Whatever Is Excellent with Leanne Tuggle

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...

Ready for a fresh start this fall? There's something almost magical about September that sparks that "new beginning" feeling in all of us – whether we have school-aged children or not. But as we embrace this seasonal reset, I'm challenging us to think differently about excellence.

What if true excellence isn't found in those picture-perfect moments worthy of sharing online, but rather in the small,...

Reading has always held a special place in my heart—so much so that I joke with friends that one reason I had children was to have someone to read aloud to! But beyond those cozy moments under blankets with classic stories, reading serves as a cornerstone for spiritual growth, family connection, and character development.

At its foundation, reading begins with Scripture. "The book of the law shall not depart from your...

Remember in fourth-grade where cliques first form and best friendships begin to blossom? That pivotal age when children transition from befriending everyone to selecting their inner circle marks a critical developmental stage in social awareness.

The Bible offers profound wisdom about friendship's true nature. Genesis tells us clearly that solitude was never God's design – "It is not good for man to be alone...

The whirlwind of fall schedules looms just around the corner. Are you prepared to trade the peaceful rhythms of summer for the potential chaos of a new school year? What if this year could be different?

Discover the transformative power of simplicity as we explore three critical areas that need attention before summer ends: your overflowing calendar, your cluttered home, and your overwhelming social media feeds. Drawing fr...

What does motherhood look like across the different seasons of our lives? From the sleep-deprived chaos of babies and toddlers to the bittersweet freedom of the empty nest, each phase brings unique challenges and unexpected joys.

Linda Buffington takes us on her journey of raising three children under two – twins followed by a third baby just nine months later – in what she lovingly calls "organized beautiful chaos.&q...

Navigating the delicate balance between technology and childhood development has become one of parenting's greatest challenges. Drawing from insightful works like "The Anxious Generation" and "Opt Out Family," this raw exploration delves into what happens when families dare to set counter-cultural boundaries around screens and devices.

Through personal stories of both struggle and triumph, I share ...