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

Amy Gannett of Tiny Theologians has inspired me with her incredible knowledge of Scriptures and her heart to bring up children who know and love God’s Word.  Many people have ideas about who God is – based on their feelings or wishes, or what the culture has to say (scary!) But our kids need to know who God says He is, and what He says about them!  Amy creates resources to share Truths from Script...

My third son Luke (18) joins us today to talk about his journey from being a little boy on a surfboard with his dad, to recently winning the Jr. World Championships of surfing in El Salvador! Luke shares some of the ups and downs of his journey, his experience with sponsors and surf brands, and faith + character lessons he’s learned along the way.  We recorded this interview just two days before L...

At some point in parenting, I think we all feel weary, worn out, and yes…at the end of our rope! (Some of us have felt that way for very long seasons!)  Ten years ago Stacey Thacker and Brooke McGlothlin wrote a book to encourage moms who were feeling that way. (It was called, “Hope for the Weary Mom.”) Because of the great response to that book, their publisher asked them to update the book and r...

This is the sixth part of the 2022 monthly feature on the podcast, covering the “12 Things Your Son Needs Most from You” from my book, Boy Mom. Today I am sharing some snippets from Chapter 7 – Forces at Work: Influences and Role Models. This is an incredibly important topic that I urge parents to pay close attention to! The influences in your child’s life will mold and shape them into who they gr...

I am so excited to share this conversation with John Eldredge, who I’ve been a fan of since reading his book, Wild at Heart, so many years ago. John’s wisdom and depth of insight have inspired people all over the world, and his newest book, Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in these Turbulent Times is sure to do the same. In today’s interview, John talks about the importance of recognizing the...

When it comes to understanding boys, David Thomas is someone I have learned so much from. With over 25 years of counseling experience, and having co-authored multiple books, David has a heart for helping boys build the “emotional muscles” that are an essential, yet often-neglected part of a boy’s journey to manhood.  Today we get to talk about the practical help he offers parents in his brand-new...

Wendy Speake, long-time friend of the Podcast, (she’s my most frequent, and probably most-requested guest!) is back with us for another great Mom-to-Mom chat this week.  Wendy and I are talking about a topic from one of the books she has co-authored with Amber Lia, “Parenting Scripts.” I think you would agree that a universal parenting challenge is that of finding yourself in a moment of frustrati...

Hunter Beless, host of the Journeywomen Podcast, Mom to four (#4 is coming later this year!) and author of the new kids’ book, Read it, See it, Say it, Sing it! Joins us with the most encouraging message. Hunter’s love of God’s Word is absolutely contagious, and her heart to pass it down to our kids is so beautiful. In today’s conversation, Hunter talks about why we need to read, memorize, and tal...

This is the fifth part of my new monthly feature on the podcast, covering the “12 Things Your Son Needs Most from You” in my book, Boy Mom. Today I am sharing some snippets from Chapter 6 – Aiming High: Teaching Noble Character. I’ve received more feedback on this chapter than any other. This chapter also inspired me to create my online Character Training Course (which will be opening its doors ag...

What if taking care of yourself was the first step to helping your family thrive? I’m sure you would agree that in the crazy season of motherhood, it is easy to lose a sense of your self and your self worth. We juggle so many things as moms, and we often find our own needs as a last priority.   Kari Kampakis joins us to share some highlights from her new book, “More than a Mom: How Prioritizing Yo...

Are you quick to celebrate the big and small things in life? Or do you hesitate – feeling like celebration must be earned, or like the minute you celebrate, things might take a turn for the worst? Nicole Zasowski, marriage and family therapist, and author of newly released book, What if it’s Wonderful, joins us to talk about the gift, and discipline of celebration! Sharing from a research perspect...

I’m so excited to share this special Mothers’ Day episode with Kirsten Watson! As a mom to seven kids, wife to NFL veteran - Benjamin Watson, and cohost of a popular podcast, Kirsten Watson knows what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. She has also learned what it takes to thrive, even in the busiest seasons; it all begins with taking a breath. Taking a breath is about inhaling the Word...

This is the fourth part of the new monthly feature on the podcast, covering the “12 Things Your Son Needs Most from You” found in my book, Boy Mom. Today I am sharing from Chapter 5, “Secure Foundations: Affirming Significance and Identity.” This topic is so relevant to all the things are kids face today. How can we help our sons develop a self-worth that is not dependent on their performance or o...

Today’s guest, Kate Swenson, shares her honest, difficult, but inspiring journey of raising a son with severe autism. We can learn a lot about autism through her story, and I think we can all relate to facing unexpected challenges in parenting.   Approximately 1/54 kids in America are diagnosed with autism, and I know many of you are affected in one way or another by this diagnosis. Kate shares ca...

Hey Friends! Happy Holy Week! This week I have my husband, Dr. Dave, with me to celebrate our 26th anniversary, answer some questions, chat about parenting and marriage, and offer some Easter reflections. Though he is a much more behind-the-scenes type of guy, Dave has so much wisdom to offer, and I love getting to share him with all of you! Invite your men to join us for this fun and encouraging...

I am so excited to be bringing back the most-downloaded episode of 2021 this week!  I loved this chat with Duck Dynasty star, Korie Robertson, who has raised a number of amazing kids (her daughter, Sadie Robertson, is one of my top-recommendations for role models for young women!) I have admired Korie and her entire family for years, so this interview with a special honor!   Korie shares stories a...

This is the third part of the new monthly feature on the podcast, covering the “12 Things Your Son Needs Most from You” found in my book, Boy Mom. Today I am sharing from Chapter 4 – “The Beginning of Wisdom: Nurturing Faith.”  This chapter is what I would consider the heart of the book!  It’s the best I have to give! I get a lot of questions from people about what we did to raise sons who all lov...

Whether or not you've ever considered being a foster family, this conversation with Jamie Finn will inspire you.  Her heart for children and family is contagious and her message is for all of us. After reading Jamie’s book, Foster the Family, I was so inspired to learn more. In today’s conversation we cover Jamie's story of becoming a foster parent and starting a super creative and brilliant minis...

Do you love youth sports, or dread them? Are you an enthusiastic fan, or would you rather avoid every gym, field, and court possible? Do you get excited to see your kids growing in strength and character through sports, or do you see competition bringing out their dark side?  Let’s face it – If your kids play sports, they will likely be a big part of your life! There is a lot we can talk about on...

Growing up as an American-Chinese daughter of a mail-order bride and a busboy working in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Bonnie Gray has a story that will capture your attention and win your heart. In her Memoir, Sweet Like Jasmine, Bonnie shares her grown-up journey of revisiting her childhood memories, uncovering family secrets, and witnessing brokenness made beautiful. (She’s such a good writer!) In...

We all have habits that fill our parenting, but are they the ones we choose? Justin Whitmel Earley says that “Our routines become who we are, good or bad, and over time they become the story and culture of our families.” If we do not carefully choose our habits, we end up falling back on rhythms that are forming us to be distracted, overstimulated, too busy, and lonely. Justin Whitmel Earley is a...

This is the second part of my new monthly feature on the podcast, covering the “12 Things Your Son Needs Most from You” from my book, Boy Mom. Today I am sharing some snippets from Chapter 3 -- Training Grounds: Boundaries, freedoms and discipline.  This chapter has been a reader favorite and a most-requested topic for radio and podcast interviews. I love this topic so much and I hope it offers yo...

Parenting a child through substance abuse is one of the most difficult experiences imaginable; something none of us could have fathomed when our kids were young. Yet the statistics on teens and substance abuse is startling. The percentage of teens vaping (nicotine or marijuana) has increased in recent years, and many parents are either totally unaware or don’t realize the extent of the problem.  T...

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better time to have a counselor, relationship expert, and author of “Married Sex” join us to talk about the importance of intimacy in marriage.  Debra Fileta is so much fun to talk to, and even if I’m blushing throughout this interview, she totally is not!    Debra talks about why women need to see sex as a gift for them as well as for their husb...

If you're starting off the new year feeling just as hurried and hectic as you ended last year. (um, 🙋🏼‍♀️) then this episode is for you and me both. Today we get to talk to Jordan Raynor, serial entrepreneur and national bestselling author. Jordan offers a refreshing, biblical antidote to swamped to-do lists and hurried schedules. Jordan’s energy is contagious and I love that he focuses on meani...