The Rooted Home

Épisodes

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  Why a Joyful Marriage Doesn't Happen by Accident — This Couple Explains How They Built One | Ep. 35 01.10.2026 51min

  ✨ Wish your home felt more peaceful and joyful, without having to hold every detail in your head? The Rooted Homemakers Collective is Lauren's membership where she walks you step by step through building the rhythms and habits that make it happen. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakersLife is too short to be boring, and that includes your marriage.This week we're sitting down with our dear friends Nick and Lena Gavrilov. They've been married almost 20 years and have nine kids, ages 18 down to almost 1. If you've ever been around their family, you know joy is the first thing you notice. It shows in their marriage, in their parenting and all over their kids' faces.We talk about how they went from high school sweethearts to a long-distance season that taught them to communicate. We also get into how their view of children changed during their fourth pregnancy, and how they keep their marriage strong through first-trimester nausea and exhaustion. Lena and Nick share openly about the hardest season of their marriage, when Nick confessed a struggle with pornography, and how honesty, boundaries and ongoing check-ins rebuilt their trust. Plus we talk weekly date nights, raising joyful homeschooled kids, and the family worship times their kids still talk about (including a Bible study in the bathtub).This one's full of honesty and laughter, and lots of practical ideas for bringing more joy into your home.IN THIS EPISODEHow Nick and Lena met at 14 and 15, and why five years of dating helped them grow up together instead of apart"Always Be Courting," the marriage advice Nick got from an 82-year-old mentor, and their family motto, #noaverageWhy being part of a church that challenges you matters for your marriage and familyKeeping your marriage strong through pregnancy nausea, cravings and exhaustionThe hardest season of their marriage, and how confession, accountability and practical boundaries changed the way they communicateWhy they've done weekly date nights since 2018, and the one question that opened up their conversations"Tell God the negatives, tell your husband the positives"Learning to understand each other instead of trying to winRaising joyful kids through prayer, humility, and parents who say sorryKeeping family worship fun: trampolines, a boat, a bathtub, and the two-minute "action" skits their kids loveCHAPTERS00:00 Why Life Is Too Short for a Boring Marriage00:30 Teen Sweethearts to 20 Years Married08:17 Where Real Joy in Marriage Comes From11:20 Keeping Marriage Alive Through 9 Pregnancies20:11 The Hardest Season of Our Marriage26:58 The Date Night Question That Changed Everything28:44 Tell God the Negatives, Tell Your Husband the Positives32:28 What the Tower of Babel Teaches About Marriage35:35 How to Raise Joyful Kids (Even During Discipline)46:22 Making Family Worship FunRESOURCES MENTIONED His Needs, Her Needs: Making Romantic Love Last | How to Identify and Satisfy 10 Vital Needs in Your Marriage | A Practical Relationship Guide for CouplesThe 5 Love Languages Hardcover Special Edition: The Secret to Love That Lasts8 Errors Parents Make and How to Avoid Them: Parenting Book, Practical Guide for Christian Parenting, Positive Parenting Book for ParentsSCRIPTURE MENTIONEDPsalm 127:3-5: Children are a blessing, and blessed is the man whose quiver is fullMatthew 4:1-11: Jesus tempted in the wildernessGenesis 11:1-9: The Tower of BabelGalatians 5:22-23: The fruit of the SpiritJames 4:6: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humbleLamentations 3:22-23: His mercies are new every morningThe Book of JonahMatthew 7:7: Ask, seek, knock—CONNECT WITH NICK & LENA—Podcast: The Full House Life The FULL HOUSE LifeFollow them on Instagram@‌nickygavrilov & @‌raising.our.arrows—CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS —Ask questions/contact us: https://laurenmefford.com/contactYoutube: Lauren Mefford, PhD
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  [ROOTED RHYTHMS] 7 SIMPLE habits that help me keep a CLEAN HOUSE (With 6 Children) | Ep. 34 29.09.2026 9min

  ✨ Free workshop: Struggling to build rhythms that actually work in your home? In this workshop, we will build one together that addresses a specific pain point in your home. Watch it here: https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-trainingHow do I keep a CLEAN HOUSE with 6 children? It's 7 SIMPLE daily habits that keep our home tidy without all-day cleaning.As a full-time homemaker, I don't aim for spotless, I aim for manageable. These are the small rhythms that make our 65 homemaking routine work in real life with a big family — morning resets, team tidies, and a weekly plan for actual 68 cleaning . If you need 60 cleaning motivation or want to build a home that stays tidy on autopilot, start here.IN THIS VIDEO:Make your bed in 2 minutes for a quick win60-second bathroom clear during your morning routinePick up as you go with my "touch it once" rule10-minute tidy before meals the kids actually help withEvening wrap-up: kitchen + living room team resetWeekly deep clean focused only on bathrooms & floorsHow to tell the difference between tidy vs. cleanThis is simple living for moms — realistic habits that actually work and bring more order to the home.✨ FREE MASTERCLASS + WORKBOOK: I made a free masterclass with a printable workbook to help you build personalized rhythms for your home and tackle your biggest pain points. Grab it here — it's totally free and you can start using it today: https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-training✨ WATCH NEXT: How to train your kids for chores & build an age-appropriate chore system: Why Chore Systems Fail — And How to Build One That WorksIf this helped you, please like and subscribe so you don't miss my weekly videos!#cleanwithme #homemaking #cleaningmotivation #cleaninghabits #tidyhome #cleaningroutine #cleaningmotivation #cleanwithme #bigfamily #largefamily #homemaking #christianhomemaker #homeschoolmom #momofsix #stayathomemom #dailyroutine #homeorganization #simpleliving #momlifeGrab a warm drink or your basket of laundry, and come hang out with me for a bit.↓ Let's connect ↓✨ Find Lauren on Instagram: ➡︎ Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BC (@laurenmichellemefford) • Instagram profile✨ Check out our podcast: Apple Podcasts The Rooted Home | Spotify The Rooted Home | ✨YouTube Lauren Mefford, PhD✨ If you're curious about some of my favorite products and resources, check out our Amazon storefront: Lauren Mefford's Amazon PageThank you so much for being here today. ♥️---------------------------------------------------------CHAPTERS00:00 Morning Reset Basics02:37 The "Touch It Once" Rule That Saves Me So Much Time04:06 Family 10 Minute Tidy System06:01 Wrapping Up the Home Together Before Bed07:30 Tidy vs. Clean: My Weekly Deep Cleaning Rhythm
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  What Psychology Gets Wrong About Parenting Anger (And What the Bible Actually Says) | Ep. 33 24.09.2026 31min

  ✨ Wondering what it would look like to have rhythms and habits that help you run your home instead of it running you? Check out the Rooted Homemakers Collective, Lauren's membership where she walks you through exactly how. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakersLast episode was all about the kids bickering. This time Lauren and Jeremy turn the spotlight on themselves and talk about what happens when the parents are the ones losing patience, getting sharp, or letting their emotions take over. They talk about why so much of today's conversation around emotional regulation and the nervous system falls short when it leaves out the heart. Our backgrounds are real, but they don't change the answer. The way out is still repentance and the power of the gospel.They also share why they apologize to their children and ask for forgiveness, and how doing that shows their kids what a humble Christian does after sinning against someone. Lauren and Jeremy also talk about how they help each other in the hard moments, including the code phrases they use to gently rein each other in without undermining one another in front of the kids.— RESOURCES —✨Proverbs 16:32: "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city."✨Free workshop: Struggling to build rhythms that actually work in your home? In this workshop, Lauren shows you how to create simple routines that are rooted in biblical priorities and actually work. Watch it here: https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-training✨ Wondering what it would look like to have rhythms and habits that help you run your home instead of it running you? Check out the Rooted Homemakers Collective, Lauren's membership where she walks you through exactly how. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakersThis episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.—CHAPTERS—00:00 When the Parents Are the Ones Losing Their Temper00:48 Why Nervous System Talk Doesn't Tell the Whole Story04:09 Does Your Past Really Explain Your Short Temper?06:58 Why We Apologize to Our Kids (and Mean It)12:17 Saying Sorry vs. Actually Changing13:36 "The Problem Isn't That Your Buttons Got Pushed"15:57 The Secret Code Phrases We Use When One of Us Is Losing It21:36 Why We're Thankful When Our Spouse Steps In24:14 When It's More Than Just Impatience29:16 The Gospel Is Strong Enough for the Ugliest Moments—CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS —Ask questions/contact us: https://laurenmefford.com/contactYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videos
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  [ROOTED RHYTHMS] I Was on the Couch for Days — My Home Still Ran Itself (Here's How) | Ep. 32 22.09.2026 14min

  ✨ Feel like your home is running you instead of the other way around? I created a free masterclass with a workbook that walks you through exactly how to change that — and it's completely free. Grab it here → https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-trainingHow can your home keep running when you physically can't. That's the question I was forced to answer during a week flat on the couch with debilitating neck pain — with six kids still needing to be fed, taught, and loved on.By God's grace, our home kept going without me contributing a single thing. In this video I'm walking you through the three pieces that made that possible, so you can start building the same kind of home — one that doesn't fall apart the moment mom is down.We'll talk about what family teamwork actually looks like day to day (not just chores, but a whole culture), the "bare minimum blueprint" that keeps the essentials covered on your hardest days, and the mindset shift that makes it possible to actually receive help instead of micromanaging it.✨ Grab the free masterclass + workbook here → https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-trainingGrab a warm drink or your basket of laundry, and come hang out with me for a bit.↓ Let's connect ↓✨ Find Lauren on Instagram: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BC (@laurenmichellemefford) • Instagram profileThis video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.Resources and Products Mentioned in this video:✨ How to build a chore system for your home: https://youtu.be/-WDfJsQcAgA?si=0_sWLctbhL4df0n6Let me know in the comments: what's the one thing your home needs most right now to be able to run without you? I love hearing what other families are working on. 🤿CHAPTERS00:00 A Week I Physically Couldn't Show Up For My Family00:31 The Family Culture That Kept Everything Running02:22 What Actually Happened When I Couldn't Get Off the Couch04:21 The Morning Routine My Kids Run Without Me07:49 The Non-Negotiables My Home Runs On, No Matter What11:35 Why Receiving Help Is Harder Than Giving It14:32 What This Hard Week Taught Me
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  How We Homeschool + What We Use: Rhythm and Curriculum for All 6 Kids | Ep. 31 17.09.2026 23min

  ✨ Wondering what it would look like to build realistic rhythms that help you run your home instead of it running you? Come join us inside the Rooted Homemakers Collective, my membership where I walk you through exactly how. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakers In this episode, I'm walking you through our curriculum choices and our whole homeschool schedule — from our morning family learning time (Bible, catechism, scripture memory, history, and science) to our more independent work block (reading, math, writing, and Latin), all the way to our lighter fifth day for catching up, deep cleaning, and field trips. I'll share the curriculum we're using at every stage, how we manage a toddler and littles while teaching older kids, and the "wait your turn" rule that's saved my sanity.In this episode:-Our two-phase homeschool day-Bible reading, catechism, and our scripture memory box system-The hymn of the month and where we find it-History and science from a biblical worldview-How I teach reading, phonics, spelling, and writing across different ages-Math, piano, and Latin — and who's teaching what-Managing a toddler and baby while working with older kids-What our flexible fifth day looks likeRESOURCES MENTIONED:-Biblioplan (history/Bible/literature curriculum): BiblioPlan - Cool Classical History and Literature Curriculum-Apologia (science): Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology (Young Explorer Series)-I Belong to God Catechism by Rich Lusk: I Belong to God: A Catechism for Covenant Children-Simply Charlotte Mason scripture memory box system: Memorize Scripture in Just Five Minutes Each Day- @‌HappyHymnody -Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons: Revised and Updated Second Edition-Chickadee Readers (Canon Press)-Math Mammoth (for all grades): Math Mammoth Kindergarten Worktext A-Voetberg Music Academy: Voetberg Music AcademyThis episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.CHAPTERS00:13 Introduction and Personal Update00:13 Homeschooling Overview and Curriculum Decisions01:32 Daily Homeschool Routine04:04 Family Learning Time08:18 History and Science Curriculum13:35 Independent Learning20:08 Flexibility in the Homeschool Schedule— CONNECT WITH THE HOST —Ask questions/contact: https://laurenmefford.com/contactYoutube: Lauren Mefford, PhD
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  [ROOTED RHYTHMS] 3 Simple Systems That Cut 90% of the Chaos in Our Homeschool (With a Baby and Toddler) | Ep. 30 15.09.2026 12min

  ✨ Struggling to build rhythms that actually work in your home? My free masterclass shows you how to create simple routines that are rooted in biblical priorities and actually work. Watch it here: https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-trainingLauren is homeschooling six kids ten and under, including a toddler and an infant, and if she is not intentional, their mornings can get chaotic fast. In this episode, Lauren walks through the three simple systems that took a lot of that chaos out of peak learning hours, and made the school day much more enjoyable for everyone.Key Takeaways:Why the evening reset is key to a smooth homeschool morningHow prepping breakfast the night before saves precious morning minutes (and only takes about three minutes)What family learning time at the table actually looks like with six kids and a baby in the mixWhy breakfast time and keeping the toddler busy with their hands at the table makes teaching everyone else possibleHow carpet time keeps a toddler content and engaged during one-on-one reading lessonsWhy she changed the order of subjects this year, and what happened when she did— RESOURCES MENTIONED —✨ Rooted Homemakers Collective — my monthly membership for building personalized home management rhythms: https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakersNeoLife protein shake — NeoLife*I am a promoter for Neolife, which means if you purchase a shake through this link I will get a small commission :)Happy Hymnody — Happy HymnodyToddler's carpet/floor pad — PAPAMAT 1.3" Thick Baby Floor Play Mat 50x50 Foam Kids Play Mat, Dark Grey | Memory Mat for Baby to Play, Waterproof Easy Care with Non-Slip Tummy Time Play Mat for Nursery Playroom ClassroomCONNECT WITH THE HOST —Youtube: Lauren Mefford, PhDInstagram: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BC (@laurenmichellemefford) • Instagram profileWebsite/Contact Us_:http://www.laurenmefford.comCHAPTERS:00:00 Homeschooling 6 Kids 10 and Under (With a Baby and a Toddler)00:24 The evening reset and why it's counterintuitive but essential03:18 Family table time (Family Learning Time): Bible, recitation, and lessons while everyone eats08:05 How I manage one-on-one teaching time with little ones underfoot
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  How We're Raising 6 Kids to Actually Love Each Other (And What We Do When They Don't)| Ep. 29 10.09.2026 41min

  ✨ Wondering what it would look like to build realistic rhythms that help you run your home instead of it running you? Come join us inside the Rooted Homemakers Collective, my membership where I walk you through exactly how. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakersIn this episode, Lauren and Jeremy sit down to talk about something almost every family with more than one child wrestles with: sibling bickering, and how to actually cultivate love between siblings instead of just refereeing conflict all day. They are quick to say this isn't meant to be a how-to, more just what they have learned raising six kids and watching the Lord work in their home.KEY TOPICSThe discussion centers on teaching children to love others well using biblical principles, especially 1 Corinthians 13 and the command to love your neighbor.How to handle tattlingWhat they do with bickering childrenThe episode distinguishes between communal toys and personal property, teaching both generosity and respect for ownership.Lauren and her husband discuss how age matters, especially when toddlers are involved, and how older children can be asked to help, serve, and play with younger siblings.Family rhythms like dinner table sharing, birthdays, and noticing generosity are presented as ways to cultivate a home where siblings enjoy one another.RESOURCES MENTIONEDDon't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Hubbard: Don't Make Me Count to ThreeLoving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic: Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches - Grace Based Christian ParentingThis episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.CHAPTERS05:51 What We Do First When a Child Comes Tattling12:00 How to Handle Bickering as a Mom Solo Parenting During the Day14:16 When Telling on a Sibling Isn't Actually Tattling17:28 The Walk We Make Our Children Take When They're Unkind20:42 The Toy Rule That Ends Almost Every Argument24:07 Why We Don't Squelch a Generous Heart28:26 How We Think About Sibling Hospitality in Our Home35:31 Teaching Older Children to Help With the Littles39:28 The One Question We Come Back to When We're Stuck—CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS —Ask questions/contact us: https://laurenmefford.com/contactYoutube: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BC
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  [ROOTED RHYTHMS] 5 Biblical Habits That Finally ORGANIZED MY LIFE (After Years of Struggle) | Ep. 28 08.09.2026 15min

  ✨ If you've been moving all day but nothing seems to get done — start here. A daily rhythm to help you get food on the table, laundry moving, and peace back in your home. $27. Instant access. → https://go.laurenmefford.com/faithful-in-the-little-things-page ✨Overwhelmed by meals, laundry, and endless to-dos? Learn the simple system that makes home feel manageable again in my FREE Masterclass → https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-training✨ Ready for a small reset? Get the free guide here 👉 https://www.laurenmefford.com/rooted-reset-sign-up-page If your home feels chaotic and you're constantly overwhelmed, you're not alone. I used to feel completely unqualified to manage my home—until I began living out these 5 biblical habits that transformed my life as a Christian homemaker. In this video, I’m walking you through the exact rhythms I’ve built that brought structure and peace to our home. These simple but powerful routines are rooted in Scripture, and they’ve made a massive difference in how I manage my home and love my role as a wife and mother.Whether you’re in survival mode or just craving more stability, these biblical homemaking habits will give you a framework to build from.✨ Watch the notebook video I mentioned → https://youtu.be/N5zdDeKeZ80 ✨ Follow along on Instagram for the full wellness challenge → https://www.instagram.com/laurenmichellemefford/ ✨ Check out the supplements I mentioned 👉https://shopneolife.com/rootedvitality/shop/product/2996G ✨Overwhelmed by meals, laundry, and endless to-dos? Learn the simple system that makes home feel manageable again in my FREE Masterclass → https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-trainingCONNECT WITH THE HOSTYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmichellemefford/ Website/Contact Us: http://www.laurenmefford.com
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  [ROOTED RHYTHMS] Dumb Phone vs. Dumbified Smartphone for Moms: What I Found After 7 Years | Ep. 27 01.09.2026 15min

  ✨ Wondering what it would look like to have rhythms that help you run your home instead of it running you? Come join us inside the Rooted Homemakers Collective, my membership where I walk you through exactly how. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakers Lauren shares her seven-year journey of finding a way to stay connected to the outside world without being pulled away from her home and family. She discusses the pros and cons of using dumb phones and the transition to a smarter smartphone solution that allows for customization and reduced distractions.TakeawaysThe journey of finding the right balance between staying connected and being present at home.The transition from a dumb phone to a smarter smartphone solution that allows for customization and reduced distractions.-RESOURCES MENTIONED-✨ How to actually dumify your Android (full tutorial): https://youtu.be/RZZl7_m2tDg ✨ Why texts drop between iPhone and Android, explained: https://youtu.be/yZAWF_Fq758 ✨ The refurbished Google Pixel I bought to dumify: https://amzn.to/4gzYvGe ✨ O Launcher (the app I use for my minimalist home screen): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.olauncher&hl=en_US&pli=1 ✨ The Sunbeam F1 Pro (the flip phone I used and loved): https://sunbeamwireless.com/by/31010/ This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.CHAPTERS00:00 Why I Went the Flip Phone Route 01:45 Pros and Cons of Dumb Phones (and How I Adapted) 06:18 The Transition to a Smarter Smartphone09:27 What I Kept (and Cut) + My Final Verdict—CONNECT WITH THE HOST —Ask questions/contact me: https://laurenmefford.com/contact Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videos#DumbPhone #DigitalMinimalism #FlipPhone #ChristianHomemaking #HomeschoolMom
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  Reformed Baptist to Presbyterian: What Actually Changed Our Minds | Ep. 26 27.08.2026 39min

  ✨ Wondering what it would look like to build realistic rhythms that help you run your home instead of it running you? Come join us inside the Rooted Homemakers Collective, my membership where I walk you through exactly how. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakersIn this episode, Lauren and Jeremy share the story behind a question many of you have asked: why did we move from being Reformed Baptists to Presbyterians? They walk through where they started, the moment that first cracked things open, and the theological questions that shaped how they now think about faith, baptism, and raising their children.— RESOURCES MENTIONED —Baptism Is Not Enough — one of the books that shaped this conversation: Baptism Is Not Enough: How Understanding God's Covenant Explains EverythingGenesis 17:7, Romans 4, Galatians 3, Acts 2, Acts 16 (the Philippian jailer), Jeremiah 31 — key passages referenced throughoutThe catechism we now use with our kids — I Belong to God: A Catechism for Covenant ChildrenThis episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.—CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS —Ask questions/contact us: https://laurenmefford.com/contactYoutube: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BCInstagram: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BC (@laurenmichellemefford) • Instagram profileCHAPTERS00:13 Journey from Reformed Baptists to Presbyterians07:57 Understanding Covenant Theology and Its Implications13:38 The Role of Faith20:33 The Shift in Perspective on Baptism and Children27:27 Understanding the Covenant and Its Implications31:18 Baptism and Its Significance in the New Covenant
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  [ROOTED RHYTHMS] The Notebook That Saved This Homemaker From Infinite Scrolling | Ep. 25 25.08.2026 10min

  ✨ If you've been moving all day but nothing seems to get done — start here. A daily rhythm to help you get food on the table, laundry moving, and peace back in your home. $27. Instant access. → https://go.laurenmefford.com/faithful-in-the-little-things-page✨Overwhelmed by meals, laundry, and endless to-dos? Learn the simple system that makes home feel manageable again in my FREE Masterclass → https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-trainingThis description below includes affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may receive a small commission—thank you for supporting my channel!Do you feel constantly distracted by your phone—scrolling through apps while dinner burns, kids need you, and the day slips away?You’re not alone. In this video, I share the simple 3-minute notebook routine that helped me stop mindless scrolling and become the focused, present homemaker I truly wanted to be.After trying many different methods and planners, this $10 notebook is what worked.I’ll walk you through the exact way I use it each day and week to retrain my brain, reclaim my time, and stay anchored in real life—not lost in my phone.***I will say, this notebook is a big part of the equation, buts not the ONLY part. Self control is still important—and finding ways to choose not pick up the phone and scroll (i.e., limiting times to check it, using app blockers, keeping it in another room, etc.). BUT, using paper instead of having another reason to reach for the phone (to plan, keep lists, etc.) has been very helpful for me, personally.***Whether you’re trying to scroll less as a stay-at-home mom, create weekly rhythms that stick, or finally feel clear-headed when you wake up, this system will help.You’ll learn:Why we reach for our phones and how a simple notebook helpsThe weekly planning rhythm that keeps my homemaking calm and consistentMy 5-minute evening routine that helps me wake up already in motionHow I use my notebook for meals, priorities, to-dos, and even a custom dopamine menu that rewires my brain toward life-giving choicesIf you’re a Christian homemaker who wants to stay focused, love your role, and create systems that bring peace and joy to your home, this video is for you..My notebook: https://amzn.to/44TlHJQMy favorite erasable pens: https://amzn.to/48WycXtCONNECT WITH THE HOSTYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmichellemefford/ Website/Contact Us: http://www.laurenmefford.com
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  [ROOTED RHYTHMS] Answering Your Questions About Homeschooling, Housework & Balancing It All | Ep. 24 19.08.2026 32min

  ✨ Wondering what it would look like to have rhythms that help you run your home instead of it running you? Come join us inside my membership, the Rooted Homemakers Collective, where I walk you through exactly how → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakersAnswering your questions on balancing chores and play, our new homeschool plan, how I meal plan, and how we train our children's’ character.This episode is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.Resources and Products Mentioned in this video:✨Voetberg Music Academy: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com?affiliate_code=29079a ✨ BiblioPlan (our history, Bible, and literature curriculum this year): https://www.biblioplan.net/✨ IEW: https://amzn.to/4w7x5fy ✨ Apologia Science: https://amzn.to/4zimkKj ✨ Math Mammoth: https://amzn.to/4wMAAsU**For Math Mammoth, you have to get the A and B workbooks, plus tests/quizzes and answer keyCHAPTERS00:00 Balancing Chores and Play 12:09 Our Evening Schedule 14:25 Homeschool Updates 22:31 How I Meal Plan 25:18 How We Discipline & Train Our Children's Character—CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS —Ask questions/contact us: https://laurenmefford.com/contact Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmichellemefford/ 
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  What This Mom of 11 Discovered After Years of Getting Homeschool Wrong | With Ashley Buffa | Ep. 23 13.08.2026 1h 3min

