The Heart & Hustle Podcast

Episode 470: A New Era - Why We're Pressing Pause on The Heart University
Released: February 2, 2026 | Hosts: Evie McLeod & Lindsey Roman

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This raw and emotional episode marks the conclusion of an era for the Heart & Hustle Podcast and The Heart University. Evie and Lindsey come together to share—vulnerably and with deep peace—why they’re pressing pause on both the podcast and their business. The conversation centers on following God’s calling, honoring their season of motherhood, and embracing change, even when it means letting go of something beloved and successful. They discuss what has led to this pivotal decision, the process of discernment, and what the future may look like for each of them.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

Announcement of Pause (02:28 – 03:40)

• Big News: The Heart & Hustle Podcast and The Heart University are being paused indefinitely.
  • “We are pausing the podcast and we are pausing the Hart University, which is crazy to say out loud. Honestly.” (Evie, 02:38)
• Reflects on their journey since 2017/18: from photography workshops to digital courses, events, and community.

Putting Family First: The Journey and Shift (05:25 – 12:00)

• Both have felt a strong calling toward prioritizing motherhood.
  • “Both of us really prioritize motherhood, and we've always felt, well, we both feel very, like, called to the gift and the life of motherhood and the work of motherhood.” (Evie, 05:34)
• Lindsey shares how her feelings toward motherhood have evolved, moving from skepticism to finding joy and fulfillment.
  • “If I had to choose between the two without a single doubt, without batting an eye, I would drop all business, all work, and step into motherhood.” (Evie, 08:27)
  • “I would literally tell you motherhood, which is insane.” (Lindsey, 11:08)
• The transition for their husbands (Lindsey’s husband, Andrew, stepping up in business) also played a role.

The Build-Up to Their Decision (12:00 – 18:55)

• The decision was both a slow simmer and a sudden realization, culminating in clarity during a workshop marketing launch.
• Lindsey describes a pivotal moment while preparing workshop materials:
  • “I'm spending all this energy on strangers on the Internet. Meanwhile, the four souls that God's given me are in the living room, like, fending for self, getting the scraps of my attention.” (Lindsey, 14:39)
• Both recognized that the previous sense of “grace” and ease in running the business had lifted, signaling it was time for a new season.
  • “It felt like God had lifted his grace from what we were doing.” (Evie, 15:58)

The Role of Faith in Decision-Making (16:30 – 25:33)

• Evie and Lindsey discuss making business moves by walking with God as their “CEO.”
  • “When God's our CEO, we are so, like, feeling the favor or the grace. Especially, like, in different, like, business decisions...” (Evie, 16:30)
• The Lord’s guidance was unmistakable, and peace around the decision confirmed their next steps were right, even though difficult.
  • “We were both already feeling it... it really felt like we went from like within a week, we went from feeling tugs to like complete and total clarity into complete and total peace that God was like, I'm wanting you to lay this entire down entirely for this season.” (Evie, 17:28)
• Letting go of “something you love, even if for a season,” is bittersweet but necessary.

The Butterfly Metaphor: Embracing Change (25:33 – 32:40)

• Lindsey shares a poignant story about a homeschool butterfly project, which became an unexpected metaphor from God.
  • “A caterpillar has to eat its former self and get rid of what it was and lay down everything that it was in its little cocoon of chrysalis in order to turn into a butterfly. And I was just like, Jesus, what are you doing?” (Lindsey, 30:44)
• The parallel to their journey: transformation requires letting go of former identities, trusting that God brings about new life and purpose in surrender.

Navigating Identity & Letting Go of Roles (34:22 – 39:13)

• Surrendering successful identities (entrepreneur, breadwinner) to embrace new roles in family life.
  • “It’s really forcing me to have to let go of the identity of like breadwinner or the identity of like successful entrepreneur… it can never be part of like what makes me me.” (Lindsey, 36:13)

Personal Next Steps (41:11 – 45:23)

• Lindsey: Pausing almost all business, focusing on motherhood, possibly maintaining her Insiders membership because it aligns better with her season.
  • “I feel really at peace with keeping insiders… what really excites me is turning my Instagram account into more of a motherhood content because it reflects my real life...” (Lindsey, 41:12)
• Evie: Continuing with selective wedding photography and business coaching at a manageable scale.
  • “I still feel so much peace and grace on continuing what I’ve been doing… my coaching calendar is pretty full one day a week… still shooting more in the high-end luxury market, but only a few weddings a year…” (Evie, 43:53)
• Both will remain active on Instagram and potentially other platforms, but not producing the podcast/workshops.

Final Heart University Workshop: Austin 2026 (45:23 – 48:54)

• Announcement and details about the last Heart Workshop in Austin, April 20–24, 2026. Tickets still available.
  • “As of right now, tickets are not sold out, so there is still a few more. Yes.” (Lindsey, 45:58)
• Emphasis: This is likely the last workshop for years, possibly ever.
  • “There will not be another one this year. There will not be one next year.” (Evie, 47:33)

Bittersweet Goodbye: Faith and Blessing for Listeners (49:21 – 56:02)

• The episode closes with a powerful, heartfelt prayer for their audience, blessing all listeners in their businesses, families, and journeys of faith.
  • “Do life with God. Do business with God. Because truly, I can sit here and be like… the minute we really, both of us wrestled this through with God, it was so abundantly clear. So much peace.” (Evie, 23:53)
  • “We wanted to pray for you guys and end this episode, end this podcast, end this long season… praying that God just fills you with so much peace.” (Lindsey, 49:51)

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• “We are pausing the podcast and we are pausing the Hart University, which is crazy to say out loud. Honestly.” — Evie (02:38)
• “If I had to choose between the two… I would drop all business, all work, and step into motherhood.” — Evie (08:27)
• “I would literally tell you motherhood, which is insane.” — Lindsey (11:08)
• “I'm spending all this energy on strangers on the internet. Meanwhile, the four souls that God’s given me are in the living room, like, fending for self, getting the scraps of my attention.” — Lindsey (14:39)
• “It felt like God had lifted his grace from what we were doing...” — Evie (15:58)
• “A caterpillar has to eat its former self and get rid of what it was… in order to turn into a butterfly.” — Lindsey (30:44)
• “When God asks you to lay something down, it is never, ever, ever, ever, ever, because he wants to take away something good in your life.” — Evie (34:11)

IMPORTANT SEGMENT TIMESTAMPS

• 02:28 — Announcement: Pausing Heart University & the Podcast
• 05:25 — Reflecting on Prioritizing Motherhood
• 12:00–18:55 — The Build Up, Workshop Realization, and “Grace Lifted”
• 25:33–32:40 — Butterfly Metaphor & Clarity
• 34:22–39:13 — Surrendering Identities and Embracing Change
• 41:11–45:23 — What’s Next for Lindsey and Evie
• 45:23–48:54 — Announcement: Final Austin Workshop Details
• 49:21–56:02 — Closing Prayer and Blessing

WRAP UP

The Heart & Hustle Podcast’s final episode is a masterclass in vulnerability and conviction, holding space for grief, gratitude, and deep peace. Evie and Lindsey are led by faith and a clear sense of purpose: to fully embrace motherhood and let go of old forms to make way for new growth, like the butterfly. They affirm that their presence continues online, just in new formats, and leave listeners with warmth, encouragement, and a prayer for whatever season they may find themselves in. Their abiding message: Walk with God, honor your season, and trust that obedience always brings you to greater things—even if the shape of your dreams change.