Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs

Navigating relationships with in-laws and grandparents can be tricky, especially when it comes to setting boundaries for the safety and well-being of your kids. Today Karen tackles your questions about managing challenging family dynamics with wisdom, grace, and confidence. Whether you're dealing with safety concerns, feeling smothered, or struggling with differing parenting approaches, this conve...

Description: As we step into a new year, Karen and Emily are here to help you start fresh. In this episode, they discuss practical tips for breaking bad habits, finding contentment in your current season, and making space for your own growth as a mom. If you’re ready to embrace 2025 with renewed purpose and encouragement, you’re in the right place. Episode Recap: 2:30 - Jumping into the New Year,...

Today Karen and Emily sit down with Elizabeth Pehrson to discuss how moms can parent with purpose by focusing on the long game. In this conversation, Elizabeth shares her no-nonsense approach to raising independent, contributing adults. Whether you’re navigating the pressures of parenting littles or wondering how to prepare your teens for the real world, this episode will leave you inspired and eq...

As we wrap up Wire Talk for 2024, we’re diving into practical ways to connect with your spouse during busy seasons. From showing appreciation in small ways to navigating family expectations and finding joy in spontaneity, Karen has got wisdom and real-life practical tips for you! Whether you’re balancing the holidays, family dynamics, or simply trying to plan a date night, we hope this conversatio...

Today Karen and Emily are diving into what it means to love like Jesus, even when it’s difficult. They cover preparing your heart, navigating tricky relationships, and approaching family gatherings with humility. You’ll learn how to manage expectations and hear practical ways we can love others like Christ loves us. Whether you’re juggling in-laws, extended family, or just trying to survive the se...

The holidays can often bring stress and guilt for moms as we try to make everything perfect for our families. In this episode, Karen and Emily share how to embrace a simpler, more joyful approach to Christmas. From favorite childhood memories to navigating tight budgets, they remind us that the best moments often come from just being together! We hope this episode inspires you to let go of the pre...

Moms often struggle with guilt and overthinking, especially when it comes to making decisions for their families. In this episode, Karen talks about how to avoid the trap of overanalyzing every choice and instead focus on what brings peace and unity to your family. Whether you're navigating school decisions, holiday traditions, or just everyday challenges, this discussion will help you let go of g...

Navigating the holidays as a grandparent can be tricky, but holding plans with open hands can make all the difference. In this episode, we talk about how to foster unity, embrace flexibility, and keep a spirit of grace at the center of holiday gatherings. Whether you're a mom of grown children or still in the thick of raising kids at home, Karen offers practical tips to help you approach the seaso...

Today, DeDe Wilbanks joins us to explore how we can set healthy boundaries around the technology in our homes. With John 10:10 as our guide, DeDe reminds us of our God-given role to protect our children's hearts and minds from the addictive nature of technology. While we can't control everything, we can be intentional about setting limits that nurture our families, trusting God with the rest. Epis...

Election Day can bring a lot of uncertainty and even fear into our lives. Today, Karen and Emily remind us to keep our focus on God, no matter who ends up in the White House. They encourage us to pray for our leaders and show us how to foster peace, especially if our families are divided on political views. Karen shares powerful biblical truths to help us navigate the ups and downs of the election...

“You just have to last one second longer…” If you are constantly fighting discipline battles these days, we hope those words stay with you long after this episode! In this conversation, Karen tackles questions about disciplining your younger children. From chaos in the car, to rough play, to bad behavior that only happens at school, Karen offers practical advice for finding consequences that work...

Are your kids’ personalities shaped by their birth order? In today’s episode, Karen and Emily explore how birth order influences personality. They share insights from their own families and tackle questions like, “How do I help my oldest think of others before herself?” and “How can I teach my daughter to let go of things without holding on to everything?” Plus, Emily talks about how she’s using t...

