Cultivating The Lovely- The Podcast

This week on the Cultivating the Lovely podcast, MacKenzie Koppa sits down for a heart to heart chat with her real life friend, author Tricia Goyer. Tricia is a wife and mother of 10, as well as caretaker for her 90-year-old grandmother, aside from being a busy speaker and author. This conversation centers around Tricia's new book The Grumble-Free Year. (Affiliate links are used in this content.) How and why Tricia embarked on the big family social experiment that became this book Learning to go to God for help with changing attitudes instead of relying on ourselves The difference between grumbling about something and being able to share our struggles with people who care Choosing to focus on the solutions instead of just the problems Acknowledging the hard things instead of trying stuff them inside while still deliberately choosing gratitude Pointing out the things our children are doing well instead of picking on the things they are doing wrong The power of apologizing and humbling ourselves to admit to o

This week on Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie has a chat with author and speaker Gary Thomas about his new book When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People. Gary and his wife of 35 years have three children and live outside of Houston, TX. He has a heart for marriage, family and the church, and that love for people shines through this conversation with MacKenzie. (Affiliate links are used in this content.) How Gary realized this book needed to be written through his own encounter with a toxic person Gary shares his heart for marriage while being real about abuse The danger of telling others to stay in relationship with toxic people Biblical examples of how to deal with toxic relationships Challenges from within the church to victims of abuse Gary identifies some warning signs that you may be in relationship with a toxic person If someone is stopping you from fulfilling God’s mission for you If someone is destroying your spirit If someone is controlling you If someone is gaslighting you or making

Using four forms of rest to combat stress and anxiety. Show Notes- Affiliate links are used in this content. On today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely, host MacKenzie Koppa talks with author and speaker Rebekah Lyons about her new book Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose. Rebekah and her husband Gabe, along with their four children, live and work in Franklin, Tennessee. Together MacKenzie and Rebekah talk about both the why’s and how’s of creating your own rhythms of renewal, including: How Rebekah came to write this book on the topic of rest and renewal Some of the challenges we face in the digital age to establishing good habits of rest and health How our bodies are wired to deal with stress and trap trauma The problem with just medicating to cope instead of truly healing Recognizing the need to get back in touch with our humanity Addressing the real physical components of holistic healing The power of true forgiveness in our own lives (MacKenzie mentions thi

A chat with Amanda Anderson about healthy friendships. Show Notes- (Affiliate links are used in this content.) This week on the CTL podcast, MacKenzie Koppa chats with author and speaker Amanda Anderson about her book All My Friends Have Issues: Building Remarkable Relationships with Imperfect People (Like Me). Together MacKenzie and Amanda cover a range of topics related to building healthy friendships and maintaining good boundaries, including: Amanda talks about her book-writing journey MacKenzie and Amanda discuss the faithfulness required to move toward your goals Authenticity versus intimacy in building relationships Not every friendship needs to be at the same depth Amanda talks about how the idea of “finding your tribe” may not be all that helpful to us in building friendship today Cautions against placing expectations on friends that are too high, unhealthy, or unrealistic The value of having several different people to speak truth into your life Toxic relationships and setting healthy boundaries

On this week's episode of Cultivating the Lovely, we get to hear the rest of MacKenzie's conversation with Brooke Rasmussen. Last time we left off on the cusp of Brooke's family moving to Israel, so we pick up at that point in their story. If you didn't listen to the first half of MacKenzie and Brooke's chat, go back and listen to Episode 137 here. What it was like moving to Jerusalem and being in the place that Biblical history took place How Brooke used journalling to find herself in the midst of overwhelm The cultural differences between Israel, Poland and the U. S. and learning to change expectations for social interactions Why it is often harder for the stay-at-home mom to forge community in a new country and culture than for the rest of the family How Brooke felt when she found other people who understood her experience Learning to let relationships last for certain seasons The Rasmussens' decision to resign from diplomatic service and move to Brooke's hometown Enjoying living close to grandparents an

Show Notes- On today's episode of CTL, we have the first of a special two-part series with MacKenzie Koppa and her high-school friend Brooke Rasmussen. Brooke and her husband, along with their seven children, have lived around the world. Today, MacKenzie and Brooke chat all about what it was like to move to so many unique places and adjust to many different cultures. Brooke talks about their first tour when her husband was a diplomat in Eritrea, Africa Learning to live with less, especially where food is concerned Changing her perspective on pity versus generosity Equipping their family to handle future challenges Learning that language is not always that big of a barrier Shifting perspective on chasing beauty by cultural standards The transition from Africa to Poland, in the States for training Brooke talks about life in Warsaw, Poland Ease of travel and abundance of food Enjoying the history and cultures in and around Poland Getting used to having babies amidst transition periods The blessing

This week on the CTL podcast, MacKenzie Koppa chats with Erin Moon. Erin is the COO of the PopcastMedia Group and resident scholar of the Bible Binge podcast, plus being a Bible study author. Erin is also a busy wife and mother living in Birmingham, Alabama. Erin tells her story, starting with her experiences at Christian summer camp How Erin got involved in creating content and writing Bible studies for ministries Taking on the responsibility of studying the Bible instead of being intimidated MacKenzie and Erin chat about the Bible Binge podcast The benefit of having some pushback in discussing the Word of God Differentiating between surface issues and creed-level issues of faith How Erin came to work with The Popcast and the Bible Binge podcasts MacKenzie and Erin chat about how they use their enneagram types in their work and relationships Erin talks about her new devotional coming out this week, The Comfortable Words MacKenzie asks Erin about how she and her husband keep their relationship healthy with

Today on Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie chats with radio host Bekah Eaker of Way-FM’s popular The Wally Show. Bekah’s husband has had severe health complications for a few years, and she and MacKenzie go deep with how they deal with prolonged stress. This episode is full of insight and encouragement both for people in similar situations and anyone who knows someone who could use support. How Bekah and MacKenzie handle having to keep showing up for a public platform while in ongoing stress Learning to do what has to be done in order to move forward The importance of therapy or counseling for help to cope and to have an outside person to talk to Ways Bekah takes care of herself on a daily basis while also being her husband’s caretaker Bekah’s challenges amidst a changing relationship with her husband due to his health issues How the Enneagram has helped MacKenzie deal with stress in relationships better Building community in order to give and get the support we all need Bekah and MacKenzie’s love of the Ma

Affiliate links are used in this content.   Thanks to VistaPrintfor sponsoring this episode of CTL. Get 500 high quality professional business cards for only $9.99 when you order from VistaPrint.com/LOVELY.   This week’s episode of CTL is also sponsored by Grove. As a CTL listener, you can get a FREE 5-piece Mrs. Meyers fall cleaning set at Grove.co/LOVELY, plus free shipping and a free 60-day VIP trial with your first order.     This week’s episode of CTL is brought to you by Away Travel. Use promo code LOVELY when you order from AwayTravel.com/LOVELY20for $20 Offan Away Suitcase. Show Notes-  This week on Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie Koppa interviews Melissa d'Arabian, author of Tasting Grace: Discovering the Power of Food to Connect Us to God, One Another, and Ourselves. Melissa has been a Food Network host and has written numerous columns and articles on food, in addition to being a wife and mother. In today's episode MacKenzie and Melissa chat about all things food and faith, including: Mel

On this week’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie Koppa is joined by Brian Dixon, author of Start with Your People: The Daily Decision that Changes Everything. Brian has a passion for coaching people to find clarity and pursue their goals and lives with intention. He and his wife Julie live in North Carolina with their three children. Today MacKenzie and Brian talk about showing up and focussing on the people in your life, including: MacKenzie shares an example of how the message of Start with Your People has impacted her own business and podcast community Brian talks about how we can’t see ourselves the way others see us How Brian’s own “360 assessment” led him to change and inspired him to write this book The importance of engaging with the people and relationships in your life instead of just coasting through your days Taking control of your habits, routines and philosophy for your home so that you can face challenges with intention instead of constantly putting out fires.   Changing the vi

Today on Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie Koppa brings back her popular Season 4 guest, Jennifer L. Scott. Jennifer has a new book for families, Connoisseur Kids: Etiquette, Manners, and Living Well for Parents and Their Little Ones, which is the main topic of this week’s episode. MacKenzie and Jennifer talk about why and how to instill confidence, care and capability into our children so that they become the kind of adults we all want to be around. MacKenzie asks Jennifer about her new exercise routine with a Rebounder trampoline Some of the reasons Jennifer wrote Connoisseur Kids and why she feels it is so needed A sneak peek into the subjects and format of the book Instilling confidence in our children through teaching them how to interact with new people The high value of teaching our children how to do chores and contribute to the family Phrasing your requests for kids to help in a positive, motivating way Jennifer’s desire to bring back some selflessness, good sportsmanship and civility to our cultu

On this week’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely, host MacKenzie Koppa Talks with Beth McCord of YourEnneagramCoach.com. Beth and her husband Jeff live outside of Nashville, Tennessee and have two grown children. She has been teaching people about the enneagram personality type tool for 17 years. You can now pre-order Beth and Jeff’s book Becoming Us: Using the Enneagram to Create a Thriving, Gospel-Centered Marriage. Beth and MacKenzie are taking a deep dive into all things enneagram today, including: Beth's journey toward learning about the enneagram and eventually teaching others Patterns in certain types gravitating to each other Alignment and misalignment with the Gospel   Understanding your true identity in Christ and finding our security in that truth Using the Enneagram as a tool to identify when you go off course and realign with the truth   The differences in types preferred in various environments and cultures Letting God in to work on us as we find out about our weaknesses Embracing who we

  Welcome to Season 5 of Cultivating the Lovely the Podcast! Today on the show, MacKenzie Koppa is joined by her friend Chelle Bruzas to bring you all up to speed on what is coming up this season around the CTL community! Also, stick around to the end of show to hear Chelle ask MacKenzie her own “stock questions” and get to know your lovely host a little bit better. MacKenzie explains some of the changes happening with the Cultivating the Lovely platform How the CTL Patreon group is making a difference in community and keeping MacKenzie motivated and inspired Exciting new coaching opportunity for upper level members in the Patreon community The Morning Show is staying on Facebook for Patreon members and coming to Instagram 2 days a week in September Some of the upcoming topics for the fall: Fending off stress Information on our cycles Checking in on routines Fall style and skincare Sign ups are open for new Cultivating Groups for September for Lovely Tribe and Loveliest Level members! What is happening

This week wraps up Season 4 of the Cultivating the Lovely podcast! And today MacKenzie has a fun conversation with her dear friend Chelle Bruzas about some of the things they’ve been loving this summer and how they are squeezing every last drop of goodness out of summer before it’s over. This episode is full of memories, book and show recommendations and simple things that are making Chelle and MacKenzie’s live a little better. So get yourself a glass of something cold, sit back and enjoy the chit-chat! Making summer memories together with their families at the lake and each other’s homes Keeping each other accountable to rest and recharge amidst a busy season Chelle’s favorite summer reads: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith Belgravia by Julian Fellows Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan Suffering is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliot The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith MacKenzie’s favorite summer reads: Waiting for Tom Hanks by K

  Today on the Cultivating the Lovely podcast, host MacKenzie Koppa has a chat with Jen Traynor, a Noonday Collection Ambassador. Jen is a wife and homeschooling mom to two boys, and she was also taught MacKenzie’s daughter in preschool last year. Together Jen and MacKenzie talk about building a business that blesses others. This is not your typical multi-level marketing story, so stick around to hear this encouraging chat! Jen's story of how she got started as a Noonday ambassador The difference of the mission of Noonday as opposed to a typical MLM business How Noonday helps local artisans in countries around the world Wearing bold accessories you love with confidence How Jen started learning how to style her jewelry Follow @NoondayCollection or #noondaycollection on Instagram  The amazing benefits Jen has enjoyed as a Noonday ambassador Jen shares how a trunk show with Noonday works and what her typical workday looks like Jen's experience traveling to visit artisans with Noonday Why Jen feels that she wa

