Creating Digital Safe Spaces :: Chris McKenna [Ep 360]

Have you ever felt like your teenager is pulling away, and no matter how much you talk, nothing seems to get through? In this episode, we’re joined by Mark Gregston, a ministry leader who has spent over 50 years walking with teenagers through crises, often welcoming them into his home. His insights challenge a lot of the assumptions we make about parenting teens. Mark reminds us that relationships are the most important thing and shares ways to make that connection, and how to transition from parenting littles to older kids. Here is some of what we cover:  What to do when mom shame pops up  How to know when your teen is just being a teen... and when it's a red flag What to do when your teen surprises you with behavior you didn’t see coming How to give them more responsibility and be less controlling Creating a home where relationships flourish is possible—even when things feel hopeless Connect with Mark Gregston:  Website:  Parenting Today's Teens with Mark Gregston Website: Heartlight Ministries Facebook: Parenting Today's Teens with Mark Gregston Instagram:  PTT with Mark Gregston (@parentingtodaysteens) Links Mentioned:   Family Crisis Coaching Program - Parenting Today's Teens Heartlight Ministries Parenting Today's Teens Podcast with Mark Gregston eBooks - Parenting Today's Teens Related Episodes: Help for the Unspoken Challenges of Parenting Teens :: Amy Betters-Midtvedt [Ep 493] Three Faith Pillars for Parenting Teens :: Melissa Kruger [Ep 457] Important Topics to Cover with Tweens and Teens about Manners, Technology and Friendship :: Lee Cordon [Ep 408] Featured Sponsors:  GoPure: Right now, goPure has a crazy deal. For a limited time, you can get 57% off the Tighten & Lift Neck Cream and Sculpt & Tone Arm Cream Bundle. You can also get 25% off all other products by using code DMA at goPure.com Honeylove: Treat yourself to the most comfortable shapewear on earth and save 20% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/DMA.  Thrive Market: Go to thrivemarket.com/DMA to get 30% off your first order and a FREE $60 gift.  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

22 Sep 58min

Is your child really doomed if they don’t start soccer by age 2? Do you feel the constant pressure to sign your kids up for the “right” teams and keep pace with the families around you? In this episode, longtime youth sports leaders Ed and Brian pull back the curtain on the fear-driven culture so many parents get caught in. They challenge the myth of early specialization and share a hope-filled vision of what true success looks like for our kids—on and off the field. You’ll hear practical wisdom on how to stay connected with your child while letting them own their sports journey. Here’s what we cover: The silent killer: what’s said in the car ride home What the fruits of the Spirit look like on the sidelines Creating spiritual rhythms around practice and game day The myth of “early start or fall behind” Plus, a little Napoleon Dynamite and Uncle Rico fun! Connect with Ed and Brian:  Website:  Away Game Instagram:  Ed Uszynski Instagram: Brian Smith Links Mentioned:   Away Game: By Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski  Related Episodes: Choosing Connection Over Critique :: Rachel Macy Stafford [Ep 280] How to be Calm and Kind Under Pressure :: Candace Cameron Bure [Ep 223] Parenting in the Power of the Holy Spirit :: Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 347] Featured Sponsors:  Green Chef: Make this fall your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to Greenchef.com/50ALONE and use code 50ALONE to get 50% off your first month then 20% off for two months with free shipping.  Thrive Causemetics: Maximize your look with minimal effort. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/DMA for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.  Untriggered by Amber Lia: Untriggered: 60 Days of Transformation for Moms Who Struggle with Anger available at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever you get good books. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

15 Sep 1h

Do you feel embarrassment or shame around talking to your kids about sex? Do you wish someone else could come talk to them for you?  Well today Kristin Miele is here to share her curriculum called Sex Ed Reclaimed. Kristin very reluctantly dove into this topic, she kept trying to run from it but God kept putting her in spaces to teach the truth of how our bodies are made. Here is some of what we cover: Teaching about boundaries, safety, and abuse prevention The "STOP" acronym for responding to porn exposure The difference between recognizing our feelings and declaring that they are truth Talking to your kids about abortion, same-sex attraction, and gender questions The harm of 90s purity culture—and a healthier, more grace-filled way forward Connect with Kristen Miele:  Website:  Christian Online Sex Ed Courses | Sex Ed Reclaimed Instagram:  Finally, Sex Ed You Can Trust Just For Kids! (@sexedreclaimed) Links Mentioned:   Good Pictures Bad Pictures: By Kristen Jenson Sex Ed Reclaimed Curriculum –use code DONTMOMALONE for 15 percent off.   Related Episodes: Porn-Proofing Our Kids :: Kristen Jenson [Ep 256] Birds and Birds? Oh Help Me Please :: Mary Flo Ridley [Ep 25] Let’s Talk about Sex :: Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson [Ep 328] Overcoming Barriers to Sexual Intimacy :: Nancy Houston [Ep 206] Featured Sponsors:  Outschool: Get your family’s first month for only $1 when you use our link: https://outschool.com/DMA and use code DMA at checkout. You’re Still a Good Mom by Hallie Dye available at MoodyPublisher.com or wherever you buy good books. Read a free sample chapter here.  Voetberg Music Academy: Use my code: DONTMOMALONE to get 20% off each month you’re subscribed and encounter the proprietary Voetberg Method experience at Voetbergmusicacademy.com Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

