podcast stories conversations

Podcast | #24 Lisa Qualls, One Thankful Mom, a Birth Mom, and an Adoptive Mom

Lisa Qualls is the founder of the One Thankful Mom blog. She is a writer and speaker with the unusual chance to have experienced all 3 parts of the adoption triad–birth mom, adoptive mom, and foster child. We’ve connected over so many similarities over the years but she’s far more gracious, wise, and compassionate than me. […]

podcast stories conversations

Podcast | #22 Kristin Taylor, my new Enneagram One friend

This week’s guest, Kristin Taylor was nominated by #17 Kathleen Guire. We had a super fun conversation because it turns out we have a lot in common including our Enneagram numbers and how we don’t separate white from colors when doing laundry. I mean what more could you ask for in a friend? I think you’re […]

podcast stories conversations

Podcast | #20 Jenn Ernest on What Not To Say

Jenn Ernest and I have been friend for forever (see proof above). She has walked through pregnancy loss, secondary infertility, adoption, breast cancer, and she’s parenting a child with limb differences. That’s a lot of situations where people tend to say all the wrong things. During our conversation, Jenn gives practical advice on how to […]

parenting defiant children

Handling Defiance in Children

I hear from a lot of parents that they’re beyond frustrated at daily defiance. It might be tying shoes, personal hygiene, homework, or some other chore. I don’t know about you, but if I assume my child is willfully disobeying me, I head to my downstairs brain where emotions…not logic…rule and I want to retaliate […]

podcast stories conversations

Podcast | #18 Summer Kugel of AbleFinder

Imagine a world where people with disabilities and their caretakers could find instant community and break that feeling of isolation. That’s that Summer, the founder of AbleFinder, has set out to do. She also has some other brilliant ideas to make the process of getting services easier. You’ll love how her story has drive her […]

podcast stories conversations

Podcast | #17 Kathleen Guire on Adoption, FASD, and Sex Trafficking

Kathleen Guire is the founder of the Whole House Blog. She also recently released her first novel, Defining Home, meant to increase awareness about the tragedies of slavery and sex trafficking. She had wise words to share about FASD, self-publishing, and how she keeps her large family organized. Related Links Episode #2 with Bethany Kaczmarek […]

advent parenthood lament

Reframing Advent

Nothing says I’m waiting for the arrival of a Savior like: Overspending on more stuff we don’t need. Lying to our kids about where all the stuff came from. (We don’t do this, but I hear there are some families who do.) Forcing our kids to sit on a stranger’s lap and even smile about […]

Podcast | #13 Monica Reynolds on Adoption and Marriage

This week Monica and I chat about the things that blindsided us when we adopted, the hardest thing our marriages have survived, and how her local school system is failing her daughter right now. Connect with Monica on her blog, Instagram, or check out her new podcast–Collared Chicks. If you want to check out that […]