Crystal Paine Show

There were tears and there was laughter on this episode of the podcast, because we talked about the vulnerable (and sometimes difficult!) topic of belonging. And my guests were Chris and Julie Bennett, the authors of Fighting for Family: The Relentless Pursuit of Building Belonging.

As the title of their book would suggest, Chris and Julie are passionate about relationships and community. In the conversation, they share about how family isn't just the people who you are related to, it can also be people who become like family because of your deep friendship.

The Bennetts share their story of a very crazy and chaotic season in their lives -- uprooting their lives to move to Los Angeles without a clear plan, not being able to find housing, moving again and again, while facing the completely unexpected diagnosis of stage three breast cancer for Julie.

They share how hard it was, but also how good it was. How God used this space where they felt like they had nothing to offer and were so needy to teach them powerful lessons about belonging.

In this episode, they share some of what they have learned and provide encouragement for anyone who is feeling lonely or like they are an outsider.

If you're craving deeper connections, longing for a sense of belonging, or simply seeking inspiration to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience, this episode is for you. I think you will be so blessed by this heartfelt conversation!

In This Episode

[0:35] - I am interviewing Chris and Julie Bennett, authors of the book Fighting for Family.

[1:50] - Chris reveals how the book came to be.

[3:21] - Julie points out how life's challenges turned her adventurous family into brave survivors, battling homelessness and cancer together.

[5:49] - Their faith was deepened amidst chaos, reshaping their understanding of belonging.

[8:49] - How did Julie and Chris navigate the immense risk and uncertainty, especially with children involved?

[15:43] - Julie, despite hesitations, joined a diverse group of fourteen women and these women ended up serving as a lifeline for her.

[19:35] - Belonging involves both giving and taking risks.

[24:05] - Fostering genuine connections requires vulnerability without hidden agendas, creating space for authentic sharing.

[27:00] - Chris reasons that Jesus exemplified love and belonging, prioritizing the marginalized and modeling inclusiveness.

[29:39] - It's okay to feel lonely, even with loved ones. Keep fighting; there's hope ahead.

[31:51] - And stay tuned at the end for an exciting announcement of a project I've been working on for a number of months that I'm finally launching this week! I announce that I am launching "10 Weeks to a More Organized Home," with daily tasks for decluttering.

Links & Resources

• Crystal Paine
• 10 Weeks to a More Organized Home
• Chris and Julie's podcast

Books

• Fighting for Family: The Relentless Pursuit of Building Belonging by Chris & Julie Bennett
• Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert D. Putnam

Social Media

• Crystal Paine on Instagram
• Crystal Paine on Goodreads
• Money Saving Mom
• Money Saving Mom on Facebook
• Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group
• [email protected]

Just for fun, Jesse and I took the popular Share Your Assumptions About Me Instagram story idea and turned it into a podcast episode. We asked for people to share their assumptions about us and then we chose a number of them to respond/react to.

We addressed assumptions that Jesse gets nervous coming on the podcast, that we never yell or fight, that we don't have a pet, that we eat a lot of ice cream, that we're more wild and crazy than we let on, that I wear the pants in the family, that we never curse, that we expect our kids to follow the lifestyle we were brought up in, that we met at a Christian college, and much more!

In This Episode:

[00:33] We are tackling your assumptions as per the popular Instagram story idea right now.

[03:23] Does Jesse get nervous answering questions on the podcast?

[04:16] Someone assumes that Jesse and I never yell or get loud with the kids.

[05:59] Is our family extremely close and always together?

[08:39] We actually do have a pet. A hedgehog.

[10:30] Are we a fun couple?

[11:20] Another follower assumes that we’re gun enthusiasts.

[12:53] We did not meet at a Christian college.

[13:53] We definitely have moments when we argue and don't get along.

[16:40] One person thinks we’re a lot more wild and crazy than we let on.

[21:14] Another assumption is that we expect our kids to follow the lifestyle we were brought up in.

[23:31] Is Jesse more of a clean freak than me?

[25:45] Which of us is more quiet than the other?

[31:36] Do we curse?

[34:18] TV is not a big thing in our house.

[36:01] Multiple people have assumptions on who wears the pants in the family.

Links and Resources:

• Love-Centered Parenting
• 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: [email protected]

Last week, Jesse and I shared some of our favorite tips and tricks for keeping the spark alive in your marriage on the podcast. We didn’t want to stop there, though. This week, we invited Matt and Lisa Jacobson to come share their perspective and secrets on how to keep your marriage alive and thriving.

Matt and Lisa have been married 27 years, have eight children, and are speakers, podcasters, and authors who are passionate about the topic of marriage. In this episode, they share their personal anecdotes, practical ideas, and hard won advice on how to have a truly happy marriage -- even during the unexpected and really difficult seasons of life.

A few topics we discuss:

• how their marriage grew stronger as a result of having a child who was born with brain damage and wasn't expected to live
• their secrets to making dates happen (it might surprise you)!
• what a wife should do if she's really frustrated that her husband just keeps on disappointing her
• their best advice for young couples
• how to stop just surviving marriage and actually begin to thrive!
• And so much more!

