Does getting your entire family around the table feel impossible at times? Between long commutes and conflicting sports schedules, nursing babies and pure exhaustion, there are plenty of reasons why we struggle to get around the table?even though we know it matters. According to Katie?s stellar research and our own at-home attempts, eating together can foster connection, protect mental health, reduce stress, and make room for intentional conversations. This episode is certainly not a how-to on proper meals and table manners (if you only knew!), but rather a new-ish practice in our homes we hope you can pull up a seat for. Remember, it doesn?t matter what shade of beige you?re feeding your family?quesadillas and Dino Nuggets count?as long as you?re serving it with a side of grace.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous Substack community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party (and get bonus episodes!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

Need recipe ideas for family dinner? We?ve got you covered. 

Need better talking points around the table? Check out our bonus episode, How To Ask Better Questions.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs. 

 

Tap, tap. Is this thing on? We?re officially back after a looooong (unplanned) break, which is why we?re kicking this episode off with an official State of the Podcast address. Thank you for your grace and patience with us! Today we?re diving into the annoyances that don?t bother us (as much) as they once did. You?ll hear how Ashlee?s no longer rattled by crying babies, how Katie?s proudly sporting tank tops (get it, girl!), and how Jill is learning to let go of what others think of her. Whether you?re someone who?s easily irked?like two-thirds of us?or you stroll through life unruffled, we hope this conversion encourages you to feel less flustered by, or maybe even fully free of, something that?s been getting under your skin. 

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous Substack community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party (and get bonus episodes!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For a more in-depth conversation about what?s been happening behind the scenes of the podcast, we share more in this bonus episode.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

From friendship gestures to body confidence to learning how to rest, in this episode we share a few small acts?done by us and others?that have left a big mark. Ashlee acknowledges the gift of putting down forks and being fully present, Katie gives us the lowdown on the five-minute phone call, and Jill shares her conviction to finally put on the swimsuit and jump in the lake. We hope this episode encourages you to take a quick inventory of the little things that are actually big things in your own life, too!

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Substack community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

 

Is there anything better than reading a good book over summer vacation? Today, we?re sharing our latest favorites?from easy-breezy reads to life-changing memoirs. Whether you gravitate toward practical non-fiction, or prefer the poetry of a well-written novel, we?ve got you covered. We hope these recs inspire you to head to the library (or fill up that ever-growing Amazon cart) ASAP in search of stories that move you. Happy summer. Happy reading.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Substack community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

Today we?re talking about the important?and sometimes misrepresented?topic of adoption. Katie chats with Becky (an adoptive mom) and Jamie (an adoptee) about the complexities and layers of this calling that most of the world never sees. 

Becky shares the steep learning curve of being an adoptive parent, but also the undeniable gifts and joys God has shown her along the way. Jamie speaks honestly about the grief she?s walked through, sheds light on some common misconceptions about adoption, and moves us deeply when she talks about embracing her belovedness. Although adoption plays a different role in each of these women?s lives, both have come to the same conclusion: God?s grace is abundant, and He is in the business of making things new. 

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Substack community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

 

From soccer mom acquaintances to soul sisters, today we?re talking about different kinds of friendships and all things friendship with author and podcaster, Laura Tremaine. We chat about making friends a priority, believing the best in each other, and the less fun (but necessary!) stuff like navigating DTRs, friendship reckonings, and even break-ups. Plus, Laura shares a few tips for meeting new friends on the internet. (Did you know your C+C hosts met each other online!?) We hope this conversation inspires you to take a few minutes to pursue and appreciate the beautiful friendships in your own life.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Substack community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

 

From the nitty gritty logistics to the right heart posture, today we?re talking all things hospitality. Sparkling floors and perfectly fluffed pillows: optional. Inviting people into our homes, as is, for real connection and real conversation: essential. Whether you enjoy cooking a beautiful three-course meal, or you?d rather serve store-bought cookies on a paper plate, we hope this episode encourages you to welcome old and new friends?and maybe that neighbor you keep meaning to talk to?into your life, mess and all. Plus, Katie gives a very convincing argument on why sheet pan nachos are the perfect food to serve any crowd. 

