Life Beyond the Picket Fence Podcast

Author and therapist Brenda Yoder has a conversation with fellow Hoosier Angela Herrington about her new book that helps readers uncomplicate their faith journey when challenged with doubts and religious trauma. They chat about:   the process of sifting and sorting through faulty beliefs and absolutes. questions to uncomplicate boundary violations.  how religious trauma is erosive over time. how her new book, Deconstructing Your Faith without Losing Yourself can help the reader.  Get Angela's book Deconstructing Your Faith Without Losing Yourself at  Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0802883281   Connect with Angela on social media: Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/AngHerrington Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelajherrington/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaJHerrington/ Get more ideas for simplifying your life by preordering Brenda's new book Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life, releasing March 19, 2024    Pick up Brenda's other books:  Fledge: Launching your Kids without Losing Your Mind by Brenda L. Yoder Balance, Busyness, and Not Doing It All by Brenda L. Yoder ➡️Connect with host Brenda Yoder at:  Website: https://brendayoder.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendayoderspeaks/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brendayoderspeaker 

Author and therapist, Brenda Yoder, had a front porch conversation with full-time working mom and business owner, Amy Yoder, about shifting your lifestyle to match your values. You'll glean wisdom about :   Not doing everything just because you have the opportunity.   Clarifying values that define your personal, family, and career goals. Uncomplicating life without compromising your dreams and goals.  Being present and living in the moment even in a busy family life.  Get more ideas for simplifying your life by preordering Brenda's new book Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life, releasing March 19, 2024 Pick up Brenda's other books:  Fledge: Launching your Kids without Losing Your Mind by Brenda L. Yoder Balance, Busyness, and Not Doing It All by Brenda L. Yoder ➡️Connect with host Brenda Yoder at:  Website: https://brendayoder.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendayoderspeaks/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brendayoderspeaker 

Author and therapist Brenda Yoder invites you to uncomplicate the holiday season with tips for relationships, expectations, and even holiday decor. You'll glean wisdom about :   How your physical spaces can help holiday or winter blues. Replacing social media with gentle, nurturing activities to alleviate holiday expectations.  Managing social activities and relationships during the holiday season.  Simple experiences make the holidays less stressful.  Get more ideas for simplifying your life by preordering Brenda's new book Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life, releasing March 19, 2024. Pick up Brenda's other books:  Fledge: Launching your Kids without Losing Your Mind by Brenda L. Yoder Balance, Busyness, and Not Doing It All by Brenda L. Yoder ➡️Connect with host Brenda Yoder at:  Website: https://brendayoder.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendayoderspeaks/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brendayoderspeaker

Author and counselor Brenda Yoder invites you to her front porch as she chats with fellow podcaster, Bible teacher, and creative entrepreneur Kala Yoder.  In this conversation, Brenda and Kala discuss how loss in Kala's life spurred her to grow in Christ rather than run away from him. You'll glean wisdom about:   How significant losses bring you to a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  Being honest with God while still being reverent.  God's unexplainable peace in pain and tragedy.  How to study the Bible and develop an intimate relationship with God.   Connect with Kala and her resources at kaladiane.com, on Instagram @kalayoder, and the Confidence in Christ podcast.  Pick up Brenda's books:  Fledge: Launching your Kids without Losing Your Mind by Brenda L. Yoder Balance, Busyness, and Not Doing It All by Brenda L. Yoder ➡️Connect with host Brenda Yoder at:  Website: https://brendayoder.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendayoderspeaks/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brendayoderspeaker 

Author and counselor Brenda Yoder invites you to her front porch as she thoughtfully converses with Cassie Rademaker, the Life Beyond the Picket Fence podcast producer. Cassie is a homeschooling mom, a millennial, and together with her husband, forging an uncomplicated lifestyle. In this conversation, you'll glean wisdom about:   How to be intentional about your priorities while in the middle of parenting young children.  Carving contentment with a more simplified life.  Controlling your workload so it doesn't overwhelm you. Determining whether an activity or purchase is helping or serving your values and goals. Pick up Brenda's books:  Fledge: Launching your Kids without Losing Your Mind by Brenda L. Yoder Balance, Busyness, and Not Doing It All by Brenda L. Yoder ➡️Connect with host Brenda Yoder at:  Website: https://brendayoder.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendayoderspeaks/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brendayoderspeaker 