In This Episode:

[01:40] Matt and Lisa introduce themselves and share a bit about their businesses and books.

[03:43] They have 8 children between the ages of 26 and 12 and have still managed to thrive.

[06:35] Has the topic of marriage always been a passionate subject for Matt and Lisa?

[08:20] How can you create and build a great marriage?

[09:30] Listen as Lisa relates a small moment she and Matt shared that inspired one of their books.

[11:57] What can newlyweds do to set themselves up for a long and prosperous relationship?

[14:37] Your wife should feel cherished.

[16:22] What you need to do to make a great date happen.

[17:31] Ladies, you don’t have to wait for your husband to pursue you!

[19:38] Your man isn’t made of Teflon. Things stick. Listen as Lisa and Matt share tips and tricks for being mindful of your words.

[24:32] What can you do today to make your marriage better? Small, practical things you can do to bolster your relationship.

Links and Resources:

• Faithful Man
• Club 31 Women
• Faithful Life Podcast
• 100 Ways to Love Your Husband
• 100 Ways to Love Your Wife
• 100 Words of Affirmation Your Husband Needs to Hear
• 100 Words of Affirmation Your Wife Needs to Hear
• CrystalPaine.com
• MoneySavingMom.com
• YourBloggingMentor.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: [email protected]

In This Episode:

[00:36] Welcome back to the show and Happy 40th Birthday, Jesse!

[02:20] Perspective is saving Jesse’s life this week. Learn why.

[03:59] Electrolytes are saving my life!

[06:46] Jesse is reading more of Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp novels.

[09:30] This is my first 5-star read of the year: Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale.

[13:44] Why we’re discussing the topic of faith over fear.

[16:20] How fear and stress affect our health.

[19:09] This acronym for FEAR is so true.

[21:32] Don’t let the future take away the joy and gift of today.

[23:31] Three questions I ask myself to help me put things back into perspective.

Links and Resources:

• Nuun Electrolytes
• Vince Flynn Novels
• Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale
• MoneySavingMom.com
• YourBloggingMentor.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: [email protected]

Myquillyn Smith was my very first in-person guest to ever have on the show -- back in 2018! (Listen to episode 12.) And because I loved the in-person experience so much, we decided to ultimately only have in-person guests on the podcasts! She's also someone I've known for years and years through blogging -- back before social media was even a thing!

She has a brand-new book called, House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home Style and Budget. It's a fun and very visual book with lots of practical inspiration (and pictures of her house!). I underlined and dog-eared so many pages in the book and loved getting to ask her to share more about some of my favorite parts of the book.

Listen in as Myquillyn shares about why she wrote a book on rules (you'll breathe a sign of relief to know it's not going to be a rigid system but rather simple guidelines!), the importance of authenticity, and the power of starting with what you know. She also teaches us about the "Homey Trinity" and the significance of proper lighting and decor scale. And you'll be encouraged as she talks about how limitations can actually lead to creativity in unexpected ways.

Plus, we discuss the concept of clutter and how to navigate the fine line between cozy and chaotic. We close this episode with me asking Myquillin what the hardest rule is for her to follow -- you might be surprised with her answer!

Throughout the conversation, Myquillyn reminds us that our homes should serve us, not the other way around. I hope that this episode helps you to see and approach your home and decorating in a brand-new light!

In This Episode

[0:35] - Today’s guest is returning guest Myquillyn Smith!

[2:02] - Myquillyn talks about how starting online was intimidating and why she originally went by the pseudonym of The Nester.

[4:33] - Teaching decor involves guidelines, but breaking rules can enhance creativity and confidence.

[7:29] - Do what you know, use what you have, and finish what you started with.

[9:11] - Myquillyn advises starting with inspiration, creating a Pinterest board, and identifying the needs of a room for decorating confidently.

[12:12] - You'll love this story of Myquillyn's fancy drapes and how she adapted them to better suit her casual lifestyle.

[15:39] - When we find ourselves overly protective of our homes, it's a sign that something needs to change.

[17:54] - Owning practical, easy-to-clean furniture allows freedom in enjoying and sharing your home.

[19:29] - How to appreciate thrift store finds without feeling compelled to own them brings peace and contentment.

[22:00] - The "Homey Trinity" of rugs, window treatments, and lighting.

[25:30] - Myquillyn identifies her biggest struggle as items left on the floor becoming "unintended decor".

[26:44] - Hear my solution to Myquillyn's challenge - keeping a dumpster in the garage for donations.

[30:38] - Be sure to check out 10 Weeks to a More Organized Home, and use the code PODCAST at checkout!

Links & Resources

• Crystal Paine
• The Crystal Paine Show - 12. How to Create a Home That Serves Your Family (with Myquillyn Smith)
• Myquillyn’s Website
• Myquillyn’s Instagram Page
• Myquillyn’s Threads Page
• 10 Weeks to a More Organized Home

Books