
M Is for Mama Podcast
On the M is for Mama Podcast, you’ll hear encouragement for all things motherhood, practical helps and systems to help you thrive in your home from day to day, funny, relatable kid-stories, examinations of what the Bible has to say about cultural issues, and so much more!
Latest episodes

May 29, 2024 • 31min
Ep. 68: Becoming Homeschoolers (A Chat with Monica Swanson)
If you feel the call to homeschool and don’t know where to start, are on the fence, or just feel curious about the movement, you’ll want to listen to Monica and I chat about her new book, Becoming Homeschoolers.
We also chat about our mutual love for fitness + motherhood from the perspective of moms with older/graduated kids and encourage you in practical ways to stay the course.
I know this conversation will be a blessing to homeschoolers, but there’s plenty for all moms.
Guest Info:
Monica Swanson
Site: https://monicaswanson.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicaswanson_/?hl=en
Podcast: https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=monica%20swansonpodcast&tbm=&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5
Sponsor Info:
Yeah Baby Goods
Code: MISFORMAMA
Site: https://www.yeahbabygoods.com/
Bible References:
Galatians 6:9
Esther 4:14
Proverbs 31:27
Proverbs 31:15-31
John 17:9-26
Links:
M Is for Mama
Penny Reward System
Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show
Paint & Prose
Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad
M Is For Mama Chore Guide
M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up
Find Abbie at:
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

May 22, 2024 • 27min
Ep. 67: Rhythms for Solo Parenting (Part 2)
This week, we chat solo parenting with older kids, adjusting expectations, and the art of transitioning back to a two-parent household whenever our husbands are home.
Plus, I give you a (perhaps) surprising perk to solo parenting at the end as a takeaway.
Enjoy!
Sponsor Info:
Yeah Baby Goods
Code: MISFORMAMA
Bible References:
Romans 5:3-5
John 16:33
Romans 8:28
Links:
M Is for Mama
Penny Reward System
Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show
Paint & Prose
Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad
M Is For Mama Chore Guide
M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up
Find Abbie at:
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

May 15, 2024 • 21min
Ep. 66: Rhythms for Solo-Parenting (Part 1)
One of the FAQs I receive weekly in DMs is: “How do you handle solo-parenting when your husband is gone?”
And while I know that everyone’s solo-parenting circumstances are different, there are some core principles that can help shift your mindset from “woe is me!” (been there) to “I’ve got this” (in Christ’s strength). Is so important to actively look for ways to thrive rather than simply survive!
I share some of the things that have helped me most in this episode, and I’ll talk more about ways the Lord has grown my maturity + resourcefulness in this area in part 2. Enjoy!
Sponsor Info:
Site: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/
Code: misformama
Links:
M Is for Mama
Penny Reward System
Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show
Paint & Prose
Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad
M Is For Mama Chore Guide
M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up
Activated Charcoal and Grape Juice Blog
Rhythms Podcast
Find Abbie at:
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

May 8, 2024 • 7min
Ep. 65: A Mother’s Day Note of Encouragement
As we approach Mother’s Day (in the U.S.), I pray this brief episode will be an encouragement to stay the course for those who are in or for the long haul and a balm for those who are hurting this week.
You are in my prayers.
Sponsor Info:
Site: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/
Code: misformama
Bible References:
Philippians 4:6
Psalm 34:18
Jeremiah 29:11
Matthew 5:44
Ephesians 4:32
Matthew 6:12
James 1:17
Psalm 27:13
James 4:14
Links:
M Is for Mama
Penny Reward System
Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show
Paint & Prose
Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad
M Is For Mama Chore Guide
M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up
Find Abbie at:
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

Apr 24, 2024 • 34min
Ep. 64: Habits for a Sacred Home (A Chat with Jennifer Pepito)
Jennifer Pepito shares wisdom on creating a sacred home with intentional investments in family. Topics include establishing traditions, the grace in imperfections, and the value of family connection. She emphasizes the significance of intentional parenting, finding what works for individual families, and relying on God's guidance.

Apr 18, 2024 • 52min
Ep. 63: Passing Down the Good (A Chat with Elisha and Katie Voetberg)
Ep. 63: Passing Down the Good (A Chat with Elisha and Katie Voetberg)
In a world that champions airing every bit of trauma/bad strategies passed down from parents, it’s rare (and refreshing!) to encounter young families who are, instead, holding with the positive traditions of their origin families and being intentional to praise the good (while acknowledging the not-so-good).
Elisha and Katie Voetberg (who own/run our sponsor company, Voetberg Music Academy!) are doing just that—choosing to recognize + pass down the positive practices they were taught without turning a blind eye to the common pitfalls we all face as parents.
They discuss what they love about their upbringings as members of larger-than-culturally-normal families. They share strategies for being intentional + wise with stewarding time with children + spouses. And they speak with maturity beyond their years that they credit to having parents who trusted them enough to apologize + pivot when things weren’t working.
I know you’ll be encouraged + energized by this conversation!
Guest Info:
Site: nowthatwereafamily.com
Sponsor Info:
Site: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/
Code: misformama
Bible References:
Matthew 22:37
Genesis 1:28
1 Samuel 16:7
Matthew 28:16
James 3:16
Colossians 3:23
Proverbs 31
Titus 2
Links:
M Is for Mama
Penny Reward System
Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show
Paint & Prose
Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad
M Is For Mama Chore Guide
M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up
Find Abbie at:
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

Apr 10, 2024 • 39min
Ep. 62: Christians Parents + The Library (A Chat With Good Book Mom)
Ever walked into a public library with your children, only to hurry them past the displays in the kids’ section because they’re almost all focused on promoting one secular agenda or another?
You’re not alone. Choosing good literature for our kids--especially in light of the blatant bias many librarians proudly display--can be a challenging task in our current cultural climate.
In this episode, Korie Johnson from Good Book Mom tells us all about how we, as Christian parents, can build relationships with our local library and its leaders in order to make an impact both on the books they promote and on the individuals themselves.
You’ll be encouraged by her straightforward approach to choosing quality children’s literature (it doesn’t all have to be explicitly Christian!) and also her practical suggestions for how to interact with your library community to enact change.
Korie has lots of great resources on her website where she vets and reviews hundreds of books so we don’t have to!
Guest Info:
Instagram
Facebook
Site: https://goodbookmom.com/
Sponsor Info:
Site: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/
Code: misformama
Bible References:
1 Corinthians 10:31
Ephesians 6:12
Deuteronomy 6:6-8
Ephesians 5:9
Matthew 5:16
Links:
M Is for Mama
Penny Reward System
Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show
Paint & Prose
Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad
M Is For Mama Chore Guide
M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up
Find Abbie at:
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

Apr 3, 2024 • 1h 6min
Ep. 61: Is the Child Free Movement Biblical? (A Chat with Jennifer Flanders)
“Child free” is a phrase that populates comment sections on social media, Reddit threads, news articles, and more.
It’s more than a little trendy to at least entertain the idea of forgoing having children altogether.
But is it biblical?
I sit down with my good friend, Jennifer Flanders from
Flanders Family Home Life, chat about the biblical implications of a child-free lifestyle.
We also chat all things birth control and what it looks like to live a surrendered life before the Lord—in every area, including, but not limited to, our fertility.
Jennifer is one of my favorite humans on the planet, and I know you’ll appreciate her wisdom!
Sponsor Info:
Site: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/
Code: misformama
Bible References:
Ephesians 5:15
Psalm 127
Psalm 128
Genesis 1:28
Proverbs 3:5-6
1 Corinthians 7:2
Matthew 6:19-21
Proverbs 16:9
Jeremiah 29:11
1 Corinthians 7
Genesis 38
Luke 23:29
Links:
M Is for Mama
Penny Reward System
Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show
Paint & Prose
Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad
M Is For Mama Chore Guide
M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up
Find Abbie at:
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

Mar 27, 2024 • 33min
Ep. 60: OVERSTIMULATED! (Part 2–Sometimes, It’s Our Fault)
In part one of this topic, we unpacked why “overstimulation” is such a commonly used term—especially in motherhood—these days.
In this episode, we take a deeper look at some of the ways we might contributing to our own overwhelm. Because sometimes, all those “tabs” left open in our brain, driving us nuts, are the results of too many bad yeses and not enough good knows.
Self-awareness and the ability to admit when we have gotten into bad habits or failed to heed wise advice are both crucial to reclaiming our mental peace in a way that honors God.
Sponsor Info:
Site: https://www.summit.org/
Code: mama24
Bible References:
Ecclesiastes 1:9
Ephesians 5:15-16
Matthew 12:36
Proverbs 20:24
Isaiah 26:3-4
1 Peter 3:15
Matthew 11:29-30
Hebrews 4:9-10
Links:
M Is for Mama
Penny Reward System
Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show
Paint & Prose
Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad
M Is For Mama Chore Guide
M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up
Find Abbie at:
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook

Mar 20, 2024 • 32min
Ep. 59: OVERSTIMULATED!! (An Honest Look at a Hot Button Word)
Have you ever credited your frustration or overwhelm in a particular situation to “overstimulation?” If so, join the club!
“Overstimulation” seems to be the word for mothers on social media (and many in-person interactions too). And it’s easy to understand why with so many things grabbing for our attention on top of a need to love and care for our families well.
The good news is there is hope in the midst of the overwhelm, and we don’t have to be slaves to the things that make our brains feel like they’re full of bees.
In this episode we’ll talk about the reality of feeling overstimulated (it’s not all in your head!) but also tackle practical ways to combat it with both compassion and grit.
Be encouraged that “overstimulated” is not where you have to stay, friends!
Sponsor Info:
Site: https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.com/
Code: misformama
Bible References:
Romans 6:1
Romans 8:37
2 Corinthians 12:7
1 Peter 5:8
Links:
M Is for Mama
Penny Reward System
Leave a Review for the M is for Mama Show
Paint & Prose
Pre-Order Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad
M Is For Mama Chore Guide
M Is For Mama Meal Plan Sign-Up
Find Abbie at:
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook