To connect with Kate or Melissa head to : Kate: @thestreamlinedlife Melissa: wildair.blog Interested in the zero or low-waste lifestyle? Need some fresh inspiration to jumpstart your journey? In episode 58 of the Cohesive Home Podcast, Melissa chats with Lindsey McCoy, co-founder of Plaine Products, a sustainable, vegan, and non-toxic hair and body line. Lindsey shares her drive to start the company and practical ideas for living sustainably. In this episode: Companies to check-out for your zero-waste lifestyle:https://us.whogivesacrap.orgbrushwithbamboo.comdentallace.com Try Plaine Products and get 20% off your order with code “cohesivehome”. Head to plaineproducts.com to shop!   Follow Plain Products on Instagram @Plaineproducts

Interested in a more peaceful way of parenting and a simpler home experience for your children? In episode 57 of the Cohesive Home Podcast, Kate interviews Simone Davies, the Montessori teacher and blogger behind the popular website The Montessori Notebook, which helps families bring the Montessori Method into their daily life. She's also about to release her new book The Montessori Toddler, a positive parenting guide to raising little people. If you're scratching your head and asking, what's Montessori? You will learn so much from this episode. Even if you're familiar with the method, Simone shares so much wisdom and practical advice for implementing it in your home.     In this episode: What is the Montessori method?Simone's story and how she got started with itWhat inspired Simone to write The Montessori ToddlerHow parents can incorporate Montessori into their home and parentingThe benefits of the Montessori method, and how you can get them at home, even if you don't send your kids to one of the schoolsSimone's own take on living simply and her new interest in wabi-sabi   Where to find Simone: Instagram: @themontessorinotebook Web: themontessorinotebook.com

In episode 56 of the Cohesive Home Podcast, Kate and Melissa tackle a listener question about living intentionally.   A listener said “How do you all figure out how to live intentionally every day instead of reactively? I know what my values are, but I’m not sure how to be purposeful on a daily basis and actually living them. Listen on as we share our top 5 ways to be intentional in your days:    Know your values Set your non-negotiables Organize your days Be willing to say no Watch your mindset Thank you for listening to episode 56! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on iTunes or share it with a friend. Thank you so much to our sponsor, Care/of! Take advantage of this month’s special New Year offer! For 50% off your first month of personalized Care/of vitamins, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter "cohesivehome50".

Planners, goal setting, and habit shifts with Whitney English in episode 55 of the Cohesive Home Podcast. Whitney English, founder of Day Designer, a business strategist and creator of H.E.A.R.T. Goals, shares her story and wisdom with Kate.   In this episode: Whitney's story and how her business has changed over the yearsComparisons on social media and how to not let it affect youHow to keep your New Years Resolutions as well as think differently about themInnovative ways to shift habits and create new onesWhy it's important to focus on the journey instead of just the end  To connect with Whitney, you can find her:   @whitneyenglish   whitneyenglish.com

Has your family ever been in a total funk where life seems out of sync? In Episode 54 of the Cohesive Home Podcast, Kate and Melissa chat about a concept called soul fever, which happens when life gets overwhelming or something stressful happens. They share how to overcome it with kiddos, as adults, and also as a family. This episode is encouraging and practical and will inspire you to simplify and tighten your family bonds.   Talked about in this episode: * What's soul fever? * Kate's background as a Simplicity Parenting Family Life Coach. Work with Kate 1 on 1. * How to recognize soul fever in your kiddos and a solution to help them "heal" from it * What does soul fever look like in adults? * How Kate and Melissa deal with their own periodic soul fevers * Can a family unit experience soul fever at the same time? Yes! * Best tips for overcoming overwhelm to connect more as a family. * More about the book "Simplicity Parenting"     Thank you to our sponsor Audible! We recommend listening to "Simplicity Parenting" on Audible and let us know what you think! Audible, the most inspiring minds, the most compelling stories. The best place to listen. Get started with a 30-day trial when you go to audible.com/cohesivehome or text [cohesivehome] to 500500 and listen for a change.

