Building Healthy Relationships by Exploring Adult Attachment Patterns (Part 1) :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 498] Nov 18, 2024

Do you ever wonder why you respond the way you do to your kids? Do you feel like there are things to process from childhood but don’t have the words to explain those feelings?
Today Charissa Lopez, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Dallas joins me. She specializes in play therapy, EMDR, emotionally focused family therapy, and trauma-informed care. She is full of wisdom and the science to explain why we respond and parent in specific ways based on childhood patterns. Join us as we talk about…

Secure attachment in the early years (ages 0-3) and how meeting our little ones needs just 30% of the time allows them to feel secure and attuned.
Loving parental behaviors – beyond the basic needs by showing our kids delight, affection, and supporting their inner and outer exploration.
How to repair relationships and remain a safe place for our kids.
Dismissive attachment pattern explained.
HOPE- a way to learn more helpful patterns and allow God to heal past hurts.

Connect with Charissa Lopez:

Website: Charissa Lopez | Licensed Professional Counselor

Links Mentioned:

The Window of Tolerance :: Charissa Fry [Ep 260]
Welcome Don't Mom Alone Friends! - Charissa Lopez Counseling–helpful pdfs on loving parental behaviors and attachment styles.

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Confidence in Parenting Decisions :: Laura Wifler [Ep 497] Nov 11, 2024

Do you struggle with discontentment and comparison in motherhood and beyond? Do you constantly second guess the best way to raise your kids in regards to food, education, health, and even naptime?
Today, Laura Wifler, from Risen Motherhood is here to talk about her new book written with her sister-in-law Emily Jensen. We start by breaking down the framework they introduce in the Gospel Mom and how we are often looking for a formula to parent our kids but God has given us a framework in the metanarrative of the Bible.
Next, we talk about the challenges of trying to live in a Christian mom community- we know God calls us to be with others but what do we do when friendship is hard or not life-giving? As moms, we feel like there is a right and wrong way to do every single little thing in motherhood- feeding, naptime, schooling, health and those often all lead to comparison. Laura gives us some truth and ideas regarding comparison, how to be content, and accept your actual life. God has so many lessons for us moms if we lean in and apply the gospel lens it helps give life and joy even in hardship.
Connect with Laura Wifler:

Website: Risen Motherhood: Helping Moms Connect Their Faith To Motherhood
Facebook: Risen Motherhood
Instagram: Risen Motherhood®️ (@risenmotherhood)

Links Mentioned:

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Boys vs. Girls--the early years (2 part series) :: Courtney DeFeo and Heather [Ep 496] Nov 04, 2024

Ever wonder how your mom friends with all boys or all girls handle parenting? Do you often wonder how in the world a “boy mom” or a “girl mom” views the opposite?
Today my good friend Courtney DeFeo is here to have an in-depth conversation about her experiences as a “girl mom” and asks me tons of great questions about what life with four boys is like (spoiler alert- active and crazy). Courtney is an author, podcaster, and creative mom of two girls. We bring the conversations we have had many times over the lunch table to the podcast today. Often our worlds feel opposite, her girls used to sit and play with playdough for thirty minutes, and my boys sit for three minutes. Her girls love clothes, nails, and coloring while my boys were in a bouncy house, eating my decor, and moving their bodies constantly.
We end by starting to break down the teen years and how the emotions show up differently for each gender. By discussing some of the gender stereotypes that come up we hope this conversation helps you support your mom friends better. And don’t forget to go over to Courtney’s podcast to finish the conversation later this week.
Connect with Courtney DeFeo:

Website: Home - Courtney DeFeo
Facebook: Courtney DeFeo | Facebook
Instagram: Courtney DeFeo (@courtney_defeo)
Podcast: Pardon the Mess - Courtney DeFeo

Links Mentioned:

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Do Not Grow Weary :: Sharon McMahon [Ep 495] Oct 28, 2024

Do you often feel like what is the point of engaging politically or voting? Are you worried about the direction our nation is headed and what is next?
Today Sharon McMahon is here to teach us about how our government functions and encourages us that individuals make a difference. She began as a government, history, and law teacher and then took her passion for educating to Instagram. Her platform grew rapidly as she has a way of helping all of us understand the process and history of the United States. Her new bookThe Small and the Mightyreminds us that each person has a part to play in our sphere of influence and shows us how the United States was founded on the backs of small but mighty people.
Sharon encourages with this truth that “we must not grow weary in doing good”. Our ancestors who have suffered much continued to fight for justice and invest in the communities around them and we have so much to learn from their stories.
Connect with Sharon McMahon:

Website: Sharon McMahon | America's Government Teacher

Facebook: Sharon McMahon | Facebook

Instagram: SHARON McMAHON (@sharonsaysso)

Links Mentioned:

The Preamble | Sharon McMahon | Substack

Vote - Register and get information on Voting | Sharon McMahon

The Small and the Mighty: by Sharon McMahon

Right Where You Belong: by Heather MacFadyen

Related Episodes:

Factual News, Flexible Thinking and Family Moral Imperatives :: Sharon McMahon [Ep 332]

Racial Healing Starts with You :: Latasha Morrison [Ep 261]

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Seek Him First :: Lillian Richey [Ep 494] Oct 21, 2024

Do you ever struggle to keep Christ at the center of Christmas? Do you feel many Christmas traditions take a ton of time and energy or are just busy work but don’t point to Jesus?
Today Lillian Richey, my personal friend, is here to share her new project called Finding Jesus which helps families make Christmas meaningful and simple. Last year the Lord dropped into her heart the idea of a Jesus doll that tells the whole story of Christmas through scripture and helps kids see Jesus. Through the last few months, God has used this project to bring the gospel around the world, including China, and answered prayers. In less than a year this beautiful product has come to life.
Finding Jesus points our kids to Christ and a connection to Him that goes deep into hearts and minds. This doll, puzzle, story, and song weaves together the Biblical truth with some fun. Lillian’s story shows us that when we listen to the voice of God His ideas are gospel minded and He has the resources to help us accomplish creative ideas.
Connect with Lillian Richey:

Website: Finding Jesus (seekhimfirst.com)
Facebook: Finding Jesus | Dallas TX | Facebook
Instagram: Finding Jesus (@findingjesusdoll)

Links Mentioned:

Children's Jesse Tree Advent Cards

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Help for the Unspoken Challenges of Parenting Teens :: Amy Betters-Midtvedt [Ep 493] Oct 14, 2024

Do you feel like your teens have hidden struggles that you can’t talk to anyone about? How do you honor your kids while still finding safe people to process parenting with? How do you advise your kids on their friendships and relationships?
Today, Amy Betters-Midtvedt is here to help us navigate the deep waters of parenting teens. Amy is a teacher with a master’s degree in leadership and is currently a literacy coach. She has five kids in all stages of life from college to kids still at home, some of her kids have had teen struggles that Amy has had to learn how to navigate. She shares her ideas in her new book, You’ll Make It.
We cover how to handle changes in our teen’s friend groups, what to do if your teen’s friends are a bad influence, and having the humility as a parent to say “I messed up”. Amy shares some very personal stories about her teens and anxiety (with their permission) and how their family faced that challenge head-on to overcome and get back to the things they love to do. Parenting teens can be hard but there is so much joy in watching them become who God created them to be, Amy will teach us how to partner with the Lord as we navigate these formative years.
Connect with Amy Betters-Midtvedt:

Website: Amy Betters-Midtvedt (amybettersmidtvedt.com)
Instagram: Amy Betters-Midtvedt (@amy.betters.midtvedt)

Links Mentioned:

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Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius :: Kendra Adachi [Ep 492] Oct 07, 2024

As a mom do you feel there is not enough time in the day? Are you constantly overwhelmed with your to-do list and mental load? Are you snapping at your kids because they cannot keep up with the pace?
Today Kendra Adachi; the Lazy Genius, author, podcaster, and most of all mom, is here to help us focus on the most important tasks. Kendra and I are opposites, she has read all the time management books whereas I have read zero. Only 7% of books in this arena are written by women so her newest book, The PLAN, was much needed in this space. Most productivity books are written with the future in mind and while it’s good to think and plan for the future Kendra tells us that most moms are trying to run their household well every day in the small task. She helps us PLAN- prepare, live, adjust, and notice what is going on around us in our homes.
This episode reminds us that being kind to our kids is more important than being on task, we are not robots, and helps us look at time differently which allows us to show up with compassion for others. There is so much Biblical truth when we structure our time well and keep the most important things at the center of our days.
Connect with Kendra Adachi:

Website: The Lazy Genius (thelazygeniuscollective.com)
Facebook: The Lazy Genius Collective
Instagram: Kendra Adachi (@thelazygenius)

Links Mentioned:

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How to Align with Your Spouse in Parenting :: Dr. Kim Kimberling [Ep 491] Sep 30, 2024

Do you feel like a team with your spouse in parenting or do you often turn on each other? Do you have different ideas about what is right for your kids? Have the teen years brought more conflict than unity?
Today Dr. Kim Kimberling, professional counselor and founder of Awesome Marriage, is here to share his years of wisdom on how to keep the marriage strong while parenting. Dr. Kim has been married to his wife for 53 years and the tips that flow from those years of experience are priceless.
He shares how to build in some one-on-one time, stay on the same page in the teen years, and how praying together allows the Holy Spirit to breathe creativity into your parenting. Dr. Kim also comforts those whose spouse may not currently be walking with the Lord and how to navigate that hard season. He reminds us that you can’t put your marriage on the back burner for years and expect it to be the same when your kids are gone and gives us tools to make sure we are making our partner a priority. Be sure to check out his website that is full of resources.
Connect with Dr. Kim Kimberling:

Website: Awesome Marriage — Marriage, Relationships, and Premarital Counseling
Facebook: Awesome Marriage
Instagram: Marriage and Relationship Experts (@awesome_marriage)

Links Mentioned:

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Cultivating Intimacy with God in Motherhood :: Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 490] Sep 23, 2024

Does the word holiness feel stuffy and old-fashioned? Do you feel you have a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord? Does your Christian life look more like a performance than a practice?
Today Jeannie Cunnion joins me to discuss her new book Closer to God. She is a best-selling author, bible teacher, and speaker who shares how the Holy Spirit can transform our family and motherhood. Her new book covers how to practically have an intimate relationship with the Lord in the middle of chaos and noise.
As mom’s we often long for a deep meaningful relationship with Jesus but don’t know how to get there when kids are up early and there seems to be no space. Jeannie talks about cultivating a habit of conversing with the Lord in the mundane moments of our days and how Holy intimacy produces a Holy identity.
If you feel far from God today we are reminded of Isaiah 30:15, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength”, we cannot perform our way to God. He is waiting in the quiet intimacy.
Connect with Jeannie Cunnion:

Website: Jeannie Cunnion
Instagram: Jeannie Cunnion (@jeanniecunnion)

Links Mentioned:

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Sidetracked with Emily P. Freeman (part 1) :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 489] Sep 16, 2024

How do you know when it is the right time to leave a season? Do you know how to sit in silence with people? Would you consider yourself a good listener?
Today Emily P. Freeman joins us to discuss her new book, How to Walk Into a Room. She is a New York Times bestselling author of six books with a masters degree in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Friends University. She has a true passion for teaching us how to listen well and hold grief and silence with those who need it most. Emily states that silence can teach us a lot about ourselves- it can uncover fears we need to deal with or be aware of. We have another cliffhanger today so stick around to find out where the rest of the episode is airing.
Connect with Emily Freeman:

Website: Emily P. Freeman (emilypfreeman.com)
Facebook: Emily P. Freeman | Facebook
Instagram: Emily P. Freeman | Spiritual Director (@emilypfreeman)

Links Mentioned:

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What does Jesus-centered parenting look like? :: Dr. David and Amanda Erickson [Ep 488] Sep 09, 2024

What would it look like to have Jesus-centered peaceful parenting? Is your parenting style just a list of do’s and don’t or getting to the heart of your child? After correction do you feel more or less connected with your kids?
Today, Dr. David and Amanda Erickson, join me to discuss their new book The Flourishing Family. They founded Flourishing Homes and Families to equip and empower Christian parents to lead their families with grace and gentleness through parenting principles that are rooted in the teaching of Jesus.
We cover so many topics from hitting toddlers to snarky teenagers and how to approach them with grace while still teaching them to respect the people around them. They encourage us to repair and prepare instead of scare through creative ideas that include purchasing a punching bag and redirecting behavior when needed. David reminds us that as parents we are helping our children see that they are image bearers of God and to embrace who He created them to be.
Connect with David and Amanda:

Website: Flourishing Homes and Families
Facebook: Flourishing Homes and Families
Instagram: Dr. David and Amanda Erickson (@flourishinghomesandfamilies)

Links Mentioned:

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Sidetracked Surprise :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 487] Sep 06, 2024

Today Cynthia and I are talking about all things college drop off and how Cynthia missed saying goodbye to her daughter and I share how dropping Quade off in Tennessee went. We talk about back-to-school haircuts and terrible yearbook photos and rehash how we both ended up at the same event but had very different experiences. We end the episode with a cliffhanger story about Bucees and a HUGE exciting surprise you don’t want to miss.
Connect with Cynthia Yanoff:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof

Links Mentioned:

The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast
One Thousand Gifts 10th Anniversary Edition: by Ann Voskamp
IF:Gathering (ifgathering.com)
New Morning Mercies: by Paul David Tripp
Life360 | Location Sharing App
OUR NEW SHOW LINK! {click to hear the rest of the episode}

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“What is Typical When Learning to Talk?” :: Stephanie Cohen [Ep 486] Sep 02, 2024

Do you worry about whether your child is on track with verbal milestones? Does the stress of what is typical in eating, talking, and verbal cues feel confusing? Do you know speech pathologists can help with food intake or nutrient deficiency?
Today I am embracing my past life as a speech-language pathologist as I chat with Stephanie Cohen. Stephanie is a mother, speech-language pathologist, author, speaker, and lactation counselor in private practice who has worked with children and families for over 22 years. She is here to put our mom hearts at rest on what is typical and when to seek intervention. Her job is to support parents and help them understand their children and regulate their own emotions so they can be present and supportive. We break down making sure your child is getting enough food, baby talk, sign language for kids, and non-verbal communication. The goal is to help our kids feel successful, connected, and understood and Stephanie uses her knowledge to help us get closer to our kids.
Connect with Stephanie Cohen:

Website: Learn To Talk With Me! with Stephanie Cohen, M.A., CCC-SLP, CLC
You Tube: Learn To Talk With Me - YouTube
Instagram: Stephanie Cohen, M.A., CCC-SLP, CLC (@learntotalkwithme)

Links Mentioned:

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Hiya: We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults.
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

The Reluctant Disciple :: Robin Pou [Ep 485] Aug 26, 2024

Today my friend, Robin Pou, joins us to talk about his powerful testimony of a near-death experience in Africa while on a mission trip and share about his new book, a parable, that was 14 years in the making. Robin is an executive coach, author, and founder of a leadership development firm. He is in the business of training Christians to lead in the marketplace or wherever God has placed them.
Through Robin’s harrowing experience the Lord shifted his life to focusing on how to bring God into the marketplace for those not called to full-time vocational ministry. Robin has so many tips for working and stay-at-home moms on how to be missional in all that we do and how to make our intentions point to the Lord. We are reminded of the Hebrew word “shama,” which means to hear and then obey the voice of the Lord. Robin’s story is gripping but most of all reminds us we are born for a purpose whether we are leading a company or doing the dishes, there is a mission for our lives.
Connect with Robin Pou:

Website: Empowering Leaders for Success | Explore The Confident Leader
Here are ways you can help support The Reluctant Disciple project…
Buy a book or two and share with friends
Write a review on Amazon
Post on social media, email, or text
Connect our team with podcasts and influencers
Download discussion questions for your community group or book club

Links Mentioned:

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Sidetracked with Jess Connolly :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 484] Aug 19, 2024

Are you tired physically, spiritually, or emotionally as a mom trying to do it all? Does the thought of resting make you stressed because you can’t see how? Do you know what kind of rest fills your soul?
Today Jess Connolly joins us to talk about her new book and all the research behind the how, where, and why of rest. Jess’s life is full with being an author, Bible teacher, podcaster, and coach so she knows the challenges of finding pockets of rest in a full schedule. I love how we discuss that there is no one-size-fits-all formula for resting and we are all made differently by our creator with unique ways to recharge. (Don’t forget to take the quiz below to identify what kind of rest you need in this season) Jess reminds us that Jesus had true rest for us even in busy seasons that will lead us to be more awake, alive, and present in our families, ministries, and careers. We end the podcast by getting sidetracked and talk about everything from theology books to ice machines- join us for tons of truth and fun.
Connect with Jess Connolly:

Website: Jess Connolly
Facebook: Jess Connolly
Instagram: Jess Connolly | Author + Bible Teacher (@jessaconnolly)

Links Mentioned:

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. Elevate your comfort, elevate your style, with bras that empower your lifestyle of flexibility
Thrive Causemetics Refresh your everyday look with Thrive Causemetics. Beauty that gives back. Thrivecausemetics.com/DMA for 10% off your first order.
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

“How Can I Help My Kid Make Friends?” :: David Thomas and Sissy Goff [Ep 483] Summer of Mentorship week 6 Aug 12, 2024

Do you try to coach or control your kids in friendships? Whether sending them off to Kindergarten or College there are so many opportunities along the way to help them be good friends and pick good friends.
Today we are revisiting an amazing conversation with Sissy Goff and David Thomas discussing how to help our kids foster friendships. As licensed counselors, working at DayStar Counseling Center in Nashville, they provide support, encouragement, and compassion to children, adolescents, and families in need through counseling.
This episode has advice at every turn for every age and stage. David talks about dropping his son off at college and how to be a coach - not a fixer. We discuss shifting from focusing on how to get friends to how to be a good friend. Sissy breaks down the girl issues that arise with anxiety, feelings of isolation or being left out, and moms who sometimes care more than their daughters about certain social situations. This is a perfect episode heading into back-to-school season as we prepare to navigate relationships alongside our kids.
Connect with David Thomas and Sissy Goff:

Website: Raising Boys and Girls
Facebook: Raising Boys and Girls
Instagram: Sissy Goff (@sissygoff) and Raising Boys and Girls (@raisingboysandgirls)
Podcast: Podcast | Raising Boys and Girls

Summer of Mentorship Discussion Questions:

What stood out to you in the week’s episode?
What is one step you can take to become a coach instead of a fixer?
Could you sit down this week and have your child make a list of what characteristics a good friend has? Ask them how they are doing on that scale and if they are looking for people with those same qualities.
Can you name one issue one of your kids is having in this area and what ideas this episode brought up for you to try?
Are you praying for your kids' friendships and connections? If not, stop and pray now for one another that the Lord would provide lifelong Godly friends this year for each of your children.

Links Mentioned:

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Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

“How Do I Regulate My Own Emotions?” :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 482] Summer of Mentorship Aug 05, 2024

As parents, we are keenly aware of the peaks and valleys of our kids’ emotions. Anger, sadness, excitement, and all the other feelings can make us feel like our child is on a roller coaster we’re just trying to slow down.
It’s true that we all feel highs and lows throughout our day, but we rarely talk about what it feel like when we’re “in the zone” and feeling calm and ready to go. My guest today is sharing about the window of tolerance and how to regulate ourselves and our kids to help stay in that window.

“If I am dysregulated, I cannot regulate my child. So if I'm in fight or flight and I'm yelling. There's no amount of yelling that brings my child back into the window. And sometimes parents think the yelling is working, but what you're doing isn’t getting your child in the window. They're going into collapse and into a place of fear.”
Charissa Lopez is a Licensed Professional Counselor and believer. Her passion is to come alongside those who are hurting and struggling to help them find truth, hope, healing, connection, and growth. She shares some eye-opening information and statistics to get us on the path to helping our kids build resilience and stay in that window of tolerance.
Charissa shares from a faith-perspective that we as believers are not alone. She reminds us that we can lean on God to regulate our emotions as we love on our kids and go through the hardships of life.

“God himself through Jesus is the ultimate attachment figure. He is always reaching for us. He never fails to respond to our needs. He always loves us. He's never judging us and never shaming us. So to know that when we need to be co-regulated, that when I am feeling like I'm going to leave the window, I can remember the truth of who God is and I can reach out to him in prayer.”
What we chat about:

The window of tolerance when our brains functioning well and effectively process input to make rational decisions calmly without feeling either overwhelmed or withdrawn
When we’re out of the window of tolerance, our thinking brain is not in control and we don’t register consequences
Many of us don’t live in the window of tolerance, but we’re too busy and stressed to stop and assess how we’re feeling at any given moment
Hyper-arousal, otherwise known as the fight/flight response, is often characterized by hypervigilance, feelings of anxiety and/or panic, and racing thoughts.
Hypo-arousal, or a freeze response, may cause feelings of emotional numbness, emptiness, or paralysis.
Learning how to stay in your window of tolerance builds resilience, both for us and our kids
When our kids live outside the window, they become “masters of survival” and often turn to negative coping strategies
What co-regulating our kids’ emotions looks like
Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
We can lean on God to bring us to that window of tolerance and into the fruits of the spirit

Connect with Charissa:

Website: charissalopez.com
Facebook: facebook.com/CharissaLopezCounseling

Links Mentioned:

Regulation Pack for DMA Listeners [WEBSITE]
Rosie’s Brain [BOOK]

Related Episodes:

Connecting Through Play Episode with Charissa
Ages and Stages–Tween Edition –differentiation episode with Charissa
Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues :: Lynne Jackson [Ep 258]

Summer of Mentorship Discussion Questions:

Have you heard of the window of tolerance before? If you look back at today, can you identify times when you were in the window and when you were in hyper-arousal/hypo-arousal?
What about when your kids were in hyper-arousal/hypo-arousal? Are there some simple indicators that tip you off to your child’s de-regulation?
How could knowing that your child’s thinking brain and understanding of consequences are not functioning in de-regulation change how you parent them when they have big emotional responses?
Do you need to take more time to regulate yourself when you are upset before disciplining your kids? Make a list of strategies you can use to get back to the window of tolerance before trying to help your kids regulate.
God is the ultimate attachment figure and he can help us regulate through prayer, corporate worship and community. How have you seen God help you regulate in the difficult moments in life? Share some wins!

Featured Sponsors:

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Gabb Phone and Watch-Gabb is offering HUGE discounts on phones and watches to new customers. There’s no contract required! Just go to GABB.com/dma to get started.
BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Never skip therapy day, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/dma today to get 10% off your first month.

Sidetracked by the Olympics, Mammograms, and Family Gambling :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 481] Aug 02, 2024

Out of the gate today we are into all the TMI topics like how to wear your gown at the Doctor’s office, mammograms, and what stage of menopause we are in. (Did you know there are five?) Cynthia’s family keeps it real as usual by washing their healthy vitamins full of fruits and veggies down with Diet Dr. Pepper.
Next up we discuss the Olympics, from what our favorite sports are to handball and break dancing, which we are pretty sure are made-up sports. I rehash my prolific synchronized swimming career and share how I impressed (read tortured) my boys on vacation by showing off my skills. Both of us are fresh off of summer family trips where I bribed my boys to play family games, and Cynthia got recognized in a hotel lobby while sternly talking to her family about taking a good picture.
Cynthia is reading Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont and gives some ideas on how to slow down and take note of the little things in life so we can remember them later. I share how the pressure to list all the needed family improvements can get overwhelming so I am choosing to list what is going well this season. Come laugh with us and be reminded that no matter how messy summer is making memories and taking time with family is invaluable.
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

Links Mentioned:

Hiya kids vitamins (see link and discount below)
Ilona Maher (@ilonamaher)
Crazy Rich Asians | Prime Video
Bird by Bird: By Anne Lamott
NYT Games: Word Games and Sudoku
Cynthia’s apple watch band
The Bear (TV Series 2022– ) - IMDb
Satin Heatless Curling Set
Bruce’s flat iron from when he chemically straightened his hair

Related Episodes:

Featured Sponsors:

Hiya–We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA . This deal is not available on their regular website
Skylight Calendar-As a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get $40 off your purchase of a Skylight Calendar when you go to skylightcal.com/ALONE .
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

“What Does My Child Need?” :: Amy and Dr. Jeffrey Olrick [Ep 480] Summer of Mentorship Week 4 Jul 29, 2024

Do you feel like all the parenting books and formulas do not apply to your child? Is there embarrassment over public behavior that causes conflict? Are you longing for a deep connection with your kids that lasts into adulthood?
Today we revisit my conversation with Amy and Jeffrey Olrick. Jeffrey is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with children and families and uses his knowledge in the science of healthy human development mixed with faith to help us in our family relationships.
They go through the six needs of every child and share a compass to help you find your way when it gets challenging. Jeffrey compares our walk through life to a long and challenging trek with our kids where we can get off course but can use these tools to get back on track and build deeper relationships with our kids. He came to the Lord through Matthew 11:28-30 which says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”.
We can take this to heart in parenting and in life that God wants us to be in right relationship with our kids and He has strengthened us with the Holy Spirit to do that job well.
Connect with Amy and Jeffrey Olrick:

Website: Growing Connected
Facebook: Growing Connected
Instagram: Growing Connected (@growingconnected)

Summer of Mentorship Discussion Questions:

What stood out to you in this week’s episode?
Which of the 6 needs is the most hard for you to do with your kids? Why do you think that is the case?
Jeffrey talks about sanctification through parenting. Can you reflect on one way you have been sanctified (free from sin or purified) through parenting? Share that win with the group and celebrate how the Lord has changed your life.
What are some things in parenting you’ve been looking for a one-size-fits-all solution for?
Can you shift your question from “What should I do?” to “How can I be with this child?” That process may start by sitting with the Lord so you have the grace and patience to be with your child in hard spaces. Ask the Holy Spirit for the ability to know what each kid needs at each moment.

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes:

Featured Sponsors:

Thrive Causemetics: Refresh your everyday look with Thrive Causemetics. Beauty that gives back. Right now get 10% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA.
Duncan and Stone Paper Company: Right now, we have a special offer for listeners: Get 20% off your first order with promo code DMA20. And did we mention that they offer free shipping on any order over $49? You know we’re a sucker for free shipping. Head to www.duncanandstone.com to start your memory making journey today!
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

How to Stay Calm with Strong Willed Kids? :: Kirk Martin [Ep 479] Summer of Mentorship Week Three Jul 22, 2024

I love Kirk’s realistic approach to parenting. He understands what your home dynamics are like. And gives practical tips. After listening to today’s episode you will have at least three different “tricks” to apply.
Most of all, I’m thankful for the new perspective he has given me. Kirk helped me recognize how emotionally invested I was in my boys’ behavior and freed me from the need to regulate their behavior for them.
The last couple days I’ve enjoyed the boys more. I’m also less tense and frustrated when we are out in public. In fact, I may need to go back and listen to this episode more than once, so it sticks!
This episode originally aired in May of 2015
Kirk came back on the show multiple times. Check out additional episodes here.
What we chat about:

Kirk’s realization that he needed to focus on his own behavior and stop trying to fix his son’s strong-willed behavior.
The switch he made from training 1500 kids in his home to training parents to calm themselves.
The one thing you can do today to de-escalate a tense situation in your home.
How to calmly handle your child’s meltdown

I can only control one person in life, and that’s me.

How motion changes emotion–helping little ones calm down b/c they don’t know how to “think” their way out.
What to do in the middle of Target aisle 3 when your child freaks out
Handling a tantruming child when his siblings are fighting and another needs help with homework and dinner is cooking (Heather’s daily 5 pm reality).

If you don’t care enough about yourself, to take care of yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually. . .why would anyone else care?

How sometimes parents want good behavior so badly, they are too invested in it and give children too much control.
How to be an impartial giver of wisdom.
Write down your emotional triggers & do the opposite of what you normally do.

Connect with Kirk:
Site :: Twitter :: Facebook :: Podcast
Links Mentioned:

CDs/DVDs
888-506-1871–Toll Free Number for Frustrated Parents

Summer of Mentorship Discussion Questions:

Discuss Kirk’s realization that he needed to focus on his own behavior and stop trying to fix his son’s strong-willed behavior.
If you struggle to stay calm when your kids are out of control, what are some of your triggers?
Which of Kirk’s ideas to de-escalate a situation is most realistic for you? Thinking about how motion changes emotion.
How did you react to Kirk’s idea of being an “impartial giver of wisdom” instead of being so invested in how your kids behave?
Spend some time working through a part of your day that is most challenging or a situation with a particular child and brainstorm ways you could respond differently. Share with others in the group and get their ideas if you are willing.

Featured Sponsors:

Thrive Market: Save time and money and shop Thrive Market today. Go to ThriveMarket.com/DMA for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!
Better Help: This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Stop comparing and start focusing, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/dma today to get 10% off your first month.

Greenlight: This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today and get your first month free when you go to Greenlight.com/dma.

Sidetracked with Makayla Noble :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 478] Jul 15, 2024

On September 20, 2021, Makayla Noble, a world-champion cheerleader, suffered an injury that resulted in a severe spinal cord injury. Both Cynthia and I were part of her extended community and were getting updates on her healing journey and how to pray for her. Today we have the honor of interviewing her to see how God has used her life to glorify Him even when things don’t go as planned.
From the moment of her accident, Makayla felt the overwhelming peace of God, that He was going to take care of her and had a plan. She has mourned her physical body and what she thought the future would look like but remains in the truth that “God is not done with me yet”. Come along with us as we hear Makayla’s story.
Connect with Makayla Noble:

Website: Makayla Noble | Mak's Warriors
Youtube: Makayla Noble - YouTube
Instagram: Makayla Noble (@makaylamnoble)

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes:

Featured Sponsors:

Duncan and Stone–-Get 20% off your first order with promo code DMA20. And did we mention that they offer free shipping on any order over $49? You know we’re a sucker for free shipping. -Head to www.duncanandstone.com to start your memory making journey today!
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

"Help When Adult Friendships End?" :: Shundria Riddick [Ep 477] Summer of Mentorship Week Two Jul 08, 2024

A few years ago on an Instagram survey I learned that 68% of y’all have experienced broken friendships. I knew we needed an episode to help.
Licensed professional counselor Shundria Riddick is here to walk us through some healthy ways to work toward reconciliation and how to know when to walk away from a hurtful friendship. We talk about setting healthy boundaries, having clarifying conversations, and how to analyze the health of relationships. We also cover the new trend of Millennials cutting off their parents and how to heal those wounds and come to new understandings.
With the busyness of parenting, work, and family- friendships often take the back burner. Shundria is here to help us make them a priority and learn how to move forward into healthy relationships even if we have been hurt in the past.
Connect with Shundria Riddick:

Website: Shundria Riddick
Facebook: Shundria Riddick MA, LPC
Instagram: Shundria Riddick (@shundriariddick)

Links Mentioned:

Relax – Shundria Riddick, MA LPC

Related Episodes:

Summer of Mentorship Discussion Questions:

What stood out to you in this week's podcast?
Have you had a broken friendship or relationship?
What has been your experience of walking away from a friendship in the past?
What boundaries do you set on friendships and how do you communicate them?
Sit still and ask God to help you filter through a relationship that you have trouble with. Are you navigating it the way he wants you to?

Featured Sponsors:

Thrive Causemetics-Refresh your everyday look with Thrive Causemetics. Beauty that gives back. Right now, you can get an exclusive 10% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA
Greenlight-Greenlight: This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today and get your first month free when you go to Greenlight.com/dma

Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

Sidetracked by Naming Body Parts, Steaks for Lunch, and Summer Dilemmas (when you’re not in Italy) :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 476] Jul 05, 2024

**earbud alert–if you listen with little ones around may want to pop in the ole earbuds or be prepared to have lots of conversations ;) **
We kick off today looking like we are going to two separate events, with one dressed up and one in athleisure. Are you team shorts or team dresses for summer? We give some summer updates including how to feed ALL of the teens that are home and my 1980’s drink that is keeping 4 boys hydrated. Social media has us convinced that everyone is traveling to Italy this summer, was there a BOGO deal we missed?
Recapping the last month includes a funeral for our young friend Pike who lost his battle with leukemia and how powerfully his family honored him at the touching memorial. I was reeling emotionally going from graduation to funeral to medieval times with sixth graders then wisdom tooth removal for my college-bound son. Join us today as we get sidetracked and share the hard and joyful parts of summer 2024.
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

Links Mentioned:

Heather’s slip shorts
Heather’s summer meal plan
Cynthia’s pesto chicken slider recipe
Country Time Lemonade Drink Mix
Stem Cell Donor Matching Program in Pike’s Honor: Anyone 18-55 that is in good health can request an at home swab kit at https://www.dkms.org/get-involved/virtual-drives/gettypedforpike
Heather’s Air fryer
Audible Books & Originals
The Silent Patient: by Alex Michaelides
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: by John Mark Comer
The Women: by Kristin Hannah
Greenlights: by Matthew McConaughey
Funny Story: Emily Henry
All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore
Zipper bags for moving
Cynthia’s portable charger
Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler
TRUE LEMON Water Enhancer
The Jess Connolly Podcast Episode 8 — Jess Connolly— “Must Be Nice Disease”

Related Episodes:

Featured Sponsors:

Gabb Wireless –Gabb is offering $25 off any device to new customers–with no contract required! That’s $25 off any Gabb smartphone or smart watch. Go to Gabb.com/DMA use code DMA.
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

"How do I connect better with my kids?" [Ep 475] :: Summer of Mentorship Week 1 Jul 01, 2024

Welcome to week one of the Summer of Mentorship! This summer we are answering your questions with guests from past episodes. We are starting off with an episode from April of 2020 (ep 280) with Rachel Macy Stafford, the founder of Hands Free Mama.
Rachel’s Hands Free Mama mentality is all about finding balance in a media-saturated, perfection-obsessed world. And it’s about seizing the little moments that life offers us to engage in real and meaningful interaction.
She shares a realization that she was not connected with her own people. How she was believing a lie that she needed to hide certain parts of herself, the messy parts, the imperfect parts, in order to be loved and accepted.Her “ah-ha” moment came when she vulnerably shared this belief with her daughter and found acceptance.
“Opening that door to being human actually brings us closer together. Then we can connect from that place of 'I'm struggling' and that doesn't mean there's something wrong with me. That doesn't mean I need to hide it. It means I need to reach out and talk to someone about this so we can work together to see how we might go forward.”
From that place she has chosen to extend that same acceptance and found real connection. Which then helps keep the lines of communication open as they grow up.
“This is all about redefining what our role is as a parent. It is not the authoritarian model anymore. It is the guide, the truth teller and the encourager. Not the enforcer, not the half listener, not the critic. That those roles are only going to get us further and further from each other when the idea is right now we need to come closer.”
Connect with Rachel:

Website: handsfreemama.com
Facebook: facebook.com/TheHandsFreeRevolution
Instagram: @handsfreerevolution
Twitter: @handsfreemama

FREE LIVE LOVE NOW LISTENING PLAN:

Click here for special 7-day listening plan for Don’t Mom Alone Listeners

Links Mentioned:

Live Love Now [BOOK]
Only Love Today [BOOK]
Amy McCready--Positive Parenting Solutions
Pre-order Bonuses--21-Day Self-Care Listening Plan AND 4 Downloadable Tools for Connection

Ask “Heart Questions vs. Performance Questions”
Practice phrases that take you “From Conflict to Calm”
Consider if you are an “Easy-to-Be-Around Adult”
Exclusive Phone Lock Screen - “Connecting by Protecting”

Summer of Mentorship Podcast Club Discussion Questions:

What kind of parenting model did you grow up with? How has that model influenced your parenting today?
Do you see your role as more of an enforcer or an encourager?
What are some problem areas for your child(ren) that you can bring them in on finding a solution?
Could taking the time to listen to them make a difference in how you both respond?
What is one thing you’d like to implement this week from Rachel’s talk?

Raising Critical Thinkers :: Julie Bogart [Ep 474] Jun 24, 2024

Do you notice our culture (especially online) is full of people who all think their opinion is correct and want to argue? Do you wish you had the tools to help your child think for themselves and have deep conversations?
Julie Bogart; author, podcaster, and creator of Brave Writers; is here to help us teach our kids how to have critical thinking skills and how to use those tools as parents. In a world full of people defending their views and trying to convince everyone around them that their way is the right way, Julie shows us how to have real conversations. Many of us grew up with authoritarian parents and have moved all the way over to the gentle parenting side but Julie explains how both are not the best way forward.
She gives many ideas on how to approach conversations, especially with our teens, using imagination, curiosity, and empathy to understand them better. She teaches us how to pay attention in uncomfortable conversations and how that is a critical thinking opportunity. This episode is full of wisdom and tons of ideas on how to teach our children to think well. From how little kids learn through play to how our big kids learn through reading and expanding their worldview. The goal is to have deep and meaningful relationships that go far beyond their years in our home and this episode equips us to build better conversations and relationships.
Connect with Julie Bogart:

Website: Brave Writer | Writing programs and online classes
Facebook: Brave Writer
Instagram: Julie Sweeney (@juliebravewriter)

Links Mentioned:

The Brave Learner: by Julie Bogart
Raising Critical Thinkers: by Julie Bogart
Becoming a Critical Thinker: by Julie Bogart
Inside Out Approach to Parenting Our Challenging Child [BLOG POST]
DMA Podcast Clubs (scroll down, look for box to input email address if you want support)

Related Episodes:

Featured Sponsors:

Green Chef: Go to Greenchef.com/dma50 and use code dma50 to get 50% off, plus 20% off your next two months.
Greenlight: This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today and get your first month free when you go to Greenlight.com/dma
BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/dma today to get 10% off your first month.

Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

Sidetracked with Beth McCord :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 473] Jun 17, 2024

Today’s podcast kicks off with a real-life example of how the enneagram can improve relationships and facilitate healthy conflict resolution. Heather sent our guest, Beth McCord, a less than friendly email recently and Beth responded with grace and understanding because she knows how to navigate our personalities, what a gift.
Our guest Beth is a well-known speaker, author, teacher, enneagram coach, podcaster, and more. She has honed her skill of understanding personalities while helping people find freedom in Christ.
We ask her the big question of how to approach the enneagram from a Biblical perspective when there are so many rumors swirling around that its roots are ungodly. At the end of the day, this is a tool to bring freedom to relationships and Beth reminds us the goal is to be a non-anxious connected presence to our kids. Her new book is about motherhood and how we approach our children and conflict based on our personalities and how to heal in unhealthy areas so we can be whole. Stick around to the end where she nails our enneagram types when it comes to mom life, work, and friendship.
Connect with Beth McCord:

Website: Your Enneagram Coach | Free Enneagram Test, Courses, and Coaching
Facebook: Your Enneagram Coach
Instagram: Beth McCord | (@yourenneagramcoach)

Links Mentioned:

Eight Sleep | The Intelligent Sleep System
Should Christians Use the Enneagram I Origins of the Enneagram
Gospel For Enneagram | Tyler Zach
More Than Your Number: Beth McCord
The Enneagram for Moms: Beth McCord
Becoming Us: Beth McCord
9 Enneagram Type Core Motivations
Enneagram Assessment - Your Enneagram Coach
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery: Ian Cron
Beth’s Sidetracked Show : Dark Matter
Beth’s Sidetracked Amazon Purchase: Inflatable Baby Seat for Babies 3 Months and Up, Baby Floor Seats for Sitting Up

Related Episodes:

Featured Sponsors:

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Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

Don’t Dad Alone :: Dustin Nickerson [Ep 472] Jun 10, 2024

Father’s Day is quickly approaching and Dustin Nickerson- Comedian, author, and podcaster- is here to share all things funny and serious about parenting. On his podcast with his wife Melissa, they laugh at and also talk about the tough parts of parenting. I ask him about what it is like to try and balance family, travel for work, and attempt to have meaningful connections in friendships. The more busy we get with families and work the harder it is to lean in and make those very important relationships a priority. Dustin brings tons of joy to the parenting journey as he talks about fighting while hiking, kids with ADHD, and stolen cupcakes.
Connect with Dustin Nickerson:

Website: Dustin Nickerson
Facebook: Dustin Nickerson
Instagram: @dustinnickerson

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes:

Featured Sponsors:

StoryWorth: Give all the “fathers” in your life a unique, heartfelt gift you’ll all cherish for years–StoryWorth! Right now, save $10 on your first purchase when you go to Storyworth.com/dma.
BetterHelp: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/dma today to get 10% off your first month and get on your way to being your best self.
Thrive Causemetics: Refresh your everyday look with Thrive Causemetics. Luxury beauty that gives back. Right now, you can get an exclusive 10% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA.
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

Sidetracked by American Idol, Father’s Day, and Eyebrows :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 471] Jun 07, 2024

Today’s sidetracked starts off with Cynthia airing her grievances. We talk about eyebrows and all of the products we use to get them to grow. Then move on to an update about our Patreons which we find out are the Wal-Mart and Target of that platform. I guess once you start posting content people remember they are paying for it. We also talk about our local celebrity from American Idol, Jack Blocker, and break down the difference between the new American Idol and the era of Simon Cowell. Turns out we are both the Simon Cowell of our families sharing brutally honest truth daily.
We wrap up with Father’s Day, and I get emotional sharing how my dad was the picture of a Godly leader and made it easy to trust the Lord. Cynthia shares the challenges and struggles of this season of life with teens and parents who need a little more help, there is always something to do. Both Bruce and Mike have shown up for our families in incredible ways and we honor them by talking about their strengths. Come laugh, cry, and rant with us as we get sidetracked.
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes:

Featured Sponsors:

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Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

Creating a Family Tech Plan :: Andrea Davis [Ep 470] Jun 03, 2024

Do you feel like since 2020 your family tech rules have gone out the window? How do you handle tech guidelines if both parents are not on the same page? Do you find it difficult to manage different ages and stages when it comes to screens?
Andrea Davis, a mom of five with a degree in secondary education, is here to share a ton of wisdom and guidance on tech and screens for summer and beyond. We discuss the differences between kids earning screens, where often the screens become the entire focus of the long summer days and a family tech plan that creates more balance.
Andrea's plan for teens includes the three p’s; purpose, plan, and passion. These all create space for your child to get creative and work on skills in their free time. Also, check out her boredom busters in the show notes for the days when mom needs to work, the budget is tight, or the kids are done with all of their daily tasks. This episode is full of practical ideas but more importantly, Andrea reminds us that our kids want time with us and shaping their character and who God created them to be is more important than rules and regulations.
Connect with Andrea Davis:

Website: Better Screen Time | Andrea Davis
Facebook: Better Screen Time
Instagram: Leading Families to Slow Tech • Andrea Davis (@betterscreentime)

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes:

Featured Sponsors:

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Finding Freedom from Habitual Sin :: Kirby Kelly [Ep 469] May 27, 2024

Have you ever struggled with a repetitive sin that you can’t seem to break on your own? Do you swing from feelings of shame to justifying sin as no big deal? Do you understand the enemy’s tactics and how he preys on our weaknesses?
Today Kirby Kelly- speaker, author, scholar, and Christian content creator- joins me to share her powerful and very vulnerable story. Kirby dealt with habitual sin for years until the Lord showed up in His grace and mercy to set her free. She shares how sanctification works in the life of believers and how the Christian community and other women standing beside her helped release her from shame and break off chains.
Kirby also talks about green and red light zones which are boundaries that keep us free from sin and out of enemy territory. She discusses the difference between operating from a place of superhuman, subhuman, and simply human mindsets and how each of those affects our view of sin and ourselves. Through vulnerability, boundaries, our identity in Christ, and understanding our enemy Kirby imparts truth and tools that are truly life-changing.
Connect with Kirby Kelly:

Website: Kirby Kelly
Facebook: Kirby Kelly
Instagram: Kirby Kelly 🕊️✨🌿 (@kirbyisaboss)

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Sidetracked with Toni Collier :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 468] May 20, 2024

Today kicks off our new sidetracked series with a surprise guest! Toni Collier- author, speaker, podcaster, and single mom- joins us to cover all the topics. Toni is the author of Broken Crayons Still Color and encourages people that even in the hard and dark parts of life God is waiting to use us. In our brokenness, we can see God in the land of the living. She reminds us that regardless of events in our past there is still hope and joy to be found. Toni discusses how we lose wonder and excitement as we become adults and how to remain like a child while we look for God in the everyday, He is always working if we have the eyes to see it.
It wouldn't be sidetracked though if we didn’t go on every tangent possible from tattoos with Ann Voskamp, to Toni’s dream concert, sushi, and the Ironman movies, we cover it all.
Connect with Toni Collier:

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Hope and Help for Taboo Topics in Postpartum Care :: Krystle Howald [Ep 467] May 13, 2024

Did you know that once you are postpartum you are always postpartum? Do you have issues from pregnancy, birth, or c-sections that have followed you and don’t know where to turn? Do you know that only 4% of parents are getting the movement that they need?
Today Krystle Howald, a women’s health physical therapist and co-founder of Expecting and Empowered, is here to break down some of the pains and issues we as moms experience after birth and beyond. While going to physical therapy school she quickly realized there were limited resources for moms who have incontinence issues, pain during sex, or just want to feel good in their body after childbirth. She shares tips on how to baby-carry without injury, how to breathe properly to bring our body back into alignment, and how to fit movement in as a busy mom.
Krystle brings hope, proving there are providers out there that want to help with the pain or shame around these sensitive topics, and that God has created our bodies to heal. Stick around until the end where she shares a coupon code for the Expecting and Empowered App!
Connect with Krystle Howald:

Links Mentioned:

Podcast — Expecting and Empowered
Code for app: dontmomalone to get 25% off a one year subscription

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Honoring Moms, the Unsung Heroes :: Rebecca St. James [Ep 466] May 06, 2024

Rebecca St. James, a popular Australian American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and actress, is here to talk about the amazing new movie Unsung Hero, which chronicles her family's journey to rebuild their lives from the ground up. She shares personal stories from her childhood and how their mom’s faith stands up against all odds and inspires her husband and children to hold on to theirs.
Rebecca vulnerably shares her own marriage and motherhood struggles as she longed to be married and have children and how God shaped her through the waiting. Once she started a family all of the spiritual disciplines that her parents instilled in her have become an important part of how she and her husband lead their children today.
This movie and conversation reminds us that every Christian family is called to a unique adventure- they are not all the same but God has a plan for every one of us. When we settle for cookie-cutter lives we are missing out on the miracles He has for us. Be encouraged today that God has an adventure for your family when we step out in faith.
Connect with Rebecca St. James:

Website: RSJ (rebeccastjames.com)
Facebook: Rebecca St. James
Instagram: Rebecca St. James (@rebeccast.james)

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Sidetracked by 1980’s Mother’s Day, LTK, and Bad Book Reviews :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 465] May 03, 2024

As usual, this sidetracked has so much packed into it, especially as we head into Mother’s Day and the end-of-school-year May(hem). We recap my son Quade’s final high school musical performance as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast. Once again the tears are flowing as I process having a senior and all of the final milestones that come along with it.
Cynthia tries to describe what her best Mother’s Day would look like and it ends up being a 1980’s party with a clean house and peaceful kids. While I would like to bring back the homemade Mother’s Day crafts, let’s get all the high school teachers on board. Cynthia chats about what summer looks like when the college kids come home, it's around-the-clock fun with the little one up at 6:30 AM and the big kids up until the wee hours of the morning.
Come laugh along with us as we face the month of May and all of the busyness and big feelings that come along with this season of motherhood. Stick around to the end where we share a big announcement about how the summer of podcasting will look.
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

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Stewarding Sacred and Spiritual Disciplines at Home :: Jennifer Pepito [Ep 464] Apr 29, 2024

Do you feel like you are just existing with your family instead of being intentional? Are you finding it hard to consistently spend time with the Lord as a busy mom? Do you wonder how to train your kids in Godly principles and practices that last a lifetime?
Today Jennifer Pepito- author, podcaster, and homeschool curriculum writer- joins me to talk about her new book Habits for a Sacred Home. She studied the ancient practices and habits of monks and Christian women who have gone before us to see how they lived and how we can use some of their tools in our homes.
Through the Benedictine rule, she discovered nine principles that can guide our days: simplicity, stewardship, order, stability, hospitality, community, prayer, and work. Jennifer talks about what this looks like in the imperfect, busy, messy seasons that family life brings. Life does not need to be idyllic to have a sacred home. The goal of these practices is not to have another burden or to-do list but to create space for the Holy Spirit to show up in our families and guide us as we walk through life together submitted to Him.
Connect with Jennifer Pepito:

Website: THE PEACEFUL PRESS
Facebook: Jennifer Pepito
Instagram: Jennifer Pepito (@jenniferpepito)

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When You're Busy and Stressed by Mom Life Expectations :: Joanna Weaver [Ep 463] Apr 22, 2024

Do you often feel like you are dropping all the spinning plates? That you can’t keep up or believe the lie that you are the worst mom and wife? Do you wonder why you are not further along, why does everyone else seem to have it together?
Today Joanna Weaver- author, speaker, and podcaster- joins me to discuss her new book Embracing Trust. We also spent time talking about her classic Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and how that message has stayed applicable through the years. We want to worship at the feet of Jesus like Mary but the Martha in us keeps bossing us around, telling us to work harder and strive more. Joanna reminds us that if we tend our connection with the Lord everything else flows out of that place. The tasks and needs do not disappear but the ability to tackle them with grace, tranquility, and truth increases as we spend time at the feet of Jesus.
Connect with Joanna Weaver:

Website: Christian Author and Speaker - Joanna Weaver
Facebook: Joanna Weaver Books
Instagram: Joanna Weaver | Christian Author (@joannaweaverbooks)

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House Rules and Learning to Love your Home :: Myquillyn Smith [Ep 462] Apr 15, 2024

Do you feel like you just need more money to create a home you love? Do you want an inviting home that feels peaceful and open to your friends and family? Are you confused about your decorating style and end up buying random decor that does not work?
Myquillyn Smith, author and founder of the Nesting Place, joins me to help with all of the House Rules that can be so overwhelming. She gives me advice on how to update my kitchen on a limited budget by utilizing Pinterest. Plus gives advice on everything from throw pillows, lamps, wallpaper, and buying new couches. Myquillyn says that decorating is taking the time to learn about yourself and what you need for your home. Building the confidence to make big and small decisions that lead to a home you love and is functional. She reminds us that it does not have to be perfect to be beautiful.
One powerful statement from Myquillyn is to not wait to get started, get started today on creating a home you love. One that you, your family, and your friends can be invited into a place of peace and rest.
Connect with Myquillyn Smith:

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When You’re Disappointed in Mom Life Limitations :: Sara Hagerty [Ep 461] Apr 08, 2024

Do you feel as if you are always measuring yourself as a mom? Do you feel like the pressure to keep up with moms around you is overwhelming? Do you feel snappy or resentful at your kids and husband?
Today, author Sara Hagerty joins me to talk about her new book, The Gift Of Limitations. She is a wife and mom of seven with four adopted kids. Sara shares how we often find ourselves daydreaming about other seasons and how to recognize our limits and give ourselves grace without shame and complaining. When we name our limits we can actually grieve them and let God give us the story He is intricately weaving for our families. Society tells us we can be limitless, we can optimize everything, but Sara reminds us that the limits and plot twists in our life are all from a good Father who is at work in our stories.
Connect with Sara Hagerty:

Website: Sara Hagerty
Facebook: Sara Hagerty
Instagram: Sara Hagerty (@sarahagertywrites)

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Sidetracked by Instagram Arguments, Chicos, and End-of-School Year Emotions :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 460] Apr 05, 2024

Right off the bat Cynthia and I get sidetracked by my grumpy mood. A mood I blamed on an instagram battle but probably more about my grief of having a senior who is actually going to college!
There’s some rehashing of the Bachelor, Heather’s advice for renting with Turo and discussion whether audiobooks count as reading. We also get sidetracked talking about all of the end-of-school year emotions including Cynthia's current struggle over her first grader’s learning and reading challenges. She claims her stage of life is somewhere between Kidzbop music and shapewear from Soma. Which makes us wonder how would you describe your current parenting stage?
Regardless of which end of the spectrum you are on (or maybe you are in both seasons) this episode will give you encouragement that God cares for our kids more than we ever will and He has a good story for their lives.
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

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From Ruin to Redemption :: Nadia Louise [Ep 459] Apr 01, 2024

Earbud and Trigger warning
We live on the other side of the Resurrection! If you find yourself in the middle of brokenness and ruin, we pray this episode reminds you that your heavenly Father God is in the redemption business.
Today Nadia Louise joins me to share her powerful testimony. Her story is woven with so many layers of trauma and pain from a narcissistic, abusive father to the death of her brother when she was just 17 years old. That event was the catalyst that allowed Nadia to hear the voice of the Lord. But her story was not over; she still walked through pain, suffering, more death, and heartbreak. As she learned to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear His voice she began to heal from depression, self-harm, and her past.
Listen in to Nadia’s powerful story and know that God still heals, still redeems, and still works today.
Connect with Nadia Louise:

YouTube: Nadia Louise (youtube.com)
Instagram: nadia louise (@itsnadialouise)

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Emotional Maturity, Teamwork, and 25 years of Marriage :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 458] Mar 25, 2024

Bruce joins me today to discuss 25 years of marriage and answer listener questions like- What did you learn in year 25 that you wish you knew in year 1? How do you make time for intimacy? How to handle times when your significant other is having a struggle with faith? And, What are you looking forward to when your kids are grown and flown?
I discuss how I’ve grown in emotional maturity while Bruce talks about how to get out of the ruts and routines of work and family life. We also tackle different personality types and how we handle those when parenting our boys. Teen parenting is hard y’all, there are no formulas but we have learned that teamwork is essential.
God had been so good and faithful through 25 years of marriage and parenting. Join us today as we share the vulnerable, hard, and good parts of the journey.
Connect with Bruce:

Website: zello.com/about-us
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-macfadyen/

Links Mentioned:

A Drama Triangle explanation
A Definition of Locus of Control
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age: by Melissa B. Kruger
Shōgun: The Complete Novel: by James Clavell
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany: by William Shirer

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Three Faith Pillars for Parenting Teens :: Melissa Kruger [Ep 457] Mar 18, 2024

Do you feel like you are on the hamster wheel of expectations this culture throws at your teen? Do you feel the pressure and pull of having them in every sport, activity, and tutor to excel? Is church becoming a point of struggle every Sunday?
Melissa Kruger joins me to talk about all things teen and how to raise them in this culture that is pointing to everything but Jesus. Melissa is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women as they walk through life and motherhood. We talk about how to enjoy our teens instead of curating their lives and how to allow them space to fail. Melissa shares the three pillars that are the foundation of a home focused on Christ- God’s word, prayer, and the Church. We dive into each of these and how to practically walk them out in our homes and with our teens.
Melissa ultimately reminds us that as recipients of God’s unfailing grace, we get to share that identity with our kids as we guide them through these challenging years.
Connect with Melissa Kruger

Website: Melissa Kruger (melissabkruger.com)
Facebook: Melissa B. Kruger
Instagram: Melissa Kruger (@melissabryankruger)

Links Mentioned:

Pre-order “Parenting with Hope”
Books – Melissa Kruger
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know by Melissa B Kruger
The Gospel Coalition (TGC)
Article on Melissa’s family prayer routine: Now’s the Time! Resources for Family Devotions

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Changing the Atmosphere of Your Home with Positive Parenting :: Ralphie Jacobs [Ep 456] Mar 11, 2024

Is your home a place of peace or one of anger and frustration? Do you feel exhausted from the arguing and bickering between kids? Does the bedtime struggle make most evenings end in overwhelm?
Ralphie Jacobs is here to help us understand the science and tactics behind Positive Parenting. She started her career in early childhood education and soon realized through her own parenting struggles that there was a lack of resources for behavior change through Positive Parenting. She teaches parents how to change their own behaviors to change home environments and the practical steps to get there.
Shifting the atmosphere of our home can feel like turning the Titanic, but Ralphie gives us hope that we can walk a path of gratitude instead of a path of scarcity.
Connect with Ralphie Jacobs:

Website: Simply On Purpose - Home
Instagram: Ralphie• Positive Parenting (@simplyonpurpose)

Links Mentioned:

Calm in the Chaos Webinar (watch the replay)
50+ ideas for spending one-on-one time with your kid

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Secure Borders and the Compassionate Christian :: Bri Stensrud [Ep 455] Mar 04, 2024

