Don't Mom Alone Podcast

Do you feel that it is hard to connect with your aging parents? Are your kids and grandparents not communicating well through the generational gap?  In this episode, Isabel Tom, author of The Value of Wrinkles shares insights into her background, her work with the elderly, and her experience growing up in a multigenerational household. She gives a unique perspective of how much joy and life we can bring to the generation before us but it takes a lot of intentionality. This conversation covers practical tips for deepening these family ties and the mutual blessings they can bring. We cover a wide range of topics- Simple ways to involve children in caring for their grandparents or older relatives How to foster meaningful conversations across generations How small acts of kindness can make a big difference in an elder’s life An Investigator Kit Isabela created to help families connect  How to talk to your kids about elder issues- dementia or physical constraints Connect with Isabel Tom:  Website:  The Value of Wrinkles by Isabel Tom Facebook: The Value of Wrinkles Instagram:  The Value of Wrinkles®️ (@isabelctom) Links Mentioned:   The Value of Wrinkles: Isabel Tom Grandkid Investigator Family Kit - NOW AVAILABLE! Weird But True! Gross: by National Geographic Kids Related Episodes: Generational Healing: Becoming the Mom You Needed :: Melanie Shankle [Ep 508] Gathering a Mentor Circle :: Ben Bevis [Ep 446] Connecting with Your Kids in Any Circumstance :: Jim and Lynne Jackson {Ep 98} Featured Sponsors:  Purity Woods: I have never seen a skincare product of this quality at this reasonable of a price point. And thankfully, the good people at Purity Woods have a special coupon code specifically for my listeners, so you can try it for yourself for 27% off today. Just go to puritywoods.com/DMA or enter DMA at checkout. Thrive Market: Ready for a junk-free start to 2025? Head to ThriveMarket.com/dma and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift. Thrive Causemetics: Thrive Causemetics is luxury beauty that gives back. o 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. 

Have you struggled to break free from generational trauma or sin? Do you find it challenging to help your kids navigate tough situations at school and in sports? Today, author Melanie Shankle joins us to share insights from her new book, Here Be Dragons. Her story is one of both deep trauma and undeniable evidence of God’s provision—placing the right people in her life at just the right time. It wasn’t until college that Melanie realized her mother-daughter relationship was far from what her friends experienced. That realization set her on a long journey of untangling her past and healing from the wounds of her upbringing. In this conversation, we cover so many important topics, including: The meaning behind Here Be Dragons Mean girls, motherhood, and generational trauma How to become spiritually and emotionally healthy to break toxic cycles What it looks like to set boundaries or cut off a parent as an adult How to recognize when a closed door in your child’s life is actually God's protection Join us for an honest, insightful discussion on healing, parenting, and trusting God through life’s toughest moments. Connect with Melanie Shankle:  Website:  Big Mama – the big mama blog Podcast: The Big Boo Cast Instagram:  @MelanieShankle Links Mentioned:   Here Be Dragons: by Melanie Shankle Podcast | Kari Kampakis All My Knotted-Up Life: by Beth Moore Related Episodes: In Light of Eternity :: Jen Clouse [Ep 100] Long Game Parenting :: Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson [Ep 337] Navigating Friendship :: Melanie Shankle [Ep 273] The Antelope in the Living Room :: Melanie Shankle [ Ep. 12] Featured Sponsors:  Hiya Health: We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults Pair Eyewear: Show off new sides of yourself this year. Go to paireyewear.com and use the code DONTMOM for 15% off your first pair. Support the show by mentioning that Don’t Mom Alone sent you in the post-checkout survey!  Gabb Mobile: Right now, Gabb is offering twenty-five dollars off any device—with no contract required. Just go to GABB.com/dma to get started. Terms and conditions apply. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

