Problem Solved: New Year's Resolutions
Well, there is so much richness here it's hard to know where to start.  We talk about the history of resolutions, some ideas of how to be successful and some ways we have destroyed dinner in the past which should make you feel better about your own endeavors in the kitchen. We also talk about how unruly I was in college and how I repeatedly turned myself in and Rebecca admits that she thinks pe...
46m Dec 14, 2016
46m
#67: Unconventional but Perfect with Vanessa Sokic
Vanessa aspired to be a singer, dancer and actress but God had better plans!  She faithfully walked through 9 years of infertility trusting God had other things for her to do in the mean time.  I personally wish I would have done more trusting and less freaking out when I was dealing with infertility myself!  If you're in a place where you're considering adoption, you're going to be very encour...
41m Dec 11, 2016
41m
#66: Out of Hiding with Meggan Wood
I'm excited to share with you my chat with Meggan of Lily Jade! Her diaper bags are AMAZING but her heart for women is what I needed to highlight today.  She candidly shares what it has been like to get out of her comfort zone and trust that God has a plan to use her despite her fears and insecurities.  You're going to be so encouraged.  I know I was! What we chat about: growing up with adopted...
36m Dec 04, 2016
36m
#65: Following God's Nudges with Natalie Ard
Watching someone walk out their passion using their unique giftings is inspiring.  One of my favorite parts of having this podcast is finding those people and sharing them with you, the listener! Today's guest is Natalie Ard who is a mom who loves being creative.  She found she had left that behind when she became a mom but, when finding a solution to her daughter's fear of Elf on the Shelf, hi...
44m Nov 28, 2016
44m
#64: Remember Surrender with Jackie Drew
I'm excited to share my real-life friend Jackie with you.  Her and her husband found themselves in need of an income and took the leap into an unknown ministry opportunity.  Hear from Jackie as she tells what God did to provide them everything they needed exactly when they needed it.  Her story will definitely encourage you to trust God more. What we chat about: how a job loss launched their fa...
46m Nov 21, 2016
46m
Problem Solved: Thanksgiving
Tune in for the solution to all your thanksgiving issues.   We discuss menarche, monkey hats, oyster casserole and other nonsense.  Share the struggle! I want to hear YOUR thoughts on this episode!  If you've been encouraged by the show, please share it with another mom.  The struggle is real.  We might as well do this together! Head to momstrugglingwell.com for entire show notes! Follow along:...
43m Nov 17, 2016
43m
#63: Getting Over Awkward and Getting In Community with Kaylie Hodges
Kaylie is a mom to 5 (bio and adopted) who lives in a small town and loves on her neighbors.  She is a great example to me that busy moms can creatively find ways to serve others alongside their kids.  She's a really fun girl with some very useful ideas.  You're going to love our chat! What we chat about: what she did to overcome an addiction to approval what she does to regain perspective in t...
45m Nov 14, 2016
45m
#62: Already Loved with Jenna Tracy
Jenna is a wife of twelve years and mama to four seriously incredible kids. She is a slightly crunchy, homeschooling, native Californian living on the prairie in Idaho. Jenna loves things that are homemade, be it bread, a pillowcase or a dress, and is an admirer of old books & the sea. She taught herself how to sew in 2009 and absolutely loves when she's inspired by different materials to creat...
37m Nov 06, 2016
37m
#61: Breaking the Rules We Made Up with Laura Kelley
Laura is a mom of 5 through birth, adoption, and fostering.  She's an artist from Nashville (because that's where the artistic people are, right?) and I wanted to talk to her because of the amazing way I see her love her community with her kids. She's got some important wisdom regarding simplifying kindness and doing few things really well.  What we chat about: family reunification feeling like...
46m Oct 31, 2016
46m
Problem Solved: the Maiden Voyage
There are no show notes for this.  Just Rebecca and I talking about cats, AARP, millennials, and how Rebecca isn't as good at sewing as she used to be... Share the struggle! I want to hear YOUR thoughts on this episode!  If you've been encouraged by the show, please share it with another mom.  The struggle is real.  We might as well do this together! Head to momstrugglingwell.com for entire sho...
