Fireside Talk Radio

Ever wonder if romantic dreams come true? Yes! According to romance expert Catherine Ulrich Brakefield, dreams do come true. She joins Cathy to talk about what makes for happy endings. Catherine takes us back in time to the day over forty years ago when she met the man of her dreams. Although, she had no idea the handsome sailor sitting next to her would propose in less than a week! Don't miss thi...

Michelle Medlock Adams joins Cathy to share her best wisdom for joy and victory, even when we feel like a hot mess today! Holding nothing back, Michelle shares personal stories about how God grows our faith, while we wait patiently (or not-so-patiently) on him! How do we start our day with the Lord when it feels too hard to get out of bed? Is it okay to retreat to the bathroom alone?! Seriously. Y...

Michelle Medlock Adams joins Cathy to share how God miraculously opened the doors to let her write children's book. If you’re thinking, "I’ve always wanted to write children’s book. Now that my kids are no longer toddlers or now that my kids have kids of their own, I finally get to write for children," this interview will encourage you to trust God with your dream. Perhaps you've read Platinum Fai...

Dr. Dany Sessums joins Cathy to offer his best tips for raising history loving kiddos. And he does some of the interview in an Irish accent! He shares how his love of history snagged him roles in multiple documentaries, movies, and television series. “As luck would have it—and I mean my life has been luck, but I’m gonna say God inspired luck—a Hollywood producer saw that (performance) and gave me...

Growing up a history nerd wasn’t easy for Danny Sessums. He joins Cathy to share his story and tips for raising history-loving kids at your house. As a youngster, Danny found an unusual fossil and his love for all things historic was born. The local newspaper picked up the story. “I became known as Dinosaur Dan,” laughs Danny. Television Consultant, Antebellum Authority, Professor, Museum Designer...

Co-host Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy to talk about ways to pass down a love of country to the next generation. Veteran's Day is a favorite holiday for this mother daughter duo, so they have plenty to share. They offer inspirational ideas about why we honor our heroes. Plus, silly to serious, there's no end to the fun we can create for our families around this profoundly personal holiday. If you...

Thinking about cheap and easy homemade costumes for your kids this year? Anna Krafve Pierce brainstormed some terrific costume ideas for us. Pirates or princesses? Fire fighters or fall fairies? Soldiers or super heroes? Don't miss the fun as Anna explains how dressing up can be a significant part of helping your children imagine their amazing future!

First Liberty’s Lathan Watts joins Cathy to report on recent Supreme Court wins for religious liberty. Any threat to religious liberty seems scary. When it comes to matters of faith, we all want to follow our own consciences. Attacks on our faith—or our lack of it—feel un-American. So, what’s up next in the battle for securing religious liberty? “We are very busy which means there are a lot of att...

Defending religious liberty all the way to the Supreme Court takes up a ton of Lathan Watts’s mental energy. An attorney with First Liberty, one of the nation’s foremost defender of religious liberty, Lathan joins Cathy so she could get a bead on instilling a love of religious liberty in the younger generations. You’ll love his passion and sense of humor. Lathan sports an insider’s view of where t...

In this episode, Jeanette Hanscome shares authentically about all the wisdom she gained as she went through divorce. Everyone who ever goes through divorce wonders if their kids will be okay. Jeanette addresses this common fear and many others with practical insight from her hard-won experience. Wonder if your church friends will be judge-y? What do you say to someone going through divorce? Are yo...

Jeanette Hanscome joins Cathy to talk about how divorce impacted her life with her kids. Author of Suddenly Single Mom, Jeanette shares authentically about all the fears and tender moments associated with going through a divorce. Since, she's visually impaired, Jeanette learned a ton about how to ask friends for help, how keeping a record of blessings changes everything, and how our own attitudes...

Could raising confident girls be as easy as planning a tea time anytime? Yes! This week, Anna joined me to share what she’s learning about teaching her young daughter to be comfortable in ALL social settings. Anna even talks about "rejection-proofing" your child. If you want to prepare your daughter to engage with women of all varieties, no matter where in the world God leads her, you'll love Anna...

Ah, the relief of back to school! A plan for success each day! Suddenly, weekdays fall into place and weekends gain savored freedom. Kids groan. Moms rejoice. Whether you taxi your children to school or prepare to homeschool, you’ll love Anna’s back to school ideas for success. Want to avoid fashion miscalculations? Pack a lunch they'll be excited to open? Prepare them to make real friends and han...

