Focused Living :: Shontell Brewer [SOM Wk 3]

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 Related Episodes: Soulful Over Frantic :: Shauna Niequist [Ep 127] Walking Through Seasons of Unbelonging :: Shauna Niequist [Ep 362] Recovering from Mom Burnout :: Nicole Zasowski [Ep 257] Featured Sponsors:  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

27 Nov 202340min

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

20 Nov 202358min

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:   The Simplified Planner Heather uses Raising Them Ready: Practical Ways to Prepare Your Kids for Life on Their Own by Jonathan and Erica Catherman   How to Be a Person Camp - Emily Ley on Substack  Near in the Night: 100 Evening Meditations on God’s Peace and Rest by Emily Ley Sure as the Sunrise: 100 Morning Meditations on God’s Mercy and Delight by Emily Ley  Growing Boldy: Dare to Build a Life You Love by Emily Ley A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living by Emily Ley  Related Episodes: Fighting Toxic Thoughts :: Jennie Allen [Ep 272] Freedom From Anxiety :: Ashley Willis [Ep 180] Getting Brave About Anxiety :: Sissy Goff [Ep 311] Featured Sponsors:  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

13 Nov 202347min

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 Related Episodes: Body Awareness in Parenting :: Mary Van Geffen [Ep 333] When Your Child is on the Autism Spectrum (Part 1) :: Terri Conlin [Ep 182] When Your Child is on the Autism Spectrum (Part 2) :: Terri Conlin [Ep 183] Parenting Neurodivergent Children - Summer Edition :: Carrie Cassell [Ep 413] Parenting Sensitive and Intense Kids :: Lynne Jackson and Lydia Rex [Ep 395] Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues :: Lynne Jackson [Ep 258] Featured Sponsors:  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

6 Nov 202345min

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** Related Episodes: 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] Shrinking or Swelling to Fill Your Space :: Courtney DeFeo [Ep 406] RWYB Wk 5  Light ‘Em Up :: Courtney DeFeo [Ep 50] “Help, I’m Tired of Fighting with My Daughter About Clothes” :: Kari Kampakis [Ep 429] Connecting with Your Daughter Through Humility and Compassion :: Kari Kampakis  - Part 1 [Ep 390] Steady Identity in Shifting Roles :: Kari Kampakis - Part 2 [Ep 391] The Goldmine of a Mother’s Hindsight :: Chrystal Evans Hurst [Ep 71] Rescuing the Girl in You :: Chrystal Evans Hurst [Ep 172] Featured Sponsors:  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

