In a “more is better” culture, how can women live lives that are balanced, not burned out? It’s easy to mistake a busy life for a meaningful one. Often, we don’t realize how exhausted we truly are until we reach a breaking point.

I’ve had my own season of burnout, juggling a job, volunteer roles, and homeschooling while Rob traveled extensively for work and we prepared for a cross-country move. When the boxes were finally unpacked, I looked around and found myself in a new life that was shockingly quiet. Out of that stillness, I gained a lot of perspective about roles, priorities, and peace.

As women, we care deeply for the close relationships in our lives. We want to love others well. We also want to give our best to the values and commitments that matter to us, whether that be a job, volunteer work, or homeschooling. How do we find the balance?

My guest today has wrestled through these questions as well. Kelsie Zarko is a wife, mom of two, and owner of the small business, Curate Social. We sat down for an honest, mom-to-mom conversation about seasons, roles, identity, and so much more. Kelsie shares powerful insight into how women end up burned out, and how we can find a different path when we stop striving and choose to live from a place of being deeply loved.

In this episode, Kelsie shares:

• Practical ideas for being intentional in relationships and priorities
• A helpful definition of self-care and how to pursue it
• Thoughts on how to live from identity, not performance
• And more!

I found this conversation so encouraging and I hope you do, too!

Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/kelsie-zarko-126/

Every week, we hear from wives who are quietly carrying the weight of a husband’s alcohol addiction.

“I am hoping and praying that he gets healed and that his addiction doesn’t kill him.”

“I have anxiety. I have fear. I feel stuck.”

“Too many times I have felt hopeless and have wanted to be dead so I wouldn’t feel this pain.”

“Hopefully my marriage will turn out for God’s glory.”

These words reflect the deep pain many women experience behind closed doors. Loving someone who struggles with addiction can leave you exhausted, confused, and wondering where God is in the middle of it all.

That is why we are so grateful for today’s guest.

Julie Sanford is a wife and mom of three who never imagined she would one day be married to an alcoholic. After walking through the long and difficult road toward her husband’s sobriety, she now comes alongside other Christian wives facing similar battles. Julie is a recovery mentor and the host of the Married to Addiction podcast, where she offers practical tools and biblical encouragement for marriages impacted by addiction.

In this episode, Julie shares:

• Common misconceptions wives often believe about their husband’s alcohol addiction
• Why shifting from “fixing him” to caring for yourself is a crucial step toward healing
• The importance of understanding what addiction truly is, and what it is not
• And much more!

We hope this conversation brings clarity and hope to your heart!

Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/julie-sanford-125

We all know that anxiety can take a big toll on the person who is personally suffering from it. But what we don’t talk about as often is how anxiety can take a toll on a marriage. The truth is, this challenging mental condition can often cause fear, exhaustion, and a sense of isolation that leaves both spouses wondering how to support one another or stay connected.

If you and your spouse are navigating anxiety, this conversation with Dr. Michelle Bengtson offers encouragement and practical wisdom.

Dr. Bengtson is a clinical neuropsychologist who understands anxiety both professionally and personally. She has endured anxiety and depression herself, and her book, Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises, became an unexpected guide during her own season of fearful thoughts as she and her husband faced cancer and all the accompanying unknowns.

In this episode, Dr. Bengtson shares both clinical insight and spiritual wisdom to help couples navigate anxiety’s impact on their relationship. While anxiety can feel lonely and overwhelming for both partners, there is hope.

In this episode, Dr. Bengtson shares:

• How couples can draw closer to one another, even in the midst of anxiety
• Why presence matters more than perfection
• How to prevent compassion fatigue and caregiver burnout
• And much more!

We hope you enjoy this conversation!

Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/michelle-bengtson-124