Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley – “Finding Balance” (feat. Julie Chrisley)

Podcast: Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley
Host: Savannah Chrisley
Guest: Julie Chrisley
Date: September 2, 2025
Episode Theme: Navigating Parenting, Alcohol, and Family Dynamics

Episode Overview

In this compelling and candid episode, Savannah is joined by her mother, Julie Chrisley, for an authentic conversation about generational parenting decisions, family values, their complicated relationship with alcohol, and the evolving dynamic as their family navigates adulthood and shifting responsibilities. The episode delves deep into the Chrisleys’ personal approaches to raising children, including mistakes, self-reflection, and the heartfelt lessons learned through both privilege and hardship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Family’s Relationship with Alcohol

[00:01–07:57]

• Background: Savannah introduces the topic, referencing last week's conversation and expressing interest in discussing their family’s views on alcohol.
  • Julie recounts how Savannah’s dad threw away her seltzers, emphasizing that neither parent drinks nor did they keep alcohol at home.
  • Discusses "picking your battles" regarding what enters your body (e.g., certain foods or substances).

Notable Insights:

• The Chrisley parents have historically abstained from alcohol, with Julie clarifying, “You guys didn't grow up with alcohol in the house. No, we did not drink alcohol. None of that.” (Julie, 01:14)
• Julie frames her and Todd’s (Savannah’s dad) decision as both a recognition of family history and a need for control: “I know for your dad, he has always just been like, I'm going to stay away from it because I know that I have an addictive personality towards certain things.” (Julie, 03:19)
• They discuss how this approach contributed to the household dynamic and each child's individual relationship with alcohol.

2. Parenting Children with Different Needs

[09:00–10:26]

• Savannah asks Julie how she parents children with diverse personalities and issues, especially regarding alcohol and responsibility.
• Julie stresses the necessity to “parent your kids differently,” tailoring discipline and guidance to the child’s unique needs.
  • “You have to meet your kids where they are at certain times, and you absolutely parent children differently.” (Julie, 09:27)
  • She points out there’s no “one size fits all” in parenting, explaining discipline and support must be individualized.

3. Adapting to Family Changes & Empty Nesting

[10:26–12:22]

• Julie reflects on the new family dynamic as her children grow up and move out, noting she’ll soon experience having only one child left at home for the first time.
• She shares her personal milestones as a mother and the emotional transition of her children leaving home: “I have never had one child in the house, ever.” (Julie, 10:55)

4. The Importance of Self-Sufficiency and Parenting Mistakes

[15:37–23:28]

• Savannah probes into what patterns from Julie’s childhood she tried to avoid repeating.
• Julie candidly shares that giving her children too much may have stunted their “fire in your gut” to seek things independently.
  • She cites Dr. Daniel Amen’s advice on letting children struggle and build self-esteem: “If you do too much for your kids, you build your self-esteem by stealing theirs.” (Dr. Amen, played quote, 17:11)
• Julie recounts her own struggles as a child and desiring to give her children more than she had, but recognizes sometimes “it was to your detriment.” (Julie, 16:25)
• Both women agree that hardships in the past two years have taught Savannah and her siblings to become more self-sufficient, with Savannah stating:
  • “There would be months to where I would lay there at night and say, I don't know how I'm going to buy food tomorrow.” (Savannah, 22:02)

5. Unconditional Support & Family Bonds

[23:55–26:30]

• Julie shares a touching quote about always being a safe place for her children:
  • “No matter where you are or how old you are, you can always come home. I will always be your home.” (Julie, 24:27)
• The segment highlights the enduring nature of motherly support and the heartbreak Julie feels over her time away from the family due to her prison sentence:
  • “That was the hardest part for me when I was in prison, because I feel like for Grayson and Chloe, they didn't have that for that 28 months. And that's still something that I struggle with, because none of you ever knew of a time when I wasn't at carpool.” (Julie, 25:24)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Addiction and Family Decisions:
  • “I think where dad is coming from is he comes from a long line of family members with addiction issues... So I think he was just able to recognize it at an early age that I'm not going to do that. And so he never has.” (Julie, 03:19)
• On Respecting Different Choices:
  • “I don't believe that whether it's drinking alcohol, whether it's your politics, political views, whether it's your social views, whatever it is, that's not who I am. I will never exile someone.” (Julie, 08:27)
• On Building Independence:
  • “Character is built through struggle. Character and self-esteem are built by feeling competent. You can solve problems.” (Dr. Amen, 17:42; played by Savannah)
• On Parenting Regrets:
  • “We gave you everything. We gave it to you before you could even think about wanting it… sometimes to your detriment.” (Julie, 16:24)
• The Unconditional Home:
  • “If a relationship breaks your heart, come home...No matter where you are or how old you are, you can always come home. I will always be your home.” (Julie, 24:27)
• Reflecting on Absence:
  • “That was the hardest part for me when I was in prison...because none of you ever knew of a time when I wasn't at carpool.” (Julie, 25:24)
• On learning the value of struggle:
  • “For me, it would have been a disservice if we wouldn't have lost everything. Because then I wouldn't have known what life was with and what life was without.” (Savannah, 21:31)

Notable Segment Timestamps

• Alcohol in the Family & Personal Views: 00:01–07:57
• Parenting Children Differently: 09:00–10:26
• Transitioning to Fewer Kids at Home: 10:26–12:22
• Parenting Patterns & Regrets: 15:37–17:04
• Soundbite from Dr. Amen: 17:11–17:53
• Candid Family Finance and Independence: 19:09–22:14
• Julie’s “Come Home” Message: 23:55–24:27
• Reflection on Parental Absence (Prison): 25:24–25:58

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation maintains a heartfelt, humorous, and honest tone. Savannah and Julie’s rapport is lively and open, often mixing gentle teasing with moments of sincere vulnerability. The episode is peppered with endearing mother-daughter banter and stories, keeping the atmosphere conversational and relatable even as they tackle serious topics.

For Listeners

This episode is especially resonant for parents reflecting on their own upbringing, adults navigating their relationships with family and independence, or anyone interested in the Chrisleys’ unfiltered perspective on navigating change, resilience, and love.

Note: The summary skips advertisements and non-content chatter for clarity and focus on substance.