Crystal Paine Show

Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity by Saundra Dalton-Smith

Saundra’s Free Rest Quiz

Books

Being Fully Known: The Joyful Satisfaction of Beholding, Becoming, and Belonging by Saundra Dalton-Smith

Social Media

crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Saundra Dalton-Smith on Instagram (@drdaltonsmith)

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36 MIN

MAR 18, 2025

295. Surprising Lessons I Learned on My Trip to Disney

Jesse is back in the studio with me this week as we share some newsy updates from recently. Tune in as I share some highlights from my recent solo trip to Disney World, where I joined my business coach Alli Worthington for a getaway. I had initially resisted the idea of wearing Disney ears, but the trip turned out to be a truly profound experience for me, both personally and professionally. While there, I found myself reconnecting with my inner child and reflecting on the awe and wonder that I had been missing.

I discuss how Alli's approach to life really inspired me deeply and reminded me of the importance of seeing the world with fresh eyes. The trip also gave me a wonderful opportunity to pour into other women and receive coaching that shifted my mindset and leadership in my business!

We also share an update about Silas, who had the opportunity to visit Grand Canyon University during a service trip. It was amazing to see how impressed he was by his experience there, sparking new excitement for his eventual college journey!

Afterward, Kathrynne and I took a spring break trip to Charleston, South Carolina, and I couldn’t have been more grateful when she chose to forgo a trip with friends to spend that precious time with me! Our time in Charleston was all about strengthening our bond and creating memories, and it was truly such a gift!

We wrap up by reflecting on how much our kids have grown, especially in their character and maturity. These recent trips have reminded me how important it is to invest in relationships and how meaningful those moments can be, and I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did sharing it with you!

In This Episode

[00:35] - I am sharing my unexpected solo trip to Disney, a place that I never had strong connections to.

[02:15] - After praying for a mentor, I discuss how I found Alli Worthington as a coach.

[05:02] - Investing in coaching with Alli has profoundly impacted my life and business.

[07:11] - Hear how I initially hesitated about going to Disney World but ended up gaining unexpected growth.

[10:56] - I struggled with the idea of wearing Disney ears but eventually embraced the idea.

[12:54] - I ended up having a lot of fun wearing the ears and look forward to wearing them again.

[15:41] - Hear how I learned the value of play, being present, and making deep connections during the trip.

[19:13] - I ultimately feel grateful for the deep conversations and connections I had during the client getaway.

[21:27] - Silas participated in a service trip to Arizona, helping create pallets for refugee families.

[23:27] - Silas had Grand Canyon University on his college list!

[25:56] - Jesse had a successful spring training trip with Silas, including attending baseball games in Phoenix.

[28:40] - I reflect on how much the kids struggled with Jesse's absence.

[31:28] - I recall a chaotic time with the kids, including Micah’s nursemaid's elbow injury.

[34:06] - I successfully followed a YouTube tutorial to help Micah raise his arm.

[37:13] - I feel encouraged by our older kids' growth, and I'm excited about a spring break trip with Kathrynne.

Links & Resources

Social Media

294. Celebrating Black History All Year Long (with Trillia Newbell)

crystal@moneysavingmom.com

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41 MIN

MAR 11, 2025

I have been so excited for this episode because I had the pleasure of sitting down with Trillia Newbell, author of the book Celebrating Around the Table: Learning the Stories of Black Christians Through Readings, Fellowships, Food, and Faith!

When we talk about celebrating culture within the church, what does that actually look like in our homes, around our tables, and in our conversations with our kids? You have perhaps considered this before, but even if you haven't, then you are not going to want to miss this episode because Trillia offers a wealth of insight and experience as she talks about the book.

Celebrating Around the Table is a book which invites families to explore Black history through devotionals, recipes, and meaningful discussions, but it definitely is not just a book about the past; it is also about how Christians can embrace and celebrate the beautiful diversity interwoven into the church.

Tune in as Trillia shares how her own interracial family has learned to cherish both their Black heritage and their shared faith, using Black History Month as a time to reflect, learn, and celebrate. She and I also talk about the church’s role in addressing racism, not with vague calls for unity but with actual, actionable conversations about sin, repentance, and reconciliation.

Via the powerful stories throughout her book, such as those of Elizabeth Freeman who fought for her freedom in court and Ruby Bridges who faced truly unimaginable challenges as a child, Trillia reminds us how faith, courage, and perseverance have shaped history and why these stories absolutely still matter today!

Again, this is an incredibly rich conversation that you are not going to want to miss, whether you are looking for ways to honor Black history with your family or wondering how to have honest, gospel-centered conversations about race, this episode is sure to enlighten, encourage, and even challenge you!

In This Episode

[0:35] - I am so excited to welcome Trillia Newbell, author of Celebrating Around the Table, to the show!

[1:38] - Trillia cherishes her interracial family, enjoys parenting teens, and supports their artistic ambitions.

[4:40] - Trillia's biracial children embrace both cultures, and she is grateful for a family life free of racism.

[8:01] - Trillia's family celebrates Black History Month by learning about influential Black historical figures.

[10:15] - Elizabeth Freeman won her freedom in court after realizing her equality via the Declaration.

[11:41] - Ruby Bridges, at only six years old, desegregated schools, showing faith, courage, and forgiveness despite hatred.

[14:56] - Cooking and discussing cultural recipes can lead to meaningful conversations about history, faith, and community.

[17:17] - Understanding others’ histories and experiences can help break barriers.

[19:38] - Trillia states that racism persists because of sin, causing pain and requiring ongoing resistance until Christ's return.

[23:09] - The church must preach repentance, confront sin, and promote reconciliation that goes beyond political debates.

[25:23] - Trillia believes that parents need to teach children early to appreciate diversity.

[27:19] - I point out how experiencing diverse cultures deepens faith and that family separation causes generational trauma, as seen in slavery.

[29:31] - Trillia adds that slavery’s cruelty tore families apart, erased histories, and tried to strip people of their humanity.

[31:25] - Celebrating Around the Table highlights forgiveness, hope, and the beauty of human diversity.

[33:23] - Trillia closes by expressing that our unity is already won through Jesus, so we should live in that reality now.

Links & Resources

Celebrating Around the Table: Learning the Stories of Black Christians Through Readings, Fellowships, Food, and Faith by Trillia J. Newbell

Books

Social Media

293. How to Plan Your Week So You Can Actually Take a Day Off (with Kathi Lipp)

crystal@moneysavingmom.com

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35 MIN

MAR 4, 2025

This week, I got to interview my friend, Kathi Lipp all about creating rhythms to allow us to have space to breathe, welcome people into our lives, and reach out to others through the ministry of food. Kathi and I have known each other for years and I loved getting to learn from her and talk about her new book, Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest

This book is packed full of weekly menus to have you set your week up to have a day off from cooking. In addition to many meal plans, it's packed with advice and inspiration to be more intentional in ministering to others through food.

Kathi shares how her background, including growing up with a father who was a hoarder, helped form her understanding of hospitality and home life. Over the years, she has learned to declutter not just her physical space but also her schedule, realizing that creating meaningful connections didn’t have to come at the expense of exhaustion.

She shares how she began to view the Sabbath not as an obligation but as a gift, with this book being the result: a framework for preparing ahead so that Sundays can truly be a day of rest.

Listen in as we talk about the practical side of this and how meal planning throughout the week leads to stress-free Sundays, why soup became Kathi’s go-to solution, and how small shifts in approach can make a real difference!

Breaking down for us how the book is structured, including 28 weekly menus tailored to the seasons, she explains that it is designed to be simple and flexible for any household, and, of course, we discuss how planning ahead allows us to not only care for ourselves but also extend hospitality to others!

If you have ever felt like a Sabbath day is a luxury that you can’t afford, this conversation just might change your mind. Kathi’s approach is practical and realistic, no matter what stage of life you’re in.

In This Episode

[0:35] - I am joined today by my friend, Kathi Lipp!

[5:10] - Decluttering has helped Kathi create meaningful connections, but embracing Sabbath rest transformed her life.

[8:39] - Kathi plans meals weekly to ensure that Sundays are open for rest and sharing food.

[11:38] - When did Kathi come up with the idea of a “sabbath soup”?

[13:45] - Kathi shares how her new book Sabbath Soup has twenty-eight weekly menus.

[15:27] - Kathi tailors meal planning to her needs, creatively making use of leftovers.

[18:59] - Inspired by past kindness, Kathi keeps supplies ready to help neighbors in difficult times.

[22:40] - I share how a friend's bringing over banana bread deeply moved me on a day when I needed to know I wasn't alone.

[23:58] - Offering food, even something store-bought, can be a simple yet meaningful act of kindness and support.

[25:24] - Hospitality doesn't require perfection, and inviting others to help makes gatherings feel more effortless.

[28:30] - Meeting people where they are and addressing their needs can truly make a lasting impact.

Links & Resources

Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest by Kathi Lipp

Books

Social Media

292. Habits of the Household + some newsy updates!

crystal@moneysavingmom.com

Our Sponsors:
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Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

35 MIN

FEB 25, 2025

Jesse and I are back in the studio together this week as we discuss the book Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Justin Whitmel Earley, a book that I have already talked about on the show! Last time that I mentioned it, I was only halfway through it, but now that I have finished it, I have so much more to share, with the best part being that I have realized that many of the rhythms and routines our family already practices are reinforcing the story of God in our daily lives. There is, of course, always room for improvement, and we talk in this episode about both the habits that we have built and the areas where we are still learning.

We also talk about the past two weeks because wow, they have truly been something! It all started with one of our kids spiking a 104.5-degree fever (flu A, as it turned out). Then, I took a trip to Kansas to be with my parents and to help manage a huge Valentine’s Day banquet, only to have to come home earlier than planned due to getting sick myself! I, too, had the flu, and it was really bad; it was the kind of sickness where you spend an entire week in bed, questioning if you’ll ever breathe normally again. Thankfully, the rest of the family (mostly) avoided it, and Jesse still got to take Silas on a much-anticipated CrossFit trip, which was its own adventure!

Through it all, I kept coming back to the power of habits, not just the ones in the book but also the ones that sustain us when life feels like a whirlwind. Whether it’s embracing rest when our bodies demand it, showing up for our kids in ways that we don’t always plan, or simply finding joy in small, everyday moments, these past two weeks have truly been a reminder of why our daily rhythms matter!

In This Episode

[0:35] - Jesse and I are revisiting the book Habits of the Household after a very eventful two weeks!

[1:51] - Our youngest daughter had persistent high fevers before testing positive for flu A at urgent care.

[4:25] - Concerned about the flu spreading, I still traveled to Kansas and helped at my parents' banquet because I had not gotten sick.

[6:49] - I had a great time helping with my parents’ Valentine’s banquet but unfortunately became sick myself during the trip.

[9:05] - I rushed home early due to my illness and an impending snowstorm, losing hearing mid-flight due to congestion.

[11:56] - Diagnosed with the flu, I took a new antiviral, rested a week, and gradually got better.

[14:29] - Determined to recover, I cared for the kids while Jesse and Silas attended a CrossFit event.

[17:01] - Jesse reflects on having trained at a CrossFit camp with Silas, learning techniques and pushing personal limits.

[20:21] - Hear how a listener shared that her grandparents impressively celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary!

[22:18] - I found Habits of the Household encouraging, reinforcing habits that our family already practiced unconsciously.

[23:40] - I avoid my phone in the morning, prioritizing faith, exercise, and intentional time with Jesse.

[26:29] - Jesse shares having realized that our early schedules left us too tired, resulting in a needed routine adjustment.

[27:00] - Hear how we now connect mid-afternoon and Wednesday nights.

[30:58] - Habits of the Household reassured me that maintaining routines amid chaos will pay off in the end.

[33:21] - Our bedtime tradition of reading and devotionals reinforces faith through small but consistent moments.

[36:56] - We have a free, colorful daily planner to help with organization and habit-building!

Links & Resources

Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Justin Whitmel Earley

Free Daily Planner

Books

Little House on the Prairie (book series) by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Social Media