Don't Mom Alone Podcast

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} Related Episodes: The Good God Wants for Our Families :: Paul David Tripp [Ep 285] Signpost Parenting :: Ann Voskamp [Ep 394] Sidetracked by Throat Gurgles, Unlikely Friendships and Trash Can Valentines :: special guest Rachel Green [Ep 454] Featured Sponsors: Vegamour: Take on the most Advanced approach to hair wellness with Vegamour’s new GRO+ Advanced System. Learn more at Vegamour.com/DMA use the code DMA to save 20% on your first order. BetterHelp: This episode was sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity, with 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.

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: My First Learn-to-Talk Book: by Stephanie Cohen M.A. I Can Say Dada!: by Stephanie Cohen M.A. I Can Say Mama!: by Stephanie Cohen M.A. My First Learn-to-Talk Book: Things That Go: by Stephanie Cohen M.A. I Can Say Moo!: by Stephanie Cohen M.A. Harlan Cohen (@harlancohen) Related Episodes: Feeding Your Kids Without Mom Guilt :: Kacie Barnes [Ep 450] Fed is Best || New Baby Series Pt 1 :: Demetria Martin and Dr. Odom [Ep 342] Fed is Best || New Baby Series Pt 2 :: Dr. Bridget Young [Bonus] “How Do I Regulate My Own Emotions?” :: Charissa Fry [Ep 482] Summer of Mentorship Ages and Stages Series—Infants/Toddlers :: Rachel Norman [Ep 377] Featured Sponsors: Honeylove:Honeylove is not just supporting women, it's empowering women. Treat yourself to the best bras on the market and save 20% off at honeylove.com/DMA. Use our exclusive link to get 20% off to find your perfect fit. After you purchase they ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them we sent you. Elevate your comfort, elevate your style, with bras that empower your lifestyle of flexibility. 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.

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: Empowering Leadership Services | The Confident Leader Kisses from Katie: by Katie Davis Majors The Reluctant Disciple: By Robin Pou Leadership Training & Employee Development Platform - The Optimism Company Halftime - Get Clear. Get Free. Get Going Crown Financial Ministries Related Episodes: Identifying Your God-Given Space (Part 2) :: Sally Clarkson [Ep 404] How to Own Your Life :: Sally Clarkson {Ep 54} Stewarding Sacred and Spiritual Disciplines at Home :: Jennifer Pepito [Ep 464] Featured Sponsors: Lands End: Seize the summer in Lands’ End. Head to landsend.com and use code (DONTMOMALONE) to get 30% off your summer purchase. Greenlight: Sign up for Greenlight today and get your first month free when you go to Greenligh.com/dma. BetterHelp: This show is sponsored by Betterhelp. Never skip therapy day, with 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.

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: Quiz — Jess Connolly Tired of Being Tired: By Jess Connolly Breaking Free from Body Shame: By Jess Connolly You Are the Girl for the Job: By Jess Connolly Dance, Stand, Run: By Jess Connolly From Pentecost to Patmos: by Craig Blomberg Nobody's Mother: By Sandra Glahn Paul Behaving Badly: by E. Randolph Richards Nugget Countertop Ice Maker with Soft Chewable Pellet Ice Sun Visor Hats for Women Wide Brim Straw Roll-Up Related Episodes: Your Body is GOOD :: Jess Connolly [Ep 329] Worth Repeating // Jess Connolly A Naptime Diary :: Jessi Connolly {Ep 68} Featured Sponsors: Rhone The Course to Court Collection can get you through any workday and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/DMA and use promo code DMA to save 20% off your entire order. Honeylove Honeylove is not just supporting women, it's empowering women. Treat yourself to the best bras on the market and save 20% Off at honeylove.com/DMA . 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.

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: Common Sense Media: Age-Based Media Reviews for Families Are My Kids on Track?: by Sissy Goff, Melissa Trevathan, and David Thomas The Invisible String by Patrice Karst Related Episodes: Helping Socially Anxious Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 451] Understanding Boys Better :: David Thomas [Ep 315] Raising Worry-Free Girls :: Sissy Goff [Bonus] Emotional Milestones :: Sissy Goff and David Thomas [Ep 160] Featured Sponsors: Greenlight: Sign up for Greenlight today and get your first month free when you go to Greenlight.com/dma . 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. Vegamour: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: Green Chef–Go to GreenChef.com/dmaclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass! That’s code dmaclass at Greenchef.com/dmaclass. 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.

