Hey friend, welcome back to Work and Play. Today’s a replay episode, and this one is near and dear to my heart. We’re talking about summer play, and I think sometimes we all need a little reminder that play is not a reward for finishing your work. It’s part of the good life. So grab a cold drink, find a quiet spot, and let’s dive in.

America turns 250 this month, and I have a lot of feelings about that, but the one that rises to the top is gratitude. I am so grateful to be an American. Today I am celebrating this country I love: her freedoms, her heritage, her beauty, and the God who has been with her from the very beginning.

Hey friend, quick note before we jump in. Today’s episode is a replay, and I handpicked this one because I truly believe the timing is perfect for where a lot of us are right now. We’re talking about summer projects—the fun kind, the meaningful kind, the household kind, and everything in between. I hope it encourages you.

Summer is in full swing, the school year schedule has gone out the window, but Sabbath doesn’t have to. Today, I am sharing 5 practical ways that we protect and keep Sabbath throughout our summer, even when it looks like nothing it does during the school year.

Welcome back to Work and Play. Before we dive in, I want to give you a quick heads up that this is a replay episode, and it’s one of my favorites. We’re talking all about the summer plan. Honestly, this is worth a second listen. Whether you heard it the first time around or you’re new here, I think you’re going to love it!

If you are a reader or you have been wanting to read more this summer, today’s episode is for you. I’m sharing five books either that I’m currently loving or that I have already read and would highly recommend. Perfect for your summer reading list.

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. I can’t wait for you to hear our conversation.

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.

Today I’m sharing all about my favorite books from 2025.

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 about the theme of contentment, which you guys know is dear to my heart. I’m so excited for you to listen to our conversation today.

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 advice that you are not going to want to miss.

Well today you’re in for a treat. I have my dear friend, Mary Marantz, author of Underestimated, on the podcast. She has written three amazing books, but we’re talking about her latest one. I cannot even tell you what a gift it has been to me so far. I know you’re going to love this conversation with Mary. If you are stuck in feeling afraid of moving forward in a dream or idea that you have… if you feel like you’re just a drop in a bucket and you don’t know how to create… if you feel like you are afraid and there are scripts playing in your head and you don’t know how to get past them, today’s episode is for you.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Welcome back to part two of my conversation with Graham Cochrane about his new book, Rebel, which is so great. If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode, definitely go back and listen to that one first. This is a continuation of my conversation with Graham. I told him when I was talking with him, “I feel like this is a sermon for me. How is it that we’re talking about your book called ‘Rebel’ right now?” It’s so good. I hope you enjoy our conversation. It was such a challenge and such a blessing to me all at once. I know you’re going to love it. Here’s part two of my conversation with Graham Cochrane.

Get excited for today’s episode (and next week’s episode) because I get to talk with Graham Cochrane, who is a dear friend of mine. He and his wife Shay are good friends of mine and WIll. He is also my business coach. He has coached me in different seasons of my business and he just wrote a book. He loves the Lord. He is a brilliant entrepreneur, thought leader, author. It is a joy to get to talk to him and ask him questions one on one. You guys are in for a treat. The episode was packed full of so much goodness, I decided to break it up into two episodes. So don’t miss next week’s episode as well, as Graham and I talk all about his new book,

Hello! Welcome back to Work & Play with Nancy Ray. After a month-long break this summer, I thought that we would kick it off by talking about my favorite books that I have read so far in 2024.