351: My Trip to Guatemala

Tune in this week as Jesse and I talk all about my recent trip to Guatemala! I have alluded to this trip to Guatemala in a few earlier episodes, but I am so excited to finally sit down with Jesse and share more of the story. This was truly a bucket list trip for me. Ever since we adopted David, I have wanted to visit Guatemala to learn more about his culture and history and to better understand what his mom experienced growing up there. I never imagined the opportunity would just fall into my lap the way that it did.In this episode, I am sharing some of the things that I learned on my trip, the people I met, and the moments that really stayed with me. I had the privilege of spending time with women from a remote village, many of whom work incredibly hard just to provide for their families. We came with some ideas of what we would do together, but we quickly learned that we needed to be flexible and willing to listen. That sometimes meant playing games, coloring, making tamalitos, or simply sitting down and asking a woman about her day.One of the most meaningful parts of the trip for me, though, was seeing how much these women had to share once they felt comfortable. We didn’t speak the same language, but we found that there were so many things we could communicate without words. We laughed together, prayed together, and heard stories of hardship, perseverance, and faith.I am also talking about the differences between the communities we visited, the challenges facing local schools, and some of the things that surprised me about Guatemala, including how beautiful and peaceful it was, and, of course, I have to tell you about the food! This trip really gave me a much deeper appreciation for David’s birth mother and all that she has been through. I hope that you enjoy hearing about it as much as I enjoyed getting to experience it! As always, please feel free to reach out with your questions and/or thoughts!In This Episode[0:36] - Jesse and I are having a conversation about my recent trip to Guatemala![1:14] - I share an email that I got recently from a listener named Rhonda who discusses how much my 10K run and Jesse’s CrossFit competition inspired her.[3:59] - Hear how a church invitation unexpectedly gave me the opportunity to visit Guatemala and explore David’s heritage![6:52] - I explain how church leaders invited me to minister to Guatemalan mothers despite my limited involvement with the trip.[9:14] - I reflect on how it didn’t seem like David being from Guatemala was why I was chosen for this trip.[11:29] - I talk about Orphan Outreach which changes children’s futures via sponsorship, therapy, education, and family support.[13:08] - The children are taught Spanish in addition to English.[16:21] - Hear about how the group adapted plans to meet the women’s greatest needs: encouragement, fun, and rest.[19:29] - I describe how the women opened up through laughter, heartfelt sharing, and a beautiful experience of collective prayer![22:18] - I reflect on the women’s universal struggles and the devastating poverty they faced, including food insecurity and unaffordable medical bills.[23:16] - I add how the women deeply depend on God because of their severe financial struggles.[25:26] - The women and I exchanged some traditional cooking lessons, making tamalitos and tortillas together.[27:05] - Hear how the women enjoyed relaxing activities, prayer, encouragement, and fellowship despite language barriers and difficult circumstances.[29:36] - I adapted our plans, using coloring activities to connect personally with the guarded women.[31:59] - I add how I encouraged women via personal conversations before unexpectedly spending time ministering to the school’s teachers.[34:54] - I struggled to identify resources for teachers required to teach English without knowing English themselves.[37:06] - I discuss how villagers rely on walking, informal transportation, and home-based work rather than phones and conventional jobs.[39:58] - While I didn’t see any coffee plantations, I saw unexpected beauty, cleanliness, tranquility, lush vegetation, and abundant tropical fruit![42:32] - Dragonfruit was in season, and I recall enjoying Guatemala’s food while relying on faith to endure being sick throughout the trip.[44:25] - My trip to Guatemala really deepened my gratitude for David’s mother and makes me want to go back.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineOrphan OutreachSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

For this episode of The Crystal Paine Show,I am joined by the author of the book More Than You Can Imagine: What Goes Does When You Trust Him - Susie Larson! In our conversation, she shares some of the most powerful stories of trusting God through seasons when nothing seemed to make sense. Her aforementioned new book isn’t just something she wrote; it’s something she has lived. She opens up about the years when serious health challenges, medical bills, financial pressure, and fear left her family wondering how they were going to make it, yet, right in the middle of that wilderness, God taught Susie and her husband what it meant to genuinely depend on Him.Listen in as we talk about what happens when we stop going through the motions of faith and actually engage our hearts with God. What does it look like to trust Him when the numbers don’t add up? How do we keep fear from making our decisions for us? What happens when God asks us to be generous even when we feel like we don’t have anything left to give? Susie shares the incredible story of giving away a box of cereal when her own family was struggling financially and how that simple act became part of a much bigger lesson about living as a “flow-through account” of God’s provision. We also talk about the miraculous ways that God provided for her family, the school that she and her husband were eventually able to help build in Rwanda, and the “impossible prayers” they now pray every year.One of the episode's biggest takeaways, though, is that dependence on God isn’t weakness. It can actually become our superpower. When we recognize that we don’t have everything we need but that God does, we get to watch Him do what only He can do. What would happen if you trusted God a little more today? Open your hands, turn on your “noticer,” and start looking for His faithfulness. You may be surprised by what you see! I hope that you enjoy this conversation with Susie, and, as always, please feel free to reach out with your own thoughts!In This Episode[0:36] - My guest today, Susie Larson, prioritizes thorough preparation when it comes to radio/podcast work so she can engage meaningfully with every guest and their content.[3:05] - Susie urges Christians to live boldly, trust God’s promises, and prepare to give an account of their lives.[5:35] - Genuine trust requires heartfelt spiritual engagement rather than just going through the religious motions.[8:59] - Susie recounts how difficult pregnancies, medical complications, and insecurity plunged her family into a difficult season of life.[10:49] - Hear how a frightening health episode triggered Susie’s fears, as she felt confronted with worst-case scenarios and past trauma.[12:37] - Facing devastating illness and financial hardship, Susie and her husband chose to trust God rather than give into fear.[15:30] - Susie's and her husband's commitment to generosity truly changed their finances and became a lifelong posture of faith and dependence.[18:20] - Susie urges people to move beyond identifying with their brokenness and pursue the greater purposes God has for them.[21:16] - Susie and I discuss how God’s power meets us in hardship, empowering us to trust Him, pray boldly, and depend on Him completely.[24:35] - Susie argues that dependence on God is not weakness but rather a source of strength, purpose, and provision.[27:43] - I reflect on how trusting God with my finances taught me and Jesse to rely on His faithfulness.[30:15] - Trusting God with your finances can truly change your life and give you stories to tell about His faithfulness.[32:54] - Ultimately, trusting God and noticing His faithfulness can radically change how we live.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineKevin and Susie Larson AcademyBooksMore Than You Can Imagine: What Goes Does When You Trust Him by Susie LarsonSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Join Jesse and me this week as we talk about something that scared Jesse: doing his first CrossFit competition! Hear about how, a few months before the competition, he told me that he wanted to compete, and while I could tell that he truly wanted to do it, I could also tell just how much fear was standing in his way. He had movements that he wasn’t sure he could do, weights that he had never lifted, and the very real possibility of doing all of this in front of a bunch of people. Honestly, I wasn’t convinced that he was actually going to make it to competition day.However, he signed up, he trained, and he prepared, and then, six months later, we found ourselves watching him walk into that competition!Listen in as we talk about what it was like in the weeks leading up to it, including that very specific, stomach-churning kind of fear that makes you wonder, “Why did I sign up for this?” Jesse shares how his coach helped him reframe those jitters as his body preparing to do something difficult and how he learned to stop worrying about what everyone else was doing and simply run his own race.We then get into the actual competition - the three workouts, the 53-pound kettlebells, the clean and jerks, the moments when Jesse surprised himself, and the incredible encouragement that he received from the other competitors. (One workout in particular became a moment I don’t think any of us will forget!)One of the most meaningful parts for me was definitely watching our kids watch their dad do something that scared him. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes the lessons our children remember most are the ones we teach simply by being willing to try something hard. We also discuss what Jesse learned from the experience, why he’s already thinking about doing more competitions, and why putting something on the calendar can be such a powerful way to push yourself forward.If there’s something you’ve been afraid to try, we really hope that this episode reminds you that you don’t have to feel fearless to take the first step! We hope that you enjoy this episode, and, as always, please reach out to us with your thoughts and questions! Maybe you have your own story to share that involves overcoming fear?In This Episode[0:36] - Jesse and I are supporting a first-time foster parent by providing regular respite childcare for her baby girl.[3:20] - I encourage people unable to foster to support foster families with practical, ongoing help.[5:14] - We are talking today about Jesse’s recent CrossFit competition![7:37] - Jesse reflects on how his coach encouraged him to compete, giving him a goal to drive greater consistency and improvement.[10:14] - We discuss how I initially didn’t think that Jesse would follow through on the competition because of how afraid that he was.[12:03] - Hear how Jesse overcame significant anxiety, chose the demanding RX division, and trained to master movements he feared or couldn’t perform![15:29] - Jesse’s fear stemmed from public failure.[18:08] - I praise Jesse for confronting overwhelming fear by thoroughly preparing and courageously showing up![19:10] - Jesse describes how he felt the morning of the competition.[20:14] - Hear how Jesse exceeded his expectations by pacing himself, trusting his capacity, and embracing his coach’s encouragement.[22:51] - Jesse’s victory ultimately came from confronting his fear and pushing himself through challenging workouts, regardless of the competition results.[24:14] - Jesse surprised himself by pushing past fear, exceeding expectations, and discovering greater capabilities through competition![26:14] - Jesse encourages listeners to put something on the calendar and work towards it because there is a first time for everything.[27:30] - Facing fear ultimately creates momentum, builds confidence, and makes future challenges more achievable!Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What does it really mean for the church to be a family? In this episode of The Crystal Paine Show, I am joined by my friend Dr. JJ Jones, co-author of Reimagining Church as Family, for a conversation to help us think differently about how to help others feels seen, welcomed, and truly included in our churches!Listen in as JJ shares how years of research and ministry experience led him and his co-author Rich Griffith to rethink some of the traditional approaches to family ministry. Too often, as he discusses, our programs, language, and even the ways in which we structure church life assume a traditional nuclear family, and that can unintentionally leave single parents, divorced parents, single adults, foster and adoptive families, families raising children with disabilities, and others feeling like they don’t quite belong.The two of us talk about what it looks like to move beyond simply supporting someone during a crisis and actually walking with them for the long haul. We discuss the importance of examining the words that we use, listening to people’s stories, and asking what the church can do differently so that people don’t feel like outsiders in God’s family..We also get practical about what church members and leaders can do to enact change such as creating more intergenerational spaces, inviting someone to sit with you, sharing a meal, making accommodations, mentoring younger believers, and simply being willing to have the sometimes-awkward conversations that lead to real connection!Maybe most importantly, we talk about following Jesus toward the people who may feel overlooked or pushed to the margins, and I truly hope this conversation encourages you to look around your own church community with fresh eyes and ask: Who might be here but still feel alone, and what could I do to change that? Enjoy my conversation with JJ, and, as always, please feel free to reach out with your thoughts!In This Episode[0:36] - I introduce my friend Dr. JJ Jones and explore the inspiration behind his book Reimagining Church as Family.[1:15] - JJ explains how research exposed gaps in traditional family ministry and inspired a more inclusive approach for him.[4:24] - Hear me highlight the church’s responsibility to support nontraditional families.[6:41] - JJ shares how churches often initially support nontraditional families but then fail to follow up.[7:55] - JJ challenges churches to embrace nontraditional families and help everyone experience belonging within God’s family.[10:05] - I highlight how harmful labels such as “broken home” can undermine hope, dignity, and belonging..[13:04] - JJ encourages churches to listen directly to diverse families and rethink how their messages could unintentionally exclude them.[15:55] - Intergenerational groups can help create a sense of belonging by bringing believers of different ages and experiences together.[18:30\ - JJ recommends intergenerational groups and shared worship as some practical steps toward becoming a more inclusive church family.[20:11] - JJ explains how apprenticeships and shared worship can connect generations while helping overlooked families experience real belonging.[23:16] - JJ urges churches to empower single parents and other families to lead worship and contribute gifts.[25:21] - Listen as JJ explains how simple invitations and listening can help newcomers and single parents feel welcomed into a church community.[28:34] - JJ highlights specialized communities which support isolated special-needs families while also meeting their unique needs.[30:47] - I encourage listeners to embrace awkwardness, extend kindness, and take first steps toward connection.[32:16] - JJ calls upon churches to build relationships and support families through difficult, ongoing journeys.[34:59] - I reflect upon how curiosity, prayer, and compassion changed my judgment into love and understanding.[37:12] - JJ points to Jesus’ example of extending grace to marginalized people and welcoming them as family.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineBooksReimaging Church as Family by Various AuthorsSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

The podcast has been MIA for a bit, but I am so happy to be back to share a story I have been excited to share on the show!Earlier this year, my daughter Kathrynne asked if I wanted to run a 10K with her, but there was one minor problem: I wasn’t a runner. I had never run more than a couple of miles without stopping, and running had never really clicked for me. In fact, I had spent years believing I simply wasn’t capable of running, but I said yes to her before I really had time to think about it and then had less than ten weeks to figure out how to run 6.2 miles.Tune in as Jesse and I talk about what happened between that phone call and crossing the finish line. I talk about the training plan that helped me go from barely running two miles to completing a 10K without stopping, why most of my training runs were intentionally easy, and the research that I did to figure out everything from running shoes to hydration and fueling.I also share what surprised me most about race day. I expected the physical challenge, the nerves, and the uncertainty of running in an actual race, but what I didn’t expect was how much I would enjoy running alongside other people and how different the experience would feel from all those quiet solo runs I had grown to love.Ultimately, however, this episode isn’t really about running. It’s about the things we tell ourselves we can’t do and what happens when we stop accepting those assumptions as facts. For years, I had told myself, “I’m not a runner” and “I can’t do that.” Completing the 10K challenged those beliefs in a way I didn’t expect and gave me a newfound confidence that has spilled into other areas of my life, and believe it or not, now I am training for a half marathon!Come listen in as I share what this experience taught me about preparation, persistence, our bodies, and being willing to discover that we’re capable of far more than we may realize! As always, please feel free to reach out. Maybe you have a running story of your own you’d like to share? I’d love to hear it!In This Episode[0:36] - We explain why we have been absent for a while, but we are happy to be back![2:09] - I recently ran a 10K, and Jesse took part in a Crossfit competition![3:11] - Hear me narrate the circumstances that led to me participating in the 10K.[6:46] - I reflect on how I never considered myself a runner despite growing up with runners in my family, including my dad.[9:00] - I reveal how proper fueling, quality gear, and easy runs helped me build a sustainable running foundation.[11:23] - I talk about how helpful the Runna app was for me and also offer two weeks of it for free with the code “Crystal2.”[14:00] - Gradual training and careful preparation gave me the confidence to complete her first 10K successfully.[17:50] - Hear how I minimized race-day surprises by carefully planning my gear, hydration, pacing, and expectations.[20:01] - Running with others made the race unexpectedly exhilarating and helped me celebrate a long-held personal achievement![23:01] - Completing the 10K gave me the newfound confidence to challenge limiting beliefs and pursue a half marathon.[26:36] - Jesse commends me for my newfound motivation to participate in running.[27:19] - Jesse and I strongly encourage listeners to challenge limiting beliefs and discover what they’re capable of accomplishing.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineRunna AppSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today’s topic is a bit emotionally heavy and difficult, but it’s nonetheless incredibly important. I am joined by Jodi Snowdon, author of Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength, and she joins me for a very vulnerable conversation to reflect on how grief shows up in many forms of life - miscarriage, divorce, loss of loved ones - and how often people feel unsure of how to support someone in those moments. Listen in as she shares her own experiences of devastating loss and how they helped reshape her faith, emotional resilience, and understanding of God’s presence in suffering. Together, the two of us discuss the importance of allowing space for grief instead of avoiding it and how honest emotional processing, support from your community, and spiritual struggle can become a part of healing over time.Jodi also explains the STRENGTH acrostic from her book and offers some practical ways to walk through heartbreak by seeking God in the middle of pain, allowing yourself to fully grieve, and resisting the urge to numb or suppress emotions. She speaks openly about how healing is not linear and how counseling, community, and even simple daily practices such as prayer and journaling helped her begin to heal. We also discuss how suffering can shape character in unexpected ways, deepening empathy and even becoming a place where purpose can grow.A big part of our conversation focuses on how to support others who are grieving, especially in moments when people often feel afraid to say or do the wrong thing. Jodi and I talk through miscarriage, divorce, and other griefs, highlighting the importance of directly acknowledging loss, avoiding well meaning but ultimately minimizing and unhelpful language, and showing up with acts of care rather than silence. We also touch upon the power of remembering important dates, checking in long after the initial loss, and recognizing that grief doesn’t follow a timeline that others can see or understand, especially since everyone grieves differently.By the end of my conversation with Jodi, I truly hope that listeners will walk away after listening with both compassion for those in pain as well as a clearer sense of how to show up in small, meaningful ways that remind someone that they are not forgotten. I hope that you enjoy and get some insight from my conversation with Jodi, and, as always, please feel free to reach out with your thoughts! I would love to hear from you!In This Episode[0:35] - Welcome Jodi Snowdon to the podcast![2:08] - Through some truly devastating losses, Jodi discovered healing, deeper faith, and purpose in helping others.[4:32] - Jodi believes that suffering can deepen faith when people honestly seek God instead of withdrawing from Him.[6:40] - Jodi explains grieving honestly, seeking God, and processing emotions instead of numbing pain.[9:08] - Learn how support groups can transform pain into meaningful purpose and connection.[11:08] - Jodi has come to believe that heartbreak can build empathy, self-awareness, and freedom from shame.[13:36] - Hear how gratitude, forgiveness, and sharing personal pain can help others heal through their own grief.[16:01] - Hear how supporting miscarriage grief requires validating the loss and offering compassionate, thoughtful, and practical care.[19:13] - Jodi explains how compassion, acknowledgment, and presence help validate miscarriage grief and prevent isolation.[22:03] - Memorializing miscarriage through rituals and naming can help parents process enduring grief and loss.[24:40] - Jodi asserts that nonjudgmental support and inclusion reduce divorce-related shame, rejection, and loneliness.[27:11] - Jodi believes that intentional boundaries, support, and truth help divorced parents deal with loneliness and family transitions.[30:48] - I point out that clear, specific offers of help make it easier for grieving people to accept support.[31:51] - We talk about how divorce brings layered grief, rejection, and ongoing emotional triggers that support can help ease.[34:26] Listening and practical ideas empower better support for people experiencing grief![36:13] - Jodi and I discuss how consistent support and remembering anniversaries can help grieving people feel seen, loved, and not forgotten.[38:15] - God redeems heartbreak, using grief to grow and equip people with empathy.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineJodi SnowdonCasting Crowns - “Praise You in the Storm”Depth Podcast Episode 53: Hopelifter - Kathe WunnenbergWatermark - “Glory Baby”BooksDepth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength by Jodi Snowdon & Kathe WunnebergGrieving the Child I Never Knew: A Devotional Companion for Comfort in the Loss of Your Unborn or Newly Born Child by Kathe WunnenbergSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jesse and I welcome you this week as we reflect on our recent glamping trip, an anniversary trip that Jesse had secretly planned and that nearly didn’t happen! Hear all about how, after finally figuring out childcare for the kids, we were ready to leave when everything unraveled all at once: sore throats, emergency doctor appointments, positive strep tests, and even an unexpected COVID diagnosis.We suddenly found ourselves trying to decide whether to cancel a trip we had been looking forward to for months while also making sure everyone at home would be okay. Thankfully, the Airbnb hosts were unbelievably kind and let us reschedule which turned out to be the best thing that could’ve happened!What waited for us a few months later was truly one of the most unique places I have ever stayed. Jesse booked this incredible glamping dome tucked into the Tennessee hills overlooking Center Hill Lake, and the entire place felt almost unreal, with clear curved walls open to the sky, decks hanging over the hillside, a hot tub in the middle of nature, and a shower that somehow made me feel like I was outside while still enjoying modern comforts.Listen in as we talk about the hilariously overheated first hour after arriving, the clever sprinkler system that cooled the dome down, and why we immediately understood why people become obsessed with glamping. We also share the quieter parts of the trip that ended up meaning the most: playing Scrabble, watching the sunrise over the water, hiking down to the lake, sitting around the fire with nowhere else to be, and realizing how rare it is to experience true quiet. There was no packed itinerary, no distractions - just space to talk, laugh, process life, and reconnect after years of constant responsibilities.Also, because apparently every memorable trip needs at least one disaster, we also tell the story of how Jesse managed to put a massive scrape down the side of my car while leaving the property, something that I will probably reference forever considering my long history of being the one who usually hits things. Enjoy our conversation all about this truly unforgettable trip, and, as always, please feel free to reach out! Maybe you have your own glamping story to share?In This Episode[0:36] - Jesse and I are finally sharing the story of our recent glamping trip![2:53] - Unsure whether to cancel or not with kids being sick, we debated traveling while juggling sick kids and mysterious packing instructions.[4:49] - Hear how, after rescheduling, I was amazed by the surreal glamping dome overlooking the Tennessee hillside![7:31] - Hear about how our unique glamping dome offered stunning lake views, outdoor luxury, and an unexpectedly hot interior.[9:51] - Jesse shares having discovered the dome’s greenhouse-like heat required sprinklers and repairs to cool the interior.[11:16] - Once the high temperatures dropped, we fully embraced the peaceful hot tub retreat and unplugged outdoor atmosphere.[13:38] - Hear how, between stargazing, Scrabble, and luxurious showers, we officially became devoted glamping fans![16:35] - Surrounded by silence and nature, we reconnected without distractions and embraced the slower pace.[18:51] - I share how our peaceful getaway ended abruptly when Jesse scraped the car pulling out of the property.[21:04] - Despite my dented car, the relaxing overnight escape still felt restorative and memorable.[23:19] - Jesse and I reflect on our restorative glamping getaway and invite listeners to share future trip recommendations!Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This episode's guests might take the cake for most frequent guests on the podcasts – Sissy Goff and David Thomas! Throughout this insightful conversation with them, there is a question that I keep coming back to - are we protecting our kids or are we accidentally preventing them from becoming capable? That is the primary focus of not only our conversation today but also of their book – Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience!Listen in as we unpack why so many loving, thoughtful parents are exhausted from carrying responsibilities their children are actually ready to begin taking on themselves. From chores and homework to conflict resolution, independence, and even sleeping in their own beds, we talk honestly about how resilience is built, and it is not through perfection or pressure but instead through practice, discomfort, and trust.One of the most eye-opening parts of this conversation is our discussion around “coddling.” We don't talk about it in a judgmental way but in the very real sense that fear can quietly shape our parenting more than we realize. We talk about why boundaries do not damage attachment, why kids need opportunities to safely take on challenges, and how confidence grows when children are allowed to solve problems instead of being rescued from every single difficult moment.We also get practical, with Sissy and David sharing some simple, age-appropriate ways that parents can begin shifting responsibility to their children, whether they’re toddlers, elementary-aged kids, teenagers, or even young adults. We discuss natural consequences, teaching children to ask for help, encouraging self-advocacy, and how overmonitoring can unintentionally communicate, “I don’t think you can handle this.”This episode is all about becoming a steadier parent, and we discuss the importance of modeling courage ourselves, letting our kids see us try new things, fail, recover, and grow. If you’re listening as a parent thinking, “I didn’t do this soon enough,” I think you’ll find a lot of hope in this conversation too. I hope that you enjoy this conversation with Sissy and David, and, as always, please feel free to reach out to me with your own thoughts!In This Episode[0:35] - Welcome Sissy Goff and David Thomas back to the podcast![1:43] - Resilience grows when children face manageable challenges instead of parents constantly preventing discomfort.[4:06] - Sissy and David point out that healthy boundaries and accountability build secure attachment without coddling.[7:39] - Sissy asserts that overprotection based on fear can unintentionally limit children’s confidence, independence, and emotional growth.[10:08] - Parents should gradually shift everyday responsibilities onto their children that they're already close to being able to do on their own.[13:38] - It's important for parents to manage their own anxieties as a model for their kids.[15:08] - Hear David exemplify how trying unfamiliar things helps parents model resilience, perseverance, and empathy for struggling children.[18:34] - Simple everyday responsibilities help young children discover their abilities and build lasting confidence.[20:02] - David argues for the importance of honoring each child’s developmental pace and trusting that they will grow into capabilities in their own time.[22:35] - I discuss how teaching children to communicate needs and ask for help builds lifelong emotional and problem-solving skills.[24:01] - David and Sissy believe that children build confidence and resilience via independence, responsibilities, and experiences outside of their comfort zones.[26:11] - I add that encouraging self-advocacy helps children build confidence and handle challenges independently.[29:37] - It's important to remember that each parent-child relationship carries unique dynamics that impact expectations, behavior, and emotional growth.[32:01] - Sissy explains how kids benefit from experiencing natural consequences alongside empathy, encouragement, and supportive guidance.[33:44] - Small, gradual lessons in responsibility help children become confident, capable, and adaptable adults.[37:04] - Children ultimately thrive when parents nurture their existing strengths instead of putting extra pressure on them.[38:36] - David reminds us that growth happens at different paces and that it’s never too late to encourage independence.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineBooksCapable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience by Sissy Goff & David ThomasSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Funnily enough, this episode of The Crystal Paine Show was originally supposed to be about my 22-hour getaway with Jesse and then naturally became much more an episode about running and how I have been training for a 10k! Listen in as Jesse and I share how a two-week break from the podcast turned into a reflection on just how full life has been lately! From the chaos of baseball season to the unexpected intensity of my 10K training, things have truly been hectic. Between juggling travel ball schedules and long practices with Jesse and Silas, I have also been dealing with a completely new challenge for myself: running longer distances than I ever thought I could! What began as a simple goal has turned into a deep learning experience around pacing, breathing, fueling, and even rethinking how I understand my own body, and I talk openly in this episode of the show about how I’ve had to slow down, correct my breathing habits, and even explore things such as mouth taping after dealing with laryngitis and realizing how much my old habits were holding me back from my full potential.I share how, as I have trained, I have been so surprised by how much running has changed not just my fitness but also my mindset. I am really learning that endurance is just as mental as it is physical and that sometimes finishing a run is less about speed and more about choosing to keep going one small step at a time. I also share how tools such as the RUNA app and Strava have helped me structure my training and actually understand what it means to train smart instead of just hard. It has been such a fascinating journey discovering firsthand how much strategy goes into something as simple as going for a run!Beyond the physical side, I also reflect on what it means to take on something new in my forties and how running has unexpectedly opened up new ways of seeing my neighborhood, my routines, and even my own limits. From exploring unfamiliar streets to learning how to manage discomfort, this journey has become about more than just race day. It’s about growth, curiosity, and learning to trust myself in the process. Jesse and I also discuss how this experience connects to bigger life themes such as stepping into new and even initially uncomfortable challenges, embracing uncertainty, and letting our kids see us do hard things. I hope that you enjoy this episode, and, as always, please feel free to reach out with your thoughts! We would love to hear from you!In This Episode[0:35] - Baseball season overwhelmed our schedule, pausing the podcast temporarily.[3:37] - Hear how training for a 10k has been exhausting but also has taught me pacing and breathing.[6:02] - I talk about how running has also exposed poor breathing habits, leading to Laryngitis and a shift toward nasal breathing and better pacing.[9:39] - I explain how mouth-taping has helped me retrain nasal breathing and has improved sleep and morning symptoms.[12:01] - Jesse and I discuss how conscious nasal breathing improves congestion, sleep quality, and overall stress regulation.[15:38] - I enthuse about how running has become transformative for me via consistency, endurance building, and mindful pacing over speed.[18:09] - I reveal how the Runna app creates personalized training plans that highlight structured pacing and prevention of injury.[19:32] - For me, running has become a deeply mental challenge where fueling, hydration, and self-talk determine whether I finish strong![22:07] - Jesse and I talk about how training beyond race distance helps build endurance, confidence, and better performance on the day of the race.[25:12] - Hear how post-race plans will be decided later on but will focus on growth, exploration, and flexible running goals![28:11] - I reflect on how what began as a casual activity has turned into a truly meaningful way to explore surroundings and daily life more intentionally.[30:28] - Jesse remarks that embracing uncertainty in challenges can be motivating, but lack of preparation can also cause setbacks.[33:32] - Hear how race strategy focuses on maintaining a steady personal pace using training data and body awareness instead of competition.[36:28] - My running journey has truly grown into a broader reflection on self-growth, balance, and learning to “run your own race.”Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineRunna AppFartlek App (Apple)Fartlek App (Google)Strava AppBooksBreath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James NestorSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

I am truly so excited for this episode because, honestly, it felt like a little therapy session for me, and I really hope that it gives you some aha moments too! I am talking with Jason VanRuler about his book Discovering Your Communication Type: The Five Paths to Deeper Connections and Stronger Relationships, and right from the start as I read it, I was hooked. I could see how the insights would help me with my husband, my kids, and my friendships because it’s practical, relatable, and so surprisingly accessible - like someone finally saying, “Here’s how this actually works,” without all the jargon!Jason walks us through the five communication styles that make up his PATHS model - Peacemaker, Advocate, Thinker, Harbor, and Spark - and he explains how our words are driven by different motivations: maintaining peace, standing up for what’s right, being logically correct, protecting feelings, or bringing energy and momentum. He and I get into how knowing your style (as well as the styles of those around you) can truly change your conversations, especially when conflict or stress shows up. I had one of those aha moments when I realized that I have been showing up in relationships in ways I think are expected of me, instead of who I am actually wired to be, and yes, that includes my husband and me missing each other mid-conversation more than I’d like to admit.We also discuss how these patterns can also have strong impacts on parenting, friendships, and even self-care, and one story that hit me hard was realizing that holding out my “I got this, let me help you” sign often keeps people at arm’s length because vulnerability feels too risky. Learning to express my needs without fear has been such a huge game-changer. Listen as Jason shares some practical tips for seeing differences as gifts, understanding where misunderstandings come from, and how intentional awareness can make every conversation more meaningful. By the end, I felt so inspired to rethink how I show up, listen, and allow people in without expecting them to mirror me exactly. If you have ever wanted a roadmap for connecting more authentically with the people in your life (family, friends, colleagues, or even yourself), then this episode is full of insights that really stick, and be sure to grab a copy of Discovering Your Communication Type!In This Episode[0:35] - Today’s conversation is with Jason VanRuler, author of Discovering Your Communication Type.[2;28] - I open up and admit that Jesse and I sometimes misunderstand one another mid-conversation.[3:47] - Jason explains his five paths.[5:19] - I reflect on having realized that I balance advocacy with a learned harboring to meet others’ expectations.[7:49] - Early-life communication patterns often resurface during stress, helping to explain misunderstandings in adult interactions.[9:14] - Jason notes that awareness of our communication style allows us to give and receive meaningfully.[11:58] - Hear how I have recognized that accepting care for myself felt as vulnerable as asking for it.[14:07] - Hear how Jason realized expressing needs clearly allows others to love and support more fully.[17:02] - Sharing vulnerability with multiple people enriches life and strengthens relationships.[19:43] - Jason and I talk about how understanding and valuing different communication styles strengthens relationships and lessens conflict.[22:02] - Effective communication requires listening, understanding others’ perspectives, and adjusting your approach for each situation![25:45] - Jason reflects that healthy relationships require patience, mutual effort, and embracing others’ timelines.[29:08] - Hear how writing prompted Jason to recognize the value of outside perspectives for self-awareness.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineBooksDiscovering Your Communication Type: The 5 Paths to Deeper Connections and Stronger Relationships by Jason VanRulerSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands