

Work and Play with Nancy Ray
Nancy Ray
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.
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
Mentioned books

Jun 27, 2025 • 18min
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 Message! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

Jun 19, 2025 • 17min
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 : Part 1 Episode 233 - A Year of Sabbaths with Will Ray : Part 2 Send me an audio message! Visit my Cornerstore! The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence Mildliner Highlighters Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

Jun 12, 2025 • 18min
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 Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

Jun 6, 2025 • 20min
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-Filled Birthdays Color Factory NYC Becco Italian Restaurant Top of the Rock The Metropolitan Museum Naptime Kitchen Brighter Day Press Keen Sandals Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

May 29, 2025 • 43min
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 receiving their love, work, and care. It's a day that will always remind me that when I'm feeling alone, I'm actually not alone at all. I have women who love me. Today, I'm going to share the practical side of how to throw a nesting party and the heart side of why it meant so much to me. I'm going to have my friend and sister-in-law, Samantha Ray on to give her perspective of what it was like because she threw the nesting party for me. It's going to be a lot of fun! Resources from this episode: Emily Thomas Substack Samantha Ray Substack Let's Talk Life with Samantha Ray Podcast Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

May 22, 2025 • 24min
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 this episode: EveryLife Diapers EveryLife Shampoo and Body Wash Tubby Todd All Over Ointment Solly Wrap Lalabu Baby Carrier How to Fight Mastitis Naturally Blog YOTO Player Spotify Premium Plans Slugs and Bugs on Spotify Forrest Frank on Spotify Good News Guys on Spotify Jess Ray on Spotify Warby Parker Pilot Pens A'Del Cosmetics Caraway Pans Glass Food Storage Legacy Photo System Clear Your Photos Free Guide Timeless Book Series by Gabrielle Meyer Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

May 20, 2025 • 22min
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. Resources from this episode: 25% Off Dwell Bible App 2 Peter 1:3-4 Nourish Move Love on YouTube Clear Your Photos Free Guide Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

May 9, 2025 • 31min
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 Jess Ray Matin: Turn album by Jess Ray Matin: Love album by Jess Ray A Vision for this Season How to Visualize Your Dream Birth by Hailey Aliff Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

May 2, 2025 • 23min
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 be a great episode for you to forward to a pregnant mama or someone who is postpartum. There is going to be a total of five episodes released every Thursday during the month of May with something for moms and something free for you (like a gift or a discount). It's all going to be in every episode, but you have to stay and listen to the end, so don't miss it. I can't wait for May is for Mamas 2025. Let's go! Resouces from this episode: Lumebox (red light therapy) Stanley cup HydroJug Owala water bottle Element Electrolyte Drink Mix Peace album by Bethel Music Matin: Rest album by Jess Ray Matin: Turn album by Jess Ray Matin: Love album by Jess Ray On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni Hiccapop bed bumper Hatch alarm clock Solly baby wrap LUXE bidet Colorfulkhola joggers No-bake energy balls Brewer's yeast Haakaa breast pump Kindle Paperwhite Nursing tank tops We Heart Nutrition postnatal vitamin (use code NANCYRAY for a discount!) Frida Mom peri bottle Free Diastatis Recti Repair Program on YouTube 25% Off Dwell Bible App FREE GIFT: Calm Amidst the Choas podcast series Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 6min
269 - Underestimated with Mary Marantz
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. Resources from this episode: Underestimated by Mary Marantz Dirt by Mary Marantz The Best of You by Alison Cook Biblical Principles to Overcome Overwhelm with Jordan Raynor Take the achiever quiz! Pre-Order Underestimated Mary Marantz on Instagram Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!


