Crystal Paine Show

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]

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/CRYSTALPAINE
* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
* Check out Seed and use my code Seed.com/CRYSTAL and use code 25CRYSTAL for a great deal: https://seed.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In light of so many new and unexpected things in our lives recently, Jesse and I are chatting all about how to maintain a positive attitude in difficult seasons.

One of the most important things for me is to focus on how much I am loved by God. Remembering and resting in His love and faithfulness changes my perspective on life. In addition, starting my day with praying over my day and handing my fears and concerns over to the Lord is so helpful.

I also try to steep myself in truth and try to kick out all the lies as they enter my brain and heart. It’s just like what Jon Acuff was talking about on our last episode and curating the Soundtracks in my brain. This has been so helpful in sharing light and life during these times.

Recently, choosing an attitude of gratitude has made such an impact. If I want to feel frustrated by a situation, to instead stop and say, “What can I be grateful for?”

Listen in to hear all six of my recommendations for maintaining a positive attitude during difficult or even just times when you feel zapped of joy in your everyday life.

In This Episode:

[00:33] My voice is barely hanging on due to allergies and hospital time with Baby D.

[01:44] Jesse and I recently watched a movie together -- something we haven't done in awhile!

[04:43] Jack Carr has a new book out and Jesse is now reading it.

[05:58] I’m reading The Simple Difference by Becky Keife.

[07:56] Bringing life and light to every interaction is saving my life right now.

[09:53] Why we’ve been spending so much time at the hospital these days.

[12:02] The hospital system’s app and centralized portal has been saving Jesse’s life.

[13:02] How to maintain a positive attitude in difficult seasons.

[13:35] One of the things that helps me the most is remembering how much I’m loved by God.

[15:38] It’s also important to me to start my day with prayer and inviting God into the inner workings of my day.

[17:10] I also steep myself in the truth and call out lies when they enter my brain and heart.

[19:56] I’m choosing to practice an attitude of gratitude.

[22:26] Look for the things to be grateful for and you’ll find them.

[24:25] What does Jesse do to refuel and take refuge?

[27:02] Social rest is very important to me as well and helps me to refuel, so I need time with others.

[28:07] I also use flare-prayers when I have overwhelming moments.

Links and Resources:

• A Call to Spy on Amazon
• The Devil’s Hand by Jack Carr
• The Simple Difference by Becky Keife
• Episode 120: How to Nix Your Negative Narrative (with Jon Acuff)
• 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]

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/CRYSTALPAINE
* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
* Check out Seed and use my code Seed.com/CRYSTAL and use code 25CRYSTAL for a great deal: https://seed.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

“This was the worst garbage. I picked this up as an audiobook to listen to. Her voice is exceptionally annoying.”

This was one of many similar reviews of my second book. While there were lots of kind reviews, all I could hear was that I should not ever narrate an audiobook again because my nasally voice irritated people. I was embarrassed that I had ever considered doing it myself.

So guess what I did? I told my publishers that I didn’t want to narrate my third book and they hired a professional voice artist to record it.

Over the past 5+ years since my third book came out, God has done a lot of life-altering work in my heart. He’s helped me to stop living my life to please, appease, and perform for others. He’s taught me that I don’t need to chase after the approval or affirmation of others. That I don’t need 5-star reviews or glowing accolades to be enough.

I am enough in Him. He loves me for exactly who I am because of Whose I am. And I can stand confident in Christ and live as loved, because I am already pre-approved by Him.

And that’s why I stopped letting negative reviews stifle me in insecurity. Maybe my voice isn’t professional voice actor level, but I’m not going to let that hold me back from sharing the message God has laid on my heart through live video, Instagram story, and podcasts.

I want to improve and grow and work on honing my craft, but I’m not going to sit around and wait until I can please everyone to show up on video and podcasts. Because if I wait until I can please everyone, I’ll be waiting the rest of my life.

Recently, I had the privilege of recording the audiobook for my soon-to-be-released book, Love-Centered Parenting. As I spent hours behind this mic, I felt such quiet confidence, passion, and excitement for this message... and such gratitude that I no longer have to live in fear of what others will think. I am loved by my Heavenly Father and that is enough. Period.

This week on the podcast, Jesse and I sit down and have a conversation where I share more about this journey and why I'm not living in dread of the negative reviews I know will be coming for my new book. If you've ever experienced negative reviews or critical comments of any kind, I think this episode will encourage you.

Plus, we also talk about the Bible reading plans we are using right now, a 5-star book I recently read, being the parents of a newly-16-year-old, and a tip from one of our listeners on jalapenos.