Author and counselor Brenda Yoder invites you to her front porch as she relaunches the Life Beyond the Picket Fence podcast. In this conversation, Brenda interviews writer and speaker Ingrid Lochamire. You'll glean wisdom about:   How to not overcrowd your life.  How to pay attention to time and how not to waste the time we have.   Tempering life situations that seem to shipwreck us, but they don't need to.  Connect with Ingrid at https://ingridlochamire.com/ and on Instagram @ingridlochamire  Pick up Brenda's books:  Fledge: Launching your Kids without Losing Your Mind by Brenda L. Yoder Balance, Busyness, and Not Doing It All by Brenda L. Yoder ➡️Connect with host Brenda Yoder at:  Website: https://brendayoder.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendayoderspeaks/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brendayoderspeaker 

Author and counselor Brenda Yoder invites you to her front porch as she relaunches the Life Beyond the Picket Fence podcast. In this conversation, Brenda interviews author and speaker Kim Ray Mishler. You'll glean wisdom about:   God's faithfulness and grace in hard circumstances.  How to ground yourself in the present when feeling overwhelmed with uncertainty and troubles.   How to not waste your suffering, but use it instead to help others.  Connect with Kim at https://www.kimraymishler.com/ Pick up Kim and Brenda's books:  A Life Rescued: A Story of Adoption, Redemption, and Hope by Kim Ray Mishler Fledge: Launching your Kids without Losing Your Mind by Brenda L. Yoder Balance, Busyness, and Not Doing It All by Brenda L. Yoder ➡️Connect with host Brenda Yoder at:  Website: https://brendayoder.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendayoderspeaks/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brendayoderspeaker 

Author and counselor Brenda Yoder invites you to her front porch as she relaunches the Life Beyond the Picket Fence podcast. In this introductory episode, Brenda shares lessons she's been learning in the quiet season of the last two years. You'll glean wisdom about: How places where you thrive help the hard places in your life. How to be present with what's right in front of you. Resizing your life and priorities for your current season. And what Brenda's been doing in the last two years during the show's sabbatical. Pick up Brenda's books: Fledge: Launching your Kids without Losing Your Mind Balance, Busyness, and Not Doing It All ➡️Connect with host Brenda Yoder at: Website: https://brendayoder.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendayoderspeaks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brendayoderspeaker

"Brokenness is a gift. This year is a gift. I think God is waking us up. I think he's calling us. I think he is allowing us to recognize we cannot do it by ourselves. We need a Savior." - Christy Lynne Wood Hello friends, hope you are having a great week! Today, we are concluding our interview with Christy Lynne Wood, talking about her life after meeting Jesus and how her heart's desire now is to introduce Him to others who are lost, fed up, and frustrated with performing based religion. Growing up in a very rule based, legalistic homeschool/church environment, Christy strove to please God, her church leaders, and her family. And then, at 15, Christy met Jesus. Years of seeing him as angry, disappointed, and distant, Christy began seeing God in a new light as she continued to read her Bible and spend time in prayer. She found how Scripture beautifully reveals God's character and how his love is constantly pursuing us even when we fail. There is so much packed into this episode from Brenda and Christy discussing the disillusionment with the current Christianity culture to how to wrestle through your own faith questions and pursue God's presence. To find out more about Christy and her ministry, find her on Facebook, Instagram, and her new website! Also check out her podcast Finding the Real God. And check out the audiobook of Fledge: Launching Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind!

"You can find the real God in the real Bible, when you read it for yourself. Not what someone else has told you about it or not what you think might be there. You can find the real God." - Christy Lynne Wood Hello friends! We hope that you enjoyed your Thanksgiving last week and were able to find time to rest as well! Welcome back as we continue sitting On The Front Porch, this time talking to our friend Christy Lynne Wood about her story of faith. Christy chose the tagline Finding the Real God for her ministry (podcast, blog, etc) and in this episode, we'll find out why. Growing up in a very rule based, legalistic homeschool/church environment, Christy strove to please God, her church leaders, and her family. And then, at 15, Christy met Jesus. Years of seeing him as angry, disappointed, and distant, Christy began seeing God in a new light as she continued to read her Bible and spend time in prayer. She found how Scripture beautifully reveals God's character and how his love is constantly pursuing us even when we fail. Make sure to catch our next episode as Christy and Brenda talk more about how the gospel shakes up the current christian culture and so much more! To find out more about Christy and her ministry, find her on facebook, instagram, and her new website! Also check out her podcast Finding the Real God.  

Learn how to sustain your faith through big disappointments from a great interview with Andrea Miller.

In my interview with Andrew Miller, she shares practical tips for overcoming disappointments but also how to strengthen your faith when hope seems lost.

Ingrid and Brenda provide principles for how to draw close to God, both sharing from different faith perspectives.

Ingrid and Brenda talk today about their top three tips for family life. Join them On the Front Porch for this important episode!

Women are designed for relationships! Join Ingrid and Brenda as they talk about how to mentor other women in your season of life in this episode of On the Front Porch podcast series.

Has there been a woman in your life who has invested in you or mentored you, “coming alongside” in a way that left a lasting impact? Brenda and Ingrid continue their summer conversations On the Front Porch by talking about women who have influenced them, both formally and casually. Ingrid has called them “Bettys” in honor of an early mentor of her. Both Brenda and Ingrid share about three women whose influence and example have guided and inspired them in their faith and in their roles as women. Qualities each of the Bettys brought to the relationships are similar to those desired in friendships: Honesty Transparency Sensitivity (or the ability to “see” them) Confidentiality Availability You might be surprised to hear who Brenda and Ingrid claim as their Three Bettys! This episode is the first in a two-part series on mentoring or discipling. Both of Brenda and Ingrid now choose to mentor other women. In part two, they will talk about what they’ve learned as they reach out to younger women in their church communities and beyond. Pull up a chair and join us for a friendly conversation about our Three Bettys. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher or Google podcasts so that you won’t miss an episode!

God created us for community and the smaller space of friendship. This week On The Front Porch, Brenda and Ingrid talk about friendship. Their own friendship began in their local community almost ten years ago! In this episode, Ingrid and Brenda talk about important qualities of friendship. These include: Healthy, nurturing friendships Honesty Trust  The importance of reciprocity Boundaries in friendship And more! In addition, Ingrid and Brenda each share a unique friendship from a specific season of life. They also agree there is one key ingredient in sustaining a healthy, mutually satisfying friendship. Listen in to discover that ingredient! [Tweet ""The people who influence us the most are those who have the slightest notion that they did." Oswald Chambers, paraphrase""] Coming Up In the next episode, Brenda and Ingrid deepen the friendship conversation by sharing about women who have invested in them — even when they didn’t know they needed the investment.  Pull up a chair and enjoy these front-porch conversations. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher or Google podcasts so that you won’t miss an episode!

Brenda has invited her good friend Ingrid to join her in a summer podcast series for conversations On the Front Porch. Between the two of them, they have over 100 years of lifetime wisdom of life, faith, and family, beyond the storybook image. Join Brenda and Ingrid for a front porch chat! In complying with the COVID 19 stay-at-home orders, Ingrid and Brenda realized how much they missed interacting with others outside of family. As local communities open us, they want to help you find ways to engage with your communities by serving the people around you. The importance of community God created us to live in community. The pandemic has highlighted the fact that grass roots efforts may be the best solution for real problems. By addressing needs in local communities, we make a difference right outside our back door. In this episode, Ingrid and Brenda talk about how they participate in their local community, the importance of engagement, and how you can learn to be hands-on in solving problems that are real and tangible. They leave you challenged with these questions:  Where can you be involved in your local community? What resources, talents or time do you have to offer? What opportunities to serve and connect can you find right outside your own back door? Are there opportunities to serve that may not be something you would normally choose? Look with open hands and an open mind. What is your sphere of influence? How can you be a light in this dark time? Join us for even more front porch conversations. Subscribe the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher! In the weeks ahead, Brenda and Ingrid talk about: Gifts found in a nurtured and well-tended friendship. Stories of women who have impacted their lives Spiritual practices that have enriched their faith, drawing them into a deeper walk with God. They’ll compare notes on family, education and anything else that comes to mind, sharing what they’ve learned with you! Pull up a chair and enjoy these front-porch conversations! Our Sponsor You can find Ingrid's resources at www.ingridlochamire.com and on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IngridLochamireWriter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IngridLochamire Twitter: https://twitter.com/IngridLochamire

