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What if the season you’re calling a drought is actually sacred training? I sat down with actress and creator Masey McLain for a candid, deeply encouraging conversation about conviction, calling, and the new feature film Soul on Fire—where she portrays Beth O’Leary. From growing up a pastor’s kid to turning down roles that crossed personal lines, Masey traces the steady thread of choosing God first and letting the work follow.

We go behind the scenes on The Baxters and the serendipity that landed her favorite character at exactly the right time. Then we step into Soul on Fire: why this story of resilience, faith, and purpose feels urgent right now, and how set life was shaped by a real soul on fire—John O’Leary—who sees people, not flash. Masey unpacks agape love in action, the power of words that speak life, and a richer meaning of “helper” from Genesis—a fierce battle partner who pushes back darkness and brings in the light. It’s practical for marriage, friendship, and parenting, and it’s a blueprint for how to show up in life.

You’ll hear why opening weekend truly matters for impact and distribution, and you’ll leave with a renewed sense of purpose you can act on today. Bring your family, invite a friend who needs hope, and “vote with your dollars” to keep stories like this on the big screen. If this conversation sparks something in you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs the reminder, and leave a review—then grab your tickets to Soul on Fire and tell us who you’re bringing.

You can follow Masey at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maseymclain

Website: https://www.maseymclainofficial.com/

Tickets for Soul On Fire:

https://soulonfiremovie.com/

Karen Kingsbury - The Baxter Family:

https://amzn.to/47flYrz

JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
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Some days the kitchen sparkles; an hour later, it’s crumbs and cups and quiet frustration. I share candid stories from 23 years of motherhood and 26 years of marriage, the Scriptures that steady me, and the simple habits that reset a house’s tone when everyone feels stretched thin.

We unpack the honesty of “I want to grow but I’m busy,” then map desire to obstacles we can actually change: screen and sleep hygiene, thin spiritual rhythms, and scorekeeping that poisons connection. From Colossians 3:23’s call to work as unto the Lord to Galatians’ sober truth about sowing and reaping, we explore how our words and pace shape the harvest we’ll see in our kids. We talk about choosing people over productivity, embracing motherhood as a sacred calling, and why the “thermostat” of a home is often the posture of a mother’s heart.

There’s practical help too: device-free zones and bedtimes, a 30-day praise-only playlist, five-minute eye-contact check-ins with kids, and clear, calm contribution for older children so the load is shared without turning home into a barracks. We also look at marriage as a refuge you build together—how encouragement fuels hard work, why respect and warmth travel both ways, and how a peaceful house strengthens everyone’s calling outside its walls.

If this encouraged you, share it with a mom who needs a nudge of hope today, and leave a rating or review so more families can find these conversations. Subscribe for more real talk about faith, family, and the everyday rhythms that form a life.

Worship/Praise Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0pXcmurNF8r4Z13y2G5Jpx?si=Ve8mnf5DRHWGE5zgTerung&pi=Upsk39ITTp-k2

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/15rCrBDEOAqYEsRFLrCE3y?si=GwRz_80qQIeUfH4OreSwyQ&pi=HZlXhbxqQ8S9Q

Seeds Family Worship:

https://seedskidsworship.com/

Seeds Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7F2pPY7F8St3bIC30dgDfO?si=v67FaCp0S1-1xls8DlnTMQ&pi=C56YfpseRS2I0

She Works His Ways Book:

https://amzn.to/4mNzzLkhttps://amzn.to/4mNzzLk

JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback.

What happens when you lose everything but discover what truly matters? In this deeply moving conversation, Andrea Hryszczuk shares the harrowing yet hope-filled story of watching her family home burn completely to the ground in May 2020.

The fire began unexpectedly in their garage during pandemic lockdown, with the family unaware for crucial minutes as flames engulfed their truck and spread toward the house. Andrea recounts the terrifying moments of uncertainty, not knowing if everyone had escaped safely, followed by overwhelming joy when the family reunited on their front lawn. While firefighters battled the blaze that would ultimately destroy their home entirely, the Hryszczuk's experienced a profound shift in perspective – they were alive, they were together, and nothing else mattered.

