Our Time to Rise in Midlife

A chill is in the air and the seasonal shift is beginning. As we wave goodbye to summer and welcome fall, we are also looking to refresh our routines, home systems, and menus. Today begins our new series: Fall Reset. Sarah Molitor, from @modernfarmhousefamily on Instagram, joins us to share her practical ideas on time management and home systems. As a homeschooling mom of six boys, we have a great...

No question, motherhood stretches us. In our Sister Straight Talk episode of this series, Krista and Alex talk about how expectations and transitions are big opportunities for mom-growth. Expectations, or should we say unmet expectations, are a trademark of motherhood. Our hosts talk about the "macro" and "micro" of mothering expectations. From how our kids will complete a chore to how we'll feel...

Building resilience in motherhood is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our families. We need it as moms, and our children need it as they make their way through life. Joining us on the third episode of this Motherhood series, Rhonda Stoppe speaks honestly and candidly about the challenges she faced as a mom, and how she found the strength and faith to keep taking steps forward. Rh...

We are in a series highlighting the various ways motherhood grows us. Often we do not think about how creativity can be an integral part of motherhood, but that is exactly what can emerge if we allow it. Rachel Kang, founder of Indelible Ink Writers, talks about how she finds time to write in small pockets of time while parenting her two young boys, and how motherhood has increased her imagination...

Sarah Bragg, host of the Surviving Sarah podcast, says motherhood has grown her up. She has changed through the challenges she's faced as a mom. And boy isn't that true of motherhood? We try new things, face new feelings, overcome new challenges and as a result we are stretched in ways that don't leave us. These stretch marks act as our reminders of growth and that our children are a gift God uses...

We've had our summer school of sorts with professors from around the country talking to us about how art and faith enhance each other. Consider this episode with Krista and Alex the class discussion. Our two podcast hosts sit down together and talk about what challenged them from the previous episodes in the series, what they want to change in their own lives as a result, and how engaging with cre...

Music is powerful and has echoes of the eternal within it. It also can see us through difficult and dark times. Ginny Owens, an award winning singer / songwriter, author, and speaker joins us to talk about the role music has played in her life and faith from a young age. As a blind singer who literally sings in darkness, she also carries the message that anyone can learn to find a melody in dark a...

When we think of art, we often think of the canvas and the painter. Visual arts, from paintings to drawings, sculpture to tapestry, are creations that can both inspire and intimidate us. Art historian Dr. Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt joins us for our "summer school series for grown-ups" on faith and art to remind us we have what is needed to interact with the visual arts. We don't all need to be art h...

We often don't think of theatre as an avenue for exploring our faith, but today on the series we discuss the unique role the theatre arts can play if we engage as a participant or active audience member. Mitchell Thomas, chair of the theatre department at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, joins us to share his expertise. We talk about how storytelling can help us as we move through li...

We're back! The podcast took a break in June and we are back with a new series on faith and the fine arts. We like to think of it as a summer school for grown-ups where we get to take all of the electives we didn't have time for in school. As we think through the arts, we can look for what is true and beautiful and how that is a reflection of God's nature. That's our kind of curriculum! We are kic...

Today is the last episode in the "Secrets Of A Centered Soul" series, and Alex and Krista talk about what they learned, what they loved, and some practices they employ that weren't discussed in the series. From being in nature, to journaling, to intentionally creating spiritual friendships, you will hear how Krista and Alex keep their souls centered, and how they are continuing to grow. This episo...

As we talk about what it means to have a centered soul, we must talk about how we communicate with God. Prayer is our ongoing conversation with the one who made us and loves us. It's mysterious and sometimes overwhelming to consider God hears any of what we feel or say. We invited award-winning author Patricia Raybon to this series to talk with us about how we talk with God. Patricia reminds us of...

Habits. Many have them around morning coffee, exercise, repetitive words, or before bed rituals. But have you ever considered turning your faith into a habit? As we dive further into our Secrets To A Centered Soul Series, Jen Pollock Michel, an award winning author, helps us see how turning our faith into a habit can transform our days, and eventually, our entire lives. Through the five practices...

