Work and Play with Nancy Ray: Recent Episodes
Nancy Ray
Work and Play with Nancy Ray is a weekly podcast all about learning to balance the two most competing areas of our lives: work and play.
She dives into topics like productivity, work life balance, leading a team, time management, contentment, play, sabbath, marriage, parenting, and rest, always pointing back to scripture, the ultimate guide for a life of faith. This is a podcast all about learning to work and play well, which ultimately leads to a healthy soul and a fulfilling life.
Hey friend, today's episode is a replay, and I could not think of a better one to bring back right now. If you are in the thick of back-to-school mode—the supply lists, the new schedules, the mix of excitement and overwhelm—this one is for you. We are talking about school prep and play, and I believe it's going to encourage you right where you are.
Resources from this episode:
Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie
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Dwell Bible App Discount
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Hey friend, welcome back to Work and Play. Today's a replay episode, and this one is near and dear to my heart. We're talking about summer play, and I think sometimes we all need a little reminder that play is not a reward for finishing your work. It's part of the good life. So grab a cold drink, find a quiet spot, and let's dive in.
Resources from this episode:
Green Ember Book Series
The Vanderbeeker Book Series
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
The Coddling of the American Mind Book
The Women by Kristin Hannah
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
America turns 250 this month, and I have a lot of feelings about that, but the one that rises to the top is gratitude. I am so grateful to be an American. Today I am celebrating this country I love: her freedoms, her heritage, her beauty, and the God who has been with her from the very beginning.
Resources from this episode:
The Founders Bible by David Barton
Declaration of Independence
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Hey friend, quick note before we jump in. Today's episode is a replay, and I handpicked this one because I truly believe the timing is perfect for where a lot of us are right now. We're talking about summer projects—the fun kind, the meaningful kind, the household kind, and everything in between. I hope it encourages you.
Resources from this episode:
Legacy Photo System
Legacy Binder Checklist
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Dwell Bible App Discount
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Nancy Ray Website
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Summer is in full swing, the school year schedule has gone out the window, but Sabbath doesn't have to. Today, I am sharing 5 practical ways that we protect and keep Sabbath throughout our summer, even when it looks like nothing it does during the school year.
Past episode about Sabbath Rhythms
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Hey friend! Welcome back to Work and Play. Before we dive in, I want to give you a quick heads up that this is a replay episode, and it's one of my favorites. We're talking all about the summer plan. Honestly, this is worth a second listen. Whether you heard it the first time around or you're brand new here, I think you're going to love it!
Resources from this episode:
Midliner Highlighters
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Dwell Bible App Discount
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
If you are a reader or you have been wanting to read more this summer, today's episode is for you. I'm sharing five books either that I'm currently loving or that I have already read and would highly recommend. Perfect for your summer reading list.
Resources from this episde:
The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh
Unselected Journal of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower
On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
20 Minute Meditation Candle
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I am so excited to share this conversation that I had with Amy Wicks. She is a certified faith-based enneagram coach, speaker, author, and the founder of Simply Wholehearted. She helps women, mamas, and entrepreneurs use the enneagram, but she combines it with a faith-based perspective. She encourages you to make wholehearted rhythms to overcome burnout, reduce overwhelm and live according to your design. She also created the Wholehearted Summer Workshop, which is what we're talking about today: how to plan a summer where you and your family can thrive. I hope you love the conversation as much as I did.
Resources from this episode:
Simply Wholehearted Website
Simply Wholehearted Summer Course
Wholehearted Enneagram Quiz
Wholehearted Enneagram Podcast
Wholehearted Enneagram on Instagram
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
We have made it to the end of May is for Mamas, and today is our last Friday minisode. It is full of prayers for mamas with littles.
Resources from this episode:
Every Moment Holy, Volume III by Douglas Kaine McKelvey
Rhythms Reset Discount + Coaching Giveaway Entry
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Dwell Bible App Discount
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today's episode is going to be a really fun Q&A episode where I get to answer your questions about motherhood.
Resources from this episode:
Legacy Photo System Discount + Coaching Giveaway Entry
Discipline training from Family Team Podcast
Potty training system
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Dwell Bible App Discount
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
In today's May is for Mamas Friday minisode, I had my friend Abbey come and share a very small, but powerful portion from her book. It's called "Believe it for your Motherhood" and she ends with a call and response question and answer time you can do with your kids. It's so good and I think you're going to love it.
Resources from this episode:
Help! I'm Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who's Desperate for Change by Abbey Wedgeworth
Abbey Wedgeworth Website
Abbey Wedgeworth Instagram
Rhythms Reset Discount + Coaching Giveaway Entry
Send Nancy an audio message!
Dwell Bible App Discount
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Join my email list!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today, I have the absolute privilege of speaking with my favorite podcast guest this month, my sister. She is a mom to seven and her name is Mary Lindsey Blanton. She has children ranging in age from 2 all the way up to 18. She has tons of years of experience, she loves the Lord, and has so much wisdom in what she has to share. She's literally my go-to person for any question in motherhood and life. I am so excited to share her wisdom with you today.
Resources from this episode:
Legacy Photo System Discount + Coaching Giveaway Entry
Mary Lindsey Blanton on Instagram
Raising Godly Tomatoes by L. Elizabeth Krueger
Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson
Wise Words For Moms by Ginger Plowman Hubbard
Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam
The Contentment Challenge
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Welcome to another Friday minisode of May is for Mamas. Today, I am inviting back my friend Kimberly. You heard from her last Friday and she is going to read two more blessings over you. I love these two. The first is called "This is How we Live with Hope" and the second is "A Blessing for Parenting." I hope that it encourages you today as you listen.
Resources from this episode:
Small Steps: Blessings to Lift Your Soul on the Pilgrimage of Life by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller
Kimberly Knowle-Zeller Website
Rhythms Reset Discount + Coaching Giveaway Entry
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Dwell Bible App Discount
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Nancy Ray Website
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
This week in May is for Mamas, I have the privilege of sitting down with a dear friend and sister in Christ, Abbey Wedgeworth. She just released a book called "Help! I'm Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who's Desperate for Change." This conversation is so gospel-centered and so encouraging. I am so grateful and excited for you to listen.
Resources from this episode:
Help! I'm Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who's Desperate for Change by Abbey Wedgeworth
Abbey Wedgeworth Website
Abbey Wedgeworth on Instagram
Legacy Photo System Discount + Coaching Giveaway Entry
Send Nancy an audio message!
Dwell Bible App Discount
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Join my email list!
Nancy Ray Website
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Every Friday in May is for Mamas, I am going to be sharing a blessing or a special bonus interview. It's going to be a short and sweet word of encouragement. To kick it off, I have a sweet interview today with a new friend, Kimberly Knowle-Zeller, who has written an amazing book of blessings. She is going to read one over you today, and she is going to read a few more over you in the next few Fridays. I hope you love it as much as I do.
Resources from this episode:
Small Steps: Blessings to Lift Your Soul on the Pilgrimage of Life by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller
Kimberly Knowle-Zeller Website
Rhythms Reset Discount + Coaching Giveaway Entry
Send Nancy an audio message!
Dwell Bible App Discount
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Join my email list!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
On this first episode of May is for Mamas, I have mental health expert and real-life friend Raeanne Johnson joining me and we are going to be sharing all about family catechisms.
Resources from this episode:
New City Catechisms
Ephesians 4:29
Legacy Photo System Discount + Coaching Giveaway Entry
The Contentment Challenge
Brainwaves Wellness Website
InTENtional Trip Packet
Supplements for Kids
Steady Souls Short Course
Calm the Storm Guidebook
Brainwaves Wellness on Instagram
Raeanne on Facebook
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Dwell Bible App Discount
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Join my email list!
Nancy Ray Website
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
We are closing out April with the most fun episode of the month. Today I am sharing 10 ways for play. 10 ways I love to play. I hope by the end of this one, you're inspired to protect more space for play in your own life too.
Resources from this episode:
Work & Play Episode 306 : 1,000 Hours Outside : The Hard Parts No One Talks About
Timeless Series by Gabrielle Meyer : Book 1
Flip 7 Card Game
Skyjo Card Game
Work & Play Episode 173 : How We Sabbath
Work & Play Episode 232 : A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 1
Work & Play Episode 233 : A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 2
Work & Play Episode 308 : You're In Good Company with Ashlee Gadd
Work & Play Episode 311 : 10 Things That Are Growing My Faith
Work & Play Episode 312 : 10 Things I'm Loving in My Home
Work & Play Episode 313 : 10 Things Helping Me in My Work
The Contentment Challenge
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Dwell Bible App Discount
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Nancy Ray Website
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I am going to share with you how I actually get work done as a mom of 5 with very limited hours. These are 10 things that help me most and I think you're going to love them.
Resources from this episode:
Work & Play Episode 311 : 10 Things That Are Growing My Faith
Work & Play Episode 312 : Things I'm Loving in My Home
My Favorite Timer
Trello
Claude AI
Brick Device
Work & Play Episode 079 : Why I Have a Business Journal
Productive Morning Spotify Playlist
The Holiday Soundtrack
Rhythms Reset
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Dwell Bible App Discount
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Join my email list!
Nancy Ray Website
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today is a fun one! I am sharing ten things that I genuinely love in my home right now. Things I use every day, things that have made my life simpler or healthier or just more joyful. I hope you find something on this list that is helpful for you.
Resources from this episode:
The best glass food storage containers!
Blue Daydream Kindle Case
My fabric Apple watch band
Fit with Coco
Ankle weights
A'Del Cosmetics (Use code: NANCYRAY for 15% off)
BlueAir Filters
External Hard Drive
Lola Blankets
We Heart Nutrition (Use code: NANCYRAY for a discount!)
Desiccated Beef Liver Capsules
LMNT Electrolytes
Send Nancy an audio message!
The Contentment Challenge
Dwell Bible App Discount
Rhythms Reset
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Join my email list!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today kicks off the month of April for the Work & Play podcast! I am super excited about this little series that I have come up with which is ten things. Each episode this month, I am going to be sharing ten things with you. In today's episode, I'm sharing ten things that are growing my faith.
Resources from this episode:
Dwell Bible App Discount
My new favorite pens!
The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble
Episode 223 : I Read the Bible in a Month!
Every Moment Holy Volume I
Every Moment Holy Volume II
Every Moment Holy Volume III
Feast Worship Nights
Long Story Short Family Devotional
Send Nancy an audio message!
Rhythms Reset
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Join my email list!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Right now, as you're listening to this episode, we are smack in the middle of something kind of special. It's called "the 13th week." If you've never heard of it before, by the end of this episode, you're going to want to make it a permanent part of how you live your life.
Resources from this episode:
The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran
Work & Play Episode 143 : The 12 Week Year
Work & Play Episode 296 : My 12 Week Year Planning Process
Rhythms Reset
Dwell Bible App Discount
Send Nancy an audio message!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
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Nancy Ray Website
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." -2 Corinthians 9:8. Today, we're going to talk about abundance, we're going to talk about stewardship, and we're going to talk about how I batch my time.
Resources from this episode:
2 Corinthians 9:8
Luke 12:48
Deep Work by Cal Newport
Tiimo App
Rhythms Reset
Dwell Bible App Discount
Send Nancy an audio message!
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Nancy Ray Website
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
My friend Ashlee Gadd is joining me on the Work and Play podcast today to talk about a new collaborative book that she is spearheading called, "You're In Good Company." It is a book on friendship, motherhood, hospitality, and showing up. I can't wait for you to hear our conversation.
Resources from this episode:
You're In Good Company by Ashlee Gadd
Coffee + Crumbs
Create Anyway by Ashlee Gadd
Coffee + Crumbs Podcast
Work and Play Episode 192 : Create Anyway with Ashlee Gadd
The Magic of Motherhood by Ashlee Gadd
Coffee + Crumbs Substack
Coffee + Crumbs on Instagram
Ashlee Gadd on Substack
Ashlee Gadd on Instagram
Dwell Bible App Discount
Send Nancy an audio message!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Join my email list!
Nancy Ray Website
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today's episode might surprise you because I'm going to be talking about decluttering, but not in the way that you might expect. What I think is happening in our homes physically is connected with what's happening in us spiritually. So let's talk about what it looks like to declutter with abundance and authority.
Resources from this episode:
Dwell Bible App Discount
40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole
The Contentment Challenge
We Make Space by the Helsers
Send Nancy an audio message!
Psalm 51:10-12
Work & Play Episode 227 : Less Clutter More Life with Barbara Hemphill : Part 1
Work & Play Episode 228 : Less Clutter More Life with Barbara Hemphill : Part 2
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I want to talk about something that I have been absolutely loving with my kids this year. It's the 1,000 hours outside challenge. I want to get into the hard parts, the real parts, and why I truly believe your nervous system is begging you to step outside.
Resources from this episode:
1,000 Hours Outside
Dwell Bible App Discount
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Send Nancy an audio message!
Join my email list!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Winter can feel long and slow and February especially can feel like an eternity sometimes. Today I am sharing the daily and weekly rhythms that are working for me right now and how I'm making the most of this season before transitioning into spring.
Resources from this episode:
Claude AI
Trello
Dwell Bible App Discount
1,000 Hours Outside
Nourish Move Love on YouTube
We Heart Nutrition (Use code: NANCYRAY for a discount!)
My Favorite Natural Supplements for Pregnancy and Postpartum Blog Post
Episode 173 - How We Sabbath
A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 1
A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 2
Rhythms Reset
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Send Nancy an audio message!
Work and Play Survey
Join my email list!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Alright, the Nancy Ray Book Club is back! It's time for one of my favorite episodes of the year : my reading list. If you love books, you are going to love today's episode.
Resources from this episode:
Nancy Ray Book Club
Dwell Bible App Discount
The Body Teaches the Soul by Justin Whitmel Earley
Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle
You're in Good Company by Ashlee Gad
Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam
Calm Amidst the Chaos Podcast Series
You Bet Your Stretch Marks by Abbie Halberstadt
Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff
Stop, in the Name of God by Charlie Kirk
5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
My favorite reading light
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Work and Play Survey
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Nancy Ray Website
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today we're talking about something I mentioned last week: unfrumping myself. If you've ever felt like you are living in workout clothes and you never actually workout or maybe you generally feel like you look homeless all the time, this episode is for you.
Resources from this episode:
A'Del Cosmetics (Use code: NANCYRAY for 15% off)
Send Nancy an audio message!
Work and Play Survey
Join my email list!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Happy February, friend! Today I am pulling back the curtain and sharing my goals for 2026. There are only eight of them. Some are practical, some are personal, and all of them are shaping how I'm approaching this year. So let's dive in.
Resources from this episode:
Rhythms Reset
Dwell Bible App Discount
Simply Charlotte Mason Scripture Memory Box
The Contentment Challenge
Send Nancy an audio message!
Work and Play Survey
Join my email list!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Hello friend and welcome back to Work and Play with Nancy Ray! I'm Nancy, your host, and today we are doing something that I love doing every January, which is the State of the Podcast episode. This is where I get to look back at last year, celebrate some fun moments, and also share what I'm dreaming up for 2026.
Resources from this episode:
Dwell Bible App Discount
Work and Play Episode 279 : A Fun Summer Announcement
Work and Play Episode 280 : Two Roosters with Jared Plummer
Work and Play Episode 300 : Episode 300!
Work and Play Episode 271 : Winnie's Birth Story
Work and Play Episode 281 : Traveling with Kids : 3 Lists and All My Tips
Work and Play Episode 292 : 40 for 40 with Will Ray
Work and Play Episode 293 : 7 Weekend Rhythms We Live By
Work and Play Episode 296 : My 12 Week Year Planning Process
Send Nancy an audio message!
Nancy Ray Book Club
Work and Play Survey
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Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Well friend, I've made it all the way to episode 300 and today's episode is a Q&A with my listeners. I'm so excited!
Resources from this episode:
Dwell Bible App Discount
Episode 223 : I Read the Bible in a Month
Episode 232 : A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 1
Episode 233 : A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 2
Made for People by Justin Whitmel Earley
A'Del Cosmetics
Timeless Book Series by Gabrielle Meyer
Kindle Paperwhite
Trello
Midliners
The Contentment Challenge
Episode 003 : The Contentment Challenge
Episode 004 : Seasons of Business
Episode 286 : 3 Lessons from Charlie Kirk
Psalm 73:25-26
Shepherd's Way Farms
Too Good by Jess Ray
Positive Parenting Solutions
Brick Device
Meeting with Jesus by David Murray
Rhythms Reset
Send Nancy an audio message!
Join my email list!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Merry Christmas! Can you believe we are here?! This episode is a little different. I am going to be sharing three really beautiful prayers that you can listen to as you'd like this week. One prayer is for the start of the Christmas season. Another is for the preparation of a meal and another is for wrapping gifts.
Resources from this episode:
Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine McKelvey
Rhythms Reset
Send Nancy an audio message!
Dwell Bible App Discount
Join my email list!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I'm sharing all about my favorite books from 2025.
Resources from this episode:
Every Moment Holy
Rhythms Reset
Nancy Ray Book Club
Work & Play Episode 266 : 2025 Book List
On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni
The Blooming of Delphinium by Holly Varni
Smart Brevity by Jim VandeHei
The Opt-Out Family by Erin Loechner
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole
Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole
Underestimated by Mary Marantz
Work & Play Episode 269 : Underestimated with Mary Marantz
Born to Eat by Leslie Schilling
Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin
The If I Run Series by Terri Blackstock
Restoration Series by Terri Blackstock
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen by Kate Strickler
Work & Play Episode 283 : I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen with Kate Strickler
Love Your Life by Rachel Awtrey
Work & Play Episode 282 : Love Your Life with Rachel Awtrey
My Name is Ashler Lev by Chaim Potok
When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin
A Cross-Country Christmas
Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Polyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
The Mystwick School of Musicraft by Jessica Khoury
The Timeless Series Book 1 by Gabrielle Meyer
Follow me on Goodreads!
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Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
You may have heard of my Contentment Challenge where I give up shopping for anything extra in my life for three months straight. Today's episode, I want to challenge and encourage you with four reasons you might consider doing the Contentment Challenge in 2026.
Resources from this episode:
The Contentment Challenge
Dwell Bible App Discount
Work & Play Episode 003 : The Contentment Challenge
Rhythms Reset
Send Nancy an audio message!
Join my email list!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Are you feeling like you need some encouragement as you are looking ahead to 2026? Do you love planning your year or maybe not so much? Do you need a good look at the rhythms in your life that serve you, bring you closer to the Lord, and ultimately help you carry out God's assignment for you? This episode is for you.
Resources from this episode:
Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
Rhythms Reset
Living Fearless by Jamie Winship
The 12 Week Year
Send Nancy an audio message!
Dwell Bible App Discount
Join my email list!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
This episode is for the mom who is overwhelmed by all the stuff in your house. All the kids' toys, clutter, stuffed animals, and tiny pieces. I see you. I am you. Maybe you can pop in some earbuds and just be encouraged today. You are not alone. This is part of our duty as mamas to take care of the stuff in our house. You've got this!
Resources from this episode:
Send Nancy an audio message!
Dwell Bible App Discount
Clear Plastic Toy Organizers
Large Storage Bins
Rhythms Reset
Join my email list!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I'm doing something new today and I have made an episode for the whole family. So you don't have to listen to this in your earbuds. You can push "play" while you're riding in the car and listen because this is all about thanksgiving and how we can practice gratitude.
Melody Beattie said:
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life."
That is what we're talking about today.
Resources from this episode:
Dwell Bible App Discount
Rhythms Reset
Send Nancy an audio message!
Join my email list!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
During the week, we work, but during the weekends, we play. Today's episode is all about seven weekend rhythms that we live by.
Resources from this episode:
Dwell Bible App Discount
Shabbat Candles
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Art for Kids Hub
The Family Teams Podcast
Magnetic Whiteboard
Wet Erase Markers
Anchored Women
Rhythms Reset
Send Nancy an audio message!
Join my email list!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
My incredible husband, Will, turns 40 today and I am so excited to have him on the podcast! He is going to give you forty pieces of wisdom for his 40th birthday, or as we like to call it, "40 for 40 will Will Ray."
Resources from this episode:
Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson
Episode 070 - Crucial Conversations
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Harry Potter Series
Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington
Proverbs 22:7
Proverbs 11:25
God and Money by John Cortines
Financial Peace University
Parenting by Paul David Tripp
Unsung Hero Movie
The Family Teams Podcast
The Compound Effect by Darren Harden
Proverbs 4:7
F3 Nation
Colossians 3:23
Proverbs 3:13
Send Nancy an audio message!
Dwell Bible App Discount
Rhythms Reset
Join my email list!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I'm talking about ten ways that I am using AI to simplify my life.
Resources from this episode:
ChatGPT
Grok
Plugged In
Common Sense Media
Send Nancy an audio message!
Dwell Bible App Discount
Rhythms Reset
Join my email list!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Last week I had the opportunity to go to Share the Arrows which is a conference put on by Allie Beth Stuckey. Today's episode is a recap of all the things I learned at that conference.
Resources from this episode:
Share the Arrows Conference
Dwell Bible App Discount
Carly Jean Los Angeles
A'del Cosmetics
We Heart Nutrition (Use code: NANCYRAY for a discount!)
EveryLife
Rhythms Reset
Join my email list!
Send Nancy an audio message!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Hey there! You're in the right place for Work & Play with Nancy Ray. A quick note: The podcast will be taking a break this week (October 14th), but I'm excited to tell you I will be back next week for another great new episode. Stay tuned and I'll catch you next week!
Today’s episode is going to be light and fun. It’s all about my fall favorites!
Resources from this episode:
Send Nancy an Audio Message!
Work & Play Episode 250 - 20 Things for Fall
Trader Joes Pumpkin Muffin Mix
My Favorite Biker Shorts
North Carolina State Fair
I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen by Kate Strickler
Kate Strickler's 4 Ingredient Pumpkin Cold Foam
Olive & June Nail Polish Remover
Trader Joes Vanilla Pumpkin Candle
Trader Joes Honeycrisp Apple Candle
Kindle Paperwhite
Timeless Book Series by Gabrielle Meyer
My Cozy Amazon Slippers
HOKA Shoes
Aerie Sweatshirt
Autumn Harvest Salad
My Fall Playlist
Cozy Knit Blanket
Rhythms Reset
Dwell Bible App Discount
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I am going to talk about things that I’m really passionate about, which are three rhythms that I cannot do without every single week. Weekly planning, weekly wrap up, and a Sabbath.
Resources from this episode:
168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam
Work & Play Weekly Checklist
Rhythms Reset
What's Best Next by Matt Perman
Dwell Bible App Discount
Send Nancy an Audio Message!
Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
חֲזַק (Pronunciation: kha-ZAK) is the Hebrew word for “be bold.” Today’s episode is five ways to move forward in boldness.
Resources from this episode:
Dwell Bible App Discount
Work & Play Episode 286: 3 Lessons from Charlie Kirk
Hosanna Revival Christian Standard Bible
ESV Journaling Bible
Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin
Jen Wilkin Sermon on the Mount Bible Study
Free Hillsdale College Constitution 101 Course
Turning Point USA Homeschool Curriculum
1 Thessalonians Chapter 4
Work & Play Episode 5: Calling vs. Assignment
James 4:14
Rhythms Reset
Send Nancy an Audio Message!
Visit my Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I honor the life and death of my brother in Christ, Charlie Kirk. I also admit that I don’t always get it right on this podcast and platform and I share some Scripture and some resources that might help you if you’re confused about what people are saying and are searching for some truth.
Resources from this episode:
Rhythms Reset
The Charlie Kirk Show
Charlie at My Church
Turning Point USA
Joshua 1:9
1 Peter 3:15
1 Corinthians 15:58
Allie Beth Stuckey Justice Episode
Erika Kirk Addressing the Nation
Echo Unafraid
Amir Odum YouTube Video
Charlie on a College Campus: Video 1
Charlie on a College Campus: Video 2
Charlie on a College Campus: Video 3
Some Thoughts I Agree With
John 14:6
John 14:27
2 Timothy Chapter 3
Send Nancy an Audio Message!
Dwell Bible App Discount
Visit my Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today’s episode is all about how to be proactive versus being reactive.
Resources from this episode:
Verity Conference (Use code: NANCYRAY15 for 15% off)
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Free Weekly Checklist!
Rhythms Reset
Send Nancy an Audio Message!
Dwell Bible App Discount
Visit my Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I was reading through 1 Peter the other morning and this verse just stuck out at me. 1 Peter 1:13 - “Therefore, prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Today’s episode is just me sharing a little bit of what I feel like the Lord has been teaching me lately, specifically about this verse and the importance of our minds.
Resources from this episode:
1 Peter 1:13
Send Nancy an Audio Message!
Rhythms Reset
Dwell Bible App Discount
Isaiah 26:3
Marco Polo
Visit my Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I got to sit down with my friend, Kate Strickler of Naptime Kitchen, and talk all about some of our favorite things, recipes, practical things we love, but especially her new book, I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen. We talk a lot about the theme of contentment, which you guys know is dear to my heart. I’m so excited for you to listen to our conversation today.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
Episode 056 - Meal Planning Made Fun with Kate from Naptime Kitchen
The Home Reset
I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen Book by Kate Strickler
Naptime Kitchen Overnight Oatmeal
Naptime Kitchen Honey Butter Crockpot Chicken
Naptime Kitchen Greek-ish Crockpot Chicken
Naptime Kitchen Daily Green Smoothie
Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Roll Recipe
Over the Door Organizer
Naptime Kitchen Website
Kate Strickler on Instagram
Send Nancy an Audio Message!
Visit my Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I met my friend Rachel at a retreat a little over a year ago and we were fast friends. She is a fellow podcaster and now an author. Today, I’m having her on the Work and Play podcast to talk all about her new book and some big sister advice that you are not going to want to miss.
Resources from this episode:
Rachel Awtrey Website
Follow Rachel on Instagram
Real Talk with Rachel Awtrey Podcast
Soul Camp
Love Your Life book by Rachel Awtrey
Your Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
Big Sis Advice
Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
Psalm 68:3
Send Nancy an Audio Message!
Visit my Cornerstore!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today’s episode is all about traveling with kids. We’ve been at this for a while and I’m so excited to share all of my tips + three lists that I cannot do without.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
Walker Family Goods Duffel Bags
Lalabu Baby Wrap
Travel White Noise Machine
Visit my Cornerstore!
Send me an audio message!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Jared Plummer is the founder of Two Roosters Ice Cream, a popular and delicious ice cream shop with eight locations here in the Raleigh area that everyone is crazy about. They have their standard menu of favorites, but they also rotate their guest flavors every month. If you caught my last episode, you’ll know that their July flavors feature local podcasters and the Work and Play podcast is one of them. Today, you’re going to get to hear from Jared as we talk all about Two Roosters and what work and play looks like in his world.
Resources from this episode:
Two Roosters Ice Cream
Send Nancy a Voice Message!
Work and Play Episode 026 - My Favorite Business Book of All Time
Traction by Gino Wickman
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
Kelsey Plummer with Raymond James
C12 Business Forums
Ecclesiastes 11:1-5
Visit my Cornerstore!
Ice Cream Scooper Recommended by Jared
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Are you ready?! I don’t think you’re ready. This is such a fun summer announcement! Work and Play is officially an ice cream flavor! Today, I am bringing on some special guests to share all about how the Work and Play podcast has been turned into ice cream, literally.
Resources from this episode:
Two Roosters Ice Cream
Leave Nancy a Voice Message!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
This episode is all about my summer of less.
Resources from this episode:
We Make Space by Melissa Helser
John 3:30
New Life Camp
Visit Nancy's Cornerstore!
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Glass Food Storage Containers
Leave Nancy a Voice Message!
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today’s episode is all about simple ways to feel closer to God.
Resources from this episode:
40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole
25% Off Dwell Bible App
Episode 173 - How We Sabbath
Episode 232 - A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 1
Episode 233 - A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 2
Send me an audio message!
Visit my Cornerstore!
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Mildliner Highlighters
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Happy summer! I’m so excited that summer is finally here! Today’s episode is simply five tips for you to have a smoother summer.
Resources from this epsiode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
Trader Joe's Organic Freezer Pops
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
We just got back from New York City celebrating Milly’s 10th birthday! Today’s episode is all about that trip and how we are celebrating big milestone birthdays in our family.
Resources from this episode:
Work & Play Episode 63 - Joy-Filled Birthdays
Color Factory NYC
Becco Italian Restaurant
The Metropolitan Museum
Brighter Day Press
Keen Sandals
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
My nesting party was one of my favorite days of my life. I know that sounds crazy, but it was so much more than getting my home ready for having a baby. It was a day where I was surrounded by my favorite women on this earth, humbly receiving their love, work, and care. It’s a day that will always remind me that when I’m feeling alone, I’m actually not alone at all. I have women who love me. Today, I’m going to share the practical side of how to throw a nesting party and the heart side of why it meant so much to me. I’m going to have my friend and sister-in-law, Samantha Ray on to give her perspective of what it was like because she threw the nesting party for me. It’s going to be a lot of fun!
Resources from this episode:
Emily Thomas Substack
Samantha Ray Substack
Let's Talk Life with Samantha Ray Podcast
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Last week’s episode was all about what’s saving my life right now - mom edition, but I focused on everything that was free. This week is everything else, so it’s part two of What’s Saving My Life Right Now - Mom Edition.
Resources from this episode:
EveryLife Diapers
EveryLife Shampoo and Body Wash
Tubby Todd All Over Ointment
Solly Wrap
Lalabu Baby Carrier
How to Fight Mastitis Naturally Blog
YOTO Player
Spotify Premium Plans
Slugs and Bugs on Spotify
Forrest Frank on Spotify
Good News Guys on Spotify
Jess Ray on Spotify
Warby Parker
Pilot Pens
A'Del Cosmetics
Caraway Pans
Glass Food Storage
Legacy Photo System
Clear Your Photos Free Guide
Timeless Book Series by Gabrielle Meyer
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Let’s pretend you and I are sitting down at a coffee shop and you just asked me, “Nancy, what is saving your life right now as a mama of five?” Then I tell you everything that I can think of. That is what today’s episode is going to be.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
2 Peter 1:3-4
Nourish Move Love on YouTube
Clear Your Photos Free Guide
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Winsome Joy Ray, our precious fifth baby, was born at home on Christmas Day. This is her birth story.
Resources from this episode:
Nancy Ray Blog
Nourish Move Love Labor Inducing Workout
Peace album by Bethel Music
Matin: Rest album by Jess Ray
Matin: Turn album by Jess Ray
Matin: Love album by Jess Ray
A Vision for this Season
How to Visualize Your Dream Birth by Hailey Aliff
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Hello and welcome to May is for Mamas! I am so excited! I love this month of the year on the Work & Play podcast! We are kicking off this series with 20 of my favorite things that I have experienced this postpartum season. This is going to be a great episode for you to forward to a pregnant mama or someone who is postpartum. There is going to be a total of five episodes released every Thursday during the month of May with something for moms and something free for you (like a gift or a discount). It’s all going to be in every episode, but you have to stay and listen to the end, so don’t miss it. I can’t wait for May is for Mamas 2025. Let’s go!
Resouces from this episode:
Lumebox (red light therapy)
Stanley cup
HydroJug
Owala water bottle
Element Electrolyte Drink Mix
Peace album by Bethel Music
Matin: Rest album by Jess Ray
Matin: Turn album by Jess Ray
Matin: Love album by Jess Ray
On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni
Hiccapop bed bumper
Hatch alarm clock
Solly baby wrap
LUXE bidet
Colorfulkhola joggers
No-bake energy balls
Brewer's yeast
Haakaa breast pump
Kindle Paperwhite
Nursing tank tops
We Heart Nutrition postnatal vitamin (use code NANCYRAY for a discount!)
Frida Mom peri bottle
Free Diastatis Recti Repair Program on YouTube
25% Off Dwell Bible App
FREE GIFT: Calm Amidst the Choas podcast series
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Well today you’re in for a treat. I have my dear friend, Mary Marantz, author of Underestimated, on the podcast. She has written three amazing books, but we’re talking about her latest one. I cannot even tell you what a gift it has been to me so far. I know you’re going to love this conversation with Mary. If you are stuck in feeling afraid of moving forward in a dream or idea that you have… if you feel like you’re just a drop in a bucket and you don’t know how to create… if you feel like you are afraid and there are scripts playing in your head and you don’t know how to get past them, today’s episode is for you.
Resources from this episode:
Underestimated by Mary Marantz
Dirt by Mary Marantz
The Best of You by Alison Cook
Biblical Principles to Overcome Overwhelm with Jordan Raynor
Take the achiever quiz!
Pre-Order Underestimated
Mary Marantz on Instagram
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Do you know what I don’t talk about enough? My Contentment Challenge. It has become a regular part of my life every year now, but it continues to be one of the best things that I do. Today, I’m going to share eleven benefits that I experience every single time I do the Contentment Challenge and my unique approach to it this year.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
Take the Contentment Challenge
Work & Play Episode 3 - The Contentment Challenge
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today, I’m going to share what it means to live in day-tight compartments. This is a follow-up episode from last year called, “Be Where Your Feet Are.” Basically, an encouragement and reminder to you to be present today and that’s all you need to focus on.
Resources from this episode:
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Last week, I told you all about my favorite books from 2024. This week, I’m going to tell you all about what I plan to read in 2025.
Resources from this episode:
Nancy Ray Book Club
By my friend on Goodreads!
Kindle
On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni
The Blooming of Delphinium by Holly Varni
Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less
TwoTone Creative
The-Opt Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't by Erin Loechner
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole
Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole
Underestimated by Mary Marantz
The Wild Robot Trilogy by Peter Brown
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
The God of the Garden by Andrew Peterson
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan
The If I Run Series by Terri Blackstock
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Reading books will forever be an important part of my life. It is something my dad has instilled in me. I will always be sharing the books that I’m loving and the books that I’m hoping to read on this podcast because I think it’s one of life’s greatest gifts. So today I am going to be sharing with you my favorite books that I read last year in 2024.
Resources from this episode:
Nancy Ray Book Club
Goodreads
Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes
Made for People by Justin Whitmel Earley
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Rebel by Graham Cochrane
The Unplugged Hours by Hannah Brencher
Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Restoration Series by Terri Blackstock
How to Train Your Dragon Book Series
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I am so excited to be back behind this mic! Today, we are going to talk about why I named this podcast “Work and Play” and I’ll share a fresh take on what it means to me now.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
Nancy Ray Blog
Join My Email List!
Andrew Peterson on Spotify
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
It is January! Happy 2025! This is my annual State of the Podcast episode. It’s going to be short and sweet, but I’m also really excited to share all the ideas and things I’m thinking about for Work and Play with Nancy Ray in 2025.
Resources from this episode:
Dwell Bible App
Nancy Ray Blog
2025 Survey
Join My Email List
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Well, we just had our 5th baby and we decided to keep the news of our pregnancy all to ourselves until baby was born. Today, with the help of my friend Emily, I’ll be sharing all about why we chose this path.
Resources from this episode:
The Connected Family Substack
Cultivate What Matters
Emily Thomas Website
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Okay, friend! I have been keeping the biggest secret from you all year and I'm so excited to finally share it with you today. I don't think you're ready for this... Are you ready?
Resources from this episode:
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today is a very brief episode. It’s a tradition of sorts on this podcast for me to read this to you. I change it a little every year so that it pertains specifically to this year. It’s simply called, “Finish Strong.”
Resources from this episode:
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
If you do absolutely nothing else with this episode, then listen to the intro. I want you to listen to my encouragement to take time to reflect at the end of your year.
Today, I am going to be sharing my three favorite rhythms (or traditions or appointments) I put in my calendar at the end of every single year to finish the year well. These are things that really make me pause and reflect on the things that I have learned, the mistakes that I have made, and how I want to change. That can make all the difference.
Resources from this episode:
Dwell Bible App Deals
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living book by Dale Carnegie
Free Guide - A Vision for this Season
The 12 Week Year Podcast
The 12 Week Year Book
The Contentment Challenge
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Now it’s time to get into the Christmas spirit. Today, I’m going to be sharing my five favorite Christmas traditions, my five favorite gifts to give at Christmas time, and my five favorite Christmas albums to listen to.
Resouces from this episode:
Calm Amidst the Chaos Podcast Series
The Giving Manger
Instax Camera
Every Moment Holy Volume I
Every Moment Holy Volume II
Every Moment Holy Volume III
Chunky Knit Blanket
Mulling Spices
Made for People by Justin Whitmel Earley
Relaxed by Megan Fate Marshman
Charlie Brown Christmas Album
A Midnight Clear by John Nilsen
The Christmas Cocktails Album
The Holiday Soundtrack
Elf Soundtrack
Sufjan Stevens Christmas Collection
Be Merry Playlist
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Happy Thanksgiving week! Oh my goodness, I can’t believe we are here! Today’s episode is all about our very favorite Thanksgiving tradition. It’s so simple. It costs nothing. I hope you and your family enjoy it!
Resources from this episode:
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Val Marie Prayer Journals
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Hey there! You're in the right place for Work and Play with Nancy Ray. A quick note: The podcast will be taking a break this week (November 19th), but I'm excited to tell you I will be back next week for another great new episode. Stay tuned and I'll catch you next week!
I specifically reached out to my podcast guest today and said, “Please come on my podcast. I have been watching you and have been so inspired by you. I would love to hear more about your story and get a chance to catch up.”
We have been kind of online friends for over five years. Seeing what she is doing in her life is so inspiring. So today I am going to talk with Laura Jean Bell about health, faith, speaking life, about her story, and about her new book. Honestly, I feel like I was just sitting on a back porch talking with a really good friend for a long time. She is very honest; very real, and I think you’re going to love what she has to say.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
Proverbs 18:21
Laura Jean Bell on Instagram
Laura Jean Bell on Facebook
You Can Always Come Home Book by Laura Jean Bell
Laura Bell Website
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Happy November! I am setting the bar high this year for no one but myself. I feel like this is going to be a podcast experiment. I’ll let you know how it goes, but today I am sharing with you my extreme Christmas goals for this year.
Resources from this episode:
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today, I have the absolute privilege of talking to my new friend, Cleere Cherry. You might know her as Cleerely Stated on Instagram. She has been such a massive blessing to me. I love the way she writes and the way she speaks life. Her faith is resilient and contagious. I just feel so honored to have this conversation today with Cleere. I know you’re going to love it.
Resources from this episode:
Cleere Cherry on Instagram
Let's Be Cleere Podcast
2 Corinthians 12:9
Cleerely Stated Website
Revive Devotional
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
If you’re anything like me, you’re already starting to think about the holidays and Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up. Today’s episode is simply going to be some questions for you to ask yourself (and for me to ask myself) before the holiday craziness begins.
Resources from this episode:
A Vision for this Season - Free Guide
Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White
The Giving Manger
Proverbs 11:24-25
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today, I have the absolute privilege of talking with Megan Fate Marshman about her new book called, “Relaxed.” Let me just tell you, this conversation was so special. It is one that I am going to listen to over and over again. I hope it means as much to you as it has meant to me.
Resources from this episode:
Relaxed by Megan Fate Marshman
Ephesians Chapters 1-3
Matthew 6:21
Proverbs 4:23
Megan Marshman on Instagram
Megan Marshman on YouTube
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today’s episode is going to be sweet, short, and hopefully powerful as I declare the truths of Colossians 1 over your work.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
Colossians Chapter 1
A Vision for this Season Free Guide
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today’s episode is fun, lighthearted, and it’s all about fall. I am going to share with you ten things that I have tried and loved this time of year and ten things that I plan to try this autumn.
Resources from this episode:
Calm Amidst the Chaos Podcast Series
Magnolia Hearth and Hand Candle
Autumn Playlist
Venison/Beef Chili
White Chicken Chili
Butternut Squash Soup
Dill Pickle Chicken Salad
Olive and June Nail Polish
Harvest Salad
Kizik Shoes
Artifact Uprising
Vitamin C Powder
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I have the privilege of talking with my friend, Hannah Brencher, the author of The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World. Hannah is such a gift! I am so excited to share her with you today and the message of her new book that is already changing my life.
Resources from this episode:
The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World by Hannah Brencher
John 10:10
The Unplugged Hours Challenge
Hannah Brencher on Instagram
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
This episode of Work & Play with Nancy Ray is simply called, “Get Quiet, Then Go.”
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
Psalm 25:14
John Bevere Sermon
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Welcome back to part two of my conversation with Graham Cochrane about his new book, Rebel, which is so great. If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode, definitely go back and listen to that one first. This is a continuation of my conversation with Graham. I told him when I was talking with him, “I feel like this is a sermon for me. How is it that we’re talking about your book called ‘Rebel’ right now?” It’s so good. I hope you enjoy our conversation. It was such a challenge and such a blessing to me all at once. I know you’re going to love it. Here’s part two of my conversation with Graham Cochrane.
Resources from this episode:
Rebel by Graham Cochrane
Isaiah 30:21
Mark 5:1-18
Graham Cochrane on Instagram
The Graham Cochrane Show
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Get excited for today’s episode (and next week’s episode) because I get to talk with Graham Cochrane, who is a dear friend of mine. He and his wife Shay are good friends of mine and WIll. He is also my business coach. He has coached me in different seasons of my business and he just wrote a book. He loves the Lord. He is a brilliant entrepreneur, thought leader, author. It is a joy to get to talk to him and ask him questions one on one. You guys are in for a treat. The episode was packed full of so much goodness, I decided to break it up into two episodes. So don’t miss next week’s episode as well, as Graham and I talk all about his new book, Rebel.
Resources from this episode:
Rebel by Graham Cochrane
Psalm 37:4
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
We stare at the walls in our home every single day. Honestly, we just get used to them and we don’t think about what’s on them very much. Slowly, they become outdated or need a refresh. Old photos and artwork fill the walls of our home and we don’t love them like we used to. Today’s episode is meant to be a little boost for you and to remind you that the walls in your home are supposed to bring you joy. I am inviting you to refresh your walls with me.
Resources from this episode:
Legacy Photo System
The Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson
Mpix
Picture Hanging Kits
Ikea 16x20 Gold Picture Frames
Framebridge
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today’s episode is full of scripture and encouragement for us to live in the authority that God has given us instead of walking in guilt.
Resources from this episode:
Matthew 28:18
Luke 10:19
Titus Chapter 2
Mark 6:7
Ephesians 1:18-23
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
The school year is here and it is time to get in that mode. I feel like today’s episode is a pep talk for us mamas who are getting ready to start the school year and we want to start it strong. This episode is called “School Prep and Play” because we are going to be talking about how to prepare well for the school year and also how to play more this school year.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Hello! Welcome back to Work & Play with Nancy Ray. After a month-long break this summer, I thought that we would kick it off by talking about my favorite books that I have read so far in 2024.
Resources from this episode:
Nancy Ray Book Club
Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes
Made for People by Justin Whitmel Early
Last Light by Terri Blackstone
The Women by Kristin Hannah
If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry by Molly Stillman
How to Train Your Dragon Series by Cressida Cowell
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Bird by Bird by Anne Lomott
Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana White
Until the Streetlights Come on by Ginny Yurich MEd
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today’s episode is all about the purpose of summer. What is the purpose of summer? What is the purpose of your summer? What do you want to get out of it? How can we walk through summer with a heart of contentment, gratitude, really enjoy it and make the most out of it?
Resources from this episode:
Work & Play Survey
Free Legacy Binder Checklist
Legacy Photo System
Summer Moon Coffee
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I believe the key to making your summer run smoothly is to do a lot of the work on the front end. So today’s episode is all about summer prep.
Resources from this episode:
Large Wall Calendar
The Bug Bite Thing
Kate Strickler (Naptime Kitchen)
Walker Family Goods
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Happy June! Happy summer! It’s the second episode in our June summer series and today is all about summer play.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
Green Ember Book Series
The Vanderbeeker Book Series
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
The Coddling of the American Mind Book
The Women by Kristin Hannah
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today’s episode is all about my summer projects and how having some projects to anchor you in the summer is really good for you.
Resources from this episode:
Legacy Photo System
Artifact Uprising
Legacy Binder Checklist
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Abraham Lincoln said,
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.”
Well, I had this thought: What if we took that quote and applied it to motherhood. I thought of a few examples, but not many. But man, when I took it to Instagram and my email list, you guys delivered! I have a whole list of ways that this quote can apply to motherhood and you are in for a treat. Get ready to make your life a whole lot more practical and easier in this last “May is for Mamas” episode.
Resources from this episode:
Legacy Checklist Link Coming Soon!
Clorox Bleach Toilet Tablets
Lululemon
Frost Free Freezers
Mom Agenda
8 Cube Organizers
Teaching from Rest by Sarah MacKenzie
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I’m so excited to welcome you back to another episode of “May is for Mamas” where every episode in the month of May is dedicated to mamas. Today, we are talking with an expert on health, nourishing ourselves, and how to change our families forever by taking care of our bodies with the food that we eat. I’m so excited for you to hear from Ilana Muhlstein. Now, if you’ve ever been part of the “Beach Body” program or heard of the “2B Mindset”, this is who created it. Guys, I’m geeking out. I don’t usually say “Yes” to people who I get random emails from in my inbox, but when I saw hers come thorough, I started geeking out because I personally have done “2B Mindset”, I’ve gone through her program (I’ve done it last year, I’m doing it now), I believe in it and it works. So I thought to share something that’s been so life changing for me with my listeners with Illana herself would be such a gift, especially in the month of May for “May is for Mamas.” So I’m so excited. She is a dietician, a nutritionist, and a best-selling author. Guys, at the age of 13, Ilana weighed over 200 pounds. Her story is so inspiring. She came up with this model that really works and I can say that honestly because it works for me. It is like a track to run on; so helpful. The conversation is going to be so great. I hope you enjoy this episode of “May is for Mamas” with Ilana Muhlstein.
Resources from this episode:
Illana Muhlstein Website
2B Mindset Program
Ilana Muhlstein on Instagram
Illana Muhlstein on TikTok
Ilana Muhlstein on YouTube
Ilana Muhlstein on Facebook
You Can Drop It Podcast
Ilana Muhlstein Cookbook
Use Code "HWPOD10" for $10 Off Ilana Housewares orders over $70
Use Code "PODCAST10" for $10 Off Your First Meal + 5% Off When You Subscribe
Goodles Mac & Cheese
Immi Ramen
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I don’t know if you’re like me in this way, but I love to sit around and picture the time that I am a grandmother. It’s something about the legacy that we are leaving right now, in the thick of motherhood and keeping the vision of me as a grandmother. It just keeps me going. Today, I am going to share a little secret. I have a note on my phone (in the Notes app) that I have been writing down all of the things that I don’t want to forget when I’m a grandma. Notes to myself, advice to myself that I will never forget and will hopefully be the grandma that I want to be some day. Today, I am going to share everything that I’ve written down in that little Notes app with you.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
Kate Strickler (Naptime Kitchen) Instagram
The Mommy Talks Instagram
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Welcome to the first episode of my “May is for Mamas” series, where every episode in the month of May is dedicated to the mamas listening. I’m starting out with a great conversation with my friend, Molly Stillman, who just wrote an amazing book called, “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry.” It’s so good. We talk all about it, but it really honors the life and story of her mom, which is just amazing. You’ll hear all about it. I’m so excited for this series! I hope you love it.
Resources from this episode:
If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry book by Molly Stillman
Molly Stillman Podcast: Can I Laugh on Your Shoulder?
Home Before Morning book by Lynda Van Devanter
Molly Stillman Website
Molly Stillman on Instagram
Molly Stillman on Facebook
Nancy Ray Website
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
This week’s episode is part 2 of a conversation I had with my husband Will all about how we have observed the Sabbath as a family for a year now and how it has changed us forever. If you missed the first part of our conversation, go back to last week’s episode and listen to that before you listen to today’s episode. I’m so excited to finish out this conversation with you today.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
An Integrated Life Course
The Family Teams Podcast
Birds and Bees with Megan Michelson Podcast Episode
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
Papa Johns App
AllTrails
Chordify
Art for Kids Hub
Magic Markers
Brighter Day Press Watercolor Classes
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Well it has been one whole year of our little Ray family embracing the Sabbath as a weekly rhythm. This episode is a conversation with myself and Will all about how it has changed us forever.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
An Integrated Life Course
The Family Teams Podcast
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
We are back with the second half of my conversation with Jess Connolly talking all about rest because the month of April on the Work and Play podcast is all about the importance of rest in our lives. I’m so grateful you’re here! I can’t wait for you to listen to the rest. If you haven’t listened to part one already, go back to last week’s episode and start there.
Resources from this episode:
Jess Connolly Website
Jess Connolly on Instagram
Go + Tell Gals
Tired of Being Tired book by Jess Connolly
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Well, I’m trying something new here on Work and Play with Nancy Ray and that is months that have themes. So the theme of April is rest and this conversation is not going to disappoint. I’m talking to Jess Connolly today all about why women are so tired. We’re all so tired and this conversation is full of practical and spiritual answers as to why we’re so tired and what we can do differently. Guys, this conversation was so good, I decided to divide it into two episodes. I can’t wait for you to hear it and I think it fits perfectly with the theme of rest for this April. Enjoy and come back next week to hear part 2!
Resources from this episode:
Go + Tell Gals
Tired of Being Tired book by Jess Connolly
Jess Connolly Website
Jess Connolly on Instagram
Nancy Ray on Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
We live in a time where rest and play are very hard to come by. It can even be looked down on in our culture and often it feels impossible with the busy nature of our lives and schedules. Today’s episode is hopefully going to be encouraging to you to make time to rest and play a little bit more.
Resources from this episode:
Skyjo Card Game
Nancy Ray Instagram
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Okay guys, get ready for part 2 of my conversation with Barbara. If you missed last week’s episode, you’re going to want to go back and listen to it. She is so full of wisdom, so gracious, she loves the Lord, and she’s teaching us all about how to maintain our homes, get rid of clutter, and set up systems in our life that will help us do the work that we’re meant to do and live the life we’re meant to live. Loved these conversations so much. Can’t wait for you to hear part 2!
Resources from this episode:
Episode 227 - Less Clutter More Life with Barbara Hemphill : Part 1
Legacy Photo System
Less Clutter More Life by Barbara Hemphill
Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever by Barbara Hemphill and Maggie Bedrosian
Taming the Paper Tiger at Home by Barbara Hemphill
How to Make Your Clothes Closet a Place You Love
Productive Environment Scorecard
The Vision Accelerator
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today's episode is so special! We have Barbara Hemphill chatting with us about how to manage all of the stuff and clutter in our lives. Guys, she has been doing this for over 40 years! She is THE pioneer to the decluttering industry. Before minimalism was a thing, she was out there helping people declutter their homes. She has so many systems and so much wisdom. I feel like I could talk to her for hours and never get tired of it. It's such a great conversation - so valuable and helpful. I plan to go back and re-listen to it and take notes. I'm so excited! It was so good that we're splitting it across two episodes so you'll get to hear from Barbara this week and next week. Get excited because it's a good one.
Resources from this episode:
Legacy Photo System
Taming the Paper Tiger at Home by Barbara Hemphill
Less Clutter More Life by Barbara Hemphill
How to Make Your Clothes Closet a Place You Love!
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
The longer I live, the more I realize our journey with our money and our finances is not a straight line. There are different seasons of our life, different incomes that we will have, different life experiences and family members will add to our family. Life is ever changing and so are our finances. So today's episode is all about 5 tools that I am using right now that have helped me take a financial reset.
Resources from this episode:
Financial Peace University
Nancy Ray Courses
The Contentment Challenge
EveryDollar App
The Blueprint Model Free Training
The Blueprint Model Course
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I'm talking with my friend, Paige Brunton, who is a website expert (specifically in Squarespace). She teaches others to design their own Squarespace websites and she also teaches others how to become professional Squarespace web designers which is pretty cool. She has totally ditched social media, but has an amazing online business and a very engaged Youtube following. She now lives in Switzerland with her husband, which is amazing. I know you're going to love her and whether or not you have a Squarespace website, you're going to be so encouraged to know the most important thing that you need to do with your website after listening today.
Resources from this episode:
Paige Brunton Website
Square Secrets Course
Paige Brunton Blog
Theme Days Podcast Episode
Paige Brunton Youtube Channel
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Every once in a while us moms find ourselves in a very perplexing situation. We have an unexpected hour of time and we have no idea what to do with ourselves. Today, we're gonna get a game plan.
Resources from this episode:
Work and Play Weekly Checklist
Ideal Week Planning Worksheet
Nancy Ray Book Club
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
During the month of January, I read the entire Bible and this episode is all about how I did it.
Resources from this episode:
25% Off Dwell Bible App
The Contentment Challenge
John 1:1-4
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
My friend Val Marie is such a gift. She's the founder of Val Marie Paper, she's an author and she designed the lovely yearly prayer journal, which I have used time and time again. Val has given me so much perspective on prayer and has been such an encouragement to my walk with the Lord and today we're talking about what prayer can actually look like in our lives and how to make 2024 a year of prayer, for you, for real.
Resources from this episode:
Spotify Prayer Playlist
Productive Morning Spotify Playlist
How (and What) to Read on Prayer with Val Marie Podcast
30 Minute Prayer Method by Val Marie
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I'm back! It's 2024 I'm so excited to be here for my beloved State of the Podcast episode. I hope you enjoy listening to Work and Play with Nancy Ray episode 221 🎉
Shownotes : nancyray.com/podcast/221
Resources from this epsisode:
ThriveCart
Zencastr
Contentment Challenge
Legacy Photo System
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Have you ever heard of wintering as a verb? Well, now you have because today I am going to share with you 5 ways that I'm wintering this year.
Resources from this episode: The Contentment Challenge
Planning Worksheet
Wintering by Katherine May
Episode 108 - Book | Sleep Smarter
Alone
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
So this year I'm doing something a little different. I decided early in November that I am not thinking about or planning for next year until next year in January. I am all in for 2023. I want to be present and finish this year strong. My eyes are on my kids, my husband, Christmas, and New Year's, and I just, for whatever reason, feel so strongly in my spirit that I need to not take time and energy in this month to plan and look at it. This is so different for me. Okay. I am a planner. I am a forward thinker. But there's just been some different life circumstances that have led me to this, so this episode is all about some end-of-year rhythms for reflecting on your year and how you can finish this year strong.
Resources from this episode: Planning Worksheet
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today is my annual book club episode where I share my very favorite books that I read this last year in 2023 and also what I have planned for 2024. You can always find that current list updated at nancyray.com/bookclub or you can follow along and read with me if you choose. It is very relaxed or you can just catch up on the podcast episodes as I release them. So I’m excited. I read some really good stuff this year and I have some exciting picks for next year and I can’t wait to share them with you today.
Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club
Val Marie Paper - Prayer Journal | use code “WORKANDPLAY” for 10% off
Books I Read in 2023:
Episode 212 - Narnia, Harry Potter, and the Wingfeather Saga
The Chronicles of Narnia
Harry Potter
Wingfeather Saga
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Episode 183 - Book | Four Thousand Weeks
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin
The Power of Writing it Down by Allison Fallon
Episode 196 - The Blessing [Book] with Kari Trent Stageberg
The Blessing by John Trent, Gary Smalley, Kari Trent Stageberg
The Blessing Of A Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel
Try Softer by Aundi Kolber
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
Matriarch by Samantha Ray
Episode 185 - The Minkies
Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley, Troy and Ruth Simons
Books I Wanted to Read in 2023:
The Stories We Tell by Joanna Gaines
The Lazy Genius Kitchen by Kendra Adachi
Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends by Sarah Mally
Books I Plan to Read in 2024:
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Set The Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes
Made for People by Justin Whitmel Earley
Until the Streetlights Come On by Ginny Yurich
The 2-Hour Cocktail Party by Nick Gray
Take Back Your Time by Christy Wright
The Stories We Tell by Joanna Gaines
Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends by Sarah Mally
The Green Ember Series
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Get ready for the icing on the cake for the best kept secret to a holiday season full of joy and contentment. You ready? It's giving. It's giving. It's being intentional about giving away the resources that God has blessed you with. We're wrapping up this holiday series with the best episode of them all, holiday giving.
Resources from this episode: Val Marie Paper - Prayer Journal use code “WORKANDPLAY” for 10% off
God and Money by John Cortines
The Blessed Life by Robert Morris
Financial Peace University
National Christian Foundation
The Journey of Generosity
The Giving Manger
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
There is something so sacred about food during the holidays. The taste of your grandma's casserole or your aunt's monkey bread, or your mom's Christmas Eve dinner. It can fill your heart and mind with so many wonderful feelings and memories. Food represents so much more than just a meal. It represents feelings of nostalgia and it represents just the most important parts of the holiday season, which is bringing people together around the table in love. I'm so excited just to have a little bit of fun on this episode and encourage you just to think about the food that you are having in your family over this holiday season.
Resources from this episode: Patreon
Christian Healthcare Ministries
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I'm pumped to talk about a Christmas budget and Christmas gifts today. Guys, this can get so outta hand so fast, and also it can have such a negative connotation to it. Just making a Christmas budget feels like it's stifles all the Christmas cheer. But I'm here to say it doesn't. It doesn't. Making a Christmas budget actually brings me a lot of joy because it helps me to stay organized and focused on what I really, really want to be spending my money on.
And it helps me not get so carried away that in January I look back and have a lot of regret. I don't. When I make a Christmas budget, I don't. And so today we're gonna talk all about how to make a simple and effective Christmas budget for you to follow, as well as how to create a gift tracking document so that you can keep track of everything really well this Christmas.
Resources from this episode:
Patreon
Christian Healthcare Ministries
GoodKind - Use the code WORKANDPLAY for 15% off
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Okay. Deep breath everybody. It is time to tackle the holiday schedule. Dare I say, this is the main source of stress that we encounter during the holidays. There are so many different invitations, obligations, so many people and organizations who are all asking something of us. And today I am here to remind you, you get to choose your yeses and your nos.
Resources from this episode: Patreon
Christian Healthcare Ministries
GoodKind - Use the code WORKANDPLAY for 15% off
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I'm kicking off a new series on the podcast, and I am giddy about it because it's all about the holidays. We're all thinking about it already. It's the last week of October. We're looking at November and December, and I think we can feel equal parts overwhelmed and excited. So today I am starting a five-part podcast series. It's gonna be very short podcast episodes just to get you thinking about how you can create holidays that are full of joy and contentment.
And I'll get into all the details of it. But here's what you can expect. The first episode, which is today, is gonna be about traditions. Next week it's gonna be about creating your holiday schedule. Then the next week, your holiday budget, and then your gifts, and then food. And I'm gonna be sharing all of the things that our family does while also just inviting you to think through and really, I don't know, analyze and consider what you want your holidays to look like. And I'm excited. I'm so excited about this. So I'm glad that you're here. Let's jump in.
Resources from this episode: Patreon
Episode 33 - Our Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
The Giving Manger by Allison Hottinger
Duke Chorale Christmas Concert
Behold the Lamb of God Album
Christmas Jammies
A Midnight Clear by John Nilsen
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Hey there! You're in the right place for Work and Play with Nancy Ray. A quick note—the podcast will be taking a break this week (November 2), but I'll be back next week with an exciting new episode. See you then!
There will never be adequate words to describe what these book series have meant to me over the last year. They have been some of the best parts of my life. I kid you not, over the last 12 months, I sobbed at the end of each one. Not an exaggeration. And if I'm honest, today's podcast episode almost didn't happen because I already know it's gonna fall short of what I want to say about each of these series, but I decided to move forward with it because if it encourages you to read them with a kingdom mindset, I believe it will have been worth it. Let's dive into the three best children’s series of all time.
Resources from this episode: Christian Healthcare Ministries
Nancy Ray Book Club
Chronicles of Narnia
Harry Potter Series
The Wing Feather Saga
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
One thing I have realized recently is that all of us in one way or another are seeking wisdom from God in our work. Whether that is working in our home and serving our kids and raising them, or whether it is running a business, managing a team, developing a new product, just maintaining something that we've had for years. As we get older, we need more wisdom. Life continues to get more complicated and more challenging, and especially in our work. And today's episode is gonna be simple. It's gonna be about three promises that we can find in scripture regarding wisdom in our work.
Resources from this Podcast:
- Christian Healthcare Ministries
- Proverbs 8:1–11
- James 1:5
- Proverbs 3:5–6
Okay. I felt like it was just time for a more lighthearted podcast episode and that is why I am bringing you 10 things that are saving my life, fall edition. Are they actually saving my life? No, but they’re really helping it and I think they’re making my fall a little bit better, and I’m just gonna share those things with you today. So I hope you enjoy listening.
Resources from this episode: Christian Healthcare Ministries
Artificial Pumpkins from Walmart
Option 1
Option 2
A’Del Cosmetics
Lululemon Socks
Sam’s Club
Summer Moon Coffee - Moon Milk Creamer
Every Moment Holy Books
William Sonoma - Mulling Spices
Chunky Knit Blanket
The WingFeather Saga Series
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I had a friend recently ask me, “How in the world do you do chores in your family with all four of your kids?” And I thought that would be a great podcast episode. So today I am gonna share with you how we do chores in the Ray household.
Resources from this episode: Chore Chart
Dry erase pockets
3M small Hooks
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Okay, confession. I am a major time management junkie and I love it. I love planning. I love buying my new calendar for the year and getting my favorite pens and highlighters and making a plan and writing an appointments and making lists. I love managing stuff. I love managing my time. And today I'm gonna share with you five of my favorite time management tools that have really helped me through the years because we all have 24 hours in a day, but it all comes down to how we manage our time.
Resources from this episode: Windblown Jewelry
Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
Episode 204 - Ideal Week
Ideal Week Planning Worksheet
Time Timer
168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam
Weekly Time Log
Mastermind
Patreon
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today, I am gonna be telling you all about how I create a strategy for my life. And I know that sounds very broad and possibly overwhelming, but hang with me because I feel like I have been given some amazing tools to help me in four main areas of my life: my faith, my home, my work, and my legacy or my life overall.
So that's what we're gonna talk about today, how to create a strategy for your life. If you're feeling like you need some clarity, then this episode is for you.
Resources from this episode: Episode 002 - Rule of Life
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Mastermind
Patreon
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
While so many women wear multitasking as a badge of honor, I will readily admit that I am the worst at multitasking. I—it's terrible. I get so distracted and cannot do it. And I'll be frank, this has not served me well in motherhood because the interruptions are great and we'll talk a little bit about that. But today I just wanna share my thoughts on multitasking and how it doesn't help anyone and how it's so much better if we can focus on one thing at a time.
Resources from this episode: Single Tasking by Devora Zack
Episode 205 - Be where your feet are
Deep Work by Cal Newport
Time Timer
Mastermind
Patreon
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Be where your feet are. This simple phrase has brought me back time and time again from feeling scattered and overwhelmed to simply being present. It's taught me a lot about my own limits and how God is limitless, and I found a lot of encouragement in that. So today's episode is all about that phrase, be where your feet are. And I hope you find it encouraging.
Resources from this episode: Birds and Bees (code WORKANDPLAY for 20% off)
Episode 195 - Birds & Bees With Megan Michelson
Jen Wilkin - None Like Him
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today, I am so excited to share with you one of my very favorite things to do. I know this is really nerdy of me, but I love writing out my ideal week. This is something that I do at least twice a year, sometimes three times a year, because there are different times in my year that just look different. An ideal week looks different, and today I'm gonna walk you through my process of how to create an ideal week so that you can be living the life that you want in and week out with a lot of joy.
Resources from this episode: Birds and Bees (code WORKANDPLAY for 20% off)
Ideal Week Planning Worksheet
Episode 168 - Theme Days
Episode 173 - How We Sabbath
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
So we all know that play is such an important part of our lives. It's easy to talk about work all the time, and it's a little bit more difficult as we get older to talk about play and incorporate play into our lives. But what I found out is it's so important to do it in small ways every day. If you can incorporate small play into your life on a daily basis, it really makes your lives and your work that much better. And that is what we are talking about in today's episode.
Resources from this episode: Play by Stuart Brown
Time Timer
Positive Parenting Solutions
The Work & Play Patreon
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Well, it is back to school for the Ray family this week. I know everybody starts school at different times, but for us, school starts back this week. I’m so excited. And with school comes a lot of different ideas about new rhythms and routines that we wanna implement as a family. I personally get really excited about it, but one thing that God has been putting on my heart over and over again this year is implementing rhythms of faith to go alongside our rhythms of school and that is what today’s episode is all about.
Resources from this episode: Episode 182 - University Model School & Why We Chose It
The Work & Play Patreon
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today’s so special because I have a long-awaited guest joining me. Jess Ray is a singer/songwriter/producer from Raleigh, North Carolina. She has her own series of albums that hold some of my favorite songs ever written, and she’s part of a worship band called Mission House. She helps lead a local movement of worshipers here in Raleigh under the ministry named Feast and Feast.
Her musical career has weaved in and out of Christian spaces, mainstream circles from house concerts, including my backyard to historic venues like the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. More than all of this, Jess has a beautiful soul and the humblest of hearts. She loves Jesus. If you’re ever at a show of hers, she’ll look you in the eyes and give you a giant hug afterwards.
She’s the real deal, and I’m just the luckiest ever to have her as my best friend since the ninth grade, who also turned into my sister when I married her big brother. I’m so excited to talk with her today about fresh creativity. Oh, and one more thing…you know the music you hear every single week when you listen to this podcast?
Yep. It’s from the song “Too Good” by Jess Ray. You should go listen to it, and I hope you enjoy today’s conversation.
Resources from this episode: Episode 185 - The Minkies
Jess Ray Music
Instagram - Jess Ray
Born Again Podcast
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today is the 200th episode of work and play with Nancy Ray. I am so excited to celebrate with you. I can't believe it. I can't believe I've done 200 of these episodes. That's crazy. I'm so grateful that you have been listening. I hope today's episode is just fun. I thought of 200 of my favorite things, which is kind of wild, and it also took me a really long time to come up with 200 of my favorite things.
But the hope was that maybe there are some things that I'm enjoying in my life that you don't know about. Maybe there's things I'm loving that you already know and love as well. Either way, I hope it's fun, lighthearted, playful, something to celebrate.
I've brought a few helpers along. If you were here for the hundredth episode, you remember my kids helped me out with that, and that was when I just had three kids and Beaufort was a baby, and now I have four, and Benji’s the baby, and it has been so fun to incorporate them into this episode. Makes me a little teary, really happy and I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for listening to the 200th episode of Work and play with Nancy Ray.
Resources from this episode: Mildliners
Golden Coil Planner
Olive & June Nail Polish
Chi flat iron
Aquaphor
The Little Tinkle Razor
Becca Under Eye Brightner
A’del Cream Blush
Vaseline Rosy Lip Therapy
A’del Bashful Eyeshadow or The Dusk
Billie Razor
Ursa Major Golden Hour Face Recovery Cream
Ursa Major Forest Alchemy Eye Cream
Kenra Hairspray
My Caraway pots and pans
Pure Komachi knife
True & Co Bra
Altra shoes
Barefoot Dreams robe
Colorfulkoala joggers
Wind Blown Jewelry
Jubala
Sola
Summer Moon
Angus Barn
Happy and Hale
Bartaco
Alpaca
Taza Grill
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
This week, we’re diving back into our 2-part series as Will and I celebrate 15 years of marriage (crazy, I know)! This week, we’ll be talking about kids and home life—from how we balance everything after adding kids to the mix to how we keep our home running smoothly amid the day-to-day busyness. It’ll be a fun one, so listen in!
Resources from this episode: Episode 198 - 15 Years Married : Part 1
Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul Tripp
Deebot Vacuum
Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father by Meg Meeker
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Back in January, I did a big survey of all of my podcast listeners and one of the most requested people that I was asked to interview on the podcast was my husband, Will! Today, we’ll kick off a two-part episode series just to cover some of the most-asked questions about travel and finances for us. We'll talk about kids and home life next week.
Resources from this episode:
Nancy Ray’s Instagram
REI Hiking Backpacks
God and Money by John Cortines
Dave Ramsey: Financial Peace University
The Blessed Life by Robert Morris
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Summer is here—and after a long school year of hard work, it’s time to kick up our feet and play! Today’s episode is going to be fun and two-fold. First, we’ll talk about the practical: how to plan your summer well. Then, we’ll dive into part two and talk about the actual summer plan and what kind of mindset can help you have a summer filled with both rest and play!
Resources from this episode: The Corner Store
Nancy Ray Book Club
Mildliner Creative Marker
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today is the last episode of May is for Mamas this year, and I hope you have loved it as much as I have. Today, I get to have a conversation with Kari Trent Stageberg, the author of The Blessing. Her story is unbelievable, as you'll hear in today's episode, and her simple encouragement to speak life and be a blessing to not only your children, but to everyone you encounter, was just the reminder I needed.
Resources from this episode:
The Blessing
Social Media:
Strong Families
Kari Trent Stageberg
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Hello and welcome to another episode of May is for Mamas. I am so excited about the guest that I have today on the podcast because I kept thinking “If I could choose someone who would deliver a lot of value to my listeners who are mamas this month of May, who would it be?” And I kept thinking about Megan Michelson.
Megan is the co-creator and co-host of Birds & Bees, an online course with an amazing woman named Mary Flo Ridley. The two of them teach about sex and how to talk to your kids about sex in a healthy way. Let me just say—it is such a fabulous resource. Will and I have watched the course, we have taken so many notes, and I have even watched it a second time. It is such a great resource that I thought “You know, if I could have her on the podcast to share this information with you guys, it would be a game changer.”
Megan has three kids of her own, is married, and lives in Dallas, Texas, and she is just a wonderful human being. And if you are interested after listening to this conversation in getting your own Birds & Bees course, you can use the code: WORKANDPLAY and get 20% off. I am very grateful to their generosity to you and I hope you enjoy!
Resources from this episode: Instagram
Website
Course
Use the code: WORKANDPLAY and get 20% off
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I'm back with another May is for Mama's episode, and today I'm releasing one of my Patreon-only episodes into the world. This episode was published to my Patreon community last year, and it's the first time I've ever done this, but I love this precious woman so much, and I loved what she had to say so much that I knew eventually I had to share it with everyone.
Elizabeth Ray, who we affectionately call Grammy in our home, is my husband's mom, so she is my mother-in-law and she is one of my favorite people on this earth. Now, it's not lost on me that I am calling my mother-in-law one of my favorite people. I realize this is very rare and it is truly the greatest gift. Now, she always told me that she had the privilege of having an incredible mother-in-law herself who modeled that to her and now I am receiving that gift because she's now passing it down to me and I'm learning what that looks like.
I'm learning it because I'm watching it in action and I love that we have such a good, healthy relationship. But let me just say, whether you have a great relationship with your mother-in-law, a mediocre one, or maybe even a terribly painful one, I know you'll be encouraged today as Grammy simply shares about what she's learned from her mother-in-law—the power of words. And we can all take notes and decide now the kind of mother-in-law that we want to be one day. Now, don't forget the Legacy Photo System is on sale for the month of May. Head to legacyphotosystem.com and use the discount code mamas MAMAS to receive $50 off.
I hope you'll enjoy this conversation as you listen to one of my exclusive Patreon interviews with one of my favorite people, Grammy.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Mastermind!
The Legacy Photo System (Code: MAMAS for $50 off)
Welcome to another episode of May is for Mamas, and this is Mother's Day Week! We are approaching Mother's Day and I had the thought, I want to create a podcast episode that is a gift to any mom who is listening. And oftentimes for Mother's Day, we wanna get a massage or we wanna get away, or we want a new bag, or we wanna be served breakfast in bed. And all of these things are good and of of course, of course we want most of all those homemade cards from our kids that is the best. And just the acknowledgement of all the work and love that we pour into our families and all of that is so good and right and wonderful to want and receive those things.
But sometimes, sometimes more than anything, I just want some words of life spoken over me. I need a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit to empower my steps. I want to to hear scripture and words that can speak to me in the dark moments that hold me together when I feel like I'm falling apart. The words that give me patience when I lose my temper, the words that give me wisdom when I need it most.
And so today I am gonna be sharing my favorite scripture verses for mamas. And of course there are endless scriptures that I could share. There are so many more that I could pull from, but these are some of my personal favorites that I just want to read over you and share with you today.
Also, I wanted to let you know as another Mother's Day gift, I'm giving you $50 towards the Legacy Photo System. If you want to take advantage of that, just use the code MAMAS when you check out.
Lastly, I wanted to let you know that there are still a few spots available for my mastermind group, which is kicking off in June. If you are interested to learn more about that and apply, head to nancyray.com/mastermind. Applications close May 17th so make sure you go and apply before then!
Welcome to May is for Mamas, where I dedicate every episode in the month of May to the Mamas listening. We are kicking it off with a beautiful, encouraging conversation with Ashlee Gadd on why it's so important to keep creating in the margins of motherhood. Ashlee is the author of Create Anyway, which is a beautiful book. It just came out and I could not get my hands on it fast enough.
Y'all. It's so good. Listen, Ashlee is a wife, a mom of three, a follower of Jesus, a writer, a photographer, and she founded Coffee and Crumbs, which is a beautiful online space that brings mothers together through storytelling. Ashlee is just the kind of person who has a beautiful heart, and I'm so grateful I got to spend time with her today.
Also, side note, Coffee and Crumbs has a podcast and it's one of the very few podcasts I actually listen to regularly, and what a gift it was to just to get to know Ashlee, to get to know her heart. I know you're gonna love our conversation on creating in motherhood.
Resources from this episode:
The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Mastermind — price goes up on May 5!
Create Anyway, by Ashlee Gadd
Coffee & Crumbs Podcast
Ashlee’s Website
The Legacy Photo System (code: MAMAS for $50 off through the end of May)
Jumping in right off the bat with a few really fun announcements!
Number one, I have a new website as of today and a new brand, new colors new look. Shout out to Sammy Jo, I love you. Thank you for creating such a beautiful space. Head to nancyray.com to see it.
Number two, along with the website, I am launching a Mastermind group (!) for a group of women, only 12 women who are business owners in the Raleigh area. I'm so excited. You can go to my website to learn more and I'll talk a little bit more about it in the podcast today.
And third next month, starting next week, we're already almost in May—crazy—we start May is for Mamas! Every May I set aside my episodes and I dedicate them to the Mamas listening. And I have some exciting guests lined up, some great content for you, and I can't believe we're almost already in May.
Okay, let's jump in to today's episode. My top eight work hacks or tips or advice, or, I had the hardest time naming this episode, but these are just random things that I have pieced together after my 16 years of experience of being an entrepreneur.
Some of them I've created, some of them I have learned from books, some of them are systems, some of them are habits, but they're the things I keep coming back to again and again. Now, you might be surprised at some of them, but here's the deal: I know I struggled the most in my work and in my business when I have a lack of clarity and when I feel really overwhelmed with all that I have to do.
So this list of eight things are things that I've brainstormed based on my years of being an entrepreneur. They're the things that have worked when I've worked by myself and they've worked when I've had a team working with me. They helped me not only in my work but in my life and being more present with my family as well, and just being more fulfilled. They helped me stay inspired and passionate about my work and I'm so excited to share them with you today.
For the full episode, head to nancyray.com/podcast/191.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Mastermind!
2 Second Lean, by Paul Akers
Traction, by Gino Wickman
Episode 026 - My Favorite Business Book of All Time
Deep Work, by Cal Newport
The 12 Week Year, by Brian Moran
The Advantage, by Pat Lencioni
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Let's talk about family trips.
Listen, there is so much planning and work that goes into taking a family trip, but there's also these golden memories of play and adventure that come out of that work. Today, I'm going to share with you how we work hard and we play hard on family trips and I'll share my favorite tips to hopefully make your next family trip a little bit easier!
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Patreon
Today I have some simple encouragement for you, which is just a glimpse into what God has been teaching me lately. I have found that when I complete another Contentment Challenge, it's good for me to take a minute to recap the biggest lessons the Lord has taught me during this fast of sorts, because I find that every time I give up shopping or extra spending for a limited time—which is what the Contentment Challenge is—it frees up space for him to do things in my life and to address some spiritual things going on in my heart, in my mind. So, today I'm just gonna share three simple things that the Lord has been teaching me this year up to this point.
Resources from this episode:
The Contentment Challenge
170 - Created to Create
Just Do Something, by Kevin DeYoung
I currently work one day a week with the occasional help of maybe one to two evenings a month. This episode is all about how I maximize my very limited work hours!
Resources from this episode:
My Weekly Planning Checklist Download
Work & Play Patreon
2 Second Lean, by Paul Akers
Deep Work, by Cal Newport
Episode 041 - My Plan to Work One Day a Week
Today is a book club episode where I'm gonna be sharing my three biggest takeaways from the book Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin. I love the tagline of her book, which is "What I learned about making and breaking habits to sleep more, quit sugar, procrastinate less, and generally build a happier life." Doesn't that sound awesome?
For a list of all the books that I'm reading this year, head to nancyray.com/bookclub. Sometimes we just need a good kick in the pants from someone to show us how to start something difficult or how to do something that we've always wanted to do and Better Than Before does exactly that. I'm so excited to share my thoughts with you today.
Resources from this episode:
Better than Before, by Gretchen Rubin
Nancy Ray Book Club
There is never a shortage of decisions to be made in regards to your work.
What should I be doing for my career? Should I stop working when I have children? Do I go back to work? And if I do, when should I go back to work? How much should I be working? Should I close down my work? Should I start something new? Should I hire someone? Do I need to fire someone? How do I spend my time this year? How do I spend my time today? The decisions go on and on.
In today's episode, I'm going to encourage you with some tools that you can use when making a big decision in regards to your work. And I'm just gonna be here to remind you that God's got you and He's got your business from beginning to end.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/186.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Patreon
Episode 004 - Seasons of Business
Episode 005 - Calling vs. Assignment
C12 5-Point Discernment Tool
The Seasons of God, by Richard Blackaby
Episode 047 - Book | Seasons of God with Dr. Richard Blackaby
The Next Right Thing, by Emily P. Freeman
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I've had three best friends for over 20 years: Jess, Heather, and Sam. And the four of us are called The Minkies, and I invited them to do a special episode of the podcast, just me and my best friends sharing our story, sharing our favorite memories and what it's taken for us to maintain a long lasting friendship for over two decades.
So it's a very fun, different episode today. There's a lot of laughing and joking and storytelling, and when it comes to work and play, these ladies, they definitely know how to work hard, but when we're together—it is 100% play. They are my idea of fun and having a good time, and they have been for the better part of my life. What a gift it is that I get to share them with you today!
Resources from this episode: * The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!) * The Work & Play Patreon * Jess Ray Music * Instagram - Jess Ray * Samantha Ray Writing * Instagram - Samantha Ray * Barefoot Dreams Robe * Indie Lee: Clean Beauty Skincare Products
Here's a job description that life handed me that I just didn't really see coming. I have to be a cook like every day and I have to be a fairly good one because the tiny humans that I feed around my table are fairly opinionated about food. Actually, they're very opinionated about food.
Also, with that job description, it will affect my mood, whatever I make, whatever I cook, it's gonna affect my mood and theirs. Also, if I feed them and myself unhealthy things, it affects our mood and our weight and our overall health, how much we get sick, and it just so happens that the food that they love are the things that are terrible for you. So when I'm having a hard day, all I want to do is feed them goldfish and gummy snacks and ice cream and nothing that has any nutritious value because I'm gonna be honest, it's just a lot easier to give them what they want for that moment of course, because the cycle just continues. Food, our health, our moods on repeat, not to mention it affects the clarity of my own mind. If I eat, when I eat, how much I eat, what I am eating, it affects how I discipline them because I get very cranky and I am quick to anger when I'm hungry. And also I just wanna enjoy life and I want my ice cream and gummy snacks too sometimes.
Listen, it's just a lot to balance all of this. And here's the deal: I'm just supposed to be good at it. I'm supposed to be good at it and I'm not. I'm not normally good at this whole cooking thing, but it is a skill that's required of me as I have to feed my family and it's up to me, and this year I put some new habits into place—nothing huge, nothing massive—that have changed everything for me.
They're small changes that I've put into place just to help me stay sane, to help me stay on budget and to help me bless my family. So, I'm not a great chef, although I really love to pretend to be one with my kids and they like to call themselves sous chefs, especially because we're watching Ratatouille on repeat lately. But here we go. Here are some habits that I have recently put into place, just the last three months really and I've committed to them and I'm gonna share them with you today. Take them or leave them, but maybe just take one or two because honestly they've all served my family really well and served me in my sanity well, and I feel like at least one is gonna serve your family well, too.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/184.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Patreon
Alright, it's time for the Nancy Ray Book Club 2023 edition, and in these episodes I'm gonna share my three biggest takeaways from the books that I'm reading. I keep a pace of about a book a month, and it's usually the last episode of the month that you'll find me sharing about that current book on my list. Today I'm gonna be giving an honest review of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mere Mortals by Oliver Burkeman.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/183.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Patreon
2023 Book Club
Four Thousand Weeks, Oliver Burkeman
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Now that two of my four kids are school age, I get asked a lot about their education. Where do they go to school? Do you homeschool? And the answer is that they go to school and they homeschool. They do both. We have chosen the route of a University Model Christian School, which means they attend school two days a week in person, and then I homeschool them three days a week.
It's a bit of a different take on education, and there aren't a ton of schools out there with this model, although it is growing a lot more throughout the US. But today I'm just gonna share our philosophy on educating our kids why we chose this route, and a little peak into what a typical day in the life looks like for us on one of those homeschool days.
This episode is simply a day in the life of Nancy Ray. This feels a little bit mundane, maybe a little vulnerable to share a day of my life with you, a bit of a peak into our crazy world with raising four kids and work and all of that. But so many people have requested it. So here I am, listen at your own risk or enjoyment.
But I'm grateful that so many of you are interested in the simplicity of my life, and that's what I'm gonna share with you today.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/181.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Patreon
Barefoot Dreams Robe
One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp
My most downloaded episode, maybe ever, was Episode 007 called You Can Do Hard Things. Today, I'm gonna introduce her sister to you: You Can Do Fun Things. I've decided that this year I wanna make more of these Work & Play episodes about play, and I'm gonna try to be a little more lighthearted, which can be kind of hard for me. But that's the goal for this year, and that's what today's episode is all about—encouraging you (and me) to incorporate more play in your life and to do fun things.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/180.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Patreon
Episode 007 - You Can Do Hard Things
It is the first podcast episode of 2023. I'm so grateful for you. I'm so grateful that you're listening right now, that you keep listening, and that somehow my voice has found a place in your life. One thing’s for sure: you keep me coming back. You keep me coming back to record podcasts again and again. The fact that you're listening keeps me coming back and I just want to say thank you.
I wanna thank you and just let you know how grateful I am to have like-minded friends out there to connect to in this format. Now, today's episode is gonna be kind of different. It's gonna be a little behind the scenes of the podcast itself, where I've been, where I think I'm headed, and what you can expect for this upcoming year. It'll be short and sweet with lots of resources thrown your way, hopefully helpful ones. And I just wanna give you a heads up too, that I'm taking the whole month of January off, so I'll see you back here in February!
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/179.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Patreon
Work & Play 2023 Survey!
Nancy Ray Book Club
The Contentment Challenge
Apply: Part-Time Podcast Assistant
Today I'm sharing my top 10 books of 2022, and why I love them. Listen, I had a great list of books I was gonna read this year, and I read a lot of them, I did, but then I kept getting sidetracked with recommendations from friends, and I would read other books instead. And let me just pause and say I'm so glad that I did. It led to some of the most wonderful books, and I cannot wait to share them with you today.
Resources from this Episode:
Join the Contentment Challenge!
Just a few months from now, in the start of 2023, that will mark 10 years since I did my first Contentment Challenge, where I give up shopping for three months straight to pursue a more content life and a closer walk with the Lord. 10 years! That's a long time, and you may or may not know this, but it had such a great impact on my life that I have done the Contentment Challenge almost every year since then—I think I skipped one year, maybe two.
So, today I'm gonna share the lessons that I have learned through the last 10 years of doing the Contentment Challenge, and I'm gonna invite you to pray about doing it with me again at the beginning of 2023.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/177.
Resources from this episode: Take the Contentment Challenge
The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
Episode 003 - The Contentment Challenge
The Work & Play Patreon
At the end of every year, I plan time to do three simple things to plan for the year ahead. I take time to look back, reviewing the previous year. I set aside time to celebrate the previous year in God's faithfulness, and I take time to look ahead and set goals for the year to come. This episode's gonna give you more of a behind the scenes look at what that actually looks like for me.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/176.
Resources from this episode: “Finish Your Year Strong” Worksheet (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Patreon
The Contentment Challenge (starts Jan. 1!)
A few years ago, I came up with a core purpose statement for my work and this podcast, and that is: Practical tools for an integrated life. That is what I'm after. I want my teachings, my content, everything that I give to you or anyone who's listening to be very practica, and I want them to be implemented into an integrated life.
But first you have to answer the question: What is an integrated life? What does that even mean? Well, the word integrate means to combine one thing with another so that they become a whole. Another definition of integrated is with various parts or aspects linked or coordinated. Living an integrated life means combining your faith life, your home life, and your work life so that they become linked or coordinated, complimenting each other beautifully and ultimately providing the train tracks for a healthy soul and a fulfilling life. And I'm gonna challenge you today, in your faith and your home and in your work—to live an integrated life.
Resources from this episode: An Integrated Life Course
The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Patreon
From gift guides to Instagram Ads, to those Amazon kids toy magazines, to Black Friday deals—everyone right now is telling us that we should be buying more, that we should have more, that we should be dressing in cuter clothes and decorating more perfectly. And today, I just want to be a voice that says: You don't.
You don't! You don't have to buy all of those things. You don't have to do more. The good stuff, the really good stuff of this holiday season, is found in the quiet, grateful moments.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/174.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Patreon
The Contentment Challenge
An Integrated Life Course
Every Moment Holy, by Douglas Kaine McKelvey
God created the world in six days, and on the seventh day He completely rested and enjoyed his work. He created this cadence for all of us to work six days and to rest one, and then repeat. We have a hard time doing this, don't we? I do. It's hard. It's not surprising why of all the 10 Commandments, this one was the longest with the most emphasis in the Bible.
He designed us to do life this way. And when we do, life is refreshing and when we don't, it's exhausting. So today, I am gonna share with you simply how we practice the Sabbath and hopefully give you some practical things that you can do, too.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/173.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Patreon
An Integrated Life
The Gospel of Mark: Sabbath sermon
It is that time of the year where we are starting to think all about the holidays. And in my opinion, you can't start planning too early for Christmas. So, today I am telling you all about my Christmas gameplan, which is simply the planning that goes in to making Christmas a wonderful, peaceful time of year—because let's face it, it can be very stressful and very hectic if you don't thoughtfully plan ahead.
So I'm just gonna share with you my approach and my strategy, and hopefully it will encourage you and bless you to plan a little more ahead and also enjoy your holidays a little bit more.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/172.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
An Integrated Life
Welcome Home, by MyQuillyn Smith
The Work & Play Patreon
Christmas Budget Spreadsheet
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
“Priorities are what we do, everything else is just talk.” I love that phrase. My husband works for an organization called C12, and they say that all the time, and it just re-centers you and re-grounds you on the fact that what we do matters. It's not what we say, it's what we do.
I had a hard time coming up with the title of this episode and I landed on “Let Your Yes Be Yes,” because that's the biblical truth I just kept coming back to, but I also thought about naming it “Saying vs. Doing” or “Teaching vs. Modeling.” The heart of what I want to talk about today is simply the idea that we can say a lot and we can have a lot of great ideas, but really our lives come down to what we do. My encouragement to you today is simply to let your yes be yes.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/171.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist (Free Download!)
The Work & Play Patreon
An Integrated Life
Em for Marvelous blog post about leisure
The Maid, by Nita Prose
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Someone once told me that we are most like God when we are creating. He is after all the creator of everything, and we are after all made in his image. Today's episode has me feeling, I don't know, a bit weepy, inspired, ultimately, grateful. Fair warning: might cry by the end of this. I don't know, we'll see. But this content today was inspired by a children's book that left me in tears and the simple truth that I've been kind of mulling over that we were created to create.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/170.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist
The Work & Play Patreon
Called to Create, by Jordan Raynor
Steal Like an Artist, by Austin Kleon
Redeeming Your Time, by Jordan Raynor
The Creator in You, by Jordan Raynor
Art For Kids Hub
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Someone once told me that we are most like God when we are creating. He is after all the creator of everything, and we are after all made in his image. Today's episode has me feeling, I don't know, a bit weepy, inspired, ultimately, grateful. Fair warning: might cry by the end of this. I don't know, we'll see. But this content today was inspired by a children's book that left me in tears and the simple truth that I've been kind of mulling over that we were created to create.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/170.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist
The Work & Play Patreon
Called to Create, by Jordan Raynor
Steal Like an Artist, by Austin Kleon
Redeeming Your Time, by Jordan Raynor
The Creator in You, by Jordan Raynor
Art For Kids Hub
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I'm talking with my dear friend Nicole Jacobsmeyer, who is a fellow mama of four. She is an author and a kindred spirit. Fun little backstory— she and I met when we went to Great Wolf Lodge and she had three kids and I had three kids and we experienced it together and then connected on Instagram, then connected on Marco Polo, and we have stayed in touch and has been so sweet to find out how connected we are and like-minded we are in so many areas of our lives!
Nicole loves Jesus and she has a passion for helping women walk in victory, joy, and faith in the face of trials, sorrow and suffering. Her story is unbelievable. Her first book, Take Back Your Joy, just came out and if you open the first two pages of the book, you'll read my endorsement, which is so much fun!
I hope you enjoy our heartfelt conversation today.
Resources from this episode: Take Back your Joy, by Nicole Jacobsmeyer
Nancy Ray Book Club
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Have you ever heard of having theme days? It's this idea that you choose different themes to focus on for different days and it helps you batch things or just simply not switch back and forth mentally between tasks so much. I have found them very helpful and I wanted to share a few different ways to approach creating your own theme days throughout your week, or even breaking them down into theme hours, to maximize productivity and enjoyment—AKA maximizing your work and your play.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/168.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist
The Work & Play Patreon
Episode 73: Design Your Rhythm of Work, The Next Right Thing Podcast
Today, I had the absolute privilege of talking to my friend Graham Cochrane. He is the author of How To Get Paid For What You Know, and we talk all about his book! I've read the whole thing cover to cover and it's so good. If I could describe it in any way, it would be practical and helpful.
You know, sometimes you read business books and you think, “Oh, that's great, but that doesn't really apply to me.” It's not that way with his book. He really makes you feel like you can do this—it's awesome. So, yeah, he's an author. He's also a business coach to over 3,000 premium customers worldwide. He founded the recording revolution, a seven figure online music business in 2009, and now, he hosts over 80,000 monthly followers on his podcast, YouTube, and blog, talking about business mindset, productivity, psychology. He's a believer; he's a brother; he's a friend.
I just really have so much respect for Graham. I’m so grateful for him. And even though he's been featured in things like Business Insider and Yahoo and Huffington post and CNBC, he's so humble and he's so real. And I'm so grateful for his voice in this industry.
I know you're going to enjoy our conversation today and I can't wait for you to listen in!
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/167.
Resources from this episode: How to Get Paid For What You Know, by Graham Cochrane
Nancy Ray Book Club
158 - Raising Daughters with Shay Cochrane, Part I
159 - Raising Daughters with Shay Cochrane, Part II
Graham’s website
The Graham Cochrane Show
The Go-Giver, by Bob Burg and John David Mann
Start, by John Acoff
Invitation To Solitude And Silence by Ruth Haley Barton
Vuori Sunday Performance Joggers
Graham’s Free Class
Some affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today, I had the absolute privilege of talking to my friend Graham Cochrane. He is the author of How To Get Paid For What You Know, and we talk all about his book! I've read the whole thing cover to cover and it's so good. If I could describe it in any way, it would be practical and helpful.
You know, sometimes you read business books and you think, “Oh, that's great, but that doesn't really apply to me.” It's not that way with his book. He really makes you feel like you can do this—it's awesome. So, yeah, he's an author. He's also a business coach to over 3,000 premium customers worldwide. He founded the recording revolution, a seven figure online music business in 2009, and now, he hosts over 80,000 monthly followers on his podcast, YouTube, and blog, talking about business mindset, productivity, psychology. He's a believer; he's a brother; he's a friend.
I just really have so much respect for Graham. I’m so grateful for him. And even though he's been featured in things like Business Insider and Yahoo and Huffington post and CNBC, he's so humble and he's so real. And I'm so grateful for his voice in this industry.
I know you're going to enjoy our conversation today and I can't wait for you to listen in!
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/167.
Resources from this episode: How to Get Paid For What You Know, by Graham Cochrane
Nancy Ray Book Club
158 - Raising Daughters with Shay Cochrane, Part I
159 - Raising Daughters with Shay Cochrane, Part II
Graham’s website
The Graham Cochrane Show
The Go-Giver, by Bob Burg and John David Mann
Start, by John Acoff
Invitation To Solitude And Silence by Ruth Haley Barton
Vuori Sunday Performance Joggers
Graham’s Free Class
Some affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Listen, this episode is so good. I say that because I get to sit down and talk with three of my good friends, women who I adore and admire, who run businesses, who are moms. They are so special to me, and you get to hear the inside scoop about their lives and their businesses, but all throughout the conversations, we're going to be talking about this thing called The Blueprint Model.
And I first want to tell you what that is before you listen in, because otherwise you're going to be really confused. So The Blueprint Model is a course that was created by Shanna—who is one of the ladies you're going to be hearing from today—and it's all about the numbers behind your business. But more than that, it's about creating a business that suits your life.
Now, Shanna is a numbers girl, and she helps people. She helps a lot of creatives get the hang of their money, like the money side of business. And she is teaching a free class in two days and I want you to mark this down in your calendar because it's going to be so good. It's on Thursday, the 18th, I believe at 1pm—you can find out all the details at nancyray.com/blueprint, but the name of the class is The Art of Six Figures: Join me live where I'll teach you exactly how to define what is enough in your business and how to align your business goals with your big dreams and life values.
Okay. That is Shanna's class, not my class. She's gonna be teaching it, but it's so good. I'm going to be there. It's so good. Okay. So the blueprint model, which she's going to be explaining in that class is something that I have taken a small group of women through already once this year. I coached them through it and we did The Blueprint Model together and we learned so much and applied it to all of our very different businesses.
And guess what? The doors are opening to The Blueprint Model again in just a few days. And it's only going to be open until August 25th and after that, the doors are going to close. So I just encourage you to check it out. If you think that these conversations resonate with you, just go check it out, go to nancyray.com/blueprint to see if it's a good fit for you.
And if it's not, that is totally great! I know you're still going to get a lot of value from these conversations today because they just get you thinking about what's important versus vanity metrics and the things that we think are important. So I know you're going to enjoy it. Make sure you had to nancyray.com/blueprint to register for Shanna's free class or in a few days, it'll turn into the page where you can learn all about The Blueprint Model.
Now, two more quick things, before we jump into these conversations, you might be wondering, okay, why is Nancy talking about this other girl's course so much? I wonder if she's an affiliate. The answer is yes, I am an affiliate because I'm invested in this course. So, whoever signs up for the course through nancyray.com/blueprint I'm actually going to be group coaching you through the course, and I'll be talking with you the entire time as we go through it together. I love the accountability and I love this course. So I am a proud affiliate of The Blueprint Model.
Second thing is, I wish I could give these wonderful long intros to of these ladies, but I'm going to just keep it short and sweet and let you know that I trust these ladies. I love them. I love their businesses and I'm so grateful. So you're going to hear from Shanna first, she created The Blueprint Model, and I think your mind is just going to be blown with her wisdom. I'm also gonna leave a link in the show notes to my last episode with Shanna, which is referenced several times in this episode.
And then you're going to hear from my friend, Kayse, she runs an online business that really equips women and moms. And she's going to tell you all about her business. It's awesome. It's Anchored Women.
Then the third lady I'll be interviewing today is Kait. And she is just a kindred spirit; I love Kait. She creates the Curious Year Calendar, which my kids are total fans of. We have one hanging in our kitchen and we look at it every day.
So I just love these ladies. I love the work that they do, and I'm thrilled for you to hear from each of them today.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/166.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Patreon
Shanna’s Free Workshop
Episode 146 - Life & Work Without Social Media With Shanna Skidmore
Anchored Women website
Free Class: Quiet the Running To-Do List in Your Head!
A Little Something Goods website
The Curious Year Calendar (USE CODE: WORKANDPLAY)
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Well, I'm back from taking a month off of the podcast!! And this episode is going to be a little bit of a catch-up of what I've been up to, what's coming in August, a little bit of a change of plans with the podcast, but as all good. And I'm going to break down at my favorite weekly rhythm for you, which is my Sunday plan.
I'm so excited to share all this with you. I'm excited to be back—it just feels so good. I've missed you guys and I'm so grateful that you are here listening today!
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/165.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Weekly Checklist
The Work & Play Patreon
Deep Work, by Cal Newport
Positive Parenting Solutions
Episode 146 - Life & Work Without Social Media With Shanna Skidmore
The Blueprint Model Waitlist Sign-up
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Well, today is my last episode before I take a month off of the podcast in July! So, I'll look forward to connecting with you again here in August, and I thought I'd end these fun summer-y episodes with just a mix of lighthearted and serious recommendations of sorts—I'm sharing 10 things that are saving my life right now. I hope you enjoy.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/164.
Resources from this episode:
The Legacy Photo System
Work and Play Patreon
Emily P. Freeman's podcast episode: What's Saving My Life Right Now
Safe to Wake Clock
Airpods
Outshine Popsicles
Avia Walmart Shorts
California Beach Company pop-up tent
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Our photos, whether they're digital, printed, on our phones, framed, in albums—all of them in a word can feel overwhelming. Which is why I want to lighten your load just a little bit this summer and I came up with the Summer Photo Challenge. Now, the Summer Photo Challenge is simply this:
I am challenging you and myself during the month of July to tackle ONE photo project, just one, that's it. And today I'm going to give you three options, three different photo projects to tackle and exactly how to do each one.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/163.
Resources from this episode:
The Legacy Photo System
The Work & Play Patreon
Artifact Uprising
Mpix
Parabo Press
IKEA
Frame Bridge
Welcome to the summer episode where I'm doing something I've never done before—having a little fun with this episode and I'll be sharing everything that reminds me of summer, including some great recommendations. I'll cover places to go, feelings to feel, sites to see, books to read, music to listen to, things to wear, memories to make. I hope this episode makes you really happy.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/posdcast/162.
Resources from this episode:
Legacy Photo System
Work & Play Patreon
The Great Blue Hills of God, by Kreis Beall
The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah
Where the Crawdad’s Sing, by Delia Owens
The Cronicles of Narnia, by C. S. Lewis
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Hello and happy June! Today is a full and exciting episode because I have some updates for you for the Summer and it's a book club episode, which are always my favorites. This book kind of has a funny story with it—which I'll get to.
We are out of school, we're getting used to new rhythms with all the kids home and I've got some fun Summer episodes coming up. Lots to talk about today, but today's book is called The 4 Disciplines of Execution and it was a doozy of a business book. There was a lot in there, but I'm really excited to simplify it and kind of translate it to how we can apply it to our work and our homes. It's going to be good.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/161
Resources from this episode: The Four Disciplines of Execution, by Chris McChesney
Nancy Ray Book Club
The 12 Week Year, by Brian P. Moran
Welcome to May is for Mama's, when every episode in the month of May is dedicated to all you mamas listening with topics and conversations specifically designed for you!
Today, we have the privilege of hearing from my friend and mama mentor, Renee Swope, who is a wife and a mama of three and an author and speaker and she loves Jesus so much! We are going to be talking all about her latest book, A Confident Mom, which is the perfect fit for my book club and May is for Mamas. You can get all the details about the updated 2022 Book Club at nancyray.com/bookclub.
I am thrilled to talk about one of those books today with the author and Renee is just such a treasure of a friend to me. She's so wise and I love that she is ahead of me in the motherhood journey, she has so much to offer. You are going to love our conversation, I can't wait to share it with you today.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/160.
Resources from this episode:
Work & Play Patreon
A Confident Mom, by Renee Swope
Nancy Ray Book Club
Waymaker, by Ann Voskamp
The Hard Good, by Lisa Whittle
Milk Frother
ReneeSwope.com
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Welcome to May is for Mamas, when every episode in the month of May on the Work and Play Podcast is dedicated to all you mamas listening.
Today, I am continuing my conversation with my dear friend, Shay Cochrane. She's a wife, a mom of two girls. We tackle all kinds of topics and I just couldn't leave anything out so I decided to split it up into two episodes.
I hope you enjoy the rest of our conversation!
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/159.
Resources from this Episode: Work & Play Patreon
Social Squares
Dollar Street
Financial Peace for Kids
The Coaching Habit, by Michael Stanier
The Creator in You, by Jordan Raynor
Lies Girls Believe, by Dannah Gresh
LMNT
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Welcome to May is for Mamas, where every episode in the month of May is dedicated to all the mamas out there, with topics and conversations specifically for you.
Today, I'm chatting with my friend Shay Cochrane, who is a wife and an entrepreneur, and a mama of two daughters. She owns Social Squares, which supplies elevated stock images and digital marketing education for female owned online brands. Her vision as a creator is to enable more women to find greater success, sharing their ideas and businesses with the world, and she does all that in just 16 hours a week! I love how she models her life and her parenting and I have loved this conversation with her today.
We jumped into some hard stuff like, what it looks like to raise daughters in 2022—body image, style, confidence, work ethic, technology, teaching your kids about money. You are going to leave this conversation with some really practical parenting conversations and decisions, as well as some solid encouragement to keep up the good hard work we are doing as mamas.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/158.
Resources from this episode:
Work and Play Patreon
Social Squares
This is the epitome of combining Work and Play for mamas there's work to be done. Plenty of it. Folding clothes, meal planning, unloading the dishwasher, picking up toys, tackling the junk drawer, cleaning out the pantry, cleaning up the kitchen and on and on and on. Well, why not turn those work items that are not optional in our lives into some play?
The magic missing link for you could be using a timer.
When you set a timer before tackling a task, you turn it into a game. And before you know it, you're trying to beat your personal best and the kids are actually helping and using the timer, too—and it's really kind of fun! Today's episode for May is for Mamas is all about using a timer in motherhood. This is going to be fun.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/157.
Resources from this episode: Work & Play Patreon
Time Timer
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
This is the first episode of May is for Mamas, which is one of my favorite things I do on the podcast every May! Each episode this month will be made for the mamas listening and I hope it will be a mix of uplifting, helpful, encouraging, and maybe even a little lighthearted cause we all need that right now. This first episode is all about speaking scripture over your children and how powerful that can be for your kids and for you.
Today is also the day I'm launching my Patreon page(!), which I'm so excited about. You can head to patreon.com/workandplay to get access to a community of like-minded friends who are Work and Play listeners like you and for as little as $1 a month, you can help keep the Work and Play podcast going. I'll occasionally have discussion threads or polls or exclusive episodes just for those of you who decide to become patrons.
But even if none of that exclusive content or community interests you and you just like the Work and Play podcast as it is, and you want to support it and help me bring it to you, Patreon is the way to do that. So head to patreon.com/workandplay and know I am so genuinely grateful for your support.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/156
Resources from this Episode:
Work & Play Patreon!
The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian
Parenting by Paul David Tripp
The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elizabeth Elliott
Today, I'm veering off the normal podcast course and I'm breaking a few rules and I just want to share some of where I am in my own work and play and how that affects this podcast moving forward. I'm really excited about where I'm headed and I want to be very honest with you and take you along in this journey with me. I value you, I'm grateful for you listening, especially those of you who listen every week. I'm so, so grateful and I'm excited just to share my heart with you today.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/155
Today, I'm going to share my two favorite work habits and that is: how I start my workday and how I finish my workday. I'm just going to go ahead and put this out there—they're pretty nerdy. Some of you are probably going to laugh and be like, I'm never going to do that, and that's fine, but they've worked for me and I really like them.
I'm trying to get back to them after this fourth baby, it takes a little bit to kind of get them in your system again, but I tell you what, when you can rock these routines, your workday is amazing.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/154.
Resources from this episode: Two Second Lean, by Paul Akers
Deep Work, by Cal Newport
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
We all have tension in our lives. And a lot of times that manifests itself in anxious thoughts and just feeling like we can't get our heads around something or we can't move through it and that's just part of being human. It's just part of living life and this isn't the episode that I had planned for today, but it's the episode that God put on my heart.
So I'm just going to talk about tension and anxiety and how to get through that, how to get past it, how to get through to the other side. I'm going to share some practical things that I've walked through in my life very recently and I'm going to share the things that helped me get through it.
And then at the end of this episode, I'm just gonna to be honest and share a little bit about what's going on with the podcast and what you can look forward to in the coming weeks and months.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/153.
There's something about meeting regularly as a family that brings you together, not only in a practical way—which it does—you can talk about the calendar and your schedules and your plans, but emotionally you can connect and you can share things you're looking forward to or problems that you're having and I didn't have this growing up.
We didn't meet regularly as a family, but it's something that we've started to do recently and it has been such a joy. Today I'm going to share with you the simple outline that we follow for our family meeting and I hope it's helpful to you.
For the full show notes head to nancyray.com/podcast/152.
Resources from this episode:
Positive Parenting Solutions
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Welcome to the Nancy Ray Book Club, where every month I read a book and then I share my three biggest takeaways from that book with you here. This month, I read the Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. A book that came really highly recommended to me by a few trusted friends and it did not disappoint. So yes, today we are talking all about money and our relationship with it.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/151.
Resources from this episode:
The Pyschology of Money, by Morgan Housel
Nancy Ray Book Club
The Millionaire Next Door, by Thomas Stanley
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I have been doing a lot of thinking lately on productivity and how to be productive, mostly because right now I have very limited amounts of time that I can devote to projects. As a breastfeeding mama, my windows of time are very limited—they're limited when I need to feed the baby next. So in a lot of ways it forces me to think strategically about my time.
As I manage a household with four little kids and a lot of stuff, as well as my online business, I've realized there are two parts to productivity. Those are also the two places I tend to get hung up, but when I get them right, they are key. So hopefully today's episode will unlock some insight for you, too, and will give you some helpful tips on how to be truly productive.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/150.
Resources from this episode:
Golden Coil Planner
What's Best Next, by Matt Perman
My Favorite Pens (Pilot G2 Ultra Fine)
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links! Those commissions help me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Having four small children six and under simply means that over the last six years there has been a lot of sickness in our house. And for two and a half years of that time, we have lived through the pandemic, our culture has been hyper-vigilant and very fearful of any kind of sickness because of COVID.
And while there's really no right or wrong way to be sick, because you're just sick, I have learned a few things. I've learned ways to cope with sickness, ways to cling to Jesus, ways to pray over your children during sickness, ways to perhaps make sickness a little less miserable and that's what I'm going to share with you today.
For the full show notes head to nancyray.com/podcast/149.
Resources from this episode:
Pink Himalayan Mineral Soak
How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of your Doctor, by Robert Mendelsohn
Work & Play Cornerstore
We are living in a tense time. Cultural pressures are really high. Our nation feels like it's falling apart some days and is super divided and it's hard, and more than anything, the dark world around us is begging for light and truth.
I sense there's just so much spiritual confusion and a drought in people's lives spiritually. This episode is simply an encouragement for you to be bold and strong and to live out your faith in every aspect of your life, and to cling to Jesus every day. I hope these words encourage you.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/148.
Welcome to the Nancy Ray Book Club, where once a month I tell you about a book I'm reading and loving and I share my top three takeaways from that book. To learn more about the books I'm reading this year head to nancyray.com/bookclub. And to get even more out of these episodes, I encourage you pick up these books, join me and read them alongside me.
Now, today I'm going to be talking about The Self-Driven Child, which is a book that's going to stay with me throughout the rest of my parenting journey. One that I am highly encouraging Will to read alongside me and one that I'm committing to picking up and reading again when my kids get a little older. It's that good. Think about it—who doesn't want a self-driven child who grows up to be a self-driven adult.
Now the tagline of the book is "The science and sense of giving your kids more control over their lives." If you have kiddos of any age, I think this episode is going to be really helpful and will hopefully give you some things to think about and act on that will help you raise motivated, driven children.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/147.
Resources from this episode: The Self-Driven Child, by William Stixrud and Ned Johnson
Nancy Ray Book Club
Work & Play Cornerstore
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Well, today is part two of a wrap-up of my break from social media, and I took six months off and I'm just talking about the impact it's had on my life and my work. And today we're going to get practical. I'm going to answer some questions about, practically, how did I pull myself away from social media? What did that look like? How did I fill my time?
But I'm most excited about my conversation with my friend Shanna Skidmore(!), which will happen later in this episode. So, I'll answer some questions first, then I'll ask Shanna some questions, and we had the most amazing conversation about it and how to build a life that you want.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/146.
Resources from this episode: The Blueprint Model + Nancy’s offer
Toggl
Shanna’s website
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
For the last six months, I've taken a break from social media and it has been so good. Today, I’m going to give you an update on how I liked it, what I missed, the best lessons I learned and how I'm going to do things differently when I come back. This is a topic I'm passionate about; I strongly believe we can't just let technology into our lives without being extremely thoughtful about it.
Because I want to leave you with my heart and my thoughts from my own experience, along with some practical tips on how to use social media rightly in our lives, and what rhythms did I replace social media—with and all that good practical stuff, I've actually decided to separate this into a two-part series. So this is going to be part one, which is the “heart” part of it—lessons, all about what I've learned and next week is going to be the practical side of it, and I'm going to have a special guest (and I'm really excited about that!).
Now, before I jump into part one, I want to let you know about my special guest and an amazing live webinar that she's teaching on February 17th. Her name is Shanna Skidmore. I admire her SO much. I have learned so much from her and she actually runs her entire business without social media and it's for creative entrepreneurs—in a space that you would really think she should maybe be on social media. And one of the comments I get all the time is, oh, you know, I wish I could take a break from social, but my work depends on it, or I can never take a break from social media because it's directly tied to my income, or I'd leave it if I could, but I can't because my work depends on it.
My friend Shanna has kind of challenged that thought and has been a trailblazer and honestly, such an example to me on how to run a successful business that's profitable without social media, or if you'd rather—with limited social media.
Now, the webinar is called The Art of Six Figures: How to Build a Thriving Business on Your Own Terms. And that's the point! It's building a business that you love, and engaging with your work and with social media on your terms, with healthy boundaries and clarity.
Okay, I could literally talk about this all day because I love her. I've learned so much from her. And I think she answers a question a lot of creatives are wondering, which is how you can do this. So I wanted to share this resource with you! You can sign up right here!
Also—spoiler alert—Shanna and I are going to be teaming up for something really good about this topic and about her webinar. So if you want to be in the know, be sure you're on my email list, and I'll be sure to tell you there or tune in next week and you'll learn a little bit more about it then, as well.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/145.
Resources from this episode: Shanna’s Webinar: The Art of Six Figures
Join my email list
Free Download: A Vision For Your Season
Episode 042 - Book | Switch On Your Brain
The Self-Driven Child, by William Stixrud and Ned Johnson
Nancy Ray Book Club
Episode 135 - An Update On My Social Media Break
Episode 088 - Book | Digital Minimalism
Episode 138 - 3 Habits to Put Social Media in its Place (Ep. 12 Replay)
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Well, it's almost Valentines Day and I just wanted to give you something fun to do. I am giving you 10 fun questions to ask on your next date night. Now, you can use these on Valentine's Day, or maybe you can use these on a date night at home after the kids go to bed, but the point is for you to take a break from normal life discussions and conversations, and just to get to know each other more. I hope you have fun with this!
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/144.
Resources from this episode: 10 Questions - Free Download
I'm just going to say, I hit it out of the park with my first book choice of the year. The Nancy Book Club is off to a great start for 2022. If you want to see all the books that I'm reading and join in with me for any of them, or all of them, head to nancyray.com/bookclub to see. But today I'm going to be talking about my first book, The 12 Week Year and why this book was just what I needed to read at the start of this year, between having baby number four and this pandemic. I don't know about you, but it felt so hard to plan and to dream and set goals—but 12 weeks? 12 weeks? I can do that. I can plan the next 12 weeks.
This book teaches kind of how to throw out that annualized thinking and truly treat every 12 week group like an entire year. And today I'm going to teach you how to have a 12 week year based on the book, and of course I'll share my three biggest takeaways as well.
Resources from this episode:
Nancy Ray Book Club
The 12 Week Year, by Brian P. Moran
Money is a part of our life. Whether we like it or not, we need it to live and we can choose to either manage it well and let it be a blessing to us and those around us, or if we neglect it, we'll likely end up with not very much of it and it will be a continual point of stress for us. Today I'm excited to share five money mindsets that Will and I have embraced throughout our marriage that have been such a blessing to us and have kind of been the foundation of how we handle our money.
This episode will be full of practical advice, but all of that practical how-to is going to stem from these money mindsets, and I hope that they're a blessing to you.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/142.
Resources from this episode: Episode 124 - We’re Debt Free Again!
Dave Ramsey
God and Money
Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth
Psychology of Money
Nancy Ray Book Club
The key to success is contentment.
I mean, think about it—if you can find a way to truly be content, to be happy in every circumstance, wouldn't it be awesome? Every day it would be incredible. I mean, we'd wake up so grateful and so happy because we're content! This episode is about fighting for contentment with simple habits in our lives. Habits that can help us pause and realize just how good we have it. Habits that help us to live at ease and to live content.
Now, for those of you who just started the Contentment Challenge, you can do this! I hope this is going to be encouraging to you. And if you're listening and have no idea what I'm talking about, it's a challenge I host every year to give up shopping for things for three months, it's saying a temporary goodbye to Amazon Prime and Target and instead, focusing on the things that bring true contentment and fulfillment. It started January 10th, but the beauty about the Contentment Challenge is you can do it any time of year when it works for you.
Head to nancyray.com/contentmentchallenge, where you can learn all about it.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/141.
Resources from this episode: The Contentment Challenge
Kid's Worship Playlist
This episode is going to be a fun one. I firmly believe before we can look ahead and move forward, we need to pause and look back, and this episode is going to do just that. It's going to be all about 2021. The things that happened in my life that were highlights, experiences—I recommend trips that we took, books that I read, things I tried and liked, and more.
Here is the best of 2021!
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/140.
Resources from this episode: Blackberry Farm
Up From Slavery, Booker T. Washington’s autobiography
Episode 103 - Book | Up From Slavery
The Gospel Comes With a House Key, by Rosaria Butterfield
Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens
@shaycochrane
@brooke_gantner
@cameronfaye_
@naptimekitchen
Olive & June nail polish
Blog: Benji’s Birth Story
Blog: Children and the Passing of Time, by Emily Thomas
Joanna Gaines’ mac and cheese recipe
The Contentment Challenge
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Hello and happy new year! I am so excited to be back, to be bringing you some fresh episodes of the work and play podcast moving forward, and to start this year off on the right foot, encouraging you in your work and in your play.
Happy 2022!
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/139.
Resources from this episode:
Take the Work & Play Podcast Survey!
Take the Contentment Challenge
Nancy Ray Book Club
Listen, we all struggle with social media. It is an incredible tool of connectivity, but it's literally designed to keep us scrolling, even when we don't want to be. Now in my best moments, I've connected with people I've never met. They have brought me hope or encouragement in a time I have desperately needed it. But in my darkest moments, I've thought some pretty terrible thoughts about myself as a wife, or a mother. I've wanted to escape a messy house or crying baby, or even worse, I haven't wanted to escape those things, but I've been scrolling none the less.
I want to say is that technology isn't good or bad. Social media isn't good or bad, it is simply a tool. Just like money can be used to bless other people, and you can help eradicate poverty, do amazing things with money. Or you can spend it on some pretty terrible things and fuel addiction. Just like you can use bricks to build a hospital or a foundation that helps people in need. Or you can take a brick and throw it through a window and bring destruction. It's just a tool, right? Money is a tool, bricks are a tool, social media, technology, they're tools that you can use. It's not good or bad, it's how we use it or how we choose to use it that determines its outcome. With that said, it's incredibly important for us to know that this is just a tool, but it's also important for us to understand how it has been designed and refined over time. I want to enhance your understanding of its design, so that you can be aware of it and take responsibility for your life and your scrolling habits.
It can be helpful. It can provide income. It can be addictive. It can be a trap. Today, I want to talk about simple practices that I have found incredibly life-giving to keep social media in its place.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/138.
Resources from this episode: A Good Podcast Episode on the Subject
BBC Article: Social Media is ‘deliberately’ addictive
The Tech-Wise Family, Andy Crouch
Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport
Steelie phone car mount
Nancy Ray Book Club
I have three quick things for you before I dive into a very brief, but hopefully very encouraging episode for you today. First, would you head to nancyray.com/survey to help me make this podcast even better for you next year? Listen, I choose the episode content based on three things:
1) what I believe God wants me to say,
2) what I'm learning, and
3) what you want me to talk about.
And since I'm off social media and can't ask you there, this is the way I'm able to ask you, what do you want me to talk about next year? So I would love for you to head here to let me know.
And I appreciate it so, so much. It should only take a minute, it's just a couple of questions and thank you in advance for doing that.
Second, the Contentment Challenge is starting again on January 10th! Head to nancyray.com/contentmentchallenge to learn more and sign up if you want to be part of that.
And the third thing is my book club. You can see the books I'm reading for 2022, and you can join in with me on some of them or all of them or none of them, or you can just see what I'm reading next year if you want. Whatever you want to do, it’s very casual, but you can head to nancyray.com/bookclub to check that out.
And now for the shortest podcast episode of 2021, I hope this encourages you and is just what you need today.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/137.
Quick links from this episode:
Work & Play Podcast Survey
Contentment Challenge
Book Club
Nancy's Email List
What is the Contentment Challenge? In a nutshell, it is a commitment to giving up shopping for clothes, accessories, household decor, stuff, really anything excessive, for 3 months straight in order to focus your heart and your mind on the root of true contentment. It's also a commitment to replace shopping with activities experiences and relationships— the things that really matter in your life.
We live in a world where money seems to kind of fly out of our bank accounts with the simple push of an Amazon button on your phone or the irresistible one spot at Target. We keep buying more and more to make us happy, but does it really? Does it really foster a deep, centered posture of joy and contentment? A few years ago, God asked me to give up shopping for 3 months straight and at first I was not happy about that. This episode is all about that journey and the profound difference that it's made in my heart and in my life. The simple act of abstaining from shopping for extra things for a short amount of time opened my eyes wide to the weird way that I was living life is a consumer and it revealed the actual way that I want to live—full of gratitude and Grace. I have actually taken the Contentment Challenge many times over the years, and in this episode I share the three things I learned during my most recent time through (Jan-March 2019). This also includes a lot of our financial story. Some of which, quite honestly, hurts my pride a little to share, but I pray that God can use it to benefit you!
I hope this episode causes you to pause and think about your own life and how content you are today. Who knows? Maybe you need to take the challenge, too.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/136.
Resources from this episode: Take the Contentment Challenge (begins Jan. 10, 2022!)
Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps
Making Things Happen Conference
Philippians 4:12
Taking a long-ish break from social media has been on my heart for quite some time, and having Benji, our fourth child, just seemed like the perfect time to do it. So when he was born at the end of July, I decided to go off social media completely for six months.
I'm currently four months in—and yes, Benji is already four months old, which I cannot wrap my mind around—but this episode is all about what I've learned in the last four months from my social media sabbatical so far, I can't wait for you to hear it.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/135.
Resources from this episode: Minted Holiday Cards
The Tech-Wise Family, by Andy Crouch
Work & Play Cornerstore
Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through them, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to!
I have an invitation for you today: choose the courageous thing and slow down.
It's time to live a simpler, slower life than the one that you're living. Does that feel impossible? Does it feel like it just cannot happen for you? Do you feel scattered and a bit out of control? I know sometimes I do. Maybe you feel like your life can't actually change right now because of work, kids, or a schedule that you really can't change. Well, friend, I have good news. Even though your life can't change, you can. You can change. The feeling of living out of control and always in the chaos can absolutely change because you can always change.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/134.
Resources from this episode: FREE DOWNLOAD: 5 Steps to Creating Calm Amidst the Chaos
Shauna Niequist
The Effective Executive, by Peter Drucker
Psalm 86:11
What’s Best Next, by Matt Perman
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I recently shared the news that after this year, my twelfth year of business, the doors of Nancy Ray Photography will close. This was one of the hardest, most difficult decisions of my life. I love this work, I am going to miss this work, but the bottom line is this: God gently made it clear to me that this season has come to an end.
This was a massive decision for me personally and for my family, and it all started one year ago. Today, it feels like I've turned the page into the next chapter of my life. Now, I'll be honest, I could've kept going. Part of me really, really wanted to just keep going. I was good at it. I was confident in it, but this quote from Richard Blackaby explains why I'm letting it go:
"Our problem as leaders is we do everything we know to do. That's not enough. We need to do everything God wants us to do."
That says it all. I just know that in order for me to everything that God wants me to do, I need to let this go. I simply know that God wants me to do something different. I'm going to walk you through how I got to this point and how I finally made the decision and how I listen to God's voice every step of the way. I'm going to share some questions, some hard questions, that I had to ask myself and I'm going to ask these questions to you, too. So I'm going to start this episode by asking these questions and hopefully as I share my story, you're going to understand a little bit more about what those questions mean. And as I finish the episode and come back and ask these questions again, maybe you'll have a fuller understanding about where you are today.
My hope is that as I share how I navigated this huge decision, you’ll hopefully walk away with some helpful tools for he next time that you step into a new season, too.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/133.
Resources from this episode: The Seasons of God, by Richard Blackaby
Lioness Arising, by Lisa Bevere
Ecclesiastes 3
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I am so excited to bring this special episode with Emily Ley back to the Work and Play podcast today. She is one of the most authentic people I have ever met, I kid you not. She’s been a friend of mine for several years now. I've watched her grow as a mom, as a business owner, but she never loses that on authenticity. Every time I hang out with her, she makes me cry, and it's not in a bad way. It's because her heart for life, her heart for her people, it moves me. She really wants the right things in life. She's doing something really wonderful with her work and her play.
For the show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/132.
Resources from this episode: Emily Ley's website
Emily Ley on Instagram
Simplified on Instagram
When Less Becomes More, by Emily Ley
Listen to the first chapter of Emily’s new book for FREE!
Naptime Kitchen
Deep Work, by Cal Newport
Get ready for another one of your past favorites! Today's episode was originally Episode 005: Calling vs. Assignment. I hope you enjoy.
I think it's pretty safe to say that when it comes to our work, we want to be part of something that we are called to do— something that is full of meaning and has purpose, something that is in line perfectly with our passions and giftings. But today I want to challenge our way of thinking, and really the language that we use describing our work and our calling.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/131.
Welcome to the Nancy Ray Book Club, where every month I share a book I'm reading, and three big takeaways that I have from that book. And you can always find more information about the books I'm reading at nancyray.com/bookclub, where you can join in reading them with me.
Now, I've got a quick update on the book club for the rest of 2021. I did not realize in the beginning of this year that I would be needing a six month sabbatical and that I'd be taking off six months from work and this podcast and social media, which simply means I'm going to be putting the Book Club on hold until 2022. Fighting Forward, this interview, is going to be my last 2021 Book Club episode, and all the other books I did not get to are simply going to be pushed back to 2022.
I just want to thank you for your grace in this. Listen, you know, my approach with this book club is very relaxed anyway—read what you'd like to read, participate as you can. If a book doesn't sound interesting, you don't have to read it with us. I personally hope to do a lot of reading while I'm away, but realistically I have a newborn baby and three other children. So I just appreciate your grace towards me, as well, while I kind of redirect and do things a little differently to serve my work and my play and my life and my family and you guys, as best as I can during the season of my life.
Today, I have a conversation with a friend and author Hannah Brencher. Hannah is such a breath of fresh air. She is a writer, a TED speaker, an online educator with a heart for building leaders. She has written three books. First, If You Find This Letter. Second, Come Matter Here. And third, which we're talking about today, Fighting Forward. It has been exactly what I have needed to read. It's incredible. Her heart for change and for fighting for the life that God has for you is something that you do not want to miss.
I think you're going to love our conversation today about how you can fight forward in your own life.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/130.
Get ready, because I love a good morning routine. Fair warning: I am such a nerd about this. I know this sounds kind of extreme, but having a morning routine in place really enhances the quality of my life. I'm not kidding. It gives me something to look forward to at night. It starts my day off connected with the Lord and with a healthy mindset. It allows me to start my day in a place of abundance, which really determines so much of the rest of my day. So whether you have a solid morning routine or if you don't have one at all, this episode is for you.
PSA: This was recorded when I was not knee deep in newborn life!
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/129.
Resources from this episode: Michael Hyatt & the Lead to Win Podcast
Allie Casazza & The Purpose Show
What the Most Successful People do Before Breakfast, by Laura Vanderkam
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Life is hard, and sometimes it just seems we can't move forward in our lives until someone speaks some words of life to us. So that's what I'm here for today. If you're facing something really hard, I am here to tell you, you were made for hard things.
For the full show notes, visit nancyray.com/podcast/128.
As you may know, I'm currently taking a six month break from work and social media to be fully present with my family, which means that every Tuesday on the podcast, you're going to be getting a mix of new episodes, old episodes and interviews. This episode of the podcast is one of my earlier most popular, most downloaded episodes, which means it's worth repeating.
This is the first episode ever of Work & Play with Nancy Ray, I hope you enjoy it.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/127.
Resources from this episode: Psalm 127:2
Magnolia Manifesto
Magnolia Journal
Present over Perfect, Shauna Niequist
Episode 002 - Rule of Life
Hello! I am back after a two month break from this podcast! I'm happy to be back and today I'm so excited to share with you a huge life event that took place over the last two months for us, which is the birth of our fourth baby, a son, Benjamin Valor Ray. And today I'm going to be sharing his birth story with you.
I'm going to go into the details of why we chose a home birth and just the story of how God used his birth to really heal me and rid me of so much fear and just show me how beautiful birth can really be. It was such an amazing experience, and I'm so excited to share it with you today.
Hello! I am back after a two month break from this podcast! I'm happy to be back and today I'm so excited to share with you a huge life event that took place over the last two months for us, which is the birth of our fourth baby, a son, Benjamin Valor Ray. And today I'm going to be sharing his birth story with you.
I'm going to go into the details of why we chose a home birth and just the story of how God used his birth to really heal me and rid me of so much fear and just show me how beautiful birth can really be. It was such an amazing experience, and I'm so excited to share it with you today.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/126.
Resources from this episode: Benji’s Birth Story on the blog
Lauren Jolly Photography
Well friend, this is my last episode of Work & Play before I take a two month break from the podcast and a six month break from work and social media. I just want to use this time and space to encourage you. And I want to speak life over you. And I want to encourage you to speak life over the people around you.
I'll also tell you a little bit about what to expect from me for the rest of the year. It's going to be a short and sweet episode, and I kind of hope it feels like a little podcast hug, and I'm excited to know I'll see you again soon.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/125.
See you in a few months!
To sign up for my monthly emails during the podcast break, head to nancyray.com/emails.
Well friend, this is my last episode of Work & Play before I take a two month break from the podcast and a six month break from work and social media. I just want to use this time and space to encourage you. And I want to speak life over you. And I want to encourage you to speak life over the people around you.
I'll also tell you a little bit about what to expect from me for the rest of the year. It's going to be a short and sweet episode, and I kind of hope it feels like a little podcast hug, and I'm excited to know I'll see you again soon.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/125.
See you in a few months!
To sign up for my monthly emails during the podcast break, head to nancyray.com/emails.
I am so excited about today's episode! Today, Will and I are going to be sharing about how we are debt-free again, as we just paid off our house! If you followed us for a while, you know, we are passionate about financial stewardship and financial freedom, and you also might know that we paid off our first mortgage when we were just 25 and 26 years old.
And today we will be telling you a little bit about our journey and how we went back into debt for the house we live in now and how we were able to pay that house off this year. Our hope more than anything is that you would be inspired and know that with some hard work and intentional planning, this could be possible for you, too.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/124.
Resources from this episode: Episode 068 - 12 Years of Marriage, Part I
Episode 069 - 12 Years of Marriage, Part II
Financial Peace University
God and Money, by John Cortines and Gregory Baumer
The Contentment Challenge
The Total Money Makeover, by Dave Ramsey
Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
The Journey of Generosity
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Before we jump in, this is your quick reminder that today is the last day you can purchase An Integrated Life, which is an 18 lesson audio course—basically 18 podcast episodes with a workbook that you can keep coming back to, and it outlines a framework for you to grow deeper in your faith. Take authority in your home and gain clarity in your work.
All for the kingdom of God had to nancyray.com/integratedlife to grab yours today. And if you're listening to this and the deadline has passed, feel free to still go to that link to sign up for the wait list, so you'll be the first to know when it comes back out again.
So I have decided to take six months off of social media. No Instagram, no Facebook, no Twitter, no social media. As soon as our fourth baby arrives, I'm going to be spending time with my family and friends in real life, being present and free myself from any obligation to post or share anything for six whole months.
In today's podcast episode, I'm going to share more about why I'm doing this and why you might consider doing it, too.
Resources from this episode: An Integrated Life (An Audio Course)
Episode 012 - 3 Habits to Put Social Media In It’s Place
Episode 088 - Book | Digital Minimalism
Episode 093 - A Year of Contentment with Reagan Reynolds, Pt. 1
Episode 114 - BFFs, Infertility, and Miracles with Samantha Ray
The Graham Cochrane Show, Ep. 105: A Year off Social Media (The Update)
Shanna Skidmore’s blog: I Quit Social Media for a Year. Here’s Why.
The Tech-Wise Family, by Andy Crouch
Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Before we jump in, this is your quick reminder that today is the last day you can purchase An Integrated Life, which is an 18 lesson audio course—basically 18 podcast episodes with a workbook that you can keep coming back to, and it outlines a framework for you to grow deeper in your faith, take authority in your home and gain clarity in your work, all for the kingdom of God.
Head to nancyray.com/integratedlife to grab yours today. And if you're listening to this and the deadline has passed, feel free to still go to that link to sign up for the wait list, so you'll be the first to know when it comes back out again!
So, I have decided to take six months off of social media. No Instagram, no Facebook, no Twitter, no social media. As soon as our fourth baby arrives, I'm going to be spending time with my family and friends in real life, being present and free myself from any obligation to post or share anything for six whole months.
In today's podcast episode, I'm going to share more about why I'm doing this and why you might consider doing it, too.
Resources from this episode: An Integrated Life (An Audio Course)
Episode 012 - 3 Habits to Put Social Media In It’s Place
Episode 088 - Book | Digital Minimalism
Episode 093 - A Year of Contentment with Reagan Reynolds, Pt. 1
Episode 114 - BFFs, Infertility, and Miracles with Samantha Ray
The Graham Cochrane Show, Ep. 105: A Year off Social Media (The Update)
Shanna Skidmore’s blog: I Quit Social Media for a Year. Here’s Why.
The Tech-Wise Family, by Andy Crouch
Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Before we dive in today, I just wanted to remind you that my new audio course, An Integrated Life, is still available. An Integrated Life is an 18 lesson audio course, think: this podcast you listen to meets an online course meets an audio book. It's something you can come back to over and over again.
Anyway, it's a course that outlines a framework for you to grow deeper in your faith, take authority in your home, and gain clarity in your work, all for the Kingdom of God. And it's available for purchase until July 15. So, if you buy the bundle for $50, you can actually listen to it on your phone like this podcast. So while I'm taking a two month break from this podcast with the new baby, you can keep listening. Head to nancyray.com/integratedlife to learn more and sign up.
Welcome to the Nancy Ray Book Club, where I'm sharing a book that I'm reading and my top three takeaways from that book. You can join in anytime at nancyray.com/bookclub. Today's book is Parenting by Paul David Tripp.
He outlines 14 gospel principles that can radically change your family. This book isn't as much a practical book on how to handle a tantrum or discipline your child or what to feed your kid or how to raise teenagers, instead, it's a book that speaks to the "why" of parenting—the heart of parenting—and really how to view our role of parents as believers.
Today's episode is the last of a three part series, giving you a glimpse into the new course I'm releasing TODAY at noon eastern time. So today is all about work, and my foundational approach to it.
To learn more about An Integrated Life and to go ahead and get access today when the doors open, head to nancyray.com/integratedlife.
Today's episode is part two of a three part episode series, giving you a glimpse of this new audio course. Today you'll hear about my outlook on the home and how important home life is. I hope you enjoy it.
And the course is almost out! So be sure that you head to nancyray.com/integratedlife to hear more about it and grab it before the doors close on July 13th.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/120.
Resources from this episode: Sign up for the email list!
The Life-Giving Home, by Sally & Sarah Clarkson
An Integrated Life (my newest audio course!)
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Over the last several months, I have been working on a project I haven’t told anyone about, but you, my dear work and play podcast listener, are going to be the very first to know about it.
Today’s episode is part 1 of a three part episode series giving you a glimpse inside this new audio course (I honestly hesitate to call it a course because it’s more of a comprehensive way that I look at my life broken down into three categories: faith, home and work). You’re going to hear Lesson 1 from the Faith section which includes my testimony and really just the foundational outlook I have on my faith.
Learn more about my newest audio course: An Integrated Life.
I'm so grateful that for every baby we've had, we've had the opportunity to get away, just me and my husband for a few days before our new baby arrives.
Today's episode is going to cover all of the work and play of going on a babymoon. I'm going to summarize each of the babymoons we've taken; how they've all been different and how we've budgeted for each one.
Now, there's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to make it happen, but the play makes it all worth it.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/118.
Resources from this episode: Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens
Snorkeling mask
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Welcome to the Nancy Ray Book Club, where every month I share a book worth reading and invite you to read it along with me. Today's book is The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer.
Highly recommending this one, friend. Listen, by now, you know I'm fascinated with the fast pace of our culture and the use of technology in our world and biblical principles for living. But this book was particularly helpful because it felt like it bridged the gap between modern living and the way that Jesus actually lived. It's one of those books that have kind of settled into my spirit and I think about it often. And I can't wait to share more about it with you today.
Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
My mom is the kindest wisest, warmest, funniest woman I know. It is really an honor to have her as a mom. Every time I've needed advice or have felt misunderstood or have been confused, she is the first person I call. She's so trustworthy. She's the best listener in the world, and every time I ask for advice, it seems like she always has the exact words I need to hear.
The world needs more people like my mom, and today I get to share her with you. I hope you enjoy the last May is for Mamas episode: an interview with my very own mama.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/116.
Resources from this episode: The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah
The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah
Beverly Lewis
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Welcome to another episode of May is for Mamas! Today, I’m going to be brief and hopefully encouraging. And I don't say this lightly—I believe the secret to getting the most out of motherhood, and life in general, is to simply lean in to your season.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/115.
Resources from this episode: Episode 047 - Book | Seasons of God with Dr. Richard Blackaby
Seasons of God, by Dr. Richard Blackaby
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Welcome to May is for Mamas where every episode this month is dedicated to all the mamas out there. Today is a special one because I'm having my best friends since ninth grade, who also happens to be my sister-in-law—yes, it's crazy—we ended up marrying brothers on my podcast as my guest. Her name is Samantha Ray, and she is a writer, creator, mother, and my dearest friend, living in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband, John, daughter, Griffin, and their three kitties.
She is a writer in every sense of the word. She writes about slow living, pursuing a whole healthful lifestyle, including relational and emotional health. And she has never been afraid to dig into the deeper grittier issues of life, which is why she's here today. She's also a beautiful songwriter and musician. She's gifted in so many ways. I adore her and she always has this profound belief that there's beauty to be found in the messy, the undone, the less photo-worthy moments of life. And it's always worthwhile to dig for the gold, right where you are. Now, Sam and I have been friends for a long, long time.
Today we are diving into one of the most difficult seasons of our friendship, the season of five years where she was walking through infertility and I had three babies. The tension, the heartache, and the hope that we felt was very real and we're sharing that today, and Sam specifically is sharing her story. And as she does, she's very honest, very real. She gives a lot of great practical advice and a huge dose of hope and healing for anyone walking through infertility.
I'm just so honored to share today's podcast episode with you, because what it feels like for me is a precious gift that I'm giving to you, that you can hear Sam's heart and her story. And it feels like we are sharing this really vulnerable part of our journey together as friends and sisters with you.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/114.
Resources from this episode: Sam’s blog
Episode 093 - A Year of Contentment with Reagan Reynolds, Pt. 1
Episode 094 - A Year of Contentment with Reagan Reynolds, Pt. 2
Welcome to May is for Mamas where every episode this month is dedicated to all the mamas out there. Today is a special one because I'm having my best friends since ninth grade, who also happens to be my sister-in-law—yes, it's crazy—we ended up marrying brothers on my podcast as my guest. Her name is Samantha Ray, and she is a writer, creator, mother, and my dearest friend, living in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband, John, daughter, Griffin, and their three kitties.
She is a writer in every sense of the word. She writes about slow living, pursuing a whole healthful lifestyle, including relational and emotional health. And she has never been afraid to dig into the deeper grittier issues of life, which is why she's here today. She's also a beautiful songwriter and musician. She's gifted in so many ways. I adore her and she always has this profound belief that there's beauty to be found in the messy, the undone, the less photo-worthy moments of life. And it's always worthwhile to dig for the gold, right where you are. Now, Sam and I have been friends for a long, long time.
Today we are diving into one of the most difficult seasons of our friendship, the season of five years where she was walking through infertility and I had three babies. The tension, the heartache, and the hope that we felt was very real and we're sharing that today, and Sam specifically is sharing her story. And as she does, she's very honest, very real. She gives a lot of great practical advice and a huge dose of hope and healing for anyone walking through infertility.
I'm just so honored to share today's podcast episode with you, because what it feels like for me is a precious gift that I'm giving to you, that you can hear Sam's heart and her story. And it feels like we are sharing this really vulnerable part of our journey together as friends and sisters with you.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/114.
Welcome to the first episode in May is for Mamas! Every episode this month will be dedicated to all the mamas listening and will hopefully be encouraging and helpful to you. Before I jump into the episode, I wanted you to know that starting tomorrow May 5th lasting through May 10th, my Legacy Photo System is going to be on sale.
This is the system I created to organize all of my photos. My printed photos, my digital photos, how to back them up, how to get them under control on my phone, how to get a system in place long-term moving forward so that you can get rid of the overwhelming stress of managing your photos and actually enjoy them again. So head to legacyphotosystem.com from May 5th through the 10th to grab yours on sale. It's the perfect mother's day gift, in my opinion, if you don't have it already.
Now, this episode feels vulnerable. This episode feels extra vulnerable for me because I don't feel like I got to this path of motherhood that I'm on like most women do, but I'm realizing that every story of motherhood is different and hard and beautiful and every unique way.
And so in hopes that I'm going to make someone who's listening feel a little less lonely and a little more normal, I am going to be vulnerable and share how I got here, how I got to being a mama of almost four kids. How I love it so much, but how I was terrified of it at first.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/113.
Resources from this episode: The Legacy Photo System (on sale 5/5-5/10!)
Episode 058 - Raising 6 Kids (Including triplets!) with Mary Lindsey Blanton
Hinds’ Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
It's a Nancy Ray Book Club episode! Once a month I share a book I'm reading and loving, and my three biggest takeaways from that book. You can join in on this book club at any point by heading over to nancyray.com/bookclub.
Now this month's book is Atomic Habits, by James Clear. It has been highly recommended to me for such a long time, and I've got to say, it's lived up to its hype. I really, really enjoyed it. It was hard to narrow down my takeaways, whether we like to admit it or not, we all have habits, good or bad, we all have habits. And sometimes we're aware of these habits, but sometimes they're such a normal part of our lives that we're not even aware that we have this habit.
This book allowed me to take a step back, kind of look at my life and analyze the things that I do, my habits: things I do every day, and more than just that it taught me how to maximize the good habits, even create new good habits and minimize my bad habits--something I think we could all benefit from doing on a regular basis.
One more thing I wanted to add before we jump into this episode is that next month, the whole month of may is May is for Mamas. That's where I dedicate every episode to all the mamas out there listening. I'm really excited for what's to come. I also wanted to give you a heads up that my Legacy Photo System course is going on sale. So make sure you listen to the end of this episode, to get all the details!
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/112.
Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club
The Legacy Photo System
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
Every mother is stuck in this paradox of wanting so badly to photograph and keep and preserve heir children's lives and childhoods with organized baby books and photos, but the very thing that keeps us from doing that are our children. They consume so much of our time and mental energy, it feels impossible to stay on top of our photos.
Being that I used to be a professional photographer, I have set out to simplify this process and do something about it. Today, I'm going to tell you how I plan to keep my photos organized with four kids.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/111.
Resources from this episode: The Legacy Photo System
Free Download: Get Your Photos Off Your Phone!!
Emily Ley’s baby books
Three days ago, I finished, I think my sixth, maybe my seventh Contentment Challenge, where I give up shopping completely for three months at a time. Of course I buy food, I get gas, I get the necessities, but I quit my addiction to Target. I quit Amazon Prime. I quit impulse buys and I focus my heart on living, on doing things, on gratitude.
So many of you joined me this year and I'm so grateful that you did. Now if this is your first time hearing about the Contentment Challenge, go back and listen to episode three of this podcast—one of the very early episodes—to learn more about it, learn how it began, the story of it and how you could do one too, if you wanted, or you can just go here to get some free resources if you feel like you want to learn more.
Today, I'm going to share with you the value of doing this, the value of giving up something in your life that's easy and convenient and even good, to challenge yourself and specifically the value of the Contentment Challenge this year and what I learned this time around.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/110.
Resources from this episode: Last day to enter the giveaway!!
Take the Contentment Challenge
Episode 003 - The Contentment Challenge
Today we are celebrating two whole years of this podcast, Work and Play with Nancy Ray! I have a really fun, unique episode planed—it’s like a birthday party that I want to celebrate and encourage you with. But two quick things I wanted to mention before we dive in:
First, if you have never left a review for this podcast in Apple podcasts, would you consider doing that today? It takes less than two minutes. It is a great way for others to discover this podcast. Just pretend like your review is the birthday present that you're bringing to this podcast on her second birthday, and then pretend like I give you a big hug and say, "Thank you! This is exactly what we wanted!" because it is.
But truly, thank you, I'm so grateful that you spend your time listening to this podcast. I know life is short. The fact you take your precious time and listen to my podcast means so so much. I'm so grateful.
The second thing I wanted to share is there is a giveaway happening for this week to celebrate the second birthday of this podcast! And it's full of some really great things. So here's what you need to know about the giveaway: nancyray.com/podcastgiveaway is going to have all of the details.
It starts April 6th and ends April 13th at midnight, and it's really easy for you to enter!
But first of all, I want to tell you what's in the giveaway:
- My Legacy Photo System (Premium!) and my Contentment Reset.
- Shunta, who you're going to hear from today, her Right Now Routine, which I've been through—it’s amazing—and her Clean One Room program.
- Kat Schmoyer's Ultimate Calendar Bundle. If you're planner like me, you are going to want this, it's so good.
- And a Cultivate What Matters Custom Write the Word Journal!
Now there are different winners, different tiers and categories of winners. And the first tier, the big winner is going to get most of the stuff. The second tier winner, they're going to get:
- My Legacy Photo System: Basic
- The Contentment Reset
- A Write the Word Journal
- Kat’s Quarterly Calendar
So, bottom line is, make sure you register because there's going to be four winners, which is so great!
All right, let's get to today's episode!
Today, you are going to hear from a few friends of mine—dear friends, friends that I trust, friends that have so much wisdom and encouragement to offer you. A lot of these friends have been on the podcast before, I've interviewed several of them, so they might be familiar to you. All of them have contributed to this birthday party, to this encouragement. They're all going to speak life to you, give you some encouragement or advice. Maybe just a helpful tip or words of wisdom, but no matter what, I promise is going to be something valuable.
You might be familiar with them, but even if you're not, I want you to know they are people that I deeply respect and admire, and if something they say resonates with you, I'd encourage you to find them online or on social media. I'm going to be sure to leave all of their links in the show notes today, because what they say today is just the tip of the iceberg of what they have to offer. I love them dearly. I'm so grateful for them.
So, Happy Birthday Work and Play Podcast! Thank you so much for coming to our little party today. I hope you find encouragement, I hope you win the giveaway and I hope you're blessed.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/109.
Resources from this episode: Two Year Anniversary Giveaway!!! (ends 4/13!)
Leave a review for the Work & Play Podcast on iTunes
Kate Strickler (Naptime Kitchen) on Instagram
Naptime Kitchen website
Ashlyn Carter on Instagram
Ashlyn Writes website
Laura Casey on Instagram
Cultivate What Matters website
Chrystal Evans Hurst on Instagram
Chrystal Evans Hurst website
Emily Thomas on Instagram
Em for Marvelous blog
Shunta Grant on Instagram
Best Today Brand website
Kat Schmoyer on Instagram
Creative at Heart website
Welcome to the Nancy Ray Book Club, where once a month I share a summary of a book worth reading, and my top three takeaways from that book. Many of you have joined my 2021 book club and are reading along with me. But if you haven't, we would still love to have you! You can learn more and join by visiting nancyray.com/bookclub.
Also, I wanted to give you a heads up! Next month, the whole month of May, I'll be dedicating it to our mamas. Any listener who’s a mama—it’s for you. We did this last year and I called it May is for Mamas (Episodes 056-064) and we are doing it again, so stay tuned! I am excited for what's to come.
I'll be honest—I almost took this book off of my reading list this year, because I felt like it was cruel and unusual punishment to myself to read a book about sleep the year that I would have a newborn baby. Like, why am I thinking and reading all about how to get good sleep knowing I am going to be sleep deprived no matter what? BUT I'm really glad I kept it on the list and read it anyway, because it's helping me now in pregnancy and the tips and lessons that I've learned in this book will help me understand my body and maximize my sleep even during that newborn phase, as hard as it's going to be, as well as prioritizing sleep for our whole family for years to come.
I get pretty nerdy today—fair warning! But I'm really excited about all that. We're going to learn together.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/108.
Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club
Sleep Smarter, by Shawn Stevenson
Liquid magnesium supplement
Work & Play Cornerstore
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
In a lot of ways my work has really been simplified for me—I'm going on eight months of no childcare other than the two days that my kids are at preschool and kindergarten. I have been forced to be really strategic and simplified with my time and my plans.
Today, I'm going to share ways that I took things off of my plate, got organized and really simplified my work and my goals this year, and moving forward.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/107.
Resources from this episode: Traction, by Gino Wickman
Episode 026 - My Favorite Business Book of All Time
Golden Coil Planner
Google Tasksboard
Flodesk - this is an affiliate link! You’ll get 50% off and I get a commission if you choose to use this link!
Dropbox
Episode 106 - Email Ninja
Episode 102 - Eliminating Decision Fatigue
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Emails can be such a point of stress in our lives because they just keep piling up and they're a complete time suck. I cannot tell you how many days I've wanted to check my email real quick.
Do I get any other work done? No.
Is my inbox actually cleared up? No.
I just spent all day in my inbox and I have nothing to show for it, and there are about seven other super legitimate, important things I would rather be doing.
While I was running my photography business and running my team, we had to get an email system in place and I turned my inbox into a little game. Over the years I have put a lot of disciplines into place and match that up with this little game that I play and all of that has really helped me to get control over it and not feel as overwhelmed, but instead, feel more like an #EmailNinja.
Today, I'm going to teach you how to be an Email Ninja, too.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/106.
Resources from this episode: Unroll.me
This episode is going to be a personal look into my life, my motherhood, and more specifically, this fourth pregnancy that I am currently experiencing.
Listen, my core purpose with this podcast is to provide you practical tools for an integrated life, and integrated means showing up and sharing all areas of my life and how my faith in Jesus is really the center of everything, in my work and my play and all other areas, and hopefully provide some practical tools along the way.
Today is going to be a little more laid back, more like a conversation with me. Let's pretend like we're out at a coffee shop drinking our favorite coffee, and we're talking about motherhood and pregnancy and all the things. I've gathered so many questions, and I'm really excited to dive in and answer them. And honestly, I haven't really prepared my answers ahead of time. I'm just gonna speak from my heart.
I think it's gonna be fun!
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/105.
Resources from this episode: Maternity photos by Olivia Suriano!
Beaufort’s Birth Story
Diono Carseats
Episode 023 - The Fear of Becoming a Mom with Katelyn James
Episode 072 - What I’ve Learned About Fear
Episode 048 - An Update to Our Dave Ramsey Journey
The Contentment Challenge
Spectra breast pump
The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth
Supernatural Childbirth
Babywise
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I'm so excited to welcome Rachel Cruze back to the Work & Play Podcast! She is a personal finance expert with Ramsey Solutions and author of Know Yourself, Know Your Money. She's also a mama of three littles, two girls and a boy, so I have a special place in my heart for that. And honestly, she's just such an uplifting voice in my life today.
We're talking about the why behind your money—why we think or behave the way that we do when it comes to our spending, saving and relating to money. And most importantly, how we can continue to dream with our money when it feels like life might be a little out of our control.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/104.
Resources from this episode: Know Yourself, Know Your Money, by Rachel Cruze
The Rachel Cruze Show
Episode 036 - Living a Content Life with Rachel Cruze
The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis
The Wife Between Us, by Hendricks and Pekkanen
The Last Mrs. Parrish, by Liv Constantine
The Guest List, by Lucy Foley
The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides
Ruth Ware (author)
Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls
Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance
Educated, by Tara Westover
Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey
The Makeup Eraser
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Booker T. Washington's life story has impacted me so deeply. I can honestly say, this is one of those books that has changed me. I have the utmost respect for this man, what he did to lift himself and thousands of others out of the awful repercussions of slavery, and to bring unity to white and black communities just years after slavery was abolished, was nothing short of heroic.
He was born a slave. He didn't know who his father was. He didn't even know his birthday.
His deep hunger for education drove him to take some massive risks and endure some incredibly difficult circumstances. But his tenacity and perseverance and hard work carved a path to create such an incredible life and legacy, which I'm going to talk more about today. I hope you'll listen in to his inspiring story, my top three takeaways, and I really, really hope that you're going to pick up this book.
Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club
Up From Slavery, Booker T. Washington’s Autobiography
Work & Play Cornerstore
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
It is estimated that the average adult makes about 35,000 remotely conscious decisions each and every day. That's crazy. 35,000 decisions a day. And of course, every decision we make, big or small, carries certain consequences with it.
When we feel overloaded by too many decisions, our ability to make good, clear decisions decreases, which is called “decision fatigue”: basically we just get so tired of making so many decisions. It doesn't matter how strong or smart you are. Your brain just says “I'm done today.”
I want to ask you simple question and let you in on a few ways that I'm trying to actively eliminate decision fatigue In my own life.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/102.
Resources from this episode: Episode 100 - 100th Episode, 100 Questions!
Episode 099 - Book | Parenting with Love and Logic
Sleep Smarter, by Shawn Stephenson
Nancy Ray Book Club
Master Packing List
Camping Packing List
The Contentment Challenge
Episode 028 - The 3 Priorities Exercise
Episode 002 - Rule of Life
Episode 086 - Find More Hours in Your Week
Free Ideal Week Download
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Welcome to the Nancy Ray Book Club, where once a month I share a summary of a book worth reading and my top 3 takeaways from that book. Many of you have joined my 2021 book club and are reading along with me this year, but if you haven't that's okay. It's very low pressure. We would still love to have you for all 12 books or maybe just one or two. You can learn more about it here.
I decided to start off 2021 with my friend Chrystal Evans’ new book called The 28 Day Prayer Journey after experiencing all of 2020. After my talk with Chrystal back in Episode 080 (which was fantastic, you should go back and listen to it), I just knew in my heart, this was the way I wanted to start off this year, and I am so grateful I did.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/101!
Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club
The 28 Day Prayer Journey, by Chrystal Evans Hurst
Episode 80 - A Helpful Guide for Consistent Prayers with Chrystal Evans Hurst
Up From Slavery, Booker T. Washington’s Autobiography
Sleep Smarter, by Shawn Stephenson
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer
Parenting by Paul David Tripp
The Gospel Comes with a House Key, by Rosaria Butterfield
Dirt, by Mary Marantz
Awakening Wonder, by Sally Clarkson
4 Disciplines of Execution, by Chris McChesney & Sean Covey
Fighting Forward, by Hannah Brencher
The Revenge of Analog, by David Sax
Living Out of the Overflow, by Dr. Richard Blackaby
The Contentment Challenge
Work & Play Cornerstore
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I'm so excited to celebrate with you today!
Listen, I'm doing something different today. I actually went to many of you and said, “What should I do for my hundredth episode?” And many of you said, just do a Q&A and answer 100 questions. So many of you actually submitted these questions on Instagram. I'm so excited! I was not able to do all of the questions—believe it or not, I got well over a hundred questions! But I'm really excited just to have fun, and to have a conversation for you guys to get to know me on a different level. A lot of these are personal, a lot of them are lighthearted, a lot of them are fun and hopefully some of them you'll find helpful to you and your life.
If you have been a listener for any amount of time, I want to encourage you to please go leave a review on iTunes Podcasts. It helps me so much when you do that. And thank you truly from the bottom of my heart for being a listener!
We're going to have fun today (believe me, you want to listen to the end!). I brought in a few helpers, and I hope you enjoy it. And again, thank you so much for listening to Work and Play with Nancy Ray.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/100.
Resources from this episode: Leave a Review for the Work & Play Podcast on iTunes
The Marco Polo app
Lemon & lime squeezer
Baby Wise
Positive Parenting Solutions
Kenra hairspray
C12 Group round tables
Amway
Slugs and Bugs (also on Spotify!)
The Jesus Storybook Bible
Real Simple Magazine
The Magnolia Journal
Christian Healthcare Ministries
A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place by Beth Moore
Revelation study by She Reads Truth
Cantina 1511 guacamole recipe
Argon oil of Morocco shampoo
Sally Clarkson
Matt Chandler
Artifact Uprising (family photo books)
Milly’s Birth Story
Lyndon’s Birth Story
Beaufort’s Birth Story
Episode 047 - Book | Seasons of God with Dr. Richard Blackaby
168 Hours, by Laura Vanderkam
Restoring the Foundations ministry
Episode 059 - Growing Faith in Your Littles
How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
Free Download: Craft Your Morning Routine
Magnatiles
Sacred Marriage, by Gary Thomas
The Power of a Praying Wife, by Stormie Omartian
The Power of a Praying Husband, by Stormie Omartian
Episode 056 - Meal Planning Made Fun with Kate from Naptime Kitchen
Podcast: Relatable by Allie Beth Stuckey
Episode 048 - An Update to our Dave Ramsey Journey
Episode 004 - Seasons of Business
Parenting with Love and Logic, by Foster Cline & Jim Fay
Episode 099 - Book | Parenting with Love and Logic
Anonymous, by Alicia Britt Chole
Episode 006 - Book | Anonymous
Goodberry’s Frozen Custard
A Goofy Movie
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Welcome to the Nancy Ray Book Club, where once a month I share a summary of a book worth reading and my top three takeaways from that book. Many of you have joined by 2021 Book Club and are already reading along with me this year. But if you haven't or if you just want to see my list of books I'm reading—I read 12 books a year, one a month—or if you want to join, you can always visit nancyray.com/bookclub, and I would love to have you. It's no pressure. It's come as you are read what you want, but I'm grateful to have you reading alongside me either way.
Today's episode is a recap of the very last book in our 2020 Book Club: Parenting with Love and Logic. We read it in December. It was highly recommended to me by so many friends, and it's already proven to be such a gift in our own family and my own parenting, as I am home a lot with my five-year-old and three-year-old and two-year-old. I hope today's podcast will be super practical and helpful for any moms and dads listening.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/99.
Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club
Parenting with Love and Logic, Foster Cline & Jim Fay
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a small commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I was talking with a friend the other day and she asked me the question, what are you fighting for this year? And it took me a minute to answer her, but after a pause, I finally said, “You know, I think I'm fighting for fun.” I know that might sound trite or silly, but I'm realizing it's—it's not that silly, it's actually necessary.
Especially in this pandemic with the political stress and all the responsibilities of daily life, I'm realizing this year, I'm going to fight for fun. And she responded. She said, that is not trite or silly at all. That's so important. And I'm so thankful she asked me that question because it made me really kind of get that in perspective this year and so this year, that's what I'm doing!
I'm fighting for fun in my life.
And honestly, I hope you'll join me.
For the full show notes, visit nancyray.com/podcast/98.
Resources from this episode: Episode 018 - Life as an Enneagram 3
Emily’s blog - Em for Marvelous
New York Times article
Episode 082 - Kids, Camping & Slowing Down with Emily Thomas
Episode 091 - Book | Celebration of Discipline
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I've decided to take the first month of this year and focus on relationships.
Just focus on my relationships: my relationship with the Lord, my relationship with my husband, my kids, my friends. Relationships are gold in life. They're so valuable. And one of the best resources that I found on relationships last year was a talk given by Brené Brown. It lasts I think 24 minutes-ish. And I'm just going to go ahead and tell you now that her talk is far superior to this podcast episode. And I hope by you listening to this and catching some of the main points of her talk is that you'll take the time and go listen to it from start to finish and take notes.
Her talk is called the Anatomy of Trust, and it's all about how to be a trustworthy person. It breaks down—she's a researcher—she breaks down trust and what that looks like. It's full of beautiful illustrations that are so powerful. And I promise it's worth your time.
Today I'm going to be sharing with you seven ways that you can build trust with those around you and how I'm going to be working on that in my own life.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/97.
Resources from this episode: Anatomy of Trust video by Brené Brown
Daring Greatly, by Brené Brown
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
It's hard to know exactly how to approach 2021.
2020 is going to be a year we remember and refer to for the rest of our lives. I mean, even our grandkids and history books, they're going to analyze and discuss how we handled 2020, and this pandemic, and the racial tension and the election, and everything crazy that has happened.
And I'm going to be honest, I have been tempted to, on January 1st, 2021 say, "Check, done. 2020 is behind me. It's over, it's time to move on to a newer and brighter year and future." But more recently, I've kind of caught myself because I don't know that that's actually the wisest way to approach looking into the future.
Today, I'm going to talk about how we don't actually know what 2021 is going to hold, but how we can approach it with wisdom.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/96.
Resources from this episode: Join the 2021 Contentment Challenge (starts Jan. 10!)
Episode 003 - The Contentment Challenge
Episode 002 - Rule of Life
From Good to Great, by Jim Collins
Who Moved My Cheese?, by Spencer Johnson
My earpods
Sometimes when I'm going about my life, I want to pray, and I just don't have the words to say. Does that ever happen to you? Like, you know it's a really important day, or you know that you want to pray for your children, but you kind of run out of what to say. Or you just can't put words to how you're feeling. Or you want to connect with God personally, but life is busy and you don't know what to say. You don't know what to say or how to pray.
Today, I'm going to share three extremely simple prayers that I pray. You have my full permission to take them with you and use them for the rest of your life, and I hope that they bless you.
For the full show notes, visit nancyray.com/podcast/95.
If you're interested in joining me for the 2021 Contentment Challenge, learn more & sign up here: nancyray.com/contentmentchallenge.
Welcome back to my conversation with my dear friend, Reagan. Since we are so busy in the season of Christmas, I decided to split our chat into two different episodes so it'd be a little bit easier to digest in the midst of the holiday season.
If you're tuning in now and you missed last week's episode, head back to Episode 093 so you can get the full context of what Reagan and I are talking about. Because she and her husband took the Contentment Challenge, which is something I created many years ago, to the next level and they decided to give up shopping for an entire year in pursuit of a more content and debt-free life. It's just an amazing story. I won't leave you hanging any longer. Let's get back to my conversation with Reagan.
Resources from this episode: Episode 093 - A Year of Contentment with Reagan Reynolds, Part 1
Join the Contentment Challenge
Episode 033 - The Contentment Challenge
Women of the Word, by Jen Wilkin
None Like Him, by Jen Wilkin
Brim pour-over coffee pot
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
My friend Reagan has a heart of gold—you'll see in our conversation, just how amazing she is. She lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina, not far from me, with her husband of 10 years and two young boys. And the whole reason I interviewed her is because she took the Contentment Challenge to another level. She and her husband, Jeremy gave up shopping—get this—for the entire year of 2020 to pursue a greater life of contentment and eliminate debt. I think their story and how it all turned out is going to inspire you like crazy.
Her days are spent navigating busy mom life and a modest career at an innovative tech company. She has devoted her life to being an earnest disciple of Jesus Christ. In her words, “if my life is solely an experience of God's endless love and mercy upon my undeserving soul, that will be enough to call this run at life a success.”
Today, you're going to hear all about their year of contentment. Now, if you're new to this whole Contentment Challenge thing, I want to leave you two quick resources so you can find out more about it:
- First, Episode 003 of this podcast—a very, very old episode. It dives deep into my first Contentment Challenge, how it was born, what it is and how you can do it too.
- Second, if you go to here, you can sign up and download a free guide to the Contentment Challenge and get it instantaneously.
So I hope that those two resources shed a little bit more light on where the Contentment Challenge came from, what it is.
Finally, I just want to invite you, come do the Contentment Challenge with me, pray about it. As we talk about in this episode, I'm going to be doing the Contentment Challenge January through March. Like, I do pretty much every year because it has been that life-changing for me. I just want to invite you to do it with me, to pray about doing it and seeing what God does in your heart, in your life.
Listen, we are in a fight for our contentment. I feel it every day. I mean, whenever I walk through Target or scroll through social media, I feel a battle for my own contentment. More than ever, I believe we need to be crazy aware of the battle we are in. My prayer, and I know Reagan's prayer, is that this episode inspires you to make whatever changes you need to make to live the content life that you were meant to live.
Resources from this episode: The Contentment Challenge
Episode 033 - The Contentment Challenge
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today, I'm going to set a record for my shortest podcast of all time and I'm totally okay with that. I hope this encouragement is just what you need today.
Before I jump in, I wanted to remind you about two things.
Number one, the Nancy Ray Book Club 2021 is live! You can click here t0 see all of the books that I am going to be reading this year, and I am inviting you to come along and read them with me. I do a podcast episode about each book that I read every month, and I'm really excited about the lineup for next year. I think it's going to be really good.
The second thing I wanted to let you know is my Contentment Challenge is starting in January. You can find out all of the details by going here. This I think is going to be my sixth or seventh time doing the Contentment Challenge. I hope that it's an encouragement to you. If you decide to do it with me, a lot of people have done it several times over, and it's just a time to give up shopping and to give up a focus of all material things so that we can recenter our hearts on the thing that is most important, which is the Lord, the relationships in our life, and cultivating a grateful heart and an attitude of contentment with all that we have.
Today, I am simply going to read to you an email that I send to everybody in my email family every single December. It's the same email every year. I've been doing this for probably five years and every time I send this email, I get emails back with “thank you”s and tears and “I needed this.”
So, I've kind of decided to make it a tradition here on the podcast just to read it to you, to speak it over you at the end of this year, as you prepare for the holidays as you close up the year.
And just so you know, you can always join my email list if you want to be added for weekly inspiration, podcast episode reminders, and practical tips. So today this is for you, and I think these words are particularly needed this year.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/92.
Resources from this episode: Sign up for my Emails
Nancy Ray Book Club
The Contentment Challenge
Bread & Wine, by Shauna Niequist
My joggers
Target bra
Deebot
Savor, by Shauna Niequist
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today, it is a privilege to share with you one of my favorite books of all time. It's called the Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. I was introduced to this book in my 12th grade Bible class believe it or not, in high school, and it opened my eyes to the depths of Christianity, friend.
And I don't know about you. I'm tired of surface, trite, make-it-what-you-want-it Christianity. I want the real God of the universe. I want what he has to say, even if it's hard to hear it. This book showed me the practices that we can do as believers to welcome Jesus into our very real lives and to hear his very real voice a little bit clearer. I'll be honest. These disciplines, they aren't easy. They are not for the faint of heart, but they are good. And they have changed me.
Also a little PSA on the side. This is the 11th of 12 books we are reading this year in the Nancy Ray Book Club. I'll do a podcast about the 12th book, Parenting With Love And Logic, in January, as we're still all in the middle of finishing reading that book.
But I did want to let you know the new 2021 book club list is live! You can see all of the books that I've chosen to read in 2021 by heading here. I'm really excited about the lineup. You're always welcome to join in for as few or as many books as you want.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/91.
Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club
The Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today, I'm going to be sharing all of our favorite Christmas traditions. And sharing this is really just to encourage you to make time for the most important things, and hopefully just to invite you into our family for a little bit in sharing how Will and I have brought our different sets of our own family's traditions and made them our own.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/90.
Resources from this episode: All Nancy Ray Courses (Foundations are on sale!)
Sign up for my Emails
The Giving Manger
Minted (where I get my Christmas cards!)
The Song of the Stars, by Sally Lloyd-Jones
The Jesus Storybook Bible, by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
If you have followed me for any amount of time, you know that I've always been big on having a morning routine and a quiet time and journaling.
To me, these have always been super important in my life: they ground me and anchor me.
So when I became a mom, during that newborn phase of life, it was very hard to determine which way was up or down. And the Lord taught me this simple practice. It doesn't take a lot of time, but still to this day, it speaks straight to my heart and it grounds me. It's simply focusing on one word throughout your whole day.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/89.
Resources from this episode: All Nancy Ray Courses (Foundations will be on sale!)
Sign up for my Emails
The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence
Tweezerman Pointy Tweezers
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Welcome to this month's edition of the Nancy Ray Book Club, where I choose 12 books to read in a year, and I invite you to join me in reading them, and then I share my takeaways in the book of the month every month. This month I am thrilled to be talking about Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport.
He argues that social media is crazy, it's out of control, it's addictive, it's unhealthy, and yet it's a very real part of our lives. We have got to learn how to live with it and not just live with it, but to live well with it, which in a big part means limiting it.
Digital Minimalism is an answer to this daily, sometimes hourly, struggle that we all face and feel. And honestly, I'm really excited about this episode, and to dive in to my three big takeaways from Digital Minimalism.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/88.
Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club
Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport
Episode 012 - 3 Habits to Put Social Media in its Place
Episode 083 - Book | Rhythms of Renewal
Episode 045 - How to Journal
Episode 079 - Why I Have a Business Journal
Episode 042 - Book | Switch on Your Brain
Hands Free Mama, by Rachel Macy Stafford
The Tech-Wise Family, by Andy Crouch
The Social Dilemma (film)
Freedom
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Happy Election Day!
Now, listen, I know tensions are running high. I know convictions and beliefs that we hold have been tried and tested in this year. And especially this election season, it's been heavy. It's been divisive and it's been really hard.
I don't know about you, but I have been doing a deeper dive behind the scenes, listening to podcasts, reading books, having conversations with my close friends and family, to really answer the question: What are my own beliefs about all of this? What do I believe to be true? What do I believe is the best way forward?
In today's episode, I want to remind all of us of three things the Lord calls us to, in any and every season of our lives (three things that, if I'm honest, I feel like they've been pushed to the side). Three things that I believe were part of the founding of this country and three things that we absolutely must maintain if we are to move forward.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/87.
Resources from this episode: Framed for Posterity, by Ralph Ketcham
A quality American flag
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Okay, have you ever sat down and thought about everything you do in a week, all the work, all the things you're responsible for all the fun you want to have, all the exercise you need, all the sleep you need, and thoughtfully written out how you would like to live your ideal week?
If you never have, I'm so excited for you to try this. And if you have done this before, I have found one of the greatest benefits of this exercise is doing it often, because guess what? Life changes.
This week, we're going to be talking about how to get the most out of your week with the ideal week exercise.
And you can do your very own ideal week exercise by downloading a PDF that I've made just for you at nancyray.com/idealweek. When you download and print the PDF, you'll be able to write in your own week and hours and things you do, and I promise you're going to find hours in your days and in your weeks. I do every time. Grab yours below.
Free Ideal Week Download: nancyray.com/idealweek
For the full show notes, visit nancyray.com/podcast/86.
Resources from this episode: Free Download: Plan Your Ideal Week
What’s Best Next, by Matt Perman
QALO Rings
Episode 009 - The Secret to Success in Business
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Writing a five year business plan can feel daunting and overwhelming, especially if you don't even know where you want to be in five years, which is probably most of us.
Today, I'm going to break it down. I'm going to break it down for you in a way that is actually attainable. You'll be able to wrap your mind around it. And quite frankly, for me, it's really exciting to have that kind of a vision.
Let's take a few minutes to dream about life and work and lay out a game plan for the next five years.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/85.
Resources from this episode: Free Guide: Clear Your Phone Photos!
Traction, by Gino Wickman
Download the VTO pdf
Episode 026 - My Favorite Business Book of All Time
Rocket Fuel, by Gino Wickman
Vitamix Blender
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
This episode is the gentle reminder that Halloween is in two weeks, Thanksgiving is coming, and Christmas is on its way. The shopping, the planning, the decorating, the end of year celebrations, and parties, and whirlwinds, all of it is right around the corner.
Often times, this is the time of year where we go a little off the rails with our eating, our spending, with our planning. We just do too much of all of it.
So, my encouragement to you today is that if you want to finish this year strong, you have to start now.
For the full show notes, visit nancyray.com/podcast/84.
Resources from this episode: Free Guide: Clear My Photos!
Episode 033 - Our Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
Episode 075 - A Vision For This Season
Anthro Scrunchies
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today's book is Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons. And it's one of those books I just kept hearing about. It kept popping up on my social media feed or in a podcast or I saw a friend reading it. And after looking into what it was all about, I knew I wanted to get my hands on it.
In it, Rebecca outlines four rhythms for a life of peace and purpose. I couldn't help but think back to my episode just a couple episodes ago on self-care, because I feel like this book is a deeper dive and how we can live out these rhythms and have a healthy, mature life as a believer. All in all, I love the book. I feel like Rebecca is somewhat of a soul sister and I can't wait for you to hear my top takeaways.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/83.
Resources from this episode: Free Guide: Clear My Photos!
Nancy Ray Book Club
Rhythms of Renewal, by Rebekah Lyons
Deuter Kid Comfort Backpack
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Every year we go camping, and we go camping with another family, the Thomas family. We have been for eight years. In fact, just this past weekend, we went camping with our dear friends. It was crazy and fun and once again full of new memories in a slower pace. John and Emily Thomas have been our friends for well over a decade long before kids and even still with kids.
Today, I brought Emily on to have a conversation about camping, kids, and slowing down. You might know Emily because she is the Chief of Staff at Cultivate What Matters, and a beautiful writer and blogger over at emformarvelous.com, one of the very few blogs that I adore and read. You're going to love Emily. She has a depth and a graciousness that is unmatched, and I love her. It's why she's been my friend for so long. So, I'm so excited to share our conversation today.
Head to nancyray.com/podcast/82 for the full show notes.
Resources from this episode: Emily Thomas’ blog, Em for Marvelous
Cultivate What Matters
Settlers of Catan
NC State Parks Website
White Noise Machine
Powerbank
Goldenrod Hike
Guava Lotus pack ‘n’ play
Clip-on Highchair
Native Kid’s Shoes
Master Camping List
Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson
Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
We are constantly hearing and seeing the message of self-care. Take time for yourself. Don't forget to care for yourself. Drink water. Exercise. Go get your nails done. I have had so many mixed feelings about the phrase “self-care” for a long time.
So, today, I'm going to dive into the good and bad of self-care and offer a better, more holistic approach.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/81.
Resources from this episode: Episode 025 - Work Hard, Sabbath Hard
Blog post : Where do you put yourself in your list of priorities? by Michael Hyatt
Blog post: Self-care for people who don’t like self-care, by Emily Thomas
Present over Perfect, by Shauna Niequist
Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salts
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
We are constantly hearing and seeing the message of self-care. Take time for yourself. Don't forget to care for yourself. Drink water. Exercise. Go get your nails done. I have had so many mixed feelings about the phrase “self-care” for a long time.
So, today, I'm going to dive into the good and bad of self-care and offer a better, more holistic approach.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/81.
Resources from this episode: Episode 025 - Work Hard, Sabbath Hard
Blog post : Where do you put yourself in your list of priorities? by Michael Hyatt
Blog post: Self-care for people who don’t like self-care, by Emily Thomas
Present over Perfect, by Shauna Niequist
Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salts
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I'm talking with my friend, Chrystal Evans Hurst, and let me just say, this woman, I love her. She is a wife, a mama to five, a grandma of two. She's an encourager. She teaches people to love God, to love others, and to love themselves.
Today we talk about prayer—specifically a seven-day rhythm that you can set for yourself—if you maybe feel stuck in a rut with your prayers, or like she talks about in our conversation, if you want to activate the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life to be more real, and fresh, and conversational.
I feel like I just sat at the feet of a woman who I admire so much, who is a prayer warrior, and I got to learn from her, and I simply invite you to do the same today.
For the full show notes, visit nancyray.com/podcast/80.
Resources from this episode: The 28 Day Prayer Journey, by Chrystal Evans Hurst
Chrystal’s Website
Making Things Happen
Fervent, by Priscilla Shirer
War Room
A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman
AquaNotes
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today's episode is short and sweet, and I am talking about why I have a business journal—a work journal.
Yes, a separate journal, completely dedicated to my work. And I'll be telling you why I think you should have one too.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/79.
Resources from this episode: Hope*Writers (doors open Sept. 14!)
Hope*Writers’ Free Quiz: Discover Your Writing Stage
Episode 045 - How to Journal
C12
2 Second Lean audio link
2 Second Lean book link
Emily P. Freeman
The Next Right Thing podcast
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
About a year ago, my friend, Sammy Jo, who works with me on my content creation and producing this podcast, she recommended this business book to me called The Pumpkin Plan. She recommended it at the time that I was launching this new brand that I have. I had just launched this podcast, and I added this book to my long list of books that I wanted to read.
As we were starting to do research and kind of figure out what content we wanted to make, she started asking me these questions that were really good questions to challenge my thinking and think outside the box with work and not just go the same direction that everyone else was going, but to blaze a new trail and do something different. And it challenged me. It challenged me to push pause on all of my own ideas, to zoom out a little bit, to get some more perspective, and ask better questions, not only of myself, but of my clients, my audience, and my work.
So, I've been so excited to read this book since then. Let me just say it did not disappoint. I'm really excited to dive in today and share what I learned!
For the full show notes, visit nancyray.com/podcast/78.
Resources from this episode: The Nancy Ray Book Club
The Pumpkin Plan, by Mike Michalowicz
Cultivate What Matters
Episode 009 - The Secret to Success in Business
Episode 004 - Seasons of Business
Shout Color Catchers
Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that I do receive a small commission if you use those links to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you! I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Doing school shopping this year as a parent, I've realized there's a different side to it than when we were younger, and it's not so pretty. There's a lot to manage. There's a lot to take hold of. And I've learned this: there's a lot of different correspondence and papers, a lot of different things going on.
And so I have decided, I am going to learn from other moms and put some systems into place.
I don't have a ton of years under my belt—I fully admit that—but I am committed to putting systems, and rhythms, and routines into place as we go back to school that will allow us to flourish instead of being stressed out. And today I'm excited to share those with you.
Read the full show notes at nancyray.com/podcast/77.
Resources from this episode: White file folders
Clear waterproof envelopes
Magazine hanging rack
Large clear storage bins
Time Timer
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them.
How to write a purpose statement.
It seems a little daunting, doesn't it?
All right, I have to enter this episode with the worst purpose / mission statement of all time. It's actually like the best-worst mission statement of all time. And then we'll play a little game after I read it, you can guess what company it is, all right? All right, this is it:
“We provide our products and services with dedication to the highest degree of integrity and quality of customer satisfaction, developing long-term professional relationships with employees that develop pride, creating a stable working environment and company spirit.”
Any guesses?
Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.
That is their mission statement. And actually I think the Michael Scott Paper Company is the actual worst, which says, "I will not be beat, I will never give up, I am on a mission," that is the Michael Scott guarantee I can not get through this without laughing.
I feel like this might be the best intro ever to a podcast episode because of all The Office references, but here's what I want to do in this episode today: I want to help you write a really, really good mission statement and maybe even reframe your entire thinking about a mission statement and what you even call it.
Because for the most part, mission statements / purpose statements / "what's your why" statements are just too wordy and a bunch of gobbledygook that doesn't help you or clarify your vision.
So if you've never written one for your work, or if you have one, but you can't recite it right now off the top of your head and you don't really believe in it: this episode is for you.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/76.
Resources from this episode: Traction, by Gino Wickman
Episode 026 - My Favorite Business Book of All Time
The Marco Polo App
My fave snack: Perfect Bars
Some of the links above are affiliate links. I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I feel like I could easily tell you the vision of who I want to be at the end of my life, or even 10 years from now. Or I can make a strong vision for my business or work, where it's going in the next three to five years.
But this year, 2020, is a struggle.
It has given us all a really unique challenge, and I think the hardest part of all is that it's just so hard to catch a vision for what this year or even 2021 should look like, because it's impossible to make any plans. We feel like in all the plans we make, the rug just keeps getting pulled out from underneath our feet.
Today, I want to encourage and kind of pause and coach you through a few exercises and questions that will hopefully help bring clarity to this year, to exactly where you are, and show you that it's not just important to cast vision for your life or your work years down the road, but it's important to have a vision for the current season of life that you are in, and dare I say it, even for 2020.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/75.
Resources from this episode: Making Things Happen Conference
Episode 023 - The Fear of Becoming a Mom with Katelyn James
Katelyn’s Blog Post about Baby James’ birth
Katelyn’s Blog Post about James’ story & their new season
The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren
Double BOB stroller caddy
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
The Nightingale has been on my list to read for probably three years as it's one of my dearest friend's all time favorite books, and she's an avid reader, so I knew it was going to be good.
It absolutely did not disappoint.
Listen, I am not a huge fan of novels or fiction books, but I think this book may have changed that for me, I could not put it down. It was so good. On the night I finished reading the book, I was in the bed, wiping tears from my eyes as I finished the last pages, not wanting it to end. A heart wrenching historical fiction about two sisters in France, during World War II when the Nazis took control. It was really a true glimpse into the horrific tragedies and trauma of war and the important role of women in that war.
So if you're looking for a great novel to read this summer or this fall, this is it. But be prepared to not be able to put it down, especially once you get to the halfway point. All in all, this book has given me the gift of perspective. And for that, I'm so grateful.
For the full episode, head to nancyray.com/podcast/74.
Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club
The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah
Midway (movie)
My camera - Sony A7 III
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
I've been following Allie Casazza for a little while now, and I love her heart, her work, her family, and all that her business stands for. We are passionate about so many of the same things, and I love her conviction about building a life that serves you, happening to your day, being the CEO of your own home, stepping into the authority that you have as a believer.
Listen, this episode gets hype. It's inspiring. It's challenging, and it's full of practical advice that will help you in your actual life. We're going to be talking about healthy rhythms and mindsets, and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. I don't know if that's possible, but I hope you do.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/73.
Resources from this episode: Switch on Your Brain, by Dr. Caroline Leaf
Episode 042, where I share my top 3 takeaways of the book Switch on Your Brain
Allie’s Course: Unburdened
Allie’s blog post about her journey to a book deal
The Joy of Missing Out, by Tonya Dalton
The Purpose Show
Playa Beach Wave Spray
Follow Allie on Instagram
AllieCasazza.com
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
"Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous? Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9.
There is a lot of fear right now. Fear of COVID, fear of losing somebody who gets COVID, fear of losing your job, fear that you won't be able to find another job because you've been out of work for awhile now, fear surrounding the heated discussions about racism in America, fear of the riots, fear of the future, fear that you're going to say the wrong thing, fear that you're going to have to fire the team that you have been hanging on to by a thread, fear that you're going to lose the business that you have been building for for the last 20, 30, 40 years. This is heavy. We are in a season that is heavy: individually, as families, and as a nation.
And I know a lot of us have adapted to this weird season of life that we're in. And we don't always think about this, but I think it's good to remind you today that this whole situation that is 2020 is still affecting us. It's affecting our relationships, it's affecting our minds. There's just a lot of fear. And I don't know about you, but it feels like it's starting to wear on us a little bit.
Now, before I speak to fear and all that I have learned about it recently, I want to say just a few things. Every week I show up on this podcast and I share from my heart. I try to be real. I share the things I'm learning, the things God's teaching me that I believe will be helpful for you and will encourage you. Sometimes I get it wrong. Actually, I can promise you, I have gotten it wrong and I will get it wrong again at some point. I'm not perfect. But I recently heard a quote from Craig Groeschel's podcast. And he said, "Show up and be yourself because people would rather follow a leader who is always real than a leader who's always right."
So I'm going to keep showing up here and be real because that's all I can do.
For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/72.
Resources from this episode: Sermon on the fear of man
The blessing
Restoring the Foundations ministry
Susan Jeffers
Leave a review for the Work & Play Podcast on iTunes
Emily P. Freeman
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
It is the middle of summer. I know you know this, but sometimes it's good to hear a reminder of where you are, so you can reset your thinking and really make sure you're on the right track. Now, summer of 2020 is a weird time for all of us. There wasn't even a definitive end of the school year, and then we morphed from this weird quarantine stage into summer. And it felt like this weird continuation of the life, this new, crazy life we've all been living.
So today it's simply going to be like a quick glance at your compass in the middle of 2020 to make sure that, hey, you're on the right track—you're living the life you want to be living!
Here are five ways for you to make the most of the summer of 2020.
Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club
The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah
I’m Still Here, by Austin Channing Brown
My guide to organizing your personal photos
The string lights we hung
John Adams biography
Sun Bum Face Stick Sunscreen
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today's episode is one that I hope you will bookmark and come back to. Actually, I'm almost positive this is one that you will bookmark and come back to. That's because I'm going to share with you the simple steps and how to have a really hard conversation—a crucial conversation—steps that will help you think through what you will say before you say it, and tools that will change your marriage, change your family relationships, your work relationships, all for the better.
Resources from this episode: Crucial Conversations, by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan & Switzler
Nancy Ray Book Club
Family Table Topics Game
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
We are back again in Part 2 of the marriage question-and-answer with my favorite human ever, Will Ray, my husband. And so, if you missed Part 1, be sure to go back to last week's Episode 068 and re-listen to that, as this is just a continuation of Will and I talking about our marriage.
Today, we cover a huge range of topics. We talk about how we fight, parenting, intimacy, communication, faith, money, date nights, everything. I'm really excited to wrap up Part 2 of our conversation together.
For the full show notes, go to nancyray.com/podcast/69.
Resources from this episode: Episode 068 - 12 Years of Marriage, Part 1
Free Class with Amy from Positive Parenting Solutions!
Amy McCready’s Positive Parenting Solutions Course
Episode 031 - My #1 Parenting Tip
Episode 047 - Book | Seasons of God with Dr. Richard Blackaby
Episode 064 - Making Memories with Sally Clarkson
Episode 059 - Growing Faith in Your Littles
Crucial Conversations, by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan & Switzler
Nancy Ray Book Club
Financial Peace University
Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp
UE Boom Speaker
Work & Play Cornerstore
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today, I have my favorite human as my guest, my husband Will Ray. We are doing a question-and-answer series all about marriage and we cover a huge range of topics. We talked about how we knew we were the right ones for each other and when we met and how we fight and parenting and intimacy and communication and faith and money, our roles and responsibilities, date nights, all the things literally. I feel like we talked about everything.
And because of that, you don't just get to hear from us this week, you're also going to hear from us again next week. We've actually split it up into a part one and part two, both episodes all about our marriage. Now, I don't say it lightly when I say I have so much respect and admiration for this man. We are not perfect. I hope that comes through loud and clear in these episodes, but good gracious God was so generous and good to me when He gave me Will Ray.
I am so honored to share his voice and his heart with you today as we share a little bit about our marriage and the journey we've had together over the last 12 years.
Resources from this episode: The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman
The Enneagram
Pure Desire Ministries
Faithful and True Marriage Counseling
Weekend to Remember by FamilyLife
Our Backyard String Lights
Affiliate links have been used, which means I do get a small commission if you choose to purchase anything using these links!
Back in Episode 041, I shared my plan to work one day a week this year, which was quite the change after I closed my business last year. This episode is simply a check-in to tell you how it's been going so far.
Find the full show notes at nancyray.com/podcast/67.
Resources from this episode: Episode 041 - My Plan to Work One Day a Week
Legacy Photo System course
Episode 050 - Just For Today
Global Leadership Summit
Book: It’s A New Day
Cultivate What Matters
Cast Iron Skillets
Work & Play Cornerstore
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today I’m humbled and grateful to have Pastor Dorrell on the Work and Play Podcast. We’re going to talk all about the racial crisis that we’ve been in and how the church, how believers, how you and I should respond during this time, during a racial crisis, and even more than that how to bounce forward, not bounce back, when the current storm we’re in starts to quiet.
I'm going to be honest with you, I get real in this episode. I cry. We both do, actually. I mess up. I'm sure I do. I ask him some vulnerable questions. We give each other a ton of grace and love as a brother and sister in Christ. And I hope that you are encouraged by this conversation. So for a moment, let's put aside our politics and let's come together as a church, as believers, and lean in and listen.
Find the full show notes at nancyray.com/podcast/66.
Resources from this episode: Follow Dr. Briscoe on Instagram
Read Dr. Briscoe’s Blog
There’s a Storm Comin’: How the American Church Can Lead Through Times of Racial Crisis, by Dr. Dorrell Briscoe
Traction, by Gino Wickman
Tears We Cannot Stop, by Michael Eric Dyson
Documentary: 13th
Documentary: White Like Me
Six:Eight Church
Lyndon’s babydoll
Affiliate links have been used in this post!!
Emily P. Freeman is the kind of person I have grown to admire, respect, and quite frankly, adore. I love her. I love her podcast, The Next Right Thing. I love her book, The Next Right Thing, and today I had a conversation with her that I think you are really going to love.
I personally gained so much wisdom and insight from her about the specific circumstances that I find myself in today, that helped me move forward in the right direction. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Emily, and I hope you enjoyed reading her book this month if you’re part of the Nancy Ray Book Club.
Read the full show notes here: nancyray.com/podcast/65
Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club
The Next Right Thing, Emily Freeman
“Do The Next Thing” poem
All Things Reconsidered, Knox McCoy
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair
The Next Right Thing Podcast, Episode 61: Look Back
Hope*Writers
Affiliate links have been used in this post!!
Today’s conversation with Sally Clarkson felt like a big hug from your mom—that you really needed. We talk all about making memories with our children and to be honest, I had this idea in my head that it would be all about planning these grand, extravagant trips and celebrations, but it wasn’t. It was about the day-to-day life, about the little things, and really, all about your health and happiness as a mom.
So, I hope you really enjoy our conversation today.
Read the full show notes at nancyray.com/podcast/64.
Resources from this episode: Sally’s Podcast: At Home With Sally
Sally’s Instagram
Find Sally on Facebook
Sally’s Blog
The Life-giving Home, by Sally Clarkson
The Life-giving Table, by Sally Clarkson
The Work & Play Cornerstore
I can not even believe it, but today is my daughter's fifth birthday. How in the world do I have a five-year-old? I don't know. Five whole years of sweet little Milly being in our lives. Five whole years of me being a mama. I can not believe it.
These five years have come by really fast and really slow all at the same time. Birthdays are so special. They're so special for your kiddos, they're so special for you, mama, but if we're being real, they can be really stressful too. Birthday parties, planning, all the things.
So today I'm going to talk about birthdays in honor of sweet Milly turning five. I'm going to talk about putting some joy back into birthday celebrations and give you a few ideas and lessons that I've learned to make birthdays in your home perfect for your family.
Find the full show notes at nancyray.com/podcast/63
Resources from this episode: The Five Love Languages of Children, by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell
Kids Birthday Crown
The Work & Play Cornerstore
Today I’m having a conversation with my friend, Shunta Grant, and oh is it good! We talk about how important it is to just take it a day at a time—just to slow down, as mamas.
It’s so important to look at our day and make a plan, and we talk about some practices that you can incorporate the night before and the morning of your day, and they’re so insightful and I think you’re really going to love it.
I love Shunta, she is such a bright light in this world, and I hope you enjoy our conversation.
Read the full show notes here: nancyray.com/podcast/62
Resources from this episode: The Best Today Guide
Shunta’s Website
Shunta’s Instagram
Episode 050 - Just for Today
FREE DOWNLOAD: Craft Your Own Morning Routine
Episode 042 - BOOK: Switch On Your Brain
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
FREE DOWNLOAD: “I Choose Today” Screensavers
Disco Party Light
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Mom guilt. Just saying those words might conjure up a whole lot of feelings in you. Today, I just want to say: I'm with you, I have felt it, it's real; but I also want to say, that is no way to live out our days as mamas.
We have got to do something about this mom guilt epidemic and the mom guilt we feel in our hearts and in our guts, we need to identify the root of it and ultimately be freed from it so that we can be the guilt free, confident mama leaders of our family that God intends for us to be.
Find the full show notes here: nancyray.com/podcast/61
Resources from this episode: Episode 031 - My #1 Parenting Tip
Episode 004 - Seasons of Business
None Like Him, by Jen Wilkin
Work & Play Cornerstore
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today we are continuing with our series, May is for Mamas where I release two podcasts episodes a week throughout the month of May to help us in our journey of motherhood. Today I spoke with my friend Robin Long and she is the founder and CEO of The Balanced Life, which is an online Pilates community where she provides workouts and resources for busy women like you and me who really struggle to find time to exercise and really want to love our bodies again and feel comfortable in our bodies and might be looking for an exercise plan that will actually work for the long haul.
And we talk about so many good things in this episode. We talk about how to do it when we feel like we literally have zero time for ourselves with kids, how to actually sit down and get our mats out and do a Pilates exercise or get out the door and go for a run and what that looks like, what self care actually looks like. That self care isn't a joke, that it's real. We also talk about anxiety and how living in this strange season and our world and being cooped up inside really can produce some anxiety but also how moving our bodies is a very practical tool and answer to that underlying anxiety that we might be feeling.
I really enjoyed my time with Robin, she brings such a beautiful perspective to body image and to movement and really just the gift that it is to be able to exercise.
Robin and The Balanced Life are offering a FREE 5-day Pilates Strength & Stress Relief Challenge, and this is the perfect way to dip your feet into the Pilates world if it’s new to you, or to kick-start this part of your life once more!
So I hope that you enjoy this conversation with Robin as much as I did.
For the full show notes, click here.
Resources from this episode: Robin’s FREE 5-day Pilates Strength & Stress Relief Challenge!
The Balanced Life Website
Robin Long on Instagram
The Balanced Life on YouTube
The Balanced Life Podcast
The Legacy Photo System
Raising Worry-Free Girls, by Sissy Goff
Big Life Journals
LUMIONskin Save My Skin Serum
Work & Play Cornerstore
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
When we think about motherhood, one of the greatest honors and privileges that we have as mothers is to speak life and hope and eternity into the hearts of our children, to grow their faith and point them straight to Jesus. Now the weight of this is really real. I feel it because our influence in their lives is profound, but it's also exciting. And it's fun to watch their little spiritual eyes be opened and to have a part in opening them.
I often think I can take this responsibility super seriously. But when you think about it from a kid's perspective, they love fun. And as a young mom of three kids four and under, I'm learning that the more simple it is to impart faith, and the more fun it is, and the more seamlessly I just weave faith into our everyday conversations, the more impact is has on their little minds and their little hearts.
So I'm just going to walk you through 7 simple ways to grow faith in your little ones from my own perspective and my own experience.
Click here for the full show notes.
Resources from this episode: Slugs & Bugs
Go Fish
Seeds Family Worship
Aquaphor
Jess Ray Music
Write the Word Journal for Kids
The 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family, by Paul David Tripp
Work & Play Cornerstore
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today is a conversation with my big sister, Mary Lindsey Blanton and I can't wait for you to listen to it. It was so good, so genuine, so heartfelt. Listen, if there is any person on this planet that should speak into the life and hearts of mamas, it is my sister.
Click here for the full show notes.
Resources from this episode: Mary Lindsey’s Instagram
Mary Lindsey’s Blog
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone), by Chris Tomlin
Sally Clarkson
Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport
HCL Heartburn Pills
When Less Becomes More, by Emily Ley
Work & Play Cornerstore
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Today, I am going to share some practical mama hacks, particularly for mamas who have kids under five.
I was originally just going to do 5 or 10, and then I put it to Instagram, and man, y'all came through. You taught me so much more than I ever could have taught you on my own. So, five or 10 mama hacks for kids under five turned into 40 hacks that I'm going to share today, and I didn't even include all of them.
So get ready, because even if you just take two or three of these and apply them to your home, or they're new to you for the first time, you want to just incorporate them into your life and your routine, I really think your life and your momming is just going to get a little bit easier.
To read the full show notes, click here.
Resources from this episode: Work & Play Cornerstore
Milk Dispenser
Disposable Chux Pads
Episode 056 - Meal Planning Made Fun with Kate from Naptime Kitchen
Emily Thomas’ blog post on quiet time
Programmable “Wake-up” Clock
Positive Parenting Solutions Course
A Simplified Life, by Emily Ley
Episode about taking a Sabbath
Waterproof Mattress Pad
Washable finger paint
Glow sticks
Episode about my Morning Routine
My coffee maker
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
*UPDATEWhen this was recorded, Kate wasn’t planning to release her new Meal Planning Guide until this fall, but given the current situation, she has released it early! You can purchase this AMAZING resource here ($12 people, honestly a no-brainer!!)*
This is the first of an entire month of episodes to celebrate motherhood! We’re calling it ‘May is for Mamas’ here on the Work & Play Podcast. You can expect two episodes per week, and this week we’re kicking off the series with a special guest: Kate, from Naptime Kitchen!
Let me just say, Kate is my cooking mentor and she doesn’t even know it. I always go to her blog and watch her IG stories (she’s SO real and SO funny!), but when I’m in need of some good recipes and some motivation and inspiration, and I don’t know where to go—I go to Kate. She’s practical, she’s funny, and she’s all around just helpful and enjoyable. If you don’t follow her, go now. You will not regret it!
We’re talking all about meal planning today, and I think that’s something we could all use some help (and GRACE) with right now!
Click here for this episode's show notes.
Resources from this episode: Follow Kate on Instagram!
Kate’s Blog
Kate’s Honey Butter Chicken Recipe
Naptime Kitchen’s Meal Planning Guide
Kate’s Greekish Chicken
Kate’s One Pan Meal
Kate’s Black Bean Soup
Naptime Kitchen’s Freezer Guide
“All out of” Notepad
Loving the Little Years, by Rachel Jankovic
This Tender Land, by William Krueger
Beautycounter Cleansing Balm
Free Download: Craft Your Own Morning Routine!
Episode 028 - The 3 Priorities Exercise
The Work & Play Cornerstore
It's Nancy Ray Book Club week, which means I'm going to be talking about the book Beginner's Pluck by Liz Forkin Bohannon. Let me just say, this book was so good. Rarely do I read words on a page that make me laugh out loud, but this happened almost every night that I read it before I fell asleep. To the point and that Will started joking with me about it, but I would just say, "No, no wait, you have to listen to this." And much to his delight, I'm sure right before we went to bed, I would proceed to read him two or three pages.
I'm highly recommending this one, friend. If you don't know who Liz is, she's the founder of Sseko Designs, a socially conscious fashion brand, creating educational and economic opportunities for women around the globe. She's a wife and a mom and she's hilarious and delightful and this book will inspire you to build a life of purpose and passion and impact. It's going to be on my, “my daughters have to read this book” list.
I cannot wait to tell you about this book!
For the full transcript, click here.
Resources from this episode: Work & Play Cornerstore
Beginner’s Pluck, by Liz Forkin Bohannon
Sseko Designs Ribbon Sandals
Nancy Ray Book Club
Episode 003 - The Contentment Challenge
circa 2013 Contentment Challenge Giveaway Post
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
Before I dive into this topic I'm really passionate about, I want to let you know that my brand new course, The Legacy Photo System, is now available at nancyray.com/organizeyourphotos.
Today, let's chat about three of my favorite ways to really make your images more beautiful. Whether it's of your kids, your travels, for Instagram, for your scrapbook. Whether you're taking it with your phone or your nice camera, these strategies are just simple and they're good. It's something I've learned after years and years of doing this and I still apply it every day when I'm taking pictures. I'm excited to help change your thoughts a little bit when taking your photos.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: NEW COURSE: The Legacy Photo System!
The Work & Play Cornerstore
A lot of us have some extra free time that we don't know what to do with right now and we're losing help because we can't plan our summer. We're canceling everything that's been on our calendars and it's just a weird, weird time.
So, I’m inviting you to take on a project that will give you some purpose and hope, that you've been needing to do for years, I guarantee, during this weird season. The project is learning to organize and enjoy your personal photos. I'll teach you all about it. I'll lead you through it.
The game plan is to start on April 15th at 2:00 PM where I'm going to teach you in a free online class: How to Organize and Enjoy your Personal Photos.
Okay—to this week’s episode. My first thought when I started recording this episode about our evening routine was that this is going to be so boring. Who would want to listen to a random night in the Ray household? But I decided I'm going to power on through and share it anyway, and as I did, I realized, first of all, there may have been little things we've implemented through the years have been really helpful for us that might be helpful for you and, second of all, that I began to grow curious about other people's evening routines too. So maybe this will be interesting to you after all. So without further ado, I'm going to share with you what a typical evening in the Ray household looks like: the three small kids edition.
For the full transcript, head here!
Resources from this episode: FREE CLASS: ORGANIZE YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS
Work & Play Cornerstore
Time timer
Positive Parenting Solutions Course
Nancy’s coffee maker
Episode 031 - My #1 Parenting Tip
Episode 013 - Morning Routine
Free Download: Craft your own morning routine
Nancy Ray Book Club
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day
Quip toothbrush
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
The title of this podcast is Work and Play with Nancy Ray, which you already know. Today, I'm excited to jump into the topic of play, because during this strange season of our lives when many of us are quarantined or under some kind of order to shelter in place for at least six weeks, I realize life is not totally clear cut in Work and Play. Right now, there’s a lot of mixing of the two.
Our co-workers are our children, and we are pulling weird hours. Also, trying to be present and play with our kids and maintain a healthy relationship with our spouses while also supporting them in their work. It's just a lot. Even when it's not kind of a weird season like it is right now, a lot of times there's play in our work and work in our play, too. They do get mixed, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Today, we're going to exclusively be talking about play, pure play—all different kinds of play, and why it's so incredibly important for you to prioritize it in your life and in the lives of your kids.
You might be working a normal schedule right now. Maybe nothing has changed for you depending on the industry you're in, or you might be home right now with a lot more free time. No matter where you are now and moving forward, I hope this episode encourages you to truly prioritize your play and the play in your kids' lives.
Resources from this episode: FREE CLASS: Organize Your Family Photos!
Work & Play Cornerstore
The Help, by Kathryn Stockett
Frisbee
I think in a nutshell, Emily's book, When Less Becomes More, perfectly summarizes what happens in our work and in our play when things go wrong. When things start to feel really out of balance, really stressful, you start to get anxious, and the bottom line is, it's all too much. When all of it, work and play, it just gets too much, when our workload gets too much, too many meetings, too many projects, too many deadlines, we say yes to every opportunity thrown our way, when we spread ourselves too thin.
When our play even gets to be too much, how much we try to fit in our play, like our social calendars, they get too full, when we say yes to helping in the classroom, or trying to throw the most extravagant birthday parties for our kids, and sign them up for five extracurriculars because we want the best for them. It's just too much.
Back in my interview with Emily, I talk about the three chapters in the book that I was most excited to read. Chapter one, Less Rush, More Rhythm. The second one was Social Media: Less Distraction, More Connection, and the third was Parenting: Less Great, and More Good. And I loved those chapters, they were so good. And back then, those were the chapters and titles that resonated with me the most that I was so excited to read, but since actually reading the book, God has been teaching me some different themes in my life, and there are three totally different chapters that are my biggest takeaways from the book.
For the full transcript, click here.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
Join the Nancy Ray Book Club
Episode 030 - Balancing Life as a Working Mom with Emily Ley
When Less Becomes More, by Emily Ley
Hydro Flask - Wide Mouth
Hydro Flask Lid with Straw
Affiliate links have been used in this post!!
Oftentimes I find myself looking back, thinking about things, mulling over things, that have happened, relationships in my life that are a little bit off and what went wrong. How could I have done something differently, something better?
Most of the time, if I'm honest, I'm looking forward. I'm making a plan, I'm dreaming about the next thing with my kids or my husband or a project to tackle in my home, or a work idea, or a podcast episode I want to share, or a book I want to read. But what I'm reminded of again and again is that all I have is today.
All we really have is what's right in front of us, the present. And one of the best practices, the best gifts that I can give myself is to stop and look at today. To connect today with the Lord in a really real way. To make a plan for today, not next month, not this summer, not my five year plan, just to make a plan for today.
So, this episode is just for today.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
Episode 003 - The Contentment Challenge
The Soul of Money, by Lynne Twist
The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence
The Best Today Guide
Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!
We are living in a totally anti-boredom culture. I live in anti-boredom life, if I can just be real. Why? Because boredom is boring. Nobody wants to be bored. Milly, my four-year-old, she already has learned the word bored and boredom and she's learned the phrase, "I'm so bored, mama," and she really can't stand it. I mean, none of us can. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to learn that boredom isn't fun.
Now, the first thing you're probably wondering with the title of this episode and what I'm about to dive into is, "Nancy, what's so wrong with not wanting to be bored? I've got 10 minutes free. I'm waiting in line at the grocery store. I'm going to the bathroom. Let's be real. I'm a little early to pick up my kids from preschool or school. What's the big problem scrolling through Insta or listening to a podcast or reading?"
There's nothing wrong with those things, okay, but there's also an opportunity there that you're not aware of and I'm helping to make you aware of it today. You see, this is where the magic of boredom lies. It's time to stop viewing boredom as a negative thing and it's time to embrace boredom and view it for what it actually is, which is an incredible motivator.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
BiggerPockets Podcast Ep. 330: How to Ditch Distractions and Get WAY More Done With Cal Newport
Deep Work, by Cal Newport
My Warby Parker glasses
If you're new around here, here's a quick drive by of our financial story as well as an update on where we are today.
Our guest today is Dr. Richard Blackaby: Richard is the president of Blackaby Ministries International and lives in Jonesboro, Georgia. Richard travels internationally speaking on spiritual leadership in the home, church, and marketplace as well as on spiritual awakening, experiencing God, and the Christian life.
I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Richard Blackaby on the podcast, and I can say with confidence that by the end of this episode you will be so grateful you listened to our conversation. This man of God carries so much wisdom I was hanging on every word. We talk all about his book, The Seasons of God, and this is the message that quite literally changed the course of my work, and my life, and will continue to change my life as my own seasons continue to change. I hope you enjoy one of my favorite interviews yet.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
Nancy Ray Book Club
Seasons of God, by Dr. Richard Blackaby
Episode 005 - Calling vs. Assignment
Ephesians 3:20
Hebrews 11:6
Galatians 6:7
Alexander Hamilton Biography
The Richard Blackaby Leadership Podcast
The Collision
JLab Wireless Earbuds
Affiliate links have been used in this post!
Today, you get to hear a candid conversation with one of my dearest friends and former Nancy Ray Photography team member, Olivia Suriano, all about our last year in business and what it looks like to finish well.
This episode is entirely devoted to journaling, and I'm going to share what I actually write in my journal and how my journaling habits have changed throughout my life.
Today I want to share an exercise for you to consider, something that helped me immensely several years ago: tracking your time. It might just give you the insight you need to see how you're actually spending your days and give you the courage to make the changes that you want to make.
Usually, when I release an episode about one of our Nancy Ray Book Club books, I give my top three takeaways from the book. I’m so excited to get to do this today, while also getting input from the author herself! I truly cannot wait for you to get to hear from Jess today—she has been such a blessing to me and to many.
Switch On Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf is one of the most interesting and impactful books I've read. Of all the books I read last year, this one is probably my favorite simply because it's full of scientific knowledge about the brain and how it works, which is something I really know nothing about, and how God designed us.
There are a few areas in life that I feel should be mandatory to learn about in school that really aren't. It's not taught in school, or if they are, I totally missed that and that could be the case. Somehow I got out of taking PE my entire life, but that's another story for another day.
Okay, so one of those areas that I feel like should be mandatory that just isn't at all, is personal finances. Can I get an amen? And now after reading this book, I feel like another area that should be mandatory learning about when you're in high school and college is just about your brain and how it works.
I didn't know how much I needed this book until I read it. Man, it's so powerful. The first part of the book, Dr. Caroline Leaf outlines how to switch on your brain, explaining how your brain works, how your thoughts are actual things, they're proteins, they are formed inside your brain, and then how you can catch your thoughts and redirect them, how to enter into directed rest, which is so good for your mind.
And then the second part of the book is her outline of the 21 Day Brain Detox Plan. I'm going to briefly go over the Detox Plan with you, but I want you to know that there are so many good lessons to learn in Part One of her book that you should definitely visit the show notes and grab yourself a copy of this book because it's really that valuable.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
Switch On Your Brain, by Dr. Caroline Leaf
Join the Nancy Ray Book Club
Join the Contentment Challenge
Episode 003 - The Contentment Challenge
My Coffee Maker
Affiliate links have been used in this post!!
For the last 12 years I've worked my tail off. I've built a business, Nancy Ray Photography, and I closed the doors at that business last year. I went from working six or seven days a week, no joke in the early years, especially with weddings and double wedding weekends, it's just crazy, to working four days a week after my first baby was born and I say four days a week, but it was Monday through Thursday plus weddings and sessions, so maybe five days a week. Then transitioning to working three days a week after babies two and three plus weddings and sessions again and now my hope is to keep it at one day a week and since I've closed my business, no weddings, no sessions.
Doesn't it sound kind of awesome to work just one day a week? I think it does. That's kind of what I'm setting out to do this year. Obviously I have three little kids at home, so it's not that I'm not working on the other six days is just that my work has changed and I've changed my career a little bit so that I can just work "one day a week" and be home with the kiddos working at home the other six days. I'm really excited about it.
Now, huge disclaimer at the start of this episode, I've never done this before. I've never worked this little before. Even as a record this, this is my first day back to work, meaning I have no real experience in this area of only working one day a week, but I thought it'd be fun, kind of like an experiment, just to invite you along for the ride. I'm going to tell you what I hope for my work to look like this year and then check back in with you in June six months later and tell you how it's actually going and what I've learned so far. So, that's what I'm going to do.
For the full transcript, click here.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
The 4-Hour Work Week, by Tim Ferriss
Essentialism, by Greg McKeown
My new workout shoes
Affiliate links have been used in this post!
The word "intentional" has become kind of a buzzword these last few years. I've seen it everywhere on social media and with good reason. Being intentional is the opposite of living haphazardly or living distracted, which is all too easy to do today.
Today I'm going to be chatting with my friend, Lara Casey Isaacson, two-time author and owner of Cultivate What Matters and the creator of the PowerSheets. And we're going to be talking all about what it looks like to live intentionally in a distracted world and how setting goals can help us do just that.
For the full transcript, head here.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
Episode 012 - 3 Habits to Put Social Media in its Place
Making Things Happen Conference
C12
The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence
Serenity Essential Oil
PowerSheets Goal Setting Planner
Cultivate Your Life Podcast
Affiliate links have been used in this post!!
Well, Happy New Year!
It’s the first episode of the year, of the decade, in fact, and we're about seven days into 2020 and I'm full of expectation for what's ahead. I hope you are, too. I don't know about you, but I've found such inspiration through the years from listening to how other people prepare for a new year or set your New Year's resolutions and set their goals. So I thought it'd be fun to share a little bit of my goal setting routine with you in five things I love to incorporate in that annual goal setting routine that has really benefited me, and I hope that it does you, as well.
In a shallow, surface-deep world, let's approach life differently, me and you, okay? Let's grow our roots deep. Let's take authority over our days by setting our alarm clock, waking up a little earlier so we can re-center and listen to Jesus before the voices of Instagram and emails and family and toddlers and just life takeover. Let's put our phones down to look into the eyes of whoever is in front of us and really listen. Let's go outside and feel the sun on our skin way more than we did last year.
I know you might have amazing goals set out for this year. It might include growing your reach or your business or your platform, or maybe you want to get healthy or strong. I know that's on my list, or maybe you want to take hold of your finances, get out of debt, invest in your marriage. Well today I want to encourage you to just pause and grow deep first.
So, whether you've already set all your goals or maybe if goals are annoying to you and you never set them, I hope that maybe you'll be able to take one little piece from this episode, something that I share today, and that it will be helpful for your life as you look ahead to the brand new year in front of you.
For the full transcript, click here.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
Ashlee Proffitt’s Wall Calendars
The Compound Effect, by Darren Hardy
Powersheets by Cultivate What Matters
FREE DOWNLOAD - The Personal Audit
*Affiliate links have been used in this post! That means that I do get a small commission when you use the links to purchase—which helps me keep the podcast up and running!
Resources from this Episode: Contentment Challenge
Nancy Ray Book Club
Nancy Ray’s Library
Show Notes: It's my birthday today! I’m turning 33. This is a fun episode where I'm answering questions from YOU, so listen in. One person asked if I could share 33 nuggets of wisdom that I’ve learned over the years and I think that’s a great idea, so I’m answering that one last!
Don't forget that I'm hosting the Contentment Challenge* again this year! Head here to join in for free!
You also have the option to purchase my NEW companion resource ($15!) to help keep you on track & give some encouragement along the way -- The Contentment Reset.
**Listen to Episode 003 if you aren't sure what I'm talking about.
Happy New Years, friend!
Head here for the full transcript.
Merry Christmas, friend.
It is Christmas Eve, which means that my family is gearing up for our favorite family traditions and I'm sure you are, too. We are all so full of anticipation for Christmas morning. More than ever I'm believing that Christmas is about the awe and wonder of what it means that our God actually became a human to live with us and to save us. If you stop and think about it, it will blow you away. It's also about time spent together with those you love most, slowing down and making some time to feast and celebrate after another year of work and play.
Wherever you find yourself this Christmas, my prayer is that you would know Emmanuel, God with us, and that He truly is the greatest gift.
I'm kind of banking on the fact that you won't be listening to my podcast today on Christmas Eve and that you'll likely be tuning in a few days after all of your family festivities die down. What I've come to realize as I get older is there can be just a lot of mixed emotions after Christmas. I don't know if you've ever felt this way. It's like there's relief that it's over, but there's so much excitement and hype going into it and then there's kind of a let down. There's happiness because of all the memories and gifts. Maybe some disappointment or sadness mixed in, it depends on the season of your life and your circumstances and there's having to say goodbye to loved ones. It's just kind of a roller coaster sometimes, but no matter what your emotions are, I want to share three things for you to do the week after Christmas as a gift to yourself and maybe if you do these three things, you'll find that Christmas and New Years can be a little bit more enjoyable every year.
RESOURCES: The Song of the Stars, by Sally Lloyd-Jones
I am convinced that contentment is something we have to fight for and pay attention to. It's not something that comes naturally in our culture, when everywhere we look, we are hearing silent messages of you need this, you don't have enough, you have to buy this to be happy.
Today, I'm talking with Rachel Cruze all about contentment, and fun fact, this episode was recorded before she had her baby boy, and now she's a proud mama to two girls and a boy, just like me! Rachel is known for financial wisdom and her “work,” but I was so excited to chat with her about how she balances her work and her life as a wife and mother, and how contentment plays a part in both!
As a #1 New York Times best-selling author, host of The Rachel Cruze Show, and The Rachel Cruze Show podcast, Rachel helps people learn the proper ways to handle money and stay out of debt. She’s authored three best-selling books, including Love Your Life, Not Theirs and Smart Money Smart Kids, which she co-wrote with her father, Dave Ramsey. You can follow Cruze on Twitter and Instagram at @RachelCruze and online at rachelcruze.com, youtube.com/rachelcruze or facebook.com/rachelramseycruze.
I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.
For the full transcript, click here.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
The Contentment Journal, by Rachel Cruze
Join the Contentment Challenge!
The Rachel Cruze Show
Love your Life, not Theirs, by Rachel Cruze
The Death of Mrs. Westaway, by Ruth Ware
Discerning the Voice of God, by Priscilla Shirer
Clarisonic Facial Cleanser Brush
Affiliate links have been used in this post.
We can never underestimate the power of a life-giving home. My strongest childhood memories are rooted in my childhood home, as I'm sure yours are too. I also have vivid memories of going to the homes of friends and feeling so welcomed, so loved, and so grounded when it felt like my own home and family were falling apart. Last year when we moved into our current house, my dear friend, Callie, gave me a book called The Life Giving Home as a housewarming gift. And this year, we've been reading one chapter a month in the Nancy Ray Book Club since there are 12 chapters, one for each month of the year.
Sally co-wrote this book with her daughter Sarah, and they kind of alternated writing chapters. It wasn't a perfect back and forth between Sarah and Sally, but it was cool how they took different chapters and wrote from their own perspectives.
If I can put it into one sentence what this book did for me, it’s that it made me view taking care of my home as a joy and a privilege instead of a burden.
Now, I fully realize that might not present me in the best way because I'm admitting that sometimes it does feel like a burden to take care of all the ins and outs of my home, but I'm okay with that. I know managing a home can feel like a lot and we lose sight of the purpose of all the laundry, and the kids that constantly outgrow all the clothes, and the meal planning, and the closets that need to be decluttered, and the refreshing of the art and furniture, and finally printing those photos. It can all feel like a lot, and it can weigh on you week after week.
But, I'm here to remind you today having a life-giving home is a crucial part of being able to work well, and being able to play and rest well, and having a healthy soul, and a fulfilling life.
Today, we'll dive into my biggest takeaways, the things that I want to be sure to embrace in my own home.
For the full transcript, click here.
Resources from this episode: 2020 Books have been announced!
Join the Nancy Ray Book Club
The Work & Play Cornerstore
The Life-Giving Home, Sally & Sarah Clarkson
Volcano Candle
Affiliate links have been used in this post!!
This year isn't over yet.
It's not over, and if we keep looking to the future and making plans and setting goals and dreaming about the next thing, we are going to miss the moments right in front of us. Today we are all going to take a pause and just remind ourselves to be present and enjoy the last days of this year to their fullest.
Every December early on, I send out an email to my email list. It's the same email every year. I send it over and over. And every time I do my inbox gets flooded with, “thank you”s and “I'm crying” and “I needed this.” So I decided today I just wanted to read that email to you. This might be my shortest podcast episode ever, with reason, because I want you to come back and listen to this encouragement as many times as you need to between now and the end of the year. This pep talk is for you.
For the full transcript, click here.
Resources from this episode: Sign up for Nancy’s Weekly Emails
An Angel’s Story, by Max Lucado
“Tree”mote
Can you even believe it's the week of Thanksgiving? I know I can't. Well, happy Thanksgiving, friend. I'm grateful you're here. Today's episode is going to be short and sweet all about my favorite Thanksgiving tradition that any family can do, any couple can do, and it's the most wonderful practice of just opening your eyes to the beautiful, good life around you.
I hope this week you find yourself in the midst of not so much work and a whole lot of play. It's Thanksgiving week. It's a week to just kind of turn down the volume on all of the screen time, on all of the work obligations and just chill out and be with family. It's definitely a season for feasting and I hope that you get to do some of that this week.
I am so excited to share something so simple, but something so profound. I actually was taught this tradition from Will, my husband and his family, specifically my wonderful mother-in-law who I adore. She kind of led the charge in their family doing this every single Thanksgiving as well, and his brother and sister grew up, and we've kind of adopted it and to our family, annd I'm excited to share it with you today.
For the full transcript, click here.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp
Val Marie Prayer Journals
Affiliate links have been used in this post!
I don't know that there's a subject I'm more passionate about than this. Reading has changed my life. I don't say that lightly, I'm not trying to be dramatic, but I truly have seen more positive results in my life as a result of reading than just about anything I've ever done.
When I was thinking about this podcast, Work and Play With Nancy Ray, I was thinking about what category this falls into: Is this work or is this play? The beautiful thing about reading is it's really both. I know so many people who love to read for leisure. I mean, I can just binge read some books and it's so fun because you can really be transported to another place, another story, other time in history. But also in work, I think most of my success that I've had in business as a wedding photographer building my team has come from reading, which is crazy.
If you have been following me for a hot second, you know that I love to read. I really value it. But here's what you might not know—I have not loved to read my whole entire life. I was not a big reader as a kid. Actually, I only read what I absolutely had to as a kid. It wasn't really until the end of college, maybe even after I graduated, that I started reading on a regular basis. Do I read as much as I'd like to even now? Not even close. I have three small kids who demand a lot of me and it's hard to fit in all the reading I want to do. But do I still make it a priority? Absolutely.
Today is all about how I became a reader and how you can, too.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
Nancy Ray Book Club
How to Win Friends & Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
How to Read a Book, by Adler & Van Doren
Nancy’s reading night light
Parenting can be so overwhelming at times. Some days I feel like I'm doing it pretty good, I'm a good mom and other days I feel like I have tried to do everything right and my kid's behavior is still wild and defiant and they know how to push my buttons and they do it over and over and I kind of lose my mind on them. Yeah, I'm going to go there right at the start of this episode because I don't think it helps anyone listening if you think I'm the perfect mom or I've got it all together because believe me I don't.
However, I am going to share my number one parenting tip that has been a real game changer for me and Will, and for our kids. No matter the age of your kids, I know it's going to be beneficial for you, too.
It’s called “Mind, Body, Soul Time” - which sounds way more intense than it actually is. It’s 100% do-able and it is so, so good for our children and for us as parents! Let’s get out of our work minds as adults, always doing, always accomplishing things, always moving onto the next thing in our schedule and let's make sure that we incorporate play in this small way in our lives with our kids on a daily basis. I’ll walk you through what we do and some tips I’ve learned as we’ve started to implement this!
For the full transcript, head here.
Resources from this episode: Free Class with Amy from Positive Parenting Solutions!
Amy McCready's Positive Parenting Solutions Course
The Work & Play Cornerstore
I am so excited to have Emily Ley on the Work and Play podcast today. She is one of the most authentic people I have ever met, I kid you not. She’s been a friend of mine for several years now. I've watched her grow as a mom, as a business owner, but she never loses that on authenticity. Every time I hang out with her, she makes me cry, and it's not in a bad way. It's because her heart for life, her heart for her people, it moves me. She really wants the right things in life. She's doing something really wonderful with her work and her play.
I think that what I love most about her is how much she values the little things, the moments in between, exercise, taking care of yourself, really finding that kind of balance between work and play and what that looks like. So you're in for a treat today. She's incredible. If you don't know her, she's the founder of Simplified, a brand of planners and organizational tools for busy women. She's been featured in Forbes, Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, Glamour, Good Housekeeping. Her products are now in Target, which is cool, really cool. I kind of felt super special that my friend was in Target.
I was walking down the aisle at Target one day. I saw all of her planners there, and I was like, "Go Emily." I texted her a picture of myself next to him. As a friend, I'm so proud of her. I'm so proud of her because she's never compromised her faith in the Lord. She's never compromised what she believes in, which is her kids and her family about everything else, and she has such a way of teaching and sharing her heart that is just so inspiring. So you're in for a treat today. She's just such a joy. Oh, and she's the author of three books: Two books that are already out and one that's coming out, and we're going to talk about those in the episodes. So I'm really excited for you to listen into our conversation today.
Our guest today is Emily Ley: Emily Ley is the founder of Simplified® - a brand of planners and organizational tools for busy women and has been featured in Forbes, Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, Glamour, and Good Housekeeping. She and her team recently collaborated with AT-A-GLANCE® to create gift and planning collections carried in Office Depot, Staples, and Target. Emily is the author of national bestselling books, Grace, Not perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy, A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living, and — coming Nov. 5 — When Less Becomes More: Making Space for Slow, Simple and Good. Now as an author, entrepreneur, wife and mother to three, Emily lives in Pensacola, Florida with her husband, Bryan, and their son Brady (8), and twins Tyler and Caroline (4).
For the full transcript, head here.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
Emily Ley's website
Emily Ley on Instagram
Simplified on Instagram
Today I'll be sharing my thoughts on The Coaching Habit, and a few ideas and practices that have really stuck with me since reading it.
Okay, I feel like there are two ways to start my day.
Version one: I wake up, and I'm just running so hard. The kids are already awake. I'm getting ready, making breakfast, emptying the dishwasher, cleaning the kitchen, drinking my coffee, gathering up things, taking care of the kids, getting them dressed, starting work, immediately jumping into my inbox, answering Slack and everything my team needs. I just start doing it all in no particular order. I just am accomplishing all the things.
And at the end of my workday, I did so much and I worked really hard. But then when Will asks me, "Hey, what'd you do today?" I look at him like a deer in the headlights. I'm like, "I don't ... " I mean, I did stuff, I worked hard all day, but I don't know what I did.” Anybody else have days like that? I do. I know I do.
The second way to start my day would be I wake up, I have my solid morning routine, I feel grounded, I'm connected with the Lord, and then I realize the importance of making a plan, even a simple plan. So I pause. I look at everything on my plate, kids, household, work, everything. I look at it objectively, not emotionally or like I need to get things done right away. And then I ask myself the question, what are the three most important things that I should do today? If I only accomplished three things today, what would make today a win?
Just by listening to those two examples of days that I've had, and I'm sure you've had too, you can feel the contrast. By jumping in, your day kind of happens to you. But by pausing and setting three priorities, you happened to your day.
And that’s what we’re talking about in today’s episode, so listen in!
For the full transcript, head here!
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
Peter Drucker
Every Sunday night my husband Will and I ask each other six questions that help us have a deeper level of understanding and emotional intimacy. Now, while they were designed to be asked within a marriage, I want to talk to my single friends for just a second and say, don't disqualify yourself from listening to this episode. It's really perfect for building deeper roommate relationships or dating relationships, too.
Now, going back to the marriage piece, what I love most about these questions for us is really you can ask them in any season of life, whether your newlyweds, if you have a newborn and can't find the time to get out for a date night every week, or if your kids are out of the house, they connect to you in a simple yet profound way on a weekly basis. I'm confident that they will help strengthen your close relationships, especially your marriage.
These questions come straight from Audrey and Jeremy Roloff, the creators of the Navigator Council, which is a journal that includes all these questions. They started the organization Beating the 50 Percent, which is named after the 50% divorce rate. They said, "Our mission in life and on this blog is to do and be all things that cultivate covenant marriages. We aim to give more than 50% effort into our marriage to live a life, Beating 50 Percent is our mission." They're really passionate about marriage and I love following them and just their realness and all the resources they have to offer.
Will and I do this on Sunday evening. It's what we do to start off our discussion of the week ahead and our schedules. But we always try to start with these questions to make sure that he and I are connected first. I can't wait to share these with you, so listen in!
For the full transcript, click here.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
The Marriage Journal (formerly The Navigator’s Council)
Beating the 50 Percent
I was introduced to the book Traction by my husband. We both love entrepreneurship and I get a lot of really great resources from him. And a few years back, he said, "Nance, you would really love this thing called the Entrepreneurial Operating System." I was like, "What are you talking about?" And he was like, "It was introduced to me. It's this book called Traction. It's really pretty incredible, and I think Nancy Ray Photography could really benefit from it." I was kind of like, "It sounds weird. Sure, I'll learn about it. But yeah—I'm good. I'm pretty sure I got this."
Well, he introduces me to this book, Traction, and starts telling me all about what the Entrepreneurial Operating System is, also known as EOS. And as he starts to explain it, all the different components, how everything is organized and laid out, I'm like a sponge. I'm like, "Are you serious? This is answering so many questions that I've had about how to better run my meetings or organize people in my business." It put words to a lot of things that I didn't have words for.
It's very, very thorough, but it's not rocket science. It's not spreadsheets, and numbers, and things that I feel like are challenging in business. It's just basically this very simple structure of how to lay out and run your business. So if you can kind of get a visual in your head with me, picture a wheel, and it's divided like pizza slicer, right into six different pizza slices. This wheel, at the very center of it is the EOS model, which is your business. Your business is at the center of the wheel. EOS model is that the six parts are divided up and you have to really understand, know, work on all six components of your business well in order to have a healthy business. But once you get all six of those really addressed, running smoothly, your business will be in like the top 5% of businesses. It will run smoothly. It will flow. You'll know where you're going. You'll have clarity. You'll have decision making. You will have a track to run on. And I have found this to be so true.
So in today’s episode, I’m going to jump into the six pizza slices, if you will, the six categories of your business according to Traction or the Entrepreneurial Operating System.
For the full transcript, head to this episode's show notes!
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
C12
Affiliate links have been used in this post!
I'm going to be the first one to say I love to work. It's a blessing and a curse. I can kind of be a workaholic sometimes. But truly, at the end of every day, I love the feeling that I gave it my all, checking off my list, being on my game, seeing my inbox dwindled to zero, sending completed projects to clients. I love it. I love the fulfillment that work brings, and God made us to work.
I believe that work is good and it feels good to know that you've done a job well at the end of your day. But, I also love to rest. I love to have a complete day of rest with no work, no thoughts of clients or emails, no stress, no obligation. I love to just get outside with my family. Love to go on hikes. I love just to spend as long as I want somewhere without feeling like there's a timeframe or deadline that I have to meet. Yeah, I love it when there's no deadline. I love when I can just be somewhere as long as I need to be. I love praying. I love connecting with the Lord. I love having a movie night complete with pizza, my husband, my crazy, messy kids. I need that rest. We all crave it. We need it regularly. We all do.
But for some reason this Sabbath rest, this weekly rhythm of just stopping all work has been lost.
Today, I'm going to give you a little history lesson on what exactly happened, how we got to where we are today, why I believe that we lost it, and how important it is for us to embrace the Sabbath as a very real rhythm of our lives.
For the full transcript, head here.
Start small in crafting rhythms & routines in your life with my FREE GUIDE: Craft a Morning Routine for increased Joy, Energy & Productivity!
Resources from this episode: Work & Play Cornerstore
Exodus 20, Exodus 31, Acts 20:7
Now, I truly believe that leadership is a learned skill. I believe that about parenting, too. I believe it about playing the piano, about doing your hair. You have to learn these skills to be good at them, and guess what? If you have influence, you are a leader, right where you are. If you can speak into someone else's life, if you are just a little more advanced than they are in some area, you are a leader. We all find ourselves in leadership positions at some point or another, but it's up to us to see ourselves as leaders and to grow as leaders.
Today, I'm going to share five ways that you can become a leader that people want to follow. They are simple but they've been incredibly helpful to me, and I think they'll be helpful to you, too.
This is also the first episode in which I introduce the Work & Play Cornerstore! It's where I plan to have a little bit of fun and will mostly draw from my personal life and experiences to bring you one book that I'm loving or that I've read, and one thing that I'm loving, and that's it. It might be completely random, funny, serious. The only rule that I want to stick by is that it's something that I personally use or recommend that will make your life better. I'll get a tiny commission from anything bought through these links, which help me to continue to bring this podcast to you every week. Plus, it'll just be plain fun, so I think it's going to be a win-win. So stay tuned to the Work & Play Cornerstore at the end of every episode.
For the full transcript, click here.
Resources from this episode: The Work & Play Cornerstore
Foundations in Team Building: A Blueprint for the Creative Entrepreneur
FREE Team Resource Vault
Traction, by Gino Wickman
Tribes, by Seth Godin
How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
The E-Myth, by Michael Gerber
Crucial Conversations, by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan & Switzler
Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni
Rocket Fuel, by Gino Wickman
For the longest time I was really afraid of becoming a mom. I thought that I should have these longings to be a mother or I really should want to have a baby, but I never did. I was really happy with my marriage and my life before babies. I loved my work, and I was really fearful of what it would do to my life, my body, my sleep, a lot of different things. I remember having a conversation with my friend, Katelyn, about this and was nervous saying it out loud. She looked at me and was like, "Me, too. Me, too. That's crazy. I haven't heard anybody else say that before." We connected on that level because we felt weird or alone or like we were the exception to the rule in women.
Today I am going to interview Katelyn on the podcast. If you follow me or Katelyn, you know that both of us are mothers to three children. I have three young children. She also has three children, one of which is in heaven. The conversation that we have, our hope as we have this conversation, is that you, if you're in the same boat ... if you're afraid of becoming a mom or aren't ready and don't know if you ever will be ... is that our conversation would hopefully make you feel a little bit more normal and not alone.
For the full transcript, click here!
Our guest today is Katelyn James: Hi, my name is Katelyn James and I'm a wedding photographer who also teaches others how to be purposeful and profitable wedding photographers. I'm a momma of three.... Evy is two, Graham is three months and Baby James is our sweet boy in heaven that we said goodbye to at 31 weeks. I love the Lord, my family, home decorating and traveling! My life has transitioned so much in the last three years. While I love my business that I have run for over a decade, I'm really loving sharing my time with my role as a momma!
Resources from this episode: KJ All-Access
Follow Katelyn on Instagram
You know what's pretty much the worst job in the world? Having to fire somebody. You know what's even worse than that? Keeping somebody on your team that needs to be let go, but you feel so bad, you don't want to have that conversation. You'd rather just keep them around and deal with it. Then eventually you have the conversation and it's just a big mess. You know what could solve all of this? Hiring the right person the first time.
Now, I'm not perfect by any stretch, but I decided way before ever building my team that I wanted to get one thing right, hiring. Today, I'm going to tell you everything that I've learned in my research and in my experience in hopes that you too can hire the right person the first time.
I'm going to take you through 10 things that I do when we hire someone new. Some of these are big picture things. They're foundational things that you have to do before you ever even conduct an interview, and then we'll talk about the interview process, and then we're going to end with the whole on-boarding process and how to keep really good people.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: Grow Your Business & Get Your Life Back >> FREE CLASS
Get all of our FREE team resources!
Traction, by Gino Wickman
The Ideal Team Player, Patrick Lencioni
Episode 021 - Hiring, Part I: 5 Ways to Know You’re Ready
**Affiliate links have been used in this post!!
I get the question all the time: How do you do it all?
My answer every time is: I don't. I don't do it all. I ask for help.
I have a team that works hard behind the scenes in my business, and I have a lot of family members that help out with the kids. We have a nanny. I ask for help. Now, I want to preface this by saying we're going to start a two part series, this week and next week, that's all about hiring.
But if you're reading this and you're like, "Nancy, I don't own a business. This doesn't apply to me," I just want to encourage you to listen anyway and expand your thinking from hiring to asking for help, because you mamas listening know that it's a lot of hard work raising babies, and you need some extra help, and sometimes it's hard to ask. Yes, I'm going to be talking all about business stuff, but I want you to know this could apply to you, too.
Rewinding life back a little bit to when I was a solo show, and I was considering hiring someone, I was scared. Terrified might actually be a better word. Hiring someone or asking for help can be one of the scariest steps that you can take, but it can also be one of the best steps you can take. Today we'll jump into five ways you know you're ready to hire or you're ready to ask for some help and maybe add someone onto your team, whether that's your business team or your home team.
We're also going to tackle some misconceptions about hiring, when you shouldn't hire somebody. This is just going to be a simple two part series on hiring, for this week and next week. I have loved growing my team over the last seven years, so bear with my excitement. I get a little bit nerdy when I talk about this stuff, but if you're considering hiring someone or think you might need some help, this episode is for you.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: Get all of our FREE team resources!
Traction, by Gino Wickman
Episode 019 - The Top 3 Reasons I Built a Team
**Affiliate links have been used in this post!!
Back in Episode 18, I shared how I was introduced to the Enneagram, a little bit about my type— I'm a type three. I also gave a glimpse into my life and thoughts and struggles and strengths as an Enneagram type three. But I don't want to assume everybody listening knows what this weird word the Enneagram means. So I kind of want to go back to basics for a minute before jumping into the book, The Sacred Enneagram, so let's start with this. What the heck is the Enneagram?
Basically, the Enneagram is like a personality typing tool. The difference between the Enneagram and other personality tests that you see out there is that the Enneagram sticks with you for life. You're going to figure out what your number is on the Enneagram, what type you are, and that's the same in childhood, and adolescence, and in your adult life, and even as you age, it doesn't change. I've taken other personality tests like Strengths Finders or DISC and I love this kind of stuff. I love it. I think it's so fascinating. With those things, they kind of change. Like, I had different strengths in one season of my life and then different strengths in another season of my life. But this one, if you know your type on the Enneagram, it doesn't change it.
It's based in what motivates you. It's based in your basic fears. It's based in a lot of different things. But one thing I found interesting, most of the Enneagram authors agree that we are all born with a dominant type, so people don't change from one basic type to another. Like I said, your type is your type for life. And there is kind of a mix of I guess nature versus nurture, but they said you're born with a type and then oftentimes your childhood wound or something that you experienced in childhood is also what shapes your type. Anyway, I thought that was pretty interesting, as well. If you don't know what your number is on the Enneagram, there are free tests that you can take online to find out. (Side note, I recommend reading The Road Back to You over taking a test.)
As we kind of transition into the book, The Sacred Enneagram, just know that this is more of a deeper dive for someone who is more familiar with the Enneagram and someone who kind of wants to bridge that gap between, okay, I know my type, what does this mean for my faith walk? What does this mean for my relationship with Jesus? And that is why I wanted to read this book.
Listen in as we jump into The Sacred Enneagram and my three takeaways from this book.
For the full transcript, head to this episode's blog post!
Resources from this episode: The Sacred Enneagram, by Chris Heuertz
Episode 018 - Life as an Enneagram 3
Enneagram Institute website
The Road Back to You, by Ian Cronn & Suzanne Stabile
Practicing the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence
Nancy Ray Book Club
*Affiliate links have bee
Back in 2012, Will and I were sitting across from each other in a coffee shop discussing the big picture future of my business, Nancy Ray Photography. We were at a crossroads trying to decide if we wanted to stay on the quote unquote, "Husband and wife team" route, that most photographers take, or if we wanted to do something different: take a risk and hire associate photographers to form a team.
When Will and I began talking about what it would look like to actually hire someone, to actually grow our team, we started with a list of all of the risk involved and all of our fears. Basically we made a massive list of all the downsides to doing this. We knew it would take a lot of time and a lot of training. We knew that we would be inviting other people in to the business that we've built, that I would share all my secrets, that we didn't have a guarantee that it would work, that we would be changing something that's working just fine.
We realized that we'd have to release control over some things, that I would have to trust other people to edit the photos that I always edited, the photos that I take, really letting go of my creative control. I'd have to let go of the methods and processes that I learned the hard way with sweat and tears and I would just hand it over to someone and teach them. It honestly felt like I was giving away too much, even if I hired them.
But then we started making a list of what life would look like if we did build a team. We wouldn't have to be the ones to shoot every single wedding. We could serve more couples and more families. Will, my husband, would have the freedom to step away from Nancy Ray Photography if he ever wanted to do different work.
We were so nervous and we honestly didn't know which direction that we wanted to go. There were pros and cons to both options and Will and I, unlike a lot of spouses, really worked well together. So after all of that, we decided to take the risk and build an associate team.
It ended up being one of the best decisions I've ever made in my business, and today, I'm going to tell you why.
For the full transcript, head to this episode's blog post!
Resources from this episode: Episode 004 - Seasons of Business
Access the FREE Team Resource Vault
Sign up for the Team Building Workshop!
So this crazy Enneagram thing seems to be around every corner, doesn’t it? For those listening who aren’t familiar with it, the Enneagram is a personality typing system that illustrates nine types of people and their basic motivations. For those of us who understand the Enneagram, you know it can be such a helpful tool to help us understand ourselves, our motivations, our fears, and how we look at and relate to the rest of the world.
Now, I’m an Enneagram three and I’m just going to share what life looks like for me. I’ll share the things I’m good at, the things I most ashamed of, and my general mindset towards my work and my play. Basically, you’re about to get to know me on a whole new level. My hope in being vulnerable here is that if you are a type three, or if you have a type three in your life, maybe you’ll find a new understanding about our type that will be helpful in some way or another.
I'm honestly not sure that anything has been more helpful to me understanding myself and my habits in work and play than understanding my Enneagram type. Now, I'm not going to go into all nine types today. I'm not going to give you an overview of the Enneagram— this isn't an Enneagram podcast, but there are plenty of those out there. I'm just going to share my journey so far with the Enneagram and where I am today, and kind of what life looks like for me as a type three, as well as how it's allowed me to have so much more grace for those around me.
For the full transcript, head to this episode's blog post.
Resources from this episode: The Road Back To You, Ian Morgan Cron
The Sacred Enneagram, Christopher Heuertz
Okay. How do you feel when I say the word "budget"? I know that word can make some people feel handcuffed, and it can make some people feel kind of nerdy and excited. It can make some people feel like they want to roll their eyes. There's just a lot of emotions tied to that word. To me, budget simply means one thing: accountability. It's staying accountable to your money, to your spending habits and to your financial goals. And accountability is good. It takes a mature person to want to be accountable to these things, but like most things in life that are worth pursuing, it's not super-complex. It's simple, but it's not always easy.
But this is what I love about budgets, and monthly budgets in particular: every single month you have a fresh start. There's a new beginning on the first of every month. You can jump in and make a new budget and that is okay. So, maybe you're listening to this and you're in a season of your life where you don't do a budget. Maybe you've never made a budget, or maybe you're like us and you used to be really diligent about it, but you've fallen off the bandwagon a little bit. That is okay. Every month you have a new opportunity to create a new budget. So go ahead right now, start working on next month's budget if you haven't gotten in the habit of it because it's so important. And if you don't take the time to tell your money where to go, then it's just going to disappear.
So today I'm excited to chat about three steps to a successful monthly budget that will keep you accountable and on track to meeting your financial goals!
For the full transcript, head to this episode's blog post!
Resources from this episode: Episode 003 - The Contentment Challenge
Financial Peace University
EveryDollar App
Mint App
You Need a Budget App
The team meeting formula that we follow allows us to connect, to pay attention to the most important things that move our business forward, and they last no longer than 90 minutes. Today I'm going to share that team meeting formula with you.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing my top three takeaways from the book, The Year of Living Happy. A few things really stuck with me about being happier: God’s word, Generosity, and Friendships!
I want to really, truly feel and experience joy, the deep, deep kind of joy. All of the emotions and pains and joys. That is living fully awake.
Whether you have a solid morning routine, or if you don't have one at all - this episode is for you.
It can be helpful. It can provide income. It can be addictive. It can be a trap. Today, I want to talk about simple practices that I have found incredibly life-giving to keep social media in its place.
If you have ever looked for a team building exercise that's solid, that takes some vulnerability and honesty, that actually moves your team to personal improvement and team unity, the Plus Delta exercise is it.
I have an invitation for you today: choose the courageous thing and slow down. It's time to live a simpler, slower life than the one that you're living.
What in the world is the secret to success in business? Well, I'm going to go ahead and tell you. In one word, it's service.
I just finished my third maternity leave, so I'm giving you all my tips for planning for it & being able to transition out and back in well.
I'm going to start this episode with stating something that is very obvious: life is hard. I don't care how old you are, I don't care what gender you are, I don't care how much money you have, I don't care what status you are, you're going to experience hard things. It's just part of life. But I'm also here to tell you: “You were made for hard things.” You were made for hard things. You were made to actually push through them and come out the other side a better person.
There have been several hard things I've walked through my life. I'm going to tell you just a couple of examples starting out, of some physical things, some mental hardships that I've faced so basically just illustrating there are hard things in our lives and there've been hard things in my life that I've overcome. I know there are hard things in your life probably today as you're listening. But I'm here to tell you you were made to do those things.
Hard things in life can come in all shapes and sizes. When something is off, when something is hard, we have some choices. We have to make up our mind to embrace the hard thing or we can run from it. Challenges in our life and hardships are just inevitable. Hard things happen every day. But here's the deal, when you're faced with something difficult, you have two choices: You can look at the hard thing and say, "I was made for this. Let's do this.” and you can overcome it, or you can let that hard thing overcome you and you can let it consume your mind and body and life really.
So this is my pep talk for you, and I’m hoping you lift the limitations you’ve placed on yourself off by rolling up your sleeves and doing the hard thing in front of you. You can handle it. You can run into the storm.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: James 1:2-4
Today’s episode is part of the very informal Nancy Ray Book Club. Every once in a while, an episode will be comprised of my thoughts on a book worth reading and my top three take aways from that book. Today we'll be looking at the book Anonymous and the ideas that have really stayed me with me since reading it.
To give you a kind of a brief synopsis of the book, the title is Anonymous and the subtitle is Jesus's Hidden Years… and Yours. Because if you think about it, Jesus lived an anonymous life for most of his life. Nobody really knows what he did for the first 30 years of his life. We do have these little snippets of Jesus's life early on, but they are so small in comparison to the rest of his life. It's always been such a mystery. I've always wondered, what was Jesus like as a teenager? What did he do? What was he like as a young adult in his 20s? We really don't know anything about it, it was hidden.
Alicia Britt Chole talks about living an unseen life in order to live an indestructible life, which is what we see in Jesus’ life. I don’t know about you, but that idea is really challenging to me as we’re living in a world that’s telling you to live a life that’s constantly on display. What I've realized is we actually have to fight for and choose those anonymous seasons or times in our life. If we live our entire lives as seen, if we share everything, if we're exposed, if we don't keep anything hidden in secret between ourselves and our hearts in the Lord, then it's easily destructible. But, if we have roots that are deep and we choose those anonymous times, those anonymous quiet times with our God, then we can form an indestructible life.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: Anonymous, by Alicia Britt Chole
Join the Nancy Ray Book Club
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I think it's pretty safe to say that when it comes to our work, we want to be part of something that we are called to do— something that is full of meaning and has purpose, something that is in line perfectly with our passions and gifting. But today I want to challenge our way of thinking, and really the language that we use describing our work and our calling.
Ever since I was a young girl, I've wrestled with my “calling.” What am I called to do? What is the thing? What is God's calling on my life? Because we talk about that a lot, especially in the church. What is God's call on my life?
But I realized recently that there is a big difference in my calling and my assignment. That my calling actually never changes, but my assignments change season to season. And when I realized that, I found a lot of freedom. So today I'm hoping that maybe you will find some freedom too.
I'm going to talk about the difference between our calling and our assignment, hopefully giving us some more helpful language to use around this topic. So here's my goal: I want to simplify this thing for us today, like strip it down, super simplify it. And in doing so, hopefully bring us all some freedom and lightness in the way we understand and talk about our work. After we define those, I’m going to give you three ways that I think we can know what our assignment actually is and how to steward that well.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: Smart Passive Income Podcast Episode with Hal Elrod, by Pat Flynn
Episode 004 - Seasons of Business
Blog Post: My Work, My Ministry
I recently shared the news that after this year, my twelfth year of business, the doors of Nancy Ray Photography will close. This was one of the hardest, most difficult decisions of my life. I love this work, I am going to miss this work, but the bottom line is this: God gently made it clear to me that this season has come to an end.
This was a massive decision for me personally and for my family, and it all started one year ago. Today, it feels like I've turned the page into the next chapter of my life. Now, I'll be honest, I could've kept going. Part of me really, really wanted to just keep going. I was good at it. I was confident in it, but this quote from Richard Blackaby explains why I'm letting it go:
"Our problem as leaders is we do everything we know to do. That's not enough. We need to do everything God wants us to do."
That says it all. I just know that in order for me to everything that God wants me to do, I need to let this go. I simply know that God wants me to do something different. I'm going to walk you through how I got to this point and how I finally made the decision and how I listen to God's voice every step of the way. I'm going to share some questions, some hard questions, that I had to ask myself and I'm going to ask these questions to you, too. So I'm going to start this episode by asking these questions and hopefully as I share my story, you're going to understand a little bit more about what those questions mean. And as I finish the episode and come back and ask these questions again, maybe you'll have a fuller understanding about where you are today.
My hope is that as I share how I navigated this huge decision, you’ll hopefully walk away with some helpful tools for he next time that you step into a new season, too.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: The Seasons of God, by Richard Blackaby
Lioness Arising, by Lisa Bevere
Ecclesiastes 3
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What is the Contentment Challenge? In a nutshell, it is a commitment to giving up shopping for clothes, accessories, household decor, stuff, really anything excessive, for 3 months straight in order to focus your heart and your mind on the root of true contentment. It's also a commitment to replace shopping with activities experiences and relationships— the things that really matter in your life.
We live in a world where money seems to kind of fly out of our bank accounts with the simple push of an Amazon button on your phone or the irresistible one spot at Target. We keep buying more and more to make us happy, but does it really? Does it really foster a deep, centered posture of joy and contentment? A few years ago, God asked me to give up shopping for 3 months straight and at first I was not happy about that. This episode is all about that journey and the profound difference that it's made in my heart and in my life. The simple act of abstaining from shopping for extra things for a short amount of time opened my eyes wide to the weird way that I was living life is a consumer and it revealed the actual way that I want to live—full of gratitude and Grace. I have actually taken the Contentment Challenge many times over the years, and in this episode I share the three things I learned during my most recent time through (Jan-March 2019). This also includes a lot of our financial story. Some of which, quite honestly, hurts my pride a little to share, but I pray that God can use it to benefit you!
I hope this episode causes you to pause and think about your own life and how content you are today. Who knows? Maybe you need to take the challenge, too.
For the full transcript, click here!
Resources from this episode: Take the Contentment Challenge!
Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps
Making Things Happen Conference
Philippians 4:12
I don’t know about you, but I love to imagine my life working seamlessly as I ease into the day, transitioning in and out of work without any stress. Me, walking with God and listening to Him throughout my day, breathing deeply and contently as I drift off to sleep at night. But does that happen in reality? Well, no. But there are simple practices that we can embrace throughout our days, weeks, months and years that will point us back to the Lord in a rhythmic way. It’s called a Rule of Life. While all of our days won’t be perfect, because that’s just how life is, they can be more in tune with what God is doing. I’m excited to share my Rule of Life with you today.
So, what is a Rule of Life? Matt Chandler said it this way: “A rule of life is kind of looking at the broad spectrum of our lives and considering years, months, weeks and days and then filling those natural transitions and seasons with things that orient or re-center the heart around the presence and power of God, acknowledging that our drift will not be toward those things but self-reliance.”
Here’s the bottom line: I’m forgetful. I’m very reliant on myself. I love to achieve things, and often times I find my self-worth in those achievements. But, when I put a Rule of Life in place, it’s a humble practice of reminding myself on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis that God’s presence is the most important thing and that I am completely dependent on Him and that that is what life is all about: doing life with Him. It’s not about my achievements or failures or anything in-between.
Today, we’re not going to beat ourselves up about this, we’re not going to be legalistic and we’re not going to miss the point. But we are going to glean the rich message of the Sabbath together and focus on the heart of God, which is always for us.
For the full transcript, click here!
Start small in crafting your very own rule of life by creating a simple but effective morning routine. Grab my FREE GUIDE to walk you through it so you can start first thing in the morning!
Resources from this episode: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Peter Scazzero
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day, Peter Scazzero
The Village Church: Work and Rest, Matt Chandler
Rule of St. Benedict
Emily P. Freeman: Discern and Decide Course (comes free with the purchase of her book, The Next Right Thing)
Deep Work, Cal Newport
Jess Ray
“In all we do in work or play, help us to be more loving every day.”
There are countless opportunities to fill our minds with knowledge and messages, and it is so important to be intentional and filter that because of how it affects us and how it affects our home, our work, and the people closest to us.
My hope for this space is that you will find words that will lift you up, that will inspire you to live a life that is not numb or sleepy or unaware, but that we together will learn to live fully awake, embracing all the good that God has for us every single day.
So, why “Work and Play”? Well, if I boil down my everyday life into two main categories: I work and I play. I do realize that there are some seasons of life that aren’t quite this tidy. I personally am coming out of maternity leave and the season of having a baby is a perfect example. I haven’t technically been working, but if keeping a tiny human alive isn’t a TON of work, I don’t know what is. So, I know that life doesn’t always boil down to these two categories, but for the majority of our lives, it does. Some of the biggest challenges I have in my life have been the balance of these two things. The cadence of rest and working hard and playing well and how God intended us to live is so fascinating to me, so I felt like this was the perfect title for this podcast!
In this episode, I want to explain and encourage you in the work and play in your own life. Putting them in their places, so you can live from a place of abundance!
For the full transcript, head here.
Get my FREE guide to crafting a Morning Routine resulting in more joy, energy & productivity starting TOMORROW.
Resources from this episode: Psalm 127:2
Magnolia Manifesto
Magnolia Journal
Present over Perfect, Shauna Niequist
Episode 002 - Rule of Life
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