If you are a Christian mom who sometimes feels overwhelmed, frazzled, or exhausted, you've come to the right place. Each week you'll hear practical time-management tips, Biblical inspiration, and humor to help you gain clarity and focus so you can find the real balance you've been seeking.
In John 17, Jesus prayed for the Church. He could have prayed anything for us, but the Lord prayed for unity. This begs the question, how are we doing with the whole unity thing? Today I welcome to the show my new friend Chase Rashad Stancle. He’s the lead pastor at Unison Christian Church, a racially and religiously diverse church in Grand Rapids MI. He’s also a racial equity coach, a musician, a husband, and a father. And we had one of my most favorite conversations on the podcast ever. For show notes, go to https://thescooponbalance.com/246
12/12/24 • 35:28
As you wrestle with whether to hand your kids a smart phone you may be thinking a smartphone will help your child connect with his friends, provide safety in a dangerous situation, and lead to responsibility and greater independence. But what if that’s not the whole story? What if it’s not true at all? Today I welcome back to the show Erin Loechnoer, the author of The Opt Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can’t. She believes it’s not enough to simply say no to devices. We have to say yes to something better on the other side. This is Part 2 of our 2-part conversation. Listen in. For show notes go to https://thescooponbalance.com/245
12/5/24 • 40:18
71% of parents believe that smartphones do more harm than good. And yet 99% of teens have phones given to them by their parents. Excess screen time is eroding our society, interrupting family rhythms, and disconnecting us from our closest relationships. From toddlers to teens to parents…tech has a grip on us all. Today we are continuing our season-long conversation about tech and social media with Erin Loechner, the founder of the global tech-free movement The Opt-Out Family and author of the new book by the same name. This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation. Listen in. For show notes go to https://thescooponbalance.com/244
11/28/24 • 31:33
Today, I shift away from my typical pre-holiday pep talk to focus instead on granting you permission to prioritize self-care during the hectic holiday season. For show notes, go to https://thescooponbalance.com/243
11/21/24 • 14:21
How do you stand for your marriage when your husband is an addict or alcoholic? What if he’s actively cheating on you? How do you support a friend whose marriage is falling apart because of these or other issues? Today I welcome back to the show Jason Carver author of 40 Day Stand for Marriage Restoration. This is part 2 of our 2-part conversation. For show notes go to https://thescooponbalance.com/242 Enter to Win a Free Copy of 40 Day Stand for Marriage Restoration Leave a 5-Star rating and review of The Balanced MomCast on Apple Podcasts BEFORE YOU HIT PUBLISH/SEND TAKE A SCREENSHOT! Email me a picture of your review with the subject line “Jason's Book” at thescooponbalance@gmail.com Entries must be received before November 20, 2024, U.S. residents only. I will draw a winner and notify you by email.
11/14/24 • 36:46
Is your marriage dying or dead? Do you believe it can be restored? In a world where divorce seems like the first and best option and also the final word, today’s guest, Jason Carver, reminds us that God’s capacity for restoration of dying marriages and resurrection of dead marriages is greater than any attempt by our enemy to divide. This is part 1 of a 2-part conversation. For show notes go to https://thescooponbalance.com/241Enter to Win a Free Copy of 40 Day Stand for Marriage RestorationLeave a 5-Star rating and review of The Balanced MomCast on Apple PodcastsBEFORE YOU HIT PUBLISH/SEND TAKE A SCREENSHOT!Email me a picture of your review with the subject line “Jason's Book” at thescooponbalance@gmail.com Entries must be received before November 20, 2024, U.S. residents only.I will draw a winner and notify you by email.
11/7/24 • 38:00
Regularly, I hear from moms who are trying to navigate this digital age with their kids. And what I often hear is a sense of hopelessness and regret. But Jenna Kruse offers hope and encouragement by giving you a balanced approach, practical steps, and biblical wisdom for this all-consuming area of parenting school-aged kids. This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part conversation. For show notes, go to https://thescooponbalance.com/240
10/31/24 • 37:45
Are you spending 50% of your parenting time and energy navigating tech with your school-aged kids? Do you have little ones and you already rue the day they ask for Instagram? Are you overwhelmed with the very THOUGHT of setting up parental controls or installing an internet filter? Today’s guest is Jenna Kruse and she helps parents with school-aged kids overcome the frustration, fatigue, and hopelessness of parenting in the digital age, so they can enjoy their kids and thrive in their role of raising the next generation to know and love Jesus. This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation. Listen in. For show notes go to https://thescooponbalance.com/239
10/24/24 • 32:47
Today, I discuss the importance of recognizing when it's time to hire help and provide practical guidance for making that decision. I'll share my personal experiences with hiring help, promising you that there is no shame in seeking assistance. And then I outline six key questions to consider when determining if it's time for YOU to hire help. For show notes, go to https://thescooponbalance.com/238
10/17/24 • 20:29
If you carry shame from your past, this episode is for you. If you have been hurt by a man, by a parent, or by your very own child, this episode is for you. If you think you need a do-over, this episode is for you. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Joby Martin, Pastor of The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, FL (my church!) and author of the new book Run Over by The Grace Train. Listen to EP236/Part 1 before you listen to this. For show notes, go to https://thescooponbalance.com/237. Enter to Win a Free Copy of Run Over by the Grace Train Leave a 5-Star rating and review of The Balanced MomCast on Apple Podcasts BEFORE YOU HIT PUBLISH/SEND TAKE A SCREENSHOT! Email me a picture of your review with the subject line “Joby’s Book” at thescooponbalance@gmail.com Entries must be received before October 16, 2024, U.S. residents only. I will draw a winner and notify you by email.
10/10/24 • 32:35
Encountering the incomparable, immeasurable grace of Jesus is like getting run over by a freight train. You’re powerless against it, it takes you where it wants to, you can’t do anything to stop it, and it dramatically changes everything. Today is Part 1 of my conversations with Joby Martin. He's my pastor and the author of of the new book Run Over By the Grace Train: How the Unstoppable Love of God Transforms Everything. For show notes go to https://thescooponbalance.com/236 Enter to Win a Free Copy of Run Over by the Grace Train Leave a 5-Star rating and review of The Balanced MomCast on Apple Podcasts BEFORE YOU HIT PUBLISH/SEND TAKE A SCREENSHOT! Email me a picture of your review with the subject line “Joby’s Book” at thescooponbalance@gmail.com Entries must be received before October 16, 2024, U.S. residents only. I will draw a winner and notify you by email.
10/3/24 • 32:52
How would your life be different if you completely unplugged from your devices every day? How would you improve your parenting, your work, your marriage, your relationship with God? Last week we played Part 1 of my conversation with Hannah Brencher. She is the author of the book The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World. If you haven’t listened to that, go do that first. Otherwise, listen to how Hanna’s life has become more connected and vibrant since practicing regular unplugged hours! For Show Notes go to https://thescooponbalance.com/235 Enter to Win a Free Copy of The Unplugged Hours Leave a 5-Star rating and review of The Balanced MomCast on Apple Podcasts BEFORE YOU HIT PUBLISH/SEND TAKE A SCREENSHOT! Email me a picture of your review with the subject line “Hannah’s Book” at thescooponbalance@gmail.com Entries must be received before October 2, 2024, U.S. residents only. I will draw a winner and notify you by email.
9/26/24 • 32:41
Are you spending too much time on your phone? Do you feel overly connected to your digital life and disconnected from your real life? Well, buckle up ladies, because we are discussing this topic and hitting it from EVERY angle this season, beginning today with Hannah Brencher. She is the author of the book: The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World. She is so full of wisdom and grace. I can’t wait for you to hear this interview. This is part 1 of a 2-part conversation. For Show Notes, go to https://thescooponbalance.com/234 Enter to Win a Free Copy of The Unplugged Hours Leave a 5-Star rating and review of The Balanced MomCast on Apple Podcasts BEFORE YOU HIT PUBLISH/SEND TAKE A SCREENSHOT! Email me a picture of your review with the subject line “Hannah’s Book” at thescooponbalance@gmail.com Entries must be received before October 2, 2024, U.S. residents only. I will draw a winner and notify you by email.
