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Toni Wallace is an attorney running for judge in her county in the upcoming elections — Election Day is November 6, 2018, so at the time of this episode, that’s just a few months away. She’s running for judge in Fort Bend County, Texas, but also identifies as, in her words, a small business owner, a wife, mom of three, lawyer, believer, Cheer Mom, Baseball Mom, Basketball Mom, Football Mom, Team Mom, and yep, a former judge. (We’ll get into that last bit.) I loved talking to Toni — she made me both want to vote for her if I was living in her county and wish I was her neighbor so we could go on walks and grab coffee together. I know you’re gonna love her. Notes From This Episode: Toni for Judge Toni on Facebook and Twitter Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter An American Marriage, by Tayari Jones Kindly leave a review! Become a patron: Support this podcast + get access to my secret show Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here

A few weeks ago, Brooke McAlary asked me to share the mic with her at Book People, a local bookstore here in Austin. She was in town for a book tour for her book, Slow, and she asked if I’d join her on stage to talk about slow living: what it might mean; what it does and doesn’t look like. So, here’s our live chat from just a few weeks ago, when Brooke and I talked with each other (and audience members) about our take on the topic. It was a lot of fun to see her in person again; it’d been years — she’s from Sydney, Australia. (If you’ve read my book, At Home in the World, it was her house we stayed at over Christmas, so it was from her parents where I learned the concept of the Westbrook Effect.) Notes From This Episode: Brooke's new book, Slow Brooke's podcast, The Slow Home Brooke on Instagram and Twitter Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter My book, At Home in the World Book People Become a patron: Support this podcast + get access to my secret show Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email For any links

What’s a “diversity champion,” right? Well, Michelle Glauser started a community organization called Techtonica, out of a passion for seeing more diversity in the tech industry — it’s a 6-month tech apprenticeship program that partners with tech companies to provide free tech training, living stipends, and job placement to women in need. They specifically focus on underserved, diverse populations with this opportunity to be involved in a long-term, tuition free, full-time program that prepares (and then places!) apprentices in the software engineering field, without having to worry about financial instability. Michelle says since becoming an engineer in 2012, she’s been passionate about helping underrepresented people join, feel comfortable in, and stay in the software industry. If you know much about the tech world, you know that Michelle’s non-profit’s focus on women, low-income, and tuition-free training is a really big deal. Notes From This Episode: Techtonica Michelle on Twitter Tsh (me) on Instagram an

A few weeks ago, I talked with Bethany Rydmark; she’s the one who started the PDX Food Swap in Portland. After we chatted, I also asked her about what’s saving her life right now. This is a thing we do here on the pod every now and then; this idea is taken from Barbara Brown Taylor, a writer who, in her book, An Altar in the World, she talks about how easy it is to focus on the things that are making everything harder, and that instead, we need to remember to look around and notice: what are the little things that are making everything a bit better? Bethany shares a few things she's loving right now. I hope you enjoy this short chat, because down the road, we’ll be doing more of these — I might ask a favorite guest from our work episodes to come back on, or another friend or co-host you love hearing from — or even some of you lovely patrons! After my chat with Bethany, I’m sharing a little something I’ve got available for you right now that’s only open right now, so hang on to the end for that. I think you’ll

It’s the start of a new school year for most of us right now, so I figured: what better way to celebrate the amazing work our kids’ teachers do than share a conversation I’ve had with one? Rissie Lundberg is a math teacher at an all-girls high school, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and she’s part of a mathematics department made up entirely of women — which is actually pretty rare, even in a girls’ school. She absolutely adores what she does, both getting her hands dirty in math, and inspiring girls to love it as much as she does. Notes From This Episode: Rissie's school and Instagram Rissie's Instagram Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter The Calculus of Friendship, by Steven Strogatz Educated, by Tara Westover The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls Wonder, by RJ Palacio Become a patron: Support this podcast + get access to my secret show Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here

A bonus work-themed episode for the week! While we're busy getting ready for the fall season of the show around here, I thought I'd share one of my favorite earlier episodes of Women's Work, before we merged it into one lovely show here. Tanorria Askew is a personal chef and through her business, Tanorria’s Table, people can hire her for both everyday meals and special occasions. Her cooking roots originate from the south, and Tanorria says she loves to put a modern spin on American Comfort Food — she recently placed 4th on Master Chef! She’s passionate about good food, gathering people around the table to have good conversations, and enjoying life through it all. Her can-do attitude is contagious. Honestly... You can't not love Tanorria. Notes From This Episode: Tanorria’s Table Treats By Tanorria Tanorria on Instagram and Twitter Masterchef Season 7 Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Of Mess and Moxie, by Jen Hatmaker Disunity in Christ, by Christena Cleveland Become a patron: Support this podcast + get acces

Andrea Debbink is an editor at American Girl magazine, the beloved magazine you’ve probably seen in bookstores and is read by so many girls over the years. You might have read it when you were a young girl. She creates a lot of the content their readers love, like recipes, crafts, stories, and beyond. In fact, she recently relaunched one of her favorite segments from the magazine from when she was a young reader herself: Featuring inspiring women from history, "Who's That Girl?" shows how ordinary girls became women who made their mark on the world. Andrea also recently wrote her first book, Spark, specifically for American Girl readers! Notes From This Episode: Andrea's new book, Spark: A Guide to Ignite the Creativity Inside You Andrea's website Andrea on Instagram American Girl magazine Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter How to Stop Time, by Matt Haig The Genius of Birds, by Jennifer Ackerman The Hidden Life of Trees, by Peter Wohlleben Become a patron: Support this podcast + get access to my secret show S

A few weeks ago I tried a new thing in my work: I led a group of 6 other women to London, exploring a tiny scratch of the literary soil there — the footsteps of Jane Austen, CS Lewis, Dickens, Shakespeare, Chesterton, and more. It was the most gratifying and fulfilling thing I’ve done in my career in a long while. And I tried this whole beta-test of an experience with a dear friends, Emily P. Freeman, who co-led the group with me. I led the travel logistics, spearheaded the vision of where we went and explored, and why — and Emily led the group dynamics, the conversations we had, helped us think through our next right thing in our work and life. I led the outer work of our time, and Emily led the inner work. In this episode, Emily and I talk about what it was like for the two of us to lead Literary London for the first time. Notes From This Episode: Emily's blog Emily's podcast, The Next Right Thing Emily on Instagram and Twitter Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter Literary London (sign up to know when there'

In this episode, I’m talking to Christine Bailey, a farmer. She and her husband run The Kindred Farm — a certified organic farm — and even though they’re relatively new to farming and it’s the hardest work they’ve ever done, she says she’s loving every minute of it. She’s learning a ton about the ins and outs of this ancient work that’s always changing in our modern world, along with how to cultivate community in what they do. She also hosts literal farm-to-table dinner parties on their land, called Kindred Dinners, and it’s one of her favorite things to do. Notes From This Episode: The Kindred Farm Kindred Farm on Instagram Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter Food, Inc. Folks, This Ain’t Normal, by Joel Salatin You Can Farm, by Joel Salatin The Life-Giving Table, by Sally Clarkson Wonder, by RJ Palacio The Magnolia Story, by Chip & Joanna Gaines Capital Gaines, by Chip Gaines Become a patron: Support this podcast + get access to my secret show Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email For any links an

Awhile ago, I talked to Bethany Rydmark about her work as a landscape architect. I loved our chat about what she does, but she casually mentioned something that I really wanted to know more about: She started the PDX Food Swap in Portland, Oregon. What's a food swap? Well, listen in and you'll see — and maybe you'll be inspired to start one of your own in your city, neighborhood, block, church, or simply among a group of friends. Links From This Episode: PDX Food Swap Food Swap Network Bethany's blog, Two Oregonians Bethany on Instagram Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter Become a patron: Support this podcast + get access to The WRLD at Home Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here

We’re wrapping up our summer series with Kendra, who’s here with me in London as I type this! Before we left, we chatted about what’s saving our life right now. Links from this episode: Kendra’s blog + podcast, The Lazy Genius Collective Kendra on Instagram Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter #LiteraryLondon and #TravelsWithTsh! Especially check our Stories on Instagram. Become a patron: Support this podcast + get access to The WRLD at Home! Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email! For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here

We're keeping on with our summer series, What's Saving My Life. Up this time: it's Erin! Links From This Episode: Erin's blog, Design for Mankind Erin on Instagram and Twitter Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter Hackwith V One-Piece Swimsuit Galettes (here's an example) Erin's planner! Magnolia candles Lotta from Stockholm Low Wood Clogs My rekindled enjoyment of sewing! (on my to-try list) Become a patron: Support this podcast + get access to The WRLD at Home! Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email! For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here

Continuing our summer series, What’s Saving My Life, this time it's Haley's turn! Girlfriend is due with baby #4 in about two weeks, and is also dealing the delightful 100+ degree days of central Texas. Grace and peace to her. Links From This Episode: Haleys blog, Carrots for Michaelmas Haley on Instagram and Twitter Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter Arnold Palmer: half lemonade, half iced tea (try it in popsicle form!) Thoughts of Dog on Twitter Lily's sugar-free dark chocolate chips Voxer Women’s Work, my other podcast Become a patron: Support this podcast + get access to The WRLD at Home! Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email! For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here

Because we're taking some time off from work this summer, we thought it'd be fun to give you a low-key, easy series for July: What's Saving My Life. This is always a fan favorite, where I talk with each of my co-hosts about the little things that are making our lives just a bit happier and brighter right now. First up? Stephanie, who's currently out and about, exploring Eastern Europe with her fam. Enjoy! Links from This Episode: Stephanie on Instagram Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter Steph's face routine: Andalou Naturals' Argan Stem Cell Benefit Balm + Eau Thermale Montbrun UV Moisturizing Cream (similar) + Witch Hazel All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr Everyone Brave is Forgiven, by Chris Cleave The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and A Great War, by Joseph Loconte #LiteraryLondon! Learn more here Fat bombs Women’s Work, my other podcast Become a patron: Support this podcast + get access to The WRLD at Home! Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email! For any links and

Before we get going on our next deep-dive series (starting next week), I thought it'd be fun to give you a little sneak peek at what I'm doing behind the scenes right now in Patreon. It's called The WRLD at Home — where WRLD stands for Watch, Reed, Listen, and Do.  I'm having a ton of fun creating this side project, so here's a preview behind the curtain at what I'm sharing with the patrons! (Each WRLD episode is short, so what you've got here is actually two episode drops, back-to-back.) Enjoy! Links From This Episode: Become a patron and get access to The WRLD at Home! The Cuba episode from Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter Women’s Work, my other podcast Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email! For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here

We’re wrapping up this series on making the most of our summer — even as adults — by me tapping into Kendra’s wheelhouse this time. In the last episode, I helped her prep for a family road trip. In this one? She’s helping me think through a dinner party. Because our house is still fixer-upper mode, but I don’t want that to stop us from having friends over. Kendra’s got a fun take on the basic idea of a “dinner” party… You’ll see what I mean. Links from this Episode: Kendra’s blog + podcast, The Lazy Genius Collective Kendra on Instagram Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter The Lazy Genius Summer Survival Guide Women’s Work, my other podcast Become a patron: Support this podcast + get access to The WRLD at Home! Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email! For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here

Keeping on in our series on making the most of our summer — beyond just making them fun for kids — for the next two episodes, Kendra and I each tap into our wheelhouses and help each other. First up... I'm helping Kendra prep for her family's summer vacation. She admits they don't travel much, and well — we do quite a bit. So in this chat, you'll hear me walk her through the ins and outs of packing, roadtripping, and guesthouse life. Most of all, we get into the most important key to successful family travel: mindset. Because if you go in thinking it'll be just like traveling with only adults, you'll be in for a surprise. But if you're willing to embrace the reality of travel with kids, you might find it's more fun than you imagined. Links From This Episode: Kendra’s blog + podcast, The Lazy Genius Collective Kendra on Instagram Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter The Lazy Genius Summer Survival Guide My travel memoir, At Home in the World Literary London! Women’s Work, my other podcast Become a patron: Suppo

Continuing our series on grown-upping the summer, this time Kendra and I talk about work. Because sure, it’s summer, but also, we’re adults with jobs and stuff. As self-employed types, we talk about how we get work done with kids in the house — hers are a bit younger, so she shares juggling toddlers and young school-age kiddos, while my oldest is now 13 and I can attest: it makes allllll the difference now in my own work life. Basically, what I’m saying to the working parents with tinies at home is: before you know it, it most likely will get easier. I’ve been exactly where you are and thought it’d never happen. It’s still a challenge for me, though, so I share how expectations make or break me when it comes to getting work done in the summer. Plus, there’s a newer pressure I didn’t feel a few years ago when everyone was smaller: I’ll blink, and kids will start leaving the house. So family-bonded summers actually feel more important than ever right now. Links From This Episode: Kendra’s blog + podcast, The

Summertime isn’t just for kids or students! Kendra and I start a new series here on how we can make the most out of our own summers, even if we’ve got kids at home, or even if not much as changed in our working day-to-day. In this first installment, we talk about bucket lists… in that’s fun to have our own. Sure, we make one with the kids, but who’s to say we can’t do our own? It all comes down to reasonable expectations — no remodeling the entire house or spontaneous 3,000 mile road trips here.  Kick off the summer with us! This is a fun series. Links From This Episode: Kendra’s blog + podcast, The Lazy Genius Collective Kendra on Instagram Tsh (me) on Instagram and Twitter The Lazy Genius Summer Survival Guide Put on that swimsuit, by our friend, Jessica Women’s Work, my other podcast Become a patron: Support this podcast + get access to The WRLD at Home! For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here