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: The Goal Isn’t Happy Children :: Cynthia Yanof – Summer of Mentorship – Wk 6 [Ep 419] A Mash-Up of Summer Support [Ep 411] Breaking Up with Perfect :: Summer of Mentorship Week 4 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.

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: Growing Connected Podcast - Growing Connected The 6 Needs of Every Child: Amy and Jeffrey Olrick Which Need Do You Respond to the Most? - Growing Connected (Quiz) Related Episodes: The “Don’t Miss” List :: Celebrating 10 Years of Don’t Mom Alone [Ep 434] Grace Based Discipline for Kids with Unique Needs :: Karis Murray [Ep 237] Understand Your Developing Teen :: Dr. Nell Bush [Ep 351] 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.

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 2015Kirk 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 :: PodcastLinks 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.

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: Joni and Friends | Sharing Hope Through Hardship ATF Official Home Page | AdaptiveTrainingFoundation.org The Chosen TV Series Related Episodes: How to Never Miss Out :: Vaneetha Risner [Ep 402] RWYB Series wk 1 Praising Through the Pain of Physical Limitations :: Karen Harmon [Ep 231] Finding Your Voice :: Sandi Patty [Ep 224] 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.

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: The Unicorn That is Adult Friendship :: Cynthia Yanof – Summer of Mentorship – Wk 3 [Ep 416] Friendship is Hard :: Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston [Ep 350] Healing Friendship Wounds :: Lisa-Jo Baker [Ep 159] 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.

**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: Let’s Talk about Sex :: Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson [Ep 328] Preparing Now for Future Puberty and Masturbation Questions :: Megan Michelson and Mary Flo Ridley [Ep 243] Birds and Bees (Continuing the Conversation) :: Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson [Ep 153] Sidetracked with Beth McCord :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 473] Sidetracked with Toni Collier :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 468] 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.

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?

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: Factual News, Flexible Thinking and Family Moral Imperatives :: Sharon McMahon [Ep 332] Crafting Your Family Culture :: Rebecca Hagelin {Ep 124} Parenting Ahead :: Kristen Hatton [Ep 409] 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.

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: The Enneagram, Marriage and the Gospel :: Beth McCord [Ep 259] Enneagram and Stress :: Ian Cron Recap [Bonus Episode] The Enneagram and Motherhood :: Suzanne Stabile [Ep 232] Featured Sponsors: Honeylove: Treat yourself to the best bras on the market and save 20% Off at honeylove.com/DMA . Use our exclusive link to get 20% off - to find your perfect fit. Rhone: Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use DMA to save 20% at https://www.rhone.com/DMA 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! Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: Don't Make Me Come Back There with Dustin and Melissa Nickerson How to Be Married (to Melissa): by Dustin Nickerson Dustin Nickerson at Addison Improv Related Episodes: #FeelFreetoLaugh :: Jordan Watts [Ep 137] Raising Emotionally Strong Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 368] ADHD :: Sara Furlich [Ep 165] 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.

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: Don't Mom Alone Community | creating support for isolated moms | Patreon MESSmerized with Cynthia Yanof | Your support is greatly appreciated! | Patreon Vegamour RevitaLash Cosmetics, RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner Serum Tinkle facial hair razors How do I improve my marriage? Guests Dave & Ann Wilson Jack Blocker (@jackforestblocker) Bob Ross socks Talking Bob Ross bobblehead Univ of Tennessee earrings Tozer and a Face Wax Related Episodes: Sidetracked with Cynthia and Heather [Ep 426] How to shine a light as a family :: Bruce MacFadyen {Ep. 5} The Legacy of a Calm Father :: Kirk Martin [Ep 210] Featured Sponsors: CrunchLabs: For the summer CrunchLabs is hosting Camp CrunchLabs, where kids get 12 build-it-yourself toys - with one shipped every week! Plus access to exclusive Mark Rober videos and weekly challenges that are chalkful of the juiciest engineering. Go to Crunchlabs.com and sign up for Camp CrunchLabs today! Gabb Mobile: Gabb is offering $25 off any device to new customers–with no contract required! Just go to Gabb.com/dma to get the best deal. Hello Fresh: Go to HelloFresh.com/dmaapps for FREE appetizers for life! One appetizer item per box while subscription is active. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: Summer Screen Time Survival Guide 100+ Screen-Free Boredom Busters for Kids and Teens Aro | Turn Screen Time into Family Time Digital Minimalism: by Cal Newport Atomic Habits: by James Clear Related Episodes: Time and Space for Flourishing in a Tech World :: Andy Crouch [Ep 208] Cultivating a Healthy Relationship with Tech :: Joey Odom [Ep 425] Braving the Tech Landscape Through Connection :: Chris McKenna [Ep 424] Featured Sponsors: Vegamour–Give your hair the power of the little pink bottle with Vegamour. For a limited time, Don’t Mom Alone listeners get 20% off their first order by going to Vegamour.com/DMA and use the code DMA at check out. Trust and Will- Secure your assets and protect your loved ones with Trust and Will. Get 10% off plus free shipping of your estate plan documents by visiting trustandwill.com/DMA. 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.

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) Links Mentioned: You Can Be Free: by Kirby Kelly Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age: by Rosaria Butterfield You Are More Than You've Been Told: by Hosanna Wong The Soul of Shame: by Curt Thompson Perfect or Perfected | Pastor Robert Morris | Gateway Church The Art Of War: by Sun Tzu You Can Be Free — Kirby Kelly Preorder bonus material Related Episodes: Redeeming Shame through Community :: Dr. Curt Thompson [Ep 308] Set Free From Shame :: Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 190] Finding Courage to Speak Up When You’re Not OK :: Kristen Glass [Ep 427] Featured Sponsors: 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. Green Chef: Go to GreenChef.com/dma50 and use code “dma50” to get 50% off, plus 20% off your next two months. #1 meal kit for eating well. Rhone Apparel: The Course to Court Collection can get you through any workday and straight into whatever comes next. Head to rhone.com/DMA and use promo code DMA to save 20% off your entire order. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: Website: HOME | Toni Collier Facebook: Toni J Collier Instagram: Toni Collier (@tonijcollier) Links Mentioned: PODCAST | Toni Collier Brave Enough to Be Broken: by Toni Collier Broken Crayons Still Color: by Toni Collier Ironman movie Matched workout sets on Amazon (something like this) Nuuly Torres - Black Truffle Potato Chips Related Episodes: When You’re Busy and Stressed by Mom Life Expectations :: Joanna Weaver [Ep 463] Brave Enough to be Broken :: Toni Collier [Ep 388] Broken Crayons Still Color :: Toni Collier [Ep 267] Featured Sponsors: Greenlight: Sign up for Greenlight today and get your first month free when you go to GREENLIGHT.com/dma 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 Dwell: If you're struggling to find time to read the Bible, then head over to dwellbible.com/dma to receive your 25% discount today. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: Website: Expecting and Empowered Instagram: Expecting and Empowered App: App — Expecting and Empowered Links Mentioned: Podcast — Expecting and Empowered Code for app: dontmomalone to get 25% off a one year subscription Related Episodes: Overcoming Barriers to Sexual Intimacy :: Nancy Houston [Ep 206] Postpartum Depression :: Brittany Turner [Ep 277] The Ripple Effect of Healthy Sexual Connection :: Francie Winslow [Ep 138] Featured Sponsors: Honeylove- Treat yourself to the best bras on the market and save 20% off at honeylove.com/DMA Better Help- 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 Market- Go to ThriveMarket.com/DMA for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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) Links Mentioned: Unsung Hero | Now Playing In Theaters Thank-You-Poster.pdf (focusonthefamily.com) Related Episodes: Summer of Mentorship 2019 Week Four :: Helen Smallbone Raising Rock Stars on a Firm Foundation :: Helen Smallbone [Ep 166] The Day Fear Died :: Courtney Smallbone [Ep 201] Lasting Parent-Child Relationships :: Summer of Mentorship 2022 Week 1 Featured Sponsors: Thrive Causemetics- 10% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA Vegamour- Get twenty percent off your first order by going to VEGAMOUR.com/DMA and use code DMA at check out 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.

