Episodes
-
Episode 172: Life is Meant for Living
Rachel shares real stories of people who have overcome challenges like personal defeat, regret, cancer, and infertility to help inspire you to keep on keeping on. Storyworth
-
Episode 171: Could Your Family Survive for a Week Without You?
Rachel makes the case that a resilient family isn't built in the emergency; it's built in the years of small, mundane delegation before it, using her own case of being bedridden as proof. Chore System PDF
-
Episode 170: Practice Over Perfection
Rachel explores why practice —not perfection —is the healthier way to live, making room for mistakes, grace, and growth instead of guilt. Intentional Family #168: What My Broken Leg Taught Me Intentional Family #169: When Life Hands You Lemons
-
Episode 169: What My Broken Leg Taught Me
In this episode, Rachel unpacks what her broken leg exposed beneath the busyness — a need for control and the slow discovery that rest doesn't have to be earned. Intentional Family #168: When Life Hands You Lemons Classical Conversations Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee
-
Episode 168: When Life Hands You Lemons
Rachel shares how breaking her leg three days before her back-to-school picnic proved that planning wasn't just for her — it's what allowed her community to carry on the vision when she couldn't. Mike’s newsletter
-
Episode 167: Running on Empty
You'll fill your car’s gas tank before it hits E. Would you do the same for yourself? Rachel shares what her vehicle taught her about the warning signs she'd been ignoring — and what changed when she stopped waiting for low gas warning light. Atomic Habits by James Clear
-
Episode 166: Parenting From Faith, Not Fear
In this episode, Rachel shares how choosing prayer and relationship over the internet has shaped her parenting for 18 years — and how that same choice helped a fearful new mom find peace.
-
Episode 165: The Year I Quit Social Media (And Why I Might Go Back)
Rachel shares the uncomfortable conversation that made her quit social media in 2018 — and why she's now considering going back, on her own terms. Gen Z is the Loneliest Generation Tate Butts Instagram Tate Butts TikTok The Social Dilemma Classical Conversations
-
Episode 164: You Were Never Meant to Carry It All
In this episode, Rachel shares three ordinary moments that taught her a hard but valuable lesson: asking for help is humility. Doing it all alone is pride.
-
Episode 163: It’s Never Too Late
Two overlapping commitments. Five months of exhaustion. And answers that kept showing up the night before. In this episode, Rachel shares what she learned about trust, provision, and why it's never too late to turn things around. My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers Classical Conversations
-
Episode 162: Raising Kids Who Know What They're For
Rachel tells a personal story about paying attention to what lights your kids up and shares how quietly leaning in at the right opportunities can help your child discover their gifts and talents. Young Writer’s Workshop Young Writer’s Retreat Story Cubes
-
Episode 161: What Your Kids Actually Need From You
This one's for the dads — and the moms who love them. In this episode, Rachel pulls back the curtain on something she's watched her husband Mike do consistently in their home: show up for each of their kids one-on-one, ask great questions, and build a relational foundation that no amount of...
-
160: How to Use AI in Your Family Without Losing What Matters
AI is here to stay. In this episode, Mike and Rachel explain how to approach AI with your children and practical steps to take in training them to use it appropriately. Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick Craft + Commerce conference ChatGPT’s Impact on Our Brains Mike’s Book Notes Page Mike Schmitz...
-
Episode 159: Titus 2 Mentorship
The internet is full of information but empty of wisdom — and Titus 2 has a 2,000-year-old solution to that problem.
-
Episode 158: Practical Hospitality
Your family doesn't want variety — they want to know Tuesday means tacos. In this episode, Rachel shares a simple system that makes meal planning effortless. Classical Conversations Intentional Family Feedback Form
-
Episode 157: Finding Purpose in the Midst of Chaos
What if your most chaotic parenting days aren't derailing your future, but actually fulfilling it? In this episode, Rachel shares how to find purpose in the midst of dirty dishes and bedtime battles. Feedback form
-
Episode 156: The Books That Helped Us Survive a 30-Hour Car Ride
In this episode, Rachel shares the books that made the cross-country family road trip a delight. Intentional Family Feedback Form Little House Series The Unexpected Journals of Emma M. Lion The Fellowship of the Ring The Two Towers The Return of the King Anne of Green Gables Elephant and Piggie
-
Episode 155: Your Kids Are Copying You (Whether You Like It Or Not)
Rachel shares how to model faith, establish screen boundaries, and cultivate gratitude in ways that actually stick as children learn more from watching our daily habits than listening to our parenting lectures.
-
Episode 154: Sanity-Saving Routines
Rachel shares the simple, sanity-saving routines that help her family trade daily chaos for calm — because peace doesn’t just happen, it’s built (usually the night before). Atomic Habits by James Clear Skylight Family Calendar Classical Conversations
-
Episode 153: Everyday Courage
Rachel invites listeners to slow down and live courageously today. Everyday Courage by John Bevere Webster’s Dictionary 1828 William Wilberforce
-
Episode 152: Wearing Many Hats
Rachel shares her perspective on intentional hat wearing to help avoid being unfocused, frantic, and stuck. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Classical Conversations Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
-
Episode 151: Words of the Year for 2026
Rachel & Mike share the inspiration behind their 2026 words for the year. Intentional Family #150: Christmas Book Flood Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Red Rising by Pierce Brown Ghost Town Living by Brent Underwood War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Personal Retreat Planner Mike’s Personal Retreat...
-
Episode 150: Christmas Book Flood
Rachel shares how Icelanders turned giving and reading books at Christmas into a cozy national pastime, and how families today can continue the Christmas book flood tradition. Bookworm Read-Aloud Revival Jolabokaflod Close Reads podcast Ready Player One by Ernest Cline A Tale of Two Cities by...
-
Episode 149: Abide
Rachel shares a simple yet profound message about staying connected and abiding in the vine. The True Vine by Andrew Murray Operation Christmas Child
-
Episode 148: Building a Strong Support System
Rachel discusses the importance of identifying personal weaknesses and building a strong support system to compensate through delegation. Classical Conversations
-
Episode 147: Life Lessons from Extracurriculars
Rachel explores how intentional activities outside the classroom can help build character, leadership, creativity, and resilience.
-
Episode 146: Intentional Travel
Mike and Rachel share the intentionality behind their recent family trip and details on how they made it happen. Ark Encounter Creation Museum National Homeschool Soccer Championship Chattanooga Pinball Museum Velo Coffee Roasters The Fellowship of the Ring read by Andy Serkis
-
Episode 145: When I Grow Up
Rachel reflects on her own career journey and shares her experience of walking her oldest son through navigating potential career paths. Bookworm podcast Focused podcast
-
Episode 144: What a Novel Idea
Rachel provides an insightful look into the many rewards that come from immersing oneself in a good story. This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Jane Austen Books A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
-
Episode 143: Trust the Process
In this episode, Rachel encourages listeners to reflect on the moments in their lives that made an impact as a way to be encouraged to keep going and keep growing. What is the Trivium and How Does it Apply to Homeschooling?
-
Episode 142: Overwhelm Audit
In this episode, Rachel provides encouragement to live purposefully in the midst of feeling overwhelmed and when family members are resistant to change. The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey Ugmonk Analog
-
Episode 141: Creating Family Unity
Rachel shares how to create unity in your family through routines, discipleship, schedules, and serving alongside one another. Discipleship On the Go
-
Episode 140: Navigating Family Challenges
Mike and Rachel share how to navigate family challenges that try to sabotage intentional living.
-
Episode 139: What is an Intentional Family?
In this episode, Rachel shares her heart behind the podcast, why it means so much to her, and how Mike's recent conference talk on AI helped save it. Macstock Conference and Expo The Library Episode #4: Family Core Values Episode #82: Date Night Personal Retreat Episode Focused Podcast Bookworm...
-
Episode 138: The Power of Life
Rachel shares details of the incredible journey of their son, Jonathan, and his miraculous healing. Original article
-
Episode 137: Keep it Simple
Rachel discusses the principle of Occam's razor, inspiring us to simplify our lives. Skylight Calendar
-
Episode 136: Routines, Rhythms, & Variables
Mike and Rachel unpack family routines, rhythms, and the roadblocks that consistently get in the way. Intentional Family Recording A Simple System to Help You Focus on What Really Matters Skylight Calendar Daily Rituals by Mason Currey The Confident Mind by Dr. Nate Zinsser
-
Episode 135: LifeTheme Live Event Retrospective
Rachel & Mike recap their first LifeTheme Live event by sharing takeaways and lessons learned. Personal Socrates by Marc Champagne The Library LifeTheme Hybrid Cohort
-
Episode 134: A Pep Talk for the Moms
Rachel shares encouragement with all moms out there to remember your unique calling and strength.
-
Episode 133: Forgiveness
Learn the life-saving power of forgiveness as Rachel shares stories from the amazing life of a Rwandan Holocaust survivor. Left to Tell by Immaculée Ilibagiza The Bait of Satan by John Bevere
-
Episode 132: Communication, Part 2
Mike and Rachel continue the conversation on communication, addressing the single greatest obstacle to effective communication: the illusion that it has actually happened. The Intentional Family #131: Communicate With Love 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom Personal Socrates by Marc Champagne...
-
Episode 131: Communicate with Love
Even when you’re mad, communicating with love will keep a relationship intact while still addressing issues that inevitably arise. In this episode, Mike and Rachel share how to keep the lines of communication open with love even in the midst of conflict.
-
Episode 130: Joy & Strength, with Shirley Urban
Finding joy in the midst of hardship, grief, and single parenting are a few topics in this powerful interview with Rachel’s Mom. Editor’s Note: The audio quality of this episode is not the best. But we believe the content is worth releasing even if it doesn’t quite meet our usual quality…
more -
Episode 129: Digital Detoxing
Tech monsters and screen zombies don’t have to take over your family life. In this episode, Rachel shares about a powerful tool known as a digital detox. Digital Detox by Molly Defrank Time Timer
-
Episode 128: Fret Not
Rachel explains the difference between fear and anxiety, along with what you can do to escape being stuck in these emotions. Understanding Fear, Anxiety, and Phobias
-
Episode 127: Rest & Relaxation
Rachel talks about the necessity of rest and shares practical tips to help you relax. The Transcriptional Repressor DEC2 Regulates Sleep Length in Mammals The People Who Barely Sleep | BBC
-
Episode 126: Mike's Launch Retrospective
Rachel interviews Mike about his approach to managing information, his signature product, and lessons learned from the recent LifeHQ launch. LifeHQ Practical PKM Cohort Scholarship Link
-
Episode 125: Dealing With Disappointment
Rachel shares personal insights from recent experience about how to deal with disappointment and failure in a positive way.
-
Episode 124: Words of the Year for 2025
Mike and Rachel share the inspiration behind selecting words for the year and share theirs for 2025. Focused #218: Turning Down the Volume, with Stephen Hackett LifeHQ NeuYear Focused Calendar Coretex #162: 2025 Yearly Themes
-
Episode 123: Holiday Memories
Rachel interviews five young guests about their favorite holiday memories and traditions.