Work and Play with Nancy Ray
Self-Improvement
About
Work and Play with Nancy Ray is a weekly podcast all about learning to balance the two most competing areas of our lives: work and play.She dives into topics like productivity, work life balance, leading a team, time management, contentment, play, sabbath, marriage, parenting, and rest, always pointing back to scripture, the ultimate guide for a life of faith. This is a podcast all about learning to work and play well, which ultimately leads to a healthy soul and a fulfilling life.
Episodes
- 318 - This is How We Live with Hope + A Blessing for Parenting
In this minisode, Kimberly reads two blessings, "This is How We Live with Hope" and "A Blessing for Parenting," from her book, aiming to encourage listeners.
- 317 - Gospel Centered Motherhood with Abbey Wedgeworth
Nancy Ray interviews Abbey Wedgeworth about her new book, "Help! I'm Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who's Desperate for Change." The conversation focuses on gospel-centered motherhood and encouragement for moms.
- 316 - A Blessing for the Month of May with Kimberly Knowle-Zeller
Kimberly Knowle-Zeller, author of Small Steps: Blessings to Lift Your Soul on the Pilgrimage of Life, joins Nancy Ray on Work and Play to share blessings. Knowle-Zeller reads a blessing over the listener and discusses her book.
- 315 - Family Catechisms with Raeanne Johnson
Mental health expert Raeanne Johnson joins Nancy Ray to discuss family catechisms. The episode shares resources such as New City Catechisms and the Dwell Bible App.
- 314 - 10 Things I Do to Play
In episode 314 of Work and Play with Nancy Ray, titled "10 Things I Do to Play," Nancy Ray shares ten specific ways she enjoys playing. The episode aims to inspire listeners to incorporate more playtime into their lives.
- 313 - 10 Things Helping Me in My Work
Today I am going to share with you how I actually get work done as a mom of 5 with very limited hours. These are 10 things that help me most and I think you're going to love them. Resources from this episode: Work & Play Episode 311 : 10 T…
- 312 - 10 Things I'm Loving in My Home
Today is a fun one! I am sharing ten things that I genuinely love in my home right now. Things I use every day, things that have made my life simpler or healthier or just more joyful. I hope you find something on this list that is helpful…
- 311 - 10 Things That Are Growing My Faith
Today kicks off the month of April for the Work & Play podcast! I am super excited about this little series that I have come up with which is ten things. Each episode this month, I am going to be sharing ten things with you. In today's epi…
- 310 -The 13th Week
Right now, as you're listening to this episode, we are smack in the middle of something kind of special. It's called "the 13th week." If you've never heard of it before, by the end of this episode, you're going to want to make it a permane…
- 309 - Abundance, Stewardship, and Batching
"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." -2 Corinthians 9:8. Today, we're going to talk about abundance, we're going to talk about stewards…
- 308 - You're In Good Company with Ashlee Gadd
My friend Ashlee Gadd is joining me on the Work and Play podcast today to talk about a new collaborative book that she is spearheading called, " You're In Good Company ." It is a book on friendship, motherhood, hospitality, and showing up.…
- 307 - Decluttering with Authority and Abundance
Today's episode might surprise you because I'm going to be talking about decluttering, but not in the way that you might expect. What I think is happening in our homes physically is connected with what's happening in us spiritually. So let…
- 306 - 1,000 Hours Outside : The Hard Parts No One Talks About
Today I want to talk about something that I have been absolutely loving with my kids this year. It's the 1,000 hours outside challenge. I want to get into the hard parts, the real parts, and why I truly believe your nervous system is beggi…
- 305 - Winter Rhythms
Winter can feel long and slow and February especially can feel like an eternity sometimes. Today I am sharing the daily and weekly rhythms that are working for me right now and how I'm making the most of this season before transitioning in…
- 304 - My 2026 Reading List + The Nancy Ray Book Club is Back!
