Best Save The Formalities Podcasts (2024)

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37. Book Review: A Well-Trained Wife...or Widget? (Part 1) 54:08

2h ago54:08

54:08

Send us a Text Message. What if the very teachings that promise to bring you love and belong are the same ones that will put you in the greatest dangers? Join us as we explore Tia Leving's phenomenal book, "Well-Trained Wife," and the many parts that resonate with us. We discuss the tight grip of rigid faith traditions and societal expectations, an…

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36. Set up to Fail: Patriarchy's Femininity Trap 56:56

11d ago56:56

56:56

Send us a Text Message. Are women guilty of manipulation and passive-aggressive tendencies? Sure! However, we are here to point out that these tactics are used across the board by women AND men. Moreover, we can't ignore the unfortunate reality that many of us were trained as young children to avoid more direct ways of communicating, so manipulatio…

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35. 15 Summer Hacks to Rock the School Year Before it Starts 1:03:08

16d ago1:03:08

1:03:08

Send us a Text Message. What if the best way to get ready for fall is to rest this summer? In this episode we challenge common expectations about productivity and laziness, making the case that rest is not a luxury but is foundational for being the happy, relaxed parent our children need. We're sharing 15 ways we're making the most of summer's rema…

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34. From Judgement to Joy: Navigating Divorce in Conservative Communities (Part 2) 1:02:47

26d ago1:02:47

1:02:47

Send us a Text Message. This is a continuation of the previous episode where we pull back the curtain on Naomi's divorce journey and her perspective six years later. We address systemic issues that often leave women feeling trapped--issues such as financial dependency, lack of education, and inadequate support from family and faith communities. We …

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33. From Judgment to Joy: Navigating Divorce in Conservative Communities (Part 1) 46:14

1M ago46:14

46:14

Send us a Text Message. In this episode we pull back the curtain on Naomi's divorce journey and her perspective six years later. We address systemic issues that often leave women feeling trapped--issues such as financial dependency, lack of education, and inadequate support from family and faith communities. We also discuss the benefits of no-fault…

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32. 10 Things Saving our Summer: Finding Joy in the Chaos 40:47

1M ago40:47

40:47

Send us a Text Message. In the mood for a deep, serious discussion? Then keep right on scrolling because this is NOT the episode for you. We're here to talk about the overwhelm that comes with summer's chaos--the kind of overwhelm that makes even picking out a watermelon feel like too much. Join us for a feel-good conversation that celebrates the s…

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31. From Quilts to Inquiry: Reflections on the Amish Heritage Scholars Symposium 54:50

2M ago54:50

54:50

Send us a Text Message. This week we start out with an update on Naomi's recent health adventures and then turn our attention to recapping the first weekend in June when we attended a Symposium on How Our Amish Heritage Influences Our Education and Career at Elizabethtown College. It all started with a very social Costco run to kick off our girls' …

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30. Rereading The Pineapple Story 56:34

2M ago56:34

56:34

Send us a Text Message. Have you ever reread a cherished story from childhood only to find your sense of nostalgia replaced by cringe? In this episode, we reflect on The Pineapple Story, a seemingly innocent book that, for us, represents a mashup of influences that colored our upbringing and sense of the world. The Pineapple Story is just one examp…

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29. Who is Smart Enough for College? 39:02

2M ago39:02

39:02

Send us a Text Message. Have you missed us? We’ve missed you! This episode was recorded in mid-May 2024 but not released until mid-June because of some health issues that threw a wrench in our production plans. We're happy to report that all is well and we're back in action. ------- Many of us who are the first in our families to go to college migh…

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28. All Talk: When Therapy Feels Pointless 52:26

3M ago52:26

52:26

Send us a Text Message. Now that we've (nearly) survived the end of semester crunch time, we're delighted to return to a regular podcasting schedule again. We're also excited about the new texting option for listeners. (Click the link above to try it out!) Have you ever been overwhelmed by life circumstances beyond your control and wondered what go…