Writer, Publisher, and Entrepreneur Mike Sahno, joins Cathy to chat about creating your own company and following your dreams. No stranger to challenge, Mike understands the hurdles small business owners face. Author of the newly released fiction novel, Whizzers, Mike even throws in some worthwhile tips about how and why to publish a book. With several books and his latest release, Mike knows the...

Drum Roll, Please…Yep, this is the episode on prayer we’ve been anticipating for months! Prayerwalking Authority Janet McHenry joins Cathy to talk about their mutual love of prayer! Author of the Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus, Janet shared all kinds of wisdom, including how Jesus prayed while “forgiving relentlessly.” If you thought prayer was for wimps or victims, you’ll be amazed as Jan...

Prayer Walking Mentor, Janet McHenry joins Cathy to tell about how a hunger for prayer and better health motivated her to begin prayerwalking. As a young woman walking through her small town each morning, she began to multitask by praying for individuals and businesses along her route. An accomplished writer, soon her agent asked for a book on her exercise habit: prayerwalking. Almost simultaneous...

Today, Anna and Cathy put their heads together to do some birthday mythbusting. No need for Pinterest Perfect parties! The best parties create birthday blessings for everyone, including Mom. (Especially Mom!) Plus, they don’t have to break the family budget. Enough with over-the-top birthday parties for kids! Dirt piles, black ninjas, tree fort lunches. Ideas for everyone from toddlers to teen. An...

Co-host Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy to inspire us with countless ways to create a natural sanctuary outdoors. Every child deserves a chance to explore and learn from nature in the safety of their own backyard. Yep, even if your backyard is a porch or a balcony! Creating a special outdoor retreat is as simple as inspiring a child’s natural imagination. Plus, Anna throws in some unexpected storie...

How do we foster healthy independence in our own kids and in our nation? Anna Krafve Pierce joins her mom to explain how independence in our kids can be a healthy thing. two seem inseparably  linked to me. An expert on education, childhood fun, history, and philosophy, Anna brainstorms some fun ways families can foster a respect for sacrifice and history while having a blast! Freedom in our countr...

Anna Krafve Pierce joins her mom to brainstorm answers to some of this week's most pressing questions. How can we possibly balance life with ear infections, crazy schedules, nonstop chatter, and create a Delightful Dad's Day? Oh my! Married, single, working, or stay at home, with toddlers or teens, all moms want our own Father’s Day Fabulous! What are some of the easiest, most romantic things you...

Tired of folks who tell you to simmer down? Culture Influencer Cynthia Tobias joins Cathy with tips for strong-willed folks of any age. How do you work with folks who tend to be threatened by strong women? We don't have to apologize for being strong! Strong women can work together without intimidation by focusing on strengths. How do our strengths free us from intimidation? She shared tips for cur...

Education Guru Cynthia Tobias joins Cathy to share the story of how God called her to an amazing life as a strong woman. Well-known for her work on learning styles, her multiple books have influenced a whole American education philosophy. From her experience in law enforcement to teaching in High School, she was invited by Focus on the Family to write a book. Her Focus broadcasts are some of the m...

SharRon Jamison joins Cathy to talk about how friendships look when we seek our God-given potential together! Because sometimes we all feel left out, anxious, and unloveable, right?! “In fact, some women even shared they felt lonely and felt starved for companionship. They wanted and yearned for confidants; they missed connecting on a deep level. But, they also shared that they feel scared, overwh...

Who hasn't felt left out of the in crowd? Ever wonder why your friends care about you? SharRon Jamison epitomizes what it means to be a Friend Maker. A perfect antidote to the Mean Girl Syndrome, Cathy asked SharRon to share from her heart. “Relationships are so important to me. It took years for me to learn how to be a friend,” SharRon says tenderly. Clearly, even the most successful women common...

Co-Host Anna Krafve Pierce and Cathy share their best and worst from Mother's Day past. How do you ask for what you really want? Who do you recruit to help you build the marvelous motherhood moments you're dreaming about? No more crunchy scrambled egg breakfasts for you! Plus, an easy smeasy craft to regale toddlers. Don't miss this authentic conversation about turning your Mom's Day into marvelou...