Alright, the Nancy Ray Book Club is back! It's time for one of my favorite episodes of the year : my reading list. If you love books, you are going to love today's episode. Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club Dwell Bible App D…
- 303 - Unfrumping Myself
Today we're talking about something I mentioned last week: unfrumping myself. If you've ever felt like you are living in workout clothes and you never actually workout or maybe you generally feel like you look homeless all the time, this e…
- 302 - My Goals for 2026
Happy February, friend! Today I am pulling back the curtain and sharing my goals for 2026. There are only eight of them. Some are practical, some are personal, and all of them are shaping how I'm approaching this year. So let's dive in. Re…
- 301 - State of the Podcast 2026
Hello friend and welcome back to Work and Play with Nancy Ray! I'm Nancy, your host, and today we are doing something that I love doing every January, which is the State of the Podcast episode. This is where I get to look back at last year…
- 300 - Episode 300!
Well friend, I've made it all the way to episode 300 and today's episode is a Q&A with my listeners. I'm so excited! Resources from this episode: Dwell Bible App Discount Episode 223 : I Read the Bible in a Month Episode 232 : A Year of Sa…
- 299 - 3 Prayers for Christmas
Merry Christmas! Can you believe we are here?! This episode is a little different. I am going to be sharing three really beautiful prayers that you can listen to as you'd like this week. One prayer is for the start of the Christmas season.…
- 298 - My Favorite Books from 2025
Today I'm sharing all about my favorite books from 2025. Resources from this episode: Every Moment Holy Rhythms Reset Nancy Ray Book Club Work & Play Episode 266 : 2025 Book List On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni The Blooming of Delphinium…
- 297 - 4 Reasons You Should Consider Doing the Contentment Challenge
You may have heard of my Contentment Challenge where I give up shopping for anything extra in my life for three months straight. Today's episode, I want to challenge and encourage you with four reasons you might consider doing the Contentm…
- 296 - My 12 Week Year Planning Process
Are you feeling like you need some encouragement as you are looking ahead to 2026? Do you love planning your year or maybe not so much? Do you need a good look at the rhythms in your life that serve you, bring you closer to the Lord, and u…
- 295 - The Great Kids Clutter Clean Out
This episode is for the mom who is overwhelmed by all the stuff in your house. All the kids' toys, clutter, stuffed animals, and tiny pieces. I see you. I am you. Maybe you can pop in some earbuds and just be encouraged today. You are not…
- 294 - Gratitude : An Episode for the Whole Family
I'm doing something new today and I have made an episode for the whole family. So you don't have to listen to this in your earbuds. You can push "play" while you're riding in the car and listen because this is all about thanksgiving and ho…
- 293 - 7 Weekend Rhythms We Live By
During the week, we work, but during the weekends, we play. Today's episode is all about seven weekend rhythms that we live by. Resources from this episode: Dwell Bible App Discount Shabbat Candles Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter…
- 292 - 40 for 40 with Will Ray
My incredible husband, Will, turns 40 today and I am so excited to have him on the podcast! He is going to give you forty pieces of wisdom for his 40th birthday, or as we like to call it, "40 for 40 will Will Ray." Resources from this epis…
- 291 - 10 Ways I'm Using AI to Simplify My Life
Today I'm talking about ten ways that I am using AI to simplify my life. Resources from this episode: ChatGPT Grok Plugged In Common Sense Media Send Nancy an audio message! Dwell Bible App Discount Rhythms Reset Join my email list! Visit…
- 290 - Share the Arrows
Last week I had the opportunity to go to Share the Arrows which is a conference put on by Allie Beth Stuckey. Today's episode is a recap of all the things I learned at that conference. Resources from this episode: Share the Arrows Conferen…
- No Podcast This Week
Hey there! You're in the right place for Work & Play with Nancy Ray. A quick note: The podcast will be taking a break this week (October 14th), but I'm excited to tell you I will be back next week for another great new episode. Stay tuned…
- 289 - Fall Favorites
Today's episode is going to be light and fun. It's all about my fall favorites! Resources from this episode: Send Nancy an Audio Message! Work & Play Episode 250 - 20 Things for Fall Trader Joes Pumpkin Muffin Mix My Favorite Biker Shorts…
- 288 - 3 Weekly Rhythms Worth Fighting For
Today I am going to talk about things that I'm really passionate about, which are three rhythms that I cannot do without every single week. Weekly planning, weekly wrap up, and a Sabbath. Resources from this episode: 168 Hours by Laura Van…
- 287 - 5 Ways to Move Forward with Boldness
