Discover how Elisha and Katie Voetberg balance building a strong family culture with pursuing entrepreneurial ventures, all rooted in faith and intentional living. They share practical insights on family traditions, managing flexible schedules, and creating a legacy through music, homeschooling, and more.

✨Struggling to build rhythms that actually work in your home? My free masterclass shows you how to create simple routines that are rooted in biblical priorities and actually work. Watch it here: https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-training

—CONNECT WITH KATIE & ELISHA—

• Check out Voetberg Music Academy: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/courses?affiliate_code=29079a
• Listen to their podcast: Now That We’re a Family https://www.nowthatwereafamily.com/podcast
• Substack: https://elishaandkatievoetberg.substack.com/
• Magazine: https://www.nowthatwereafamily.com/Magazine

—TIMESTAMPS —

02:00 - Going smartphone-free 6 years ago (and writing a book about it)
04:30 - What growing up in a family of 10+ kids actually looked like
10:00 - Practical tips for homeschooling and family teamwork
12:34 - Why we stopped trying to do ALL the activities with our kids
16:00 - Choosing entrepreneurship after watching our own parents do it
21:02 - What "flexible schedule" really looks like with 6 kids at home
26:43 - The importance of focusing and avoiding burnout
30:23 - Watching our kids fall in love with music (fiddle, piano + more)
32:26 - The advice we'd give any couple wanting business + big family
42:25 - "Begin with the end in mind" - the question we wish we'd asked sooner
44:19 - Cultivating joy and margin within a busy family life
48:25 - Counting the cost before you build & living intentionally

—CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS —

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videos

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

Website/Contact Us:http://www.laurenmefford.com

Struggling to build rhythms that actually work in your home? My free masterclass shows you how to create simple routines that are rooted in biblical priorities and actually work. Watch it here: https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-training

In this episode, we explore how Christians can best respond to cultural challenges and godless influences by staying rooted in Christ. We emphasize the importance of humility, discernment, and biblical faithfulness in navigating societal issues while maintaining a Christ-centered perspective.

— TIMESTAMPS —

02:14 - The Trap of Dancing to the Culture's Tune (And How to Stop)
04:23 - What Happens When "Standing for Truth" Becomes Your Identity

08:25 - Real Church Examples of Getting It Wrong (In Both Directions)

13:43 - How to Address Hard Cultural Issues From the Pulpit Without Losing Your Footing

14:47 - The Difference Between Christ-Like Strength and Just Being Harsh

18:35 - Walking by the Spirit When the Culture Pulls Hard

22:30 - Why Virtues Aren't Actually in Tension (In Christ)

24:26 - The Subtle Pride of Feeling Like You've Finally Figured It Out
25:19 - The Trad Wife Pendulum: When the Overcorrection Becomes Another Law

28:07 - Walking in Freedom Instead of Trading One Yoke for Another
28:59 - Final Encouragement: Follow Christ, Stay Rooted, Enjoy Your Coffee

CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS —

Youtube: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BC

Instagram: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BC (@laurenmichellemefford) • Instagram profile

Website/Contact Us_:http://www.laurenmefford.com

✨ Struggling to build rhythms that actually work in your home? My free masterclass shows you how to create simple routines that are rooted in biblical priorities and actually work. Watch it here: https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-training

— SHOW NOTES —

In this Q&A episode, Jeremy and Lauren answer some of the most common questions they've received from listeners — covering mom guilt, their faith background, how they manage finances as a family, how Lauren studies the Bible and teaches scripture to the kids, and practical tips for keeping the home going in the thick of a newborn season. It's a candid, encouraging conversation straight from the trenches of real family life.

— RESOURCES MENTIONED —

✨ GET 50% OFF THE CORE PLAN YOUR FIRST YEAR with Monarch budgeting software: https://monarch.com/referral/t6wahuoizr?r_source=copy

✨ Simply Charlotte Mason scripture memory system: https://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/memorysys/

✨ I Belong to God: A Catechism for Covenant Children By Richard Lusk: https://amzn.to/4unNAE6

✨ Ploductivity by Doug Wilson: https://amzn.to/4dGVTDI

— CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS —

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videos

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

Website: http://www.laurenmefford.com

✨ Check out our podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

✨ Learn how our family went from being run down and sick to more energetic and healthier: https://www.laurenmefford.com/wellness

✨ Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/laurenmeffordphdfnp-bc

If this episode was helpful, we would love it if you'd leave a review and rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it really helps more families find this content. Thank you so much for being here. 🌿

TIMESTAMPS

0:26 - Mom Guilt: When to Repent, When to Let Go

4:40 - The Importance of Modeling Repentance for Children

9:27 - Our Faith Background (Reformed Baptist → Presbyterian)

12:34 - How We Manage Our Money

17:49 - How Lauren Studies the Bible in Every Season of Life

24:24 - How We Protect Our Sabbath (and Why It's Worth It)

30:07 - Surviving & Managing the Home With a Newborn & Toddler

36:44 - Keep the Questions Coming: How to Reach Us

✨ Struggling to build rhythms that actually work in your home? My free masterclass shows you how to create simple routines that are rooted in biblical priorities and actually work. Watch it here: https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-training

Sheri Renno has been homeschooling for 16 years, has 10 kids ages 3 to 21, and came in as a former public school teacher convinced she had to meet every standard. This conversation is full of the kind of perspective that only comes from being in it for the long haul — and it's exactly what most of us need in the thick of the little years.

