Episode 84 - Boundaries: Loving Others Without Losing Yourself with Dana Morehouse

Date: August 15, 2025 Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Deb Dufek and her daughter, Dana Morehouse

 

Story Highlights: In this heartfelt episode of The Women Behind the Words, host Debbie Dufek sits down with her first-born daughter, Dana Morehouse, for a candid conversation about a topic that affects every part of our lives, boundaries. Do you set them? Do you keep them? And if not, why?

 

Deb and Dana share a real-life moment that unfolded in the middle of Target when a last-minute family birthday party crisis hit. One daughter was exhausted with a house full of sick children and feeling overwhelmed by the promise to host that night. Dana, already fresh off a month of non-stop hosting her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren visiting from Switzerland, plus daily visits from her other children and grandchildren, was physically and emotionally drained. On top of that, she was still recovering from skin cancer surgery. When the request came for her to host, Dana took a quiet but firm “pause” to honor her limits.

 

Here’s the twist, after processing, she still said yes. But this time, it wasn’t at the expense of her health or her boundaries. The family rallied together, each person pitching in with food, setup, and cleanup so no one carried the burden alone. It became a powerful example of how protecting your well-being can still leave room for generosity, joy, and connection.

 

Together, Deb and Dana dive deep into the freedom that comes from knowing your capacity, setting healthy limits without guilt, and refusing to be swayed by the pressure of others’ expectations. They share how releasing the need for everyone to operate in the same gifting allows for more grace, understanding, and peace within relationships. Listeners will walk away with practical, faith-filled tools to protect their well-being, love others wholeheartedly, and live from a place of balance and joy.

 

About Our Guest: Dana Morehouse has been married to her husband, Bill, for 39 years. They have 5 children, 7 grandchildren, and one more on the way, 5 boys and 3 girls. Dana homeschooled her children through 8th grade for 25 years, building a family culture rooted in faith and connection. She loves the thrill of a great garage sale find, eagerly anticipates football season, and treasures every moment with her growing family. Most importantly, Dana cannot imagine life without Jesus at the center.

 

Takeaway Topic:

While there’s no featured book in this episode, the conversation offers a living guide on setting boundaries with grace. Through their personal story, Deb and Dana highlight lessons every listener can apply: knowing when to pause, finding peace in saying no, and creating space for shared responsibility, principles that protect health, deepen relationships, and strengthen faith.

 

Connect with Dana: Facebook: www.facebook.com/danalesliemorehouse Instagram: @danajoye