Struggle Well School

What we chat about: the four types of anxiety what she's learning about the effects of daily quality time with each child  the science behind the benefits of coloring Links mentioned: Big and Little Coloring Devotional Safe House: How Emotional Safety Is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead Well Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God Where to find Rachel: blog // instagram...

Shontell is busy.  When she told me all she has going on, I had to sit down.  She has a passel of kids, is a teacher at heart but also a student right now.  She is hysterical and wise and all the things you want in a friend you've never actually met.  Can't wait to share her with you! What we chat about: when you follow God and your husband doesn't breaking past needing your family to "look" a cer...

The fact of the matter is we don't know a lot about personality tests.  You'll know pretty quick here when you listen.  The bonus about this is that we discovered a lot of interesting things while recording.  I will list them out with bullet points because that makes them seem very important. I am having construction in my kitchen and it turns out it doesn't happen as fast as it does on television...

Christy is a mom I met several years ago.  Since then she has continued to be a source of encouragement and wisdom to me.  She has two older daughters and I love asking her questions about what I need to expect here in the next couple years.  You're really going to be encouraged to keep a realistic perspective on the shenanigans your kids are up to.  I know I was!  What we chat about: Being aware...

Anna is a mom of five who also happens to have a story of escape from a violent, polygamist cult. She endured horrific abuses for years.  While her experiences are not typical, her journey will help you realize that no matter what you’ve faced, you can live a life of wholeness. What we chat about: The very real fear of messing you kids up when you didn't have a typical childhood yourself Fighting...

Jen is a wife, mom, author and conference hostess.  She consistently finds herself up before the sun to write out words of hope to encourage women how strong and capable they are even when they feel just the opposite.  She just created a new resource and I couldn't wait to share it with you! What we chat about: teaching your kids to make their own fun how to keep your identity within marriage how...

Melinda is a wife, mom to three and a worship leader.  She enjoys using humor and the gracious love of God to navigate her crazy, beautiful life.  She's learning how to step into scary things she'd rather not do.  Like this interview.  She didn't want to do this interview.  What we chat about: trusting God is at work in you even when you're questioning yourself breath prayers how she's learning to...

Lindsay is a mom who was blindsided by a situation that affects 1 in 5 women after childbirth.  After the birth of her son, she struggled for 6 years through postpartum depression.  She bravely stared in and co-produced a riveting documentary called When The Bough Breaks that you need to watch even if you're not a new mom. What we chat about: The importance of getting a good doctor and continuing...

Though not originally setting out to adopt a child with special needs, when opportunity presented itself to adopt Macyn, they put their trust in God and took a leap of faith. Macyn was born with with Down syndrome, something a lot of people don’t understand and fear.  Shortly thereafter, in 2011, they adopted their second daughter, Truly. and in 2013, their son August was born. August is their sec...

We cover both beauty AND fashion in this Problem Solved episode only because we miscommunicated on the topic.  Thankfully, the two topics went together well so we have a (somewhat) cohesive episode for you. We hope it solves all your fashion and beauty needs...  

Debbie is one of the most encouraging women I know.  She is a work at home mom who lives where I've always wanted to live: Washington. She makes girly crafts and sells them on Instagram to overcome all the manliness in a house with a husband and three boys! What we chat about: When your marriage is not what you expected When homeschooling is NOT the best fit How to navigate seasons that seem diffi...

Hey guys! Here's something I learned this morning that I really wanted to share! I'd be very interested in knowing if this was at all helpful.  Support the show: Shop Amazon Affiliate Link Share the Struggle! Find me on Instagram or Facebook because I want to hear YOUR thoughts on this episode!  If you've been encouraged by the show, please share it with another mom.  The struggle is real.  We mig...

Jennifer is a farmer's wife and mom to two girls.  She is also a former award-winning news reporter who covered crime, politics and natural disasters for several newspapers.  Now she uses her reporting skills to chase after the biggest story ever: the redemptive story of Christ.     What we chat about: Exploring the Bible to see if God even cares about our happiness Happiness has a bad reputation....

