Crystal Paine Show

335: My Grandma Hobbies Era

This week on The Crystal Paine Show, I want to talk about something that has unexpectedly changed my life this year - what I jokingly call my “grandma hobbies era.” When I first shared that phrase online, it stirred up more feelings than I ever expected. Some people really loved it, but some were really bothered by it. For me, it’s a playful way to describe something deeply meaningful: choosing activities that slow me down, calm my body, and help me feel present again!Two years ago, if I had heard myself talking about puzzles, watercoloring, baking, or crocheting a scarf, I probably would have thought something had gone very wrong. Back then, my life was full of adrenaline, constant urgency, and never-ending to-do lists. I didn’t realize how tightly I was living until I started to loosen my grip, and with the encouragement of my functional medicine doctor, I began intentionally creating space - working fewer hours, building in white space, and letting go of the need to always be “on,” and in that space, I found myself drawn to simple, creative things that didn’t demand anything from me other than just my attention.Listen in this episode as Jesse and I open up honestly about what it has been like to step out of fight mode and learn how to rest, and I share how scary it felt to reduce my work hours as the CEO of a company, how much anxiety that stirred up, and how it revealed an idol of control that I hadn't even realized I had. I also share the surprising ways that God met me in that place - financially, emotionally, and spiritually - when I ultimately chose to trust instead of hustle.Jesse and I also talk about what it feels like when your calendar finally has breathing room, when your to-do list doesn’t fill the page, and when people start to feel like opportunities instead of interruptions. We laugh about puzzles, sourdough, and my very flexible relationship with recipes, but even more than that, we talk about what it means to live from a calmer place and show up more fully to the people and work we love!Please tune in this week, especially if you are tired, running on adrenaline, or craving a slower, richer way to live. Maybe it’s time to find your own version of a “grandma hobby.” I hope that this conversation encourages you, and, as always, I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to reach out!In This Episode[0:35] - This episode is about how the phrase “grandma hobbies” is a playful, positive term for calming activities that have unexpectedly improved my life![3:07] - I talk about how leaning into energizing “grandma hobbies” helps me re-regulate my nervous system and move out of constant fight mode.[6:44] - Jesse and I discuss how living constantly in fight-or-flight exhausts the body because it was designed only for short-term survival.[7:30] - I explain how calming, repetitive hobbies redirect my focus and gently regulate my nervous system without adrenaline or urgency.[9:42] - I reflect on how letting go of rigid rules revealed how I was addicted to adrenaline and uneasy with newly open space.[11:11] - Hear how cutting back hours exposed my fear, control, and misplaced belief that success depended solely on me.[14:40] - I argue how choosing trust over hustle showed me that rest, not control, leads to freedom.[17:26] - Hear how working less has made my life richer, calmer, and more present across work, relationships, and creativity.[20:28] – Jesse and I talk about how working fewer hours has improved my energy, sleep quality, and overall well-being by preventing constant exhaustion.[21:31] - Jesse and I discuss how intentional stillness via simple, calming activities helps restore awareness, reduce stress, and regulate the nervous system![24:36] - I am finding that simple creative hobbies create space, restore calm, and help me show up with joy and love!Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Armoire: https://armoire.style/CRYSTALAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

334: Don’t Burn Your House Down with Lindsey Maestas

I sort of selfishly recorded this week’s episode for me, but I know I’m not the only one who needs this conversation. Several years ago, Lindsay Maestas challenged me to see Jesse not as another task on my never-ending list but rather as a person again - a moment that stuck with me, and in this season of raising a big family and carrying a lot of weight, I realized how easily my marriage had slipped to the back burner, so for this episode, I invited Lindsay back to talk about what it really looks like to choose your marriage when you’re tired, hurt, and wondering if it’s always going to feel this difficult!Using her book Don’t Burn Your House Down as the basis of our conversation, Lindsay and I talk about the quiet disappointments that build up such as when a gift feels impersonal or you feel completely unseen and why those moments often point to deeper needs, not deal-breakers. Lindsay shares why love doesn’t “just happen,” how unspoken expectations create distance, and what to do when your spouse hears your requests as criticism or failure. We uncover the anxious–avoidant cycle, the danger of keeping emotional receipts, and why fighting fire with fire only burns the house down even faster.One of my favorite parts of this episode is honestly when we shift away from heavy conversations and talk about rebuilding friendship. Laughter, play, small acts of service, and even silly moments can soften hearts in ways that words sometimes can’t, and Lindsay explains the power of what she calls “micro attractions” - the tiny daily choices that quietly say, “I see you.” We also talk about why trying to change your spouse almost never works and how real change begins when you look honestly at yourself.This conversation is for anyone who feels lonely in their marriage, overwhelmed by life, or unsure what to do next. It’s not about pretending things are fine but rather about choosing hope, humility, and connection again, even when it feels easier to quit. I hope that you enjoy my conversation with Lindsay, and, as always, please feel free to reach out! I would love to hear your thoughts!In This Episode[0:35] - Join me in welcoming Lindsay Maestas, author of Don’t Burn Your House Down![2:34] - Lindsay believes that love and connection in marriage require daily, intentional choices, even during difficult periods.[4:30] - Despite struggles, couples can find hope, tools, and renewed commitment in marriage.[7:29] - Lindsay has seen how small daily disappointments reveal deeper needs for care, attention, and consideration.[9:20] - While you can't change my spouse, you can choose to love and communicate well.[11:48] - Lindsay has learned that conflict often stems from unspoken expectations, and clarity requires open explanation.[14:15] - Our anxious–avoidant patterns trap us, and breaking them requires addressing and naming the cycle.[17:05] - Lindsay asserts that rebuilding friendship, play, and shared joy often reconnects hearts more than repeated conversations.[20:16] - I add how, amid daily chaos, couples need to remember to nurture joy and play in their marriage.[21:14] - Hear how fighting fire with fire fuels resentment, whereas forgiveness and grace restore connection.[24:19] - Ultimately, marriage reveals our flaws and calls us to become more like Christ.[27:14] - Shifting expectations from spouse to God relieves pressure and highlights small acts of love.[29:02] - Lindsay explains how micro gestures such as noticing, serving, and affirming help build the strongest foundation in marriage.[32:00] - Lindsay points out how letting go of resentment can lead to relational growth.[34:00] - Becoming our best selves honors God, strengthens marriage, and revitalizes energy and joy.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineBooksDon’t Burn Your House Down: Prioritizing Your Marriage, Your Spouse, and Yourself for a Deeper Connection by Lindsay MaestasSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Armoire: https://armoire.style/CRYSTALAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

333: Why I Started Wearing a Continuous Glucose Monitor

Join me and Jesse this week as I share what it has actually been like wearing a continuous glucose monitor as a non-diabetic, why I decided to try it, and what I’ve learned about my body in the process. It all starts in the middle of a very real “snowpocalypse” with canceled plans, sick kids, and a scrapped anniversary trip, which somehow turned into the perfect time to slow down, rest, and pay closer attention to my health!I walk you through the basics of what a continuous glucose monitor is, how the non-medical versions work, and why my functional medicine doctor encouraged me to use one for a few months. I also dig into why I chose the brand that I did, what it cost, how easy it was to install and remove, and what it actually feels like to wear one day to day. (It’s way less intense than I expected, and I forgot it was even there most of the time!)The real value for me, though, has been the data. Seeing my blood sugar in real time completely changed how I think about food, especially carbs, protein, and movement. Listen in as I share how I assumed that I had major blood sugar issues only to find out that my levels were actually pretty stable and that most of my past “crashes” were likely from under-eating and not getting enough protein. I break down the biggest patterns that I noticed such as why carb-only snacks spike my blood sugar, why starting meals with protein matters, and how even a short walk after eating can make a measurable difference.Jesse and I also get into some surprisingly practical discoveries such as why eating the same foods in a different order changes the outcome, how workouts affect glucose levels, and why three muffins in one evening sounded fun but did not feel great later. This episode isn’t about perfection or rules. No; it’s about curiosity, small experiments, and using real feedback from my own body to make better choices, so if you have ever wondered how your habits actually impact your energy, focus, or overall health, then this episode is basically me being your guinea pig so you don’t have to be! Tune in, and, as always, I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to reach out!In This Episode[0:35] - We’re in the middle of a snowstorm, prepped for possible power loss![3:30] - Hear how my anniversary with Jesse was planned, but Micah suddenly complained of ear pain before we could leave.[4:41] - Hear how both kids tested positive for strep, with Micah also having COVID and an ear infection.[7:37] - I discuss how I avoided strep but feel that I might have borderline laryngitis, so I’m resting at home and taking vitamins.[8:53] - I explain how continuous glucose monitors for non-diabetics give real-time data to help me understand my body.[11:23] - I chose the Stello monitor because it’s accessible, affordable, and shows data without alarms![12:55] - The sensor is easy to insert, a tiny filament under the skin, not a needle.[16:24] - Hear how the monitor sits in fluid around my muscle, stays secure with tape, and is barely noticeable![18:01] - I discuss how my device lasted nine days, was easy to remove, and unexpectedly revealed stable blood sugar.[20:04] - I explain how eating consistently, especially protein first, stabilizes my blood sugar, while carb-only snacks cause spikes.[22:48] - Eating carbs alone spikes my blood sugar unless I exercise immediately afterward.[24:25] - Hear how I learned that eating protein first stabilizes blood sugar, whereas carb-first meals cause spikes.[27:12] - I explain how combining carbs with protein prevents spikes, but carbs alone raise my blood sugar.[28:45] - Hear how moving shortly after meals helps stabilize blood sugar, especially if I first eat carbs.[31:45] - The order of eating foods such as protein before vegetables significantly affects blood sugar.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineSteloSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Armoire: https://armoire.style/CRYSTALAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

332: One Man’s Journey from Abuse & Addiction to Forgiveness and Redemption with Stephen McWhirter

Trust me, you are not going to want to miss this episode’s honest and vulnerable conversation with Stephen McWhirter, author of the memoir Radically Restored: How Knowing Jesus Heals Our Brokenness. I have really been looking forward to sharing this episode because his story is raw, unsettling at times, and deeply hopeful, and it challenged me in ways that I couldn't have expected. Listen as Stephen opens up about growing up in a home where faith was loudly preached in public but painfully contradicted in private. We talk about what it does to a child when the person who represents God also causes pain and how that kind of hypocrisy can lead to anger, rebellion, and addiction for years, and Stephen openly shares his long road into substance abuse, the surprising moment when everything began to change, and how his encounter with Jesus didn’t happen in a church pew but rather alone, surrounded by darkness and drugs where grace met him anyway.Stephen walks us through forgiveness in a unique way, and we talk about abuse, safety, boundaries, and the very real cost of forgiving someone who caused deep wounds, especially when that person is a parent. His story of forgiving his father (not once but over a lifetime) is one of the best parts of the conversation. We also spend some time talking directly to parents, friends, and loved ones who feel helpless watching someone they care about struggle, with Stephen offering hope for those carrying quiet shame, hidden addictions, or unanswered prayers, reminding us that repentance brings things into the light.If you are wrestling with forgiveness, addiction, trust, or the question of whether God is actually good, then this episode is absolutely for you, and if you’re the one praying for someone else and wondering if it matters, I truly hope that this conversation gives you real hope that restoration is possible, sometimes even in ways that we could never expect or plan for ourselves. Be sure to grab a copy of his book as well!In This Episode[0:35] - This episode is an interview with Stephen McWhirter, author of Radically Restored: How Knowing Jesus Heals Our Brokenness![1:39] - Stephen opens up about how his father’s public faith hid private abuse, fueling rebellion and addiction.[4:18] - Alone with drugs, Stephen realized that salvation required belief, not effort.[6:57] - Stephen believes that God met him outside church and used his story uniquely.[10:04] - For Stephen, obediently forgiving his father was unimaginably difficult.[12:48] - At his father’s deathbed, forgiving him aloud released Stephen and reshaped his understanding of grace.[15:37] - Stephen argues that forgiveness involves tearing up debt and opening the door to healing.[17:15] - Stephen asserts that a parent’s words matter most, but peers can powerfully redirect someone who is struggling.[19:52] - Hear how Stephen longed for honest apologies and repentance because hiding only deepens damage and prevents healing.[23:12] - Stephen believes that repentance brings hidden sin into light.[26:13] - Stephen shares how his mother's faith taught him that prayer is active trust, especially when loving someone feels helpless.[29:50] - Hear how knowing God’s character transformed Stephen's controlling prayers into trust that His will is genuinely good.[32:16] - Be sure to grab a copy of Stephen's book!Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineThe Crystal Paine Show - 329: Why I Am Not Setting Goals in 2026BooksRadically Restored: How Knowing Jesus Heals Our Brokenness by Stephen McWhirterThe Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee StrobelSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

