A Heart That Beats for Home
Hey friend! I’m Nikki Smith—wife, mom of three, entrepreneur, and host of A Heart That Beats for Home. Over the years, God has used marriage, motherhood, business, and everyday life to stretch me, grow me, humble me, and draw me closer to Him. This space is a reflection of the journey I’m still on—growing, learning, and leaning into much-needed grace. I have a heart to keep investing intentionally in my marriage of 26 years with the man God has given me as a partner and best friend, to walk faithfully toward the season of empty nesting, and to grow deeper in relationship with my adult and soon-to-be adult children. More than anything, I’m passionate about drawing closer to my Heavenly Father—truly knowing Him in a way that is real and active in my everyday life—and reflecting Him in all my relationships, actions, and plans.
Each episode is a real, hope-filled conversation about the things that matter most: building strong families, walking faithfully in the gift of marriage, parenting intentionally through every stage, and keeping Christ at the center of it all. Alongside my own story, you’ll hear from amazing guests who share a deep passion for nurturing strong families where Jesus is glorified. Their wisdom, vulnerability, and encouragement will remind you that you’re not alone in this journey.
Whether you’re single, newly married, raising little ones, building a business, or walking through a new season, you’re welcome here. This is a space for women who love their families fiercely and want to lead with purpose—honoring God in the roles He has placed us in, faithfully shepherding the souls in our homes, and nurturing an environment that reflects the fruit of the Spirit and a life that glorifies Him.
One day at a time, may we become women who cultivate hearts that beat for home.
Thanks for being here,
Nikki
Episodes
96 episodes
95. Protecting Our Children in a Digital Age with Ryann Bauer
This week on A Heart That Beats for Home, I’m joined by Ryann Bauer for one of the most powerful and important conversations we’ve had on the podcast. Ryann shares her deeply personal story of childhood abandonment, depression, self-ha...
94. Consistency, Grace, and the Legacy of Home with My Mom, Monique Cronk
This week’s episode is one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve ever shared on the podcast. In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m sitting down with my own mom, Monique, for a conversation about motherhood, faith, marriage, family, loss, legacy, an...
93. Connecting with Your Teen and Young Adults in Ways That Last
This week’s episode is a continuation of a conversation that I truly believe every parent of teens and young adults needs to hear.After revisiting one of the very first episodes of this podcast last week, I was reminded just how relevant...
92. Parenting Teens Without Constant Conflict: Where to Hold the Line (and Where to Let Go)
This week’s episode is a little different, and one I’m really excited to bring back.As I was preparing to record a new episode on the topic of principles vs. preferences in parenting, I went back to revisit what I had already shared in t...
91. Navigating Life in Seasons of Soaring and Struggling
As this episode goes live, I’m celebrating my 48th birthday, and I felt a strong pull to pause what I had planned and just sit down for a real, honest conversation with you.Looking back over the last 48 years, one thing is so clear: life...
90. When You Lose It as a Mom (And What to Do Next)
Have you ever had a moment where you just snap—and the second it’s over, you wish you could take it all back?In this honest and personal solo episode, I’m sharing a moment from last week where I lost my cool as a wife and mom—and what Go...
89. Don’t Burn Down Your Own House: Fighting for Your Marriage with Lindsey Maestas
In this episode, I sit down with Lindsey Maestas for a conversation that feels both honest and deeply hopeful for anyone navigating the realities of marriage.Coming off our Marriage Through the Decades series, this conversation ...
88. Marriage Through The Decades: 44 Years of Marriage and the Practices That Make Love Last with Marc & Lori Maillefer
n the final week of the Marriage Through the Decades series, Nikki sits down with Marc and Lori Maillefer, a couple who have been married for 44 years and who have played a deeply meaningful role as mentors in Nikki and Jed’s life. The...
87. Marriage Through the Decades: Trusting God in Every Season with Loren & Sue Tucker
In week three of the Marriage Through the Decades series, Nikki sits down with Loren and Sue Tucker, a couple who have been married for 35 years and whose influence has stretched across generations. This conversation is especially mean...
86.Marriage Through The Decades: Protecting What You’ve Built in Marriage with Eric & Lindsay Parks
In week two of the Marriage Through the Decades series, Nikki sits down with Eric and Lindsay Parks for an honest and encouraging conversation about what it looks like to protect what you’ve built in marriage and family life. Married f...
85. Marriage Through The Decades: Choosing Each Other When It’s Not Easy with Cody & Lyndsey Tinsley
Over the next four weeks, we’ll hear from four couples in four different decades of marriage, from 11 years all the way to 44. Each story is unique, but they share a common thread: faith, real struggles, and the grace it takes to keep choosing ...
84. Marriage Through the Decades Series
What if one of the greatest gifts we can give our children isn’t a perfect childhood, but a healthy marriage to grow up inside of?In this special kickoff episode, we’re introducing a four-week series called Marriage Through the Decad...
83. Meeting God in the Middle of the Mess with Devan Holman
Some days feel like you’re barely holding the house, the calendar, and your own heart together, and you wonder if you’re failing at life. Today’s conversation will meet you right there. Nikki sits down with Deon Holman, wife, mom of three, and ...
82. The Greatest of These Is Love: Raising Kids Who Know How to Love Well
Valentine’s week often centers around flowers, feelings, and romance. But what if love is meant to be much deeper and much more daily than that?In this episode, we step back and ask a foundational question: if the greatest commandment is...
81. Excruciatingly Beautiful: When Joy and Grief Collide in Motherhood
In this heartfelt episode, Nikki shares an honest conversation about the tension so many mothers feel but rarely name, the joy and grief that exist side by side as our children grow and begin to let go of our hands.From sending a child o...
80. How to Thrive in 2026 Without Burning Out (Part 3): Staying in Your Race for the Long Haul
As we wrap up our three-part series on starting the new year with clarity and purpose, this episode focuses on one essential question: How do we stay in our race when the excitement fades and the work gets hard?We explore why we o...
79. Get Clear in 2026 (Part 2): Vision That Simplifies Your Yes and No
In part 2 of our 3-part series on goal setting and vision, we’re talking about clarity and how clear, God-given direction can simplify your life in a way that feels like peace. When you don’t know where you’re headed, everything gets heavier: i...
78. Run Your Own Race In 2026 (Part 1): Why Faithfulness Matters More Than Speed
As we step into a new year, many of us feel a mix of hope, pressure, exhaustion, and uncertainty. In this opening episode of Season 3, Nikki invites you to pause, reflect, and reframe what it really means to move forward.This episode kic...
77. From Perfection to Peace: A Season Finale for the Mom Who Tries So Hard
If perfection keeps stealing your peace, this episode hands it back. In this season finale, we look at a year of growth in the real world — inside homes full of schedules, emotions, and people we love. We talk about the shift that’s changing ev...
76. Gratitude, Growth, And Grace - Reflections on 2025
When the calendar starts sprinting and the afternoons turn dark way too early, we get the chance to slow everything down. We can take a deep breath, look back on the year, and see it through three lenses that matter—gratitude, growth, and grace...
75. Dwell Differently Co-Founder Natalie Abbott: Finding Peace in Scripture When Anxiety and Fear Feel Overwhelming
In this podcast episode, Nikki welcomes Natalie Abbott, co-founder of Dwell Differently, a ministry dedicated to helping people memorize scripture. Natalie discusses her life as a wife, mom of five, and author. She shares her person...
74. Justin Whitmel Earley on The Body Teaches the Soul: Rhythms That Heal, Restore, and Shape Us
In this engaging conversation, Nikki Smith interviews Justin Whitmel Earley, exploring the profound connection between our physical habits and spiritual lives. Justin shares his personal journey from a crisis in mental health to discovering the...
73. Beauty From Ashes Story - Redemption, Obedience and Redefining Success with Debbie Neal
Today I get to sit down with a dear friend of mine, Debbie Neal.For years, I’ve known Debbie as a woman of incredible drive and determination — a true leader, a go-getter, and someone who has inspired so many through her work and her exa...
72. When God Rewrites the Blueprint: The Story Behind The House the Parks Built with Lindsay Parks
What happens when your “forever home” isn’t forever after all? We sit down with Lindsay Parks—wife, mom of five, creator, and co-host of Built for More—to unpack the surprising decision to sell the dream house she built in public, and the freed...
71. More Than a Role: Actress Masey McLain Talks Faith, Purpose, and Trusting God Through Every Season
What if the season you’re calling a drought is actually sacred training? I sat down with actress and creator Masey McLain for a candid, deeply encouraging conversation about conviction, calling, and the new feature film Soul on Fire—where she p...