The Connected Mom

With humor, vulnerability, and stories from her own limited life as a mom of five—two who struggle with severe autism—pastor and podcaster Jessica Hurlbut ignites hope in hearts of overwhelmed moms to believe that forces outside you can’t stop the God within you. Revealing 12 limits that hinder mothers—like exhaustion, distractions, and disillusionment—Jessica shows how to overcome them. Join Beck...

"What do you and your spouse have in common?" "We got married on the same day." Many women can identify with that sentiment. They want their marriages to be happy and honoring to God, but they wonder how when their mate baffles and even irritates them so. Some may even wonder if they made a terrible mistake. Today we talk with Poppy Smith, author of, "Why Can't He Be More Like Me?: 9 Secrets to Un...

Adoption brings unique challenges. Love and bonding don’t always come naturally. There can be emotional distress, frustration, and disappointment. Today we talk with Laurel Shaler, author of “Loving Adopted Children Well”. Her stories about adoption, show empathy for adoptive parents and encouragement to not give up in the process. Shaler provides an honest and invaluable resource of wisdom, joy,...

Have you ever felt rejected? It's just the worst! Rejection can reveal our insecurities and robs us of joy...every time. Today we talk with Patty LaRaoche, author of " A Little Lift: Finding Joy Beyond Rejection. " Her stories as the wife of a MLB player and her honesty as a believer are so refreshing. Listen in and make progress on returning to joy after rejection. Get Patty's book: A Little Lift...

Our guest has faced so many obstacles...but her stories of overcoming show the power of relying on God's strength. Becky and Sarah talk with Lori Vober, a stroke survivor (at age twenty-nine). She is a walking miracle and we guarantee that her journey of faith and perseverance will encourage you.  Find Lori's Book: Choices: When You Are Faced with a Challenge, What Choice Will You Make? Life rarel...

We all know that there are extroverts and introverts. But how do we help our children who are more introverted? How do we help them feel affirmed in their design? Today we talk with Holley Gerth. Holley is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of many books. She is a counselor and life coach, with a masters of science degree in mental health. Holley is the host of More Thank Small Talk podcast...

It seems so many need hope right now. That’s what we’re talking about today with Becky's good friend, Michelle Cox. She's authored a book "Hope That Endures" which is Michelle's gift to God...offering hope to everyone who reads it. The stories are special because they're true, relatable, and show God's faithfulness. By the end of this podcast, you'll feel like you have a new friend...and new encou...

Boy...parenting can sure be "inconvenient" right? As a busy mom, you know that everything shifts when you become a parent. But let this conversation encourage you to embrace--and activate--the opportunities that come along with parenting your children. This conversation will help you think about the unique traits that God gave your kiddos. Our dear guest, Melissa Hannigan, shares the heart behind...

It's a topic that is hard to talk through...but even harder to walk through. But our guest shares her story so that others can cling to hope. On this episode, Becky and Sarah talk with Candy McVicar, the co-author of the book 'Holding On to Love After You've Lost a Baby.' Candy shares her personal story of losing her babies and how she started the Missing Grace Foundation to support families who h...

Have you ever thought about how your personality impacts how you pray? So interesting! In this episode, Becky and Sarah discuss the topic of prayer with guest Janet McHenry. They explore the concept of praying personalities and how each person is wired differently when it comes to prayer. This is a NO judgement zone and meant to encourage you! Listen in and think about how your personality impacts...

Such a sweet episode! Daughter-Mom team, Calyn and Blythe Daniel, join us to talk about friendships...specifically with tween girls. Tween relationships can be a little sticky--yikes--so listen in! Together they wrote a book "Let's Be Friends: A Tween Devotional on Finding and Keeping Friendships." We enjoy conversation around being brave to make new friends, standing up for ourselves in friendshi...

Need some fresh ideas on how to best pray for your child? Listen in! Becky and Sarah talk with Sharon Jaynes about " Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe "--a book Sharon wrote that is a 30-day guide to "powerful and effective Scripture-based prayers." Sharon shares insights on praying for different areas of a child's life, starting with the mind and going down to the feet. She also encourages...

In this episode, we discuss some heavy topics that affected mom, Keri Spring, and her teenage son. We discuss the impact of bullying, loss of a child, and the importance of forgiveness and faith in her healing journey. Keri also shares how her family has testablished a scholarship fund in her son's memory. The conversation highlights the need for open discussions about mental health and the import...

