Country Proud Living Nurturing Home, Empowered Self

LoriLynn Olafson Uter
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Weekly

Country Proud Living is a podcast for someone who longs for a slower, more intentional life and a home that truly supports who they are becoming. Rooted in the warmth of country living, this show blends interior design inspiration, color confidence, and gentle life guidance to help you create nurturing spaces that feel welcoming, meaningful, and lived-in.  "Where nurturing spaces empower your life and every day feels a little more like home."       Hosted by certified interior designer and design-life coach LoriLynn, each episode offers encouragement, practical design wisdom, and soulful conversations that empower you to begin where you are — whether you’re refreshing a room, cultivating a cozy sanctuary, or simply seeking more peace and purpose in everyday life. You’ll find inspiration for creating a home you love, while also nurturing your mindset, wellbeing, and sense of belonging. If you crave a home that feels like a hug, believe your surroundings shape how you feel, and love the charm of country-inspired living, Country Proud Living is your weekly reminder that you are worthy of a beautiful life — and a home that feels a little more like you.

  1. 6d ago

    Ep. 122 You Haven’t Met All Your People Yet: Living with Intention, Purpose & Connection

    Welcome to Country Proud Living "Where Nurturing Spaces Empower Your Life and Everyday Feels a Little More Like Home." What if some of the best people who will ever be part of your life are people you haven't even met yet? ✨ In this heartfelt episode of Country Proud Living, LoriLynn explores friendship in midlife, meaningful connection, intentional living, and finding purpose in the season you're in now. After choosing connection as her word of the year, she shares how one small decision—starting a local Coffee Klatch Connection—has already opened the door to new friendships, ideas, opportunities, and community. If you've been longing for deeper friendships or wondering how to meet new people as an adult, this episode is your encouragement to stop waiting for connection to find you. Sometimes we have to be brave enough to extend the invitation, pull up another chair, and create what we wish existed. Country Proud Living is a podcast for women who want to create nurturing homes, live with greater intention, embrace personal growth, and cultivate a life they're truly proud to live. 💛 🌿 In This Episode Why making friends in midlife often requires more intentionWhat LoriLynn has discovered through her Coffee Klatch ConnectionWhy adult friendship often begins with someone taking initiativeHow to use a guiding word to make more intentional life choicesWhy purpose doesn't have to be one enormous callingThe courage to create the community you've been wishing for“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think.” — L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables “For friendship to happen, someone has to be brave. So be brave.” — Dr. Marisa G. Franco, author of Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends 🕰️ Episode Timeline: 00:11 – You haven't met all your people yet 01:30 – Choosing connection as a guiding word 03:00 – What happened when LoriLynn started Coffee Klatch Connection 04:25 – Why friendship changes as we get older 05:15 – Dr. Marisa G. Franco: friendship requires initiative 06:45 – Simple ways to create more connection in your life 07:15 – Priya Parker: gathering with purpose and intention 08:50 – Rethinking what a “purpose-driven life” really means 09:55 – Finding the thread running through what matters to you 10:35 – The courage to create what you wish existed 12:45 – Who might be waiting in the unwritten chapters of your life? 📚 Books & Resources Mentioned Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends — Dr. Marisa G. Franco A research-based exploration of adult friendship, attachment, and why making meaningful friendships often requires us to take initiative rather than simply waiting for connection to happen. Learn More & Purchase Platonic The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters — Priya Parker A thoughtful guide to bringing greater purpose and intention to the ways we gather—whether around a coffee table, at home, at work, or within our communities. Learn More & Purchase The Art of Gathering Anne of Green Gables — L.M. Montgomery The beloved classic that gave us Anne Shirley's wonderful reminder about discovering “kindred spirits”—a beautiful complement to this episode's message about remaining open to the people we haven't met yet. 🌿 Connect with LoriLynn Find more Country Proud Living episodes, interior design inspiration, retreats, and resources to help you create a nurturing home and live with greater intention and purpose. Visit Country Proud Living 🌼 A Gentle Invitation, is there someone you've been thinking about inviting for coffee, lunch, a walk, or an event? Make the invitation. You don't know where one small act of courage might lead. There may be someone ten minutes away who has been hoping to meet someone just like you. Your life isn't finished introducing you to wonderful people. Keep showing up. Keep reaching out. Keep making room. Because sometimes the most purpose-filled thing we can do is simply pull up another chair, pour another cup of coffee, and see who joins us! friendship in midlife, making friends after 40, making friends after 50, how to make friends as an adult, meaningful friendships, finding your people, connection in midlife, women supporting women, intentional living for women, finding purpose in midlife, building community, loneliness in midlife, personal growth for women, creating meaningful connections, purpose-driven life, midlife friendships, Country Proud Living podcast Let me know if there is something you would like to learn more about in the color & design, nurture & empower space? I'd love to hear from you! Welcome to Country Proud Living, the podcast where nurturing spaces empower your life, and every day feels a little more like home I'm Lori Lynn, a certified interior designer, creative soul and a woman navigating the beauty and becoming of mid-life. Here, we explore meaningful home design, intentional living, personal growth and the courage to create a life that feels like your own. I'm so glad you're here.  Thank you for spending this time with me. If today's episode encouraged you, please follow Country Proud Living, and share it with a woman who might need it, too. Every share helps more women discover nurturing home design, intentional living, and encouragement for creating a life that feels like their own i'm so grateful you were here today.  Until next time, love and light, Lori Lynn.  Please share this podcast with your like minded friends and family and  subscribe to never miss an episode!  If you have questions, ideas of topics you would like to learn more about or you want to work with me. Inquires can be sent to lorilynn@countryproudliving.com ADDITIONAL LINKS TO CONNECT WITH ME:   : ) MY WEBSITE: www.countryproudliving.com MY IG:  www.instagram.com/lorilynn_countryproudliving PINTEREST: https://pin.it/3mX6xMNcR MY ART GALLERY: https://lorilynn-o-uter.pixels.com/ MY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olafsonlori MY PODCAST:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/country-proud-living-nurturing-home-empowered-self/id1715855014 BUZZSPROUT: https://countryproudliving.buzzsprout.com Spotify, iHeart, the pod can be found anywhere you choose to listen!

  2. Aug 17

    Ep.121 The Meaning of Home: Why the Places We Love Matter More Than We Realize

    Welcome to Country Proud Living "Where Nurturing Spaces Empower Your Life and Everyday Feels a Little More Like Home."  What makes a house truly feel like home? ✨  In this heartfelt episode of Country Proud Living, LoriLynn explores the deeper meaning of home and why the spaces we live in have such a powerful influence on our well-being, relationships, memories, and sense of belonging. Recorded partly while away on an interior design project, LoriLynn reflects on why we often appreciate home most when we're away from it—and how thoughtful, nurturing design can support the life we're actually living. From creating spaces for rest and connection to allowing our homes to evolve with us in midlife, this episode is a reminder that a beautiful home isn't about perfection. It's about creating a place where you can exhale, gather, grow, and feel completely yourself. Then ask yourself: Does my home support the life I want to be living now? Start with the life first. Then let the design support it. 🌿 In This Episode Why home is a feeling—not simply a placeHow our surroundings influence how we feel and liveWhy our homes should evolve as we do in midlifeCreating meaningful spaces instead of perfect onesSimple design choices that encourage rest, connection, and belongingOne powerful question: Does my home support the life I want to be living now?“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.” — Wendy Wunder “Home is the nicest word there is.” — Laura Ingalls Wilder 🕰️ Episode Timeline: 00:11 – Why we sometimes appreciate home most when we're away 03:00 – What transforms a house into a nurturing home 04:32 – The Architecture of Happiness and how our surroundings affect us 05:45 – Why meaningful homes don't need to be perfect 06:50 – The Comfort of Crows and noticing ordinary life 09:35 – Start with the life first, then let design support it 10:45 – Small ways to create more comfort, connection, and belonging 13:00 – “Home is the nicest word there is” + appreciating what your home already holds 17:00 – Behind the scenes of LoriLynn's final full-service installation + closing reflections 📚 Books and Resources Mentioned The Architecture of Happiness — Alain de Botton A fascinating exploration of how architecture and our surroundings affect our emotions and how the places we inhabit can reflect qualities such as calm, beauty, dignity, and belonging. Explore The Architecture of Happiness The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year — Margaret Renkl A beautiful reflection on nature, family, seasons, aging, loss, and learning to notice the ordinary moments unfolding right in front of us. Explore The Comfort of Crows 🌿 Connect with LoriLynn Find more episodes, interior design inspiration, and resources for creating a nurturing home and a life that reflects what matters most to you. Country Proud Living 🌼 A Gentle Invitation, look around your home today—not at what's unfinished, outdated, or imperfect, but at what your home is already holding for you. Because creating a nurturing home isn't about creating a perfect backdrop for life. It's about creating a place where life can actually happen—where we can rest, gather, grow, create, connect, and become more fully ourselves. Country Proud Living is a podcast for women who want to create nurturing homes, live with greater intention, embrace personal growth, and cultivate a life they're truly proud to live. 💛 meaning of home, creating a nurturing home, intentional home design, interior design and wellbeing, cozy home inspiration, meaningful interior design, home and belonging, midlife home design, intentional living for women, personal growth in midlife, creating a peaceful home, home design for women over 40, slow living, Country Proud Living podcast Let me know if there is something you would like to learn more about in the color & design, nurture & empower space? I'd love to hear from you! Welcome to Country Proud Living, the podcast where nurturing spaces empower your life, and every day feels a little more like home I'm Lori Lynn, a certified interior designer, creative soul and a woman navigating the beauty and becoming of mid-life. Here, we explore meaningful home design, intentional living, personal growth and the courage to create a life that feels like your own. I'm so glad you're here.  Thank you for spending this time with me. If today's episode encouraged you, please follow Country Proud Living, and share it with a woman who might need it, too. Every share helps more women discover nurturing home design, intentional living, and encouragement for creating a life that feels like their own i'm so grateful you were here today.  Until next time, love and light, Lori Lynn.  Please share this podcast with your like minded friends and family and  subscribe to never miss an episode!  If you have questions, ideas of topics you would like to learn more about or you want to work with me. Inquires can be sent to lorilynn@countryproudliving.com ADDITIONAL LINKS TO CONNECT WITH ME:   : ) MY WEBSITE: www.countryproudliving.com MY IG:  www.instagram.com/lorilynn_countryproudliving PINTEREST: https://pin.it/3mX6xMNcR MY ART GALLERY: https://lorilynn-o-uter.pixels.com/ MY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olafsonlori MY PODCAST:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/country-proud-living-nurturing-home-empowered-self/id1715855014 BUZZSPROUT: https://countryproudliving.buzzsprout.com Spotify, iHeart, the pod can be found anywhere you choose to listen!

  3. Aug 5

    Ep.120 Sun-Warmed Home: How to Use Late-Summer Color to Create Warmth, Comfort, & Connection

    Welcome to Country Proud Living "Where Nurturing Spaces Empower Your Life and Everyday Feels a Little More Like Home."  ✨A warm home is about more than color—it's about how it makes you feel. In this episode of Country Proud Living, LoriLynn shares how the rich, sun-washed colors of late summer can inspire a home that feels calm, welcoming, and deeply personal. Drawing from nature, timeless design principles, and the work of remarkable artists and designers, she explores how color, texture, light, and meaningful objects work together to create spaces that nurture everyday life. If you've been longing to create a cozy, timeless home without chasing trends, this episode will inspire you to embrace the beauty already surrounding you and design a home that reflects your story. 💛 🌿 In This Episode Why warmth is an emotional experience before it's a color paletteHow late summer landscapes inspire timeless interior designSimple ways to create warmth through color, texture, and lightingWhy meaningful homes are more memorable than perfectly decorated onesHow to choose colors that reflect who you are—not what's trending"Through color, I have sought to concentrate on beauty and happiness in my painting rather than on man's inhumanity to man." — Alma Thomas "Color is one of the great things in the world that makes life worth living."— Georgia O'Keeffe 🕰️ Episode Timeline: 00:11 – Why a warm home is about feeling, not just color 04:00 – Alma Thomas and the emotional power of color 09:00 – Creating a late-summer color palette from nature 11:00 – Layering color, texture, wood, and light 14:00 – Textile inspiration and artist Natalia Wallbridge of Dock 5 16:20 – Choosing colors that reflect your memories and story 20:10 – Georgia O'Keeffe, meaningful color, and creating a nurturing home 📚 Resources & Artists Mentioned Dorothy Liebes  Known as one of America's most influential textile designers, she transformed the design world by combining rich color, luxurious texture, and innovative materials—reminding us that warmth comes through thoughtful layering, not color alone. Dock 5 Textile Art. Discover the beautiful woven textile artwork of Natalia Wallbridge, whose nature-inspired creations celebrate craftsmanship, storytelling, and the landscapes of Northern Minnesota. Website: https://dock5art.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dock5art/ 🎙️ Listen to LoriLynn's earlier conversation with Natalia: Bonus Episode: Celebrating Local Artistry: A Conversation with Natalia of Dock 5 🌿 Connect with LoriLynn Explore more podcast episodes, interior design inspiration, and resources for creating a nurturing home and living a life you're proud of. Website: https://countryproudliving.com 🌼 Gentle Invitation; This week, walk through your home and ask yourself: "What would make this room feel just 10% warmer?" Maybe it's a favorite color, fresh flowers from the garden, a treasured quilt, meaningful artwork, softer lighting, or simply removing something that no longer belongs. Because the most beautiful homes aren't the ones that perfectly follow trends—they're the ones that help us feel welcomed, connected, and completely at home. Country Proud Living is a podcast for women who want to create nurturing homes, live with greater intention, embrace personal growth, and cultivate a life they're truly proud to live. 💛 late summer decorating ideas, warm color palette, cozy home inspiration, timeless interior design, creating a nurturing home, home color inspiration, Americana home design, interior designer tips, warm neutral colors, home styling ideas, emotional interior design, cozy decorating ideas, color psychology in interior design Let me know if there is something you would like to learn more about in the color & design, nurture & empower space? I'd love to hear from you! Welcome to Country Proud Living, the podcast where nurturing spaces empower your life, and every day feels a little more like home I'm Lori Lynn, a certified interior designer, creative soul and a woman navigating the beauty and becoming of mid-life. Here, we explore meaningful home design, intentional living, personal growth and the courage to create a life that feels like your own. I'm so glad you're here.  Thank you for spending this time with me. If today's episode encouraged you, please follow Country Proud Living, and share it with a woman who might need it, too. Every share helps more women discover nurturing home design, intentional living, and encouragement for creating a life that feels like their own i'm so grateful you were here today.  Until next time, love and light, Lori Lynn.  Please share this podcast with your like minded friends and family and  subscribe to never miss an episode!  If you have questions, ideas of topics you would like to learn more about or you want to work with me. Inquires can be sent to lorilynn@countryproudliving.com ADDITIONAL LINKS TO CONNECT WITH ME:   : ) MY WEBSITE: www.countryproudliving.com MY IG:  www.instagram.com/lorilynn_countryproudliving PINTEREST: https://pin.it/3mX6xMNcR MY ART GALLERY: https://lorilynn-o-uter.pixels.com/ MY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olafsonlori MY PODCAST:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/country-proud-living-nurturing-home-empowered-self/id1715855014 BUZZSPROUT: https://countryproudliving.buzzsprout.com Spotify, iHeart, the pod can be found anywhere you choose to listen!

  4. Jul 29

    Ep.119 The Wisdom of Late Summer: What This Season Can Teach Us About Life, Change, and Letting Go

    Welcome to Country Proud Living "Where Nurturing Spaces Empower Your Life and Everyday Feels a Little More Like Home."  ✨ Late summer has a quiet wisdom all its own. As the days begin to soften and gardens overflow with abundance, we're gently reminded that every season has something to teach us. In this heartfelt episode of Country Proud Living, LoriLynn reflects on the lessons of late summer—slowing down, savoring the present, letting go of what no longer serves us, and embracing the woman we're becoming. If you've been longing to create a more intentional life and a nurturing home, this episode is an invitation to pause, notice what's growing within you, and step into the next season with peace instead of pressure. 💛  🌿 In This Episode The quiet lessons late summer teaches about change and gratitudeWhy slowing down helps us appreciate the life we're already livingLetting go of expectations that no longer fitCreating a home that nurtures you through every seasonThree gentle questions to prepare your heart for what's next"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" — Mary Oliver, The Summer Day "Women must come of age by herself." (Referenced from Gift from the Sea*)* — Anne Morrow Lindbergh "August is the Sunday of summer." — Commonly attributed to Unknown Episode Timeline: 🕰️ 00:11 – The quiet beauty and wisdom of late summer 🕰️ 04:00 – Why abundance and change can exist together 🕰️ 09:00 – Mary Oliver's invitation to live intentionally 🕰️ 14:00 – Taking inventory of what this season has taught you 🕰️ 19:00 – Midlife, perspective, and learning what truly matters 🕰️ 21;00 – Creating a nurturing home without rushing into the next season 🕰️ 23:00 – Three gentle questions to carry into autumn 🕰️ 24:00– Books for reflection and embracing life's changing seasons Visit LoriLynn online for more podcast episodes, interior design inspiration, retreat updates, and resources to help you create a nurturing home and a life you're proud to live. Website: https://countryproudliving.com 📚 Books Mentioned Gift from the Sea Author: Anne Morrow Lindbergh A timeless classic exploring simplicity, solitude, identity, and the changing seasons of a woman's life. Its reflections on balance, contemplation, and living intentionally remain just as meaningful today. LINK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/154310/gift-from-the-sea-by-anne-morrow-lindbergh/ Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times Author: Katherine May A thoughtful exploration of life's quieter seasons, reminding us that rest, uncertainty, and change are not setbacks—but essential parts of living well. LINK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/609307/wintering-by-katherine-may/ Country Proud Living is a podcast for women who want to create nurturing homes, live with greater intention, embrace personal growth, and cultivate a life they're truly proud to live. 💛 🌼 Gentle Invitation, as summer begins to fade, ask yourself three simple questions: • What do I want to savor? What am I ready to release? What would I like to carry into the next season? Sometimes the biggest transformations don't come through dramatic changes—they begin with one small, intentional step. May this season remind you to slow down, notice the beauty already surrounding you, and trust the quiet wisdom that's been growing within you all along. late summer inspiration, intentional living, midlife personal growth, creating a nurturing home, slow living, embracing change, women over 40, midlife mindset, cozy home inspiration, seasonal living, gratitude, home and lifestyle podcast, country living, personal growth for women, simple living, finding peace in everyday life Let me know if there is something you would like to learn more about in the color & design, nurture & empower space? I'd love to hear from you! Welcome to Country Proud Living, the podcast where nurturing spaces empower your life, and every day feels a little more like home I'm Lori Lynn, a certified interior designer, creative soul and a woman navigating the beauty and becoming of mid-life. Here, we explore meaningful home design, intentional living, personal growth and the courage to create a life that feels like your own. I'm so glad you're here.  Thank you for spending this time with me. If today's episode encouraged you, please follow Country Proud Living, and share it with a woman who might need it, too. Every share helps more women discover nurturing home design, intentional living, and encouragement for creating a life that feels like their own i'm so grateful you were here today.  Until next time, love and light, Lori Lynn.  Please share this podcast with your like minded friends and family and  subscribe to never miss an episode!  If you have questions, ideas of topics you would like to learn more about or you want to work with me. Inquires can be sent to lorilynn@countryproudliving.com ADDITIONAL LINKS TO CONNECT WITH ME:   : ) MY WEBSITE: www.countryproudliving.com MY IG:  www.instagram.com/lorilynn_countryproudliving PINTEREST: https://pin.it/3mX6xMNcR MY ART GALLERY: https://lorilynn-o-uter.pixels.com/ MY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olafsonlori MY PODCAST:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/country-proud-living-nurturing-home-empowered-self/id1715855014 BUZZSPROUT: https://countryproudliving.buzzsprout.com Spotify, iHeart, the pod can be found anywhere you choose to listen!

