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

Gather your kids and join Luke and I for part I of my summer Proverbs series!  The Book of Proverbs is packed full of wisdom and has incredibly practical help for all of the things kids (and adults) face today. The Swanson boys have all grown up reading a lot of Proverbs and it has shaped them into the (wise) young men they are today. In today’s episode, Luke (19) updates us on his life as a profe...

I am so happy to be back with another monthly episode covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked!  Today we get to cover Chapter Three: Parentamorphosis. This is all about modeling an amazing life for your kids! We want so many good things for our kids’ future: From a strong faith to a healthy lifestyle...

Summer is a great time to help our kids develop spiritual habits that might stick with them through the year. But sometimes that is easier said than done, right? Steph Thurling, executive director of Christian Parenting, co-founder of Raising Prayerful Kids ministry, and super-fun mom is with us to offer some practical help!  Steph offers encouragement for every mom – the one who is new to faith (...

A lot of women trade in their personal passions and hobbies when motherhood takes over. Motherhood is so important and there is no doubt -- some seasons require just about all of us (right!?) Yet, what if we can be great moms, and nurture our creative side too? Ashlee Gadd is on the podcast today to give listeners permission to pursue their creative gifts alongside motherhood! And I think you’re g...

Technology does not have to steal your summer! Every summer I hear from parents who are frustrated, trying to navigate screen time with their kids.  How much is too much?  How can we keep them safe? Why do we have to have these battles!?  I get it. And I’m here to help! I am sharing a blog post with 7 steps that literally could save your kids (and your sanity!) this summer. Over in show notes you’...

Join Monica for chapter Highlights and a free download! I am so excited to be back with another monthly podcast covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked!  Today we get to cover Chapter Two: Welcome Aboard: Lead Your Family on an Intentional Trajectory.   This has been a favorite chapter for a lot of p...

The benefits of reading aloud, audio books, and so many inspiring tips and lists for you this summer! Sarah Mackenzie is with us today to talk about all things summer reading! Sarah is the author of Teaching from Rest and The Read-Aloud Family, and I have been a fan of Sarah’s for many years. Sarah is so much fun to talk to, and an absolute wealth of information and inspiration when it comes to fa...

How understanding disabilities makes us better family, friends, and neighbors This is such a special conversation and I hope you can listen and share it with all of your friends. Laura Wifler of Risen Motherhood has so much profound wisdom and grace that will impact every listener! Laura is sharing from her experience raising a daughter with a rare chromosome disease, which led to her new children...

What do Moms' need most?  Mother's Day flowers? Or chocolate? Or beautiful jewelry perhaps!?  Katie Lewis of the much-loved brand, Dear Mushka, is with us to talk about what moms truly need most! Katie shares some of the difficult story of tragically losing her mother, and through that finding God's Word to be her lifeline. Her brand, Dear Mushka, grew out of this experience.   Katie shares about...

Questions and Prayers to prepare kids’ hearts Tricia Goyer, author of a lot of books :), and Mom to ten (!!) is with me today to talk about her new book (co-written with Robin Jones Gunn) called “Before You Meet Your Future Husband: 30 Questions to Ask Yourself and 30 Heartfelt Prayers” Tricia shares from her own experience facing a teenage pregnancy, and how that shaped her heart to raise her own...

I am so excited to be diving into the new monthly podcast feature where I am sharing highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter One: All-In! – Fully Embrace Your Role as Parent.  This chapter opens with my scary experience of nearly losing my first son right after birth, as well as...

Hopefully you caught last week’s episode where Megan Hyatt Miller gave us a little “Brain Science 101”.  We talked about what it means to “Mind Your Mindset” (from her book with that title!) and the three steps to embrace a better mindset. Understanding this process can be an absolute game changer for your business, family, and every area of life. In today’s episode, Megan tells the story of her p...

If you feel stuck in just about any area of life -- from parenting, to business or finances, to your health, this interview may be just what you need! Today I am talking with Megan Hyatt Miller  --  President and CEO of Full Focus, a best-selling author, and mom to 5 kids! Through challenges she faced after adopting two of her sons, Megan discovered life-changing truths about the power of our thou...

