Listen in this week as we do something a little bit different. Jesse interviews me! That’s right. I recently went on a retreat to Utah, and Jesse asks me questions all about it! I talk about my trip for a mastermind retreat with a group of women CEOs, a retreat focused on the theme of "flourishing" - exploring the gaps in their lives and how to move from areas that feel "dead or dying" to truly thriving.

I talk about the various activities that we did, including an adventurous Jeep tour through the rugged Utah terrain that left us covered in dust! We also had intentional discussion times, including a "one question meal" where each person took turns sharing in response to a thought-provoking question. One of the biggest takeaways for me personally was the importance of creating more space in my life. I realized that I needed to be more intentional about shutting down work earlier in the evenings in order to be fully present with my family, and this has truly already made a noticeable difference in my energy and focus!

The most impactful part of the retreat for me had to have been writing a letter to my future self, reflecting on the last five years of my life and envisioning how my new priorities will shape the next two years. I found myself very surprised by how much poured out as I wrote, feeling a sense of healing and clarity! Overall, this retreat provided me with valuable time for rest, reflection, and renewed intentionality around the areas of my life that matter most, and I am so excited to implement the changes that I identified and see the positive impact that they have, both personally and professionally!

In This Episode

[0:35] - Hear how I realized that my phone was under me the whole time as I searched for it!

[2:41] - My trip to Utah was one of three summer journeys.

[4:09] - What was the purpose of my recent trip to Utah?

[7:33] - I describe what the weather was like on my trip.

[9:08] - I talk about how the Jeep ride was bumpy, dangerous, and beautiful but left me utterly uninterested in owning one.

[11:41] - Hear how dust covered us so thoroughly that baby wipes revealed streaks of clean skin.

[13:32] - Our dinner began with reflections on flourishing and times of feeling fully alive.

[16:19] - I contrast empty success-chasing with the fulfillment of fostering and adoption.

[18:31] - Hear how serving behind the scenes at church rekindled my lifelong joy in organizing meals.

[20:40] - I cherished early nights and found healing in honest group sharing.

[23:38] - Via journaling and discussion, I realized that my biggest gaps were sleep and marriage.

[26:35] - Hear how I publicly committed to ending work by 7 p.m.

[28:17] - Early shutdowns improved my sleep quality and made me more present in my marriage.

[31:16] - Choosing “space” as my theme, I have delegated tasks and restructured priorities at home.

[33:36] - Leaving space in my days has increased gratitude, connection, and joyful laughter!

[35:46] - I talk about how writing a future-focused letter brought healing reflection and clarity for the next two years.

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine

Social Media

Crystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)

Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)

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Crystal Paine on Goodreads

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crystal@moneysavingmom.com

I have the honor this week of having not just one but two guests in the studio, both of whom I love dearly - David Thomas and Sissy Goff! David and Sissy discuss their new children's books focused on building resilience and courage in young kids. The books, featuring therapy dogs as the main characters, aim to help children with common challenges such as anxiety, fear, and emotional regulation.

Listen as Sissy and David share how they have witnessed the powerful impact of therapy dogs in their counseling practice, helping kids open up and feel more comfortable expressing their feelings. They also discuss the scientific research showing the mental health benefits of interacting with dogs, including reduced stress and increased feel-good hormones.

Our conversation explores how even very young children, as early as preschool age, can struggle with anxiety and fear that manifests in rigid behavior, meltdowns, and an inability to cope with change or big transitions. David and Sissy provide some practical strategies for parents, such as using "breath prayers" and feelings charts to help kids identify and work through their feelings.

Highlighting the importance of building emotional intelligence from an early age, Sissy and David also reflect on some personal stories of how they've seen this make a profound difference, even in the lives of older kids who initially resisted. The books' themes of resilience and courage are brought to life via relatable examples that kids can connect with, and not only do I strongly encourage you to grab yourself some copies, I also really hope that you enjoy this incredibly informative conversation with David Thomas and Sissy Goff!

[Episode Timeline]

[0:35] - Welcome to the show, David and Sissy!

[2:42] - Why are the dogs at the center of David’s and Sissy’s children’s books?

[4:52] - Hear how training a therapy dog revealed how deeply kids and dogs reduce stress.

[7:49] - Sissy argues that dogs tend to put children in touch with an otherwise hard to access tenderness.

[9:46] - Owen’s reluctance to enter the room became a metaphor for overcoming overwhelming moments.

[11:59] - I reflect on my fear of entering a gym class and the relief after committing.