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Substack community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

We vacuum crumbs only to have little hands drop more on the floor, and we try to figure out what?s for dinner (again!). At times, the monotony of being a mom can leave us wondering: does this even matter? Today, Jill and Katie talk with Coffee + Crumbs writer and author of All Who Are Weary, Sarah Hauser, who reminds us that although so much of motherhood goes unseen, God notices ordinary faithfulness and can use the most mundane moments for his glory. If you?re feeling weary, we hope this conversation refreshes your soul and reminds you that you?re seen, you?re deeply loved, and your work matters.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Substack community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

After a loooong winter hiatus, we?re back just in time to celebrate the launch of Ashlee?s book, Create Anyway, which is now officially out in the wild (!). From infusing art into the most mundane tasks to reframing creativity as a posture, today we?re chatting about how creativity has changed us (and our mothering!) for the better. Plus, Katie and Ashlee get a little teary-eyed talking about photography. We hope this episode reminds you that creativity is valuable and worth carving out space for?not in spite of motherhood, but because of motherhood.

In other news at Coffee + Crumbs, our Spring Collection is here! Head over to coffeeandcrumbs.net/spring-collection to check it out.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Substack community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

In our last episode of 2022, please queue up the dramatic music and prep the stage for an imaginary awards ceremony celebrating the best moments, products, and people that have brightened our year. From the natural deodorant that doesn?t leave Jill smelling like greek salad (lol) to the bike shorts that made Katie finally realize she?s not as insecure as she used to be?most of these awards are silly, but some of them are meaningful, too. We hope this lighthearted conversation inspires you to create your own Best of 2022 list for the year! 

Be sure to listen to the end for a few announcements about some exciting new changes coming to Coffee + Crumbs in 2023. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

What is it like to be sober in a society that glamorizes and makes light of drinking so often, especially in correlation with motherhood? Today we?re chatting with Dana Bowman?a mother in recovery?who shares how she once found validation in ?Wine Mom? culture, before hitting rock bottom in 2014. Through the honest lens of her own experience, Dana offers some alternative ways we can approach conversations, hospitality, and even social media posts more empathetically, to support those struggling with alcohol use. 

If you think you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use, we hope this episode meets you with grace and encourages you to take the next right step toward health and healing.   

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

From five-dollar simple pleasures to the splurges that were totally worth it, today we?re sharing a few of our favorite things. While Jill teaches us how to level up our at-home spa game (hello, eucalyptus shower spray!), Katie is here to convince us that mushroom coffee is definitely worth trying. Plus, Ashlee?s undying love for the weighted blanket continues, per her confession of hauling all fifteen pounds of it when she travels. Whatever you fill your cart with this week, we hope you have a cozy and happy Thanksgiving! This episode is not sponsored by Aquaphor (or anyone for that matter), but it probably could have been.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

Today we?re talking with Aundi Kolber?a mother, professional counselor, and author?about motherhood and trauma. For many of us, trauma is a word we have reserved for people who have gone through life-altering, dangerous, or abusive experiences, and we have never given attention to the ?little t traumas? that add up over a lifetime. No matter where you are, or what you?ve survived, Aundi compassionately walks us through this important conversation on honoring your story, learning how to be a mother even if you didn?t have a great example, and taking care of yourself so you can, in turn, take care of others. You?ll also learn a few ways to parent with empathy, so you can guide your children through their own pain. Whether you?ve endured a devastating circumstance, or many months of overwhelm, we hope this episode encourages you to make space for healing.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

In this honest and vulnerable episode, Katie talks with Sonya, Melanie, and Julie, three Coffee + Crumbs team members who were all diagnosed with breast cancer between 2020 and 2022. You?ll hear how all of these women felt or discovered something abnormal on their own and advocated for themselves to follow up on their intuition. You?ll listen in on the emotions that accompanied the agony of waiting for test results. They?ll let us in on how they shared the news with their kids. And mostly, you?ll hear from each of these women how cancer has forever changed them. 

