Don't Mom Alone Podcast

Dr. Lucretia Berry is the founder of Brownicity, an online space that provides education and support for racial healing. She joins me to share how we all can take steps to advocate and bring restoration to our communities that have been fractured by the lies and injustice of racism.  As a mom of a multi-ethinic family, Lucretia shares how she and her husband addressed how they would teach their children about race. They didn’t want to teach their daughters to be “colorblind,” but instead wanted to talk about the many hues of humanity in a healthy way that cultivated life and beauty. When that conversation extended beyond their family, Brownicity was born. Since then, Lucretia has authored a study, created an online course and spoken at many events to spread this antiracism information in a way that is accessible for everyone.  It isn't about if you're racist or not, it's not even about that. You know, this is about how we've been molded and shaped. There are all these decisions that I've made in my life that are based on how I've been racialized and not necessarily my God-given identity. We all have this work to do, to detox from the ideology that we’ve been swimming in for the past 400 years or so. We've inherited it. But God is greater, so we have hope that we can create something new. To access her courses for free in the month of April and May, learn more here.  Connect with Lucretia:  Website:  https://brownicity.com Facebook: facebook.com/brownicity Instagram: @lucretiaberry and @brownicity  Links Mentioned:   Educational Resources for Beginners [PDF] Courses on Brownicity [WEBSITE] What LIES Between Us Journal & Guide [BOOK] Lucretia’s TED Talk [VIDEO] Sponsors:  Skylight Frames : skylightframes.com To get $10 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame just go to SkylightFrame.com and enter code DMA. Beachbody OnDemand : Text "Heather" to 303030 to get free 2 week trial

In this bonus episode, we are sharing information from a session Ian Morgan Cron did on Enneagram and Stress. We go through each Enneagram number and talk about their strengths and weaknesses under pressure and some simple ways for each type to flourish in these hard times   As we’ve said in previous episodes, the Enneagram is just a tool to help us understand ourselves and others better. At a time when being quarantined at home can cause all kinds of friction, understanding each other’s unique perspective on the world is such a gift.  And the goal isn’t to stay stuck in our Enneagram number. The ultimate goal is to move toward health/wholeness and follow Jesus.  “Jesus doesn’t have an Enneagram number. The wholeness of God is in him and he is at the center of all the nine types.” Connect with Ian Morgan Cron:  Website:  ianmorgancron.com Facebook: facebook.com/IanMorganCron Instagram:  @ianmorgancron YouTube: youtube.com/imcron Podcast: typologypodcast.com  Links Mentioned:   Ep 232 The Enneagram and Motherhood :: Suzanne Stabile [PODCAST] Ep 259 The Enneagram, Marriage and the Gospel :: Beth McCord [PODCAST] Get an In-Depth Enneagram Report for 20% with code “COVID19” The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery [BOOK] Enneagram and Stress (Quarantine Edition) by Ian Cron [VIDEO]  Sponsor a Child with Compassion Text HEATHER to 83393, and you’ll get a link back to a child you can sponsor. Go to compassion.com/dontmomalone to start sponsoring a child.    

We’re all processing the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has made to our daily routines. As we adjust to the new normal of sheltering-in-place, I wanted to share some information I’ve found helpful from Dr. Henry Cloud. On a recent webinar I attended, Dr. Cloud talked through the psychology and the science of all that’s happening in our brains as our worlds have been turned upside down. He shares great ways to help us and our families stay mentally healthy during this unique time in history. (or during any time of crisis) “We need to view ourselves like a house in how we're experiencing COVID-19 matters. The foundation of a house or a human is this sense of bondedness and connectedness to God and people. Relationships are vital to our structural integrity. ” Connect with Dr. Henry Cloud:  Website:  www.drcloud.com Facebook: facebook.com/DrHenryCloud Instagram:  @drhenrycloudofficial Links Mentioned:   Episodes with Kirk Martin [PODCAST]  Emotional Milestones :: Sissy Goff & David Thomas [PODCAST] Feelings Vocabulary Chart [IMAGE]  Dr. Henry Cloud - Being Psychologically Healthy During Times of Crisis [PODCAST] 4 Things You Can Do For Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Crisis [BLOG] Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl  [BOOK] Inside Out [MOVIE] Available streaming on Disney+ Home [MOVIE] Sponsor a Child with Compassion Text HEATHER to 83393, and you’ll get a link back to a child you can sponsor. Go to compassion.com/dontmomalone to start sponsoring a child.  

