Clutter Free Academy

How do you survive the holidays? Kathi and Erin share their top 5 Holiday Hacks to make your holidays simple and fun. Easy gifts you can keep on hand. Simple ways to make baking and cooking… simple. Dial back and be intentional about making Christmas meaningful. Celebrate and enjoy your family this holiday season instead of feeling stressed. Plus, click below to download our Holiday Hacks PDF and get a list of all of Kathi’s and Erin’s hacks, plus more hacks from our readers, plus to get the recipes and instructions for crafts mentioned in the podcast.

Do you feel your shoulders getting more and more tense as the days to Christmas tick down? Ready for a less stressful Christmas? Kimberlee Stokes, the author of Stress Free Holidays, walks you through her totally doable tips (hint: She got rid of her Christmas tree and makes popcorn for gifts!) to make this holiday season simple and joyful. Listen in as Kimberlee shares her ideas on how to: Make gifts without feeling stressed about crafting Save money for Christmas without sacrificing the things that matter. Choose which events truly matter (and which will only leave you feeling overwhelmed. Get rid of the clutter in your home and life to keep your stress levels down. Listen in and get ideas to keep your holiday low-stress, plus get a free download of Kimberlee’s Candy Cane Bath Salts recipe.

WHAT TYPE OF BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPER ARE YOU?  The one that’s standing at the store door chanting “open… open… open” at 4 am… or the kind that stays home and drinks coffee while the rest of the crazy people are, well, being crazy. Whatever type of shopper you are, we have the tools and tips you need to rock your shopping list this Black Friday.  Shellie Deringer fromwww.savingwithshellie.com gives you loads of expert advice on everything from finding the best deals to sticking to your budget. Find out: How to do your holiday shopping on a realistic budget. Where to get the best deals for your family? What are the best deals for this Black Friday for everyone on your list? How do you know if something is a really good deal? And much more… Listen in, and then click here to find Saving with Shellie’s best shopping deals for Black Friday to get your shopping done fast and within your budget. There’s lots of deals to be found on Saving with Shellie!

What is born from the restless moments in your life? Jennie Allen, the author of Restless and Anything and the founder of IF Gathering, believes that God burdens our souls with the people who he wants us to reach. Listen in as she gives you simple tools and ideas to: • Be faithful where God puts you, regardless of how big, how small or how chaotic your dream is. • Move in obedience when God gives you a burden in your heart. • How to help raise up a generation of people that love Jesus with our entire hearts so that we can be unleashed to move in big ways for His kingdom. Listen as Jennie Allen shares her heart behind the IF Gathering and get some ideas on how you can become part of it. Plus, head to IF: Table to sign up to host your IF: Table. What is IF: Table? A place to gather women and share a simple meal and dive deep with people over real stories and Christ centered conversations. A time for a whole lot of laughter — and maybe a few tears — but time spent that leaves us with glad hearts. Full hea

Do you want God more than anything else? After a quick trip down memory lane (does anyone else still use Elizabeth Arden Sunflower perfume like Kathi does?), this week’s guest, Lisa Whittle, author of I Want God, shows us how to find spiritual revival in the midst of our crazy, scary lives. She helps us see that a close, deep, deconstructed relationship with God is not only possible, but is actually simple to get. She tells us how: • We can get over our fear of revival and get started on a journey to go deeper with God in a real way. • The disconnect between our desire for God to deconstruct us and the fear that he will can stand in the way of our  spiritual growth. • To allow yourself to fully feel the God hunger within you and then to do something about it. • Christians can hop off the roller coaster of passion with God for a truly, deep relationship with our God. Download Lisa’s free 7-day Wanting God devotional to start your own soul revival. Plus, tell us in what area of your life your heart is cryi

Peaceful. Connected. Meaningful. Those are all words that should describe the Christmas season, but do they? So often we get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the season and lose sight of what really matters. We want to help you change that. This week, Kathi and Erin will: • Give you simple, meaningful ideas on how to get rid of what doesn’t matter during the holidays so you can focus on what does. • Share fun shopping tips, easy decorating ideas and even a few photo mishaps to help you realize that the holidays can be so much more than a time of hurried frenzy. • Give you 21 days of simple projects that will give you the simple tools and organizational strategies you need to make this holiday season peaceful, connected, meaningful and much more. Listen in, and then click the sign up button below in the resources section to subscribe to Kathi’s 21 Days to Organize Your Christmas Project. Plus, download our freebie list of shopping ideas that will help you find the perfect, budget-friendly gift for e

Thank you. I’m sorry. How can I help you? Have you ever had a hard time knowing what to say to your husband, especially when you’re at a tough place in your marriage? It’s hard. But often all it takes to rebuild a connection is a few, intentional and encouraging words. In this podcast, Erin and Kathi will: Share simple things you can say (or text) to your husband when marriage is tough. Help you to find the sticky points in your marriage so you know how to avoid those rough places—and to climb out of those dark corners when you are stuck in them. Encourage you to intentionally pursue your husband with respectful and encouraging words. Listen in, and then click here to read Kathi’s entire list of words you can use to build connections in your marriage.

What is one word you would use to describe your motherhood? Kathi said overwhelming.  Erin said chaotic.  Leslie Ludy, our guest, said neither have to be part of your parenting story.  Leslie put off having kids for a long time as she feared all the horror stories.  She didn’t want to lose the wonderful love story that she had built by adding kids to the mix.  But when her kids came, life may not have been simple (her oldest son had acid reflux) but it was wonderful. In this podcast, she tells women how they can: gather their community, change their attitudes, and realize God is building them, as they partake in the joyous, exciting and sometimes crazy ride that is motherhood. When you are feeling overwhelmed as a mom, what is one thing you do to get yourself back on track? Share a tip below for your chance to win a book from Set Apart Motherhood.

Marriage is both messy and beautiful. This week’s guest, Darlene Schacht, author of Messy Beautiful Love and the Time Warp Wife blog, shares with us her wise thoughts on marriage and how women in any messy beautiful marriage can: • Handle the big stressors in marriage so she can grow stronger and closer to both, each other and God. • Pray for her husband and her marriage in an intentional and meaningful way. • Find her joy from God and not from her husband. • Build a marriage that’s not 50-50. (Which, according to Darlene isn’t a good thing.) Listen in, and then download Darlene’s free printable prayer cards. Plus, tell us the biggest stressor in your marriage in the comments below and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Darlene’s new book, Messy Beautiful Love.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a real, live rock star? The lights, the cameras, the music, the swarming fans… we got a little star struck just imagining it as we sat down with Rachel Hamar, one part of the top-rated country duo Cloverdayle. And while Rachel has shared a stage with music legends like Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Eric Church and Jason Aldean, Rachel was totally willing to get down-to-earth with us as she filled us in on:  How she manages to keep her marriage strong when she lives and works with her adorable rock-star husband Chad.  How she finds balance in a crazy schedule (and even finds time to go to the gym!)  How she finds the creative space to write songs (and what she does when she comes up with a great song line in the middle of the grocery store).  How we as women can pursue or own big dreams, even when life makes it seem impossible. Listen in, and then download a free copy of Cloverdayle’s new song “Call Me Crazy” and get inspired to live your own crazy

Have you ever taken a selfie? Of your butt? That’s just what Leeana Tankersley, author of Breathing Room, did so of course, that’s the first thing that Kathi and Erin ask her about. Why did she take a picture of her butt and how did she live to tell about it? Kathi and Erin fell in love with Leeana from the first moments of the interview. Leeana gets real. Fast. (And you know how we love that around here.) She talks about how to lovingly come alongside ourselves as a good friend would, and be compassionate when we need it the most. Leeana talks about: • How Pinterest is changing how we feel about ourselves, and others. • How the 12-step program Emotions Anonymous changed her life. • How as moms we can give ourselves permission to “begin again” with our kids. Win a copy of Leeana’s book, Breathing Room! For your chance to win, leave a comment below about something in your life that you feel powerless in the face of- your anonymous.

Have you ever felt ashamed at the playground? Have you worried that your kids are the only ones playing Ninja Warrior while the others swing peacefully? Have you felt like you just can’t measure up as a mom? This week, Kathi and Erin discuss the reaction to Erin’s new blog post entitled “I’m Worried About Our Girls” and the ways that parents can help their kids build strong, healthy relationships with other kids. Knowing that every mom has felt shame, worry and stress about playground behavior– and that every mom earnestly seeks what’s best for their children– we openly discuss: * How little girls can respond to wild boys on a playground. * The difference between a dangerous situation and a situation that a child can take care of on his or her own. * How moms can get rid of the shame they feel when their children misbehave. * How to communicate to our kids that God created both genders lovingly and intentionally– and that neither is inherently “good” or “bad.” Listen in and then share your own playgrou

Do you see yourself as God’s masterpiece? Do you live as a piece of art? Does the entire concept of living as a work of art totally intimidate you? Emily Freeman, author of A Million Little Ways, joins us on the podcast and really makes the concept of living as a work of art real for all of us, even those of us that aren’t necessarily “artists” in the traditional sense. Whether your a mathematician or a painter, God is the creator and we were made in His image. Emily inspires us to show up and be ourselves wherever God has put us and in whatever stage we are living. In the podcast we discuss: the true definition of an artist why it’s important to see ourselves and the people around us as God’s masterpieces how to identify tiny little ways we can be artists in our day-to-day lives To win a copy of Emily’s book for you and a friend, leave a comment below on how you are going to be present for the benefit of other’s and only for God’s glory this week. * We also discussed Emily’s Art Course. Sign-up for

All of the parenting books, the intentional planning, and the “I’m going to be a great parent” attitude meant nothing the minute Ellen had her firstborn, Erin. None of the discipline strategies worked the way they promised. So Ellen began the adventure of finding ways to understand the different hearts of her children. Only then, was she able to understand their needs so she could be the parent she really wanted to be.     Ellen Schuknecht (Erin’s mom!) joins us on So Here’s the Thing this week with amazing advice for every parent out there. Whether your child is compliant or strong-willed, you will want to have a pen and paper with you when listening! We cover topics such as: Getting to the root of disobedience Strategies to focus on the heart for a more positive long-term impact Letting go of the fear of parenting failure Why traditional parenting advice may not be working for you kids We want to give away two copies of Ellen and Erin’s new book, Free to Parent (more info on the book below) to o

Heartache. Searching. Loneliness. An overwhelming need to be exquisitely loved.   Can you relate? Our guest this week, Emily Wierenga, shares her journey in searching for “home”. She was raised in a Christian home but never felt truly loved. She longed to know she fit in with her own family, turned to an eating disorder and eventually felt healed just to turn back to the eating disorder years later.   Her story will touch your heart, inspire you and fill your heart with hope. Her heart for her family, her adopted family of Uganda and the way she lives out the love and home she has found is special and I am so excited to introduce her to you.   To find out more about Emily’s work and her non profit visit thelulutree.com Would you like to win a copy of The Atlas Girl? Leave a comment below about what home feels like to you.

Where does all the money go? It can be frustrating when you are trying to save money but every time you turn around there is something you weren’t planning for- school supplies, birthday gifts, and oh wait, is that Christmas decor in Hobby Lobby! Our guest Mary Hunt, author of Debt-Proof Living, joins us with practical, do-able and inspiring tips on how to take the stress out of the finances. If you are drowning in debt, almost debt free or anywhere in between, you’ll want to hear Mary’s EASY tips on getting where you want to me- financially free!   Mary shares: her experience of getting out of debt how to get started tips on staying motivated the key to getting started Listen in and leave a comment below to win her book, Debt-Proof Living. What is holding you back from becoming debt-free? * We discussed making our own Starbucks inspired coffee and we want to share all of our great recipes. Just visit Kathi’s blog.

God sometimes asks us to do things that seem crazy big and beyond our scope of “ableness” (and let’s be real, willingness!). Things like: Starting a business Creating a ministry International adoption What happens when we faithfully jump in with both feet? Jessica Honegger, founder of Noonday Collections, joins us on So Here’s the Thing to discuss her journey of listening to the prompting God put on her heart. From adoption, to job creation, to everyday willingness to see Jesus in the big and small, Jessica’s journey will inspire you. If you have a passion and you don’t know where to begin, listening to this podcast is it! You will gain some practical tips on: How and who to ask for help When to know God is saying go for it Bringing your entire family along for the journey Being real with yourself, your purpose and the demands of raising your family GIVEAWAY Win a pair of earrings from Noonday! You have a passion for a reason! What small change can you make to make a big difference in

In part two of my interview with my co-author Cheri Gregory, we talk about how the last two of the bullies from our book The Cure for the Perfect Life 12 Ways to Stop Trying Harder and Start Living Brave, Performancism and People Pleasing, follow us around and beat us up daily, and what you can do about it. Do you: Change your mood to match the mood of those around you so you don’t upset them with your happiness/excitement/bad day/ etc? Do more so you can seem like more to those around you? Have a long to do list out of fear of not being what you want others to perceive you to be? If you can relate, you may be being bullied by people-pleasing or performancism or both! It’s time to live braver and stop trying harder. * During this episode, Kathi and Cheri discuss rest and Bonnie Gray’s interview on So Here’s the Thing. That episode can be foundhere. * Here’s the link to the free verse downloads Do you need a Braver Living outlook? Join the 5 Days to Braver Living Devotional!

She had all of her “Christian” ducks in a row…. until God swept them all to the side.  Jen Hatmaker was a Christian speaker and author, married to a PASTOR for heaven’s sake who spent every day of her life doing the church thing and doing it well. But then, Jen prayed a prayer: “God, raise up in me a holy passion.” And that’s when her whole life got completely messed up. In this episode of “So Here’s the Thing” Kathi and Erin talk to Jen about her book, “Interrupted: When Jesus Wrecks Your Comfortable Christianity” and discuss how that one simple prayer led her to flip her life upside down… and do everything from serving the poor to letting HGTV invade her home. Tell us in the comments below how Jen’s experience of being interrupted has inspired you to pray for a holy passion or what is keeping you in your comfortable Christianity. Two winners will be randomly chosen and will receive two copies of Interrupted.

Hi Friends! My newest book, The Cure for the Perfect Life, came from my deepest desire to help the women in this world live fuller, richer lives at exactly where God wants them. This week Cheri Gregory (who co-wrote The Cure for the Perfect Life) and I sat down to discuss the concept of rebelling against the ideas of perfectionism, and procrastination. (don’t worry! People-pleasing and Performancism are coming soon!) Now this podcast is only for you if you deal with one of the four bullies we talk about: Perfectionism Procrastination People Pleasing Performancism You are invited to take part in our rebellion against perfectionism. Win 2 copies of The Cure for the Perfect Life- just comment below and tell us one small thing you are doing to fight procrastination or perfectionism, and who you are going to ask to be your bravery buddy (she can have the second copy!). Do you need a Braver Living outlook? Join the 5 Days to Braver Living Devotional!