[13:39] - David looks back on how his dad and Owen comforted each other, proving closeness can heal loneliness and fear.

[15:56] - David explains how READing Paws shows kids read with less anxiety when accompanied by nonjudgmental dogs.

[17:13] - Sissy points out how rising childhood anxiety often appears as rigid control.

[20:46] - My jump-rope fear illustrates how we often exaggerate obstacles that actually prove simple.

[23:27] - Hear how Sissy helps her nephew face Disney ride fears with the phrase, “a little scared, a lot fun.”

[24:36] - I recall forcing my anxious daughter into school, a decision that ultimately changed her life.

[26:45] - Fear often masks itself as anger in children, making it more difficult to recognize and address.

[28:26] - David distinguishes normal challenges from debilitating ones by asking if a child can still move forward.

[30:49] - David recommends workbooks and parent consultations as first steps before pursuing therapy.

[32:24] - Sissy highlights the importance of finding warm, trusted therapists and framing therapy as building a child’s support team.

[34:31] - David and Sissy describe using tools like feelings charts and thermometers to teach kids emotional awareness.

[36:49] - I praise teaching kids emotional language at a young age, preventing unresolved feelings from damaging adult relationships later.

[Links & Resources]

Crystal Paine

READing Paws

Daystar Counseling

Books:

- *Lucy Learns to Be Brave* by Sissy Goff

- *Owen Learns He Has What It Takes* by David Thomas

- *Happy Finds Her Calm* by Sissy Goff & David Thomas

- *Pippa Learns to Share the Spotlight* by Sissy Goff & David Thomas

- *Braver, Stronger, Smarter* by Sissy Goff

- *Strong and Smart* by David Thomas

Social Media:

Crystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom, @crystaliscleaning)

Crystal Paine on LinkedIn, Twitter, Goodreads

Money Saving Mom on Facebook and Deal Seekers group

Email: crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Listen this week as Jesse and I share an unscripted update on our family's recent travels and the start of the new school year! We talk about some of the changes to our kids' school schedules, with David now attending the afternoon preschool program instead of the morning which has worked out really nicely as it better suits his natural sleep and wake cycle.

We then reflect on our recent fun trips - first, my visit to Orlando to attend a business retreat where I experienced the thrills of the Volcano Bay water park and the serene beauty of Discovery Cove. At Discovery Cove, the highlight was definitely swimming with dolphins, an experience that left a deep impression and even had me briefly considering a career change! Then, following the Orlando trip, our whole family spent a week at the lake with extended family, enjoying activities like boating, tubing, and water skiing. Jesse and I note that this was absolutely our best lake trip yet, with even the younger kids fully embracing and delighting in the water activities!

Throughout this update, we highlight the importance of making time for play and new experiences, which we personally find so rejuvenating for the soul, especially amidst the busyness of daily life. I would love for you to share your own experiences with water parks, swimming with dolphins, and/or family lake trips!

In This Episode

[0:35] - This unscripted update includes school changes and a surprising, career-shifting sea creature encounter!

[3:01] - Hear how David thrives in his structured public school program, although his schedule now differs from Micah’s.

[6:06] - I reveal how adjustments to school routines have eased mornings, giving me calmer drop-offs and some brief quiet at home.

[9:48] - I describe a refreshing Orlando trip with my coach’s group, including visits to two water parks.

[12:29] - Volcano Bay proved thrilling for adults and teens, though its tap-in ride system created long waits.

[15:21] - Hear how Discovery Cove felt like a tropical resort with all-inclusive food, relaxation, wildlife, and immersive water experiences!

[18:28] - I explain how above water felt like a resort, but underwater was pure ocean adventure with stingrays.

[21:15] - Hear how our dolphin encounter lasted longer because our obedient dolphin contrasted with misbehaving ones nearby.

[24:45] - Jesse compares dolphin interactions to African safaris, where animals perceive groups as single entities.

[25:22] - I share how I unexpectedly rode a dolphin’s strength, sparking thoughts about becoming a trainer myself!

[28:46] - The dolphin swim reminded me of the joy and soul-refreshment found in play.

[31:05] - After Discovery Cove, I joined the family at the lake, cherishing togetherness across all ages!

Links & Resources

Crystal Paine

Social Media

Crystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)

Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)

Crystal Paine on LinkedIn

Crystal Paine on Twitter

Crystal Paine on Goodreads

Money Saving Mom

Money Saving Mom on Facebook

Money Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook group

crystal@moneysavingmom.com