  ✨ Wondering what it would look like to build realistic rhythms that help you run your home instead of it running you? Come join us inside the Rooted Homemakers Collective, my membership where I walk you through exactly how. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakers— SHOW NOTES —Ashley Buffa is a mother of eleven who has homeschooled from the start and graduated four children. But for the first fifteen years, she'll tell you plainly that she hated it. In this conversation she shares what finally changed her heart, why keeping your kids out of school isn't the same as homeschooling well, and how she structures a full life as a homeschool mom and businesswoman without letting either one run the show.Lauren and Ashley cover the practical and the heart-level: why getting dressed sets the tone for the day, loving your children, pulling toddlers in instead of pushing them away, and cultivating a family culture that loves beautiful things without nagging anyone into it.— RESOURCES MENTIONED —Ashley on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@AshleyMBuffaThe Homeschool Excellence Framework and other homeschooling resources can be found at https://go.vocationalhomeschooling.com/Keep an eye out for Ashley's upcoming motherhood course (releasing end of August)—CONNECT WITH THE HOST —Youtube: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BCInstagram: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BC (@laurenmichellemefford) • Instagram profileWebsite/Contact Us_:http://www.laurenmefford.com
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  [ROOTED RHYTHMS] The Bible Taught Me How to Manage My Time Better Than Any Self-Help Book | Ep. 22 11.08.2026 11min

  ✨Struggling to build rhythms that actually work in your home?My free masterclass shows you how to create simple routines that are rooted in biblical priorities and actually work. Watch it here: https://www.laurenmefford.com/free-trainingIf you’ve tried planners, routines, and every self-help strategy but still feel behind, this video walks through a biblical approach to time management that is actually effective and freeing, because its based on biblical fruitfulness and faithfulness, not the worlds view of productivity and hustle culture. We’ll talk about fruitfulness vs productivity, seeing your homemaking through Scripture, and why your identity in Christ changes the way you build habits.You’ll learn practical ways to build habits that stick and help you faithfully manage your home, how to leverage rhythms God already built into the day, and how habit-building connects to the kind of Christian woman you’re becoming.CONNECT WITH THE HOSTYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmichellemefford/ Website/Contact Us: http://www.laurenmefford.com
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  [ROOTED RHYTHMS] The Unexpected Key to a Peaceful Home With 6 Kids (It's Not More Cleaning) | Ep. 21 04.08.2026 12min

  🌿Wondering what it would look like to have rhythms that help you run your home (rather than it running you)?  Learn more about the Rooted Rhythms Method: https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-rhythms-methodIn this episode, I'm sharing the unexpected key I've found to a truly peaceful home, plus three practical, God-honoring ways you can start walking it out this week.CONNECT WITH THE HOSTYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmichellemefford/ Website/Contact Us_:http://www.laurenmefford.com
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  What Feeding Our Family Real Food Taught Us About Healing | Ep. 20 30.07.2026 49min

  ✨ Wondering what it would look like to have rhythms that help you run your home instead of it running you? Come join us inside the Rooted Homemakers Collective, my membership where I walk you through exactly how. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakers In this episode, Lauren and her husband Jeremy get real about health and wellness in their own home and what they've lived and watched work. Lauren, a nurse practitioner, shares the dramatic story of a hormone crash in her mid-twenties that left her at menopausal estrogen levels despite an active lifestyle, and what brought healing. From there, they talk through their family's brutal sick seasons, the whole-food supplements that turned things around for their kids' immunity, and Lauren's own recovery after a string of miscarriages.The conversation also covers soil depletion, food as medicine, and a few biblical parallels that reshaped how they think about nutrition. They close out talking about staying active as a family — not through motivation, but through systems and an environment that makes movement the default.— CHAPTERS —0:00 — Why We're Talking About Health and Wellness Today2:11 — Do Your Daily Choices Actually Support Your Goals?5:01 — The Hormone Crash That Changed Everything in Lauren's Twenties7:06 — Nutrition Changed the Course of Her Life13:20 — Why Today's Produce Isn't as Nutritious as It Used to Be15:43 — Breaking the Cycle of Endless Sick Seasons22:30 — The 90-Day Challenge29:09 — Is Food Really Medicine?41:44 — A Case for Prioritizing Nutrition49:50 — Building an Active Family Life (Without Relying on Motivation)— RESOURCES MENTIONED —Kid's vitamins:Immunity: https://beta.neolife.com/rootedvitality/en-US/shop/product/vita-gard?sku=3125Daily: https://beta.neolife.com/rootedvitality/en-US/shop/product/vita-squares?sku=3122Rooted Home health & wellness resource page mentioned in the episode —https://laurenmefford.com/wellness-general-healthKids' bodyweight workout playlist for the kiddos— https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZeBwGx-VLPsJ6Ucsov3lYJ24xTCiB_Bz— CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS —Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmichellemefford/ Website/Contact Us: http://www.laurenmefford.comA quick heads up: we're NeoLife promoters, so we may earn a small commission if you order through us. I only share what we use ourselves. This is our experience, not medical advice.
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  What Nancy Wilson Learned in Nearly 50 Years Raising Daughters | Ep. 19 23.07.2026 1h 1min

  ✨ Wondering what it would look like to have rhythms that help you run your home instead of it running you? Come join us inside the Rooted Homemakers Collective, my membership where I walk you through exactly how. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakers In this episode of the Rooted Home podcast, Lauren sits down with Nancy Wilson, author of Future Women. Nancy came to faith in college, married Doug, and helped start Logos School back in the early days of the classical Christian movement, all while raising three children. Her family now includes eighteen grandchildren and a growing handful of great-grandchildren, so she has gotten to see, up close, what the Lord does with a life of simple, day-to-day faithfulness.Together they talk about parenting with joy rather than drudgery, and why being lighthearted in the day to day is something many of us have to practice. Nancy shares how she and Doug worked to raise daughters who were secure and confident, capable of shouldering the real work of running a home. She also makes the case that a solid education and a high view of homemaking were never meant to compete. As she puts it, teaching a daughter to think is one of the best things a mother can hand down. It's a warm and honest conversation with a lot of practical wisdom for any mom raising her children in the Lord.Chapter titles:00:57 — From Military Base to Born Again: Nancy's Story04:40 — How One Offhand Comment Started a Christian School10:29 — Parenting With Joy Instead of Drudgery16:25 — Learning to Laugh When the Milk Spills22:20 — The Book Nancy Almost Didn't Write30:26 — "Get To," Not "Got To": Raising Capable Daughters35:42 — Should You Pay Your Kids to Do Chores?38:42 — Why a Homemaker Still Needs a Real Education40:39 — The No-Security-Blanket Rule That Raised Confident Girls51:10 — Raising Daughters Strong Enough to Bear Weight— RESOURCES MENTIONED —Future Women by Nancy Wilson (Canon Press): https://canonpress.com/products/future-womenListen to the Femina podcast by Nancy Wilson: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/femina/id1513264253Future Men by Doug Wilson: https://amzn.to/3TwICqYWhy Children Matter by Doug Wilson: https://amzn.to/4fyCRBH Five Aspects of Woman by Barbara Mouser: https://www.fiveaspects.com/bible-studies/five-aspects-of-woman— CONNECT WITH THE HOST —Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videosWebsite/Contact Us: http://www.laurenmefford.com
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  How To Inspire Your Husband to Lead Without Nagging | Wife School With Tilly Dillehay | Ep. 18 16.07.2026 50min

  ✨ Wondering what it would look like to build realistic rhythms that help you run your home instead of it running you? Come join us inside the Rooted Homemakers Collective, my membership where I walk you through exactly how. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakersIn this episode, I sit down with author and Wife School creator Tilly Dillehay to talk about marriage, motherhood, and faith. Tilly shares how her parents' divorce and remarriage shaped her heart for marriages worth enjoying, why gratitude changes the whole feel of a home, and how calling sin what it is becomes the doorway to real freedom. A warm, honest conversation full of practical wisdom for women who want to grow & have a flourishing, God-honoring marriage.Chapters:02:04 Tilly's Background and Writing Journey05:09 How She Writes Books With Four Kids at Home08:03 What Wife School Teaches Christian Women11:09 The Divorce That Sparked Her Passion for Marriage14:04 The Marriage Mistake Many Wives Don't Know They're Making16:53 How to Inspire Your Husband to Lead (Without Nagging)19:54 The Power of Gratitude in Marriage23:54 The Perspective Shift That Softens How You See Him26:37 Love and Respect: The Two Currencies of Marriage30:31 When to Trust Him With the High-Stakes Decisions38:53 The Feminine Vices Hiding Behind Feminine Virtues47:50 The Freedom of Finally Calling Sin What It Is— RESOURCES MENTIONED —✨ My Dear Hemlock by Tilly Dillehay (her spinoff of The Screwtape Letters): https://amzn.to/4pkRoV6✨ Seeing Green by Tilly Dillehay (on envy): https://amzn.to/4f6Smzv✨ Broken Bread by Tilly Dillehay (on the relationship with food): https://amzn.to/3Rbd7Su✨ The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis: https://amzn.to/4vfjZw9✨ Tilly's Website, where you can find Wife School among other resources: https://www.tillydillehay.com/✨ Watch her hilarious Ma Ingles reel on Instagram, and follow her there: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUg0HjgDwcr/CONNECT WITH THE HOST—Youtube: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BCInstagram: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BC (@laurenmichellemefford) • Instagram profileWebsite/Contact Us: http://www.laurenmefford.com
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  We Got Addicted to Being Off Screens — Here's What Happened to Our Family | Ep. 17 30.06.2026 40min