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. In this episode, Rachel shares realizing she 'd lost connection with her people. How she believed a lie that in order to be loved and accepted she needed to hide certain parts of herself, the messy parts, the imperfect parts. A pivotal moment happened when she vulnerably shared these thoughts 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.” We dive into what Rachel’s learned in her parenting journey as a mom of teens and preteens. She talks about how choosing true connection with our kids can bring them closer to us and 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”) Featured Sponsor: LittlePassports.com Use Code DMA to save 15% off a subscription. 

A few years ago, my friend Kelsey Philips hit a crisis in her life. She felt physically unwell, depressed and desperate for healing. She connected with a missionary couple from her church who prayed with her and over her for two hours. It was in that prayer time that Kelsey recognized God’s voice for the first time. He had been speaking to me for a long time. I just didn't know it was him. When you have an encounter like that, he speaks to these places that are so deep. He is healing wounds that are so far back and he is breaking you free of chains that are so heavy and hard and real. You don't ever want to go back to a place where you don't have that. As we are in a worldwide crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m asking you to listen to Kelsey’s story with an open heart and mind. I believe we can hear God’s voice and that he is still speaking today. As Kelsey reminds us, there’s no better time than now to practice listening to the Lord.  “It does require solitude and quiet and that is not our nature. But here we are in a season where we are in worldwide rest. We are forced into this place of quiet. We've all had to come off of the hamster wheel and this has been an incredible time to allow space to listen to him about what he's doing on so many levels.” Links Mentioned:   Novo Missions [WEBSITE] Listening Prayer [ARTICLE]  Where to start in listening prayer (friendship questions) [PDF] Hello Mornings [WEBSITE] Additional Resources: Hearing God:  Developing a Conversational Relationship with God by Dallas Willard** The Joy of Listening to God:  Hearing the Many Ways God Speaks to Us by Joyce Huggett** Whispers:  How to Hear the Voice of God  by Mark Batterson**

In light of an unexpected time in history, our team thought we all need to be reminded of the Truth of who God is and to have our faith emboldened. This episode stood out as the perfect one to re-release. This conversation originally aired Spring of 2018. Powerhouse Christine Caine shares how she let go of fear and found faith for when the unexpected happened. Lots of truth and encouragement here for anyone who has encountered fear in parenting, a medical diagnosis and rejection in friendships… so all of us! "Jesus never said we’re not going to have trials. He said, 'When trials come', not if, but when. I think sometimes as believers we forget that, but we have a grace within it. I think part of our testimony to a lost and broken world is the way we go through it." What we chat about: Christine Caine’s new book, Unexpected Emboldening our faith and letting go of fear in motherhood Trusting that God will fill in the gaps of what we’re able to do as parents Basic spiritual practices can be some of the most powerful things in our lives Facing painful actualites in a fallen world Christine’s reaction to her cancer diagnosis Jesus is the name above all other names, including cancer Having a “faith cocoon” of friends to encourage you in the face of fear Enduring suffering as Christians Giving in to the pain and fear and suffering is not the answer We serve a God who is bigger! Godly motherhood in this generation is harder than it’s ever been Leaning in with a spirit of faith and not pulling back with a spirit of fear We’re called to train our children up and not restrain their giftings Dealing with rejection in friendship and moving forward Connect with Chris: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Links Mentioned:  A21 Ministry Paul the Apostle Movie Unexpected: Leave Behind Fear, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure Focused15 “Everyday Faith” by Katie Orr

So much of parenting can feel like constantly disciplining our kids for their behaviors. This sets up a system of praise for good behavior, but doesn’t address the heart of our kids.  As the Bible says in Isaiah 29:13, “The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” As followers of Jesus, I know that we want more for our kids than to just acknowledge God with their lips. My talk today with Troy Simons has some practical advice and encouragement for us on how to have heart-level conversations about the Gospel with our kids. You'll find that your understanding of who God is and what he's done with the Gospel will be there. And you'll find that coming out in your conversation with your kid. Be humble enough to be transparent about when you've been rebuked. You know, it may be some deep-seated, long struggling issue in your life. That kind of candor and response with our kids and conversation is just gold for them. It wins their hearts and shows them the influence of God’s word. Learn more about Troy and Ruth’s new easy-to-read family devotion book that includes Scripture, devotional thoughts, and discussion questions for leading your family through 12 Biblical Truths. Connect with the Troy:  Instagram:  @troydsimons Website:  ruthandtroy.com  Links Mentioned:   Foundations Book ** Foundations Podcast with Ruth and Troy Episode with Ruth Chou Simons [PODCAST] ** Amazon affiliate link

As difficult as pregnancy and birth tend to be, the postpartum period can be the hardest of all. After all the anticipation you finally have your baby! But many women don’t feel like themselves. They feel sad or hopeless and struggle to connect with their babies.  My guest Brittany J. Turner takes us into her story of postpartum depression and what it took for her to start a journey towards wholeness. For me it was years of pain that I had never dealt with. They were feeding this lie that I was alone, that I was unworthy of being loved, not just in my marital and parenting relationships, but I was unworthy of being loved as a daughter, as a friend and that I deserve to be alone. And so therapy was my escape. While postpartum depression can’t totally be prevented or even predicted, we also talk about what went differently after she had her next child and the big part friendships and deeper community played. Connect with the Brittany:  Instagram: @iambrittanyjturner Facebook: facebook.com/fromhimforhome Website: http://brittanyjturner.com   Links Mentioned:   Playlists and encouragement--Brittany's Battle Ready Toolkit Other episodes on postpartum depression -- Karen Harmon  (Ep 231) https://dontmomalone.com/2019/01/21/praising-through-the-pain-of-physical-limitations-karen-harmon-ep-231/ Featured Sponsor: Seek and Find Bible Go to crossway.org/DMA3 to save 40% off ESV children's Bibles now until March 16th. 

This week Don’t Mom Alone’s host Heather MacFadyen answers your questions! She shares everything from a favorite weeknight recipe to her personal testimony of faith and what worship song she has on repeat. “That song to me just takes you to a place of setting aside all distraction and anything that's trying to pull you from his presence and his get you to a place of listening. I think sitting and listening to the Lord is probably where are we all struggle the most these days. We want to study, we want to check off something off a list, but to still ourselves and listen is really hard.” If you have questions on helping your kids bond, how to find time to read the Bible while you’re raising little kids or want to know some of Heather’s favorite podcast guests, listen in! (Big thanks to my virtual assistant Sarah-Jane Menefee for playing the role of host in this episode! She did a fantastic job!) Connect with the Heather:  Instagram: @dontmomalone Facebook: facebook.com/DontMomAlone Website: dontmomalone.com Email Sign-up: holaheather.com  Episodes Mentioned:   [Ep 6] Donut Dates with John Price [Ep 225] - New Mom Q & A :: Janay Wilborn [Ep 74 ] - Lessons Learned in 87 Years (Part Two) :: Vickie Kraft [Ep 109] Wisdom from Grammie :: Doris Howard [Ep 171] Motherhood, Career, & Identity :: Kat Armstrong [Ep 64] For the Mom with Lots of Little Ones :: Hanni Go [Ep 242] - 20th Anniversary Q & A :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 195] - Sinners Married to Sinners–How God Refines Us :: Cheryl Scruggs & Jae Carpenter  Links Mentioned:   Prep Dish Gingersnap Roast Clash Royale video game Hello Mornings Write the Word Journals Strong's Concordance App on iPhone and on Android YouVersion App Nothing Else by Cody Carnes  Featured Sponsor: ESV Seek and Find Bible crossway.org/DMA2 to save 40% off by March 9th. 

Twelve years into her marriage, Taylor Bashta knew that something was wrong. Her husband who had always been a casual drinker had become more and more dependent on alcohol. She started Googling, “What is an alcoholic?” and wondered what she should do to intervene.  Taylor bravely takes us into her story to share what she did next and how setting firm boundaries and seeking help took both her and her husband on a journey of healing. Now, one year later, she shares what’s made the biggest impact and what they are doing to continue their healing. “He is the only person in charge of his recovery. And I am the only person in charge of mine. We can not let each other effect that. I still live wondering what we’d do if he relapses. I think that's one of the scariest parts of recovery. AA’s big slogan is 'One Day at a Time.' So that’s what we’re focused on. Just one day at a time.” Taylor talks about how we can support friends who may be going through this type of situation and how sharing openly can make all the difference.   “Hiding is what kills us inside. And our hiding is what invites that shame, guilt, and condemnation. When you put it out there, it's gone. You're putting away gossip, you're putting away just the pressure. When you name it, it takes the power out of it.”  Connect with the Bashtas:  Instagram: @taylorbashta Daniel’s music: danielbashta.com Links Mentioned:   Onsite Workshops [WEBSITE] Onsite's Living Centered Program  [WEBSITE] Codependent No More [BOOK]** Celebrate Recovery [WEBSITE]  More Episodes:   [Ep 28] Hula Hoop-o-logy :: Vela Tomba  [Ep. 250] Setting Healthy Boundaries with Family :: Dr. John Townsend FEATURED SPONSORS: Seek and Find Bible -- www.Crossway.org/DMA4 to save 40% off children's ESV Bibles FabFitFun -- www.fabfitfun.com use DMA10 to save $10 off your first box