Family life is busy, and parenting can be downright overwhelming. Oh how we need the sound wisdom of successful parents who are a step ahead of us to encourage us along the way. Today's guest, Miles Mettler is exactly that! Miles is an ambassador with Focus on the Family, and he has raised 4 amazing kids into adulthood. He has so much wisdom to share!  Miles is the author of 52 Parenting Principle...

Welcome to the FIRST episode of my new monthly podcast feature where I’ll be sharing highlights, nuggets, and free downloads and resources from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked. I am so excited to walk through these chapters with you on the last Wednesday of each month of 2023!  This might be a good time to gather som...

We all want our kids to have good character, but we don’t always consider how crucial character is to our kids’ future success.  In today’s interview, former multi-billion-dollar investment manager, Dennis Trittin, helps us connect the dots and find even more motivation for raising kids of character.  After over 30 years managing investments and studying successful leaders all over the world, Denn...

If you are like 100% of the parents I know, 😉, your kids' relationship with screens causes you some amount of stress (and likely a good amount!) This is a difficult issue and one we might feel we will never catch up on. (and we're right.) Arlene Pellicane is a great help on this topic! She has done a lot of research and written a number of books to support parents raising kids in this screen-driv...

Crystal Paine, known for years as “The Money-Saving Mom” knows a thing or two about balancing time. Balancing a busy career with raising six kids, and being a passionate advocate for foster-and-adoption, Crystal is still able to prioritize her walk with God, her marriage, and…even some rest! In the midst of the busiest season of her life, Crystal was writing “The Time-Saving Mom: How to Juggle a L...

Today’s guest has inspired me from a distance for a long time.  Greta Eskridge is a homeschool grad – and now homeschool Mom to 4, and she and I share a passion for offering our kids healthy adventures growing up! Greta has written two books about adventuring with kids, and her enthusiasm is contagious! If the idea of adventure sounds complicated, dangerous, or overwhelming to you, I think you’ll...

Today our son Luke, (19) takes the microphone and interviews his parents!  Raising Amazing released on February 21st, and we are celebrating the release with a fun, but heart-felt conversation about the book. Luke asks us about the title (“Is Amazing a little over-the-top?”), the heart of the book, what Dave enjoyed about his first author-experience (and what was the hardest part) and more.  I hop...

Korie Robertson, author of Strong and Kind, and star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty, joins us as we count down the final days to the release of my new book, Raising Amazing! Korie was so kind and generous to team up with me as the Foreward writer for the book, and I love sharing her heart for the message of Raising Amazing with all of you.  Korie has raised 6 children and is now entering the grandparen...

Sean McDowell is an author, speaker, seminary professor, and father to teenagers! He has a heart to educate and empower students to think Biblically, communicate effectively, and stand strong in the midst of the noise of our world. Today we are chatting about Sean’s most recent book: A Rebel’s Manifesto: Choosing Truth, Real Justice, and Love amid the Noise of Today’s World. This book is written f...

Teens today are growing up in a confusing world, and they are facing things we couldn’t have imagined when we were young. From mental health issues, to the internet (cyberbullying, access to pornography, and social media to name a few,) to vaping, increased suicide rates and more, it is not an easy time to navigate the teenage years.  Or to parent a teenager! Enter Jessica Peck! Jessica has a Doct...

I am so excited to share this encouraging (and perhaps a bit convicting – in the best sort of way) – conversation with you! Abbie Halberstadt believes that Christ has so much more to offer you and your family than the empty validation of fist bumps for surviving another day that worldly culture bring to the table. Her book, M is for Mama, resonated with me deeply, and I am so glad I get to share h...

If you want your family to have an amazing year ahead, this episode will give you some practical tools to help make that happen!  Emily Ley -- owner of Simplified Planners, best-selling author, and dedicated mom -- is with us to offer 5 ways to kick-start an amazing year ahead. (Personally,) I am a fan of starting off the new year slowly – taking my time to set goals and develop a vision for the n...