holderness family podcast

Learn

Helping Kids (And Us) with Failure

They say pressure makes diamonds, but how much pressure is too much for our kids? I am constantly wavering about being proud of my kids for good grades and feeling overwhelmed with how much work they have to do. The…

Read More
Learn

Beyond The Comfort Zone

I love my comfort zone. For me, I crave a spot on my couch with my dog on my lap and my family nearby. It’s cozy and safe and I’d stay there for weeks at a time if I didn’t…

Read More
Learn

Asking For A Friend (Literally)

I am finding myself, more and more, craving connection as I get older. I have the best, most loyal friends from different parts of my life but during the day-to-day, I think it’s safe to say: I need more friends. …

Read More
Learn

I’m Sorry For Saying Sorry

I probably say sorry, apologizing for my very existence, at least twenty times a day. Of course I want to take accountability if I run into someone at the grocery store or am running a few minutes late to a…

Read More
Learn

Happy Maycember (And Your Advice) 

Any parent with school-aged children can tell you how crazy the month of May is. Just like the month of December, the calendar is packed with activities, gatherings, and ceremonies. Except no presents, cookies, or twinkling lights.  So we call…

Read More
Learn

39 Life Skills Your Teen Needs To Know

We can’t escape it. Our kids, Lola and Penn Charles, are getting older. It feels like Penn and I are in the middle of our most important parenting years. There is so much they should learn before leaving the nest,…

Read More
Marriage

It’s Fine, But It’s Not Fine

I’m living in a bonus year. Yep, this year is a total freebie. You see, all last year I thought I was 47. If I had to fill out an application or paperwork, I confidently wrote “47” in the blank…

Read More
Learn

Anxiety, Imposter Syndrome, and Space Travel

Penn here.  One of our favorite things we create is our podcast. It’s a space where we can have conversations as a couple and interview people who teach us so much. It’s a space where I can let my “freak…

Read More
Learn

The Gift of Swedish Death Cleaning

When Penn’s parents had to move into a skilled nursing home for Alzheimer’s and dementia, we had the task of cleaning out their house. While I am normally the person who would throw away everything, I found myself getting very…

Read More
Marriage

If I Had To Parent All Over Again

So, funny story.  First, let’s get the TMI stuff out of the way. I’m deep into my 40s, but my monthly cycle has been very regular. (There’s a reason I’m telling you this, sit tight.) We took a trip to…

Read More