What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite losing all identification, credit cards, photographs, and possessions, the family witnessed God's provision in remarkable ways. A neighbor offered their vacant house before they even needed to ask. Envelopes of cash miraculously survived the inferno when their fireproof safe did not. Small treasures emerged from the ashes that felt like personal messages – a singed paper reading "To God be the glory" and a necklace with the words "Where your treasure is, your heart will be also."

Andrea reveals the intentional strategies she and her husband employed to guide their family through trauma – what she calls "good defense and good offense." They refused to let their minds dwell on devastating what-ifs, instead taking those thoughts captive and deliberately practicing gratitude at every turn. When painful losses surfaced, they attached new, hope-filled meanings: "We're alive to make new memories" became their response to losing irreplaceable family photos.

Five years later, having rebuilt on the same property, Andrea's definition of home has been forever transformed. "Home is just where my family is. It's not a building anymore," she explains. The experience deepened her longing for her eternal home while strengthening her conviction that God remains sovereign and good regardless of circumstances.

Whether you're navigating your own tragedy or simply seeking perspective on what truly matters, this conversation will challenge your thinking about possessions, faith, and finding beauty in life's most devastating moments. As Andrea reminds us, "He brings beauty always through the ashes – sometimes in the physical realm, but always in the spiritual realm."

Episode 10 - Preserving Precious Memories

https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2232091/episodes/14598639-10-streamline-your-life-series-week-2-organizing-your-photos-and-memorabilia-creating-a-legacy-of-cherished-memories-with-sheri-meissner

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What if your darkest moment became the spark that illuminated your greatest purpose? John O'Leary was just nine years old when curiosity led to catastrophe – an explosion that left him with burns on 100% of his body and a 1% chance of survival. Yet from those ashes rose an extraordinary story of resilience, purpose, and profound gratitude that now touches millions.

In this deeply moving conversation, John takes us beyond the headlines of his remarkable survival to explore the transformative lessons forged in fire. With raw vulnerability, he reveals how his mother's tough love – leaving him to figure out how to eat without fingers and insisting he continue piano lessons despite his amputations – wasn't cruelty but a profound gift that enabled his independence. "When we snowplow, when we mow down all the weeds, when we roll out the red carpet so our children can fall in line right behind us, we do so at a disservice," John explains. "Resistance is what makes your muscles strong and your life good."

Through poignant stories, John illuminates how ordinary people become extraordinary through simple acts of presence. He shares how an English teacher quietly graded papers in the hospital waiting room night after night, becoming his mother's greatest comfort not through profound words but through consistent presence. These "mundane heroes" remind us that sometimes the most powerful way to help isn't with perfect advice but by simply showing up.

Perhaps most powerful is John's perspective on finding gratitude within suffering, learned from his father who battled Parkinson's disease for decades yet maintained his joy. "My dad died well because he lived that way," John reflects. "He died in joy because he chose gratitude." This radical reframing of the question "why me?" – from anger to curiosity – offers a transformative path through our darkest valleys.

As John's remarkable journey comes to life in the upcoming film "Soul on Fire," his message transcends his personal story: our scars aren't weaknesses to hide but strengths to celebrate. "They are darkened when covered," he writes, "illuminated when exposed." What struggles might you transform by bringing them into the light?

SOUL ON FIRE MOVIE INFO:

https://soulonfiremovie.com/

LIVE INSPIRED POSCAST:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-inspired-podcast-with-john-oleary/id1166682012

GRAB A COPY OF JOHNS BOOKS:

ON FIRE-

https://amzn.to/4nAn7iT

IN AWE-

https://amzn.to/46a56SF

FOLLOW JOHN ON SOCIAL:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnoleary.inspires?igsh=MTEwZzluZmJlbmtybQ==

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/17FZhbdKJx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback.