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27. College 101: The Best-Kept Secret to Earning FREE College Credit 42:45

3M ago42:45

42:45

Send us a Text Message. Ever wonder how you got here as you blow out the candles on your birthday cake? That's where we begin in this episode, making space for the bittersweet emotions of milestone birthdays and the impending retirements of colleagues we admire. In our main segment, we talk about the possibilities of the College-Level Examination P…

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26. Identity Quilts: Making Peace with the Patches 55:43

4M ago55:43

55:43

Send us a Text Message. This episode is for anyone who has called many different places home and often waffles just a bit before answering the question, "Where are you from?" How do we answer this simple question while accounting for all the twists and turns and layers of experience that make up our identity? How deep do our roots need to go before…

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25. College 101: What to Ask on a Campus Visit 49:52

5M ago49:52

49:52

Send us a Text Message. If the thought of scheduling an official campus tour fills you with uncertainty or even dread, this podcast is for you! Navigating unfamiliar places and institutions can feel daunting for any of us, including first generation students (and their parents) who may not be sure where to start or what to expect beyond the glossy …

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24. Raging Against the Inevitable: When He Gets No Respect 37:17

5M ago37:17

37:17

Send us a Text Message. If your win this week is a kitchen floor that's clean for the first time in ages, you've found your people! We start this episode with a pop culture minute where we wonder aloud about the Royal Family's odd handling of Kate Middleton's recent absence from the public eye as well as the public's reaction to the public's reacti…

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23. Listening for Personal Truth Over the Clamor of Social Guilt 1:29:27

5M ago1:29:27

1:29:27

Send us a Text Message. Ever wrestled with the weight of a difficult decision, feeling the tug-of-war between what you've been taught and what your gut is screaming at you? Join us for this heart-to-heart as we peel back the layers of socialized guilt and its power in our lives. First, we explore some of the reasons we often find ourselves pulled a…

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22. What if Women Dared to Tell the Truth? 26:23

5M ago26:23

26:23

Send us a Text Message. We reflect on last week's episode and the events that prompted it--such as public figures spreading misconceptions about Amish culture and failing to honor the truths of those living in high-demand religion. We stress the importance of listening to and respecting the broad range of individual experiences that together make u…

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21. The Fantasy and Fallout of Amish-themed Romance Novels 34:14

6M ago34:14

34:14

Send us a Text Message. Ever wonder what it would be like to step into the world represented by Amish-themed romance novels? Well, just as the cottages in a Thomas Kincade painting don't actually exist (has anyone ever seen glowing windows in the middle of the day?), neither do the communities of Beverly Lewis' imagination. These books reflect as m…

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20. Daycare Dilemma: Gut vs. Guilt 35:38

6M ago35:38

35:38

Send us a Text Message. What if putting my child in daycare is going to mess them up forever? Am I sacrificing their wellbeing for my personal ambition? These are the kinds of questions many mothers face as they consider college and/or joining the workforce. We respond to a listener question about navigating the guilt that is often heaped upon moth…

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19. When Best-Laid Plans Fail 41:12

6M ago41:12

41:12

Send us a Text Message. Ever been sucker-punched by the realization that you've dropped the ball on something super important? If so, come sit with us! In this episode we unpack big feelings about a recent slip-up in the balancing act of work, family, and school. We can't tell you how to prevent the curveballs, but we can assure you that you're not…

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18. Cousin Weekend In Review: Processing the Past to Understand the Present 1:07:48

6M ago1:07:48

1:07:48

Send us a Text Message. Listen in as Rebecca and Naomi rehash a weekend last fall with a few far-flung cousins where the coffee and conversation flowed freely. Items mentioned in the show: Help plan future episodes! Click this link to Vote for Upcoming Topics Behalt: Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center Naomi’s Book Haul: The Narrow Way of Self-Denial…