331: My Fun List for 2026

Welcome to another episode of The Crystal Paine Show! This one is a follow-up to the episode where I shared why I’m not setting goals for 2026, and if you haven’t listened to that one yet, I recommend you do so first because it gives some important context for everything I’m sharing here. Today, Jesse and I give you a peek into my “fun list” - the low-pressure, no-fail, creatively inspired approach I’m taking this year instead of traditional goals, and I am sharing how it’s already reshaping my life just eight days into 2026 (as of when we recorded this)!I talk about the various ways that I have been learning to exist without constant urgency. Years of nonstop goal-chasing left my nervous system overworked, and letting go of that pace has forced me to ask, “Who am I without projects defining my worth?” I share how sitting quietly, arriving early, and simply having space between tasks has actually been strangely calming and unexpectedly healing. We also dive into some very practical examples: everything from decluttering and organizing our home, creating better systems for the spaces which we already have, helping our kids take more ownership, to discovering joy in cooking, exploring new crafts like watercolor and embroidery, and simply enjoying small daily rituals like tea, walks, movies, and shows!Along the way, I also reflect on how my fun list allows me to enjoy life without pressure—no measuring, no stress, just inspiration. Listen in as I share how I am approaching social media differently this year, letting Instagram be a life-giving place again, and how I’m enjoying reading fiction for the sake of enjoyment, not just achievement. I really hope this episode inspires you to experiment with your own fun list, give yourself permission to slow down, and find joy in both the small and creative moments of life, and, of course, as always, we would love to hear from you!In This Episode[0:35] - This episode is a follow-up to episode 329 and discusses my “fun list” for 2026![1:28] - Hear how I visited a gastroenterologist due to chronic anemia, navigating confusion about colonoscopy and endoscopy.[4:59] - Jesse and I discuss how replacing rigid goals with a flexible “fun list” reduces pressure and avoids feelings of failure for me.[7:03] I discuss how fun lists inspire without pressure, unlike goals, which feel heavy and failure-laden for me.[10:22] - Not setting goals challenges my identity, revealing how much I tied worth to productivity.[13:32] - Hear how introducing myself without listing projects initially felt strange, highlighting how much I normally juggle.[15:02] - Letting go of constant goal-chasing calms my nervous system and creates healing space.[19:15] - Jesse and I talk about how embracing a fun list allows enjoying activities such as assembling puzzles without pressure, timelines, or discomfort with unfinished tasks.[20:18] - I am realizing that I cherish simple pleasures and keep them flexible, trusting that rest enhances rather than hinders productivity.[23:42] - I want to explore watercolor, embroidery, knitting, and possibly consider moving for more space.[25:39] - Hear how managing bedrooms and sibling dynamics shows the challenges of space and kids' competitive relationships.[27:35] - I talk about how creating home systems and decluttering improves daily life and prepares for a potential move.[30:58] - I am aiming to enjoy cooking, gym routines, and short trips without pressure or strict goals.[33:44] - I reflect on having rediscovered Instagram joy by posting freely and creatively, without focusing on strategy or metrics.[36:09] - The final thing on my fun list is to read more fiction.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineThe Crystal Paine Show - 329: Why I Am Not Setting Goals in 2026Social MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands