Mom Empowered

Latest Episodes:

When You’re a Grumpy Mom: An Interview on Renewed Joy in Motherhood with Valerie Woerner Apr 08, 2019

Show notes

You may already be familiar with Valerie Woerner through her beautiful prayer journals and amazing resources at Val Marie Paper, but did you know that Val has also just released a new book? Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday is a book of truth and hope that we could ALL use in our lives. By examining common lies that we believe as moms, Val not only points us back to the truth of the Gospel, but also invites us into freedom, rest, intentionality, and renewed joy in motherhood. If you are interested in hearing more about Grumpy Mom, I just know you are going to love today’s episode in which I share my recent conversation with Val about her heart and message behind the book, as well as her best wisdom and encouragement for moms!

In today’s episode, Val and I chat about:

- the heart and backstory behind Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday

- some of the subtle lies pertaining to motherhood that we believe and how these relate to our grumpiness as moms

- how God has been renewing joy in her everyday motherhood

- creating a habit of taking your thoughts captive

- overcoming challenges and confusion revolving around prayer

- Val Marie Paper resources designed to help women with prayer

Meet Val:

Valerie Woerner is the owner of Val Marie Paper and author of Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday and Fresh Start for Moms. Her mission is to create practical tools, including her original 6-month prompted prayer journal, and content that equips women to cut through the noise of everyday life and find fullness in the presence of the Lord. She lives in South Louisiana with her husband Tyler and two girls, Vivi and Vana.

Resources Mentioned:

Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday: http://www.valmariepaper.com/books/grumpy-mom-takes-holiday-2/

Val Marie Paper: http://www.valmariepaper.com/

Prayer Journal Shop: https://shop.valmariepaper.com/

Follow Val on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valwoerner/

Learn more about my Mom Empowered coaching program and how I empower moms to gain the emotional wellness they need to confidently create the life they’ve always wanted: http://www.jessieereddia.com/coaching

Connect with me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jessieereddia

Join the Mom Empowered Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momempowered

When it’s Time to Seek Help: An Interview on Postpartum Depression with Rachel Rennie Apr 01, 2019

Show notes

Postpartum depression has a way of making this confusing, challenging season of navigating life with a newborn feel even heavier, and my friend Rachel Rennie knows this firsthand. After watching Rachel share on social media how she dealt with postpartum depression and anxiety after the births of her two children, I knew right away that I had to have her on the podcast. I just love the vulnerability, wisdom, and truth with which she addresses this important topic, and I know you will, too!

In today’s episode, Rachel and I chat about:

- her experiences with postpartum depression and anxiety after the births of her two children

- why this topic is so important and needs to be talked about

- getting help for postpartum depression through the form of counseling and medication

- her struggles with intrusive thoughts and methods she’s used to cope with them

- how faith and science can actually go together when it comes to finding help and healing

- hope for the mom who’s struggling to cling to God in this season

Resources Mentioned:

Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: https://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Unwanted-Intrusive-Thoughts-Frightening/dp/1626254346

Connect with me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jessieereddia

Join the Mom Empowered Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momempowered

When You’re Parenting Out of Fear: An Interview on Parenting Out of Truth with Laura Hunter Mar 25, 2019

Show notes

As moms who are navigating this season of caring for little ones, I believe it is so important for us to have a source of support and voice of wisdom in our lives — and this is one of the reasons I love Moms on Call. I first discovered Moms on Call, an amazing ministry designed to encourage and equip moms of littles with helpful parenting resources, shortly after I had my firstborn, and I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Laura Hunter, one of its co-founders! I am not exaggerating when I say that she is FILLED with encouragement and wisdom for the mom who is in the thick of this season of motherhood. I am so excited for you to have a listen!

In today’s episode, Laura and I chat about:

- the backstory and mission behind Moms on Call

- encouragement for the anxious mama and what it looks like to parent out of truth instead of fear

- laying down the “foreverness” of the decisions and challenges we are facing in this season

- prioritizing and the myth of balance

- how she is being filled by God’s Word these days

- intentionally speaking truth into our children’s lives

Meet Laura:

Laura Hunter is a true testament of grace in the chaos! She is the mother of five, a pediatric nurse, a bestselling author, entrepreneur, international infant care specialist, and co-founder of Moms on Call. There is one common area for all of Laura’s life, and that is her desire to inspire and speak into the hearts of parents.

Resources Mentioned:

Moms on Call | Helping Moms with Kids from Birth to 4 Years Old: https://momsoncall.com/

Moms on Call Resources: https://momsoncall.com/shop/

Moms on Call on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsoncall/

Connect with me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jessieereddia

Join the Mom Empowered Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momempowered

When You’re Dealing with Feelings: An Interview on Emotional Awareness with Christi Straub Mar 18, 2019

Show notes

Christi Straub is a mom of two and knows the challenges of these years of early parenting well. As a marriage and family coach, she also knows just how vital it is for wives and moms to pursue emotional awareness and safety — and how this has the power to completely transform a home! I just know you’re going to love Christi’s transparency and the wisdom she has to share as we go deep into some common, but painful struggles for moms and what it looks like to come out on the other side so that we are able to live, love, and lead well.

In today’s episode, Christi and I chat about:

- how the challenges of the postpartum years led her to the coaching ministry she does today

- finding yourself again after having kids

- how one 15-minute practice changed her marriage

- the heart behind their new children’s book, What Am I Feeling?

- practical ways to cultivate emotional awareness and safety in our homes

- the 2/5 rule that can set moms free from fear and guilt

Meet Christi:

Christi Straub, M.A., M.B.A. is a native Canadian, wife to an American, and momma to two feisty kiddos. She is a marriage and family coach and leads The Straub Co., an organization where she and her husband Josh coach families to live, love, and lead well. Christi is a Fellow of the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling. She is also co-host of the In This Together podcast and is coauthor of the children’s book, What Am I Feeling? (2019), as well as a Bible study for families called Homegrown: Cultivating Kids in the Fruit of the Spirit (B&H, 2019). When she and Josh aren’t working together, they spend time on the lake in their 1974 Crestliner, train their disobedient puppy, and watch their kids crush karaoke on a stage built in their dining room.

Resources Mentioned:

What Am I Feeling? Children’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/What-Feeling-Dr-Josh-Straub/dp/1535938188/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=what+am+i+feeling&qid=1576967789&s=books&sr=1-1

Homegrown Bible Study: https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/homegrown-bible-study-book-P005813576

The Straub Co.: https://famousathome.com/

Famous at Home Podcast: https://www.joshuastraub.com/ourpodcast/

Follow Christi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christistraub/

Connect with me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jessieereddia

Join the Mom Empowered Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momempowered

Season Three Finale: When You're Fighting an Invisible Battle Nov 28, 2018

Show notes

“I have fought battles this year. And I have a feeling that you have too. You may be in the middle of fighting one right now. Maybe it looks like some of what I’ve already described. Or maybe it looks like something different altogether. Unexpected news. Sickness. A job lay-off. Sexual temptation. Resentment. Shame and guilt. Apathy. Intrusive thoughts.

Whatever the case, there is one thing I am certain of: the enemy may think he’s winning, but the truth is that Jesus has already won. There is only one person who has the final say over our lives and it is Jesus Christ, who covers us with grace and has given us all that we need to be victorious. We are overcomers because HE has overcome…”

Press play to hear more.

Lyrics to “This is How I Fight My Battles + Surrounded”:

This is how I fight my battles

It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by you

Song: “This is How I Fight My Battles + Surrounded (Spontaneous)” by UPPERROOM

https://youtu.be/NoAqymNcBTk

Scripture Referenced:

Romans 8:31-32

Romans 8:37-39

Romans 8:26

2 Kings 6

Connect with me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jessieereddia

Join the Mom Empowered Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momempowered

Encore Episode: When You Dread the Day Ahead Nov 21, 2018

Show notes

"Have you ever had a morning where every fiber of your being begged you to stay in bed? No matter how much you knew you needed to start your day, you just couldn't bear the thought of putting your feet on the ground. If you're in the thick of motherhood, then odds are you haven't just had one morning like this, but have had many. Because sometimes being a mom feels like signing up to be in a war zone day after day, and there are just some days where you don't want to fight..."

Press play to hear more.

Scripture Referenced:

Matthew 11:28-30

Connect with me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jessieereddia

Join the Mom Empowered Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momempowered

Encore Episode: When the Baby Won't Stop Crying Nov 14, 2018

Show notes

"We somehow get it in our heads that we should be able to do this on our own, that we should be able to get through the day without needing God. We want things to go smoothly, to be perfect. We want to be the best possible mom or wife. And when we are faced with our humanity and all the weaknesses and flaws that come with it, we crumble apart rather than see it for the humbling reminder of our need for God that it truly is. Which is in his design for our relationship with him. It is good that we need him.

And so it turns out that the days of frustration and desperation are perfect training ground for us to learn how to lean into him as he calls us to do, running to the Lord with our needs to receive his love and peace and help..."

Press play to hear more.

Scripture Referenced:

Hebrews 12:1-3, 11-12

Connect with me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jessieereddia

Join the Mom Empowered Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momempowered

Encore Episode: When You're Awake and Alone Nov 07, 2018

Show notes

"There have been nights when I have felt alone while nursing in quiet in the dark. My husband is sound asleep, the dog is sound asleep, all of my friends and family are sound asleep, everyone on social media is asleep, and yet here I am. Awake and alone. Tending to my baby. These moments are hidden from the world. Its just her and I. And it can be tempting to feel isolated and unnoticed.

Maybe this sounds all too familiar to you right now. Maybe you're still in the thick of things with me, waking up far more often than you'd like, taking care of your little one while the rest of the world remains oblivious..."

Press play to hear more.

Scripture Referenced:

Psalm 139:1-3, 7-10

Connect with me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jessieereddia

Join the Mom Empowered Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momempowered

When You're Fighting for Joy Oct 24, 2018

Show notes

“I’m lacking joy these days. I can feel it. Waves of irritation and frustration and sorrow even wash over me when I least expect it. When I’m in the car with a screaming baby for twenty straight minutes. When I’m watching my toddler deliberately disobey me. When my husband forgets something I asked him to do. When my to do list just keeps getting longer and longer.

There have been days where I’ve just felt lost. Even a little empty. Being a wife and mom requires so much of me. I’m always giving. Always serving. Always being poured out. And I reach a point where I just don’t want to give anymore. Do you ever feel this way?”

Press play to hear more.

Scripture Referenced:

James 1:2-3

Psalm 103:1-4

John 10:10

Hebrews 12:2

Connect with me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jessieereddia

Join the Mom Empowered Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momempowered

When the To Do List Never Ends Oct 17, 2018

Show notes

“I don’t know about you, but I tend to pile way more onto my to do list than is feasibly possible for me to do in any single day. When evening rolls around, my list usually still has so many items not checked off that I end up having to carry those things over into the next day, creating a never-ending problem of having too much on my plate. And that’s when the anxiety starts to kick in and I all of a sudden go from being Supermom to Super Angry Mom. Because all I see is what’s left to do and it leaves me feeling overwhelmed…”

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Scripture Referenced:

Luke 10:38-42

Matthew 6:31-33

Colossians 3:23

Connect with me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jessieereddia

Join the Mom Empowered Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momempowered