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 Links Mentioned: LTK | Fashion, Home, Beauty, Fitness and More Life Is Messy, God Is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life: by Cynthia Yanof Chico's (chicos.com) Forgiving What You Can't Forget: by Lysa TerKeurst I Shouldn't Feel This Way: by Alison Cook PhD The Body Keeps the Score: by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. A Mother’s Day Questionnaire for your kiddos to fill out. A Questionnaire you fill out about your kids by Brooke Romney The Holderness Family When Mother’s Day isn’t Facebook Perfect Related Episodes: Forgiving What You Can’t Forget :: Lysa TerKeurst [Ep 304] Embracing the Mom You’re Meant to Be :: Jo Saxton [Ep 283] The Goal Isn’t Happy Children :: Cynthia Yanof – Summer of Mentorship – Wk 6 [Ep 419] Featured Sponsors: Total Gym- For an ADDITIONAL 20% off your order, head to TotalGymDirect.com/DMA Better Help- 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. VisitFind links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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) Links Mentioned: Restoration Home with Jennifer Pepito [PODCAST] Habits for a Sacred Home: by Jennifer Pepito Really Very Crunchy: by Emily Morrow The Rule of St. Benedict Atomic Habits: by James Clear He Leadeth Me: An Extraordinary Testament of Faith: by Walter Ciszek Kimberly June Miller Mothering by the Book: by Jennifer Pepito Related Episodes: Inner Healing Prayer :: Jennifer Barnett [Ep 323] Creating Family Culture :: Amber O’Neal Johnston [SOM Wk 4] Create a Home of Belonging and Becoming :: Sally Clarkson {Ep 107} Featured Sponsors: Skylight- Get 15% off a Skylight Calendar at SkylightCal.com/ALONE Dwell- Receive 25% off today dwellbible.com/dma Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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) Links Mentioned: Podcast - Joanna Weaver Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: by Joanna Weaver Embracing Trust: by Joanna Weaver Don't Mom Alone: by Heather MacFadyen Related Episodes: The What, Why and Work-through of Panic Attacks :: Kasey Van Norman [Ep 452] Inner Healing Prayer :: Jennifer Barnett [Ep 323] Set Free From Shame :: Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 190] Exchange False Beliefs with True Identity :: Jamie Winship [Ep 433] Featured Sponsors: Skylight Calendar - Get 15% off a Skylight Calendar at SkylightCal.com/ALONE Greenlight- Greenlight is a debit card and money app made for families. Get your first month free at GREENLIGHT.com/DMA Thrive Causemetics- get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: Website: Nesting Place Facebook: Nesting Place Instagram: Myquillyn Smith (@thenester) Links Mentioned: House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home, Style, and Budget by Myquillyn Smith The Cozy Minimalist Community Jason Saft | Staged To Sell Home (@stagedtosellhome) The Nesting Place: It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful: by Myquillyn Smith Quiz: What's Your Decorating Era? Related Episodes: How to Quit Hustle and Embrace Small-Moment Living :: Emily Freeman {Ep 83} Create a Home of Belonging and Becoming :: Sally Clarkson {Ep 107} Your Unique Color Palette and Authentic Style :: Karen Blanc [Ep 343] Featured Sponsors: Honeylove - Save 20% Off at honeylove.com/DMA Skylight - Get 15% off a Skylight Calendar at SkylightCal.com/ALONE StoryWorth - Save $10 on your first purchase when you go to StoryWorth.com/DMA Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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) Links Mentioned: The Gift of Limitations: Finding Beauty in Your Boundaries: by Sara Hagerty Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet: Tasting the Goodness of God in All Things: by Sara Hagerty Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed: by Sara Hagerty Related Episodes: When You Feel Unseen :: Sara Hagerty [Ep 175] Every Bitter Thing is Sweet :: Sara Hagerty [Ep 143] Help When You Feel Weak :: Lisa Whittle [Ep 170] Featured Sponsors: BetterHelp: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/DMA and get on your way to being your best self.” Total Gym: Remember: It only takes 10-20 minutes a day to reshape your body. Head to TotalGymDirect.com/DMA for an ADDITIONAL 20% off your order. Plus that includes a FREE AbCrunch attachment AND free shipping. This special offer won’t be available for much longer. 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! Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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 Links Mentioned: Turo car rental marketplace Watch Mean Girls Chico's Soma Heather’s new Cupshe bathing suit Amazon.com: Audible Books The Women: by Kristin Hannah Confessions of a Shopaholic: by Sophie Kinsella Me before You by Jojo Moyes Don't Mom Alone: by Heather MacFadyen Life Is Messy, God Is Good: by Cynthia Yanof Cynthia’s MESSmerized Patreon Heather’s Don't Mom Alone Patreon Related Episodes: Emotional Maturity, Teamwork, and 25 years of Marriage :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 458] Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids :: Dr. Kara Powell [Ep 290] How to Stay Calm with School Stress :: Kirk Martin {Ep 88} Featured Sponsors: Thrive Causemetics- get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

