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

This is the first of a new monthly feature I plan to do covering the “12 Things Your Son Needs Most from You” from my book, Boy Mom.  Today I am sharing some snippets from Chapter 2: A Connection that Lasts, and expanding on the topic of growing a strong and healthy relationship with our sons. Though all relationships go through challenging seasons, I believe that a focus on these four building bl...

While the past few years have put a spotlight on the divisive, contentious, darkness of our world, it is good to remember that God has not changed. And, His goodness and light are still there.  The question is: Do we see it?  Alexandra Kuykendall joins us today to point us to the practical truth of Philippians 4:8 – and a reminder that we can choose to shift our focus from the messy, hard things o...

There is so much pressure on moms to do everything right, and asking for help along the way often feels like defeat.  Heather MacFadyen, host of the popular “Don’t Mom Alone” podcast, joins us today with a refreshing reminder that we were never meant to do this on our own!  We need community. And community is available to all of us – if we look for it!   Heather and I talk about how to find and fo...

As we kick off 2022, Mark Batterson offers us practical ways to make habits, break habits, and get serious about reaching our dreams. Mark says that “Destiny is not a mystery…Destiny is daily habits”. He believes that our lives are built on our patterns of behavior: both constructive and counterproductive habits. He also tells us the good news that “Each person is just one habit away from a totall...

Kimberly Amici is a Family Culture Coach and the host of the Build Your Best Family Podcast.  She is passionate about relationships and family life.  Today Kimberly shares some ways we might shift our focus from short-term goals to lifestyle habits that will shape our destiny.    As we go into the new year we could all use some inspiration for setting an intentional family culture, with habits and...

Merry Christmas everyone…or as we say around here: Mele Kalikimaka! In this week’s episode I am checking in briefly to say hello and to read a special prayer from the Every Moment Holy book of prayers. I hope it offers you a moment of quiet and reflection in the midst of a busy season! Have a wonderful Christmas, and please know that I am so grateful for your part in my podcast community! www.moni...

I am so grateful to introduce you to my friend, Marci Pecora. Marci is a licensed marriage and family therapist, well-acquinted with grief.  After a nearly 5-year battle with cancer, Marci’s husband went to heaven 10 years ago, leaving behind Marci and their two children.  Through grief groups and with the support of family and friends, Marci has not only survived, but discovered a gift in walking...

When I first listened to JJ Heller’s song, “A Hand to Hold”, I had to pause the music and get tissues!  JJ’s music captures the wonder of childhood and the love between parents and children in such a magical way! Today, JJ joins us to talk about her journey…from college basketball player, to crippling anxiety attacks, to finding her voice and place in the music industry (and 10 million streams of...

Yay!  We made it to December, and I am so excited for the Christmas season ahead! Today’s guest, Tama Fortner is helping us simplify Christmas, reclaim peace, and ENJOY all the best parts of Christmas without any unnecessary stress!  Tama and I chat about so many great ideas tucked into her new devotional book, Simply Christmas – from practical ways to simplify your decorating, to some creative (a...

I love sharing my sons with all of you, and this week my two youngest – Luke, 17, and Levi, 11, are with me to answer some listener questions and share some Thanksgiving holiday cheer.  The boys were fighting a case of the giggles and our dog fell off the bed in the middle of our chat, but this should give you a pretty realistic look at life at the Swansons real life! (This is a great one for your...

Entitlement has become an epidemic among our kids. We are raising children in a quick-fix society, where everything they want seems to be available at the touch of a button (or a holler out to Alexa!) Many of us (me included!) have grown frustrated with this issue, and wonder if there is some way to fight against it.  Kristen Welch, founder of Mercy House Global, and author of “Raising Grateful Ki...

Jamie Ivey, popular podcast host and author, joins us today to talk about helping our kids discover and enjoy their God-given identity. Jamie and I talk about the story behind her book for women -- You Be You, and how that led to her new children’s book, God Made You to be You.    Our culture today offers plenty of messages about who our kids are and what gives them value.  As parents we have an a...

Today I am excited to share a “guest podcast” from Kari Kampakis, host of the Girl Mom Podcast. In this episode Kari shares some helpful perspectives to keep in mind if your son is dating someone you don’t feel good about, as well as some sound wisdom to share with your teens or young adults when they enter the dating season of life.  (It’s not easy – rememeber!?) Be sure to go to show notes to fi...

Levi Lusko, Pastor, best-selling author, husband, and Dad -- joins us to chat about his heart for tackling real issues kids face with compassion, grace, and biblical authenticity.  Pastor Levi’s newly released children’s devotional, Roar Like a Lion, helps parents open up conversations and bring Biblical truth into relevant topics including peer pressure and bullying, faith, fears, friendships, an...

When life is difficult, it can be hard to believe that God is for you – that He is truly working all things together for your good. If you have ever wrestled with these thoughts, then this interview with Megan Fate Marshmann -- gifted Bible teacher, storyteller, and writer is just for you.  I recorded this interview in early 2021 to talk about the message in her incredible book, Meant for Good, bu...

Whether you work outside the home or not, moms have a way of filling their days and then some...The overwhelm of  rushed mornings, exhausting evenings, or the dreaded #mondaymorning are so very real!  Today we get to hear from a working mom who definitely understands!  Toni-Ann Mayembe is a family dentist, a reservist in the Navy, a blogger and podcaster, and an intentional, involved #boymom and w...

Billy Graham was one of (if not the) most impactful evangelists of all time, and now we get to hear from his daughter and granddaughter as they share stories from their family legacy.  Billy’s granddaughter, Rachel-Ruth joins us today to share some of those stories and the heart behind the book, Jesus Followers: Real-Life Lessons For Igniting Faith in the Next Generation. (co-written with her mom,...

We want our kids to have the best education, but less-than-ideal school environments as well as more recent inconsistencies in schools due to the pandemic have left parents uncertain about traditional schooling. Durenda Wilson, Mom to eight kids with over 25 years of homeschooling experience, joins us today to offer a refreshing approach to all things family and education.  Durenda has so much wis...

Life is full of hard things, we all know that. But how we choose to see those hard things – our perspective on all that life gives us -- can make a radical difference in how we come through our trials.  When bestselling author and Bible teacher Lisa Whittle lost her beloved father in 2017, she found herself on a journey to learn the hard good.  Years later Lisa combines the lessons she learned wit...

There is no doubt, parenting in the age of social media can be tricky. Whether or not your kids are currently using social media, it is never too early to start thinking about how you might coach your kids in their use of it.  In today’s episode I am sharing a blog post I wrote about a shift my oldest son made in his approach to social media that was a game changer!  I am also sharing clips of an...

Allie Casazza is on a mission to eradicate the "hot mess mom" stereotype by empowering other women. Today she joins me to talk about her proven, family-oriented approach to minimalism.  Allie shares the very real and raw story of how her journey began, and why she believes we can all find more peace by simplifying our stuff.   Whether you’re a working mom, overwhelmed by kids and responsibilities...

Sharing a fun chat with Josiah (22) and Jonah (20) who are answering questions listeners have sent in. In this interview we cover their relationship as siblings (“Did you always like each other?”...“Did you ever fight?”) as well as how/when they made their faith their own. They talk about how they feel about homeschooling now, in light of how it prepared them for college.  Finally, they talk a bit...

What our kids believe will create a roadmap for the choices they will make for the rest of their lives. Teaching kids to discern God's voice from the enemy's lies is one of the greatest ways we can help them form right beliefs which will lead to good choices.  After a traumatic life experience, Charity Rios learned what it means to "tend her heart", replacing the enemy's lies with God's Truth. Now...

Mom to five boys, Jeannie Cunnion has written two parenting books which very well may be on your shelf. ;) Recently, Jeannie narrowed in on the greatest parenting tool she has discovered: The power of the Holy Spirit! And now she doesn't want any of us to miss out on all that is available to us through the Holy Spirit!  Today Jeannie joins us to talk about the benefits of having the Holy Spirit’s...

In a culture that embraces hurry, and “busy” is the norm, today’s episode with Jennifer Dukes Lee invites us an alternative…one of strategically “growing slow.”  Jennifer discovered these lessons after years of fast-paced, high stress living – a season that led her to a breaking point. Jennifer says that the lessons she shares in her book, Growing Slow, are the result of unlearning what the world...