Episode #249: Summer Manifesto

by kathilipp | Apr 25, 2017 | Clutter Free, Clutter Free Podcast, Podcast | 0 comments

In this episode, Kathi Lipp and co-host Erin MacPherson discuss their great ideas for creating summer memories, keeping the chaos at a minimum and planning ahead for a successful time for you and your kids. While we all look forward to the slow-down summer brings, many of us also dread ALL THE HOURS of keeping everyone entertained, educated and active. Kathi walks us through her summer manifesto she used when her kids were still at home and Erin shares her strategies to keeping the kids off the iPad and keeping her sanity as a working mom.

Erin has shared her summer checklist for each of her three kids with us as well. Click here to download.

Kathi ‘s Summer Manifesto provides a great starting point for focusing your summer. The manifesto can be found below in the downloads section.

Kathy and Erin also discuss some great audio books to listen to over the summer.

Erin’s Audio Book Favorites:

Roald Dahl Audio Collection

Every Soul a Star

Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Kathi’s Audio Book Favorites:

Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less

Cheaper By the Dozen

Chronicles of Narnia

Adventures in Odyssey

Kathi and Erin want you to have a great summer – get some stuff off your checklist, have some fun with your kids, and enjoy the (sometimes) slower pace of summer.

Book Giveaway

Clutter Free Academy is giving away a free copy of the Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. Tell us what you do or plan to do over the summer in the comments below in the next seven days. One person will be randomly selected to receive the book.

The book giveaway is only available to US residents.

FREE DOWNLOAD

Download this inspiring and colorful Summer Manifesto by clicking on the image.

Meet Our Guest

Co-host, Erin MacPherson

Erin MacPherson lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Cameron, her sons Joey and Will and her daughter Kate. She is the author of “The Christian Mama’s Guide Series“, a staff writer for Dun & Bradstreet and a freelancer for publications like Thriving Family Magazine, MOPS MomSense, FamilyLife Magazine, Daily Guideposts and BEMag. She blogs about her life, her kids and her faith at ChristianMamasGuide.com.

Episode #248: Clutter Free Travel

by kathilipp | Apr 18, 2017 | Clutter Free, Podcast | 0 comments

Kathi and Co-host Erin MacPherson discuss their summer travel plans and how to travel clutter free. Both are taking big trips and need to pack lightly.

Kathi is taking a month sabbatical in celebration of her 50th birthday. She plans to spend 10 days at home and 20 days traveling with lots of R & R (Rest and Roger).

Erin is heading on a road trip with her husband, children, and parents in one SUV. They will be traveling to Florida and then up the eastern coast through Georgia, South Carolina, then across to the Great Smokey Mountains and then to Nashville and back home.

Clutter Free Tips

Kathi’s Suitcase!

They discuss packing tips, using ebags (packing cubes), and how to find great places to stay that feel like home.

If just one or two people are traveling, Kathi recommends AirBnB.

If you have a family and need more room, Erin recommends VRBO. Both places give you the comforts of home (kitchen, laundry, mores space, etc.).

Listen in to learn how to plan your own clutter free travel.

Meet Our Guest

Co-host Erin MacPherson

Erin MacPherson lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Cameron, her sons Joey and Will and her daughter Kate. She is the author of “The Christian Mama’s Guide Series“, a staff writer for Dun & Bradstreet and a freelancer for publications like Thriving Family Magazine, MOPS MomSense, FamilyLife Magazine, Daily Guideposts and BEMag. She blogs about her life, her kids and her faith at ChristianMamasGuide.com.

Episode #247: 7 Tips for Decluttering Sentimental Stuff

by kathilipp | Apr 11, 2017 | Bible Study, Clutter Free, Podcast | 0 comments

Clutter Free Bible Study

Clutter Free by Kathi Lipp has changed thousands of lives and now we are going even deeper when it comes to the reasons – the emotional and spiritual reasons – that lie beneath your clutter. In this six-week Bible Study you will, possibly for the first time, truly understand how God wants you to be free. Free from clutter so you can be free to change your world.

Kathi will help you to:

• Break free from the lies that keep you mired in clutter
• Uncover the shame that makes you hold onto things you will never use
• Confront the fear that keeps you down in ‘Just in Case” thinking
• Untangle from the guilt of letting go of things that no longer serve you

It doesn’t matter if you have rooms of clutter at your home or just feel overwhelmed by the constant flow of paperwork in your life, we can all use a friend to guide us through decluttering the distractions that keep us from living out the purpose God has for us. That’s exactly what you will get when you join Kathi for this funny, Bible-fueled journey that’s sure to bring you closer to the One who longs for your heart.

Kathi and cohost, Erin MacPherson discuss the 7 Tips for Decluttering Sentimental Stuff. Kathi has been dealing with her own decluttering project and shows before and after pictures of her pantry.

The Clutter Free Bible Study group has done the top layer of decluttering but is now dealing with the things that have sentimental value or promote guilt. Together they came up with some tips for dealing with the next level of clearing out the clutter.

7 Tips for Decluttering Sentimental Stuff

Start in the Kitchen There are fewer sentimental items there.
Put motto on the wall. Keep it visible in a place where you can see it.
Give it a final goodbye. Take a picture and write a memory about it and then get rid of it.
Remember when everything is precious, nothing is! You can’t keep everything. Some things you need to enjoy and let it go.
Keep 3 things per person. Three items that represent each person. Curate what is important and pass the rest on to someone else.
Don’t guilt others into keeping things.
Don’t value the past or the future and ignore the present. The clutter of the past or saving things for the future can just crowd out your present life.

Just do little things and start small. Let your house serve your present, not your past or your future.

Kathi’s Pantry Before and After

Meet Our Guest

Co-host, Erin MacPherson

Erin MacPherson lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Cameron, her sons Joey and Will and her daughter Kate. She is the author of “The Christian Mama’s Guide Series“, a staff writer for Dun & Bradstreet and a freelancer for publications like Thriving Family Magazine, MOPS MomSense, FamilyLife Magazine, Daily Guideposts and BEMag. She blogs about her life, her kids and her faith at ChristianMamasGuide.com.

Episode #246: Tips on Keeping Romance Alive

by kathilipp | Apr 4, 2017 | Marriage, Podcast | 0 comments

“If you don’t invest in your marriage now, you will have to invest in the recovery of your marriage later.” – Kathi Lipp

Kathi and co-host, Erin MacPherson discuss a reader question about how to keep the romance alive in a marriage. This all too familiar struggle in a life that often feels like survival of the fittest– kids, extracurricular schedules, houses, groceries, sickness, work— is one so many of us can relate to. Kathi and Erin discuss simple ideas to get some romance back in the mix of your marriage without making you feel like you have more check off the to-do list at the end of the day.

Listen in for great ideas, a good dose of humor and a talk that feels like coffee with friends.

Meet Our Guest

Co-host - Erin MacPherson

Erin MacPherson lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Cameron, her sons Joey and Will and her daughter Kate. She is the author of “The Christian Mama’s Guide Series“, a staff writer for Dun & Bradstreet and a freelancer for publications like Thriving Family Magazine, MOPS MomSense, FamilyLife Magazine, Daily Guideposts and BEMag. She blogs about her life, her kids and her faith at ChristianMamasGuide.com.

Episode #245: Fear Fighting: Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears

by kathilipp | Mar 28, 2017 | Clutter Free, Fear, Podcast | 0 comments

“To be in the Presence of God requires you to be present with God.” ~ Kelly Belarie

Fear Fighting

Often, we live feeling judged, worried, and apprehensive, as though our voice doesn’t count. We wear halfway smiles and live half-baked lives, trying to hide from what tomorrow will bring.

I know this routine, this song and dance. It’s exhausting. It’s crippling.

One trembling with the uncertainty of life can’t easily walk into the certainty of God’s great callings. One paralyzed with doubtfulness is not easily mesmerized with God’s goodness. One tallying up dangers, often finds, God becomes a stranger.

Join me, as we break the cage of fear. I found my way out – I learned to become a Fear Fighter – as I wrote the book – you will too.

Fear Fighting Women will:

Develop unstoppable faith so you can go with Christ-centered bravery.
Learn panic, blood pressure and stress-reducing prayers to usher in new peace.
Discover clear and practical action plans to welcome in new peace.
Discover daily bravery decrees to stand armed through the day.
Participate in a 12-week study guide to foster new courage-habits.
Fly the coop! Join me on this journey to become a courageous Fear Fighter!

Does fear ever consume you? Do your fears dictate how you make decisions? Do you wake up wondering what life is going to throw at you today?

Kathi talks with a new friend, Kelley Belarie, author of Fear Fighting: Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears. They discuss the experiences and fears Kelley lived through over the years and how she chose to fear “less” when trusting in God. Kelley developed a program to jumpstart your fearlessness. It teaches us how to take baby steps to overcome fear because this is not an overnight journey.

Sign up today for the 4 Days to Fearless Challenge.

Book Giveaway

Comment on “What area are you fearful and need to turn to God for help?” Leave you comment within the next 7 days and you will be entered into a random drawing for a copy of Fear Fighting: Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears.

This giveaway open to US readers only.

Meet Our Guest

Kelly Balarie

Who I am? I don’t fully know. As I figure it, I am still learning, still inching towards God to let his light shine on all he made me to be. But, one thing I have uncovered in this dim world is – I am a “Cheerleader of Faith.” Meaning, I cheerlead my own heart in truth, so it can walk by truth. Meaning, I get myself up, bruises and all, to figure out God’s leading. I listen.

Eps #244: Simple Ways to Celebrate Life Even When We Don’t Feel Like it

by kathilipp | Mar 21, 2017 | Overwhelmed, Podcast, Restore, The Me Project | 0 comments

Kathi talks with guest, Bekah Pogue about her book, Choosing Real, An Invitation to Celebrate When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned. When life isn’t really following the plan, there are beautiful things still happening all around us. These two energetic authors and speakers discuss how to use the 5 senses to discover joy in the simplest of things and celebrate life on a daily basis.

Bekah explains one of the important questions she asks herself when considering an activity or obligation: “Am I sacrificing my sanity or my family to make this happen?” Maybe you can relate. Join in this refreshing conversation and find some beauty in your everyday.

Choosing Real Giveaway

Bekah and Kathi are joining forces to give away two “Choosing Real” Kits. Each kit will contain a copy of the book, Choosing Real, An Invitation to Celebrate When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned and a $5.00 Starbucks Gift Card.

To win, leave a comment in the show notes about what brings your 5 senses alive.

This giveaway is only available to our U.S. listeners.

Meet Our Guest

Bekah Pogue

From Bekah’s website:
“I write from my heart about connection, faith, parenting, marriage, books, identity, my obsession with desserts, and all things real. If you’re looking for vulnerability, down with talking about hard things, and choosing to see genuine beauty every.single.day, consider yourself invited, friend.

My first book, Choosing Real: An Invitation to Celebrate When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned released December 2016. I also guest writer for Yellow Conference and cheer other writers along as a writing coach. I love communicating with women, whether in small groups or large conferences, as if you were sitting on my couch and catching up as old friends. You can find me at the beach, reading, baking, rearranging furniture or flea-marketing. My creative hubs, Bryan and I have been married a dozen years. We have two energetic boys, and reside at The Pogue Cottage in Huntington Beach, where dance parties are a regular occurrence..”