A Heart That Beats for Home

Nikki Smith
  • 5.0 (104)
  • Parenting
  • Weekly

Hey friend! I’m Nikki Smith—wife, mom of three, entrepreneur, and host of A Heart That Beats for Home. Over the years, God has used marriage, motherhood, business, and everyday life to stretch me, grow me, humble me, and draw me closer to Him. This space is a reflection of the journey I’m still on—growing, learning, and leaning into much-needed grace. I have a heart to keep investing intentionally in my marriage of 26 years with the man God has given me as a partner and best friend, to walk faithfully toward the season of empty nesting, and to grow deeper in relationship with my adult and soon-to-be adult children. More than anything, I’m passionate about drawing closer to my Heavenly Father—truly knowing Him in a way that is real and active in my everyday life—and reflecting Him in all my relationships, actions, and plans. Each episode is a real, hope-filled conversation about the things that matter most: building strong families, walking faithfully in the gift of marriage, parenting intentionally through every stage, and keeping Christ at the center of it all. Alongside my own story, you’ll hear from amazing guests who share a deep passion for nurturing strong families where Jesus is glorified. Their wisdom, vulnerability, and encouragement will remind you that you’re not alone in this journey. Whether you’re single, newly married, raising little ones, building a business, or walking through a new season, you’re welcome here. This is a space for women who love their families fiercely and want to lead with purpose—honoring God in the roles He has placed us in, faithfully shepherding the souls in our homes, and nurturing an environment that reflects the fruit of the Spirit and a life that glorifies Him. One day at a time, may we become women who cultivate hearts that beat for home. Thanks for being here, Nikki

  1. 2d ago

    104. 6 Things to Stop Doing in Your Marriage (Part 2)

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What if some of the biggest changes we could make in our marriages started not with what our spouse needs to do differently, but with what we’re willing to change in ourselves? In Part 2 of this marriage series, we’re diving into the final three habits that can quietly create distance, resentment, and division in our relationships—and the intentional choices we can make instead. We’re talking about the power of expressing gratitude instead of simply feeling it, learning to listen to understand rather than defend, and remembering that marriage was never meant to be you against your spouse, but the two of you working together. I’m also sharing a personal story from our 27 years of marriage about the resentment I once carried, the lessons I’ve learned about appreciating our different contributions, and five simple words my husband has consistently spoken that have profoundly shaped the way I see our marriage: “We make a great team.” Throughout this episode, we’ll look at biblical wisdom from 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Proverbs 18:13, James 1:19, and Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 as we consider how small, intentional changes can strengthen our marriages and impact the generations coming behind us. This isn’t about having a perfect marriage or getting everything right. It’s about two imperfect people continually choosing grace, humility, gratitude, and a shared commitment to building a Christ-centered home. Because we have to be careful that we don’t get so busy building a life together that we forget to build our marriage. My prayer is that you leave this conversation encouraged to identify just one area where God might be calling you to grow—and remember that it’s never too late to begin making changes that can impact your marriage and your family’s legacy. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

  2. Oct 22

    103. 6 Things to Stop Doing in Your Marriage (Part 1)

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What if some of the biggest changes we could make in our marriages started not with our spouses, but with us? After nearly 27 years of marriage, I've learned that a healthy marriage isn't built by two perfect people. It's built by two imperfect people who are willing to keep growing, extending grace, and choosing each other through every season of life. Recently, while studying Ephesians with a group of younger married women, two words stood out to me: grace and peace. They're gifts we've so freely received from the Lord, but how often are we intentionally extending those same gifts to the people closest to us? In this first episode of a two-part series, we're talking about three habits that can quietly create frustration, resentment, and unnecessary conflict in our marriages—and what we can start doing instead. In this episode, we'll talk about: Stop speaking with a harsh or critical tone. Start choosing your tone before you choose your words. Even when our concerns are valid, how we communicate them matters.Stop assuming the worst about your spouse. Start extending grace and assuming good intentions. A bad moment or a bad habit doesn't automatically mean someone has a bad heart.Stop keeping score. Start approaching marriage with generosity instead of comparison. Different seasons require different sacrifices, and marriage isn't always a perfectly balanced 50/50.We'll also discuss how to navigate recurring disagreements, why our words can either build up or tear down our spouses, and the importance of recognizing the contributions each person brings to the family. One reminder I keep coming back to is this: “We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behavior.” How might our marriages change if we extended the same understanding and grace to our spouses that we so often give ourselves? This episode isn't about getting everything right or placing the responsibility for a healthy marriage on one person. It's about inviting the Lord to show us where we can grow. Your challenge this week: Choose just one of these three areas and intentionally practice doing something differently. And be sure to join me next week for Part 2, when we'll cover the final three habits. Please note: This conversation addresses everyday challenges in otherwise healthy marriages. It is not intended as guidance for abusive, coercive, or unsafe relationships, which require appropriate support and intervention. If this episode encourages you, I'd love for you to share it with your spouse or a friend who might benefit from the conversation. Thank you for being part of the A Heart That Beats for Home community!  Related podcast episodes-  Episode 35 — 25 Things I've Learned in 25 Years of Marriage: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000670768048 Episode 62 — The Mental Load of Motherhood: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000704716966 Episode 63 — The Mental Load in Relationships: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000705675501 JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

  3. Oct 15

    102. The Little Things That Quietly Tear Down Our Homes

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Have you ever stopped to consider the little things that might be quietly stealing joy from your home? We spend so much time trying to protect our families from the big things that we can overlook the small attitudes, habits, distractions, and compromises that slowly begin to take root. In Song of Solomon 2:15, we're reminded to catch the little foxes that spoil the vineyards. And while this beautiful imagery originally speaks to protecting love, I believe there's a powerful lesson here for us as wives and mothers. This week, I'm inviting you into another conversation filled with a little coffee, conviction, and confession as I share four areas the Lord has been working on in my own heart. We're talking about forgetting whom we're really serving, allowing grumbling and complaining to become part of our everyday lives, losing the joy of serving our families, and becoming so distracted by good things that we lose sight of the most important things. Because sometimes the very life we once prayed for can begin to feel like a burden when we lose sight of the blessing. And sometimes, without even realizing it, we can be working so hard to build beautiful homes while allowing little attitudes and habits to quietly tear down what we're trying to build. My hope is that this conversation won't leave you feeling condemned, but encouraged to examine your heart, recognize what needs attention, and invite the Lord to continue refining you. Because the goal isn't simply to do all the right things for our families. It's to love them well in the process. Let's be women who intentionally cultivate homes filled with joy, gratitude, peace, and love. I'm so grateful you're here, friend. Scripture referenced Song of Solomon 2:15 — Catch the little foxes that spoil the vineyards.Colossians 3:23–24 — Working wholeheartedly for the Lord.Philippians 2:14 — Doing all things without grumbling.Galatians 5:13 — Serving one another through love.Ephesians 5:15–16 — Walking wisely and making the best use of time.Proverbs 14:1 — The wise woman builds her house.Proverbs 4:23 — Guarding your heart.Luke 6:45 — The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

  4. Oct 8

    101. Stop Fixing Everything: Giving Our Kids Room to Grow

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. As our kids get older, one of the hardest parts of parenting is knowing when to step in and when to step back. This week’s episode came out of a conversation I had with a girlfriend about that exact tension. When do we let our kids make their own decisions? When do we allow natural consequences to do some of the teaching? And how do we begin releasing control without releasing the responsibility we still have as parents? I want my kids to fail at home. Not because I want life to be hard for them, but because home is one of the safest places for them to make manageable mistakes, learn how to repair what went wrong, build resilience, and discover that they are capable of figuring things out. In this episode, we talk about: Why releasing control happens through hundreds of small momentsMoving from being our kids’ manager to becoming more of a coach and mentorThe “freshman, JV, varsity” approach to increasing responsibility as our kids matureHow to decide which mistakes are safe enough to let our kids makeThree questions to ask when deciding whether to step inWhy constantly rescuing our kids can actually make adulthood harderTeaching teens to communicate with teachers, make appointments, manage responsibilities, and clean up their own mistakesHow failure can build confidence, independence, responsibility, and resilienceWhy our expectations can grow while our love and support remain completely steadyWe don’t have to solve every manageable problem for our kids. We can guide them. We can ask good questions. We can share wisdom. We can protect them when the stakes are truly high. And then, sometimes, we have to give them enough room to try. Because ultimately, we aren’t raising children who will always need us to manage their lives. We are raising future adults who need to know: I can think through this. I can make a decision. I can own the outcome. I can repair a mistake. And I can try again. Maybe the question for us isn’t, “Did I do everything I could to make sure they made the right decision?” Maybe it’s, “Did I say what mattered, give them the guidance they needed, and leave enough room for them to grow?” JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

