A Rough Draft Life: Recent Episodes
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Lindsey and Kristi wrap-up Season three by sharing what they are loving and how they feel about the end of this season.
Lindsey has recently returned - as in yesterday - from galivanting about the Mediterranean. In this episode we discuss what travel teaches us about ourselves and other people. How do we respond to different cultures? How does what we want out of a vacation effect how we travel? How does traveling show us that, while everyone has different experiences and understandings, at the end of the day, they are still people.
We also discuss how you can experience these same growth opportunities without planning a large trip or taking a cruise.
As Lindsey molds young people into performers, Kristi got the chance to sit down with two of the young women from the True That podcast. Shelby, a high school junior, and Libby, a senior, share the hopes and dreams they have for what life will look like in the future and what they hope the future versions of them remember from these days.
Listen as they remind all of us to hold on to what is important, to never lose focus of God, and remember that being ourselves will always be the best thing we can do.
Connect with these ladies:
True That Podcast website
True That Instagram
What is romance?
We discuss Castle, Bridgerton, kisses, and Hot Pockets and what each of them make us consider about what it means to measure the depth of a relationship in non-superficial terms.
Lindsey puts on her interviewer hat to ask Kristi questions about her new novel, Enchanting the Heiress. Topics include how this book is similar to Seinfeld, how Jonas is similar to Kristi's husband, and how Lindsey is going to find a way to make Rigsby's book come sooner rather than later.
Other things mentioned:
Our deep dive episode into all things Bridgerton from January 2021
Where to get your own copy of Enchanting the Heiress
Kristi's Monthly Newsletter
Lindsey sits down to chat with Janyre Tromp, who is an editor, an author, a mom, and more about how she handles all the things. (Spoiler alert: she doesn't!) They discuss prioritizing, mental health, and how important it is to understand all the stuff beneath the surface of life.
Connect with Janyre:
Website
Her Novel Collective Facebook Group
How often do we find ourselves making decisions based on what we've always assumed we should do? What if we allowed ourselves to rethink success and open up the idea of what it takes to get there?
After a brief discussion of Spiderman (with very minor spoilers) Kristi and Lindsey discuss how life hasn't always taken the turns they assumed it would. Those differences don't mean failure, though. In fact, they can mean more success than we ever thought.
There's five Mondays in January which means we have fun things to share with you!
Referenced in this episode:
Castle (TV Show)
Lily and Fox nail wraps
Mesh Spa Pillow
Kristi's Instagram (and her followers choosing her TBR)
January Read- Rescuing Lord Inglewood by Sally Britton
Weighted Blanket
Home Offices
Sand and Fog Candle
FloDesk (Kristi's affiliate link)
Kristi’s Instagram
Lindsey’s Instagram
Theme music by GoodBMusic on Pixabay.
All too often we find ourselves doing things because the what makes sense, but we never stop to think about the why. That means our motivation often falters.
But what if we started by considering why we do what we do? What if we prioritized what truly matters to us? Fitness and productivity experts often say you need to remember your why when you want to quit, but that means you need to know your why to start with.
Today Kristi and Lindsey discuss how to drill backwards in an area of your life where maybe you've already chosen your what and figure out your why.
References:
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek's TED Talk
The Golden Circle graphic and article explanation
Tauren Wells - Identity, Calling, Assignment Sermon
Kristi's Instagram
Lindsey's Instagram
Theme music by GoodBMusic on Pixabay.
Making lofty goals and resolutions without mapping out a path to get there is a recipe for failure. One way to guide your path forward is to make a yes list. By default, anything not on the yes list is a no.
How does that work? Why should you consider it? We discuss that in this episode.
Sources mentioned in this episode:
Annie F Downs
The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst
Guided Journal by Emilly Freeman
Find us on Instagram at @LindseyPBrackett and @KristiAnnHunter.
Merry Christmas!
The big day is only a few days away and we manage to land a little chat with the Big Man himself and one of his elves. We get answers to questions like how does Santa do it in one night, when is the cut off for the nice list, and when does Santa get to celebrate Christmas?
Enjoy this special episode as a gift from us to you!
We love the magic of Christmas movies and the way we can suspend all reality to buy in to the idea that the holiday can be that perfect fix-everything moment.
Reality is far different, though, and the true magic comes from breaking the patterns that cause us strife in the first place.
Kristi and Lindsey discuss how the appeal of Christmas movies set up our expectations and how we can begin to make them something of a reality.
If you would like to join our Patreon and receive 2 bonus episodes a month, click here.
Theme music by GoodBMusic on Pixabay.
As we approach December, we know many of you are looking for ideas for Christmas presents for friends and family. We don't know how inspirational this practical list will be, but here's what we're loving right now....
Mentioned in the episode:
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Inexpensive ring light
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Dr. Easy Elephant ear Wash Kit
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Caffeinated carbonated water (Bubbly, Aha)
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Bai and Bai Boost drinks
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Plastic bins and drawer organizers
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Space saving flatware and knife organizers
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Facebook Mobile Business Suite
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Home Chef (This link is Kristi's affiliate link for $35 off, or use code KRISTIH206. You may find a better deal elsewhere and we're okay with that!)
If you would like to join our Patreon and receive 2 bonus episodes a month, click here.
Theme music by GoodBMusic on Pixabay.
Are you a good listener? What makes a good listener? How do we help each other learn to communicate better?
Referenced in this episode:
- Last year’s family dynamics episode
- It’s a Wonderful Christmas - Party
- It's a Wonderful Christmas - Book
- Listen to understand, not respond
- Mental Health Episode
If you would like to join our Patreon and receive 2 bonus episodes a month, click here.
Theme music by GoodBMusic on Pixabay.
Have you been considering becoming a patron of A Rough Draft Life but not sure about what you'll get?
We're giving you a sample by letting you hear what our patron's received in October.
Want more? Become a patron!
What does it mean to fail? What would happen if we redefined failure?
In this episode we mention:
- The Great British Bake-Off
(In the US, watch the show on Netflix)
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American Ninja Warrior
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Jon Acuff and goal setting
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Previous episode: Simplifying Suppertime with Kimberly Duffy
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Previous episode: Goals with Regina Jennings
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Previous episode: Beginnings
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Her Novel Collective and the It's a Wonderful Christmas novella collection
If you would like to join our Patreon and receive 2 bonus episodes a month, click here.
Theme music by GoodBMusic on Pixabay.
A huge welcome to our first Season 3 guest, Dr. Natalie Ford!
Mental health is such an important part of our overall wellbeing but the way it's been handled and viewed has changed a lot in the past thirty years. Join us as we discuss those changes, our own personal journeys, and resources you can use to improve your own mental health.
Referenced in this episode:
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Amen Clinic
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NAMI
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TI Lowe, Under the Magnolias
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Sleep (ARDL episode)
Find Dr. Natalie Ford:
Website - tearstojoy.org
If you would like to join our Patreon and receive 2 bonus episodes a month, click here.
Theme music by GoodBMusic on Pixabay.
In this episode, Kristi and Lindsey talk about politics! Well. Sort of. What we are actually discussing is the fact that people can actually hold two (or more) different opinions, emotions, ideals, and have them be in conflict with each other.
The conversation starts because of the difficult scenario the heroine in Elizabeth Camden's A Gilded Lady finds herself in, torn between loyalty to her country and her job and love for and belief in her brother.
Items referenced in this episode:
- A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden
- Hamilton the Musical
- Thomas Jefferson
- Previous episodes: Authenticity and Cancel Culture
- The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner
- Purity Culture
- Our definition of Southern Heritage: Family, Faith, and Food
- Backpacks and Boulders sermon series at River Point Community Church
- A few of our amazing patrons!
If you would like to join our Patreon and receive 2 bonus episodes a month, click here.
Theme music by GoodBMusic on Pixabay.
Cancel Culture (n): the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure (credit: Merriam-Webster)
After considering a social media discussion about Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain along with an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette (linked) Kristi and Lindsey discuss the repercussions of "Cancel Culture", especially when things are taken out of context. We also discuss the difference between banning books and banning people.
Referenced in the episode:
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Jane Austen novels
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Carlos Whitaker (@loswhit on Instagram)
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Morgan Wallen
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Feel the Beat (Netflix)
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Banned book list
Remember that one mistake does not define you and that cancelling others denies you the chance to grow by learning from someone who thinks differently and someone else the opportunity for redemption.
- Please note that we are discussing general social interactions in this episode. There is definitely a line beyond which certain actions/words are not okay.
Intro/Outro music by GoodBMusic from Pixabay
Welcome to Season 3!
We are so happy to have you joining us as we embark on our third year with A Rough Draft Life. Our listening family means a lot to us and we're glad to be back in your ears.
Lindsey and Kristi spent a great deal of time over the past few months discussing how to make A Rough Draft Life the best it could be. There's going to be a few changes around here but they are going to be for the better!
A Rough Draft Life will now be a bi-weekly podcast dropping on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month. If there's a 5th Monday, Kristi and Lindsey will share about a few things they are just loving in life.
On the 2nd and 4th Mondays, special bonus episodes will drop for all of our special patrons over at Patreon! Story Time with Kristi will share a Bible story you're probably a little familiar with but maybe never knew the extra zany details for. In Not Your Grandma's Christian Fiction, Lindsey talks about books you might not have realized existed within Christian Fiction or some general market books with a surprising amount of faith content.
Sign up for our Patreon here.
Our lives have changed over the course of the summer. Lindsey's back teaching and Kristi is exploring new adventures in the writing world! We'll likely share more about those changes as the season goes.
Referenced back episode: Inside Publishing with Teresa Tysinger
Today's discussion about authenticity is inspired by a passage in Michael Crichton's book Timeline. (It's also a movie.)
In the podcast we discuss:
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why we feel betrayed by social media influencers but not TV advertisers
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Under the Influence podcast (language warning)
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how the desire for authenticity effects our relationships and how we can more realistically align our expectations for our different connections
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the way the pandemic has shown us that our close circle is possibly smaller than we initially thought
Some final take-aways:
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A relationship can be authentic without being fully deep and intimate.
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Authenticity is not the same as transparency.
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Placing our relationships where they actually fit helps us feel more settled in life.
Credits:
Podcast hosts: Lindsey P Brackett and Kristi Ann Hunter
Intro/Outro music: GoodBMusic from Pixabay
As we bring Season 2 to a close, we wanted to share with you a few things we're loving these days and give you a way to provide a little feedback as we prepare for Season 3.
Thinking about becoming an author and need an overview of the publishing paths? Curious as to how that book went from idea to entertainment?
Kristi and Lindsey sit down with Teresa Tysinger to talk the pros, cons, similarities, and differences between independent publishing, small press, and large houses. And yes, we'll define those terms for you as well.
Join us as we answer one of our most asked questions: How did you get published?
Three work-at-home moms talk about how they manage juggling family and job in general and particularly in the summer months.
With helpful thoughts on work-life balance and information on Lauren's new book, you won't want to miss this conversation.
Lauren K. Denton is the USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of THE HIDEAWAY, HURRICANE SEASON, GLORY ROAD, and THE SUMMER HOUSE. She was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, and now lives with her husband and two daughters in Homewood, just outside Birmingham. Though her husband tries valiantly to turn her into a mountain girl, she’d still rather be at the beach. Find Lauren on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Be sure to follow us on our socials @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook this summer as we juggle writing, summer, and reading all the books.
For show notes, virtual party info, and more visit aroughdraftlife.com or subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss a party!
As always, find us each @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
Joining us today is our new friend Nancy Naigle! We had a great time chatting with her about intergenerational friendships as well as her new book, The Shell Collector, out this week!
NANCY NAIGLE is a USA Today bestselling author whose many contemporary romance novels include the Adams Grove, Boot Creek, and Christmas in Evergreen series. Several of her novels have been adapted to the television screen, airing on the Hallmark Channel and on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, including the popular Christmas Joy and Hope at Christmas.
Connect with Nancy on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Be sure to follow us on our socials @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook because we love intergenerational friendships!
For show notes, virtual party info, and more visit aroughdraftlife.com.
As always, find us each @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
Do Kristi and Lindsey DNF books? What does DNF mean? How can readers help authors? What's up with libraries?
There are SO many questions about reading and books that we get on a regular basis and in this episode, we're giving you the answers. Peel back the curtain and learn whether ebook or paperback is preferred and how you can find brand new authors to love.
For our April Bonus Episode we are here with food blogger and bookstagrammer Jordan Millsaps who has planned the most delightful literary menu for spring! Follow along with Jordan as she cooks her way through life and her favorite books at Read.Eat.Repeat.
Not only can you use these recipes when you're trying to simplify supper, you can also load up your TBR with this menu of fantastic reads.
Still Waters by Lindsey P. Brackett * Cranberry Lemon Sweet Tea: Pour two cups cranberry juice into 2 quarts prepped and chilled sweet tea. Juice 1 lemon and stir together. For a fancier presentation for parties and gatherings, add frozen cranberries and lemon slices.
The Key to Love by Betsy St. Amant * Iced coffee and frappes * Homemade Mocha Frappucino homemade-mocha-frappuccino * Nutella Iced Coffee nutella-iced-coffee-recipe (includes the tip about coffee ice cubes) * Cookies & Cream Frappe cookies-cream-frappe
The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron * Swap regular bread for croissants to up your sandwich game. Especially delicious on croissants is chicken salad. Load your chicken salad down like Lindsey loves here or keep it classic for Kristy here.
Global Rescue Series by Susan May Warren * Grilling in general, but especially vegetables. For grilled corn or squash: Brush with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic pepper. Grill at 450-500 degrees for 3-4 minutes then flip and repeat.
Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof * blackberry-cobbler * Blackberry pie
The Cactus Creek Challenge by Erica Vetsch * Cinnamon sugar cookies. Jordan recommends soft-thick-snickerdoodles-in-20-minutes
Winning the Gentleman by Kristi Ann Hunter, Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter * Picnics! Simply pack up your favorite goodies in a basket, cooler, or bag and head outside. Try our your own backyard for a fun family picnic or visit a new spot. Tag us on Instagram with #literarypicnic and don't forget your books!
We hope you enjoyed this literary menu and you'll let us and Jordan know if you try out a recipe or read a recommended story! Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
Be sure to follow us on our socials @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook as we read (and eat) our way through spring. For show notes, virtual party info, and more visit aroughdraftlife.com.
As always, find us each @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
Kristi attempts to read Chapter One of her new book, Winning the Gentleman, with an English accent....
When life gets busy, how do you go about feeding yourself and your family in a way that still fulfills your personal values and desires?
This week Kristi, who doesn't cook, and Lindsey, who loves to cook, chat with Kimberly Duffy, who not only loves to cook but highly values making everything from scratch with natural ingredients.
No matter your level of cooking skills, you'll find something of use in this episode to answer the question, What's for dinner even on the busiest of days.
The need to protect, attack, and justify that seems to permeate much of our social media presence seems to have filtered into our every day lives until we become paralyzed by the weight of all the opinions in the world.
What does it mean when we share something with the world?
How do we manage expectations - of others and ourselves?
Perhaps most importantly, how do we determine whose opinions are going to drive our daily decisions?
Once again we talk Lent with Leslie Kirby DeVooght but this time Lindsey's here! We discuss what we've learned during this season and how we'll carry forward after Easter.
Follow Leslie DeVooght and read some of her flash fiction by visiting her website.
Links Mentioned * 1440 news source * NPR news podcast * Uncovering the Love of Jesus, a Lent Devotional by Asheritah Ciuciu * Previous episode about Lent with Leslie DeVooght.
Mark 12:30: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Lent is really about focused growth.--Kristi Ann Hunter
Edit Your Life Challenge What will you do with what you've learned?
Be sure to follow us on our socials @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook as we close out the Lenten season together.
For show notes, virtual gathering info, and more visit aroughdraftlife.com.
As always, find us each @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
For our spring What We're Loving episode it's clear we've both broken out of our reading slump! But we're also loving a few television series, comfy clothes for the still-working-from-home situation (truth: we've always worked from home), and practical items for organizing (but not cleaning, let's not get crazy).
Links Mentioned Lindsey loves:
- Marie Bostwick books
- side-pocket yoga pants
- The Next Right Thing Guided Journal by Emily P. Freeman
Kristi loves:
- turtle organizer for tangle-free cables
- Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson
- Thrift Books
Going to Pub Board for Spring * WandaVision * Soundtracks by Jon Acuff * A Tapestry of Light by Kimberly Duffy * Winning the Gentleman by Kristi Ann Hunter * Dust by Eva Marie Everson * The Chase on Hulu
Be sure to follow us on our socials @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook and tell us what you're loving!
For show notes, virtual party info, and more visit aroughdraftlife.com.
As always, find us each @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
Our lives are filled with chance encounters, with moments impacted by people we've never met or hardly know. How do we make the most of those moments? How to we see the people around us as potential relationships and God-inspired encounters instead of bodies we pass on our way to other duties?
Kristi, Lindsey, and special guest Eva Marie Everson discuss some of those encounters that changed our lives and how we can make the most of them and, possibly, create more.
Visit Eva Marie Everson at her Website, on Facebook, and on Instagram.
Links (and People) Mentioned in this episode:
- Anne Bogel (Modern Mrs. Darcy)
- Carol King
- Tess of the Dubervilles
- Pride and Prejudice
- Brian Bird
- Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference
- Sarah Loudin Thomas
- Jerry B. Jenkins
- Patti Callahan Henry
- Word Weavers International
Be sure to follow us on our socials @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook as we make connections together.
For show notes, virtual party info, and more visit aroughdraftlife.com. INSERT PATREON INFO.
As always, find us each @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
On the one year anniversary of a massive life change, Kristi and Lindsey reflect on how they've learned the power of mindfulness and intentional thinking during the pandemic months.
What has being forced to slow down and consider the way we think and approach things taught us and how are we moving forward in growth?
What is the history of Daylight Saving Time? Why did we do it? Why do we still have it? How can we keep it from wrecking our life?
Kristi and Lindsey discuss all that and more, including our upcoming virtual gathering with Carol Stratton, author of Deep End of the Lake.
Links Mentioned: * Farmer's Almanac History of Daylight Saving Time * Carol Stratton Virtual Launch for Deep End of the Lake on March 9, 6:30 pm EST * Tips for Coping with DST * Revisit our episode on Sleep for more discussion * Upcoming: Virtual Gathering for with Author Kimberly Duffy and friends! March 16, 7 pm EST
Edit Your Life Challenge Prepare for life's edits, even when you don't like it.
Be sure to follow us on our socials @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook as we edit our lives together. For show notes, virtual party info, and more visit aroughdraftlife.com.
As always, find us each @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
Sleep affects so much of our life and health. What are some of the small, or even large, habit changes that can improve your sleep?
Kristi and Lindsey share things they've tried, things they've heard of, and how sleep has changed for them.
Ah, the romantic comedy. A date night staple, a girls' night go-to, a sick day comfort. It's a well loved - and well mocked - genre, but which movies truly stand out?
Kristi, Lindsey, and special guest Bethany Turner, queen of RomCom knowledge and part-time Colin Firth obssessor, walk through the last four decades of RomComs. Which were the best? Which are the hidden forgotten gems?
Will Lindsey and Kristi's friendship survive a disagreement over Sweet Home Alabama?
Join us on this journey of nostalgia and laughter as we discuss the RomCom.
Find detailed show notes and links at aroughdraftlife.com.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
When seasons change, it's about more than just the weather. Sure, we've got to figure out where to store the jackets--or where to keep them handy--but we've also got to think about our lives change season to season. Whether it's winter to spring, full-house to empty nester, quarantine to regular schedule, or living by the liturgical calendar, every season of our life requires storage.
In this episode we discuss both the practical and the big picture when it comes to seasonal storage.
- how to keep your space available for use no matter the season
- taking away in order to put out
- creating space for your jackets--and your soul
Edit Your Life Challenge Identify one area of your life (practical or spiritual) that will be changing with your new season and consider how you can best create space.
Be sure to follow us on our socials @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook as we debate the winter coat dilemma or Georgia in February and so you don't miss our upcoming BONUS EPISODE this Friday with special guest Bethany Turner.
For show notes, virtual party info, and more visit aroughdraftlife.com.
As always, find us each @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
What is Lent? How should we observe it? Why does everyone suddenly serve fish sandwiches before Easter?
Depending on the type of church you grew up in or if you even grew up in church, you may not know a whole lot about lent. This chat between Kristi and Leslie will give you a grasp of the basic ideas of Lent so that you can decide how - or if - you'd like to participate in observing this spiritual season.
Need to know more about Lent? Check out this article.
Follow Leslie DeVooght and read some of her flash fiction by visiting her website.
Also, ARDL is accepting applications for a Production Intern - apply here.
You can also join our Patreon, schedule a virtual party, and see past episodes by visiting aroughdraftlife.com.
By this point, almost everyone has endured a birthday under pandemic restrictions. Has that changed how you view celebrations? Kristi and Lindsey talk about how they've revisited their idea of what it truly means to celebrate and how we can change our plans to focus on the person and not the party.
This week Lindsey and Kristi talk how we sometimes ignore the simplest of routines--like washing our face. They talk skin care tips and life and the issues that can arise from ignoring both.
Links Mentioned:
- Erase Your Face cloths
- Cetaphil soap
- Apricot scrub
- Rodan & Fields Micro-dermabrasian
Go to aroughdraftlife.com to find links to schedule your own virtual party, join the patreon, and more.
Lindsey and Kristi are always looking for things that help make their tomorrows better. In this episode they each share a few of the things they've enjoyed over the last three months.
Kristi Recommends
- @sharonsaysso on Instagram for practical (and funny) government knowledge
- therapy because it's always good to process
- a daily walk--and because Kristi finds walking boring she has a daily "walk and talk" on Instagram stories that helps keep her accountable
Lindsey Recommends
- her new cellphone ring holder (she ordered this 4 pack)
- blue light reading glasses (Lindsey's came from Walmart but these are similar)
- Instant Pot Bible for great IP recipes bc googling on the phone is hard even with a new ring holder
We're sending some things to our own version of Pub Board (which is when a writer's manuscript is up for review by all the people at a publishing house). These are stories both written and visual that we really love right now:
- Bridgerton (did you hear our bonus episode??)
- Runaway Bride (and other 90s favorites for throwback movie time with family)
- Pudge and Prejudice (YA retelling by AK Pittman)
- Becky Wade Bradford Sisters Series
Tell us what you're loving this winter and what all is helping you make tomorrow better than today.
Be sure to follow us on our socials @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook as we let it go into the new year! We're planning a LIVE EPISODE and want to hear from you--what should we discuss?
As always, find us each @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
Have you watched the new Netflix series Bridgerton? Get Kristi and Lindsey's perspective on it as writers, as Christian women, as moms, and as fans of the Regency era.
We discuss how the show compares to the book, how we feel about the casting, costumes, and cinematography, and how much human nature can be seen in the depths of this entertaining story.
And look! We've got a Patreon now: https://www.patreon.com/aroughdraftlife
Sometimes life doesn't happen the way you plan and sometimes your plan doesn't work out the way you hoped. Such is the case with this week's episode. Lindsey and Kristi attempted to record before the virtual school day last week and the results were... not up to standard.
There was something really big and important we wanted you to know though, a gift from us to you later this week.
To find out more listen to this week's tiny non-episode.
Such a delight to welcome bestselling author Katherine Reay to the podcast today! We chat everything from books to running to kitchen fails and offer up some practical tips for editing your life to include a healthy habit or two.
Meet Katherine
Katherine Reay is a national bestselling and award-winning author of several novels, including DEAR MR KNIGHTLEY, THE PRINTED LETTER BOOKSHOP and her latest, OF LITERATURE AND LATTES. She has enjoyed a lifelong affair with books and brings that love to her contemporary character-driven and literary-rich stories. Katherine’s has also written one full-length nonfiction work, AWFUL BEAUTIFUL LIFE. She holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University and, after seventeen moves, lives outside Chicago, IL.
Links Mentioned
- Vinegar Chicken with Crushed Olive Dressing
- On Writing by Stephen King
- Couch to 5K (if you want a program)
- Buy Katherine's books
- Katherine on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
And don't forget that you can now have A Rough Draft Life host your virtual celebration!
Click here for more details.
Welcome to the first episode of 2021! Lindsey and Kristi discuss what they want to let go as we head into a new year, and offer some practical solutions for starting new habits.
What can you let go in 2021? * looking for a quick fix (Lindsey) * chore control (Kristi) * ruled by numbers (Kristi) * people's opinions (both) * HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA (both, note: we aren't in HS) * not front loading/reacting instead of acting (Lindsey)
Edit Your Life Ideas * use mini-deadlines to get the stuff done * have check-in points with an accountability partner (Kristi's is the delightful Regina Jennings who gave great advice one of our first episodes last year!) * establish boundaries such as non-work days/hours * makes a yes/no list for the year or season
Links Mentioned * Superchick High School * Regina Jennings
Join the Community
Be sure to follow us on our socials @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook as we let it go into the new year! We're planning a LIVE EPISODE and want to hear from you--what should we discuss?
As always, find us each @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
How much do you know - we mean really know - about the first Christmas? Was there a donkey? Was it on December 25? How many wise men were there? Let's find out.
Questions Discussed in this Episode: Were Mary and Joseph living together?
How pregnant was Mary?
Did Mary ride a donkey?
Why did the innkeeper not let them in?
Did Mary give birth alone?
Is Christmas really on December 25?
What about the shepherds?
Were the Wise Men/Magi kings? Did they come on Christmas Day? How many were there?
What about the Christmas Star? Was it over the stable?
Links Mentioned: Willow Tree Nativity
Liturgical Calendar
Advent
Air BnB
When Jesus Was Really Born
In today's episode we chat with bestselling author, Elizabeth Musser, about her family's unique Christmas traditions, influenced by decades spent living abroad in Lyon, France. We'll discuss how 2020 is shaping our perspective on traditions and hopefully inspire you to try some new ones this year!
Meet Elizabeth ELIZABETH MUSSER writes ‘entertainment with a soul’ from her writing chalet—tool shed—outside Lyon, France. Elizabeth’s highly acclaimed, best-selling novel, The Swan House, was named one of Amazon’s Top Christian Books of the Year and one of Georgia’s Top Ten Novels of the Past 100 Years (Georgia Backroads). All of Elizabeth’s novels have been translated into multiple languages and have been international best-sellers. Two Destinies, the final novel in The Secrets of the Cross trilogy, was a finalist for the 2013 Christy Award. The Long Highway Home was a finalist for the 2018 Carol Awards. Elizabeth’s newest novel, The Promised Land, released in November, 2020.
Elizabeth says, I love faith, family, friends, France, photos, flowers, and penning fiction. (I'm also pretty fond of alliteration.)
For over thirty years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions’ work in Europe with One Collective, formerly International Teams. The Mussers have two sons, a daughter-in-law and four grandchildren. Find more about Elizabeth’s novels at www.elizabethmusser.com and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and her blog.
Links for Christmas Traditions Mentioned * Christmas Traditions in France * Advent (Church Liturgical Calendar) * Almond Tarts * Santons * buche
Find other fun Christmas ideas and holiday survival tips on our Pinterest boards!
Elizabeth kindly shared these pictures of her nativity set with all its Santons. Be sure to follow her on Facebook or Instagram for more glimpses into a French-inspired Christmas that's all about Jesus.
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? Are you celebrating any differently this year?
Edit Your Life with Us Be sure to follow us on our socials @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook as we share our own Christmas traditions as well as how we're surviving the holiday family dynamics, scheduling, and gifting.
As always, find us @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
Join us as we discuss the hard topic of family dynamics in the holiday season. No matter if you're together in person or on Zoom, there's bound to be some family tension surrounding your holidays. So how do you survive--and thrive--when everyone doesn't share all the same opinions or emotions or preference for cranberry sauce??
One of our best tools for figuring out how to handle family dynamics is the Enneagram. Some of our favorite resources for using the Enneagram as a tool to understand people's motivations:
- The Art of Growth
- @enneagramandcoffee on Instagram (Sarah Jane Case)
- this article on flourishing during the holidays
Edit Your Life With Us Name your absolutes for the holiday season and commit to walking away when the family dynamic might be too much.
Maybe your absolute is ...
- time together
- maintaining family ties
- one good meal
- opportunity to see extended family
- safe gathering
These don't have to be big, but they are the motivators you have for keeping the family dynamic from melting down if someone brings up the three Ps: politics, pandemic, pumpkin pie.
If you don't think pie is controversial, Lindsey invites you to her family Thanksgiving.
When in doubt, you can always play this.
We are thankful for our listeners! Be sure to follow us on our socials @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook as we share our own Christmas traditions as well as how we're surviving the holiday family dynamics, scheduling, and gifting.
As always, find us @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
Ah, gifts. They can be one of the most joyous and stressful part of the holidays.
Do you shop early like Kristi or last minute like Lindsey? (We suggest avoiding last minute to avoid a little stress.)
How do you decide who goes on the list? (Hint: Just say no works on this as well.)
Once you have that list, how do find a gift that fits the budget and the recipient? (Think a little bit outside the gift box.)
We discuss all things gift planning related as well as why books make the best gifts and our ongoing Most Annoying Christmas Song voting bracket on Instagram.
Come enjoy the fun!
There's no question your 2020 holiday schedule will look different than it normally does. Kristi and Lindsey discuss how you can use that to your advantage to make next year even better and how you can make this year awesome in the meantime.
Brought to you from our make-it-work basement offices where Lindsey is launching a new book. Magnolia Mistletoe is available everywhere in print and ebook November 10!
You can celebrate with us and fellow author, Elizabeth Musser, at the live launch party on Facebook.
Holiday schedules are tough. That's why we're here to help you PRIORITIZE, PLAN, and PONDER how you can keep from being a Schedule Scrooge. To keep us all from being Scrooges, be sure to follow us on Instagram for some fun stories next week!
Episode Highlights PRIORITIZE Decide what you most desire out of the holiday season. If relaxed meals are your priority, spread out the travel. If everyone on Thanksgiving is your priority, spread out your meal with dessert here, brunch here, etc. Forget everything that doesn't align with your priority.
PLAN You need time to rest and maintain your routine. Keep in touch with normalcy by marking off days on your calendar. Protect your rest. If you can't do full days, find moments like meals or bed times or something like that.
PONDER When the season is over, decide what you want to keep for next year. Put EVERYTHING on the table. You don't have to eat turkey. Kristi's family is okay with everything changing as long as her mom makes dressing.
Edit Your Life Challenge
Determine your priority and put it somewhere you can see it and remember it.
Tell us how you're making life up as you go along by following @aroughdraftlife on Instagram and Facebook. As always, find us individually @lindseypbrackett and @kristiannhunter on Instagram or Facebook. Find out more about Lindsey’s and Kristi’s books on their websites, lindseypbrackett.com and kristiannhunter.com.
If you enjoy A Rough Draft Life please share with a friend and/or leave a review.
How do you find a way to give your thoughts and emotions a little rest? In these stressful, noisy times, how do you find little moments to escape? We discuss the power of books, drives, walks, and mental jaunts to our happy place (Kristi apparently doesn't have one).
Welcome guest Teresa Tysinger as we discuss the power of escaping.
Lindsey and Kristi wanted to share all the wonderful things they've been loving for the past few months. Books. Music. Food. Gadgets. Podcasts. Get a rundown of our current fave things and hear a two big new announcements.
Lindsey and Kristi have spent the past ten weeks looking at the Fruits of the Spirit, seeing how interdependent they are, and facing the struggles they have living them out in their own lives.
In this episode they recap what they learned, discuss what a litmus test is, and say the word "exactly" a lot.
There may even be t-shirts.
In many ways goodness is the outward manifestation of all the other fruits working inside your heart. But how do we help it along? How do we recognize it?
Let's talk about the last of our fruits of the Spirit, goodness.
We often think gentleness means being meek and mild. Kristi and Lindsey discuss why that's far from true as we look at past uses of the word and a different way of executing gentleness.
Rachel McMillan joins Lindsey and Kristi to discuss how our definitions of peace have changed during the pandemic, how we're learning to find it, and how Rachel's travel book that didn't do well and her WWII novel that's doing amazing have given her a new understanding of finding peace in knowing herself and God.
Faithfulness. It's something profoundly connected to God but much more difficult to see manifested in the fallible humans around us. How can we find faithfulness when it feels like there's none to be had? How do we ensure that we ourselves are working towards faithfulness?
How long will Kristi let Lindsey ramble?
All these answers and more in this week's episode.
Patience. We often think of it as the ability to wait but what if we considered it something active that we could do while we wait? Kristi and Lindsey discuss where they are finding patience difficult, where they are using impatience to their advantage, and Christmas.
Yes. Christmas in September because it's 2020 so why not?
https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
Kristi and Lindsey discuss the all important love with guest Toni Shiloh. Riveting moments include Toni's method of declaring love to Joe Schmoe, Kristi's ability to make up stories about total strangers, and Lindsey's obsession with Wal-mart parking spaces.
https://aroughdraftlife.com/
https://tonishiloh.com/
What is kindness? What do we need to be kind? Does being kind include how we treat ourselves? Is the Golden Rule found in the Bible?
All of these important questions and more are addressed in this week's episode.
Joy is not happiness. It is a truth you can stand on that knows there's something better, something good, even in moments of sadness and distress. How do we hold on to that joy in a world that seems determined to strip it out?
https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
We often think of self control as something that happens in the moment but what if there's something more we can do to set us up for a win?
https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
Welcome to Season 2!
We're starting off with a series looking at each individual fruit of the Spirit. In the introduction we talk about why we're doing this series and establish where we are coming from as we enter this discussion.
And because Kristi and Lindsey can't seem to stay on track, we may also discuss hand sanitizer caddies, new books, and Hamilton.
https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
Two different rivers. Two different trips. Two different experiences. Same life lesson.
Listen to Kristi and Lindsey discuss handling rapids in a kayak, taking on water, and how to deal with life when it doesn't meet your expectations.
https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
Lindsey has done a lot of cooking, but she's never grilled a steak. Why hasn't she grilled a steak? Will the steak ever actually get cooked? Will her 8 year old son turn the episode into an application for his own Food Network show?
Take a listen and find out.
Show notes and more can be found at https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
Ah, 80s movies. So iconic. So distinct. So... unseen? Since Kristi and Lindsey were both young kids in the 80s there are several movies from that era that they never saw, including the Molly Ringwald classic, Pretty In Pink.
How did we feel watching this movie for the first time as 40-year-old women more than 30 years after it was made? We'll discuss that along with why we think this movie and others like it were so important.
Get more show notes at https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/.
Bucket Lists don't have to be made up of huge things. Sometimes there are little experiences that we have managed to miss or, in some cases, avoid for years. This summer Lindsey and Kristi are tackling a few of those, starting with something Kristi has never eaten.
Sushi.
Find out why she's avoided it, how the experience goes, and what she learns from it in this episode.
Further show notes can be found at https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/.
We apologize for the slight droning sound you hear in the background occasionally. We recorded these together at Lindsey's house and her new air conditioner is noisier than we realized.
At least she's no longer sweating.
As things start opening up and we choose how and when to start moving about again or how to stay in a make summer fun and memorable, navigating that transition can be difficult.
When life changes, we have the opportunity to do a little reflection, a little self-discovery, a little self-improvement. That can make transition periods emotionally as well as logistically difficult.
See more at https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
We are thrilled to talk with Neena Gaynor to wrap up our series with debut authors. Her book, The Bird and The Bees, is available now! Join us as we talk about beekeeping, simple living, and a ridiculous amount of moving. Does real-life bleed into her book? What appeals to her about writing? And what does a professional baseball player do after they retire?
https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
Want to know Janine's favorite boy band song? Hear the most complicated way to play the old game MASH? Discuss road trips, quarantine life changes, and of course, the new book This Wandering Heart?
You are in the right place.
https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
She's a teacher, a professor, and the author of a new book with a unique look at the Proverbs 31 woman. Lauren Crews, Strength of a Woman.
https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
People everywhere are missing out on once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. We're taking four weeks to celebrate four debut authors. This week is Kimberly Duffy, author of A Mosaic of Wings.
https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
There is still joy to be found in the midst of life's tragedies. What are some moments of fun you've had this past month? Join our Instagram photo challenge for more fun!
http://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed
This week we're encouraging you to pause and remember the importance of the coming days.
Show notes at http://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed
There are so many feelings right now. Up, down, sideways, changing from one minute to the next. How do we manage them?
Show notes and links: https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
Community is essential and in some ways harder than ever right now. Our thoughts, our struggles, and our advice, such as it is.
Notes and links at https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
Kristi and Lindsey know how easy it is to get caught up in the spiral of overthinking. What are the dangers of that and how do we stop?
Show notes and links: https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
A high self-worth is more important than high self-esteem, but how do you get it?
Edit your life: Find something that can remind you through the days that you have value and importance. Then share it with us!
Notes and links: https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
New facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/239699990530894/
Exploring the idea that it's okay to practice and that practice is valuable.
Show notes, challenge, and links: https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed
"You, as much as anyone else in the universe, deserve your love and affection." ~ Someone who wasn't Buddha
What is real self-care? Is self-care selfish? How do we love ourselves?
Edit your life: Choose an area of your life in which you are neglecting yourself and make a new plan.
Show notes and links at https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
"Age is a very high price to pay for maturity." ~ Tom Stoppard
Lindsey is turning 40. Kristi will be soon. They're both a little freaked out about it.
Edit your life - reframe an approaching negative milestone as something positive
Show notes: https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
"A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers." ~ Ruth Bell Graham
Although we don't talk about the quote much because we're too busy interviewing our husbands.
Edit your life: Tell your loved ones how special they are to you this Valentine's Day.
Links and show notes at https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
Confidence isn’t walking into a room thinking you are better than everyone, it’s walking in not having to compare yourself to anyone at all. ~unknown
Edit your life challenge: Share something you are confident in your ability to do. Tag us! We'd love to celebrate you.
Links and show notes: https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
"A goal without a plan is just a wish." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
This week Lindsey and Kristi sit down with Christian Historical Romance author Regina Jennings to discuss goal-setting and staying on track.
Edit your life challenge: Pick one goal and break it down into steps to form a plan.
Show notes and more links: https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
Kristi and Lindsey discuss their early career expectations, Ephesians 3, and how their outlook has shifted over the years.
Edit your life challenge: Identify something you are holding to a high expectation. Consider if you need to let this go.
Remember, God has different picture of what a full life is.
See full show notes and links at https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." ~ Albert Einstein
Do you agree with this quote?
Edit your life challenge: Identify a small change in your life that will give you more control.
More show notes, contact details, and link at https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/
"Beginning well is a momentary thing; finishing well is a lifelong thing."
~Ravi Zacharias
Edit your life challenge: Edit your attitude to allow yourself to be a beginner.
See more at https://aroughdraftlife.com/blog-feed/