32m Oct 26, 2016
32m
#60: The Contentment Challenge with Nancy Ray
Nancy Ray is a ridiculously talented photographer, wife and mom.  She started something called a contentment challenge that I really didn't want to talk to her about because I knew it would cause me to make a change.  Whether you admit it or not, you need this chat too. You're gonna love/hate this conversation. what we chat about: the important difference between good stress and bad stress defi...
40m Oct 24, 2016
40m
#59: Prioritizing Each Child with Carina Schoen
This sweet mother of six babies has a lot going on!  She has gleaned a lot of wisdom that we get to benefit from today.  She speaks today about adoption, being a bi-racial family, how to not completely break the bank every Christmas and what she does to survive summer break.  What we talk about: the importance of taking conscious breaks throughout the day how she intentionally makes each kid fe...
42m Oct 17, 2016
42m
#58: Journey Toward Healing with Brandi Lea
Back by popular demand, we are talking to the lovely Brandi Lea about...trauma. Yours, your friend's, your family's.  This is a jam-packed episode full of so many valuable insights.  I said, "so good" so many times during this episode, I annoyed myself.  Don't worry, I edited most of them out. what we chat about: why it matters that we get healthy what our freedom exposes in other people the im...
53m Oct 10, 2016
53m
#57: "Teenager" is Not a Bad Word with Debi Chapman
I'm excited to share the wisdom of my friend Debi Chapman with you!  She is a writer, a speaker and a mother to eleven!! She believes our homes are battlefields and she loves encouraging moms to press on in their vitally important role. What we chat about: The teenage years Creative ways to encourage kids to help around the house How to live within the limits of what we have to offer
40m Oct 02, 2016
40m
#56: When Darkness Feels Safer than Light with Joy McMillan
"Freakishly transparent" is one way people have described my guest this week.  She spent so long hiding the truth about her past that when she finally started being honest, she just couldn't stop!  This episode is full of SO many big ideas and truths.  Her words are sure to challenge you to step out of darkness and into the light.  What we chat about: What to do when motherhood doesn't feel nat...
42m Sep 26, 2016
42m
#55: Protecting Our Kids from Our Baggage with Jim and Lynne Jackson
Jim and Lynne have worked in the trenches with parents of all kinds – single parents, adoptive parents, parents of teens, parents of kids with intense behavior challenges, parents in blended families, parents of wealth and parents in poverty, and any other kind of parent you can think of. In other words, they have a lot of experience!  You're going to get a lot out of this chat.  Grab a pen and...
50m Sep 19, 2016
50m
#54: A Heart Made Whole with Amy Merritt
Today's guest is one of my favorite ladies around.  She is a dear friend of mine who I have seen fight for healing with amazing focus and determination.  You are going to be heartbroken and then so encouraged by her story! What we chat about: Some of the traumatic effects of childhood sexual abuse and emotional neglect What it was like to feel normal for the first time in her life How she got t...
42m Sep 12, 2016
42m
#53: When There's No One Else Like You with Laurie Krieg
Laurie is a wife and mom who grew up in a strong Christian home.  She comes from a large and impressive family and went on to do impressive things for God because she was trying really hard to sort out how to be "Christian enough" to stop being attracted to other women.  This conversation is something the church needs to hear.  I know I needed to hear it.  She tells her story with gut wrenching...
48m Sep 04, 2016
48m
#52: Desert Seasons and Soul Rest with Grace Cho
My friend Grace is a wife, mom and author.  She writes in an effort to encourage people to know Jesus for real and to get her readers moving toward the things He has made them to be.  This conversation covered so many great topics, I had a really difficult time giving it a title.  Just know there's something in it for everyone! What We Chat About: Portraying a better picture of parenting Unpack...
43m Aug 29, 2016
43m
#51: Pay Now or Pay Later with Amy Carroll
Amy Carroll is an author, speaker, and a recovering perfectionist.  She is also (joyfully) and empty-nester who has lots of wisdom to share with us regarding how to best enjoy your teens.  You're really going to get a lot out of this chat.  I know I did! What we chat about: how to make grace the headliner in your house why all of us moms need to perfect our "bland face" how to practically walk ...