  5. Oct 1

    100. 100 Episodes Later: The Words I Still Carry With Me

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. 100 episodes. It’s honestly a little hard to believe we’re here. When A Heart That Beats for Home began nearly three years ago, I knew I had a heart for encouraging women to cultivate strong marriages, intentional families, and homes centered around biblical truth. What I didn’t know was where God would take it. One hundred episodes later, this little podcast has been listened to in 97 countries, 2,228 cities, and six of the seven continents. We’ve shared 63 solo episodes and welcomed guests for 37 interviews—and somehow this community continues to grow. More than the numbers, though, I’m overwhelmed by the stories. The messages from women who heard exactly what they needed in a difficult season. The conversations that have made their way into marriages and parenting and friendships. The listeners who have shared an episode with someone they love. And the incredible privilege I’ve had of sitting across from people whose wisdom has changed the way I think and live. So for episode 100, we’re going back into the archives. I’m sharing five conversations that have stayed with me long after I stopped recording—truths I still repeat, share with friends, and come back to in my own marriage, parenting, faith, and life. We’ll revisit Marc and Lori’s powerful picture of strengthening a marriage by “overseeding” the good instead of becoming consumed with pulling weeds, along with the reminder that our feelings can be strong without always being true. We’ll hear from Betsy Dirkse about recognizing and honoring the weight our spouses carry—and the importance of seeking to understand one another instead of only focusing on what we ourselves are carrying. Justin Whitmel Earley reminds us that “the Lord is more gracious than we are hardworking,” that we can create healthy ruts of habit for our children without believing their entire future rests on our shoulders, and that while our habits don’t change God’s love for us, our love for God should absolutely change our habits. We’ll return to one of the most difficult and beautiful conversations I’ve ever had, with Hadley, whose story of unimaginable loss taught me something I have repeated countless times since: God does not give us today the grace we would need for tomorrow’s tragedy. He gives us the grace when we need it. We do not have to live today afraid that we couldn't survive something God has not asked us to walk through. And finally, I’m sharing part of one of the most personally meaningful interviews I’ve ever recorded—my conversation with John O’Leary. We talked about our dads, Parkinson’s, suffering, faith, and wrestling with the question of “why?” That conversation eventually led to an experience with John and my own dad that I will treasure for the rest of my life. These are only five moments out of 100 episodes, but they represent so much of what I pray this podcast will always be: a place where we learn from one another, tell the truth about real life, point one another toward Jesus, and become more intentional about the homes and relationships entrusted to us. To every person who has listened, shared an episode, sent me a message, left a review, encouraged me, or simply pressed play week after week—thank you. Here’s to 100 episodes. And, Lord willing, there is so much more to come. If A Heart That Beats for Home has encouraged you, would you take a moment to rate and review the show on the podcast platform where you listen? Those ratings and reviews help more people discover the show—and ultimately help these conversations find their way into more homes. Thank you for being part of this community. 🤍 Marc & Lori’s full marriage episode:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000757475559 Betsy Dirkse full episode: Part 1- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000676940174 Part 2-https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000677761988 Justin Whitmel Earley’s full episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000734194249 Check out a few of my favorite books of Justin’s: Habits of the Household: https://amzn.to/4AH1hkW The Body Teaches the Soul: https://amzn.to/4jfDLph Hadley’s full Beauty From Ashes episode:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000684221659 John O’Leary’s full episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-heart-that-beats-for-home/id1719372285?i=1000727335069 Soul on Fire Movie —  https://johnolearyinspires.com/soulonfire/ JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

  6. Sep 24

    99. The Stories Our Children Will Need When Life Gets Hard

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What are the “stones” in your family, the stories you never want your children to forget? In Joshua 4, God instructed the Israelites to take twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River and build a memorial. Why? So that one day, when their children asked, “What do these stones mean?” they could tell them the story of God’s faithfulness. In this deeply personal episode, Nikki reflects on the stones within her own family: miscarriage and postpartum depression, closed doors that became protection, unexpected redirection, hospital rooms, a heart attack, pulmonary embolisms, and seasons when the ending was anything but certain. But God’s faithfulness cannot be measured only by whether a story ends the way we hoped. Sometimes the stone says, “Look what God fixed.” Other times, it simply says, “God was with us there.” This conversation is an invitation to remember where God has met your family, and to intentionally pass those stories on to your children. Because someday they will face their own closed doors, unanswered prayers, hospital rooms, and Jordans. When that day comes, may they have stones to look back on that remind them: God was with us there. God was faithful there. God did not abandon us there. And He will be with you here, too. In this episode: Why God repeatedly calls His people to rememberHow rejection can sometimes be God’s protectionRecognizing God’s faithfulness even when circumstances do not changeWhy our children need to see us depend on GodPractical ways to preserve and share your family’s faith storiesThe difference between protecting children from adult burdens and allowing them to witness authentic faithA simple challenge to identify one “stone” and share its story with your family this weekScriptures referenced: Joshua 4:4–7Deuteronomy 6:7Deuteronomy 31:8Psalm 46:1Resources mentioned: Five-Year Prayer Journal -                https://hosannarevival.com/collections/one-thing-i-ask/products/one-thing-i-ask-5-year-prayer-journal-edinburgh-themePodcast - Deep Dive: Encouragement for the Weary:   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-dive-encouragement-for-the-weary/id1458672189?i=10007854482632 Week Sermon on God's Faithfulness- https://redeemerrockford.church/sermon/faithful-a-look-back/  https://redeemerrockford.church/sermon/faithful-a-look-forward-god-will-be-faithful/If you are walking through a difficult season—or if you have questions about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus—please reach out. Nikki would be honored to connect with you, pray with you, or help you find a Bible and a place to begin. Next week, join us as we celebrate the 100th episode of A Heart That Beats for Home and revisit some of the most meaningful lessons and conversations from the past three years. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