This episode takes us up close to women who have had a life-altering diagnosis, and our hope is that by listening, we can all learn empathy, compassion, or ? if this diagnosis is yours ? a way to walk forward with both courage and grace for yourself. 

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

Do you ever feel like you spend too much time on your phone? Today we?re chatting with author Hannah Brencher about her 1,000 Unplugged Hours Challenge and how her creativity, marriage, and mothering have flourished since she?s started putting down her phone more often. Unplugging isn?t always easy (no more scrolling during date night arguments!), but as Hannah gently reminds us, there?s plenty of life to enjoy, even when we?re unavailable to the rest of the world. Whether you print Hannah?s tracker sheet, or simply take a quick inventory of your own habits, we hope this conversation encourages you to reclaim more of the beautiful life in front of you. 

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

Today we?re diving into the nuance of technology?acknowledging the good parts (access to information! efficiency! staying connected!) and the hard parts (overstimulation! addiction! lack of boundaries!). Plus, we take a sweet stroll down memory lane into some 90?s nostalgia. Whether you?re a tech guru or a digital minimalist, we hope this conversation encourages you as you continue navigating how to use the Internet wisely in 2022. 

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

It?s the last episode of the season, and today we?re chatting about what makes a Fun Mom?. Confession: two out of three of us struggle with this, but we?re tapping into our younger selves and discovering what makes us feel light and free. Everything from riding scooters with our kids, to simply creating spaces that empower them to find the magic themselves. Whether you?re the mom dancing around the house wearing a feather boa or the mom simply orchestrating opportunities for delight behind the scenes, we hope this episode helps you embrace whatever type of unique fun YOU bring to your family. After all, fun is the opposite of frivolous?it?s rooted in joy, and we could all use an extra dose of that.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

Today?s episode is a bit more vulnerable than our regularly scheduled programming. We?re sharing a few honest stories about moments we wish we could take back, change, or at the very least, do over. While we don?t want to live in a perpetual state of should?ve, could?ve, would?ve?these moments have refined us and taught us something, which is why we?re sharing them with you today.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

Disclaimer: You may fill up your Amazon cart by the end of this episode (we did). Today, we?re talking about our favorite books of 2022 (so far) and what we?re excited to read with our feet up in lounge chairs this summer. From novels, to classics, to non-fiction books that challenge us to live more peaceful and joyful lives, we?re covering all sorts of categories?but we seem to be finding our groove in food memoirs?! Here?s to stories that shape and change us in the best ways. Can?t wait to hear what you?ve been reading, too.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!).

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

With summer around the corner, today we?re sharing our best tips and tricks for traveling with kids. From packing an extra pacifier (in a different suitcase!) to always, always, always packing plastic bags?these travel hacks are, of course, inspired by personal experience. We also share our favorite mantras, lessons we learned the hard way, and the travel MVPs we?ve added to our bags of tricks over the years. Plus, you?ll hear Ashlee and Katie gasp in disbelief at Jill?s gross-but-heartwarming story about something a stranger did for her at an airport.

This episode is sponsored by our favorite travel MVP of all time: SNACKS. (Just kidding. We have no sponsors. This episode is brought to you by our Patrons. As always.)

Whether you?re heading out for a long weekend or an international adventure this summer, we hope you have a memorable time! Don?t forget: just say no to supersize Gatorade.   

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

We?re honored to have Shekea Moreno on the show today, shining some light on the holy work of praying for our kids. We chat about why prayer is so important in the first place, some ideas for what to pray about (besides the one we all know a little too well: our kids? obedience ?), and maybe most importantly, the reminder that prayer is what tethers us to God?s presence, and that?s what we need most in motherhood.  This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!).