Mom burnout. Weariness in parenting. Can you relate? In this episode, we interview Julie Lavender, author of the book ''Strength for All Seasons." We discuss the challenges of motherhood and the importance of relying on God's strength. Julie shares her personal experiences of burnout and how she learned to lean on God in different seasons of motherhood. She also emphasizes the need for a support s...

Sometimes life is so heavy that it seems hard to hold onto our faith. Have you been there? You're not alone. Our guest Michele Cushatt has been through THREE cancer episodes and the many complications that come with that--both physically and spiritually. She reminds us that having questions about what you believe is not a lack of faith. About Our Guest: Michele Cushatt With a unique blend of story...

Trusting in God can't happen without knowing that He is trustworthy. On today's episode, Becky unpacks several powerful names of God: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Let the truth about who God is refresh your perspective and confidence to trust God...even when life is wonky! ABOUT OUR GUEST: Authentic, passionate, funny and Biblical all describe, Becky Harlin...

Balance sounds good...but is it really possible to achieve as a busy mom? We talk with Lisa Grimes, a CEO with experience juggling all the balls of life as a working mom, wife, executive, and friend. She takes time to show us different kinds of "balls" that are in our lives and how we can keep balance...which means knowing the value of each ball and what can drop. ABOUT OUR GUEST Lisa T. Grimes is...

You make time for so many tasks as a mom. But we're here to remind you that finding time to have JOY in your life is critical. Our guest, Linda Evans Shepherd, shares her personal story of finding joy even when she found herself in several tornados--both physical and figurative. You'll want to hear how she finds joy! ABOUT OUR GUEST Linda Evans Shepherd is an award-winning author, a successful spe...

How can you help your kids be filled with gratitude . . . and how can you make that fun? Gratitude is something God honors, and according to the research, it actually makes people more happy in their adult life. Who knew? Today Becky shares lots of ideas to make gratitude fun at any age--from toddlers to high schoolers. We even throw in a few tips for grandparents! Mentioned: Thank You Bear book s...

Motherhood is a journey filled with ups an downs…so how can we keep the journey fun? Join Becky and Sarah as they talk with Victoria Lydon about how she kept FUN in her family...despite single parenting, homeschooling, and living on a tight budget. She is the perfect example of making the best of your situation with God's help...and making sure that it includes fun! ABOUT OUR GUEST Victoria Lyon i...

There's a lot of talk about "Self Care" but we want to lean in on care for your soul. Join us as we talk with Edie Melson as she talks about how we can use creativity to connect with God. Buy the Book: Soul Care When You're Wear y Description: Edie Melson helps you find Soul Care solutions using devotions and prayers and opportunities for creative expression. She has learned that sensory involveme...

If you're a single mom...or you're the friend of a single mom, listen in for practical encouragement from a mom who knows that road. Our guest, PeggySue Wells, is the bestselling author or coauthor of nearly 30 books, including The Slave across the Street with Theresa L. Flores. A history buff and lover of tropical islands, she parasails, skydives, snorkels, scuba dives, and has taken (but not pas...

It takes so much wisdom to be a mom…even when your kids are adults. SO many decisions and interactions in motherhood require big time wisdom! Becky and Sarah talk about how to practically obtain wisdom in motherhood with our guest, Pam Farrel. Hint, hint...we're talking about wisdom in Proverbs. ABOUT OUR GUEST Pam Farrel and her husband, Bill, are the authors of 59 books including Men Are Like Wa...

Most mamas are really good at reading stories to their kids. But what about you? Have you read a good book lately? Something that isn't mom-related? Here's your nudge to treat yourself to a good story! Novelist Nicole Deese joins us and talks about how she writes her fictional characters to overcome life's real challenges. ABOUT OUR GUEST Nicole Deese is a Christy and Carol Award-winning, bestsell...

The tragedy and heartbreak that have hit our guest, Janet Perez Eckles, is just devastating. But you've never heard a more joy-filled, resilient person. Listen in as Janet tells her story...with the JOY only God can bring. ABOUT OUR GUEST Blindness nor tragedy has stopped Janet Perez Eckles from becoming an author of five inspirational books, an international speaker, radio host, and founder of JC...