Ever wish you could sit down with a financial expert and get practical advice? Well, we here you! In Episode 53 of the Cohesive Home Podcast, we invited Jessi Fearon, financial expert from Real Life on a Budget, to share her advice for being intentional with finances in 2019. Read on for more.   In this episode: Jessi's personal story with debt and how she conquered $55,000 of it and nearly has her house paid off How to live on a budget AND live by your values The first step you should take to start your debt pay-off journey How to communicate with a partner about money and her number one tip for approaching it in a positive way   Where you can find Jessi: Her Blog and Website Instagram Pinterest Facebook     A big thanks to Warby Parker for sponsoring the Cohesive Home Podcast. Get your stylish and affordable glasses for only $95 delivered straight to your door by heading to HERE to order your try on program today!!

How do you goal set for the New Year? In Episode 52 of the Cohesive Home Podcast, Kate and Melissa give you full access to their goal setting process by talking through 2019 LIVE. The two share their personal, family, and business goals as well as what worked and didn’t work in 2018. This episode is like sitting down with your girlfriends for a fun 2019 planning session; grab your paper and write down your goals too! In this episode: The major goal that Melissa knows she has to accomplish so she can meet her other goalsWhy 2018 was Kate’s best year yetMUTU - 12 week post-partum recovery program- mutusystem.comHow Kate plans to prioritize wellness in 2019 and the major mistake she’s made in the pastMelissa shares her family’s plans for 2019 and their next big moveWhy Kate and her family are choosing to live tiny for 2019Kate and Melissa’s business goals and how they hope to grow their side hustle You can find her candles at Blokeanddame.com What will Cohesive Home be upto in 2019? Listen to find out and subscribe to our newsletter to catch our survey going out at the end of the month. We need your help! Thank you to Cohesive Home sponsor Care/of. Care/of offers daily personalized vitamin packs with high-quality and researched backed ingredients. We love Care/of because their simple, 5 minute quiz makes choosing the right supplements for your individual needs so easy! Prioritize your health in 2019 by trying Care/of and save 25% using code “COHESIVE HOME.”

Already feeling stressed by the holidays? Need permission to simplify and celebrate in the way that is best for YOUR family? In this episode, Kate and Melissa share the ways they've uncomplicated their holiday celebrations and how to find traditions that feel right for yours. They also share about how to deal with family that doesn't agree with the way you celebrate and how to keep your values in mind when creating new traditions.   In this episode: > Why Kate and Melissa quit trying so hard > Simple traditions that won't wear you out > Let go of the social and family guilt to do more and be more > Do what's best for your family and forget what the world communicates to you about "perfect" holidays   For new episodes and resources, head to cohesivehome.com for more!

For Episode 50 of the Cohesive Home Podcast, we're welcoming Jennifer Pepito: homeschooling mom of 7 and owner of Peaceful Press, a homeschooling curriculum and resource shop to the show. Melissa and Jennifer chat about seasons of life and knowing when it's time to make a change, along with the steps they took to make those changes with a large family. Why she chooses essentialism over minimalism and living intentionally as a family while still creating memories together during the holidays.   Even if you're not a homeschooling family, we think you'll be inspired by this conversation and walk away with a few ideas to shape your cohesive home! Stay tuned till the end when she shares a discount code for one of her amazing products.    Connect with Jennifer: Peaceful Press website and Instagram Jennifer on Instagram

Do you know all the ways you can lead a simple life at home? In this episode of the Cohesive Home Podcast, Kate and Melissa share the 4 main ways you can live an intentional and minimal life. The two share about their experiences with capsule wardrobes, zero waste living, clearing their family schedules, and decluttering with plenty of wisdom and tips for your own simple living path! Read on for more:   What's your favorite way to live simply? Capsule wardrobes--for more listen to Episode 13: Minimalist Wardrobes Zero wasters--head to Episode 21 to hear our experiences with zero waste living. Interested in trying a zero-waste shampoo/conditioner/body wash option that Melissa LOVES? Check out Plaine Products and use code: PLAINELOVE for 10% off! Clearing out the family schedule-- head to Episode 06 for more! Decluttering--you know Kate and Melissa have so much to share on this topic! Get your fill by listening to: Episode 31: Change and Decluttering, Episode 34: Minimalism 5 Years Later, Episode 12: Newbie Decluttering Tips, and Episode 2: Generational Clutter.   Challenge: choose one of the above that you're a bit intimidated by and give it a try for 1 week. See if you can make some real, impactful change in your family's lives and email us with the results: hello@cohesivehome.com   Please leave a review on iTunes to let us know what you think of the show and share it with a friend; sharing is caring! Until next time.....

