Sunshine in my Nest

Elizabeth Santelmann

Welcome to Sunshine in my Nest Podcast! I'm your host Elizabeth Santelmann. I hope these chats with our mentors about gospel-centered living will equip and inspire you to grow spiritually, love your family, and invest in your local community! Through the conversations with these women of faith I’ve learned to pray and trust God's plans are good for me. I've grown in empathy, obedience to God’s will, patience with my kids, skills to disciple my kids, and reflected on how my day to day life impacts my faith walk. I pray that listening will do the same for you!

  1. 3D AGO

    Don’t Let Screens Quietly Change Your Kids with Greta Eskridge

    I have several friends who are teachers, and it's amazing how drastically things have changed in the last 10 years. When my oldest was tiny, there were a few friends who could afford to have an iPad for their kid, but generally, they were like computers. For adults, but occasionally, kids had them. It was still surprising to see kids on an iPad at restaurants. Now, even young kids have their own iPads, and elementary kids have smartphones. We allowed our son to join a construction day camp this summer, and I was shocked when my son came home talking about all the kids his age sitting around between turns and on the bus playing games on their phones. I really appreciate how Greta has thought through the challenges this new normal brings and how parents can handle it with wisdom and grace. Greta is a homeschool mom and a very popular homeschool conference speaker. I can't wait to tap into her wisdom today!  I don't want to be one of those people that rails against technological change and social media. Each development provides new ways of showing wisdom. What unique challenges have you seen while raising kids both before and after the evolution of smartphones? I know every family is going to feel differently about how they choose to use technology, but we can be inspired by the choices other people make. What have been your family's boundaries around phone usage?  You can find Greta Eskridge's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"It's Time To Talk to Your Kids About Porn"⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or find her JOIN US: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Around Our American World ⁠⁠⁠⁠for family-style learning!! You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch *affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

    16 min
  2. FEB 10

    Early Church Wisdom for Surviving Dark Winter Days with Elyse Fitzpatrick

    I put a lot of time into preparing our hearts for Christmas, but often I just let Easter sneak up on me. If I'm honest, I don't really know how to go from the twinkle lights of Christmas into the darkness of winter, and think ahead to spring and the celebration of resurrection. I get a little closer every year, but culturally, we aren't given a template for what this looks like, so it really feels like swimming upstream. Every year, about this time of year, sickness after round of sickness keeps hitting and I'm really tired. I had decided I was going to coast into the season leading to Easter, when I saw the title of Elyse's book pop up in my inbox. It felt like a sign to reconsider. Last year I attended my first-ever Ash Wednesday service and shared about it. I was shocked and discouraged to have a lot of negative comments on that post. People assumed we were veering away from "normal" Christianity. So, before we get started, Elyse, can you tell us about the practice of Ash Wednesday and the faith roots, and what denominations practice it? How does this holiday help us to bridge from winter to Easter?  I've come to really love Advent practices. Remembering who we wait for and how long Israel waited has given me a lot of peace in the brokenness of the world. What have Christians traditionally remembered and what spiritual disciplines have they attempted to cultivate between Christmas and Easter?  One thing I love about your work is the way you always circle back to grace. How do we keep these practices from feeling legalistic?  If shame starts to creep up... maybe we intended to celebrate differently this year, and it's just not going to happen. How does thinking of Jesus as the "friend of sinners" cover or remove that shame?  You can find Elyse Fitzpatrick's ⁠⁠⁠⁠"Friend of Sinners"⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ or go to her website. JOIN US: ⁠⁠⁠Around Our American World ⁠⁠⁠for family-style learning!! You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch *affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

    24 min
  3. FEB 3

    Is “Add to Cart” the New False Gospel? with Elizabeth Woodson

    I have to start this interview with a confession. The other day, I was scrolling social media and saw the cutest pair of gingham socks. They had that little ruffled top. I went from not knowing I needed ruffle gingham socks to clicking "add to cart" faster than you can say "Bob's your uncle." Before you start shutting down my inbox with emails asking for the link to the socks... You should know right before I hit "checkout," I felt my heart pull in that familiar way. I suddenly remember the sock drawer I couldn't close this week, I had to pull some socks out and store them in a different drawer. I have a feeling I'm not the only person who's had this happen this week. We live surrounded by ads. It's constantly pointing out what we don't have.  It seems that, as the church, we have "pet sins" we like to talk about and some that fly under the radar. What brought the sin of overconsumption to your attention?  Why, as Christians, do you think we want to consume so much? I use the word consume because it can be stuff, food, experiences, trips, etc. Why is it important for our faith to pause before we hit the payment button? Does that change if we can afford it, or if we are putting it on a payment plan? How does buying everything we want impact our faith? Where do we find simplicity in the Bible? Why do you think it's something that matters?  What do we find in Jesus that we can satisfy deeper than the dopamine hit of having a new package arrive?  What are some habits that build resiliency and Christ-like formation to replace overconsumption with? You can find Elizabeth Woodson's ⁠"Habits of Resistance: 7 Ways You're Being Formed By Culture and Gospel Practices to Help You Push Back" ⁠ or follow her on Instagram JOIN US: ⁠⁠Around Our American World ⁠⁠for family-style learning!! You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch *affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

    24 min
  4. JAN 27

    Secrets To Calm the Messes In Your House with Susan Heid

    When I told my husband the topic of our interview today, he asked, "What does that have to do with the gospel and discipleship?" As humans, most of our discipleship takes place where our feet are planted. For him, usually that's his workplace, but for me, that's my home. I want to be humble enough to invite people into my mess, but within limits. If people can't get into the house without tripping over 20 pairs of shoes it's harder to say "Come on over." I love hearing about other peoples systems for making that happen. Susan has spent years perfecting her rhythms and creating steady habits. She's going to be our mom for the day and chat through the systems she has learned. Can you walk us through your ideal day based on systems?  What does your week look like? Is it the same usually, or do things fluctuate often? What do you do on a day or week when you just don't feel motivated to do anything?  If someone has never done anything like this before, what would be a good first step for them to take today?  You can find Susan Heid's Confident Homemaker's Weekly Household Planner or follow her on Instagram JOIN US: ⁠Around Our American World ⁠for family-style learning!! You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch *affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

    19 min
  5. JAN 20

    I Blew It Today, Now What? with Abbey Wedgeworth

    Before I had kids, I thought that to get them to "turn out right," I needed to be the perfect example of what a good mom and Christian looks like. I'm not sure about you, but that plan didn't last very long. Sleepless nights, changing hormones, and illness made motherhood feel more like a crucible than a Mary Cassatt painting. Abbey Wedgeworth has helped me create three of Sunshine in My Nest's favorite episodes. She's also some incredible training refrains for gospel responses in motherhood, but based on the title of her new book, those seem to have come from her own personal motherhood desperation rather than having all the answers. I'm super excited to talk to her today about motherhood, postpartum, highs, lows, and the way God has met her with the gospel in all of them.  Was postpartum depression and rage something you had on your motherhood bingo card or did it surprise you? Did shaming yourself after you failed drive you to be better?  Was there a moment that Jesus felt particularly close or far during a low moment?  How did learning submission to limits help you in your understanding of the gospel?   What do you do when you blow it? What practical boundaries and "assists" have you put in place to help you on a daily basis?  You can pre-order Abbey Wedgeworth's book ⁠"⁠⁠Help, I'm Ruining My Kids⁠⁠" and find Abbey ⁠HERE⁠. JOIN US: Around Our American World for family-style learning!! You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch *affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

    29 min
  6. 12/16/2025

    Laughing Through Christmas Curveballs with Heidi Lee Anderson

    We are well into the Christmas season. Maybe for you it's felt like pure joy, or maybe you've been thrown some curveballs. Walking through cancer to remission, Heidi Lee Anderson knows all about curve balls and what it looks like to walk into hard spaces with hope and also a good laugh. Even when the gifts we wish we could give back just keep giving.  From what I understand, life threw you a curveball today, and you have a snow day there. What do snow days look like at the Anderson house? Is there a special snack y'all eat on snow days or this time of year? What were snow days like for you as a kid? Do you have any other funny motherhood curveball stories?  One of the things we think a lot about at Christmas is the hope that comes because of Jesus' birth. How do you think that hope has allowed you to take a curveball that would crush some people and find humor and hope there?  I wouldn't have thought of the book of Joshua in the Bible for one that has curveballs, but you did... how did that happen? What is something during Christmas you've been tempted to feel upset about, and God has given you joy there?  You can find Heidi Lee Anderson's book ⁠"⁠All In, All Yours⁠" and find Heidi HERE. You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch *affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

    29 min
  7. 12/09/2025

    Ditch Christmas Pressure and Find Joy with Caroline Cobb

    I have decided to run a couple of Christmas specials this year with a couple of artists you already love. These episodes will be more light-hearted in tone, but hopefully still encouraging as you head into this meaningful season of celebration! Today, we are going to chat with one of my favorite music artists, Caroline Cobb. She is also the author of the Advent devotional "Advent for Exiles." My hope as we chat is that you feel inspired to pursue creativity and art as a reflection of a creative God, and remember the one who paid for us while waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled.  We just had Thanksgiving and started in on that holiday food. What is your favorite Christmas food?  Do you have a Christmas memory that stands out to you from childhood?  What about the feeling of Christmas has changed for you as you've become an adult and a parent?  What about Christmas specifically has made you want to create art around it?  What's your favorite thing to think about and remember around Christmas? What do you wish everyone knew about Advent?  You can find Caroline Cobb's book ⁠"Advent for Exiles" and the album "A Seed A Sunrise." You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch *affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

    25 min
5
out of 5
140 Ratings

About

Welcome to Sunshine in my Nest Podcast! I'm your host Elizabeth Santelmann. I hope these chats with our mentors about gospel-centered living will equip and inspire you to grow spiritually, love your family, and invest in your local community! Through the conversations with these women of faith I’ve learned to pray and trust God's plans are good for me. I've grown in empathy, obedience to God’s will, patience with my kids, skills to disciple my kids, and reflected on how my day to day life impacts my faith walk. I pray that listening will do the same for you!

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