Read More, Read Well

We've been looking at some unexpected answers to the question "Why Read?" and Episode 4 dives into one of the most important answers of all - creating a cultural dialogue that could help bring more love, empathy, and listening to our culture. 

This week Nicole and Janel talk about Why Read? Reason #3: Developing a practice of self-reflection and spiritual growth. We can all use some help understanding ourselves a little better, and characters in literature can help us hold that mirror up to our own souls. 

Join Janel and Nicole as they explore reason #2: Literature as a connection to the Body of Christ.  How does reading help us connect with one another? Listen to learn more!

We all know there are benefits to reading, but in this series "Why Read?" Janel and Nicole explore 4 reasons to read literature, and they are ones you may not expect!

In this encore presentation, members of the Well-Read Mom team share some criteria for how to choose a worthy book, and how we can approach reading these great books so they make the most change in our lives. 

"In deep reading, we see a world we didn't see before." - Marcie Stokman In today's podcast, Janel and Marcie take one last look at deep reading.  It's more difficult than just skimming a book, but the payoff is worth it!

Does taking time to deep read feel like a waste of time? Choosing to spend your time reading can seem countercultural in a world that exists so much on devices, but as Janel and Marcie talk about in this episode, it is worth it for so many reasons!

Marcie and Janel continue to talk about creating a deep reading habit, from slowing down and taking baby steps, to understanding why deep reading is so important to our minds and souls. 

The way we read in our culture has been drastically changing. We're moving more and more into digital reading, but we might be missing out on the important and fulfilling skill of deep reading. In the first episode of the Series, "How to Start Deep Reading" Marcie Stokman and Janel talk about how we can start a deep reading practice, step by step.

We're in the middle of the "giving season", and Marcie and Dean Shankman take a closer look at how we can accept the gifts of the Great Giver - no matter if they seem good at the time or not. We've all been given great gifts in our lives, if we can recognize them!

Are you a reluctant host or hostess? Janel and Ana talk in this final episode of the series "How to Start a Book Club with Hospitality" about overcoming the hurdle of inviting people in. Things don't have to be perfect, you just have to believe in what you're doing!

What is hospitality? Is it a lost art in our fast-paced, individualized culture? Janel and Ana talk about what hospitality really means, and how we can receive people into our homes, and even radiate light and love to all who enter. 

Janel is joined by Ana Braga-Henebry to start the series, "How to Start a Book Club with Hospitality." In Episode 1, we hear about the spark of courage and leap of faith it takes to put yourself out there and invite others to a new book club. We're confident you can find it in you!

In the final episode of the series, "Reading with Kids in the House" Janel and Dana talk over the ways a support system among friends and family can help you build a reading practice. Your kids can even be your biggest cheerleaders in getting that huge book finished!

This week Janel and Dana talk about another strategy to fit reading into your family life - utilizing audiobooks. How and when are the best ways to make use of these resources, and how can you get your family involved too? Find out more! This is Episode 2 of the series "How to read with Kids in the House".

Do you struggle to fit reading into your daily life? Especially with small children in the house! Join Janel and Dana as they explore ways to fit reading pockets into your day, and swap out some activities for more reading time. This episode is the first in the series: "Reading with Kids in the House".

Highlights include: We need true leisure now more than ever How rest is different than entertainment Training our gaze to be able to give full attention - even amid extreme tiredness Being fully present to another is a holy moment Our sisterhood with other women can help us restore ourselves Attending a Well-Read Mom group is not an escape from reality but helps us to engage again Engaging in auth...

Highlights include: When is a book ok to read? Discerning the line If I'm scrupulous, should I even read literature? What is the possibility of restoring the Catholic literary tradition? Are you concerned with classics or worthy books being canceled in our current culture? Why do we need literature?   Joshua Hren is the founder and publisher of Wiseblood Books, perhaps the most dist...

Highlights: 11:00 How do you know if you are making progress in the spiritual life? Am I good enough? Am I secure in the love of God? 13:46 What if I don't have time to pray? 15:20 Can changing a diaper be a prayer? 18:18 Be both Martha and Mary 20:10 Living with intense suffering. 23:18 Getting a reset; remembering who we are 25:29 How can I possibly do all I have to do? 29:49 The key to living i...

It's so important to capture the insights that we gain from literature! Listen in to this podcast about how to use the Between the Lines Reading Journal. Find out more and purchase one here: https://wellreadmom.com/between-the-lines-journal/ The podcast includes: Capturing the beauty of the life that happens between the lines Don't be afraid to start writing in your Between the Lines Journal - you...

Highlights of this podcast include:  How to become an active reader? Why is reading meant to be a communal act? Experiencing renewal through deep attention How is loneliness healed? What is the danger of living in a utilitarian way? Why are we so stressed out? What is the remedy? What uplifts me is not just a sitcom or happy ending? What really uplifts me? Why do women read more than men? Wom...

Ellen Stamps tells her story of working with Corrie ten Boom, author of Well-Read Mom book pick The Hiding Place , in an interview with Well-Read Mom founder, Marcie Stokman. Learn more about Corrie and her sister and how they were able to survive and forgive. What an amazing and inspiring story of faith! 

The number one reason that women give for not reading is "not enough time." Join Marcie Stokman, founder of Well-Read Mom, as she talks with Tonya Milligan, author of No Perfect Parent, Just a Perfect Purpose: Keys to Unlocking Every Child's Greatness. They'll discuss purposeful parenting strategies that will help you make and take the time to read! Tonya Milligan (Author) https://bookshop.org/boo...

We thought some of our women might want some ideas for meaningful books to hand to their kids during this unexpected time at home. This is the first year Well-Read Mom has included a Family Supplement with membership. Our hope is to encourage great books for kids that follow along with our theme of the year. This way, the conversations we are having in our groups can also be shared with our famili...

Marcie Stokman, president and founder of Well-Read Mom interviews Ana Braga-Henebry on how we can be at home in beautiful way with our children during these days.   "Yes, you can do this - even joyfully!" Our discussion includes: Lingering around the table Bringing order into our days Ideas for prayer time and rhythm Prioritizing joy Confidence in the authority we've been given as others Mana...