![15 Of My Favorite Books I Read In 2024 [Episode 340]](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts126/v4/39/a3/97/39a397b6-616f-7f3d-bda7-5dce73c376d9/mza_15054899724834148257.png/250x250bb.jpg)
Episoder
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Today Iām sharing a delightful conversation that I had with Erin Loechner author of, āThe Opt Out Family.ā Erin and I dive into what it really means to create a low-tech family life and explore practical ways to reduce technologyās grip on your home while cultivating richer, more meaningful alternatives that both parents and children genuinely enjoy. This is longer than my usual episodes, but the conversation was just too good to cut anything out!
In this conversation, Erin shares:
Her journey from social media influencer to intentionally stepping away from screens
Simple ways to bring her family motto to life in your home
Practical ideas for discovering what truly delights your children
How to earn your childrenās trust and respect in a digital world
What it looks like to opt INTO wonder, creativity, and human connection
I hope this episode gives you plenty to think about as you consider technologyās role in your family life. If reducing technology use in your life is something youāre considering, I have a free gift for you! My Technology Fast Workbook guides you through a 30-day break from technology. Youāll create your own personal rules, set up your environment for success, and learn how to reflect on the experience to make lasting changes. This isnāt just a temporary challenge - itās a way to become truly intentional about technologyās place in your family and discover what matters more!
Get it HERE.
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The transition from quarter 1 to quarter 2 here from March to April is one of my absolute favorites because weāre not coming off major holidays, our routines are set for the next little while, school schedules are still flowing, and the weatherās warming up! Itās such a perfect time to reset in a couple of different ways.
In this episode Iāll walk you through:
A complete RESET framework for reviewing your vision for the year
How Iām decluttering my digital life ā including my email inbox, phone apps, and Google Drive folders
My approach to physical spaces now that I realize my home should work, even when Iām not my best
Iām sharing all my real-time discoveries about whatās actually working in my life right now ā practical tips you can implement even during busy seasons. Youāll hear exactly how Iām setting up systems that donāt require me to be at full capacity to maintain a peaceful home.
This isnāt perfection ā itās about taking these little windows of opportunity to make tiny changes that create big results over time.
Ready to make progress on your own reset? Click HERE to grab a checklist of everything weāre covering so you can start making progress right away!
Resources
Thriving in Motherhood Planner: https://pages.thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/wyw-page-5620
Technology Fast Workbook: https://pages.thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/technology-fast
Create Your Vision Workbook and Mini-Course: https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/vision/
Episode 218: How to Start a Prayer Journal https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/starting-a-prayer-journal-episode-218/
Tiago Forte Email System: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXdEVeoGRRc&t=287s&ab_channel=TiagoForte
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Are you feeling overwhelmed by complicated clearing systems and endless to-do lists? In this episode, Iām sharing our familyās journey from complete survival mode (where we abandoned all cleaning systems) to creating simple, sustainable routines that keep our home relatively clean without exhausting my limited pregnancy energy.
Iāll walk you through:
How to identify YOUR daily cleaning priorities based on your familyās actual pain points
Our āconfiscate and cleanā strategy thatās transforming our tidying habits
Why weāre tackling deep cleaning with music and turning it into a family activity
How just 20-30 minutes of focused cleaning each morning is creating dramatic results
This isnāt about perfect Pinterest-worthy spaces or following someone elseās complicated checklist. Itās about figuring out what matters most to YOU, making it easy to maintain, and celebrating the progress that comes from consistent simple actions.
Whether youāre pregnant like me, in a busy season with young children, or just tired of the clean-then-crash cycle, this episode offers practical inspiration for creating cleaning systems that actually work for your real life.
Ready to move from surviving to thriving? Grab my FREE 5-Step Path from Surviving to Thriving checklist HERE to help your figure out where youāre at and where to focus your time and energy.
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Do you ever find yourself responding to your children in ways that donāt align with the parent you want to be? As I navigate through pregnancy with our fifth child while homeschooling through Georgiaās cold winter days, Iāve found myself struggling with patience and tone - especially when cabin fever sets in.
In this weeks episode, I open up about:
One parenting skill Iām trying to master right now. How a moment of frustration with one of my kids led to an unexpected heart-to-heart. The simple, yet profound principles of maintaining respect even when kids make bad choices. Why this approach encapsulates so much of what Iāve learned from countless parenting books.Iām not sharing this as someone whoās mastered respectful parenting - far from it! This is my real-time journey of growth alongside my children, inspired by divine guidance when I needed it most.
For those feeling stuck in reactive patterns or discouraged by family tensions, this episode offers a gentle reminder that parenting provides endless opportunities to grow beyond our automatic responses.
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Do you ever feel like your best isnāt cutting it? Like no matter how hard you try, you canāt keep up with what it takes to run your household?
I hit this wall recently in my fifth pregnancy. Despite giving it my all, I couldnāt maintain the peace and systems I was used to. But through this struggle, I discovered something important about the standards we set for our homes.
In this episode, Iām sharing:
Why linking household management to family peace is a flawed mindset
How to shift from feeling stuck to finding solutions
The reality check about ānormalā capacity versus survival mode
Why this challenging season has become an unexpected gift
A new way to think about our household standards
Whether youāre in a survival season or just feeling overwhelmed by your current systems, this conversation might help you move from despair to hope.
If youāre struggling to figure out how to do the things you need and want to do, I have a free training for you. Head to thrivinginmotherhood.com for the Plan a Week You Can Win workshop.
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I wanted to give a personal update today - I haven't shared much about what's been happening behind the scenes with the podcast and my own life, and there's a lot to tell.
Our fifth baby is on the way (I'm about 17 weeks), and while this pregnancy has brought some unexpected challenges, we're so excited. I've been mostly horizontal these past months, but that hasn't stopped our family from dreaming and doing. The kids have been incredible - helping with everything from digging out tree stumps to managing our new two-tier garden.
In this episode, I'm sharing:
The projects we tackled this past year (including a rock climbing wall and that garden story!)
Our vision for transforming our yard into an edible landscape
How homeschooling has clicked in a whole new way
What's really happening with the podcast while I'm learning to work from bed
Why I'm finding more joy in home life than ever before
For those who've been around a while and feel like we're friends (some of us are!), this one's for you.
P.S. The beta group for the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit opens next week to just 10 people. Join the waitlist at thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/toolkit.
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In this weekās episode let's discuss problem solving and how it applies to motherhood. We'll get super practical with my new S.O.L.V.E. framework to help you get practical and apply this powerful principle today.
Be part of our beta group of the surviving to thriving toolkit. Join at: thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/toolkit
We are only taking 10 members for this first group. This beta launch includes exclusive coaching access so donāt wait to sign up!
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When I started Alveary this year, I was drawn to their modern take on Charlotte Mason education. Now after completing our first term, Iāve discovered both unexpected joys and real challenges that surprised me.
In this episode, Iām sharing the complete picture - from the resource thatās brought more joy to our family than I expected, to the hidden costs I wish Iād known about, to whatās actually involved in implementing this curriculum.
Whether youāre considering Alveary or just curious about Charlotte Mason education, this honest review will help you understand what this curriculum looks like in a real home.
You can learn more about the Alveary here: https://lddy.no/1jdpq
Use the code JJACKSON to get $25 off your membership!
And a quick update: The first run of the Surviving to Thriving Toolkit opens next week! Weāre only accepting 10 people into the beta group. If you want to hear about it, make sure you've signed up on the waitlist so you will get the emails! https://thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/toolkit/
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During our January technology fast, I've been diving into some books that are shifting how I think about life beyond screens. Today, I want to share four powerful reads that are helping me envision what I want my days to look like instead of defaulting to technology.
Here are the books that are transforming my perspective:
The Opt-Out Family by Aon Lochner - Through a series of essays, she shows how one family helped their children observe and understand technology's impact
Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke - Understanding the science of pleasure and pain in our high-dopamine world
For the Family's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay - A beautiful perspective on creating home and family culture (written before smartphones took over)
Habits of a Sacred Home by Jennifer Pitts - Using historical examples to help us think about living out our values
Whether you're in the middle of your own tech fast, thinking about starting one, or just wanting to be more intentional with your technology use, these books offer both inspiration and practical steps for creating the family culture you want.
Remember, a 30-day technology fast isn't just about taking a break - it's about resetting habits and creating new desires. Sometimes things just naturally fall away after that break. Other times, we develop new pleasures, like enjoying bedtime without our phones. Either way, the results are remarkable!
Want help starting your own tech fast? You can find the workbook at thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/techfast.
Need help creating a vision for your life in 2025? Check out the Create Your Vision Mini Course HERE.
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Iāve done technology fasts in previous years when my life was more stable - when I was in the thriving stage or at least normalized. This year is different. Iām in full-blown survival mode, and itās making me see this practice in a whole new way.
In this weekās episode, Iām walking through a tech fast looks different depending on where you are on the five-step path:
Survival Mode: When willpower isnāt enough, your environment matters more than ever. I share what Iām learning during this season of being mostly in bed - from catching up on my kidsā book recommendations to what happens when we move key tools closer to where we actually are.
Re-entry: This step on the path pairs beautifully with a tech fast. Without digital distractions splitting your attention, that frantic re-entry energy calms down. You can focus on the next right thing with more peace and momentum.
Normalizing: This is the perfect time to dig into your Thriving in Motherhood planner and set up your systems. With added mental bandwidth, you can actually execute your quarterly, monthly, and weekly goals.
Exploring: This is the most fun phase during a technology fast. The world becomes your oyster - from playing an instrument to painting, to volunteering, to trying new things. After you spend time in exploration, youāll have rich data about what you love, and what youāll never do again.
Thriving: This is where the real work begins. Youāve laid a foundation up to this point, and now you can get clear about your vision for your life. Itās where you build unique systems that arenāt just about home management but are tailored to the life you want to live - one thatās truly fulfilling, rich, and beautiful. Imagine what you could do with those hours you reclaim from your technology.
Whether youāre in survival mode or any other stage, a tech fast can meet you exactly where you are.
Want help getting started? You can find my Technology Fast Workbook HERE.
And, if youāre looking to create a life you love during 2025 check out the Create Your Vision Mini Course HERE.
Iām looking forward to hearing what phase resonates most with you!
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What would it take to feel truly satisfied? Thomas Aquinas suggests weād need to experience everything - every restaurant, every country, every possibility. But since thatās impossible, what do we do with our constant desire for more?
In this episode, Iām exploring this tension between desires and contentment, especially as it relates to motherhood and creating our vision for the year.
I share:
Why understanding our infinite capacity for wanting more can actually be liberating
The balance between setting big goals and finding peace where we are
How the āloaves and fishesā principle changed my approach during a recent survival season
Why turning off outside influences (through a technology fast) can help us hear what we truly need
Whether youāre in a season of big dreams or just trying to make it through each day, this conversation about wants, contentment, and vision-creating might shift how you think about your own desires.
If you want to join me on my 30-day technology fast you can get the workbook I created with step-by-step guidance HERE.
If you want help creating your vision for 2025, grab the Create Your Vision Mini Course HERE.
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As we wrap up another year, Iāve noticed my technology use creeping up. Maybe youāre feeling it too - more scrolling, more shows, more social media. Itās easy to fall into, especially during the holidays. That is why in January, I like to combine two practices that set up my entire year for success: a technology reset and creating my vision for the new year.
Hereās why this matters: When weāre constantly connected, our brains donāt have the space to think deeply or receive new ideas. Whether youāre in survival mode, overwhelmed by your house, or trying to figure out how to make time for the things you want to do - reducing technology use can make a significant difference. Iāve been amazed how after just one week, my mind feels sharper and more focused - itās like rediscovering how your brain is meant to work.
What does a technology reset look like? Itās different for everyone, but here are some key steps:
Start with your āwhyā - Get clear about your reasons for doing this
Write your yes and no list - What are your personal rules?
Set clear dates - I recommend a full 30 days
Create an environment that supports your goals
This isnāt about perfection or permanently giving up technology. Itās about creating the space to think clearly, connect meaningfully, and set intentions for your year ahead.
If youād like to join me in January, Iāll be sharing weekly encouragement and practical tips throughout the podcast. Whether you decide to go all in or create modified rules that work for your life, the key is to make them clear and doable for you.
Want to pair this with creating your vision for 2025? You can find the Create Your Vision Mini Course at thrivinginmotherhood.com/vision.
I hope this will help you start 2025 with clarity and intention.
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If you want a better present, you need a bigger future. This principle from Victor Franklās āManās Search For Meaningā has been proven in positive psychology - to truly thrive in your present, you need something youāre working toward. I came across this years ago when I had two little kids at home and felt aimless, with days dragging on. Thatās when I started developing my yearly vision practice, and itās become the single most transformative tool in my journey from surviving to thriving.
In this week's episode, Iām walking you through the five steps of creating your vision for 2025 using the CREATE framework:
Capture what happened (by reviewing the previous year)
Rewrite your story (shifting from default negative stories to empowering ones)
Envision the year (exploring possibilities in all areas of life)
Assess your roles and foundation (who do you want to be in each role?)
Think long-term and evaluate priorities (where are you heading?)
Whether youāre deep in survival mode and can barely think beyond today, or youāre ready to dream big for your familyās future, this framework will meet you exactly where you are. Your vision might be crystal clear or totally fuzzy right now - but either one is a perfect starting point.
If youād like to work through this with me, you can find the Create Your Vision Mini Course and workbook at thrivinginmotherhood.com/vision. These principles are also built into the 2025 Thriving in Motherhood Planner, but they work in any planning system you already love.
I truly believe this practice can help you move from just surviving your days to finding more joy and purpose in motherhood. It has for me.
Weāll also be working through this together in the Thriving in Motherhood Collective if youād like some community support along the way! You can join that HERE.
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When I was pregnant with my fourth baby, I learned something fascinating about labor ā in between contractions, our bodies release oxytocin, flooding us with feel-good hormones. This completely changed my birth experience because I started focusing on these moments of relief instead of just anticipating the next contraction.
This principle, when we choose to magnify applies to every season of motherhood. Whether youāre navigating toddler tantrums, teenage conversations, pregnancy challenges, or relationship struggles, we can choose what we focus on.
In this episode, I dive into:
Why our brains naturally focus on the negative
How magnifying the hard moments can seep into our relationships
The difference between acknowledging difficult seasons and letting them consume us
Practical ways to start noticing and appreciating the good moments
How to train your brain to look for whatās going well
Whether youāre in the trenches of morning sickness, managing strong-willed toddlers, or navigating big kid challenges, the conversation will help you find more joy in your days without denying the hard parts.
And, donāt forget to grab the free five-step path from surviving to thriving checklist to help you identify where you are on the path and what you can do
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I read close to 100 books in 2024, and I'm excited to share my favorite book recommendations across different genres! From classic books to literary fiction, I've curated selections that align with my reading goals and support a positive motherhood mindset. Join me for this comprehensive book review that will inspire your next great read!
Children's Literature
The Penderwicks: https://amzn.to/49joJrb
National Parks Mystery Series: https://amzn.to/49hS9WQ
Ruby Holler: https://amzn.to/3ZgakYv
Classic Literature
Adam Bede: https://amzn.to/3B8YWW7
Middlemarch: https://amzn.to/4gbVqt5
Biography/Memoir
Romney A Reckoning: https://amzn.to/49jvHfO
Farewell To Manzanar: https://amzn.to/49fRRjk
Self Help
I Will Teach You To Be Rich: https://amzn.to/3ZxVnSY
Find Your People: https://amzn.to/3ZyrUbx
The Miracle Morning: https://amzn.to/3VikZkc
10x is Easier Than 2x: https://amzn.to/41eZTXv
Choose Your Story, Change Your Life: https://amzn.to/3Oxta8v
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: https://amzn.to/49eUTUM
Let it Go: https://amzn.to/3BheOG3
The Body Keeps Score: https://amzn.to/4ijcrU7
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As a mom, I know exactly who I want to become. I also know thereās a gap between that vision and my current reality - in my character, my behavior, and my actions.
To help close this gap, Iāve created something thatās become one of my favorite tools this year: a personal life philosophy. But donāt let the fancy name fool you - itās simply a collection of your best ideas, thoughts, and inspiration that help you specifically in your journey of becoming who you want to be.
In this weekās episode, weāre diving into what a personal life philosophy is and why each of us needs one. Iāll share how it helps me in my quest to become who I want to be, plus practical tips for actually using it (because we all know how easy it is to create something and never look at it again).
Iām excited to walk you through:
A simple but effective way to organize your most important guiding principles
How to create a spot for weekly (or even daily) reminders of how you want to navigate life
Practical examples of how this tool has transformed my own motherhood journey
Different ways to implement this system, whether you prefer paper planning or digital tools
This year, Iāve included a special personal life philosophy section in the Thriving in Motherhood Planner. But if you prefer digital, Iāll show you how to use this system in Notion (with a free template and tutorial!)
Sometimes in motherhood, especially during busy seasons like the holidays, it feels like there is no space for personal growth. But this is something you can do in just 20 minutes, right within the walls of your own home. Itās a simple way to reclaim a bit of yourself and make progress on something that really matters.
Ready to start closing the gap between who you are and who you want to become? Tune in to this weekās episode, and letās create your personal life philosophy together!
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Ever been part of a book club that fizzled out after a few months? Or maybe youāve wanted to start one but werenāt sure how to make it stick? This weekās episode is for you!
Iām talking about what makes a book club truly work with Madeline Casey, who, along with Phoebe Cook, started the book club Iāve been part of for four years (and still love!).
In this episode, weāll talk about:
Choosing books that people want to read
Creating a format that keeps the discussion flowing
Handling different beliefs and perspectives with grace
Building an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing
Managing the practical stuff (hosting, leading discussions, etc.)
Plus, weāre sharing our favorite books over the last four years!
Looking to start a book club that becomes the highlight of your month? This episode walks you through exactly how to make that happen.
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This fall has been a very busy season for our family where we are stuck tackling things that are urgent. While it has been exhausting and at times felt like survival mode (some days have been 100% survival mode), I have learned some powerful lessons that are changing how I approach my days that I discuss in this weekās episode.
Iāve found myself living on razor-thin margins lately - where thereās just enough capacity for the scheduled things, but anything else feels impossible. Throughout this season, Iāve been learning some important lessons about how to make things work better, even when weāre at capacity:
How a simple whiteboard is changing our family communication and getting everyone moving in the same direction
What happened when I started letting my family help instead of running faster and faster by myself
Why acknowledging our limitations (and communicating them to our kids) actually makes everything easier
The mindset shift thatās helping me recognize Iām more capable than I think
How simplifying and creating systems is slowly giving us more breathing room
All these lessons from our busy season are becoming part of something bigger - The Surviving to Thriving Toolkit.
After years of hearing, āI found your podcast - where do I start?ā, I realize that all roads point to this toolkit. It will walk you through each stage of the journey from surviving to thriving, with real, practical help for wherever you are right now.
Iām also including a Family Systems Playbook with video walkthroughs of how we actually make things work in our home. Not because itās the only way or even the best way, but because having a starting point can make such a difference when youāre trying to figure things out for your own family.
Right now Iām working on Win Your Week Academy (the Thriving phase) and in January Iāll start building out the other modules. Iām hoping to release the full toolkit in early 2025. If you want to be the first to know when itās ready, you can join the waitlist at: thrivinginmotherhoodpodcast.com/toolkit.
I hope this episode helps you pause and think about where you are in your own life. Whether itās hard, fast-paced, slow, or busy, thereās always something we can learn to move us forward.
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Iāve been getting questions after the focus on how to merge effective mom planning with planning with your spouse. Andrew and I sat down after we tucked the kids into bed this week and talked about what planning looks like for us in our marriage which I hope will inspire you.
But first, letās get some misconceptions out of the way:
Misconception #1: We Plan the Same Way
Nope! Andrew has his own style of planning that works for his work schedule and keeping his priorities in check.
Misconception #2: We are good at weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual planning together.
Also, no. We are pretty great at weekly planning (we rarely skip). We are good at doing annual reviews together. Anything beyond that is superb, but we really havenāt been consistent over the last 13 years of marriage. I hope that encourages you. You only need to be pretty good at one thing to have a huge impact in your marriage and family life.
Misconception #3: We follow a clear checklist and itās the same every time.
Negative. We have fine-tuned what we cover and we adjust it based on how much time and energy we have and how unusual the week is.
In this weekās podcast episode, weāre pulling back the curtain on our real-life planning process.
Youāll discover:
The story of how our weekly planning tradition began
What actually makes it into our shared planning agenda
Our individual prep work (and how much we actually share)
A peek into our typical planning session
Why these weekly check-ins matter (and what happens when we skip them)
Whether youāre just starting out or looking to refresh your approach to planning with your spouse, I think youāll find something helpful in this episode.
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Have you ever felt the need to speed up your childās life? Like itās some kind of race to cram in everything they need before they turn 18? Todayās conversation with Leslie Martino challenged my thinking about this in the best possible way.
Leslie has four kids (14, 12, and 10-year-old twins), and she shared something that hit home: older kids deserve a slow childhood too. We often talk about peaceful, slow living for little ones, but somewhere along the way, we forget that older kids are still kids.
In this weekās episode, we talked about some practical aspects of slow living with older kids like:
How to say no to the right things
Finding a community with like-minded families
Managing the balance between activities and home life
Creating intentional check-in times with each child
If youāve ever felt overwhelmed by the pace of life with older kids, or if youāre approaching the teenage years and wondering how to maintain close connections, this episode is for you. Leslie shares so much wisdom about creating a life that reflects your values, even (and especially) as your kids grow older.
Tune in to hear our full conversation, including Leslieās insights from her new book, The Joy of Slow: Restoring Balance and Wonder to Homeschool Learning. Whether you homeschool or not, her perspective on slowing down and staying connected with older kids is something every parent needs to hear.
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