9/19/24 • 33:33
WELCOME BACK! After our three-month break, this is the beginning of season 14! It’s also the beginning of another school year and the beginning of Fall (sorta, it’s still 100 degrees in FL, but whatevs). For moms, it means a busy season with many people and things begging for our attention and time. But we can’t say yes to all of them. Today I’m sharing one filter I use pretty much every day to decide what NOT to buy, keep, or do. For show notes go to https://thescooponbalance.com/233
9/12/24 • 21:53
Please take a 2-minute survey! If you have kids on a traditional school schedule in the U.S., two things are true: 1) it’s summer break, and 2) the children will be home for the next 10-ish weeks. Summer balance is different than schoolyear balance. But as we will learn today, balance isn’t so much about what we do, but what we think about what we do. Today I’m sharing four mindsets to find your summer balance. Also, at the end of this episode I share my plans for summer balance and how you can connect with me. For show notes, click here.
5/30/24 • 28:46
This is Part 2 of a replay of my 2022 conversation with Sarah Turner, mom to 6 kids (ages 11 to 29). Sarah passed away March 2024. I'm so grateful for her influence on my life. For show notes click here.
5/23/24 • 46:29
In February 2022, I had the privilege of interviewing my dear friend, Sarah Turner, for a two-part episode devoted to the challenges of parenting teenagers. At the time of the recording, Sarah was in remission from an aggressive cancer. Sadly, a few months later, the cancer returned, and she passed away on March 4, 2024. As a tribute to Sarah, I am replaying our conversation. For show notes click here.
5/16/24 • 43:20
For weeks, I have been offering you strategies to help you get stuff done. I hope something I’ve shared has helped you organize your projects, your tasks, or your responsibilities. But lest you believe that the value of your life consists only in the abundance of your accomplishments, allow me to bring balance to this series by offering you six times it’s okay NOT to get stuff done. Click here for show notes. Join me at the (FREE) I AM MOM MOMFERENCE
5/9/24 • 31:56
Are you procrastinating about starting big projects because they are...too big? Do you have trouble staying focused long enough to make progress on...well, anything? Do you have pockets of time that feel wasted or underutilized? If you answered yes to any of those questions, today’s episode is for you. Today I’m sharing two of my favorite and most used strategies to get stuff done: Timers and Pairing. For show notes, click here.
5/2/24 • 25:29
What you may consider a “normal” period (moodiness, cramping, breast tenderness, fatigue) my guest would call “red flags” of hormone imbalance. But it doesn’t have to be this way! If you’ve been told the only solution to your discomfort is a prescription for birth control, buckle up for a candid conversation about hormones, monthly cycles, and perimenopause. Leisha Drews is here to offer a holistic approach that prioritizes nutrition, stress levels, and rest so that you can show up as the best mom you can be. For show notes click here.
4/25/24 • 49:32
If you are a person who hates "being a slave" to your to-do list, this episode is for you. I break down the exact process I use to create lists that free up my brain space, move the needle on projects that matter to me, keep track of looming deadlines, and permit me to ignore everything else. If you think you're not a "list person" I challenge you to listen to this super tactical episode. For show notes, click here.
4/18/24 • 34:58
How can you create time blocks in your schedule when you have tiny kids at home? What does self-care look like for the mom with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers? What do we do when we feel 100% called to motherhood and also 100% called to a career or a ministry? Is balance even possible? Well, my guest today would argue that, yes, yes it is. And she’s here to tell you how. This is part 2 of my 2-part conversation with Sasha Star Robertson. Listen in. For show notes, click here.