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

From less-than-perfect dental hygiene to hoarding half a dozen beverages on the nightstand, today we?re dishing about the little quirks that make us who we are, inspired by the ?I Can?t Be The Only One? chapter of Amy Krause Rosenthal?s Textbook. Join us for a number of (mostly shallow but occasionally deep) confessions, including but not limited to: throw up foods, the sheer satisfaction of carrying groceries in from the car in a single trip, and our complicated feelings around Botox and TikTok.  This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!).

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

Life can be, well, a lot. We all know we need to take care of ourselves, but sometimes we get stuck in toxic rhythms, and need a little help from our friends to turn things around. From practical habits to lessons we?ve learned the hard way?today we?re having an honest conversation about the importance of nurturing our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Reminder: we aren?t experts! We?re simply three friends sharing notes as we go and hoping this episode encourages you as you fill your own cup this week. 

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!).

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

After a winter hiatus, we?re easing back into our show today with a lighthearted conversation about some of our favorite ?game changers.? From meal prep and cordless vacuum cleaners, to Costco delivery and professional counseling?today we?re sharing a handful of hacks, products, and strategies that have made a difference in our daily lives. Plus, Katie and Ashlee get into a lively debate about cold exposure, and Jill explains why we?re all obsessed with Voxer.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!).

In light of recent events unfolding in Katie's life, we decided not to air our last episode of 2021. Thank you for your grace and patience as we take some time to pause, pray, and regroup. We'll be back in your earbuds this March!

Our guest this week, Kristin Young, knows a thing or two about grief?five years ago, she lost her son Colby to cancer. Miraculously, she knows even more about hope. In this episode, Kristin graciously shares what it?s like to hold sorrow and joy simultaneously, how she?s learned to make grief her friend, and how we often learn things through suffering we could never grasp by only having joy. We hope this conversation offers you a glimmer of hope, and encourages you as much as it did us.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host episode discussions, bonus content, and more!).

Well friends, we are going there?you know, that ugly heart issue no one wants to talk about? On today?s episode, we are doing a deep dive on motherhood and comparison. From body image to kid?s development to whether or not we love motherhood as much as the next mom, we get reeeeal honest (and a little emotional!) about our personal struggles in this arena, both past and present. Plus, we share the habits and practices we?ve found most helpful in keeping comparison at bay. 

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host episode discussions, bonus content, and more!).

Is this really happening? Today we are asking the one and only Shauna Niequist (!!!) what she wishes her younger self had known about marriage, friendships, motherhood, and writing. Shauna?s spoken words, just like her written ones, are nothing short of a gift. We hope this conversation inspires you to take a step back from the burden of busyness and expectations, and simply take notice of the beautiful world around you.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host episode discussions, bonus content, and more!).

How do we go from worry, overwhelm, and sleepless nights to rest, calm, and indescribable, consistent peace? In today?s episode, we?re talking about boundaries, unpopular decisions, personal convictions, and?most importantly?leaning into what we know we need to do, regardless of what the rest of the world is up to. We hope this conversation encourages you to not just consider what peace looks like, but also consider how you can guard it.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host episode discussions, bonus content, and more!).

Ruth Chou Simons (!!!) is here today, reminding us growth and goodness can be found even in?especially in?the minutes (or months!) we?re tempted to believe are wasted. Those creative projects you thought went nowhere? Meaningful. Sitting with your toddler or teen talking about mind-numbing topics? Meaningful. No matter what struggle or tough season you?re currently facing, we hope this conversation encourages you to slow down, let God reroute you however He?d like, and embrace the idea that inefficiency sometimes means making room for what?s most important.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host episode discussions, bonus content, and more!).

For part two of our friendship series, we?re chatting about what?s in our friendship toolboxes. From taking initiative (rather than taking turns) to learning the love languages of our friends, today we?re getting nitty-gritty practical about how to show up for our people. We talk about porch drop-offs, tiny thoughtful gestures, the beauty of accepting help, and the powerful act of loving our friends? kids. We hope this episode encourages you to be the friend you want to have. Because, ultimately, when it comes to friendship, that?s the best place to start!

