172 | You Don't Have to Carry Everyone: Emotional Triggers and Trusting God with the People You Love with Lenya Heitzig

In this conversation, I sit down with Jennifer Pepito, author of Habits for a Sacred Home and host of the Restoration Home podcast, to talk about how easy it is to become consumed by the constant stream of news, opinions, and outrage, and how that weight doesn't just stay on our phones, it follows us into our tone, our conversations, and the atmosphere of our homes. Jennifer shares insight from history, reflecting on how many revolutions were fueled by anger, only to leave people in an even more broken place. It's not about ignoring what's happening in the world, but learning how to navigate it with wisdom, focusing on what we can actually steward well. This episode is a reminder that the peace of God is not passive, it's protective. And that when we fix our minds on what is good, excellent, and lovely, it doesn't just change us, it shapes what our children experience and carry with them. If you've been feeling distracted, overwhelmed, or even frustrated by the state of the world, this conversation will gently call you back to what is yours to tend, your heart, your home, and the people right in front of you. You can learn more from Jennifer Pepito and explore her books here: https://thepeacefulpress.com Get Habits for a Sacred Home And listen to her podcast, Restoration Home, wherever you listen to podcasts. If this conversation resonates with you, my book Don't Burn Your Own House Down: Prioritizing Your Spouse, Your Marriage, and Yourself for a Deeper Connection is all about protecting what matters most and rebuilding connection in your home You can connect with me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/livingeasywithlindsey

What happens when a marriage slowly drifts into loneliness, betrayal, and eventually divorce? And can God really restore something that broken? In this episode of Living Easy with Lindsey, Lindsey Maestas talks with author and marriage mentor Cheryl Scruggs about the painful season that led to an affair, the divorce that followed, and the unexpected seven-year journey that eventually led Cheryl and her husband Jeff back to each other. Cheryl shares honestly about feeling deeply alone in her marriage, the choices that led to brokenness, and the personal and spiritual transformation that made reconciliation possible. Their story is a powerful reminder that even when a marriage feels beyond repair, redemption is still possible. Resources Cheryl Scruggs https://jeffandcherylscruggs.com I Do Again: How We Found a Second Chance at Our Marriage https://www.amazon.com/Do-Again-Second-Chance-Marriage/dp/1400074452 Lindsey's Book Don't Burn Your Own House Down: Prioritizing Your Marriage, Your Spouse, and Yourself  https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Burn-Your-House-Down/dp/0310369479 If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, rate, and review on Spotify and/or Apple Podcasts so that more people can find these conversations!  Follow Lindsey on Instagram for daily encouragement on faith, marriage, and intentional living.

Have you ordered, rated, and reviewed my new book, "Don't Burn Your Own House Down: Prioritizing Your Marriage, Your Spouse, and Yourself for a Deeper Connection"? If not, please take a second to do so!! If you've ever enjoyed my content, this is the greatest way that you could support me right now! THANK YOU!  Change is expensive, but won't staying cost you even more?  What if the reason you feel stuck, drained, or unhappy isn't because your life is hard, but because you've been "adding sugar" to what's actually bitter? In this episode, Lindsey Maestas shares what she calls the "Black Coffee Theory": a simple but transformative mindset shift that has changed the way she approaches relationships, work, habits, and her spiritual life. The concept is this: the happiest, most successful, most grounded people don't add sugar to things that are already bitter. They're honest with themselves that it's bitter, and they put the cup down. They don't distort reality to make something tolerable, they don't romanticize what hurts, and they don't convince themselves something is good just because they're afraid of what honesty might require. The Psychology  This episode also explores the research behind why we do this in the first place: Cognitive Dissonance When our reality conflicts with our identity or beliefs, we feel internal tension. Instead of changing the situation, we often change the story. The Sunk Cost Fallacy We stay in situations because we've already invested so much — time, emotion, reputation, or faith — and leaving feels more painful than tolerating. Emotional Suppression and Resentment Research shows that consistently overriding internal signals leads to emotional exhaustion, resentment, and anxiety. When we ignore what drains us, our body and nervous system keep the score. Isaiah 5:20 warns: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." Reflection Questions Where am I adding "sugar" in my life right now? How can I be more honest with myself about what I want out of life? Am I enduring something that is refining me or am I tolerating something that is draining me? What would it look like to tell the truth about this situation before God? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for new episodes like this! Looking to build your own online course and social media presence? Learn more about how I built a multiple 6-figure business and how you can do it, too at: The Ultimate Money-Making Academy . Follow along with me on Instagram: @livingeasywithlindsey 

In this heartfelt, faith-centered episode, Lindsey Maestas and Lenya Heitzig have a powerful conversation inspired by Sheologie's core message of "calling women up, not out": a reminder that growth happens through truth and not shame. P.S. Have you read my new book, Don't Burn Your Own House Down, yet?! We are still in launch month so EVERY bit of support from this community helps!! I have a goal of selling 120 books this week!! If you're single or engaged, this book will prepare your heart for marriage. If you've been married for 1-50 years, I wrote this book to help you become more intentional with your time and energy toward the most important relationship in your life!  Please gift it to a friend and share on social, and once you've read it, please put your review on Amazon, Barnes & Target! Every bit helps.  In this conversation with Lenya, we explore how our thoughts shape who we become, why people-pleasing often disguises itself as love, and how emotional overfunctioning can hinder us from trusting God in our relationships. If you ever find yourself trying to control outcomes, rescue others, or manage everyone's emotions, it's easy to create pressure rather than peace.  Lindsey and Lenya discuss how: What you think about consistently shapes who you are becoming People pleasing can turn into trying to save someone who isn't even willing to save themselves Overhelping friends can actually interrupt what Jesus is trying to teach them Emotional triggers in marriage don't have to explode into conflict, they can be gently deconstructed Therapy, self-awareness, and faith can work together in healing Differences in marriage don't have to collide, they can become places of laughter, humility, and compromise Fear can cause us to "lasso" our spouse and limit the very growth God is inviting them into This episode is for the woman who feels responsible for everyone's well-being, who carries anxiety about her marriage, or who struggles to release control and trust God with the people she loves most. I pray you walk away with a clearer understanding of emotional boundaries, spiritual surrender, and how to stop trying to be the Holy Spirit in someone else's life. Learn more about Reload Love here!

IT'S RELEASE DAY!!! Don't Burn Your Own House Down is officially out in the world! For this special day, Jesse asked if he could sit down and interview me about the real story behind the book… and our marriage.  We talk honestly about the habits and patterns that created distance between us. We discuss the stories of others' that are a big part of this book (and the title). This conversation is about the reality that marriage doesn't just happen and stay great on its own. It takes intention. It takes humility. It takes learning how to repair when you've hurt each other. And it takes choosing an eternal perspective, to keep Jesus as the foundation, and choosing one another even when your feelings are all over the place. I also share the core moment that made me feel like I had to write this book, the chapters that were the most personal for me, and what I believe is the one place couples can start if they want to begin reconnecting. This isn't about being the "perfect couple." It's about being two people who are ready to learn how to stop drifting and start building again. About the Book Don't Burn Your Own House Down is about recognizing the small patterns that slowly erode connection in your marriage. I speak on modern issues in modern marriages, like social media, p*rnography, comparison, spiritual disconnection, emotional labor, marital financial struggles, and much more. I give practical tools, along with my own vulnerable stories, to help you to rebuild emotional safety, communication, and closeness in a practical, honest way. Don't Burn Your Own House Down is for new couples who want to prepare their hearts for a godly marriage. Couples who don't want to give up, but know something needs to change. Couples who have been married for 50 years but feel like their love has disappeared. Couples with newborns or a difficult family life who just need some reprieve and support. No matter what season you're in, this book is for YOU. 📘 Get the Book Don't Burn Your Own House Down is officially out today!!!!  If this episode resonated with you in any way, or if you've ever been helped by my content, the book goes deeper into the practical and emotional work of reconnecting in marriage. 👉 Grab your copy here!  ⭐ A Quick Favor That Makes a Huge Difference If you get a copy of the book and it blesses you, would you take 60 seconds to leave a review?! Reviews during launch month help more than most people realize! They help the message reach couples who are quietly struggling and searching for hope. You can leave a review here: Amazon Barnes & Noble Target Thank you for being part of this with me. Truly!!  💛 Come Say Hi I'd love to hear from you!! Follow along with me on IG!  Instagram: @livingeasywithlindsey  

My book, Don't Burn Your Own House Down: Prioritizing Your Marriage, Your Spouse, and Yourself for a Deeper Connection, will be here in ONE WEEK. (AHHH!!!) Please pre-order today!!!  Barnes & Noble: Buy from B&N! (Preferred Target: Buy from Target! (Preferred Amazon: Buy on Amazon! Did you know that 41% of first marriages and 60% of second marriages end in divorce? And even higher numbers are reportedly completely dissatisfied in their marriages. In today's episode, I'm diving into the four silent killers that quietly lead couples toward disconnection, resentment, and ultimately divorce. These issues show up in nearly every modern marriage, Christian or non, and they often go unnoticed until the relationship feels distant or broken.  You can only live like ships passing in the night until something inevitably breaks. My prayer is that this conversation gives you the clarity, conviction, and practical encouragement you need to build a healthier, more connected, and more Christ‑centered marriage — one that resists emotional disconnection, strengthens communication, and protects your relationship from drifting toward divorce. If you've ever enjoyed The Living Easy Podcast, my Instagram posts, or my blog… the single most supportive thing you can do is to preorder Don't Burn Your Own House Down! It means the world to me, and it allows me to continue creating content that serves marriages and families with honesty, faith, and practical wisdom. THANK YOU!  Please share this episode with a friend, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or tag me on Instagram @livingeasywithlindsey.

Friends! My new book, Don't Burn Your Own House Down is ALMOST HERE! Countdown: 13 DAYS! (ahhh!) If you haven't already pre-ordered yours, now is the time!!! THANK YOU so much for your support! I love you guys!  In this episode of the Living Easy Podcast, Lindsey Maestas sits down with Robyn Graham, author of You, Me, and Anxiety, to talk about anxiety in children, emotional regulation, and how parents can support anxious kids without unintentionally making things worse. Together, they explore why so many parents feel overwhelmed and hopeless when navigating childhood anxiety, why children often struggle to emotionally regulate, and how unrealistic expectations from adults can escalate anxiety rather than soothe it. This conversation offers practical tools for parents, caregivers, and educators who want to create calmer homes, healthier routines, and emotionally safe environments for kids struggling with anxiety. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why childhood anxiety is increasing and how it often shows up as irritability, shutdown, or emotional outbursts Navigating impatience and emotional spirals when your children don't get what they want with, "Is it heard, hugged, or helped?" The powerful truth that we often expect children to emotionally regulate better than adults do How a parent's tone, pace, and nervous system directly impact a child's anxiety The importance of routines and structure for anxious children  How to prepare kids for the day in ways that reduce anxiety rather than increase pressure Practical parenting strategies for emotionally dysregulated children How to fight hopelessness in parenting when anxiety feels constant Get Dr. Robyn Graham's book: You, Me, and Anxiety HERE.  Don't forget to subscribe to The Living Easy Podcast for more episodes like this!  Follow along with Lindsey on Instagram: @livingeasywithlindsey.  Follow along with Dr. Robyn on Instagram: @therobyngraham. 

In this episode, I sit down with my 10-year-old son for a simple, honest conversation about our mornings, our home life, and the rhythms we're still learning as a family. We talk about what self-discipline looks like for him in the mornings. He shares the areas in which he hopes our family can still grow this year. We also touch on homeschooling, how we talk about faith in our home, and what sharing the gospel looks like as a kid. If you're a parent navigating discipline, routines, faith, or simply wondering what your children are absorbing from your home, I hope this conversation encourages you to slow down, listen, and give yourself grace.

As the year winds down, the noise of the past year gets louder. We see what we failed at and all that we've achieved. And then as January approaches, the world shouts at us to set our New Year resolutions, to chase fresh starts, to reinvent ourselves, to do more, be better, and try harder. But what if what your soul actually needs isn't a fresh start, but rest and obedience? Jesus doesn't heal through pressure, He heals through presence.  In this episode, Lindsey Maestas shares a gentle, Jesus-centered reflection for the holiday season and end of the year. She challenges herself, and her listeners, to live faithfully this year instead of doing everything to be hotter, richer, more, more, more.  Instead of pushing self-improvement or hustle spirituality, this episode invites you to slow down, breathe, and return to the heart of the gospel: Jesus is faithful, and he doesn't call us to live a burnt out life. Rooted in Scripture and lived experience, this episode speaks directly to women who feel quietly exhausted, emotionally spent, or spiritually worn down—especially those navigating marriage struggles, burnout, anxiety, or disappointment with how the year turned out. Have you already ordered my new book?! Don't Burn Your Own House Down: Prioritizing Your Marriage, Your Spouse, and Yourself for a Deeper Connection is available for pre-order NOW!  Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more episodes like this! 

This year stretched me in ways I never expected. My heart ached throughout so much of 2025, but I also grew in ways I never thought I could. In this episode, I share the most meaningful lessons I learned about emotional healing, personal growth, faith, relationships, and learning to sit with discomfort instead of running from it. We talk about the difference between processing and obsessing, why seeking peace through information and understanding eventually falls short, and how Scripture points us toward a peace that doesn't rely on clarity or control. I also unpack how loneliness isn't always about lacking people, but about the deeper fear that no one truly has you—and how faith reshapes that belief. We explore why venting can sometimes keep us stuck in anger rather than move us toward healing, and how prayer, stillness, and honesty with God invite real transformation. This episode is for anyone who: has walked through heartbreak or disappointment this year feels lonely even when surrounded by people struggles with complaining and feeling pessimistic  is exhausted from overthinking, people-pleasing, and overprocessing wants to heal from trauma without becoming hardened or bitter is learning to trust God in seasons that don't make sense Topics covered: Emotional healing and personal growth, even after being crushed by another person The power of accountability and being seen by community  Loneliness, attachment, and feeling unseen Prayer vs. Gossip and Complaining  Faith vs control and the peace of God Choosing growth, forgiveness, and discipline of thought Learning to be okay with being alone, healing with God instead of distracting or running.  Read the Blog Post Here Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more episodes like this!  If you enjoyed this conversation, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! It means so much and I read every review!  Follow along on IG @livingeasywithlindsey.