Do you feel the pull between protecting your family and kids while having compassion on the orphan and the widow who are crossing our borders? Do you feel confused about immigration laws and sustainable immigration practices?
Today Bri Stensrud, author, human dignity advocate, and the Director at Women of Welcome shares her heart on immigration. She began her career as a pro-life advocate and after going to Mexico and seeing the reality of so many women and children, compassionate care quickly became her mission.
Bri tells us that we can advocate for secure, safe, and legal borders and also the dignity of those arriving here in America. Fear and confusion can often cause us not to engage in the conversation or the communities around us but the Lord has called us to be salt and light. Stick around for the end where she gives practical ideas on how to reach out to those who have fled from desperate situations to bring friendship and hope.
Connect with Bri Stensrud:

Website: Bri Stensrud - Women of Welcome
Facebook: Women of Welcome | Facebook
Instagram: Women of Welcome (@womenofwelcome)

Links Mentioned:

Start with Welcome: The Journey toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation: by Bri Stensrud
World Relief
Compassion International
Show Me the Way by Henri Nouwen (the lent study Heather is doing)
Private Refugee Settlement Program

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Sidetracked by Throat Gurgles, Unlikely Friendships and Trash Can Valentines :: special guest Rachel Green [Ep 454] Mar 01, 2024

Today’s show starts with a small hiccup and then really gets going with our guest and listener Rachel Green (but not that one ;)). We discussed what we had for breakfast and it was everything from a frittata, to coconut milk yogurt with all the toppings, to a Diet Dr. Pepper with saltines. Can you guess who ate what?
Rachel admits to being sidetracked by ruminating over her busy calendar, and how Cynthia’s book is helping her, “get comfortable with being uncomfortable so she can bring others in”. We share what the Lord is teaching us lately including Kingdom success vs. the world’s success and how to prioritize relationships over tasks. All while Cynthia starts a new segment called, “How are we even friends?”. Lastly, don’t forget to tag us on socials with your amazing dog names (Heather promises not to judge).
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: Episodes – Cynthia Yanof

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Hope for the Hopeless Marriage :: Kathy Bush [Ep 453] Feb 26, 2024

If you need a reminder that God can redeem and restore a broken marriage, this week’s guest, Kathy Bush shares her powerful restoration testimony.
Kathy and Tim have been married for 42 years, many of those years filled with hurt, pain and infidelity. Their story centers around a primary marriage challenge —bringing two stories, backgrounds, and expectations together. It took Kathy and Tim hitting rock bottom to begin a two-year process of counseling where they found a place of healing.
Kathy reminds us that God designed marriage before He designed the church and that it can be a powerful tool against the enemy if we can walk in step together. Today Kathy and Tim run War Room Ministries to serve men, marriages, families, and churches across the country and help families find healing.
Connect with Kathy Bush:

Website: Home - War Room Ministries
Instagram: War Room Ministries (@warroomministry)

Links Mentioned:

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The What, Why and Work-through of Panic Attacks :: Kasey Van Norman [Ep 452] Feb 19, 2024

Did you know panic attacks can happen even when everything around you looks “perfect”?
They can sneak up seemingly out of nowhere and be frightening. But a panic attack is a warning light to slow down and see what is happening in our bodies and emotions. Panic is a behavioral and physical response to anxiety locked in our bodies. So many of us can feel alone and isolated even when surrounded by people.
My guest today, Kasey Van Norman, an author, counselor, and teacher, shares the neurological and physical science behind panic attacks and anxiety. She gives us insight into why they happen and reminds us that the key to living a life free of anxiety is a present relationship with Jesus. Kasey dives into Luke 10 where Mary and Martha show the pull between anxiety and peace. She reminds us that sitting at the feet of Jesus is the way to peace and always available to us.
Connect with Kasey Van Norman:

Website: Kasey Van Norman
Facebook: The Made Well House
Instagram: Kasey Van Norman, LPC | Therapy + Theology (@kaseyvannorman)
Made Well House: The Made Well House Counseling and Wellness

Links

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Helping Socially Anxious Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 451] Feb 12, 2024

Boys today are struggling more than ever with social anxiety.
They feel hesitant, anxious, and struggle to take healthy risks. How do we know when to push them into uncomfortable places? Many boys are even struggling with life milestones like getting their driver's license, asking a girl to the school dance, or applying to college. OCD and ADHD are on the rise and we want to understand when to step in and get them any help that is needed.
My guest David Thomas, a licensed professional counselor, is back to bring wisdom, advice, and tools to navigate life with our boys. He tells us the top three reasons why these issues are on the rise. David helps us learn how to support, challenge, and help boys be more outward moving and have more purpose. He reminds us that our sons are first a child of God and we can anchor them in that truth as we parent and guide them through life.
Connect with David Thomas:

Website: Raising Boys and Girls (raisingboysandgirls.com)
Facebook: Raising Boys and Girls | Facebook
Instagram: Raising Boys and Girls (@raisingboysandgirls) • Instagram photos and videos

Links Mentioned:

Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life by Susan David
The Worry-Free Parent: Living in Confidence So Your Kids Can Too by Sissy Goff
Feeding the Mouth That Bites You: A Complete Guide to Parenting Adolescents and Launching Them Into the World by Kenneth Wilgus
Legacy Changerby Kristen Hallinan
Life 360 App
Your Enneagram Coach (a gospel-centered approach to the Enneagram)

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Feeding Your Kids Without Mom Guilt :: Kacie Barnes [Ep 450] Feb 05, 2024

Kids plus nutrition often equals a storm of thoughts and emotions. What should I serve my child? How do I get them to eat it? Is what I heard on the internet true? We don’t come to these questions with blank slates either. Words spoken to us or ideas we’ve internalized can make this area of life rife with trouble.
But my guest this week is mom and registered dietician Kacie Barnes and she is here to help! She’s got broad guidelines and specific tips to help us through snacks and mealtimes.
The one thing she made sure to say in our interview?
“Give yourself some credit because I know that you work really hard to feed your kids and it is not an easy job.”
Connect with Kacie Barnes:

Website: https://mamaknowsnutrition.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mamaknowsnutrition/
Instagram: @mamaknowsnutrition

Links Mentioned:

Renzo’s Pick Eater Multivitamin with Iron
Find Simple Mills foods or Harvest Pea Snaps at your favorite grocer

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Life is Messy, God is Good :: Sidetracked with Cynthia and Heather [Ep 449] Feb 02, 2024

Where do you turn when life gets messy?
Cynthia said it best, “98% of life is the messy part.” But that sentence doesn’t have to end there, with us shaking our fists at the sky. Instead, get Sidetracked with Cynthia and me as we dive right into life’s messy parts, clinging to the brilliant hope that God is still good to us, and for us.
Pre-order Cynthia’s new book, Life is Messy, God is Good and enter our contest to be on a future episode of Sidetracked!
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

Links Mentioned:

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She’s Not Your Enemy :: Jenn Schultz [Ep 448] Jan 22, 2024

How do you measure yourself? How do you decide if you’re succeeding or failing in life?
One ruler we often reach for is comparison. Sometimes comparisons are helpful tools we can use to evaluate our processes or methods. But we’ve all seen comparisons go wrong. Who hasn’t thought, “I’m not like her. I must be less than”?
Comparison isolates. It causes us to withdraw from our community or to put up perfect-looking walls that keep people out. My guest this week is recovering comparison-chaser, Jenn Schultz.
Her new book, She’s Not Your Enemy, shows us the root of the problem isn’t how we are different from one another, it’s that we don’t truly know who we are. Armed with the knowledge of who God made us to be, we are free to celebrate other women and build God’s kingdom together.
Connect with Jenn Schultz:

Website: https://jennschultzauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennschultzauthor
Instagram: @jennschultzauthor
Podcast: Called Into Being @calledintobeing

Links Mentioned:

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Is This Normal? A Women’s Health Conversation :: Dr. Kamilia Smith [Ep 447] Jan 15, 2024

Have you ever asked yourself, “Is what’s going on with my body normal?”
So often as women, we are quiet about what’s going on with our bodies. Our concerns have been dismissed before. We’re worried about what will have to change in our lives to fix this nagging symptom. The doctor is busy. We have to leave this appointment soon to make it on time to the next thing on our lists. So we just deal.
But my guest this week, Dr. Kamilia Smith, says that “quality of life issues should not be extra credit for women.” Our conversation covers a gamut of topics from menopause to sexual health to supplements.
Dr. Smith is the Founder and Director of Charleston House Gynecology in Dallas. Her practice is geared toward caring for all of a woman on the zig-zag road through midlife healthcare.
Connect with Dr. Kamilia Smith:

Website: https://charlestonhousegyn.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlestonhousegyn
Instagram: @charlestonhousegyn

Links Mentioned:

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Gathering a Mentor Circle :: Ben Bevis [Ep 446] Jan 08, 2024

What would you do to make sure your child’s faith life is growing strong? Is this something you’re taking on yourself or getting help with?
Join us this week as Ben Bevis, a passionate advocate for youth empowerment through faith, shares insights on gathering Mentor Circles around our young people. As the founder of Encircled, Ben is dedicated to helping to launch the Next Generation with sustained faith. Ben and Encircled do this by helping to equip parents, grandparents and mentors by grounding youth in their identity in Christ, discover their God-given gifts and create a vision for their lives. Listen in about how you as a parent can gather a Mentor Circle around your child!

Connect with Ben Bevis:

Website: https://encircled.org/
Instagram: @encircled.official
Email: ben.bevis@encircled.org

Links Mentioned:

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Out with the Old Cherry Bomb Exhaust and In with the New :: Sidetracked by the New Year feat. Laurel Denise [Ep 445] Jan 05, 2024

Happy New Year! We’re starting the year off right with mile-long to-do lists and a complex highlighting system so we don’t forget to wash the dog in the midst of crocheting that giant bow.
JK!
But we are thinking about what went well in 2023 and what we’re focusing in on 2024. Whether you make resolutions or not, evaluating how things are going is helpful and the flip of the calendar is a natural time to do just that. But because we’ve been victimized by the to-do list just as often as we’ve been helped by it, we brought in professional help. Laurel Denise, better known as Lolly, from Laurel Denise Planners joins us to talk about planning and to help us make sense of all those task-thoughts running around our brains.
Getting Sidetracked may be a little more productive than usual this month! (but still with plenty of laughs!)
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Podcast: Messmerized
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof

Connect with Laurel Denise:

Website: https://laureldenise.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/laureldeniseloves
Instagram: @laureldenise
TikTok: @_laureldenise

Links Mentioned:

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Organize Your Mental Load :: Laurel Denise [Ep 444] Dec 11, 2023

How are you handling your mental load? Are you a well-packed Sherpa able to take on any terrain or Sisyphus rolling the ball up the hill only to watch it roll back down?
This is the time of year when it feels natural to look back and look forward. We can evaluate what worked and what didn’t, but more importantly we can listen to what space the Lord is asking us to occupy. Maybe things need to drop off our list. Maybe God isn’t saying “let go” but is tasking you with bringing order to your every day. My guest this week is mom and planner creator Laurel Denise. Laurel shares her journey thus far through motherhood and owning a small business and how she made sense of it all.
Connect with Laurel Denise:

Website: https://laureldenise.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/laureldeniseloves
Instagram: @laureldenise
TikTok: @_laureldenise

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Nobody’s Mother :: Dr. Sandra Glahn [Ep 443] Dec 04, 2023

Have you heard the Bible verse “Women will be saved through childbearing”? (It’s part of 1 Timothy 2:15) What do you think that verse means? What do you think it means for the woman facing infertility, or singleness?
My guest this week, Dr. Sandra Glahn, wants to dispel some iffy interpretations of this verse many of us grew up hearing. Dr. Glahn is Professor of Media Arts and Worship at Dallas Theological Seminary and has spent over 20 years trying to better understand what Paul meant in these verses in 1 Timothy, and what they mean for us today. Join me for this fascinating conversation that delves into the role of women and the cultural context of Paul’s letter, 1 Timothy.
Connect with Dr. Sandra Glahn:

Website: https://sandraglahn.com/
Instagram: @sandraglahnauthor

Links Mentioned:

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Sidetracked with the Holidays :: Pie-arrhea, Dutch Cabbage Patch Dolls and Advent Fails :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 442] Dec 01, 2023

Ready or not, the holidays are upon us! What are your favorite holiday traditions? What are the ones you could leave behind?
Get sidetracked with Cynthia and me as we discuss everything from trees (real, fake, and Jesse) to gift giving philosophies (more or less presents than Jesus?) to elves and shepherds and the awful name your pie might get if it doesn’t come out just right. There’s even help for the mom who just wants to help her kids see Jesus in the midst of all the holiday stuff!
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Podcast: Messmerized
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof

Links Mentioned:

The Jesse Tree
Heather’s Mother-in-law’s Wassail Recipe→ combine in a pot: a gallon of apple cider (or juice) with 12 whole cloves, 4 tsp whole allspice, 12 sticks of cinnamon. (optional: 2 cups of sugar, 1 cup orange juice, 6 Tbsp lemon juice). Bring to a slow boil and then simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and serve hot.
Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Pioneer Woman Chocolate Marshmallow Pumpkin Pie
Courtney DeFeo’s Light ‘Em Up
Cultivate What Matters Powersheets
Christmas Eve Service Printable
Come, Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional by Paul David Tripp
“Pilgrim Rick” Season 1 Episode 8 of This Is Us

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How to Get Real and Savor More (Replay) :: Shauna Niequist [Ep 441] Nov 27, 2023

How are you doing?
Honestly.
What is the pace of your day? What do you long for and feel you are missing out on? What activities have you crammed in your life out of a “should” mentality? When do you focus on your spiritual life?
Today we are getting honest about our lives. And discussing ways to deepen relationships, simplify schedules, and connect spiritually.
This week’s podcast guest is the talented, Shauna Niequist. Author of several books (“Cold Tangerines”, “Bread and Wine”, etc), she has a new devotional available called, “Savor: Living Abundantly Where You Are, As You Are”.
If you are longing for friends you can share vulnerably with, Shauna offers a simple plan.
If you struggle with the concept of slowing down and “savoring”, we discuss our own struggle and practical ways to start. If you want to expand your spiritual life beyond time alone with your Bible, then Shauna paints a beautiful picture of what that can look like.
Shauna dishes out oodles of wise words. Enjoy!
Connect with Shauna Niequist:

Website: https://www.shaunaniequist.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sniequist/
Instagram: @sniequist

Links Mentioned:

Savor: Living Abundantly, Where You Are, As You Are by Shauna Niequist
Cheddar Sage Shepherd’s Pie–switch out the sage for thyme and extra cheddar
Nigella Lawson’s Guiness Chocolate Cake
Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Wayne Muller’s “A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough”
Concentric Circles of Care

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Demystifying Financial Aid :: Kristi Steele [Ep 440] Nov 20, 2023

What do you think of when you hear the phrase “college tuition”? Does your heart rate speed up?
Sending a child to college is the culmination of a lot of effort. It’s emotional and there are a lot of logistics to manage. In this hands-on, information-packed conversation Kristi and I cover the basics of applying for financial aid for college. We talk through deadlines and how-to’s to help relieve some of the logistical stress of sending a child to college.
Connect with Kristi Steele:

Website: https://www.kc360.co/

Links Mentioned:

FAFSA
Federal Student Aid
CSS Profile
MyCap College Funding Services
Kristi’s The College Project
Lunch and Learn: A Deeper Dive Into Financial Aid and Scholarships: November 27, 11:00am CST (Webinar will be recorded and recording sent to all who register)
**Private School Special Circumstance Form will be found with the specific university your child is applying to**

Related Episodes:

Work of Worth :: Kristi Griem [Ep 39]

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Bedtime Rituals to End Worry Spirals :: Emily Ley [Ep 439] Nov 13, 2023

What are two words to describe your mind when your head hits the pillow most nights?
The quiet space before sleep can be our most vulnerable moments. Whether it’s to-do’s or dredging up memories from the past, our thoughts can feel overwhelming. If we let our mind spiral we’re sacrificing the rest God intends us to enjoy. But my guest this week, Emily Ley has some bedtime rituals that can help us stop the spiraling. Crafted to help herself with the nighttime barrage of thoughts, Emily’s simple routines and reminders can set you on a path to the peace that comes, not from an easy life, but from an abiding trust in God.
Emily is a mom of three, a best-selling author, and the founder of organizational products and tools company, Simplified.
Connect with Emily Ley:

Website: https://emilyleybooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplified
Instagram: @simplified

Links Mentioned:

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Parenting as a Highly Sensitive Person :: Mary Van Geffen [Ep 438] Nov 06, 2023

Do the sights and sounds and feels of parenting overwhelm you some days? Or most days? How can we parent kindly and intentionally when we desperately need a break from all the stimulation?
My guest this week is Mary Van Geffen. She is a mom who has striven to cultivate good relationships with her children and husband while also navigating life as a Highly Sensitive Person with diagnosed ADHD. She knows firsthand the struggles moms face with sensory overload and she’s not trying to “fix” you - you’re not broken! But she does offer a bevy of tips to help us take care of ourselves amidst the din of life and to parent in a calm and connected manner.
Connect with Mary Van Geffen:

Website: https://www.maryvangeffen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parentcoachforspicyones
Instagram: @maryvangeffen

Links Mentioned:

How to Say No Without Feeling Guilty Class with Mary Van Geffen
Heather and Mary’s Instagram performance–Body Posture in Parenting

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“Plump it Up”:: Sidetracked by 10 years of Podcasting [Ep 437] Nov 03, 2023

Pull out the petit fours and lip plumpers - it’s time to celebrate! Don’t Mom Alone has officially reached double digits!!
Get Sidetracked with us as Cynthia leads us on a surprising, only mildly teary ride as we look back on 10 years of the podcast. There’s even a Cameo from Bob Ross! Jk, there isn’t. But we do have a great lineup of special guests and listeners to help us commemorate 10 years of mom-ing together.
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof

Links Mentioned:

Don’t Mom Alone
Right Where You Belong: How to Identify and Occupy Your God-Given Space
PREORDER: Life is Messy, God is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life by Cynthia Yanof
Milani Keep It Full Maxxx Lip Plumper **Plump At Your Own Risk**

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The Most Memorable Moments :: Celebrating 10 Years of Don't Mom Alone [Ep 436] Oct 30, 2023

Some moments create a “before” and “after” in life. Whether it’s a circumstance we live through or a person we encounter, we see the world and our lives differently after these experiences.
In choosing the most memorable moments to go back to, I thought about, “What were the conversations that changed my own life and parenting?” Don’t forget, we are walking together down this path of motherhood! I’m sharing these conversations again because they have impacted my journey in encouraging, clarifying, and simplifying ways.

Full Episodes:

Connect with:

Jeannie Cunnion

Website: https://www.jeanniecunnion.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieCunnion
Instagram: @jeanniecunnion

Mary Flo Ridley

Kat Armstrong

Website: https://www.katarmstrong.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katarmstrongauthor
Instagram: @katarmstrong1

Charissa Fry Lopez

Website: https://charissalopez.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharissaFryCounseling/

Paul David Tripp

Website: https://www.paultripp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pdtripp
Instagram: @PaulTrippQuotes

Links Mentioned:

Books by Jeannie Cunnion

Books by Kat Armstrong

Resources from Charissa Fry Lopez

Resources by Mary Flo Ridley

Resources by Paul David Tripp

Related Episodes:

Jeannie Cunnion

Kat Armstrong

Women Can Be All in for Jesus :: Kat Armstrong [Ep 253]

Mary Flo Ridley

Charissa Fry Lopez

Paul David Tripp

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The “Five-Timers” Club :: Celebrating 10 Years of Don’t Mom Alone [Ep 435] Oct 23, 2023

Though I didn’t have a five-timers jacket to send them, the guests on today’s show have all been on DMA at least 5 times (some have been on double that amount!).
As we celebrate ten years of the podcast we wanted to acknowledge the voices I turn to again and again for support in parenting and life. Trustworthy and encouraging, their episodes are full of hope and help so we don’t mom alone (see what I did there? ;) ).

Connect with:

David Thomas and Sissy Goff

Website: https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/
Instagram: @raisingboysandgirls
Online Courses

Sally Clarkson

Website: https://sallyclarkson.com/
Instagram: @sally.clarkson

Jim and Lynne Jackson

Kirk Martin

Full Episodes Here:

Links Mentioned:

Books by David Thomas and Sissy Goff
Are My Kids on Track: 12 Emotional, Social and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach by Sissy Goff and David Thomas
The Worry-Free Parent by Sissy Goff
Raising Emotionally Strong Boys by David Thomas
Raising Worry-Free Girls by Sissy Goff
Brave by Sissy Goff
Braver Stronger Smarter by Sissy Goff
Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys by Stephen James and David Thomas
Books by Sally Clarkson
Different: the Story of an Outside-the-Box Kid and the Mom Who Loved Him
Giving Your Words: The Lifegiving Power of a Verbal Home for Family Faith Formation
Help, I’m Drowning: Weather the Storms of Life with Grace and Hope
Mom Heart Moments: Daily Devotions for Lifegiving Motherhood
Girls Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendship in a Lonely World
The Lifegiving Parent: Giving Your Child a Life Worth Living for Christ
The Lifegiving Table: Nurturing Faith Through Feasting One Meal at a Time
Books by Jim & Lynne Jackson
Discipline That Connects with Your Child’s Heart
How to Grow a Connected Family

Related Episodes:

David Thomas and Sissy Goff
Helping Our Kids Foster Friendships :: David Thomas and Sissy Goff [Ep 338]
Raising Girls :: Sissy Goff [Ep 141]
The Worry-Free Parent :: Sissy Goff [Ep 421]
Getting Brave About Anxiety :: Sissy Goff [Ep 311]
Raising Worry-Free Girls :: Sissy Goff [Bonus]
Raising Emotionally Strong Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 368]
A Lil Help with Boys and Screens :: David Thomas [Bonus]
Understanding Boys Better :: David Thomas [Ep 315]
The Art of Nuturing Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 119]
Sally Clarkson
That’s Me…Sleep Deprived and Needing Jesus :: Jennie and Sally [Ep 106]
Create a Home of Belonging & Becoming :: Sally Clarkson [Ep 107]
Cultivating Friendships in a World of Isolation :: Sally Clarkson [Ep 233]
Weathering Life’s Storms :: Sally Clarkson [Ep 336]
How to Own Your Life :: Sally Clarkson [Ep 54]
Identifying Your God-Given Space (Part 2) :: Sally Clarkson [Ep 404] RWYB Wk 3
Jim and Lynne Jackson
How to Connect, Coach and Correct Your Child :: Jim and Lynne Jackson [Ep 81]
Connecting With Your Kids in Any Circumstance :: Jim and Lynne Jackson [Ep 98]
Resolving Sibling Conflict :: Jim and Lynne Jackson [Ep 126]
The Entitlement Fix :: Jim and Lynne Jackson [Ep 200]
Discipline 101 (Live Event - Friday Night) :: Jim and Lynne Jackson [Ep 221]
Connected Relationships (Live Event) :: Jim and Lynne Jackson [Ep 222]
Helping Your Child With Sensory Processing Issues :: Lynne Jackson [Ep 258]
Grace and Truth for Moms :: Lynne Jackson [Ep 296]
Parenting Sensitive and Intense Kids :: Lynne Jackson and Lydia Rex [Ep 395]
Kirk Martin
How to Stop Yelling, Lecturing and Power Struggles :: Kirk Martin [Ep 62]
Calmly Parenting the Strong-Willed Child :: Kirk Martin [Ep 69]
Summer (and Sibling) Survival Guide :: Kirk Martin [Ep 77]
How to Stay Calm with School Stress :: Kirk Martin [Ep 88]
Q and A with Kirk Martin From Celebrate Calm :: Kirk Martin [Ep 104]
10 Ways to Stop Meltdowns and Arguments :: Kirk Martin [Ep 139]
The Legacy of a Calm Father :: Kirk Martin [Ep 210]
Bruce
How to Shine a Light as a Family :: Bruce MacFadyen [Ep 5]
When Your Husband Has a Demanding Job :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 38]
Goals, Roles, & Superpowers :: Bruce and Heather MacFadyen [Ep 112]
This is Us :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 145]
The Right to Change My Mind :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 196]
20th Anniversary Q and A Episode :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 242]
Bruce Learns to Label His Feelings :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 316]
Talking, Teens, and Twenty-Four Years :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 399]
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The “Don’t Miss” List :: Celebrating 10 Years of Don’t Mom Alone [Ep 434] Oct 16, 2023

How do you quantify 10 years of mom-ing together?
Let’s start with what I want to make sure you don’t miss. As we inch closer to 500 episodes, I selected clips from 5 episodes over the years for us to listen to together this week.
Some have been transformational for me, all get to the heart of the message I want you to hear as a mom - you’re in the right spot and God is lavishing his love over you as your work to pass on your faith, to really see what your kids need, to release the shame you carry, and to fully occupy your God-given space.
Connect with:

Dr Kara Powell - https://karapowell.com/
- Instagram: @kpowellfyi
Amy and Jeffrey Olrick - https://www.growingconnected.com/
- Instagram: @growingconnected
Jo Saxton - https://www.josaxton.com/
- Instagram: @JoSaxton
Dr. Curt Thompson - https://curtthompsonmd.com/
- Instagram: @curtthompsonmd
Lisa Harper - https://www.lisaharper.org/
- Instagram: @lisadharper

Listen to the Full Episodes:

Links Mentioned:

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Exchange False Beliefs with True Identity :: Jamie Winship [Ep 433] Oct 09, 2023

What hats do you wear? We’ve all heard the phrase “She wears many hats.” Maybe we’ve said it about ourselves or others. But do you know what is constant in this word picture about one person performing many roles? The head that the hats sit on. It’s such a simple concept - we remain the same in each job we do or season we’re in. But it isn’t simple at all, is it? If we think of our identity as the hat rather than the person wearing the hat, we’ll continually be shifting, trying to keep up.
So how do we find our true identity and live in the freedom of who God created us to be? My guest this week is author and storyteller Jamie Winship. In our encouragement-packed conversation, Jamie invites us to learn to hear the voice of love and to live fearlessly in our truest selves.
Connect with Jamie Winship:

Website: https://www.jamiewinship.com/ & https://www.identityexchange.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejamiewinship
Instagram: @thejamiewinship

Links Mentioned:

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Sidetracked with Fall, Homecoming and Sibling Conflict :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 432] Oct 06, 2023

It’s mum time in Texas, y’all! Both the colorful garden flowers and the personalized faux floral and ribbon creations seen at Texas homecoming football games.
Get sidetracked with Cynthia and me this week as we decode what the kids are saying these days, design our own mums, and talk about the hard things life has thrown at us lately. We discuss the trap of comparison and we finally stop searching for the elusive Conflict-Free Sibling Zone but instead help our kids learn reconciliation.
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes:

Resolving Sibling Conflict :: Jim and Lynne Jackson [Ep 126]

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“What is My Responsibility in My Child’s Salvation?” :: Vela Tomba [Ep 431] Oct 02, 2023

What is our role in our children’s salvation?
It’s easy to hope in a formulaic approach for our kids’ salvation - to think if we just pray and have the family bible studies we’re guaranteed our kids will make an early decision to follow Jesus. But what about when they don’t? How do we stay “ok” when our kids are choosing the things we wouldn’t choose for them? How do we trust in God’s relentless but gentle pursuit of our kids when we don’t see any evidence of it?
My guest this week, Vela Tomba, says we stay in our own hula-hoop. We let go of the things we cannot control. We allow ourselves grief but we also allow ourselves hope and trust in the way God is writing the story. She draws from her own experience as a mom and from helping other moms struggling with their kids’ choices.
Connect with Vela Tomba:

Website: https://www.velatomba.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vela.tomba/
Instagram: @velatomba

Links Mentioned:

Cru Campus Ministries
Paige Brown Bible Study on Jonah (new videos each Wed with discussion questions…only up for a week)
The Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble
Strong’s Concordance App
Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring For Yourself by Melody Beattie
Pollyanna

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Ministry in the Margins :: Angel Ricchuiti and Brittany Turner [Ep 430] Sep 25, 2023

What is your ministry? Of course, motherhood is its own type of ministry, but did you envision something else as your “ministry”? Whether you had plans you’ve set aside or not, working at something you’re passionate about outside of your home can quite the challenge.
My guests this week are Angel Ricchuiti and Brittany Turner. Both are moms of 4 and both want to use their giftings and experience to serve Christ. Our conversation explores the tension between caring for children and doing ministry.
Connect with Angel Ricchuiti:

Website: https://angelricchuiti.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angel.ricchuiti
Instagram: @angelricchuiti

Connect with Brittney Turner:

Website: https://brittanyjturner.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambrittanyjturner
Instagram: @iambrittanyjturner

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes:

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“Help, I’m Tired of Fighting with my Daughter about Clothes” :: Kari Kampakis [Ep 429] Sep 18, 2023

Admit it, you’ve seen a girl somewhere and thought, “I can’t believe her mother let her out of the house wearing that.”
But if you’ve parented a teenage girl, you know it’s just not that simple.
How can we connect with our daughters and let them know we’re on their side even if we are not on board with certain trends or styles? My guest this week is author, speaker, and mother of four girls, Kari Kampakis. She has walked the road of countless clothing conversations with her girls. She gives practical encouragement for moms to build relationships and learn the art of compromise that doesn’t throw out standards but still lets girls have choices.
Connect with Kari Kampakis:

Website: https://www.karikampakis.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karikampakiswriter/
Instagram: @karikampakis
Podcast: Girl Mom

Links Mentioned:

Lee Cordon Homecoming Dresses Post

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My Kid Saw Porn, Now What? :: Mandy Majors [Ep 428] Sep 11, 2023

What would you do if your kid told you they saw porn? What would you do if you discovered porn on your child’s device?
My guest this week is mom and founder of NextTalk, Mandy Majors. Her daughter was exposed to pornography at age 9 at school and she didn’t see it on a cell phone. That was a wake-up call moment for Mandy and she made it her goal to teach other parents how to talk through the quickly changing digital world. Fast forward 10 years and NextTalk is spreading the message of fostering real relationships between parents and kids - the kind where both parties can talk about those awkward or taboo subjects freely. Mandy encourages us that if we do our best to create a safe place of open communication between us and our kids there isn’t a tech situation we can’t face together.
Connect with Mandy Majors:

Website: https://nexttalk.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nextTalk
Instagram: @nexttalkorg
Podcast: https://nexttalk.org/podcast/

Links Mentioned:

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Finding Courage to Speak Up When You’re Not OK :: Kristen Glass [Ep 427] Sep 04, 2023

Who do you call when it feels like your world is falling apart? Do you share your struggles with trusted friends or is it hard to open up about what is going on in your life?
Toward the end of her first marriage Kristen Glass broke a habit she’d had for years - struggling silently. For years she suffered alone, carrying shame for her actions and circumstances that left her feeling condemned and isolated. All that changed one weekend in Utah when she found the courage to tell a friend her story. That simple act of speaking up freed her to see the truth of who God made her to be and His great love for her. Join me for her story that has dark times and places but is also filled with the hope of redemption and restoration that only God can bring.
Connect with Kristen Glass:

Email: gypsysoulinteriors@gmail.com

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Sidetracked with Cynthia and Heather [Ep 426] Sep 01, 2023

Is Back-to-School time a mini fresh-start for you? With all the fresh supplies we get a chance to think again about who we want to be and what our daily life can look like.
Get sidetracked with Cynthia and me this week as we discuss rhythms we are creating for the fall. Cynthia discovers AI and we talk habits, opening our homes for connection, scrapbooking for our younger selves, and new business ventures!
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof

Links Mentioned:

Book a Mahjong training party with Heather and Amber
@Mad4Mahj
Leanne Morgan
Nate Bargatze
Kevin James

Related Episodes:

Previous episodes with Heather and Cynthia

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Cultivating a Healthy Relationship with Tech :: Joey Odom [Ep 425] Aug 28, 2023

Maybe you’ve wondered if you are addicted to your phone? Or if your kids are addicted to their devices? Is addicted the right word to use?
Between work and school and life it is nearly impossible to live without some screen interaction, but what if we could change our relationship with our screens? What if they are not something we are powerless against, but something we can put in their proper places?
My guest this week is dad and entrepreneur, Joey Odom. His own missed moments as a dad served as the impetus for changing his relationship with his phone and creating a system to help us do the same. His encouragement and creativity help us give ourselves (and our spouses and kids) grace and tools to shape our time spent with and away from screens.
Connect with Joey Odom:

Website: https://www.goaro.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goaronow/
Instagram: @goaronow

Links Mentioned:

Troomi Phone

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Braving the Tech Landscape Through Connection :: Chris McKenna [Ep 424] Aug 21, 2023

What are your digital fears? What are the things you are afraid will happen if your child interacts with technology regularly?
We all have digital fears to varying degrees, but anxiety isn’t our friend when it comes to strategies to keep our kids safe in the digital landscape. My guest this week is CPA turned tech expert Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes, an organization devoted to keeping kids safe in digital spaces. Chris has a great set of tools to help us protect our kids in their digital spaces and it all starts with connection with them. He encourages us to be transparent and honest with our children regarding tech as well as giving us concrete steps and tools that help us stay informed and create protective layers for our kids.
Connect with Chris McKenna:

Website: https://protectyoungeyes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/protectyoungeyes/
Instagram: @protectyoungeyes

Links Mentioned:

Bone Marrow Registration Drive---Aug 27th 9:30 to 3pm Park Cities Baptist Church (activities building) 3933 Northwest Pkwy.
Gryphon Router
Bark Digital Parental Controls and Phone
Covenant Eyes Screen Accountability
Gabb Phones use code DMALONE
Protect Young Eyes Ultimate Guide to YouTube for Caregivers

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Beating Expectations :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 423] Aug 18, 2023

We’re baaaaaack! How was your summer? Maybe you're like us...a little laughing, crying and even vacation freak-outs. Around here you're never alone. Listen in for a fun conversation with our friend Cynthia Yanof as we chat about summer adventures and the transition to Fall.
We’re talking about expectations as moms. How sometimes things turn out better than expected and other times we grieve the loss of what we thought would be. We discuss surrendering long-held family traditions to embrace what God has next for your family. And, listen closely for a special announcement for Fridays in the fall!
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes:

Summer of Mentorship series with Cynthia Yanof

Back-to-School & Tech Toolkit :: Dr. Kelly Jameson [Ep 422] Aug 14, 2023

What helped you feel ready for a new school year as a kid? All the supplies purchased and organized? The perfect first-day outfit?
What helps you feel ready for school now, as a mom? How can you advocate for your kids and support their teachers? My guest this week is Dallas-based therapist and speaker Dr. Kelly Jameson. She shares a great set of tools to help us advocate for our children and interact well with teachers and school staff. She also shares her wisdom and experience on how to parent well through our ever-changing technology landscape.
Connect with Dr. Kelly Jameson:

Website: https://drkellyjameson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellyjamesonPhD/
Instagram: @DrKellyJameson

Links Mentioned:

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The Worry-Free Parent :: Sissy Goff [Ep 421] Aug 07, 2023

What percentage of the anxiety you feel comes from parenting?
We are often most anxious about the things we care most about. That is normal! We love our kids and want to nurture and protect them, but we know anxiety isn’t helping us. My guest this week is counselor and parenting expert Sissy Goff. Her new book, The Worry-Free Parent, is designed to help us recognize how anxiety makes its way into our everyday lives, process it in healthy ways rather than passing it along to our kids, and connect more deeply and more freely with our kids.
Connect with Sissy Goff:

Website: https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raisingboysandgirls/?ref=hl
Instagram: @raisingboysandgirls
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@raisingboysandgirls
Podcast: Raising Girls and Boys Podcast

Links Mentioned:

The Worry-Free Parent: Living in Confidence So Your Kids Can Too by Sissy Goff

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Remaining You While Raising Them :: Alli Worthington [Ep 420] Jul 31, 2023

Have you felt that you’ve lost a part of yourself since having children? Maybe even “lots of” or “all” the parts? Motherhood changes us - and it should - but we need to consider our own emotional health and well-being just as important as that of our kids. My guest this week, mom, and author Alli Worthington, encourages us to be set free from mom-guilt by dropping some common “good mom”-myths. She invites us into confident motherhood where we can love our kids sacrificially and still stay attuned to our own needs. She even shares her Magic Question Habit to help us see ourselves more clearly.
Alli Worthington is a business coach, speaker, podcaster, and overcomer. Her latest book, Remaining You While Raising Them releases August 8, 2023.
Connect with Alli Worthington:

Website: https://alliworthington.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alli.worthington
Instagram: @alliworthington

Links Mentioned:

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The Goal Isn’t Happy Children :: Cynthia Yanof - Summer of Mentorship - Wk 6 [Ep 419] Jul 24, 2023

How do you give your kids independence? At what stage do you let kids try and fail?
At the heart of parenting is this job: to give our kids the skills they need to live without us. We know that and we still might spend hours in their rooms trying to help them get to sleep or keeping up with their gym clothes or assignments. We bring our own fears or suppositions about the future to bear on their freedoms. Sometimes this is wise, but sometimes we must stop and watch what God is doing in their lives through difficulty.
We’re taking time this summer (as usual) to be mentored by an experienced mom and benefit from her wisdom. Bonus! My guest for these 6 weeks is both wise AND funny. Join me for conversations with wife, mom, author, and podcaster Cynthia Yanof. We’ll answer some listener questions, share our experiences, and laugh a lot.
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

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Links Mentioned:

Priscilla Shirer Speaking Over her Boys http://www.goingbeyond.com/blog/gods-word-spoken-over-our-children/
The Global Munchkins on Instagram

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That Time We Googled Married Sex :: Cynthia Yanof - Summer of Mentorship - Wk 5 [Ep 418] Jul 17, 2023

How do you connect with your spouse? And how often?
It’s easy for us to get busy parenting and adulting and then take our marriage relationship for granted. We may think we’ll focus on it when things slow down or the kids aren’t so needy, but actually, a healthy marriage is a great help to our kids.
We’re taking time this summer (as usual) to be mentored by an experienced mom and benefit from her wisdom. Bonus! My guest for these 6 weeks is both wise AND funny. Join me for conversations with wife, mom, author, and podcaster Cynthia Yanof. We’ll answer some listener questions, share our experiences, and laugh a lot.
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

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Relationship + Respect (8 going on 18) :: Cynthia Yanof - Summer of Mentorship - Wk 4 [Ep 417] Jul 10, 2023

What do you do when your kids are a little sassier than necessary? How do you respond? Can we shape their responses? When does it really matter? To answer those questions we need both perspective and wisdom.
We’re taking time this summer (as usual) to be mentored by an experienced mom and benefit from her wisdom. Bonus! My guest for these 6 weeks is both wise AND funny. Join me for conversations with wife, mom, author, and podcaster Cynthia Yanof. We’ll answer some listener questions, share our experiences, and laugh a lot.
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

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The Unicorn That is Adult Friendship :: Cynthia Yanof - Summer of Mentorship - Wk 3 [Ep 416] Jul 03, 2023

Who are your close friends? What do you do to cultivate friendships in your life? Friendship as an adult can feel like we’re unicorn-hunting, clinging to some childhood ideal or tv show standard. But real life friendship requires risk and it can come and go in seasons. And it is so worth it.
We’re taking time this summer (as usual) to be mentored by an experienced mom and benefit from her wisdom. Bonus! My guest for these 6 weeks is both wise AND funny. Join me for conversations with wife, mom, author, and podcaster Cynthia Yanof. We’ll answer some listener questions, share our experiences, and laugh a lot.
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

Links Mentioned:

Find Your People by Jennie Allen

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Raising Kids Who Can Stand Alone :: Cynthia Yanof - Summer of Mentorship - Wk 2 [Ep 415] Jun 26, 2023

What do you feel when your child is struggling? How do you decide when to step in?
Whether it's fighting for your attention from a new baby or struggling with a new skill there are times for us to intervene and there are times for us to let our kids be uncomfortable. Yes, because we’re limited, but also because, as our summer of mentorship guest puts it, “If I want to raise kids that can stand alone, then I've gotta let them.”
We’re taking time this summer (as usual) to be mentored by an experienced mom and benefit from her wisdom. Bonus! My guest for these 6 weeks is both wise AND funny. Join me for conversations with wife, mom, author, and podcaster Cynthia Yanof. We’ll answer some listener questions, share our experiences, and laugh a lot.
Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

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Little Liar Face :: Cynthia Yanof - Summer of Mentorship - wk 1 [Ep 414] Jun 19, 2023

12What do you do when your kid lies? What about when your kid doesn’t make the team? Is this your failure or theirs…or is it something else?

We’re taking time this summer (as usual) to be mentored by an experienced mom and benefit from her wisdom. Bonus! My guest for these 6 weeks is both wise AND funny.

Join me for conversations with wife, mom, author, and podcaster Cynthia Yanof. We’ll answer some listener questions, share our experiences, and laugh a lot.

Connect with Cynthia Yanof:

Website: https://cynthiayanof.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof
Instagram: @cynthiayanof
Podcast: MESSmerized

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Parenting Neurodivergent Children--Summer Edition :: Carrie Casell [Ep 413] Jun 12, 2023

How does your child’s behavior reflect on you?

That’s a trick question - it doesn’t. But it’s easy for us to feel that it does. Parenting a neurodivergent child can heighten those feelings of guilt or shame when our child doesn’t behave in an expected way or when traditional forms of discipline or parenting simply don’t work. Pile on top of that everyone’s summer activity and vacation social media posts and you might be tempted to believe the lie that your family is less than somehow, or always missing out.

My guest this week, Carrie Cassell, is mom to some fantastic neurodivergent kids. Her profound encouragement to “go with the child you have, not the child you wish you had” reaches to every mom. Through her honesty with her own emotions and journey through motherhood thus far she reminds us neurodivergent brains aren’t bad or broken, they’re unique.

Carrie created a space online for parents and caregivers of neurodivergent kids, Mosaic Connection. She invites parents into community to free them from isolation and shame, to connect them with themselves and do the inner work so they can help their kids believe the best about themselves.

Connect with Carrie Cassell:

Website: https://www.mosaicconnection.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089418138152
Instagram: @MosaicConnectionInsta
YouTube: Mosaic Connection - YouTube

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Mentoring for Women in the Workplace :: Diane Paddison [Ep 412] Jun 05, 2023

If your God-given assignment is to work outside of your home or the WFH life, how do you manage the schedules and responsibilities and feelings that accompany those places?

Mothering well is always hard - whether you work outside of the home or not. But moms who do work outside the home can feel a particular kind of difficulty caught between wanting to be the best mom and the best at work.

My guest this week, Diane Paddison, gives us great encouragement and insight. As a single mom on a global executive team she zeroed in on what was important and built her schedule from those priorities. Diane has served as global executive of two Fortune 500 companies and is a leading advocate for women in the workplace. She is the founder and president of 4Word Women, a mentoring ministry for Christian women.

Connect with Diane Paddison:

Website: https://4wordwomen.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4wordwomen
Instagram: @4wordwomen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/4wordwomen

Links Mentioned:

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A Mash-Up of Summer Support [Ep 411] May 29, 2023

What do you feel when you hear, “It’s summertime”? Dread? Excitement? Anxiety? All three?

No matter how many summers you’ve been mom-ing it’s the same - there will be fun and boredom, magical moments and fighting and we’ll be tired of it and wish it wouldn’t end. Join me this week as we talk about how to ENJOY summer, navigate sibling conflict, and much more.

Clips from these original episodes:

Links Mentioned:

Evil for Evil [DMA BLOG POST]
Laura Hernandez Surviving Summer Course
Courtney Cleveland All the Best Days Travel Guides, Packing Lists and Bags
Kirk Martin Celebrate Calm
Reusable Water Balloons
Water Gun Activity
Sidewalk chalk
Cynthia Yanof, host of the MESSmerized podcast
Summer of Mentorship (sign up here for podcast club emails)

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The Praying Mama :: Natasha Miller [Ep 410] May 22, 2023

What are your patterns of prayer? Has it been hard for you to fall into a rhythm of prayer?

We know that prayer matters and works. It changes us, it opens our eyes to where God is at work around us. We want to pray for our kids, for ourselves, for others we love - why does it feel so difficult to jump in? My guest this week is Natasha Miller, The Praying Mama, and our conversation is full of encouragement for your prayer life. Through her own journey into connection with the Lord through prayer, Natasha invites us to know God’s nearness and to leave a legacy of trust in Him.

Connect with Natasha Miller:

Website: https://natashaannmiller.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natashaannmillerlive
Instagram: @natashaannmiller
Podcast: Her Freedom Podcast

Links Mentioned:

Praying the Scriptures Journal by Jodie Berndt

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Available Now:

Heather’s new book, “Right Where You Belong” is now available wherever books are sold.

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Parenting Ahead :: Kristen Hatton [Ep 409] May 15, 2023

What’s The Thing you knew that you couldn’t talk to your parents about when you were growing up? Emotions you had or mistakes you made?

As moms we want to connect with our kids, we want to be their source of truth and guidance as they grow, but how do we cultivate that sort of connection and trust?

My guest this week, mom and author Kristen Hatton, helps us set the stage for walking alongside our kids through the tween and teen years (and beyond!). Her new book, Parenting Ahead, helps you evaluate your parenting and learn strategies for redemptive living and genuine connection with your kids. She encourages us that from the foundation of deep trust in God and his great love for you and your children, you can faithfully coach them through the realities of growing up.

Connect with Kristen Hatton:

Website: https://www.kristenhatton.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristenhattonauthor
Instagram: @redemptiveparenting @kristen_hatton
Twitter: @hattonkb

Links Mentioned:

Parenting Ahead: Preparing Now for the Teen Years by Kirsten Hatton

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Available Now:

Heather’s new book, “Right Where You Belong” is now available wherever books are sold.

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Important Topics to Cover with Tweens and Teens about Manners, Technology and Friendship :: Lee Cordon [Ep 408] May 08, 2023

What do modern manners look like? Manners are simply social behaviors or habits - you can have good ones or you can have bad ones. But it's been 101 years since Emily Post first published her book on manners and etiquette and it only seems as though lately we, as a society, have regressed in our social behaviors.

My guest this week, Lee Cordon, has long felt called to make an impact on this generation and the next, to help people be gracious in all they do, say, and give. Sure, manners include which fork to use when, but it is much more than that. It’s a way to show love and respect to our neighbors and ourselves. In our digital age where boundaries can be blurry, Lee offers us encouragement in training our children (at any age) to respond with grace and dignity.

DoSayGive tackles the topics that most traditional manners classes don’t, like social media and texting etiquette, how to be a good friend, and how to communicate with ease and consideration. DoSayGive also offers on demand video courses for tween and teen girls and boys (see links below).

Connect with Lee Cordon:

Website: https://dosaygive.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dosaygive
Instagram: @dosaygive
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dosaygive/
Twitter: @DoSayGive

Links Mentioned:

https://theturquoisetable.com/
A Young Man’s Guide to Manners on Do Say Give use code: HEATHER for 20% off
Etiquette Course for Tween/Teen Girls on Do Say Give use code: HEATHER for 20% off
Feeding the Mouth that Bites You: A Complete Guide to Parenting Adolescents and Launching Them Into the World by Kenneth Wilgus, Ph.D.
52 Modern Manners for Today’s Teens by Brooke Romney

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Heather’s new book, “Right Where You Belong” is now available wherever books are sold.

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Occupying Suffering Spaces :: Cari Trotter [Ep 407] RWYB Series Wk 6 May 01, 2023

What is a place you’d rather not go? One that sounds nearly unbearable. The DMV? The school pick-up line? What about going into a serious medical diagnosis or a financial crisis? Following Jesus is no safeguard against difficulty in life. God may give you an assignment that feels impossible and overwhelming. That is where my guest this week, mom and author/speaker Cari Trotter, found herself in early 2021.

But what Cari also found in those hellish months following a difficult diagnosis echoed what concentration camp survivor Victor Frankl says, “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” Cari’s life shifted in an instant and her identity, health, and expectations of the future shifted too. But she found a solid rock to anchor to in her relationship with God - wherever he was leading her. However dark or lonely the path she was never alone. Her meaning and purpose were not gone because the Lord was her strength and her song. She is right where she belongs.

Connect with Cari Trotter:

Website: https://www.caritrotter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caritrotter1
Instagram: @cari.trotter
Twitter: @caritrotter

Links Mentioned:

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Shrinking or Swelling to Fill Your Space :: Courtney DeFeo [Ep 406] Apr 24, 2023

Have you ever seen a “magic towel” that swells and “grows” when you put it in water? Have you shrunk a shirt in the laundry? At different times in our lives God assigns us a space that we have to shrink or swell to occupy. This could mean giving up beloved roles, or taking on responsibilities we don’t want. How do we respond when we find ourselves in these situations?

My guest this week is Courtney Defeo. At God’s leading she stepped back from a high-profile career and dreams of being a CEO so her husband could step forward in his career pursuits. She put certain things on hold to create the family and home culture she wants. While at first glance it might seem like she’s squandering her talent and intellect, when she looks around her life she sees things that can only be done now. She feels the freedom to use her gifts in the spaces she’s in now.

Connect with [Courtney DeFeo]:

Website: https://courtneydefeo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CourtneyDeFeoPage/
Instagram: @courtney_defeo

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes:

Available Now:

Heather’s new book, “Right Where You Belong” is now available wherever books are sold.

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Listening for God's Leading :: Caroline Cobb [Ep 405] RWYB wk 4 Apr 17, 2023

What is my God-given space? How do I figure that out? What if my God-given assignments feel at odds with one another?

My guest this week is wife, mom, and singer-songwriter Caroline Cobb. She also deeply enjoys studying the Bible and writing songs, and at times, with little margin in her life, she has asked those questions and more. She shares with us how she learned to lean in, not to the perfect formula for time management and balance, but to the relationship she had with God and his daily and minute-by-minute leadings.

Connect with Caroline Cobb:

Website: https://www.carolinecobb.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolinecobbmusic
Instagram: @carolinecobbmusic
Spotify: Caroline Cobb
YouTube: Caroline Cobb

Links Mentioned:

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Identifying Your God-Given Space (Part 2) :: Sally Clarkson [Ep 404] RWYB Series wk 3 Apr 10, 2023

What is unique about your life experience? Was your first thought, “Nothing”? Even the life that feels ho-hum is unique because no one else is wired precisely like you are, experiencing life precisely like you are.

My guest this week is author, speaker, and mom, Sally Clarkson. Having moved 23 times in her life she has had to find things she can take with her wherever she goes. A favorite of hers is connecting with people over tea. She encourages us to adopt simple rhythms that fit our experience and wiring and allow us to connect with who and what matters most to us.

Connect with Sally Clarkson:

Website: https://sallyclarkson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealsallyclarkson/
Instagram: @sally.clarkson

Links Mentioned:

Tea Time Discipleship: Sharing Faith One Cup at a Time by Sally Clarkson

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Identifying Your God-Given Space (Part 1) :: Cleere Cherry Reaves [Ep 403] RWYB wk 2 Apr 03, 2023

What do you think when you hear the word “boundary”? Boundaries keep things in, keep things out, and help us feel safe. But they can also feel limiting, and we don’t always get to choose our boundaries. That’s where my guest this week, Cleere Cherry Reaves, encourages us to humbly submit to the space and assignment God has given us. Through her experience as a follower of Christ and a mom, she reminds us of this: in whatever way we are experiencing the boundaries of time and place, we can control where we spend our attention, our perspective, and how we inhabit our God-given space.

Connect with Cleere Cherry Reaves:

Website: https://www.cleerelystated.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleerelystated/
Instagram: @cleerelystated

Links Mentioned:

The Miracle of You by Cleere Cherry Reaves

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How to Never Miss Out :: Vaneetha Risner [Ep 402] RWYB Series Wk 1 Mar 27, 2023

What would it look like for you to live your best life? What if someone told you that you already are living your best life? Not because you’ve accomplished and arranged things just how you want, but because not only is God with you exactly where you are, but because he purposefully placed you there.

My guest this week, author and mom Vaneetha Risner, encourages us with her harrowing story of intense suffering and God meeting her right in its midst. Frustrated by circumstances and eager to experience God in the same manner others did she felt the Lord gently saying to her, “This is where I've placed you. This is where I'm gonna meet you. I'm not gonna expect you to climb mountains or do things you can't do to meet me.”

Do you feel out of place? Are you looking for the unique and specific ways God wants to use you? Join us for a series focused around my new book, Right Where You Belong: How to Identify and Fully Occupy Your God-Given Space. We’ll walk together through six stories of women leaning into the varied assignments God has given them.

Connect with Vaneetha Risner:

Website: https://www.vaneetha.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vaneetharisner
Instagram: @vaneetharisner
Twitter: @vaneetharisner

Links Mentioned:

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How to be Truly Strong :: Aundi Kolber [Ep 401] Mar 20, 2023

What does strength look like to you? Does it look like white knuckling it, holding your breath? Or does it look like putting your oxygen mask on first, and then attending to the needs of others?

We all want to, need to be strong for those around us. But my guest this week reminds us there is a cost to being certain kinds of strong. Aundi Kolber is an author and therapist and her new book, Strong Like Water, helps unpack what true strength looks like and feels like and how to get there. In our conversation she encourages us in the practices of self-compassion and grounding and helps us see how white knuckling it is actually detrimental to our relationships and if we will pay attention to ourselves we can show up better for the people we hold dear.

Connect with Aundi Kolber:

Website: https://aundikolber.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aundikolberwrites
Instagram: @aundikolber
Twitter: @aundikolber

Links Mentioned:

Exclusive Pre-Order:

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Guided by Faith :: Candace Cameron Bure [Ep 400] Mar 13, 2023

12Where do you turn for answers? Answers in parenting, answers in your career, answers when you encounter the negativity that seems to be lurking around every corner of life these days? My guest this week is a mom who came to a crossroads early in her parenting journey - what will I teach my kids about God? What do I even know about God?

In the hiddens years of mothering her small children a deep relationship with God was forged that would serve as the foundation for Candace Cameron Bure’s life. It directs how she mothers, her return to the entertainment industry, and her forays into entrepreneurship.

Candace is, among many other titles, host of the Candace Cameron Bure Podcast where Heather will join her as co-host for season 2 of the show!

Connect with Candace Cameron Bure:

Website: https://candacecbure.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candacecameron
Instagram: @candacebure @candacecameronburepodcast
Twitter: @candacebure
TikTok: candacecameronb

Links Mentioned:

The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble
Candace Cameron Bure Podcast
Candace’s Clothing Line
DaySpring Candace Cameron Bure Collection

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How to be Calm and Kind Under Pressure :: Candace Cameron Bure [Ep 223]

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Talking, Teens, and Twenty-four Years :: Bruce + Heather [Ep 399] Mar 06, 2023

Join Bruce and Heather for a Q + A episode where they talk about the importance of connection and communication in their marriage (Happy 24th Anniversary! 🎉🥳) and what it looks like to be in the thick of parenting teens.

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Students of Our Children :: Karen Stubbs [Ep 398] Feb 27, 2023

What does a child need to flourish? There are a million answers to that question, but in all honesty, it’s a little different for each child. We have so many tools available to us to help us see our own personalities and tendencies more clearly.

My guest this week is mom and author Karen Stubbs. She challenges us to be students of our kids’ personalities - to tell them the way they are wired is a good gift from God.

She encourages us to learn our kids. Not just to correct or discipline them, but to celebrate the way God has made them, help them grow into their strengths, and give them eyes to see their weakness with kindness and grace. Through her ministry, Birds on a Wire, parents can take a quiz to help understand their child’s unique personality and then be equipped to shepherd each unique personality well.

Connect with Karen Stubbs:

Website: https://birdsonawiremoms.com/karenstubbs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BirdsonaWireMoms/
Instagram: @karenstubbs @birdsonawiremoms
Twitter: @BOAWMoms
Podcast: Wire Talk

Links Mentioned:

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On the Role of Women :: Joel Muddamalle [Ep 397] Feb 20, 2023

Why do you think God created women?

We know from Genesis that God didn’t say, “We have all these fish, we may as well have women too,” but instead he said, “It is not good” without women. Women take on all sorts of roles in our society, but it can be particularly difficult to suss out what exactly is our role in church and leadership.

My guest this week is theologian Joel Muddamalle. Joel serves as the Director of Theology and Research for Proverbs 31 Ministries among other teaching and preaching responsibilities. In our conversation this week we dive into both the Complementarian and Egalitarian viewpoints as well as receiving gentle encouragement of the great value God places on women and the charge to approach these issues with humility.