43m Aug 22, 2016
43m
#50: Discipleship and Dry Bones with Heather MacFadyen
This sweet friend of mine is a wife and mom of 4 boys.  She is also the host of the wildly popular God Centered Mom podcast.  She is a source of wisdom, encouragement and lots of laughs for me and I think she will be for you too! what we chat about: encouragement for first generation Christian moms how she helps her boys make amends with one another how our identity affects our parenting
36m Aug 14, 2016
36m
#49: When Life Looks Different Than You Thought with Kara-Kae James
Kara-Kae is a mom of 4 who co-founded the well-known site Thrive Moms. She loves real conversations, sweet tea and believes anything can be cured with a plate of bacon and a good cup of coffee.  She's a lovely girl and I think you're going to be encouraged by her words!    what we talk about: discovering the difference between good work and God's work the orphan crisis in America what she does ...
40m Aug 07, 2016
40m
#48: Whole and Free with Sophie Hudson
I'm betting you know who this lovely lady is but in case you don't, here goes: She is a wife and mom, a writer and a podcaster.  She is also a "fake counselor" as she says at a girls school which could not be a more perfect job for her.  She's one of my personal favorites so I had to try really hard not to be super gushy about that during the interview.  Don't worry though, I let all my awkward...
46m Jul 25, 2016
46m
#47: Surrendering All and Bad Burritos with Nicole DeFord
Nicole is a sign maker from Southern California.  She and her husband are raising two kids and running a wildly successful small business!  This girl is funny and honest and really loves God.  Hope you laugh as loud as I did during this conversation! what we chat about: what to do INSTEAD of comparing ourselves to other moms how a traumatic event launched her into working from home what happene...
39m Jul 21, 2016
39m
#46: Three Small Goals with Valerie Keinsley
She is a wife and mom from central Indiana who lives in a 100 year old house she hopes to renovate soon.  She runs a stationary shop and intentionally creates space for quiet in her life.  In fact, she wants to be Amish "while still enjoying the modern comforts of electricity and deodorant." Ha!  I think that sounds fair.   What we chat about: how prenatal and postpartum depression are very rea...
44m Jul 17, 2016
44m
#45: The one where we model the awkward race conversation in hopes that you will have one too
So today's conversation is a little different. In light of this week's events in our great land, some friends and I decided (really THEY decided and I couldn't think of a good reason to get out of it) we should model an honest conversation on the topic of race because we were already having them.   My friends and I are all podcasters and each come to the topic of race with different perspective...
55m Jul 11, 2016
55m
#44: Doing the Brave Thing Scared with Lindsy Wallace
Lindsy is a mom of 4 who has recently moved across the country from KY to FL to live out the good news of Jesus among the poor with both their words and their actions.  They are with an organization that sends families to marginalized neighborhoods, you know, the ones most people try to avoid and ignore.  You're going to love and be challenged by this conversation! what we chat about: calling f...
46m Jul 04, 2016
46m
#43: Viewing Inadequacies as Gifts with Anjuli Paschall
This girl is authentic.  She is honest and not afraid to speak up about her struggles because she knows that's how others can know they are not alone.  She's my kind of girl.  You're going to love hearing her share her heart towards mothering in particular and life in general.  I know I did! What we chat about: The difference between willfulness, willlessness, and willingness how sometimes goin...
41m Jun 27, 2016
41m
#42: Crazy Incredible Redemption of Horrific Things with Amber Newberry
Some of us are able to tell stories eloquently.  Some of our stories have rough places that can seem too dark to overcome.  My friend Amber's story is both; incredibly difficult AND beautifully told.  She is a gifted storyteller with a story of forgiveness and grace that will knock your socks off.  Or, since it's summer, maybe just knock your flip flops across the room. what we chat about: What...
54m Jun 20, 2016
54m
#41: Dropping the Pinterest Facade with Ashley Hackshaw
This girl.  Some people seem to live so much life in so few years. Her story has twists and turns that will leave you wide-eyed and the perspective she has gained is one we can all benefit from.   What we chat about: when cancer comes as a relief that changing direction is not failure but growth what to do when "the American dream" is not actually YOUR dream
40m Jun 13, 2016
40m
#40: Setting the Tone of Your Home with Christie Elkins
Christie is a wife to a cop, a mom to three, a newspaper columnist and novice farmer.  What I love about her is how honest she is about the difficult moments but that she won't stay there.  She actively seeks opportunities to turn bad situations in to good ones and we all could use more of that in our lives, yes? what we chat about: What to do when you're not super thrilled about where you live...
44m Jun 06, 2016
44m
#39: Incremental Steps Toward Enjoying Life with Jolene Underwood
Joleen has been a mother to twenty one children over the years.  Twenty one!  She is also a woman who cares deeply for the "least of these" and loves to help women through traumatic or difficult situations through a tool she's created called Unleash. what we chat about: Finding God in the midst of intense trials EMDR Taking incremental steps toward enjoying life
45m May 30, 2016
45m
#38: Starting Small and Saying "Hello" with Rebecca Smith
Rebecca is a wife, mom, and (accidentally) a business owner!  She started Better Life Bags which is a company that, besides making adorable bags, provides employment for women who could not be successful in traditional employment.  You're gonna love this episode! What we chat about: the lovely mission of Better Life Bags putting 'working-mom guilt' to rest prioritizing travel as a family lesson...
39m May 22, 2016
39m
#36: 'What If You Don't Get the Evening?' with Retha Morgan
This girl is a joy to me and a serious source of encouragement.  She is always cheering me on but isn't afraid to get onto me when I'm heading down the wrong path.  She's been through a serious valley and you're going to benefit greatly from the wisdom she brings to this chat.  Get your paper and pen ready. What we chat about: What Retha hopes her kids learn by watching her Her advice to wives ...
39m May 09, 2016
39m
#35: The "Real Mom's Club" and Haven Making with Wynne Elder
Wynne is a mama and wife striving to live in deep and authenticcommunity in Bryan, Texas. She's passionate about connecting andknowing people [and being known], and creating spaces ofbelonging.  She's been married to her guy for 9+ years andtogether they are living this wild + glorious life that Jesus gavethem with our kiddos Camp and Asher. What we talk about: Infertility and becoming a "rea...
42m Apr 26, 2016
42m
#34: Waiting Well and Daring to Hope with Stephanie Rische
Stephanie is a book editor by trade who has recently hopped overto the other side of the fence and wrote a book herself!  Herbook chronicles her adventures in blind dating while waiting for ahusband.  I wanted to talk about this topic of waiting wellbecause even if you're already married, we're all waiting forsomething. What we chat about: Waiting well for thingsthat seem to come so easily fo...
32m Apr 24, 2016
32m
#33: Seeing the Choice with Christa Maney
Christa is a wife and mom of four who enjoys yoga, creating in her Etsy shop and learning about better health through a holistic diet. Part of her story includes serious anxiety that made daily tasks difficult.  I know you'll enjoy her insights as much as I did! What we chat about: Her journey toward overcoming paralyzing anxiety Asking the question: what are you partnering with? Praying to "se...
44m Apr 14, 2016
44m
#32: You are Loved and Worth Loving with Brandi Lea
Brandi is a single mom who was just sure God wouldn't use her after she was divorced.  She wanted to help people but kept being told her usefulness had ended.  She believed it until she sold some cows on Facebook.  You'll just have to listen to the rest to believe this amazing story! What we chat about: How she ended up starting a nonprofit despite her best efforts NOT toHow she healed from a...
51m Apr 11, 2016
51m
#31: Maintaining Margin and Sewing up a Storm with Caroline Kline
I first met Caroline through the interwebs a few years ago because we both had small businesses.  She sews like a champ and makes many adorable items you'll love.  She is also a mom of three small kids who lives in the Pacific Northwest.  She's a mom in the thick of it who lets us in on the ways she manages all that's on her plate. What we chat about: starting a small businesshow she creates ...
47m Apr 04, 2016
47m
#30: Orphan Care and the Hunt for the Dreamy Mom Job with Rachel Baxter
Rachel is a daughter of the King, wife to a pastor, mother to five (almost six) children, underdog cheerleader, special needs parent, adoption advocate, hope-spreader, writer and lover of a good party.  Simply said, she is a messy mama being made beautiful by a good God. What we chat about: Curly hair traumaMom guilt vs. mom convictionCaring for orphans in ways other than adoptionDiscontent i...