Back to School is rolling in fast and hard! If you’re anything like me then you like to make sure to have some things in place before day 1 hits so that you don’t get mowed down by the proverbial school bus as the year gets rolling. If you want guidance for getting all the back to school things done, like- establishing routines, getting your calendar ready, planning your meals, creating functioning workspaces, and making sure that your own needs don’t fall by the wayside in the midst of the craziness, Then I would love for you to join me in Patreon this month where we are walking through all these steps together! We have revived the morning show for the month and are meeting each weekday at 6:30am PST for guidance, encouragement, and motivation to head into this year feeling calm and confident. In order to participate in our Daily Live Show goodness you only have to be at the $3 level! The rest of the benefits of being a Patron just climb from there, and out Loveliest Level Members even get to schedu

Affiliate links are used in this content. CTL is also brought to you by Plan to Eat meal planning service. Visit PlanToEat.com/LOVELY to start your free 60-day trial instead of the normal 30-day trial. This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by Embr. Save $50 off your own Embr Wave when you go to EmbrWave.com and use code LOVELY at checkout. CTL is also sponsored by Blume. Get 25% off your first stick of HugMe Deodorant and Free Shipping by texting “Cultivate” to 79-79-79. Thanks to VistaPrint for sponsoring this episode of CTL. Get 500 high quality professional business cards for only $9.99 when you order from VistaPrint.com/LOVELY. If you want more ways to interact with these episodes, including discussion questions, behind the scenes information, and ad-free episode audio, be sure to check out the Cultivating the Lovely Patreon community! Show Notes- On this week’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely, host MacKenzie Koppa interviews Lindsay Teague Moreno, the author of the

Affiliate links are used in this content. CTL is also brought to you by Plan to Eat meal planning service. Visit PlanToEat.com/LOVELY to start your free 60-day trial instead of the normal 30-day trial. Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by Rockets of Awesome. Get 20% OFF your first order when you go to rocketsofawesome/lovely and use promo code LOVELY at checkout. This week’s episode of CTL is sponsored by Grove. As a CTL listener, you can get a FREE Mrs. Meyers Spring Scent cleaning set at Grove.co/LOVELY with your first order. If you want more ways to interact with these episodes, including discussion questions, behind the scenes information, and ad-free episode audio, be sure to check out the Cultivating the Lovely Patreon community! Show Notes- Today’s episode of Cultivating the Lovely, MacKenzie has a chat with author Lisa-Jo Baker all about her new book, The Middle Matters. In addition to being an author, Lisa-Jo is a wife and mother of 3 kids, as well as co-host of the new po

Affiliate links are used in this content. Thanks to Policy Genius for sponsoring this episode of CTL. Go to PolicyGenius.com to find the right coverage for you and your family. If you want more ways to interact with these episodes, including discussion questions, behind the scenes information, and ad-free episode audio, be sure to check out the Cultivating the Lovely Patreon community! Show Notes- On Cultivating the Lovely this week, MacKenzie Koppa talks with Heather Avis, author of the new book Scoot Over and Make Some Room: Creating a Space Where Everyone Belongs. Heather and her husband Josh live in Southern California with their three out of the box children. MacKenzie and Heather talk about shifting the narrative surrounding people with different abilities, including: How Heather started writing and landed her book deals Heather’s message and goal to shift the narrative surrounding different kids MacKenzie tells a little of her brother’s spina bifida story Heather and MacKenzie talk abou

Affiliate links are used in this content. This episode of Cultivating the Lovely is brought to you by BioClarity. Right now you can save 40% off Skin Care Routines, plus 15% off everything else at BioClarity.com when you use coupon code LOVELY at checkout. Thanks to HelloFresh for sponsoring this episode of CTL. Get $80 OFF... Read more... You just finished reading CTLP Episode 124- Curating a Capsule Wardrobe with Amanda Warfield! Consider leaving a comment!