The Nester is in the (Cohesive) House! Join Kate and Melissa for a chat with Myquillin Smith, better known as the Nester, about how you can create your own Cozy Minimalist Home. You are going to love all of the tips and suggestions she offers.   In this episode: Kate and Melissa share about one of their favorite podcasts: the Friendlier Podcast with Sarah Kopper and Abby Olena, a show in which two incredibly related moms share their favorite recipes, books, and chat about the most relevant topics. It’s like listening to a conversation between two great friends and feeling part of their welcoming community! You can find more here: Listen to the podcast Find them on Instagram   Kate also shares about her newest venture, Streamlined Motherhood. Motherhood not filling your cup like you hoped? Wanting to actually thrive in motherhood instead of just survive? Kate is hosting her own podcast, offering resources, and 1:1 Motherhood Support Sessions to help you live a life that fills your cup! For more head here:   Listen to the podcast or find her on iTunes Get her Mama Wellness Guide and Video (sign-up required) Sign-up for your FREE 30 minute Motherhood Support Session   Melissa now has a YouTube channel! In this episode, she shares about her latest project and how she is creating resources to help support you and your family’s wellness through healthier habits, tricks, and encouragement. Help her reach 100+ followers by the end of this weekend by heading here:   Melissa’s YouTube channel (don’t forget to like and subscribe!) Melissa’s website Find her on Instagram   Interview with the Nester: Melissa spends some time chatting with Myquillin Smith, author and entrepreneur with an eye for creating beautifully imperfect homes. Her latest book, Cozy Minimalist Home, guides readers to creating their own simple, but welcoming space. Where to find the Nester:   Her website Buy her latest book “Cozy Minimalist Home” Follow her on Instagram   Thanks so much for listening to Episode 48 of the Cohesive Home Podcast. We would love for you to subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes!

Have you ever faced a really difficult decision about your kids? In episode 47 of the Cohesive Home Podcast, Melissa and Kate are bringing it with vulnerability and honesty, sharing how they handle difficult situations and decisions. Melissa opens up about her decision to stop homeschooling her kids and what's next for them. Kate shares how the launch of her podcast got pushed back by a death in her family and how she's dealing with both. This episode will help you feel encouraged and less alone in your struggles!   In this episode: Melissa shares why they stopped homeschooling and how she's processing that decision. Kate talks about her struggles recently and why routine matters. They both chat about ways to overcome struggles and make difficult, but needed decisions.   Thanks for listening to Episode 47! Please subscribe at cohesivehome.com and leave us a review on iTunes!

Homeschooling, planners, and fall routines for the win! Kate and Melissa are back fun and informative episode about how they are working the homeschooling in a small space life. Melissa shares about their transition to apartment living and Kate gives the lowdown on homeschooling in her home on wheels. The two also share their planner systems and how they organize their days. Read on for more.   In this episode: -- Melissa shares their homeschooling curriculum and the places they homeschool during the day. -- Kate real talks life in 200 sq. ft with three little kids and how she homeschools her 7 year old with a toddler underfoot. -- How to REALLY homeschool simply if you’re short on space and time. -- Free spirit Melissa’s super traditional way of tracking her days. -- Kate’s rebellious planner side and the one system she just can’t quit. For episodes, updates, and more, please subscribe on our website cohesivehome.com and receive our FREE guide “7 Steps to Your Cohesive Home.” Thanks for listening!

Has homemaking gotten a bad rap? In Episode 45 of the Cohesive Home Podcast, Melissa and Kate tackle the meaning of the word "homemaker" and update it for today's home creators. They share their own personal experiences with homemaking and their top tips for creating a home of your own, whether you live in a physical home, an apartment, or even a home on wheel; it all counts!   Covered in this episode: *The qualifiers to being a homemaker (big hint: there are none!) *Why you should embrace homemaking *Melissa announces their new home choice and why it's the perfect one for their family *Kate shares her greatest influence when it comes to her minimalist design sense *Melissa talks about how she was raised versus how she runs her own home *Tips for creating a home that is welcoming and fits your family *Why you should outsource *What's coming up this fall for Cohesive Home; a new series on intentional home design for raising families! *Melissa is going back to school for aromatherapy! Contact her with questions or to simply talk oils. *Kate shares her new podcast and upcoming re-launch of The Streamlined Life offering coaching and resources to help mamas to thrive in motherhood; stay tuned for more!   Thank you for listening to episode 45 of the Cohesive Home Podcast. Subscribe on our website for updates, announcements, and more!