  7. Sep 17

    98. Beyond ‘Fine’: How to Have Deeper Conversations With Your Kids

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. We all want deeper relationships with the people we love, but sometimes we’re waiting for meaningful conversations to happen instead of learning how to invite them. In this episode, Nikki explores the art of asking good questions and how simple curiosity can help our children, teenagers, spouses, and friends feel truly known, heard, and seen. She shares seven practical ways to move beyond questions that produce one-word answers and create conversations that build genuine connection. You’ll learn why our questions need to grow as our children grow, how to ask the important second question, and why listening without immediately correcting, advising, or trying to fix the problem matters so much. Nikki also discusses staying curious about your spouse, becoming a safe place for honest answers, and building enough margin into family life for meaningful conversations to unfold. Loving someone isn’t only knowing who they’ve been, it’s staying curious about who they’re becoming. This week, choose one person you love, ask a question you’ve never asked before, and then stay long enough to truly listen to the answer. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

  8. Sep 10

    97. Nothing Humbles You Quite Like Your Kids

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What happens when you ask your kids what you do that makes them cringe? For this episode, the answer came from a simple phrase: “my mama heart.” What started as a funny conversation with a daughter turned into a much bigger realization... of course our kids don’t fully understand the mama heart yet. They haven’t experienced one. Motherhood changes the way a heart operates. We feel their disappointments, celebrate their wins, worry about things completely outside of our control, and sometimes find ourselves wanting to step in and fix what may not actually be ours to fix. This episode explores the joy, worry, pride, fear, letting go, and deep love that come with a mama heart, along with four practical reminders for navigating it all: • Name what you’re actually carrying. • Ask, “Is this mine to carry?” • Don’t confuse feeling it with fixing it. • Give your mama heart somewhere to put it all. From knowing when to step in and when to simply stand close, to learning to surrender the things we cannot control, this conversation is a reminder that we can love our children deeply without carrying everything for them. And maybe that phrase our kids think is a little cringey? Someday, they’ll understand.  Show Resources: Praying the Scriptures for Your Children: https://amzn.to/4ysaJqK Praying the Scriptures for Your Teens: https://amzn.to/3UyziDN Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children: https://amzn.to/4A7fnw0 JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

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5
out of 5
104 Ratings

About

Hey friend! I’m Nikki Smith—wife, mom of three, entrepreneur, and host of A Heart That Beats for Home. Over the years, God has used marriage, motherhood, business, and everyday life to stretch me, grow me, humble me, and draw me closer to Him. This space is a reflection of the journey I’m still on—growing, learning, and leaning into much-needed grace. I have a heart to keep investing intentionally in my marriage of 26 years with the man God has given me as a partner and best friend, to walk faithfully toward the season of empty nesting, and to grow deeper in relationship with my adult and soon-to-be adult children. More than anything, I’m passionate about drawing closer to my Heavenly Father—truly knowing Him in a way that is real and active in my everyday life—and reflecting Him in all my relationships, actions, and plans. Each episode is a real, hope-filled conversation about the things that matter most: building strong families, walking faithfully in the gift of marriage, parenting intentionally through every stage, and keeping Christ at the center of it all. Alongside my own story, you’ll hear from amazing guests who share a deep passion for nurturing strong families where Jesus is glorified. Their wisdom, vulnerability, and encouragement will remind you that you’re not alone in this journey. Whether you’re single, newly married, raising little ones, building a business, or walking through a new season, you’re welcome here. This is a space for women who love their families fiercely and want to lead with purpose—honoring God in the roles He has placed us in, faithfully shepherding the souls in our homes, and nurturing an environment that reflects the fruit of the Spirit and a life that glorifies Him. One day at a time, may we become women who cultivate hearts that beat for home. Thanks for being here, Nikki

Information

  • Creator
    Nikki Smith
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    105
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Heart That Beats for Home
  • Show Website
    A Heart That Beats for Home

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