We have exciting news! The Life Beyond the Picket Fence podcast is starting a new series titled "On the Front Porch" for season three. Brenda is excited to bring Ingrid Lochamire on the podcast with her where they''ll share insights, wisdom, and authentic conversation. You last heard them together on the Valuing Motherhood series at the end of season two. Between the two of them, they have over 100 years of lifetime wisdom of life, faith, and family, beyond the storybook image. Join us! The First Episode As we embrace summer, we find ourselves in the middle of what Brenda calls “The Great Pause.” Covid-19 has altered our lives, perhaps not just in the present, but also for the future. In this episode, Brenda and Ingrid share how front porch sitting might be one of the greatest take-aways from this life on pause! Brenda and Ingrid have been friends for a decade. Many of their best conversations have taken place on one of their front porches. In the first episode, they'll talk about what makes front porch conversations so meaningful, inviting you to listen! You'll also learn The significant of a front porch How they met What they have in common as friends What they’ve been doing while staying at home. This episode is the first in a summer-long series. Join us for even more front porch conversations! Subscribe the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher! What's coming up In the weeks ahead, Brenda and Ingrid talk about: Gifts found in a nurtured and well-tended friendship. Stories of women who have impacted their lives Ways to serve others right in our local communities. Spiritual practices that have enriched their faith, drawing them into a deeper walk with God. They’ll compare notes on family, education and anything else that comes to mind, sharing what they've learned with you! Pull up a chair and enjoy these front-porch conversations! Join Ingrid, and subscribe to her blog at: www.ingridlochamire.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IngridLochamireWriter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IngridLochamire Twitter: https://twitter.com/IngridLochamire   Sponsor Info: Today, we want to share two resources from our own Brenda Yoder for parents in the trenches of raising kids. Her first book, Balance, Busyness, and Not Doing It All is a practical guide to organizing and prioritizing the most important things in life while in the busiest time of life. Brenda's most recent book, Fledge: Launching Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind, is a helpful resource for parents in all stages, particularly those with teens or young adults. Fledge is available online and in most Christian bookstores.

In this episode and the last, Brenda shares Part Two of her interview with Ingrid Lochamire, a woman whose journey has powerful lessons from which to learn.  Today's episode is powerful for parents helping their kids through crisis. You won't want to miss it!

For the next two episodes, Brenda interviews Ingrid Lochamire, a woman whose journey has powerful lessons of hope and wisdom in adverse circumstances! 

The world says you can be good enough as a mom. But God sees motherhood much differently. This podcast will transform your view of your daily routine.

Do you struggle seeing your value as a mom? In this 6 part series, Brenda Yoder shares how we can see the role the way God does, valuing motherhood.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and we get to talk about love! Not the fairy tale kind where all your dreams come true, but the kind that takes hard work, intentionality, and selflessness. If you are single or dating, please don't let the title of the message deter you. Brenda is going to share five principles of loving others that you can implement into any relationship. There is a lot out there about relationships, but we're going to take a look at what the Bible has to say. "A new command I give you: Love one another." John 13:34 This beautifully simple command is easier said than lived out, right?! How do two sinful, selfish people pursue love when life gets busy, stressful, and you are barely keeping your head above water with the kids, schedules, work, etc. You may have read books, attended retreats, and equipped yourself for a "loving" marriage, only to find you and your spouse arguing and discontent. Theoretically you should have the perfect marriage, but it really comes down to simply loving your spouse and here's how: Be FOR your spouse - Be on the same team as your spouse/Be "TEAM YOUR FAMILY" Grow your relationship with Jesus Christ Establish Healthy Boundaries Give Grace rather than Criticizing If you are in a abusive relationship or if there are serious issues within your relationship, please seek help from a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor. These five principles are to help you become a healthier person for a healthier marriage/relationship. For deeper growth on this topic, check out Brenda's book Balance, Busyness, and Not Doing It All;  the marriage ministry of Mark and Jill Savage; Wives, Stop Parenting Your Husband on FortheFamily.org; Townsend and Cloud's book Boundaries and Boundaries in Marriage or their other resources online at Boundaries.me If you are encouraged by this podcast, please leave a review! Or email Brenda at Brenda@brendayoder.com! We love to hear from you!!

In the last episode, Brenda talked about what she has gleaned from her travels to India and other parts of the world. She shared that experiencing other cultures and meeting different people teaches us that though we are different, we all crave to be loved and accepted. The Menno Clinic in India, where Brenda is visiting currently, seeks to showcase this love and acceptance no matter a person's status, background, or beliefs. They are being like Jesus. Aren't we as Christians called to do that in our everyday lives? In our communities? In our families? These days, it's easier to be divided than to cross that divide. We stay with those who believe what we do, act the way we do, or like what we like. We tend to avoid those who are younger or older, those who don't have our knowledge or education, or those who vote opposite of us. Racial, gender, political, and many other "differences" can become barriers between us. Even in Christian culture, these barriers can go up if we're not careful. Jesus did not see barriers when he ministered to tax collectors, prostitutes, and thieves. He treated every person with value and respect, whether they reciprocated that or not. Begin the "barrier breaking" process by listening to others with the intent to know them, not to defend yourself or prove your point. Recognize that you can learn from other people and their experiences. Yes, even children can teach us. Practice eye to eye contact and give genuine smiles. Become a refreshing and hospitable person for others. You may find it surprisingly challenging to do these things with some people, but remember that it can take time. Just continue to listen, learn, and value the people around you and you will see God work!    

Breaking down barriers. That is what is happening in Chiluvuru, India inside and outside the walls of the Menno Clinic. There, they provide medical, vision, and dental care to the surrounding community with a very specific goal in mind: to meet people of all faiths and all castes with the love of Jesus. Brenda serves on the Board of Directors for the Menno Clinic India, and is currently in India visiting their facility. Her experiences there have led her to glean some very important life lessons that she wants to share in this episode of the Life Beyond the Picket Fence podcast. When exposed to other cultures and/or people who believe differently or look different than we do, we begin to humbly understand a few things. We learn that we are all just people, created in the image of God, who crave to be seen, known, and accepted. The barriers that keep people apart vary from social, economical, racial, religious, and beliefs. As Christians, we are called to be a barrier breakers. To engage with a hurting and hostile world in a real and tangible way regardless of their beliefs or background. Are we doing that?!  Be challenged, in this episode, to be a barrier breaker despite any fear, comfort loss, or hesitancy you may encounter.        

Welcome, friends, to a brand new year! To some, a new year means setting resolutions to better oneself in hopes of attaining some form of perfection. Even in the Christian community, we have lists and ideas of what we could be doing better or more of in order to achieve the "storybook image". It doesn't take long to realize that the pursuit is futile, and yet many of us still insist everything is smooth sailing even though we're falling apart. That's how the title Life Beyond the Picket Fence came about. In this episode, Brenda talks about her own struggle to appear put together while at the same time facing some truly challenging life situations. We all do it, especially in the Christian culture and especially as women. When Brenda opened up about her struggles with Christian friends, she was met with judgement and blank stares. She ached for someone to just listen and be there. That's what we all crave, isn't it? A good friend who walks beside us during life's journey with love, grace, and transparency. That's why Brenda began blogging, writing, speaking, and podcasting in order to reach other women who craved this type of authentic community too. Life is messy and we need to know we are not alone or we're not the only ones messing up. We desire steadfast friendships we can lean on when life doesn't go as planned. We hope for mature, godly friends who can advise us or guide us through dark times. We crave a safe space to let our guard down. We hope this podcast can be that safe space for you. Whether we're talking about tough topics, practical tips, or biblical truths, we commit to doing so with love, grace, and transparency. Whatever it is you're going through, know you're not alone and you are loved.   Book Recommendations:  A Redesigned Life by Tracy Steel Suffering is Never for Nothing by Elizabeth Elliot    

Brenda talks about how the holidays can bring cheer for some while bringing holiday stress for others. Learn four tips to handle it.

Depression and anxiety often increase during the holidays. Kids need their parents to see their emotions and help them regulate when they feel overloaded.

Today's technology is a useful, but even adults need discernment about guarding our spiritual/emotional/physical well being.

Are you in the trenches of parenting irritable adolescents? Do you ever wonder "Who is this and where is my kid?" In this episode, Brenda speaks about the psychological and physiological changes happening during the adolescent years. This and a few other factors can help parents navigate their child through these surly tween and teen years. On top of raging hormones and body changes, children are also experiencing independence and autonomy. This can be excruciatingly difficult years to parent. In her book, Fledge: Launching Your Kids without Losing Your Mind, Brenda talks more about this natural and God given desire for independence. Social pressures from peers, media, and culture are also bombarding teens these days with thousands of mixed messages about how they should act and what to believe. All of these factors (biological, autonomy, social pressures, media messages) can be overwhelming for a tween/teen and cause them to behave differently than they normally would have. They may make stupid choices, speak disrespectfully, suddenly withdraw from family, throw temper tantrums, etc. Difficult as it may be, parents must try to empathize with their teen whose world is upside down at the moment. Brenda urges parents to take an assessment of their child, themselves, and the situation. Is there something triggering the behavior? Does it seem to occur once a month?Sometimes even, our child's disrespectful attitude triggers our own insecurities which adds to an already stressful situation. For parents in these tough teen years, Brenda offers some practical, healthy responses that will help parents build up a positive relationship with their child. Every child/parent/situation is different so please seek professional guidance if behavior/situation is significantly worsening. We'd love to hear from you! Please leave a review wherever you listen to the Life Beyond the Picket Fence podcast. Reviews help us reach more people with sound wisdom, biblical truths, and parenting advice! Thanks so much, we appreciate you listening!    

