Simply at the Table - Generational Conversations on Homemaking

Kathryn Lockrem, Belle Bergman, and Leisha Lockrem
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Weekly

Are you a homemaker in need of support and feel lost, unsure of how to manage it all? Does your home feel cluttered and disorganized, your schedule chaotic and busy, leaving you burned out and your mind overwhelmed? Maybe you're stuck in survival mode, spinning your wheels with the latest cleaning routines and organizing hacks that just don't seem to work. Or maybe, you're just starting your homemaking journey without any kind of roadmap or practical homemaking skills. You ask yourself, there's got to be more to it than this. At your core, you long for a calm, peaceful home full of family connection, but you're unsure of how to get there.  Welcome to Simply at the Table, a podcast that shares personal stories and tried-and-true wisdom from a generational perspective from a mother-daughter trio to help encourage you in your homemaking journey. Here, you'll discover our "legs of the table" values that support and inform how we create practical strategies woven within seasonal rhythms, strong family relationships and family culture, and a home that is full of peace and joy. We share clutter-clearing steps to flexible routines, we help you to think creatively to create systems designed for real life, encourage you to cook wholesome meals, and offer support as you grow in faith and disciple your children. The goal is to be purposeful, not perfect. Balance, not burnout. Calm, not chaos. So join us for a healthy dose of faith-based encouragment in the day-to-day tasks of life.  So wherever you are in your homemaking journey, we invite you to pull up a chair and grab something warm to drink and join us at the table. We are happy you're here!

  1. 3d ago

    How to Stock a Pantry When You Don’t Know Where to Start

    A pantry isn’t just a place to store food—it’s what helps you turn everyday staples into meals, adapt when plans change, and feel more prepared. In this episode, we share how to build a pantry that fits your space, budget, and cooking style, one useful staple at a time. Leisha and her daughters, Belle and Kathryn, have a practical conversation about what a pantry really is, from old-school larders and root cellars to modern kitchen cupboards, basement storage, and bulk food systems. The episode matters because it reframes pantry-building as a flexible skill, not a one-size-fits-all setup, and shows how food storage can support creativity, convenience, and resilience in everyday life. Enjoy different perspectives, from Belle, who is the newest to pantry-building and shares her learning curve of stocking a first apartment kitchen, while Kathryn adds the seasoning cupboard perspective and the joy of flavor-building. Together they compare ingredient-heavy and convenience-heavy kitchens, then broaden the conversation into homestead-scale storage and long-term food management. Key topics The difference between a pantry, a larder, a root cellar, a scullery, and a butler’s pantry How pantry storage evolved from temperature-controlled basement rooms to modern kitchen cabinets and closets Why a pantry is useful for food security during disruptions like the 2020 grocery shortages How to start with the space you actually have, whether that is a closet, cupboard, basement room, or apartment shelf Why building a pantry takes trial and error, especially when learning what your household actually uses The difference between an ingredient-based pantry and a meal-ready pantry How staples like beans, pasta, flour, sugar, oils, and vinegars create flexibility in cooking Why seasonings are a major part of pantry design, not an afterthought How the family uses spices, oils, vinegars, and canned goods to make simple food feel customizable How larger-scale storage adds management challenges like rotation, shelf life, and storage conditions To learn more or connect with us, visit our website: www.simplyatthetable.com   Visit Simply at the Table's Substack: The Simple Life for more in-depth articles on homemaking and family life.    For sourdough recipes, preserving, and from-scratch recipes: www.LockremHomestead.com    Toups & Co. Organics, use the code TABLE to enjoy 10% off https://toupsandco.com/TABLE

  2. Oct 6

    The Smart Grocery Guide: How to Beat Rising Food Prices

    How do you feed a family without blowing your budget?   In this episode, we kick off our brand-new mini-series on putting food on the table by tackling one of the most essential skills in home cooking: saving money at the grocery store. Join Belle, Kathryn, and their mom, Leisha, for an honest, family conversation that blends real-life shopping habits with highly practical budgeting strategies. Together, the mother-daughter team breaks down why food prices are rising, how to build a bulletproof game plan before you leave the house, and how to spot hidden traps in the grocery aisles. From decoding unit prices to stretching your protein and rethinking convenience foods, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you eat well for less. The Big Picture: Why rising input costs (like diesel and fertilizer) are trickling down to your local store's checkout lane. Pre-Shop Prep: How taking a quick pantry inventory and planning your menu around leftovers drastically cuts down on food waste. Beat the Store Traps: The psychology of eye-level shelf placement, shopping on a full stomach, and why you should always look high and low for deals. Decoding the Math: How to use unit pricing to find the real cost of an item, and how to evaluate if bulk store memberships are actually paying off. The Cost of Convenience: Smart swaps for everyday staples (like block cheese, popcorn kernels, and dried beans) that save money and packaging. Stretching Your Proteins: Creative ways to use cheaper cuts of meat, frozen produce, and bulk options to keep nutrition high and costs low.     To learn more or connect with us, visit our website: www.simplyatthetable.com   Visit Simply at the Table's Substack: The Simple Life for more in-depth articles on homemaking and family life.    For sourdough recipes, preserving, and from-scratch recipes: www.LockremHomestead.com    Toups & Co. Organics, use the code TABLE to enjoy 10% off https://toupsandco.com/TABLE

  3. Sep 29

    If Our Homes Could Talk: Finding Grace in Every Season

    What would your home say about the season you’re in right now? In this episode of Simply at the Table, the mother-daughter team sits down for a thoughtful conversation about how our living spaces mirror our current priorities, energy, relationships, and everyday rhythms.   Together, they break down the three distinct seasons of home life—chaos, maintaining, and thriving—and challenge the idea that an unfinished chore or a messy room equals failure. Instead, they offer a gentler, shame-free approach to home care: learning to notice what your space is telling you and remembering that your home is meant to support your life, not complicate it. Whether you are navigating a chaotic season, building new household routines, balancing shared spaces with loved ones, or ready for a creative refresh, this episode will encourage you to meet your home exactly where it is today.   The Mirror Effect: What your home is actually revealing about your current season of life. The 3 Seasons of Home: Navigating the shifts between chaos, maintaining, and thriving. Reframing the Mess: Why a cluttered room often reflects a full, meaningful life rather than a personal failure. Rhythms Over Rules: How to design household routines that match your actual needs and current energy levels. Shared Spaces, Shared Lives: Practical tips for making your home work for marriages, families, and roommates. Action vs. Grace: How to know when it’s time to optimize your space—and when it’s time to give yourself permission to wait. Finding Joy Present Tense: Cultivating gratitude for your current home, even when circumstances or spaces are difficult. To learn more or connect with us, visit our website: www.simplyatthetable.com   Visit Simply at the Table's Substack: The Simple Life for more in-depth articles on homemaking and family life.    For sourdough recipes, preserving, and from-scratch recipes: www.LockremHomestead.com    Toups & Co. Organics, use the code TABLE to enjoy 10% off https://toupsandco.com/TABLE

  4. Sep 22

    Overcoming Identity Struggles in Homemaking, Motherhood, and Life Transition

    Are you defining yourself by the roles you play, the cleanliness of your home, or the performance of your kids? In this episode of Simply at the Table, the mother-daughter team dives deep into the messy territory of identity. Together, they contrast the exhausting cultural pressure to constantly curate a self-made identity with the freedom of receiving a stable identity from God. Through highly personal stories covering everything from marriage and the changing seasons of motherhood to adoption and struggles with appearance, they expose how fear, shame, and comparison secretly drive our daily choices. You will walk away with a fresh perspective on how to stop hiding behind your "fig leaves" and instead live firmly rooted in who God says you are. Key Takeaways Identity is Received, Not Earned: Culture tells us to build and broadcast who we are. Scripture invites us to rest in an identity already given to us by the Creator. Transitions Expose Our Roots: Life changes—like Kathryn's first solo flight or Leisha navigating her youngest child's final year of homeschooling—reveal where we have accidentally tied our worth to temporary roles. The Home as a Mirror: A messy house, an imperfect body, or unmet marital expectations often act as triggers that expose our deep-seated fears of not being "enough." The Tree Illustration: Your identity can express itself in different arenas without being lost. Just like a tree, even if certain branches are cut back by a changing season, your life source remains secure. Connect with us: New episodes release every Tuesday—subscribe so you never miss a show! If today's chat brought a little peace to your day, please text this episode link to a friend, mom, or daughter who needs some encouragement this week. To learn more or connect with us, visit our website: www.simplyatthetable.com   Visit Simply at the Table's Substack: The Simple Life for more in-depth articles on homemaking and family life.    For sourdough recipes, preserving, and from-scratch recipes: www.LockremHomestead.com    Toups & Co. Organics, use the code TABLE to enjoy 10% off https://toupsandco.com/TABLE

