Podcast Summary: More Than Reality with Adam and Danielle Busby

Episode 49: Busy but Grounded – How We Keep God First in a Full House
Date: September 11, 2025
Hosts: Adam and Danielle Busby

Episode Overview

In this episode, Adam and Danielle Busby dive deep into how they balance the busyness of raising six daughters, running a household, and managing daily chaos—while prioritizing their faith. They candidly discuss real-life strategies to keep God at the center, practical routines, and meaningful moments of connection, even during hectic family life. The tone is honest, playful, and encouragement-filled, sharing both their struggles and small victories in keeping grounded.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Real-World Family Chaos

• Homework Night Mayhem

  • Danielle and Adam share the nitty-gritty of homework time with their quintuplets and Blake. Each child wants space, doesn’t want siblings to copy, and never seems to have a pencil at home.
  • “Five girls trying to do homework, and they don't want to sit by each other to do the homework because they don't want each other to copy.” — Danielle (04:22)
  • Adam notes the comedy in this routine: “I know all the answers without even reading them. Number 10 is 266.” (09:00)
  • Danielle highlights lessons in responsibility and consequences as Hazel nearly turns in late work—“Trying to teach my kids consequences that you can't tell us at breakfast ... you had a worksheet to do.” (06:38)

• Dividing and Conquering Activities

  • Adam and Danielle split duties: Adam at football games taking photos, Danielle at tennis practice. They share how each child’s schedule pulls in different directions.

2. Building Habits to Keep God First Amid Busyness

• Struggles & Imperfect Attempts

  • Adam admits: “I don’t have a quiet time every day…once my day starts, I go straight to the gym and then just kids and school, and…meetings…I don’t prioritize my time some days with God.” (12:36)
  • Danielle pushes for balance, emphasizing building a habit: “If you can create a habit, just like you go to the gym…you’re talking to Jesus before you get out of bed, you know, you’re praying…” (14:47)
  • Both reflect on not beating themselves up for imperfection. “God sees your effort, sees your lack of effort.” — Adam (13:10)

• Small Quiet Moments

  • Danielle offers practical advice:
    • Use downtime—“When you're in the car at the red light...take two minutes, just...pray for your spouse, pray for your kids, pray for someone who's sick…just one small habit can change the way your faith works.” (16:00)
    • Leverage “mundane” routines (toilet, shower, carpool line) to intentionally connect with God.
      • “Every day you have a window. When you're sitting on a toilet, there's your time. Everybody's going to sit on the toilet. Give one of those times to Jesus.” — Danielle (36:17)

3. Making Faith Accessible: Tools & Tips

• How to Start Reading the Bible
  • Adam: “The Bible app is a great resource…so many reading plans…small chunks, manageable.” (18:44)
  • Danielle recommends starting with the New Testament, especially the Gospels: “Just start with the New Testament…about the life of Jesus.” (19:36)
  • Adam stresses not to worry about checking boxes but focus on quality time: “He prefers your heart over your just head knowledge.” (37:53)

4. Passing Faith to Children in a Large Family

• Involving the Kids
  • Danielle shares stories about taking the girls to the Christian bookstore to pick out devotionals and how that ownership gets them excited about faith habits. (40:17)
  • Table and van conversations after church are meaningful: “Favorite things is like dinner time... tell me, what was your good today?” (43:14)
  • They encourage intentional family debriefs after church—asking about crafts or stories heard.

5. Danielle’s Personal Faith Journey

• Danielle discusses coming to faith in her 20s and the growth that comes from continual learning, not perfection:
  • “Here I am 41 years old and I still feel like that…there's still so much more to learn. God's word is living word.” (30:52, 31:19)
  • She finds comfort in stories of “ordinary people”—like Amos—used by God: “You don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to be enough because God already knows you’re enough.” (33:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Faith in the Mundane:
  • “When you’re in the car at the red light...just start a habit at the red lights. Pray for your spouse, pray for your kids…just one small habit” — Danielle (16:00)
• On Consistency vs. Perfection:
  • “We all probably struggle to stay on routines ritually…we’ve learned this since we’ve had six kids. Whatever we have planned for today, we know it’s not going to go as we envision.” — Danielle (21:05)
• On Bible Knowledge:
  • “A lot of atheists have read the Bible cover to cover…and I mean, they have head knowledge, but he doesn’t have their heart.” — Adam (38:07)
• On Involving Kids:
  • “They [the girls] were excited that was theirs and they had that…and so they took ownership in that.” — Adam (40:54)
• On Small Steps:
  • “Just do it. Just next time you’re at the red light or on the toilet, in the shower, whatever, just say a prayer.” — Danielle (44:04)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Family Homework Chaos & Responsibility – 03:12–10:49
• Making Time for God in a Busy Schedule – 11:52–16:31
• Practical Advice: Small Habits of Faith – 16:31–21:25
• Tips for Bible Reading Beginners – 18:44–21:05
• Faith as a Family Routine – 40:17–43:30
• Danielle’s Faith Journey & Encouragement for Beginners – 30:29–36:35
• Importance of Heart over Head – 37:43–38:21

Takeaway Challenge from the Hosts

• Danielle’s Close:
  • “Just remember, guys, you don't have to do everything. God never asked you to carry it all. He just asked you to seek him first. So peace out, guys.” (45:04)

Episode Flow & Tone

• Natural, humorous, and candid: The Busbys toggle between playful marital banter (“I did four of those worksheets, I know the answers”) and honest admissions of struggle.
• Balanced encouragement and realism: They’re open about not doing everything right, but focus on realistic faith habits that even the busiest parent can manage.
• Practical, accessible, and warm: Even faith newcomers or “imperfect Christians” will find encouragement and actionable ideas.

For anyone feeling overwhelmed by family or work…or daunted by starting (or restarting) faith habits, this episode provides relatable stories, gentle motivation, and simple steps—all delivered with the Busby family’s signature warmth and humor.