Grab your coffee and enjoy part 2 of the Tricia Goyer interview! Join Brenda as she interviews Tricia Goyer on her new book The Grumble Free Year (release date 11/05/19) in which Tricia and her husband sought out a solution to their grumbling household.  They and their children agree to living grumble free for an entire year. So not only were the children expected to harness their tantrums, attitude, or criticizing; so were the parents. Sounds fun, right?! In this episode, Tricia speaks to the importance of reevaluating expectations, practicing, and giving yourself (and your kids) grace and space. If we expect our homes to be thankful and gracious, we must first model that behavior. In addition to modeling an attitude of thankfulness, stay persistent even if it is just a little every day. Take heart, mamas! You are growing as well as your kids, every step in the right direction is a huge accomplishment. Keep going! Meet Tricia Goyer Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of ten, doting grandma, and wife to John. A USA Today bestselling author, Tricia has published seventy books and is a two-time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Finalist. She won the Retailer’' Best Award in 2015 and has received starred reviews from Romantic Times and Publishers Weekly. She is also on the blogging team at TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites. Tricia is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries and currently leads a teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, Arkansas. Find out more about Tricia and her various works on her website. You can also order her new book The Grumble Free Year by clicking here.  

We are back for Season 2 of the Life Beyond the Picket Fence podcast! We pray this podcast encourages, but also challenges you to grow in your faith, life, and family. Growing is synonymous with struggle and we as humans don't really lean towards that word or enjoy that process. There's no better way to kick off this new season of growth than an interview about grumbling. Join Brenda as she interviews Tricia Goyer on her new book The Grumble Free Year (release date 11/05/19) in which Tricia and her husband sought out a solution to their grumbling household.  With a few goals in mind, they and their children agreed to living grumble free for an entire year. So not only were the children expected to harness their tantrums, attitude, or criticizing; so were the parents. Sounds fun, right?! In this episode, Tricia shares how the Grumble Free Year didn't always go as planned and many times it felt like the kids weren't listening. But after a few months of turning the ship around, Tricia began to see the heart changes not only in her kids but also in herself. Brenda and Tricia discuss the importance of parents learning alongside their children and being vulnerable in front of them. Tricia found that using God's Word to shine a light on her own shortcomings and heart issues helped her kids apply the same technique to their own lives. Even if it's five minutes a day, she says, your kids are listening! Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss part 2 of this interview! Meet Tricia Goyer Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of ten, doting grandma, and wife to John. A USA Today bestselling author, Tricia has published seventy books and is a two-time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Finalist. She won the Retailer’' Best Award in 2015 and has received starred reviews from Romantic Times and Publishers Weekly. She is also on the blogging team at TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites. Tricia is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries and currently leads a teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, Arkansas. Find out more about Tricia and her various works on her website. You can also order her new book The Grumble Free Year by clicking here.

A new school year is almost here! How can you best equip your child, whether starting preschool or college, to be strong and courageous in this world of adversity? Whether you send your kids to public school, private school, or homeschool, it can be terrifying as a parent. And it doesn't matter how old your kid gets, it's still just as hard. The Bible describes it best when Jesus says to his disciples, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves." (Matthew 10:16).  Yup, that pretty much encompasses how every parent feels sending their child out into the world. So what are you to do? In this episode, Brenda gives three helps for parents who are not only sending their child off to school, but eventually out into the world. This episode (and podcast) will hopefully bring encouragement to parents and kids alike to live courageously in the love of Christ Jesus. Listen till the end, Brenda has a couple special announcements! If you have enjoyed listening to the Life Beyond the Picket Fence podcast, please leave a review or send us an email! Thanks for listening!! Joshua 1:5-9, 1 Cor 10:23   

Do you ever wonder, "How do you really do this Christian thing? What does it really look like to walk out your faith?" If you have, then we are so glad you're here! These types of questions have come from new Christians as well as seasoned Christians and are good to ask. However, sometimes the answers we receive can be confusing, burdening us with such a big to do list that we are quickly overwhelmed. The Word of God speaks clearly against these types of religious activities for activity sake. Growth as a Christian is not easy, but the strategies are simple. Start with a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:9, John 3:16 Brenda shares how Jesus' death and resurrection was necessary for us to be reconciled to God. Cultivate Your Relationship with Jesus. Brenda gives practical disciplines that will help you understand God and how to communicate with Him. Hebrews 4:12 James 1:17 Why Pray by John DeVries Live Your Worship Everyday. Romans 12:1-2 Our Love and Worship for God should be lived out in our thoughts, actions, and heart. Our Love and Worship should be truth based instead of emotion based. We are incapable of living the life Jesus has called us to live, but thankfully he promises we don't have to do it on our own. As we learn more about his character, his promises,  and his sacrificial and everlasting love for us, our lives will be radically changed. Please comment or email us if you have any questions about this podcast or want to talk further about growing in your faith. 1 John 1:9, John 3:16, Galatians 5:22-23, Hebrews 4:12, James 1:17, Romans 12:1-2

Do you struggle to balance being the good wife when it feels like you have nothing left for your husband after caring for kids and others all day long? It's a common feeling for women with kids. In this episode, Brenda tackles these marriage issues with three powerful principles.

What is biblical mindfulness? In this episode, learn how to fill your mind with the truth of God's Word and the fruit of the Holy Spirit rather than emptying your mind through other disciplines.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed or ill-equipped in raising kids in today's culture? There is no question that today's culture is hostile, broken, and fragile. And the thought of sending your kids, whether they are 2, 12, or 22 years old can be enough to pull you into a sea of anxiety and nail-biting fear. In Psalm 127:1 we begin to understand that as parents, we are the builders and watchers and we must do it alongside the LORD or else it is in vain. Our role as parents is uniquely designed to guard, train, and build up our children's hearts and minds through the perspective of Jesus. It is hard and exhausting, but it is our calling and duty in raising our kids. In today's broadcast, Brenda shares ten tips on how to do just this for both seasoned and brand new parents. In every season of parenting, we need help persevering  and reminders to extend grace to both ourselves and our kids. Share your thoughts about today's episode, we'd love to hear from you!  

No matter what season of raising kids you are in, chances are you are exhausted. The struggle is real. As moms, we are uniquely attached to our children's emotional and physical well being in which we are consistently aware of throughout the parenting journey. It is a lot to feed, clothe, teach, discipline, and nurture a child, especially if you have several children at various stages with various needs. It's just really...exhausting. In today's episode, Brenda talks through six different reasons why parents are facing exhaustion when raising kids and how we can take encouragement from it. You're Responsible Time/It is not yours anymore Community/Lack of Comparison/Barely Making it There's a lot at stake Christian Culture that helps and/or hinders We'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic! Please leave a comment or email! 1 Samuel 16:7  

The end of the school year and start of summer means life is going to get crazy...CRAZIER!! Do you ever wonder how you're going to make it?? Parenting is a really hard job. Juggling multiple schedules, emotions, and everything else pull at you from all sides and leave you utterly exhausted. If this is you, listen to today's broadcast, and soak in the encouragement and wisdom that you are okay and not alone.

"Some of the most healing words a mother or daughter can say to one another are, 'I am sorry. It was my fault. I was wrong. Will you forgive me."  Daniels and McIntosh, Mended We are excited to interview Blythe Daniels and Helen McIntosh on their new book "Mended: Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters." In this interview, Brenda, Blythe and Helen talk about: The importance of asking forgiveness, How moms and daughters are created specifically for one another, Asking permission for giving advice (yes!), And much more! You can find out more about Mended at their website. Get a copy today! Meet the Authors: Blythe Daniel is a literary agent and marketer with 20 plus years' experience in publishing. She is a speaker at writer's conferences and is interviewed for podcasts and webinars. She has written for Christian Retailing, CCM Magazine, and Focus on the Family publications, and directed marketing for Thomas Nelson Publishers. Her passion is helping authors share their unique stories. The daughter of Dr. Helen McIntosh, she lives in Colorado with her husband and three children. Connect with Blythe on Facebook and Twitter.   Dr. Helen McIntosh (EdD, Counseling Psychology) is a counselor, speaker, educator, and has authored books on self-image and conflict resolution: Messages To Myself and Eric, Jose & The Peace Rug®. Her work has appeared in several national outlets including Guideposts, ParentLife, and HomeLife magazines. She resides in Dalton, Georgia with her husband Jim. They have two children, including Blythe McIntosh Daniel, and are grandparents five times over. Connect with Helen on Facebook and Twitter.  

Mom, do you struggle with emotional regulation? Listen to learn how important your emotional regulation is for helping your kids with their meltdowns.

We are inundated with messages each day that we are not enough. Do you struggle with this? If you grew up hearing about the Proverbs 31 Woman, you don't need to hear much more. She is on top of her game and puts us all to shame. As we measure ourselves up against our friends, what we see in social media and the entertainment industry, even strangers at the store, we feel that we can never measure up. No matter how hard we try, our efforts to be everything for everybody fail. But what if we said enough is enough!? In this episode, Brenda unpacks the truths in Proverbs 31 that will breathe new life into your anxiety wrecked soul and breaks down the lies that we believe that we are not enough. Are you ready? Proverbs 31    

"We need to know how to navigate the harsh realities we may encounter with our kids. And we need to change our expectations and dispel the myth of the picture-perfect family." -Brenda Yoder, Fledge: Launching Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind  It is so easy to think that if you do this parenting thing right, your kids will turn out the way you hoped and dreamed. Have you dealt with disappointment in your parenting? Most of us have in one way or another. In this episode, Brenda works through a few principles from her book, Fledge, with the hope that it will help parents struggling with disappointment and how to develop healthy expectations of yourself as well as your family. Your child is separate from you, and their choices are their own. Your child's decisions don't define them or you. Your relationship with your child is more important than their decisions or lifestyle. Your child will mess up because they're not perfect, and neither are you. Love your family for who they are, not for their performance or how people perceive them. God is the hope for all families. Joel 2:25 Join the parenting community today!

Are you a caregiver or have one in your life? In this episode, we're interviewing author Sarah Forgrave about her new book for caregivers.

Life as a mom is full of unexpected detours, bumps, and roadblocks. Juggling family and the day to day can be taxing and leave you feeling frustrated and irritable. We've all been there in one season or another. Overwhelmed by expectations set by ourselves and others. Losing control and lashing out at our family. Dropping into bed feeling like a failure heap. All of this can leave a person believing there is no hope for them and that they are powerless against it. Good news, mamas, there is hope! Just take it one day at a time and listen as Brenda shares how you can begin your journey towards peace, balance, and joy. That journey may require that you seek out a trusted friend or professional help. Please know that there is no shame in that. Life, even  its struggles, is meant to be shared and carried by each other, not all by ourselves. Book Recommendations: Boundaries by J. Townsend and H. Cloud, Boundaries for kids/J. Townsend and H. Cloud, Parenting beyond the rules/C. Albers 1 John 1:9, Lamentations 3:22-23  

Are you a mom struggling with irritation? Do you feel stressed out and at the breaking point while trying to do it all? Whether you're a new mom or a seasoned mom, we have all fallen into the trap of trying to be superwoman to everyone around us. We want to be that put together mother who has time to clean, bake, volunteer, be with friends, and enjoy life with well behaved, happy children and a romantic, helpful husband. But let's all be honest, life as a mom is hard. It's exhausting. And it can be irritating. Sometimes, really REALLY irritating. In this episode, Brenda shares how she realized she was an angry mom and how she discovered the grace she needed to become healthy again. Subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss Part Two of Help for Grumpy, Irritated Moms coming next Wednesday!

Is loneliness a real struggle for you? You're not alone. How can so many of us feel disconnected and lonely when we live in a world that's always connected? Social media has totally changed the way we interact and connect with each other. But then why is loneliness a growing epidemic and something that is hard to talk about? In this episode, Brenda tackles this difficult topic and shares six ways to combat loneliness in your life and/or in the lives of others.      

Even as Christians, we can be consumed with the search for our identity, our worth, and a quick fix to our insecurities. Today, we are surrounded by a wealth of information promising to help us find ourselves, our destinies, and our value. We all struggle to answer these questions and sometimes spend years searching. Am I good enough? Who am I really? Am I valued? Am I loved? What am I supposed to be doing with my gifts? In this episode, Brenda will share from her personal journey as well as what the Bible has to say on the topic. May it bring peace to your anxious heart, friend. Isaiah 43:4,7    

Brenda discusses the powerful principle of relationship parenting from her book Fledge: Launching Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind. 

Emotions are healthy when expressed in a healthy manner, but they can also reek havoc, too. Let's talk about the importance of emotional health.