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

Whether you work outside the home or not, moms have a way of filling their days and then some...The overwhelm of  rushed mornings, exhausting evenings, or the dreaded #mondaymorning are so very real!  Today we get to hear from a working mom who definitely understands!  Toni-Ann Mayembe is a family dentist, a reservist in the Navy, a blogger and podcaster, and an intentional, involved #boymom and wife, and yet, she is holding it all together with style!  And even more, Toni-Ann is on a mission to help moms eliminate the overwhelm and enjoy motherhood while being authentic with themselves and others.  In this interview, Toni-Ann walks us through the three routines she believes can make a big difference in your family life.  She also offers a link to get a free download to help make that happen.  This is such a fun and practical conversation – I hope you enjoy! Show notes:  www.monicaswanson.com/episode-127     Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Billy Graham was one of (if not the) most impactful evangelists of all time, and now we get to hear from his daughter and granddaughter as they share stories from their family legacy.  Billy’s granddaughter, Rachel-Ruth joins us today to share some of those stories and the heart behind the book, Jesus Followers: Real-Life Lessons For Igniting Faith in the Next Generation. (co-written with her mom, Anne Graham Lotz.)    Parents today are raising what has been called the “least religious generation.” What can Christian families do to make sure their faith is not only lived out in their homes but received by the next generation?  That is what this book is all about.  Rachel-Ruth has such a sweet, gentle spirit, but she is also bold in her convictions. Her love for Jesus and passion for sharing the Truth is contagious.  I think you’ll be inspired as you listen!   Show notes:  www.monicaswanson.com/episode-125   Get your tickets to this fall’s Christian Parenting Digital Event: Every Parent Wants to Know…with incredible speakers like Christine Caine, Jess Connolly, Heather McFadyen, Anthony Evans, Kristen and Benjamin Watson, and more!  Event begins October 15th but you’ll have until the end of 2021 to listen to all of the speakers! Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We want our kids to have the best education, but less-than-ideal school environments as well as more recent inconsistencies in schools due to the pandemic have left parents uncertain about traditional schooling. Durenda Wilson, Mom to eight kids with over 25 years of homeschooling experience, joins us today to offer a refreshing approach to all things family and education.  Durenda has so much wise counsel for parents looking for fresh ideas to ensure their children have a quality education suited to their natural talents and abilities. In today’s interview we talk about some of the myths related to homeschooling, and how we can help our kids become more independent in their school work. We talk about which topics you can wait until high school to take seriously, and how to incorporate your child’s natural interests into their curriculum.  Whether or not you homeschool your kids, I think you will feel inspired and encouraged listening to this conversation!  Spread the word to your friends and check out show notes to listen and grab all the links! Show notes:  www.monicaswanson.com/episode-125 Get your tickets to this fall’s Christian Parenting Digital Event: Every Parent Wants to Know…with incredible speakers like Christine Caine, Jess Connolly, Heather McFadyen, Anthony Evans, Kristen and Benjamin Watson, and more!  Event begins October 15th but you’ll have until the end of 2021 to listen to all of the speakers! Podcast homepage:  www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Life is full of hard things, we all know that. But how we choose to see those hard things – our perspective on all that life gives us -- can make a radical difference in how we come through our trials.  When bestselling author and Bible teacher Lisa Whittle lost her beloved father in 2017, she found herself on a journey to learn the hard good.  Years later Lisa combines the lessons she learned with counsel from Scripture to create a roadmap that will help readers navigate their own hard good. In this episode Lisa shares about her relationship with her dad, and then we touch on a number of the “hard good” circumstances that we all face: From accepting things you wish were different, to seeing someone else get what you want, to showing up when you want to shut down. I think Lisa’s honesty and Biblical counsel will help you navigate a current hard season, or store up wisdom for those ahead. Show notes:  www.monicaswanson.com/episode-124 Sign up now for Christian Parenting's FALL Digital Event (Oct. 15th!) with amazing speakers talking about those things that..."Every Parent Wants to Know!" Get your tickets HERE.  Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