Do you often feel like you give everything to your family but don’t know what you enjoy? Have you lost your spark for life that you felt in your youth?  Today, Chrystal Evans Hurst is here to share her journey and story from a single mom to a life filled with the passions and purposes that God has placed inside of her.  So often as women we feel the pull of family, career, and household duties and forget what makes us who we are. Here are some topics we cover.  The mom who has lost her purpose or lost herself in motherhood How to not feel stuck, confused, and unfulfilled How to pay attention to your passions and giftings Recognizing your unique talents Creating the community you crave Connect with Chrystal Evans Hurst:  Website:  Chrystal Evans Hurst Facebook: Chrystal Evans Hurst Instagram:  Chrystal Evans Hurst (@chrystalhurst) Podcast: The Sister Circle Podcast Links Mentioned:   She's Still There: By Chrystal Evans Hurst 100 Days to Discovering the Gift of You: By Chrystal Evans Hurst Find Your People: By Jennie Allen Join Chrystal’s Inner Circle Related Episodes: Summer of Mentorship 2018 [Week Two] :: Chrystal Evans Hurst Rescuing the Girl in You :: Chrystal Evans Hurst [Ep 172] The Goldmine of a Mother’s Hindsight :: Chrystal Evans Hurst {Ep 71} Victory in Ministry and Motherhood :: Priscilla Shirer [Ep 229] Featured Sponsors:  Thrive Causemetics: luxury beauty that gives back. Right now, you can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA Hugz: Whether you’re treating yourself or looking for a thoughtful gift for someone special, these heatable, coolable plushies are a hug you can hold onto. Check out GiveHugz.co and use code DMA for 20% off your first order.  BetterHelp: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Write your story, with Betterhelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/DMA to get 10% off your first month. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

Did you know that 12-step programs are for anyone? Do you feel like your life has spiritual direction or are you just floating through surviving?  Today I am excited to have Ian Cron who is an author, speaker, trained psychotherapist, songwriter, and Episcopal priest here. Ian shares his own journey into addiction and sobriety and how that process prompted him to write his newest book The Fix to help people see our deep need for Jesus in our journey through life. Here are just a few of the topics we cover… Understanding the 12 steps of recovery from addiction Addiction comes in many forms—alcohol, phone, success, approval,etc We are all looking for a fix to make life more tolerable Enneagram types and their common addictions Transformation vs. Reformation Letting go of resentment and forgiving the people in your life  Connect with Ian Cron:  Website:  The Official Home of Ian Morgan Cron Facebook: Ian Morgan Cron Instagram:  Ian Morgan Cron (@ianmorgancron) Links Mentioned:   The Fix by Ian Cron The Fix Workbook by Ian Cron The Road Back to You by Ian Cron Chasing Francis by Ian Cron Jesus, My Father, the CIA and Me by Ian Cron Addiction and Grace by Gerald May Al-Anon/Alateens Family Groups (find one near you)  Inner Healing Prayer :: Jennifer Barnett [Ep 323] Related Episodes: Enneagram and Stress :: Ian Cron Recap [Bonus Episode] Hope for the Hopeless Marriage :: Kathy Bush [Ep 453] Recovery for Life :: Lynn Hoffman [Ep 129] Featured Sponsors:  Apostrophe-We have a special deal for our audience: Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/DMA when you use our code: DMA. That’s a savings of fifteen dollars! This code is only available to our listeners. Branch Basics–Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code DMA at https://branchbasics.com/DMA #branchbasicspod Choose Branch Basics because cleanliness matters. Honeylove–Treat yourself to the best bras and shapewear on the market. Get an additional 20% off by going to honeylove.com/DMA! #honeylovepod Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

Do you feel like it takes too much time and energy to host? Does having people in your home stress you out or seem out of reach? Today Logan Wolfram joins me- she is an author and speaker that knows how to host well. We met long-long ago at a blogger’s conference before the podcasting world was even a thing. I have been drawn to her knack for pulling people into her home and sat down to glean her wisdom in this area. Here are the topics we covered… Stocking the pantry for hosting Batch cooking tips and tricks Signature dishes and family favorites How to handle having a “smaller” home and hosting Figuring out what your kids and their friends are into and leaning into those places Connect with Logan Wolfram:  Website:  Logan Wolfram - Live Curious Instagram:  Logan Lane Wolfram (@loganlwolfram) Links Mentioned:   Interview for Declare Conference– How to Not Miss Out [Ep 17] Logan’s recipes Roux instructions and diagram Jackbox.TV Related Episodes: Work of Worth :: Kristi Griem {Ep 39} The Turquoise Table :: Kristin Schell {Ep 37} Summer of Mentorship 2019 Week Four :: Helen Smallbone Featured Sponsors:  Betterhelp-Write your story, with Betterhelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/DMA to get 10% off your first month. Rosetta Stone-Start the New Year off with a resolution you CAN reach! Today Don’t Mom Alone listeners can take advantage of this Rosetta Stone’s LIFETIME Membership for 50% off! Visit https://www.rosettastone.com/dma. That’s 50% off unlimited access to 25 language courses for the rest of your life.  Apostrophe-Whether you’re dealing with acne, signs of aging, or dark spots, Apostrophe helps you get access to the right treatments for your skin. We have a special deal for our audience: Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/DMA when you use our code: DMA. That’s a savings of fifteen dollars! This code is only available to our listeners. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