48m Mar 24, 2016
48m
#29: Wishing For a Different Personality and 2 Vital Questions with Lauren Pinkston
Lauren is a girl who is walking the delicate balance of absolute truth and overwhelming grace.  She is also a girl with a life so wildly interesting people wonder if it's true!  Lauren and her family currently live in South East Asia and she works tirelessly to create jobs for women seeking safe work.  Her perspective on motherhood is unique and I can't wait for you to hear it! What we chat ab...
45m Mar 21, 2016
45m
#28: Too much exercise, Monsters, and NO MORE BROCCOLI with Layne and Porter
I came across a great resource recently and wanted to share it with you!  My church has some questions they encourage us to ask our kids each year in an effort to gauge the opinions of our kids about how we are doing as a family unit and how they feel we are doing as parents. Head to Momstrugglingwell.com for links to the lists of questions!
18m Mar 16, 2016
18m
#27: Heartbreaking Haircuts and Laundry on the Lawn with Logan Wolfram
Logan Wolfram would give you full access to her pantry if you lived next door. She is a plate-juggling mom and interior decorator turned writer, speaker, and host of the Allume Conference. She is a passionate leader who desires to see women live fully in Christ. We chat about: Her new book Curious FaithHow she handled a surprising piece of mailHer brother's Chinese weddingHow she is maintaini...
43m Mar 13, 2016
43m
#26: Finishing your Race with Joy and Getting in People's Mess with Stephanie Holden
Thanks to the thunderstorm we ended up with a part two to this conversation!  She had so many good things to say I just had to keep asking questions! What we chat about: her strategy to leave a tangible legacy for her daughtersher most important ministrywhen you feel mad at God for messing up a good thinggetting with God before getting on the internet
34m Mar 07, 2016
34m
#25: In-laws, Contentment, and Parties that Matter with Stephanie Holden
There are a handful of people whose social media posts grab my attention every time.  Stephanie "Honey" Holden is one of them.  She is funny, encouraging, and really convicting all at once.  I was selfishly looking forward to recording an interview because I knew I would learn a lot and I DID until a thunderstorm knocked my power out...  It was great while it lasted though and we'll catch the r...
39m Feb 29, 2016
39m
#24: Nests, Super Capes and Manatees with Melody Joy
meet melody:Oh friends I have a treat for you today!  I'm so pleased to share with you the spunky mom, artist, and small business owner Melody Joy!  She is the artist behind Melody Joy Designs and you're going to love hearing her story! what we chat about: the importance of doing things that "don't compute" dailyher super cape and how every woman needs onehow homeschooling isn't for everyoned...
51m Feb 22, 2016
51m
#23: Robbery, Refugees, and the Best Library Ever with Jenny Mullins
My friend Jenny is a source of wisdom and encouragement to me personally.  She has experience loving overseas which has given her a great deal of compassion for refugees and she has worked tirelessly with her daughter who has autism.  Her gentle patient spirit is amazing to me and I know the only way to explain it is to look where she's looking: Jesus. We chat about unusual ways to engage with...
39m Feb 15, 2016
39m
#22: Supporting her Husband and the Importance of Foam with Jill Burrows
I love Jill's story.  She was a mom who (like all of us) wanted to take better pictures of her kids.  She got a nice camera and made her husband PROMISE he wouldn't let her think she was now a professional photographer just because she had a nice camera.  Well, a few months later, she took some photos of a friend's kids and it turned out she was pretty good at it! The other part of her story t...
44m Feb 08, 2016
44m
#21: Miscarriage, Bravery, and Making Mom Friends with Kristin Lemus
So thankful to bring you some insight this week from my friend Kristin.  She's a mom of 6 kids (plus 1 in heaven) who has learned the importance of facing lies head-on with a plan.  She's passionate about helping moms be brave and seeing the importance of being the one to reach out to other moms instead of waiting for them to come to you. We talk about the journey through the grief of miscarri...
49m Feb 01, 2016
49m
#20: Hard-Core Perseverance from a Mom in the Middle with Candice Castillo
This girl.  She's the spunky southern California artist behind HEart by CC.  She is a wife and the mom of 3 boys too!  She is a girl whose message of freedom and acceptance has been hard-won through many years of overcoming obstacles.  You're gonna love this conversation! What we talk about: Trying to read your Bible when you're dyslexic, believing in your kids when no one else does, walking w...
47m Jan 24, 2016
47m