There is no doubt, parenting in the age of social media can be tricky. Whether or not your kids are currently using social media, it is never too early to start thinking about how you might coach your kids in their use of it.  In today’s episode I am sharing a blog post I wrote about a shift my oldest son made in his approach to social media that was a game changer!  I am also sharing clips of an interview with that son about his journey with social media from age 13 to 22. I am happy to announce a new page on my blog where I have gathered all of my technology-related content.  And I am excited to share that the doors to my “Raising Tech-Smart Kids Mini-Course” are OPEN from September 15-17th (as this episode comes out!)  If you catch this in real time, be sure to check out what is in the mini-course using the link in notes! Today’s episode is short but so practical and hopefully inspirational! Show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/episode-123 Raising Tech-Smart Kids Mini-Course My new All-Things-Technology Page!  Podcast homepage:  www.monicaswanson.com/podcast Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Allie Casazza is on a mission to eradicate the "hot mess mom" stereotype by empowering other women. Today she joins me to talk about her proven, family-oriented approach to minimalism.  Allie shares the very real and raw story of how her journey began, and why she believes we can all find more peace by simplifying our stuff.   Whether you’re a working mom, overwhelmed by kids and responsibilities or already on your minimalism game, I think you’ll be inspired (and empowered) by this conversation.  Allie is hilarious, relatable, and full of practical ideas.   Show notes:  www.monicaswanson.com/episode-122 Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sharing a fun chat with Josiah (22) and Jonah (20) who are answering questions listeners have sent in. In this interview we cover their relationship as siblings (“Did you always like each other?”...“Did you ever fight?”) as well as how/when they made their faith their own. They talk about how they feel about homeschooling now, in light of how it prepared them for college.  Finally, they talk a bit about their relationship with their mom. (aww) I love all that they share, and they even have some advice for the kids listening!  *At the beginning of this episode I take a few minutes to address questions listeners have sent in for my husband, a hospital physician, related to Covid and the vaccine. Since I know there are many more questions, I am hoping to do a Q and A episode with Dr. Dave on the podcast in a couple weeks! (stay tuned.) Show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/episode-121 Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What our kids believe will create a roadmap for the choices they will make for the rest of their lives. Teaching kids to discern God's voice from the enemy's lies is one of the greatest ways we can help them form right beliefs which will lead to good choices.  After a traumatic life experience, Charity Rios learned what it means to "tend her heart", replacing the enemy's lies with God's Truth. Now that she has four sons, Charity is teaching them these same concepts. Charity shares how to do this in her new children’s book, My Heart's Garden, which has concepts simple enough for young children to understand, but deep enough to impact adults as well. In today's conversation, Charity shares her story, gives the simple steps to tending your heart, and offers examples of how we might walk through these steps with our kids. I think you'll find it practical and encouraging! Show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/episode-120 Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mom to five boys, Jeannie Cunnion has written two parenting books which very well may be on your shelf. ;) Recently, Jeannie narrowed in on the greatest parenting tool she has discovered: The power of the Holy Spirit! And now she doesn't want any of us to miss out on all that is available to us through the Holy Spirit!  Today Jeannie joins us to talk about the benefits of having the Holy Spirit’s daily presence in our life. I love how understandable and practical Jeannie makes things, and I love that when we really grasp the Holy Spirit in our own lives, we can naturally teach our kids to do the same.  This is a powerful conversation and I hope you enjoy! Show notes:  www.monicaswanson.com/episode-119 Thank you to this episode's sponsor, Artza.com -a subscription box delivered straight from the Holy Land, full of incredible goodies for your whole family.  (See show notes for a peek at my most recent box!) Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In a culture that embraces hurry, and “busy” is the norm, today’s episode with Jennifer Dukes Lee invites us an alternative…one of strategically “growing slow.”  Jennifer discovered these lessons after years of fast-paced, high stress living – a season that led her to a breaking point. Jennifer says that the lessons she shares in her book, Growing Slow, are the result of unlearning what the world taught her about success and finding the courage to walk in a world that asked her to never stop running.  Wow!  I needed this conversation at least as much as anyone. I think you’ll find Jennifer’s words and heart to be a huge encouragement!  Be sure to visit show notes… www.monicaswanson.com/episode-118 Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy