Raising Rock

This week, Elise sits down with her sweet friend Lauren Gilmore, host of The Little Lights Podcast — a storytelling podcast designed to help children learn and live out the fruit of the Spirit. Lauren shares the heart behind Little Lights: why she started creating Christ-centered stories for kids, how these stories meet children in their everyday struggles, and practical ways parents can help thei...

Last week, you heard Mike Conway’s story — a powerful testimony of addiction, redemption, and the hard reality of relapse. This week, we continue the conversation with his wife, Sara Conway . When Mike relapsed, their story didn’t end there. Sara stood firmly on the promises of God. She prayed, believed, and clung to the hope that the Lord had a plan for their family even in the darkest season. Sh...

This week’s conversation is one you won’t forget. Mike Conway’s story is raw, powerful, and drenched in God’s mercy. From addiction… to becoming a pastor… and then facing the darkness of relapse while in ministry — Mike knows what it means to hit rock bottom. But he also knows the relentless, pursuing love of Jesus. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In this episode, Mike shares his journey of b...

In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with my friend Mia Elliott — host of Was That Too Much? , interior designer, and all-around amazing human — to talk about the real stuff: motherhood, infertility, growing up in the church, and learning to walk through challenges without becoming bitter. It’s one of those cozy, honest, heart-level conversations that reminds you that you’re not alone. 🌿 If...

Romance novels are often seen as harmless entertainment, but in this episode we take a closer look at the silent ways they shape women’s hearts, minds, and relationships. These stories promise escape and excitement, but many quietly erode joy, peace, and contentment—often leaving women dissatisfied with real life and real intimacy. We talk honestly about why explicit romance novels function like p...

Heidi St. John is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and host of The Heidi St. John Podcast . She has been encouraging moms for decades with her wisdom, humor, and honesty about faith, family, and culture. In this bonus episode, Heidi joins us to speak directly to the hearts of mothers navigating difficult seasons. We talk about homeschooling, daily rhythms that bring peace, how to overcome...

Greg Stier is the founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries and one of the most powerful storytellers I have ever met. His story about his family and background is fascinating—you’ll be hooked from the start. Saved at a young age, Greg later led his mother to the Lord, and from there, God set him on a path that has impacted millions. Greg’s passion is clear: mobilizing others to share the gospel. He has...

In this episode, I sit down for a real conversation with Suzanne Venker—author, relationship coach, and bold cultural commentator who never shies away from saying what she thinks about life, love, and the choices women face. Suzanne has spent years challenging the narrative that women should “have it all” by showing the cost of constant hustle and the beauty of prioritizing home and family. Her wo...

On this episode of Raising Rock, I sit down with an old friend I grew up with—someone whose story is raw, real, and full of God’s grace. She became a mom at 16, walked through the pain of alcoholism, and knows firsthand the weight of generational sin. Now, as a mom of several kids, she’s choosing to parent with intention and honesty—having the hard conversations about where she and her husband hav...

This week I get to sit down with someone who has deeply influenced my own journey—my mentor and friend, Jo Dalzell. Jo is a wife, mom of three, grandmother of nine, and one of the most steady examples of faithfulness I know. In this conversation, Jo shares about her early years of marriage as a South African newlywed married to an Irishman, the challenges of immigration, and the struggle of being...

The messages in today’s music and entertainment industry are shaping an entire generation—and not always for the better. In this episode, I sit down with Chloe, the face behind Make Music Right, an incredible movement dedicated to exposing the destructive messages hidden in popular music and calling parents to action. Together, we unpack how music influences culture, why it matters what our kids l...

Whether you homeschool full-time, part-time, or not at all, today’s episode with Kristi Clover is packed with encouragement and practical tips you can use in your home. Kristi is a well-known voice in the homeschooling world — but her wisdom goes far beyond academics. She shares how to intentionally teach your children a Christian worldview, no matter what type of schooling you choose, and how to...

This week on the Raising Rock Podcast, I’m joined again by the lovely Morgan Mullen of @mullendesignco—a stay-at-home mom turned business owner whose journey began with a simple goal: make $1,000 a month to help with groceries. Today, she runs a thriving interior design company, and in Part 2, we dive deeper into how she built it, why she built it, and how she keeps motherhood her first priority....

This week on the Raising Rock Podcast, I’m joined by the lovely Morgan Mullen of @mullendesignco—a stay-at-home mom turned business owner whose journey started with a simple goal: make $1,000 a month to help with groceries. Today, she runs a thriving interior design company, but what’s even more inspiring is how she’s done it—with gratitude, intention, and family at the center. In Part 1, we talk...

What does it really look like to live out your faith when it costs you something? In this episode, I sit down with Tori Jensen, a former first responder who was fired for standing firm in her religious beliefs during the challenges of 2020. Her story isn’t just about what she lost—it’s about what she gained: a deeper faith, stronger convictions, and a clear vision for the kind of courage she wants...

In this special episode—released on his 90th birthday—I sit down with my Papa, the first love of my life and the man who has quietly shaped generations with his steadiness, humility, and faith. A lifelong pastor, husband, father, and counselor, Papa shares the lessons learned from a lifetime of walking closely with the Lord and coming alongside others through their most defining seasons. This conv...

In part two of Helping Kids Resist Instant Gratification: Why Patience and Endurance Matter, we pick up right where we left off. In a world that prizes comfort, speed, and shortcuts, how do we raise kids who can endure, follow through, and keep their word? In this episode, I sit down with Jocelyn Cooper - pastor’s wife, homeschool mom of four, and one of the wisest mentors in my life - to talk abo...

In a world that prizes comfort, speed, and shortcuts, how do we raise kids who can endure, follow through, and keep their word? In this episode, I sit down with Jocelyn Cooper - pastor’s wife, homeschool mom of four, and one of the wisest mentors in my life - to talk about raising children who can grow into steady, trustworthy young adults. Jocelyn shares insight into why teaching patience and end...

We close the series with what might be the most tender of all the ROCK values—kindness. But don’t mistake it for weakness. In this episode, we explore how true kindness reflects the heart of God and carries quiet strength. In a world that’s increasingly self-focused, we talk about good old-fashioned kindness—why it matters, how it shapes our children, and why we’ve made it a pillar of Raising ROCK...

Part three is all about courage—not the loud, showy kind, butthe quiet strength that helps kids do what’s right, even when it’s hard. We talk about how to model true bravery for our children and why, in today’s world, it’s more important than ever to raise kids who can stand firm in truth—even if they have to stand alone. As always with ROCK, it starts in theheart. If you loved this episode, it wo...

In part two, we dive into a value that’s high on every mom’s radar: obedience. We share personal stories, honest reflections, and real-life moments that have shaped our perspective. Raising kids who can listen and respond with a willing heart isn’t easy—but it’s something we’re all working toward. This conversation is full of grace, laughter, and encouragement for moms who want to cultivate obedie...

In part one of this four-part conversation, my mom and I unpack the first core value of Raising Rock—Respect. We talk about what it really means to honor others, how respect has shifted in our culture, and why teaching our kids to live with consideration and regard for others is so foundational. This episode sets the stage for what ROCK is all about. If you loved this episode, it would mean so muc...

Welcome to the very first episode of the Raising Rock Podcast! In this grace-filled conversation, we open up about why this podcast exists, how it started, and what it means to raise kids with intention in a world that often glorifies chaos. You’ll hear the story behind the name Raising Rock , what it looks like to parent with faith and purpose, and why we believe being present isn’t enough—our ki...