Melissa and Kate are back from their epic break and jumping back into the podcasting saddle with Episode 44 of the Cohesive Home Podcast. In this episode the two share what life was really like behind the scenes and why a break from the podcast was a necessity. They dig into the value of rest and share the major life lessons learned from taking a step back. If you've ever wondered if your life has become too hectic, this episode will give you the courage to put yourself and your family first!   This episode was recorded from Melissa's Oklahoma bungalow and Kate's nomadic home on wheels so please excuse the ambient background rain.    Topics discussed:     --Kate and her family's transition to the full-time travel life --The number one reason why Kate took a step back from her overscheduled life --Kate shares the most crucial step to take to connect deeply with your kids --Melissa shares her family's big news and what it was like to work through an uninspiring season of life -- Why it's so important to find work you love and how this is changing Melissa and her husband's journey --Where you'll find Melissa's family next summer and why it's crucial to not let go of your dreams -- The value of deep rest and assessing your family's needs -- The big dream that Kate and Melissa have for Cohesive Home and are going to make happen in 2019   Thank you for listening to the Cohesive Home Podcast! Will you share it with a friend or leave a review on iTunes? Find us online at cohesivehome.com and Instagram @cohesive_home

In our first interview of 2018 Melissa chats with Grace Druecke of the Bali Market. She shares her inspiration behind her beautifully curated shop and minimalist living journey, as well as tips on how to bring calm and balance into your home. We hope you enjoy this episode! Visit The Bali Market Use discount code COHESIVEHOME for 20% off! Listen to our Less But Better | Bathroom episode.

No matter their age, all kids crave a space to call their own, whether it's a bunk in a shared room with siblings or their own bedroom. In EP 43, Kate and Melissa share their thoughts on creating kids spaces: from decluttering to design and function. If you have little people in your life, you'll enjoy this laidback chat about giving them a space of their own.    This episode is sponsored by one of our favorite go-to snacks for our kids: KIND bars. You can get your very own box of 10 bars for FREE, just pay shipping, and see why we love them so much. Head to kindsnacks.com/cohesivehome for all the details.    To catch the latest episodes and updates from Cohesive Home, head to cohesivehome.com to subscribe and thanks for listening!

Overcoming fears and chasing dreams: in episode 42 of the Cohesive Home Podcast, Melissa and Kate share step-by-step how to face down your fears and make progress toward your family's dream. The two unpack some of the hurdles you might face going after a dream and strategies to make it happen. They also share their own personal experiences with facing down fear and encouragement to help you do the same! Head to cohesivehome.com to subscribe for the latest podcast episodes and news. Mentioned in this episode: Keep Your Daydream YouTube and Podcast   Kate on Instagram: @thestreamlinedlife   Melissa on Instagram: @melissarisenhoover   Melissa's shop on Instagram: @blokeanddame

DISCLAIMER!! We talk about SANTA in this episode. Please do not listen with your children if you don't want any childhood dreams crushed. =) SECOND DISCLAIMER!! Melissa's mic didn't work in this episode so please ignore the sound quality and just know the content of this episode is really good...we promise you'll love it.    In episode 41 of the Cohesive Home podcast, Kate and Melissa chat about how, even with life getting in the way, they are trying to find peace this Christmas season. They talk gifts, Santa, and figuring out how simplicity and Christmas work together for their families. At the end Kate shares a fun life update for her family! Subscribe at cohesivehome.com for the latest updates, with new episodes every other Tuesday!

In Episode 40 of the Cohesive Home Podcast, Kate and Melissa revisit one of their favorite topics: food. In this follow-up to episode Episode 9 "Simple Family Food" the two talk about the latest in their personal food journeys, helpful resources, and thoughts for incorporating minimalism into your food philosophy. Listen on or read more below: Mentioned in this episode:   Oh She Glows cookbook by Angela Liddon   How Not to Die by Dr. Michael McGreger   Rich Roll Interview with Dr. Rhonda Patrick on Longevity, Epigenetics, Microbiome Health & The Difference Between Eating for Long-Term Wellness Versus Performance   Creative QT:  Spend $50 get the NEW Chore Sticks for FREE! Available at www.creativeqt.net on Black Friday thru Sunday, November 26.     Subscribe at cohesivehome.com for the latest updates, with new episodes every other Tuesday!