Loss, disappointment, and fear of the unknown have marked Ellie's journey of wrestling through and coming to firmly believe in God’s faithfulness. Her new album Red Sea Road is clearly written as an act of obedience to sing in the middle of the heartbreak.  I loved the heart behind this album so much I wanted to share Ellie with you guys today!   WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT  The benefits and most of workin...

Kayla is a wife and mom to 4 kids through adoption as well as biologically.  Before kids she was a journalist and even did some improv acting!  You're going to be encouraged by the way she shares about some intense situations in her life with such joy and hope. What we chat about:  Managing the craziness during ice/snow days When adoption doesn't go as planned How she learned to advocate for the v...

In this segment we impress one another with our Valentine's Day trivia.  We also recount what it was like when we were dating our husbands. Rebecca admits that it's harder to find money laying on the street than she thought, and Emily admits she is too germaphobic to sit on the comfy chairs at Starbucks. Also, Rebecca schedules her groceries to be delivered to her house during her talk with Emily...

Charity is a wife, adoptive and biological mom and an entrepreneur. She is a spunky, artistic lady who, as she says, is living proof that Christian women do not have to be cookie cutter.  Regardless of your motherhood journey. I am confident you will love her perspective and insight! We chat about how to be 100% sure of your calling, what Charity has learned about glorifying God in who she IS more...

Love this girl.  I've met her in real life just the once but she's an absolute gem.  And her laugh- it's the BEST! She authentically and endearingly shares the rockier parts of her story in this chat and I just KNOW you're gonna be so thankful you listened. What we chat about: Making and keeping good friendships Building community into our family rhythm When you prepare for marriage and it still f...

Having been raised on a farm, Kris knows the life of the American farmer first-hand. Living in the city, however, she sees a large gap between farm culture and urban life.  Her unique perspective has changed the way I grocery shop and I really felt strongly that you would be encouraged by her insights as well!  What we chat about:    When home schooling isn't the best fit for your child How to be...

Have you ever realized how sometimes dinner is stressful? Oh all the time? Yeah. Us too. To help out, Rebecca and I tackled and resolved ALL of the meal-related issues you had... not really. But we sure tried. Rebecca doesn't like cooking and I am just basically overwhelmed trying to stretch my grocery budget farther because my dear daughter recently spent thousands when she broke our friend's wie...

Laura is a wife and mom of three kids.  Her and her youth director husband wound up in a career they were not expecting (or previously prepared for).  Their journey, while not like any of ours at first glance, is rich with lessons for us all regardless of our situations.  It was a treat for me to hear more of her story and I know you will agree! What we chat about:  How God did something big with...

I met Jordan last year and really loved her heart and her message.  I knew I wanted to share her with you all! She is authentic and honest and encourages women to come before the Lord in the same way.   What we chat about: Teaching our kids to know and follow God's voice The important difference between striving for God's love and responding to it. The idea of depression and misery as gifts Curly-...

Like so many of us, Lynn ended up being an expert in an area she never hoped to know about. Pornography invaded her marriage and caused lasting pain for everyone involved.  Thankfully, her story is one of healing and she has become a resource for the rest of us.   What we chat about: the brain science behind pornography the importance of presenting yourself as your children's best source of inform...

Karen is a visionary wife and mom who LOVES encouraging and spurring on other women.  She loves it so much she started what is now a thriving community to do just that.  I wanted to bring her on to share with you her amazing story of an unhealthy church situation and how she rebuilt her life and her understanding of who God is. what we chat about: how to know if you're in an unhealthy church situa...

Rissa is my funny/wise/lovely gem of a friend.  You are going to love hearing her heart on mothering and just life in general. Authentic people are all kinds of refreshing and this girl brings all the realness to her relationships.  Can't wait for you to hear it! What we chat about: you worship what you fear quitting birthdays seeking God on our kid's behalf teaching our kids to celebrate the ever...