Crystal Paine Show

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

I am so thrilled to have today’s guest on the show because not only does she have brilliant insights to share, she is also a very dear friend as well as my acquisitions editor! Jennifer Dukes Lee is the author of the book How to Love Your Morning: Faith-Filled Habits to Build a Life of Joy and Purpose One Day at a Time, and she joins me for this episode to talk about just that - how to love your morning!Jennifer offers a truly refreshing perspective that mornings aren’t about the time on the clock but are rather about the mindset that you bring into the day. You don’t have to wake up at 5 a.m. or have two hours of quiet to start well. It’s about the little intentional choices that you make such as greeting God in prayer, practicing gratitude, or reflecting on scripture. She reframes mornings as sacred opportunities even on the hardest days and gives practical ways to create rhythms that fit your life, whether you’re caring for kids, grieving, exhausted from night shifts, or just overwhelmed.We talk about how small, realistic habits such as setting out clothes the night before, keeping a prayer list by the coffee (or, in my opinion, espresso) maker, or even just stepping outside for a moment of sunlight can truly change your day by setting it on the right track. Listen in as Jennifer shares stories from women across different life stages, as well as historical and everyday figures, showing that there’s no one “perfect” morning routine. I especially love how her book makes it so accessible; it’s permission-giving, practical, and so encouraging!We also discuss the accompanying six-session Bible study that helps you explore mornings in scripture, offering a chance to go deeper, alone or with friends. Jennifer’s insights reminded me why approaching the day with intention, hope, and God at the center can reshape not just your mornings but your overall life! If you have ever wished that mornings felt less stressful, more meaningful, or simply more joyful, then this episode is definitely for you! Tune in, and please, as always, feel free to reach out to me with your thoughts!In This Episode[0:35] - I welcome my good friend Jennifer Dukes Lee to the show to talk about her book How to Love Your Morning![1:52] - Jennifer explains how being a morning person is mindset-focused, not defined by the hour you wake.[4:05] - Jennifer encourages shifting stressful routines into meaningful rituals such as prayer, gratitude, or scripture reflection.[6:23] - Even during grief or sleepless nights, morning rituals can help you face the day with presence and strength.[9:52] - I point out that impactful mornings rely on small, realistic habits, not two-hour perfect routines.[11:13] - Simple, sacred practices like prayer and stepping outside invite God into the start of each day.[14:49] - I reflect on how stacking small, accessible habits onto daily tasks helps create meaningful morning rhythms.[17:39] - I also reflect on how giving up coffee was initially difficult because it felt like giving up part of my morning ritual.[19:00] - Jennifer encourages listeners to begin their mornings with meaningful habits, movement, nourishment, and healthy sleep routines.[22:55] - Preparing for my morning the night before has been a big gamechanger.[25:16] - Jennifer highlights how even just one intentional habit can create calmness and inspiration for the whole morning.[28:28] - Mornings don’t need to be the same for everyone; effectiveness depends on what fits your life.[31:19] - Scripture reveals mornings to be spiritually important; starting the day with hope aligns us with God’s design.[34:54] - Doing morning practices with friends can help strengthen accountability and boost everyday joy.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineBooksHow to Love Your Morning: Faith-Filled Habits to Build a Life of Joy and Purpose One Day at a Time by Jennifer Dukes LeeHow to Love Your Morning Bible Study: 6-Session Guided Journey to Build a Life of Joy and Purpose One Day at a Time (Devotional Study to Start Your Day and Wake Up Thanking God for Every Sunrise by Jennifer Dukes LeeSocial 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

Although we inadvertently took a few weeks off from the podcast, we are back, and overall, the most accurate way to describe life lately is “full.” Between spring breaks, kids popping in and out of the house, and multiple trips layered on top of one another, quiet moments have been pretty rare around here.Listen in this week as Jesse and I do something we hadn’t actually had time to do yet: sit down and process everything that’s happened over the past few weeks. We talk about the whirlwind of travel – his father-son ski trip to Utah with Silas, my church retreat, and, of course, the titular school trip to Denver that Jesse chaperoned, which he describes as “the most servant-oriented trip I’ve been on.”Of course, though, life did not slow down when the trips ended. In fact, we walked straight from the airport into a memorial service for three young men whose lives were tragically cut short. One of them had been very close to our family, and the loss really hit our girls – and all of us – deeply.A big part of this episode, however, as previously mentioned, focuses on Jesse’s time serving alongside students at the Denver Dream Center. Hear how they spent their days hiking in the mountains and their evenings working in inner-city Denver, sharing meals with people experiencing homelessness and connecting with people who were rebuilding their lives after incarceration. Listen as Jesse shares and reflects on some stories about the conversations that happened there such as moments where the goal wasn’t to “fix” anyone but simply to listen, learn names, and recognize the humanity in front of you!Jesse and I also discuss how even just small choices can shape the direction of a life (for better or worse) and how courage often looks like doing something that feels strange, risky, or unsupported. Sometimes, the most meaningful moments come when we step outside the safe little spaces we’ve built for ourselves and choose to do the thing that scares us most. I hope that you enjoy this heartfelt conversation with Jesse!In This Episode[0:35] - We have been absent for a few weeks because of a lot of chaos![3:45] - Jesse notes how we haven’t recorded since the trips, which became a major part of his story.[4:00] - I reflect on how, after returning home, we attended a tragic memorial before juggling several trips and retreats.[7:26] - Hear how Silas chose a Denver school trip where students hiked Colorado and served the homeless.[10:24] - What is the ultimate goal of the Denver Dream Center?[13:24] - Jesse and I talk about how serving others begins with seeing their humanity, learning their stories, and offering dignity and hope![16:35] - Serving others ultimately means seeing people’s humanity, learning from them, and connecting without superiority or judgment.[19:33] - I express my belief that experiences such as Silas’s trip help young people rethink priorities and what's truly important.[20:16] - Even small choices and courageous ones can reshape the direction of someone's life.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

I am so excited to be bringing this conversation with repeat guest Addison Bevere to you! Addison is the author of the book Words with God: Trading Boring, Empty Prayer for Real Connection, and his work has really stayed with me since our last discussion. I have, in fact, told so many people about how his heart for faith feels grounded, honest, and alive, and, in this new episode, we talk about his new prayer journal that accompanies his book which is designed as a 40-day invitation to build a more real rhythm with God rather than trying to achieve perfect performance. After all, prayer should not be performative!One of the themes that keeps coming up throughout our conversation is the idea that prayer isn’t about getting the words right, and I reflect a bit about my own experience learning to slow down and practice rest as a spiritual discipline, something I never really thought much about before. Addison explains how many people feel they are “bad at prayer” because they approach it through shame or expectation rather than connection, and, instead, he frames prayer as simply showing up honestly and paying attention.We also unpack how quickly our mornings can be hijacked by screens, anxiety, or the pressure to immediately start producing, with Addison sharing a simple but powerful practice: when you wake up, breathe, rest in the moment, and allow your mind and heart to settle before grabbing your phone. He explains how early morning brain states may be uniquely open to reflection, creativity, and spiritual awareness, and I also reflect on how this practice has helped me move from feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands to seeing them as opportunities to respond with love and intention. Addison highlights the importance of writing down fears, burdens, or questions that can help name what we are carrying and create space for clarity.If you have ever felt unsure how to pray, struggled with slowing down, or longed for a deeper sense of closeness with God, this conversation offers a gentle, practical framework for beginning. I hope that you enjoy this conversation with Addison, and, as always, I would love for you to reach out with your thoughts!In This Episode[0:35] - Welcome Addison Bevere back to the show![2:07] - Addison believes that prayer thrives on relationship, not performance, and frees us from shame.[5:48] - Showing up honestly before God each morning is more important than fighting distraction or cultural pressure.[8:16] - Addison asserts that morning openness invites rest and awareness, while phone use often replaces calm with anxiety.[11:02] - Listeners are encouraged to breathe, rest, and avoid phones after waking to help nurture creativity.[13:24] - Surrendering control each day leads to clarity, compassion, and wisdom.[16:57] - Addison reminds us that remembering answered prayers and embracing limits helps foster humility, trust, and deeper spiritual growth.[19:39] - I describe relying on the Holy Spirit to guide parenting and daily conversations for me.[21:58] - Hear how morning listening helps Addison speak compassionately rather than react from a place of insecurity.[24:49] - I reflect on how starting the day slowly helps me reflect and reconnect with God and my body.[25:51] - According to Addison, writing fears or pain gives language to emotions, helping awareness and release.[27:22] - Hear how anxiety can help signal inner needs, helping discern God’s guidance vs. condemning voices.[30:44] - True prayer invites closeness with God and others, avoiding religious rigidity.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineThe Crystal Paine Show - 211. Trading Boring, Empty Prayer for Real Connection (with Addison Bevere)BooksWords with God: Trading Boring, Empty Prayer for Real Connection by Addison D. BevereWords with God Prayer Journal: 40 Days of Getting Real with God by Addison D. BevereSocial 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