Have you ever had a season of life that looked nothing like you planned? That's exactly what happened during my summer break from the podcast. What I expected to be a peaceful time of preparation transformed into a rollercoaster of unexpected challenges, profound grief, beautiful celebrations, and deep life lessons.

When God nudged me to take a summer podcast break, I struggled with the decision. I'd committed to showing up consistently every Thursday with content to help families cultivate strong homes. But as Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, "We make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Those words became my summer anthem as I navigated a season unlike any other in my 23 years of parenting. For the first time, my children weren't all together for the summer. This shift forced me to confront an uncomfortable truth that home isn't necessarily about a physical location—it's about where your people are.

The concept of cultivating strong families took on new meaning as I researched what cultivation truly entails. The agricultural process of prepare, till, plant, and tend perfectly mirrors what happens in our family relationships. This summer felt like a season of intense tilling—that uncomfortable but necessary breaking up of hard soil to prepare for new growth. Sometimes the most significant growth happens during the most challenging seasons. The tilling stage isn't comfortable—it's messy, disruptive, and often painful. But without it, the soil remains too hard to nurture new life.

As we return to our regular podcast schedule, I'm excited to bring you meaningful conversations that help us all navigate the beautiful, messy process of family life together. Starting next week, we'll feature an amazing interview that came together unexpectedly, demonstrating God's provision even when we feel unprepared. Whether you're in a season of preparation, tilling, planting, or tending in your family life, I hope you'll join our community of parents committed to cultivating hearts that truly beat for home.

JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
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We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback.

Summer beckons – that magical time when routines relax and possibilities unfold like wildflowers. But how do we make these precious months truly matter?

Instead of approaching summer with the typical achievement-oriented mindset that dominates the rest of our year, what if we shifted our focus to growth? Not the kind measured in completed checklists or Pinterest-worthy activities, but genuine expansion in relationships, rest, adventure, and joy.

That's exactly what I'm exploring in this final episode before our summer podcast pause. I'm sharing my own summer intentions, challenging the anxiety-producing "18 summers" mantra that haunts parents, and offering practical ways to cultivate meaningful moments without the pressure of perfection.

For those who thrive on structure, I've included practical frameworks like themed days and helpful resources in the show notes. For free spirits, there's permission to embrace spontaneity and the simple art of saying "yes" more often when our children invite us into their worlds.

From yard games that create hilarious family memories to intentional digital detoxing that allows us to be truly present, this episode is filled with attainable ways to make this summer one of connection rather than accomplishment.

When September arrives and we return with fresh episodes, I hope you'll have spent these months growing, resting, adventuring, and savoring the relationships that matter most. Because ultimately, that's what makes a summer that truly matters. Join me in embracing this pause, friends – I'll be waiting with new conversations, insights, and interviews when we return.

Printable Resources:

Printable Summer Bucketlist:

https://sunriseelementarycounseling.weebly.com/blog/summer-bucket-list4977644

Printable Summer Goals:

https://writtenreality.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/free-summer-activities-chart-goals.pdf

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17yNYnbDAFhRE5x_nHO8wG1u8LP9zY9jD/view

Printable Weekly Summary:

https://www.unoriginalmom.com/free-printable-weekly-summer-activity-plan/

Printable Five Goals:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71916925287715966

Resources For A Great Summer:

https://www.thebettermom.com/summer-with-kids

Book Resources:

A Million Tiny Moments: Refections to Refresh a Mom's Spirit:

https://amzn.to/43cByT6

Homegrown Disciples: Parenting Rythmnsfor Drawing Your Kids Into Life With God:

https://amzn.to/44J4FOX

From Grouchy to Great - Finding Joy in the Journey of Motherhood

https://amzn.to/45myYLw

Pressing Pause- 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet with God:

https://amzn.to/4jjWkot

Risen Motherhood - Gospel Hope for Everyday:

https://amzn.to/3H39ngB

https://amzn.to/3SOgNXy (beautiful deluxe edition)

Gospel Moms - How to Make Biblical Decisions and Discover the Mom Go God Created You to Be:

https://amzn.to/4dqnSqO

Habits of the Household:

https://amzn.to/438lFNh

The Flourishing Family: A Jesus-Centered Guide to Parenting with Peace and Purpose:

https://amzn.to/3GZkpDI

Fun Yard Games:

Kubb:

https://amzn.to/3SJSXwa

Crossnet:

https://amzn.to/3SJSXwa

SpikeBall:

https://amzn.to/4dCfm8s

Yard Dice:

https://amzn.to/3GZmFea

JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
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We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback.

Lamoris and Megan Crawford return for a candid, humorous, and deeply insightful conversation about keeping the spark alive in marriage through busy seasons, kids, and ministry demands.

The Crawfords don't hold back as they share their family hierarchy—God first, spouse second, kids third, then ministry—and how this ordering has sustained their relationship for almost two decades. "We found that as kids exit the homes, the spouses didn't stay connected," Lamoris explains, highlighting why prioritizing your marriage isn't selfish but essential.

Things get particularly interesting (and yes, a bit spicy!) when they discuss their innovative "package system" for communicating intimate expectations. Their honest approach to the different ways men and women experience connection creates both laugh-out-loud moments and profound realizations about meeting each other's needs.

For couples struggling or feeling their marriage hanging by a thread, the Crawfords offer transformative wisdom about agape love. "Most of us don't understand the kind of love that God loves us with," Megan shares, challenging listeners to exhaust themselves in loving their spouse before considering other options.

Whether you're newly married or decades in, this conversation delivers practical tools, spiritual insights, and the permission to laugh at the beautiful mess that is marriage. You'll walk away with strategies for communication, intimacy, and remembering why you fell in love in the first place. Their journey from Cincinnati to their new role as chaplains for the Carolina Panthers shows how a marriage centered on covenant can impact not just a family but entire communities.

Connect with the Crawford’s:

https://www.covenantcultureministries.com/

https://www.instagram.com/covenantculturepodcast?igsh=bHZ1eGpmOG1wZzhj

JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
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We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback.

From the projects of Chicago to the cornfields of rural America, Lamoris and Megan Crawford's love story defies cultural expectations while illuminating the transformative power of covenant marriage. Their journey began at Olivet Nazarene University where two worlds collided – his marked by inner-city hardship and her steeped in traditional religious values that initially rejected their relationship.

What makes their story extraordinary isn't just their diverse backgrounds, but their unwavering commitment to honor God's process. For three and a half years, Lamoris faithfully called Megan's father asking permission to date his daughter, receiving "no" after "no" until a divinely orchestrated breakthrough. The moment Megan's father tearfully asked forgiveness for his racism and acknowledged Lamoris's Christlike character became the foundation for not just their relationship, but a generational healing that continues today.

The Crawfords now lead Covenant Culture, a marriage ministry born from their experiences as NFL chaplains with the Cincinnati Bengals. They challenge the prevailing contract mentality of modern relationships with a profound truth: "You die to get in and you die to get out." Their teaching that "God created marriage to make us holy, not happy" reframes the entire purpose of matrimony, revealing how true happiness emerges from obedience rather than self-fulfillment.

Drawing on their powerful personal testimony and ministry experience, the Crawfords identify pride as the root of most marital struggles – whether manifesting as superiority or self-pity. Their story demonstrates how patient obedience to God's process can transform not just a relationship, but entire family legacies, breaking cycles of racism and establishing new foundations of faith.

Don't miss part two next week where we'll explore more marriage wisdom and some lighter moments as the Crawfords answer some spicy questions! If their story has touched you, please share this episode with someone who might benefit from hearing about the power of covenant marriage.

Connect with the Crawford’s:

https://www.covenantcultureministries.com/

https://www.instagram.com/covenantculturepodcast?igsh=bHZ1eGpmOG1wZzhj

JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/