Gospel Matrescence

This week we continued discussing the Rupture and Repair Cycle with a focus on children and sibling relationships.  As you listen to this episode, keep in mind the diagram and the weekly check-in questions you can find here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e2MSeQU6dxnchMF-K9YaHMCd-m5KXwaIQOJYSu-wNRQ/edit?usp=sharing How can we take this concept and apply it to conflict within our family?  How...

This week we continued discussing the Rupture and Repair Cycle with a focus on marriage.  As you listen to this episode, keep in mind the diagram and the weekly check-in questions you can find here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e2MSeQU6dxnchMF-K9YaHMCd-m5KXwaIQOJYSu-wNRQ/edit?usp=sharing Throughout the episode, Andie shares how a deep understanding of the Rupture and Repair Cycle can be a...

In any relationship, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, or disagreements happen which lead to a "rupture" in the connection.  The ability to recognize and respond to this rupture is the key to maintaining a non-anxious presence in our homes.  In this episode, Andie introduces us to the seven steps of this cycle and gives a high-level overview that she will build upon in this four-part ser...

As Christmas approaches, as believers, it is important that we understand the meaning and origins behind some of the traditions we celebrate.  In this episode, Andie digs into some of the myths of the pagan origins of Christmas, the history of the practice of the Twelve Days of Christmas, and offers a free gift for your family! Here is the link to the article that explains how the early church fat...

In this episode, Andie shares five ideas that you can apply to your family as you enter the Advent season.  These traditions will enrich and encourage you to lift your eyes to the gift of the incarnation and the hope of the second coming of Christ.  Summary of ideas shared: 1. Advent story read-aloud at meal times - Jotham's Journey by Arnold Ytreeide available at Amazon (and other books in t...

Do you ever feel like your dopamine system is broken?  Do activities and pleasures that used to bring you joy feel less satisfying?  It may be time for a dopamine reset.   A dopamine reset is designed to regain control over cheap forms of dopamine through compulsive behavior. By doing this, you can experience a deeper happiness and satisfaction.  The main goal is to learn to see healthy dopamine h...

Most people would agree that pain is not pleasant.  We often do almost anything we can to avoid pain for ourselves and our children.  However, what if pushing the pain button actually allowed us to experience more pleasure in life?  Our dopamine system always seeks equilibrium, so the more we are willing to feel pain, the easier pleasure will come.  Listen to this episode to change your mindset on...

Have you ever considered the concept of dopamine stewardship?  Our pleasure system is a tremendous gift from our creator, but it can also be significantly abused, much like any gift.  Good stewardship of our dopamine system means accepting both sides of the system - both pain and pleasure.  As you look around society today, there are countless ways that people attempt to hijack the system with sup...

How much do you know about the effects dopamine has on your everyday life?  Did you know you were built on purpose with a very sophisticated system that regulates both pain and pleasure?  Do you struggle with anxiety or depression that might be related to a misuse of your dopamine system?  This is the first episode of a four-part series that will help you learn how to hack your reward system and i...

Being a mother is a tremendous responsibility.  Sometimes, we view our role as that of an artist designing a blank canvas.  Other times, we see ourselves as gardeners, toiling in the hot sun, hoping for fruit. Today, we will walk through both of these metaphors and look at their implications.  Which style of mothering do you tend towards?    

Have you ever heard the term 'the devouring mother'?  Did you know that this is a tendency that all mothers will face?  And even if you don't struggle with this, doting tendencies are sure to be tempting.  In this episode, we look at the dangers of both of these archetypes and discuss how to avoid these pitfalls!  

Do you wish your children were more peaceful?  Do you wish they were growing in maturity faster? If so, you need to look closer at how much agency you allow your children to have and how much accountability you consistently give them.  In this episode, we look at the drastic change that has taken place in childhood in the last few decades regarding the massive decrease in agency most children expe...

In this episode, Andie reviews a book called Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Joseph Piper.  The concepts in that book reflect four areas of life that require balance for a peaceful lifestyle. Too often, we over- or under-emphasize a particular quadrant and feel the strain that brings. As mothers, it is vital that we learn to look at these four quadrants and ask some questions about the habits and...

Hobby - an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure. Is it even possible for busy mamas to have a hobby?  Isn't it a little selfish to pursue a hobby when your children and family have so many needs?  Why might a hobby be an essential part of healthy motherhood?  Join Andie today as she digs into this concept by reviewing an article called "Why Mama Needs a Hobby.&...

This is the third episode in the series on Family of Origin work.  You will hear four case study stories that help you gain a deeper understanding of the value of the Family of Origin worksheet, which can be downloaded here - https://gospelmatrescence.com/free-resources/ Remember that our coaching groups are a great place to do your Family of Origin work alongside others who want to grow in their...

Last week, we introduced the concept of Family of Origin work as a tool to help us evaluate our childhood experiences and significant relationships.  This week, we will go through each part of the worksheet to help understand how this tool can help us grow past hangups and harmful habits we find ourselves stuck in.  Visit https://gospelmatrescence.com/free-resources/ to download your free copy of...

Do you have a clear vision of what type of person you deeply desire to be, but the road to get there seems impossible?  Do you want to show up for your family with a peaceful, non-anxious presence but instead keep reverting to unhealthy reactions?  Then this episode is for you. Often, breaking unhealthy belief systems and habits requires us to look back at our family of origin to see where interna...

In this episode, we take a close look at Luke 1 & 2 as it describes Mary's entrance to motherhood.  Andie pulls out six ways Mary demonstrated a non-anxious presence in her motherhood journey.  Listen along and see if her example inspires you to seek to grow in overcoming anxiety in your own motherhood journey!  

What is the difference between control and influence when it comes to healthy leadership in the home?  How does being a non-anxious presence increase our influence over both our husbands and children?  What can we do if we tend towards control and have lost some of our influence?  Take a listen and find out!  

Continuing with our focus on becoming a non-anxious presence in our home, today we look at six ways mamas tend to expect others to manage their own anxiety.  Displacing and projecting our anxious responses onto those we love can cause great harm to a relationship.  There are ways we can identify these destructive tendencies and repair the harm we have caused.  Let's work on becoming a non-anx...

Here at Gospel Matrescence, we often use the term 'a non-anxious presence,' but what does that really mean?  What does a non-anxious mama look like and how does that impact the family atmosphere?  

Do you ever feel like you are stuck in the same sinful responses that you give to your children or husband?  Can you imagine a clear picture of who you want to be but often feel powerless to get there?  Listen as Andie shares how the 12 spiritual disciplines form a path to spiritual growth and victory in our lives as mamas and wives.  In this episode, she shares specific lessons from the book of N...

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges of raising children is working together with your spouse in a partnership in each decision you face regarding your children.  However, gaining unity can be difficult when fathers and mothers seem so incredibly different in their approach to parenting.  God intended for a mother's feminine tendencies to bless the family and for the father's masculine...

Have you ever considered that not being the 'perfect mother' may be in your children's best interest?  Could it be that your striving to meet your child's every need is actually hurting both them and you?  In this episode, we take a look at the work of the British pediatrician and psychoanalyst who coined the phrase 'the good enough mother'.  Take a listen to learn mo...

Growing in our emotional intelligence and understanding of our emotional ecosystem requires that we learn to observe our thoughts.  Each of us has thought patterns that hold us back.  Today, Andie shares three common thought patterns that often hold mamas back from growth and transformation.  These three phrases/thoughts are: "I have to..." "You made me feel..." "It will a...