Life is crazy and chaotic. Sometimes you need to come back to what matters most, but you've got to know what those things are. And once you decide what is most important, you will naturally experience a more simplified life. What matters most? What can you remove from your plate? What is no longer serving you and your family well? These are all great questions that you can think through to help simplify your life. I am excited to share with you the 10 things I have done to simplify my life and how they have impacted me, my family, and my business.

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/041

Staying close to your spouse is hard. Especially if you’re balancing work and a million kids. There is no sugar coating it! But when we know the purpose of our marriage, it becomes easier to make our marriage a priority. It is about communication, setting a vision, having those tough conversations, and creating time for intimacy. Sure, the arguments will happen! But it is how we respond in them that matters.

Jennifer Smith is a wife and mama to 3 little ones (and another on the way!). Alongside her husband, she provides tons of resources for married couples navigating hardships in their marriage. Jen and her husband are honest and open with the things they have been through and strive to provide hope for those walking in the same challenges.

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/040

Everybody wants a peaceful home. I don’t think anybody would say, “I don’t want a peaceful home.” There’s two different sides of a peaceful home. One is intentionally setting your home up to be peaceful. But then sometimes, there is just stress. How can you, in the middle of a stressful day or tense afternoon, create a peaceful atmosphere? In this episode we’re going to cover both types of bringing peace into your home. I have worked really hard to set up a home that feels peaceful. In the way that I decorate. The way it’s laid out. The way I act as a mom. I have also come up with a handful of in-the-middle-of-stress peacemakers. Take a step back and ask yourself, “How do you feel when you walk into your home?” Take note of it. What could you change? What is it that you don't like? You should like the way you feel when you walk in the house!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/039

Like adults, kids need to feel like they belong. They need to feel powerful. They need to feel loved unconditionally, and they need to feel like they're valued. Compassionate + Effective Parenting (or Positive Parenting) is a style of parenting that highlights our kids’ needs so that they feel powerful, loved, and valued.

This parenting style helps us understand that when kids’ needs aren't met, it comes out as misbehavior. Misbehavior equals communication. When our kids are misbehaving, they're not just out to get us. They're not trying to tick us off. They are not trying to be naughty. Is it a part of their development to push boundaries? Absolutely. However, when we see it as communication and we try to help them communicate that in a healthy way, parenthood becomes more joyful. It becomes more about connection over correction. It becomes more about relationships and strengthening our day-to-day interaction with our kids.

Wendy Snyder is a Positive Parenting Coach who dedicates her life to helping parents navigate parenting through compassion, because it does beautiful things for families, and it does amazing things for kids too. She brings so much wisdom to the table in this episode! Enjoy!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/038

When people think of minimalism, I think most of them picture one couch in the living room, cold white walls, no TV, no toys, and plants hanging by the kitchen sink. That's not the point at all. Living with less doesn’t mean being deprived. It means looking at what is creating clutter and stress in your life.

Recently, Brian was away on a trip for a week. During that week, I was reminded how much I love the idea of minimalism and how much it has changed my life. It has given me the ability to take a deep breath and enjoy life more. And remember, minimalism is embracing the idea of less and questioning what you own and allow to take up your space and time. That is the key to changing your life.

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/037

Do you feel like you’re caught up in a war within your own self that you are never enough, yet too much when you are being your best self? I think we have all struggled with feeling that we’re not enough yet we are too much at the same time in many, many different areas of our life. Outside of this war within ourselves, there is also that same feeling from woman to woman. It’s like there’s a war amongst women of who’s better at this? Who’s good at that? I’m trying to be it all, do it all, and it’s exhausting, pointless and it’s not what we are called to.

Jess Connolly + Hayley Morgan join me in a raw + honest conversation around how we are always enough and never too much. How we are called to live from a place of confidence in who we are, while encouraging others to do the same.

Jess + Hayley are good friends who share a passion to lead other women in pursuing Christ and abundant life. They are mothers and business owners, and they co-authored the book Wild + Free, as well as their new book, Always Enough, Never Too Much.

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/036

I love doing these monthly Q+A’s for you guys! I get a lot of questions and when I notice the same questions coming in, I really enjoy answering them. One of the most common questions I get asked is why we decided to homeschool, how it has made our lives simpler/harder, and how it helps our family mission. I also share the items that make my life easier (especially as a mama!) and my tips on decision making. Grab some coffee and enjoy this month’s Q+A!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/035

Today is my 31st birthday! And I thought it would fun to let you guys get to know me a little bit better. This is a laid back quiz-style episode where Brian asks me the best of all the random questions submitted by my amazing Instagram followers last month, and I answer them on the spot. Get to know what my favorite things are, my family origin, my hidden talent … and everything in between. You guys asked, I answered. Let’s dive into this birthday Q+A!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/034

Kendra Hennessy is the founder of Mother Like a Boss, a good friend, and a cleaning system and routine extraordinaire. She is truly amazing and full of really simple tips when it comes to cleaning and setting up cleaning routines for yourself. Cleaning is something we, as moms, do every single day. But, when you make your cleaning routine systemized and rhythmic, you don't have to really think about it all the time and it doesn’t rule your life anymore.

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/033

An enough list outlines what is enough in your life so that you can focus on what is important and determine what is excess. It can be applied to every area of your life; from business to family, your health to your home. Enough lists cause you to ask yourself, what is “enough” in this area of my life? What is it that I'm called to do in this area of my life? When it comes to being a wife, what is it that I'm called to do here? When it comes to running my business, what am I really called to do here? Basically, these lists are a list of things that are the bare minimum. And as you focus on the “enough” in your life, you begin to see what is overwhelming you. Having my “enough list” has totally changed my life and empowered me to make solid decisions and I hope you find the same empowerment as you create your own enough lists!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/bonus3

Rebellion is seen as a cultural norm, but Rebecca Lindenbach begs to differ. Rebellion is not a mistake, it is a habitual behavior pattern. Yes, bad things can happen, but that doesn’t mean there isn't hope. In her book, Why I Didn’t Rebel, she shows how rebellion is not unavoidable and how it is often misunderstood. She offers incredible research partnered with her own story and the stories of others. Her foundation stems from reasons over rules, giving parents a new paradigm for raising kids who don’t go off the rails. Because rules create a power imbalance while reasons cultivate a healthy parenting relationship. Her book is the best parenting book I have read, so I know you will enjoy this episode!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/032

Living An Uncluttered Life goes beyond your physical possessions. It reaches out to other areas of your life such as your health, your calendar, your obligations, and even your friendships. What is this event doing for me? Is serving 3 days a week at this place bringing me joy? Does this person bring positivity or negativity to my life? Those are all questions we can ask ourselves as we start to live an uncluttered life. Bringing minimalism into these areas of our lives is so important and so healing. And by letting go of excess and removing what's not serving you, you are giving yourself space to have a more joy-filled life!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/031

One of the most commonly asked questions I receive is around how I structure my months, week, and days. How I find balance in all that I have going on. Where the business fits in. Where homeschooling fits in. Where personal stuff fits in. Housework and cooking. All that kind of stuff. Simply put, my answer is a flexible, batch-style schedule. I believe in having a rigid schedule set up but also believe you should be gracious and allowing yourself flexibility because that’s life. I am excited to share how I structure my schedule with you and hope that you find what works best for you!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/030

Perfectionism is something we all face at one time or another. As women, we take on this pressure to be the best at whatever do. We want to be the best at cleaning or cooking. We want to be the best athlete or entrepreneur. We want to be the best mom. We simply want to be the best and become perfectionists in the process. Jordan Dooley is a recovering perfectionist who is passionate about sharing her story of redemption. She is a full of wisdom when it comes to overcoming perfectionism and I hope you are encouraged by all she has to share on this episode.

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/029

When it comes to simplifying my laundry routine, my moto is this: one load a day keeps Laundry Mountain away. Laundry is such an integral chore and a part of our role as moms. It can feel endless and overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! If we can really simplify core areas of our lives (like laundry!), it will make everything so much easier. Simplification should never be over-complicated. So, laundry shouldn’t be either!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/028

A big part of what I do and talk about is toys and their effects on children. This is something that I have become really passionate about as I have evolved in doing what it is that I do. I have gone through lots of different seasons with toys with my kids. When it comes down to it, kids play much better with less options. Scientifically, their little brains can’t handle all those options. We think we are doing them a favor by giving them all these options and providing them with all the toys we didn’t have as kids, but really it is harming them. It is super difficult for their little brains to process all that and to make a choice from all of those options.

There is nothing depriving to your kids about giving them the gift of less material things. Children thrive on less. And what a gift that is for us as parents, not only financially, but also knowing that you are not going to scar your kids by removing some of this excess or getting rid of some of the stuff, the toys!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/027

It’s time for another Q+A! In this episode I am answering two questions I get asked a lot. “How I plan my week (with homeschool, work, house stuff, date night, etc.)?” And “How I teach my kids to develop a routine?” I love opening up the floor for you guys to ask questions! You always have such great questions + I want to be able to answer them for you. I hope you enjoy this months Q+A!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/026

If you have been on the internet for any amount of time, you have probably experienced negativity in some form. Whether it is directly toward you or you see it on someone else’s posts. There is negativity out there big time. It seems anytime you share something, someone will find a way to be offended by it or they will have something negative or irritating to say about it.

Negativity is never going to stop. It will always be there. But instead of trying to avoid it, we need to speak out truth. We need to live our best life and live how we are called to live. We need to set ourselves free from the weight of the opinions of other. Because when you stop letting negativity affect you, you’ve won.

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/025

For our family, we take it year by year when it comes to whether we homeschool our kids or send them to public school. And I get asked a lot about how we handle the transitions. It is such an adjustment for everyone. Sometimes the adjustment is easy + other times it is a little more challenging. In this episode I want to share my experiences with the transitions but also want to give you some tips on how to make public school or homeschool easier on you + your family. And remember that no matters what decisions you make about schooling for your kids, you are an amazing mother!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/bonus2

I absolutely love technology. I have a business that is ran through technology. I can capture memories with my family through the camera on my phone. I can connect with people all around the world whenever I want. But it can get out of hand. It can become a distraction from what really matters and from what is actually going on. Our phones are playing a huge role in absent-minded motherhood (you know, where you get lost in the scrolling on Instagram and Facebook instead of playing with your kids). There are so many excuses to not be paying much attention to what’s going on around us in real life. The phone is a distraction from real life, plain and simple. And we are raising a generation that will joke around about whose mom was staring at the square in her hand more often. That’s not what I want. I know it’s not what you want either.

I want to empower you when it comes to setting boundaries with your phone so you can live a present life. You are the only one that can make this choice. You can make the choice to be different from everyone else. To go against the grain. To swim upstream. Protect your time. Choose to focus on what matters.

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/024

Our family has gone through all kinds of seasons when it comes to room sharing. From putting all the boys together to turning our master bedroom into a room shared with 4 kids … we experienced it all! Room sharing fosters closeness. And you will find joy in watching them grow closer. One of my favorite things is listening to the kids giggle every night before bed. No matter how much they bickered during the day, they come together at the end of the day for bedtime. Sure, there are some challenges with room sharing! But I hope this episode helps you get creative with those challenges. The goal is to make your life simpler and easier, and to find what works for you!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/023

Running a business with your spouse is like an amped up version of being married. You are together all the time. You are having business meetings together, eating 3 meals a day together, watching the kids together, planning new content together. You do all of it together. And when you are used to being on your own it is weird to, all of the sudden, be doing it together.

We are getting ready to celebrate 2 years since Brian quit his 9 to 5 job and have learned a few things. But my favorite part is that I get to run my passion project with my best friend. I don’t have to “fill him in” on things because he is here doing it with me. Maybe you + your husband work together. Maybe you guys are thinking about it. Or maybe you’re just curious about we do it! Whatever the reason, I hope that you find some encouragement in this episode.

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/022

Robin Long is the founder of The Balanced Life, which started as an online platform for her to teach Pilates but has grown to much more than that. She is a well of wisdom when it comes to living in the balance of food + exercise. We often get into the mindset that “exercise equals all of these hard things, so I can’t exercise” or “well, if I licked a donut, then I might as well just eat burgers, fries and a milkshake for lunch, and also have pizza for dinner, and two beers.” But it doesn’t have to be that way. Having exercise fit into your life is the key to actually getting something done and making progress. My goal for this episode is to get you to actually do something. Anyone can listen, get inspired, and think they are going to do that. But I really want you to do it!

Disclaimer: In this episode, we discuss some things that you may not want your kids to hear, especially if you have a little girl who might be receptive to some of the things we are discussing. I encourage you to pop those headphones in and enjoy this episode. Robin is amazing and I am so excited for you to hear what she has to share!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/021

Surprise! Today is the very first episode of bonus episodes I will be sharing!  Every rare once-in-a-while, I will put out a Bonus Episode that was just too good to wait. Or it could be a message that I really had on my heart for you guys. In this episode, I am sharing all about homeschooling - how it works for us, the curriculum we are using, our typical schedule, and what I think about it. I know it is really helpful to see how other people do things, so I hope this episode helps you, encourages you, and maybe even inspires you to think outside of the box.

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/bonus1

Being busy is either a badge of honor or something that is seen as really negative in our culture today. Like if you don’t have a ton of whitespace on your calendar you are focused on the wrong things and you are too busy to really enjoy your life. Or some people won’t even say the word busy or I hear them say they don’t really like the word busy. I think that both ends of the spectrum and both views are pretty incorrect. I think there is a middle ground. The key is finding systems and rhythms that will help you in whatever place you are at and whatever season you are in. It is finding balance and simplifying your rhythms so you can enjoy the people in your home and run your life well so that it’s not running you!

Everything I talk about in this episode can be found here: http://alliecasazza.com/shownotes/020