Whatever Is Excellent with Leanne Tuggle

What if the friendships you’re longing for begin with the ones you choose to build? Today we trace a clear path from the church in Acts 2 to everyday life, showing how Scripture, prayer, and small acts of courage can grow a circle that actually strengthens your walk with Jesus. We talk about the friend who simply shows up, why “faithful wounds” are a gift, and how loving God first shapes the way we love each other.

We get ...

Ever feel like January has 47 days? That elastic sense of time can be more than seasonal blues; it can be a holy nudge to stop measuring worth by output and start rooting identity in Christ. We open up about restlessness, rainy days with kids who want action, and the surprising wisdom of not rushing to fix discomfort. Instead of trying to out-hustle the feeling, we explore how receiving winter can strengthen your soul for the work ...

What if the most sacred work you do happens at your kitchen sink? In this heartfelt conversation with Anna—a military spouse and mom of eight—we peel back the layers of daily life to uncover how prayer, Scripture, and steady rhythms can transform ordinary chores into holy ground. Anna shares how her mother’s joyful vision of parenting shaped her own calling, and how a simple decision to pray over a sink full of dishes reframed rese...

A locked door, a worn Bible, a quiet glow—those childhood snapshots taught me something I couldn’t name yet: time in Scripture changes a person. I build on that memory to explore why studying the Bible is not a checkbox but a lifeline that reveals who God is and, in turn, steadies who we are.

Psalm 19 frames the value of God’s word—reviving the soul, enlightening the eyes—and why reading the whole story reveals our need fo...

What if a quiet hour with a planner could change the next decade of your life? We open season five with a clear, faith-centered approach to planning that moves beyond hype and hustle. Picture a cozy chair, a warm coffee, and a few honest questions that help you remember where God met you, what rhythms brought life, and which distractions stole your peace. From that posture, we zoom out to ten years and let that future inform today’...

The week between Christmas and New Year’s can feel like a soft landing: sweatpants, slow mornings, and a rare sense of completion. We lean into that pause and ask a bigger question—how do we finish the year well so we can begin the next aligned with God’s heart? With Scripture as our guide, we explore the joy of ending strong without striving, and the freedom to rest while still preparing our steps for what’s ahead.

We sta...

What if your home became the place where people exhale the moment they walk in? That picture guides our conversation with Deanne, a longtime friend who has spent decades turning ordinary rooms into a refuge—welcoming neighbors, college kids, missionaries, and foster children with a calm, open-handed approach that prioritizes people over performance.

We unpack the real difference between entertaining and hospitality and why...

What if the most memorable part of December isn’t the packed calendar but the quiet moments at home? We open the bins of decorations and talk about a countercultural Christmas built on simple traditions, secret generosity, and a steady gaze on Jesus. From watercolor afternoons and gingerbread chaos to favorite stories read by the tree, we reframe “holiday magic” as presence over performance.

Together, we push back against ...

Holiday tables can feel like tightropes: old roles resurface, expectations collide, and the urge to keep the peace can eclipse the call to make peace. We open up about awkward family moments, the pressure to please, and the liberating truth that you’re only responsible for your actions, feelings, and words—not for anyone else’s reaction. From there, we map a clear, grace-filled plan to navigate tense dynamics without losing your ce...

A friend’s kitchen-table Bible study turned into a national movement. Brittany Dunn joins us to share how Safe House Project is confronting child trafficking in America with a strategy built on training, survivor support, and evidence-based safe house certification—and why proximity, not sensational headlines, should reshape how we see this crisis. The numbers are sobering, but the path forward is clear, practical, and hopeful.

Ever notice those quiet moments when the life you once prayed for shows up in plain sight—tiny socks in the laundry, laughter down the hall, a kiss at the door—and yet your heart still aches for the thing you don’t have? We lean into that tension and chart a clearer route from comparison to contentment, guided by Scripture, honest stories, and simple habits that actually stick.

We unpack gratitude as more than a feeling or...

Have you ever felt like you were drowning under the weight of impossible circumstances? That moment when life piles on more than any human could possibly handle? 

A military wife shares her raw, unfiltered journey through the perfect storm of overwhelm: solo parenting three children under five during a pandemic while preparing for an overseas move, only to face an unexpected second deployment just after reunion. Her breaki...

"Mama, how do I know if my name is written in the book of life?" When my young son asked me this question during our nightly Bible reading routine, I realized once again the profound responsibility we bear as Christian parents. Those innocent yet profound questions about salvation remind us that our children are spiritually curious and seeking answers about eternity.

The Great Commission wasn't just for miss...

What happens when your most important work is the work no one sees?

The mental load of tracking school uniforms, doctor appointments, meal planning, and a thousand other details can feel overwhelming—and often thankless. When your achievements aren't visible or celebrated, how do you find meaning in the mundane?

In this soul-stirring conversation, Emily shares her journey through the invisible terrain of moth...

Have your children ever asked you why they can't play the same video games as their friends or why your family doesn't celebrate certain holidays like everyone else? These seemingly innocent questions reveal a profound challenge facing Christian parents today: raising children who can discern truth in a world that deliberately blurs the lines between good and evil.

When my seven-year-old asked about Fortnite, my ...

Imagine waking up on December 1st feeling peaceful instead of panicked. The soft twinkling lights illuminate your living room as you enjoy a quiet moment before the day begins. Your gifts are purchased, your calendar has breathing room, and you feel genuinely excited about the season ahead.

This peaceful December morning isn't a fantasy—it's entirely possible when you start preparing for Christmas now, with inten...

Have you ever kept something special tucked away, saving it for a perfect moment that never seems to arrive? Whether it's the beautiful coffee mug gathering dust in your cabinet or the dream you've postponed until "someday," this anniversary episode of Whatever is Excellent tackles our tendency to delay joy and purpose.

Reflecting on one year of podcasting, I share the personal revelation that transform...

What if the most powerful tool you have as a parent isn't what you say, but how you listen? In this illuminating conversation with Shelley Tyson, we explore the transformative impact of speaking life over our children – especially during the challenging teenage years.

Shelley, a mother of four including three teenage girls, shares with remarkable candor how she's discovered that effective communication begins not...

Ever found yourself caught between what you feel God is calling you to do and what others expect of you? You're not alone in that struggle.

After years of agonizing over my children's education, I finally made a decision that felt right for our family—only to lose cherished friendships because of it. The painful reality hit me: sometimes following God's unique calling for your family means walking a path oth...