Thriving with 8 Podcast

Thriving With 8 Podcast just turned 8 years old! It's time to celebrate this accomplishment and the journey of creating this podcast. Listen as I share how it all began over 8 years ago, how I came to live by the motto  of "it never hurts to ask", and how this podcast has enchanced my motherhood journey. Plus, hear the big anouncemnt of our upcoming Thriving With 8 birthday party!

Staying fit and getting healthy are often listed with our New Years Resolutions. Well, we're almost halfway through the year... how are you doing with your fitness goals?    In this episode, Women's Strength and Wellness Coach, Nichole Minton , shares small and simple things we can do to progress on our fitness journey. It's not about huge undertakings or overnight changes. It's about simple daily...

Thriving With 8 Podcast made it to episode 100! Thanks for listening- a podcast is no good without listeners!   What if we have it wrong? What if taking 2nd place is just as wonderful as first, but for different reasons. Listen as I share what my little boy taught me about 2nd place and the value of effort, happiness, and progression.    When you fall short, because we all do, don't be afraid to a...

Are you bone tired and soul tired at the same time? Although exhaustion in motherhood is common, we can feel joyful and weary, excited and exhausted, grateful and tired. When we choose to walk everyday with Christ we will find His Rest.    Christ will walk by our side, just like a friend, if we let Him. He will show us what He loves about our day and about us. He will help us see the "manna" in ou...

Have you stopped to think about which holiday tradititons matter most to your family? There's so much to do during this season. How much of it can be set aside without anyone caring?    While we can definitely get ideas from other families, it's important not to compare what our families do (or don't do) with others. You don't have to bake cookies with your kids just because your neighbors do or s...

"Drapers are doers"! That is the motto Melissa Draper has established with her family, both in word and example. As a lover of service, she teaches her kids to say "yes" whenever possible when an opportunity to serve occurs. She is constantly looking for ways that her family can look outside of themselves to help those around them and inspires others through her "Do Something More" podcast.    In...

As we approach the holiday season, stress and overwhelm threaten to sneak in. But that doesn't need to be the case! We can have less stress and more meaning during the holidays as we focus on what matters most. As Saren Eyre Loosli says, "Less is more."   In this episode of Thriving With 8 Podcast, Saren shares some wonderful ideas and experiences regarding how we can enjoy the holidays with our f...

Rachel Bonner and her husband wanted to teach kids about different aspects of life that we may never experience, but would be helpful to understand, in order to show increased kindness and love to others. They were inspired to write A Cultivate Series , which consists of 3 wonderful children's books with alternate endings to help kids develop more awareness and compassion for others.    As an inte...

Do you ever wonder why you think, feel or respond to the challenges and joys of motherhood the way that you do? Why don't others around you, including your kids, always see things the way you do?    In this conversation with Beth McCord, the Enneagram Coach, we discuss the importance of understanding our personalities and the core motivations within us. When we understand our "why" we are better a...

  Have you ever considered that moms need an "elevator pitch"? This is an intentional way of introducing ourselves to others. The purpose is not to impress, but to share and connect with someone.    As licensed health educator Stacy Goulding points out, at times it's easy for us to say "nothing" when someone asks "What's new?". But we need to be confident in sharing what we are doing right now, wh...

  Jodi Orgill Brown prayed that her children would learn to serve others, see people at their heart for who they are, and have compassion. But she had no idea how those prayers would be answered.    Jodi and her family have learned on a very personal level what it means to be served, as well as the joy that comes from serving others. What makes the journey worth it is doing it together and knowing...

Jodi Orgill Brown was living the perfect "white picket fence life" when the dizziness and headaches first began. Life quickly changed when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Jodi has learned through many hard trials including multiple surgeries, hospital stays, and a variety of health challenges that thriving looks different at different stages in your life. Even if you can't always be the mom...

A thriving marriage doesn't just magically happen! Just like motherhood, marriage is an arena for growth. We must be intentional if we want to become the best spouse we can be. It is a process of becoming. Perfection is the lie that can discourage us from trying.    In this conversation with couples coach and podcaster, Julia Woods, she teaches 5 tips to develop and maintain a thriving marriage. Y...

What motivates you to be the best mom possible?   Listen to Regan Barnes, Chairmom of the nonprofit Momivate , to learn more about what it means for moms to RAISE UP society and her vision to empower and support moms.   Being a full-time mom encompasses SO much so give yourself a pat on the back for all you are doing! You're developing relationships, creating a wonderful atmosphere in your home, m...

Happy New Year! Do you have a word or phrase for the year? What will you focus on? Are you going to let the year happen to you or are you going to be intentional in your thriving?    The choice is up to you! First of all, give yourself credit for the progress you have made this past year. Second, set yourself up for success, even if your progression comes through baby steps. Thriving has nothing t...

Motherhood is not a solo job. We need Christ by our side in our motherhood journey. It's our ressponsibility to seek Him. As we courageously lean into this relationship and partnership with God, we will receive spiritual guidance that blesses us and our children.    Listen to Neill Marriott, mother of 11 and spiritual giant, as she shares stories and ideas of how she sought Jesus as she raised her...

The holiday season is such a joyful time...for most people. But for many the holidays are a time of grief and loss. They can trigger memories of losing a loved one. They can be a hard time for single parents or for those without funds to provide Christmas for their children.  In this short bonus episode, Tiffany Papageorge , our guest from Thriving With 8 episode 86 , reminds us to be aware of tho...

When we hear about loss and grief our thoughts tend to think of something big like death. However, there are many other ways that children experience loss including divorce, a friend moving, or losing a championship game. All of these things cause a sense of grief.  Author Tiffany Papageorge was a grieving child. As a Junior High student she wrote a book for a school assignment and it changed not...

We've all seen them. The "Please Be Patient Student Driver" bumper stickers. When Meghan Mitchell of The Little Lessons Podcast saw this sticker one day, it changed her. She realized that we are all "Student Humans". This has led to greater compassion, grace, and patience with others, especially her own children.    So how do we remember that our children really are students and be patient with th...

Do you ever "pretend" that you are a patient, organized, or fun mom? There are times in our lives when we try characteristics on for size to see how they fit. In this episode of Thriving With 8 Podcast , Life Coach Jody Moore helps us embrace who we are as moms as we strive to become the next version of ourselves. We gain true confidence and authenticity when we embrace both our strengths and our...

After McKenna's 4th child was born she found herself caught in a dark cloud of survival. She wondered if this was just a "new normal". But when the darkness was too much to bear she found herself wondering if her kids would be better off without her.  In this episode of Thriving With 8 Podcast, McKenna Rose Brown shares her healing journey and the importance of noticing small signs of anxiety and...

Do you ever feel stuck in motherhood- like every day is stuck on "repeat"? No mom guilt necessary. We have all been there! Many times this is caused by a lack of personal progression. Since motherhood is the best job in the world , we need to participate in "professional development" and be intentional about what we are learning and the skills we are gaining.    Listen to this episode to discover...

As parents, we are in the business of building relationships with our children. We're in it for the long game. What will help us most is approaching parenthood with a stewardship mindset rather than one of ownership. Ganel-Lyn Condie explains the difference beautifully in this episode of Thriving With 8. An ownership mindset can destroy relationships and lead to comparisons and guilt. The stewards...

As humans, we want to keep our struggles to ourselves. But what if we all choose to struggle together instead? After all, being vulnerable with others often leads to connection. Erin Stewart was inspired to write her incredible book ,"The Words We Keep", because of  her own struggles wth mental health, specifically perfectionism anxiety. So how can we help ourselves and our kids overcome the impos...

Is screen time keeping your kids from being participants in life? Do they suffer from "virtual autism"? In this episode with Nicole Rawson from Screen Time Clinic we discuss how our children's behavior and feelings are being affected by their relationship with screens, particularly gaming. Because children's brains aren't fully developed until age 25 it is hard for them to self-regulate and addict...