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host episode discussions, bonus content, and more!).

Tap tap. Is this thing on? Hey friends, we?re back! Today we?re starting a brand new season with two new hosts (welcome Katie + Jill!), and we couldn?t be more excited to kick things off with a two-part series on friendship. In part one, we?re chatting about hard lessons learned, some confessions and convictions we?ve had along the way, and, most importantly, the perspective we?re practicing when it comes to friendships (new and old). Hint! It has a lot to do with grace, going with the flow as time passes on, and leaning into gratitude, no matter what season of life or friendship we?re in.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you?d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host episode discussions, bonus content, and more!).

We thought it would be fun to end season four by revisiting some of our most loved episodes. Today is Ashlee?s favorite, where we unpack why motherhood feels so isolating sometimes. Don't miss the episode?s new intro and wrap up, with Indiana, April, and Ashlee's final chat together! Whether you?re new to motherhood altogether or a veteran mom who hasn?t found her tribe yet, we hope you can relate to this vulnerable conversation and walk away inspired to put yourself out there. 

Visit us at Patreon to learn more about how you can support us next year. 

 

We thought it would be fun to wrap up season four by revisiting some of our most loved episodes. Don't miss these - each episode has a brand new intro and wrap up with Indiana, April, and Ashlee!

Today is April?s favorite, where we flip the script on our ?This Is How We Do? episodes by sharing what we DON?T do. From outsourcing grocery shopping to not making the bed to not washing our hair?this conversation is full of confessions about our mothering, home upkeep, school involvement, and everything in between. We hope this episode makes you laugh and gives you a much-needed permission slip to pursue the things you?re good at, and let go of all the rest.

Visit us at Patreon to learn more about how you can support us next year. 

We're wrapping up season four by revisiting some of our most loved episodes. Don't miss these - each episode has a brand new intro and wrap up, with Indiana, April, and Ashlee!

Today is Indiana?s favorite, where we talk about some of the hardest seasons in life that we've walked through. From miscarriage and postpartum depression to infidelity and cancer diagnoses, we're sharing some stories publicly for the very first time and inviting you into our little "circle of trust" this week. This isn't just about clearing the skeletons from the closet though; we're also talking about the most helpful ways our people showed up for us during these difficult times and the lessons we've learned about how to take care of each other when the season is hard and the answers aren't coming easily.

Visit us at Patreon to learn more about how you can support us next year. 

 

We?re so thankful for the support you?ve shown the Coffee + Crumbs podcast over the past four years! Today?s ?State of the Podcast? is a simple message from Ashlee about what?s in store for our show in 2020.

Visit us at Patreon to learn more about how you can support us next year. 

As mothers, we've received plenty of advice?solicited and unsolicited?over the years. Today we wanted to close out the season by sharing the tips, tricks, and reminders we've received that make motherhood (and life!) a little bit easier. From permission to slow down to how to help our kids deal with big emotions, this season finale is centered around taking some of the mystery out of motherhood as we pass along advice and wisdom you'll want to return to again and again. 

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for links to everything mentioned in this episode and to support us by supporting the sponsors who made this episode possible. 

Stay up to date with what's next for the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, over on our Patreon support page. We love and appreciate our Patrons!

Today, we're recapping our favorite things and moments from 2019. Our conversation runs the gamut from the trends we tried and loved to the new habits we've instilled and want to keep as we roll into a new decade (!). We hope our roundup of recipes, podcasts, little luxuries, life hacks, and more inspires you to spend some time reflecting on the goodness of the past year. 

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for links to everything mentioned in this episode and to support us by supporting the sponsors who made this episode possible. 

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head over to our Patreon support page. We love and appreciate our Patrons!

Today, we?re diving into the dynamics of in-law relationships. We openly acknowledge our good fortune in having involved, loving in-laws, but there?s always some adjusting that comes with marrying into a family. We talk about balancing the way we honor traditions and ties to our families of origin while still building our own family habits and way of doing things. Plus we discuss the kind of in-laws we aspire to be some day and offer our best advice for how to communicate when there?s a problem or issue.

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for links to everything mentioned in this episode and to support us by supporting the sponsors who made this episode possible. 

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page. We love and appreciate our Patrons. 

 

In this week's episode, we're talking about priorities: the ones we have, the ones we think we should have, and the ones we'd like to reorder, if we're being honest. We push back a little against the myth of balance and having it all, choosing instead to view life through the lens of seasons?where sometimes we have the capacity for "full steam ahead" in multiple areas and sometimes it feels like everything but survival is on the back burner. We also discuss how priorities aren't prescriptive; our individual circumstances and personalities weigh heavily on where we devote our time and energy. Regardless of the season you find yourself in, we hope today's conversation leaves you feeling energized to identify and prioritize what matters most to you.

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for links to everything mentioned in this episode and to support us by supporting the sponsors who made this episode possible. 

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page. We love and appreciate our Patrons. 

In this week's episode, we're talking about the everyday deals and coupons we use to save on our household necessities (and the occasional splurge, as well). From promo codes and our favorite apps to how we shop sales and use referral credits, today we're sharing our best tips and tricks for saving a buck or two. This is not a deep dive into the nitty gritty of monthly budgeting, but rather a lighthearted chat about our individual approaches to how we stretch?and spend?our dollars. 

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for links to everything mentioned in this episode (including loads of promo codes and affiliate links!) 

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page. We love and appreciate our Patrons. 

This week, Ashlee and Indiana sit down with Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland from Pantsuit Politics to talk about something important that seems to have gotten lost in today's culture: nuance. Beth and Sarah explain how their communication approach?rooted in curiosity and a desire to understand?highlights the middle ground between argument and apathy. They also talk about how they've learned to move toward each other and a better relationship, even though they hold opposing viewpoints on many issues. Plus, they drop their best suggestions for how to stay informed in an unbiased, non-time-consuming way.

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for links to everything mentioned in this episode.

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page. We love and appreciate our Patrons!

Today we're talking about our approach to the holidays?from April's Buddy the Elf level enthusiasm from October straight through New Year's to Indiana's more measured approach. We chat about our favorite holiday traditions and how we balance all the time grabs by extended family and friends. Whether elaborate baked goods for the whole neighborhood are your thing or, like Ashlee, you're more comfortable with every boxed mix Trader Joe's offers, you'll feel right at home in this week's conversation.

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for links to everything mentioned in this episode.

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page. We love and appreciate our Patrons!

 

At the end of September, most of the Coffee + Crumbs team came together live and in person (!!) for four days in the Pacific Northwest. We weathered an unexpected blizzard, ate all the food, passed around babies, and spoke truth and encouragement into one another's dreams. On our last night together, we sat in the living room of Katie Blackburn's parents' home (who graciously welcomed all 15 of us when we had to evacuate from the mountain), and captured our conversation?and giggles?for your listening pleasure. We all rank our degree of nervousness pre-retreat, recap our funniest and favorite moments from our time together, and speak to the "secret sauce" that connects us to one another in a way that transcends our typical expectations of friendships.

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for links to everything mentioned in this episode - including pictures of everyone who came to this retreat so you can match faces with voices! 

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page. We love and appreciate our Patrons!

Today we're talking all things toys: the ones our kids have loved and played with endlessly, the ones we don't let across our thresholds, and the ones that will haunt our nightmares forever (ahem, we're looking at you, April, and your ventriloquist dummy, Charlie). We cover avoiding the lost lovey disaster and controlling the stuffed animal collection that threatens to take over the bed, plus we run through our favorite, road-tested toy picks in every age group. You'll want to bookmark our show notes for your holiday shopping!

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for links to everything mentioned in this episode (including all those great toys!) 

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page. We love and appreciate our Patrons! 