The Holy Spirit can feel a bit mysterious, the part of the Trinity we can't quite get our arms around. In our continuing series on Secrets of a Centered Soul, Jeannie Cunnion shares with us about the gift of the Holy Spirit that all followers of Jesus receive. Jeannie doesn't want us to miss out on all the Holy Spirit has to offer us. From comfort to counsel to power, we have a gift we can tap int...

What role does movement and the body play in spirituality? Elizabeth Peterson, spiritual director and yoga instructor, is here to guide us in our understanding. In this Secrets of the Centered Soul Series, we are looking at various ways to deepen our relationship with God. In this episode we talk about why movement matters and the healing power found in being present in our bodies. For the first t...

We are kicking off our new series, Secrets of a Centered Soul with pastors, spiritual directors, and Enneagram trainers Doug and Adele Calhoun. They share how the Enneagram is a tool that helps us better understand ourselves so we can know better how to connect with God. As Doug says in the episode, "So much about the spiritual life is about awareness." The Enneagram helps us become more aware of...

In this final episode in our Spring Refresh Series, our Sisterhood Home Coach, Krista Gilbert, answers your questions about problem areas, redecorating, and how to refresh an outdoor space. We talk closet clutter, when to keep an item and when to give it away, how to organize kids' papers and artwork, and what to do with the many paper piles around the house. Krista also gives an easy to follow fo...

Jam packed with practical ideas, professional organizer Lisa Trigsted shares with the sisterhood her best tips on stuff management for a family. Known on social media as Neat Freak Mckinney, Lisa shares her simple yet life changing tactics for families who are swimming in stuff. So what does Lisa suggest? First, edit out the extra things. Then maintain new organizing systems with a weekly reset. T...

Krista has been home coaching Alex on her laundry room the past few weeks to kick off spring cleaning, and we are talking about the experience on the episode today. The laundry room dilemma led to coaching around other spaces, and also to identifying some important internal discoveries along the way. We explore what holds Alex back from doing what she knows she needs to do in her home, how she was...

We've all been home a loooonnnngggg time and it may be our spaces need a spring refresh. Wendy Trigsted is working to make a peaceful home. It doesn't just happen though, she intentionally thinks through the systems that need to be in place to make things run smoothly. From laundry systems to Easter baskets, this mom of four gives us her tips to simplify in order to increase peace. This is the fir...

In this episode Krista and Alex wrap up the series Teens: The State of the Union. They discuss what impacted them most, what changes they are making in their parenting because of what they heard, and what felt practical. They also weigh in on their experience parenting teens – what's been hard, what's been helpful, and what they would recommend. Join us as we have a sister to sister conversation,...

Communications professor Heather Thompson Day talks about Gen Z's use of technology and social media and how these tools impact how they communicate (or don't) with the world around them. From developing a low tolerance for discomfort to managing how others perceive us, Heather offers professional insights into how social media is shaping a generation. For parents of today's teens who feel at a lo...

Are you in a house with a teenager who is experiencing big emotions? Or maybe there isn't enough communication around emotions and you want to help your teen be able to name them better. Whatever your situation, this podcast will offer tools to help you parent well through the emotional ups and downs of adolescence. David Thomas, a well known therapist and author, brings his expertise to the conve...

Katie Bulmer has been traveling the country talking to sorority women about identity, strength, sisterhood, and of course relationships! Katie comes to The Open Door Sisterhood with insight on the big questions parents can help their daughters ask as they enter the dating world. Questions like, "What is important to me?" "What am I dating for?" "What am I looking for in a relationship?" We also co...

Sex and pornography are topics that feel uncomfortable for parents to talk about, but if we aren't our children's main sex educators, culture will be. If you wonder how to navigate this over sexualized society with your teen or pre-teen, this interview will help equip and encourage. Rodney and Traci Wright, authors of How To Talk With Your Kids About Sex, travel the country as speakers and educato...