Connect with Joel Muddamalle:

Website: https://muddamalle.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Muddamalle/
Instagram: @muddamalle
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@muddamalle

Links Mentioned:

Complimentarian Theologians

Dr. Tom Schreiner

Egalitarian Theologians

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Communication that Connects :: Kimberly Galindo [Ep 396] Feb 13, 2023

With phrases like “you complete me” our culture idealizes connection between spouses or even friends that has no boundaries. This brand of intimacy sounds appealing but it doesn’t work well practically. Our desire for connection is innate, but vulnerability is messy and risky. My guest this week, Kimberly Galindo, encourages us instead that the point where “I” end and “you” begin is the point where we’re different, but it is our real point of connection. In our conversation Kimberly gives us some tools to communicate in a way that fosters connection, but maintains our separate personhood.

Kimberly is a licensed therapist with experience helping married couples and individuals connect well in many areas.

Connect with Kimberly Galindo:

Website: https://www.aspenhausassociates.com/kimberly-galindo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekimberlygalindo
Instagram: @thekimberlygalindo

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Parenting Sensitive and Intense Kids :: Lynne Jackson and Lydia Rex [Ep 395] Feb 06, 2023

Some of our precious kiddos live with their sensitivity and intensity turned up a notch from the rest of us. What we think should be simple or routine can trigger big outbursts from our kids. Daily life might feel chaotic or unpredictable.

As a mom of a sensitive or intense child you probably have a good idea of what doesn’t work, but it can be hard to discern what will help in those moments. My guests this week are Lynne Jackson and Lydia Rex of Connected Families. Together, they have compiled research and real life experiences from over a 100 families of children who are sensitive and intense and created a parenting course to support and equip parents.

Lynne and her husband Jim have been regulars on Don’t Mom Alone encouraging moms (and dads) that it is possible to connect with your child, to coach them, and correct them - you never have to lose one to have the other. Lydia joins Lynne in the thick of parenting her own sensitive and intense children to encourage moms to draw from the limitless well of Christ’s love for yourself and your child in real-life challenging situations.

Connect with Lynne Jackson & Lydia Rex:

Website: https://connectedfamilies.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConnectedFamilies
Instagram: @connectedfams

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Signpost Parenting :: Ann Voskamp [Ep 395] Jan 30, 2023

Who saw all that you’ve done today? Anyone? A mom’s work usually goes unacknowledged. We want to measure our work by how the house looks or how the children behave, or by how put together we look when we go out. But my guest this week, Ann Voskamp, invites us to prioritize the unseen. She dares us to prioritize things like the riches of Christ, the promise of an eternity in his presence that is “utterly and completely fulfilling,” and our relationships with those around us. She helps us see the value in “signpost” parenting - not overly concerned with outcomes we cannot control, but deeply committed to continually pointing our kids to Christ and the sufficiency of His great love for us.

Ann is a mom to 7, farmer’s wife and author of several books including her newest, Your Brave Song: An Inspirational Children’s Picture Book That Shows How Faith in Jesus Can Help Kids Overcome Fear, Worry, and Anxiety.

Connect with Ann Voskamp:

Website: https://annvoskamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnVoskamp
Instagram: @annvoskamp

Links Mentioned:

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Freedom is Not a Look :: Alisa Keeton [Ep 393] Jan 23, 2023

What’s the first word that comes to mind if I say, “Describe your body”?

It wasn’t “good”, was it?

Fellow human, it should be! Because that’s what God himself says about your body! He says it is good. Just the way he created it - not some past or future version of it, how it is right now.

My guest this week is Alisa Keeton and she has spent the last 10+ years serving others through her ministry, Revelation Wellness. She wants you to understand not only that your body is good, but just how very much God loves you. She deeply desires that we would know God - not just about him, but know him. And that is where our journey to health and wellness can begin.

“Freedom is not a look, it’s a feeling.”

Connect with Alisa Keeton:

Website: https://alisakeeton.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akeeton/
Instagram: @alisakeeton
Twitter: @alisakeeton

Links Mentioned:

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Clarifying Your Family Culture :: Heather [Ep 392] Jan 16, 2023

You know what you’re seeing of someone else’s life as you scroll isn’t the whole story and yet we all find ourselves longing for that perfect vacation, that look of pure delight on their child’s face, or the silent moments they were able to enjoy.

We all know “comparison is the thief of joy,” and we should run from it. But what if, rather than try to immediately silence or distract whatever we’re feeling in those moments, we got curious about what’s going on inside? What if we could filter what we see and discern what is for us and what isn’t?

In Christ, God has given us a treasure trove of wisdom and knowledge that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is available to us all the time. We can use that wisdom to guide us as we uncover the “why” behind our comparisons and help us recognize our God-given boundaries.

Exclusive Pre-Order: Pre-Order Right Where You Belong: How to Identify and Fully Occupy Your God-Given Space Special Listening Guide for this episode:

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Steady Identity in Shifting Roles :: Kari Kampakis - Part 2 [Ep 391] Jan 09, 2023

“As parents our job is to be kinder and stronger, and wiser.”

Those words are simple and sensible, but that directive can be deceptively hard. How do we mother - how do we live even - as our roles change hourly, monthly, yearly?

In this second part of our conversation with Kari Kampakis she encourages us that if we are finding our identity in Christ and our joy in Him we can more easily navigate our ever-shifting roles as women. We can be free to teach and guide our children through life and ultimately let go of the reins when the time is right.

Connect with Kari Kampakis:

Website: https://www.karikampakis.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karikampakiswriter/
Instagram: @karikampakis
Twitter: @KariKampakis

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Connecting With Your Daughter Through Humility and Compassion :: Kari Kampakis - Part 1 [Ep 390] Jan 02, 2023

“I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom” are the words of Mean Girl Regina George’s mom. We know she’s not a great example of a mom, but it can be difficult to sort out which moments are for connecting and which are for correcting.

You want to be a valid voice in your daughter’s life as she enters their teen years and not just maintain, but grow your connection with her. It is possible to break from what society says and enjoy the teenage years.

Mom of four girls and author, Kari Kampakis, talks with us this week about how humility and compassion can help us navigate our relationships with our tweens and teens. (Bonus - when they see us live this way, it will help them learn to navigate relationships too!)

Connect with Kari Kampakis:

Website: https://www.karikampakis.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karikampakiswriter/
Instagram: @karikampakis
Twitter: @KariKampakis

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Every Mom a Theologian :: Phylicia Masonheimer [Ep 389] Nov 28, 2022

We are all theologians. We may not be formally educated experts, but we all have beliefs about who God is and how and why he interacts with us (or doesn’t). All of our assumptions, presuppositions, opinions, and ideas make up our theology. The question is, where are we getting our information? What do we base our theology on?

My guest this week is Phylicia Masonheimer, founder of Every Woman a Theologian, and her goal is “to teach [women] how to discern truth, know what (and Who) [they] believe, and live [their] faith boldly in a post-Christian world.” Her day to day work is creating resources for women to learn to study the bible and navigate doctrine because a firm theological foundation matters for us personally and individually as well as for our other relationships be it our spouses, kids, friends, neighbors. That foundation will underpin the comfort we bring to a hurting friend, the discipline we use with our children, and how we treat our spouse.

Connect with Phylicia Masonheimer:

Website: https://phyliciamasonheimer.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phyliciadelta
Instagram: @phyliciamasonheimer @everywomanatheologian
Podcast: The Verity Podcast

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Brave Enough to be Broken :: Toni Collier [Ep 388] Nov 21, 2022

The origins of our word vulnerable are found in a Latin word that means “to wound”. We all know that to be fully known is to open ourselves up to the possibility of being wounded. When we let down our armor, when we expose the wounds of our past as part of the healing journey is risky and scary, but my guest this week, Toni Collier, says, “Be brave.”

Be brave enough to be just who you are before God - he knows you already and loves you unconditionally. Be brave enough to be just who you are before yourself and let guilt indicate places that need to change and banish shame. Be brave enough to be who you are before safe people who can walk with you, supporting your unsteady but important healing steps. There are better, healthier relationships to be had through the healing journey. As Toni would say, “hurt and hope can coexist.”

Toni Collier is a wife, mom, author, speaker, and founder of the international women’s ministry Broken Crayons Still Color which helps women process through their brokenness to get hope. Her newest book, Brave Enough to be Broken, is available wherever books are sold.

Connect with Toni Collier:

Website: www.tonijcollier.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colliertoni
Instagram: @tonijcollier @brkncrayons
Podcast: Still Coloring

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Good Boundaries and Goodbyes :: Lysa TerKeurst [Ep 387] Nov 14, 2022

“Good fences make good neighbors” is a line from Robert Frost’s Mending Wall, but the poem goes on to say, “Before I built a wall I'd ask to know / What I was walling in or walling out”

So often in our lives we feel the unrest of chaos or dysfunction in our relationships, but we don’t know exactly what we need to wall out or wall in. My guest this week, Lysa TerKeurst faced a new season of life and wanted to enter it with wisdom and strength - caring for others and herself in each of her relationships. Her personal journey led to her newest book, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, a guide for each of us as we navigate relationships, practice setting healthy boundaries and even sometimes need to say goodbye.

Connect with Lysa TerKeurst:

Website: https://lysaterkeurst.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLysa
Instagram: @lysaterkeurst

Links Mentioned:

Good Boundaries and Goodbyes : Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are by Lysa TerKeurst
Setting Healthy Boundaries with Family :: Dr. John Townsend [Ep 250]
Leslie Vernick and Difficult v Destructive Relationships - https://leslievernick.com
Therapy and Theology Podcast

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Bottles of Hope :: Lindsey Wheeler [Ep 386] Nov 07, 2022

Grief has been called the unwanted visitor - it shows up when you don’t want it and it often stays longer than we would want. In the midst of seasons of suffering or grieving it’s so easy to feel isolated and to be isolated, the weight of bringing our real selves into community feeling like another burden to bear. Whatever dreams we might have had of how our life we go or what it would look like for us to serve God and others seem to be an impossibility.

Meet my guest this week, Lindsey Wheeler. For over a decade Lindsay and her family have fought through her chronic illness and fought for her special needs daughter. She has felt the sting of isolation and the deep relief and joy of true community. In the midst of it all she has found a way to serve others and share God’s gentle love for them by sitting with them in their grief. Through her small business, Bottle of Tears (see discount code below), she reminds others they are seen in their grief - by her, by God, by a loved one that would send one of her precious vintage bottles.

Connect with Lindsey Wheeler:

Website: https://www.bottleoftears.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bottleoftears
Instagram: @bottle_of_tears

Links Mentioned:

IF: Gathering
DMA listeners special code for Bottle of Tears: DONTMOMALONE20 for 20% off any order through January 31, 2023.

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Advent Untangled :: Mindy Rives [Ep 385] Oct 31, 2022

“Deck the Halls with Chaos and Unmet Expectations” - not the traditional words to the song but maybe more accurate?

Advent is celebrating Jesus coming into our everyday life, meeting us humans in the spaces where we are. My guest this week, Mindy Rives, reminds us that our activities to celebrate Advent should be just that - woven into our everyday life. But so often we get buried in “failed” activities or the season zooms past us.

Mindy’s excellent planning tool, Advent Prep Club, will help you find all sorts of activities from free or inexpensive things to more involved activities, with plenty of space to add in your holiday traditions.

Connect with Mindy Rives:

Website: https://adventprepclub.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventprepclub
Instagram: @adventprepclub

Links Mentioned:

DMA Discount Code for 15 % off Advent Prep Club: DONTMOMALONE

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Chosen by Jesus :: Cast of The Chosen [Ep 384] Oct 24, 2022

The Chosen has taken the world by storm. It’s the largest fan supported entertainment project of all time with over 408 million views on its app alone. It’s a show about the Bible, about Jesus written from the unique perspective of the people Jesus chose to be around. It showcases Jesus’ incredible love and puts us the viewer right into the daily life of Jesus’ disciples and friends.

Join Heather as she speaks with cast members and writers and more on The Chosen’s impact on their own lives and people around the world.

Connect with The Chosen Series:

Website: https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsideTheChosen/
Instagram: @thechosentvseries
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheChosenSeries
TikTok: @thechosentv

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Collaboration Over Competition :: Liz Bohannon & Jessica Honegger [Ep 383] Oct 17, 2022

Do you view other moms as collaborators or competitors? Whether it’s our achievements or our difficulties we often compare ourselves to other moms rather than come alongside them (or even celebrate them - gasp!).

My guests this week say it this way - “[we] are committed to choosing collaboration over competition and running far from that scarcity mentality that there's just not enough at the table. Instead, we're just building a bigger table.”

Jessica is the founder of Noonday Collections and her business partner Liz Bohannon founded Sseko and they are joining forces to become the world’s largest fair-trade fashion selling brand. They encourage us that joining together as moms doesn’t deplete our resources but actually multiplies them.

Connect with Liz & Jessica:

Website: https://www.noondaycollection.com https://ssekodesigns.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noondaycollection https://www.facebook.com/ssekodesigns
Instagram: @jessicahonegger @lizbohannon @noondaycollection @ssekodesigns
Twitter: @noondaystyle

Links Mentioned:

Become an Ambassador! (Get a heart to heart necklace AND join Liz, Jessica and I for a virtual happy hour!!) Sign up here and in the drop down menu on how you were connected select “Don’t Mom Alone”.
Noonday Collection https://www.noondaycollection.com
The Best of You: Break Free From Painful Patterns, Mend Your Past, and Discover Your True Self in God by Dr. Alison Cook

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Moms making a difference: join our bakery project. Click here to contribute to our goal of raising $12,400 to equip a bakery for 125 women in Guatemala.

Freeing Your Adolescents to Step Into Adulthood - Ages and Stages - Teens :: Dr. Ken Wilgus [Ep 382] Oct 10, 2022

It’s been pointed out that if you want to make anything scary or negative, put “teenage” in front of it. For example, teenage driving, teenage parties, teenage sex, teenage thinking.

One of our main jobs as parents is to help our kids grow into functioning adults who make their own decisions. In order to do that, we have to give our kids freedoms to practice making their own decisions in meaningful ways.

Dr. Ken Wilgus is a father, author, and licensed psychologist with many years of helping parents and young adults navigate the teen years. He tells us that our teens want to know they can actually grow up in our house - to begin experiencing the freedom (and responsibility) of being an adult while still under our care. Though he isn’t promising us an easy ride, Dr. Wilgus encourages us that if we do that it will actually foster more attachment and connection with our teenagers.

Connect with Dr. Ken Wilgus:

Website: http://www.drwilgus.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/feedingthemouthPodcast
Instagram: @feedingthemouth

Links Mentioned:

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Compassion Causes:

Join our DMA community and help 125 women in Guatemala become financially independent by funding the equipment for a bakery!! Click here to join us and raise $12,400.

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Life Empowered by the Holy Spirit :: Max Lucado [Ep 381] Oct 03, 2022

What does it mean to have the Holy Spirit? To encounter or experience the Holy Spirit? How does he speak to us? Does he speak to us?

Western cultures tend to operate under the assumption that if we can’t explain it, it isn’t real. My guest this week gives us hope beyond what we can understand. Author and pastor Max Lucado encourages us that God wants to guide us and speak to us and reminds us that the Holy Spirit was given to us as believers to guarantee our arrival one day in heaven. He shares some of his own experience and what it’s like to hear from God by the power of the Holy Spirit. If you are looking for empowerment in motherhood and strength for difficult days and decisions, Max Lucado is encouraging you to “open yourself to the possibility that the greatest power in the universe is alive and well accessible to you wherever you are.”

Connect with Max Lucado:

Website: https://maxlucado.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maxlucado
Instagram: @maxlucado
Twitter: @maxlucado
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MaxLucadoOfficial

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Ages & Stages Series--The Tween Years :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 380] Sep 26, 2022

How do you feel when you are in between stages of life? Excited? Nervous? Afraid?

Tweens - those kids in between childhood and adolescence - are capable, growing into their own thoughts and ideas and preferences, but not quite as opinionated as teenagers. In this “in between” there is plenty of room for curiosity and character development if we will stay connected to and interested in our kids.

My guest this week is Charissa Lopez (she’s gotten married since she was last on the show as Charissa Fry), a therapist and parent coach, and she encourages us that healthy attachment can lead to healthy individuation (that process of our kids distinguishing themselves from us). She helps us see that for the entire time we are in relationship with our kids they need comfort and encouragement and connection with us. Though we still have authority over our kids we, as parents, are transitioning out of such a hands-on role in their lives and Charissa helps us think through puberty and friend groups, and our tweens’ spiritual growth.

Connect with Charissa Lopez:

Website: https://charissalopez.com
Special Resources for DMA Listeners from past episodes: https://charissalopez.com/resources/regulation-pack/

Links Mentioned*:

**For resources mentioned below, parents should read the book first. Don’t feel like you have to read every word to your child. Just use the parts that work for your family and skip the rest. Or discuss why some people believe differently than you.*

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Navigating Middle Motherhood :: Kara Trochta [Ep 379] Sep 19, 2022

What do we do with ourselves when our kids need less of our minute to minute attention? How do we fill the space given to us when kids go to preschool or elementary school? If we aren’t intentional as we step into this next phase of motherhood it can become a place of confusion or lost identity. As we focus on different Ages & Stages of our children’s development during this series we are taking an aside this week to parent ourselves if you will.

My guest this week, Kara Trochta, has a special place in her heart for the moms in the middle - whose children aren’t all launched into adulthood but who aren’t asking for their juice boxes to be opened 1675 times a day anymore. Through her own journey of soul searching and learning to dream again she has created a program to walk moms through this process of realigning who you are and where you are headed.

Connect with Kara Trochta:

Website: https://www.karatrochta.com/session/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karatrochtacoaching/
Instagram: @karatrochta

Links Mentioned:

Book Your Free Middle Motherhood™️ Life Audit Session to get clarity and create purpose and passion in this next season of motherhood. www.karatrochta.com/session
Grab your Free Guide: 5 Steps to Writing Your Next Chapter in Motherhood www.karatrochta.com/free

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Ages and Stages Series-- The Elementary Years :: Dr. Meg Meeker [Ep 378] Sep 12, 2022

What is your favorite elementary school memory? A teacher you loved? Playing on a favorite team? Parenting elementary school kids can sometimes feel like a breath of fresh air - kids are more capable, they can get their own snacks, help out around the house, and more. But in every stage of childhood our kids are developing and it’s important we give them the tools to do so.

My guest this week is pediatrician, author, speaker, and mom, Dr. Meg Meeker. For over thirty years she has been helping kids and their parents navigate childhood. In this episode she encourages us to let our elementary kids slow down and grow self-esteem and empathy by being and doing with us. We cover a range of topics from identity formation to sensory issues to extra curricular activities.

Connect with [Dr. Meg Meeker]:

Website: https://www.meekerparenting.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megmeekermd/
Instagram: @megmeekermd
Twitter: @megmeekermd
Podcast: https://www.meekerparenting.com/podcast

Links Mentioned:

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Ages and Stages Series — Infants/Toddlers :: Rachel Norman [Ep 377] Sep 05, 2022

It’s cliché until you have to live it - the grocery store crying infant or toddler tantrum. The hushed pleas or commands from embarrassed parents. The silent judgment of others.

Crying or whining are often attempts at communication, but they cause a stress response in moms and it can feel easier to just hush the child than keep a boundary. From there it’s a quick hop, skip, and a jump to all the mom-guilt we can throw on our shoulders. No, we can’t keep your toddler from throwing inane tantrums or make your infant suddenly articulate, but we know someone who can help you approach these situations from a different perspective.

As a licensed Language of Listening parent coach, certified sleep consultant, and mom to 5 kids, Rachel Norman has experienced a lot of infant and toddler behavior. In this episode she teaches us how to validate our children’s feelings while holding our boundaries. Rachel helps us understand why managing and understanding our own stress response to whining and crying can be a valuable tool as we help our children learn to regulate their own emotions.

Connect with Rachel Norman:

Website: https://amotherfarfromhome.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMotherFarFromHome?ref=hl
Twitter: @momfarfromhome
Instagram: @amotherfarfromhome

Links Mentioned:

If Mama Ain't Happy: Why Minding Healthy Boundaries Is Good for Your Whole Family (A Mother's Guide to Joy, Anxiety Relief, and Freedom from Depression, Stress, and Weariness. A Book of Hope for Moms.) by Rachel Norman

**Please note, this is a pre-order link. The book releases October 11, 2022.**

Good and Angry: Exchanging Frustration for Character in You and Your Kids by Scott Turansky

It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn

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Reading Aloud to Overcome Mom Fear :: Jennifer Pepito [Ep 376] Aug 29, 2022

What fear pops up in your parenting again and again? Maybe it’s, “how do I teach my kids that they can do hard things in a loving way?” or, “what if my kids make bad decisions?” or “what if I’m a bad mom?”

These fears can feel overwhelming and that the answers to them are complicated. My guest this week gives us an unexpected ally in overcoming the fears that grip us as moms - reading aloud. It sounds almost too simple, but author and mom of 7, Jennifer Pepito, shows us that the stories we share with our kids can help them navigate some of the tougher experiences with life. By exposing our kids to character building stories we can infuse them with perspective and thoughtfulness as they face life’s difficult situations. She also encourages us that forgiveness can be an avenue to freedom from fear in our lives and specifically our parenting.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode briefly mentions suicide. If you or anyone you know are struggling with suicidal thoughts please reach out to someone you trust. You can call or text 988 anytime of day or night.

Connect with Jennifer Pepito:

Website: https://www.thepeacefulpreschool.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/peacefulpress/
Instagram: @JenniferPepito

Links Mentioned:

Books Mentioned:

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing

Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers by Ralph Moody (book 1 of 8 in series)

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor

The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright

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Doubt, Questions & Your Teen’s Growing Faith :: Mary Jo Sharp [Ep 375] Aug 22, 2022

Doubt is a normal part of a growing faith. When the big questions come, you can navigate them with confidence.

Is it worth it to go to church? If God is loving, why would he allow bad stuff in the world? Did God really create me the way I am on purpose?

Questions and exploration are rites of passage for the teenage years as each of us grapples (in varying degrees) to figure out who we are and where we want to go in life. With a near endless supply of voices, ideas, and influences from the internet and culture at large it can feel like our kids are in danger of being lost in a sea of information we have no control over.

But all is not lost! My guest this week, apologist and writer Mary Jo Sharp, encourages us to walk with our kids into the tunnel of doubt. She reminds us that contrary to what we might think, we really are still the biggest influencers on our child’s religious views and that the culture we create in our homes around self transformation and questioning can help our kids make their faith their own. By giving them a safe space to ask and discuss the big questions of life we will likely give ourselves a seat at their decision-making table.

Mary and her team create resources for parents and teens as they walk through doubt and faith finding at DarkroomFaith.com

Connect with Mary Jo Sharp:

Website: https://maryjosharp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/confidentchristianity/
Instagram: @MaryJoSharp
Twitter: @MaryJoSharp

Links Mentioned:

10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
"Unfiltered" a documentary on the Chosen App

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Building Strong Marriages :: Kimberly Beam Holmes [Ep 374] Aug 15, 2022

Marriage is like riding a bike with no training wheels - you have to keep pedaling to stay up. There’s no easy downhill, no coasting. It’s worth it, but it’s work. Add a kid or a few in there with work and bills and activities and it’s easy for us to stop the pedaling of intentionality that builds a strong marriage.

My guest this week is Kimberly Beam Holmes and without God’s intervention and her parents’ commitment to do the hard work of repairing their broken marriage she wouldn’t be alive! Now she is committed to helping couples build strong relationships through the organization her father started, Marriage Helper. They are passionate about situations that feel hopeless and she encourages us that while growing a healthy marriage isn’t simplistic, there are simple places for us to start.

Connect with Kimberly Beam Holmes:

Website: https://marriagehelper.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarriageHelper/
Instagram: @marriagehelper @kimberlybeamholmes
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marriagehelper
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/marriagehelper

Links Mentioned:

Concrete Conversations Cards

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Behind the Mic :: Heather [Ep 373] Aug 08, 2022

If you’re new here or even if you’ve been around a while, join us this week as I give you a glimpse into who I am, how Don’t Mom Alone came about, and where we’re headed as a show. We’ll talk through a listener story and some of my own healing journey I’ve walked through this summer. My hope is you’ll accept the invitation to “withness”. And, that you’ll join our team to help other moms not go it alone.

Links Mentioned:

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Raising Discerning Viewers :: Heather [Ep 372] Aug 01, 2022

Media is all around us - movies, music, tv, online videos, reels, TikToks, and more. And, there are as many parenting strategies around media as there are types of media. How do we safeguard our kids around media in today’s culture?

Spoiler Alert: We aren’t going to talk about what to watch per se, but rather how to watch.

In this episode I’ll talk about what it could look like for us to raise not just haphazard watchers but discerning media consumers. Of course, we should exercise wisdom with what our kids watch and listen to, but also, as moms we’re in the business of teaching men to fish.

Let’s teach our kids to become discerning viewers. I’ll give you some handlebars to foster discussions about movies or TV with your kids and to get them thinking about what they’re watching too. “We want our children to know the one good story so well that when they see Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, Frodo, Anne of Green Gables, Ariel, and Sleeping Beauty they can recognize the strands of truth and deception in them.” (Karalee Reinke, in Ep 27).

“O Discerning Spirit,

Who alone judges all things rightly,

Now be present in my mind and active

In my imagination as I prepare to engage

With the claims and questions of diverse cultures

Incarnated in the stories that people tell.”

A Liturgy Before Consuming Media, Every Moment Holy by Douglas McKelvey

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes:

Movie Discussion Guides

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Rebranded: Stepping Into a New Season :: Christy Wright [SOM Wk 6] Jul 25, 2022

What would it take for you to walk away from the most abundant time in your career? From a time that was not only full, but fun, rewarding, and productive?

My guest this week, Christy Wright did just that - walked away from a season of immense abundance in her career, not because of difficult situations but simply because God called her out of it. She says this call was so clear she came to a point where she feared disobedience more than the uncertainty of leaving her career. She followed God into a new season of freedom and work. It's like God called Christy in for a meeting to talk about rebranding - not to change who He had created her to be, but to change her everyday look and her assignments.

We've spent our summer talking through our unique "mom brands" and in our final week of Summer of Mentorship we're hitting on something that will happen to each of us as moms at one point or many - the need to rebrand. To leave behind what worked and was right for that specific time to embrace what God is saying is right for now. Ecclesiastes reminds us there is rhythm and seasons to life and we will walk through transitions in our work and home life. Christy encourages us to courageously cling to God's voice in those times and not let the fear of uncertainty keep us from the rebranding God is walking us through..

Discussion Questions:

What stood out to you from the episode?
What current roles help shape your days?
Are you ok with you when you take away what you do? Or, how easily can you separate out who you are from what you do?
Have you gone through a “rebranding” as a mom? Either because of change in circumstance or because your routines weren’t serving you, or for another reason. What was difficult about that time? What was beneficial in that transition?
Spend the last 10 minutes of your group time in silence praying and listening and ask God, “Is there anything I need to be freed from?”

Connect with Christy Wright:

Website: https://www.christy-wright.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialChristyWright
Instagram: @ChristyBWright

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes:

Manage Your Life With Guilt-Free Confidence :: Christy Wright [Ep 192]

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Move from Comparison to Compassion :: Karen Ehman [SofM Wk 5] Jul 18, 2022

Does your life look exactly like you want it to? All too often we come across what seems like the life that we want on someone else’s Instagram. You can dismiss those as the “highlight reels”, that is what they are, but sometimes the girl next door has what you want. What do you do then? How do you prep your kids for when they don’t get invited or when they feel like someone else has it better than them?

My guest this week, Karen Ehman, says, “Go find your old self.”

She’s not leading us on an existential journey into the past, but to those around us that need the love of Christ. She encourages us in a powerful way that when we are discouraged by someone who has it “better” than us to find someone who has it “worse” than us, not so we can feel good about something, but because there is a person who needs the love of Christ.

We’re taking time this summer (as usual) to be mentored by some experienced moms and benefit from their wisdom. I’m asking them about their “mom brands” and the unique families and assignments God has given them to help us embrace the specific and unique spot God has given each of us.

Discussion Questions:

What stood out to you in this episode? Why?
Who is your “old self”? What was a particularly difficult time God brought you through that you could use as a connection point to love someone else?
When have you felt loved or seen by someone else in the midst of a difficult situation?
Thinking about Karen’s mom and how hard she has to work as a single mom, where in your life are you having to work hard? Which of your God-given assignments is either physically, or mentally, or spiritually challenging? Spend some time praying for these situations with your group.
When you think about loving others by inviting them into your life what limitations come to mind?
Who is a necessary person you can love tangibly this month? Brainstorm ideas with your group about simple ways to show Christ’s love.

Connect with Karen Ehman:

Website: https://karenehman.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialKarenEhman
Instagram: @karenehman
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLbA_nXZ6HAhLGUL6KNhzRw

Links Mentioned:

Make Their Day: 101 Simple, Powerful Ways to Love Others Well by Karen Ehman

Related Episodes:

Featured Sponsors:

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Creating Family Culture :: Amber O’Neal Johnston [SOM Wk 4] Jul 11, 2022

Creating Family Culture :: Amber O’Neal Johnston [SOM Wk 4]

You are creating a culture for your family, right now, whether or not you’re aware of it or intentional in it. Your words and actions reveal the functional values you have for your family. Is yours a culture of fun and laughter? Grace and second chances? Integrity and grit? It could be all of those and more, or something simpler - it is unique to your family! Whatever it is, if it isn’t intentionally cultivated it will be like a garden filled with weeds - growing, but haphazard.

My guest this week is Amber O’Neal Johnston and one of the values that drives her family’s culture is that her kids would know they are seen and valued at home and in the world. And that other people are just as valuable too. This, along with other values, drives the decisions they make about how they interact with the world around them, right down to the restaurants they eat at. She challenges us to not only cultivate a family culture, but to grow as moms and people along the way. Her book, A Place to Belong: Celebrating Diversity and Kinship in the Home and Beyond is available now.

We’re taking time this summer (as usual) to be mentored by some experienced moms and benefit from their wisdom. I’m asking them about their “mom brands” and the unique families and assignments God has given them to help us embrace the specific and unique spot God has given each of us.

Discussion Questions:

What stood out to you from this episode?
What practices or resources have you used to expose your kids to other cultures?
Where has God called you to speak out in love when you’d prefer to remain silent? Spend time praying with your group for these circumstances.
What is one value that you want to emphasize in your home?
Amber shared that she had to release her need to impress other moms in order for her kids to flourish - what expectation or ideal do you need to let go of so that your kids can flourish?
How would being secure and confident in your family culture change your relationships with other moms or families?

Connect with Amber Johnston:

Website: https://heritagemom.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeritageMomBlog
Instagram: @heritagemomblog
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/HeritageMomBlog/_created/

Links Mentioned:

A Place to Belong: Celebrating Diversity and Kinship in the Home and Beyond by Amber O’Neal Johnston

Things To Do List from the Heritage Mom Website

Related Episodes:

Finding Yourself in Motherhood :: Amber O’Neal Johnston [Ep 310]

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Focused Living :: Shontell Brewer [SOM Wk 3] Jul 04, 2022

“I don't have time for the things that God has not called me to.”

My guest this week, Shontell Brewer, wisely speaks those words. She is a wife and mom of 5. She’s written a book on parenting and still things haven’t always gone the way she’s planned or wanted. But she has learned where to lean in and wait on the Lord. She’s learned that to be intentional as a mom or wife or teacher she’s got to cut out the “keeping up” with others, whether on social media or the mom down the street. And she’s learned that God hasn’t finished writing the story. Even if she can’t see to the end of all God’s workings in her kid’s lives, knowing His word and taking time to commune with Him have given her a firm foundation to stand on.

We’re taking time this summer (as usual) to be mentored by some experienced moms and benefit from their wisdom. I’m asking them about their “mom brands” and the unique families and assignments God has given them to help us embrace the specific and unique spot God has given each of us.

Discussion Questions:

What stood out to you from the episode?
Shontell encourages us to get on the same level as the person across from us to grow intentionality in our relationships - be it a spouse or child or friend. What relationship in your life needs this sort of attention? How can you meet that person right where they are?
How has God gifted you? Do you know?
Have you thought through what you want for your children, or what the goal of your parenting is? Keeping the tiny humans alive is big work, so no shame at all if you haven’t! If we’re working towards intentionality as moms, thinking through this question can help us cut activities or practices we don’t need and to make space for ones we do.
How do you measure your success as a parent?
What situation or circumstance would benefit from you processing with God before processing with a friend? Set aside time to do that this week.

Connect with Shontell Brewer:

Website: http://shontellbrewer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shontell.brewer
Instagram: @shontellbrewer
Twitter: @shontellbrewer

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes:

Parenting Small :: Shontell Brewer [Ep 140]

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Life Giving Faith in Every Circumstance :: Lisa Appelo [Summer of Mentorship Wk 2] Jun 27, 2022

Childhood should be carefree, right? We hope that our kids make it to adulthood with as few scars as possible, but that isn’t the nature of the world we live in. What happens when our kids encounter grief? What happens when we aren’t able to give them the childhood we wanted them to have?

This week I talk with Lisa Appelo, widow and mom of seven, who found herself in that spot - grieving the life she wanted for herself and her children, and then having to navigate the shift in every relationship that comes through change or grief. What she has found in the last 11+ years has been the presence of God for her and her kids. The rhythm of their regular bible study was a lifeline and she offers us great encouragement of God’s nearness and direct involvement in our lives. Read more of their story in Lisa’s new book Life can be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After it All Falls Apart.

We’re taking time this summer (as usual) to be mentored by some experienced moms and benefit from their wisdom. I’m asking them about their “mom brands” and the unique families and assignments God has given them to help us embrace the specific and unique spot God has given each of us.

Discussion Questions:

What stood out to you in the episode?
What does family bible reading look like in your home? What is one change you could make to your routine to incorporate some kind of bible reading? Think small! Remember that Lisa says it’s a fight to make that space but totally worth it.
Where can you give your kids the freedom to choose, allowing the Lord to work in them independent of your direct guidance? You can think small here too!
Where might you need to step back in your child’s life to preserve your relationship with them?
What relationships have shifted because of loss or change, big or small? Spend time praying with and for one another over these relationships and God’s good plan for them. (This could feel like an insurmountable question for someone in your group - approach it with empathy and care!)

Connect with Lisa Appelo:

Website: https://lisaappelo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisaappeloauthor
Instagram: @lisaappelo
Twitter: @AppeloLisa
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LisaAppelo/_created/

Links Mentioned:

Life Can be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After it All Falls Apart by Lisa Appelo

Hinds’ Feet on High Places: An Engaging Visual Journey by Hannah Hurnard

Related Episodes:

How to Fight Fear & Believe in a Faithful God :: Lisa Appelo [Ep 84]

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Lasting Parent-Child Relationships :: Helen Smallbone [Summer of Mentorship Wk 1] Jun 20, 2022

“Don’t care how, I want it now!” When we watch Veruca Salt sing those words in Willy Wonka we are immediately repulsed. And yet, lots of our time and energy is spent trying to unlock the secrets to a quick change of our circumstance. This week, mom of seven Helen Smallbone, encourages us that following Christ and parenting alike are long games. Marathons, in fact. She has honesty and wisdom to offer as we strive to grow and maintain relationships with our kids that last into adulthood. She also encourages us with some practical ways to foster relationships between our kids, to get them working, and retain our own sanity.

We’re taking time this summer (as usual) to be mentored by some experienced moms and benefit from their wisdom. This year I'm recording new interviews and I’m asking guests about their “mom brands”. They share their values, unique assignments God has given them and what helps their family flourish. The goal is to help you define your "mom brand" and the places God is assigning you.

Discussion Questions:

What stood out to you from the episode?
Do you take a “mum’s time out” during the day? Why or why not? What would change about your day if you did?
How do you balance connection with your kids while maintaining the boundaries of a parent-child relationship?
How do you typically handle sibling conflict? Which of Helen’s tactics could you adapt to use in your own home?
How do you maintain or reestablish connection with your child after an argument/difficult exchange?
What’s your favorite way to help kids get their energy out? If another mom shares one that might work at your house, write it down!
Helen reminded us that motherhood is not for the faint of heart - what aspect of motherhood has got you feeling fainthearted? Spend some time praying for one another about those specific areas.

Connect with Helen Smallbone:

Website: https://www.mumlife.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helenjsmallbone/
Instagram: @MumLifeCommunity
Podcast: MUM Life Community

Links Mentioned:

Behind the Lights: The Extraordinary Adventure of a Mum and Her Family by Helen Smallbone
PAST EPISODE: Gentle Christ-Centered Parenting {Ep 363}

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Villages of Hope and Help :: DeVon and Paulette Franklin [Ep 371] Jun 13, 2022

Tragedy struck and Paulette Franklin could have given up hope. Instead, she used it as a chance to “bring together the village of hope and help” from her extended family, namely her aunts, who lived both near and far. They rallied around Paulette and her boys through presence and connection. Make no mistake, single parenting was still hard work, but by clinging to her faith in God and the village around her, she and her boys thrived.

Though this bond with extended family was knitted together well before Paulette’s husband passed away, she had to let them in, she had to let them help. For Paulette’s middle son, DeVon, and his brothers, their aunts’ houses became places of refuge and connection that they still rely on to this day. DeVon and his aunts tell their compelling and encouraging story in his audiobook, It Takes a Woman, available now on Audible. Through the audiobook all of our villages are enlarged, all of their wisdom can be ours.

Connect with DeVon and Paulette Franklin:

Website: https://devonfranklin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeVonFranklinOfficial
Instagram: @DeVonFranklin
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKqTVGX0BZGQ5xPX98ibb4g
Twitter: @DeVonFranklin

Links Mentioned:

It Takes a Woman audiobook by DeVon Franklin
Heather’s Interview with Jennifer Garner and Christy Beam (start at 32:20 mark)

Related Episodes:

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Gender and Sexuality :: Preston Sprinkle [Ep 370] Jun 06, 2022

Over 20% of Gen Z identifies as LGBTQ+. That’s roughly 1 in 4 of today’s teen and young adult populations. There is a lot of confusion around gender and sexuality in our Christian culture today - how do we love others well that have different belief systems and different language around gender and sexuality? How do we parent our children in a way that honors our faith and what we believe to be true? What do we do with the Church’s reputation of hate towards LGBTQ people we inherited?

With even the staunchest of liberals asking questions around the sharp rise in people identifying as LGBTQ our grace and truth filled responses are more important than ever. This week’s guest, Dr. Preston Sprinkle, is the co-founder and president of The Center for Faith, Gender, and Sexuality and has written several books guiding Christians through these areas including Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church + What the Bible has to Say and People to be Loved.

Connect with Preston Sprinkle:

Website: https://www.prestonsprinkle.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrestonMSprinkle?fref=ts
Instagram: @preston.sprinkle
Twitter: @PrestonSprinkle
Podcast: Theology in the Raw

Links Mentioned:

Bill Maher on Real Time with Bill Maher: New Rule: Along for the Pride

The Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender
The Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender course on Parenting LGBTQ Kids

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Dwelling Differently :: Natalie Abbott [Ep 369] May 30, 2022

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 is a very familiar verse, but do you take it as a life-giving exhortation or do you shove it into the mental closet of “shoulds”? The rest of Psalm 119 tells us the person who loves God’s word enough to hide it in their heart finds peace, wisdom, delight, comfort, blessing, shameless life, reminders of the Lord’s nearness, and promises that will endure forever - just to name a few!

So why don’t we memorize scripture?

What if you had a system that was simple and beautiful and easy enough for the whole family to practice together? This week’s guest, Natalie Abbott, is a mom of five who knows firsthand of the wonderful things the rest of Psalm 119 promises the person who hides God’s word in their heart. She and her sister, Vera, created Dwell Differently, a system of temporary tattoos and devotional cards all beautifully designed for simple memorization of and meditation on one verse a month. It gives individuals, families or friend groups a chance to sow one verse into every aspect of their lives and then reap the peace and wisdom that comes from nearness to God.

Connect with Natalie Abbott:

Website: https://dwelldifferently.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwelldifferently/
Instagram: @dwelldifferently
Podcast: https://dwelldifferently.com/pages/dwell-podcast-2

Links Mentioned:

Dwell Differently. Visit www.dwelldifferently.com to get the first month free of a FAMILY membership ($12 value) use the code: DMA

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Raising Emotionally Strong Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 368] May 23, 2022

Our sons are constantly receiving messages about how to handle their emotions - from us as moms and dads, or from other men in their lives and from our culture as well. All too often that message has been “Be strong, emotion other than anger only shows weakness” and this to their detriment. Anxiety and depression are rapidly on the rise and our boys are not immune.

We need our boys to grow into men who are strong of character and a beautiful, if undervalued, aspect of that is helping them learn how to name and process their emotions. This can be difficult to do as a grown up - imagine how your child experiences this and the training they need!

Counselor and author David Thomas works regularly with boys and their families to help them put his three R’s of emotional processing into practice - recognize, regulate, and repair. Listen as he walks us through the importance of these practices and how they can set our sons up for lifelong emotional health. His new book, Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools You Son Can Build On for Life, and companion study guide for boys, Strong and Smart: A Boy’s Guide to Building Healthy Emotions release June 14th

Connect with David Thomas:

Website: https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raisingboysandgirls
Instagram: @raisingboysandgirls
Podcast: Raising Boys and Girls Podcast

Links Mentioned:

Strong and Smart: A Boy’s Guide to Building Healthy Emotions by David Thomas

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Winning Together as Co-laborers :: Heather [Ep 367] May 16, 2022

Mommy Wars. They may have started out as “working mom” v. “stay at home mom” but it has morphed (or devolved) into something much bigger.

While, in the eyes of our culture, “you do you” might have freed us to make different choices than another mom, has it drawn us together and given us the support we need?

Parenting is so difficult and Ecclesiastes reminds us that toiling away alone is tantamount to trying to catch smoke. What we need instead are co-laborers. We need other moms to come alongside us, not because we agree on everything, but because we have a common goal - the flourishing of the next generation.

We need to come alongside other moms because when we pit ourselves against one another due to differences in parenting styles, we cut off our nose to spite our collective face. Join Heather this week as she challenges us to look introspectively and grow in conflict resolution in light of Ecclesiastes 4.

Links Mentioned:

Featured Sponsors:

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God’s Hand Over Everything :: Tori Hope Petersen [Ep 366] May 09, 2022

God ordains the time and space we inhabit - sometimes that’s one home for decades, sometimes it’s 12 homes in 6 years and instant homelessness at age 18. It was the latter for Tori Petersen and for so many other children in the foster care system. Tori has accomplished a lot since then - 5 time State Champion in track and field, a book releasing August 30th, and even a Mrs. Universe 2022 title. But if you asked her how she got here, she would say it was because someone loved and served the “least of these.” (Matthew 25:40)

She was the least of these. She experienced extreme difficulty while in foster care, but looking back she sees God’s fatherly hand guiding her all along the way, loving her through the words and actions of her track coach, and now working through her and her husband to others as they model loving and serving the “least of these” for their own kids. Tori tells her compelling story in her new book, Fostered: One Woman’s Powerful Story of Finding Faith and Family Through Foster Care, which releases August 30, 2022.

Connect with Tori Petersen:

Website: https://www.torihopepetersen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torihopepetersen
Instagram: @torihopepetersen

Links Mentioned:

Fostered: One Woman’s Powerful Story of Finding Faith and Family Through Foster Care by Tori Hope Petersen Pre-sale link

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The Lazy Genius Kitchen :: Kendra Adachi [Ep 365] May 02, 2022

The kitchen. It can be a place of glorious delight or it can be a place of burnt despair. Whether it’s mostly delight or mostly disaster for you, it’s often a place of frustration. Everyone is hungry and needs something all the time or everyone is refusing to eat; there isn’t enough space or you feel like a pinball trying to get people what they need.

Enter Kendra Adachi, aka The Lazy Genius. She’s here to help you be a genius at what matters and lazy about what doesn’t and she’s at it again, this time in the kitchen. She gives you permission, she helps you analyze and streamline, but most importantly she’s offering you a middle ground - the space between perfection and hot-mess, where you can love your people well with those important moments at the table but not be overwhelmed with how to get there. (Spoiler alert: we can apply these principles to the rest of our lives too!)

Kendra is a wife, mom, and author. Her latest book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy it Like Never Before releases May 3, 2022.

Connect with Kendra Adachi:

Website: https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelazygeniuscollective
Instagram: @thelazygenius
Podcast: The Lazy Genius Podcast

Links Mentioned:

The Lazy Genius Kitchen: Have What You Need, Use What You Have, and Enjoy it Like Never Before
The Hub of all Lazy Genius Information - https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/

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The Power of Pausing:: Kirsten Watson [Ep 364] Apr 25, 2022

Do you remember commercial breaks? They were built-in pauses, breaks from the drama or sitcom. With DVR’s or streaming services we can easily skip or minimize the pauses. But what if “pause” is what your everyday really needs? Not a week-long, pick your favorite vacation spot pause, but a quick moment to stop and say, “God, where are you leading? What are you saying?” or “Help me today because I don’t have what it takes to make it through the day.”

Kirsten Watson is a busy woman - a wife, a mom to seven, an author and podcast host - but all those responsibilities only lead her to pause more. Whether it’s in the moments just after her alarm goes off, or in the middle of after-school stories, she challenges us to slow down and first ask God for the help we need, and then to see where he is at work. She encourages us to practice discernment for what is most helpful in our kids’ sanctification - either stepping in or stepping back. She invites us to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit available to us if we will only ask.

Kirsten’s book, Sis, Take a Breath: Encouragement for the Woman Who’s Trying to Live and Love Well (but Secretly Just Wants to Take a Nap), releases May 3, 2022.

Connect with Kirsten Watson:

Website: https://thewatsonseven.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirstenwatsonofficial
Instagram: @_kirstenwatson_
Podcast: Why or Why Not with the Watsons

Links Mentioned:

Sis, Take a Breath: Encouragement For the Woman Who’s Trying to Live and Love Well (but Secretly Just Wants to take a Nap) by Kirsten Watson

Related Episodes:

Breathe…{replacing “me” with “He”series} Blogpost

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Gentle Christ-Centered Parenting :: David and Amanda Erickson [Ep 363] Apr 18, 2022

“Peaceful” and “parenting” aren’t words we usually put together. Think about the parenting moments that stick out to you from the last week – was there anything peaceful about them? What if there could be? What would it change for you if parenting didn’t feel like moving from one fight to another? My guests this week, Dr David and Amanda Erickson of Flourishing Homes and Families, encourage us that it IS possible. Peace and grace can be meaningful parts of your parenting – not only for your kids, but for you. The gospel always brings freedom.

Gentle Christ-Centered Parenting will not only change the dynamic of your house, but it will set your kids up for success in the hardest parts of life – responding with grace when someone hurts them, learning to hold boundaries and communicate their needs in a way that still respects the dignity and honor of the person who hurts them or crosses those boundaries and how to collaboratively problem solve. Ultimately, there is no better place for them to see reliance on the Holy Spirit’s work in life than through us fighting against sin by his power in our own lives. David and Amanda have fostered children and are raising two biological kids. They too have had to work against the patterns of their own childhoods to transform their parenting.

Connect with David and Amanda Erickson:

Website: https://flourishinghomesandfamilies.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishinghomesandfamilies
Instagram: @flourishinghomesandfamilies
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flourishinghomesfamilies

Links Mentioned:

Instagram Stories on “the rod” verses
Good and Angry: Exchanging Frustration for Character in You and Your Kids! By Scott Turanksy and Joanne Miller

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Walking Through Seasons of Unbelonging :: Shauna Niequist [Ep 362] Apr 11, 2022

We all walk through seasons of transition, whether we leave something behind by choice or it was chosen for us. Life after a disruptive event or during life transitions can feel like “starting over” just as much as a move clear across the country. You may be asking the question, “who am I here?” even in familiar places and routines. Author Shauna Niequist encourages us in what to hold on to and what to let go of, through seasons of loss.

She equips us with three tools for the journey - curiosity, self-compassion, and courage. We discuss how prayer can tenderize an angry heart, and Shauna shares how hanging on to writing and hospitality, even when they felt like impossible disciplines, helped her journey forward through grief and change.

Shauna Niequist is a wife, mom, and author to numerous books including, Present Over Perfect, Cold Tangerines, and Bread and Wine. Her new book, I Guess I Haven’t Learned that Yet, releases on April 12, 2022

Connect with Shauna Niequist:

Website: https://www.shaunaniequist.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sniequist
Instagram: @sniequist
Twitter: @sniequist

Links Mentioned:

I Guess I Haven’t Learnd that Yet by Shauna Niequist

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Mom, You Are Important but Not Essential, and That’s Good News :: Brittany Turner [Ep 361] Apr 04, 2022

As moms we do carry a big burden – we have a God-give responsibility to love and care for our children, but how often do you feel crushed under that burden? It’s hard to do all the tasks to take care of everyone – especially if you’re measuring yourself by how many meltdowns (your kids or yours) did or didn’t happen this week. What if that responsibility came with the freedom to not hold it all together? What if there were someone more loving and more powerful than you to shape all the details of life for the good of everyone involved? This week, Brittany Turner encourages us that the same God we trust to take all the hard in our lives and turn it into good is God for our kids too! We can rest in his capabilities and invite others into our lives to help carry the load. You do not have to mom alone!

Brittany Turner is a wife, mom of four, speaker, and writer who loves to help people take what they say they believe and put it into practice in their everyday lives.

Connect with Brittany Turner:

Website: https://brittanyjturner.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambrittanyjturner
Instagram: @iambrittanyjturner
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPGJooyyxRuC4iM5Th1tC8w?view_as=subscriber

Links Mentioned:

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Simply Be Box Use Code DMASpring10 to receive $10 off Your Subscription or Spring Box Purchase at SimplyBeBox.com

Creating Digital Safe Spaces :: Chris McKenna [Ep 360] Mar 28, 2022

Does keeping your kids safe on the internet ever feel like a game of Whack-a-mole - frenzied and unending, always trying to fend off the threats that pop up? Or maybe you’ve been afraid your kids would be or feel left out if you had more limits on their screens? You’ve seen the documentaries and the research of how addictive social media can be and the average age in which kids are exposed to pornography keeps going down and yet, we know on some level what we forbid our kids to do has the potential to become the only thing they want. Families around you probably have a wide range of tech norms in their households. Kids relentlessly request screen time. Honestly, sometimes we long for the quiet of a kid mesmerized by a screen.

What’s a mom to do?

Enter this week’s guest, Chris McKenna, dad of four and founder of Protect Young Eyes, an organization devoted to helping parents create safe digital spaces for their kids. Chris encourages us that while there are real things our kids need protecting from on the internet, there are real ways we can foster digital trust and create safe digital spaces for our kids. Chris helps us understand that rather than a controller, our kids want a coach - someone to teach them how to use technology in ways that honor God, themselves, and others.

Connect with Chris McKenna & Protect Young Eyes:

Website: https://protectyoungeyes.com/
Twitter @protecteyes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/protectyoungeyes/
Instagram: @Protect Young Eyes
Protect Young Eyes App - iPhone
Protect Young Eyes App - Android

Links Mentioned:

Birds and Bees - Mary Flo Ridley - tools for talking to your kids about sex

Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr. by Kristen A. Jenson https://www.amazon.com/Good-Pictures-Bad-Jr-Protect/dp/0997318724

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The Biggest Story Bible Storybook by Crossway and Kevin DeYoung. Pick up a copy wherever books are sold or visit crossway.org/plus to find out how to save 30%.

How to Help a Friend Process Life [Ep 359] Mar 21, 2022

How do you respond when a difficult situation comes your way? One that feels out of the blue, or that doesn’t have a clear solution, or all the solutions you’ve tried haven’t worked?

In this birthday episode (Happy Birthday Heather!) join Heather and DMA team member, Stephanie Snow, as they talk through what it looks like to process through all those thoughts that circle around our brains as we deal with the difficult stuff of life. We talk about not only how to sort out your own thoughts, but how to come alongside friends, family, and even your children to listen well and ask good questions.

Links Mentioned:

Relational Needs Card–Townsend Institute

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Mentoring with Lisa Bevere [Ep 358] Mar 14, 2022

Have you ever wished for a fairy godmother? Someone to wave a wand and make your troubles disappear? The next best thing just might be a real godmother - a woman to see you in your distress and to offer help and encouragement. What’s hard for you in this season of motherhood? Your reactions to your kids? Seeing how your kids react to one another? Maybe you need to break free from life centering around your kids.

In this mentoring episode we take a proverbial walk with author and speaker Lisa Bevere through anger, growth, idolatry, guilt and hope in the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and sibling rivalry. Her most recent book, Godmothers: Why You Need One. How to Be One encourages women to live with and for one another and to ask for help from those who have gone before you - which she graciously does with us in this episode! Lisa and her husband John raised four boys and she has written numerous books on womanhood, identity, anger, and much more.

Connect with Lisa Bevere:

Website: https://lisabevere.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisabevere.page
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabevere/

Links Mentioned:

Godmothers: Why You Need One. How to Be One by Lisa Bevere

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Recovering from Mom Burnout :: Nicole Zasowski [Ep 357] Mar 07, 2022

Every mom will experience burnout. It’s as simple as our energy output exceeds our energy input, but it can be debilitating and discouraging. You may wish for a vacation, or spa day or even just 15 minutes of silence, but what if those typical self-care strategies are out of your reach? Where can you find rest when it seems like your circumstances just don’t allow for any?

“You may find that if someone pours water all over you, you are damp and distracted, but not cured of your sadness, the way a fire department can douse a fire but never recover what has been burnt down.” —Lemony Snicket, The Bad Beginning

This week we talk with Nicole Zasowski, a mom of three, therapist, and author of the new book, What if it’s Wonderful? Through her own life journey that has included deep sorrow and deep joy, Nicole encourages us to fight burnout with regular rhythms of celebration. No, not another party for you to plan, she’s not looking to douse water on burned-out you, but to help you recover joy that has been lost. She gives you an invitation to look at the good God is doing all around you, in every season.

Connect with Nicole Zasowski:

Website: https://www.nicolezasowski.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolezasowskiwriter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolezasowski/

Links Mentioned:

Pre-Order What if it’s Wonderful?

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Equipping Your Kids for Difficulty :: Kim Sorgius [Ep 356] Feb 28, 2022

What happens when you’ve had a Proverbs life - following the rules and making the right choices - but then you wake up to find yourself living in Ecclesiastes where life is painful and doesn’t quite make sense? It’s easy for us to think we can do and achieve - that if we just get the right formula we’ll unlock an easy life replete with God’s blessings and perfect family photos. Through her own story of God’s provision through heartache and uncertain circumstances, Kim Sorgius encourages us to lean in and really know the Lord in difficult times. Not just to know about him, not to search his word for what the plan is, but to search it for Him. She wants our paradigm to shift and for us to embrace that “the beauty of life isn’t found in perfect circumstances…[but] in faith.”

Kim has a deep desire for us to both experience and pass that sturdy faith onto our children. Born from the difficulty (and faithfulness) of single motherhood is her blog and online store, Not Consumed, where she has created Bible studies and products to help you engage the scripture with your kids. Join us to hear Kim’s incredible story and to be encouraged as you work to share your faith in meaningful ways.

Connect with Kim Sorgius:

Website: https://smart.bio/notconsumed/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notconsumed
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notconsumed/

Links Mentioned:

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Church Hurts, Healed by the Church :: Angel Ricchuiti [Ep 355] Feb 21, 2022

Think of 9 women you know. Statistics says that 1 of those women was sexually abused as a child. This week, Angel Ricchuiti bravely tells us her story of sexual abuse within the church. She gives us hope that God heals, restores and is near to us through the body of Christ and skilled professionals. You will hear practical ways to listen well and come alongside a friend who suffered trauma as you are graciously invited into her story. And, you will be encouraged to think about the process of uprooting fears and walking in freedom caused by hurts. Be informed and empowered toward empathy and compassion whether trauma or abuse is a part of your story or not.

Angel is a wife, mother of four, as well as a trained counselor.

WARNING: This episode contains references to child sexual abuse within the church. We know Angel’s story may be especially hard for some, as it may stir up very real feelings. Please be encouraged, Angel’s story is full of hope and healing, too. While this episode might not be good for little ears, it is a story that will equip you and help you walk in more freedom.

Connect with Angel Ricchuiti:

Website: https://angelricchuiti.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angel.ricchuiti
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelricchuiti/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/angelricchuiti

Links Mentioned:

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES BELOW
Tim Ricchuiti’s TikTok:@polymathematic

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PrepDish: PrepDish founder, Allison, is offering listeners a free 2-week trial. Check out PrepDish.com/dma for this amazing deal!

Resources for Sexual Abuse Recovery and Prevention:

Books for Kids:

Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect - Jayneen Sanders
God Made All of Me – Justin S. Holcomb
Good Picture Bad Pictures - Kristen Jenson

Books for Survivors:

Suffering and the Heart of God – Dr. Diane Langberg
The Wounded Heart – Dr. Dan Allender
The Trauma Heart – Judy Crane
The Body Keep the Score - Bessel van der Kolk
Redeeming Love – Francine Rivers
The Hiding Place – Corrie Ten Boom
Believing God – Beth Moore

People to Follow:

Books Recs & Questions to Ask Your Local Church Leadership:

On Guard – Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse at Church, by Deepak Reju
We Too – Mary E. Demuth
Who knows about/ keeps track of convicted sex offenders in our congregation?
Who monitors their coming and going on our campus?
Who on staff is responsible to check in with their probation officers and confirm the reason for their status on the sex offenders list and recommendations they have for securing safety?
What is the safety plan for these individuals? What is included & who supervises this plan?
How often does the supervisor meet with this perpetrator or other known perpetrators AND fact check the information they provide?
Is he or other known perpetrators chaperoned while on campus?
Do we have an official document which discloses how we as a church body agree to handle this particular issue?

Be Vulnerable, Find Your People :: Jennie Allen [Ep 354] Feb 14, 2022

Friendship isn’t something we are taught in school. We sort of fumble our way through the trial and error of how to make and keep friends. Add in our culture of independence, where it can be hard to admit we need others, and lots of times it feels easier to just stay home and binge watch seasons of Friends rather than try to find some real life ones. In this episode, author and speaker Jennie Allen acknowledges that friendship is full of risk, riddled with awkwardness and yet completely worth it. Through her own journey of finding a core group of friends in a new city, she challenges us to enter into the awkward places to build the friendships we long to have. Jennie Allen is a wife, mom, author, and speaker. She deeply believes God created us for relationship - first with him and then with others. Her newest book, Find Your People, is a tool-kit, a guide, an encouragement, and an honest look at why we really do need a village, and how we cultivate it in our lives.

Connect with Jennie Allen:

Website: https://www.jennieallen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniesallen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennieallen/

Links Mentioned:

Find Your People Pre-Order

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Extending an Invitation :: Trillia Newbell [Ep 353] Feb 07, 2022

Let’s have some “real talk” and think about our faith in action when it comes to our neighbors, even when they are different. This conversation will help you think about being more open and welcoming and train your children to do the same.

Our guest this week, author Trillia Newbell, encourages us in the message of James chapter two - love for others that doesn’t show favoritism to those who look or think or act like us. Her book, The Big Wide Welcome, illustrates how the love of Christ sees and welcomes others for who they are and how we should do the same. Trillia is a wife, mom, author, and speaker whose writings address and encourage our faith, our families, and the culture around us

Connect with Trillia Newbell:

Website: https://trillianewbell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrilliaNewbell
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trillianewbell/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/trillianewbell

Links Mentioned:

Related Episodes

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Consistency in Bible Study :: Katie Orr [Ep 352] Jan 31, 2022

In a world of increasing chaos, we crave certainty. We “know” the answer lies in some good disciplines like daily time with God. How can you step into a habit of studying God’s Word with consistency and success, even when your daily rhythms are upside down?

Let’s turn Bible study from a “should do” into a vibrant, life-giving way to get the Word into your heart. Our guest this week, Bible teacher Katie Orr, will encourage you in practical and approachable ways so that you can open God’s Word and be fed.

We talk through the stops on Katie’s “Bible Study Boulevard” - an assessment you can take on her website to help you figure out just where you are on your Bible study journey. Identifying your “stop” can help you adopt methods you can use right where you are, right now to connect with God and know Him more. Her online community at www.biblestudyhub.com is a place where women can connect and receive training, encouragement, and accountability to enjoy God’s word. She is even offering Don’t Mom Alone listeners a special on her 5 Days to Better Bible Study Course to jump start your study!

Connect with Katie:

Website: katieorr.me
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekatieorr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekatieorr
Books by Katie Orr - Secrets of the Happy Soul
FOCUSed15 Bible Studies

Links Mentioned:

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Uncommon Goods: To get 15% off your next gift go to UncommonGoods.com/dma. Don’t miss this limited time offer.

Understand Your Developing Teen :: Dr. Nell Bush [Ep 351] Jan 24, 2022

The preteen/teen years are a time of immense change and growth that often come with difficulty between mother and child. As the mom of a teen you may find yourself confused or frustrated with your child’s new behavior and attitudes. (The thought of those years is enough to fill elementary-kid moms with dread!) Come and listen as we shed light on the confusion of these transitional years that will help us both prepare for and thrive during this crucial developmental stage.

In this episode Child Development Specialist, Dr. Nell Bush, explains to us the four pillars of preteen/teen development. Dr. Bush co-authored The Parenting Survival Guide, a practical handbook for parents addressing common child rearing concerns. Having four children of her own, she understands teen development on a theoretical and practical level.

Nell encourages us that if we can understand what’s going on socially, emotionally, mentally, and physically with our preteens/teens we can respond with compassion and adapt our parenting strategies to fit their needs. She also covers aspects of development from why teens sleep so much to why they seem to love and hate us almost simultaneously. Draw hope for the present or wisdom for the future as you sit in (or do the dishes, or drive the kids all over) on Heather and Nell’s conversation.

Connect with Dr. Nell Bush:

Email: nell.f.bush@gmail.com

Links Mentioned:

Handout from Dr. Bush
Birds and Bees https://birds-bees.com/
Episodes with Mary Flo and Megan Michaelson of Birds and Bees

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Friendship is Hard :: Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston [Ep 350] Jan 17, 2022

We’ll just say it - friendship as an adult is hard. It’s hard to find friends, to keep friends, and to be a good friend amidst all the hustle and bustle of motherhood. And motherhood can be an extremely lonely place. On this episode, Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston, founders of Sister I am With You, share the good, the bad, and the awkward of making friends as a mom. They guide us through their own story of friendship (and encourage us to get out there and start the work of friendship) with candor and humor. They talk about some pitfalls of making friends and share tips on how to be a good friend.

Their book, I’ll be There, (But I’ll be Wearing Sweatpants), releases January 25, 2022.

Connect with Amy and Jess:

Website: https://www.sisteriamwithyou.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sisteriamwithyou
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sisteriamwithyou
Instagram for Amy: https://www.instagram.com/amyweatherly
Instagram for Jess: https://www.instagram.com/wonderoakblog

Links Mentioned:

I’ll be There, (But I’ll be Wearing Sweatpants)

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Sunday Planning :: Retha Nichole [Ep 349] Jan 10, 2022

Do you ever feel like you wake up Monday and the week is already running away from you? Overwhelm is a common feeling among moms and in this episode Retha Nichole shares the system she created that helped create margin in her own life.

As a working mom to three boys, and at times a single mom, her Sunday Planning routine and portioning out her “plate” has helped her take care of herself and her people well.

“Sunday Planning looks different in the different seasons of life. As a mom of two littles I thought of the five things that would help me the MOST. That is still what I do as my children have grown up and can do most of these things on their own.”

Retha walks us through measuring our own capacity and how to craft your own Sunday Planning routine. Her website offers several products ready to make the most of your Sunday Planning efforts.

Connect with Retha:

Website: Retha Nichole https://www.thespcircle.com/
Facebook: Retha Nichole - Home | Facebook
Instagram: @RethaNichole

Links Mentioned:

Retha’s story on the So…What Else? Podcast with Kaitlin Eliott

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Honoring Others :: Rachael Wade [Ep 348] Nov 29, 2021

As we enter the holiday season, it’s easy to get swept up in the tasks and external pressures that crowd our days… coordinating family events, planning the food, buying and wrapping gifts. With so much to do, it can be easy to adopt a Grinch-like personality or to just be a bit snappy with people who enter our lives.

My guest Rachael R Wade is here to help our hearts grow three times larger by practicing giving honor to those around us. It’s a simple act of kindness that can be very powerful.

“No one gets tired of hearing encouragement or being honored. And it's just calling out what God has put in others. Just taking the time to notice them and saying something kind. That little piece of encouragement could be the difference for if they decide to continue on in a dream or how they parent their kids. There's a lot of weight to our words.”

Whether it’s showing honor to our kids and extended family or the clerk at the next store you enter, I invite you to pour out God’s love to a hurting world and use your words to heal. Rachael shares a lot of ideas for honoring others and how coming alongside and holding space for those around us is a catalyst for God’s kingdom here on earth.

Connect with Rachael R Wade:

Website: rachaelrwade.com
Facebook: facebook.com/RachaelRWade
Instagram: @rachwade

Links Mentioned:

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Parenting in the Power of the Holy Spirit :: Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 347] Nov 22, 2021

Jeannie Cunnion is back on the show with a powerful message that reminds us that we are NEVER ALONE. As believers we always have the Holy Spirit with us and Jeannie shares how to deepen your understanding of the Holy Spirit and come to know Him as an intimate friend and companion.

Not only that, but the Holy Spirit gives us power for the daily grind and holy work of motherhood. She shares about how He is faithfully at work, making the gospel irresistible to our kids and the freedom that comes from not having to do the Holy Spirit’s job for our kids.

“I think that there's a freedom and a frustration that comes with the Holy Spirit. There's freedom because it's like I can not do the Holy Spirit's job. He is going to be the one who sparks their faith, sustains their faith, strengthens them, sanctifies them. That is all his job. But that can also be frustrating because we want to be able to produce that fruit in their life to spare them from the consequences and the pain of sin. I have to remind myself that God loves my kids infinitely more than I ever could imagine and that he longs for them to live in the fullness of his grace and mercy, even more than I do.”

If you are longing to experience the freedom that comes from resting in the Holy Spirit instead of your own strength, this is the episode for you! Jeannie shares more in-depth on this subject in her new Bible study available for pre-orders now, Never Alone - Bible Study Book: Parenting in the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Connect with Jeannie Cunnion:

Links Mentioned:

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Embracing Your Power in Marriage :: Dr. Juli Slattery [Ep 346] Nov 15, 2021

Many women feel lost in their marriages. They don't know what to do with their disappointment, when to ask for help, or what it looks like to let go of the need to control. But God has given women incredible power in marriage and Dr. Juli Slattery is here to help us learn how to use it.

Dr. Slattery joins me to discuss key points from her bestselling book Finding the Hero in Your Husband and about how what we believe about our husbands can make all the difference in the intimacy, connection and health of our marriages.

“There are going to be issues in every marriage that have to be addressed, but it's the relational equity that we build through how we treat our husbands that gives us the power to confront things when they really need to be addressed. And when your husband has come to rely so much on your intimacy and companionship, then the fact that you have a concern really gets his attention because he doesn't want to lose you.”

We talk about being emotionally safe for our husbands, stopping the cycle of disappointment and nagging in our marriages, and taking another look at intimacy as a sexual journey to go on with our husbands. It’s. So. GOOD.

If you are in need of a boost of hope and excitement to help you re-engage in your marriage, this episode is for you!

Connect with Dr. Juli Slattery:

Website: authenticintimacy.com
Facebook: facebook.com/AuthenticIntimacy
Instagram: @authenticintimacy
Podcast: Java with Juli

Links Mentioned:

BOOK: Finding the Hero in Your Husband, Revisited

More Recent Episodes on Marriage:

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Sober-Minded Living :: Jenn Kautsch [Ep 345] Nov 08, 2021

Jenn Kautsch is an empty nester mom and a retired "grey area" drinker. She takes us into her story of feeling tired, stuck on auto-pilot, and ready for a change when it comes to her relationship with alcohol.

Through her own journey of seeking God about her casual drinking habit that was becoming a toxic mental battle, Jenn stopped asking if her drinking was “bad” for her and reframed it.

“So I turned it around and I started asking myself the question, Jenn, is it good enough? Is your drinking good enough for you? Is your relationship with drinking, helping you become the best version of yourself? Is it taking you where you really want to go? Is it matching up to your outsides being like your insights or are you walking around with duplicity in a divided mind and a mental tug of war?”

After choosing to embrace a sober lifestyle, Jenn started SoberSis, a like-minded community of women who are renegotiating their relationship with alcohol without labels, shame, judgment or rules.

We talk about how God brought her freedom from what felt like a divided life -- constantly feeling in conflict and stuck in an internal tug-of-war so she could live a more wholehearted life. And how she’s now been able to connect with close to 20,000 women from all over the world through her SoberSis community of women.

Connect with Jenn:

Website: sobersis.com
Facebook: facebook.com/sobermindedsister
Instagram: @sobersis

Links Mentioned:

Get the Happy Hour Survival Guide from Jenn
Join her 21 Day Reset Challenge
Free Video Series - https://www.sobersis.com/new-videos
If you had a parent who was an alcoholic check out this episode: Forgiving my Alcoholic Mother :: Sarah Mae [Ep 257]
If you need help setting boundaries this holiday season: Setting Healthy Boundaries :: Dr. John Townsend [250]

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When You Don't Know What to Pray :: Kayla Craig [Ep 344] Nov 01, 2021

As Kayla Craig sat in the hospital watching her daughter have a machine breath for her, she struggled to find the words to pray. In that difficult time in her family’s life, she learned about the power of liturgies which are scripted prayers from scripture. The more she turned to these powerful prayers prayed by Christians from all over the world, the less alone Kayla felt.

Years later, Kayla has created a book with modern liturgies for parents with more than 100 prayers to voice when words are hard to find.

“The book of prayers that I have created are just simply prayers that you can borrow, prayers that can become your own. The prayers of another can comfort us and can lift our arms up and we can't lift our arms up. If you don't have the words to pray, take mine.”

From everyday struggles like helping your child find friends or thrive in school to larger issues like praying for a brighter world rooted in peace and truth, these pleas and petitions act as a gentle guide, reminding us that while our words may fail, God never does.

Stay tuned for about 20 minutes in when Kayla prays a powerful prayer over all of us weary parents! I think you are going to love learning more about liturgies and breath prayers from Kayla. I hope this is just one more tool in your prayer tool belt -- we certainly need all we can get!

Connect with Kayla:

Website: kaylacraig.com
Podcast: Upside Down Podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/kaylacraigwriter
Instagram: @kayla_craig & @liturgiesforparents

Links Mentioned:

BOOK: To Light Their Way: A Collection of Prayers and Liturgies for Parents

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Your Unique Color Palette and Authentic Style :: Karen Blanc [Ep 343] Oct 25, 2021

Motherhood can be a time of self-forgetfulness. We pour into our kids, partners, careers and can lose ourselves in the process. One way I’ve rediscovered who God made me to be is learning about my unique color palette and authentic style.

In this week’s episode I chat with House of Colour Consultant, Karen Blanc. She teaches us a bit about color theory based on the work of Johannes Itten. And how based on our natural coloring, each of us harmonize best with either warm or cool colors, then either bright or muted.

“I love to give people permission to embrace something that's very near and dear to them, God's gift to you: your color palette.”

We also spend some time talking about the process of discovering your authentic style based on your body architecture and personality. With some combination of styles from the basic six: dramatic, classic, natural, gamine, ingenue or romantic.

My hope is this episode will inspire you that God made you with a light to shine where you are. Through learning more about color and style you can actually spend less energy on “what to wear” and more time being who God made you to be. “To be yourself in a world constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson).

Connect with Karen:

Website: House of Color — Oakland, Nebraska
Facebook: knowyourWOWcolors
Instagram: @houseofcolour_karenblanc

Links Mentioned:

Johannes Itten — “The Art of Color” (don’t know why it’s so expensive!)
House of Colour—find a consultant near you
House of Colour—Dallas—Ginny Hudnut
House of Colour—Erin Morgan

Featured Sponsors:

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Fed is Best || New Baby Series Pt. 2 :: Dr. Bridget Young [Bonus] Oct 22, 2021

Feeding a baby is stressful enough. Choosing a formula and transitioning to formula doesn't need to be stressful too.

Today's guest, Dr. Bridget Young, is a doctor of Perinatal and Pediatric Nutrition with a PhD from Cornell University in Nutritional Science. She specializes in maternal and child nutrition. Currently she is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center. You can read about her active research on infant formula here.

In this episode Bridget (her preferred name), mom of two boys, gives advice to the new mom on how to transition from breastmilk to formula (or a new type of formula).

She also explains the most important aspect that differentiates one formula from another. I ask her to explain soy formula from hypo-allergenic. And she gives great advice for how to approach your bottle feeds.

Most importantly, I'm thankful to connect you with the wealth of information on her website and YouTube channel. If you're looking for even more guidance check out her course (DMA listeners get a special $10 off discount with the code: DMA10).

Connect with Dr. Young:

Links Mentioned:

Baby Formula Expert
Baby Formula Course with Dr. Bridget Young use DMA10 to get $10off

Fed is Best || New Baby Series Pt 1 :: Demetria Martin and Dr. Odom [Ep 342] Oct 18, 2021

Late nights, milk stained clothes and feeling like you’ll go crazy if your baby spits up that precious breastmilk…. I have been there. We’ve never done an episode specifically on breastfeeding, but I want to provide support to moms who may be in this very isolating time of life.

My guests are Certified Lactation Counselor Demetria Martin and Pediatrician Dr. Brittany Odom and they talk us through some of the common hot topics surrounding breastfeeding from supply issues to nighttime feedings and everything else in between.

“Sometimes you don't have a good sense of community around breastfeeding. There are some pediatrician's offices that aren't super breastfeeding friendly. There might be some family members or friends who are not supportive of your breastfeeding journey. You may feel pretty alone when you're kind of starting this out. But give yourself, you know, a pat on the back for how far you have come. Even if it's been a day and a half, that's still a day and a half more than you've done before. So taking those small steps, knowing it is going to be a journey.”

Ultimately, we agree that a fed baby is a happy baby, so I hope you understand my heart is not to idealize the breastfeeding journey. Just to provide resources and community so you don’t mom alone as you feed your infants!

(Later this week we will publish a bonus episode featuring another lactation consultant about how to choose the right formula for your family.)

Connect with Demetria:

Website: themilkbuds.com
Facebook: facebook.com/themilkbuds
Instagram: @themilkbuds

Connect with Dr. Brittany Odom:

Instagram: @drbrittodom

Links Mentioned:

Milk Buds Lactation Services

Featured Sponsors:

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Relationships You Need To Be the Mom You Want to Be :: Heather MacFadyen [Ep 341] Oct 12, 2021

Join me as I step into the role of guest on my own show! My friend Courtney Cleveland interviews me and we do go in depth on my first book, Don’t Mom Alone. **Now available wherever books are sold!**

We talk about how being a good mom isn’t about doing everything right to create a set of perfect trophy children–though every mom has felt the pressure to do just that and to do it all on her own. And how asking for help feels like defeat, but when we try to do it all by our own strength, we end up depleted, lonely, and ineffective.

We are not meant to do this alone! I believe moms can be empowered by God, supported by others, and connected with their children. With encouragement and insight, you can foster the key relationships you need to be the mom you want to be so we DON’T MOM ALONE.

Links Mentioned:

Featured Sponsors:

Rothys: Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/DMA
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For the Mom Tired of Striving:: Ruth Chou Simons [Ep 340] Oct 04, 2021

In this episode, I’m excited to welcome back Ruth Chou Simons. In her newest book, When Strivings Cease, Ruth invites us to rethink our preoccupation with approval and the striving that comes because we feel like we’re forever missing the mark. It offers a deeper, abiding understanding of what God’s generous, unmerited favor really accomplishes in and through us when we receive the gift of grace.

As a mom of six boys, an author and an entrepreneur, Ruth shares from her experience of feeling like she needed to strive to move forward as a creator and how learning to trust God through the experience of mothering in the little years made all the difference.

“Sometimes I feel like a late bloomer, but there's no such thing in God's timing and God's economy of ideas and opportunities. And those 10 years of changing diapers and just keeping my children alive felt like things were happening so slowly. But God taught me more in the slow waiting, hidden moments of a season that didn't look the way I wanted it to. And those things are fruitful. They've created the fruit that you see now.”

We talk about how to reset when you feel striving taking over, how to stop ourselves from demanding perfection/striving from our kids and how to preach truth to ourselves when we need to be reminded that we can trust God instead of living in fear.

Connect with Ruth:

Links Mentioned:

Featured Sponsors:

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Truth for When You Feel Like a Bad Mom :: Jamie Ivey [Ep 339] Sep 27, 2021

Sometimes you have to preach truth to yourself when the days are long and you feel inadequate. And oftentimes we need a friend or two to point out the truth. Jamie Ivey is on the podcast today to be that friend for us. She brings us into her personal struggles as a mom and reminds us that we aren’t alone in the struggle.

“It brings me so much comfort that God is not surprised by our diagnoses. He is not surprised by our families. He's not surprised by our struggles. He's not surprised by our insecurities, but he is a God who's willing and ready to be with us in the midst of those.”

If you need a reminder that God made you to have your kids. He made your kids to be who they are with all their abilities and challenges. And he didn’t just create us and stand away distanced as we struggle in life. This episode is for you.

We talk about Jamie’s new children’s book God Made You to Be You, but dive much deeper into what that message can mean to us as moms and how we can encourage our kids as they relate to others who are different than them.

Connect with Jamie:

Website: jamieivey.com
Facebook: facebook.com/TheJamieIvey
Instagram: @jamieivey

Links Mentioned:

Featured Sponsors:

Mathnasium — Whether you are looking to get your kids back on track or want to ensure they’re staying ahead with their math studies, find a center near you at mathnasium.com and contact them for a free in center or online consultation.
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Helping Our Kids Foster Friendships :: David Thomas and Sissy Goff [Ep 338] Sep 20, 2021

I’m excited to welcome back Sissy Goff and David Thomas to the show to talk about helping our kids foster friendships. As licensed counselors, working at DayStar Counseling Center in Nashville, they provide support, encouragement & compassion to children, adolescents & families in need through counseling.

We talk about the nuances of boys vs girls in friendships, what to do if your kid is the bully, helping kids when friendships change or friends move, and how to take cues from our kids when it comes to their friendships

“It is really more important to prioritize teaching kids to be friends than to be concerned with them, having friends. And when it comes to our worries and fears about friendships, we can't have more emotion than they do over whatever's going on for them relationally. Often that will make them either feel like we're not safe to talk to, or it'll just make them dam up these feelings.”

Connect with David & Sissy:

Website: raisingboysandgirls.com
Facebook: facebook.com/raisingboysandgirls
Instagram: @sissygoff & @raisingboysandgirls
Podcast: raisingboysandgirls.com/listen

Previous Podcasts with David & Sissy:

Links Mentioned:

BOOK: Are My Kids on Track?
BOOK: The Invisible String

Featured Sponsors:

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Long Game Parenting :: Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson [Ep 337] Sep 13, 2021

Their real names are Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson, but they’ve been blogging for a long time on the internet as Big Mama and BooMama. In addition to being authors and speakers, they also host the fun podcast The Big Boo Cast where they talk about all the important stuff: faith, family, friends, football, fashion, and food. Plus, of course, their hair.

They join me for a mom friends episode where we talk about parenting teens, launching kids to college and letting go of mom guilt.

“If you were a bad mom, you wouldn't spend a lot of time worrying about if you were a bad mom. So the fact that you're feeling that guilt is like, you love your child, you're showing up, you're trying to do all the right things. And you just have to trust that God's grace covers the rest of it because they're going to be things you get wrong.”

You won’t want to miss the fun and funny Melanie and Sophie. I consider them some of my mentor moms and they offer up a lot of candid advice and wisdom for playing the “long game” of parenting.

Connect with Melanie:

Connect with Sophie:

Website: boomama.net
Facebook: facebook.com/SophieHudsonBooMama
Instagram: @boomama205

Links Mentioned:

Featured Sponsors:

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Weathering Life’s Storms :: Sally Clarkson [Ep 336] Sep 06, 2021

Even without the overwhelm of the pandemic exhausting us both physically and emotionally, life inevitably brings storms our way. Storms that we can ride out with God or storms that we allow to sweep us away.

Sally Clarkson, author, speaker and mentor of moms, joins me to talk about how to weather the storms of life with grace and hope. We talk about how some anchors we can put down in stormy times, pushing into friendships, filling our cups when we are depleted and parenting our kids through life’s disappointments.

Sally also shares about how weathering life’s storms helps us care for others who are experiencing hard times better.

“Sometimes in my life I think Jesus wanted me to grow up a little bit because it was in facing my storms, learning to walk through them that I was humbled. I learned a lot. I had more compassion for other people going through storms. I feel like the story that you live becomes the platform for your compassion for other people.”

Connect with Sally:

Website: sallyclarkson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealsallyclarkson/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sally.clarkson/

More Episodes with Sally:

Links Mentioned:

BOOK: Help, I'm Drowning: Weathering the Storms of Life with Grace and Hope
PDF: A Written Lament - She Reads Truth
WORKBOOK: Mourning and Dancing from She Reads Truth
BOOK: This Beautiful Truth by Sarah Clarkson

Featured Sponsors:

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Self Differentiation and Why It Matters :: Nancy Houston [Ep 335] Aug 30, 2021

Self differentiation, emotional enmeshment and emotional cut-off… We got some new-to-me terms to learn in this episode, but you’ll be very glad you stick with us for the definitions. And I promise there won’t be a pop quiz at the end. 🤣

I’m chatting with Nancy Houston, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Sex Therapist specializing in individual, marital, and sexual issues. We go deep on some important concepts that I wish I’d learned earlier on in my marriage.

The big one is self differentiation. Who am I separate from motherhood and marriage? And how can I stay a healthy individual in those roles without swinging too far either direction. Nancy shares practical tips and breaks down big concepts to get us going down the path of self discovery.

“Health is being able to hold the middle where we can have some grace for ourselves and one another. Where we can have some quiet. Until I can stop judging myself so harshly, I'll never stop judging you.”

Connect with Nancy:

Links Mentioned:

Featured Sponsors:

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How God’s Holiness Helps Mothers :: Jackie Hill Perry [Ep 334] Aug 23, 2021

If God is holy, then He can’t sin. If God can’t sin, then He can’t sin against you. If He can’t sin against you, shouldn’t that make Him the most trustworthy being there is?

I’m thrilled to have Jackie Hill Perry back on the podcast to share about her much anticipated book, “Holier Than Thou”.

She walks us through Scripture, shaking the dust off of “holy” as we’ve come to know it and revealing it for what it really is: good news. As it turns out, God being “holier than thou” is actually the best news in the world, and it’s the key to trusting Him.

“Holiness is really abstract, but what does it have to do with me? The truth is it has everything to do with the way we live because the way we engage with the world around us is symptomatic of what we believe is true about God.”

We also chat about how Jackie doesn’t “mom alone,” about her growing family and the holy calling of motherhood. This is a powerful episode!

Connect with Jackie:

Website: https://jackiehillperry.com
Facebook: facebook.com/jackiehillperrypage
Instagram: @jackiehillperry

Links Mentioned:

FEATURED SPONSORS:

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Body Awareness in Parenting :: Mary Van Geffen [Ep 333] Aug 16, 2021

How we feel in our bodies affects so many facets of parenting-- and in some ways you might now expect. My guest Mary Van Geffen joins me to talk about 4 Ps that can help us practice body awareness as we work on parenting our kids (even the spicy ones) with empathy and connection.

“When in doubt I say choose connection rather than control. We're not going to have a lot of control and we don't have the time or the energy to follow through on things. So let's make sure we're connected because connection is the honey and it will help us to have more control.”

We go in depth on how paying attention to your Presence, Posture, Proximity and Phase of your Cycle can change how you parent and bring awareness of how to honor your body and rest when you need it.

Connect with Mary:

Links Mentioned:

Embodied Motherhood Worksheet with 4 Ps
Coaching with Mary use code: PODCAST for $5 off
Dr. Carolyn Leaf, neuroscientist
Parenting Siblings School — Join Mary’s Parenting Siblings School to treat jealousy, constant bickering, mean words, and tattling with confidence.
How To Stay Calm When Your Child is Acting Crazy PDF

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Factual News, Flexible Thinking and Family Moral Imperatives :: Sharon McMahon [Ep 332] Aug 09, 2021

News, politics and world events are on a 24-hour and 365-day cycle. Every second something new is happening and keeping up with the latest can be a full time job. Add on top of that the bias inherent in mass media and it can be hard to tell fact from manipulated fiction.

Enter Sharon McMahon, a former high school government and law teacher on a mission to combat political misinformation. With her viral Instagram account @SharonSaysSo, she shares non-partisan facts about the US government and democracy in a way that is easy to understand.

Sharon talks with me about how to be flexible thinkers and to hear both sides of a political issue using the same critical thinking skills she taught her students in high school. We also chat about her motherhood journey and raising kids who can talk respectfully with people who have different viewpoints on the world and politics.

But she doesn’t want you to listen to just her or any one person to learn the news of the day:

“I don't think it is wise to just look at one human, me or your favorite political pundit or anybody, and believe that person is right 100% of the time. It is still your job to consume and figure out using your own brain, the own skills in your head to determine whether or not that aligns for you and whether or not that actually is an accurate depiction of your feelings or viewpoints. So I always caution people. Don't take one person's word as gospel because all humans are fallible.”

Connect with Sharon:

Links Mentioned:

Podcast: https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/podcast
Sharon on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Pre-order Don’t Mom Alone and join the Don’t Launch Alone team.

Featured Sponsors:

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Shifting Perspective on Hard Things :: Summer of Mentorship Week 6 Jul 26, 2021

In this episode, Jen shares what she’s learned about heaven (from co-leading a study for 100+ women). She also gives a super practical way to figure out how you can help a friend in need. Jen reminds us mamas to hold our children loosely. To realize we have the privilege of partnering with God, but ultimately how our children “turn out” is up to him.

And this. . .

It’s hard in the crisis to build that support system. Invest in women’s lives now. Not because you’re going to need them in case you have cancer. But that the time invested in friendships, meaningful friendships is worth it.–Jen

My biggest take-away from our conversation is to view my “to do” list as a “get to do” list. What joy to get to pick up my boys from school, to get to serve them meals, and to get to put them to bed!

Wrapping up this summer may we all see our everyday in light of eternity. Be grateful for all our “get to”s. And invest in our sweet friendships.

More on Prayer:

Featured Sponsors:

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Your Funny Mom Stories [Ep 302] Oct 26, 2020

With the heaviness of 2020 weighing on so many moms, I thought this week we should share a few laughs. My assistant Sarah-Jane Menefee joins me to share some funny mom stories we’ve experienced and stories that listeners submitted.

We’ve got everything from simple misunderstandings to funny church stories to the ever-popular and unavoidable poop stories. I also share a tip on one way to remember the fun stories for each of your kids that doesn’t involve trying to write things down in a book. 😉

Sometimes you’ve got to laugh to keep from crying and that’s what this week is all about.

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Sexual Identity and Radical Ordinary Hospitality :: Dr. Rosaria Butterfield [Ep 301] Oct 19, 2020

Several listeners recommended Dr. Rosaria Butterfield as a guest on our recent survey. I’m so glad you did! Dr. Butterfield shares about her former life as a lesbian and professor of queer theory. In a quest to understand why Christians hated her, a neighbor introduced her Christ. Now she is an author, speaker, pastor’s wife, adoptive mother of four and gospel advocate to her neighbors.

She is passionate about helping Christians lovingly look past labels of sexual identity and share the gospel effectively.

“So if you know that you have neighbors who identify as lesbian. Don't avoid them. That's not what Christian neighbors do. You know? I think we really do need to see these things head on. Don't be afraid to listen to what people's concerns are and then speak a word in season. I would say too that Christians don't throw people away. We shouldn't be known for people who throw people away because they're inconvenient.”

We talk about a lot of subjects that can be difficult for us as moms to discuss, but also about how important it is that we have conversations with our kids about sexual identity, the Gospel and who God made them to be.

“The first thing is as Christian parents, if you don't talk to your children about sexuality, Someone else will. So while we want to maintain modesty and care and age appropriateness, we absolutely do not want to shirk this responsibility. We need to foreground the beauty and the majesty and the calling of what it means to be a man and what it means to be a woman.”

Connect with Dr. Butterfield:

Website: https://rosariabutterfield.com

Links Mentioned:

Dr. Butterfield’s Books:

Featured Sponsors:

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Healthy Habit Building :: Kat Lee [Ep 300] Oct 12, 2020

Whether we like it or not we have habits that define our lives. We have habits that determine when we wake up, how we spend our time and where we focus our energy. Joining me today to talk about how to establish routines and healthy habits is my good friend Kat Lee.

As the founder of Hello Mornings, Kat is all about helping people have a life-giving morning routine every day in as little as three minutes, but beyond just mornings, Kat has a wealth of knowledge to share on habit formation and a lot of encouragement that we can do them.

“Whatever it is that you're wanting to change or improve--whether it's your morning routine, your parenting, your marriage--whatever it might be, if you believe that it's possible with God and you have a plan and you're committed to it, then you can only progress.”

We talk about the idea of deconstructing habits we want to break to find solutions. Decision design and how our lives make habits easier or harder and we even get into a little neuroscience.

But ultimately, Kat wants to remind me and you that God is for us and wants our time and attention.

“It's not just about the morning routine or checking anything off, but it's about tapping into the one thing that's going to help you the most each day. And I hope that if you walk away from anything from this episode, it's just that God is with you and that He is for you.”

Connect with Kat:

Website: hellomornings.org
Facebook: facebook.com/hellomorningsofficial
Instagram: @hellokatlee

Links Mentioned:

The 3-Minute Morning
Hello Mornings book
Kat’s podcast: Hello Mornings
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8

Featured Sponsor:

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Nurturing Your Marriage :: Brent and Janis Sharpe [Ep 299] Oct 05, 2020

Marriage can be really hard. You start out so in love and excited but over time the daily strain of work, home, and parenting makes it challenging to connect with your spouse. Add a global pandemic and the strain is just overwhelming.

My guests Brent and Janis Sharpe are both Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists who have been married for 42 years. They are passionate about helping couples have healthy and thriving marriages even in the hardest of times.

“Most marriages are dealing with malnutrition. They're feeding everything else in their life… all the demands of children, the demands of taking care of a house, the demands of their job. And by the end of the day, they're just spent and they don't have much energy to move back towards each other. So finding little ways that we can move back towards one another and care for each other is significant.”

We talk about healthy habits that we start right now to give our marriages a boost and they aren’t what you might expect. What is so encouraging about the tips they share is how simple and small these habits are and the big impact they can make.

Don't miss the 90/10 lie!

Connect with Brent and Janis:

Website: brentandjanissharpe.com
Counseling Practice: lifeconnectioncounseling.com

Links Mentioned:

Brent and Janis’ book: The Making of a Marriage
Keeping Your Marriage Healthy While Sheltering in Place [BLOG POST]
The Care and Feeding of Your Marriage [VIDEO]

Featured Sponsors:

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You Are Never Alone :: Max Lucado [Ep 298] Sep 28, 2020

It was such an honor for me to chat with one of my favorite authors for this episode. Max Lucado has written almost 100 books and is a pastor at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. We talk about his new book You Are Never Alone and he shares with so much kindness and care about how we can trust in the miracle of God’s presence — yep, even in 2020.

Max knows God’s word and he combines meeting you where you with the truth of who God is in a powerful way as we talk about responding to loneliness as moms.

“I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but what if God does have a miracle? And what if God in his sovereignty can use this isolation or use this unusual circumstance to draw you closer to him and show you who he is? So rather than resist this, be open to the idea and say, Okay, Lord, I still believe you're there.”

If you are feeling weary with all this year has brought your way, this episode is the pep talk you need to reframe your perspective on God’s goodness and not give in to our emotions or feelings of hopelessness.

“The message of the miracles is you're really not by yourself. You're not alone. Your heavenly father loves you and the Lord Jesus will come to you. And the Holy Spirit will empower you. Don't give in to despair now. You may feel nothing but exhaustion, but your feelings are not a barometer of the presence of God.”

Connect with Max:

Website: maxlucado.com
Facebook: facebook.com/maxlucado
Instagram: @maxlucado

Links Mentioned:

You Are Special (our family favorite!)**
The Oak Inside the Acorn**
Max’s New Book: You Are Never Alone**

**Amazon affiliate links

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When Joy is a Struggle :: Keli Reese [Ep 297] Sep 21, 2020

Keli Reese is a naturally joyful person and a teacher who loves children. She figured that motherhood would come naturally for her too. But, after having five children in five years she found herself in the midst of life and home with lots of littles and wondered where her joy had gone.

“I had this mindset of what our home was going to be like because I'm doing this for Jesus. We're going to have this wonderful home. And when things were not looking that way, when I wasn't loving getting up early; I wasn't loving the laundry that never ended; I wasn't loving potty training; (all the things that was actually happening in my real life) I found myself sinking really deep.”

As she struggled to perform and achieve her way through motherhood and live up to the ideals she’d had before motherhood, Keli came to breaking point with God and that’s when everything changed.

“I said God, I can't do it anymore. I cannot do it. And I can just remember the love of the Lord wrapping around me. And he reminded me that no one called me to do it all. I experienced this relief in this release of God.”

Connect with Keli:

Website: www.ministryinmothering.com
Facebook: facebook.com/ministryinmothering
Instagram: @ministryinmothering

Links Mentioned:

Keli’s life verses: Colossians 3:12-17

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Grace and Truth for Moms :: Lynne Jackson [Ep 296] Sep 14, 2020

As a mom of three, Lynne Jackson struggled to maintain the order and perfection she expected to have in her life. Conflicts with her oldest son especially left her feeling defeated, angry and fearful of the future.

“The Lord was speaking to me one day about some of these beliefs that I had. And in Ephesians 4:15, it talks about speaking the truth in love. And I felt like I heard his voice say, you are not speaking the truth in love to yourself, about you and your kids. And then I went on a journey to figure out what was really true.”

Lynne shares how she learned to fight back against the toxic lies she believed about herself and her kids with God’s truth. We talk about practical ways we can take time to process our feelings with God and with others so we can let go of expectations that hurt our families and can find freedom in our identity in Christ.

“The goal to have perfect kids and be a perfect mom is just a setup for anger and despair. And it's actually idolatry. The real truth that helps us let go of that chronic anger is it's my job to parent wisely. My kid's job is to learn over time, to respond wisely. And that's a process.”

Connect with Lynne:

Website: https://connectedfamilies.org
Facebook: facebook.com/ConnectedFamilies
Instagram: @connectedfams

Links Mentioned:

Grace and Truth for Moms Online Course
Discipline that Connects Fall 2020 Course --- use code "DMA" to save 15% off registration

More Episodes with the Jacksons:

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Practicing Faith Through Fear :: Dominique Young [Ep 295] Sep 07, 2020

As minister and mom of one with another child on the way, Dominique Young looked like she had it all together — great job, great family, great ministry. But a few months into her second pregnancy she started experiencing postpartum psychosis, high anxiety and began hearing voices.

The feelings she always tried to mask or hide behind helpful scriptures could not be controlled anymore, but she started to find breakthrough when she learned that her real problem was fear.

“I always thought faith was easy. If I just said something and I kept moving, then God, on the back end, without my knowledge would take out all the fear. All I had to do is quote enough scripture. And what God began to show me is that he wanted me to have faith that he is God, so that I could just be human.”

We talk about her experience of getting a new perspective on faith, learning to experience emotions in a healthy way, and allowing herself to rely on others more and she started her journey toward health and wholeness. Now, she helps other moms do the same with her online community of Faith Mamas.

Connect with Dominique Young:

Website: faithmamas.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/faithmamasvillage
Instagram: @faithmamastribe

Links Mentioned:

Featured Sponsors:

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Shaping Your Family Culture :: Kimberly Amici [Ep 294] Aug 31, 2020

Kimberly Amici wanted her family to live by a set of values and a mission. So, she sat down with her husband and wrote out her ideas and expectations. But, in the midst of their busy life raising three kids and “going with the flow,” the Amici family didn’t have a set purpose or culture and it showed.

However, through a series of ongoing conversations as a family, Kimberly has been able to identify a few areas of purpose that are now a part of her family’s culture. It took having more in-depth conversations to get buy-in from kids to really identify and own their unique family culture.

Now, Kimberly provides coaching and resources that help others build their best families by having these conversations, choosing a few values to focus on and making small steps towards those values each day.

“The routines that we've put in place, these small steps that we take every day is what builds culture. It's not some big campaign saying we're going to transform our lives and become this other family. It's these teeny, tiny steps along the way.”

Connect with Kimberly Amici:

Website: kimberlyamici.com and buildyourbestfamily.com
Facebook: facebook.com/KimberlyAmiciBuildYourBestFamily
Instagram: @kimberlyamici

Links Mentioned:

Family Retreat Packet
Build Your Best Family Podcast

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Choose What Matters to YOU :: Kendra Adachi [Ep 293] Aug 24, 2020

(If you struggle with how to manage distance learning and working from home...listen to Kendra "lazy genius" that situation for me)

Kendra Adachi also known as the Lazy Genius calls herself a professional permission giver. And she’s here to give us permission to be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.

“I've come to this place of realizing we do not need another life hack. MacGyvering together a list of hacks and inspirational quotes isn’t going to get you a life that is wholehearted and anchored in what matters to you. That's why you're tired because that doesn't work.”

That sounds great, but the hard part is choosing what matters to YOU. We talk about how Kendra learned to let go of the expectations of doing everything well as a mom and how her Lazy Genius principles can help others get the same freedom.

She helps me “lazy genius” my life when it comes to the constant interruptions of parenting and virtual schooling as a work-at-home mom with some solutions that are both practical and soulful. I hope this conversation is helpful to many of you as we head into a fall season full of unknowns.

My key takeaways:

Make house rules that serve you and your sanity
Breath prayer when you feel scattered or like everything needs your attention: Lord, open my eyes to what matters right now.

Connect with Kendra:

Website: thelazygeniuscollective.com
Facebook: facebook.com/thelazygeniuscollective
Instagram: @thelazygenius

Links Mentioned:

Featured Sponsors:

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Week Six Summer of Mentorship 2020 :: Stacey Thacker Aug 10, 2020

When I recorded this interview in 2015 I had no idea just two years later my father would pass away. Stacey's wisdom on grief became my lifeline.

This year with so many losses our hearts have experienced constant, low-level grief. On top of being quarantined, some of you may have lost loved ones. As moms, you've been unable to have time/space to grieve (or have a formal memorial service).

Today’s podcast guest is my soul sister friend, Stacey Thacker. She and I have been chatting about life, Jesus and family for the many years. Stacey writes online and has authored several books (a new one releasing in just a few months--Threadbare Prayer). When we conducting this interview Stacey shared so much of what she had learned from the loss of her father.

Since the interview she's experienced additional trauma and grief. Through it all she remains tethered to her faithful God. She is wise and can be trusted.

My hope is whether you are the one who has experienced loss or not, you will be encouraged that even when our worst fears are realized, God’s grace is ever present. And as Stacey points out:

“He holds all things together. And all things means all things.”

What we chat about:

How the message of Stacey’s book, “Hope for the Weary Mom” became real
How do moms grieve while handling the dailiness of motherhood
What actions and words of friends comforted her the most
How children grieve differently
How to be available and present with a grieving friend
What moments over the course of the year bring back grief
How do you manage your home when one child has to be hospitalized
How God holds all things together

Connect with Stacey:

Site :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest

Links Mentioned:

Releasing Oct 2020: Threadbare Prayer
Hope for the Weary Mom
Stacey’s posts on grief: My Journey Through Grief and Loss
Nobody’s Cuter than You: A Memoir about the Beauty of Friendship**by Melanie Shankle
Holding On to Hope: A Pathway through Suffering to the Heart of God**by Nancy Guthrie
I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One ** by Pamela Blair & Brook Noel
Psalms 23 & Hosea 2
“He holds all things together.” Colossians 1:17

**Amazon affiliate links

Featured Sponsor: PrepDish get two weeks of FREE meal plans if you go to http://prepdish.com/dma

Week Five Summer of Mentorship 2020 Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith Aug 03, 2020

As moms, we know we need rest. We usually equate rest with sleep or rest with a vacation, but this week’s guest shares a much bigger picture of our need for rest in multiple areas of our lives.

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a medical doctor, wife and mother to two boys. She had everything she’d dreamed of and worked hard to achieve, but wasn’t enjoying it.

“So I kept pushing and pushing myself till I got to the point where I literally just burned out. I wasn't happy with my job. I couldn't see how my marriage would survive. I didn't want my kids anymore. I was just at the end of myself. I didn't want the life I created.”

After reaching this breaking point, she went on a journey of restoration and healing where she learned to connect with God and with his plan for rest. Now she shares her research and methods with her patients and with all of us. If you’ve ever felt tired and at the end of yourself, this episode is for you.

“We already have permission to rest, but the mommy guilt that sometimes comes tells us we don’t. That is really a lie. I look at it as the John 10:10. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. And he's doing it to a lot of us through our inability to rest, our inability to trust God that when we lay things down that he is able to uphold them.”

What we chat about:

When Saundra reached her breaking point from stress and lack of true rest
We have physical limits to what we can do as moms
How Saundra researched rest and looked at scripture for clarity on how God rested
The seven types of rest are physical, to mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory and creative.
The difference between a vacation and resting
Paying attention to a place that feels painful in your body in the moment vs ignoring it
Finding emotional rest through connection with friends, even through video chat if getting together is impossible
The importance of authentic, open friendships with women who can relate to your life situation
Ideas on how to stay engaged with your husband and reignite your marriage
Putting limits on social media time so that your mind has down time
Tips for getting mental rest and release ideas that make your mind race
Sensory rest-- what it is and ways to get it
It is not selfish to prioritize resting. It keeps you from having a toxic reaction to those around you.

Links Mentioned:

Website: http://ichoosemybestlife.com/

Book: http://ichoosemybestlife.com/sacred-rest/

Quiz: http://restquiz.com/

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Week Four Summer of Mentorship 2020 :: Sally Clarkson Jul 27, 2020

Sippy cup refill requests. Another load of laundry to fold. A sibling dispute.

Ever feel like you are reacting to life? Life is coming at you and you respond.

There have been many times in my mothering where instead of joy & hope I feel beat down and unfulfilled.

One woman who has whispered beauty and calm into those dark places, is today’s podcast guest, Sally Clarkson.

She told me motherhood can be more than just doing the dishes. It is an important job, guiding souls through discipleship and love. She taught me that my hard-to-handle boy may need me to sympathize more than instruct. She agreed boys may be a little wild. . .but showed me they can be civil & sip tea.

When I was coming out of a time of “not feeling like myself” Sally showed me how to own my life. To drop the negative thoughts which held me back. To consider what I wanted my days to look like and then make them happen.

He is the living, vibrant not-to-be-contained God. The more I would ponder God and engage with him in my own heart, the more my kids were drawing from me all the excellencies and realities of God. When we are passionate and filled with the Holy Spirit, our children will be exposed to the living God.

Sally has written her encouragement into a book called, “Own Your Life” (2015).

In this podcast episode, which originally aired January 6, 2015, I asked Sally all-the-things I’ve been pondering, from how to help your children really “know” God to simple advice on transforming a hard mom day.

What we talk about:

Why I struggle to read Sally’s books at the end of hard days.
Every mom has her own mom personality.
In spite of our mom errors, children can learn our hearts
How do we help our children “Yadah” God…to know Him personally
Living a life of color & taste & joy so our children see & know the goodness of the Lord.
How we are motivated…not by guilt or checklists but by love & encouragement.
Balancing grace & truth in parenting–practicing patience & love takes time.
Definition of the phrase “own your life”-
Sally’s example of a friend who “owns her life” in a special way why she serves her son with a disability.
In an immediate gratification society, not forgetting the long term process of your life. growing day by day, little by little.
Making sure you make time for yourself, to fill up before you pour out to the little people in your life.
Common barriers to owning your life.
Sally’s advice to a mom who was depressed

Week Three Summer of Mentorship 2020 Francie Winslow Jul 20, 2020

(This episode originally aired in 2016) Francie Winslow shares the exponential impact marital intimacy has on the world around us.

Sex is a multiplying factor in our lives, not just with producing kids, but producing a massive amount of connection.

In the past two years Francie has been doing extensive research on theology of the body. Exploring how God stamped His image on us. How we express our roles as image bearers through sex in marriage.

God is an invisible God who wants to make himself visible to us. When man and woman come together as one it’s his invitation for humanity to become one with God. Intimately connected with Him.

Francie shares their own family stress and her personal struggle with anxiety. Things that can disrupt marital connection. She vulnerably shares how she and her husband have purposefully chosen sex over isolation.

God’s training us to fight for connection and for each other instead of against each other.

Love Francie’s practical tips for keeping technology in check. So often screens and devices creep in between couples, increasing the distance and decreasing the intimacy.

Don’t miss the list of great resources below to help train your children in forming a healthy perspective of the body and sex.

What we chat about:

Francie’s journey to learn sex isn’t dirty or a duty but a delight.
Her recent study of theology of the body.
How anxiety and adoption stress led Francie and her husband to choose to have more sex (you read that right).
How technology impacts our marital connection and practical solutions
Help and healing for women who struggle with their view of sex.
A reminder to daily do the things that keep you alive as a person.
The Ripple Effect of sex in marriage.
A word of encouragement for the single mom.
Training our kiddos in a healthy sexual worldview (check out Francie’s resource list below).

Connect with Francie: Links Mentioned:

Sign up for Francie's free newsletter (http://franciewinslow.com/) As a bonus you will receive a free digital download of a Prayer to Ignite the Ripple Effect in Your Home along with 7 Days of Marriage Declarations to Experience More of Heaven’s Possibilities for Your Marriage. "
Heaven in Your Home Podcast
Soul Freedom (encore)Episode
The Power of Sex in Marriage Episode
Andy Crouch
Beth Moore’s Daniel Study**

Francie’s Resource List:

Theology of the Body Books for Kids by Monica Ashour

Get these books (as many as you can!) and read them over and over and over. They are great for a range of ages – not just toddlers. Not only will it help form a great spiritual foundation for your kids as they enter a sexually intense world as kids (sadly it happens young these days), it will help you as a grown up re-learn how to think about bodies, sexuality and identity. It will also help give you simple, common language to use on an everyday basis in your home. They have all been such a big part of us growing in this new way of seeing the gift of sex as a family.

For older kids:

The Talk: 7 Lessons to Introduce Your Child to Biblical Sexuality** by Luke Gilkerson (there are several others to go with this series too). Loving this one right now with my 8 year old.)
Before I Was Born (God’s Design for Sex)** by Carolyn Nostrum
Good Pictures, Bad Pictures : Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids ** by Kristen Jensen

Theology of His Body/Theology of Her Body** by Jason Evert (This was written with college kids in mind, but I found it super helpful and use it woven into conversations with my kids.)

For those who want more depth…Theology of the Body for Beginners** by Christopher West

**Amazon Affiliate Link

Featured Sponsor:

Prepdish: Get two weeks for free if you go to http://prepdish.com/dma

Week Two Summer of Mentorship 2020 :: Dorena Williamson Jul 13, 2020

Many of us avoid and struggle with conversations about race or disabilities because it’s uncomfortable. When our children ask innocent questions about someone who is different than they are, it can make us feel tongue tied or embarrassed.

Author Dorena Williamson has created some lovely children’s books to help parents respond and invite their children to join them on the journey of learning to love and speak worth over every person that God created.

And I kept feeling frustrated thinking that’s not the solution to teach your children to be colorblind because that’s minimizing the beauty of God’s handiwork. And as Christians we should be the biggest proponents of celebrating the beauty of our racial diversity and not minimizing it or sort of washing it away and this colorblind land.

She shares powerfully about how to engage with your children about racial and cultural differences and how we can model what it looks like to grow in the area of loving and accepting people who are different than us.

As our children get older, I think that these are valuable conversations to have with them because the beauty of it is that it tells your children you are teachable and that you don’t get it right all the time and that you’re continuing to learn and grow.

What we chat about:

All about Dorena’s family and their multiracial church, Strong Tower Bible Church
Her book ColorFull and the background behind why she wrote it
The creativity of God and how he uses color in all that he created
Looking for opportunities to share the beauty of racial differences with our children
Language for parents to use to help teach children and avoid shaming
Reinforcing the idea that “Different is not bad” and calling out the worth of people
Why equipping kids early is important
Modeling how we are all growing when it comes to loving and accepting people who are different than us
Encouraging our children to ask questions even when they are uncomfortable
Engaging with our kids about other cultures whether we can travel internationally or experience cultures in our own cities

Connect with Dorena: Links Mentioned:

Other books/sites that Dorena recommends:

Brownicity.com site with helpful resources (created by a Godly woman Dr. Lucretia Berry)
The Beatitudes by Carole Boston Weatherford
The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
Beabridgebuilder.com
A list of 28 picture books (aren’t about boycotts, buses or basketball) –listed created by ScottWood

Week One Summer of Mentorship 2020 :: Rachel Anne Ridge Jul 06, 2020

Rachel Anne Ridge is an author, professional artist, and speaker in Texas. Together with her husband Tom, she bootstrapped her way through the Great Recession, raised a family, and rediscovered her purpose in the midst of the everyday juggle of life. Her books, Flash, The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me About Life, Faith, and Second Chances, and Walking with Henry are inspired by the stray donkeys (yes, donkeys) who interrupted her juggling act and revealed how ordinary (and sometimes hilarious) events help us find our higher purposes and deeper faith. Rachel is mom to three adult children and Nana to five littles.

Little did I know when I asked Rachel to be on the podcast, that the day before our interview she wrote a viral blog post encouraging the lonely mom of older kids (click here to read it).

Her honest, yet hopeful words, are what I’m sure caused 37,000 + people on Facebook to like her words. She admits the hard parts but encourages moms to keep their eyes on the bigger purpose.

Show Highlights:

Rachel shares personal parenting challenges and what she (and her husband) did to overcome them.
Discover a variety of ways to get God-centered (none of which include getting up early).
Hear Rachel’s parenting regret and advice on how to avoid it.
Be encouraged by Rachel’s greatest parenting strength.
For the mom of older children, listen to Rachel’s thoughts on how discipline changes during this stage to a coaching role
Most importantly hear the Truth of God’s great love for you and your family.

Links:

Growing Kids God’s Way: Biblical Ethics for Parenting* Rachel shares they attended training in this parenting approach. She also alludes to the fact they did not agree with all the information in this program. She shared with me later how attending the course together allowed them to get on the same page and then toss what they couldn’t use. After some research I found parents strongly divided on this training approach. If you are looking for other grace-based parent training, then here are some other resources:
- Parenting With Love And Logic (Updated and Expanded Edition) by Foster Cline & Jim Fay
- Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson
- Grace-Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel
- The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman

Connect with Rachel:

Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest :: Instagram

Featured Sponsor:

Thrive Market go to https://thrivemarket.com/dma use DMA to get $20 of store credit.

How to Avoid Power Struggles :: Stacy Bellward and Chad Hayenga [Ep 292] Jun 29, 2020

With more family togetherness than ever before comes the potential for a lot more arguing and nagging our kids to obey. If you’re stuck in a parenting rut or negative cycle, then our friends from Connected Families are here to help.

Stacey Bellward and Chad Hayenga join me to talk about breaking the patterns of defensiveness in our kids and how the power of curious questions can create productive conversations and build wisdom.

“I think as we look at scripture and we consider how Jesus approached people, you know, it was surprising to me when I first learned that Jesus asked 307 questions that are recorded in the gospels. And that's a lot of questioning. And we think about Jesus as being a great teacher. Jesus is a great teacher, but he often times uses questions to build wisdom and to hold people accountable.”

If you want to go deeper after listening to this show, Connected Families is offering a special promo code for Don’t Mom Alone listeners for their Power of Questions online course. With the code DMA20 it’s just $30.

Connect with Connected Families:

Website: connectedfamilies.org
Facebook: facebook.com/ConnectedFamilies
Instagram: @connectedfams

Links Mentioned:

The Power Of Questions Online Course **DMA20 gets you 20% off
Heather, Chad and Stacy do a role play of asking questions instead of nagging
Past Connected Families Interviews

Featured Sponsor:

GoMacro -- check out Macro Bars GoMacro.com . Get 30% off your order with the promo code DMA (free shipping on orders over $60).

Focus on Growth vs Guilt :: Lisa Bevere [Ep 291] Jun 22, 2020

Author and speaker Lisa Bevere is back to give us a powerful message as we head into summer with our kids: “push aside the guilt and celebrate growth.”

She shares some personal stories from very hard places in her life as a young mom and how God led her to work through her anger and underlying fears.

“God said to me: ‘Children inherit one of two things, either my promises or your fears.’ And that I needed to face off with these things. I leaned into that process because of my son. Not because of me. I just came to the place where I realized that in my weakness, he is strong. I've watched God take every weak place in my life and inhabit it with his strength.”

I’m so thankful for how Lisa takes us into her story and points to God’s faithfulness to heal and restore our brokenness. She also encourages all of us to set aside the unnecessary guilt and heavy expectations we may be carrying in motherhood and to accept God’s mercy which is new every morning.

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://messengerinternational.org/lisabevere/
Facebook: facebook.com/lisabevere.page
Instagram: @lisabevere

Links Mentioned:

Ep 204 Centering Truth :: Lisa Bevere [PODCAST]
Strong: Devotions to Live a Powerful and Passionate Life [BOOK]

Sponsors:

Go Macro -- Save 30% off your order https://www.gomacro.com/ with code: DMA
Sun Basket -- Get $35 off your first order sunbasket.com/dma use promo code: dma

Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids :: Dr. Kara Powell [Ep 290] Jun 15, 2020

From learning to walk to tying their shoes and eventually learning to drive (coming up for me soon!), so much of parenting is teaching, training and encouragement.

When it comes to faith in God, we do all we can to teach our kids about God’s Word and engage kids in church, but research from the Fuller Youth Institute is helping to shine a light on the potential gaps that cause a high number of youth to abandon their faith in college.

My guest Dr. Kara Powell shares a number of research findings that can be game changers for our families as we seek to help our kids develop a faith that sticks with them their whole lives, or “sticky faith.” As a mom of three, she talks about how she’s parented differently in light of her research and why now is the perfect time to start making small changes that could make all the difference.

“One of the things that surprised me in our research is that when young people feel close to their parents, they're also more open to what's important to their parents, including their faith. And so it's not just good for our family relationships. It's also good for the long-term trajectory of our kids.”

Connect with the Fuller Youth Institute:

Website: fulleryouthinstitute.org
Facebook: facebook.com/fulleryouthinstitute
Instagram: @fulleryouthinstitute

Links Mentioned:

Sponsor: Text DMA to 303030 to get a free trial of Beachbody On-Demand

Strengthening Our Friendships :: Susan Seay [Ep 289] Jun 08, 2020

Deep friendships are essential to our lives. Whether we’re extroverted or introverted, have a lot of friends or a few, we all need someone else to walk through life with. I’m excited for you to hear from Susan Seay, a mom of 7 and a mentor to many. She shares some great advice on keeping our friendships strong during life’s challenges.

“We're all in the same storm. We're just not all dealing with it in the same way. We don't even have the same viewpoint on just how big this issue is or how small it is. If I need to remember, that's not why I chose them as friends. I didn't choose them because we agree on everything. We're always going to be different and unique and varied. It's our foundation that keeps our relationship strong.”

We talk about fighting back against insecurity and comparison which can break down friendships. And we get into how to have a healthy disagreement with a friend and stay close. Susan also shares tips for staying connected with friends and extending grace for misunderstandings and miscommunications that happen in our hyper-connected world.

Connect with Susan:

Website: susanseay.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SusanLSeay
Instagram: @susanlseay

Links Mentioned:

Sponsors:

Thrive Market --become a member risk-free. Go to https://thrivemarket.com/dma get $20 in shopping credit!
StoryWorth -- go to http://storyworth.com/dma get $10 off your first purchase

Working from Home :: Jehava Brown [Ep 288] Jun 01, 2020

My guest today Jehava Brown takes us into how she started a blog as a side project while staying home with her kids and transitioned that site into a full-time job.

We talk about work/life balance, setting health boundaries and trusting God to be in charge of the things we can’t control.

“I know that God is the one who provides every job and every dime. And so when I can rest in that, I don't feel the pressure to hustle 24 hours a day. I was working sometimes even 60 hours a week, which was just crazy. And most of it was at night, so it wasn't getting good sleep. I realized I'm not willing to live that way. So I really had to trust God to a different level”

Jehava is a mom of three boys and she blogs at www.onlygirl4boyz.com. She also shares how she’s connecting with her teenage son differently and some changes she’s made since the quarantine to keep up with housework.

Connect with Jehava:

Tough Transitions with Toddlers and Newborns :: Hailey Bain and Meredith Woodruff [Ep 287] May 25, 2020

In the past two years, a lot has changed in the lives of my friends Hailey and Meredith. They came on episode 199 to talk about discipline and toddlers. Since that conversation their families have grown and changed.

Today we’re chatting about tough transitions with parenting young kids. Whether it’s a newborn who won’t stop screaming or the anticipation of being outnumbered by a third child, change is hard for both parents and kids.

Hailey and Meredith share how they’ve found hope in God during some difficult situations and how their community of friends have helped them not mom alone.

“They reminded me that God is working in this. He has not left you. He is working in this situation. And that gave me a lot of hope. One specific friend said: You are serving the Lord when you are holding your screaming baby, when you are in there trying to teach her how to go to sleep. That is service to the Lord.”

Links Mentioned:

Discipline & Toddlers :: Hailey Bain & Meredith Woodruff [Ep 199]

Meredith shared scripture from Lamentations 3:16-24

Foundations Book by Ruth and Troy Simons **

Meredith's business : Concrete Conversations

Hailey's business : Hey Honey Clothing Company and her Facebook Store

Sponsors:

Sunbasket -- Get $35 off your first order of meals over at Sunbasket.com/dma. Use code DMA.

Exploring the Bible Together --Now through May 25, 2020, Don’t Mom Alone listeners can pick up a copy of Exploring the Bible Together along with a selection of ESV children’s Bibles for 40% off with a free Crossway+ membership. For more information, visit crossway.org/DMA8.

Reflecting on Financial Priorities :: Ericka Young [Ep 286] May 18, 2020

During the ongoing health crisis of COVID-19, there are a lot of changes in household finances. Maybe grocery and electric bills have gone up because everyone is home. You or your spouse may have a reduction in income or you’ve faced losing your job.

In the same way we work to protect ourselves with social distancing and wearing masks in public, there are some important things we can do to protect our finances and take time to reflect on where our money goes each month. Financial coach Ericka Young joins me to talk about budgets, cutting costs and how we can use this time to reprioritize.

“This is the perfect time to reflect on what it is that you really want, why you want it. And I think if people reflect on what their goals were in the beginning of the year and make certain that this season doesn't derail their progress. We can start looking on the bright side and ask God what he has next for us.”

Ericka is the owner of Tailor-Made Budgets and has a passion for helping people pay off debt. Listen to how she and her husband paid off almost $100,000 in episode 244.

Connect with Ericka:

Website: tailormadebudgets.com
Facebook: facebook.com/TailorMadeBudgets
Instagram: @tailormadebudgets

Links Mentioned:

Ep 244 Budget Isn’t a Dirty Word :: Ericka Young [PODCAST]
The CARES Act Works for All Americans [WEBSITE]
Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments [WEBSITE]
Access more resources and links on Ericka’s Blog [WEBSITE]

Sponsors:

Beachbody --Free Trial Membership. Text HEATHER to 303030
Exploring the Bible Together --Now through May 25, 2020, Don’t Mom Alone listeners can pick up a copy of Exploring the Bible Together along with a selection of ESV children’s Bibles for 40% off with a free Crossway+ membership. For more information, visit crossway.org/DMA7.
Little Passports -- Use DMA to get 15% off any subscription at https://www.littlepassports.com/

The Good God Wants for Our Families :: Paul David Tripp [Ep 285] May 11, 2020

With the current global pandemic, we are all together more than ever and it’s causing friction in our relationship with our spouse and kids. Back by popular demand, Paul David Tripp is here to answer your parenting and marriage questions and give us hope for how God can grow good things in our families during this challenging time

“One of the things that I've tried to keep in mind as we're going through this unprecedented thing is what the cross of Jesus Christ teaches us. God can produce very good things out of very bad things. So I want to ask the question, what is the good that God wants for my marriage and my parenting out of this?”

We talk about building trust and unity in a marriage, making a plan with your spouse for parenting and discipline and the three stages of parenting from a Gospel perspective. It’s my hope that this episode will fill you with fresh faith for what is possible in your family.

Connect with Paul David Tripp:

Website: paultripp.com
Facebook: facebook.com/pdtripp
Instagram: @paultrippquotes

Listen to previous Paul David Tripp episodes:

Sponsors:

Exploring the Bible Together --now through May 18, 2020, Don’t Mom Alone listeners can pick up a copy of Exploring the Bible Together along with a selection of ESV children’s Bibles for 40% off with a free Crossway+ membership. For more information, visit crossway.org/DMA6.
Thrive Market -- Go to ThriveMarket.com/DMA. Join today and you’ll get up to twenty dollars in shopping credit toward your first order.

When You Carry the Burden of Perfection :: Aubrie Norman [Ep 284] May 04, 2020

I’m so excited to introduce you to my friend Aubrie Norman. We have walked together in community for a few years and it’s been a gift to see her family’s journey toward healing.

Aubrie and her husband Thomas came to their marriage from broken families and felt the weight of unresolved issues from their past. As their family grew, so did the stress and lack of communication about each of their emotional needs.

Aubrie carried every perceived failure in marriage and parenting thinking it was her responsibility to make life better.

“There's obviously something I'm doing wrong. I'm a new wife and mom, so I felt the weight of responsibility. That really goes back to a huge lie, I have believed for a long time in my walk with the Lord. That it's up to me to do something and that God's waiting on me.”

She takes us into her family’s story of recovery and how she’s learned to trust God to take care of her relationships.

Links Mentioned:

Celebrate Recovery [WEBSITE]

Sponsors:

Sun Basket -- www.sunbasket.com/dma

Crossway -- Exploring the Bible Together along with a selection of ESV children’s Bibles for 40% off with a free Crossway+ membership. For more information, visit crossway.org/DMA5.

Embracing the Mom You're Meant to Be :: Jo Saxton [Ep 283] Apr 27, 2020

Have you ever questioned the roles you find yourself in, wondering if you were made for more? Jo Saxton found herself in that position a few years (and two babies) into her marriage. She shares her struggle to own her calling and gifting, choose to work outside the home, and how her family thrived when she let go of fear.

Fear is not our friend. It has these aggressive ways that intimidate you and it has these quiet ways where you just don't do things and you don't know that that kind of checking out. It is a fear-based thing because it's so automatic. You don't even call it fear anymore. They're just the things you don't do and the ideas you don't entertain anymore.

Now as a leadership coach and speaker, Jo affirms that God designed women for influence and impact. In her new book, Ready to Rise, she shares meaningful wisdom from her journey to leadership and shares information to empower other women to leaders in their own communities.

Connect with Jo:

Website: www.josaxton.com
Facebook: facebook.com/1josaxton
Instagram: @josaxton

Links Mentioned:

Coaching with Jo [WEBSITE]
Ready to Rise [BOOK]

Sponsors:

Little Passports-- littlepassports.com use code DMA for 15% off

Story Worth -- storyworth.com/dma for $10 off

SkyLight Frame -- skylightframe.com use code DMA for $10 off

Many Hues, One Humanity :: Dr. Lucretia Berry [Ep 282] Apr 20, 2020

Dr. Lucretia Berry is the founder of Brownicity, an online space that provides education and support for racial healing. She joins me to share how we all can take steps to advocate and bring restoration to our communities that have been fractured by the lies and injustice of racism.

As a mom of a multi-ethinic family, Lucretia shares how she and her husband addressed how they would teach their children about race. They didn’t want to teach their daughters to be “colorblind,” but instead wanted to talk about the many hues of humanity in a healthy way that cultivated life and beauty.

When that conversation extended beyond their family, Brownicity was born. Since then, Lucretia has authored a study, created an online course and spoken at many events to spread this antiracism information in a way that is accessible for everyone.

It isn't about if you're racist or not, it's not even about that. You know, this is about how we've been molded and shaped. There are all these decisions that I've made in my life that are based on how I've been racialized and not necessarily my God-given identity. We all have this work to do, to detox from the ideology that we’ve been swimming in for the past 400 years or so. We've inherited it. But God is greater, so we have hope that we can create something new.

To access her courses for free in the month of April and May, learn more here.

Connect with Lucretia:

Website: https://brownicity.com
Facebook: facebook.com/brownicity
Instagram: @lucretiaberry and @brownicity

Links Mentioned:

Educational Resources for Beginners [PDF]
Courses on Brownicity [WEBSITE]
What LIES Between Us Journal & Guide [BOOK]
Lucretia’s TED Talk [VIDEO]

Sponsors:

Skylight Frames : skylightframes.com
To get $10 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame just go to SkylightFrame.com and enter code DMA.
Beachbody OnDemand : Text "Heather" to 303030 to get free 2 week trial

Enneagram and Stress :: Ian Morgan Cron [BONUS] Apr 17, 2020

In this bonus episode, we are sharing information from a session Ian Morgan Cron did on Enneagram and Stress. We go through each Enneagram number and talk about their strengths and weaknesses under pressure and some simple ways for each type to flourish in these hard times

As we’ve said in previous episodes, the Enneagram is just a tool to help us understand ourselves and others better. At a time when being quarantined at home can cause all kinds of friction, understanding each other’s unique perspective on the world is such a gift.

And the goal isn’t to stay stuck in our Enneagram number. The ultimate goal is to move toward health/wholeness and follow Jesus.

“Jesus doesn’t have an Enneagram number. The wholeness of God is in him and he is at the center of all the nine types.”

Connect with Ian Morgan Cron:

Links Mentioned:

Ep 232 The Enneagram and Motherhood :: Suzanne Stabile [PODCAST]
Ep 259 The Enneagram, Marriage and the Gospel :: Beth McCord [PODCAST]
Get an In-Depth Enneagram Report for 20% with code “COVID19”
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery [BOOK]
Enneagram and Stress (Quarantine Edition) by Ian Cron [VIDEO]

Sponsor a Child with Compassion

Text HEATHER to 83393, and you’ll get a link back to a child you can sponsor.

Go to compassion.com/dontmomalone to start sponsoring a child.

Keeping Minds Healthy During Crisis :: Dr. Henry Cloud Recap [Ep281] Apr 13, 2020

We’re all processing the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has made to our daily routines. As we adjust to the new normal of sheltering-in-place, I wanted to share some information I’ve found helpful from Dr. Henry Cloud.

On a recent webinar I attended, Dr. Cloud talked through the psychology and the science of all that’s happening in our brains as our worlds have been turned upside down. He shares great ways to help us and our families stay mentally healthy during this unique time in history. (or during any time of crisis)

“We need to view ourselves like a house in how we're experiencing COVID-19 matters. The foundation of a house or a human is this sense of bondedness and connectedness to God and people. Relationships are vital to our structural integrity. ”

Connect with Dr. Henry Cloud:

Links Mentioned:

Episodes with Kirk Martin [PODCAST]
Emotional Milestones :: Sissy Goff & David Thomas [PODCAST]
Feelings Vocabulary Chart [IMAGE]
Dr. Henry Cloud - Being Psychologically Healthy During Times of Crisis [PODCAST]
4 Things You Can Do For Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Crisis [BLOG]
Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl [BOOK]
Inside Out [MOVIE] Available streaming on Disney+
Home [MOVIE]

Sponsor a Child with Compassion

Text HEATHER to 83393, and you’ll get a link back to a child you can sponsor.

Go to compassion.com/dontmomalone to start sponsoring a child.

Choosing Connection Over Critique :: Rachel Macy Stafford [Ep 280] Apr 06, 2020

Rachel’s 'Hands Free Mama' mentality is all about finding balance in a media-saturated, perfection-obsessed world. And it’s about seizing the little moments that life offers us to engage in real and meaningful interaction.

In this episode, Rachel shares realizing she 'd lost connection with her people. How she believed a lie that in order to be loved and accepted she needed to hide certain parts of herself, the messy parts, the imperfect parts. A pivotal moment happened when she vulnerably shared these thoughts with her daughter and found acceptance.

“Opening that door to being human actually brings us closer together. Then we can connect from that place of 'I'm struggling' and that doesn't mean there's something wrong with me. That doesn't mean I need to hide it. It means I need to reach out and talk to someone about this so we can work together to see how we might go forward.”

We dive into what Rachel’s learned in her parenting journey as a mom of teens and preteens. She talks about how choosing true connection with our kids can bring them closer to us and keep the lines of communication open as they grow up.

“This is all about redefining what our role is as a parent. It is not the authoritarian model anymore. It is the guide, the truth teller and the encourager. Not the enforcer, not the half listener, not the critic. That those roles are only going to get us further and further from each other when the idea is right now we need to come closer.”

Connect with Rachel:

Website: handsfreemama.com
Facebook: facebook.com/TheHandsFreeRevolution
Instagram: @handsfreerevolution
Twitter: @handsfreemama

FREE LIVE LOVE NOW LISTENING PLAN:

Click here for special 7-day listening plan for Don’t Mom Alone Listeners

Links Mentioned:

Live Love Now [BOOK]
Only Love Today [BOOK]
Amy McCready--Positive Parenting Solutions
Pre-order Bonuses--21-Day Self-Care Listening Plan AND 4 Downloadable Tools for Connection (Ask “Heart Questions vs. Performance Questions”; Practice phrases that take you “From Conflict to Calm”; Consider if you are an “Easy-to-Be-Around Adult”; Exclusive Phone Lock Screen - “Connecting by Protecting”)

Featured Sponsor: LittlePassports.com Use Code DMA to save 15% off a subscription.

Listening to the Lord :: Kelsey Phillips [Ep 279] Mar 30, 2020

A few years ago, my friend Kelsey Philips hit a crisis in her life. She felt physically unwell, depressed and desperate for healing. She connected with a missionary couple from her church who prayed with her and over her for two hours. It was in that prayer time that Kelsey recognized God’s voice for the first time.

He had been speaking to me for a long time. I just didn't know it was him. When you have an encounter like that, he speaks to these places that are so deep. He is healing wounds that are so far back and he is breaking you free of chains that are so heavy and hard and real. You don't ever want to go back to a place where you don't have that.

As we are in a worldwide crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m asking you to listen to Kelsey’s story with an open heart and mind. I believe we can hear God’s voice and that he is still speaking today. As Kelsey reminds us, there’s no better time than now to practice listening to the Lord.

“It does require solitude and quiet and that is not our nature. But here we are in a season where we are in worldwide rest. We are forced into this place of quiet. We've all had to come off of the hamster wheel and this has been an incredible time to allow space to listen to him about what he's doing on so many levels.”

Links Mentioned:

Novo Missions [WEBSITE]
Listening Prayer [ARTICLE]
Where to start in listening prayer (friendship questions) [PDF]
Hello Mornings [WEBSITE]

Additional Resources:

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God by Dallas Willard**
The Joy of Listening to God: Hearing the Many Ways God Speaks to Us by Joyce Huggett**
Whispers: How to Hear the Voice of God by Mark Batterson**

Faith in the Unexpected :: Christine Caine [Re-Run] Mar 23, 2020

In light of an unexpected time in history, our team thought we all need to be reminded of the Truth of who God is and to have our faith emboldened. This episode stood out as the perfect one to re-release. This conversation originally aired Spring of 2018.

Powerhouse Christine Caine shares how she let go of fear and found faith for when the unexpected happened. Lots of truth and encouragement here for anyone who has encountered fear in parenting, a medical diagnosis and rejection in friendships… so all of us!

"Jesus never said we’re not going to have trials. He said, 'When trials come', not if, but when. I think sometimes as believers we forget that, but we have a grace within it. I think part of our testimony to a lost and broken world is the way we go through it."

What we chat about:

Christine Caine’s new book, Unexpected
Emboldening our faith and letting go of fear in motherhood
Trusting that God will fill in the gaps of what we’re able to do as parents
Basic spiritual practices can be some of the most powerful things in our lives
Facing painful actualites in a fallen world
Christine’s reaction to her cancer diagnosis
Jesus is the name above all other names, including cancer
Having a “faith cocoon” of friends to encourage you in the face of fear
Enduring suffering as Christians
Giving in to the pain and fear and suffering is not the answer
We serve a God who is bigger!
Godly motherhood in this generation is harder than it’s ever been
Leaning in with a spirit of faith and not pulling back with a spirit of fear
We’re called to train our children up and not restrain their giftings
Dealing with rejection in friendship and moving forward

Connect with Chris:

Links Mentioned:

Giving Kids a Firm Foundation :: Troy Simons [Ep 278] Mar 16, 2020

So much of parenting can feel like constantly disciplining our kids for their behaviors. This sets up a system of praise for good behavior, but doesn’t address the heart of our kids.

As the Bible says in Isaiah 29:13, “The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”

As followers of Jesus, I know that we want more for our kids than to just acknowledge God with their lips. My talk today with Troy Simons has some practical advice and encouragement for us on how to have heart-level conversations about the Gospel with our kids.

You'll find that your understanding of who God is and what he's done with the Gospel will be there. And you'll find that coming out in your conversation with your kid. Be humble enough to be transparent about when you've been rebuked. You know, it may be some deep-seated, long struggling issue in your life. That kind of candor and response with our kids and conversation is just gold for them. It wins their hearts and shows them the influence of God’s word.

Learn more about Troy and Ruth’s new easy-to-read family devotion book that includes Scripture, devotional thoughts, and discussion questions for leading your family through 12 Biblical Truths.

Connect with the Troy:

Instagram: @troydsimons
Website: ruthandtroy.com

Links Mentioned:

** Amazon affiliate link

Postpartum Depression :: Brittany Turner [Ep 277] Mar 09, 2020

As difficult as pregnancy and birth tend to be, the postpartum period can be the hardest of all. After all the anticipation you finally have your baby! But many women don’t feel like themselves. They feel sad or hopeless and struggle to connect with their babies.

My guest Brittany J. Turner takes us into her story of postpartum depression and what it took for her to start a journey towards wholeness.

For me it was years of pain that I had never dealt with. They were feeding this lie that I was alone, that I was unworthy of being loved, not just in my marital and parenting relationships, but I was unworthy of being loved as a daughter, as a friend and that I deserve to be alone. And so therapy was my escape.

While postpartum depression can’t totally be prevented or even predicted, we also talk about what went differently after she had her next child and the big part friendships and deeper community played.

Connect with the Brittany:

Links Mentioned:

Playlists and encouragement--Brittany's Battle Ready Toolkit
Other episodes on postpartum depression -- Karen Harmon (Ep 231) https://dontmomalone.com/2019/01/21/praising-through-the-pain-of-physical-limitations-karen-harmon-ep-231/

Featured Sponsor: Seek and Find Bible

Go to crossway.org/DMA3 to save 40% off ESV children's Bibles now until March 16th.

Answering Your Questions :: Heather MacFadyen [Ep 276] Mar 02, 2020

This week Don’t Mom Alone’s host Heather MacFadyen answers your questions! She shares everything from a favorite weeknight recipe to her personal testimony of faith and what worship song she has on repeat. “That song to me just takes you to a place of setting aside all distraction and anything that's trying to pull you from his presence and his get you to a place of listening. I think sitting and listening to the Lord is probably where are we all struggle the most these days. We want to study, we want to check off something off a list, but to still ourselves and listen is really hard.”

If you have questions on helping your kids bond, how to find time to read the Bible while you’re raising little kids or want to know some of Heather’s favorite podcast guests, listen in!

(Big thanks to my virtual assistant Sarah-Jane Menefee for playing the role of host in this episode! She did a fantastic job!)

Connect with the Heather:

Instagram: @dontmomalone
Facebook: facebook.com/DontMomAlone
Website: dontmomalone.com
Email Sign-up: holaheather.com

Episodes Mentioned:

Links Mentioned:

Prep Dish
Gingersnap Roast
Clash Royale video game
Hello Mornings
Write the Word Journals
Strong's Concordance App on iPhone and on Android
YouVersion App
Nothing Else by Cody Carnes

Featured Sponsor: ESV Seek and Find Bible crossway.org/DMA2 to save 40% off by March 9th.

Coping Mechanisms, Recovery and Codependency :: Taylor Bashta [Ep 275] Feb 24, 2020

Twelve years into her marriage, Taylor Bashta knew that something was wrong. Her husband who had always been a casual drinker had become more and more dependent on alcohol. She started Googling, “What is an alcoholic?” and wondered what she should do to intervene.

Taylor bravely takes us into her story to share what she did next and how setting firm boundaries and seeking help took both her and her husband on a journey of healing. Now, one year later, she shares what’s made the biggest impact and what they are doing to continue their healing.

“He is the only person in charge of his recovery. And I am the only person in charge of mine. We can not let each other effect that. I still live wondering what we’d do if he relapses. I think that's one of the scariest parts of recovery. AA’s big slogan is 'One Day at a Time.' So that’s what we’re focused on. Just one day at a time.”

Taylor talks about how we can support friends who may be going through this type of situation and how sharing openly can make all the difference.

“Hiding is what kills us inside. And our hiding is what invites that shame, guilt, and condemnation. When you put it out there, it's gone. You're putting away gossip, you're putting away just the pressure. When you name it, it takes the power out of it.”

Connect with the Bashtas:

Instagram: @taylorbashta
Daniel’s music: danielbashta.com

Links Mentioned:

Onsite Workshops [WEBSITE]
Onsite's Living Centered Program [WEBSITE]
Codependent No More [BOOK]**
Celebrate Recovery [WEBSITE]

More Episodes:

FEATURED SPONSORS:

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Training an Oppositional Child (Bonus Episode) Dr. Scott Turansky Feb 21, 2020

During the last 10 minutes of my conversation with Dr. Turansky I asked him about how to train a child with oppositional behavior. He mentioned 7 different tools. With each tool there are several resources available through his website (https://www.biblicalparenting.org/).

Please listen to Ep 274 for the rest of the conversation.

Training a Child's Heart :: Dr. Scott Turansky [Ep 274] Feb 17, 2020

When a child disobeys, our knee-jerk reaction is typically to discipline with consequences. It’s probably how we were parented and seems like the best choice at the moment. But what if we took a different approach?

My guest Scott Turansky has some exciting, hope-filled news for us. We can look at our child’s behavior and identify a heart attitude that needs training. Changing their attitudes or internal motivations is what will drive external or behavioral change.

“I would suggest that parents move to consequences too quickly and that another approach is needed to make a lasting change in a child's heart. If we strategically focus on the heart of a child and use techniques that are more internally-focused, we can see some really significant things take place.”

Scott is an expert in parenting. He literally teaches college courses on it. He’s the director at the National Center for Biblical Parenting, the author of several books and a father of five. Scott shares a lot of wisdom and practical advice for moving our kids from a place of defiance and disobedience to an attitude of honor and selflessness.

It’s a lot to take in, but so good and full of hope. We can do this and Scott is here with resources and ideas to help us train our kids’ hearts.

Connect with Scott:

Website: biblicalparenting.org
Facebook: facebook.com/National-Center-for-Biblical-Parenting
Books: amazon.com/Scott-Turansky

Links Mentioned:

National Center for Biblica Parenting [WEBSITE]
Biblical Parenting Coaching Program [WEBSITE]
Good and Angry: Exchanging Frustration for Character in You and Your Kids! [BOOK]
Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes [BOOK]
The Christian Parenting Handbook [BOOK]

Featured Sponsor : ESV Seek and Find Bible Until 2/24/20 save 40% off at crossway.org/DMA1

Featured Sponsor : FabFitFun Use DMA10 at www.FabFitFun.com to save $10 off your first box

Navigating Friendships :: Melanie Shankle [Ep 273] Feb 10, 2020

Finding friends as an adult, keeping up with friends when you become a mom, transitioning friendships as your children grow up… No one tells you what to expect. But, friendships are worth investing in and they are a key part of what helps us not mom alone.

Author, speaker and mentor mom Melanie Shankle joins me to share how she’s navigated friendships as an adult. She opens up about what worked, what didn’t and a few things she wishes she’d done differently.

“I think it was some of it was my own insecurities of getting out there and making new friends. I don't find women to be any less intimidating in my forties than I found them to be when I was 16 years old. I think there's also a thing as women that we tend to get in a circle and be inward-focused and we aren't good about looking out to see who might need a friend or who may want to be included.”

Melanie talks candidly about her friendships, being an introvert and about how friendship doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything. Looking back, she wishes she’d been more open to meeting people and making friends instead of being more inwardly-focused.

“I think you would be better off going with the assumption that everybody would like to make a new friend. You know, just that everybody's open to friendship and to get to know a new person.”

Connect with Melanie:

Links Mentioned:

On the Bright Side [BOOK]**
Nobody’s Cuter than You [BOOK]**
Ep 12: The Antelope in the Living Room with Melanie Shankle [PODCAST]
Ellen DeGeneres & George Bush [VIDEO]

Episodes on Friendship:

Fighting Toxic Thoughts :: Jennie Allen Ep 272 Feb 03, 2020

It starts subtly the same way it did with Eve in the garden. “Did God really say?” These small lies from the enemy pass through our minds as one of the 60,000 thoughts we have each day. But lies don’t stay small.

Some take root and build highways and cities in our brain that cause us to question God, question who we are and live in fear that the lies are actually the truth.

My guest Jennie Allen talks about how to fight back against the lies that are constantly thrown at us. She opens up about her doubts and how she’s learned to fight back in the war for her mind. We talk about everything from mom guilt to questioning God’s existence to fighting for the minds of our kids.

Jennie shares that we have to recognize there’s a battle and we have to fight it with the right kind of weapons.

“This is a spiritual war and we have to throw spiritual weapons at it. And then it says in 2 Corinthians 10 that we are given divine weapons that can destroy strongholds. So those of you out there that are like, you know what? This isn't passive, that thought of doubt or this isn't passive, this is a stronghold that has captivated me most of my life. Scripture says that we have divine weapons to destroy it. Now those divine weapons, we've got to choose to employ them and it's not easy.”

Listen as we learn how to fight back in the war for our minds.

Connect with Jennie:

Links Mentioned:

Get Out of Your Head [BOOK]

Finding God Faithful :: Kelly Minter [Ep 271] Jan 27, 2020

Kelly Minter followed her dreams to Nashville to pursue a career in music. After years of highs and lows as an artist (mostly lows), Kelly had the opportunity to switch fields and write her first Bible study with LifeWay Publishers.

Kelly shares with us about how in the midst of disappointment and unfulfilled dreams, she has found God faithful to continue writing her story. One of her first studies centered on the life of Joseph, a man who also had dreams that weren’t fulfilled the way he expected.

“Suffering made Joseph fit for the dreams that God had for him. Those dreams were birthed and they were going to happen. But it was the hard, difficult process that made Joseph ready and able for those dreams. Because a lot of humbling had to happen, a lot of faith had to be forged, a lot of obedience had to be built and a lot had to happen for Joseph to be ready for that.”

Now an established author and speaker, Kelly has a gorgeous new cookbook out focused on accessible recipes to inspire your cooking and stories about building community around the table.

Links Mentioned:

No Other Gods [BOOK]**
Cultivate Gathering [WEBSITE]
Finding God Faithful [BOOK]**
Water into Wine [BOOK]**
Kay Arthur Bible Studies [WEBSITE]
A Place at the Table [BOOK]**
Resources, videos and podcast for Kelly’s new cookbook [WEBSITE]

Grace According to Our Needs :: Beth Moore [Ep 270] Jan 20, 2020

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Beth Moore is a spiritual mother and inspiration to many women. Her numerous Bible studies and books are a staple in women’s ministries at countless churches.

Instead of just an interview promoting her new book, she took the time to chat with me about her own hard experiences in motherhood and marriage. Get ready for some real talk about real life and real problems. Beth doesn’t want to be seen on a pedestal.

Whether it was the difficulties of the busy schedule ministry and speaking or the dynamic of spiritual leadership in her home, Beth shares that she’s always found God to be faithful in her places of need.

“There is grace for every day. I always think of the mercies of God when he says in Lamentations, that his mercies are new every morning. I think about the manna and how each person gathered exactly what they needed. That’s how God’s grace is for us. It is always given according to our needs.”

Beth is a powerful communicator and our interview only gets better as we keep talking. Hang in there to the end for a holy ground moment when she prays over all of us.

“Father, I ask you for supernatural trust in these mothers. I ask you that right now you would settle and establish their hearts that they are intimately known by you. I pray, father, that they will rest in the assurance that there is nothing they can do to shake your love or even shake away your presence with them.”

Connect with Beth:

Website: lproof.org
Facebook: facebook.com/LivingProofMinistriesWithBethMoore/
Instagram: @bethmoorelpm

Links Mentioned:

Chasing Vines [BOOK]

Intimacy with God is the Main Thing :: Kim Cash Tate [Ep 269] Jan 13, 2020

As a lawyer who felt pressure to provide for her family and make a career for herself, Kim Cash Tate was surprised to feel God calling her to a ministry of staying home with her kids and later homeschooling them.

She could have ignored the prompting and pursued her career, but Kim chose to “cling” to God and step out in faith. That decision took her to a lot of places that a law career never would. She became a fiction writer and led Bible studies and now writes and stars in a web series and in music videos.

But her focus isn’t about making a name for herself or reaching a goal. It’s always been about intimacy with God and following his leading in her life.

If you feel stuck in your current season of motherhood or discouraged that you have dreams you haven’t seen fulfilled, Kim’s story can give you hope and expectancy that God is still writing your story.

And as we choose to draw near to him, he is faithful to lead us to things that are better than we could’ve planned on our own.

Connect with Kim:

Links Mentioned:

Verses Mentioned:

You must follow the LORD your God, fear him, observe his commandments, listen to his voice, serve him, and cling to him. Deuteronomy 13:4

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

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Your kids will mess up. So will you. Connected Families believes that the perfect time to build wisdom and GROW your relationship with your kids is during the messy times. They’ve developed an 8-session online course called Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart. It is only offered twice a year, so register today! https://connectedfamilies.org/dtc/online-course/ Use coupon code DMA15 for 15% off!

Declutter Like a Mother Allie Casazza Ep 268 Jan 06, 2020

Mountains of laundry, piles of toys and all the other “stuff” of life that comes into our homes can feel overwhelming, even to the neatest of moms with the best of intentions. We all love our families, but living with the messes and the clutter that comes along with them is a challenge.

My guest Allie Casazza knows what it feels like to be overwhelmed by constantly cleaning and picking up her house at the expense of enjoying time with her kids. A few years ago with four kids under the age of five, Allie had a moment of clarity with God as she sat crying in her bathroom.

If all I'm doing is cleaning up and it's just a bunch of stuff we don't really need, then what if we just didn't have stuff anymore?

That moment changed the course of her family. It also changed how she viewed motherhood and all the “stuff” that comes along with it. Now, she shares the practical ideas and the mental shifts that helped keep the clutter away to free up her life for what matters most.

Connect with Allie:

Links Mentioned:

Featured Sponsor: PrepDish

Prep Dish meal plans were created by chef and dietician Allison Schaaf to help save you time and put home-cooked meals on the table. No meal time stress. No more answering the dreaded question, “What’s for Dinner?!”. Developed by chef and dietician Allison Schaaf, Prep Dish is a healthy, whole food based meal plan subscription service. Allison does all the planning for you- including easy-to-follow shopping lists and prep-ahead instructions so you know what to prepare and when. NOW offering KETO MEAL PLANS!

Imagine…all of your meals prepped and ready to go for the entire week. We like to call this meal time bliss! Get 2 weeks FREE go to Prepdish.com/dma.

Featured Sponsor: Connected Families

Your kids will mess up. So will you. Connected Families believes that the perfect time to build wisdom and GROW your relationship with your kids is during the messy times. They’ve developed an 8-session online course called Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart. It is only offered twice a year, so register today! https://connectedfamilies.org/dtc/online-course/ Use coupon code DMA15 for 15% off!

Broken Crayons Still Color Toni Collier Ep 267 Nov 25, 2019

Toni Collier’s short childhood ended in third grade when her mother had a stroke and she was practically left alone to care for her. Toni carried many heavy emotional burdens in her childhood and felt deeply that she had to protect herself because the world was not a safe place.

Fast forward several years and Toni’s strength of will to avoid the emotional trauma she experienced as a child finally ran out. Now a mom and reeling from an emotionally abusive first marriage, Toni sought counseling and therapy for the healing she so desperately needed.

“I was so blind to how unhealthy my life actually was, and the unveiling, the unwrapping of this emotional onion made me worse. But there was a healed Toni that I had to get to. Not just for me, but for my daughter and my new marriage. The only thing that brought me through was the hope that there is a God who said he could trade my weakness for his power.”

Toni opens up about the “treacherous” process of facing intense emotional trauma, the shame and stigma that surrounds therapy and what it’s like to parent in the midst of facing your own brokenness.

Now as a powerful communicator and host with North Point Ministries, Toni has learned that God can take our broken, painful pasts and use them to minister to others.

“I hopped on stage at North Point and my entire life changed in weeks. It was the first time in a long time that I had been in a ministry that's celebrated my gifts, wasn't intimidated by them, and also welcomed my brokenness. It is as if I had experienced a new Jesus.”

Gratitude With Every Bite Melissa D'Arabian Ep 266 Nov 18, 2019

Melissa d’Arabian is a winner of “The Next Food Network Star,” a celebrity chef, author, and mom of four. She’s is an expert on affordable and healthy family home cooking who has inspired people with her shows on Food Network.

A few years ago, God inspired Melissa to do a deep dive into scripture and prayer to evaluate the meaning of food in her life. What she discovered is our relationship with food reflects our understanding of God and his creation.

In her new book, Tasting Grace, she invites readers to appreciate food as not only a gift from God but also as a deeper invitation into his love.

“Every meal we have can be an invitation into creativity, community, and patience. The fact that I could sit there and even for a moment and marvel and at least to honor everything that's gone into my food connected me more to God and it made me enjoy the food more.”

We talk about how meals can bring us closer to God and how he created a food system to nourish us and delight our palates. Melissa is passionate about separating food and body image and saying no to the negative perspective often put on food.

“I want my children when they are young women going out there in the world to have the joy of a great relationship with food. And so if I talk about myself in a way that is unkind, not only are my kids hearing it, but God is hearing it. Speaking in terms of body image and all of that, I think it must make God feel sad when I reject the body he has given me. ”

6th Podcast-iversary Heather MacFadyen Ep 265 Nov 11, 2019

Wow! Six years into podcasting and the 265 episodes of this show have been downloaded 8.7 million times across 204 different countries. Today we are celebrating our podcast-iversary with a “best-of” show featuring clips from your favorite episodes.

We’re also featuring testimonials from listeners who share how the podcast has helped them not mom alone. Like these quotes from moms:

“This podcast has really become my one-stop show for all things parenting. I love how you cover such a wide range of topics and how all of your guests are filled with grace and grounded in God’s word and his truth.”

“It has totally changed my perspective on motherhood. I’ve gone from feeling quite frustrated and alone to knowing that other moms are dealing with the same things. I don’t feel quite so lonely. All the encouragement is really changing my life.”

Thanks so much for listening to the Don’t Mom Alone podcast. I’m thankful it’s made an impact in your lives. When I started this six years ago, I couldn’t imagine where it would take me. As for the future? Well, we’ll just have to see where God takes us!

Special Production Help from Airr:

Ever wanted to share a specific quote or clip from your favorite podcast with a friend, but didn’t know how? This week’s sponsor, Airr, solves that problem by making it simple to share clips from specific episodes.

I’m going to start featuring listeners “airr quotes” in my Monday email. Make sure you go to https://www.airr.io/dontmomalone to sign up and start listening and quoting.

Compassion Changes Everything :: Jonathan Almonte [Ep 264] Nov 04, 2019

Jonathan Almonte’s story shows how sponsoring a child through Compassion International (or other similar programs) can change the course of a child’s life.
However, it is the compassion of the people in his story who loved him when he fought back and wrote him letters calling out his identity and inherent worth as a child of God that may have made the biggest difference.
“That letter changed my life. I was believing that I was a mistake. I was believing that God was not good for me. This letter helped me to understand that God provided a woman called Jamie thousands of kilometers away in a place called Michigan celebrating Thanksgiving. This woman wrote a letter to say, I am thankful for you. You are special, you're not a mistake.”
As a child of a single mom in the Dominican Republic, Jonathan’s prospects were greatly limited. From a young age, he worked to earn enough money for each day’s food. The cost of getting into a school, a uniform as supplies, was nowhere near his grasp.
His mother applied for him to join the Compassion program and (after a wait) he was accepted. For the first time in his life, all of his educational, nutritional, medical, and physical needs were taken care of, and Jonathan felt believed in like he never had before.
“I was selling juice on the streets. I was diving in a garbage area without hope. So this ministry for me meant my life. My life is before and after the ministry of Compassion in partnership with the local church in my community. ”
I hope this episode leads you to message Compassion to receive a child to sponsor by texting "HEATHER" to 83393.
(Text STOP to opt out & HELP for help. Message & Data Rates may apply. Terms & Conditions/Privacy Policy: https://www.compassion.com/privacy-policy.htm)

Foster Care Story of Hope Victoria Petersen Ep 263 Oct 28, 2019

On the surface, Victoria (Tori) Petersen’s story doesn’t sound full of hope. Her growing up years were filled with abuse, a mom who struggled with drugs, and more than 10 foster homes with no hope of adoption.

But God’s heart for Tori wasn’t death; it was life. Through a series of relationships and her own study, Tori learned about God. She experienced sacrificial love and community in the church and through her foster parents. It changed her whole future.

“The encouragement, the support, and the ability to see that through their words, through God's speaking through these people and acting through these people in love showed me that I did have a future, that God did have a plan for me and that if I trusted in him, that plan would blossom into something.”

After emancipating from the foster care system, Tori’s life has had more ups and downs. But, she is confident in her identity in Christ and learning more every day. Now as a mom and wife, God is redeeming her story and using it to encourage others who are a part of the foster system.

“I think foster parents remembering that they are image-bearers and in those hard times to be able to humble themselves and say,’ I am weak and I'm going to call on God's strength to love this child.’ Also communicating to the child that they're made in God's image. They are loved despite any kind of behavior or any saddening event that they have been through. Identity in Christ is crucial to the relationship between foster youth and foster parents.”

You Deserve a Mentor Susie Davis Ep 262 Oct 21, 2019

Susie Davis is a mentor of mentors. She’s the author of several books and host of the Dear Daughters podcast. I’m so excited to share our conversation with you as she answers your questions about mentorship, marriage and meeting with God.

“I think you deserve a mentor. I think it's God's will for your life to have an older woman that you can talk to who has wisdom for you and your specific situation.”

In her book and podcast, Dear Daughters, Susie seeks to bring together younger women and spiritual moms. Each of us has valuable insight for one other, but getting started with mentoring can be a hurdle. Whether you have a mentor, are a mentor or want to start, Susie shares encouragement and insight into establishing and maintaining a healthy mentor relationship. (including what not to say!)

We also talk about marriage and how to love your man without losing your mind about the little things that can drive us crazy.

“I think marriage is the greatest opportunity for sanctification, which is just becoming more like God. It is the one relationship that is never supposed to end. You're ‘trapped’ in it and you have to work it out with them.”

Talking with Susie is such a gift. She shares a wealth of wisdom from the perspective of someone who has experienced a lot of growth in her own life and marriage over the years. Grab a cup of coffee and listen in as Susie mentors us all!

Racial Reconciliation Starts with You Latasha Morrison Ep 261 Oct 14, 2019

Racial tensions in America are as high within the church as outside of it. My guest Latasha Morrison believes Jesus followers must become the leaders in the conversation on racial reconciliation. That we must, “build a bridge” to bring justice, healing and transformation.

“It starts with awareness and then acknowledging the pain and brokenness. We didn't create it, but it is all of our responsibility to be a part of the solution. And no one gets an ‘out’ here.”

Latasha founded the organization Be the Bridge in 2016 to encourage racial reconciliation among all ethnicities, to promote racial unity in America, and to equip others to do the same. Now she’s written a book of the same name that comes out this week.

We talk in depth about racial reconciliation, biblical justice and the diversity of God’s kingdom. It’s not an easy conversation, but it’s a necessary one. I pray you will listen with an open mind and heart for all God wants to do to bring unity to the body of Christ.

“Every culture is an expression of who God is and not one ethnicity can represent the totality of who God is. We serve a diverse God. If you’re thinking that God looks just like you and talks just like you, remember, Jesus didn't speak English. Sometimes we need a reality check on that. Just because something is different doesn't make it wrong.”

The Window of Tolerance Charissa Fry Ep 260 Oct 07, 2019

As parents, we are keenly aware of the peaks and valleys of our kids’ emotions. Anger, sadness, excitement, and all the other feelings can make us feel like our child is on a roller coaster we’re just trying to slow down.

It’s true that we all feel highs and lows throughout our day, but we rarely talk about what it feel like when we’re “in the zone” and feeling calm and ready to go. My guest today is sharing about the window of tolerance and how to regulate ourselves and our kids to help stay in that window.

“If I am dysregulated, I cannot regulate my child. So if I'm in fight or flight and I'm yelling. There's no amount of yelling that brings my child back into the window. And sometimes parents think the yelling is working, but what you're doing isn’t getting your child in the window. They're going into collapse and into a place of fear.”

Charissa Fry is a Licensed Professional Counselor and believer. Her passion is to come alongside those who are hurting and struggling to help them find truth, hope, healing, connection, and growth. She shares some eye-opening information and statistics to get us on the path to helping our kids build resilience and stay in that window of tolerance.

Charissa shares from a faith-perspective that we as believers are not alone. She reminds us that we can lean on God to regulate our emotions as we love on our kids and go through the hardships of life.

“God himself through Jesus is the ultimate attachment figure. He is always reaching for us. He never fails to respond to our needs. He always loves us. He's never judging us and never shaming us. So to know that when we need to be co-regulated, that when I am feeling like I'm going to leave the window, I can remember the truth of who God is and I can reach out to him in prayer.”

The Enneagram, Marriage and the Gospel Beth McCord Ep 259 Sep 30, 2019

It’s a popular (and sometimes controversial) typology system that can help you understand yourself and others better, but how can we use the Enneagram in light of the gospel to help our marriages thrive?

Beth McCord of Your Enneagram Coach is here to walk us how to look at our marriages and close relationships through the lens of the Enneagram and the Gospel.

“With the Enneagram, you can see that we all struggle. We all need Jesus. It's just we need it in different ways. And he makes us more like him in different ways as well. It's called the body of Christ and we reflect Christ differently. We all need to bring our uniqueness to glorify him and bless each other.”

We talk about how using the Enneagram can improve communication and compassion in our marriages and what to do if your spouse has no interest in learning his type. (hint: the answer isn’t to bug him about it)

Beth shares that no one pairing out of the 45 possible Enneagram matches in marriage is better than any other, but it’s our surrender to Christ that makes all the difference.

“I can guarantee you there is not a combination that is better or worse. Any two types that are surrendering and depending on the grace of God through Christ’s work on the cross on our behalf will be a blessing to one another.”

Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues Lynne Jackson Ep 258 Sep 23, 2019

When a child processes sensory information just a little differently than his or her peers it can mean BIG emotions, meltdowns and a huge struggle for us as parents.

Often these kids are labeled as “sensitive” or “intense” and they might cause us to avoid playdates and public places because we’re never sure what seemingly small issue will cause the next explosion.

Lynne Jackson of Connected Families joins me to uncover the mysteries behind our kids with sensory struggles and how we can help them thrive. We talk about Sensory Processing Disorder and the wide range of sensory processing symptoms.

As a mom who had two kids with sensory processing needs and as a licensed occupational therapist, Lynne encourages us to become a student of our kids and try to understand their point of view.

“Imagine if the volume on all your sounds and the sensations in your body was turned up and you were to trying to fall asleep, that would be really hard. Car rides and meals are often torturous. So then what are the kids doing? They're trying to cope. They're jumping down. They're complaining about the food and squirming in their seats. They're trying to do something so they feel in control.”

We talk about what to do if you suspect a sensory processing problem in one of your kids and where to seek help. I share my story of working through this with one of my boys and why I wish we’d gone to see a therapist sooner.

Forgiving My Alcoholic Mother Sarah Mae Ep 257 Sep 16, 2019

Author, blogger and podcast host Sarah Mae joins me to share her story of working through the generational bondage of alcoholism and the verbal and emotional abuse she suffered from her mother.

“I remember yelling out, 'I'm going to kill myself,' and her saying, 'Go ahead, I dare you.' And that was it for me. I just bawled because I felt so unloved and so confused.”

In her new book The Complicated Heart, Sarah takes us into her painful past and all she experienced with her mom. She also shares the hope and victory of how God wooed her heart and changed the direction of her family forever.

“Dysfunction does not have to be your legacy. It does not have to be your identity. And you do not have to pass it on to your kids. It doesn't matter if you were born into it, married into it or you created it yourself. There is always victory on the table. We just have to be willing to pick it up.”

Throughout our chat, Sarah is candid and encouraging. She shares openly about the abortion she had at 16 and the healing she’s experienced from bravely speaking out against the shame of past sin and accepting God’s grace as all-sufficient.

Porn-Proofing Our Kids Kristen Jenson Ep 256 Sep 09, 2019

Access to the internet is everywhere in our modern world. And that means access to pornography and sexual imagery is everywhere too. Rather than bury our heads in the sand or cross our fingers that our kids won’t see porn, we can choose to be proactive and to give them a plan for how to react.

Kristen Jenson, the best-selling author or Good Picture Bad Pictures, joins me to share some simple ways to talk with our kids about porn and protect their minds.

“Pornography makes a child more vulnerable to sexual abuse. So if you porn-proof your child by starting these conversations early, you are actually helping your child to be more protected from child sexual abuse. When you start these discussions it's not as hard as you think. And once you do, you've begun this journey with your child to trust you for answers. You tell them, ‘Don't go on Google to ask these questions. Come and talk to me.’”

This may feel like a super heavy topic, but I promise it’s worth taking the proactive approach now vs waiting till you have teenagers. Kristen shares a lot of resources and makes it easy to get started.

Become What You Behold Ruth Simons Ep 255 Sep 02, 2019

My guest today is Ruth Chou Simons. She’s a mom of six boys and an author and entrepreneur. You may know her best from the beautiful watercolor prints and products she creates for her business on Gracelaced.com.

In her newest book, Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship, Grace shares about how every day is an opportunity to be shaped and formed by what moves our hearts and captures our gaze.

We dive into what that looks like in Ruth’s life and how choosing to focus on Christ changes everything from our perspective on our parenting and work to how we look to others.

The most unhappy I get is if I get preoccupied with somebody else's story. And I don't give thanks and I don't jot down reminders of how he's provided for the ultimate story of redemption in my life. And also how he's working that out day by day and writing my story anew.

We talk about how our fast-paced, hustle culture steals the joy and the beauty away from the everyday faithfulness of growing in God. My favorite reminder she shared is, “You don’t have to be blooming to be growing.”

So true. How often do we start something and expect instant gratification and quick wins? We want easy-to-share glossy images of success. But God looks at our hearts. At the slow growing happening under the surface. We are all in process with God until we see him in heaven.

Let’s celebrate the small wins and focus on turning our eyes toward God and away from the distractions and hollow gratification of social media. As Ruth reminds us, we become what we behold. Those small, unseen decisions really add up to who we are.

Because at the end of the day, every action we have is really stemming out of our belief in our worship. And so how you think, and how you believe, and what you believe is the most beautiful and worthy of gazing at in your life will actually translate into what you do next. What your little moments every day are accumulating to be for a lifetime.

What we chat about:

Focusing on the beauty of what God has created vs comparing our lives to someone else’s on social media
At the root of dissatisfaction in our lives is an underlying struggle with identity. Is our identity found in Christ or is it found in everything going our way?
Growing our appetite for the things of God by choosing to fill our time with his Word.
The struggles women have with wanting to do something perfectly or not at all
Celebrating the process of growing vs seeing immediate fruit in our lives
What you believe is the most beautiful and worthy of gazing at in your life will actually translate into what you do next
The goal isn’t just to experience God’s provision, but to trust that his presence in our lives is enough
“Nearness to God brings likeness to God. The more you see God, the more of God will be seen in you.” - C.H Spurgeon

Raising Worry-Free Girls :: Sissy Goff [Bonus] Aug 30, 2019

For a variety of reasons, childhood anxiety rates are soaring, especially among girls. My guest Sissy Goff is here to share some of her insights on how to recognize worry and anxiety in your daughter and empower her to overcome.

We talk about tools we can use to help us understand why our brains are often working against us in times of anxiety and grounding techniques to slow and stop the emotional spiral that often ensues.

“We always want her to know she's stronger than her worries and that she has a voice to talk back to the worry. A lot of people who work with kids call it the worry monster because that separates it out from her voice. We don't want her to think it's the truth, which is what kids are going to think when they have voices in their heads telling them things.”

This is a short, hope-filled bonus episode that just scratches the surface on all that we can learn about equipping our kids to work through anxiety. For more encouragement, follow Sissy and her team at https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com and watch for her book Raising Worry-Free Girls coming out September 17.

What we chat about:

1 in 4 kids are dealing with anxiety of some kind and girls are twice as likely to feel it
Anxiety is hard to recognize in kids. Sometimes it comes out as anger or meltdowns and other times it’s deeply buried
People whose personalities lean toward Type A tend to have baseline anxiety at all times. If your child’s personality leans that direction, it’s important to give them tools to deal with it
Anxiety is always an overestimation of the problem and an underestimation of ourselves
Techniques to help a child with anxiety calm down and redirect blood flow to their prefrontal cortex
Integrating our faith as we teach our kids to fight back against fear and worry

Adventures of a Boy Mom Monica Swanson Ep 254 Aug 26, 2019

Fellow boy moms, this episode is for you! This chat with Monica Swanson another mom of four boys and author of the new book Boy Mom dives into a lot of your questions about how to raise your boys to be godly men.

We talk about encouraging strong friendships between brothers, teaching boys to be strong AND gentle, and about the importance of giving our sons ways to experience excitement and adventure while getting some of their natural aggression out in safe physical activities.

“I am a big believer that boys were made for adventure that they need to have some excitement in their lives I think is just how God wired them. They're little warriors who need to experience some thrills. A lot of the trouble boys can get into is related to when they're lacking authentic adventure, when they're not facing challenges and overcoming obstacles.”

Monica has two boys out of high school and two still in the nest, so she offers a lot of hope for those of us in the trenches of parenting to keep pressing into relationship with our sons and to make the practicals of faith an anchor in all that we do.

“God is so big and so powerful and he can move mountains on behalf of your son. He wants your son's heart more than you even know. We get our boys plugged in everywhere we can. We want them to have so many positive spiritual models in their life that there's no denying that God is the best way to go. It about coming alongside them and saying, ‘This is for your best. God is for you. Let's walk this life with him.’”

What we chat about:

Monica’s four boys and working with very different personalities
Building healthy brother relationships and dealing with kids who hit
Boys need to let out their energy with exercise and physical activity
Setting healthy boundaries for your kids with manners and learning to laugh with them about it too
Teaching boys how to balance strength and kindness by pointing them to the stories of godly men
The power of shoulder to shoulder conversations with boys and why to keep pressing into conversation with them
Motivating boys to get excited about school and finding hobbies and interests
Ideas for how to foster adventure for your boys and learning not to parent from a place of fear
Fostering faith in your sons through time in the Word, prayer and modeling

Summer of Mentorship 2019 Week Six Shontell Brewer Aug 19, 2019

With the ability to connect with anyone, anywhere in the world, feels like we’re more isolated and ineffective than ever. But what if we worried less about making a big impact. And focused more on doing the things in front of us with quality and depth?

I’m a big fan of this week's mentor, Shontell Brewer. She’s a wise mom to five kiddos. And she has an excellent sense of humor. More than that, she has discipled her children well to love and serve others around them.

Discipleship can be organic. Keeping your ministry small enough. To be present wherever God has placed you.

In this episode, which originally aired as Episode 140 (Oct 2016), Shontell and I talk about discipleship during dinner conversations. She shares her method of asking really specific questions. And giving her kiddos a challenge for the day to love others in tangible ways (e.g., encouraging a 4 year old to compliment his preschool teacher).

My most favorite thing we talk about is Taco Tuesday. The last Tuesday of the month, the Brewer family serves up meat & tortillas. They invite coaches, teachers, friends, neighbors (any one who interacts regularly with their kids) into their home.

We love on our community one taco at a time.

I shared the idea with my boys and they wanted to do it the next night (“Taco Tuesday, but on a Monday”). I’ll let you know how that goes. We may go the Pizza Friday route (love our community one slice at a time).

Shontell also inspired me to help open my boys’ spiritual eyes. And to encourage them to fight over who is going to put the other one first.

What we chat about:

How women apologize for their carpet
Keeping your ministry small
Specific questions to ask during dinner time conversations
How Shontell helped her daughter minister to her Starbucks’ manager
Sending your kids to school with a basic challenge to bless someone
Setting the habit of conversation and other family “norms”
Learning to not be offended when our kids aren’t performing
Parenting small with intimate corrective conversations
The BEST idea to invite people into your home monthly–> Taco Tuesdays!

Summer of the Mentorship 2019 Week Five Lynn Hoffman Aug 12, 2019

Being a mom reveals your most broken places.

I often think motherhood would be easy if my boys behaved better. Or maybe if I read one more parenting book. Or if I finally caught the magical contentment unicorn just beyond my grasp.

Of course, none of those options really pan out (especially the unicorn). It’s my own junk. Every day the yuck in my heart rises to the surface. But with the pace of life and needs of my people, it’s hard to stop and examine the “yuck” more closely.

Recently our small group has been attending a recovery program at our church. Through some honest self-examination and community, God’s been showing me where I’ve held wrong beliefs. And how they impact my relationships.

Today’s podcast guest, Lynn Hoffman, helped start our church’s recovery program 15 years ago. And God also led her to write “Steps into God’s Grace”, a bible study based on the 12 steps of recovery.

In this episode, Lynn shares her own struggle with performance, people pleasing and codependency. She gives insight into why recovery isn’t just for addicts. And she encourages us to identify our own emotions so we can teach our children to do the same.

Recovery became a safe place where I could go and be with other people who were willing to be honest. Stop pretending and start talking about the reality of the problems in their life. And lean on God to change and discover new realities in their life.

Summer of Mentorship 2019 Week Four Helen Smallbone Aug 05, 2019

Ever want to hear from the woman behind rock star kids?

In this episode, Helen Smallbone, mother of 7 grown children including Christian music stars Joel and Luke Smallbone (For King & Country) and Rebecca St. James, shares stories of motherhood and practical advice she’s learned along the way. She and her husband moved their family from Australia to America more than 25 years ago. It was a faith-building journey that changed their family forever.

“Sometimes when you face life crises what God’s doing is setting a new foundation. In this time, he took everything away from us,” Smallbone said. “We had no money, no resources, no family and no friends. But in that refining process, he gave everything back to us, but with a new foundation where he was the provider. He showed himself to be faithful for providing all our needs.”

Stories of living by faith and God providing for the Smallbone family when they moved from Australia to America
Homeschooling a large family and fostering responsibility and work skills in your kids
Teaching family values while dealing with bad attitudes and behaviors in your kids
Taking a “time out” as a mom to pray for your children and waiting on the Lord for breakthrough for specific ways to resolve behavior problems
Focusing on the eternal value of building relationships with our kids versus the temporary focus on everyday tasks
Spending time with children who may be acting out because they need more attention
How quantity time often becomes quality time with our families
Taking a traditional naptime or quiet time after lunch with fill yourself up to finish the day strong as a mom
Keeping the communication line open with your children no matter their age.

Summer of Mentorship 2019 Week Three Kim Fredrickson Jul 29, 2019

As a licensed marriage and family therapist and life coach, Kim Fredrickson counseled and taught others about self-compassion for years. When she received an unexpected terminal diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, a rare side-effect of the treatment she had received for breast cancer, she wrote a book to leave for her children on giving that same compassion to the grandchildren she will never meet.

On June 3rd, 2019, Kim passed on to be in the presence of her Savior. We are grateful for a way to honor her legacy by re-releasing her fantastic mentorship. (This episode originally aired in January 2018).

When people feel ashamed, they blame other people because they feel like if I really look at my shame then I’m going to collapse inside. That’s why self-compassion is desperately important because kids feel shame a lot. They fail at everything at the start.

What we chat about:

Kim’s story of receiving a devastating diagnosis after completing treatment for breast cancer
How she’s chosen to spend the years she has left with her family
The new book she wrote for when her children have kids called “Give Your Kids a Break: Parenting with Compassion for You and Your Children”
How it’s a process to develop a compassionate inner voice
Applying grace and truth to every situation in our lives
Variety of temperaments--some that are harder on themselves than others.
The difference between self-compassion and self-pity
Encouraging your children to practice self-compassion and reinforcing it by showing ourselves that same
Giving our kids the language to identify their failings and separate them from their self- worth
Moms have a really hard job. It’s ok to acknowledge that.
The importance of taking care of ourselves as moms
How to talk to your kids after you’ve been hard on yourself and reframing it with self compassion

Summer of Mentorship 2019 Week Two Lisa-Jo Baker Jul 22, 2019

Oh friendship! A gift that can bring incredible joy and cause great pain. If female relationships weren't tricky enough, our wounded selves bump into each other causing even deeper hurts.

But what are we to do? How do we heal, move forward and develop lasting friendships?

Thankfully, my friend, Lisa-Jo Baker came on the show back in April of 2017 to help. With content from her book, "Never Unfriended", on episode 159 we talked about friendship wounds. And Lisa-Jo pointed us to Jesus, the only One who promises to heal and never leave us.

Jesus is never tired of me always needing Him. Instead, He is delighted by how desperately I need His validation and He never, ever withholds it from me. Or from you. - excerpt from "Never Unfriended" by Lisa-Jo

What do we fear most in friendship
How to include the new girl and ignore the "cool kid" lies
How to heal past friendship wounds.
Turning to Jesus for meat and potatoes soul filling.
Not blaming social media for our heart issues.
How do you survive a friendship break-up.
The hope of reconciliation and knowing when to let go.

Summer of Mentorship 2019 Week One :: Nancy Williams Jul 15, 2019

The first guest in our mentorship series is Nancy Williams**. She is known by her 9 grandchildren & 4 great-grandchildren to label each family gathering as "the best ever". Her phrase perfectly summarizes this podcast.

The show first aired in February of 2014 (Episode 11) and was titled "Best Ever Life". Based on the title, you may be surprised to discover Nancy's motherhood journey includes many trials and heartache. But she views each challenge as an "opportunity" (her word) to see the power of God at work.

This interview is bursting with Truth and wisdom. Here's a brief summary of the topics we cover:

How to keep your thoughts and perspective in check when your husband works long hours.
Where to turn with your parenting questions.
How to respond when the consequences of sin enter your children's lives
How to share a simple family tradition of gratitude and love (fabulous idea!)
How to deal with mom guilt (a.k.a., the part of the podcast where I get emotional)
How to help your children turn to God when you can't meet all their needs.

SUCH good stuff.

I was most encouraged to hear this message from Nancy:

This can be the "best life ever", no matter the circumstances, if it includes eternal salvation for our children and unconditional love in our homes.

Women Can Be All-In for Jesus Kat Armstrong Ep 253 Jun 24, 2019

Kat Armstrong, the guest from one of my most popular episodes is back on the podcast to share the message of her new book, No More Holding Back. The first question we talk about is, “Can a woman learn too much about Jesus?” A light topic, right?

“The greatest commandment says we have to love God with our heart, soul, mind and strength — all of it. And it's the priority. It's the priority over anyone's role in our home. We have to be all-in for Jesus. We can't let our fears, our insecurities, our roles, our titles, or anything to do with our spouses impede our progress to learn about Jesus.”

Kat shares powerfully about our role as an image bearer of God, the importance of elevating women’s voices in our communities of faith and living completely into the assignments God gives us.

We also talk about giving what we have to offer even if feels imperfect or broken in the same way that the widow in Mark 12 gave out of her need.

“If you have a broken heart, it counts. I have a broken heart right now about my dad. I still want to love God with it all and I don't have to have it all together or healed yet to apply it to the Great Commission. And if you have a weary soul and you're questioning your faith, you can give that to God and he counts it as worthy. If you have a confused mind. If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, decision making, and things don't make sense in your world, you can give that to God.”

The Ministry of Presence in a Broken World Tess Clarke Ep 252 Jun 17, 2019

After my recent trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, I’m so excited to introduce you to Tess Clarke. We process some of what we learned on the trip to visit refugees from Central and South America and hear about the work Tess and her husband are doing with their non-profit, Seek the Peace.

Tess feels called to a ministry of presence in the same way that Jesus enters into our lives. It doesn’t mean that the circumstances are changed, but He takes away our aloneness, our guilt, our shame and our fear by being present with us in those hard circumstances.

“The numbers are staggering and everyone knows that this is an overwhelming issue, which is why I think we can't become jaded and paralyzed, but we have to keep looking at it from a human point of view. When we were in Oaxaca, a lot of it was really about learning why people were fleeing and what their lives looked like and what they were hoping for when they came to the United States. Every person I had an opportunity to talk to said, I want to be safe.”

No matter where you may fall politically on the issues of immigration and the current refugee crisis, I think Tess’ perspective on entering into the broken places and loving the marginalized and lonely around us can bring us together as believers. It has made a big difference in my own parenting when I invite my kids into loving others.

“Something my kids and I talk a lot about is the line in the Lord's prayer, ‘Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ And we asked Jesus, show us where heaven is not. Show us where heaven is lacking. Lead us there because we want to join you in that space and we want to do what we can to bring heaven there.”

Tess, her family, their non-profit Seek the Peace and her role at We Welcome Refugees
The work Tess and her organization have done at the border.
Seeking to understand the plight of refugees and the work and role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Family separation of refugees at the border and the humanitarian crises happening in Central and South America that are causing an increase in the number of refugees
Stories from refugee centers at the border of South Texas
Tess feels called to a ministry of presence in the same way that Jesus enters into our lives.
The trip Heather and Tess made to Oaxaca, Mexico to visit refugees there
A poem by Warsan Shire about why people leave their homes as refugees
The legal ways to enter America are being shut down by the current administration
Our experience visiting the unaccompanied minors shelter
Femicide, being killed because you are a woman, is a big cause of death in Mexico
Partnering with Jesus to love the marginalized and bring Heaven to Earth
The call of God to love the oppressed and care for the broken in Isaiah 58

Gospel-Focused Conversations Joel Fitzpatrick Ep 251 Jun 10, 2019

Just in time for Father’s Day we have a great conversation with Joel Fitzpatrick, a pastor and author, who encourages dads (and moms) to have gospel-focused conversations with their sons.

“There’s power in having conversations with your kids that opens up your relationship. It’s a freedom that gives your kids a safe place to talk to someone. But then it also gives you the ability to speak God's truth into their lives.”

We talk about the barriers that keep us from going deep with our kids and how to fight back against the fear and complacency that can become commonplace. Joel also shares how Jesus is the ultimate picture of biblical masculinity and how to be an emotionally safe parent for your son or daughter.

“We need to be very careful with our emotions when our kids come and they confess their sins to us. When your son comes to you and he's been angry, you need to be careful not to respond in anger, but to respond with love and with kindness and with using your strength to provide a place of safety.”

This is an episode that would be perfect to share with your spouse and the dads in your life. Joel shares a lot of truth for both moms and dads about how we can stay actively engaged with our kids and keep the gospel message at the forefront.

For more on this topic, Joel has a new book out called Between Us Guys. Also, my recent podcast with Vicki Courtney [Ep 239] has some more great information on having deep conversations.

As Joel shares, it comes down to setting aside intentional time to go deep with our kids. What step can you make this summer to have a gospel-centered conversation with your son or daughter?

What we chat about:

Joel’s background as a construction worker and as a minister
What are gospel conversations and how do we have them with our kids
How to fight against fear and complacency to continually engage with our kids
Biblical masculinity vs worldly masculinity
Working with a son who is displaying aggression and violence
Keeping our emotions in check when we’re having tough discipline conversations
Look at your kids’ lives as a timeline and not a snapshot
Learning to process emotions in a healthy way with our kids
Being aware of your sons’ emotions and actively engaged with how he is processing them
Teaching sons how to think about and interact with women in light of the gospel

Setting Healthy Boundaries with Family Dr. John Townsend Ep 250 Jun 03, 2019

As moms, we are like a life support system for our kids. To keep our families healthy, we need to be healthy. A key part of our overall well being is setting healthy boundaries.

But boundaries are hard. They require uncomfortable, direct conversations. We may need to put a limit on really good things or draw a line in the sand with our in-laws or parents.

My guest, Dr. John Townsend literally wrote the book on boundaries and he shares some deep wisdom on how to set healthy boundaries while honoring our family members and others.

You've got to take care of your energy, your heart and your emotions. You've got to take care of yourself and your health. If you don't guard that heart, then the wellsprings of life won't come out from it. Boundaries are basically about how to set healthy, loving limits in our life. So we have something to offer to our children.

Townsend answers your tough questions about set limits with in-laws, making healthy boundaries for the holidays and even models having a tough conversation with a parent about a boundary.

This is an episode packed with great information and Townsend has several books and resources available if you want to go deeper. Let’s make setting healthy boundaries a priority and guard our hearts and our time to bring life to our family!

What we chat about:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
Setting boundaries is guarding our wellspring of life so we can love our kids
His book, Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life
Is setting boundaries biblical? YES!
The difference between hurting and harming someone when it comes to setting boundaries
Honoring vs obeying your parents as an adult
What it looks like to have a boundary setting conversation
Conveying love in hard conversations and not getting hijacked with emotions or blame
Giving three chances when you set new boundaries and how to have consequences when they aren’t respected
Turning to spiritual family when biological family isn’t what your kids need
Keeping the lines of communication open with grandparents and communicating boundaries in love
Looking for mild, moderate and severe reactions to suggestions and boundary setting
Suggestions for setting healthy boundaries for the holidays
The idea of people fuel and relational nutrients that help us fuel up

Summer Strategies Laura and Courtney Ep 249 May 27, 2019

Whether your kids are school age or not, summer typically brings a big shift to our family routine and to our mindset. Joining me today to talk through strategies to thrive this summer are Laura Hernandez and Courtney Cleveland.

We talk about systems, tips and plans for making the most of the time you have with your kids this summer. Laura even shares an acronym for how to plan with the word ENJOY. That’s right! We can absolutely enjoy the summer and these ladies have some great ideas to get you started.

“It doesn't need to be a family bucket list and it doesn't need to be a hundred goals. It's just a simple focused looking at your summer and saying, what do I want it to feel like? What do I want it to look like for our family? And you will reap the benefits of it.”

If you’re like me and want to figure out a way to involve your kids in household jobs without the whining and complaining or make a plan for using screen time effectively, we cover it all in this chat. We also talk about summer road tips and ways to stop entitlement behavior when it rears its ugly head.

There is so much life in slowing down and spending time with our kids in the summer. Whether you are on summer number 2 or summer number 14 (like me) with your oldest, I pray that you embrace the time you have and ENJOY your summer!

You are Qualified in Christ May 20, 2019

Jada Edwards is a Bible teacher and truth speaker. She brings the word with fire and conviction. Her words encourage and gently convict as she points others to God.

But, her story hasn’t always been pretty and her platform hasn’t always been large. She’s wrestled with shame and doubt and feeling unqualified.

“I try be like David when he says, ‘I keep my sin before me.’ Not because of shame, but because of that reminder that every time God uses me, every time someone is encouraged by something that comes out of my mouth, I think, God is good. He can use anybody. There's a fine line between feeling disqualified and just feeling grateful and humble. So I try not to let that send me into a place of immobility.”

I’m personally grateful that Jada is following after God’s call on her life. She has so much passion for teaching and preaching the word. She has a new Bible study series out with Zondervan on women in the Bible called Known by Name that focuses on the same three questions we all still ask today: How does everyone else see me? How do I see myself? How does God see me? Good stuff!

We talk about her journey to motherhood and how inviting others to be influences in our kids’ lives can bring a freedom for the places we are weakest. She has some great suggestions for how to not mom alone and why we don’t have to strive to be a mother that we’re not.

“I think I day-by-day I find my footing a little bit saying, ‘Okay, these are the kids God has given me to shape and I know there's going to be deficits. I know there's going to be gaps, but I'm going to trust the Lord for the gaps and I'm going to do what I can with who I am. I'm not going to try to be anybody else. I'm going to be a failure at trying to be like my mother, it's going to go badly. I can be the best mom that I can be. And then where I'm lacking, I can be honest about that.’”

Abuse Happens Every Nine Seconds Jan Langbein Ep 247 May 13, 2019

Every nine seconds a woman is assaulted in America. It’s the kind of staggering statistic that shocks you into silence. It can make you feel powerless to help.

When Jan Langbein first heard that statistic, it rocked her. She found an avenue to get involved with violence intervention and was eventually hired to run Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support in Dallas.

Now, she’s worked to end violence against women and children for more than 20 years. God’s plan for her was bigger than she ever dreamed. On the podcast, she shares from the wealth of what she’s learned about:

How to identify abuse in your own life and in others’
How to respond to a friend in an abusive relationship
What we can all do to work toward ending and preventing violence, especially in faith communities

“It's very hard being friends and family of someone who's being abused, because it's as if they are overcome by smoke. We see the house burning down, but they're tripping around in a house filled with smoke. So you say things like, you know what, when you are ready to talk about this, know that I'm going to be here for you. When you do feel like you ready for some resources, I'll have them for you.”

Warning: There are some very hard things to hear in this episode and some potentially triggering things if you’ve been in an abusive relationship of any kind.

I’m so thankful for Jan’s guidance and clarity on these hard topics. As believers, we’re called to press in to these uncomfortable places and be God’s hands and feet for women and children who are suffering. I pray you will listen with that in mind.

“I think God hates divorce. I know he hates abuse even worse. I think this makes God cry that women are not allowed to live the fullest life. We can serve others, but that doesn't mean at the risk of our own bodies and souls and our children's lives.”

What we chat about:

How Jan got involved with violence intervention and eventual hired to run Genesis Women's Shelter & Support
Every nine seconds, a woman is assaulted in this country and 1 in 3 women have experienced abuse
The ways abuse affects the children in a marriage/relationship
How to respond to a friend who may be in an abusive relationship
The services offered at a shelter like Genesis can provide for multiple needs from housing to legal help to counseling
Faith communities and other men can be a part of the solution calling out abuse and not sweeping it under the rug
Fear is an indication of abuse and verbal and emotional abuse precedes physical abuse
Helping a friend go through the stages of change in coming out of abuse
Abusers have the power and control in the relationship and the person being abused has the responsibility to serve their abuser
What to watch for in our kids for signs of abuse

Rebuilding from an Abusive Marriage Jeni B Ep 246 May 06, 2019

Jeni B is a single mom raising and homeschooling her four children. It was not the life she expected when she married as a young grad student and not the life she worked hard to create as she struggled for 10 years in an abusive marriage.

She shares her story of coming to a very painful place of seeking a divorce and fleeing with her children. We talk about the loss of community and friendships that followed and the guilt and shame that threatened to hold her captive.

“There can be so much shame and there's so much responsibility on the shoulders of the woman that it can feel like her job is to respect and to uphold and to encourage and that love covers a multitude of sins. And I'm sure that that works totally fine in a partnership where you've got two people under the headship of Jesus Christ who are wanting to please and obey him and serve each other. But when only one person is doing that, it just opens the gates wide for rampant abuse in a relationship.”

But her story did end there. Three years later, she is walking with God in a deeper way than she thought possible and finding freedom through healing. In her hardest places, God has been faithful and she shares what she’s learned about his character along the way.

“He didn't love my marriage more than he loved me. He loves me. So a huge part of my own growth and my own awakening is knowing God. It's a day-to-day walk and I feel the Lord shining on me. It is this beautiful experience of having been reduced to pretty much nothing and having all of my dreams destroyed to a place where God is building a city on top of that very same spot and he's using other people in the process of rebuilding.”

I’m thankful for Jeni’s openness in sharing her journey with God and how he is restoring and rebuilding her life. If you or a friend are going through anything similar, check out the online support group Jeni is in for more resources or visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website www.thehotline.org.

Thriving as an Introverted Mom Erin Morgan Ep 245 Apr 29, 2019

I’m so excited to share my dear friend Erin Morgan with you in this episode! We go way back in friendship and in motherhood.

She is the introvert to my extrovert and in this chat we’re diving into how to thrive as an introvert mom. When she and I had younger kids, the constant togetherness of parenting was very draining for her.

“I was just completely overwhelmed, which causes me to withdraw and isolate big time. I just had no energy for other people. I wanted to pursue my friends and my relationships with other people, but there was just no margin for that in my mind.”

We talk about how she learned more about herself as she learned about the gift that introversion can be. As she asked God where she should invest her life, he encouraged her that focusing on motherhood and a few deep friendships was his best for her.

“I had to get with the Lord and be reminded that what I'm doing in this season of life with my children and my family is a true ministry and is where God has me. And I really felt like he was impressing on me this kind of motto for my life, which is that a small and faithful life is pleasing to the Lord.”

I’m so thankful for Erin and her introvert “super powers” of listening and passionate, faithful prayers. She is a thoughtful friend who has a lot of wisdom and encouragement for other introvert moms out there. Extroverts can learn a lot about their introvert friends by hearing what she shares too!

Budget Isn't a Dirty Word Ericka Young Ep 244 Apr 22, 2019

When Ericka Young and her husband made the choice to get out of debt, they had two small kids and $90,000 to pay off.

In the midst of the expensive, hard season of raising their daughters they worked hard for five years to get debt-free and now Ericka teaches the budgeting principles they used to help others find freedom. She believes that while many of us see a budgeting as restriction it can actually bring a lot of freedom.

“You can be creative if you want, you can call it a spending plan, you can call it a cash flow plan, whatever want to call it is totally fine. But when I say the word budget, everybody has a response, good or bad. And many times it's bad. It is the straight jacket. It's restriction, it's lack of freedom, that kind of thing. But here's the deal. It's what you make of it. Your budget is your own, make it your own.”

We chat about teaching our kids about money and tithing and how we are ultimately stewards of the resources God has given us.

“I love numbers. And so how I get out of my head is to realize that God is my provider. I am not the fixer of all financial issues. God is the provider. He also leads the way. And so when things come up and I have to shift or do a detour or what have you, I still know that he's in control. And so the budget is the guide. It's the plan. But when life happens, I also know that God's got this.”

What we chat about:

Her and her husband’s history with debt and money
Finances while you are raising young kids
Parental peer pressure can cause us to spend money we don’t need to
Why having a budget and money goals can help you get a handle on your finances
Having shared financial goals with your husband
Track your spending for the past three months and see if it aligns with your priorities
Plan for out-to-eat meals in your budget and use wisdom on when to eat out
Teaching your children about the costs of items and how to spend within limits
Being committed to tithing and how to discuss it with our kids
Responsibilities, allowances and working with kids on money
Why we need cushion in your budget for emergencies. It helps takes stress off an already stressful situation.
Your budget can bring freedom from the stress of not knowing where your money is

Preparing Now for Future Puberty and Masturbation Questions Megan Michelson and Mary Flo Ridley Ep 243 Apr 14, 2019

Depending on your personal background with puberty, sex and the often avoided topic of masturbation, having open conversations with your kids on these topics may feel daunting.

You may want to avoid it or get “the talk” over and done with as quickly as possible. Or maybe your kids are really young and you don’t want to think about it right now. My guests Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson walk us through why starting early talking with our kids about body awareness and establishing our family story about sex is so important.

“What we're trying to get rid of is this idea that this is a one-time conversation in parenting. The world that we are raising our kids in has changed so drastically that the way we as parents talk about sex has to change drastically as well. We can have multiple age appropriate conversations and a little-by-little approach where we establish a conversation pattern where we are the loving authority in our child's life on this topic.”

They have great book recommendations and advice on talking with your pediatrician so you know when puberty is imminent for each child. We cover ways to pursue conversations with your kids and how to talk to them calmly without overreacting.

Finally, we dive into the deeper waters of talking to your older children about masturbation, dealing with our emotional baggage when it comes to sex and how to strike the difficult balance of teaching what is normal and beneficial.

“We're hearing from a lot of youth ministers and pastors that work with college kids that this is an epidemic of a great addiction. So there needs to be more of a warning of how this is normal, but not beneficial. That why it's such a difficult topic. You can say, yes, honey, this is absolutely normal. You're learning about your body and how it works, but it can become a habit of comfort. And if this is where you go when you're upset or when you're angry, if this is how you comfort yourself, then this is not beneficial to you in your future.”

20th Anniversary Q & A Bruce and Heather Ep 242 Apr 08, 2019

To celebrate our 20-year wedding anniversary, Bruce and I are answering your questions! We have a fun time reminiscing on our wedding, the early years of parenting and all the twists and turns our lives have taken since we joined them together.

We talk about parenting styles, balancing our roles and how I learned not to micromanage him when it came to caring for our boys.

As much as we enjoy looking back at our years before kids when we traveled a bunch, the fun concerts we went to, and friends we made, we wouldn’t change what we have now. Bruce makes a great point that if we stay focused on the past, we’ll miss the great things happening now.

Stick around to the end of the episode to find out which one of us said, “I love you” first and my personal philosophy on procrastination. We share our ideas for a perfect weekend (they aren’t the same) and how Bruce plans a typical date night.

Beating 50 Percent Audrey Roloff Ep 241 Apr 01, 2019

Though millions tuned in to TLC’s hit show Little People, Big World to watch their wedding, the entirety of Jeremy and Audrey Roloff’s love story is significantly less known. Audrey joins me to talk about her marriage, motherhood, and how she and her husband are on a mission to help married couples thrive.

The Roloffs have founded a ministry called Beating 50 Percent which is focused on reviving covenant marriages. They share resources and ideas for couples to inspire them to make their marriages more than average.

“One thing that has been our lifeline since before becoming parents is our marriage journal. It's essentially our communication tool in our marriage. When life is crazy, we know that every Sunday night we're going to have our time to do our marriage journal. We call it our navigator’s council time. But it's basically just a time for Jeremy and I to connect and communicate about things that have come up in the week that maybe there wasn't never that good time to talk about it.”

We chat about how she’s balancing marriage and motherhood since the birth of her daughter, why it’s important to share interests and activities with your spouse and how to balance strong personalities in marriage.

“It’s important to take humble perspective and ask God, what do our roles in this marriage look like and is this something that you are pleased with and how can we be a better reflection of the gospel through our marriage? I feel like God has really been impressing on my heart since the beginning of the year to let Jeremy be my forerunner and to view that as a helpful, beautiful thing that helps me and allows me to run the race better.”

What we chat about:

Audrey’s background and how she met her husband Jeremy Roloff
Jeremy and his family are featured in the reality TV show, Little People, Big World
What it was like for her to have her wedding televised for the show
Her life verse from Ephesians 3:20 and mantra “Always More”
Beating 50 Percent the marriage ministry she and her husband have
Their focus is inspiring couples to invest more than 50% effort into their marriage
How she’s balancing marriage and motherhood since the birth of her infant daughter
Their Sunday marriage journaling time and how they’ve turned it into a book, The Marriage Journal
The principle of sharing interests and activities with your spouse and how that can knit you closer together
Submitting in marriage when you have a strong personality or leadership gifting
What Audrey loves about being a mom

The School of Dependency on Christ Wendy Speake Ep 240 Mar 25, 2019

Must Have Conversations Vicki Courtney Ep 239 Mar 18, 2019

Panic Attacks and Growing Trust JJ Heller Ep 238 Mar 11, 2019

Grace Based Discipline for Kids with Unique Needs Karis Murray Ep 237 Mar 04, 2019

Preparing Our Hearts for Easter Erin Moon Ep 236 Feb 25, 2019

Supporting a Friend with Cancer Marissa Henley Ep 235 Feb 18, 2019

Habits of a Healthy Marriage Paul David Tripp Ep 234 Feb 11, 2019

Cultivating Friendships in a World of Isolation Sally Clarkson Ep 233 Feb 04, 2019

The Enneagram and Motherhood Suzanne Stabile Ep 232 Jan 27, 2019

Praising Through the Pain of Physical Limitations Karen Harmon Ep 231 Jan 20, 2019

Shepherding Healthy Sleep Jenn and Robin Sleepy Cues Ep 230 Jan 13, 2019

Victory in Ministry and Motherhood Priscilla Shirer Ep 229 Jan 07, 2019

Not Alone in Shame Sheila Walsh Bonus Dec 17, 2018

Not Alone in Overwhelm Kay Wyma Bonus Dec 10, 2018

Reconciled Reconcilers Andi Andrew ep 228 Dec 02, 2018

Family Transformation Starts with Personal Revival KJ Perdomo Ep 227 Nov 26, 2018

The Anxious or Depressed Spouse Tommy Nelson Ep 226 Nov 19, 2018

New Mom Q & A Janay Wilborn Ep 225 Nov 11, 2018

Finding Your Voice Sandi Patty Ep 224 Nov 02, 2018

How to be Calm and Kind Under Pressure :: Candace Cameron Bure [Ep 223] Oct 27, 2018

Candace Cameron Bure is an actress, producer, New York Times bestselling author, beloved by millions worldwide from her role as D.J. Tanner on the iconic family sitcoms Full House and Fuller House and of course Hallmark Channel movies. (Christmas is coming and she has a new one coming out Nov. 25)

But, she’s also a mom of three children ages 16 to 20 and an outspoken Christian in the entertainment industry. She shares what it was like to grow up working in entertainment and the values her parents passed on to her. And about how she walks out her faith now as a busy working actress, a career she returned to after choosing to be a stay-at-home mom for 10 years.

We talk about her new children’s book “Candace Center Stage” and how it focuses on the values of hard work and courage, especially for our strong-willed children.

As she takes us into her world, she talks through how she stays calm and kind under pressure and lives for Jesus as she juggles the roles and the callings God has put on her life.

Connected Relationships Jim Lynne Jackson Ep 222 Oct 22, 2018

For day two of Don’t Mom Alone Live, Jim and Lynne Jackson are back to talk all about relationships and answer listener questions.

If you’ve ever felt like a bad parent because of your child’s disobedience or struggle to referee the sibling arguments and fights in your home, this episode is for you! The Jackson’s share their Peace process and how to be confident before God in how you are parenting.

It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. So we need to have confidence in our ability to be peaceful and not let this child’s behavior define me or tell me that I’m a bad parent. And have the long-term view that God can do anything in a child’s life as I persevere in encouraging and teaching and training.

They share great practicals for blended families and for how to navigate parenting when you and your spouse or co-parent aren’t on the same page. We also dive into teaching your children empathy and social cues as a way to foster great friendships.

In the end, our goal can be to equip our kids to be conduits of God’s grace to the world both through their relationships with others, but it starts with their relationship with us.

When I thought about that the kind of relationships in life that Jesus bought for our kids on the cross, not just with each other but whatever relationships they’d have. I just had this image of “trickle down grace” starting from the cross and just trickling down through us to our kids and then out to the world and our kids. We can grow to become profound dispensers of grace in life to others.

What we chat about:

Getting feedback about our kids that makes you feel like a “bad parent”
Keeping the long-view when you are training your children
There is a dramatic increase in anxiety and depression in children, teens and young adults. It is five to eight times greater than it was 50 years ago.
What to do when you and your spouse aren’t on the same page with parenting
Ask penetrating questions when your spouse is struggling to parent in kindness.
“What are you hoping our kids will learn right now?”
Blended family dynamics and how to co-parent well
You are building trust with your kids and when you are confident before God in how you are parenting, you can be at peace with how someone else is parenting
Ask kids: What do you want to tell me about how you’re feeling and how your time went?
Sibling rivalry and how conflict is an opportunity to teach our children how to reconcile
The Peace Process the Jackson’s teach: Calm > Understand > Solve > Celebrate
Celebrating that your kids reconciled is an important step to future success
When your kids feel encouraged and successful when working through conflict, you can see the momentum begin to change
Learning empathy as a family and equipping your kids to be more successful in friendship
Quick connects with individually with your kids can be more effective than playing with them for longer periods. Find ways to show that you delight in who they are!
Use mission trips and giving back to the community as your vacation/connection time as a family

Links Mentioned:

Previous Episodes with Jim & Lynne — Ep 80 , Ep 81, Ep 98, Ep 200, Bonus Sibling Conflict
SocialThinking.com
“You are a Social Detective” book **
How to Develop Empathy in Kids (Part 1)
How to Develop Empathy in Kids (Part 2)

Discipline 101 Live Event Friday Night Jim Lynne Jackson Ep 221 Oct 14, 2018

For the first part of our 2018 Don’t Mom Alone live event, Jim and Lynne Jackson, co-founders of Connected Families, joined me & my husband Bruce to answer listener questions about discipline and how to use their framework for biblically-based parenting.

We share lots of stories of how we have failed as parents and learned along the way.

But then I started to realize maybe my humility was my greatest currency for influence to help her learn the lessons and the values and the things that mattered most… Our kids need to know we’re not perfect. They need to know that we’ll come back to them and say, ‘Hey I blew it. I’m sorry. Would you forgive me?’ And get back to reconciliation in those relationships. — Jim Jackson.

So good!

Jim and Lynne talk us through the parenting framework they’ve developed and redefining how we view discipline with our kids. Ultimately, it comes down to connecting with their hearts and leading them to Jesus instead of trying to control their behavior.

We can help kids embrace the wisdom of the righteous. And that really prepares the way for the Lord to come in our family in a strong way. Because in today’s day and age with all the craziness that’s going on, these kids need a form of discipline that’s not just about punitive correction but that’s about a whole way of life that teaches our kids how to be followers of Jesus. — Lynne Jackson

And it’s not just vision for how we want to parent, the Jacksons also share some super practical tips and give us some ways to respond to our defiant, strong-willed or sensitive kids.

What we chat about:

The basis for Jim and Lynn’s parenting framework
How do you parent proactively instead of reactively when you feel like you’re just surviving minute
What is our goal in parenting? Is it immediate obedience from our children or fostering their ability to make wise choices?
Bringing God’s grace into our messy moments
Why connecting with God is so essential to how we parent
Go into a situation asking, “Lord, what is the opportunity here?”
Helping our kids build wisdom instead of feeling the need to express our disappointment when they mess up
Trusting that our kids really want to do better
Separating behavior from identity in our kids
Humility and apologizing well may be our greatest currency as a parent
The idea of a parent do-over
Tips for parents of younger kids and encouragement for parenting kids who bite or hit
We tend to think of behavior as either all good or all bad
When our goal is to control their behavior, it doesn’t build trust
You don’t have to be mean to be strong as a parent
Big, loud, and loving energy can make a big difference in the middle of conflict
Luke 1:17- “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Strong-willed kids and the importance of calling out their giftings and how God made them
Sometimes it’s sensitive and intense children are labeled as strong-willed
Psalm 73:21-24 “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.”

Links Mentioned:

Previous Episodes with Jim & Lynne — Ep 80 , Ep 81, Ep 98, Ep 200, Bonus Sibling Conflict
Connected Families Blog Post — It’s Not Defiance, It’s Science
Connected Families Blog post- Danger, Obedience, and Teaching Kids Traffic Safety

Calming Angry Kids Tricia Goyer Ep 220 Oct 08, 2018

Tricia Goyer is an author, speaker and homeschooling mom of ten. She also knows what it’s like to parent children with chronic anger. If you’ve ever felt alone in how to calm your “angry kid(s),” Tricia has a lot of wisdom to share from parenting both biological and adopted children.

In true Don’t Mom Alone fashion, Tricia and I answer several listener questions about how to respond in love and help kids of all ages process their anger and emotions. We talk about how much harder it is for the current generation of moms who have to factor in busier schedules, social media and more as a part of their children’s environments

My oldest is 29 and my youngest is 8. It is so much harder now. I feel like I’m on the second generation of kids. Now there is social media. There is more television. There are more video games. The access that they have to all these things brings so much anxiety and tension. Not only do they have to go to school, but then they would come home and see on social media that people were talking about them. It’s just so much more involved now even than it was when I had my first generation of kids.

But it’s not impossible! Tricia shares so many great practical tips and suggestions for how to help our kids (and ourselves) work through anger in a healthy way. But beyond all the tips, it all comes down to leaning into God and praying for the Holy Spirit to fill them that will make the biggest difference.

It’s really the Holy Spirit in them and the fruit of the Spirit is God in them that’s going to change them. I could try all these activities. You know, we could do calming bags or coping skills. I mean we do all the things too. But really it is God in them. And the more they lean on God and the more they depend on him that they’ll truly change.

What we chat about:

Tricia’s family, career and unique calling as an adoptive parent
Her new book, Calming Angry Kids
Determining if your child is struggling with how to process anger in a healthy way
Giving our kids time, attention and praise is a powerful antidote to anger
Everyone gets mad, what we do with the anger makes the difference
When they are in the middle of the emotions, it’s not the time to discipline them
Kids learn to apologize when we model it for them
Anger is often a secondary emotion from a deeper wounding like shame or feeling unloved or anxiety
Family schedules are busier than ever before and it heightens anxiety in kids and parents
Take time to process emotions with your kids and say “No” to more activities or events if they need a break
Tricia shares both how we can process our own anger and how to help our angry kids
The idea of an anger log to help track anger over time
Calming bags and items you can include in them
Give your kids time and space to calm down
Specific tips for pre-teens and teens and helping them with anger and hormones

Links Mentioned:

**Amazon affiliate link. A small portion of your purchase will help produce this podcast.

Idols of Motherhood Elyse Fitzpatrick Ep 219 Oct 01, 2018

We’ve all been there. Your kid throws a fit in public and you feel the sting of embarrassment and the subtle lie that you aren’t a good enough mom. You fear what others will say and feel like the entire day is ruined in this one encounter.

My guest Elyse Fitzpatrick has lived in this place of fear and presents another way to view your worth as a mother — resting in the righteousness of Jesus. She shares about the very common and subversive idols of motherhood to slip in when we try to control our children’s performance.

But see that’s absolutely soul destroying because you either end up in fear and despair or pride and despair. That’s where you always end up when you’re living for your own righteousness. So in the days that I can lay down and in bed at night and say, ‘Yeah nailed it,’ then I am in pride.

If you’ve struggled to feel “OK” in your own power or have found your personal joy tethered to your kids’ behavior, this episode is for you. Elyse gives us the simple reminder that we have the power through Jesus to topple the idols in our life.

I began to understand this is really idolatry and I’m driving my kids insane trying to prove that I’m really an OK person. That I’m OK when they’re good and I’m a complete train wreck and bad and a loser when they’re not. But, when Jesus becomes who he should be in our lives, then idols lose their power to entice us.

What we chat about:

Elyse’s blended family structure and her son’s adoption
The balance of the disciplinarian and the more fun parent
Insecurity about our own faith and the lie of trying to control our kids
The danger of looking for identity in the way our kids behave
Looking for the places in our lives where we feel afraid, angry or worried as a barometer for where we aren’t believing God
Identifying idols in our lives and what they can look like
How our children make us look or feel in front of others can bring up anger in us
Elyse’s relationship with her mother and the background of her perceived need for control
When Jesus becomes who he should be in our lives, our idols lose their power
Not letting our joy be tethered to our kids’ behavior, or even our behavior
Our self-centered struggle to feel “OK” in our own power
How living for our own self righteousness leads to a soul destroying cycle of pride and despair
Resting in the righteousness of Christ and remembering we are forgiven

Links Mentioned:

Front Porch with the Fitzes Podcast
Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick **
The Expulsive Power of a New Affection by Thomas Chalmers**
No Other Gods Bible Study Book by Kelly Minter**

**Amazon affiliate link. A small portion of your purchase will help produce this podcast.

Do You Want to Be Well Susie Larson Ep 218 Sep 24, 2018

It’s all too easy slip into believing lies over God’s truth. My guest today shares that healing is possible and opens up about her personal healing journey from both physical and emotional abuse and chronic illness.

An author, radio host, and national speaker, Susie Larson, talks about how intertwined our emotional, spiritual, and physical health are. We talk through stories that are in her new book, “Fully Alive”, and she shares about some powerful experiences she’s had with the Lord.

“The Lord whispered through the chaos in my bathroom. The storms reveal the lies we believe and the truth we need. The enemy’s railing and saying I’m going to get you. I’ve got you by the throat and I felt like my throat was starting I could swallow and my esophagus was spasming. It’s just horrifying to hear the whisper again. Storms reveal the lies we believe and the truth who need.”

There’s so much hope and truth in this episode for all of us who are believing for healing this side of heaven. For more inspiration from Susie, I highly recommend her book, “Fully Alive”**, which is available for pre-order right now.

What we chat about:

Susie’s experiences with abuse both physical and emotional
How our bodies hold onto trauma and hindrances to the healing process
Storms reveal the lies we believe and the truth we need
The idea of blessing guilt and surrendering to God for healing
The lie of learned helplessness and the truth that we’re not helpless with Jesus
Rejecting the lies of the enemy and addressing unbeliefs in our soul
Confronting the scar tissue of our past and the life that’s on the other side of it
God absolutely heals and it isn’t specifically a lack of faith that keeps us from receiving healing
Jesus entered in to other’s pain and suffering, that’s our calling too
The dangers of over medication and distraction that can keep us from being healed
The integral role of rest in the healing process

Links Mentioned:

**Amazon affiliate link to help support the production of this podcast.

The Gift of Celebrating Biblical Feasts Amber Lee Ep 217 Sep 17, 2018

So much of the Old Testament in the Bible is devoted to the traditions and celebrations of the Jewish faith. It is all a part of the rich heritage that Jesus was born into and the prophecies he fulfills. As Christians, we often skim over the Jewish feasts and traditions and focus on the New Testament.

My friend Amber Lee shares why we should all consider celebrating one or more of the traditional Jewish feasts and how the rhythm of pausing and celebrating the Lord’s provision can be a life-giving practice for you and your family.

For me it’s a gift that the Lord continues to unfold. It’s like a dad saying, ‘Hey, here’s a way to live life better. Here’s something that is better for your soul. If you would just pause the crazy rat race that you’re running for just a minute, for just two hours, and talk with people that you love about what’s going on.’

We talk about the various feasts and about the practice of keeping the Sabbath. But, more importantly, we acknowledge that participating in these traditions is not about being a better Christian or another thing to put on your to do list. It’s really about intentionally pausing life to celebrate God and inviting others into that celebration.

And in each of the feasts, there’s this foreshadowing of bringing in the Gentile or bringing in the outsider. I think it’s just beautiful and the Lord saying it was always my intent to include everyone.

What we chat about:

How and why Amber started celebrating feasts
The biblical background of Jewish feasts and how Jesus interacted with them
It’s about pausing and celebrating how the Lord has provided
The names and differences between the various feasts
The way the feasts were meant to include outsiders and Gentiles
Learnings about Jewish traditions and observing the Sabbath
The Sabbath is really about pausing with intention and processing life with the Lord
All about the feast of Pentecost and how the layers of prophecy fulfillment enrich the understanding of all that Jesus did
How to start with Jewish feasts and tips for starting in small ways

Links Mentioned:

Website to learn more –> Hebrew4Christians
Celebrating Jesus and the Biblical Feasts**
Celebrating Biblical Feasts**

**Amazon affiliate link to help support the production of this podcast.

Help Your Children Embrace Differences Dorena Williamson Ep 216 Sep 10, 2018

Many of us avoid and struggle with conversations about race or disabilities because it’s uncomfortable. When our children ask innocent questions about someone who is different than they are, it can make us feel tongue tied or embarrassed.

Author Dorena Williamson has created some lovely children’s books to help parents respond and invite their children to join them on the journey of learning to love and speak worth over every person that God created.

And I kept feeling frustrated thinking that’s not the solution to teach your children to be colorblind because that’s minimizing the beauty of God’s handiwork. And as Christians we should be the biggest proponents of celebrating the beauty of our racial diversity and not minimizing it or sort of washing it away and this colorblind land.

She shares powerfully about how to engage with your children about racial and cultural differences and how we can model what it looks like to grow in the area of loving and accepting people who are different than us.

As our children get older, I think that these are valuable conversations to have with them because the beauty of it is that it tells your children you are teachable and that you don’t get it right all the time and that you’re continuing to learn and grow.

What we chat about:

All about Dorena’s family and their multiracial church, Strong Tower Bible Church
Her book ColorFull and the background behind why she wrote it
The creativity of God and how he uses color in all that he created
Looking for opportunities to share the beauty of racial differences with our children
Language for parents to use to help teach children and avoid shaming
Reinforcing the idea that “Different is not bad” and calling out the worth of people
Why equipping kids early is important
Modeling how we are all growing when it comes to loving and accepting people who are different than us
Encouraging our children to ask questions even when they are uncomfortable
Engaging with our kids about other cultures whether we can travel internationally or experience cultures in our own cities

Other books/sites that Dorena recommends:

Brownicity.com site with helpful resources (created by a Godly woman Dr. Lucretia Berry)
The Beatitudes by Carole Boston Weatherford
The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
Beabridgebuilder.com
A list of 28 picture books (aren’t about boycotts, buses or basketball) –listed created by ScottWood

**Amazon affiliate link to help support the production of this podcast.

Love and the Outcome Jodi and Chris Ep 215 Sep 03, 2018

Contemporary Christian musicians Chris Rademaker and Jodi King followed God’s call to pursue a musical adventure as the husband-wife duo Love & The Outcome. They share their experiences of selling their home, walking through grief, newlywed life on the road as musicians and their transition into parenting.

Jodi especially talks through how she leans on the Holy Spirit in her parenting, managing expectations and other people’s reactions.

I’ve had to learn how to just know the Holy Spirit. So in the moments when we’re in public and I’m parenting, I focus on Him. It’s so easy to turn and see everyone else’s reaction to what I just did was or I can just try and do my best to really listen to the Holy Spirit in the moment so that I can feel confident in my decisions.

I love how Chris and Jodi open up about playing shows and bringing their two young sons Milo and Ziggy along for the ride. There’s so much encouragement for moms of littles in this episode, including letting our standards slip a little so we can still experience community even if it’s messy and involves take-out food instead of handcrafted meals.

Maybe it’s just a season. But maybe it’s forever. I don’t really know what the Lord has. But letting go of some of my ideals has been so good. I have to acknowledge that I have a 2.5-year-old and a 1-year-old. Life looks like this right now, and it is the dream if I choose to be present to it and enjoy it.

What we chat about:

When Jodi and Chris met and started a touring band
Their Enneagram types and how they work together as a couple
How the Lord directed their path through grief and loss
Parenting and challenges that come when touring with kids
Dwelling in the Holy Spirit to make decisions
Transitions in parenting and learning to lean into the Holy Spirit vs worrying what others think
The concessions you make to connect with community when you are in a busy season
Freeing yourself up from pre-conceived plans of what life “should” look like
A new way to look at living the dream and choosing to be present in what your life is like now

Links Mentioned:

The God I Know music video
The King of My Heart music video
He is With Us music video
L&TO albums: These Are the Days** & Love & The Outcome**

**Amazon affiliate link to help support the production of this podcast.

Gay Girl, Good God Jackie Hill Perry Ep 214 Aug 27, 2018

It’s an uncomfortable and often controversial subject, especially in the church, but homosexuality and same sex attraction is something we all need to understand from a Biblical perspective. This week’s guest Jackie Hill Perry shares how the power of the gospel in her life rescued her from the sin she was living in as a woman with same sex attractions.

She not only brings us into her amazing story, but absolutely preaches the word of God and brings a lot of clarity to what can feel like a gray area for many Christians.

My conscience would not allow me to shake the truth that Jesus died for sin and that he is not pleased with sin at all. So I tried my best to shake him and I couldn’t…And I felt God speak to my heart and say that my girlfriend or my sin would be the death of me. That the wages of sin equals death. Because I saw it wasn’t my girlfriend or my lesbianism alone. It was that my entire life would be the death of me.

Jackie shares stories and insights from her new book Gay Girl, Good God. She also answers listener questions about how to share God’s love with LGBTQ friends and family by treating them as a whole person and keeping the gospel centered on God’s truth and not culture’s.

Adopting Special Needs Alice Candace Ep 213 Aug 20, 2018

Often the hardest assignments in our lives bring us the greatest good. I’ve seen it to be true in my own life. And have walked this Truth with friends on their journeys.

In this episode I’ve invited my friends Alice and Candace to share their stories of adoption. And the process of discovering their adopted children have special needs. We also discuss how God has led them each into new ministries because of the children He’s brought into their families.

I love seeing God’s purpose for Alice & Candace unfold alongside their leaning on Him for strength and guidance. Not to mention how they follow Him obediently with humor and grace!

I don’t know if God made Millie have autism or if that is a result of living in a fallen world. That’s something that I question every day. But I do know that the struggles that she has had more than anything else have shaped our family in a way that I think brings glory to God, more than the easy and fun and good things.–Alice

Opportunity vs Disruption Paul David Tripp Ep 212 Aug 13, 2018

In the thick of parenting it is easy to get our perspective skewed or react to our children from a place of emotion or our own sin. My guest Dr. Paul David Tripp gives a course-correcting pep talk reminding parents of their deep calling from God and how to look at discipline as an opportunity to connect our kids with God’s goodness.

“You’re never just dealing with behavior. You’re always dealing with what controls the child’s behavior and that’s his heart. And if God consciousness doesn’t rule my heart, self orientation will. That’s what has to change. No I can’t create that change, but I can I can give God’s Spirit an opportunity again and again to work in the heart of my child”

Tripp is a pastor, international event speaker, and best-selling author. As a father of four grown children, he shares candidly from his own experience. This encouraging episode is packed with a lot of truth! Share with your spouse and friends!

What we chat about:

The deeper calling of on our lives as parents
We cannot rely on our kids to give us hope for parenting them.
How opening our children’s eyes to see God everywhere pulls them away from a self centered existence.
God created the world so that it’s very physical nature reveals him.
Root the rules that you have for your children in God’s goodness and his love and His grace.
Every opportunity we have to discipline or correct is not an opportunity first to threaten with punishment but to talk about how good God is.
Ask the question, “What is God wanting to do in the heart of this child?”
Behavior is really about a child’s heart orientation
God way of parenting isn’t efficient, but it is transformational .
The values of the world push against our calling as parents. We have to consider where we are placing our treasure and hope.
A God perspective for how to respond when your children sin
God is exposing something in my child so I can be part of his help and rescue.
Parenting is about planting seeds. We aren’t going to see them bloom overnight.
Dealing with rebellion and authority issues with grace and consequences
Parenting adopted children and helping them with identity

Help To Read Truth Every Day Raechel Myers Ep 211 Aug 06, 2018

In a time when biblical truth is often narrowed down to a greeting card slogan or a small subset of feel-good encouragements, the She Reads Truth community takes a different approach. The bible studies and reading plans from She Reads Truth take a deep dive into scripture with the goal to understand the big picture of who God is throughout history and our need for his grace.

SRT co-founder and CEO Raechel Myers shares the community’s origin and her personal story of encountering God’s goodness amidst the loss of her daughter. Jump in to hear Raechel share her heart for studying scripture and relying on the Holy Spirit in the difficult places of parenting.

I can base my understanding of God on the 36 years that I’ve experienced with him, but that is a mistake. God’s story is so far back before I ever existed. And so one of the important reasons that we read the Bible is to understand the broader story of who God is and how I fit into his story, not how he fits into mine.

What we chat about:

Raechel’s writing background and the purpose behind her first blog
How God trained and equipped Raechel through various experiences before She Reads Truth began
The origin of the She Reads Truth community
Taking God’s word for what it is and not relying too heavily on devotionals or feel-good scriptures alone
She Reads Truth has options for everything from free reading plans to beautiful, bound books
A new children’s story book they’ve produced called This Is the Gospel
Addressing faith and trusting that God is who he says he is with your older kids
Why scripture plays such a key role in our understanding of who God is beyond our own experience with him
The importance of modeling Christian life for our children’s spiritual formation

Bonus Mentor Episode--Sibling Conflict :: Jim & Lynn Jackson Jul 30, 2018

“They just keep fighting!”

Summer, for us, means lots of unstructured time together as a family. Which is great. . . until it’s not.

Perhaps you can identify. Maybe you see yourself in one of the following situations:

Situation #1 – The kids are fighting – again! The harder you try to make it stop, the worse it seems to get – and the kids seem more and more resentful.

Situation #2 – One minute they love each other and the next minute they’re arch enemies. The older they get the louder and angrier it gets. You hate the way this affects everyone’s mood, including your own.

Situation #3 – Time-outs, required apologies, and firmness temporarily curb the fighting, but it soon comes back with more intensity.

Situation #4 – Your young kids are beginning their rivalry and you worry where it’s heading if you don’t learn some better strategies. (copied from Sibling Conflict Online Course description).

Jim & Lynne Jackson from ConnectedFamilies.org are back to equip us in training our children to solve conflict well. And instead of just wishing they would “just stop fighting”, to recognize the gospel work of guiding our family to reconciliation.

Jim & Lynne have been on the show before sharing their fabulous 4-layer framework for discipline that connects (Listen here to Episode 80 & 81). And again helping connect in any situation (Ep 98). And recently helping us work with our kids on all of our entitlement issues (Ep 200)

Today, they are talking us through The Peace Process. A simple but effective way to guide our kids to a lifetime of reconciled relationships. Here’s their great graphic with the four steps moving us from “crazy mountain” to peaceful reconciliation (Click here to print your own copy):

Conflict is inevitable. Instead of just getting frustrated and annoyed, I’ve found having a plan to reconnect hearts and train empathy so helpful. I also loved all the phrases Jim & Lynne modeled to use as we guide our children through the process. Here are some of my favorites (I’ll be bookmarking this page and referring to often):

“Sounds like y’all are having a hard time. Do you need my help or are you able to work it out on your own?”
“Solving brains won’t work until we’re calm. Why don’t we each find a comfortable place. How long do you need? 5 min? 10 min? Then we’ll come back together to work this out.”
“Did you hear that? How does she feel? Do you like that what you did made her feel that way? You two are listening to each other. How does that feel?”
“Your big feelings are a gift. And they are an even greater gift with you can use them to help understand other’s big feelings.”
“What’s going on? What was important to each person? How have you solved this problem before? Would you like to think of ways to solve the problem or do you want me to help give you choices on how to solve it?”
“Are there four things you could say that are kind and true about that person?”

Lastly, if you need more help learning how to guide your kiddos through the peace process, check out Jim & Lynne’s new SIBLING CONFLICT ONLINE COURSE. I’ll be working through it this summer. Join me!

What we chat about:

Considering your own baggage/sibling situation as you rush into your kids’ conflict.
Are we trying to get conflict to stop or teach reconciliation?
The four steps to “The Peace Process”.
A real life example of applying peace process.
How training in reconciliation helps our kids in their future marriages and relationships.
Helping our kids learn how to solve the problem of the conflict (a 3-step process).
A scenario of a more empathetic child in conflict with a more strong-willed child–growing specific skills in kids.
Addressing the differences in your kids outside of conflict.
Help for the mom who has a child with special needs in the sibling mix.
Connecting with others based not on experience but emotion.
Tips for conflicts that happen right before you have to leave the house.

Summer of Mentorship 2018 Jen Wilkin Wk 6 Jul 23, 2018

You desire your children to walk with God. But how do you lead them to that place?

Is that only your husband’s job? What if you are a single mom or functionally single mom?

What about your role as a leader in your faith community? Should women leaders be gentle and quiet?

Today’s guest is Jen Wilkin, author of “None Like Him” and “Women of the Word”. She debunks some myths we believe about spiritual leadership, inside and outside of the home.

Her desire is for women to be grounded in the truth of God’s Word. To study with both their hearts and their minds. To know God and who He is. Then from knowing Him and His character see how He crafted us uniquely and our high worth in His eyes.

In this episode Jen and I chat about spiritual leadership. How we can expand the definition of what we think that means. How leading our children changes over the years. How her own single mom prayed fervently for her and for God to grow big in her life.

We also discuss how to be a spiritual leader in your community. How to manage that responsibility with humility and boldness. And how women need to not just see cute Instagram posts but know who God is from His Word.

What we chat about:

Jen’s young mom journey with three kids in four years.
The need for accountability and structure in studying the Bible as a young mom.
How the Wilkins describe leading children spiritual–the differences over the years.
Tips for the woman who is spiritually leading her children.
Expanding the definition of “spiritual leader” in the home.
Jen’s journey of spiritual growth having a single mom.
Self-reflection asking “Am I stepping on people? Limiting the contribution of others?”
How to be a woman in spiritual leadership/ministry.
What do you do if women think you are more “spiritual” than them.
How to be grounded in theWord and not cute, Instagram posts.
What does it mean that God is transcendent.

Links Mentioned:

Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna**
When Dad Doesn’t Disciple by Jen Wilkin
None Like Him by Jen Wilkin **
In His Image by Jen Wilkin**
Flower Mound Women’s Bible Study
Jen’s Bible Study at the Village Church this Fall on Genesis
Jen’s Published Bible Studies –>

Summer of Mentorship 2018 Dr. Peggy Banks Wk 5 Jul 16, 2018

“In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Pain is inevitable. In James we are told to “consider it all joy” when we encounter trials. James also wrote to ask God for wisdom and He will give it generously. Which I realized from a sermon this week has more to do with wisdom we gain from the challenging circumstances, not necessarily wisdom to get out of them.

But how many of us share our broken places with others? How often do we wait until the pain has passed and life is back to “normal” to share and minister to others? What if God longs for you to offer up the wisdom you are gaining in the midst of the challenge?

This week’s guest is Dr. Peggy Banks (Global Ministry Director for TWR Women of Hope). I’m a big Peggy fan. Years ago she discipled me in a deeper understanding of God and His Spirit in me. She modeled how to pray intimately with my heavenly Father. She taught me all the Spirit does in and through us. She inspired me with her passion for women around the world to know the healing available through Jesus Christ.

In this episode Peggy shares her own painful places. A past that includes abuse. A journey of learning to trust and stop striving in performance. She encourages us to meet with Jesus daily. And what that looks like for her. Peggy encourages us to gather with others in small groups to spur each other on in our spiritual journeys. Sharing what He is doing and lifting one another up in the process.

Peggy was a minister of Spiritual formation at my church for years. And now she leads a global ministry to women, TWR Women of Hope. God is using her pain for a purpose. Every day women around the world are hearing the gospel in their own language through the power of the airwaves. As a podcaster, I’m so inspired by the work of Women of Hope and Trans World Radio.

“As a small Army-surplus transmitter went on the air in Tangier, Morocco, in early 1954, the first step had been taken toward the development the world’s largest evangelical media organization” – Trans World Radio

Such a cool idea to realize the gospel has been traveling via airways since the 50s. What a joy to join Him in the work of spreading the good news!

What we chat about:

Peggy’s hidden pain while looking perfect on the outside and performing for approval.
The “spiritual mom” who helped Peggy get healing from the bondage and brokenness of abuse.
Learning to vulnerably share your struggles with those you are leading.
Advice for the listener who is in the middle of the painful place.
What does it mean “to be with Jesus”.
Gathering together with a group to be real and share your current pain.
How Peggy’s tattoos helped her minister to a specific group of women.
Peggy’s personal mission statement: “Helping hurting women around the world helping to find hope and healing in the person of Jesus Christ.”

Links Mentioned:

**If you or someone you know is involved in a domestic abuse situation, here is an online resource:
- Focus Ministries
- National 24-hour Women of Substance Crisis Intervention Hotline: 1-866-862-2873
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- Peace and Safety in the Christian Home: www.peaceandsafety.com
- FaithTrust Institute: www.faithtrustinstitute.org
TWR Women of Hope –in 70+ different languages
Trans World Radio (twr)
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
“Power of the Other” by Henry Cloud **
“Translating God” by Shawn Bolz**
“No Longer Slaves” by Jonathan Helser
Video message from Peggy about Women of Hope

Summer of Mentorship 2018 Kristen Hatton Wk 4 Jul 09, 2018

Teens. Toddlers. Moms.

No matter the age. We all struggle to remember (or know) the truth about who God says we are. And our position in Christ.

When we forget, we let friends, circumstances, or lies feed our souls with identity. And that takes us down the path of uncertainty, harmful activities and a broken path.

Thankfully, today’s guest, Kristen Hatton, helps “Get Your Story Straight”.

When her daughter was in 6th grade, Kristen started teaching her and a group of friends truth from the Bible. Unfortunately, there weren’t a lot of great resources available for preteens/teens. So she used notes from her husband’s sermons and wrote her own Bible study. (click here to check it out)**

In this episode, Kristen and I talk about the struggle for our kids to know how “justification” applies to daily life. (And define what ‘justification’ means).

We also chat about how to help teens navigate the challenges of social media. And Kristen vulnerably shares her daughter’s battle with an eating disorder (which began with internalizing social media posts).

Lastly, Kristen helps us start to keep communication open with our kids. So when they are teens they will keep talking. I’m in the stage with lots of little people all trying to be with me and talk to me (at the same time). But after three blinks I’ll have a home full of teen boys. The time I spend listening now will impact how much they talk to me in the future.

Very thankful for the help, perspective and wisdom from Kristen. Now I can see the teenage years as an age of opportunity not a season to be feared.

What we chat about:

How quickly our kiddos grow into teenagers.
How Kristen saw a need for good bible study materials for teens.
Helping our kids be anchored in who God says we are (not who their friends on social media says they are).
Importance of teaching our kids the concept of justification.
When the world is measuring perfection and performance but we know we are only perfect in Christ.
How to communicate worth and identity to our kids.
Why teens stop talking to their parents.
Listening and asking probing questions.
Responding with grace instead of condemnation.
How internalizing social media posts led to her daughter’s eating disorder.
How boys struggle with social media.
How Kristen talks to her kids about the impact of social media.
Talking to your sons & daughters about pornography. Keeping an open conversation.
Reorienting your kids to the message of the gospel, moment-to-moment

Links Mentioned:

Get Your Story Straight: A Teen’s Guide to Learning and Living the Gospel by Kristen Hatton**
The depressing Eggo commercial
Why Teens Don’t Talk to Their Parents
Connected Families–Jim & Lynn Jackson (Ep 80)–“You are Safe” message
Birds and Bees? Oh Help Me, Please with Mary Flo Ridley {Ep 25}
Eating Disorder Resources–article by Kristen
Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens, Second Edition (Resources for Changing Lives)

Summer of Mentorship 2018 Jan Greenwood Wk 3 Jul 02, 2018

No matter the battleground . . . Marriage challenges. Child struggles. Health trials. Overwhelming circumstances. How do you maneuver the daily attacks that rob your joy and peace?

This week’s mentor is Jan Greenwood, author and pastor of equipping at Gateway Church in Southlake, TX. In 2009, Jan was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. After the first battle, she experienced years of healing. Then four days shy of her 6 year recovery anniversary, cancer resurged in her body.

In this episode, Jan shares what God’s taught her about waging war. And how the football term #squareup impacted her battle strategies differently from the first and second time she fought cancer. Jan shares what it means for her to rest and let God fight for her. And encourages each of us to get a word and direction from the Lord for our unique situations.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from this episode:

This time my mindset has had to become one of agreement and not one of opposition. And squaring up is not about being steadfast in the Word of God, but its really about can I square up in such a manner that I can look at Jesus and trust Him.

I’m not very brave and not very strong. When I’m weak there’s a strength that shines through. And when I’m afraid, He makes me courageous.

I know how to fight but I don’t know how to rest.

What we chat about:

How God spoke to Jan at the news of cancer’s resurgence.
How Jan found comfort in her son’s football word “square up”.
The difference between how Jan has fought cancer the first time and the second time.
What “square up” means for her in this season.
The story behind the hashtag Jan uses: #bravestronggirl.
How her battle with cancer impacts her mothering.
Jan’s desire to get women to war together instead against each other.
The revelation to choose life and not succumb to death.
What rest looks like in Jan’s every day.
How you need your own word and direction from God.

Links Mentioned:

**Amazon Affiliate Link

Summer of Mentorship Week Two Chrystal Hurst Jun 25, 2018

Chrystal is a real life friend. And one wise woman. Since this episode went live three years ago, she’s become. . .a grandmother to two adorable kiddos! But I’ll give you a tip. . .before you call her Granny. . . Chrystal prefers the title “MMC” (aka, “Mother of the Mother of the Child” ;).

In twelve years of parenting I’ve learned a thing or two. I’ve gained confidence in my ability to handle high fevers, distinguish between a backhoe digger and a tractor, and (somewhat regularly) plan weekly meals.

But most days I feel just as clueless as my first day home from the hospital. When I sat on the closet floor cried buckets while cradling a screaming newborn. And had no idea how to stop either of our tears.

These days it’s sibling arguments I fear may rival world wars. Or strong wills that no military force could conquer. Or the noise, chaos and never-ending mess that leave me feeling like a pair of dirty socks in the spin cycle.

But I have one strategy that always helps. . .

Asking moms who’ve gone before me for perspective. Showing me what matters and what doesn’t. Helping me navigate these days with faith and grace.

On today’s podcast I’ve invited Chrystal Evans Hurst, mom to five to fill our mom hearts with nuggets of truth and wisdom.

What we talked about:

The realization Chrystal had when she turned 40
What Chrystal wants to make sure every mom knows
The parenting advice Corrie Ten Boom gave Chuck Swindoll
How to handle the shame or blame from those around us
How to grow in confidence as a mother
How to help and give grace to new moms
How knowing the commonalities between ages 2, 12, 20 helps you parent better
How to be the compassionate counselor to your children
How to calmly set boundaries and appropriately direct emotions
What God can accomplish and inspire you through prayer
The impact of how your face communicates acceptance
Three final tips Chrystal wants moms to know

Links Mentioned:

Chrystal on Ep 172 “Rescuing the Girl Inside You”
Chrystal’s Chronicles Podcast
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
Toni Morrison on Oprah (video below. . .if reading via email click here)

Summer of Mentorship Wk 1 Sheila Walsh Jun 18, 2018

Our first featured mentor is the fabulous Sheila Walsh!!

“God had no grandchildren. He only had sons and daughters. Faith is something you have to choose for yourself.”

Those words started Sheila Walsh on a journey to know God and His love for her. From the tragic death of her father to professional success as 700 club co-host to discover freedom and peace in a psychiatric ward, Sheila shares a bit of her beautiful broken story.

“Suffering can be a gift from God. Because it really draws you closer to His heart. And a greater understanding that it’s never about me getting it right its about Christ who came to make everything right.”

This may be a “top ten favorite” interview for me. I’ve been a fan of Sheila and her work for years. But her wisdom and God’s grace in this episode ministered to me in a way and time that I needed most. Resonating with my soul that “through the broken places Christ’s love is closest to us.”

We also talk about fun ways to share the good news of God’s Word with your kids. How to keep the conversation open and allow our kids to ask hard, unanswerable questions. To give them the freedom to speak truth and know it doesn’t change God’s love for them.

What we chat about:

Sheila’s incredible testimony
How brokenness is where God brings His love to us
The story behind “Gigi, God’s Little Princess” series
Fun ideas of how the Walsh family did “devotion time”
Allowing our kids to be free to speak truth and ask hard questions
Her latest book in “The Bible is My Best Friend” series to help lead your child to Jesus

Links Mentioned:

**Amazon Affiliate Link

The Legacy of a Calm Father Kirk Martin Ep 210 Jun 11, 2018

We’ve talked a lot about calm parenting techniques on GCM in the past. It’s something many of us moms have seen work. But this episode is one you may want to listen to and invite your hubby to as well!

Founder of Celebrate Calm, Kirk Martin, shares the powerful story of how he went from an angry, tough dad to a calm, coaching dad and why a dad’s role in parenting is so important.

I believe this to be true most of the time. If you do not change and if you do not forge that connection with your son, most of those boys will grow up and become angry young men… And I would tell the men too if you have a daughter and if she doesn’t know that you like her. And that you accept her as she is even if she is difficult. I guarantee when she gets to her teenage years she’s going to seek a man’s affection in some teenage boy.

What we chat about:

Getting dads onboard with Calm Parenting techniques.
Working with strong-willed children and how anger and tough punishments don’t work.
Fear of failure as a parent is a strong motivator for us in discipline.
Kids need to know that we can control ourselves as parents even when they are out control.
Discipline means to teach, not to punish.
It’s important to build trust with our kids so they know we have their best interests at heart.
The idea of first-time obedience and whether it’s Biblical.
Strong-willed children may never listen the first time and may do things their own way (but still obey).
How our struggle to obey God often mirrors our kids’ struggle to obey.
Leading our kids to contrition instead of demanding an apology.
Coaching and role playing with our kids to teach them how to respond better in emotional situations.
Think of calm techniques as a different tactic for problem solving.
It’s ok to give in from time to time to keep from going crazy (not the same as being “soft”).
Try doing the opposite of what you are doing now and see what the response is.

Links Mentioned:

**Amazon affiliate link

Which Type of Rest Do You Need Saundra Dalton-Smith Ep 209 Jun 04, 2018

As moms, we know we need rest. We usually equate rest with sleep or with a vacation, but this week’s guest shares a broader picture of our need for rest in multiple areas of our lives.

Saundra Dalton-Smith is a medical doctor, wife and mother to two boys. She had everything she’d dreamed of and worked hard to achieve, but wasn’t enjoying it.

I kept pushing and pushing myself till I got to the point where I literally burned out. I wasn’t happy with my job. I couldn’t see how my marriage would survive. I didn’t want my kids anymore. I was just at the end of myself. I didn’t want the life I created.

After reaching this breaking point, she went on a journey of restoration and healing where she learned to connect with God and with his plan for rest. Now she shares her research and methods with her patients and with all of us. If you’ve ever felt tired and at the end of yourself, this episode is for you.

We already have permission to rest, but the mommy guilt that sometimes comes tells us we don’t. That is really a lie. I look at it as the John 10:10. ‘The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.’ And he’s doing it to a lot of us through our inability to rest, our inability to trust God that when we lay things down that he is able to uphold them.

What we chat about:

When Saundra reached her breaking point from stress and lack of true rest
We have physical limits to what we can do as moms
How Saundra researched rest and looked at scripture for clarity on how God rested
The seven types of rest: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, sensory and creative.
The difference between a vacation and resting
Paying attention to a place that feels painful in your body in the moment vs ignoring it
Finding emotional rest through connection with friends, even through video chat if getting together is impossible
The importance of authentic, open friendships with women who can relate to your life situation
Ideas on how to stay engaged with your husband and reignite your marriage
Putting limits on social media time so that your mind has down time
Tips for getting mental rest and release ideas that make your mind race
Sensory rest– what it is and ways to get it
It is not selfish to prioritize resting. It keeps you from having a toxic reaction to those around you.

Links Mentioned:

Marco Polo App–way to socially connect
Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith**
Adventures in Odyssey Club–hundreds of episodes
Rest Quiz Online

**Amazon affiliate link

Time and Space for Flourishing in a Tech World Andy Crouch Ep 208 May 28, 2018

In a world where devices, video games and screen-based entertainment dominate our time and space, we can choose to make our family culture different. It isn’t easy and it isn’t always fun, but there are huge benefits for us and our kids when we take time away from devices.

This week’s guest Andy Crouch is the author of “The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place”. He shares about our calling to be image bearers of God and how his family has seen a lot of growth by putting limitations on time with technology and building in Sabbath rest from devices.

Have moments as a family where you talk about what have been your best moments. What’s been the flourishing moments in our family? It’s very unlikely people will say, ‘Oh that time we made it to level 16 in whatever video game.’ Kids and parents will remember moments that had this kind of real authority and real vulnerability.

As we head into summer, I hope this episode encourages you to embrace the power of your kids being bored so they can tap into their God-given creativity, abilities and interests. Just hang in there through the first third of the time! Listen to see what I mean.

What we chat about:

Image bearing as it relates to authority and vulnerability
Video games and screened-based entertainment simulate authority and vulnerability
Andy’s family’s Sabbath for screens and devices- one hour each day, one day each week and one week each year
How to work toward unity on device- and technology-free time with your spouse
Start small and do what’s stretching when it comes to taking time without devices
Talk as a family about the best times you’ve experienced together and plan to have more of those moments
The first third of the time is really hard, but in the second two-thirds you’ll see creativity and really good things for your family
Changing your physical space to make the main thing we do together different
Work and rest vs. Toil and leisure
Not looking at your phone first thing in the morning till you’ve been outside
Having a rhythm of disengagement with technology that reconnects us with real rest and with who we really are in God’s image.

Links Mentioned:

“The Tech Wise Family: Putting Technology in its Proper Place” by Andy Crouch **
“Strong and Weak” by Andy Crouch**

**Amazon affiliate link

Parenting in the Digital Age Ashley Januszewski Ep 207 May 21, 2018

Our children are growing up in a digital age with unparalleled access to technology. With these wonderful advances, comes a heavy responsibility we cannot ignore as parents. The access to pornography and sexual images and videos is everywhere and the age of children viewing them is going down.

But there is hope. My guest Ashley Januszewski is all about empowering parents to protect their children by talking candidly with them about God’s plan for their bodies and sex from an early age. We talk about everything from sexting and pornography to device control and screen time limits. She shares great resources for how to start these conversations with your children at any age.

It’s our job as parents, though this is the reality. Not to throw our hands in the air. It is our responsibility just like it is to buckle our children when we get in the car. So it’s our responsibility to virtually buckle up our children…. It’s everywhere. So it starts and ends with training the heart and equipping our kids. What to do when (not if) they are faced with this avalanche of filth. What do we do? We’ve got to talk about it.

What we chat about:

The story behind Ashley’s pursuit of information on parenting children in the digital age
Eleven is the average age for exposure to pornography in America.
Fear and anxiety can be signs that a young child has been exposed to something sexually inappropriate.
The coming of age experience today in 2018 looks radically different than what we experienced as kids.
There aren’t the natural barriers that used to exist to pornography. Now it is anonymous, accessible and affordable to anyone.
Our responsibility as parents to minimize exposure to pornographic material
40 percent of teenagers today in America say that sending sexual or naked photos or videos is part of everyday life for them.
Make a plan for when and how you will introduce digital technology to your children
A family mantra or mission statement can help you stay centered on the truth of God in a world that is dominated by opinions
How screen time is affecting kids’ brains and hours spent on screens by tweens and teens
Teaching young children about the dignity and value bodies which can lead to wider conversations
Humanizing explicit images and an example of how to talk to your kids when you encounter them
Avoiding shame or blame when it comes to sexual images to keep the lines of communication open
Solutions for an Internet safer home- control the location of devices, control at the router and control on the devices
Sexting and child pornography laws and the importance of reporting

Links Mentioned:

**Amazon affiliate link

Overcoming Barriers to Sexual Intimacy Nancy Houston Ep 206 May 14, 2018

*Earbud warning…may want to listen without innocent ears hearing as well. 😉

This episode is about having great SEX with your husband. Whether that gets you excited or brings up fear in you, please stay and listen to my chat with Nancy Houston. She is a licensed professional counselor and sex therapist who shares candidly about how to overcome barriers to intimacy in marriage.

We talk about how to work through sexual pasts, sex after having kids, the impact of porn and sexual addiction on marriage. And how getting healing from your past experiences can draw you closer to your husband.

There’s a big learning curve to all of this. And you know too many times we treat sex as something that should be automatic and if we love each other this should just work. And that’s just not true. I mean statistically 60 percent of couples are having some sort of sexual problem right this minute.

What we chat about:

Why the Christian community needs to open up more about sex and healthy intimacy
How sex drive changes for women after they’ve had kids
The importance of foreplay for women especially
God gave us sex as a way to bond us together with our husband
Statistically, 60 percent of couples are having some sort of sexual problems at any given minute
A woman’s largest sex organ is her brain
The need for healing when you’ve experienced sexual abuse
How Nancy processed and found healing from the sexual trauma she experienced
Porn vs sexual addiction and the need for therapy
God made us for intimacy
Letting go of the negative aspects you may have built up around the idea of sex
Raising our kids to have a healthy view of sexuality
1 Corinthians 7:3-5 and how it references sex in marriage
Having your hormones checked, exercise and eating healthy can help your body be prepared for sex
Having healthy conversations about sex with your husband (not during sex!)
Sex isn’t meant to be a performance, it’s meant to be a way for you and your husband to connect
Invite God into the sexual part of your marriage

Links Mentioned:

Nancy’s recommended books:

Celebration of Sex, by Doug Rosenau**
Sex Facts for the Family, by Clifford and Joyce Penner**
The Gift of Sex, by Clifford and Joyce Penner**
Coping with Erectile Dysfunction, by Michael Metz and Barry McCarthy**
Coping with Premature Ejaculation, by Michael Metz and Barry McCarthy**
Rekindling Desire, Barry and Emily McCarthy**
The Conquer Series for men struggling with sexual issues, a video series which can be purchased at Pure Desire Ministries
Pure Desire, by Dr. Ted Roberts**

**Amazon affiliate link

Corporate Working Moms Stacey Causha Ep 205 May 07, 2018

There is a lot of pressure placed on moms to nurture and care for our families. Add the responsibilities of a full-time job on top of that and it easy to see why being a mom is called the hardest job in the world.

My friends Causha Jolly and Stacey McCabe share about life as working moms and the difficult balance they maintain everyday. I love how they share their hearts about being obedient to God’s assignment for them to work outside the home even in the difficult season of mothering little ones.

As a community of God-centered moms, we’re called to cheer on our sisters. It’s my hope that this episode will encourage you to bless and support other moms as they obey God.

Remember who you are in Christ, remember that you are called, remember that you are a daughter of the most high and never doubt that.

(STAY TUNED. . .later this week I’ll release a blog post with more practical ideas on work/life balance from Causha)

What we chat about:

Causha and Stacy’s motherhood stories and why they chose to work outside the home
Why it’s harder for moms to travel and not worry about your kids vs. husbands traveling
How to respond when we fear we aren’t enough and struggle under the weight of expectations placed on moms
The difficulty of finding care for your kids while you work
The false internal judgement of good mom to bad mom scale
Feeling a divine assignment from God to be in a certain job
How it’s necessary to say, “No” to a lot when you have limited family time
The need to show grace for yourself so that you can have grace with your kids
Moms can’t be there every moment of every day, but Jesus will always be there
Teaching our kids to turn to Jesus to meet every one of their needs
Dealing with moments of insecurity as a working mom
When we judge a mom for her choices then we miss out on the blessing of supporting her in her obedience

Links Mentioned:

Kat Armstrong –Motherhood, Career and Identity [episode 171]
Courtney Smallbone–The Day Fear Died
Pine Cove Family Camp
Freakonomics by Steven Levitt**
Whisper by Mark Batterson**
Experiencing God by Blackaby**
Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer**

Centering Truth Lisa Bevere Ep 204 Apr 30, 2018

In her new book, New York Times bestselling author Lisa Bevere tackles the question, “What is truth?”. It is a defining question in our current age which is ruled by a shifting sea of opinions and a constantly changing culture. But, truth is person, Jesus. And, he is a Rock for his people.

When I began to look at this, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, they were looking for Christ’. The magnet that would draw, but not be drawn, the one who is light, this whole dynamic of being invincible, that’s what adamant means… invincible… it’s also immovable, constant, that rock who follows us in the wilderness… That word in Hebrew means, ‘an unassailable refuge’. That made me realize that Christ is our unassailable refuge.

Listen as Lisa shares wisdom and encouragement for moms, daughters and followers of Christ everywhere.

What we chat about:

Lisa’s background and testimony of meeting Jesus and her husband
Parenting, discipline and setting your children up to win
The power of positive affirmation in strong-willed children
Explaining the why behind the rules and connecting it to God’s word
Having grace for the season you are in as a mom
Prayers for your kids to go beyond where you are in your walk with Christ
Doing motherhood well is not the same as doing it perfectly
The meaning of adamant and the background on Lisa’s new book
Christ is our unassailable refuge, our rock, our adamant
We can’t love what God loves if we don’t hate what God hates
The danger of pride and how it separates us from God’s grace
Jesus is our pattern for how to love
You will never regret kindness and loving words
Bring in the word of God when you have disagreements

Links Mentioned:

Out Of Control And Loving It: Giving God Complete Control of Your Life**
Lizzy the Lioness**
Messenger International
Adamant : Finding Truth in a Universe of Opinions**

**Amazon affiliate link

Hope for Infertility and Infant Loss Shawna Beucler Ep 203 Apr 23, 2018

Losing a baby to miscarriage or later in pregnancy is heartbreaking, especially when you are struggling with infertility. Imagine experiencing that type of loss multiple times. My guest and friend, Shawna Beucler shares the story behind her two healthy sons and the many babies she can’t wait to see again in heaven.

If you’re walking through the journey of infertility or have a friend who is, Shawna shares so beautifully why you shouldn’t walk alone in these places of pain and the power of friends lifting you up in prayer every day.

We would not have gone through and survived that time in our life had we not had people praying for us around the clock. Because sometimes the anger and the heartbreak when your heart meets tragedy… there is no prayer you can form. I needed a break from the Lord and I had other people holding that connection for me.

What we chat about:

Struggling with infertility, medical interventions and trying to get pregnant
IUI, IVF and miscarriages
Feeling the door shutting on future pregnancies
The Lord wants us to desire to love and know him
Losing a final baby and the traumatic process of going through delivery
People praying for you made the difference
Why Shawna wants to share her story
The healing that can come from talking about the pain in your life
Keeping your marriage together in times of deep grief
1 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Psalm 27:14 – Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Luke 1:37 – For nothing will be impossible with God.
How to help a friend who is walking through infertility

Links Mentioned:

Faith for the Unexpected Christine Caine 202 Apr 16, 2018

Powerhouse Christine Caine shares how she let go of fear and found faith for when the unexpected happened. Lots of truth and encouragement here for anyone who has encountered fear in parenting, a medical diagnosis and rejection in friendships… so all of us!

Jesus never said we’re not going to have trials. He said when trials come, not if, but when. I think sometimes as believers we forget that, but we have a grace within it. I think part of our testimony to a lost and broken world is the way we go through it.

What we chat about:

Christine Caine’s new book, Unexpected
Emboldening our faith and letting go of fear in motherhood
Trusting that God will fill in the gaps of what we’re able to do as parents
Basic spiritual practices can be some of the most powerful things in our lives
Facing painful actualites in a fallen world
Christine’s reaction to her cancer diagnosis
Jesus is the name above all other names, including cancer
Having a “faith cocoon” of friends to encourage you in the face of fear
Enduring suffering as Christians
Giving in to the pain and fear and suffering is not the answer
We serve a God who is bigger!
Godly motherhood in this generation is harder than it’s ever been
Leaning in with a spirit of faith and not pulling back with a spirit of fear
We’re called to train our children up and not restrain their giftings
Dealing with rejection in friendship and moving forward

Links Mentioned:

**Amazon affiliate link

The Day Fear Died Courtney Smallbone Ep 201 Apr 09, 2018

The Bible tells of healings, miracles and the power of the Holy Spirit, but God’s power didn’t stop after the New Testament. Today’s guest Courtney Smallbone shares her personal story of God’s power in the hardest circumstances imaginable.

Supernatural healing is for today. Courtney’s story of finding freedom from anxiety and miraculous healing for her infant son is a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness.

As moms we have a lot of fear and anxiety. We carry a lot. We have these little people that we’re in charge of and discipling. It gets exhausting and hard. I felt like the Lord just filled me with himself. He has given me not the spirit of fear, but love and power and a sound mind. I needed a sound mind when I was dealing with anxiety. He has given us power through his Holy Spirit and we can walk that out as moms in everyday life.

What we chat about:

Courtney’s testimony of seeing God move in her life and health
How Courtney met her husband Luke Smallbone of For King and Country
The impact of Luke’s autoimmune disease on Courtney and her family
Dealing with anxiety and prescription medicine dependence
Getting freedom from the shame and finding healing holistically
The importance of community in the healing process
Why the church needs to embrace a holistic approach to healing and helping people be open about sharing their struggles
Courtney’s physical issues with her most recent pregnancy
The miracle of her son’s healing
Teaching our kids that prayer is powerful and effective and that God is real
Worshipping with your children invites them into a lifestyle of worship
Hearing God for others and the gift of the praying in the spirit

Links Mentioned:

“All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13
Lemierre’s Disease
for KING & COUNTRY
Compassion International
Colitis
Craniosynotosis
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Bethel worship
“Without You” (feat. Courtney)

The Entitlement Fix Jim Lynne Jackson Ep 200 Apr 02, 2018

Does it seem possible to draw our kids away from entitlement and toward the bigger “Yes” of God’s blessing for them and other people in their lives? Well, get excited because Jim and Lynne Jackson of Connected Families are back with parenting wisdom to address entitlement in our kids AND in ourselves.

We as parents feel entitled to grateful, hard working kids, and when we don’t get them an we have ungrateful, resistant-to-chores kids we get pretty upset. That shows that we feel entitled to how things go my way in the home. Instead of saying, ‘Oh! Wow we have some challenges here that I can partner with Jesus and really dive into.’

What we chat about:

Jim and Lynne Jackson introduce Connected Families and their parenting framework
The root of entitled behavior in our kids and the beliefs that back it up
Entitlement is the belief that I deserve something because I’m more important than someone else
Entitlement is about our sin nature and we’re all born into that
As believers we need to call out entitlement in our lives and choose to put God first
We as parents feel entitled to grateful, hard-working kids
The attitude we bring into parenting and our beliefs are reflected onto our kids
Helping our kids learn to work hard and celebrate accomplishments give them a dopamine burst in their brains that helps “rewire” them to want to work hard again
Letting go of the places we are coddling our kids by not expecting them to serve and do hard things
The “Bigger Yes” of God’s blessing for your kids and other people
Take it slow and consider your kid’s perspective as you make changes toward growing our kids out of entitlement
Determining the rights, privileges and responsibilities of your family
When our kids see the beliefs we fight for and see the joy we experience as we follow God and it inclines them to want that too

Links Mentioned:

Discipline and Toddlers Hailey Bain Meredith Woodruff Ep 199 Mar 26, 2018

Discipline. It’s such an important part of parenting and so hard. But, we don’t have to be alone on the journey. Join me as I sit down with two moms of littles from my church, Meredith and Hailey. We chat about the common struggles and questions that come up in disciplining young kids.

Our kids) have the opportunity to be saved by grace through faith just like we were, not by works and not by good parenting. But, it’s the consistency of the love and the safety. And when you have that and they do confess faith then you have the Holy Spirit on your side to do the convicting.

What we chat about:

Discipline can be a struggle, but we’re not alone in this journey
Ask yourself, “Will it matter in 10 years?”
Focusing on making our children feel safe
The child that’s annoying you the most, you should hug the most even though it’s the opposite of your instinct
A lot of the anger that comes up in us as moms comes from unresolved issues in us, not just our kids’ behavior
Mommy Time, getting intentional focused time with each child
During the 0-5 ages, kids change so much it’s difficult to keep up with the huge developmental changes they are undergoing
Leaning into the Holy Spirit when we need to make a decision in parenting to avoid letting fear and insecurity win
It’s hard to know what the realistic expectations are for obedience at different ages
Don’t sabotage the good in pursuit of the great
Disciplining in public requires different tools, take steps to set your kids up to win
Your kids will be saved by grace through faith and not through perfect parenting
God’s kindness leads us to repentance, so we need to discipline with kindness as well
Grace for parenting changes when you add a new baby to your family

More Episodes on Discipline:

Links Mentioned:

Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson**
Celebrate Recovery
Recovery for Life book– “Steps into God’s Grace” by Lynn Hoffmann**
Mommy Time Idea
Amy McCready
Making Easter Personal for Preschoolers

**Amazon Affiliate link. At no extra cost to you a portion of your purchase will go back to support the God Centered Mom Podcast.

A Declaration of Interdependence Sharifa Stevens Ep 198 Mar 19, 2018

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Social Media Heart Check Eryn Hall Ep 197 Mar 12, 2018

Staying up-to-date on social media can so easily turn into an hour of lost time scrolling on our phones that leaves us discontent and disconnected with the ones we love the most. It’s a struggle most of us deal with in this digital age we’re in, and I’ve brought in my friend Eryn Hall to give us practical tips and encouragement on how to do social media well.

My highlight reel is going to look different than someone else’s highlight reel and that’s how it should be. We need to accept that and rest in the Lord. The grace and goodness I have and my acceptance, my identity is found in him and not in someone else’s social media.

If limiting your own screen time is something you struggle with, check out the apps in the show notes below to start monitoring your time. Ask a friend or GCM podcast club member to check in with you for accountability. Let’s live our lives for God and for our families first, not just for the social media posts.

What we chat about:

How to do social media from a Godly worldview
Recognizing how social media makes us feel and doing a heart check
Learning to rest in God’s approval and not in the approval of social media
Stepping away and asking God, “Is this for me?” before responding to a place of potential jealousy
Paying attention to whether we are finding our identity in God or in social media
Boundaries we’ve put in place on social media
Not looking at social media first thing in the morning and starting our day off in prayer so we are secure in who God says we are
Healthy switches for spending your time on something other than social media
Staying present with your kids with boundaries on your device usage
Not immediately posting a picture of an event or activity and checking your “why” behind the photos and posts
Be sure of who you are and whose you are before you post
A cool story about how someone came to Jesus after reading God’s word on social media
Being digital evangelists and staying faithful to the message of who God is

Links Mentioned:

Moment App for iPhone
Quality Time App for Android
Declare Conference
Liz Griffin Instagram
Joy is on the Other Side of the Screen (post Eryn mentioned she wrote)

The Right to Change My Mind Bruce Heather Ep 196 Mar 05, 2018

Life is full of decisions. We do our best to choose wisely and follow God’s lead. Sometimes God leads us in a different direction. It doesn’t always make “sense” in the moment. And it definitely isn’t easy to share those changes with others.

It’s been over a year since we’ve given you a glimpse behind the scenes. In that time A LOT has happened in our world: new job, school shifts, adopting & “re-homing” a puppy. So I’m bringing my hubby Bruce back on the show to share one concept he’s used at work for years and he has helped me process the last year of change.

In this episode Bruce and I let you in on the thought process behind our life choices. Hoping this conversation will allow you grace to change your mind without the fear of what others think.

I reserve the right to change my mind and not have to explain it to you, but every person who hears about it wants to know the whole story. What I’ve found is people want to know the should. Every time I talk to a mom, they are feeling this pressure to get it all right, so then when they hear a story that doesn’t work out or where you changed your mind they are trying to analyze the rightness of it.

What we chat about:

What’s happened in the MacFadyen family in the past year
Bruce’s current business, Door Real Estate Brokerage
The mantra, “I always reserve the right to change my mind”
Making the decision to send one of our sons back to school after a semester of homeschooling
What happened with our dog
Giving yourself freedom to change your mind
Being gracious to others who change their minds
Why we need to give our kids and ourselves permission to make mistakes
Working to create an environment at home where it’s okay to change your mind and make mistakes
In all of the decisions in life it’s about balance and listening to God’s voice

Links Mentioned:

Sinners Married to Sinners Cheryl Scruggs Jae Carpenter Ep 195 Feb 26, 2018

It’s not all sunshine and roses in marriage, even when both you and your husband follow Jesus. My guests today share about one of the most painful possibilities in a marriage —infidelity.

My friend Jae tells her story of learning her husband had an affair and the work God did in both of their lives to restore their marriage. Licensed professional counselor Cheryl Scruggs shares about her infidelity, divorce, and eventual re-marriage, along with a lot of practical advice and scriptures she learned in the seven years she was separated from her husband.

The main takeaway? HOPE. There is hope for your marriage. It’s not easy, because we’re all sinners, but God can heal and restore us when we surrender it all to him.

For all of us in marriage, I think it’s important that we are paying attention. In John 10:10 it says that the thief comes kill, steal and destroy, but I have come to give you life and life abundantly. God wants us to have a great marriage, not easy, not perfect. But it’s really understanding we’re both sinners and how are we going to walk this walk together in this relationship as a sinner married to a sinner.

**If you are in a relationship where you or your children have been physically abused, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or http://www.thehotline.org.

What we chat about:

Cheryl Scruggs and Jae share their marriage stories.
Discovering God’s plans for marriage.
Hope for restoration in marriage even after an affair.
How do you know if God is asking you to stay in a marriage?
Trusting God with your spouse and being open to what he wants to teach you and show you.
Understanding our role as a wife God has called you to be.
Recognizing the situations where it’s necessary to leave a marriage (physical safety, lifestyle of infidelity).
It takes time for healing in marriage.
Physical intimacy throughout marriage conflicts.
Balancing advice from friends and family with what God wants for your marriage.
Biblical roles in marriage.

Scriptures Mentioned:

- Eph. 3:20 – Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us
- Matthew 19:26 – Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
- Deuteronomy 8:1-10 – Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands… For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land. [read full passage]
- John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Links Mentioned:

Praying the Scriptures Jodie Berndt Ep 194 Feb 19, 2018

We know that God’s word is living and active. Today’s guest Jodie Berndt takes us through using Bible verses as prayers that can powerfully influence your children’s lives.

There is so much encouragement in this episode for standing on the truth of God’s word and relying on scripture to help shape your children, teens and adult children. Of course, we as moms can’t help but be changed when we hide his word in our hearts and pray them over our family.

We know that he is a loving God who knows our needs and our kids’ needs better than we know them. So when we lift our children to him and surrender them, he’s going to do for them what he knows they need. It might not be necessarily in the timing or the ways that he would’ve ordained, but in Isaiah 55 it says that his ways are higher and better than our ways. When we come to believe that, it can really bring peace to our lives.

What we chat about:

Using God’s word for prayers is powerful.
There isn’t a need we’ll face in parenting that God hasn’t provided for in his word.
Specific scriptures to pray for your child’s salvation
Asking God what we can nurture and pray for in each child’s unique giftings
God will accomplish the changes in your child’s character. Our job is to partner with him.
Praying against fear and for protection
Asking God to shape your children into good friends
Processing popular media with your kids and discussing how it aligns or doesn’t align with a Godly world view
The power of having others pray for your kids in community
When prayers aren’t answered the way we want, God is still writing their stories.
Free resources available at https://jodieberndt.com/resources

Scriptures Mentioned:

Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
John 15:7 – If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Psalm 121:7-8 – The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Acts 26:18 – Open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
Colossians 3:12 – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Philippians 2:13 – for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Psalm 91:11 – For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
Proverbs 17:17 – Shape my child into a friend who loves at all times
Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 16:28 – A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

Links Mentioned:

Free resources available at https://jodieberndt.com/resources
Praying the Scriptures for Your Children **
Praying the Scriptures for Your Teenagers**
Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children**

How God Personally Pursues and Redeems Jenn Jett Ep 193 Feb 12, 2018

After 15 years of marriage, Jenn Jett experienced the pain of divorce. But in that place of brokenness, she felt peace that God would redeem and heal her as she said, “Yes” to him.

Listen as she shares her story about how the Lord pursued her, fought for her and surprised her more than she expected with his redeeming love.

The Lord called me to himself and said, ‘Your hope does not need to be in the success of your marriage, it needs to be in me.’ We are so motivated by measures of success and we can look at our circumstances and either feel great or responsible and shameful.

What we chat about:

Jenn’s story of brokeness and pain in marriage and divorce
Redefining redemption from God’s perspective
Marriage and motherhood can become idols
Saying Yes to the things of God can take us on an adventure
The importance of community and friends as we process lies we’re believing
The power of prayer and learning not to hold back in prayer
Healing and restoration is possible even after what feels like a catastrophe
The Lord pursues and fights for us through multiple ways
Scripture: Isaiah 61 & 62
Finding our identity in Christ is so key before we have a hard life situation

“31 Days for Prayer for the Dreamer and Doer“** Links Mentioned:

“Power of the Praying Wife”**
Exodus 14:14
Lost Valley Ranch
Israel Collective
Val Marie Paper –Prayer Journal
Enneagram — The Road Back to You**
Kat Armstrong — Ep 171 Motherhood, Career & Identity
Camp Well Summit Instagram
Camp Well Summit Spring 2018
Red Sea Rules by Robert Morgan**
Red Sea Road with Ellie Holcomb

Manage Your Life with Guilt-Free Confidence Christy Wright Ep 192 Feb 05, 2018

Get ready for a huge pep talk from one of today’s biggest business personalities, Christy Wright. She shares some of her story and a whole lot of encouragement for women whether you own a business or not.

If you struggle with guilt for taking time for yourself or prioritizing your time and saying no, Christy gives wisdom and practical advice to help you reframe your situation and move forward with confidence and kindness.

What we chat about:

Christy’s story of growing up with a single working mom who owned a business.
Letting go of mom guilt and looking at time away from our kids as healthy and necessary.
One of the most powerful things you can show your kids is how you take care of yourself.
Never say anything about yourself that you don’t want your kids to say about themselves.
Getting on the same page with your spouse about taking time away.
Decision making paradigm shift and protecting your time.
How to say “no” with confidence and kindness.
Prioritizing your time around your goals, family and what you enjoy.
An honest ‘no’ is better than a dishonest ‘yes’.
The imposter syndrome and how it impacts women and high achievers.
Take the first step even when you are fearful and it will start momentum to do even bigger things.
Making baby steps to move out of a “stuck” place.

Questions to ask to help identify your strengths:

What do you enjoy?
What is effortless for you?
Where do you excel in relation to others?
What do others encourage in you?
What gives you energy?

“Business Boutique”**: Links Mentioned:

Propel Conference
Christy Wright’s Business Boutique podcast
Darkest Hour–Winston Churchill Movie
One Day Business Boutique Events

A Safe Place to Share Messy Stories Jamie Ivey Ep 191 Jan 29, 2018

When she got married, Jamie Ivey became a pastor’s wife. Stepping into this role made her feel there was no one who she could be fully open with about her past. But, keeping these secrets kept her in shame and insecurity.

In her new book, If You Only Knew**, she shares how opening up about her past revealed the beauty of God’s grace in her life and about the freedom it has brought her and others.

(If you want to hear my “If You Only Knew” story about anxiety and anger, check it out over on Jamie’s “The Happy Hour” podcast.)

What we chat about:

Jamie Ivey’s story reconciling her past with her Christian walk.
How sharing your story can show the beauty of God’s grace and redemption.
Examining our underlying motivation for decisions.
We are not in control of our kids’ salvation and that is a good thing!
How to find a friend who is safe to share your full story with and how to be that type of friend.
We can have compassion for the broken when we realize that it’s only by the grace of God we haven’t made bigger mistakes.
Bringing discipline with your kids back around to the Gospel because that’s where the freedom lies.
The importance of community and allowing others to speak truth into our lives when we fall into places of shame and guilt.
God sees the righteousness of Jesus and not our shame when he looks at us.
When to tell our kids about our stories and how important it is to talk about sex and places of sin in our homes first.

“If You Only Knew” book **: Links Mentioned:

Mary Flo Ridley & Megan Michelson — Episode 153– Continuing the Conversation (Birds & Bees)
The Birds & Bees, So Help Me Please — Mary Flo Ridley
Celebrate Recovery
Steps into God’s Grace by Lynn Hoffman**
Recovery for Life –Lynn Hoffman Episode 129

Set Free From Shame Jeannie Cunnion Ep 190 Jan 22, 2018

So much of parenting is really about the work God is doing in our own hearts. Jeannie Cunnion shares her story of being set free from the shame of her past and learning to let go of performance-based parenting.

If you feel there IS something that separates you from the love of God, this is the episode for you. Jeannie shares encouraging truth and practical applications for giving ourselves and our kids grace.

What we chat about:

Why we need to be set free from shame of our pasts to live in the freedom of Christ.
Jeannie’s story of a painful, short-lived marriage and the shame she carried from it.
What performance-based parenting looks like.
Shame-driven messages vs. grace-driven messages.
We all have things that we believe will separate us from God, but he says nothing will separate us.
Research about children who grow up in Christian homes.
The importance of talking to our children about our failings and God’s grace.
Creating a home of confession instead of a home of perfection.
Acknowledge that we’re all going to make mistakes and that’s ok.
Jeannie’s Three R’s: Remember, Rely and Recognize

Links Mentioned:

Rest for the Exhausted mom September McCarthy Ep 189 Jan 15, 2018

As an author, event planner, teacher, wife, mom of 10 and grandmother to 2, September McCarthy has plenty to fill her days. She relates to the universal exhaustion on our mom souls–the beating ourselves up and the fighting for joy.

September has so much wisdom to share from what God has taught her in seasons of busyness and motherhood in different stages.

Listen as we go through questions from GCM listeners on motherhood topics including finding joy in the hard times, the value of rest and bringing your children alongside you in your work as a mom.

As moms we are going to be tired. Might as well be tired over the things that bring you joy. And choose those things.

What we chat about:

September’s motherhood story including miscarriages & infant loss.
Answers to questions from moms like you.
Focusing less on feeling the joy in your days and more on gratitude.
When you are in the busy seasons of life, be cautious what you take on. Ask yourself, do I need to do this?
Not letting our “fear of missing out” for children direct our decisions.
The importance of guarding our thoughts and taking negative thoughts captive.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
There is value and strength in rest and doing what God wants for your body.
Find one to two moms who can help you when you need it.
Let go of feeling like you need to everything well and enjoy it.
Bringing your kids into you work as a mom and encouraging them to work as a team.
Tips on teaching character to kids who want your attention all the time.

Links Mentioned:

Hope for the Struggling Mom September McCarthy on Episode 15
Why Motherhood Matters book **
Start a GCM Podcast Club
Parenting Scripts by Wendy Speake & Amber Lia**
What Triggers Your Angry Reaction Episode with Amber Lia

Quiet Your Inner Critic and Practice Self-Compassion Kim Fredrickson Ep 188 Jan 08, 2018

If you’ve ever ended the day feeling like a failure and critiquing every misstep, then this episode on practicing self-compassion is for you.

As a licensed marriage and family therapist and life coach, Kim Fredrickson has counseled and taught others about self-compassion for years. When she received an unexpected terminal diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, a rare side-effect of the treatment she had received for breast cancer, she wrote a book to leave for her children on giving that same compassion to the grandchildren she may never meet.

When people feel ashamed, they blame other people because they feel like if I really look at my shame then I’m going to collapse inside. That’s why self-compassion is desperately important because kids feel shame a lot. They fail at everything at the start.

What we chat about:

Kim’s story of receiving a devastating diagnosis after completing treatment for breast cancer
How she’s chosen to spend the years she has left with her family
The new book she wrote for when her children have kids called “Give Your Kids a Break: Parenting with Compassion for You and Your Children”
How it’s a process to develop a compassionate inner voice
Applying grace and truth to every situation in our lives
Variety of temperaments–some that are harder on themselves than others.
The difference between self-compassion and self-pity
Encouraging your children to practice self-compassion and reinforcing it by showing ourselves that same
Giving our kids the language to identify their failings and separate them from their self- worth
Moms have a really hard job. It’s ok to acknowledge that.
The importance of taking care of ourselves as moms
How to talk to your kids after you’ve been hard on yourself and reframing it with self compassion

Links Mentioned:

Kristi Clover — Simply Joyful Podcast
Give Your Kids a Break : Parenting with Compassion for You and Your Children **
Give Yourself a Break **
Compassionate Self-Statements and Self-Soothing Exercises (CD and download)
Kind and Compassionate Words to Soothe Your Soul (Download)

Empowering Refugee Women Stephanie Giddens Ep 187 Nov 27, 2017

It’s painful when our dreams fall apart. Stephanie Giddens shares how although her family’s dream to move to Africa didn’t work out, God gave her an even bigger dream for the refugee community in her own city. The God assigned her the privilege of building Vickery Trading Company. A company that provides for families, empowers refugee women and bridges cultural divides.

The GREAT news is you can be a part of empowering women by purchasing any of the sewn items! The BEST news is, they not only have adorable dresses for little girls, for a limited time they have holiday lounge pants for men, women and children!!! (Check them out here)

What we chat about:

The surprising twists and turns in Stephanie’s family’s story.
Grieving over the death a dream and not understanding the “why” behind bad circumstances.
We as believers get the privilege of being a part of God’s story.
How Stephanie is helping refugees in Dallas with her children’s clothing company, Vickery Trading Co.
The struggle that refugees face when they come to America.
Stories of hope God has orchestrated with the refugees Stephanie works with
Building community among people of different cultures by focusing on the commonalities we all have as people.
English is one of the biggest barriers for refugees.
How focusing on what is going well and on encouragement can make a big difference in your outlook on life.

Links Mentioned:

Vickery Trading Company –special coupon code for GCM listeners: GCM15 for 15% off!!

Unashamed Parenting Tracy Levinson Ep 186 Nov 19, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Don't Mom Alone GCM Live Event Kat Lee Wynter Pitts Ep 185 Nov 13, 2017

Jump into this special episode from the God Centered Mom “Live” event held November 3 to celebrate four years of the GCM podcast. Guests, Kat Lee & Wynter Pitts share about mentorship, friendship and dealing with fear and insecurity in motherhood.

What we chat about:

Kat Lee and Wynter Pitts’ motherhood stories
Dealing with insecurities in motherhood
The importance of having mentors and deep friends in the motherhood journey
Mentors don’t have to be older than you or available weekly. Find a way to make mentorship work for you.
Think of areas you are struggling with and look for someone who excels in that area to mentor you, no matter their age
Start or join a GCM podcast club as a way to connect with other women
You can be a mentor too! Look for younger moms who need encouragement.
We are never alone because God is with us, but it’s hard to remember that when life gets crazy. Kat and Wynter share what helps them remember God in the midst of life.
“Should is not a sustainable why.” Don’t just do things you SHOULD do if you don’t have a good reason for WHY.
Helping your kids develop healthy friendships and community
Not trying to over control your children’s lives and praying through how involved you should be in their friendships
Hope for dealing with irrational fears and grief
Giving yourself permission to be honest with God when you aren’t coping well and realizing that he is good despite your circumstances

Links for the above sponsors:
- Katie Orr–Focused15 studies (Ep 101)
- Light Em Up Gifts by Courtney DeFeo (Ep 50 & Ep 131)
- Write the Word Journals by Cultivate What Matters Shop (Ep 146)
- Revell and Baker Books
Thank you to Giveaway Sponsors:
- Birds & Bees (Ep 25 & 153)
- Star from Afar (Ep 142)
- Waterloo Style
- Anchor of Hope Box
- Thomas Lettering Company
- Rad Joy (surrender cross & prayer cards)
Music sung by Elena Pitts—“Even when it hurts” by Hillsong UNITED
“HelloMornings” Book* by Kat Lee
Start a GCM Podcast Club
Paul David Tripp’s devotional, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional **
Barefoot Dreams Bamboo Lite Wrap** (aka “The Blardigan”)
She Is Yours: Trusting God As You Raise the Girl He Gave You ** by Wynter Pitts

Behind the Chewbacca Mask Candace Payne Ep 184 Nov 06, 2017

Remember THAT viral video? You know, the one where the mom wears the Chewbacca mask? Her contagious laugh was heard all over the interwebs. Today my friend and vodcast host, Kay Wyma, and I are thrilled to chat with the one and only Chewbacca Mom, Candace Payne.

Listen in as Candace gives us a glimpse into more of her story. And talks about finding satisfying joy in all of life’s circumstances.

Happiness brings instant gratification based on things that happen to us… Joy’s that thing that satisfies and lasts beyond [circumstances].

What we chat about:

How joy informs who we are “behind the mask.”
Finding joy in the little things… like a Chewbacca mask in the clearance aisle of Kohl’s.
Overcoming adversity by choosing positivity.
The two types of joy and where we can find true satisfaction.
Changing a “never” list to an “always” list.
Choosing hope over fear, and thriving even when the worst-case happens.
What can happen when you stop living in anxiety.
Fighting comparison, the frenemy of joy.

Links Mentioned:

How the Gospel Pulls Us Travis Thisl Tyler Ep 183 Oct 30, 2017

Born four days apart in 1977, Travis (aka “Thi’sl”) and I didn’t choose where or to whom we were born. But God did. And He placed us in very different homes and stories. Yet the gospel intersected both of our lives, pulled us forward and continues to pull us.

Granted, Travis’ transformation is a lil more interesting and dramatic than mine. But we both were sinners in need of a Savior. And around our 40th birthdays, our paths crossed with an invitation for a trip to Israel.

After hearing bits & pieces of Travis’ story while on our trip and then hearing him perform and share his testimony at a concert. . .I knew I had to share “Thi’sl” with y’all.

In this episode you’ll gain hope for any loved one or situation you think is “too far gone” for God to redeem. You’ll be reminded that God is in the business of rescuing and making things right. And that God fights for you (which ironically my pastor reminded us of yesterday). You can drop your weapons of control. You can surrender your way and follow God’s way. And believe God is for you and He CAN free you (spoiler alert: just like how He actually freed Travis from prison!!).

(Here’s a little pic with some of my fam and me visiting Thi’sl before his concert)

At the end of the interview Travis shares 3 questions he answers in his book, “Against All Odds”:

What is my identity. What am I living for? Am I too far gone for God to use me?

Here are his answers:

You’re not too far gone. God created you for a purpose. God made you in His image.

Boom.

Connect with Thi’sl:

Links Mentioned:

“Against All Odds” by Travis Tyler**
“Against All Odds : Life Application” by Travis Tyler
Flame–Clear Sight Music
HogMob
Sevin (click on this link and also hear him preach!)
“Tears” by Thi’sl & Ellie Holcomb (Ellie on GCM Podcast listen here)

When your child is on the autism spectrum part two Terri Conlin Ep 182 Oct 24, 2017

What we chat about:

How friends can support and love a family whose child has autism.
What to do when your child doesn’t get invited to birthday parties.
Facilitating friendships for your child with autism.
How to help them get through puberty.
How to talk to your child about their diagnosis.
How do you know the difference between a symptom of autism and behavior needing discipline.
What can your expectations be in teaching your child with autism about Jesus?

Biblical Counseling Resources:

Links Mentioned:

When Your Child is on the Autism Spectrum Part One Terri Conlin Ep 182 Oct 23, 2017

Don’t you wish you could chat with an older mom who’s been there? Who knows what its like to care for and deal with the needs of a child with autism? Well, today I’m bringing that person to you!

Terri Conlin is the mom to four grown children. One of her sons (now 23 years old) was diagnosed as a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She’s here to provide her story. The challenges and the triumphs. The places of help and of heartache.

Y’all shared wonderful questions with me via Instagram. Thank you for letting me know what’s been hard for you. Thank you for wanting to help your friends who have children on the spectrum. Once again, my hope is to learn you’re not alone.

(Stay tuned for part two of our conversation, which will go live on Wednesday, Oct 25th).

What we chat about:

Getting the diagnosis of autism.
How Terri meditated on the Psalms to put faith back in God when spit at/punched/kicked.
Recognizing the grief therapy she and her husband needed.
The impact of autism on the entire family.
Learning to slow their pace down.
Helping siblings cope.
How a mentor encouraged her and eased her loneliness.

Biblical Counseling Resources:

Thinking Differently About Sabbath :: Shelly Miller [Ep 181] Oct 16, 2017

You may know you “should” keep the Sabbath. And perhaps you then get stuck on “how”. Hopefully this episode will remove the shameful burden of “should” and shift the question from “how” to “who”. Shelly Miller, author of Rhythms of Rest, joins me in helping you develop a rhythm to cease from work and celebrate true rest in Jesus.

But what does sabbath rest look like specifically for young moms and those in ministry? Listen in as Shelly talks through the difference between routines and rhythms, and Jesus’ call to embrace what is easy and light.

What we chat about:

What does it mean to practice sabbath in 2017?
Separating the sabbath from rules and regulations, and embracing what is “easy and light.”
The way we rest is unique to who we are, and may be different from how even our family members find rest.
Prioritizing rest as a family and coming up with a plan for how each family member can practice sabbath.
The main goal isn’t a set amount of time or even a day, but setting apart time time to rest
Discovering the difference between routines and rhythms.
How planning and preparation impact our ability to rest.
Advice for the mom whose family is uninterested in implementing the sabbath.
Finding like-minded community in Shelly’s Sabbath Society.

Links Mentioned:

Rhythms of Rest by Shelly Miller **
Sabbath Society
Carey Bailey — Life Coach
Emily P. Freeman — The Next Right Thing Podcast

Freedom from Anxiety Ashley Willis Ep 180 Oct 09, 2017

Scripture tells us to ‘cast our cares upon the Lord’. But how do we practically obey that command while gripped by the stronghold of anxiety? Today I’m talking with Ashley Willis about battling anxiety, a topic she’s experienced first hand.

Whether you’ve experienced anxiety personally or not, chances are someone in your life will. Listen as Ashley discusses practical ways to get to the root of anxiety, and how to fight fear with the truth of God’s Word.

We’re answering the questions you shared with me over on Instagram. Questions about whether anxiety is a sin, when/if medication should be used, how to help a spouse who is anxious and several other questions. Thank you for being brave in sharing your stories with me. You are not alone.

What we chat about:

Is a Christian’s struggle with anxiety a form of sin?
Coping with anxiety by understanding the lies the mind believes and replacing those lies with the truth of God’s Word.
When to address anxiety with Christian counseling and medication, if necessary.
How do we practically obey the command of casting our cares upon the Lord?
Wrestling with the decision to take medication for anxiety and depression.
The importance of addressing the root of anxiety and not just the symptoms.
Fighting anxiety by reciting Scripture and praying out loud.
How to come alongside family members battling anxiety.
The importance of talking openly about anxiety in safe contexts, especially as moms.
Keeping the fear of “what-if’s” from overrunning our lives.
Jesus’ example of spending time alone to commune with His Father.