As we enter a new year do you feel stuck or like last year did not go like you intended it to? Are you dealing with disappointments and finding it difficult to see God in your situation?  Today Cleere Cherry Reaves, author and podcaster, joins me to talk about how God’s word is the most powerful tool in shifting our focus and seeing the Lord in our everyday circumstances. In her new book Revive she writes about how Jesus is with us through the storms and trials of life, He does not simply pluck us out of every situation but we learn how to see Him in the hard times. Here are some topics we cover… Cleere’s son has a powerful testimony in the making as a non-verbal kid. She shares how she uses the word of God to reframe that situation.  How in seasons of brokenness and fragility we see the strength of God.  Trusting God's Plan and Recalibrating Expectations. How our habits create a “diet” of what we are consuming and how to change those to be more focused on the word of God.  How to take time to listen to the voice of God.  Connect with Cleere Cherry Reaves:  Website:  Cleerely Stated - Personal and Purposeful Products Facebook: Cleerely Stated Instagram:  Cleere Cherry Reaves | Speaker, Author + Podcaster Links Mentioned:   Candle Warmer Lamp Living Fearless: by Jamie Winship Revive: by Cleere Cherry Reaves Be Still: 90 Devotions for the Hopeful Heart: by Cleere Cherry Reaves Related Episodes: Processing Grief, Infertility, and Loss in Community :: Julie Fowler [Ep 502] Identifying Your God-Given Space (part 1) :: Cleere Cherry Reaves [Ep 403] Exchange False Beliefs with True Identity :: Jamie Winship [Ep 433] Featured Sponsors:  Pair Eyewear– Show off new sides of yourself this year. Go to paireyewear.com and use code DONTMOM for 15% off your first pair. And support the show by mentioning that Don't Mom Alone sent you in your post-checkout survey! Thrive Market–Ready for a junk-free start to 2025? Head to ThriveMarket.com/dma and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift Hiya Health–We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

Do you feel like your mind is full of tasks making it hard to focus and be present with your family? Do you struggle to articulate what you need, feel, or want from your spouse?  Today, Dr. Morgan Cutlip is here to help us navigate the topic of mental load specifically as moms. Morgan is a psychologist and highly sought after relationship expert. Her book Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself helps moms advocate for their needs in a loving way. We cover a large range of issues facing parents today including…  The invisible running to-do list we keep in our minds. How to identify your needs and communicate them. How to get clear about what you feel and need so you do not confuse your spouse.  Identifying the two different types of guilt and how to respond.  The three domains of mental load- cognitive, physical, and emotional. Navigating the holiday season with the added tasks and pressure to make it magical.  Connect with Dr. Morgan Cutlip:  Website:  Dr. Morgan Cutlip Facebook: Dr. Morgan Cutlip Instagram:  Dr. Morgan Cutlip (@drmorgancutlip) Links Mentioned:   Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself by Dr. Morgan Cutlip A Better Share : How Couples Tackle the Mental Load  (pre-order)  How We Feel App  Related Episodes: Organize Your Mental Load  :: Laurel Denise [Ep 444] “How do I connect better with my kids?” [Ep 475] :: Summer of Mentorship Week 1 Body Awareness in Parenting :: Mary Van Geffen [Ep 333] Featured Sponsors:  Rosetta Stone - Start the New Year off with a resolution you CAN reach! Today Don’t Mom Alone listeners can take advantage of this New Year’s special of Rosetta Stone’s LIFETIME Membership! Visit www.rosettastone.com/dma. That’s unlimited access to 25 language courses for the rest of your life.  Thrive Market - Want to shop at a grocery store that actually cares for your health? Go to ThriveMarket.com/DMA for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift.  Greenlight -A debit card and money app for parents to raise financially smart kids and families to navigate life, together. Sign up for Greenlight today at Greenlight.com/dma Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