Earbud and Trigger warningWe 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) Links Mentioned: Dancing on the Grave–Naomi Cantwell and Christ for the Nations Kiddell (@ohkiddell) Upperroom (uprmdallas.org) Related Episodes: Forgiving What You Can’t Forget :: Lysa TerKeurst [Ep 304] Faith in the Unexpected :: Christine Caine You Are Never Alone :: Max Lucado [Ep 298] Life Giving Faith in Every Circumstance :: Lisa Appelo [SofM wk 2] Featured Sponsors: Trust & Will- Get 10% off plus free shipping of your estate plan documents trustandwill.com/DMA Vegamour- For a limited time get twenty percent off your first subscription order at VEGAMOUR.com/DMA Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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 Related Episodes: Bruce Learns to Label His Feelings :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 316] Talking, Teens, and Twenty-four Years :: Bruce + Heather [Ep 399] Changing the Atmosphere of Your Home with Positive Parenting :: Ralphie Jacobs [Ep 456] Helping Socially Anxious Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 451] Featured Sponsors: Better Help- DMA is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp.com/DMA today to get 10% off your first month. Greenlight- Greenlight is a debit card and money app made for families. Get your first month free at GREENLIGHT.com/DMA Total Gym- For an ADDITIONAL 20% off your order, head to TotalGymDirect.com/dma Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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 Related Episodes: “What is My Responsibility in My Child’s Salvation?” :: Vela Tomba [Ep 431] Freeing Your Adolescents to Step Into Adulthood – Ages and Stages – Teens :: Dr. Ken Wilgus [Ep 382] Doubt, Questions and Your Teen’s Growing Faith :: Mary Jo Sharp [Ep 375] Featured Sponsors: Caraway- Non-toxic cookware made modern. Visit Carawayhome.com/DMA for 10% off your next purchase. Thrive Market- Get convenient, high-quality, affordable groceries delivered with Thrive Market! Go to ThriveMarket.com/DMA for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Vegamour- Elevate your hair wellness routine this year with Vegamour. For a limited time get 20% off your first subscription order of Gro Hair Serum by going to VEGAMOUR.com/DMA Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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 Related Episodes: Choosing Connection Over Critique :: Rachel Macy Stafford [Ep 280] How to Stop Yelling, Lecturing and Power Struggles :: Kirk Martin {Ep 62} The Window of Tolerance :: Charissa Fry [Ep 260] Featured Sponsors: Honeylove–Get 20% OFF @honeylove by going to honeylove.com/DMA Thrive Causemetics–Right now, you can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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 Related Episodes: The Ministry of Presence in a Broken World :: Tess Clarke [Ep. 252] Compassion Changes Everything :: Jonathan Almonte [Ep 264] Many Hues, One Humanity :: Dr. Lucretia Berry [Ep 282] Featured Sponsors: BetterHelp–This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/dma and get on your way to being your best self. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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 Links Mentioned: Life Is Messy, God Is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life: by Yanof, Cynthia Jordan's Skinny Syrups Sugar Free Coffee Syrup, Vanilla Life Is Beautiful (English Subtitled) Right Where You Belong: How to Identify and Fully Occupy Your God-Given Space: by Heather MacFadyen Women, Food and Hormones Jesus cookies Lume deodorant (use DMA to get $5 off starter pack) Clothes Steamer Related Episodes: “Plump it Up”:: Sidetracked by 10 years of Podcasting [Ep 437] Balancing Work and Family Life :: Tricia Goyer [Ep 7] Strengthening Our Friendships :: Susan Seay [Ep 289] Featured Sponsors: Greenlight–So stop putting off the “Money Talk” and start putting your kids on the right path. Sign up for Greenlight today and get your first month free at GREENLIGHT.com/dma. Lume– As a special offer for listeners, new customers GET $5 OFF a Lume Starter Pack with code DMA at LumeDeodorant.com. That equates to over 40% off your Starter Pack. Trust and Will –Secure your assets and protect your loved ones with Trust and Will. Get 10% off plus free shipping of your estate plan documents by visiting trustandwill.com/DMA. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: Sex on The First Date by Tim and Kathy Bush The Bible Recap Family Life –Weekend to Remember Conferences Genesis Women's Shelter---resources if you are in an abusive relationship Related Episodes: Building Strong Marriages :: Kimberly Beam Holmes [Ep 374] Finding the Courage to Speak Up When You’re Not Ok :: Kristen Glass [Ep 427] Rebuilding from an Abusive Marriage :: Jeni B [Ep 246] Infidelity, Divorce and Redeeming Love :: Rebekah Greer [Ep 8] Walking Through Divorce :: Lara Williams [Ep 324] Sinners Married to Sinners–How God Refines Us :: Cheryl Scruggs and Jae Carpenter [Ep 195] Featured Sponsors: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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 Freedom Prayer Ministries People Fuel: Fill Your Tank for Life, Love, and Leadership by John Townsend Ultimate Leadership Conferences Soul of Shame by Dr. Curt Thompson Don't Mom Alone: Growing the Relationships You Need to Be the Mom You Want to Be: by Heather MacFadyen Related Episodes: Freedom from Anxiety :: Ashley Willis [Ep 180] Getting Brave About Anxiety :: Sissy Goff [Ep 311] Panic Attacks and Growing Trust :: JJ Heller [Ep 238] Featured Sponsors: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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 Changer by Kristen Hallinan Life 360 App Your Enneagram Coach (a gospel-centered approach to the Enneagram) Related Episodes: David Thomas Episodes Freeing Your Adolescents to Step Into Adulthood – Ages and Stages – Teens :: Dr. Ken Wilgus [Ep 382] The Enneagram and Motherhood :: Suzanne Stabile [Ep 232] Featured Sponsors: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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 Related Episodes: Fed is Best || New Baby Series Pt 2 :: Dr. Bridget Young Healthy Habit Building :: Kat Lee [Ep 300] Featured Sponsors: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: Life is Messy, God is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life by Cynthia Yanof Enter our Sidetracked Giveaway Featured Sponsors: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: She’s Not Your Enemy: Conquering Our Insecurities So We Can Build God’s Kingdom Together by Jenn Schultz Inner Healing Prayer :: Jennifer Barnett [Ep 323] Psalm 103 Romans 8 Ephesians 1 Related Episodes: Be Vulnerable, Find Your People :: Jennie Allen [Ep 354] Move From Comparison to Compassion :: Karen Ehman [SOM Wk 5] Sidetracked with Fall, Homecoming and Sibling Conflict :: Cynthia & Heather [Ep 432] Featured Sponsors: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: Estrogen Matters: Why Taking Hormones in Menopause Can Improve Women’s Well-Being and Lengthen Their Lives – Without Raising the Risk of Breast Cancer by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris Dallas Pyschologist/Therapist: https://behavioralhealthdallas.com/dr-katie-sardone-psychologist-therapist Dallas Counseling: https://www.mend-counseling.com/ NY Times article on Menopause Featured Sponsors: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: [email protected] Links Mentioned: FREE Encircled Parenting Resource (https://encircled.org/parents/) Fuller Youth Institute (https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/) Connected Families (https://connectedfamilies.org/) The Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character by Jon Tyson Related Episodes: Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids :: Dr. Kara Powell [Ep 290] Equipping Your Kids for Difficulty :: Kim Sorgius [Ep 356] Relationships you Need to Be the Mom you Want to Be :: Heather Macfadyen [Ep 341] Exchanging False Beliefs for True Identity :: Jamie Winship [Ep 433] Featured Sponsors: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: Right Where You Belong: How to Identify and Fully Occupy Your God-Given Space by Heather MacFadyen Cultivate What Matters PowerSheets Life is Messy God is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life by Cynthia Yanof **ENTER to be a guest on our March Sidetracked episode (giveaway ends Feb 9th) Laurel Denise Planners Pilot Frixion Erasable Pens Related Episodes: Organize Your Mental Load :: Laurel Denise [Ep 444] Cultivate What Matters :: Lara Casey [Ep 146] Featured Sponsors: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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 Related Episodes: Sunday Planning :: Retha Nichole [Ep 349] Listening for God’s Leading :: Caroline Cobb [Ep 405] RWYB Week 4 Cultivate What Matters :: Lara Casey [Ep 146] Featured Sponsors: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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: Nobody’s Mother: Artemis of Ephesians in Antiquity and the New Testament by Sandra L. Glahn Vindicating the Vixens: Revisiting the Sexualized, Vilified, and Marginalized Women of the Bible by Sandra L. Glahn Related Episodes: On the Role of Women :: Joel Muddamalle [Ep 397] Every Mom a Theologian :: Phylicia Masonheimer [Ep 389] Featured Sponsors: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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 Related Episodes: Truth in the Tinsel with Amanda White (Ohamanda) :: [Ep 3] Celebrating Advent :: Tsh Oxenreider [Ep 305] Christmas Traditions with Little Ones :: Jacki Rucksdashel [Ep 142] Featured Sponsors: Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.

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.

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.

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.

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.