חֲזַק (Pronunciation: kha-ZAK) is the Hebrew word for "be bold." Today's episode is five ways to move forward in boldness. Resources from this episode: Dwell Bible App Discount Work & Play Episode 286: 3 Lessons from Charlie Kirk Hosanna R…
- 286 - 3 Lessons from Charlie Kirk
Today I honor the life and death of my brother in Christ, Charlie Kirk. I also admit that I don't always get it right on this podcast and platform and I share some Scripture and some resources that might help you if you're confused about w…
- 285 - Proactive vs. Reactive
Today's episode is all about how to be proactive versus being reactive. Resources from this episode: Verity Conference (Use code: NANCYRAY15 for 15% off) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey Free Weekly Checklist! Rhyth…
- 284 - Prepare Your Mind for Action
I was reading through 1 Peter the other morning and this verse just stuck out at me. 1 Peter 1:13 - "Therefore, prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelati…
- 283 - I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen with Kate Strickler
Today I got to sit down with my friend, Kate Strickler of Naptime Kitchen , and talk all about some of our favorite things, recipes, practical things we love, but especially her new book, I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen . We talk a lot…
- 282 - Love Your Life with Rachel Awtrey
I met my friend Rachel at a retreat a little over a year ago and we were fast friends. She is a fellow podcaster and now an author. Today, I'm having her on the Work and Play podcast to talk all about her new book and some big sister advic…
- 281 - Traveling with Kids : 3 Lists and All My Tips
Today's episode is all about traveling with kids. We've been at this for a while and I'm so excited to share all of my tips + three lists that I cannot do without. Resources from this episode: 25% Off Dwell Bible App Walker Family Goods Du…
- 280 - Two Roosters with Jared Plummer
Jared Plummer is the founder of Two Roosters Ice Cream, a popular and delicious ice cream shop with eight locations here in the Raleigh area that everyone is crazy about. They have their standard menu of favorites, but they also rotate the…
- 279 - Fun Summer Announcement!
Are you ready?! I don't think you're ready. This is such a fun summer announcement! Work and Play is officially an ice cream flavor! Today, I am bringing on some special guests to share all about how the Work and Play podcast has been turn…
- 278 - The Summer of Less
This episode is all about my summer of less. Resources from this episode: We Make Space by Melissa Helser John 3:30 New Life Camp Visit Nancy's Cornerstore! Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Glass Food Storage Containers Leave Nancy a Voice…
- 277 - Simple Ways to Feel Closer to God
Today's episode is all about simple ways to feel closer to God. Resources from this episode: 40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole 25% Off Dwell Bible App Episode 173 - How We Sabbath Episode 232 - A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Pa…
- 276 - 5 Tips for a Smooth Summer
Happy summer! I'm so excited that summer is finally here! Today's episode is simply five tips for you to have a smoother summer. Resources from this epsiode: 25% Off Dwell Bible App Trader Joe's Organic Freezer Pops Nancy Ray Website Nancy…
- 275 - Milestone Birthdays
We just got back from New York City celebrating Milly's 10th birthday! Today's episode is all about that trip and how we are celebrating big milestone birthdays in our family. Resources from this episode: Work & Play Episode 63 - Joy-Fille…
- 274 - How to Have a Nesting Party
My nesting party was one of my favorite days of my life. I know that sounds crazy, but it was so much more than getting my home ready for having a baby. It was a day where I was surrounded by my favorite women on this earth, humbly receivi…
- 273 - What's Saving My Life Right Now - Mom Edition : Part 2
Last week's episode was all about what's saving my life right now - mom edition, but I focused on everything that was free. This week is everything else, so it's part two of What's Saving My Life Right Now - Mom Edition. Resources from thi…
- 272 - What's Saving My Life Right Now - Mom Edition : Part 1
Let's pretend you and I are sitting down at a coffee shop and you just asked me, "Nancy, what is saving your life right now as a mama of five?" Then I tell you everything that I can think of. That is what today's episode is going to be. Re…
- 271 - Winnie's Birth story
Winsome Joy Ray, our precious fifth baby, was born at home on Christmas Day. This is her birth story. Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Blog Nourish Move Love Labor Inducing Workout Peace album by Bethel Music Matin: Rest album by Jes…
- 270 - 20 Things for Postpartum
Hello and welcome to May is for Mamas! I am so excited! I love this month of the year on the Work & Play podcast! We are kicking off this series with 20 of my favorite things that I have experienced this postpartum season. This is going to…