3 Nov 202344min

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:  Anchoring Our Kids’ Lovability in Christ :: Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 91] Motherhood, Career, and Identity :: Kat Armstrong [Ep 171] When to Have the Talk :: Mary Flo Ridley [Encore] The Window of Tolerance :: Charissa Fry [Ep 260]  Gospel Parenting :: Paul David Tripp [Ep 176] Connect with:  Jeannie Cunnion  Website:  https://www.jeanniecunnion.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieCunnion  Instagram:  @jeanniecunnion  Mary Flo Ridley  Website: https://birds-bees.com/  Podcast: The Birds and Bees  Instagram: @birds_bees  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  Parenting the Wholehearted Child: Captivating Your Child’s Heart with God’s Extravagant Grace by Jeannie Cunnion  Mom Set Free: Find Relief from the Pressure to Get It All Right by Jeannie Cunnion Don’t Miss Out: Daring to Believe Life is Better with the Holy Spirit by Jeannie Cunnion  Never Alone: Parenting in the Power of the Holy Spirit by Jeannie Cunnion  Books by Kat Armstrong  The In-Between Place: Where Jesus Changes Your Story by Kat Armstrong No More Holding Back: Emboldening Women to Move Past Barriers, See Their Worth, and Serve God Everywhere by Kat Armstrong  The Storyline Project by Kat Armstrong   Resources from Charissa Fry Lopez  Regulation Pack  Keys to Playing with Your Kiddo  Resources by Mary Flo Ridley  God’s Very Good Design by Mary Flo Ridley Birds and Bees Courses  Resources by Paul David Tripp Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family  New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional  Marriage: 6 Gospel Commitments Every Couple Needs to Make  Complete List of Paul Tripp’s Resources  Related Episodes: In Light of Eternity :: Jen Clouse [Ep 100]  Quiet Your Inner Critic and Practice Self-Compassion :: Kim Fredrickson [Ep 188] Lessons Learned in 87 Years (Part 1) :: Vickie Kraft [Ep 73] Lessons Learned in 87 Years (Part 2) :: Vickie Kraft [Ep 74] Donut Dates with John Price [Ep 6] Jeannie Cunnion How to {really} Parent with Grace :: Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 55] Set Free From Shame :: Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 190] Parenting in the Power of the Holy Spirit :: Jeannie Cunnion  [Ep 347]  Kat Armstrong Women Can Be All in for Jesus :: Kat Armstrong [Ep 253]  Mary Flo Ridley  Birds and Bees? Oh Help Me Please :: Mary Flo Ridley [GCM Ep 25] Birds and Bees (Continuing the Conversation) :: Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson [Ep 153] Preparing Now for Future Puberty and Masturbation Questions :: Megan Michelson and Mary Flo Ridley [Ep 243] Let’s Talk About Sex :: Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson [Ep 328] Charissa Fry Lopez Connecting Through Play :: Charissa Fry [Ep 319]  Ages and Stages Series - The Tween Years :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 380] Paul David Tripp The Good God Wants for Our Families :: Paul David Tripp [Ep 285] Habits of a Healthy Marriage :: Paul David Tripp [Ep 234] Opportunity vs Disruption :: Paul David Tripp [Ep 212] Featured Sponsors:  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

30 Okt 202346min

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 Website: https://connectedfamilies.org/  Instagram: @connectedfams  Online Courses  Kirk Martin Website: https://celebratecalm.com/  Instagram: @celebratecalm  Podcast: Celebrate Calm Online Courses  Full Episodes Here:  Emotional Milestones :: Sissy Goff and David Thomas [Ep 160] Create a Home of Belonging & Becoming :: Sally Clarkson [Ep 107] Help Your Child Feel Safe and Loved :: Jim and Lynne Jackson [Ep 80] Calmly Parenting the Strong-Willed Child :: Kirk Martin [Ep 69] The Right to Change My Mind :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 196] 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] Featured Sponsors:  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

23 Okt 202344min

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: Build Lasting Faith In Your Kids :: Dr. Kara Powell [Ep 290] Six Needs of Every Child :: Amy and Jeffrey Olrick [Ep 322] Embracing the Mom You’re Meant to Be :: Jo Saxton [Ep 283]  Redeeming Shame Through Community :: Dr. Curt Thompson [Ep 308] When Your Wounded Soul Needs a Smiling God :: Lisa Harper [Ep 174] Links Mentioned:   Books by Dr. Kara Powell  3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager: Making the Most of Your Conversations and Connections Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family: Over 100 Practical and Tested Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Kids  Books by Amy Elizabeth Olrick and Jeffrey Olrick The 6 Needs of Every Child: Empowering Parents and Kids Through the Science of Connection  Books by Jo Saxton  The Dream of You: Let Go of Broken Identities and Live the Life You Were Made For Ready to Rise: Own Your Voice, Gather Your Community, Step into Your Influence  More Than Enchanting: Breaking Through Barriers to Influence Your World Influential: Women in Leadership at Church, Work and Beyond Books by Curt Thompson, MD The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves by Curt Thompson, MD The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope by Curt Thompson, MD The Soul of Desire: Discovering the Neuroscience of Longing, Beauty, and Community by Curt Thompson, MD Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships by Curt Thompson, MD  Books by Lisa Harper  A Perfect Mess: Why You Don’t Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God The Sacrament of Happy: What a Smiling God Brings to a Wounded World Overextended and Loving Most of It Stumbling Into Grace     Featured Sponsors:  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

16 Okt 202346min