Throughout this conversation, Christiane Michaelis and I speak openly about unleashing creativity in yourself and your home.

My good friend, Kelly Lamont, is NO stranger to homeschooling. She's been homeschooling her 4 children over the past 7 years and has some amazing nuggets of wisdom shes' picked up along the way to share with YOU! If you are feeling fear and trepidation about the prospect of homeschooling your children during this global pandemic, Kelly's soft-spoke…

My good friend, Lauren Humphries, knows a thing or two about quarantining kids. She and her husband Kenneth have been fostering children with severe medical needs for 14 years, and have had to go on complete lockdown with their family to protect the children in their care for months at a time. Lauren's time and experience-tested wisdom comes to us …

In this podcast episode, Amy talks candidly about her struggle with Mommy Guilt and how, when it creeps in, it can rob her and her family of her ability to be present. This is a raw, unedited version of the podcast so that she can just get something out to you and start a conversation about this gnawing, mindnumbing, everpresent subject. Stay tuned…

In this episode, Amy chats with Lisa Spangenberg of Garden Getaway Designs. An avid gardener for many years, Lisa Spangenberg has turned a hobby into a thriving garden design and consulting business. In addition to her design business, she worked for several years at a local nursery and has taught garden and design classes to several community orga…

In this episode, Amy talks about how she had to take a step back from recording the podcast in order to contemplate some criticism she had received as a result of doing the podcast. Sometimes, when we receive criticism, and it's hard not to take it to heart and let it slow us down or stop us altogether from doing what we know we were called to do. …

Today, I sat down with Laura Woolsey of Memory Forward and talked about the process by which her business came to be. As the name of her business suggests, Laura and her team help people organize and digitize photos and videos so that they can be used, viewed often and easily accessible. In this interview, we discuss how Laura founded her company a…

I'm on the struggle bus this week. School started two weeks ago for ALL 3 KIDS! Guys!!!! Then, I went out of town for a wonderful Sing! Conference with Keith and Kristyn Getty in Nashville, TN. Then, my husband got really sick with kidney stones. Then, our minivan's a/c went out in the dead of summer. And thennnnnn, our family dog died unexpectedly…

Well, I'm back after a long hiatus in Europe, and I cannot WAIT to jump back into the routine of podcasting!In this episode, I chat about a couple (of many) observations I made while I was in Europe: I don't spend enough quality time with my kids. I need to be more intentional about that! I need to slow down more often and resist the urge to make m…

In this episode, Amy chats with her friend, Christiane Michaelis, who she met several years ago in a German speaking meetup group. Christiane is the owner of The Dirty Easel and she helps companies and their employees to tap into their creative minds and think outside the box with their problem solving skills. Christiane can also be heard giving A …

In this episode, we talk about how sometimes, it takes us stepping out of our comfort zone, out of our microcosm or corner of the world, to fully realize the limitless possibilities! And although I'm currently traveling abroad, I want to encourage listeners to see their potential tribe right in front of them on social media or online forums of peop…

In this episode, Amy talks candidly and raw about the struggle of committing to something and putting things out there that may not be your best—just because you said you would show up.

In this episode, we kick off our miniseries which breaks down the daunting task of starting your own business and working on your business. This series is for women who KNOW they need to do SOMETHING to earn extra income, but also KNOW that it has to work around their priorities.In "All the Things", I take you through a 10-step process in determini…

This week, I’m slowing my pace wayyyyyy down on the podcast and coming up for a bit of air to really get organized and offer you the best content possible. I have SO much to share with you, that I literally want to share it all at once...but I just can’t do that AND keep up with all the other things I need to tend to, so I want to pace myself a bit…

Welcome to another episode of Mom on the Fringe! In this episode, I talk very openly with my friend, Olivia Gibbs. Olivia is an Illustrator and Surface Patter Designer who was born and raised in Spain. She met her husband in Vienna while studying business abroad and later moved to the USA to be with him. Together they have two little girls aged 5 a…

There are so many ways we can practice self care, and what might be a good fit for one person may not be a good fit for YOU.In this episode, Amy offers some self care tips and suggestions for self care that you can take or leave. But the point is, do something to fill your cup!Stay tuned for the next episode of Mom on the Fringe! So glad you're her…

Does the term "self care" make you scratch your head and leave you confused and almost feeling frustrated? When you hear the term, it might make you think of the most selfish, self-centered woman you know...or it may cause you to laugh outloud, because, WHO IN THE WORLD ACTUALLY HAS TIME FOR SELF CARE?! Well, in this episode of Mom on the Fringe, I…

In this episode, Amy talks about how the actual doing of the thing you want to do will teach you to be better at that thing. There's no magic in it, Folks! Contrary to popular belief, there aren't many *special* people out there that possess some amazing gift that isn't already present in YOU! I don't say that to be motivational. It is a fact. True…

Welcome to another episode of Mom on the Fringe! In this segment of Amy+Friends, I chat with my soul sister, Karen Michaels in Las Vegas, NV, and I could NOT be more excited to share our talk with you! Karen’s zest for life is unmatched by most! She lives her life as a multi-tasking maven. And, she wouldn’t have it any other way! And, as many of yo…

Easter, Football, Field Trip Permission slips, yearbook orders, Teacher Appreciation Day, Oh My! I think I've officially hit the proverbial wall. I'm dunzo. If I have to sign one more reading log or actually read AND respond to another IMPORTANT EMAIL, I'm going to pack my bags and run away to Greece. Stick a fork in me. The end of the school year …

In many circles, the idea of self love sounds self-indulgent and selfish. But yesterday, as I was recovering from my holiday hangover, I took some time to take care of myself and get myself back in working order. I practiced “Self Love”, and it was nothing short of necessary and good for my soul. What did I do? I pressed pause on all the Monday mor…

Do you ever get "Holiday Hangover"? I'm not referring to the type of hangover you get from drinking too much, but the kind of hangover you get from trying to make the holidays a wonderful experience for your family and waking up the next day feeling depleted and run down.After several Christmases and Easters where I felt like my health was sufferin…

In this episode of Amy+Friends, we chat with Jennifer Kaderli, owner and one of the many wonderful coaches at Iron Cross Fitness in Cedar Park, Texas. During this short, value-packed interview, we unpack: Challenges of owning your own business as a busy Mom, but why it's important to do it anyway! Her fitness journey and how it saved her. How much …

How do we begin something new? We not only begin by developing consistency, but we begin by doing ONE THING AT A TIME!! In this episode, Amy talks candidly about how, even though we have a tendency to do a lot of things at once, it's important to only do ONE THING AT A TIME in order to develop a habit and make it stick. Stop overwhelming yourself..…

The idea that you can make quantum leaps in a short amount of time because you are going to be the exception and not the rule is a lie that you tell yourself. “Stop giving your future self so much credit.” as Michael Matthews says in his book, Thinner, Leaner, Stronger. You are NOT going to want to do it tomorrow anymore than you want to do it toda…

Hydrogen Peroxide is safe and effective at not only helping heal cuts and boo-boos, but it's also safe to use on your carpet, your furniture and clothing after a dog or cat pees or poops, for blood, for dirt, for grease, vomit or any other stain your home might endure. And contrary to its stigma, it won't bleach it out. Nope. It just cleans and get…

In this episode, Amy talks about developing the habit of doing something you've set out to do. When she teaches her voice students, Amy lays out a clear instruction: Practice every day for 5-10 minutes. What she realized, over time, was that many people don't do this. And typically, these same people end up quitting. Most of us stop doing things we…

Do any of you out there have a child (or children) who always want the shirt or dress or pants or shorts that are in some obscure place somewhere in the house? Or maybe what they want doesn't even exist. Do any of you out there have a child (or children) who always wants the shirt or dress or pants or shorts that are in some obscure place somewhere…

I'm so excited to introduce my long time friend, Sarah Tannehill Anderson, to my listeners. She is one special lady! SARAH TANNEHILL ANDERSON is a versatile musician, excelling as a singer of opera, oratorio, choral music, contemporary works, and art song. Sarah is married to Rockhurst High School choral director, Sam Anderson, and is also a teache…

This episode concludes this week's series entitled "Getting Clear". It's so important, Friend, to get clear on what it is you should be doing in life, regardless if you are a busy Mom or not. I mentioned a few people in this episode I want you credit for some of the things we discussed: Viktor Frankl is the name of the Holocaust survivor I mentione…

In this episode, Part 2 of our “Getting Clear” series, we talk about admiration and how it differs from comparison. Instead of being envious of someone else, we can look for traits we admire and really want to emulate. It’s important to make the distinction, because we need to be aware of how we’re feeling at all times and use those feelings to our…

As we begin the journey of getting clear about what we really want to do, I believe it's necessary to stop dead in our tracks and talk about that nasty word, "Comparison". They say "Comparison is the thief of joy." and that's not only true for our lives, but also true for how we impact the world around us and live out our higher calling. In today's…

Today, I come to you in an effort to be fully transparent, because, as a busy Mom of 3, things just didn't go my way when I prepared for this episode. I share about how we should ban goody bags from birthday parties and how siblings should be able to come to parties if we pay their way. Controversial? Yes. But that's how I feel, darn it!! I also sh…

In this episode, I talk about how hard it is to be vulnerable and share our stories. I shared some pretty personal information with you all, and we barely even know each other ;)! Can anyone say "TMI"?? lol But, I think it's necessary to share our stories and here's why: It helps us know that we're not alone and allows people to help us in our time…

Today, we wrap up the story about how we found ourselves in the midst of complete financial and marital devastation in 2016. I talk about how my husband met with a man whom he didn't even know named Tommy. Tommy declared himself as my husband's "person" and walked with him through some of the hardest months of our lives. Tommy also called me and pr…

In this episode, I continue the story about how I was trying to work as a private voice teacher and my husband's response to me throwing up my hands in desperation. I get a little vulnerable with you as I talk about how we struggled with our finances and had some major bumps in the road that threatened to take us down. I also talk about my husband'…

This is Part #1 of a 4-part series where I talk about my story of trying to keep my unreliable business going in the throws of motherhood. The business model had not been working successfully for a number of years, but when my 3rd child, my daughter Georgia Jane, was born, I knew I needed a change BIG TIME. What kept me stuck trying to do the same …

This episode was recorded at a time when everything that could go wrong ultimately did: My daughter is sick, our dishwasher died and my husband is struggling to get our new one installed properly even as I record. Our car is acting up and was dead when I went to start it this morning on my way to my 5am workout. And those are just a few things that…

Have you ever wondered which direction you should take and prayed that God would show you a clear path? Have you found yourself stalling and not moving forward in any one direction, because you weren't crystal clear on what steps to take or whether that direction was going to be a good fit for you or your family? In this episode, Amy talks about ho…

You DO have time, but you’re just not using it! Today we talk about the hidden pockets of time you already have in your crazy busy day. If you’re struggling to find time to do the things you want to do, you don’t want to miss this episode! Stay tuned for the next episode of Mom on the Fringe! So glad you're here! You can find me and more informatio…