
Kathi sits down this week with bestselling author, Proverbs 31 speaker, and boomerang friend, Karen Ehman, to discuss how to cope when someone else’s stuff drives you crazy. Clutter is a major source of conflict in relationships, especially since clutter-prone people often live with people who are not. If you have someone in your life whose stuff drives you crazy, this episode is for you!
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Three common reasons behind all relational conflicts and how to successfully address them.
- How to navigate getting your spouse on board with your decluttering goal.
- A powerful one-sentence sermon you can tell yourself when someone’s stuff drives you crazy.
You can get your own copy of Karen’s book here: Keep Showing Up: How to Stay Crazy in Love When Your Love Drives You Crazy.
If you’d like a chance to win a copy, comment below letting us know: What is one thing that you could take away from today’s podcast to help you in your clutter struggle with your spouse or someone else?
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Meet Our Guest

Karen Ehman
Karen Ehman is a New York Times bestselling author, a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker, and a writer for Encouragement For Today, an online devotional that reaches over 4 million users daily. She has written 14 books and Bible studies and been featured on numerous media outlets including TODAY Show Parents, FoxNews.com, and Redbook.com. A wife and mother of three, she resides in the boondocks of central Michigan. You can learn more at karenehman.com.
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- #652 The Clutter Free Lifestyle: 10 Habits That Actually Work - January 14, 2025
Recognizing that we have different perspectives on the stuff of life is so important! For me, I especially need to respect his time table. It’s not going to be the same as mine.
Thanks for the great insight, Karen.
My one takeaway from this podcast? Sermon to myself: “Different is not wrong, it’s just different!” Thank you, Karen & Kathi! 🙂
Everyone’s perspective is different
I look forward to your podcast every week. This is one of the best so far. We’ve been married 41 years and have learned all this to be true, not from a book or podcast, but from a lot of hard knocks and tears.
What a great resource this would be for a couple just starting out or struggling.
Thanks for the message. It sure rings true!
Congratulations Susan, you are a winner. Please check your email for more details. ~Kathi Lipp Giveaway Team
What I pulled from your episode #371.
Compromise can also be spelled out as Respect. I’m the biggest cluttering person, but I try really hard & he knows that, there are times it becomes more than I can handle & he steps and guides me ??. For example lol this one plywood small storage unit that has been my “candles” spot but has “junk” in it too, so while we’re putting our office/ bed back to its 2 yrs earlier format he kindly made space for the “stuff” so we could get rid of my ?10 yr old dilapidated storage unit. ?? I just said thank you Lord for husbands love & respect. God is good ?
Congratulations Rhonda, you are a winner! Please check your email for more details. ~Kathi Lipp Giveaway Team