  ✨ Wondering what it would look like to build realistic rhythms that help you run your home instead of it running you? Come join us inside the Rooted Homemakers Collective, my membership where I walk you through exactly how. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakersIn this episode of The Rooted Home Podcast, Jeremy and Lauren Mefford have an honest conversation about something a lot of families are wrestling with — screens. This is not a "we went cold turkey and it was fine" story. These are just two people, with very different screen histories, talking about what it actually looks like to raise six kids who know how to play, be bored, and live in the present without constantly reaching for a device.Together, they dig into why screens aren't neutral tools — why they're far closer to cigarettes than to hammers — and how the dopamine cycle of scrolling quietly robs families of the ability to enjoy the slow, the mundane, and the real. They also get honest about the spiritual layer underneath it all: how discontentment quietly grows when we're always consuming and never creating.But this episode is less about fear and more about freedom. Jeremy and Lauren share what intentional screen stewardship actually looks like in a home with six kids: family-only screen time, books in every room, long hours of outdoor play, and children who go outside and build things in the woods because nobody handed them an iPad. They also talk about the hope — that brains can be retrained, attention spans can be rebuilt, and the life God put in front of us is meant to be enjoyed.— RESOURCES MENTIONED —✨ C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory — referenced ("mud pies in the slums"): The Weight of Glory— CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS —YouTube: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BCInstagram: Lauren Mefford, PhD, FNP-BC (@laurenmichellemefford) • Instagram profileWebsite/Contact Us: http://www.laurenmefford.comTIMESTAMPS00:59 Understanding Screen Addiction04:16 Personal Experiences with Screens07:14 The Impact of Screens on Children10:08 Screens as Tools vs. Addictions13:01 The Importance of Enjoying the Mundane16:17 The Dangers of Constant Stimulation19:06 Training Children for a Healthy Relationship with Screens22:00 Practical Tips for Reducing Screen Time25:15 Fostering Creativity and Imagination28:06 The Role of Parents in Managing Screen Time31:15 Embracing Life Beyond Screens
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  Why Habits Fall Apart When Life Gets Hard (& What to Do Instead) | With Reagan Rose | Ep. 16 25.06.2026 1h 8min

  ✨ Wondering what it would look like to build realistic rhythms that help you run your home instead of it running you? Come join us inside the Rooted Homemakers Collective, my membership where I walk you through exactly how. → https://laurenmefford.com/rooted-homemakersWhat does it actually look like to steward your time well — without burning out, without hustle culture creeping in, and without losing sight of what actually matters? In this episode, Jeremy and Lauren sit down with Reagan Rose, founder of Redeeming Productivity, for a rich conversation about biblical productivity, building good habits, and what it means to be fruitful — not just busy.Reagan has been teaching personal productivity through a biblical worldview for over ten years, and the parallels between his work and Lauren's approach to homemaking make for a conversation you'll want to listen to more than once.CONNECT WITH REAGAN ROSEReagan runs the ministry Redeeming Productivity, where he teaches personal productivity through a biblical lens. He is the author of Redeeming Productivity and hosts a podcast and membership community by the same name. He lives in southeast Michigan with his wife Kim and their three children.Find Reagan at: http://redeemingproductivity.comRead Redeeming Productivity by Reagan Rose: https://amzn.to/3QAlxCDBecome a Member of the Redeeming Productivity Academy: https://redeemingproductivity.com/academy/ — CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS —YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaurenMefford/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmichellemefford/Website: http://www.laurenmefford.comTIMESTAMPS:02:12 - How Reagan went from struggling student to biblical productivity ministry03:05 - What stewardship actually has to do with your time05:00 - Why there is so little Christian content on productivity08:13 - The catch-22 of being too busy to fix being too busy10:47 - Stop adding habits — start making what you do more routine13:27 - Why the home to-do list will never be done (and that's okay)15:11 - What happens when your schedule has no cushion17:46 - The quarterly check-in that keeps priorities from drifting21:17 - What faithful stewardship looks like when you are exhausted25:30 - Reagan's POWER morning routine27:55 - You are not just building a habit — you are building character36:01 - Habits in the hard seasons: postpartum, depleted, running on empty42:12 - Holding your plans loosely when God redirects them43:25 - What it looks like when rest counts as productivity45:33 - Rolling with the curveballs without everything falling apart51:26 - How to know if you are being flexible or just avoiding the work57:45 - The habits your kids are watching you build right now58:44 - Painting the picture of an orderly home before you hand out chore charts66:30 - Discipline is not a burden — it is what sets you free