Work and Play with Nancy Ray

Today's episode might surprise you because I'm going to be talking about decluttering, but not in the way that you might expect. What I think is happening in our homes physically is connected with what's happening in us spiritually. So let's talk about what it looks like to declutter with abundance and authority. Resources from this episode: Dwell Bible App Discount  40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole  The Contentment Challenge  We Make Space by the Helsers  Send Nancy an audio message!  Psalm 51:10-12  Work & Play Episode 227 : Less Clutter More Life with Barbara Hemphill : Part 1  Work & Play Episode 228 : Less Clutter More Life with Barbara Hemphill : Part 2  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!  Join my email list!  Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Today I want to talk about something that I have been absolutely loving with my kids this year. It's the 1,000 hours outside challenge. I want to get into the hard parts, the real parts, and why I truly believe your nervous system is begging you to step outside. Resources from this episode: 1,000 Hours Outside  Dwell Bible App Discount Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!  Send Nancy an audio message!  Join my email list!  Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Winter can feel long and slow and February especially can feel like an eternity sometimes. Today I am sharing the daily and weekly rhythms that are working for me right now and how I'm making the most of this season before transitioning into spring. Resources from this episode: Claude AI Trello Dwell Bible App Discount  1,000 Hours Outside  Nourish Move Love on YouTube  We Heart Nutrition (Use code: NANCYRAY for a discount!) My Favorite Natural Supplements for Pregnancy and Postpartum Blog Post  Episode 173 - How We Sabbath  A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 1 A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 2   Rhythms Reset  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!  Send Nancy an audio message!  Work and Play Survey  Join my email list!  Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Alright, the Nancy Ray Book Club is back! It's time for one of my favorite episodes of the year : my reading list. If you love books, you are going to love today's episode. Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club  Dwell Bible App Discount  The Body Teaches the Soul by Justin Whitmel Earley  Of Love and Treason by Jamie Ogle  You're in Good Company by Ashlee Gad  Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam Calm Amidst the Chaos Podcast Series You Bet Your Stretch Marks by Abbie Halberstadt Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold  The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter  Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff Stop, in the Name of God by Charlie Kirk ​​5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom Theo of Golden by Allen Levi The War of Art by Steven Pressfield  The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore!  My favorite reading light  Send Nancy an audio message!  Work and Play Survey  Join my email list!  Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Today we're talking about something I mentioned last week: unfrumping myself. If you've ever felt like you are living in workout clothes and you never actually workout or maybe you generally feel like you look homeless all the time, this episode is for you. Resources from this episode: A'Del Cosmetics (Use code: NANCYRAY for 15% off) Send Nancy an audio message!  Work and Play Survey  Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Happy February, friend! Today I am pulling back the curtain and sharing my goals for 2026. There are only eight of them. Some are practical, some are personal, and all of them are shaping how I'm approaching this year. So let's dive in. Resources from this episode: Rhythms Reset  Dwell Bible App Discount Simply Charlotte Mason Scripture Memory Box  The Contentment Challenge  Send Nancy an audio message!  Work and Play Survey  Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Hello friend and welcome back to Work and Play with Nancy Ray! I'm Nancy, your host, and today we are doing something that I love doing every January, which is the State of the Podcast episode. This is where I get to look back at last year, celebrate some fun moments, and also share what I'm dreaming up for 2026. Resources from this episode:  Dwell Bible App Discount  Work and Play Episode 279 : A Fun Summer Announcement  Work and Play Episode 280 : Two Roosters with Jared Plummer Work and Play Episode 300 : Episode 300! Work and Play Episode 271 : Winnie's Birth Story Work and Play Episode 281 : Traveling with Kids : 3 Lists and All My Tips Work and Play Episode 292 : 40 for 40 with Will Ray Work and Play Episode 293 : 7 Weekend Rhythms We Live By Work and Play Episode 296 : My 12 Week Year Planning Process Send Nancy an audio message!  Nancy Ray Book Club Work and Play Survey  Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Well friend, I've made it all the way to episode 300 and today's episode is a Q&A with my listeners. I'm so excited! Resources from this episode: Dwell Bible App Discount  Episode 223 : I Read the Bible in a Month Episode 232 : A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 1 Episode 233 : A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 2 Made for People by Justin Whitmel Earley  A'Del Cosmetics  Timeless Book Series by Gabrielle Meyer  Kindle Paperwhite  Trello  Midliners The Contentment Challenge Episode 003 : The Contentment Challenge Episode 004 : Seasons of Business Episode 286 : 3 Lessons from Charlie Kirk Psalm 73:25-26 Shepherd's Way Farms  Too Good by Jess Ray Positive Parenting Solutions  Brick Device  Meeting with Jesus by David Murray Rhythms Reset Send Nancy an audio message! Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Merry Christmas! Can you believe we are here?! This episode is a little different. I am going to be sharing three really beautiful prayers that you can listen to as you'd like this week. One prayer is for the start of the Christmas season. Another is for the preparation of a meal and another is for wrapping gifts. Resources from this episode: Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine McKelvey  Rhythms Reset Send Nancy an audio message!  Dwell Bible App Discount Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Today I'm sharing all about my favorite books from 2025. Resources from this episode: Every Moment Holy  Rhythms Reset  Nancy Ray Book Club  Work & Play Episode 266 : 2025 Book List  On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni  The Blooming of Delphinium by Holly Varni  Smart Brevity by Jim VandeHei  The Opt-Out Family by Erin Loechner The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins 40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole Underestimated by Mary Marantz Work & Play Episode 269 : Underestimated with Mary Marantz Born to Eat by Leslie Schilling  Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin The If I Run Series by Terri Blackstock Restoration Series by Terri Blackstock How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen by Kate Strickler Work & Play Episode 283 : I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen with Kate Strickler  Love Your Life by Rachel Awtrey Work & Play Episode 282 : Love Your Life with Rachel Awtrey  My Name is Ashler Lev by Chaim Potok  When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin A Cross-Country Christmas Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk The Wild Robot by Peter Brown Polyanna by Eleanor H. Porter The Mystwick School of Musicraft by Jessica Khoury The Timeless Series Book 1 by Gabrielle Meyer Follow me on Goodreads!  Send Nancy an audio message!  Dwell Bible App Discount Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

You may have heard of my Contentment Challenge where I give up shopping for anything extra in my life for three months straight. Today's episode, I want to challenge and encourage you with four reasons you might consider doing the Contentment Challenge in 2026. Resources from this episode: The Contentment Challenge  Dwell Bible App Discount  Work & Play Episode 003 : The Contentment Challenge  Rhythms Reset  Send Nancy an audio message! Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Are you feeling like you need some encouragement as you are looking ahead to 2026? Do you love planning your year or maybe not so much? Do you need a good look at the rhythms in your life that serve you, bring you closer to the Lord, and ultimately help you carry out God's assignment for you? This episode is for you. Resources from this episode: Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung  Rhythms Reset  Living Fearless by Jamie Winship  The 12 Week Year  Send Nancy an audio message!  Dwell Bible App Discount Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

This episode is for the mom who is overwhelmed by all the stuff in your house. All the kids' toys, clutter, stuffed animals, and tiny pieces. I see you. I am you. Maybe you can pop in some earbuds and just be encouraged today. You are not alone. This is part of our duty as mamas to take care of the stuff in our house. You've got this! Resources from this episode: Send Nancy an audio message!  Dwell Bible App Discount Clear Plastic Toy Organizers  Large Storage Bins  Rhythms Reset  Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

I'm doing something new today and I have made an episode for the whole family. So you don't have to listen to this in your earbuds. You can push "play" while you're riding in the car and listen because this is all about thanksgiving and how we can practice gratitude.   Melody Beattie said:            "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life." That is what we're talking about today. Resources from this episode: Dwell Bible App Discount Rhythms Reset  Send Nancy an audio message! Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

During the week, we work, but during the weekends, we play. Today's episode is all about seven weekend rhythms that we live by. Resources from this episode: Dwell Bible App Discount  Shabbat Candles Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero Art for Kids Hub The Family Teams Podcast Magnetic Whiteboard Wet Erase Markers Anchored Women Rhythms Reset  Send Nancy an audio message! Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

My incredible husband, Will, turns 40 today and I am so excited to have him on the podcast! He is going to give you forty pieces of wisdom for his 40th birthday, or as we like to call it, "40 for 40 will Will Ray." Resources from this episode: Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson Episode 070 - Crucial Conversations Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Harry Potter Series Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington ​Proverbs 22:7  Proverbs 11:25 God and Money by John Cortines Financial Peace University Parenting by Paul David Tripp Unsung Hero Movie The Family Teams Podcast  The Compound Effect by Darren Harden Proverbs 4:7 F3 Nation Colossians 3:23 Proverbs 3:13 Send Nancy an audio message!  Dwell Bible App Discount  Rhythms Reset Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Today I'm talking about ten ways that I am using AI to simplify my life. Resources from this episode: ChatGPT  Grok  Plugged In Common Sense Media  Send Nancy an audio message!  Dwell Bible App Discount  Rhythms Reset Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Last week I had the opportunity to go to Share the Arrows which is a conference put on by Allie Beth Stuckey. Today's episode is a recap of all the things I learned at that conference. Resources from this episode: Share the Arrows Conference  Dwell Bible App Discount  Carly Jean Los Angeles A'del Cosmetics We Heart Nutrition (Use code: NANCYRAY for a discount!) EveryLife     Rhythms Reset Join my email list!  Send Nancy an audio message!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Hey there! You're in the right place for Work & Play with Nancy Ray. A quick note: The podcast will be taking a break this week (October 14th), but I'm excited to tell you I will be back next week for another great new episode. Stay tuned and I'll catch you next week!

Today's episode is going to be light and fun. It's all about my fall favorites! Resources from this episode: Send Nancy an Audio Message!  Work & Play Episode 250 - 20 Things for Fall  Trader Joes Pumpkin Muffin Mix My Favorite Biker Shorts North Carolina State Fair I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen by Kate Strickler Kate Strickler's 4 Ingredient Pumpkin Cold Foam Olive & June Nail Polish Remover Trader Joes Vanilla Pumpkin Candle Trader Joes Honeycrisp Apple Candle Kindle Paperwhite Timeless Book Series by Gabrielle Meyer My Cozy Amazon Slippers HOKA Shoes Aerie Sweatshirt  Autumn Harvest Salad My Fall Playlist Cozy Knit Blanket Rhythms Reset Dwell Bible App Discount Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!