Crystal Paine Show

In 2014, Jesse closed down his law practice, we moved from Kansas to Tennessee, and he came home full-time.

That was over 5 years ago and it’s taken us a few years to find our rhythm. We’ve both learned and grown a lot in these last five years. It hasn’t been easy. He struggled through a period of depression. I struggled to figure out what it looked like to love him well through that.

But in the last two years, I’ve seen Jesse truly come alive, embrace who God has made him to be, and pour himself into the people and opportunities right in front of him. It has been beautiful and heartwarming to have a front row seat on his journey!

So many people have asked questions over the past five years like, “Is Jesse still an attorney? Why did he leave his law practice? What is his role in your business? What does his day-to-day look like?”

I think the fact that he would choose to come home full-time after getting his law degree and being licensed as an attorney really fascinated people... or makes people shake their heads in confusion.

Today, on the podcast, I ask him these burning questions you all have asked and he gets really honest about his journey and where he is now.

If you’re struggling with major life changes, want to find your worth outside of your work, or are just curious about some of the behind-the-scenes of our lives, I think this episode will encourage you.

Thank you, Jesse, for your willingness to be so open and vulnerable. I love you and love this crazy and adventurous and wild ride of life we’re on together!

In This Episode:

[00:25] Welcome back! We're turning the tables a little today and I'm interviewing Jesse!

[01:38] What’s saving our lives: Nalgene bottles and seeing our baby on an ultrasound!

[06:44] I haven't gotten in much reading recently, but every day I take time to read The Daily Light.

[09:01] Jesse shares a brief recap of his story post-law school and starting his own law firm.

[13:45] Why did Jesse decide to close down the law firm?

[19:04] How Jesse struggled to recognize his gifts and battled depression in those early months.

[23:07] What does Jesse’s life look like now?

[29:10] We talk about Jesse's involvement in church, our home, and our business.

[31:16] I close out the show by sharing why I am so grateful that Jesse is home and how his willingness to take a risk has benefited our family in such profound ways.

Links and Resources:

• Nalgene Bottle
• Contigo Tumbler
• The Daily Light
• Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon
• CrystalPaine.com
• MoneySavingMom.com
• Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: [email protected]

Jesse and I did something we've never done before for this episode: we recorded it twice! Not because of technical issues, either. Listen in for why (and you can laugh!)

In this week's podcast, we share a candid glimpse into some struggles we've experienced in recent months that prompted a conversation that led to a change in our daily lives. We talk about some of the hurdles that come with working from home and how these have impacted us recently.

We also talk about how to be honest when you feel stuck, how to assess and acknowledge your challenges, and how to move forward from stuck to solutions.

Throughout the conversation, listen in as we emphasize the importance of recognizing that you're never truly stuck, and we encourage listeners to be open to new perspectives and approaches. Join us as we share our journey of embracing change, finding solutions, and discovering the transformative power of a fresh perspective!

In This Episode

[1:37] - RSV, stomach bugs, and surgery... it's not been dull around here!

[10:37] - I just finished listening to a really fascinating novel!

[15:19] - What has been saving my life?

[16:10] - Car seat covers have been so helpful!

[20:24] - We are talking about a little tweak that has made a big difference in our lives!

[22:51] - Learn about the four As to tweak your life!

[24:57] - I felt resistance to Jesse's idea at first.

[29:46] - I detail how this tweak brought unexpected benefits.

[34:56] - Jesse adds not to dismiss possibilities based on perceived impracticality.

[35:52] - I emphasize the importance of not believing that you’re stuck; there’s always a solution.

Links & Resources

• Car Seat Covers
• The Crystal Paine Show - 230. Why I’m Saying No
• A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen
• Crystal Paine
• 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

You may recall from a couple of episodes ago our conversation in which we shared our thoughts on the Shiny Happy People docu-series. That episode was very unplanned and off-the-cuff, so we thought that we would do a follow-up episode because we got a lot of feedback wishing that they had heard more from Jesse.

I am therefore doing my best to let Jesse lead this conversation so that you can hear more of his perspective surrounding the docu-series. Jesse shares how even though he wasn’t directly in the IBLP/ATI program, his church was heavily influenced by it, so listen in as Jesse shares details of his own experience.

He shares what ideals his church had and when he started to question those ideals and move away from legalism. We are so grateful for the lessons that we have learned and how we went into marriage on the same page, and we hope that you get a lot out of Jesse’s words in this episode!

In This Episode

[00:35] - This is a follow-up episode to the Shiny Happy People episode!

[03:33] - Jesse shares some of his own experience with IBLP/ATI.

[05:10] - What did it mean to get anointed?

[07:04] - We got in trouble for holding hands under a workbook.

[08:16] - How did IBLP/ATI influence Jesse?

[09:54] - Jesse reveals whether or not he was ever bothered by the ideals.

[11:49] - When did Jesse start questioning things?

[14:22] - How fully immersed was Jesse?

[15:58] - Jesse was in college or so when he got out of legalism.

[18:42] - I reflect back on the move from Kansas to Tennessee.

[22:00] - Jesse’s chains of legalism weren’t as strong as mine.