Have you or a friend ever walked through a season of infertility and grief? Do you often wonder what to say when a friend is walking through loss of any kind?  Today my friend Julie Fowler is here to talk about her heartbreaking (but hopeful) story of motherhood and how God used her story to help people navigate loss. Julie has faced miscarriage, adoptions that fell through at the last minute, and baby twins she only held for four short hours. She truly has walked this long road and knows all of the feelings of grief and uncertainty around waiting for a baby. This valley produced a beautiful study of walking through infertility in community and connecting with God in the deepest, darkest places. We cover so much in our conversation including… How to talk to a friend in a season of infertility and loss- what not to say.  How husbands and wives can support each other instead of turning on one another.  Sharing your feelings with the Lord and then speaking truth over yourself. Wrestling with deep spiritual questions when your prayers are not being answered.   Making a support group uplifting instead of only heavy while still leaving room to process.  Connect with Julie Fowler:  Website:  Julie Fowler Ministries Facebook: Juliefowlerministries | Facebook Instagram:  Julie Fowler Ministries (@juliefowlerministries) Links Mentioned:   Infertility Bible Studies and Resources — Julie Fowler Ministries Treasures in the Waiting: by Julie Fowler Navigating Infertility and Loss with Strength and Hope: by Julie Fowler When Empty Arms Become a Heavy Burden: by Sandra Glahn Related Episodes: Nobody’s Mother :: Dr. Sandra Glahn [Ep 443] Hope During Infertility and Infant Loss :: Shawna Beucler [Ep 203] Every Bitter Thing is Sweet :: Sara Hagerty [Ep 143] Featured Sponsors:  Greenlight–Sign up for Greenlight today at Greenlight.com/dma. Great debit card and money app to raise financially smart kids and for families to navigate life, together. Betterhelp Find comfort this December, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/DMA today to get 10% off your first month. Beam-If you want to try Beam’s best-selling Dream Powder, get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to shopbeam.com/DMA and use code DMA at checkout. Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

Today my conversation with Dallas and Amanda Jenkins is a powerful reminder that the Christmas story still needs to be told thousands of years later. Dallas is the acclaimed director, writer, and producer of The Chosen, and now the heartfelt movie The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  The movie is based on a book read for years in the Jenkins’ house (and many households worldwide). Twenty years ago Amanda brought the book home and asked Dallas to read it to the kids. By the end they were both in tears and could not finish the story without taking turns reading. That started a 20-year journey of Dallas praying to make this movie and the Lord answered through an amazing story in His own time.  Moms play a vital role in this film from a mom telling her son to let Dallas have the rights to the movie, to Amanda helping with the casting, to Grace (the mom in the film) who uses her God-given space to change the lives around her. As we enter the Christmas season let us remember Jesus came for the outsider and not cling so tightly to our traditions that we do not see those who need to hear the true Christmas story.  Connect with Dallas and Amanda:  Website:   Facebook: Dallas Jenkins Instagram:  Dallas Jenkins (@dallas.jenkins) Links Mentioned:   The Best Christmas Pageant Ever | Now Playing In Theaters Molly Wright: How Every Child Can Thrive by Five | TED Related Episodes: Seek Him First :: Lillian Richey [Ep 494] Advent Untangled :: Mindy Rives [Ep 385] Celebrating Advent :: Tsh Oxenreider [Ep 305] Featured Sponsors:  Honeylove-Treat yourself to the best bras and shapewear on the market. Shop Honeylove’s Holiday sale and save an additional 20% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/DMA. Thrive Causemetics–Spice up your holiday season with Thrive Causemetics. Luxury Beauty that gives back. Get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA.  Vegamour–This holiday season, give the gift of great hair with Vegamour. There’s something for everyone, including you! Visit Vegamour.com/DMA code DMA to shop.  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

I can’t believe it but today we are celebrating 500 episodes of Don’t Mom Alone! I am bringing back my very first guest and mentor Leslie to “recap” the last eleven years. Leslie had been encouraging me from before I started this podcast and her fingerprints are all over my motherhood. We get an update on her life and she shares how to navigate the empty nest phase. Leslie reminds us of Psalms 16:6-8 (which I also wrote about in my book), “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” God is faithful in ALL seasons from newborn to empty nest.  Also, some of my listeners call in to share what Don’t Mom Alone has meant to them. Here are a few of the highlights… How healing prayer ministry has been life-changing.  Be in community and reach out for help.  Become the inviter instead of waiting for others to invite you in.  Receive and give grace to others through the challenges of motherhood.  Connect with Leslie Johnson:  Website:  Sursee Gal Instagram:  Leslie Johnson 🎉aka Sursee Gal (@surseegal) Links Mentioned:   *A gift to you!! PDF of Psalm 16:6-8 Right Where You Belong: by Heather MacFadyen Related Episodes: Announcing…the God Centered Mom Podcast! Interview with Leslie Johnson (Sursee Gal) A Pep Talk with Leslie Johnson {SurseeGal} –Yelling/Reading/Needing :: GCM Ep 20 That’s Me. . .Craving Authentic Friendships :: Libby and Leslie {Ep 102} Featured Sponsors:  Betterhelp: Find comfort this December, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/DMA today to get 10% off your first month. Skylight Frame:  And now, as a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get twenty dollars off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go to SkylightFrame.com/ALONE. Greenlight: The easy, convenient way for parents to raise financially smart kids and families to navigate life, together. Sign up for greenlight today at Greenlight.com/dma.  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.