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Week 2 with Nellie Harden! This week's lesson is on self-leadership. How often do people move out of Mom's house and look around for the next person to give them direction - but the 'next person' is you! Nellie teaches us how to cultivate self-sufficiency in our kids so that they are prepared to leave the house after 6,570 days of childhood (ages 1-18). Listen in!

Meet Nelli Harden: mom, entrepreneur, family, and parenting coach! She has a business and a podcast called the 6570 Family project and we had the honor of talking to her for a whole three episodes! This first episode introduces the concept of the proverbial "bag" of tools your child will take with them when they leave home. They're going to leave with certain skills and values - might as well be intentional about that those are! Nellie is encouraging, empowering, and such an expert. Check her out! https://www.nellieharden.com/

It is back to school season! Even if you've grown out of schooling, transitions in and out of seasons of life continue to pose relational challenges. Is it worth it re-state expectations that seem obvious to you? (always, YES). This week we reflect on how to back to school expectations changed throughout the growing-up years and we look for consistent communication skills that built the foundation for our ever-changing lives. Happy Back to School season!

Ingrid has lived a quarter-century! This year she gained a new best friend, a boyfriend, and some really valuable lessons in leadership and entrepreneurship. In this episode, we give some life updates and reflect on how far Ingrid has come since you began listening to her post-collegiate journey 3 years ago. Happy Birthday, Ingrid! Here’s to year 26!

When things feel hard, it’s easy to feel frustrated or even decide your situation is a lost cause. “My daughter just doesn’t make time for me.” “Mom doesn’t get me at all anymore; so annoying.” “I’m bored with my food or my closet or my schedule.” Creativity can be the answer! To be honest, every time we try something new or come at our situation from a new direction we are being creative! This week we wrap up our series on creativity by looking deeper at John Cleese’s book “Creativity: a short and cheerful guide” - the book we’ve quoted all month. We hope you’re as encouraged by it as we were!

Arguably the number one place we must constantly be creative is in communication with each other. My daughter doesn't look like she's comprehending what I just told her?...better try again a different way. That's creativity! And what a positive way to view all those attempts at communication we make every day. This episode is all about how to reframe rifts in communication as opportunities to be creative! Join us in reframing!

Have you ever felt pressured to be the "creative parent?" Keep your kids interested! No two meals are the same! -- In the world of mommy blogs and Pinterest, that part of Creative Living can feel pretty high stakes. Here is your sign to chill. Yes, we need to think outside the box when it comes to staying present and connected with those around us. But it's not up to you to deliver life to your child on a silver platter! Instead, it's actually to their benefit to invite them into the routines that make life sustainable. That's what we talk about today. Listen in!

Today we talk to a member of the most 'creative generation yet.' How do Gen-Z-ers think about creativity? Does social media affect your creativity? Audrey is remarkably wise at 18 years old and I found her thoughts really compelling. Her highlighted point: creativity takes courage and humility. Community, Audrey says, can facilitate better creativity. Be brave and diligent. Creativity isn't polished. It's about willingness. Listen in to other nuggets of wisdom from the next generation.

Creativity. Let our next topical series begin! Can you be creative without messing with your whole world of consistency? Today we being to brainstorm that question. Creativity is not just about art - although we do love art. Where else in our lives is creativity deceptively important: communication? recipes? gardening? Where else? join us at this beginning of our quest to understand creativity better and invite it more consistently into our lives. Also-- we'll review John Cleese's book Creativity in a couple of weeks so pick it up and join us if you'd like!

We've traveled from High School graduation all the way through those first awkward jobs post-college. What about that elusive, classic 'career?' What does that even mean? How can Mom be supportive as Daughter finds it? What if Daughter never finds it? What about Mom looking for a second career? This week we discuss personal stories to try to answer these questions. The biggest takeaway: listen to the heart of the other person. Be just as interested in them as you want them to be in you. That goes for just about everything and it certainly will help the quest for a meaningful career!