A Heart That Beats for Home

Nikki Smith
  • 5.0 (98)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED 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. 12H AGO

    68. When Life Burns Down: John O'Leary's Story of Faith and Resilience

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What if your darkest moment became the spark that illuminated your greatest purpose? John O'Leary was just nine years old when curiosity led to catastrophe – an explosion that left him with burns on 100% of his body and a 1% chance of survival. Yet from those ashes rose an extraordinary story of resilience, purpose, and profound gratitude that now touches millions. In this deeply moving conversation, John takes us beyond the headlines of his remarkable survival to explore the transformative lessons forged in fire. With raw vulnerability, he reveals how his mother's tough love – leaving him to figure out how to eat without fingers and insisting he continue piano lessons despite his amputations – wasn't cruelty but a profound gift that enabled his independence. "When we snowplow, when we mow down all the weeds, when we roll out the red carpet so our children can fall in line right behind us, we do so at a disservice," John explains. "Resistance is what makes your muscles strong and your life good." Through poignant stories, John illuminates how ordinary people become extraordinary through simple acts of presence. He shares how an English teacher quietly graded papers in the hospital waiting room night after night, becoming his mother's greatest comfort not through profound words but through consistent presence. These "mundane heroes" remind us that sometimes the most powerful way to help isn't with perfect advice but by simply showing up. Perhaps most powerful is John's perspective on finding gratitude within suffering, learned from his father who battled Parkinson's disease for decades yet maintained his joy. "My dad died well because he lived that way," John reflects. "He died in joy because he chose gratitude." This radical reframing of the question "why me?" – from anger to curiosity – offers a transformative path through our darkest valleys. As John's remarkable journey comes to life in the upcoming film "Soul on Fire," his message transcends his personal story: our scars aren't weaknesses to hide but strengths to celebrate. "They are darkened when covered," he writes, "illuminated when exposed." What struggles might you transform by bringing them into the light? SOUL ON FIRE MOVIE INFO: https://soulonfiremovie.com/ LIVE INSPIRED POSCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-inspired-podcast-with-john-oleary/id1166682012 GRAB A COPY OF JOHNS BOOKS:  ON FIRE- https://amzn.to/4nAn7iT IN AWE- https://amzn.to/46a56SF FOLLOW JOHN ON SOCIAL:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnoleary.inspires?igsh=MTEwZzluZmJlbmtybQ== Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17FZhbdKJx/?mibextid=wwXIfr JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

    58 min

  2. SEP 11

    67. Embracing Life's Unpredictable Seasons

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Have you ever had a season of life that looked nothing like you planned? That's exactly what happened during my summer break from the podcast. What I expected to be a peaceful time of preparation transformed into a rollercoaster of unexpected challenges, profound grief, beautiful celebrations, and deep life lessons. When God nudged me to take a summer podcast break, I struggled with the decision. I'd committed to showing up consistently every Thursday with content to help families cultivate strong homes. But as Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, "We make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Those words became my summer anthem as I navigated a season unlike any other in my 23 years of parenting. For the first time, my children weren't all together for the summer. This shift forced me to confront an uncomfortable truth that home isn't necessarily about a physical location—it's about where your people are. The concept of cultivating strong families took on new meaning as I researched what cultivation truly entails. The agricultural process of prepare, till, plant, and tend perfectly mirrors what happens in our family relationships. This summer felt like a season of intense tilling—that uncomfortable but necessary breaking up of hard soil to prepare for new growth. Sometimes the most significant growth happens during the most challenging seasons. The tilling stage isn't comfortable—it's messy, disruptive, and often painful. But without it, the soil remains too hard to nurture new life. As we return to our regular podcast schedule, I'm excited to bring you meaningful conversations that help us all navigate the beautiful, messy process of family life together. Starting next week, we'll feature an amazing interview that came together unexpectedly, demonstrating God's provision even when we feel unprepared. Whether you're in a season of preparation, tilling, planting, or tending in your family life, I hope you'll join our community of parents committed to cultivating hearts that truly beat for home. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

    32 min

  3. MAY 22

    66. The Power of Pause: Finding Joy in Summer's Unstructured Days

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Summer beckons – that magical time when routines relax and possibilities unfold like wildflowers. But how do we make these precious months truly matter? Instead of approaching summer with the typical achievement-oriented mindset that dominates the rest of our year, what if we shifted our focus to growth? Not the kind measured in completed checklists or Pinterest-worthy activities, but genuine expansion in relationships, rest, adventure, and joy. That's exactly what I'm exploring in this final episode before our summer podcast pause. I'm sharing my own summer intentions, challenging the anxiety-producing "18 summers" mantra that haunts parents, and offering practical ways to cultivate meaningful moments without the pressure of perfection. For those who thrive on structure, I've included practical frameworks like themed days and helpful resources in the show notes. For free spirits, there's permission to embrace spontaneity and the simple art of saying "yes" more often when our children invite us into their worlds. From yard games that create hilarious family memories to intentional digital detoxing that allows us to be truly present, this episode is filled with attainable ways to make this summer one of connection rather than accomplishment. When September arrives and we return with fresh episodes, I hope you'll have spent these months growing, resting, adventuring, and savoring the relationships that matter most. Because ultimately, that's what makes a summer that truly matters. Join me in embracing this pause, friends – I'll be waiting with new conversations, insights, and interviews when we return. Printable Resources:  Printable Summer Bucketlist: https://sunriseelementarycounseling.weebly.com/blog/summer-bucket-list4977644 Printable Summer Goals: https://writtenreality.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/free-summer-activities-chart-goals.pdf https://drive.google.com/file/d/17yNYnbDAFhRE5x_nHO8wG1u8LP9zY9jD/view Printable Weekly Summary: https://www.unoriginalmom.com/free-printable-weekly-summer-activity-plan/ Printable Five Goals: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/71916925287715966 Resources For A Great Summer: https://www.thebettermom.com/summer-with-kids Book Resources: A Million Tiny Moments: Refections to Refresh a Mom's Spirit: https://amzn.to/43cByT6 Homegrown Disciples: Parenting Rythmnsfor Drawing Your Kids Into Life With God: https://amzn.to/44J4FOX From Grouchy to Great - Finding Joy in the Journey of Motherhood https://amzn.to/45myYLw Pressing Pause- 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet with God: https://amzn.to/4jjWkot Risen Motherhood - Gospel Hope for Everyday: https://amzn.to/3H39ngB https://amzn.to/3SOgNXy (beautiful deluxe edition) Gospel Moms - How to Make Biblical Decisions and Discover the Mom Go God Created You to Be: https://amzn.to/4dqnSqO  Habits of the Household: https://amzn.to/438lFNh The Flourishing Family: A Jesus-Centered Guide to Parenting with Peace and Purpose: https://amzn.to/3GZkpDI Fun Yard Games: Kubb: https://amzn.to/3SJSXwa Crossnet: https://amzn.to/3SJSXwa SpikeBall: https://amzn.to/4dCfm8s Yard Dice: https://amzn.to/3GZmFea JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

    36 min

  4. MAY 15

    65. The Package Deal: Marriage, Intimacy, and Keeping the Spark Alive with NFL Chaplains LaMorris and Megan Crawford

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Lamoris and Megan Crawford return for a candid, humorous, and deeply insightful conversation about keeping the spark alive in marriage through busy seasons, kids, and ministry demands. The Crawfords don't hold back as they share their family hierarchy—God first, spouse second, kids third, then ministry—and how this ordering has sustained their relationship for almost two decades. "We found that as kids exit the homes, the spouses didn't stay connected," Lamoris explains, highlighting why prioritizing your marriage isn't selfish but essential. Things get particularly interesting (and yes, a bit spicy!) when they discuss their innovative "package system" for communicating intimate expectations. Their honest approach to the different ways men and women experience connection creates both laugh-out-loud moments and profound realizations about meeting each other's needs. For couples struggling or feeling their marriage hanging by a thread, the Crawfords offer transformative wisdom about agape love. "Most of us don't understand the kind of love that God loves us with," Megan shares, challenging listeners to exhaust themselves in loving their spouse before considering other options. Whether you're newly married or decades in, this conversation delivers practical tools, spiritual insights, and the permission to laugh at the beautiful mess that is marriage. You'll walk away with strategies for communication, intimacy, and remembering why you fell in love in the first place. Their journey from Cincinnati to their new role as chaplains for the Carolina Panthers shows how a marriage centered on covenant can impact not just a family but entire communities. Connect with the Crawford’s: https://www.covenantcultureministries.com/ https://www.instagram.com/covenantculturepodcast?igsh=bHZ1eGpmOG1wZzhj JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

    37 min

  5. MAY 8

    64. Beyond Contract: The Sacred Covenant of Marriage with NFL Chaplains LaMorris and Megan Crawford

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. From the projects of Chicago to the cornfields of rural America, Lamoris and Megan Crawford's love story defies cultural expectations while illuminating the transformative power of covenant marriage. Their journey began at Olivet Nazarene University where two worlds collided – his marked by inner-city hardship and her steeped in traditional religious values that initially rejected their relationship. What makes their story extraordinary isn't just their diverse backgrounds, but their unwavering commitment to honor God's process. For three and a half years, Lamoris faithfully called Megan's father asking permission to date his daughter, receiving "no" after "no" until a divinely orchestrated breakthrough. The moment Megan's father tearfully asked forgiveness for his racism and acknowledged Lamoris's Christlike character became the foundation for not just their relationship, but a generational healing that continues today. The Crawfords now lead Covenant Culture, a marriage ministry born from their experiences as NFL chaplains with the Cincinnati Bengals. They challenge the prevailing contract mentality of modern relationships with a profound truth: "You die to get in and you die to get out." Their teaching that "God created marriage to make us holy, not happy" reframes the entire purpose of matrimony, revealing how true happiness emerges from obedience rather than self-fulfillment. Drawing on their powerful personal testimony and ministry experience, the Crawfords identify pride as the root of most marital struggles – whether manifesting as superiority or self-pity. Their story demonstrates how patient obedience to God's process can transform not just a relationship, but entire family legacies, breaking cycles of racism and establishing new foundations of faith. Don't miss part two next week where we'll explore more marriage wisdom and some lighter moments as the Crawfords answer some spicy questions! If their story has touched you, please share this episode with someone who might benefit from hearing about the power of covenant marriage. Connect with the Crawford’s: https://www.covenantcultureministries.com/ https://www.instagram.com/covenantculturepodcast?igsh=bHZ1eGpmOG1wZzhj JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

    39 min

  6. MAY 1

    63. The Silent Weight We Carry: Understanding Mental Load in Relationships

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. The invisible weight of mental load is crushing marriages silently - creating resentment where there once was partnership. Continuing with a candid exploration of household management,I delve deeper into why the mental burden of maintaining a home can fall unevenly and how couples can recalibrate their approach through genuine connection. Drawing from Dr. Morgan Cutlip's groundbreaking book "A Better Share," I shares six practical strategies couples can implement to better distribute the mental workload, including the powerful practice of "overdosing on appreciation". T The episode introduces John Gottman's ATTUNE framework as an essential tool for productive conversations around mental load: Attend with undivided attention, Turn Toward each other physically, Understand through questions rather than fixing, practice Non-defensive listening, and Empathize genuinely. This structured approach creates space for vulnerable discussions without defensiveness. We will explore how mental load distribution shapes children's future relationship templates. By establishing zone responsibilities, encouraging initiative-taking, and modeling healthy partnership, parents set their children up for balanced relationships. With the profound questions - "Would I want my children to marry someone who behaves as I do?" and "What skills do we want to instill in our children for healthy relationships?" - we can be challenged to examine how our current patterns influence generational outcomes. Ready to transform your home from a one-person show to a true partnership? Listen now to discover practical strategies that honor both partners' needs while creating a family culture where everyone contributes meaningfully to your shared life. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

    47 min

  7. APR 24

    62. The Silent Weight We Carry: Understanding Mental Load in Motherhood

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Have you ever found yourself wondering how you spent an entire day feeling completely exhausted yet somehow accomplished "nothing"? The mental load you're carrying might be the answer, and you're not alone in feeling its weight. In this candid exploration of mental load, I dive into Dr. Morgan Cutlip's illuminating book "A Better Share" and unpack the hidden burden that many of us—especially mothers—carry silently every day. This isn't just about completing tasks; it's about the constant cognitive, physical, and emotional labor that goes into managing a household and caring for everyone within it. What exactly makes mental load so exhausting? It's the "triple threat" combination of cognitive tasks (the endless to-do lists), physical responsibilities (housework and errands), and emotional labor (managing everyone's feelings and needs) that creates an overwhelming burden. Research shows women typically shoulder all three simultaneously, while men primarily carry cognitive load concentrated in their work environment. The most revealing insight might be understanding what each partner truly needs. Women generally desire to be Pursued, Appreciated, and have a Reliable partner (PAR), while men typically seek Peace, Affection, and Respect (PAR). When mental load isn't shared effectively, both partners end up with unmet needs, creating cycles of resentment and disconnection. This conversation isn't about assigning blame—it's about recognizing a scientifically documented imbalance affecting countless relationships. By understanding mental load and learning to communicate about it honestly, we can create partnerships where both people feel seen, valued, and properly supported. Join me next week for practical strategies on managing mental load as a team and involving children appropriately in household responsibilities. A Better Share by Dr. Morgan Cutlip: https://amzn.to/4itJm6Y JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

    44 min

  8. APR 17

    61. When Letting Go Is The Hardest (and Best) Thing You'll Do

    We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. Watching your child walk across the college graduation stage is a moment filled with contradictory emotions – fierce pride alongside the bittersweet realization that a significant chapter is closing. After navigating four transformative years of college parenting, I'm pulling back the curtain on what this journey really feels like from a mother's perspective. Remember that gut-wrenching college drop-off day? I describe it as "excruciatingly beautiful" – perhaps the hardest yet most necessary parenting moment I've experienced. Walking away from your child when every instinct tells you to stay is an act of profound love and faith in their ability to thrive independently. Those first days of adjustment at home without them test every emotional muscle you have. The unexpected gifts of this separation surprised me at every turn. Madison transformed from a somewhat timid high schooler into a confident leader who now comfortably steps into roles that once intimidated her. Sibling dynamics evolved in beautiful ways, with relationships deepening rather than weakening. Sometimes, distance creates the perspective needed to truly appreciate what we have. Now, we're approaching an unexpected bonus chapter – Madison's coming home for a year before physician assistant school, giving our family of five one more season together. The dynamics have shifted; we're essentially five adults sharing space, with my role pivoting from daily manager to coach and mentor. We're adapting our rituals, planning early morning workouts and breakfasts instead of dinners to accommodate everyone's busy schedules. For parents walking this path now or soon, I share three practical approaches that preserved our connection: let your child lead the communication schedule without guilt or pressure, send spontaneous encouraging texts when they cross your mind, and learn to listen more than you advise, remembering that they're processing life through younger eyes. The greatest gift might be giving them space to stumble occasionally while keeping your heart wide open for whenever they need to land. Have a friend sending a child to college soon? Share this episode – because knowing others understand this emotional rollercoaster makes the journey a little easier for everyone. JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

    40 min
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5
out of 5
98 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 A Heart That Beats for Home
  • Show Website
    A Heart That Beats for Home

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