Girl Mom Podcast

It's human nature to compare, and for children today - growing up in an age of wonderkids and superhuman teenagers - it's hard not to compare your performance to the best and feel dumb or inadequate. Yet there are many ways to be smart, many ways to succeed, and many ways to unlock talent.  Join Kari as she offers insight on hidden gifts and potential that can't be measured in a cla...

Most people agree that middle school is just AWKWARD. It's a time of upheaval, transition, and major changes socially, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Join Kari as she shares  words of hope and encouragement about one of life’s trickiest transitions and offers a big picture perspective - as well as some humor - to help you through it.  Ep. 26 Show Notes: o   Kari’s books for teen girls...

The beauty of a new school year is how it presents a clean slate. It allows us to move forward with intention and purpose.   Join Kari as she shares 5 things that can help your child positively impact their classmates’ lives.  Ep. 25 Show Notes: o   Kari’s new book: Love Her Well: 10 Ways to Find Joy and Connection with Your Teenage Daughter o   Kari’s books for teen girls: 10 Ultimate Truths Girl...

The end of a friendship can be devastating, especially for teenage girls. And for moms of teen girls, it is heartbreaking to see the pain, self-doubt, and worries a girl has when a shake-up or break-up occurs. Join Kari as she talks about this common issue and how to better frame, understand, and navigate the loss as you help your daughter through it. Ep. 24 Show Notes: o   Kari’s new book: Love H...

In a world of Instagram, filters, and 24/7 comparison, keeping a positive body image is harder than ever.  For moms raising girls, there is heightened awareness of the issues that affect a girl's relationship with food and her body.  Join Kari and Alice Churnock, an Adolescent Counselor and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, for this important conversation and how moms can best navigate th...

Some of your hardest seasons of parenting are also your hardest seasons of life.  And in your 40s - a time of major transition as you're raising teens, launching teens, burying parents, and facing Big League Stress - it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unequipped.  Join Kari as she talks about the wrestling she's done and the insights that helped her better understand and navigate thi...

In a world that lacks kindness, mean behavior is on the rise.  And for children and teens, just beginning to see how hurtful people can be, the wounds can be deep and devastating. In this episode, Kari offers a framework to help you explain mean girl behavior, discuss an empowered response, and point your daughter toward the high road that God can ultimately bless. EPISODE 20 Show Notes: o   Order...

One of the fastest ways for your son (or your daughter) to get off-track is through a bad relationship with the opposite sex. Yet what wise parents know is how bluntly stating your opinion can push a teenager away and deeper into the arms of a bad influence. Join Kari as she tackles this topic inspired by a group text among old friends.  As kids grow up, parents move from a position of power to a...

You may have said it - or wanted to say it. When your daughter comes home crying after another girl hurts her, it’s tempting to repeat this popular cliché. But is it helpful? And can it deter girls from building real friendships if they believe this stereotype is 100% true? Join Kari as she offers an alternative - and more hopeful - point of view. This message is also available as a post on Kari’s...

When trouble arises between your child and a friend or classmate, your first instinct is not always your best instinct. You can amplify matters by getting involved too quickly. Join Kari as she offers 4 guidelines to help you think through situations and guide your child in a crucial relationship skill. This message is also available on Kari's blog. Ep. 17 Show Notes: o   Order Kari’s new boo...

The teen years bring new experiences - like dating and breaking up. When your daughter ends a relationship with a guy she really liked, it can be painful. Join Kari as she shares thoughts to offer comfort and hope to your daughter (or son) after a breakup.  This message will also be available as a new article on Kari's blog. Ep. 16 Show Notes: o   Order Kari’s new book: Love Her Well: 10 Ways...

As a mom, you need to vent. You need safe places to be real and process your rawest, most nitty-gritty emotions. Oftentimes, however, what should keep as private conversations with friends turn into public conversations on Facebook - leading to hurt feelings, damaged relationships, and dirty laundry that's better unaired. Join Kari as she talks about the importance of having an adult network...

Most females are hard on themselves - and even more detrimental than the critics of this world are the critics inside their heads. Join Kari as she talks about self-image, self-love, the conversations our daughters have with themselves, and how we - as mothers - can take to heart the same lessons we aim to teach.  Ep. 14 Show Notes: o   Order Kari’s new book: Love Her Well: 10 Ways to Find Joy and...

Do you ever get too chatty and see your teenagers' eyes glaze over as you give life lessons? With teens, attention spans are limited, and you are lucky to get 30 seconds of a life lesson in. Being clear, concise, and brief – and not asking too many questions – helps keep them talking. It enables deeper, more meaningful conversations. Join Kari as she shares what she's learned about being...

Motherhood is a constant dance of loving children and letting them go. As teenagers turn 16, it ushers in a new season where graduation feel startingly close and new emotions start to evolve. Join Kari as she shares thoughts on navigating these emotions and watching kids growing up. This message is also available as a new article on Kari's blog. Ep. 12 Show Notes: o   Kari’s new book for moms...

Even if you tell your daughter all the right messages at home, she'll hear all the wrong messages from the world. In dating, it's easy for girls to get misguided and misled as they search for true love. Join Kari for this crucial conversation that offers talking points to share as you have dialogue about boys. An abridged version of this message is also available as a new article on Kari...

No parent is perfect - we know that - yet in the journey of parenthood, we struggle to show ourselves grace. We believe the enemy's lies that keep us feeling defeated rather than living with the hope of Christ. In this episode (originally featured on Ask Alice , part of Rooted Youth Ministry ), Kari is interviewed by Alice Churnock, a sought-after counselor of teenage girls. Join Alice and Ka...

Today's teenagers get inundated with voices - people telling them who to be, what to do, and how to think - and they need their parents' help to tune into God's quiet whisper. In this episode, Kari shares key conversations to help you connect with your teenager, prepare her for the road ahead, and get her thinking about her choices before she's in a situation. With topics that...

God created us for community so that we won’t do life alone. Too often, however, we keep our struggles to ourselves and suffer in silence.  In this episode, Kari encourages parents to create a family climate of truth telling and raw honesty. She shares how she spent half her life bottling up her emotions and hiding her most vulnerable side – until taking baby steps in the right direction helped he...

God answers prayers - but He can’t answer prayers that we don’t pray. Even if you're new to faith, or walking just one step ahead of your child, you can be a powerful prayer warrior. You can equip your child spiritually and point them to the source of all peace. In this episode, Kari shares chapter 10 from the audiobook of Love Her Well : Pray for Her and Empower Her Through Faith. Join Kari...

As moms, we want our teenagers to confide in us. We long to be their safe place and sounding board, yet earning their trust is a privilege that we lose if we betray their confidence. When parents divulge too much, teenagers shut down or quit talking together.  In this episode, Kari talks about protecting your teenager’s privacy while still getting the support you need to parent through a challengi...

Girls today need healthy assertion. As girls learn to speak up for themselves, they gain the courage to speak up – and speak out – for others. Unfortunately, girls get conflicting advice about what it means to be a strong woman, especially in a world where many voices are hostile, abrasive, and rude. In this episode, Kari shares ideas on how to speak the truth in love, take up for yourself (and ot...

Ever wonder what your daughter is thinking? Ever been at a loss over why you rubbed her the wrong way? Today’s episode is for any mother who wishes she could crack the code or get a glimpse into the teenage girl mystique. Teenagers don’t care what we know until they know that we care, and by being aware of some common thoughts, we may find entry points to build stronger connections.  EPISODE 4 Sho...

For many women, having a baby girl is a dream come true. Yet as girls grow up, the narrative of innocence and joy changes to gloom and doom as moms are told, “Just wait until she’s a teenager!” and handed a disheartening script that treats a teenage girl’s final years at home as solely a season to survive. In this episode, Kari talks about picking your battles, practicing healthy conflict resoluti...

At an event in 2018, Kari gave a talk titled “How to Love a Teenager” that was inspired by personal mistakes. Afterward, a mom came up to her, pointed, and boldly declared, “ That needs to be your next book.” Immediately the lightbulb flashed, and after years of waiting for a new book idea to grab her, Kari finally had an answer. For the next 8 months, she dove into this labor of love, her first b...