“There is nothing that beats conversation with our kids.” Today we’re chatting with Erin Mashaw about the new book she co-authored, A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity . We touch on purity culture, pornography, and the constantly shifting cultural values around us. Erin shared the importance of having small conversations early and often and offered practical tips for getting over the awkwardness...

When your kids are little, the challenges of day-to-day parenting often pit one spouse against another. Today Karen and Emily are answering questions from weary moms. They discuss practical ways you can connect with your spouse, strategies for handling the stress that comes with parenting young children, and remind us of the importance of prioritizing our husband’s needs during this season of life...

Understanding how your child is wired can be a key to resolving conflict in your home! In today's episode, Karen dives into the dynamics of family conflict and emphasizes how important it is to recognize your child's personality type. By taking the time to understand their unique traits, we can cultivate patience and empathy in our relationships. Join us as we explore practical ways to bear with o...

Today we’re diving into the idea of being a countercultural parent. Join us as Karen shares how important it is to parent in a way that aligns with God’s will instead of seeking the approval of others. From practical tips on renewing your mind to choosing God as your guiding “North Star,” Karen offers encouragement to moms who may feel out of step with the world – but exactly in step with God’s de...

Today Karen is answering questions from moms whose kids are in college or working and living on their own for the first time. She shares how to support them without enabling them, how to gently guide them toward wise-decision making, and how to encourage them toward maturity while simultaneously stepping back. She also reminds us that now, more than ever, is the time to get on your knees and PRAY...

Literacy coach Welsley Jongko joins us in the studio today to talk about the process of learning to read and to encourage those of us who have beginning readers at home! She explains the current reading crisis in America and the simple but effective things parents can do to support their children on their way to become lifelong readers. There are so many great tips and resources shared in the conv...

Today Karen is answering questions from moms juggling packed schedules, managing family commitments, and trying to make a little time for themselves! From balancing kids' activities with family time to learning when to say no, in this episode you’ll hear practical advice to help you protect your energy and prioritize what matters most. Pop in those earbuds or grab a basket of laundry to fold and l...

Today Karen and Emily dive into the dynamics of marriage and parenting, reminding us that we are not our husband's Holy Spirit! Karen talks about letting go of the urge to control her husband's spiritual journey, addresses differences in parenting styles, and offers practical wisdom for managing the emotional ups and downs that come with doing life together. Lean in for practical advice rooted in...

In the final episode of our 3-part series on Ephesians 6:14-18, we're taking an in-depth look at verse 18 and Paul's call to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. Karen and Emily explore what it means to be vigilant in prayer and the different types of prayers we should keep in mind. They also dive into how we, as moms, can cultivate a consistent and effective prayer life and teach our kids to pray...

Today we're diving deep into Ephesians 6:14-18, exploring how to equip ourselves with spiritual armor needed for the daily battles we face. Karen and Emily discuss the practical steps to "put on" the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the gospel of peace, empowering you to stand firm against the challenges of life. This conversation is chock full of Scripture, so grab your Bible...

Back-to-school feels like the start of a new year for moms, so it’s a perfect time to prepare our hearts and minds. Over the next three weeks, we're diving into Ephesians to explore the armor of God, a biblical metaphor Paul uses to remind us that we are in a spiritual battle every day. This isn't about fear—it's about living a victorious life through Christ. Join us as we encourage you to wake up...

What does God say about you? Do you know?! It is all too easy to get caught up in who the world says you are, so today Karen and Emily remind us the truth of what God says. They talk about identity, the phrase “just a mom,” and fighting against comparison. We hope today’s conversation encourages you to celebrate your unique gifts and talents and focus on the truth that you are fearfully and wonder...

Are you raising confident kids? Today Karen encourages moms to take a step back so our kids can step up. She and Emily discuss the pitfalls of doing things for our kids and the reasons we often fall into that trap. They also talk about the difference between nurturing and enabling and share the critical connection between kids who take ownership and confident kids! Episode Recap: 6:40 Why is there...