The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women’s wellness

Korie Robertson, author of Strong and Kind, and star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty, joins us as we count down the final days to the release of my new book, Raising Amazing! Korie was so kind and generous to team up with me as the Foreward writer for the book, and I love sharing her heart for the message of Raising Amazing with all of you.  Korie has raised 6 children and is now entering the grandparent stage of life, and she has so much experience, wisdom, and healthy perspectives to share with parents. I think you will be encouraged by her stories and blessed by this conversation as well as her message at the beginning of the book!  Find links to all we talk about (including a link to get Korie’s Foreward, AND the first chapter of Raising Amazing for free) in show notes!  www.monicaswanson.com/korie-robertson Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Don’t miss my the pre-order bonus for Raising Amazing, available now! - Be sure to visit my new book page monicaswanson.com/raisingamazing to pre-order Raising Amazing so it will arrive at your doorstep on its release day, February 21st and get immediate access to my PRE-ORDER BONUS: 4 Interviews featuring my 4 sons!  In the interviews, my boys respond to questions sent in by podcast listeners and social media followers related to their faith, sibling relationships, what they like about their parents (!), birth order, and so much more.  These will be great for your kids to tune into with you!    The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sean McDowell is an author, speaker, seminary professor, and father to teenagers! He has a heart to educate and empower students to think Biblically, communicate effectively, and stand strong in the midst of the noise of our world. Today we are chatting about Sean’s most recent book: A Rebel’s Manifesto: Choosing Truth, Real Justice, and Love amid the Noise of Today’s World. This book is written for teens but I think parents will benefit from it greatly as well!  I have followed Sean for years, and before that I was already a fan of his father (Josh McDowell, evangelist and author of hundreds of books!) You can find links to Sean’s Youtube channel and social media feeds where he shares helpful videos on topics related to our culture and faith in my show notes.    Show notes for this episode Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast   Don’t miss my the pre-order bonus for my new book, Raising Amazing, available now! - Be sure to visit my new book page monicaswanson.com/raisingamazing to get access to Korie Robertson’s Foreward and my first two chapters!!  Be sure to pre-order Raising Amazing for it to arrive at your doorstep on it’s release day, February 21st and get immediate access to my PRE-ORDER BONUS: 4 Interviews featuring my 4 sons!  In the interviews, my boys respond to questions sent in by podcast listeners and social media followers related to their faith, sibling relationships, what they like about their parents (!), birth order, and so much more.  These will be great for your kids to tune into with you!  The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Teens today are growing up in a confusing world, and they are facing things we couldn’t have imagined when we were young. From mental health issues, to the internet (cyberbullying, access to pornography, and social media to name a few,) to vaping, increased suicide rates and more, it is not an easy time to navigate the teenage years.  Or to parent a teenager! Enter Jessica Peck! Jessica has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, she is a professor at Baylor, and she is a mom to FOUR teenagers!  In today’s interview we cover topics from her incredibly helpful book, Behind Closed Doors: A Guide to Help Parents and Teens Navigate Through Life’s Toughest Issues. I love Jessica’s kind and humble heart and her passion for intentional parenting. I also appreciate the wisdom she has gained through a lot of experience quite literally, “behind closed doors.”  Please spread the word about this episode – No matter the age of your kids, these topics will be relevant eventually!  Find show notes and links to all we talk about: www.monicaswanson.com/jessica-peck   Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast   Don’t miss my NEW PRE-ORDER BONUS!! - Be sure to visit my new book page monicaswanson.com/raisingamazing to get access to Korie Robertson’s Foreward and my first two chapters!!  Be sure to pre-order Raising Amazing for it to arrive at your doorstep on it’s release day, February 21st and get immediate access to my PRE-ORDER BONUS: 4 Interviews featuring my 4 sons!  In the interviews, my boys respond to questions sent in by podcast listeners and social media followers related to their faith, sibling relationships, what they like about their parents (!), birth order, and so much more.  These will be great for your kids to tune into with you!    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I am so excited to share this encouraging (and perhaps a bit convicting – in the best sort of way) – conversation with you! Abbie Halberstadt believes that Christ has so much more to offer you and your family than the empty validation of fist bumps for surviving another day that worldly culture bring to the table. Her book, M is for Mama, resonated with me deeply, and I am so glad I get to share her with all of you! Raising and homeschooling her ten kids (including two sets of identical twins—and that’s a story of its own!) Abbie has hard-earned wisdom to share, as well as humor and grace. This was one of my favorite interviews ever! Find show notes and links to all we talk about: www.monicaswanson.com/Abbie-Halberstadt Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Don’t miss my new Raising Amazing Preorder bonus!! Be sure to visit my new book page: monicaswanson.com/raisingamazing to get access to Korie Robertson’s Foreward and my first two chapters!! Be sure to pre-order Raising Amazing for it to arrive at your doorstep on it’s release day, February 21st, and get immediate access to my PRE-ORDER BONUS: 4 Interviews featuring my 4 sons! In the interviews, my boys respond to questions sent in by podcast listeners and social media followers related to their faith, sibling relationships, what they like about their parents (!), birth order, and so much more. These will be great for your kids to tune into with you! Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you want your family to have an amazing year ahead, this episode will give you some practical tools to help make that happen!  Emily Ley -- owner of Simplified Planners, best-selling author, and dedicated mom -- is with us to offer 5 ways to kick-start an amazing year ahead. (Personally,) I am a fan of starting off the new year slowly – taking my time to set goals and develop a vision for the new year. Whether you catch this episode in January or later in the year, the good news is, God’s mercies are new every morning, and we can always regroup for a fresh start!   Check out Emily’s beautiful new journal, Sure as the Sunrise: 100 Morning Meditations on God’s Mercy and Delight in show notes! Find links to everything we talk about (as well as some notes from our chat!) in show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/Emily-Ley Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Happy New Year and Welcome to the Monica Swanson podcast!  If you missed last week’s episode, I hope you can go back and have a listen (it’s SHORT!) In this new year I am rebranding the podcast with a new name and a broader scope, but the heart of the podcast has not changed.  I am SO excited to dive into some great topics and interviews ahead. (Also: Welcome to the girl moms joining us!) Today’s interview is special for so many reasons. First, Wendy Speake was my very first guest over 3.5 years ago when I launched the Boy Mom Podcast; it only made sense she would also help me kick off this new season of the podcast!  Second, Wendy has a new book coming out this month which is so much of my heart for all of us this year.  The 40-Day FEAST is a follow up to her books, “The 40-Day Sugar Fast” and “The 40-Day Social Media Fast.” The Feast she is referring to is the kind where we consume God’s Word…learning to read it, study it, and hide it in our hearts.  And friends: Living in this world today I cannot emphasize enough how important this is.  I am really excited about Wendy’s new book and I am excited to feast on God’s Word in the New Year alongside all of you!  (Deal?! Deal!). Find all of the links Wendy mentioned in show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/Wendy-Speake-Feast Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A New Season with Monica!  Happy New Year and Welcome to the Monica Swanson podcast!  For over 3.5 years I have been sharing episodes on the Boy Mom Podcast, and you can still revisit all 190 episodes any time. (I recommend you do! – there’s some good stuff in there!) But in this new year and new season, we are broadening our scope (and welcoming our girl moms – and all of the dads!) as we rebrand as the Monica Swanson Podcast!! (imagine the confetti!) Today’s very short episode is a quick intro to this new season as I talk about what you can expect and about how excited I am to be releasing my next book – Raising Amazing – on February 21st!   This podcast community has grown tremendously over the past couple of years with 1.7 million + downloads and so many new subscribers (hit the + to "follow"/subscribe!) and it is my heart to continue to serve you well.  I pray that you feel welcome here and I hope you will spread the word about the podcast with all of your family-loving friends!   Find links and show notes at: https://monicaswanson.com/monica-swanson-podcast-trailer/ Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to the FINAL episode of the Boy Mom Podcast!  Wait! Let me explain. Beginning next week (New Year's, 2023) this podcast will be called The Monica Swanson Podcast!  In this very special, final episode of the Boy Mom Podcast, I am sharing highlights from the final TWO chapters of Boy Mom! This wraps up my monthly series which began in January of 2022! If you’ve missed any of the previous book highlights, be sure to go back and catch previous episodes from the last Wednesday of each month of the year! This week we are talking about raising boys to embrace a solid worth ethic…how that begins in the home, and how we might motivate boys to be hard workers as they grow up!  After that we touch on the final chapter of Boy Mom, called “Ready, Set, Launch!”  This part brings up some emotions for me because it is a topic so near to my heart and also because this is the closing episode for the Boy Mom Podcast.  Oh, so many feelings!  Be sure to visit show notes to get the free downloads mentioned:  A list of “Life Skills by Age” as well as the “Boy Mom Manifesto”!  I pray you have enjoyed this series and I will look forward to doing a similar series highlighting chapters from my next book: Raising Amazing, which comes out on February 21, 2023!   www.monicaswanson.com/episode-190 Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Merry Christmas!  Join Luke (18), Levi (12), and I for a Merry Christmas chat…and also catch up on Luke's world travels since he was last with us back in June.  If you’re busy you can skip to 20 minutes for a brief Christmas greeting, but if you have the time/enjoy surf stories or listening to Luke (☺) then grab some cocoa and enjoy this conversation! (Your kids might enjoy it too!) Sending hugs and love to all of you and praying you have a most wonderful Christmas week ahead! www.monicaswanson.com/episode-189 Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

True confession:  This is about the exact week when I typically find myself morphing from the happy, care-free, "I love Christmas everything!!!!" Mom, to the stressed out, feeling behind, "I just want to get Christmas over with" Mom.  Yep.  Anyone with me?  As much as I love (truly, adore!) this season, I have learned that Christmas can bring up all kinds of hard emotions and dashed expectations, leaving us moms weary and worn. If you relate to this a little or a lot, today's episode (a replay from 2020) is for you. Alexandra Kuykendall joins us today with such a refreshing, endearing message about Loving Your Actual Christmas. Drawing from her book (by that name ;)) Alex reminds us that Christ did not come for the people who have it all together (if such people even exist!) but for the weary, grieving, and hurting. He came for us real people who sometimes struggle our way through the holidays. When we don’t have our act together, Jesus meets us in the most real way. Whether this Christmas finds you with joy and plenty, or grief and struggle (or any combination of things in between,) I think Alex's words about Jesus and Advent (and “Christmastide” – I learned something new!) will will be refreshing to your soul. www.monicaswanson.com/episode-188 Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy