Don't Mom Alone Podcast

Do you have a child with autism or neurodivergent tendencies? Do you have a friend with a child that needs support but you're not sure how to show up?  Today Carrie, Kate, and Adrian are here to share their deeply personal stories about their kids and how autism has shaped their families. The amazing thing is each of their experiences is so different- and each of them has approached this diagnosis uniquely. They co-wrote a book called Autism Out Loud that covers a huge variety of challenges. We barely scratched the surface but here are some things we covered… The hidden, unexpected grief of special needs parenting How raising a child with autism magnifies stress in marriages Siblings and how autism affects their lives- the joys and sadness that come with a neurodivergent sibling and how to keep that communication open What parents of autistic children really need from friends and family It takes risk, invitation, and vulnerability to find your people and a community that can rally around and support you  Connect with Carrie, Kate, and Adrian:  Website:  Tales of an Educated Debutante - Adrian Harrold Wood, PhD Website: Finding Cooper's Voice | Welcome to the Secret World of Autism Website: Carrie Cariello Instagram:  Adrian Harrold Wood, PhD (@talesofaneducateddebutante) Instagram: Kate (@findingcoopersvoice) Facebook: Carrie Cariello Links Mentioned:   Autism Out Loud: By Carrie Carieel, Kate Swenson, and Adrian Wood Related Episodes: Parenting Neurodivergent Children–Summer Edition :: Carrie Cassell [Ep 413] Parenting as a Highly Sensitive Person :: Mary Van Geffen [Ep 438] When Your Child is on the Autism Spectrum (Part One) :: Terri Conlin [Ep 182] When Your Child is on the Autism Spectrum (Part Two) :: Terri Conlin [Ep 182] Featured Sponsors:  GoPure Beauty: With over 1 MIllion jars sold, this beauty secret is no longer a secret. For a limited time, our listeners get 25% off goPure with code [DMA] at checkout. Just head to gopurebeauty.com/DMA, use code [DMA], and you’re all set Purity Woods: Honestly, 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. The Chosen: Last Supper : So text your favorite person, grab your favorite box of movie theater candy, and go see The Chosen: Last Supper in theaters. You can get your tickets now at TheChosenLastSupper.com. Green Chef: Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Go to GreenChef.com/alonefree and use code alonefree to get started with FREE Salads for two months plus 50% off your first box.” Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

Is it possible to have a well-rested baby without sacrificing attachment? Are you an exhausted mom who struggles with the nighttime routine?  Today Eve Squires, a sleep consultant with over fifteen years of experience, shares her journey and approach to improving infant sleep without resorting to harsh methods. Sleep is one of the most debated parenting topics, and in the past, I have avoided this topic because it is often confusing with conflicting advice. Eve was exactly the right person to do a deep dive on how to help children sleep through the night, without losing that special bond.  In this episode we cover: How to improve sleep without the "cry it out" method The hunger vs. habit debate—how to know if your baby truly needs to eat at night Nap windows and how to structure baby and toddler awake time for better naps Replacing sleep incentives with healthier soothing techniques Why some babies sleep well while others don’t (and potential neurological factors) Connect with Eve Squires:  Website: Calm and Bright Sleep Support Instagram:  CALM and BRIGHT SLEEP SUPPORT (@calmandbrightsleepsupport) Links Mentioned:   Infant Sleep Plans | Free Self-Assessment | Calm and Bright The Rested Baby Plan - Calm and Bright Sleep Support Related Episodes: Shepherding Healthy Sleep Habits :: Jenn and Robin of Sleepy Cues [Ep 230] That’s Me. . . sleep deprived and needing Jesus :: Jennie and Sally {Ep 106} Ages and Stages Series—Infants/Toddlers :: Rachel Norman [Ep 377] Featured Sponsors:  Thrive Causemetics: Celebrate the women in your life with Thrive Causemetics. Luxury beauty that gives back. o Right now, you can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA Honeylove: Treat yourself to the most comfortable shapewear on earth and save 20% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/DMA Thrive Market: Ready to make the switch? Go to ThriveMarket.com/dma for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE sixty dollar gift!  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