  5. Sep 15

    Why Reading Books to Kids Builds More Than a Love of Learning

    This episode is a warm, wide-ranging conversation about why books matter so much in childhood and beyond. Leisha and her daughters explore how reading builds imagination, vocabulary, attention span, conviction, and a lasting love of learning, and share the books that shaped her family at different ages. The mother-daughter team discusses favorite childhood reads, classic literature, fairy tales, and the adult books that have influenced parenting, marriage, money, and worldview. This is a reflective, book-loving conversation centered on why reading still matters in a world full of fast technology. They also talk through several specific titles and the qualities that make certain books worth returning to across different seasons of life. If you are trying to build a home library or simply looking for your next meaningful read, this episode offers a thoughtful starting point. Key topics Why books are more than entertainment and how they become a bridge into imagination, language, and learning Childhood favorites like Curious George, Beatrix Potter, Frog and Toad, Calvin and Hobbes, and The Phantom Tollbooth How classics like Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, The Book Thief, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, and Lemony Snicket shaped reading habits Why fairy tales matter, including the idea that children already know dragons exist, but need to know they can be defeated How reading can form conviction and reshape adult life through books like Love and Respect, Rich Dad Poor Dad, The 4 Hour Workweek, and The Fourth Turning The value of nonfiction, historical fiction, and books that help you think more deeply about culture, society, and human nature How story works across cultures, including how people respond differently depending on their worldview and symbolism Why the speakers prefer books that expand language, stretch attention, and reward rereading Recommendations for children, teens, and adults, from gentle picture books to more complex series like Red Rising, Lunar Chronicles, and The Blade Itself Action items Start or grow a home library with physical books your family will actually use Choose books with beautiful illustrations for younger children Use parental vetting for themes, language, and age appropriateness Revisit books over time, since the same story can mean something different at different stages of life Introduce classics early so children can build vocabulary, imagination, and endurance for harder texts Connect with us: New episodes release every Tuesday—subscribe so you never miss a show! If today's chat brought a little peace to your day, please text this episode link to a friend, mom, or daughter who needs some encouragement this week.   To learn more or connect with us, visit our website: www.simplyatthetable.com   Visit Simply at the Table's Substack: The Simple Life for more in-depth articles on homemaking and family life.    For sourdough recipes, preserving, and from-scratch recipes: www.LockremHomestead.com    Toups & Co. Organics, use the code TABLE to enjoy 10% off https://toupsandco.com/TABLE

  6. Sep 8

    Cultivating Character: The Power of Diligence in Homemaking

    What does it take to build a faithful, thriving home when the daily routine feels like a grind? In this episode of Simply at the Table, the mother-daughter team dives deep into the essential role of diligence in everyday life, focusing specifically on the joys and challenges of motherhood and homemaking. They talk about how perseverance, character, and a long-term perspective transform your everyday routine into a lasting legacy.   Diligence is far more than just keeping up with chores—it is a steady, earnest, and energetic effort that requires persistence and careful work. Together, they discuss how true character is built through consistent daily effort and integrity, rather than innate talent. Shifting your mindset to a long-term perspective changes how you view mundane tasks, helping you sustain effort and joy for the long haul. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed by the daily routine or looking for inspiration to keep pressing forward, this conversation will encourage you to trust God’s timing, find rest, and lead your family by example.     Key Topics Covered: Defining Diligence: Unpacking its layers as a steady, energetic effort. Character vs. Talent: How consistent daily choices and integrity build your character. The Motherhood Marathon: Why raising a family requires perseverance and a bigger, eternal vision. The Power of a Long-Term Perspective: How looking ahead sustains your joy in the ordinary moments. Faith & Provision: Trusting God’s timing and focusing on eternal rewards to stay motivated. The Rhythms of Diligence: Balancing hard work with essential rest for sustainable living. Passing It Down: Practical ways to lead by example and teach diligence to your children. Connect with us: New episodes release every Tuesday—subscribe so you never miss a show! If today's chat brought a little peace to your day, please text this episode link to a friend, mom, or daughter who needs some encouragement this week.     To learn more or connect with us, visit our website: www.simplyatthetable.com   Visit Simply at the Table's Substack: The Simple Life for more in-depth articles on homemaking and family life.    For sourdough recipes, preserving, and from-scratch recipes: www.LockremHomestead.com    Toups & Co. Organics, use the code TABLE to enjoy 10% off https://toupsandco.com/TABLE

  7. Sep 1

    How We Learned to Stop Chasing Finish Lines and Start Living Well | A Freestyle Episode

    Why do we, as homemakers, feel an endless pressure to constantly produce, and why is it so incredibly hard to just sit down and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere we work so hard to create? The answer is simpler than we think, but it requires a massive heart shift. True rest isn't a reward we earn at the bottom of a finished to-do list; it is a spiritual discipline we must actively build into our lives by trading a rigid "pass/fail" mindset for seasonal flexibility and everyday integrity.   In this completely unscripted, freestyle episode of Simply at the Table, the mother-daughter team pulls up a chair for a casual, organic chat about the messy transition from summer to autumn. As we trade summer schedules for cozy fall layers, we tackle the pressure to constantly jump from one household project to the next. We look honestly at what our summer bucket lists actually accomplished and unpack the vital difference between a home schedule that is merely possible and one that is truly manageable for a thriving marriage and family. Later, the conversation takes a deep, beautiful turn as we share a story from a missions trip that completely reframed how we view the ordinary tasks of keeping a home. Using the biblical imagery of a plumb line, we look at how our integrity is measured in the hidden, everyday choices no one else sees, from daily chores to adult relationships. Pour a fresh cup of coffee or tea, grab some laundry to fold, and join us for a freestyle conversation that is equal parts deep spiritual truth and hilarious family banter. In this freestyle episode, we unpack: The Rest Dilemma: Why we struggle to enjoy a clean home and how to shift from a "pass/fail" mindset to seasonal flexibility. The "Manageable" Home: Unfiltered thoughts on balancing creative work, marriage, and family without burning out. The Plumb Line of Homemaking: How small, hidden chores and daily choices reveal our true standard of personal integrity. Family Culture & Laughs: Off-the-cuff stories about baby voices, marriage language, and the funny habits we've developed over time. Connect with us: New episodes release every Tuesday—subscribe so you never miss a show! If today's chat brought a little peace to your day, please text this episode link to a friend, mom, or daughter who needs some encouragement this week. To learn more or connect with us, visit our website: www.simplyatthetable.com   Visit Simply at the Table's Substack: The Simple Life for more in-depth articles on homemaking and family life.    For sourdough recipes, preserving, and from-scratch recipes: www.LockremHomestead.com    Toups & Co. Organics, use the code TABLE to enjoy 10% off https://toupsandco.com/TABLE

  8. Aug 25

    Quick Resets for Tired Homemakers: Simple Habits for Peace and Energy

    Do you feel overwhelmed, tired, or depleted in your home? You do not need a perfect system to find peace. You just need a simple reset.   In this episode of Simply at the Table, the mother-daughter team, with special guest Lexi Lockrem, shares realistic, grace-filled ways to shift your mood and your home. Learn how small changes can help you move through hard days with calm confidence. We explore practical, emotional, and spiritual habits that lift the heavy fog of daily burnout.   What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why simple fixes work better than complex routines when you feel stressed. How to find the real source of your overwhelm. Simple ways to change your home atmosphere, like turning on bright lights, styling your hair, or making a favorite drink. Spiritual habits, including a short "Jesus, be with me" prayer and starting your day with Scripture. Emotional relief through a good cry, a quick walk, or letting go of urgent tasks. How to guard your calendar and stop overcommitting your time. If you need a gentle reminder of God's grace in your daily work, this episode is for you. Hit play and learn how to reset your mindset today.     Connect with us: New episodes release every Tuesday—subscribe so you never miss a show! If today's chat brought a little peace to your day, please text this episode link to a friend, mom, or daughter who needs some encouragement this week.     To learn more or connect with us, visit our website: www.simplyatthetable.com   Visit Simply at the Table's Substack: The Simple Life for more in-depth articles on homemaking and family life.    For sourdough recipes, preserving, and from-scratch recipes: www.LockremHomestead.com    Toups & Co. Organics, use the code TABLE to enjoy 10% off https://toupsandco.com/TABLE

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6 Ratings

About

Are you a homemaker in need of support and feel lost, unsure of how to manage it all? Does your home feel cluttered and disorganized, your schedule chaotic and busy, leaving you burned out and your mind overwhelmed? Maybe you're stuck in survival mode, spinning your wheels with the latest cleaning routines and organizing hacks that just don't seem to work. Or maybe, you're just starting your homemaking journey without any kind of roadmap or practical homemaking skills. You ask yourself, there's got to be more to it than this. At your core, you long for a calm, peaceful home full of family connection, but you're unsure of how to get there.  Welcome to Simply at the Table, a podcast that shares personal stories and tried-and-true wisdom from a generational perspective from a mother-daughter trio to help encourage you in your homemaking journey. Here, you'll discover our "legs of the table" values that support and inform how we create practical strategies woven within seasonal rhythms, strong family relationships and family culture, and a home that is full of peace and joy. We share clutter-clearing steps to flexible routines, we help you to think creatively to create systems designed for real life, encourage you to cook wholesome meals, and offer support as you grow in faith and disciple your children. The goal is to be purposeful, not perfect. Balance, not burnout. Calm, not chaos. So join us for a healthy dose of faith-based encouragment in the day-to-day tasks of life.  So wherever you are in your homemaking journey, we invite you to pull up a chair and grab something warm to drink and join us at the table. We are happy you're here!

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