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

Rhonda Stoppe is joining me in today's packed episode where we talk about helping our sons navigate relationships, dating, sex, and marriage.  Rhonda has four grown children and a TON of wisdom and experience to share.  She has written books on topics related to romance and marriage, as well as one just for moms raising sons. This episode is a bit longer than the others but I hope you can listen t...

In this Aloha Friday Episode I am encouraging families to gather around the dinner table to chat about the new school year.  I cover the topic of MINDSET and the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.  I love this topic and I hope you'll find it super practical and encouraging for your family!   I also cover a Q and A about boys and reading.  I share a helpful tip I learned to ge...

Amber Lia joins me in this episode as we springboard off of Ch. 9 in my book, Boy Mom: "Inspiring Young Minds: Learning and Discovering Passions."  Amber is a (homeschooling) mom to four boys, and was a teacher for many years before having children.  She shares inspiration for inspiring young minds, stimulating curiosity, and pointing kids to God in all things.  We also talk about motivating older...

For our 2nd ALOHA FRIDAY Edition of the Boy Mom Podcast, my son Jonah joined me to chat about the character quality of PERSEVERANCE.  Jonah has impressed me in the past year with his ability to persevere in work, studies, and life.  I ask Jonah about his SAT studies and his job as a dish washer while he waited to be promoted to busser (for the past year! :))  Jonah shares his perspective on it all...

Today's interview is packed with practical ideas from my friend and guest, Kristi Clover.  Kristi is so much fun to talk to -- and she is a master at organization for families.  You'll love her advice on how to "set kids up for success" in their chores, and her family's approach to earning and stewarding money.  Kristi shares principles that every family can put into practice and I think you'll en...

I'm so excited to introduce this new "Aloha Friday Edition" of the Boy Mom Podcast! I hope to keep these short and sweet, mostly solo (or with one of my guys!) and to focus each of these episodes on connecting with your family as you head into the weekend.  Today I am also answering a frequently-asked question about how to handle it when you and your spouse are not on the same page with parenting...

Christie Thomas joins me for today's episode as we talk about raising emotionally healthy sons.  Christie is the mom to three boys and she has a background in children's ministry.  She faced some personal trauma years ago that has given her a deeper understanding of anxiety, and she has helped her sons through childhood anxiety as well.  Christie has written two beautiful children's books to help...

Erin Mohring joins me in today's episode to talk about raising sons to embrace a healthy lifestyle.  Like me, Erin is married to a physician, and in today's episode she is sharing her family's experience of transitioning to a healthier lifestyle.  Erin and her husband became runners, cleaned up their diet, and now their three sons are following in their footsteps.  Erin is the real deal, a ton of...

Today we're having a Boy Mom Book Launch party on the podcast.  The Swanson boys (ages 9 up to 20) are hosting the podcast, and asking ME questions!  We are all in the mood to celebrate the release of Boy Mom, and I think you'll enjoy the boys' interesting, fun, and silly questions. We are also offering a Boy Mom Book giveaway!  Be sure to follow instructions, and we'll choose a winner on Friday,...

I am so excited to share this conversation with Ruth Chou Simons, mother of 6 boys (!!), best-selling author, and incredibly gifted artist.  Ruth and I chat about raising boys in a digital world...trying to keep the focus on principles, rather than hard, fast rules. This is not an easy topic, but Ruth's wisdom is deep, and she encourages us to focus on the heart behind the issues. ("We become what...

In today's episode, I am joined by Jeannie Cunnion:  Mother of four sons, author, speaker, and a truly grace-filled friend.  Jeannie and I have a great conversation about raising our sons with intentional influences.  I am convinced that my two oldest sons are who they are today much because of the influences that have shaped them.  We can do our best as parents, but we are also wise to surround o...

Today I am sharing from Chapter 6 of Boy Mom, and this is a topic I am passionate about.  (It's also a topic I'm spending a lot of time focusing on with my youngest son.)  I am talking about the heart of character, and how we can focus on raising kids of character at all ages.  When they are young we focus on manners (and the heart behind manners!) and as they grow up we can attach more meaning to...

In today's episode, Gwen Smith joins me as we continue to cover the main topics in my book, Boy Mom:  What Your Son Needs Most From You. (releasing on August 6, 2019!) Today we come to the topic of raising a son with a secure identity.  This is a big, important topic!  In a world that judges you and labels you based on performance, popularity, looks, wealth, likes, follows, and on and on...how can...

I am so happy to share this conversation with my 17 year-old son, Jonah with all of you.  Jonah shares about his experience growing up in a Christian home, when he made his faith his own, and how he has developed his faith over his teenage years.  This may be a good episode to invite your son (and husband!) to listen in on.  I also get to ask Jonah some fun questions at the end of the episode; lis...

Wendy Speake joins me again as we discuss boys and discipline. Wendy and I talk about how discipline is (unfortunately) a big part of parenting, and how being prepared to discipline is actually a key to NOT losing your cool as a mom. We talk about the purpose of discipline and what it means to understand -- and use -- your sons' "currency."  Wendy and I cover a whole lot, and I hope you enjoy this...

I'm excited to have my good friend, Wendy Speake, as my first podcast guest.  Wendy joins me as we chat about what boundaries and freedoms look like for each of our families...How sometimes we use a rule for one boy that is different from the other kids.  How life isn't always "fair."  (and much more!)  We also talk about boys and their need for freedoms and adventure...how important it is to offe...

Today I begin a series which will cover all of the main topics in my new book, Boy Mom:  What Your Son Needs Most from You.   In these first episodes we will be covering the 12 things your son most needs from you...These are areas moms can equip their sons so that they are ready to face the world once they leave the nest.  In today's episode we are going over chapter two of the BOY MOM BOOK, and i...

Aloha, and welcome to the first episode of the Boy Mom Podcast with Monica Swanson and Friends! In this first episode I will be telling you a little more about me and my family, my blog (and the viral post which you might be familiar with) AND my new book -- Boy Mom!! (releasing on August 6th, 2019!) I am sharing my hopes for this podcast, and what I have planned for future episodes, and asking yo...