The Motherhood Experience

On Instagram in 2018, Jessica at Three Rivers Homestead  (https://www.youtube.com/ @threerivershomestead)  invited others to join her in a pantry challenge. I dove in head first that following January, and this is an episode explaining what it is and what it has done for/meant to our family. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop  Azure Standard Jessica at Three Rivers Homestead  on In...

**Fact check for my fact check. The last time I was in Wyoming was 2020** Kimberly has a passion for faith, family, and fitness. You'll hear about all three in today's episode as we share and reminisce over different motherhood memories in this episode. We met over 20 years ago, and what a ride it's been since! Be sure to connect with Kimberly using one of the links below: Kimberly on ...

I met Heather in the fall of 2018, and not in a way you want to meet new people. She walked into support group as a last-ditch effort to make some sense of what she had been through the last year. We ended up becoming good friends, and I am honored to be able to bring her story to the listening audience today.  Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop  Azure Standard Watch on  YouTube Vi...

Mother of 8, heart of gold, spirit of adventure - that's how I'd describe my friend Allison! Listen in as she shares life in a household with 10, homeschool life, family dynamics, and all things tried and true in her motherhood journey.  Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop  Azure Standard Watch on  YouTube Visit  The Motherhood Experience  Website Follow us on  Instagram Fin...

Anna was another friend I made through the women's leadership program in 2012 (Tracy from Episode 015 was right there with us!). Anna really got my attention when the leadership program was concluding, and she gave a speech about her entrance into motherhood. She didn't realize how significant her story at that time was to me, or the impact it had. Today, she shares that story and the expe...

I met Becca at the North Dakota Homeschool Convention in 2023, at their vendor booth, and again later in a homesteading session she and her husband, Rory, facilitated. Within seconds, I knew the Groves' were "my people" and I've enjoyed getting to know them more since. Becca shares her heart for family, for a home-centric lifestyle, and for embracing the different decisions that...

It's a new year and a brand new season of The Motherhood Experience. Val shares what the podcast covered since starting in mid-August, and what is in store for the year ahead. Thank you for listening and sharing, and here's to you in 2024! Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop  Azure Standard Watch on  YouTube Visit  The Motherhood Experience  Website Follow us on  Instagram F...

I can't believe it's our final episode of the year! I thought it would be fun, since it's the day after Christmas, to bring Mom on and reminisce about some of our past Christmas traditions, memories, and favorite things. Enjoy this little glimpse into my world from my mom's perspective. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop  Azure Standard Watch on  YouTube Visit  The...

Erica is another friend from my North Dakota days, though neither of us remembers how we started talking or became friends. Her story, though, is an inspiring one to be sure. She went from opening her home to adult family members to opening her home to the kids in her area who needed her most. Listen in as Erica shares how she has become a Mom to all. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods?...

Danielle and I connected through a women's leadership program and stayed connected over the years through different avenues of community and careers. We met in Fargo, but now both are South Dakota residents, too! I was thrilled to be able to sit down with Danielle and talk about her motherhood experience while navigating a writing career, a big move, and life post-pandemic. Danielle's  InF...

Dr. Jess is my chiropractor and health-confidant here in rural South Dakota. I was so fortunate to find her as my care provider and am blessed further still to be able to call her a friend. We had a candid conversation about life as a mom pulled in different directions and the importance of keeping health simple and straightforward.  Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop  Azure Standa...

I was first introduced to Michele through her book  Undone , soon after it was published. Three years later, I had the pleasure of receiving her coaching and mentorship in the mastermind she facilitated, and have been blessed to call her a friend since. She joins me on this episode to share her incredibly unique motherhood journey, and what she's learned and experienced along the way.  Michele...

Ashley is a friend from my Fargo days, and one of the bubbliest, most entertaining conversationalists I know. I don't know if I've laughed so much during an interview as I did in this one. I accidentally muted myself at one point, but otherwise, you'll hear me laughing several minutes in a row in the background. Mom of four, wife of a coach, and finding herself in small-town living, As...

Tracy and I met in a women's leadership program in 2012 and became friends and encouragers for one another through different adventures and pursuits. She's a mom of two, an innovator, and a motivator. Her story is as inspiring as it is authentic, and I know you're going to enjoy this conversation with my friend and peer, Tracy Fixen. Connect With Tracy   Looking to save money on qualit...

Casey and her husband Billy had more than one roller coaster to ride when becoming parents. Tune in for this conversation where Casey shares about the traumatic birth, and death, of their first son, William, and the story of how his little sister, Emerson, came to be.  Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop  Azure Standard Watch on  YouTube Visit  The Motherhood Experience  Website Fol...

Following up with Sarah's story from last week, we'll learn more about her mothering two young boys as she also navigated life as a widow. Listen in for how the Lord prepared her heart for remarriage, and also how her family and life looks today. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop  Azure Standard Watch on  YouTube Visit  The Motherhood Experience  Website Follow us on  Inst...

I first met Sarah in 2009 when I was working with her husband, Jack. Sarah walked alongside Jack for years as he quite literally fought for his life. They experienced miracles, they experienced "impossible" outcomes, all while also experiencing heartache, setbacks, and suffering. Tune in for Part 1 of Sarah's story as she shares about the early years of her motherhood experience.  Lo...

October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, and I thought I would take this opportunity to reflect on the last ten years as a bereaved mama. I wouldn't say this is a sad episode - even I didn't cry recording it. It is an insight into what the last ten years have looked like for us as we've navigated this path as bereaved parents since our daughter Harlynn was stillborn in 2...

Karen, and her husband Mike, are very dear friends of Brent's and mine. They've been alongside us through wonderful celebrations, dreadful heartache, and have even helped us move a time or two. This was an especially meaningful and emotional conversation for me, given how much Karen and her husband mean to our family. I hope every mom, and every married couple, has mentors in their life li...

From my college bestie, to running the medical world of Memphis, my friend Rachel has jumped over quite a few (lofty) hurdles in navigating her professional nursing career and life as a wife and mother. I really appreciated her insight into focusing on hope, experiences, and making memories with her family. Give it a listen and let me know what you took away from my conversation with Rachel! Looki...

When you know someone, but not really, but enough to get them on as a guest on your podcast... This was a good one - and I knew just enough to know that! Listen in as I chat with my guest, Christine Leeb, about parenting, knowing better and doing better, and switching mindsets in the middle of our parenting style defaults. Get in Touch With Christine  Here To get on her email list, go to: https://...

This is the second half and conclusion of my conversation with Jacque. We pick up right where we left off: hearing about how her affair affected the lives of her family members, how she struggled through single parenting, and how she stepped into redemption. Grab your tissues and your coffee - this is gonna be a good one! Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop  Azure Standard Watch on ...

Jacque and I started off not being fond of one another, and after a quirky realization, became nearly inseparable friends some 25 years ago. Jacque did not come into motherhood easily, and her path was one of struggle and heartache. She danced on the cliffside of recklessness and ruin more than once. Hear part 1 of her story on today's episode. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Sho...

After eight years of muddling through infertility, Patrick and Annette turned to international adoption to grow their family. It's a heartwarming, moving story (that wrecked me hearing it for the first time during this mom chat). Pull up a chair and join me as I visit with Annette to hear about her motherhood experience. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop  Azure Standard Watch...

Elisha and I started working together in January of this year, and I came to know pretty quickly, Elisha was "my people". I didn't know as much about her motherhood journey, however, and I was so excited when she agreed to be a guest on the podcast. Not only did I learn so much about her as a mother, but I learned about family-centric entrepreneurship, contentment, and the reward tha...