[23:45] - We went into marriage as a unit on the same page.

[26:36] - Jesse offers his definition of legalism.

[28:56] - Formulas led to frustration in our marriage.

[30:53] - God did not create us to be carbon copies of everyone else.

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine

Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets on Amazon Prime

The Crystal Paine Show - “214. Shiny Happy People: Our Honest Thoughts”

Books

Raised to Stay: Persevering in Ministry When You Have a Million Reasons to Walk Away by Natalie Runion

Social Media

Crystal Paine on Instagram

Crystal Paine on Twitter

Crystal Paine on Goodreads

Money Saving Mom

Money Saving Mom on Facebook

Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group

[email protected]

We had a big milestone happen recently: our oldest child, Kathrynne, turned 18 and is officially an adult!! Today, we reflect on the last 18 years of parenting and four important lessons we've learned.

If I could go back, I would work less and chase numbers and business growth a whole lot less, I'd be more present and take time to really notice and celebrate the small things, I'd stop trying to fix my kids and just walk with them, and I'd worry a lot less about what other people think.

I hope our honest reflections in this episode really encourage you -- no matter where you are in your parenting journey.

In This Episode

[00:35] - We are now the parents of an adult!

[02:45] - I got a copy of my new book!

[05:49] - I am currently listening to Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict.

[06:55] - Jesse has been reading George Orwell’s Animal Farm.

[08:23] - What has been saving my life recently?

[12:28] - We dive into lessons we’ve learned over the last eighteen years of parenting.

[15:37] - I touch upon fear being a reason I may have worked too much.

[18:39] - Learn about what happened when I finally stopped chasing numbers.

[21:10] - Jesse realizes there is a lot he doesn’t remember when our bigger ones were small.

[25:03] - I wish that I would have cared less about what others thought.

[27:05] - I wish I’d have spent more time walking with my kids rather than trying to “fix” them.

[31:25] - There is always still time for redemption.

• Links & Resources
• Clean Angel Multi-Purpose Cleaner and Stain Remover
• Books
• The Time-Saving Mom: How to Juggle a Lot, Enjoy Your Life, and Accomplish What Matters Most by Crystal Paine
• The Time-Saving Mom: How to Juggle a Lot, Enjoy Your Life, and Accomplish What Matters Most by Crystal Paine (Buy via Baker Publishing Group)
• Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict
• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

I'm welcoming back a repeat guest this episode - Jennifer Pepito! Jennifer is the author of Habits for a Sacred Home: 9 Practices From History to Anchor and Restore Modern Families, and I have had the privilege of reading her insightful book which really resonated with me and challenged me to set up better habits and rhythms in our life!

Jennifer brings a wealth of experience, having homeschooled her seven children for 27 years! In this episode, we talk about the joys and challenges of motherhood she's experienced and what it's been like as her children have transitioned into adulthood.

We explore the significance of establishing habits that create a peaceful home environment and the importance of being present with our kids, even as they grow independent. Jennifer shares her thoughts on finding balance, letting go of perfectionism, and nurturing our children's development in a world that can feel chaotic at times. She emphasizes the need for mothers to have a solid sense of identity in Christ which allows them to stress less about things that don't matter and not try to find their identity in their children's behavior or choices.

Throughout the conversation, Jennifer also offers practical advice on creating daily routines that encourage connection and joy within the family. Plus, we touch on the delicate balance between guiding our children and allowing them the freedom to learn from their experiences!

Whether you’re navigating the early years of parenting, raising teens, and sending your kids into adulthood, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement, so please join Jennifer and me as we discover how small, intentional changes can lead to significant growth for both moms and their families!

In This Episode

[0:35] - I welcome back repeat guest Jennifer Pepito!

​​[1:24] - Jennifer shares a little about her family and her new book, Habits for a Sacred Home.

[4:26] - It's important to recognize both losses and gains when transitioning through life stages.

[5:36] - Jennifer advises young moms to focus on their identity in Christ and being present with their children.

[8:19] - Parenting teens requires maintaining values and visualizing positive outcomes for them.

[11:21] - Jennifer talks about showing grace without compromising values when children make choices we disagree with.

[14:48] - Younger moms: accept imperfection and focus on consistency and joy in parenting.

[17:59] - After experiencing a gap between older and younger kids, I have recognized the need for intentional routines.

[19:33] - Jennifer reflects on older kids caring for younger ones and emphasizes the importance of being committed to faithfulness.

[22:12] - I highlight the benefits of having a morning routine that starts the day positively and intentionally.

[24:48] - Jennifer's book connects Saint Benedict's rules to impactful historical women such as Edith Schaeffer and their ordinary lives.

[27:29] - I recall a lesson from a book about creating beauty in small ways to bring stability to chaotic lives.

[29:32] - Jennifer finds peace amidst chaos by reflecting on Psalm 37 and trusting God for better times ahead.

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine

The Crystal Paine Show - 180. Why You Should Read Aloud with Your Kids

Books

Habits for a Sacred Home: 9 Practices from History to Anchor and Restore Modern Families (Helping Moms Experience Peace & Return to Simple Da...