Do you feel like you’re reacting instead of responding, constantly putting out fires, and struggling to manage your emotions—especially anger?  Today Elizabeth Andreyevskiy joins me to share her journey from explosive to calm in motherhood. Maybe you’ve tried counseling, read the books, and learned the tools, but implementing them in real life still feels impossible. This podcast is packed with practical tools to help us manage the chaos of our homes. God wants us to be whole and to care for our minds, bodies, and spirits so that we can care for our families daily.  In this episode we cover: How unmet expectations, physical clutter, and negative mindsets fuel frustration The power of meeting your own basic needs (eating, water, and sleeping matter!) Practical ways to create space for self-care, reflection, and increased emotional capacity Creative ways to get some alone time and reset What to do when you do have an explosion of anger and how to bring reconciliation Connect with Elizabeth Andreyevskiy:  Website:  Anger Coach for Christian moms Instagram:  Elizabeth (@emotionally_healthy_legacy) Links Mentioned:   Anger Management Coach for Christian moms Emotionally Healthy Legacy Podcast END MOM SHAME TRAINING  Related Episodes: How Do I Regulate My Own Emotions? :: Charissa Fry [Ep 482] Summer of Mentorship Changing the Atmosphere of Your Home with Positive Parenting :: Ralphie Jacobs [Ep 456] Focus on Growth vs. Guilt :: Lisa Bevere [Ep 291] What Triggers Your Angry Reaction? :: Amber Lia {Ep 108} Featured Sponsors:  BetterHelp–This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Build your support system, with Betterhelp Visit BetterHelp.com/DMA to get 10% off your first month.  Gabb Mobile —Protecting your kids has never been easier. For the best deals, sign up to Gabb today – no contract required – at GABB.com/dma.  GiveHugz–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 the code DMA for 20% off your first order.  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

Do you want to lead your home well spiritually but are not sure how? Do you need more creative and fun ideas on how to point your kids to Jesus?  Today, Chris Pappalardo and Clayton Greene join me to talk about spiritual rhythms with our kids. They share plenty of ideas on creating a space for spiritual growth that doesn't need to be a checklist-driven, box-checking exercise. Their new book discusses establishing morning and evening rhythms that align with how God wired us to connect spiritually and practically with Him.  We talk about modeling the gospel in a way that is authentic and free from unnecessary baggage for our kids to carry into the future. I get personal by sharing how my dad modeled this in my life—and that’s really what these habits create: our kids modeling the habits and behaviors we practice that point to Jesus. We cover- 6 Key Shifts for Building Lasting Spiritual Habits Real-Life Examples: like how to practically walk out a spiritual habit with our kids Navigating Different Seasons: Dealing with a spouse or teens who are not on board And we each reflect on how we learned spiritual formation from our parents Connect with Chris and Clayton:  Website:  GoodKind - From the Makers of Advent Blocks Instagram:  GoodKind (@goodkind.co) Links Mentioned:   Christmas | GoodKind Building Spiritual Habits in the Home: by Chris Pappalardo and Clayton Greene Habits of the Household: by Justin Whitmeal Earley The Common Rule: by Justin Whitmel Earley GratiKube from GoodKind Atomic Habits: by James Clear Practicing the Way: by John Mark Comer Related Episodes: Perspective from Pastor’s Kid and Single Parent :: Barnabas Piper [Ep 163] Stewarding Sacred and Spiritual Disciplines at Home :: Jennifer Pepito [Ep 464] Family Transformation Starts with Personal Revival :: KJ Perdomo [Ep 227] Featured Sponsors:  The Chosen–You can get your tickets now at TheChosenLastSupper.com. preorder your tickets for the 3-part theatrical release. Text your favorite person, grab your favorite box of movie theater candy, and go see The Chosen: Last Supper in theaters.  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. get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults. Purity Woods– Honestly, 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. Pair Eyewear–See the world with fresh eyes. Go to paireyewear.com and use code DONTMOM for 15% off your first pair. And support the show by mentioning Don’t Mom Alone sent you in the post-checkout survey.  Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