4/11/24 • 32:02
We are continuing our series on how to get stuff done and I’ve invited my friend Sasha Star Robertson to join us. She’s a mom to 3 children ages 3 mos, 18 mos, and 4 years. She’s also an entrepreneur, a podcast host, and a faith-based productivity coach. If you’re wondering how to get stuff done with littles at home, Sasha is your girl. She is here to share how to get stuff done by creating schedules from your most purposeful priorities. This is Part 1 of a 2-Part conversation. Listen in. For show notes, click here.
4/4/24 • 34:45
Are you having trouble getting stuff done? Maybe you are struggling with how to balance your time with the Lord while also tending to your never-ending to-do list. Or maybe you are struggling with only doing the stuff on your to-do list but never getting to the things that feed your soul and creativity. If you are struggling to get stuff done then I have a favorite strategy of mine to offer: Routines. I'll tell you what a routine is, why routines work, who they work best for, who they do NOT work for, the first few steps to establish a new routine, and what to do if your new routine is not working. (I love me a good routine, can you tell?) For show notes, click here.
3/28/24 • 23:28
The stats on kids and body shame are staggering. Some studies suggest that 94% of teen girls and 64% of teen boys have been shamed for how their body looks. As moms we can have a huge influence over how our kids see themselves and their bodies. Today, I welcome back to the show my friend and dietician Jane Curry Weber. She has been helping families for 25 years and she is here today to help us help our kids embody a healthy and God-honoring view of themselves and their bodies. Listen in. For show notes click here.
3/21/24 • 30:09
Today I welcome back to the show my friend and dietician Jane Curry Weber to talk about body shame and women: What causes it. How social media contributes to it. How it leads to eating disorders. And what we can do to overcome it. And stay tuned to the end of our conversation where I go off on a tangent about my insecurities talking about my weight and health on this podcast. I may or may not have a vulnerability hangover after releasing this episode into the wild. Listen in. For show notes click here.
3/14/24 • 45:06
Do you feel like you're drowning? Is your house rarely clean? I mean, really clean? Are you struggling with how to take good care of your children AND also find time to get your work done AND be a good daughter AND a good sister AND a good friend AND mop the floors? Do you need a system that actually works? A system that will help you fit in all the tasks and relationships that matter most to you? If you are struggling to get stuff done, I’ve got a super practical episode. Today, we are talking about how to get stuff done using Theme Days. For show notes including the link to the quiz What is Your Busyness Personality, click here.
3/7/24 • 26:29
If there's one thing I learned about YOU in my most recent podcast listener survey is this: you love practical episodes to help you find balance. If there are two things I'd add this: You are struggling to get stuff done. So, today and next week and maybe even beyond next week, we’re going there. We’re getting personal and practical. Today I’m giving you 5 reasons why you don’t get stuff done. Listen in. For Shownotes and the link to the Busy Quiz click here.
2/29/24 • 19:18
Today I welcome back to the show Brant Hansen. He’s a best-selling author, award-winning syndicated radio host, podcast host of the Brant and Sherri Oddcast (my favorite podcast), advocate for children with correctable disabilities with CURE international, and he’s on the autism spectrum. He is hilarious and wise and witty and I just cannot believe I was able to sit and ask him questions for a full hour. For shownotes click here. This is Part 2 of a 2-part conversation. Be sure to go back and listen to EP217 for Part 1 before you listen to this.
2/22/24 • 39:46
Okay, you guys, this is my dream interview. If it all ended today, I’d die a happy podcast host. Brant Hansen is a best-selling author, award-winning syndicated radio host, podcast host of the Brant and Sherri Oddcast (my favorite podcast), advocate for children with correctable disabilities with CURE international, and he’s on the autism spectrum. I’m not exaggerating when I say that he’s informed my faith and my daily outlook on Jesus and peace more than anyone in the last 20 years. I’m so excited for you to hear my interview with Brant Hansen, Listen in. For show notes, click here.
2/15/24 • 31:27