Today's episode is coming from a more serious and somber place, as we talk about some of the hardest seasons in life that we've walked through. From miscarriage and postpartum depression to infidelity and cancer diagnoses, we're sharing some stories publicly for the very first time and inviting you into our little "circle of trust" this week. This isn't just about clearing the skeletons from the closet though; we're also talking about the most helpful ways our people showed up for us during these difficult times and the lessons we've learned about how to take care of each other when the season is hard and the answers aren't coming easily. 

Show Notes:

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for links to everything we talked about in this episode. 

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page!

 

This week we're talking about what mornings look like in our households. Spoiler alert: they're a far cry from our pre-kid days of leisurely sipping coffee while meticulously applying makeup and thoughtfully pulling together a coordinated outfit. In this conversation, Ashlee breaks down her new-ish routine designed to make mornings as non-chaotic as possible, April extols the virtues of doing allthethings the night before, and Indiana blows our minds when she confesses her children get up before she does AND fix their own breakfasts. From the pep in our step courtesy of the school system's tardy policy to our tactics for not yelling at our kids to just get their shoes on already (why is it always the shoes?), today we're breaking down our best efforts to start our days off on the right foot.

Show Notes:

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for links to everything we talked about in this episode. 

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page!

Thank you to this episode's sponsors: 

Noom: What if you could use ONE program for all your health and weight loss needs? Head to noom.com/coffeeandcrumbs to start your free trial today. 

Healthy Height: Healthy Height shakes are an easy way to supplement breakfast and send your kids to school knowing they have the nutrients their bodies need. Get 30% off your first purchase by visiting Healthy Height and entering promo code COFFEE30 today. 

This week we're continuing our conversation with Dr. Juli Slattery and kicking things up a notch. From figuring out how to have an orgasm to what place masturbation has in a healthy marriage, we think you're going to love the frankness and candor in today's episode. Once again, this is not a show designed for little ears, so grab some headphones (or maybe make it a date night in with your husband after the kids are in bed) and listen in as we tackle another round of questions from our Patreon supporters about sex and intimacy. 

Like what you heard? Double click 'subscribe' and leave us a review on iTunes!

Show Notes:

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for links to everything we talked about in this episode. 

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page!

Thank you to this episode's sponsors: 

Hello Fresh: Our listeners will get $80 off your first month of Hello Fresh when entering promo code coffeeandcrumbs80.

Light Filled Home:Coffee & Crumbs listeners will get 25% of your entire order when you use promo code COFFEEANDCRUMBS in the shop! 

We're back from our sabbatical and comin' in hot with a two-part episode you've been begging us to cover: SEX! Today we're tackling your sex and intimacy questions with expert and psychologist Dr. Juli Slattery. From frequency and mismatched sex drives to how to spice things up, no topic is too taboo. This is not an episode designed for little ears, so grab your headphones and settle in for a frank, honest, and encouraging conversation about connecting intimately with your partner in a hectic season of life. Special thank you to our Patrons for submitting questions for this episode!

Like what you heard? Double click 'subscribe' and leave us a review on iTunes!

Show Notes:

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for  links to everything we talked about in this episode. 

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page!

Thank you to this episode's sponsors: 

Buffy: C+C listeners will get $20 off their Buffy comforter by entering promo code COFFEEANDCRUMBS online 

Care.com: C+C listeners can get a premium membership for 30% off by using promo code COFFEEANDCRUMBS

This week's episode is airing in tandem with Sarah and Meagan from The Mom Hour podcast?we're both talking about motherhood and the fear of missing out (FOMO). Sometimes we avoid talking about FOMO at the risk of sounding ungrateful, but the truth is there's an opportunity cost with every big decision in life ... and motherhood is no exception. From the temptation to compare ourselves with what we see on social media to actually missing out on things because we couldn't line up childcare or the toddler is sick (again), we open up honestly about where we struggle with FOMO and how we work to shift our perspective from one of lacking to one of gratitude.

Like what you heard? Double click subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

Visit Coffee + Crumbs for today's show notes and links to everything we talked about in this episode. And don't forget to listen to The Mom Hour's take on FOMO!

To help fund Season Four of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.