In This Episode:

[01:10] We are now the parents of a 16-year-old. What??

[03:03] Some quick tips to make jalapenos less spicy from one of our listeners.

[05:19] The She Reads Truth/He Reads Truth Devotional Bible plans are saving our lives.

[10:51] I’ve been reading Something Needs to Change by David Platt.

[13:05] Learn more about the 10-day challenge that I ran for becoming a happier mom.

[14:56] We are talking about negative reviews. Learn why!

[17:37] Why I looked at the 1-star reviews of my past audiobooks.

[19:58] It’s so important for me to realize that we can’t please everyone and that’s okay.

[22:44] Don’t make it the goal to offend people but know that you aren’t for everyone.

[23:47] What to do when you get negative feedback.

[27:15] Negative reviews also do their job in keeping you humble.

Links and Resources:

• She Reads Truth
• He Reads Truth
• Something Needs to Change by David Platt
• 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]

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/CRYSTALPAINE
* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
* Check out Seed and use my code Seed.com/CRYSTAL and use code 25CRYSTAL for a gr...

Every day, in every hard situation, we can choose faith or we can choose fear. We can choose to focus on the what if’s, worry about what might happen, and fret over the worst case scenarios. Or, we can remind ourselves of how God has been faithful in the past and trust that He is going to continue to be faithful and good in the present and future — even in dark, difficult, or even downright impossible situations. Our circumstances do not change God’s character. I don’t know what you’re going through today or what giants you might be facing, but I do know this: our God is greater than any giant, stronger than any Goliath, and He is able to deliver and help you. Let’s believe that God is bigger and mightier. Let’s take God at His Word. He will never, ever, ever leave or forsake us. He is FOR us. And He is still in the miracle-working business. Let’s talk faith, not fear. If you need some encouragement to stop living in fear, this week on the podcast, Jesse and I talk about faith versus fear and what has helped us to stop living in a state of stress and fear.

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]

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/CRYSTALPAINE
* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
* Check out Seed and use my code Seed.com/CRYSTAL and use code 25CRYSTAL for a great deal: https://seed.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

"Could you share some parenting advise for raising my enneagram 8 daughter? She is very headstrong and persistent, but has a complete disregard for rules and regularly challenges authority. As an enneagram 5 (and people pleaser), I do not understand the way she thinks. We have gone around and around and I've tried to get to the heart is the issue. But it seems her bottom line is she is going to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. How do I help channel her perseverance and tenacity in a positive way? She is only 8 years old. -a podcast listener"

When I got this email in my inbox, I could relate so much -- because I remember being that 8-year-old girl with a very strong personality. And truth be told, I think "headstrong" and "persistent" are two words that can still describe me as a 38-year-old woman!

Oftentimes, we hear people talk about their "strong-willed child" in a way that makes it seem so negative... as if a child's will needs to be broken and replaced. But that's like trying to strip someone of their God-given personality.

I believe that the character qualities of persistence and determination can be such a gift -- to your home, to your community, and to the world. That's why I want to encourage you to stop trying to stifle a child's strong personality and instead embrace the strength that it can bring.

In this episode, Jesse and I share encouragement for parents who are raising strong kids. I share from the perspective of being a strong kid growing up and we both share from the perspective of raising a child who has a very strong personality.

In This Episode:

[02:26] Why Snuggle Sacks have been a life-saver recently.

[04:53] I came down with mastitis on Tuesday, so here's what's been saving my life.

[07:59] My experience getting a Coronavirus test (Spoiler... it was negative!)

[10:59] A book update on Get Out of Your Head.

[14:07] We’re chatting all about raising strong-willed kids.

[16:21] It’s okay if you can't relate with your kids, but seeking to understand them is so important.

[17:16] Why rules for an Enneagram 8 are very restrictive.

[19:29] Change your mindset and see the desire for independence as a blessing.

[21:03] Stop using negative labels to define your kids.

[22:07] How studying personality typings can be so beneficial.

[24:26] Celebrate their strengths because they really are gifts.

[26:11] Say yes as often as possible for your child.

[29:45] Don't overly protect your kids from struggle and failure.

Links and Resources:

• CuddleBug Swaddle Wraps for Babies
• Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen
• Reading People by Anne Bogel
• 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]

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/CRYSTALPAINE
* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.ixl.com
* Check out Seed and use my code Seed.com/CRYSTAL and use code 25CRYSTAL for a great deal: https://seed.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands