The Work & Play Podcast Episodes
267 - Day-Tight Compartments
Today, I’m going to share what it means to live in day-tight compartments. This is a follow-up episode from last year called, “Be Where Your Feet Are.” Basically an encouragement and reminder to you to be present today and that’s all you need to focus on.
266 - 2025 Book List
Last week, I told you all about my favorite books from 2024. This week, I’m going to tell you all about what I plan to read in 2025.
265 - Best Books from 2024
Reading books will forever be an important part of my life. It is something my dad has instilled in me. I will always be sharing the books that I’m loving and the books that I’m hoping to read on this podcast because I think it’s one of life’s greatest gifts. So today I am going to be sharing with you my favorite books that I read last year in 2024.
264 - A Fresh Take on Work & Play
I am so excited to be back behind this mic! Today, we are going to talk about why I named this podcast “Work and Play” and I’ll share a fresh take on what it means to me now.
263 - State of the Podcast
It is January! Happy 2025! This is my annual State of the Podcast episode. It’s going to be short and sweet, but I’m also really excited to share all the ideas and things I’m thinking about for Work and Play with Nancy Ray in 2025.
262 - Why We Kept Our Pregnancy Quiet with Emily Thomas
Well, we just had our 5th baby and we decided to keep the news of our pregnancy all to ourselves until baby was born. Today, with the help of my friend Emily, I’ll be sharing all about why we chose this path.
261 - Emergency Pod!! We Had Another Baby!
Okay, friend! I have been keeping the biggest secret from you all year and I'm so excited to finally share it with you today. I don't think you're ready for this... Are you ready?
260 - Finish Strong
Today is a very brief episode. It’s a tradition of sorts on this podcast for me to read this to you. I change it a little every year so that it pertains specifically to this year. It’s simply called, “Finish Strong.”
259 - End of Year Rhythms for Reflection
If you do absolutely nothing else with this episode, then listen to the intro. I want you to listen to my encouragement to take time to reflect at the end of your year.
Today, I am going to be sharing my three favorite rhythms (or traditions or appointments) I put in my calendar at the end of every single year to finish the year well. These are things that really make me pause and reflect on the things that I have learned, the mistakes I have made, and how I want to change. That can make all the difference.
258 - Christmas Favorites
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Now it’s time to get into the Christmas spirit. Today, I’m going to be sharing my five favorite Christmas traditions, my five favorite gifts to give at Christmas time, and my five favorite Christmas albums to listen to.
257 - Our Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
Happy Thanksgiving week! Oh my goodness, I can’t believe we are here! Today’s episode is all about our very favorite Thanksgiving tradition. It’s so simple. It costs nothing. I hope you and your family enjoy it!
256 - You Can Always Come Home with Laura Jean Bell
I specifically reached out to my podcast guest today and said, “Please come on my podcast. I have been watching you and have been so inspired by you. I would love to hear more about your story and get a chance to catch up.”
We have been kind of online friends for over five years. Seeing what she is doing in her life is so inspiring. So today I am going to talk with Laura Jean Bell about health, faith, speaking life, about her story, and about her new book. Honestly, I feel like I was just sitting on a back porch talking with a really good friend for a long time. She is very honest; very real, and I think you’re going to love what she has to say.
255 - My Extreme Christmas Goals
Happy November! I am setting the bar high this year for no one but myself. I feel like this is going to be a podcast experiment. I’ll let you know how it goes, but today I am sharing with you my extreme Christmas goals for this year.
254 - Cleerely Stated with Cleere Cherry
Today, I have the absolute privilege of talking to my new friend, Cleere Cherry. You might know her as Cleerely Stated on Instagram. She has been such a massive blessing to me. I love the way she writes and the way that she speaks life. Her faith is resilient and contagious. I just feel so honored to have this conversation today with Cleere. I know you’re going to love it.
253 - 5 Qs Before the Holidays
If you’re anything like me, you’re already starting to think about the holidays and Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up. Today’s episode is simply going to be some questions for you to ask yourself (and for me to ask myself) before the holiday craziness begins.
252 - Relaxed with Megan Fate Marshman
Today, I have the absolute privilege of talking with Megan Fate Marshman about her new book called, “Relaxed.” Let me just tell you, this conversation was so special. It is one that I am going to listen to over and over again. I hope it means as much to you as it has meant to me.
251 - Declaring Truth Over Your Work
Today’s episode is going to be sweet, short, and hopefully powerful as I declare the truths of Colossians 1 over your work.
250 - 20 Things for Fall
Today’s episode is fun, lighthearted, and it’s all about fall. I am going to share with you ten things that I have tried and loved this time of year and ten things that I plan to try this autumn.
249 - Unplugged with Hannah Brencher
Today I have the privilege of talking with my friend, Hannah Brencher, the author of The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World. Hannah is such a gift! I am so excited to share her with you today and the message of her new book that is already changing my life.
248 - Get Quiet, Then Go
This episode of Work & Play with Nancy Ray is simply called, “Get Quiet, Then Go.”