Biblical Counseling Resources:

Links Mentioned:

31 Verses and Prayers for the Anxious Mind and Heart**
Emotional Milestones :: Interview with Sissy Goff & David Thomas (Ep 160)
ADHD :: Sarah Furlich (Ep 165)
Video of Dave Willis giving Sermon on the Mount (click here to watch if reading via email):

How to Discern God's Will and Stick With It :: Tricia Goyer [Ep 179] Oct 02, 2017

You clearly heard God’s call. But why is obeying Him sometimes so difficult? In today’s interview my longtime friend and renowned author, Tricia Goyer, discusses obeying the Lord even when it isn’t easy, and how He blesses the faithfulness of His children.

Listen as Tricia discusses the unique way the Lord grew her family through unplanned pregnancies, biological children, foster care, and adoption. You’ll love her honesty and transparency as she shares the hard moments that had her questioning decisions, and the way the Lord has blessed her family along the way.

What we chat about:

Obeying the Lord’s call to adopt (again and again and again) even after feeling “finished”
Taking a break from speaking and writing to shepherd her daughters as they healed from past trauma.
The sacrifice of stepping away from public ministry to focus on personal ministry at home.
Understanding God’s heart and direction for our lives by spending time in His Word and in prayer
Being called to multiple ministries and projects
Seeing a need that coincides with God’s commands from His Word
Trusting God while navigating His direction for our lives
Obeying God even when it’s hard and you find yourself asking, “why did I do this?”
Reaching out to our support systems when walking through hard providence
Finding beauty in the chaos and being thankful for the hard times
Moses communed with God face to face despite being called to a seemingly impossible
The importance of steadfast obedience even though we want a quick fix
The legacy we pass to our children when they see us obey the Lord despite difficulty

Links Mentioned:

Drop the Superwoman Myth :: Jessica Honegger [Ep 178] Sep 24, 2017

Mom and entrepreneur Jessica Honegger shares a bit of her story behind starting her business Noonday Collection and a whole lot of truth about partnering with God in both motherhood AND entrepreneurship.

This has definitely been a journey where God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called. I didn’t have a background in fashion or an MBA, but I have always been passionate about bringing justice for the poor and more opportunities to those in our midst who haven’t had as much opportunities.

Jump into her story with me and get ready for real-talk about letting go of cultural norms and superwoman myths and finding freedom in who God says you are.

It’s just the pep talk we need to do the things God has called us to do and not sit any longer in fear, insecurity and comparison. "Get up and go!!"

What we chat about:

The background story of Noonday Collection.
How Jessica started her business when her children were small and struggled with the definition of a “good mom”.
Finding freedom knowing there wasn’t a dichotomy between being a mom and a businesswoman.
Focusing on what helps your individual family flourish instead of following others’ paths
Getting clarity from God on who he says you are brings healing and gives us freedom to pursue the work he has for us.
God has not called us to just sit and pray, but to go and be out in the world doing his work.
Stopping the superwoman myth and admitting we need help in areas of life, especially in areas we aren’t gifted in or don’t enjoy.
Creating the spaces and community we need--focusing on what you have.
How to support friends who run small businesses.
Stories of people whose lives have been impacted by Noonday Collection.

Hope When Hit a Financial Bottom Erin Odom Ep 177 Sep 17, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Gospel Parenting Paul David Tripp Ep 176 Sep 09, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

When You Feel Unseen Sara Hagerty Ep 175 Sep 03, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

When Your Wounded Soul Needs a Smiling God :: Lisa Harper [Ep 174] Aug 28, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Its Not about the Food Ep 173 Carrie Angie Aug 21, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Rescuing the Girl in You Chrystal Hurst Ep 172 Aug 14, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Summer of Mentorship Week Six Grammie Jul 26, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Summer of Mentorship Week 5 Lisa Appelo Jul 26, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Summer of Mentorship Wk 4 Susan Seay Jul 22, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Summer of Mentorship Week 3 Jeannie Cunnion Jul 07, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Summer of Mentorship Wk 2 Bonni Greiner Jul 05, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Summer of Mentorship 1 Vickie Kraft Jul 02, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Motherhood, Career & Identity Kat Armstrong Ep 171 Jun 26, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Help When You Feel Weak Lisa Whittle Ep 170 Jun 19, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Power of a Father's Blessing Jeff Henderson Jun 12, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Broken to Bold Mo Isom Ep 168 Jun 05, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

The Chivalry Movement Heather Haupt Ep 167 May 28, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Raising Rock Stars on a Firm Foundation :: Helen Smallbone [Ep 166] May 20, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

ADHD :: Sara Furlich [Ep 165] May 15, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Choosing Real Over Fine :: Rachel Martin [Ep 164] May 08, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Perspective From Pastor's Kid & Single Parent Barnabas Piper Ep 163 May 01, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Pornography Josh and Jimmy Myers Pairadocs Ep 162 Apr 23, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Extravagant Time with Jesus Charity Reeb Ep 161 Apr 17, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Emotional Milestones Sissy Goff David Thomas Ep 160 Apr 07, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Healing Friendship Wounds Lisa-Jo Baker Ep 159 Apr 02, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Grounded Joy Ellie Holcomb Ep 158 Mar 20, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Why Israel Matters to Moms Josh Ahrens Ep 157 Mar 17, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Building the Family You Never Had Mary DeMuth Ep 156 Mar 09, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

What's Your Wifestyle :: Jen Weaver [Ep 155] Mar 06, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Shame, Perfectionism & Smiling Depression :: Misty and Stephanie [Ep 154] Feb 27, 2017

Today I’ve invited two gals to the kitchen table. We’re chatting about some good-hard topics. Like a good workout, this was a conversation we did and didn’t want to have.

Praise the Lord, “shame” is no longer taboo. More and more people are willing to be vulnerable and share their struggles. And women are finding freedom from the thoughts of unworthiness replaying in their minds.

Since I’m confident Brene Brown’s research and writings stimulated this movement. Here are her words on the topic:

I define shame as the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging – something we’ve experienced, done, or failed to do makes us unworthy of connection. I don’t believe shame is helpful or productive.

In this conversation, Misty, Stephanie & I talk about how often inward shame leads to outward perfectionism. And eventually that can lead to (a new-to-me term) smiling depression.

As women of faith we can take our thoughts of unworthiness and exchange them for the Truth of what Christ has done for us. We can rest in His worthiness on our behalf. And rest in God’s pleasure over us. Believing He is for us and there is nothing we can do to earn or lose His love.

Thank you Misty for being brave and sharing your story. Thank you Stephanie for sharing your own struggles and professional insight. May we show one another grace and freedom, so that no one suffers alone. May more women gather around tables and have similar conversations (sign up here to host a GCM podcast club).

In this hour we chat about:

Inner shame talk and the burden of unworthiness.
Smiling depression
Believing the lie of not good enough
Becoming aware of our striving to gain worth.
What steps to take in healing shame/perfectionism/depression.
Finding safe community to be vulnerable.
Allowing a counselor to help you find more freedom.
What makes someone move through shame and why do others get stuck in it.
How shame impacts 17-24 year olds.
Two practical activities to increase awareness of other’s love and God’s love towards you.

Birds and Bees (Continuing the Conversation) :: Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson [Ep 153] Feb 20, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Living with Every Heartbeat Surrendered :: Julie Manning [Ep 152] Feb 13, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Leading Our Kids to Know Nearness of God's Love :: Sheila Walsh [Ep151] Feb 04, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Grace Based Discipline :: Karis Kimmel Murray [Ep 150] Jan 27, 2017

I know I should parent with grace (a.k.a. “unmerited favor”). But I struggle with how to combine grace & discipline.

When a little guy smacks his brother upside the head, I don’t want to ignore it or explode over it. But I could use some help with alternative responses to be “my best when my kids are at their worst”.

This week’s guest, Karis Kimmel Murray, grew up in the original grace-based home. Her father, Dr. Tim Kimmel, literally wrote the book on grace-based parenting.** As a mom to two girls, Karis knows the challenges of showing both unmerited favor and appropriate boundaries. Particularly since one of her daughters has been diagnosed with ADHD. (I adore reading parenting books by moms who get it!).

In this episode Karis and I talk through some practical ways to approach misbehavior, like her “Basket Method” and “The 10 Year Rule”.

“Those behaviors come from your child but they don’t define your child. It’s not who they are it’s what they are doing right now.”

We also talk about discovering how each family member is wired, using their Kid’s Flag system. And being clear about the rules and expectations in your home. Not making household preferences on par with Biblical/moral law. Her analogy of being a calm “first responder” will stick with me.

Fortunately, Karis has written all these tips and concepts down in a very relatable and hilarious guide called, “Grace-Based Discipline”.

What we chat about:

The 10-year rule
The theology of parenting
Legalism vs. License vs. Grace
Karis’ fun “mathematician” analogy
Handling discipline crises like first responders
The Basket Strategy
What does atonement have to do with discipline?
What country flag does each family member fly?
Clarifying family rules
Differentiating household rules from moral/Biblical rules
Karis’ daughter’s diagnosis of ADHD and how it impacted discipline
The level of offense and the “sushi menu” of consequences

Links Mentioned:

Family Matters Ministry
Grace-Based Discipline (Kindle version)**
Grace-Based Discipline (hardback)
Grace-Based Parenting** by Dr. Tim Kimmel
Kids Flag Page
Karis’ Facebook page and Instagram

**Amazon Affiliate Link

Loving Your Different Child :: Sally and Nathan Clarkson [Ep 149] Jan 23, 2017

“God didn’t give me a child so I could tell Him exactly my expectations of how that child should be. You have to say ‘God show me how to love the child you gave me and how to release him within his limitations and personalities into their world as a healthy human being.'”

-Sally Clarkson.

You’ve heard Sally come on the podcast and share how to own your life (Ep 54) and how to create a life-giving home (Ep 107). Today she’s back on the show with her adult son, Nathan Clarkson. This time we’re talking about learning to love our kids’ outside-the-box differences. Trusting mom intuition and believing God uniquely designed each of our kids for a purpose.

Sally and Nathan share stories from his childhood. And offer helpful tips for casting vision over your children. I found Sally’s thoughts on holding ideals but letting go of expectations very helpful.

“Give up expectations. But lead family to ideals. Don’t give up on ideals. They are shaping the core of your children’s values.”

Thankfully Sally and Nathan have written a much-needed resource on this topic, “Different: The Story of an Outside-the-Box Kid and the Mom Who Loved Him.” **

What we chat about:

When you start to notice your child is different (Sally)
When the child begins to notice he/she may be different (Nathan)
When you want to sympathize & parent inner needs but told to discipline external behavior.
Creating a space allowing your child to be themselves and belong.
How Jesus treated people differently with the same love.
How to cast vision over your children.
How to turn differences into superpowers.
Creating rhythms in your home.
Holding ideals while letting go of expectations.
How differences impact family dynamics.
Orchestrating breaks for moms of children with differences.
Things that helped Nathan as a teenager who knew he was different.

Links Mentioned:

“Different: The Story of an Outside-the-Box Kid and the Mom Who Loved Him.” **
The Lifegiving Home **
“Did you not know that it is the kindness and mercy of God that leads to repentance.” Romans 2:4

**Amazon Affiliate Link

Overcoming Insecurities in Friendships :: Renee Swope [Ep 148] Jan 17, 2017

Friendships can be tricky. Then throw in our own weaknesses and insecurities. . .oi vey!

Today’s guest, Renee Swope, openly wrote about her self-doubt struggles in the book, “A Confident Heart”**. After 20 years serving with the Proverbs 31 ministry, Renee knows a thing or to about the joys and complexities of female relationships. In this episode she shares the value found in embracing her “lack” and inviting others into her life.

Renee answers questions like, “How do you find ‘good’ friends willing to accept your mess?” And “Where are the older women offering help and wisdom?” And “In our modern era how does self-sufficiency hinder community?”

If you are looking for more on community, Renee wrote about one of 30 friendship topics covered in the new book, “Craving Connection”**. So many of women I love are sharing their friendship stories, offering camaraderie and hope. Co-authors include: Lisa-Jo Baker (Ep 21), Crystal Stine (Ep 10), Stacey Thacker (Ep 76), Eryn Hall, Erin Mohring, Kristen Strong (Ep 97), Amanda White (Ep 3, 17, 27, 36, 79), and Jennifer Dukes Lee (Ep 18).

What we chat about:

How the international adoption of her daughter shaped her older sons.
Renee’s journey into speaking/writing with Proverbs 31 ministry the past 21 years.
How to know when to put something aside or move forward confidently.
Renee’s internal battle of self-doubt and insecurity.
The question we ask ourselves when someone asks, “How are you?”.
Ways to get passed insecurity in our friendships.
How processing feelings with others help hard situations lose their weight.
Finding real good friends by being the friend they need.
A challenge to older moms to make the invitation to younger moms.
How self-sufficiency can hinder community.

Links Mentioned:

Chasing Slow :: Erin Loechner [Ep 147] Jan 09, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Help for the Hurting and Angry Mom Wendy Blight Encore Jan 02, 2017

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

How To Know God Better Lacey Dobrient {Encore} Dec 26, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

The Mom Game Changer Kat Lee {Encore} Dec 17, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Cultivate What Matters Lara Casey Ep 146 Dec 12, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

This is Us Bruce & Heather Ep 145 Dec 05, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

The Thrill of Hope :: Christy Nockels [Ep 144] Nov 27, 2016

Seasons change. Hard choices have to be made. God moves us in and out of opportunities. But how do we know when it’s time to give something up and when it’s time to press through?

Today’s guest is Christy Nockels, Dove award winning musician and mom to three children. In 2006 she made the God-led choice to step away from the music industry, for a time, to pour into her family.

In this episode we talk about transitions. She shares advice on staying connected with community when moving to new cities, leaning into God during tough decisions and connecting intimately with God even in the busyness of motherhood.

Christy trusted God’s leading and He moved her back into record production. Her latest creative work is the solo Christmas album, “The Thrill of Hope”. With a blend of classic Christmas carols and original pieces, she has crafted a beautiful addition to our Christmas music collections.

In this episode you’ll hear the inspiration behind the songs, “Amaryllis” and “Wrap This One Up”. . .both stories gave me goosebumps. I won’t think of the Bethlehem shepherds the same way again. And the winter blooming amaryllis reminds us the hope Jesus brought . . .

What we chat about:

How to find connection and keep from “drifting” when starting somewhere new
What Christy learned when God called her to “take everything off of the table”
Surrendering our plans to God is the only way He can do GOD-SIZED things with them
How big, scary steps allow us to hide in Jesus instead of hiding in the familiar
Each season prepares us for the next (even if you would really love to skip ahead)
How motherhood takes you from peaceful quiet times to sock-and-underwear prayers
The secret of simple scripture and open dialogue with God
Christy’s new album “The Thrill of Hope”- her first Christmas album!
The message of the amaryllis for those with heavy hearts in the Christmas season
How “wrapped in swaddling clothes” may have meant much more to the shepherds
Christy’s song on the new album that makes her listeners “ugly cry”

Links Mentioned:

The Passion Conference
Psalm 37:4-7 “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
The Glorious in the Mundane podcast
“The Thrill of Hope” available on Christy’s site or Amazon**
Ellie Holcomb
PDF of “Amaryllis” lyrics I made. . .Merry Christmas!

Our King has come, He’s with us now & He’s making all things new again. That’s the thrill of hope.

Jesus, this is such an opportunity for me to hide in you – to take you by the hand and for you to lead me, and for me to trust in you in a way that I haven’t in a really long time. -Christy, Episode 144

Every Bitter Thing is Sweet Sara Hagerty Ep 143 Nov 21, 2016

Life seems to be a series of highs and lows. If my happiness depends on the circumstances around me, I’m in for quite the roller coaster ride.

Even this past week we received heartbreaking news about my mom’s health. BUT God has been faithful and present and steadfast to show up in the details. Including the timing of this interview. . .

Sara Hagerty’s book “Every Bitter Thing is Sweet” released in October 2014. I started reading it in May 2015 when my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer. Her words soothed my aching heart. Her honesty about her dad’s cancer diagnosis and God’s faithfulness through it brought me peace.

Then the day after we got my mom’s diagnosis I’m on Skype interviewing Sara. Well, first she and I cried and prayed together. . .then we recorded this interview.

Like I said, God is in the details.

Sara knows the struggle to believe God is good when life doesn’t turn out the way you’d hope. From marriage struggles, financial insecurity, parent illness, infertility exhaustion, etc, Sara discovered her only place of true security came when she prayed back God’s Word back to Him in adoration.

One day while sitting in her kitchen, utterly exhausted by life, God gave her these words:

The satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to the hungry soul,

every bitter thing is sweet. (Proverbs 27:7)

Thanksgiving week is full of remembering all that God has done for us. Who couldn’t use an extra heaping helping of gratitude these days?

Sara reminding us about adoration, takes gratitude and turns it towards who God is. Praising Him not for what He has done for me, but who He promises to be. Which then shifts my heart to believe He is who He says He is.

In control.

Almighty.

Beginning and End.

Lover of our souls.

Binder of the brokenhearted.

If you need to hear a word of encouragement and be reminded of who God is and why He can be trusted, then this episode is for you, sweet sister. Happy Thanksgiving!

What we chat about:

Discovering life with God is often NOT like a treadmill, always gaining speed and strength
God’s revelations to Sara through the pain of infertility and marriage struggles
Facing bitterness and the nagging feeling “God is good, he’s just not good to me.”
Recognizing the hunger that lies beneath bitterness; God’s “divine alluring”
Intentionally seeking God in the places your heart comes alive
Adoration as a spiritual discipline: speaking scriptures (even the hard ones) back to Him
Honesty with God on areas you struggle to believe instead of just splashing some “Jesus juice” on it
How God sees all of the “hidden parts of life” of moms that often feel unnoticed
Vulnerability not for it’s own sake but with the intention of God’s restoration
How God not only restored Sara’s marriage, but how He used the hard times to bring more to it than she thought possible

Links Mentioned:

EveryBitterThingisSweet.com
SaraHagertyAuthor.com
“Every Bitter Thing is Sweet” book **
Psalm 139
2 Corinthians 12:9–Our weakness is the place where God moves.

**Amazon affiliate link

Christmas Traditions with Little Ones :: Jacki Rucksdashel [Ep 142] Nov 13, 2016

I know, I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. . .and seeing the word “Christmas” may trigger a mix of excitement and terror.

My goal in this episode is to help prepare you. To empower you in sharing with your kids the good news of God taking on flesh and dwelling among us. To help you create meaningful family traditions that your kids can pass on to the next generation.

Today’s guest is my good friend, Jacki Rucksdashel, author of the Jesse Tree Project. She is a mom to two amazing kids, a former classical education teacher and a darling, godly woman.

Jacki and I chat about the value of creating Biblically-based Christmas traditions. Fortunately, there are lots of options these days for families to celebrate Advent. We’re gonna help you sort through them so you can stay sane in the holiday cray-cray.

Jacki & I encourage you to pick one (maybe two) of the options. And to consider your family’s interests, ages, and values when choosing. We also share personal stories of our “less-than-perfect” attempts at memory making. And how to be realistic when celebrating the holidays with little ones.

Loved this from Jacki, sharing the heart behind this conversation:

Am I teaching my children that Christmas is about busyness? Or am I teaching my children that Christmas is about sitting at Jesus’s feet, and resting, and enjoying his birth and the fulfilling of the promise? It can get so easy so forget that, even in doing all the good things.

What we chat about:

Choosing a few, enjoyable traditions for your family, instead of ALL of them
Why are Christmas traditions such a big deal, anyway?
You can be your family’s first tradition-starter
The Jesse Tree Project, and how it’s made especially for families with young children
Using children’s anticipation for Christmas to mirror the Bible’s anticipation for a Savior
Our own funny stories of how “perfectly planned” traditions turned out…um…less than perfect (i.e.: being realistic)
Why it’s a good thing Jesus is NOT like Santa or the Elf on the Shelf
Other great tradition starters for young children: Shepard on a Search, Star from Afar, The Giving Manger, Light ‘Em Up
How to “mix and match” to find the right fit for your family
Setting priorities by reverse-engineering from Dec 26 and what you would consider a (realistic) successful holiday.

Links Mentioned:

The Jesse Tree Project & How to Lead a Group
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift **
Truth in the Tinsel (OhAmanda Episode 3)
Visiting Santa (Heather’s thoughts on using Santa to teach grace)
Elf on the Shelf **
Shepherd on a Search
Star from Afar
The Giving Manger
Light Em Up (Courtney DeFeo Episode 50)

Raising Girls :: Sissy Goff [Ep 141] Nov 06, 2016

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice. . .including sassiness?

Now I’m not a girl mom. But I am a girl. That’s gotta count for something.

I know how complicated my emotions can be. With all the social media and cultural pressures, I can only imagine how overwhelming it is to raise a girl nowadays.

Good news!!! Today’s help comes from girl expert and licensed counselor, Sissy Goff. She spends most of her days chatting with girls and their families. The author of eight books including, “Raising Girls”, Sissy brings loads of wisdom and perspective.

In this episode we spend the first chunk of time talking on the topic of beauty. Then we move into whining and strong emotions (including the epidemic of childhood anxiety). Sissy shares great thoughts on girl friendships and sister stress.

Personally, I love her thoughts on how attention issues (e.g., ADHD) can impact girls socially. Lastly, she gives excellent advice on how to maintain a healthy mother-daughter relationship. And this quote:

What we chat about:

Speaking to the different areas of beauty God has placed in each girl, specifically calling out strength and bravery.
How we, as moms, talk about OURSELVES influences how our daughters see themselves.
Helping girls develop their own identity.
Keeping an ongoing dialogue and pulling your daughter back “into the huddle of your family” to discuss external messages.
Building up confidence helps lessen the fixation on external beauty.
Circling back to the places your daughter is confident and the things she likes about herself.
The importance of a girl’s father (or other male role model in her life) to show her she is valued for who she is.
Helping your daughter realize most girls share her same struggles.
Managing her intense emotions at home and recognizing anxiety.
Teaching empathy in practical ways.
Identifying “balcony friends,” “basement friends,” and “rollercoaster friends.”
Respecting her capabilities and fighting the urge to “fix everything” as she moves into the teen years.

Links Mentioned:

raisingboysandgirls.com
daystarcounseling.com
Courtney DeFeo
Are My Kids on Track?: The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach (to be released Feb 2017) by Sissy Goff and Melissa Trevathan **
Modern Parents, Vintage Values: Instilling Character in Today’s Kid by Melissa Trevathan and Sissy Goff**
Intentional Parenting: Autopilot Is for Planes by Sissy Goff and David Thomas**
Raising Girls by Melissa Trevathan and Sissy Goff**
Freeing Your Child from Anxiety by Tamar Chansky (mentioned in the interview)**

Parenting Small Shontell Brewer Ep 140 Oct 31, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

10 Ways to Stop Meltdowns and Arguments Kirk Martin Ep 139 Oct 23, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

The Ripple Effect of Healthy Sexual Connection :: Francie Winslow [Ep 138] Oct 17, 2016

Three years ago she directed us to soul healing. Two years ago she reminded us of the power of sex in marriage.

Francie Winslow is back. This time to share what she’s learned about the exponential impact marital intimacy has on the world around us.

In the past two years Francie has been doing extensive research on theology of the body. Exploring how God stamped His image on us. How we express our roles as image bearers through sex in marriage.

God is an invisible God who wants to make himself visible to us. When man and woman come together as one it’s his invitation for humanity to become one with God. Intimately connected with Him.

Francie shares their own family stress and her personal struggle with anxiety. Things that can disrupt marital connection. She vulnerably shares how she and her husband have purposefully chosen sex over isolation.

God’s training us to fight for connection and for each other instead of against each other.

Love Francie’s practical tips for keeping technology in check. So often screens and devices creep in between couples, increasing the distance and decreasing the intimacy.

Don’t miss the list of great resources below to help train your children in forming a healthy perspective of the body and sex.

What we chat about:

Francie’s journey to learn sex isn’t dirty or a duty but a delight.
Her recent study of theology of the body.
How anxiety and adoption stress led Francie and her husband to choose to have more sex (you read that right).
How technology impacts our marital connection and practical solutions
Help and healing for women who struggle with their view of sex.
A reminder to daily do the things that keep you alive as a person.
The Ripple Effect of sex in marriage.
A word of encouragement for the single mom.
Training our kiddos in a healthy sexual worldview (check out Francie’s resource list below).

Links Mentioned:

Francie’s Resource List:

Theology of the Body Books for Kids by Monica Ashour

Get these books (as many as you can!) and read them over and over and over. They are great for a range of ages – not just toddlers. Not only will it help form a great spiritual foundation for your kids as they enter a sexually intense world as kids (sadly it happens young these days), it will help you as a grown up re-learn how to think about bodies, sexuality and identity. It will also help give you simple, common language to use on an everyday basis in your home. They have all been such a big part of us growing in this new way of seeing the gift of sex as a family.

For older kids:

The Talk: 7 Lessons to Introduce Your Child to Biblical Sexuality** by Luke Gilkerson (there are several others to go with this series too). Loving this one right now with my 8 year old.)
Before I Was Born (God’s Design for Sex)** by Carolyn Nostrum
Good Pictures, Bad Pictures : Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids ** by Kristen Jensen

Theology of His Body/Theology of Her Body** by Jason Evert

This was written with college kids in mind, but I found it super helpful and use it woven into conversations with my kids.

For those who want more depth…Theology of the Body for Beginners** by Christopher West

**Amazon Affiliate Link

Sex is a multiplying factor in our lives, not just with producing kids, but producing a massive amount of connection.

New Life Movie Drew Waters Bonus Oct 14, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

FeelFreetoLaugh Jordan Watts Ep137 Oct 10, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Bonus Don't Mom Alone GCM Podcast Club Oct 04, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Media, Imagination & the Kingdom of God Erick Goss Ep 136 Oct 01, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Life Creative Kelli Stuart Ep 135 Sep 25, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Moving Onward and Forward Andrea Howey Ep 134 Sep 19, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

How to SquareUp in Battle Jan Greenwood Ep 133 Sep 12, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Revelation Wellness Alisa Keeton Ep132 Sep 05, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Uninvited Lysa Terkeurst Kay Wyma Courtney DeFeo Ep131 Aug 28, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Its Not Fair Melanie Dale Ep 130 Aug 21, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Recovery for Life Lynn Hoffman Ep 129 Aug 15, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Debunking Spiritual Leadership Myths Jen Wilkin Ep 128 Aug 08, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Soulful Over Frantic Shauna Niequist Ep 127 Aug 01, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Stay In Your Hoop Vela Tomba Encore Jul 25, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Pain's New Future Natasha Metzler Encore Jul 10, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

When to have the talk Mary Flo Ridley Encore Jul 08, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Soul Freedom Francie Winslow Ep4Encore Jul 04, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Resolving Sibling Conflict Jim & Lynne Jackson Ep 126 Jun 25, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Read Aloud Revival :: Sarah Mackenzie [Ep 125] Jun 18, 2016

Maybe you’ve heard you should read-aloud to your preschoolers, but do you know the benefits of reading aloud to your competent readers?

Educators and communication experts have discovered that:

“Because linguistic information is best stored in the brain auditorily, children who have had read to them reliably correct and sophisticated language patterns for many years are much more likely to develop competence in written (and verbal) communication skills.” –Andrew Padewa

Not only does reading aloud help with communication skills, but families bond while they share a story.

All that’s great. But with our busy lives how do we add one. more. thing to our schedules?

Well, once again I have good news! This week’s podcast guest, Sarah Mackenzie, has created the “Read-Aloud Revival” podcast and community. She gives moms practical tips and fabulous resources to make reading aloud not only possible, but enjoyable!

In this episode, Sarah eases our guilt and helps set realistic expectations for how reading aloud looks. Bonus, she shares great ideas for using audio books that actually give moms a much needed break AND help your kids with their auditory comprehension skills. Cha ching!

Can’t wait for you to share your favorite read-aloud books on Instagram this week. Use the hashtag #readaloudrevival and make sure to tag me to so I can see (@GodCenteredMom).

What we chat about:

Why Sarah starting reading aloud to her kiddos.
An easy tip to attach reading with something you do every day.
Letting go of unrealistic expectations and ideals of your time reading aloud.
Figuring out the “why” behind you want to read-aloud with kids.
Realizing that when boys’ hands are busy it doesn’t mean they aren’t listening.
Remembering to keep the reading time short and that time adds up over days.
Find books that you enjoyed as a kid, not just the ones you think you “should” read.
Great ways to use audio books to share the story and connect as a family.
Finding community who can support you in your pursuit.
Why introverts are drawn to reading aloud to their kids.
How to have great conversations with your kids over books you haven’t read with them.
Encouragement to just get started reading, don’t worry about creating a formal plan.

Links Mentioned:

Andrew Pudewa, Director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing
Andrew Pudewa’s talk on Nurturing Competent Communicators that inspired Sarah to start the podcast (“With humor and insight, Andrew will share the two easy but unbelievably powerful things you can do to build language patterns and nurture competent communicators in your family.”)
Andrew Pudewa on the Read Aloud Revival Podcast, Episode 1
Jim Trelease–“The Read-Aloud Handbook”**
“Caught Up in a Story” by Sarah Clarkson**
“The Reading Promise: My Father and theBooks We Shared” by Alice Ozma and Jim Brozina**
Misty Winkler–simplyconvivial.com
Read Aloud Revival Book List–RARbooklist.com or text “Books” 444999
“Little House” audio books read by Cherry Jones
Read Aloud Revival membership site–RARmembership.com
“5 Questions to have great conversations about books with your kids” pdf

**Amazon affiliate links

Crafting Your Family Culture Rebecca Hagelin Ep 124 Jun 12, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

Pain Not Wasted Peggy Banks Ep 123 Jun 06, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

The Respect Effect Emerson Eggerichs Ep 122 May 30, 2016

It’s not a magic formula. But almost.

This week’s guest is Dr. Emerson Eggerichs (New York Times Best Selling author of “Love & Respect”). He has opened my eyes to the high value of respect with boys & men with his newest book, “Mother and Son: The Respect Effect**”. ‘Game changer.

With this new “respect effect” perspective, interactions with my boys have changed. Before a word comes out of my mouth I’m evaluating if the tone is positive and the correction is focused on the behavior and not the person. I’ve also noticed how I alter what I say when helping them get along with one another (e.g., “Are you respecting your brother when you take the toy he is playing with?”).

I know, I know. A few weeks ago I published a parenting boys episode. I promise an interview with Sissy Goff is in the works, to help moms with girls (she leads a camp all summer. . .so we’ll be chatting in the Fall). But just like with the other parenting boys episode, whether you have sons or daughters, after listening you will understand your husband better. That’s a very good thing.

And I know, I know, I share several books on the podcast. Each of my guests is selected with a lot of thought and consideration. Deciding to only introduce you to books that I would want to read myself. But this book sits at the top of the summer reading list. Seriously. (Just ask all my friends which book they see me toting around and talking about this month 😉 ).

What we chat about:

How the popular “Love & Respect” message applies to mother & son relationships.
Recognizing that honor motivates men (and our boys).
How teen girls respond differently than teen boys to a mom’s critique.
A great definition of “respect”.
How to hold boundaries with our boys, but still respect their spirits.
A specific example of how to apply “respect talk” with your boys.
How this respect effect can be applied by teachers in the classroom.
Using the acronym “CHAIRS” to identify areas you can use respect talk.
How it’s never to late to start.

Links Mentioned:

Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs **
Ephesians 5:25 “ Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,”
Love & Respect in the Family: The Respect Parents Desire; The Love Children Need **

**Amazon affiliate links

Before You Quit Nicki Koziarz Ep 121 May 23, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

An Easier Way Bonni Greiner Ep 120 May 13, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him.

The Art of Nurturing Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 119] May 09, 2016

I’m not a boy. Yet I’m raising four of them to be men.

And as much as culture tries to tell us there aren’t differences between boys and girls. My every day experience begs to differ. I truly don’t understand the “why” behind most of my boys’ choices. And it never benefits me to ask.

This week (for my own help and maybe yours too) I’ve invited David Thomas on the show. As a family therapist and director at DayStar Counseling Center in Nashville, David has lots of experience counseling families and children. Having his own set of twin boys has provided a lot of education as well.

The first book I ever read that gave me a glimpse into the mind of a boy is David’s book “Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys”**. Then I heard him speak at a DotMom event and I’ve always wanted to have him on the show.

Our conversation did not disappoint. David’s genteel manner and calm approach gave me such peace. Afterwards I felt encouraged and equipped to not only “handle” my boys but enjoy their uniqueness.

David answered a slew of questions I received on Facebook from listeners. But a theme emerged in each topic we covered: outlets and boundaries. David would point out a need boys have and how we as moms could provide a proper outlet for that need. But he also gave great instruction on how to train on boys in regulation, by setting boundaries on where and when those needs can be met.

If you are a boymom, get ready to be set free from a lot of guilt over “why your boy does that”. And given some practical ideas to help create places and times in your family’s schedule to let “boys be boys” but not allow that phrase to be an excuse for unkind or inappropriate behavior.

If you’re not a boymom, I hope this will still be an entertaining episode to help you understand your husband, nephews, friend’s son. And stay tuned because I’m working with David’s partner Sissy Goff to record a “Raising Girls” episode this fall. (Of course, feel free to share this episode with any boymom friends you have. . .they will thank you!).

What we chat about:

When and how to let boys rough-house/wrestle
How “Stage One boys” (ages 1 to 4 years old) express love with aggression.
Providing an outlet and training regulation and respect.
How to help our boys who feels things deeply (the ones often labeled as ‘sensitive’).
Giving boys ways to process emotions with space and physical outlets.
Helping boys hear our directions and respond to us.
Taking advantage of how boys are hardwired visually.
How to handle when boys talking about private parts, farting, etc.
4 & 14 year old boys and their testosterone surges.

Links Mentioned:

Brooke McGlothlin (Thank you Brooke for connecting us!)
Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys **
Mini Trampoline ** ($25 option)
Trampoline with handle bar ** ($70 option)
5 Practical Actions to Help Boys Behave
Birds and the Bees? Oh Help Me Please with Mary Flo Ridley (Ep 25)
Raising Boys and Girls

**Amazon affiliate link

Wild and Free Hayley Morgan Ep 118 May 02, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Made New Megan Craig Ep 117 Apr 25, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Ridiculous Faith Shelene Bryan Ep 116 Apr 18, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Unstuffed Ruth Soukup Apr 11, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Miss the Silver Lining by Expecting Gold Mary Carver Ep 114 Apr 04, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Get Your Story Straight Kristen Hatton Ep 113 Mar 29, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Goals, Roles and Superpowers Mar 21, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

That's Me Pastor's Wife MaryBeth Kathy Mar 14, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Good Bad Real Life Charity Reeb Ep110 Mar 07, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Bonus Episode Faith Film Double Feature Kay Wyma Jennifer Garner Christy Beam Feb 26, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Wisdom from Grammie Doris Howard Ep 109 Feb 26, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

What Triggers Your Angry Reaction Amber Lia ep 108 Feb 15, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Create a Home of Belonging and Becoming Sally Clarkson Ep 107 Feb 08, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

That's Me Sleep Deprived and Needing Jesus Jennie and Sally Ep 106 Feb 01, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

How to Break Busy Alli Worthington Ep 105 Jan 23, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Q&A with Kirk Martin Celebrate Calm Ep 104 Jan 18, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

See the Unseen Ep 103 Jan 11, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

That's Me Craving Authentic Friendships Libby and Leslie Ep 102 Jan 04, 2016

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Know God by studying His Word in 15 minutes a day Katie Orr Ep 101 Dec 31, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

In Light of Eternity Jen Clouse Ep 100 Dec 14, 2015

The 100th episode!!! Seriously. How did that happen?

The goal of this podcast has always been to help women keep God in the center of their mothering/lives. And to remember they are in the center of God’s presence, in every moment.

Today’s podcast guest, Jen Clouse, successfully meets those goals. Making her the perfect 100th episode guest!

Jen focuses our eyes on the everyday gifts. Seeing them as glimpses of heaven’s glory here on earth. But she also reminds us that this is not our forever home.

Jen’s insightful perspective comes from a harsh reality. Her own mortality. Last December Jen was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

In this episode, Jen shares what she’s learned about heaven (from co-leading a study for 100+ women). She also gives a super practical way to figure out how you can help a friend in need. Jen reminds us mamas to hold our children loosely. To realize we have the privilege of partnering with God, but ultimately how our children “turn out” is up to him.

And this. . .

It’s hard in the crisis to build that support system. Invest in women’s lives now. Not because you’re going to need them in case you have cancer. But that the time invested in friendships, meaningful friendships is worth it.–Jen

My biggest take-away from our conversation is to view my “to do” list as a “get to do” list. What joy to get to pick up my boys from school, to get to serve them meals, and to get to put them to bed!

This holiday season may we all see our everyday in light of eternity. Be grateful for all our “get to”s. And invest in our sweet friendships.

AND . . .in honor of the 100th episode (and Christmas). . . and in conjunction with today’s episode theme. . .I’m giving away a copy of “Just Show Up” by Kara Tippetts and her friend Jill Lynn Butelyn:

Connect with Jen:

Personal Blog

What we chat about:

Jen’s surprise engagement, surprise baby and surprise cancer diagnosis.
Hope for the mom with chronic sickness/trauma/heartache.
What Jen’s learned about how friends help well.
The truths Jen gained from studying Heaven last summer.
Lessons for all of us to hold our children loosely.
Dealing with temper tantrums and other challenging behavior when mom is sick.
The value of building strong friendships.

**Throughout the interview hear surprise messages from Jen’s friends: Jenn Dawkins, Molly Rhodes, Kay Wyma, Melanie Shankle and Amy Fisher (a.k.a. Gulley).

Links Mentioned:

“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 115:1)
“Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.” (Psalm 43:3)
In Light of Eternity by Randy Alcorn
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2-3)
Nobody’s Cuter than You by Melanie Shankle
Just Show Up by Kara Tippetts & Jill Lynn Butelyn

Don't Settle for As Is, Meet the New You Elisa Pulliam Ep 99 Dec 07, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Connecting with Your Kids in Any Circumstance Jim & Lynne Jackson Ep 98 Dec 02, 2015

What we chat about:

The busyness of the holidays and how it inhibits connection with our kids.
Showing yourself self-compassion.
What phrases are you repeating in your mind that fuel anxiety.
How to apply the Connecting Families framework to a stressful situation Heather experienced.
Why kids can behave better at school/other places and fall apart at home.
Working with your kids in challenging scenarios.
How to connect with our kids when we don't even like them.
Dealing with your need to get parents' approval (the grandparents) when kids misbehave.
When the lies we believe about our kids impacts our ability to connect.
What to do when you are trying to connect with your child and they are not responding.
An easy way to connect with your kids on a regular basis (holidays included).
Working with your kids to prepare for the holidays.

Connect with Jim & Lynne:

Connected Families Site :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest

Links Mentioned:

Free Discipline that Connects handbook
Discipline that Connects Online Course--registration opens late January
Need one-on-one coaching? What about as a Christmas Gift? Click here
Peaceful Mothering DVD
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5
Stay in the loop with Jim & Lynn to hear about their online courses releasing in Jan 2016: sign up here

That's Me Dealing with Change Jenny and Kristen Ep 97 Nov 21, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Parenting Mashup Episode :: Two Years of the GodCenteredMom Podcast {Ep 96} Nov 16, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

That's Me Struggling with Work-Life Balance Annette & Rachel Ep 95 Nov 09, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

The Story of God's Love for You Sally Lloyd-Jones Ep 94 Nov 01, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

I Am Restored Stacy Reaves Ep 93 Oct 26, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Breaking Up with Perfect Amy Carroll Ep 92 Oct 19, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Anchoring Our Kids' Lovability in Christ :: Jeannie Cunnion Ep 91 Oct 12, 2015

I know parenting with grace is the “right” choice.

However. . .when the house is a wreck and the boys are fighting and dinner’s on the stove? Grace doesn’t come easily.

But then I get a pep talk from, Jeannie Cunnion (author of “Parenting the Wholehearted Child”).

Jeannie always reminds me of the gospel. She reminds me who I am in Christ, so I can come alongside my kids and do the same.

In this episode Jeannie and I spend time chatting about a recent article she wrote over at FoxNews (link below). She encourages us to ask our kids an important question. Engaging them in a conversation about what makes us lovable.

Personally, my day went so much better after we talked. I’m confident the same will be true for you.

They’re not going to have perfect mom, but they have a perfect Savior. -Jeannie

Connect with Jeannie:

Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest :: Instagram

What we chat about:

How do grace and discipline intermix
The question we should regular ask our children
Learning to not equate performance with being more lovable
Recognizing God’s grace for us, allows us to come along side our kids to the cross
Modeling a willingness to say “I need Jesus”
Freedom found in not being a perfect mom but having a perfect Savior.

Links Mentioned:

Parenting the Wholehearted Child: Captivating Your Child’s Heart with God’s Extravagant Grace **
Previous podcast interview with Jeannie (Ep 55)–How to {really} parent with grace
My Challenge to Every Parent–Fox News
Good News for Weary Women: Escaping the Bondage of To-Do Lists, Steps, and Bad Advice by Elise Fitzpatrick **

**Amazon Affiliate Link

Joy Outside of Circumstances Amanda Wilson Ep 90 Oct 05, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Hello, Beauty Full Elisa Morgan {Ep 89} Sep 28, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

How to Stay Calm with School Stress Kirk Martin Ep 88 Sep 21, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

It's Good to Be Queen Liz Curtis Higgs Ep 87 Sep 14, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Behind the Scenes of War Room Wynter and Alena Pitts Ep 86 Aug 31, 2015

Ever feel like you are in a battle? With your kids. A friend. Your spouse. / / What if we viewed the battle differently? / / Instead of using the same (failing) tactics, trying a new approach. / / Well, the latest hit movie, "War Room" helps define the true enemy and disciples viewers in a battle strategy. / / We know the Sunday School answer is to "pray without ceasing". / / But when do you pray in your day? / / Maybe you pray in the morning. Before meals. When you put your kids to bed. / / What do you pray? / / For your needs to be met. Out of gratitude. Or desperation. / / Have you ever considered writing down Scripture and praying for God to move in specific areas of your life? With fervent prayers? / / If you want to be inspired for how prayer can impact your life and change your attitude towards others, then please see this new movie. / / On today's podcast episode child actress, Alena Pitts (11 years old) and her mom Wynter Pitts (author of "For Girls Like You", tween girl devotional) give us a behind-the-scenes look into the "War Room". / / WynterAlenaPittsEp86 / / Alena & Wynter also share how filming the movie impacted their prayer lives. Hear about their favorite clips in the film. And at the end of the episode my 10 year old son gives his movie review. / / My hope is you see the movie, get inspired, and start praying with a real battle strategy. If you need help, I found women who have mentored me in prayer. Ask someone whose prayer life you admire to meet with you once a week for an hour. / / What we chat about: / / Fabulous resources Wynter produces for moms of girls / How the Kendrick Brothers cast Alena in the role of Danielle / Behind the scenes on how Kendrick Brothers led the cast spiritually / How has making the movie changed Alena's prayer life / How the Holy Spirit groans on our behalf...when you don't know what to pray / What is the meaning behind the title "War Room" / Alternative ideas to creating your own war room or creating a prayer notebook / The importance of reviewing answered prayers / What we can be praying for Wynter & Alena / How does a man get to a point of surrender / Connect with Wynter or Alena: / / For Girls Like You :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Instagram :: Pinterest / / Alena Pitts :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Instagram / / Links Mentioned: / / For Girls Like You: A Devotional for Tweens **Amazon Affiliate Link / For Girls Like You Podcast / Leaving Ordinary: Encounter God Through Extraordinary Prayer (InScribed Collection) by Donna Gaines / "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2) / " If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14) / War Room Resources / Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer / by Priscilla Shirer

I'm Happy for You (Sort Of...Not Really) :: Kay Wyma {Ep 85} Aug 30, 2015

What if your son can't read as he enters first grade? What if your daughter prefers wrestling to ballet? What if your living room sofa has a couple rips and stains from a decade of use?

These things shouldn't be a big deal. But then you notice your friend's first grade boy is reading chapter books. . . and her daughter gracefully glides into class with a giant bow on her head . . . and their living room just got a make-over with coordinating floor-to-ceiling curtains.

Personally? My feelings of "less than" often start at a place of comparison. I know I shouldn't compare. I know it doesn't make me feel good. Yet day after day I glance around making sure I keep pace with the Joneses.

How do I move past comparison to contentment? And even more important, how do I get to a place where I can celebrate her athletic child or new couch or beach vacation?

Well, today's podcast guest, Kay Wyma, shines a light on the age old comparison problem and guides us to a better place of connection and true community.

In Kay's latest book, "I'm Happy for You (Sort Of . . .Not Really)", she helps readers find contentment in a culture of comparison.

"Looking at what we lack prevents us from noticing how sweet the world already is. But when we shift our focus from what could be to what actually is, we find extraordinary joy in our ordinary lives."

I've been a big Kay fan since a dinner party over six years ago. As I sat hugely pregnant with our 3rd son, she encouraged me in my role as young mom.

Kay is authentic, brilliant and refreshing. My hope is her wisdom and practical tips in this episode help you stop comparing and draw you closer to the women you interact with daily.

What we chat about:

Encouraging one another by running alongside, instead of determined to "win"
Focusing on "being together" more than hosting the perfect dinner party
Being our best instead of being "the best", discovering our "you"-niqueness
How a "mental" computer reboot (cnt/alt/del) helps fight comparison
Whose light is revealing your reflection (& the Kylie Jenner Challenge)
How to help our kids navigate social media and speak life to their friends
How our friends can help us "reboot" the messages we believe.
How to enter back-to-school with fresh perspective, moving from comparison to compassion (repurposing school supplies).
Why I can never look at an Instagram pic of feet on the beach the same way.

Connect with Kay:

The MOAT Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter

Links Mentioned:

I'm Happy for You (Sort Of...Not Really): Finding Contentment in a Culture of Comparison *Amazon Affiliate Link
Kathie Lee Gifford video

How to Fight Fear & Believe in a Faithful God :: Lisa Appelo Ep84 Aug 17, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

How to Quit Hustle & Embrace Small Moment Living :: Emily Freeman {Ep 83} Aug 10, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

What Your Kids, Marriage & Mind Need :: Monica Swanson Ep 82 Jul 27, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

How to Connect, Coach & Correct Your Child :: Jim & Lynne Jackson {Ep 81} Jul 20, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Help Your Child Feel Safe & Loved Jim & Lynne Jackson Ep 80 Jul 12, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Inside Out & Summer Movie Edition :: Family Movie Moms {Ep 79} Jul 03, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Fragile Faith, Anchored Hope and a One-and-a-half Pound Baby Girl Kayla Aimee Ep 78 Jun 29, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Summer (& Sibling) Survival Guide Kirk Martin Ep 77 Jun 22, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

When Moms Walk through Grief Stacey Thacker Ep 76 Jun 15, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Anger Management, Hollywood, & Sacrificial Faith Amber Lia Ep 75 Jun 07, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Part Two of Lessons Learned in 87 Years :: Vickie Kraft {Ep 74} Jun 01, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Lessons Learned in 87 years of Living :: Vickie Kraft Ep 73 May 25, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

The Goldmine of a Mother's Hindsight :: Chrystal Evans Hurst {Ep 71} May 11, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Changing the World for One :: Tara Clipper [Ep 70] Apr 27, 2015

The death toll from Saturday’s earthquake keeps rising.

We hear huge numbers of those with AIDS or those without clean water or children without parents.

The giant numbers begin to numb us. And make us feel small and ineffective.

Then along comes Tara Clapper with a message of focusing on the one.

After a broken engagement, Tara pleaded with God from her closet,

“If you will make yourself real today, God. I will follow you. I don’t know why it hurts so bad. But if you can turn it off, I’m coming your way. And He did.”

With a new faith and a desire to go where He led, Tara found herself on a trip to South Africa. Which led her on a trip to Rwanda. Which birthed a dream she didn’t know she had.

That dream begin with a relationship with one little boy named, Innocent.

One.

Fast forward 4 years and Tara now feeds 1200 students and teachers daily through her non-for-profit business, No. 41. She has employed and launched several young women who have matured out of the Noel Orphanage.

She is changing a community and it all started with one.

What we talked about:

A broken engagement, two days in her closet & desperate prayer
Tara’s travels–from wanting a European vacation to selling it all to move to Africa.
When you have to choose between comfort and faith
My new favorite term Tara used, “pranking”
What “childlike faith” looks like on a new adult believer.
How the orphanage didn’t expect she was coming & didn’t know what do with her
The unintentional blessings of her year of following by faith.
What Tara did with the list of what bugged her about Rwanda
How No. 41 grew beyond Tara’s original plan to employ 6 girls
What made the orphanage upset about Tara’s new nonprofit ministry
The one thing Tara crossed off her “what bugs me about Rwanda” list
How Tara kept capping what God wanted to do she kept finding He had a bigger idea
How children responded when they found out Tara was going to feed them. every. day.
How the feeding program is motivating families to send their children to school.
For one child. For one meal. For one year.

Connect with Tara:

No. 41 Site :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Instagram

Links Mentioned:

Hope Spoken
Declare Conference
Noel Orphanage–oldest & largest orphanage in Rwanda
No. 41 Store

Who could you impact today? Pick just one person.

“Do for one what you wish you could do for all.” -Any Stanley

Calmly Parenting the Strong-Willed Child :: Kirk Martin [Ep 69] Apr 20, 2015

Several husbands listened to episode 62. So in this episode Kirk starts with a couple of tips for the dads.
Then we get personal and I get advice for dealing with the boys in our home who say “I don’t want to” more than “yes, ma’am”. The solution has more to do with me than with them…ahem.

what we chat about:

Kirk’s advice for dad, using a football analogy
One small thing couples can do to show kids connection
Kirk’s helpful definition of a strong-willed child
Practical tips to help direct your bright children looking for ownership
How your tone affects your children’s response.
Making the transition from the old controlling way to new calm parenting–setting new expectations
Some of my new favorite phrases to use when parenting

connect with kirk:

Site :: Twitter :: Facebook :: Podcast

links mentioned:

How to stop yelling, lecturing and power struggles (Ep 62)
Email Newsletter–top 10 free newsletters (check out #6!!)
Live (free) Workshops
Listen to FREE PODCASTS by Kirk
CDs/DVDs
888-506-1871–Toll Free Number for Frustrated Parents

do you have a strong-willed child? what advice did you find most useful?

A Naptime Diary Jess Connolly Ep 68 Apr 13, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

How It Should Have Ended Tina Alexander Ep 67 Apr 06, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

The Mom Lifeline Wendy Blight Ep 66 Mar 30, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

How to Get Real & Savor More Shauna Niequist Ep 65 Mar 23, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

For the Mom with Lots of Littles-Hanni Go {Ep 64} Mar 16, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

The Color Method Lacey Dobrient Ep 63 Mar 09, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

How to Stop Yelling, Lecturing, Power Struggles Kirk Martin Ep 62 Mar 01, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Power of Sex in Marriage Francie Winslow Ep 61 Feb 23, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Strip Church :: Catherine Smith [Ep 60] Feb 16, 2015

I can get pretty passionate on today’s topic. And that passion has even led to some “voice raising” at a casual friend gathering. Cuz one thing I won’t back down on is the Gospel and sharing the good news with the whole world.

We all are in need of a Savior.

And no one sin is greater than another.

Like Jesus defending the adulterous woman, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8).

After the men holding stones dispersed and Jesus dismissed the woman, asking her to sin no more, he said,

“I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”

As followers of Jesus we do not walk in darkness, but carry the light of life.

So many are lost, wandering in darkness, not because they are worse than we are, but because have not been shown the Light and love of Jesus.

In today’s episode I interview Catherine Smith, Strip Church Event Coordinator. She shares about their ministry to women in strip clubs. AND tells listeners how to get involved in their new initiative, Bright Lights, Big Cities.

One of my favorite parts of this episode is realizing the special love moms have to offer a broken world. I pray God speaks to you through our conversation and perhaps moves you to serve in this exciting way.

What we talk about:

The unbelievable story of how the XXXChurch.com got started

“People are not expecting to meet with Jesus at a porn convention.”

The need the XXXChurch saw that no one else was filling
The vision and goal of StripChurch to invest & build relationships
The launch of Bright Lights, Big Cities–what it is and what they need
When the leaders training happens and what’s involved
What you could do to help a team, if you can’t commit to training
Why moms minister best to women in the sex industry–the power of a mother’s love

“Don’t blame the dark for being dark. Blame the light for not shining in the dark.”-Craig Gross, Founder of XXXChurch.com

The resources available through XXXChurch for those struggling with porn addiction:
- X3Groups–accountability groups for men & women
- iParent.tv to help parents navigate technology
- X3Watch filtering and accountability app
The difference and call to holiness for those within the church, choosing to follow Christ

“We are not for porn, we are for people.”

Connect with Catherine:

Catherine@xxxchurch.com

Links mentioned:

XXXChurch.com resources–where to start
100 cities included in the Bright lights, big cities initiative
Bright Lights, Big Cities Training
Online accountability for every device–X3watch.com
iParent.tv helping parents navigate technology
X3 Groups for accountability

How to Know Which Way to Go :: Emily Thomas {Ep 59} Feb 08, 2015

Have you ever been in a situation and didn’t know what God wanted you to do next?

Leave a job? Move to a new city? Adopt a child? Stop trying to adopt?

Thankfully God has plans.

He knows them completely. . .and, bonus, He knows your role.

Now the execution of those plans may be difficult, but He is good and will redeem all things.

Today’s guest, Emily Thomas, vulnerably shares her story of trying to follow the plan. Worried she’d miss it. Assuming she had to do all the right steps in order to make sure God’s plan succeeded.

Emily is a funny (funny) talented mom to two little ones. She writes over at HeyEmilyThomas.com and creates inspiring & fun canvases (one she is giving away!).

After Emily shares her mom story, she and I talk about some great topics: relying completely on God, boasting in our weaknesses, and how to keep your eyes on God throughout the day. Good stuff.

What we chat about:

Emily’s journey through infertility.
The “yes’ and “no”s. . . following God, not knowing His next answer.
The brave love of birth moms who allow other moms to parent their babies.
Emily’s story of wanting to be prepared for the 2nd baby, hoarding baby stuff for 2 years, then selling it all.
What happened as she stood outside a consignment store holding an empty laundry basket.
How we all get stripped of what we think “matters” in motherhood and required to lean totally on God.
The process of following God through all the “yes” and “no’s”, learning to listen to what He’s doing.
How what we believe about God affects how we view life’s trials.
Why Emily got hit by bicyclists when she lived in China.
How Emily “keeps her eyes on God” during the day-to-day.
How God is not shocked by our weaknesses.

Connect with Emily:

Blog :: Shop :: Instagram :: Twitter

Links mentioned:

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” (Isaiah 30:21)
Hillsong, “Oceans”
Declare Conference
Brave Love Ministry–> Hannah’s story
Thrive Women’s Clinic

How do you keep your eyes on Jesus during the day?

For the Love of God Jenny Supizio Ep 48 Feb 08, 2015

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

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Racial Healing Starts with You :: Latasha Morrison [Ep 261]

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Links Mentioned: The Preamble | Sharon McMahon | Substack Vote - Register and get information on Voting | Sharon McMahon The Small and the Mighty: by Sharon McMahon Right Where You Belong: by Heather MacFadyen

Related Episodes: Factual News, Flexible Thinking and Family Moral Imperatives :: Sharon McMahon [Ep 332] Racial Healing Starts with You :: Latasha Morrison [Ep 261]

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Website: Sharon McMahon | America's Government Teacher

Facebook: Sharon McMahon | Facebook

Instagram: SHARON McMAHON (@sharonsaysso)

Links Mentioned:

The Preamble | Sharon McMahon | Substack

Vote - Register and get information on Voting | Sharon McMahon

The Small and the Mighty: by Sharon McMahon

Right Where You Belong: by Heather MacFadyen

Related Episodes:

Factual News, Flexible Thinking and Family Moral Imperatives :: Sharon McMahon [Ep 332]

Racial Healing Starts with You :: Latasha Morrison [Ep 261]