Have you ever been to your doctor or OBGYN and felt that your symptoms were dismissed? Do you know how to identify the main issues of perimenopause and menopause? In this follow up episode with Dr. Kamilia Smith, we continue our deep dive into perimenopause, exploring how it impacts women's emotions, physical changes, and overall well-being. She clearly breaks down some of the hormonal fluctuations women go through and what some potential treatments are for each of those symptoms in a very nuanced field. Perimenopause can bring emotional upheaval and weight gain, exacerbated by hormonal changes that are often ignored. The stress of the "sandwich generation" — caring for our aging parents while raising children — adds to the emotional load.  We cover so many helpful topics- Eggs and AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone): these levels help indicate how your ovaries are functioning How the term bioidentical hormones is often used as a marketing tool Hormonal changes, along with sleep disruptions, decreased mobility, and shifts in eating habits, all contribute to weight gain during perimenopause Mental health can take a hit during this stage, with symptoms like mood swings, insomnia, attention deficit, and night sweats. Learning how to manage these mental health changes is critical to our health Connect with Dr. Kamilia Smith:  Website:  Kamilia Smith Voted Best Dallas Gynecologist | Charleston House Facebook: Charleston House Gynecology Instagram:  Charleston House - DALLAS WOMENS HEALTH (@charlestonhousegyn) Links Mentioned:   Function Health • 100 Healthy Years The SHIFT: Perimenopause Unscripted (A North Texas Women's Midlife Movement) BALANCE: Perimenopause Documentary / Docuseries THE (M) FACTOR – Shredding the Silence on Menopause Related Episodes: Is This Normal? A Women’s Health Conversation  :: Dr. Kamilia Smith [Ep 447] Overcoming Barriers to Sexual Intimacy :: Nancy Houston [Ep 206] Your Body is GOOD :: Jess Connolly [Ep 329] Featured Sponsors:  GiveHugz–Check out GiveHugz.co and use the code DMA for 20% off your first order. Trust me, you’ll want one for you and one to share.  Green Chef–Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Go to Greenchef.com/alonefree and use code alonefree to get started with FREE salads for two months plus 50% off your first box.  Thrive Causemetics–Celebrate the women in your life with Thrive Causemetics. 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. 

I don’t often do a solo podcast but God has been working on my heart when it comes to parenting teens and expectations and I felt prompted to sit down and share what I am learning with you all.   So often as parents, we live in a worst-case scenario mindset, when it feels like the dreams and expectations for a child's future are not aligning with the present. We obsess over baby monitors, teen friendships, and grades/sports but this comes from a place of worry, or even fear-based control.  God wants freedom and hope in our parenting! I realized I have a choice: to believe in an imagined bad scenario or to flip a switch and choose hope and expect in God for unimaginable good things to come. Both choices involve belief, imagination and control. I'm choosing to double down turn my belief toward hope, knowing that even when things don't go as planned, God's story is far greater. In this episode, I will share the steps God gave me to practically practice choosing hope over worry. How to walk with the Spirit and produce fruit instead of formula-based parenting rooted in power and control. Reminding my own heart that God is good and has a good story for our kids- let’s lean into the HUGE expectation that God is the God of HOPE and let our prayers align with that truth.  Connect with Me:  Website:  Heather MacFadyen | Right Where You Belong Facebook: Don't Mom Alone Instagram:  Heather MacFadyen (@dontmomalone) Links Mentioned:   A Prayer for Challenging Times - Northwest Bible Church–Neil Tomba Right Where You Belong: By Heather MacFadyen Don't Mom Alone: By Heather MacFadyen Man's Search for Meaning: By Viktor Frankl  Related Episodes: Talking, Teens, and Twenty-four Years :: Bruce + Heather [Ep 399] Freeing Your Adolescents to Step Into Adulthood – Ages and Stages – Teens :: Dr. Ken Wilgus [Ep 382] How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation :: Ian Cron [Ep 506] Featured Sponsors:  HoneyLove: Treat yourself to the most comfortable bra on earth and save 20% Off sitewide at honeylove.com/dma . After you purchase, they’ll ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them we sent you. Treat yourself to Honeylove, because you deserve it. Cure Hydration: Hydration goes beyond just drinking water—it’s about replenishing the electrolytes we lose through sweat, sleep, alcohol, and daily activities. Water alone isn’t enough to do the job! That’s why you need to try Cure: the electrolyte drink mix that tastes as amazing as it makes you feel. For Don’t Mom Alone listeners, Cure is offering 20% off your first order! Stay hydrated and feel your best by visiting curehydration.com/DMA and using promo code [DMA] at checkout.  BetterHelp: Discover your relationship green flags, 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. 

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.