8 Sep 48min

Who does God say you are? And how do you step into your true identity when the world (and even yourself) have told you otherwise? If you (or your kids) feel unseen, unworthy, or unwanted, this episode is for you. In this powerful conversation, Hosanna Wong shares her journey of growing up on the streets of San Francisco with a father who battled addiction, only to see God transform his life and spark an outdoor church that reached the hurting. Her story goes on to share how she went through some hard years that were full of disappointment and lies from the enemy. She continued to press into the word and God reminded her who she is in Christ, through that season her spoken word ministry was born. Here is some of what we talked about:  How God uses ordinary moments and people, like a mother opening her door to a vacuum salesman and sharing faith, to change generations The struggle of feeling like you don’t measure up to “good Christian molds” and learning freedom in Christ Why God delights in your unique personality, schedule, and situation, He made you that way on purpose Hosanna reminds us that we have freedom in how we connect with our creator and God wants to meet us where we are  Connect with Hosanna Wong:  Website:  HOSANNA Facebook: Hosanna Wong Instagram:  Hosanna Wong (@hosanna.wong) Links Mentioned:   SPOKEN WORD: I Have A New Name What God Says About You: By Hosanna Wong You Are More than You've Been Told: By Hosanna Wong  Related Episodes: Exchange False Beliefs with True Identity :: Jamie Winship [Ep 433] When You Need a Personal Revival :: Cleere Cherry Reaves [Ep 504] Fighting Toxic Thoughts :: Jennie Allen [Ep 272] Featured Sponsors:  Thrive Causemetics: Maximize your look with minimal effort. Go to ThriveCausemetics.com/DMA for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.  Hiya Health: The same multivitamin that more than a million parents trust is now available with an enchanting Disney Princess welcome kit, with a new Princess unboxing experience including Princess bottle and stickers. And 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.  Outschool: Get your family’s first month for only $1 when you use our link: https://outschool.com/DMA and use code DMA at checkout. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

1 Sep 53min

Do you ever feel like clutter is taking over your home? In this episode, Tara Bremmer, professional organizer is here to dive into the heart of decluttering. We will talk about where to start if your home feels out of control, and how to tackle overwhelming projects in small, manageable steps instead of turning your whole house upside down. You’ll also hear tips for pantry organization, dealing with “rage areas,” and how to maintain chaos resilience by scheduling time to keep things in order. We also cover:  Practical tips for decluttering books, laundry, and pantries The emotional side of clutter and why we hold on to things in stressful times Decluttering with kids: teaching them to let go, manage clothes, and organize their space Tips for closet organization: including deciding what sizes of clothes to hang onto Connect with Tara Bremmer:  Website:  House Peace Instagram:  Therapy for your house. (@house.peace) Related Episodes: Declutter Like a Mother :: Allie Casazza [Ep268] From Chaos to Calm: Practical Tools to Manage Anger and Overwhelm in Motherhood  :: Elizabeth Andreyevskiy [Ep 513] Choose What Matters to YOU :: Kendra Adachi [Ep 293] House Rules and Learning to Love your Home :: Myquillyn Smith [Ep 462] Featured Sponsors:  Voetberg Music Academy: Use my code: DONTMOMALONE to get 20% off each month you’re subscribed and encounter the proprietary Voetberg Method experience at Voetbergmusicacademy.com  Go Pure: Get 25% Off @goPure with code [DMA] at gopure.com #goPurepod Active Skin Repair: Visit ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and to get 20% off your order, use code:DMA.  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

25 Aug 56min

Our kids begin to feel and respond to shame as early as 15 to 18 months of age. Those early moments can begin a lifelong struggle with feeling unworthy, inadequate and unlovable. Shame also disintegrates us (separating our thinking brain from our feeling brain) and isolates us from others.  My guest is Dr. Curt Thompson, a psychiatrist and expert on the effects of shame and how to find freedom from the lifelong negative messages that come after us and our family. “One of the things that we notice about shame is that because we are immobilized and we are hiding, shame does not actually ever allow us to move toward God. This is why we have to have someone come and find us. This is why when our children are experiencing shame, we have to go and find them. This is why it's important for us as parents to have others who are coming to find us.” YES! Moms don’t let moms sit in shame. We can choose to seek out others when they are stuck in the shame cycle. Who are your 2 or 3 moms that will help you tell your story more truly?  Dr. Thompson walks us through some practical ways to build in memories and physical reminders to work against shame in the future for both ourselves and others. And throughout our conversation he points back to how God doesn’t leave us to deal with shame alone. “The beautiful thing is Jesus isn’t worried about our kids. He's not worried about your mothering. He's delighted. He knows how hard this work is and he knows that we will do it imperfectly. Even when we have our worst moments in which we foist to shame upon our kids or when our kids experience shame against everything that we're doing to try to combat it, God is saying: ‘I'm not worried. I never run out of options.’” Summer of Mentorship Discussion questions PDF  Connect with Dr. Thompson:  Website:  https://curtthompsonmd.com  Facebook: https://curtthompsonmd.com/  Instagram: @curt_thompson_md  Links Mentioned:   BOOK: The Soul of Shame  BOOK: Anatomy of the Soul BOOK: The Soul of Desire: Discovering the Neuroscience of Longing, Beauty, and Community BOOK: The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope  Featured Sponsors:  Honeylove–Treat yourself to the most comfortable and innovative bras on earth and save 20% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/DMA  Outschool–Get your family’s first month for only $1 when you use our link: https://outschool.com/DMA and use code DMA at checkout. Thrive Causemetics–Maximize your look with minimal effort. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/DMA for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.  Group Discussion Questions: Have you studied shame before? Were you familiar with what it does to our bodies? What was the last thing you felt shame about? How did it isolate you or disrupt a creative process? Talk through how a friend or spouse could help you walk out of a shame cycle (whether minor or major). Who are 2 or 3 women that could help you feel loved or speak truth back to you that “Jesus isn’t surprised”?  Discuss meeting your children in their shame and how we can rely on God in those moments.

18 Aug 50min

Have you read the whole Bible? That was the question my guest Tara-Leigh Cobble struggled to answer while talking to a pastor friend. As she thought back through her life growing up in a Christian home, being involved in church and now working in full-time ministry, she couldn’t say for sure that she’d really read ALL of the Bible.  So she started a chronological reading plan to read it all, even the genealogies. But as she read, Tara had to wrestle with stories she’d never heard from the pulpit.   “I was questioning the Bible because I was reading the Bible and I was questioning not is this true, but is he good? Yeah. Do I like him? My mentor said the places where you have difficulty with God lean in because the good stuff is on the other side of this. The good stuff is on the other side of this struggle.” After completing her own journey of reading the full Bible and seeing scripture and God in a new way, Tara-Leigh created The Bible Recap podcast and book to help others encounter God through his Word. And she’s here to give us a pep talk for reading the full Bible too.  “You behold the living God in scripture, and all of a sudden, instead of feeling burdened by your to-do list, you're going to be buoyed and carried along by the love of the God of the universe and by the person of who he is. And that's what I want you to take away from scripture every day, a vision of the God who loves you and who has already accomplished all that he requires of you.” Summer of Mentorship Discussion questions PDF  Connect with Tara-Leigh:  Website:  www.taraleighcobble.com  The Bible Recap: www.thebiblerecap.com  Instagram: @taraleighcobble  Links Mentioned:   The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Listen to the Bible on YouVersion Featured Sponsors:  Thrive Market: Go to ThriveMarket.com/DMA and start saving today. Sale ends 8/31. Active Skin Repair: Visit ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and to get 20% off your order, use code:DMA.  GoPure: With over 1 MIllion jars sold, this beauty secret is no longer a secret. Get 25% Off @goPure with code [DMA] at https://www.gopurebeauty.com/DMA #goPurepod

11 Aug 44min

There is often a disconnect from what we read in scripture and how we experience life. God says, “I have not given you a spirit of fear,” but we keenly feel fear and anxiety. We know that God has saved our souls through Christ's death and resurrection, but we still feel like past wounds/choices/lies come between us and hearing His voice.  One powerful way to work towards freedom in these areas is through a biblically-based program of inner healing prayer. My guest Jennifer Barnett of Freedom Prayer joins me to talk about inner healing prayer or freedom prayer, a powerful process that helps restore individuals to a more fruitful and fulfilling walk with God. “Inner healing prayer is its own sort of type of prayer. If you're not familiar with it, we would say it's some really intentional time devoted to allowing God to remove anything that would hinder someone from a full abiding relationship with him. That could look like sin, wounding, ungodly beliefs, or lies that we believe about ourselves, God or other people.” My experience with inner healing prayer has been so powerful and I believe it can be for you too. For more information on Freedom Prayer visit their website at https://freedomprayer.org.  Summer of Mentorship 2025 Discussion questions PDF  Connect with Freedom Prayer:  Website:  freedomprayer.org  Facebook: facebook.com/freedomresources  Group Discussion Questions: Is there something in your life you need freedom from to connect more with God? Can you find an inner healing prayer ministry near you to pray? How has prayer impacted your walk with Christ? Is it something you do regularly? Is there someone else you need to share inner healing prayer with? Other Episodes on the topic:  True Intimacy with God :: Mo Isom Aiken [Ep 318] Soul Freedom :: Francie Winslow (Encore) For Freedom Be Set Free with Francie Winslow {Ep. 4} Featured Sponsors:  Hiya Health: 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. Outschool: If you want to try Outschool, you can get your family’s first month for only $1 a limited time when you use my link: Outschool.com/DMA  Outschool has been a game changer for our family. This new membership exclusive discount is only available when you go through our link and use code DMA!  Thrive Causemetics: Maximize your look with minimal effort. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/DMA for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.

4 Aug 49min