The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women’s wellness

In today's podcast episode we are talking about the 40 days leading up to Easter...The season we call Lent!  Asheritah Ciuciu, the author of "Uncovering the Love of Jesus" -- a newly released Lent devotional, shares the most beautiful and inspiring message, I got emotional during the interview! Asheritah tells us about the tradition and history of Lent, and the blessings for those who slow down to...

If you have what Brooke McGlothlin refers to as a "hard to handle" son, this episode is for you!  Brooke shares her story of feeling like she was always fighting against her 2 sons, when God laid it on her heart to learn to fight FOR them instead.  Brooke and I go over a list of ways we can fight for our sons, and Brooke offers a free download with 10 ways to fight for your hard-to-handle son in s...

Today's episode is an extension from my blog series:  "What Moms Need Most" and this week's post:  "Moms Need to Feel Good in their Skin."  My friend, personal trainer, Cassie Phillips joins me as we each share our journey to freedom from diets and obsessing over food, exercise, and our bodies.  We also invite everyone to join us for a (Free!) online group beginning on Feb. 17th called the "3-Week...

In today's episode we get to hear from Drew Dyck, author of "Your Future Self Will Thank you: Secrets to Self Control from the Bible and Brain Science".  When I read this book I immediately knew it would be an excellent resource for parents!  I'm so happy Drew could join me to talk about the importance of self control in our sons.  He shares the connection between our kids' level of self control a...

In today's episode Kari Kampakis, author and speaker (and soon-to-be "Girl Mom Podcaster"!) joins me to chat about raising boys today.  We cover a lot of ground, like:  What are her teenage girls looking for in a boy?  Why is it important for teenagers to build friends with the opposite sex?  What would she want a son to know?  I think you'll gain insight and inspiration for raising amazing sons f...

I'm really excited today, to be reading you the first blog post in my brand new "What Moms Need Most" series over at my blog. (monicaswanson.com.)  This message is so much of my heart, and I hope it brings you a ton of encouragement.  This is the first post of many in my new series, yet it is foundational to all the rest.  Find show notes with links to the Introduction to the series and this very...

Today I have Jean Harville on the podcast with me. Jean has worked as a Reading Strategist for kids with learning challenges for many years.  She also adopted and raised 2 kids from China.  Now that her kids are grown, Jean is taking her passion for kids and learning to the online community as she coaches and encourages parents who want to help their kids learn to love reading and overcome learnin...

Aloha and Happy New Year!  I'm stopping in to wish you all a happy 2020, and share some of the things I plan to do in the New Year -- both on the Podcast and over at my blog ( www.monicaswanson.com .)  I also share a new approach our family is using to create a family mission statement, based on 3 elements of story.  Your boys will love developing a mission statement when they realize they are par...

Monica's four sons join us today to celebrate the Christmas season.  We are reflecting on Christmases past -- from favorite family traditions to favorite Christmas movies, cookies and more.  We are also talking about  what we are currently doing to intentionally focus on Christ in this season.  Get to know each son (Josiah, 20, Jonah, 18, Luke, 15, and Levi, 9) as they share an honest conversation...

In today's episode best-selling author, Asheritah Ciuciu joins us to talk about the Advent season and family devotions.  Asheritah has written a number of books, including the Advent devotional, "Unwrapping the Names of Jesus" which my family is going through as we prepare for Christmas. Asheritah encourages moms to bring kids into their devotions as they make the Word of God a beautiful part of e...

Jessica Smartt, author of Memory Making Mom, joins us today to share some simple inspirations for making holidays memories to last a lifetime.  Making memories doesn't have to mean more work or more stress, and this episode will give you confidence that you have what it takes to make great memories in every season. Find links to al of the great resources Jessica shares, including a downloadable "M...

My husband Dave joins me in this episode to talk about Thankfulness, Gratitude, and... is there a difference?  Dave and I chat about how we can cultivate a heart of gratitude, and how we might inspire the same in our kids.  We talk about some practical mindsets that help us to be more grateful and we discuss why we can be grateful even in the hardest times. Find Podcast notes at:   www.monicaswans...

Kate Merrick joins me for today's episode and she has a story and message you don't want to miss!  Kate learned to be present while fighting for her daughter's life in a battle with cancer.  Kate made some radical decisions in order to be more present then, and she's never regretted it. Now, Kate inspires the rest of us in this no-nonsense (hilarious) conversation about living with intention, gett...

Becky Keife, author of the new book, No Better Mom for the Job, joins us for today's conversation.  Becky, who was raised mostly by her mom and alongside sisters, once wrestled with feeling inadequate as a mom to her three, "spirited" boys. God used her experiences to stretch and grow her, and now she encourages moms all over the world!  In today's interview she shares from her experience embracin...

Wendy Speake, author of the 40-Day Sugar Fast joins us for this conversation about moms and sugar.  Wendy has been leading tens of thousands of women through an annual online sugar fast, and now she has put the best of her daily devotions and inspiration into a book.  Wendy tells the story of how all of this came to be as well as testimonies from those of who have taken a break from sugar to lean...

Mom Guilt!  Ever experienced it?  :)  As this episode releases I'll be taking off for 3 weeks of travel with (1) of my sons for surf contests in Texas and Portugal.  (leaving two other sons at home.)  Today I'm talking about Mom guilt in all of its forms-- from trivial things to more serious...and how to decide when to listen to the guilt and when to brush it off.  I talk about the difference betw...

In today's episode Brooke McGlothlin joins me to talk about the importance of praying for our sons.  Brooke shares the story of how she began to pray for her ("250% boy"-) boys and how it changed her parenting. Moms are busy and time is short, but with a little intention, we can add some life-changing, power-packed prayers to our days.  It is so worth it!  Hope you are encouraged by our conversati...

In today's episode Wendy Speake is back on with me as we tackle a few more important (and challenging) questions about raising boys.  We talk about siblings who do NOT get along, and offer some suggestions for handling that.  We also talk about how we can help our boys make better health choices.  And we dive into some practical thoughts on boys and technology.  This episode is packed and I hope y...

This is the last Aloha Friday Episode of 2019!  in this episode I share about some exciting travels coming up for me with my son Luke (for surf contests in Texas and Portugal!)  I also talk about how God uses our kids to teach us so much -- to grow us, stretch us, and develop our character!  I'm linking to a brand new blog post and encouraging parents to slow down this weekend to ENJOY your kids a...

My friend, Wendy Speake, is back with me (she was my first guest in episodes #3 and #4) as we respond to questions sent in by listeners.  This is part one of a two-part Q & A, and today Wendy and I answer questions related to:  14 year-old disobedience... 6 year olds with BIG FEELINGS, bedtime issues, argumentative kids, and all kinds of topics that springboard off of these!  I think you'll fi...

For this Aloha Friday episode my son Jonah (18) joins me to talk about some of his recent favorite books and podcasts.  I add a few of the books my fifteen year old son has been reading as well, and we link to all of them in the show notes.  Jonah loves to read and it's fun to hear him talk about all of these things!  I hope your tween or teen might get to listen and be inspired to read (the Bible...

I am thrilled to have my friend,podcaster, and fellow (4-)boy mom, Heather MacFadyen on with me in today's episode.  Heather and I are talking about sensory processing issues in boys, and how we can best help our boys in this area.  Heather has a professional background which introduced her to this subject, but she also has had experience personally and with her sons to make her really understand...

This Aloha Friday Episode springboards off of Episode 020 where my husband, Dave, and I talked about all of the things we can do NOW, to prepare for the day our children launch into independence one day.  Dave and I mentioned the importance of teaching our kids life skills, and in today's episode I offer a free download (LIFE SKILLS BY AGE) and encourage parents to teach their kids ONE new Life Sk...

This is a special episode because we are covering the final chapter from my book, Boy Mom.  My husband Dave joins me for this conversation, as we go over the "7 Things parents can do now, so they are ready to launch their kids later."  This is really the heart of this Podcast and my Boy Mom book!  This episode is applicable to daughters as well, and I hope some of the men out there will listen as...

My 15 year old son Luke joins me in today's episode as he shares a quote from George Washington which says:  "It's better to be alone than in bad company."  Luke shares his thoughts on this, as well as a couple Bible verses, and his own personal experience seeking good friendships.  This is a great episode to have your kids listen in on, and I hope it inspires some conversations this weekend about...