Raising Wonder

Did you know over 80% of moms report feeling consistently lonely? Loneliness is a real problem in today's world, and even though mothers are often around their children, they can feel this pain just as much as anyone else. The Raising Wonder podcast hosts, Nicole and Renee, explore this topic by talking about some reasons behind why moms might be experiencing loneliness and some possible helps to...

Nicole and Renee continue their conversation on why community matters, paying a bit more attention to the pain points of community - what they look and feel like and how we can hold space and then move through them. At the end, there's a special announcement for local moms! Thanks for listening in on this tender topic.

Listen in to the first episode of our new season, which will have a special focus on relationship. Renee and Nicole spend some time discussing community and why it actually really matters - especially in the context of raising kids. The conversation got so good that we wound up splitting it into two parts. Join in now to hear part 1!

Conflict is a normal part of life, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with - especially when supporting kids. Whether it's siblings, friends, or classmates, conflict between children can feel really hard to navigate as a caregiver. Nicole and Renee talk about how conflict can be one of the richest opportunities to teach emotional intelligence, foster secure attachment, and build lifelong...

Renee and Nicole take a pause mid-summer to discuss the overstimulation and emotional overload that can come with the summer season as a caregiver of young children.

An episode all about play...recorded in our newly opened indoor playspace! Nicole and Renee take on a topic that has much more to it than one might think. Diving into aspects such as play theory, how to set up spaces for play, and allowing kids to play independently, they discuss what plays reveals about your child...and you.

Renee and Nicole talk about a hard subject - grief - and what it can look like to parent through experiencing loss. Before hitting play, please keep in mind that this episode might be emotionally triggering for some, and may not be appropriate for some young listening ears.

Nicole and Renee talk about why transitions with our kids can feel so hard, and how we might be able to rethink or restructure transitions to feel more peaceful and maybe even a bit easier. So whether you identify with the getting out the door transition struggle, the mealtime transition struggle, or some other types of transition struggle, this episode has some good in it for you.

Nicole talks about the very real feeling of being triggered by child behavior and circumstances related to raising kids. She shares some stories from her own life while also offering some ideas to consider related to self-regulation, strategies for taking what we know about the brain and putting that into practical next steps, as well as ways to connect with your child during and after those trigg...

Renee and Nicole are back for another episode about attachment styles, and this time, Renee's sister, Catherine, joins in too. Their discussion explores this topic a bit more from both the academic, arial view and from the in-the-moment practical ways we relate to the kids in our lives.

In this episode, Renee and Nicole have a down-to-earth conversation about attachment styles and what they can look like in parenting. They talk through how understanding your own attachment style might help you show up more intentionally with your child, be kinder to yourself, and navigate relationships in healthier ways. Friendly reminder—Nicole and Renee are not therapists or doctors—just two mo...

Jump right into the third season of the Raising Wonder podcast with your cohosts, Renee and Nicole. They share with listeners a little bit about themselves, as well as about the importance of growth, trying new things, and remembering where you've come from. Nicole and Renee set the tone for upcoming episodes by showing a commitment to being real, talking about things that matter when raising kids...

Sometimes things shift, and that’s okay. Matt and Nicole talk about how knowing when it’s time to make a change is a good thing, especially when it means more great things are coming. Matt shares some reasons why he’s taking a step back from co-hosting the podcast, and why he’s excited for the next time he will return and record.

Jackie Roberson, board member of Raising Wonder and Executive Director of the FCCA in Meadville, joins Matt and Nicole to talk about connecting with kids even when (especially when!) it's most difficult to do so...like when they need to be corrected.

Matt and Nicole sit down with Joel and Mikayla, two friends who have taught them a lot about what good friendship looks like during the parenthood years. They discuss making friends, maintaining and pouring into deeper friendships, and how to model healthy friendship for our kids. Listen in for all this and more.

The Gillettes met Teresa and Jenna as adults, but the strong foundation of their relationship that began in Jenna’s childhood could still be easily seen and felt. Listen in to their discussion on how their relationship was formed, grew, and has remained so strong over the decades. If you’ve ever wondered what your relationship with your child could look like as he or she grows into adulthood, this...

Art educator and artist, Alison Gersen Perez, chats with Nicole about the many benefits of art for our and kids’ wellbeing. Whether you think you’re an artist or not…whether you love getting out those art supplies or they intimidate you, this episode has something for you!

Matt and Nicole talk with Renee Shafer about her experiences as a foster and adoptive mother. Renee shares heartfelt stories and practical wisdom with listeners who might be walking this path themselves, or who know others who are.

Susie Delo, founder of You Matter Foundation, based right here in Meadville Pennsylvania, joins the Gillettes to share about ways to keep our families situationally aware, confident, and safe. Topics related to trauma are briefly discussed and might not be suitable for young listeners.

Matt and Nicole spend time with Janelle Teeple as she shares about their family’s experience with childhood cancer. Janelle speaks of the fight each of them walked through and continue to show as their daughter is a survivor now consistently showing clear scans. Whether it’s something minor or something significant, when our kids are sick, all we want as parents is for them to be comforted and to...

Are you raising kids while in a relationship? There are a lot of beautiful and hard things about this season of life. Matt and Nicole share how children have affected their relationship, in both the wonderful and challenging ways. If you are also in this time of life, remember you’re not alone. Grab your partner and give this episode a listen.

The Gillettes share a true gift of a person with listeners, their dear friend Mary. She is one of the reasons Nicole and Matt are able to find rest and refreshment, as well as stamina to continue in their work, because Mary offers them wisdom, love, and babysitting. Join the conversation by hearing Mary’s heart behind why and how she serves in this way, and be encouraged. Oh and the tea hat thing?...

What do we do when progress is slow? Is slow progress better than no progress? How do we remain optimistic during the waiting, and what type of people should we have in our corner? Matt and Nicole discuss these things and more as they relate to Wonder, parenting, and life in general. Check out this first episode of the new year for some food for thought, as well as for new updates. And a huge than...

Meadville PA native, Bethany Fields, shares with the Gillettes what it is like growing up, going to college, and now raising kids in the same hometown area. Listen in to this joy filled episode that also does not fail to deliver on some profound wisdom around what sticking by a place’s side can do for family resilience.

The conversation with these two was just so good we had to bring them back for a part two! If you’ve been wanting to put more of a focus on the environment and sustainability in your family life, but aren’t sure how, give this episode a listen!