We talked about her daily rhythm, how she uses checklists without being married to them, why she treats chores as part of the curriculum, when kids' interests start to surface, and why protecting family-first isn't just a value — it's something you have to actively fight for.

CHAPTERS

00:15 Meet Sheri — Homeschooling Mom of 10 for 16 Years

00:30 How She Started (And What She'd Do Differently)

01:01 Why She Created a YouTube Channel to Help Other Moms

02:21 The Charlotte Mason Approach — What It Actually Looks Like

02:51 Living Books, Narration, and Why She Ditched the Standards Mindset

04:15 The One Thing She Focuses on Instead of Grade Levels

07:19 How Her Kids Built Real Businesses From Home Skills

11:10 The Age When Everything Shifts — and What to Watch For

16:29 What a School Day Actually Looks Like With 10 Kids

20:04 The Four-Part Rhythm That Holds Their Day Together

21:14 Why Chores Are Part of the Curriculum, Not an Obstacle to It

23:03 How She Manages Independent Work Across Every Age

36:29 The Checklist System That Keeps Things Moving Without the Pressure

50:21 What "Family First" Actually Means With Homeschool

52:18 Where to Find Sheri + Her New Course for Homeschool Moms

CONNECT WITH SHERI

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurLifeHomeschooling

Blog: http://ourlifehomeschooling.com

Her Free Homeschooling Masterclass: https://ourlifehomeschooling.com/the-home-education-breakthrough-sign-up/

CONNECT WITH THE HOST

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videos

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

Website/Contact Us: http://www.laurenmefford.com

How to realign family priorities when life throws you a curveball.

✨Struggling to build rhythms that actually work in your home? Lauren’s free masterclass shows you how to create simple routines that are rooted in biblical priorities and actually work. Watch it here: https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-training

Life has a way of stopping you in your tracks and making you ask: is this actually what matters most? In this episode, Jeremy and Lauren are having a conversation they've been living in real time — one that started with grief, loss, and the kind of moment that makes you drop everything and recalibrate.

They talk about why having clearly defined family priorities isn't just a productivity strategy — it's a biblical framework that protects your home, your marriage, and precious time with your family. When you and your husband are already on the same page about what matters most, the hard decisions get a lot less hard.

They also get personal about changes coming to the channel, something exciting on the horizon, and why pruning the good things is sometimes the most faithful thing you can do.

If you've ever felt like you're being consistent but still have no margin — and something's got to give — this one is for you.

Grab a warm drink or your basket of laundry, and come hang out with me for a bit.

If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to leave a rating on Apple, Spotify, or wherever it is that you listen. It helps get the word out to other families ❤️

CHAPTERS

00:00 When Life Makes You Stop and Recalibrate

07:08 How We Decide What Gets Our Time When Life Gets Loud

13:35 Why You Need This Conversation Before a Crisis Hits

21:35 When People Don't Agree With Your Family's Decisions

32:26 Pruning the Good Things — And What's Coming Next

#ChristianHomemaker #ChristianMom #FamilyPriorities #RootedHome #HomeschoolMom #BiblicalWomanhood #ChristianMarriage #HomemakingPodcast #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndFamily #GodHonoringHome #MarriageGoals #ChristianWomen #PrioritiesInLife #SimpleLiving

CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videos

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

Website/Contact Us_:http://www.laurenmefford.com

✨Struggling to build rhythms that actually work in your home? My free masterclass shows you how to create simple routines that are rooted in biblical priorities and actually work. Watch it here: https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-training

✨Discover how biblical hospitality extends beyond outward appearance to foster genuine connection, growth, and family life. Mystie Winckler shares practical insights on establishing a hospitable environment rooted in scripture, emphasizing the importance of the home's mission—to nurture thriving families and communities.

TIMESTAMPS

02:24 - What Does "Convivial" Mean — And Why It Matters to the Home

03:49 - The Three Circles of Hospitality Many Christian Moms Have Never Heard Of

06:50 - Why Your Family Life Is the Foundation That Makes Any Hospitality Possible

09:29 - Are You Hosting for Them — Or for What They Think of You?

