A Beautiful Mess Podcast
Elsie + Emma are sisters and co-founders of the top DIY blog — A Beautiful Mess. They have written over seven thousand blog posts, so it seemed like a good time to start a podcast! The sisters have a lot to say on everything from home and DIY to family life and business. Visit abeautifulmess.com/podcast for show notes.
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#309: Chatty Listener Questions Episode
07/20/2026
#309: Chatty Listener Questions Episode
This week we're digging into all kinds of interesting topics listeners emailed us about from body image and the glow up to being the best aunt and even some home decor topics. It's random but it's fun! Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Be prepared to save yourself a ton of time and money — just go to and tell it what you’re looking to buy. Questions we answer: What are you doing for a “Summer Glow Up”? Has retiring from influencing affected your relationship with the way you look? Do you have any tips on how to be a great aunt? What do I do with an heirloom crib that I’m no longer using? How do I renovate without losing the history of my house? If your life was a sitcom what would your genre tags be on Netflix? You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#308: Designing Your Dream Life
07/13/2026
#308: Designing Your Dream Life
This week we're chatting about creating a dream life schedule that includes routines and rituals that work together to create a highly customized DREAM LIFE. We love this subject and I think it's something that can really help us through this current season of life and can help a lot of our listeners. Consider it a group project. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Download the Bilt app and join the membership for where you live, at Get an exclusive 20% off their first order at Designing a dream life: Declutter phase Brainstorming and trying out dream routines Experiment until it's perfect Make small tweaks each season. Book Report: Emma: Elsie: You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#307: Mini Comforts
07/06/2026
#307: Mini Comforts
This week we're chatting about small, free or inexpensive comforts you can employ to fix a bad day. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: You can try their products and support our show by going to Just head to and use code [MESS] to get 40% OFF your order. Mini Comforts: Elsie: Making garlic parmesan noodles. Watching Knives Out or another comfort movie. Watching Twilight with my kids (has to be raining). Wandering a Flea Market Taking a walk to peep the Little Free Libraries (or drop books off) Emma: Bake something Going thrifting Get outside Clean something out Do a random art project Book Report: Emma: Elsie: You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#306: Disney Mom Episode
06/29/2026
#306: Disney Mom Episode
This week we’re sharing all things Disneyland and Disneyworld with children including our best advice for keeping magical vibes, favorite traditions, special foods and things we’ve learned from almost ten years of visiting Disney with small kids. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Go to to finally feel confident about what to buy Favorite things to do/ traditions: Small World Get every kind of snack possible Bibbidi bobbidi boutique Meal with characters Book Report: Emma: Elsie: You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#305: Business Ideas (Past, Present & Future)
06/22/2026
#305: Business Ideas (Past, Present & Future)
This week we’re sharing stories from our past businesses, updates on our current ventures and dream business ideas we’re still saving for the future. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Get 57% Off and a Free Gift with code MESS at Head to right now to shop all things home. Businesses we talk about: Emma’s Cupcake / Bubble Tea Shop Elsie’s Scrapbook Product Line Emma’s Bar Querying The Golden Bakery Book Report Emma: Elsie: You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#304: Poolside Books
06/15/2026
#304: Poolside Books
This week we’re sharing our Poolside book recommendations as well as Elsie’s favorite hot takes. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Get at least 15% off any annual membership at Get 10% off + free shipping at Elsie’s Pollside Books: Emma’s Poolside Books: You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#303: Best Date Night Ideas
06/08/2026
#303: Best Date Night Ideas
This week we’re sharing our favorite date night ideas including date nights at home and a listener topic about the trend of romanticizing everything. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at Elsie’s Favorite date nights: Movie Double date Concert Weekend getaway Emma’s Favorite date nights: Fancy Dinner Festival Mini golf Book store Ax throwing Karaoke Elsie’s Favorite date nights in: Movie Nights Fancy takeout at home Sitting on the porch hot tub or night swim walk around the neighborhood You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#302: Top 3 Places We’ve Visited
06/01/2026
#302: Top 3 Places We’ve Visited
This week we’re sharing the top places we’ve visited as well as places we thing might be overrated and a listeners hot take on faux plants. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: You can try their products and support our show by going to Elsie’s Best Places: Paris New Orleans Venice/Florence Emma’s Best Places: Norway Iceland Switzerland Elsie’s Overrated Places: Nashville LA Emma’s Overrated Places: Mexico Elsie’s best trip before kids: Palm Springs Emma’s best trip before kids: LA Elsie’s best trip with kids: Disney Emma’s best trip with kids: Costa Rico You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#301: Comfort Objects
05/25/2026
#301: Comfort Objects
This week we’re discussing comfort objects- little things that bring inordinate comfort into our lives. We’re also sharing our cozy rituals and ideal way to spend a day. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Go to and get up to 32% off your first subscription order today! Use code MESS to get up to 57% Off at Elsie’s comfort objects: Hoodies and quilts A blank journal Books / Library ladder Emma’s comfort objects: Cardigans Bedside books Couch blanket You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#300: Summer Bucket List
05/18/2026
#300: Summer Bucket List
This week we’re sharing what’s on our Summer bucket list and discussing a hot take about shoe-free rules in homes. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Get 15% off at Go to to finally feel confident about what to buy Elsie’s Summer Bucket List: Family vacation to New England Summer Reading Goals Teaching kids basic skills Establish a family movie night Draft a new novel Emma’s Summer Bucket List: On Sabbatical Family night in Branson Make a digit collage project Take a trip with her husband Clean out kids’ toys and books You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#299: Yesteryear & What Kind of Genius are You?
05/11/2026
#299: Yesteryear & What Kind of Genius are You?
This week we’re discussing Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and taking a quiz on what kind of genius we are. We’ll also chat about a listener hot take on whether or not kids should be taught euphanisms. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Get 10% off + free shipping at The 6 Types of Genius: Wonder Discernment Invention Enablement Galvanizing Tenacity You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#298: The Five Minute Practice that Changed my Life (with guest Katie Day)
05/04/2026
#298: The Five Minute Practice that Changed my Life (with guest Katie Day)
This week we are joined by our bestie Katie Day who is here to share the five minute practice that changed her life. We'll also discuss a hot take about white tennis shoes. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Katie’s 5 minute practice: Get water 3 things you are grateful for First person goal Connect with Katie: Go to to join the Habit Lab with discount code MESS You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#297: What it's really like working with family
04/27/2026
#297: What it's really like working with family
This week we're getting honest about what it's really like working with family. We've been working together since our early 20s and people always ask how we do it so today we're spilling the tea. We're also discussing what we're reading and a hot take about long vs short books. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Use code [MESS] to get up to 57% Off at Biggest Pro: Time spent together Biggest con: More risk to the relationship Book Report: Elsie: Emma: You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#296: Books That Changed How We See the World
04/20/2026
#296: Books That Changed How We See the World
This week we're talking about the books that genuinely shifted how we see the world — not just 5 star reads, but the ones that rewired our thinking and books we still find ourselves talking about years later. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Make sure to go to and get up to 32% off your first subscription order today! Just use code [MESS] for 15% off the Premium Starter Kit at . Elsie’s books: Emma’s books: Nonfiction Bonus: Elsie: and Emma: Book Report: Elsie: Emma: You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#295: Millennial Time Capsule
04/13/2026
#295: Millennial Time Capsule
This week we’re entering a world in which there are no iPhones, no internet, no apps, no online shopping, no social media no steaming and no smart tech of any kind. Yes: We’re traveling to a land where you get advice from magazines, information from encylopedias and to speak to someone you must pick up the phone and dial numbers. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Things we miss: magazines (specifically at Borders bookstore) malls in the 1900s AOL chat maps phone books phone calls on land lines listening to an album start to finish on the day it came out scheduling your entire life around your favorite tv show no one being about to reach you Toys R Us (is an amazon childhood) computer lab GUILTY PLEASURE TREASURE Elsie: Traitors Emma: Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#294: Developing Your Signature Style
04/06/2026
#294: Developing Your Signature Style
This week we’re talking about how to develop your creative palette and style without being derivative. This is a subject that applies across different creative practices from art to writing and even how you dress or decorate your home. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Try their products and support our show by going to Steps to develop your creative palette: Step one: Develop your taste (Be a fan! Appreciate art!) Step two: MAKE DERIVITIVE WORK (keep doing so until your own style emerges) Step three: Keep developing, keep growing, keep making (to infinity & beyond) BOOK REPORT You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#293: Vision Board and 5 Year Plan
03/30/2026
#293: Vision Board and 5 Year Plan
In this week’s episode we’re diving into how to make vision boards and 5 year plans. If you’re in the mood to think about your goals and dreams, you’re in the right place. We’re also answering some listener questions and engaging in a Hot Take Debate about whether romantic comedies are actually the worst. How to make a vision board: Create different categories for your goals (family, work, fitness, etc) Write in present tense Get pictures from the internet or magazines “We overestimate what we can do in a day, but we underestimate what we can do in a year.” Check out Remit Sethi’s books: You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#292: Spring Bucket List
03/23/2026
#292: Spring Bucket List
In this week’s episode we’re sharing our Spring Bucket List since it’s officially the first week of Spring. It’s still pretty cold where we live, so a lot of this is wishful thinking, but it’s fun to plan things to look forward to. We’re also sharing an extra hot Hot Take Debate about kids and iPads. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Head to Wayfair dot com right now to shop all things home. Elsie: Get new hair & general glow up for the joy of it Read all the Brontë novels Start buying fresh flowers & practicing making little arrangements Paint all the time Finish our Mouse Mansion! Emma: Easter baskets Decorate entry way Refresh fairy garden Start walking outside again Wallpaper the kitchen You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#291: Work from Home Stories
03/16/2026
#291: Work from Home Stories
In this week’s episode we’re talking about the highs and lows working from home and how we balance our career dreams with raising young children. We’ve got several great listener questions to cover and we’ll share an extra hot Hot Take Debate. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Go to and use my promo code MESS at checkout to get 30% off sitewide Just use code [MESS] for 15% off the Premium Starter Kit at Our home work spaces: Elsie - Uses her sunroom as her art studio and moves around to different spaces in her house with her laptop Emma - Extra bedroom is office, sometimes works from coffee shop or library Pros and cons of working from home: Pros - Good way to keep life balanced Cons - Lots of distractions How you deal with distractions: Set timer to get tasks done Time boxing Use a reward system Book Reports: Elsie: Emma: HOT TAKE DEBATE Anne: Here's my hot take: we don't need any more movies based on books. They're different mediums! Let books be books and movies be movies. I want to see more movies that were written to be MOVIES and tailored to that medium, written to take advantage of all the cool things you can do onscreen. Same for books: I want more authors to take advantage of the cool things you can do in a book that you CAN'T do onscreen. I've read books that felt like they secretly wanted to be screenplays. Play to the strengths of your medium! No more crossing the streams! A Joke & A fact with Nova. You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#290: Life Changing Mindset Shifts
03/09/2026
#290: Life Changing Mindset Shifts
This week, we're talking about mindset shifts that changed our lives. Sometimes, before your life can change, your perspective has to change first. We're also doing a rapid fire hot take debate with a bunch of listener submitted hot takes. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Mindset Shifts: What’s the best that could happen? Why not me? Cheer for yourself like you would others Practice being an optimist We overestimate what we can get done in a day but we underestimate what we can get done in a year Learn to see patterns, possibilities and opportunities You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#289: How To Start Over When You Fail
03/02/2026
#289: How To Start Over When You Fail
This week we're talking about the inevitable experience of failure and how to hone the skill of starting over. Setbacks can be crushing, but they only turn permanent if you quit. In this episode, we're sharing our own vulnerable failure stories and the things that have helped us to get back on our feet. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Try their products and support our show by going to Mindset shifts: Sometimes you have to quit no one owes you anything BOOK REPORT Emma: Elsie: You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#288: Winter Comforts We Rely On (a snowed-in episode)
02/23/2026
#288: Winter Comforts We Rely On (a snowed-in episode)
This week we're sharing winter comforts that reliably get us through our least favorite season of the year. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Head to and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in network psychiatrist in just a few minutes Winter Comforts: Elsie: Books in bed! Emma: Snow Suit Elsie: Hot water - tea, coffee, apple cider, hot toddies, hot tubs, and bathes Emma: Daydream, redecorate, and organize your house Elsie: Go out with friends. (get out of the house!!) Emma: Game of fire, cozy life Guilty Pleasure Treasure: Elsie: Christopher Nolan movies Emma: Turkish Delights and Vanilla powder from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Book Report: Elsie: Emma: You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#287: Comfort Rewatch - Empire Records
02/16/2026
#287: Comfort Rewatch - Empire Records
This week, we're watching the 1995 classic Empire Records. We're also doing a hot take debate about technological advances, and we're bringing back our segment guilty pleasure treasure. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Go to and use promo code MESS at checkout to get 30% off sitewide Head to right now to shop all things home. Guilty Pleasure Teasure: Elsie - American Funyuns Emma - American Oreos You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#286: Core Values
02/09/2026
#286: Core Values
This week we are discussing core values. We'll share our results from the Values Bridge quiz, as well as our thoughts on how defining core values can improve your life. And in our hot take debate, we're discussing separating art from the artist and rounding it out with whether or not we refrigerate our butter. All the important things that you need to know. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#285: Midlife Crisis But Make it Fun
02/02/2026
#285: Midlife Crisis But Make it Fun
In honor of Emma's 40th birthday, this week we're doing an official midlife crisis episode. Our experiences didn't go exactly like the movies, and we have a lot to discuss. It’s going to be fun! Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Try their products and support our show by going to Head to and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in network psychiatrist in just a few minutes. Guilty Pleasure Treasure: Emma: Elsie: Watch a period piece while on period You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#284: Tips for New Writers
01/26/2026
#284: Tips for New Writers
We get a lot of questions from people starting on their very first novel. So in this week's episode, we're giving you all the advice that we wish we could time travel back and give ourselves on the day we started our first novels. There's so much writing advice out there, and no matter who you are, it's not all going to work for you. So in this episode, we'll share things to think about and consider as you plot and plan to begin a draft of your very first novel. And the bottom line is, you can do it, and we are here to cheer you on. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: You can try their products and support our show by going to Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Head to right now to shop all things home Tips for new writers: Give yourself a writing assignment Just write your first novel Immerse don’t tell Read Get really comfort drafting unpolished Be a joyful student Invest a lot of time in ideation Learn about the business of publishing Your writing routine matters Resources: You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#283: Learning Something New
01/19/2026
#283: Learning Something New
This week we're discussing big and small things we want to learn. This episode is a great space for brainstorming. If you've been thinking that you'd like to pick up a new hobby. We're each discussing five big and small things that we'd like to learn in the near future. And we're also doing a hot take debate on the topic of plastic treat bags at children's birthday parties. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Start saving money with today Go to and use my promo code MESS at checkout to get 30% off sitewide 5 Things we want to learn Emma: Learn Spanish Play piano Learn to write microfiction Cooking and recipes Painting Elsie: Water Marbling Writing poetry Classical painting lessons Make 3 Ina Garten recipes Book binding Book Report: Emma - Elsie - You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#282: The Lost Arts
01/12/2026
#282: The Lost Arts
This week we're talking about Elsie's new newsletter, why newsletters are sometimes even better than blogs, and our advice for how to make your newsletter stand out if you're starting your own. We are also going to be debating a listener hot take that's about homeschooling. Thank you to this week’s sponsor: Head to and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in network psychiatrist in just a few minutes. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Check out Elsie’s newsletter: Check out Elise’s newsletter: What will the newsletter be: Cozy Curious Photos of crafts and things she’s making Stories and essays Life updates Entertaining What the newsletter won’t be: Writing DIYs Not written by AI You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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#281: Winter Bucket List
01/05/2026
#281: Winter Bucket List
This week we're sharing our winter bucket lists (aka how to survive the cold season if you live in a region like we do). We'll also be debating a hot take that personally makes Elsie’s blood boil. Let's jump in! Check out Emma Always have a candle burning and always make tea with dinner Organize library room Go room by room and clean and organize all the closets and cabinets in her home Work through reading all of her craft book stash Bake herself a birthday cake Elsie Declutter year - eliminate ALL the clutter in her home Paints are always out this time of year Old movie bucket list Start a new photography era Thrifting and flea markets (going more frequently this year) You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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Bonus: Nova’s Meditations
12/31/2025
Bonus: Nova’s Meditations
We just wanted to wish you a wonderful Christmas or holiday, and we decided to put together a supercut of all of Nova's meditations, just for fun, because they bring us so much joy. Thank you for being here all year, and we're so excited to keep going into the new year. You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.
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