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17. The Scandal of Women Protesting Patriarchal Click-Bait 46:29

7M ago46:29

46:29

Send us a Text Message. The Scandal of Women Protesting Patriarchal Click-Bait After their unplanned absence, Naomi and Rebecca are back to discuss changes to the podcast, catch up on life, and break down some recent distress expressed online at women taking issue with offensive theology. Help plan future episodes! Click this link to Vote for Upcom…

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'Why the European Convention on Human Rights still matters': 2023 Mackenzie-Stuart Lecture (audio) 48:59

9M ago48:59

48:59

The Centre for European Legal Studies (CELS) hosts an annual public lecture in honour of Lord Mackenzie-Stuart, the first British Judge to be President of the Court of Justice. Among the eminent scholars of European legal studies invited to give the lecture are Professor Joseph Weiler, former Judge David Edwards of the European Court of Justice, an…

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76. The Half-Baked Business Idea Roast: Sensory Museums, Zyn Tins, Unrecordable Spaces, and Much More 50:45

10M ago50:45

50:45

This is the 10th episode back for SYDLIS, so if you want us to continue creating new episodes for the podcast, let us know by leaving a review at ratethispodcast.com/learn. In this episode, Steph and Cal bring a medley of half-baked business ideas to the table. They introduce the origin story of each idea, rate it on a scale of A-F, discuss modific…

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75. Identity: The Strongest Force in the World 37:35

10M ago37:35

37:35

There is something out there that can make one person more productive and kind, while another inharmonious -- even resentful. That thing is identity. And while we passively adopt parts of identity, we often forget that much of our identity is left up to us. In this episode, Cal and Steph explore the depths of identity and how being intentional arou…

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74. Opportunity is Everywhere: Using Twitter, Wikipedia, Patents, & Niche Databases to Discover Trends 54:55

11M ago54:55

54:55

The internet has a treasure trove of information that you can use to generate business ideas, spot trends, and understand what the future will look like before everyone else. But to benefit from the internet's wealth of knowledge, you need to learn how to use it in the right ways. In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss four unconventional ways that…

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73. Writing to Save Your Life 1:02:54

11M ago1:02:54

1:02:54

Writing is one of the most powerful tools on Earth. But few have mastered the craft. Perhaps because success in writing often actually veers you off course, leading you to a life of talking instead of living -- the very thing that drove the quality of your writing in the first place. One man -- (who has written several novels, thousands of poems, a…

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16. College 101: From Coverings to Camis and Crocs 54:47

11M ago54:47

54:47

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, Rebecca and Naomi discuss the fraught issue of fashion and personal style after growing up in plain culture where your clothes not only broadcast your church identity and social status but also are interpreted as indicators of your spiritual health and family cohesiveness. Rebecca and Naomi don't tell you wh…

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72. Inside the Early Days of Digital Nomadism 57:04

11M ago57:04

57:04

Few waves have hit the world quite like remote work; a wave impacting billions of people overnight due to a worldwide pandemic. But in reality, this wave was brewing for decades and thousands of nomads had long been proving there was a different and viable way to work. Calvin and Steph were two of those people, starting in 2016. Now that the world …

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71. The Most Influential Artist You've Never Heard Of 40:25

11M ago40:25

40:25

Few people inspire us more than Yayoi Kusama. Cal recently discovered this 94-year old's work while at the Guggenheim in Bilbao. Like many others, he was immediately gripped by her art – enough to be the only artist he looked up after his visit. Little did he know she was one of the world's most successful living artists, had been creating thousand…

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70. What Do You Want?! 33:37

11M ago33:37

33:37

Many people waddle through life without asking themselves a simple, but important question: What do I want? In this episode, Steph and Cal discuss how to figure out what you want and avoid some common traps that take you down unhelpful detours. The episode is based on two of Cal's recent articles, which you can read here: What Do You Want? Calvinba…

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69. Tipping Culture: Have We Gone Too Far? 59:55

12M ago59:55

59:55

Some people argue for tipping. Some people argue against. But the one thing that unites most people with an opinion on the topic is a lack of understanding of where the practice came from in the first place. In this episode, Cal and Steph walk through the history of tip culture, how that led to vastly different norms around the world, and the confu…

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15. Juggling it All: Is it Even Possible? 46:54

12M ago46:54

46:54

Send us a Text Message. If you're wondering how you're ever going to manage all the caregiving, paid work, and school on your plate this fall, you're in the right place! In this episode Naomi and Rebecca discuss their own sense of overwhelm at all the things coming at them in the new school year and share survival tips they've learned over the year…

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68. The Cost of Excellence 59:07

12M ago59:07

59:07

The Master Somm test is widely recognized as one of, if not the hardest test in the world. Only 273 people have passed it since it was incepted in 1969, also making it one of the rarest distinctions out there (<0.00001% of the world!) In this episode, Steph and Cal discuss some of the hardest human feats, from athletics to intelligence to, and whet…

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14. Contradictions and Consequences of Amish Schooling (Part 2) 46:07

12M ago46:07

46:07

Send us a Text Message. It may seem that Wisconsin vs. Yoder was a major win for the Amish since today 85-90% of Amish young people continue in the tradition and the Old Order population doubles nearly every twenty years. However, in this episode, Naomi and Rebecca take a closer look at the realities of Amish life more than half a century out from …

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67. The Long Road to San Fransisco 59:28

12M ago59:28

59:28

After years of being nomadic, we embarked on an experiment of living in Encinitas. That experiment lasted 3 years, but provided us with a clearer view of what we wanted next. But could we get past the multi-year stand-off around location and find a place that fit both of our needs? Listen in to find out. This episode is not affiliated with Steph's …

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13. Contradictions and Consequences of Amish Schooling (Part 1) 41:25

1y ago41:25

41:25

Send us a Text Message. The reality that Amish teens are prevented from attending high school has been supported by broader American society for more than fifty years–and is often even romanticized as a cultural norm to celebrate. Yet how is this situation possible at a time when education is so crucial to becoming an employable adult? In this epis…

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12. College 101: Writing a Winning Application Essay 28:50

1y ago28:50

28:50

Send us a Text Message. Whether we're exploring new educational or professional opportunities, writing about ourselves and our accomplishments can blast open doors--or slam them shut. So when we're feeling inexperienced and uncertain, how do we get started on these high-stakes writing projects? In this episode, Naomi (a writing professor) and Rebec…

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11. Reparenting for Cycle-Breakers 36:56

1y ago36:56

36:56

Send us a Text Message. Once we've left behind our bubble of origin, how do we heal the emotional wounds that may still remain? How do we replace the looping mental tapes that still haunt us years later? In this episode, Naomi and Rebecca reflect on the practice of reparenting as a way adults can offer our younger selves the understanding and compa…

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10. Breaking the Cycle of Parental Fragility 36:07

1y ago36:07

36:07

Send us a Text Message. Breaking away from family's long-held patterns and expectations can trigger a minefield of difficult emotions and ruptured relationships. In this episode, Naomi and Rebecca remember moments from their own cycle-breaking journeys and reflect on the words that helped bring compassion and nuanced meaning to these challenging ex…

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9. Uncovered: Deconstructing the Dogma of Shiny Happy People 55:54

1y ago55:54

55:54

Send us a Text Message. Rebecca and Naomi have more to say about the docuseries, Shiny Happy People. In this episode they analyze some of the central ideology of patriarchal, fundamentalist teachings such as those promoted by IBLP, the Duggars, and others. They share their own stories as well as evidence-based research that illustrates the damaging…

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8. Uncovered: Valid Reasons to Delay College 15:38

1y ago15:38

15:38

Send us a Text Message. To balance out our last episode, in this one we discuss specific situations where it might be better to delay college for a while so that you have a better chance of success when you do get there. We also offer suggestions for alternatives to consider in the meanwhile. Audio editing by BethAnnie Hartman Thanks for listening!…

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7. Uncovered: Misguided Reasons to Delay College 26:56

1y ago26:56

26:56

Send us a Text Message. If your social environment hasn't set you up for college, you've probably heard a million reasons why it's not a good idea for you--at least for right now. In this episode we break down these scripts to show how they worked as diversionary tactics and how they contrast with what we have found to be true. Audio editing: BethA…

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6. Uncovered: Shiny Happy People and their Secrets 31:15

1y ago31:15

31:15

Send us a Text Message. Rebecca and Naomi react to the docuseries Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets that dropped on Amazon Prime this week. They discuss their own past involvement with IBLP and how that informs their interpretation of the docuseries and Duggar family dynamics. Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Shiny Happy Peopl…

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5. Uncovered: Dealing with Creepy Dudes 19:23

1+ y ago19:23

19:23

Send us a Text Message. Naomi and Rebecca take a break from regular programming to talk through an incident Naomi witnessed recently and to discuss different options for dealing with a creepy dude who is trying to take advantage of another person's perceived vulnerability. Mentioned on the show: Bell Bajao's video, Got Milk? (content warning for di…

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Adopting Two Cats from Egypt with Award-Winning Author & 58 time StorySLAM winner Matthew Dicks | 42:49

1+ y ago42:49

42:49

GUEST Matthew Dicks is the author of Someday is Today, as well as the bestselling author of 6 novels and two books of nonfiction, including Storyworthy. He is a record 58-time Moth StorySLAM winner and 9-time GrandSLAM champion. Today we have him on to talk about his two adopted cats from Egpyt! How they found their dream cats on Petfinder Adopting…

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4. Uncovered: How to Get Started 18:14

1+ y ago18:14

18:14

Send us a Text Message. If you weren't expected to ever go to college, it can be tough to figure out how to begin the process. In this episode, we talk about how to get the qualifications you need (even when you don't have a high school diploma) and where you can find the help and information to get started. Mentioned in the show: https://studentai…

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3. Uncovered: What to Do When College Feels out of Reach 16:20

1+ y ago16:20

16:20

Send us a Text Message. Do you feel stuck and out of options? Maybe you can imagine a different life but don't see a path to getting there? Rebecca and Naomi have been there too, and are here to share the insights and practical tips they've learned in the process of getting themselves unstuck. Thanks for listening! Connect with us via Facebook: Unc…

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2. Uncovered: Naomi's Story 25:31

1+ y ago25:31

25:31

Send us a Text Message. It's Naomi's turn in the hotseat where she shares about her path through church school, home school, college, and graduate school on her way to becoming an English professor. Thanks for listening! Connect with us via Facebook: Uncovered: Life Beyond Instagram: @uncoveredlifebeyond Email: uncoveredlifebeyond@gmail.com Website…

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1. Uncovered: Rebecca's Story 21:11

1+ y ago21:11

21:11

Send us a Text Message. Meet your hosts and learn about Rebecca's experiences in school and the barriers she overcame on her path to college in midlife. Thanks for listening! Connect with us via Facebook: Uncovered: Life Beyond Instagram: @uncoveredlifebeyond Email: uncoveredlifebeyond@gmail.com Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171591 Subscribe…

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3 Days To Rescue A Dog Or Be Put To Sleep | Listener Liz Melendez shares How She Saved A Dog From Puerto Rico 38:56

1+ y ago38:56

38:56

Today we have a special interview with a Paws and Perros listener - Elizabeth Melendez from NYC–who grew up with dogs and currently has two fur babies. Listening to Paws and Perros podcast motivated her to step in and save two dogs in Puerto Rico, with only a 1-week timeline, while she was in the US. LISTEN OUT FOR How she saved a Dog abroad (now n…

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Save The Formalities Podcasts

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