Crystal Paine Show

Jesse and I welcome you this week as we reflect on our recent glamping trip, an anniversary trip that Jesse had secretly planned and that nearly didn’t happen! Hear all about how, after finally figuring out childcare for the kids, we were ready to leave when everything unraveled all at once: sore throats, emergency doctor appointments, positive strep tests, and even an unexpected COVID diagnosis.We suddenly found ourselves trying to decide whether to cancel a trip we had been looking forward to for months while also making sure everyone at home would be okay. Thankfully, the Airbnb hosts were unbelievably kind and let us reschedule which turned out to be the best thing that could’ve happened!What waited for us a few months later was truly one of the most unique places I have ever stayed. Jesse booked this incredible glamping dome tucked into the Tennessee hills overlooking Center Hill Lake, and the entire place felt almost unreal, with clear curved walls open to the sky, decks hanging over the hillside, a hot tub in the middle of nature, and a shower that somehow made me feel like I was outside while still enjoying modern comforts.Listen in as we talk about the hilariously overheated first hour after arriving, the clever sprinkler system that cooled the dome down, and why we immediately understood why people become obsessed with glamping. We also share the quieter parts of the trip that ended up meaning the most: playing Scrabble, watching the sunrise over the water, hiking down to the lake, sitting around the fire with nowhere else to be, and realizing how rare it is to experience true quiet. There was no packed itinerary, no distractions - just space to talk, laugh, process life, and reconnect after years of constant responsibilities.Also, because apparently every memorable trip needs at least one disaster, we also tell the story of how Jesse managed to put a massive scrape down the side of my car while leaving the property, something that I will probably reference forever considering my long history of being the one who usually hits things. Enjoy our conversation all about this truly unforgettable trip, and, as always, please feel free to reach out! Maybe you have your own glamping story to share?In This Episode[0:36] - Jesse and I are finally sharing the story of our recent glamping trip![2:53] - Unsure whether to cancel or not with kids being sick, we debated traveling while juggling sick kids and mysterious packing instructions.[4:49] - Hear how, after rescheduling, I was amazed by the surreal glamping dome overlooking the Tennessee hillside![7:31] - Hear about how our unique glamping dome offered stunning lake views, outdoor luxury, and an unexpectedly hot interior.[9:51] - Jesse shares having discovered the dome’s greenhouse-like heat required sprinklers and repairs to cool the interior.[11:16] - Once the high temperatures dropped, we fully embraced the peaceful hot tub retreat and unplugged outdoor atmosphere.[13:38] - Hear how, between stargazing, Scrabble, and luxurious showers, we officially became devoted glamping fans![16:35] - Surrounded by silence and nature, we reconnected without distractions and embraced the slower pace.[18:51] - I share how our peaceful getaway ended abruptly when Jesse scraped the car pulling out of the property.[21:04] - Despite my dented car, the relaxing overnight escape still felt restorative and memorable.[23:19] - Jesse and I reflect on our restorative glamping getaway and invite listeners to share future trip recommendations!Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This episode's guests might take the cake for most frequent guests on the podcasts – Sissy Goff and David Thomas! Throughout this insightful conversation with them, there is a question that I keep coming back to - are we protecting our kids or are we accidentally preventing them from becoming capable? That is the primary focus of not only our conversation today but also of their book – Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience!Listen in as we unpack why so many loving, thoughtful parents are exhausted from carrying responsibilities their children are actually ready to begin taking on themselves. From chores and homework to conflict resolution, independence, and even sleeping in their own beds, we talk honestly about how resilience is built, and it is not through perfection or pressure but instead through practice, discomfort, and trust.One of the most eye-opening parts of this conversation is our discussion around “coddling.” We don't talk about it in a judgmental way but in the very real sense that fear can quietly shape our parenting more than we realize. We talk about why boundaries do not damage attachment, why kids need opportunities to safely take on challenges, and how confidence grows when children are allowed to solve problems instead of being rescued from every single difficult moment.We also get practical, with Sissy and David sharing some simple, age-appropriate ways that parents can begin shifting responsibility to their children, whether they’re toddlers, elementary-aged kids, teenagers, or even young adults. We discuss natural consequences, teaching children to ask for help, encouraging self-advocacy, and how overmonitoring can unintentionally communicate, “I don’t think you can handle this.”This episode is all about becoming a steadier parent, and we discuss the importance of modeling courage ourselves, letting our kids see us try new things, fail, recover, and grow. If you’re listening as a parent thinking, “I didn’t do this soon enough,” I think you’ll find a lot of hope in this conversation too. I hope that you enjoy this conversation with Sissy and David, and, as always, please feel free to reach out to me with your own thoughts!In This Episode[0:35] - Welcome Sissy Goff and David Thomas back to the podcast![1:43] - Resilience grows when children face manageable challenges instead of parents constantly preventing discomfort.[4:06] - Sissy and David point out that healthy boundaries and accountability build secure attachment without coddling.[7:39] - Sissy asserts that overprotection based on fear can unintentionally limit children’s confidence, independence, and emotional growth.[10:08] - Parents should gradually shift everyday responsibilities onto their children that they're already close to being able to do on their own.[13:38] - It's important for parents to manage their own anxieties as a model for their kids.[15:08] - Hear David exemplify how trying unfamiliar things helps parents model resilience, perseverance, and empathy for struggling children.[18:34] - Simple everyday responsibilities help young children discover their abilities and build lasting confidence.[20:02] - David argues for the importance of honoring each child’s developmental pace and trusting that they will grow into capabilities in their own time.[22:35] - I discuss how teaching children to communicate needs and ask for help builds lifelong emotional and problem-solving skills.[24:01] - David and Sissy believe that children build confidence and resilience via independence, responsibilities, and experiences outside of their comfort zones.[26:11] - I add that encouraging self-advocacy helps children build confidence and handle challenges independently.[29:37] - It's important to remember that each parent-child relationship carries unique dynamics that impact expectations, behavior, and emotional growth.[32:01] - Sissy explains how kids benefit from experiencing natural consequences alongside empathy, encouragement, and supportive guidance.[33:44] - Small, gradual lessons in responsibility help children become confident, capable, and adaptable adults.[37:04] - Children ultimately thrive when parents nurture their existing strengths instead of putting extra pressure on them.[38:36] - David reminds us that growth happens at different paces and that it’s never too late to encourage independence.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineBooksCapable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience by Sissy Goff & David ThomasSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Funnily enough, this episode of The Crystal Paine Show was originally supposed to be about my 22-hour getaway with Jesse and then naturally became much more an episode about running and how I have been training for a 10k! Listen in as Jesse and I share how a two-week break from the podcast turned into a reflection on just how full life has been lately! From the chaos of baseball season to the unexpected intensity of my 10K training, things have truly been hectic. Between juggling travel ball schedules and long practices with Jesse and Silas, I have also been dealing with a completely new challenge for myself: running longer distances than I ever thought I could! What began as a simple goal has turned into a deep learning experience around pacing, breathing, fueling, and even rethinking how I understand my own body, and I talk openly in this episode of the show about how I’ve had to slow down, correct my breathing habits, and even explore things such as mouth taping after dealing with laryngitis and realizing how much my old habits were holding me back from my full potential.I share how, as I have trained, I have been so surprised by how much running has changed not just my fitness but also my mindset. I am really learning that endurance is just as mental as it is physical and that sometimes finishing a run is less about speed and more about choosing to keep going one small step at a time. I also share how tools such as the RUNA app and Strava have helped me structure my training and actually understand what it means to train smart instead of just hard. It has been such a fascinating journey discovering firsthand how much strategy goes into something as simple as going for a run!Beyond the physical side, I also reflect on what it means to take on something new in my forties and how running has unexpectedly opened up new ways of seeing my neighborhood, my routines, and even my own limits. From exploring unfamiliar streets to learning how to manage discomfort, this journey has become about more than just race day. It’s about growth, curiosity, and learning to trust myself in the process. Jesse and I also discuss how this experience connects to bigger life themes such as stepping into new and even initially uncomfortable challenges, embracing uncertainty, and letting our kids see us do hard things. I hope that you enjoy this episode, and, as always, please feel free to reach out with your thoughts! We would love to hear from you!In This Episode[0:35] - Baseball season overwhelmed our schedule, pausing the podcast temporarily.[3:37] - Hear how training for a 10k has been exhausting but also has taught me pacing and breathing.[6:02] - I talk about how running has also exposed poor breathing habits, leading to Laryngitis and a shift toward nasal breathing and better pacing.[9:39] - I explain how mouth-taping has helped me retrain nasal breathing and has improved sleep and morning symptoms.[12:01] - Jesse and I discuss how conscious nasal breathing improves congestion, sleep quality, and overall stress regulation.[15:38] - I enthuse about how running has become transformative for me via consistency, endurance building, and mindful pacing over speed.[18:09] - I reveal how the Runna app creates personalized training plans that highlight structured pacing and prevention of injury.[19:32] - For me, running has become a deeply mental challenge where fueling, hydration, and self-talk determine whether I finish strong![22:07] - Jesse and I talk about how training beyond race distance helps build endurance, confidence, and better performance on the day of the race.[25:12] - Hear how post-race plans will be decided later on but will focus on growth, exploration, and flexible running goals![28:11] - I reflect on how what began as a casual activity has turned into a truly meaningful way to explore surroundings and daily life more intentionally.[30:28] - Jesse remarks that embracing uncertainty in challenges can be motivating, but lack of preparation can also cause setbacks.[33:32] - Hear how race strategy focuses on maintaining a steady personal pace using training data and body awareness instead of competition.[36:28] - My running journey has truly grown into a broader reflection on self-growth, balance, and learning to “run your own race.”Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineRunna AppFartlek App (Apple)Fartlek App (Google)Strava AppBooksBreath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James NestorSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

I am truly so excited for this episode because, honestly, it felt like a little therapy session for me, and I really hope that it gives you some aha moments too! I am talking with Jason VanRuler about his book Discovering Your Communication Type: The Five Paths to Deeper Connections and Stronger Relationships, and right from the start as I read it, I was hooked. I could see how the insights would help me with my husband, my kids, and my friendships because it’s practical, relatable, and so surprisingly accessible - like someone finally saying, “Here’s how this actually works,” without all the jargon!Jason walks us through the five communication styles that make up his PATHS model - Peacemaker, Advocate, Thinker, Harbor, and Spark - and he explains how our words are driven by different motivations: maintaining peace, standing up for what’s right, being logically correct, protecting feelings, or bringing energy and momentum. He and I get into how knowing your style (as well as the styles of those around you) can truly change your conversations, especially when conflict or stress shows up. I had one of those aha moments when I realized that I have been showing up in relationships in ways I think are expected of me, instead of who I am actually wired to be, and yes, that includes my husband and me missing each other mid-conversation more than I’d like to admit.We also discuss how these patterns can also have strong impacts on parenting, friendships, and even self-care, and one story that hit me hard was realizing that holding out my “I got this, let me help you” sign often keeps people at arm’s length because vulnerability feels too risky. Learning to express my needs without fear has been such a huge game-changer. Listen as Jason shares some practical tips for seeing differences as gifts, understanding where misunderstandings come from, and how intentional awareness can make every conversation more meaningful. By the end, I felt so inspired to rethink how I show up, listen, and allow people in without expecting them to mirror me exactly. If you have ever wanted a roadmap for connecting more authentically with the people in your life (family, friends, colleagues, or even yourself), then this episode is full of insights that really stick, and be sure to grab a copy of Discovering Your Communication Type!In This Episode[0:35] - Today’s conversation is with Jason VanRuler, author of Discovering Your Communication Type.[2;28] - I open up and admit that Jesse and I sometimes misunderstand one another mid-conversation.[3:47] - Jason explains his five paths.[5:19] - I reflect on having realized that I balance advocacy with a learned harboring to meet others’ expectations.[7:49] - Early-life communication patterns often resurface during stress, helping to explain misunderstandings in adult interactions.[9:14] - Jason notes that awareness of our communication style allows us to give and receive meaningfully.[11:58] - Hear how I have recognized that accepting care for myself felt as vulnerable as asking for it.[14:07] - Hear how Jason realized expressing needs clearly allows others to love and support more fully.[17:02] - Sharing vulnerability with multiple people enriches life and strengthens relationships.[19:43] - Jason and I talk about how understanding and valuing different communication styles strengthens relationships and lessens conflict.[22:02] - Effective communication requires listening, understanding others’ perspectives, and adjusting your approach for each situation![25:45] - Jason reflects that healthy relationships require patience, mutual effort, and embracing others’ timelines.[29:08] - Hear how writing prompted Jason to recognize the value of outside perspectives for self-awareness.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineBooksDiscovering Your Communication Type: The 5 Paths to Deeper Connections and Stronger Relationships by Jason VanRulerSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Listen in this week as Jesse and I share five exciting updates from the Paine house as of late! Some of our updates are more practical, some are deeply personal, and a few honestly caught me completely off guard, and Jesse comes into the conversation without knowing what I am going to share, which makes it even more fun as we walk through what’s been happening behind the scenes in our world!I start off with something that might sound minor but honestly felt pretty significant to me - a recent dentist visit that went surprisingly well after years of being told something was wrong with my teeth. After working with a functional medicine doctor and trying oil pulling (something that I was very skeptical about), I had a completely different experience at my last appointment. It made me think more about the connection between oral health and overall health and whether some of the small habits that I have added might actually be making a difference.From there, we share an update about our son David as he prepares to start kindergarten this fall. If you have been following our story, then you know how remarkable that moment feels for our family. David's team has been working closely with us to create a plan that supports his unique needs, and hearing the goals that they have set for him is both exciting and emotional. David continues to surprise everyone with his determination and personality, and we talk about some of the ways that he’s already showing just how capable that he is!Another unexpected development is that I agreed to run a 10K with our daughter. That decision has launched me into a whole new world of running, training, and learning far more about shoes and socks than I ever expected. I also share how an unexpected invitation is taking me to Guatemala this summer, something that’s been on my heart since we adopted David, and finally, the biggest update of all: I finished writing my next book! I reveal the title, share the story behind how it came together, and explain why this project feels especially meaningful to me. I hope that you enjoy this episode, and please feel free to reach out with your thoughts!In This Episode[0:35] - Jesse and I are sharing five recent updates from our home![2:30] - Hear how, despite brushing obsessively, discussing my dental history revealed more serious oral health concerns.[3:52] - I share how, after months of oil pulling, my dentist visit finally showed unexpectedly healthy teeth.[7:26] - Realizing oral health affects overall health, I have begun flossing far more often.[8:28] - David will start kindergarten with extensive support, continually surprising everyone with his determination![11:57] - Although full days can be tiring, we are so excited for David’s growth and the support surrounding him![13:58] - Hear how I impulsively agreed to run a 10K and am now learning how to train.[16:37] - I discuss how a salesperson encouraged me to try specialty socks, and I loved them so much that I bought two pairs![18:14] - Hear how new running shoes improved my comfort and endurance, helping me run three miles without stopping.[20:59] - Unexpectedly invited on a church trip, I’m finally visiting Guatemala, a longtime personal dream![23:46] - I reveal that, after nearly two years of work, I finally completed the manuscript for my upcoming book.[26:43] - I also reveal the title of my new book – The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women.[29:22] - Early preorders of the upcoming book include access to a live Q&A call with me!Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineBooksThe 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women: How to Stop Stressing, Begin Where You Are, and Build the Future You Want by Crystal PaineSign up for the free live Q&A call with Crystal when you pre-order!Social MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook [email protected] Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands