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Crystal Paine Show

Crystal Paine Show

Written by: Crystal Paine
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The Crystal Paine Show is dedicated to helping you embrace life right where you are and take practical steps to get where you want to go. Crystal says, "My hope is that this podcast will serve as an inspiration to your week, a pause in your day to slow down and reflect a little, a looked-forward-to part of your weekly routine, a place where we can connect on a deeper level… and ultimately, my desire is that you come away from listening to each episode feeling motivated to bloom where you are planted and take intentional steps to move in the direction you are longing to go." Crystal is a wife, mom of 6, foster/adoptive mom, speaker, New York Times bestselling author, and online entrepreneur, best known for founding MoneySavingMom.com.

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Episodes
  • 336: The Life-Changing Art of Self Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren

    336: The Life-Changing Art of Self Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren
    Feb 17 2026
    I have been eagerly looking forward to doing this episode ever since I got my hands on Dr. Lee Warren’s new book, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery. The title alone had Jesse asking, “Wait… self-brain surgery?” Honestly, I actually had the same thought, but what Lee shares in this conversation completely blew me away. He is a brain surgeon, and he has discovered that the same principles he uses in the operating room can be applied by each of us to literally change our own brains - via our thoughts!Most of what runs through our minds every day is false, negative, or repetitive, keeping us stuck, but when we intentionally practice new ways of thinking, we can rewire our brains in real time and reshape the life that follows, and, in this episode of The Crystal Paine Show, Lee and I talk about why our culture often convinces us that we are powerless to change, why 80% of our thoughts are false, and how the simple act of noticing and choosing our thoughts can literally transform our neurochemistry, our bodies, and our perspective!Lee and I dive into practical tools - from prayer and meditation to quiet reflection - that help filter out the noise and build mental habits that help make us calmer, more resilient, and more intentional. We also explore the deeply human side of change - the grief, loss, and impossible days that can feel like they could crush us. Listen in as Lee shares his personal story of losing his son and welcoming a grandchild on the same day and how recognizing that two truths can exist at once (joy and sorrow) was life-giving and transformative.Tune in this week and see how science and scripture beautifully reinforce each other and how small, consistent actions can rebuild your mind, your habits, and your hope. If you have ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or powerless to change your thoughts and your life, then this episode will very likely challenge you, encourage you, and give you hope that real change isn’t just possible; it’s built into how you’re wired!As always, please feel free to reach out! I would love to hear your thoughts!In This Episode[0:35] - Welcome to the show, Dr. Lee Warren, author of The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery![1:13] - Lee argues that our thoughts physically influence our brains, giving us real agency over our lives.[4:46] - It's important to pause to examine thoughts because doing so allows for rational thinking to replace fear and rewires healthier habits.[7:21] - I reflect on how replacing false, negative thoughts with truth changed my brain, behavior, and parenting.[8:31] - What we focus on filters our perception, giving us responsibility over how life appears to us.[10:56] - Lee explains how consistently practicing positive focus rewires the brain - building calm, wise, and grounded habits.[14:38] - Lee argues that healing ultimately comes from focusing on the future, not dwelling on past trauma or suffering.[18:02] - Trauma breaks beliefs, not you, and small courageous actions retrain the brain for resilience![21:31] - Lee has learned how deep sorrow and real beauty can exist simultaneously, revealing hope even in darkness.[24:10] - I point out how many face a pit of grief where summoning the strength to act feels impossible.[25:07] - Hear how, for Lee, necessity forced action, showing how focused thoughts instantly change neurochemistry and emotional response.[28:28] - Lee explains how changing your thoughts intentionally produces real-time brain and body changes, proving that mental rewiring is literal.[30:05] - Lee and I discuss how you can only control your own responses and perspective, not others or circumstances.[31:45] - Ultimately, you can only control yourself, not others or circumstances.[33:19] - Lee reminds us that emotions are chemical events, not facts, and controlling your thoughts directs your emotional response.[35:22] - Recognizing your agency in daily choices shifts perspective and builds gratitude for what you can control.[36:35] - Lasting change requires lifelong practice and retraining learned patterns to create healthier mental habits!Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineBooksThe-Life Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery: Connecting Neuroscience and Faith to Radically Transform Your Life by W. Lee Warren, MDSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Armoire: https://armoire.style/CRYSTALAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    39 mins
  • 335: My Grandma Hobbies Era

    335: My Grandma Hobbies Era
    Feb 10 2026
    This week on The Crystal Paine Show, I want to talk about something that has unexpectedly changed my life this year - what I jokingly call my “grandma hobbies era.” When I first shared that phrase online, it stirred up more feelings than I ever expected. Some people really loved it, but some were really bothered by it. For me, it’s a playful way to describe something deeply meaningful: choosing activities that slow me down, calm my body, and help me feel present again!Two years ago, if I had heard myself talking about puzzles, watercoloring, baking, or crocheting a scarf, I probably would have thought something had gone very wrong. Back then, my life was full of adrenaline, constant urgency, and never-ending to-do lists. I didn’t realize how tightly I was living until I started to loosen my grip, and with the encouragement of my functional medicine doctor, I began intentionally creating space - working fewer hours, building in white space, and letting go of the need to always be “on,” and in that space, I found myself drawn to simple, creative things that didn’t demand anything from me other than just my attention.Listen in this episode as Jesse and I open up honestly about what it has been like to step out of fight mode and learn how to rest, and I share how scary it felt to reduce my work hours as the CEO of a company, how much anxiety that stirred up, and how it revealed an idol of control that I hadn't even realized I had. I also share the surprising ways that God met me in that place - financially, emotionally, and spiritually - when I ultimately chose to trust instead of hustle.Jesse and I also talk about what it feels like when your calendar finally has breathing room, when your to-do list doesn’t fill the page, and when people start to feel like opportunities instead of interruptions. We laugh about puzzles, sourdough, and my very flexible relationship with recipes, but even more than that, we talk about what it means to live from a calmer place and show up more fully to the people and work we love!Please tune in this week, especially if you are tired, running on adrenaline, or craving a slower, richer way to live. Maybe it’s time to find your own version of a “grandma hobby.” I hope that this conversation encourages you, and, as always, I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to reach out!In This Episode[0:35] - This episode is about how the phrase “grandma hobbies” is a playful, positive term for calming activities that have unexpectedly improved my life![3:07] - I talk about how leaning into energizing “grandma hobbies” helps me re-regulate my nervous system and move out of constant fight mode.[6:44] - Jesse and I discuss how living constantly in fight-or-flight exhausts the body because it was designed only for short-term survival.[7:30] - I explain how calming, repetitive hobbies redirect my focus and gently regulate my nervous system without adrenaline or urgency.[9:42] - I reflect on how letting go of rigid rules revealed how I was addicted to adrenaline and uneasy with newly open space.[11:11] - Hear how cutting back hours exposed my fear, control, and misplaced belief that success depended solely on me.[14:40] - I argue how choosing trust over hustle showed me that rest, not control, leads to freedom.[17:26] - Hear how working less has made my life richer, calmer, and more present across work, relationships, and creativity.[20:28] – Jesse and I talk about how working fewer hours has improved my energy, sleep quality, and overall well-being by preventing constant exhaustion.[21:31] - Jesse and I discuss how intentional stillness via simple, calming activities helps restore awareness, reduce stress, and regulate the nervous system![24:36] - I am finding that simple creative hobbies create space, restore calm, and help me show up with joy and love!Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on Instagram (@crystaliscleaning)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on TwitterCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Armoire: https://armoire.style/CRYSTALAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    28 mins
  • 334: Don’t Burn Your House Down with Lindsey Maestas

    334: Don’t Burn Your House Down with Lindsey Maestas
    Feb 3 2026
    Several years ago, Lindsey Maestas challenged me to see Jesse not as another task on my never-ending list but rather as a person again - a moment that stuck with me, and in this season of raising a big family and carrying a lot of weight, I realized how easily my marriage had slipped to the back burner. So for this episode, I invited Lindsey on to talk about what it really looks like to choose your marriage when life is busy or you are tired, hurting, or feeling like life is difficult.Using her book Don’t Burn Your House Down as the basis of our conversation, Lindsey and I talk about the quiet disappointments that build up such as when a gift feels impersonal or you feel completely unseen and why those moments often point to deeper needs, not deal-breakers. Lindsey shares why love doesn’t “just happen,” how unspoken expectations create distance, and what to do when your spouse hears your requests as criticism or failure. We uncover the anxious–avoidant cycle, the danger of keeping emotional receipts, and why fighting fire with fire only burns the house down even faster.One of my favorite parts of this episode is honestly when we shift away from heavy conversations and talk about rebuilding friendship. Laughter, play, small acts of service, and even silly moments can soften hearts in ways that words sometimes can’t, and Lindsay explains the power of what she calls “micro attractions” - the tiny daily choices that quietly say, “I see you.” We also talk about why trying to change your spouse almost never works and how real change begins when you look honestly at yourself.This conversation is for anyone who feels lonely in their marriage, overwhelmed by life, or just wants to build a stronger marriage. It’s not about pretending things are fine but rather about choosing hope, humility, and connection again, even when it feels easier to quit.In This Episode[0:35] - Join me in welcoming Lindsey Maestas, author of Don’t Burn Your House Down![2:34] - Lindsey believes that love and connection in marriage require daily, intentional choices, even during difficult periods.[4:30] - Despite struggles, couples can find hope, tools, and renewed commitment in marriage.[7:29] - Lindsey has seen how small daily disappointments reveal deeper needs for care, attention, and consideration.[9:20] - While you can't change my spouse, you can choose to love and communicate well.[11:48] - Lindsey has learned that conflict often stems from unspoken expectations, and clarity requires open explanation.[14:15] - Our anxious–avoidant patterns trap us, and breaking them requires addressing and naming the cycle.[17:05] - Lindsey asserts that rebuilding friendship, play, and shared joy often reconnects hearts more than repeated conversations.[20:16] - I add how, amid daily chaos, couples need to remember to nurture joy and play in their marriage.[21:14] - Hear how fighting fire with fire fuels resentment, whereas forgiveness and grace restore connection.[24:19] - Ultimately, marriage reveals our flaws and calls us to become more like Christ.[27:14] - Shifting expectations from spouse to God relieves pressure and highlights small acts of love.[29:02] - Lindsey explains how micro gestures such as noticing, serving, and affirming help build the strongest foundation in marriage.[32:00] - Lindsey points out how letting go of resentment can lead to relational growth.[34:00] - Becoming our best selves honors God, strengthens marriage, and revitalizes energy and joy.Links & ResourcesCrystal PaineBooksDon’t Burn Your House Down: Prioritizing Your Marriage, Your Spouse, and Yourself for a Deeper Connection by Lindsey MaestasSocial MediaCrystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom)Crystal Paine on LinkedInCrystal Paine on GoodreadsMoney Saving MomMoney Saving Mom on FacebookMoney Saving Mom Deal Seekers Facebook groupcrystal@moneysavingmom.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Armoire: https://armoire.style/CRYSTALAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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    36 mins
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