Welcome to Sandwich Season: Peace, joy, and wisdom for moms who are stretched thin in multigenerational caregiving, juggling parenting, grandparenting, and eldercare. Take charge of reactions, set those oh-so-important boundaries, and find time for new passions and hobbies.
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Ruthie Gray Podcasts
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All humans have emotional baggage, and yet, so many of us are unaware of what we're carrying until we hit a low point, experience a health crisis, or recognise that we're in a painful pattern with our relationships or how we feel about and treat ourselves. Natalie Lue expands her popular blog Baggage Reclaim into podcast form with a weekly show about how to live and love with more self-esteem by unpacking, decluttering and tidying up our excess emotional baggage. It's time to reclaim yoursel ...
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Welcome to the corner of real grace for your real life. Join Jennifer Sakata and special guests to navigate forgiveness, belonging, and empowerment as faithful expressions of God’s generous grace. But what is God’s grace? What is it not? What does grace look and sound like amid a busy and full-plated life? Through stories, authentic conversations, and biblical teaching, Jennifer helps bridge the gap between what we think about grace and how we live through it. Each episode helps shift our un ...
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Do you have big God-dreams but are worn out from doing all the things? Are you so overwhelmed by the never-ending to-do list that you end up doing nothing? Would it help to have just one simple thing to focus on at a time?Combining her expertise in project management with her love for the creative's heart, host Christa Hutchins equips busy Christian women who have big ideas with strategy and structure so they can do what God has called them to do.Covering topics such as time management, prod ...
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Ep. 55 Grace in the Sandwich Season | Ruthie Gray
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42:07Are you in the sandwich season--raising kids while also caring for aging parents? The pressure, confusion, guilt, and overwhelm can feel crushing when family and business collide with life-altering health needs. Where does grace fit in when you’re being pulled in every direction? That’s the journey of my guest, Ruthie Gray--wife, GenX mom, 15-year …
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Ep. 57 Finding Grace in Miscarriage and Grief | Ashley Opliger
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41:33Why, God? Why didn’t You answer our prayers? How could You let this happen after everything we’ve been through? Do You know how much this hurts? Ashley Opliger has wrestled with these same questions in the depths of miscarriage, loss, and grief. Yet through it all, she found the steady presence of God’s grace and hope. Ashley is the author of the U…
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Building Healthy Connections with Adult Children and in-laws ft. Suzy Mighell
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19:09Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode, I’m sitting down with my sweet friend, Suzy Mighell, author of the FABULOUS new release, "Empty Nest: 60 Days to Finding Joy in the Empty Nest." Suzy shares her heart and practical wisdom for navigating the challenging transition from hands-on parenting to developing heal…
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Ep. 302 Your Attention is Sacred: How Social Media Makes You Shop for Flaws with Amelia Hruby”
1:11:03
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1:11:03Natalie chats with Amelia Hruby about social media and why our attention is sacred. They explore how platforms make our subconscious “shop for flaws and failures,” the parallels between social media and toxic relationships, and practical steps for reclaiming your attention. Amelia's book Your Attention is Sacred Except on Social Med…
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Ep. 56 Dyslexia Awareness, Myths & Grace | Ethan Sakata
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41:46By Jennifer Sakata
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Between the Sessions: 30 Signs Someone Isn’t Interested
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13:09Natalie's revisiting some of the most-read Baggage Reclaim posts from the past 20 years in this new Between the Sessions series. Today, she shares the #1 post of all time. Read the original blog post and comments here Break The Cycle Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim Support the podcast and leave a tip: https://baggagerec…
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Caregiving Special Needs Children and Aging Parents ft. Kelly Hall
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29:16Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! On this episode, I’m welcoming Kelly Hall—host of the Unshakable Hope podcast, author, Bible teacher, and seasoned caregiver. Kelly shares her profound journey of raising four children (three with special needs) amidst the unique challenges of military life, alongside navigating her own h…
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Ep. 301 Self-Leadership with Ruthie Zerai: How to Stop Living at the Mercy of Others
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1:13:57Natalie chats with coach Ruthie Zerai about self-leadership—taking responsibility for managing yourself rather than deferring that power to others. Episode show notes: https://www.baggagereclaim.co.uk/301 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim Support the podcast and leave a tip: https://baggagereclaim.ck.page/products/podcast…
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Ep. 54 Grace Cleans the Messy Past | James Early
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50:20Where do you need grace most in your day? Maybe it’s in the checkout line behind a slow customer, on the road with drivers who forget the rules, or more deeply, as you wrestle with identity shaped by your past choices—or the choices of others. The good news of the Gospel is this: God’s grace cleans the messy past and frees you to reflect God's love…
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Ep. 53 Grief & Grace in the Persevering Years | Peg Arnold
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36:31Grief can feel like clothes that don’t fit—awkward, heavy, and uncomfortable. But over time, the garment of grief can become a surprising companion, leading to deeper intimacy with God and showing us where grief and grace meet in the persevering years. In this episode of Living the Grace Life, I’m joined by Peg Arnold, lovingly known as the “Drama …
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From Boomerang Kids to Pandemic Caregiving & Loss ft. Linda Hanstra
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27:29Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! Linda Hanstra, a semi-retired speech-language pathologist, author, and seasoned empty nester joins the podcast to share her personal stories of navigating the "sandwich season". From unexpected joys with kids and grandkids to profound loss and pandemic-era challenges, Linda opens up about…
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Ep. 300: The Non-Linear Path: Celebrating 20 Years of Baggage Reclaim
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30:51Recorded on Baggage Reclaim's 20th birthday and the eve of her daughter leaving for university, Natalie reflects on trusting your instincts, major life transitions, and how much can change in ways we never see coming. Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/300 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim Support the podcas…
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Have you ever tucked something precious away for safekeeping—a piece of jewelry, a meaningful letter, or a memory too fragile to touch? In a world that feels like it’s spinning out of control, it’s tempting to do the same with our hearts. But what if grace isn’t meant to be stored away? What if chasing grace is your invitation to live wide open—to …
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Ep. 51 The Grace Thread in Everyday Life | Eric Nevins
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44:25It’s hard to believe, but Living the Grace Life is officially one year old! To celebrate, I invited my podcasting mentor, Eric Nevins—host of Halfway There and CEO of the Christian Podcasters Association—back to the mic. Eric was instrumental in helping me launch this show, and in this conversation, we look back on the journey, laugh at a few behin…
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Practical Ways People Pleasers Can Balance Identity and Daily Demands ft. Lori Schumaker
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26:02Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of Sandwich Season Sanity, I’m sitting down with my friend and fellow caregiver, Lori Schumaker. Lori opens up about her caregiving journey and gives her wisdom for those of us going through this season. We discuss topics like embracing your God-given identity, prioritizin…
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Ep. 299: The Underdog Advantage: Breaking Cycles with Keeley Taverner
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55:59Natalie talks with psychotherapist Keeley Taverner about her journey from Ikea checkout to successful therapy practice, narcissism, social mobility when dating, and why being the underdog can be your greatest advantage in creating the life you want. Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/299 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/b…
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Ep. 50: 5 Grace Takeaways that Still Stick | Season One Recap
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13:12What if the lessons of grace weren’t just meant for Sunday mornings, but for every single messy, ordinary day? In this special Season One reflection of Living the Grace Life, Jennifer Sakata shares 5 grace takeaways that still stick—truths that have carried us through grief, prayer, perfectionism, and healing. You’ll hear how: ✨ Grace honors the tr…
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Ep. 49 What G.R.A.C.E. Taught Us: Season One Reflections on Real Faith and Healing
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23:08What has grace taught us this season? 💙 Season One of Living the Grace Life has been a journey of healing, hope, and real faith. In this Season One recap, Jennifer Sakata reflects on the heartbeat of the podcast so far using the G.R.A.C.E. framework—a simple way to remember the core themes that shaped these first 48 episodes: 🔹 G — Grief and Healin…
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An Emergency Medical Records Checklist for Caregivers ft. Cathy Lawdanski
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21:35Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, I’m interviewing Cathy Lawdanski, a retired empty nester with a wealth of wit and wisdom for navigating life’s later seasons. Cathy shares the story behind her essential "Medical Records Checklist," inspired by a personal medical emer…
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Ep. 298: Stop Feeding Your Worry Goldfish: Finding Calm in Uncertain Times
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27:17Natalie talks about managing anxiety, breaking worry cycles, and returning to yourself after difficult times. Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/298 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim Support the podcast and leave a tip: https://baggagereclaim.ck.page/products/podcast 'Reclaimed' membership: https://www.bagga…
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Ep. 48 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 16
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5:46It's the final week of our summer series, Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms. I'll be reading Psalm 16, first from the New Living Translation, then from The Message Paraphrase, and lastly, from the English Standard Version. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss a single episode in the series—and grab your FREE Living the Gra…
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Ep. 47 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 46
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5:56It's the fourth week of our summer series, Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms. I'll be reading Psalm 46, first from the Revised Standard Version, then from the Contemporary English Version, and lastly, from The Message. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss a single episode in the series—and grab your FREE Living the Grace L…
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Ep. 297: Breaking the Control Habit: Why I wrote my new book LET GO
1:11:52
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1:11:52Natalie talks with her publisher, JP, about her new mini memoir Let Go, exploring what it really means to release control, why vulnerability in storytelling matters, and how writing about letting go became exactly what she needed while navigating and processing surgery and the cancer diagnosis. Note: Let Go is available for a limited time (until Au…
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Ep. 46 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 27
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8:39It's the third week of our summer series, Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms. I'll be reading Psalm 27, first from the English Standard Version, then from the Contemporary English Version, and lastly, from the New Living Translation. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss a single episode in the series—and grab your FREE Livi…
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Two Questions to Ask in Your Stressed Season
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12:05Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity Podcast, I’m discussing the challenge of finding peace during one of life’s most chaotic seasons. This episode offers a compassionate exploration of how true peace isn’t just handed to us—even believers need to take intentional, sometimes unco…
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Ep. 45 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 91
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7:52It's the second week of our summer series, Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms. I'll be reading Psalm 91, first from The Message Paraphrase, then from the English Standard Version, and lastly, from Psalms Now. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss a single episode in the series—and grab your FREE Living the Grace Life: One Pr…
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Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, I’m sharing my "Dream with God in 60 Minutes" task-sorting method through a practical, prayer-centered exercise for balancing personal desires, family responsibilities, and your calling from God. We’ll talk about shifting priorities, …
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Ep. 296 Navigating Modern Romance with the Flirt Coach, Benjamin Camras
1:12:02
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1:12:02Natalie chats with Benjamin Camras about why modern dating feels so overwhelming, how apps have normalised intensity, and why flirting should be about genuine connection rather than manipulation or outcome. Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/296 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim Support the podcast and leave…
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Ep. 44 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms | Psalm 131
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5:12It's the first week of our summer series, Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms. I'll be reading Psalm 131, first from the English Standard Version, then from The Message Paraphrase, followed by the New Living Translation, and finally, from the Contemporary English Version. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow so you don’t miss a single episode…
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Embracing Legacy: Saying ‘No’ to the Hustle ft. Laura Acuña
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25:31Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In the second half of this episode with Laura Acuna, we’re dissecting the real-life balancing act of being an entrepreneur, author, and mom/caregiver/grandparent. Learn insights on saying “no” and how to prioritize listening to God’s guidance, making time for family, and accepting help in…
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Ep. 43 Embracing Grace: A Summer in the Psalms
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12:22Welcome to a brand-new summer series on Living the Grace Life! In this kickoff episode, we explore how the Psalms invite us to bring our whole selves—messy emotions and all—into God’s presence. Whether you're feeling weary, hopeful, or somewhere in between, this series will help you discover how grace speaks into every season of the soul. Join me i…
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Integrating Personal Ambitions and Caregiving ft. Laura Acuña
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26:53
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26:53Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity, I’m sharing my guest appearance on the Still Becoming Podcast with Laura Acuña, discussing the unique challenges and opportunities that come with balancing caregiving roles and personal ambitions during midlife. I’ll share my personal journey…
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Do you wrestle with doubt? Ever feel like your faith is on shaky ground—especially when God feels silent or when His people have let you down? Perhaps it's time to ask: God, can we chat? In this honest and hope-filled conversation, author and speaker Niki Hardy shares her journey of asking hard questions, navigating church hurt, and discovering int…
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Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, I sat down with my youngest daughter, Kylie, to explore the unique challenges that arise when a mom transitions into a caregiving role while still raising children. Kylie, who was fourteen when I began caring for my aging parents, sha…
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Ep. 41 What If Doubt Is Part of Faith? | Niki Hardy
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30:04Is it possible that doubt can actually strengthen your faith? What if doubt isn’t the enemy of faith, but a doorway to deeper intimacy with God? What if doubt is part of faith? In our transparent conversation, author and speaker Niki Hardy shares how honest questions and spiritual uncertainty can lead to deeper intimacy with God. If you've ever wre…
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Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of the Sandwich Season Sanity Podcast, Ruthie opens up about her personal healing journey after years of caregiving and business leadership left her feeling emotionally depleted. She shares a candid reflection on the toll that “little t” trauma—like ongoing stress, caregiv…
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Ep. 40 Be Still and Be Loved | Michael John Cusick
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43:57What do you do when there’s a gap between what you believe about God and what you actually experience? When the invitation to be still and be loved feels not just difficult—but impossible? Michael John Cusick knows that gap all too well. His story begins in unlikely places: Alcoholics Anonymous at age five, family drug rehab by age ten, and a trail…
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How Healthy Boundaries Reduce Stress ft. Lisa Saruga
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25:32Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this part two episode with trauma therapist, Lisa Saruga, Ruthie and Lisa focus on how setting boundaries can bring peace to sandwich generation moms. Lisa shares her “property line” metaphor for boundaries, a crucial mindset for overwhelmed caregivers. They discuss real-life examples …
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Ep. 39 God's Steadfast Love in Daily Life | Rachael Adams
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38:42What if truly understanding God's steadfast love could reshape your relationships, your identity, and your daily rhythms? In this episode of Living the Grace Life, I’m joined by Rachael Adams, author of Everyday Prayers for Love and host of The Love Offering podcast—recently ranked in the top 10 Christian podcasts for women. Together, we explore ho…
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Identifying and Managing Caregiver Trauma ft. Lisa Saruga
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28:07Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of Sandwich Season Sanity, Ruthie sits down with Lisa Saruga to explore the often overlooked topic of caregiving trauma. Lisa, a therapist and author of The Trauma Tree, shares her personal experiences of managing care for elderly relatives, highlighting the emotional and …
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Ep. 295: Time for a Quick Recalibrate and Reset
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12:04Natalie shares a personal update about taking a brief podcast break to recalibrate after a challenging year of surgery, medical menopause, and cancer diagnosis - plus encouragement for anyone wrestling with giving themselves permission to pause. Episode show notes: https://www.baggagereclaim.co.uk/295 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/b…
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Ep. 38 Grace Honors the Try | Kim Tschirret
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27:58Do you ever struggle to receive something so incredibly good because you feel like it’s too much—or that you don’t deserve it? In this powerful Part 2 conversation, Kim Tschirret, founder and CEO of Hope Reins, a 38-acre ranch in Raleigh, NC, reminds us of a life-altering truth: Grace honors the try. Not perfection. Not performance. Just the courag…
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Growing a Guilt-Free Prayer Life ft. Janet McHenry
31:49
31:49
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31:49Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! Episode 8 of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast features guest, Janet McHenry, national speaker and author of 27 books, including Praying Personalities and her latest, Looking Up: Finding Joy as You Read and Pray Through the Bible. Janet shares insights from her personal sandwich season a…
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Ep. 37 Healing & Growth Through Equine Therapy | Kim Tschirret
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28:22
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28:22Did you ever dream of having a horse as a kid? For Kim Tschirret, that dream became a lifeline—and later, a powerful ministry. Kim believes horses, mentors, and Jesus form a life-changing "trifecta" for kids facing today’s mental health crisis. What started as a childhood refuge became a surprising on-ramp to grace, healing & growth. Growing up in …
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Intentional Long Distance Caregiving ft. Lori Ann Wood
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34:52Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! In this episode of Sandwich Season Sanity, Ruthie interviews Lori Ann Wood about her experiences navigating the complex realities of the "sandwich season"—long-distance caring for aging parents while raising her own children and balancing a serious illness. She discusses the importance of…
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Ep. 294: Finding Work Tough? It's Not All On You (A Pep Talk)
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21:44Natalie challenges the exhausting habit of self-blame when things go wrong, exploring why we make everything about our "unworthiness" rather than recognising systemic issues or others' responsibility. A compassionate reminder that it's not all on you. Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/294 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com…
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From Worry to Hot Flashes: Sleep Tips for Midlife Moms
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19:50Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! Send a text by tapping the link above and let me know if you like the show! This episode of Sandwich Season Sanity offers essential sleeping tips for busy midlife moms, who are usually either premenopausal, menopausal, or postmenopausal. Ruthie Gray shares candid stories about her own sle…
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Episode 140: Your Audience is Your Book-Writing Superpower
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8:24Send us a text Did you know that as a writer who is building an audience, you have a secret superpower? It’s one that not every writer unlocks, but has the power to enhance your writing journey AND create a built-in group of people invested in your success. Want to know what it is? Listen in on Episode 140 of Just One Simple Thing and find out! Man…
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Finding New Purpose in Empty Nest ft. Kate Battistelli
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24:34Click here to send a text and tell us how you like the show! This episode of Sandwich Season Sanity is about navigating the “afterparty” of the empty nest, offering encouragement and wisdom for moms redefining their purpose after their children have grown. Host Ruthie Gray welcomes guest Kate Batastelli—author, former Broadway actress, and mother o…
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Ep. 293: It's Not Too Late: Karen Arthur on Reinventing Yourself in Midlife and Beyond
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1:00:56Natalie chats with her friend Karen Arthur about their 16-year "age-gap" friendship and how Karen reinvented herself after 50, becoming a model, designer, podcaster and author after leaving a 28-year teaching career. A joyful reminder that it's never too late to bloom. Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/293 Leave a voice note: https:/…
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