10:53 - How Pinterest and Instagram Are Quietly Distorting Your View of Your Home

13:39 - The One Question That Reveals Whether Your Home Is Truly Hospitable

14:30 - How to Be Fully Present With Guests (And Teach Your Kids to Do the Same)

17:17 - What to Do When Guests Arrive and Dinner Isn't Ready

18:46 - The Simple Meal Prep Habit That Makes Hosting Feel Easy

20:29 - How to Actually Teach Your Kids Conversation Skills Before Company Comes

26:19 - Beauty, Order, and a House Full of Kids — How Do You Hold That Tension?

28:19 - The Parable of the Talents and What It Has to Do With Your Messy House

36:43 - Are You Decluttering Your Children's Childhood Without Realizing It?

45:44 - Why Homemaking Feels Meaningless (And the Lie Behind That Feeling)

52:03 - Who You Follow Online Is Shaping How You Feel About Your Home

CONNECT WITH MYSTIE WINCKLER:

• YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@simplyconvivial
• Home is for Hospitality - Book
• Simplified Organization - Book
• Convivial Circle Community

CONNECT WITH THE HOST

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videos

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

Website/Contact Us_:http://www.laurenmefford.com

✨ Wondering what it would look like to have real rhythm in your home? Watch the free training → https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-training

✨*If your days feel full but fruitless* — this is the plan that changes that. →https://go.laurenmefford.com/faithful-in-the-little-things-page

In this episode, Lauren and Jeremy share the principles and practices behind building a warm, joy-filled home with a large family — and why most of it applies to every family.

Topics Covered:

• Why they wanted a big family (hint: a kitchen lip-sync moment changed everything)
• The goal: a home with spiritual and relational warmth
• Finding and learning from families ahead of you
• The power of first-time obedience and why consistency is the key
• The inverted pyramid method of child training
• Training kids for chores: realistic expectations, the learning curve, and the long payoff
• Team effort as a family culture — what it looks like day to day
• The fruit: 9-year-olds baking, kids mulching the garden, grandma visits that actually go smoothly

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Why We Wanted a Big Family (And What Changed Our Minds)

00:35 -Cultivating a Loving Home Atmosphere

01:29 -The Biblical Foundation Every Parent Needs Before Anything Else

03:54 -You Can't Turn This On for Company — Home Culture Has to Be Real

05:38 -The Fastest Way to Learn? Spend Time With Families You Want to Emulate

07:31 -You Don't Need a Formal Mentor — Here's What It Actually Looks Like

10:20 -Why God's Commands Lead to Joy, Not Restriction

12:20 -First-Time Obedience: The Key to Consistent Discipline

15:12 -Early Training: Teaching Boundaries for Safety

21:14 -Delight in Obedience: Making God's Ways Joyful

23:52 -The Inverted Pyramid: Are You Training Your Kids Backwards?

25:27 -Teaching Them What to Think Before You Teach Them How to Think

34:17 -Look What Team Effort Can Do: Raising Kids Who Actually Want to Help

Resources Mentioned:

• Shepherding a Child's Heart- https://amzn.to/4ckn5cb
• 8 Errors Parents Make & How to Avoid Them: https://amzn.to/4mEAE9T
• Loving the Little Years- https://amzn.to/4cUAaZS
• Why Children Matter- https://amzn.to/3Oh2Wut

CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS

Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videos

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

Website/Contact Us:http://www.laurenmefford.com

✨If your days feel full but fruitless — this is the plan that changes that. → https://go.laurenmefford.com/faithful-in-the-little-things-page

✨ Watch the free masterclass & bring more peace and structure into your home→ https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-training

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this honest and personal episode, Lauren and Jeremy share the story of how Lauren transitioned out of a nursing practitioner career into full-time homemaking — and it wasn't the plan she had going in. They talk through the heart shift that happened, the practical realities of that season, and what the Scriptures actually say about a wife and mother's role in the home. They also dig into the false dichotomy between "career" and "homemaking," looking at Proverbs 31 as a framework for thinking wisely about economic contribution from within the home. If you've ever wrestled with this tension yourself, this one is for you.

Plus, Lauren shares a peek into how she actually runs her home-based business while keeping her family first — including the boundaries, the recalibrating, and why embracing constraints has been more freeing than limiting.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction: Women returning home

02:23 - A word of encouragement for moms who can't be home full time

05:25 - Lauren's mindset before kids: career-first without realizing it

12:05 - The shift to full time home life

18:33 - The practical and financial benefits of mom being home

22:49 - Redefining work through biblical principles

28:06 - Shifting gears: Proverbs 31 and economic fruitfulness in the home

32:27 - How to think about home-based work without sacrificing the home

36:11 - How Lauren manages her business within family priorities

39:43 - Jeremy's perspective: why your husband has to be on board

44:37 - Navigating family and business challenges

CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS —

Youtube: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BC

Instagram: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BC | Homemaking Mentor (@laurenmichellemefford) • Instagram profile

Website/Contact Us_:http://www.laurenmefford.com