with someone dear. Here’s another episode in The Learning Series and this week, Jaclyn is back and we’re talking ab...
Aug 31, 2023•32 min•Season 8Ep. 207
We’re mixing things up this month on The Dear Daughters Podcast with The Learning Series . I love learning and the thought of all things back to school has inspired this entire series— I’m a true believer that we can never stop learning. This week I have a dear daughter, Jaclyn Byrd, on the podcast with me. It was Jaclyn’s idea to talk about creative writing this week. She started as a journalism major at school and found a deep love for creative writing while in school at the University of Texa...
Aug 17, 2023•31 min•Season 8Ep. 206
Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! We’re mixing things up again with a new series as we enter August and, believe it or not, a new school year already. I love learning and the thought of school has inspired my next podcast series: The Learning Series! This week I have my husband, Will, on the podcast with me. Will was a history major at Baylor University … he has always been fascinated by it. So he is going to walk us through a quick history lesson on this week’s episode! But wait! If that s...
Aug 01, 2023•28 min•Season 8Ep. 205
It is a gift to be invited into someone else’s house, to share a meal at their table. Inviting someone to your table says, “you are a part of this family.” I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to The Home Series this summer. I think of it as a little guide to creating a lovely, cozy, beautiful home as much as I have loved talking about it. And this week, Jaclyn Byrd and I talk about table setting. The table is a safe space to feed people and enjoy deeper conversation. So how do you create that safe s...
Jul 19, 2023•36 min•Season 8Ep. 204
“Homemaking is surely in reality the most important work in the world. What do ships, railways, miners, cars, government etc. exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes.” – C.S. Lewis This week on the Dear Daughters podcast, as we move through our Home Series, Jaclyn Byrd and I talk about creating an office or workspace you love (even if you don’t have a spare room for an office!). God created us in his image and that includes being creative. But it can be hard ...
Jul 12, 2023•33 min•Season 8Ep. 203
I love looking back on the homes I have been able to create over the years. They have inspired this summer season on the Dear Daughters Podcast: The Home Series. I’ll guide you, room by room, in creating a lovely, cozy, beautiful home … a space for you and your people to grow together and love each other and honor God. Last week we talked about God being the original homemaker . He is also the original gardener . Life started in the Garden … and we are given a beautiful world to live in. I love ...
Jun 27, 2023•25 min•Season 8Ep. 202
Welcome to the Home Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! God is the original homemaker . That’s what a listener said to me in an email a few weeks ago, inspiring this series. God made a safe, beautiful home for Adam and Eve in the Garden, and He wants us to have a safe, beautiful home, too. So how do we create that? Listen in to the Home Series this summer as, room by room, I’ll guide you in creating a lovely, cozy, beautiful home … a space for you and your people to grow together and love each...
Jun 13, 2023•34 min•Season 8Ep. 201
Welcome to the 200th episode of the Dear Daughters Podcast! Can you believe it? The very first episode of the Dear Daughters podcast was recorded in 2016 in my home, in Sara’s room. I wanted to be a spiritual mother to my daughters and the young women around them who were in and out of this home. And now here we are at the 200th episode and I’ve been wondering what in the world to talk about for weeks. I realized the theme of home has been weaving its way in and out all this time. Even now, my d...
May 31, 2023•35 min•Season 8Ep. 200
It’s March! I am sooo glad it’s here because last month was a hard month for our entire family. A little backstory: Shortly after Austin’s February freeze, my dad came down with pneumonia and was hospitalized for two weeks. I am so grateful to report that he’s home from the hospital and getting better every day. He still has the sparkle in his eye. He still tells me he loves me every time he sees me. He still is making everyone laugh. And he still believes with all his heart and soul that “this ...
Mar 08, 2023•27 min•Season 8Ep. 199
We don’t have to fear every trial and testing that comes our way … these things can be the making of a beautiful, steadfast spirit. Who inspires you to keep going when things get hard? Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. This week I invited my new friend Katy Rose (that’s her real name!) to be my guest and talk about her latest inspiration Katy is a talented artist, illustrator, and author. She lives in Texas with her husband of 18 years (her high school sweetheart) a...
Feb 22, 2023•48 min•Season 8Ep. 198
One good friend changes everything. I have a treat for you, friend. It’s a final episode from The Story Series and feel that it’s the perfect time to share it with you. If you missed The Story Series (episodes 185 through 193) I hope that you will go back and listen here . It’s all about stories because I love stories. I love to ask questions, I love knowing people’s stories, and I love that when you dig deeper, those stories always leads to an awe of God and his goodness. My guest for this epis...
Feb 14, 2023•48 min•Season 8Ep. 197
You are on a sacred journey with God. Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast in 2023! Thank you for starting your year with me. I wanted to spend the first few episodes celebrating the new year and offering some encouragement as you set resolutions and make plans and wonder what in the world are you supposed to be doing with your life. To be able to ask the question, “What am I supposed to do with my life?” … to have the opportunity to wonder … is a gift from God. I understand feeling anxious not...
Jan 26, 2023•24 min•Season 8Ep. 196
Live quietly and work with your hands. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 Happy new year, friend! Here we are … 2023. And I’m so glad you’re here with me. I am excited for the year to come and I wanted to spend the first few episodes of the Dear Daughter’s Podcast celebrating the new year and offering some encouragement as you think about resolutions and plans and what’s in store for you this year. I’m normally the one to make big plans and resolutions but this year is a little different. This year, I feel li...
Jan 19, 2023•14 min•Season 8Ep. 195
It is a good thing to observe Christmas, but it is even better to keep Christmas … – Henry Van Dyke It’s Christmas time. Lights, shopping, trees filled with tiny twinkling treasures. I hope you and yours are enjoying the season. To celebrate, I wanted to jump in with one of my favorite stories by one of my favorite authors. Henry Jackson Van Dyke Jr . was an American author, educator, diplomat, and clergyman. He was born on November 10, 1852, in Germantown, Pennsylvania to a strict Presbyterian ...
Dec 07, 2022•15 min•Season 8Ep. 194
We are inherently significant. – Rachael Adams I hope that you have enjoyed listening to the stories of incredible women the past several weeks as much as I have. If this is your first time jumping in, I’m so glad you’re here now … welcome to The Story Series! Be sure to catch up on the other episodes, too. This week Rachael Adams joined me on the podcast. Can I just tell you … she is a delight. Rachael lives with her husband, Bryan, two kiddos, Will and Kate, and two Doodles on a farm in small ...
Nov 15, 2022•37 min•Season 8Ep. 193
He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11 Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. We’re right in the middle of this series all about stories. Because I love stories. I love to ask questions, I love knowing people’s stories, and I love that when you dig deeper it leads to the awe of God. I am so excited that Asheritah Ciuciu is joining me on the podcast this ...
Nov 10, 2022•46 min•Season 8Ep. 192
Embrace your pain to discover hope and healing. – Toni Collier Toni had to grow up too fast. She went through a verbally abusive relationship with her father and then her first husband. She was saved and then hit rock bottom … and then she went searching for God again. She reconciled with her family. She married the love of her life, Sam, and became a mother of two. Toni is also an author and a speaker, a podcast host and a ministry founder … and she’s a hope coach. Welcome to the Story Series o...
Nov 02, 2022•53 min•Season 8Ep. 191
