Coffee + Crumbs Podcast

In this week's episode we keep it light and fun with a guide to getting dressed—from the actual logistics of getting ready in the morning (anyone tried to put on skinny jeans with a baby hanging on one leg?) to how important it is to change out of yoga pants every once in a while. From fluctuating bodies to changing careers, April, Ashlee and Lesley share what they've learned about style since bec...

Today's candid conversation is with Rachael Kincaid (one of our all-time favorite people to follow on the Internet!). We cover the full gamut of topics—from what it's like to become a mother of six in just three short years, to some of the joys and challenges of step-parenting. We also talk about why her youngest children aren't involved in many extracurricular activities, what it's like to not ha...

When Coffee + Crumbs listener Allie Roepe reached out to us last fall with a show idea around being a mother "half the time," we asked if she'd be interested in sharing her experience. In this episode we talk about what it's like to parent after a divorce, Allie's desire to split equal custody with her ex-husband, why their arrangement is even harder as time passes, and the everyday logistics of s...

Everyone loves a good birth story, so, as April put it, we're bringing you the Coffee + Crumbs Vagina Monologues. In this episode we talk about allll the different ways we've birthed our babies from c-sections to epidurals to the un-medicated route--and the things we've liked and disliked about each. Plus, we get real about hospital undies and share the best advice you might ever hear about birth...

In honor of Father's Day, we're thrilled to be interviewing our first male guest! Father and couples counselor Zach Brittle joins us this week to talk about the transition into fatherhood, how dads can find friendship (and whether moms should help), and the very best thing you can get a man for Father's Day. This candid conversation about parenthood and marriage will be an episode that both moms a...

This week April and Lesley talk with Sarah Powers, co-host of The Mom Hour Podcast, about the best and hardest parts of having three kids. We talk about what went into our decisions to grow our families, how our pregnancies and births differed each time, and the hardest parts of adjusting to life with three. Plus, Sarah offers encouragement for moms of littles (it only gets better!) and April lust...

In this episode, we're talking with Catherine McNiel about incorporating spiritual disciplines into our lives as mothers. That's right: we're diving into rich, soul-inspiring practices for moms who want to grow in their faith, but have neither quiet nor time. R egardless of your background, this is a guilt-free episode for mothers who want to connect with God without adding more "shoulds" into the...

What are you doing to celebrate Mother's Day this year? What do you wish you were doing? This week we're talking about all things Mother's Day: the history of the holiday itself, what to do when your spouse isn't a mind-reader, how to share the day with others, and what our ideal Mother's Day really looks like. Plus, fellow C+C writer Sonya Spillmann gets honest about why this holiday can be extra...

This week we're talking with Jena Holliday-- artist,  illustrator, and creator of Spoonful of Faith. You'll hear us talk about what it's like to mother when you have a chronic illness, and why autoimmune diseases can be especially mysterious and frustrating for so many women. Jena also offers gentle advice to moms who are struggling with their identity, and how to take the first step in chasing dr...

The Magic of Motherhood is officially out! This week we're recapping all things book launch: the party in Sacramento, what it was like for the Coffee + Crumbs writers to meet in real life, our favorite moments from the weekend, and more! Plus, you'll hear Ashlee Gadd and April Hoss read one of their essays from The Magic of Motherhood. We wish we could have parties in all the cities, but until we...

Marriage is hard work. Throw in a few kids and it can be extra, extra hard work. In this episode, we're getting real honest about some of the storms we've weathered in our marriages. Plus, you'll hear why all of us are advocates for marriage counseling, how we split up household chores, creative ways we make time for our spouses, and April's three guiding questions for couples who work opposite sc...

We're baaaaaack! The giggles and chit chat are at an all time high as we reconnect after our long three month break from podcasting. In this episode we're talking about all the ways we've changed since having children--from the stuff we swore we'd never let our kids wear and do, to our post-baby beauty routines. Plus, we're joined by a few C+C writers as we vulnerably share some of the ways our bo...

We're celebrating the end of our first season by answering listener questions. In this super fun episode you'll hear Ashlee, April and Lesley talk about everything from sleep training to breastfeeding, what we're making for dinner, the best postpartum jeans, establishing our own family traditions, and what we're buying our kids for Christmas. We hope you'll laugh with us as we joyfully celebrate t...

April Hoss reads her essay, Consider Yourself Warned, about how difficult the holiday season can be for women waiting to get pregnant or adopt.

In this episode we interview hit blogger and HGTV.com star Erin Loechner about how she turned away from fame and frenzy to chase a slower lifestyle. We talk about everything from capsule wardrobes to slow blogging, cutting down on social media use, and managing gift giving during the holiday season. This one will change your perspective, renew your priorities, and shift your focus for 2017. Like w...

On today's Coffee Break, Lesley reads her essay Preparing to Jump , about the sometimes complicated decision of trying to get pregnant for the first time. 

In this episode, Lesley gets to chat with New York Times bestselling author, Ann Voskamp, about her new book The Broken Way. You'll hear Ann's encouragement for moms who feel like they don't have enough time in their days (hint: swap your to-do list with a to-love list), and learn what the gift of going first means. Plus—why both women are drawing crosses on their wrists, some of Ann's advice for...

On today's Coffee Break, regular C+C contributor Melanie Dale talks about that one time she snuck away to a movie theater in the middle of the day with a friend, and why having older kids is awesome.

When Love Feels Heavy by N'tima Preusser is still, by far, the most well-read essay on Coffee + Crumbs. Today, N'tima shares more about her postpartum mental health journey, subtle signs that you may be struggling with depression or anxiety, and some ideas of what to do if you are. This is one of our most authentic, touching episodes yet; a breath of fresh air for any mama in the trenches of infan...

October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and it's a season for recognizing the pain so many families experience but don't always feel comfortable talking about. In this episode Lesley talks to clinical psychologist Dr. Jessica Zucker about her personal story of loss, the grief process and changing the way we talk about miscarriage. Plus, hear about a new C+C initiative to hel...

This week we're talking to Krystal Festerly, mom of three and editor of The Village Magazine. You'll hear all about how The Village got started--she launched it the same day she gave birth to her second child--and why the quarterly publication is dedicated to bringing back sisterhood between mommas. Plus, hear a little about Krystal's third birth, and why she calls it a healing experience. Like wh...

In part two of our working mom conversation, Lesley and Kelsey discuss the term "default parent" and how they split up household chores with their husbands. Plus, three things Kelsey does as soon as she walks in the door at night, her kitchen whiteboard system to manage the chaos, how she gets herself fed every morning (freezer burritos!), and the chores her family chooses to outsource. Like what...

Being a full-time working mom is quite the juggling act. In this episode, Lesley talks with Kelsey Wharton, co-host of The Girl Next Door podcast. You'll hear about Kelsey's transition back to work after her first baby (it was harder than she thought it would be), simple ways she simplifies her evenings, and how all moms need to support each other in the quest to make workplaces more breastfeeding...

Being a mom is all of it: light and dark, highs and lows, fever pitch frustration and all-consuming love. In this episode we get to chat with Mandy Arioto, author of the newly released book Starry-Eyed , about how the brightest and darkest moments of motherhood can become a sacred opportunity to encounter God. We talk about pursuing rest in our busy lives, celebrating our worthy callings as mother...

This is an episode with a very special mama of two very special kids. We're talking with Heather Avis, author of the The Lucky Few, about raising children with Down Syndrome. Find out what made Heather afraid when she was preparing to adopt them, how we as parents can teach our kids to be inclusive of children who may look or act different, and why raising a child with special needs is the ultimat...