  5. Jul 22

    Ep.118 The Creative Life Is Calling: Finding Inspiration in Everyday Moments

    Welcome to Country Proud Living "Where Nurturing Spaces Empower Your Life and Everyday Feels a Little More Like Home."  What if creativity isn't reserved for artists—but is simply a way of living? Because the creative life is calling... and perhaps today is the day you answer. You don't need a perfect plan—you simply need enough curiosity to take the next step. In this inspiring episode of Country Proud Living, LoriLynn explores how creative living can help us rediscover joy, curiosity, and purpose in midlife. Whether you're refreshing a room in your home, planting flowers, trying a new hobby, or simply noticing beauty in everyday moments, creativity invites us to become active participants in our own lives again. Drawing on the wisdom of Elizabeth Gilbert, Julia Cameron, and Maya Angelou, this episode offers gentle encouragement to let go of perfection, follow your curiosity, and create a home—and a life—that reflects who you truly are.💛  🌿 In This Episode Why creativity is for everyone—not just artistsHow curiosity can lead to a more joyful and meaningful lifeThe connection between creativity, home, and personal growthSimple ways to nurture inspiration every dayWhy midlife is the perfect season to rediscover your creative spirit"Creative living is a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear." — Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." — Maya Angelou Episode Timeline: 🕰️ 00:11 – What creative living really means 🕰️ 04:00 – Curiosity over fear: Elizabeth Gilbert's perspective 🕰️ 09:00 – Why creativity often reawakens in midlife 🕰️ 14:00 – Designing a home that reflects your story 🕰️ 19:00 – Following curiosity instead of perfection 🕰️ 20:00 – Julia Cameron's "Artist Date" and filling your creative well 🕰️ 21:00 – Simple ways to bring more creativity into everyday life 🕰️ 22:00 – A gentle invitation to answer the creative life that's calling you 📚 Books & Resources Mentioned Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert A beautiful guide to living creatively with curiosity instead of fear. https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/big-magic/ The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Discover practical tools—including the famous "Artist Date"—to nurture creativity and inspiration. https://juliacameronlive.com/books-by-julia/ 🌿 Connect with LoriLynn Discover more podcast episodes, interior design inspiration, and resources for creating a nurturing home and living your best life. https://countryproudliving.com 🌼 Gentle Invitation, this week, choose one small act of creativity. Rearrange a favorite corner of your home. Pick flowers from your garden. Visit a local bookstore or antique shop. Start a Pinterest board for something you've always wanted to learn. Write down an idea that won't leave you alone. Country Proud Living is a podcast for women who want to create nurturing homes, live with greater intention, embrace personal growth, and cultivate a life they're truly proud to live. 💛 creative living, creativity in midlife, finding inspiration, creative inspiration, home inspiration, interior design podcast, creative home ideas, cozy home inspiration, personal growth for women, midlife creativity, intentional living, curiosity, nurturing home, creative lifestyle Let me know if there is something you would like to learn more about in the color & design, nurture & empower space? I'd love to hear from you! Please share this podcast with your like minded friends and family and  subscribe to never miss an episode!  If you have questions, ideas of topics you would like to learn more about or you want to work with me. Inquires can be sent to lorilynn@countryproudliving.com ADDITIONAL LINKS TO CONNECT WITH ME:   : ) MY WEBSITE: www.countryproudliving.com MY IG:  www.instagram.com/lorilynn_countryproudliving PINTEREST: https://pin.it/3mX6xMNcR MY ART GALLERY: https://lorilynn-o-uter.pixels.com/ MY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olafsonlori MY PODCAST:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/country-proud-living-nurturing-home-empowered-self/id1715855014 BUZZSPROUT: https://countryproudliving.buzzsprout.com Spotify, iHeart, the pod can be found anywhere you choose to listen!

  6. Jul 15

    Ep.117 How to Rediscover Joy in Midlife: Summer Joy, Playfulness & Living Well

    Welcome to Country Proud Living "Where Nurturing Spaces Empower Your Life and Everyday Feels a Little More Like Home."  When was the last time you laughed until your cheeks hurt or did something simply because it brought you joy? In this uplifting episode of Country Proud Living, LoriLynn explores how to rediscover joy in midlife through playfulness, gratitude, meaningful connection, and creating a home that supports the life you truly want to live. Drawing on research in positive psychology and her own experiences, she shares why joy isn't something we wait for—it's something we intentionally notice and choose. If you've been longing for a slower, lighter, more joyful season, this episode is your invitation to embrace the ordinary moments that often become life's most treasured memories.  Because a beautiful life isn't built through extraordinary moments—it grows from ordinary moments filled with joy. 💛  🌿 In This Episode Why joy is essential for emotional wellbeing and resilienceThe science behind positive emotions and flourishingHow playfulness and presence create a more meaningful lifeCreating a home that welcomes joy instead of perfectionSimple summer ideas to reconnect with your inner child"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day."  — Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son "This is a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before."— Maya Angelou Episode Timeline: 🕰️ 00:11 – Why joy matters more than ever in midlife 🕰️ 04:30 – The science of joy and Barbara Fredrickson's research 🕰️ 09:30 – Catherine Price and the surprising power of fun 🕰️ 12:00 – Summer nostalgia and rediscovering your playful spirit 🕰️ 13:20 – Creating a home where joy feels welcome 🕰️ 14:10 – Daily reminders to choose joy and embrace flow 🕰️ 15:30 – Gratitude, Robert Emmons, and noticing life's blessings 🕰️ 16:24 – A joyful summer invitation and final reflections 📚 Books & Resources Mentioned The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen A timeless reflection on grace, joy, and living with an open heart. Learn more: https://henrinouwen.org/read/the-return-of-the-prodigal-son/ Positivity by Barbara Fredrickson Explores the Broaden-and-Build Theory and how positive emotions help us flourish. Learn more: https://www.positivityratio.com The Power of Fun by Catherine Price A practical and research-based look at why playfulness, connection, and presence are essential to a joyful life. Learn more: https://catherineprice.com/books/the-power-of-fun Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier by Robert Emmons Groundbreaking research on gratitude and its impact on happiness, relationships, and overall wellbeing. Learn more: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/profile/robert_emmons 🌿 Connect with LoriLynn Discover more podcast episodes, interior design inspiration, retreat updates, and resources for creating a nurturing home and living your best life. https://countryproudliving.com 🌼 Gentle Invitation, this week, do one thing your 10-year-old self would absolutely love. Pick wildflowers. Watch a sunset. Dance in your kitchen. Eat ice cream before dinner. Laugh with someone you love. Country Proud Living is a podcast for women who want to create nurturing homes, live with greater intention, embrace personal growth, and cultivate a life they're truly proud to live. 💛 joy in midlife, finding joy after 50, summer joy, playful living, positive psychology, gratitude and happiness, intentional living, creating a joyful home, cozy home inspiration, personal growth for women, slow living, midlife wellness, nurturing home, women over 40 Let me know if there is something you would like to learn more about in the color & design, nurture & empower space? I'd love to hear from you! Welcome to Country Proud Living, the podcast where nurturing spaces empower your life, and every day feels a little more like home I'm Lori Lynn, a certified interior designer, creative soul and a woman navigating the beauty and becoming of mid-life. Here, we explore meaningful home design, intentional living, personal growth and the courage to create a life that feels like your own. I'm so glad you're here.  Thank you for spending this time with me. If today's episode encouraged you, please follow Country Proud Living, and share it with a woman who might need it, too. Every share helps more women discover nurturing home design, intentional living, and encouragement for creating a life that feels like their own i'm so grateful you were here today.  Until next time, love and light, Lori Lynn.  Please share this podcast with your like minded friends and family and  subscribe to never miss an episode!  If you have questions, ideas of topics you would like to learn more about or you want to work with me. Inquires can be sent to lorilynn@countryproudliving.com ADDITIONAL LINKS TO CONNECT WITH ME:   : ) MY WEBSITE: www.countryproudliving.com MY IG:  www.instagram.com/lorilynn_countryproudliving PINTEREST: https://pin.it/3mX6xMNcR MY ART GALLERY: https://lorilynn-o-uter.pixels.com/ MY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olafsonlori MY PODCAST:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/country-proud-living-nurturing-home-empowered-self/id1715855014 BUZZSPROUT: https://countryproudliving.buzzsprout.com Spotify, iHeart, the pod can be found anywhere you choose to listen!

  7. Jul 14 ·  Bonus

    Bonus: Behind the Scenes Country Proud Living 2-1/2 years in...

    Welcome to Country Proud Living "Where Nurturing Spaces Empower Your Life and Everyday Feels a Little More Like Home."  Can you believe it's been two and a half years? In this special behind-the-scenes episode of Country Proud Living, LoriLynn reflects on the journey of building a podcast from the ground up—sharing the lessons she's learned, the joys and challenges along the way, and her vision for what's ahead. Recorded from her front porch on a beautiful Minnesota summer morning, this candid conversation offers a glimpse into real life on the farm, the growth of the podcast, exciting plans for future retreats, and why creating a nurturing home and living with intention continue to be at the heart of everything she does. Whether you've been listening since Episode 1 or you've just discovered Country Proud Living, thank you for being part of this journey.  🌿 In This Episode:  Behind the scenes of two and a half years of podcasting  Lessons learned from building Country Proud Living Exciting plans for future retreats and community  How living with intention continues to shape the podcast Favorite Quote "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with."  — Jim Rohn Episode Timeline: 🕰️ 00:11 – Welcome to this special 2½-year anniversary episode 🕰️ 04:00 – Looking back at the early days of the podcast 🕰️ 10:00 – Lessons learned and changes moving forward 🕰️ 17:00 – Podcast growth, listener milestones, and worldwide reach 🕰️ 19:00 – Retreat dreams and the future of Country Proud Living 🕰️ 22:00 – Why community, connection, and intentional living matter 📚 Resources Mentioned. Atomic Habits. by James Clear Practical strategies for building habits that support lasting personal growth and intentional living. 🌐 Connect with LoriLynn   www.countryproudliving.com  Join my Retreat waitlist https://www.countryproudliving.com/cultivate-your-best-life Discover podcast episodes, design inspiration, retreat updates, and resources for creating a nurturing home and living your best life. Join the retreat waitlist and stay connected with everything happening at Country Proud Living. 🌼  Thank you for walking this journey with me. Whether you've been here since the very beginning or you're just finding Country Proud Living, I'm so grateful you're here. Here's to slowing down, creating homes that nurture us, building meaningful lives, and continuing to grow—together. Country Proud Living is a podcast for women who want to create nurturing homes, live with greater intention, embrace personal growth, and cultivate a life they're truly proud to live. 💛Let me know if there is something you would like to learn more about in the color & design, nurture & empower space? I'd love to hear from you! Welcome to Country Proud Living, the podcast where nurturing spaces empower your life, and every day feels a little more like home I'm Lori Lynn, a certified interior designer, creative soul and a woman navigating the beauty and becoming of mid-life. Here, we explore meaningful home design, intentional living, personal growth and the courage to create a life that feels like your own. I'm so glad you're here.  Thank you for spending this time with me. If today's episode encouraged you, please follow Country Proud Living, and share it with a woman who might need it, too. Every share helps more women discover nurturing home design, intentional living, and encouragement for creating a life that feels like their own i'm so grateful you were here today.  Until next time, love and light, Lori Lynn.  Please share this podcast with your like minded friends and family and  subscribe to never miss an episode!  If you have questions, ideas of topics you would like to learn more about or you want to work with me. Inquires can be sent to lorilynn@countryproudliving.com ADDITIONAL LINKS TO CONNECT WITH ME:   : ) MY WEBSITE: www.countryproudliving.com MY IG:  www.instagram.com/lorilynn_countryproudliving PINTEREST: https://pin.it/3mX6xMNcR MY ART GALLERY: https://lorilynn-o-uter.pixels.com/ MY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olafsonlori MY PODCAST:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/country-proud-living-nurturing-home-empowered-self/id1715855014 BUZZSPROUT: https://countryproudliving.buzzsprout.com Spotify, iHeart, the pod can be found anywhere you choose to listen!

  8. Jul 7

    Ep.116 Home Is a Feeling: Creating a Meaningful Home with Timeless Americana Style

    Welcome to Country Proud Living "Where Nurturing Spaces Empower Your Life and Everyday Feels a Little More Like Home."  What if the most beautiful homes aren't the most expensive—but the ones that tell the story of the people who live there? In this heartfelt episode of Country Proud Living, LoriLynn explores how timeless Americana style, nostalgia, and meaningful design can help us create homes that feel warm, welcoming, and deeply personal. Drawing on research about nostalgia, inspiring authors, and her own experience as an interior designer, she shares why home is much more than décor—it's a feeling of belonging. If you're longing to create a cozy home filled with beauty, memories, and purpose, this episode will encourage you to decorate with intention and celebrate the story only your home can tell. 💛  In This Episode:  Why nostalgia helps us feel grounded and connected  The difference between decorating and creating a meaningful home  Timeless Americana decorating ideas that never go out of style  How nature and family heirlooms add warmth and character  Why your home should reflect your story—not someone else's "The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been." — Madeleine L'Engle Episode Timeline: 🕰️ 00:11 – Why home is more than a place—it's a feeling 🕰️ 03:30 – The science of nostalgia and why memories matter  🕰️12:00 – What designers should ask before choosing a style 🕰️ 17:00 – Timeless Americana design and meaningful decorating 🕰️ 23:00 – Nature, family heirlooms, and creating a nurturing home 🕰️ 07:35 – Madeleine L'Engle on growing older with gratitude 🕰️ 10:30 – Questions to help your home tell your story 📚 Books & Resources Mentioned Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer   https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/books.   A beautiful exploration of gratitude, nature, reciprocity, and our relationship with the natural world. Psychologists Constantine Sedikides and Tim Wildschut have spent decades studying nostalgia. Their research shows that nostalgia can strengthen our sense of identity, increase optimism, foster social connection, and help us find greater meaning in life.  "The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been." — Madeleine L'Engle "The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." — Maya Angelou This week, instead of asking, "What should I buy?" Ask yourself, "What story is my home telling?" Bring out the family photographs, fold a quilt across the end of the bed, gather flowers from the garden, set out your grandmother's crock or favorite enamelware. Because the most beautiful homes aren't built around perfection—they're built around love, memories, and the life that's unfolding within their walls. meaningful home, cozy home ideas, Americana home style, timeless home design, nostalgic decorating ideas, decorating with family heirlooms, cozy cottage decorating, creating a nurturing home, interior design for women over 40, home styling inspiration, intentional decorating, summer decorating ideas Let me know if there is something you would like to learn more about in the color & design, nurture & empower space? I'd love to hear from you! Please share this podcast with your like minded friends and family and  subscribe to never miss an episode!  If you have questions, ideas of topics you would like to learn more about or you want to work with me. Inquires can be sent to lorilynn@countryproudliving.com ADDITIONAL LINKS TO CONNECT WITH ME:   : ) MY WEBSITE: www.countryproudliving.com MY IG:  www.instagram.com/lorilynn_countryproudliving PINTEREST: https://pin.it/3mX6xMNcR MY ART GALLERY: https://lorilynn-o-uter.pixels.com/ MY LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olafsonlori MY PODCAST:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/country-proud-living-nurturing-home-empowered-self/id1715855014 BUZZSPROUT: https://countryproudliving.buzzsprout.com Spotify, iHeart, the pod can be found anywhere you choose to listen!

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About

Country Proud Living is a podcast for someone who longs for a slower, more intentional life and a home that truly supports who they are becoming. Rooted in the warmth of country living, this show blends interior design inspiration, color confidence, and gentle life guidance to help you create nurturing spaces that feel welcoming, meaningful, and lived-in.  "Where nurturing spaces empower your life and every day feels a little more like home."       Hosted by certified interior designer and design-life coach LoriLynn, each episode offers encouragement, practical design wisdom, and soulful conversations that empower you to begin where you are — whether you’re refreshing a room, cultivating a cozy sanctuary, or simply seeking more peace and purpose in everyday life. You’ll find inspiration for creating a home you love, while also nurturing your mindset, wellbeing, and sense of belonging. If you crave a home that feels like a hug, believe your surroundings shape how you feel, and love the charm of country-inspired living, Country Proud Living is your weekly reminder that you are worthy of a beautiful life — and a home that feels a little more like you.

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