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“Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 AMP   *Transcription Below*   Questions and Topics We Discuss: How did God meet you in your experience of army life to reveal your choice of hope vs. fear? What have you learned about community, both before and after your experience of launching your husband into space? For all of us, how can we rediscover our fun side when we've been trapped in survival mode for too long?   Stacey Morgan is always ready with a funny or thoughtful story from her own life; whether it be holding down the home front during military deployments, working for the Smithsonian, skydiving, or blasting  her husband into outer space. Stacey is on staff with MOPS International, a nonprofit focused on the unique needs of mothers around the world. She and her husband, Army colonel and NASA astronaut Drew Morgan, have four children.   Connect with Stacey on Instagram or through her website.   Other Savvy Sauce Episodes Related to Friendship: Friendship with Drew Hunter Reflecting Jesus in Our Relationships with Rach Kincaid Nurturing Friendships with Jackie Coleman Art of Friendship with Kim Wier   Thank You to Our Sponsors: Chick-fil-A East Peoria and The Savvy Sauce Charities (and donate online here)   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook, Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”   Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”   Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”   Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”   John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:09 - 2:54) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here. I want to say a huge thank you to today's sponsors for this episode, Chick-fil-A East Peoria and Savvy Sauce Charities.   Are you interested in a free college education for you or someone you know? Stay tuned for details coming later in this episode from today's sponsor, Chick-fil-A East Peoria. You can also visit their website today at https://www.chick-fil-a.com/locations/il/east-peoria.   I'm so excited to share a special Patreon re-release episode. And if you've been with The Savvy Sauce for a while, you know that we used to make some money by having people sign up for Patreon and as a reward, they would get access to special episodes. Now we have done away with that as we've transitioned to becoming a nonprofit, and we want to make all of these episodes available to you, so we re-release a few every year.   What I'd love to ask is, as we're approaching the end of year because we've taken out that revenue stream, would you consider financially supporting Savvy Sauce Charities?   There are two simple ways. First, if you want to mail us a check, that saves us all of the processing fees, and you can make that out to Savvy Sauce Charities and mail it to P.O. Box 101, Roanoke, Illinois 61561. Also, if you want to go online, visit thesavvysauce.com and you can type in different words to the search button. You could type in “donate” or “support” and it should take you to the place where there's a button to click and put in your credit card information and give that way. We would be so grateful for any amount, and we love our partnership with you.   Here's our chat.   Stacey Morgan is my guest today, and you may have heard her name in the news over the past few years. She has documented her story in her debut book, The Astronaut's Wife: How Launching My Husband into Outer Space Changed the Way I Live on Earth. And now she's going to share more about that season and all the lessons God taught her about making the most of her one incredible life, and she's going to inspire each of us to do the same.   Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Stacey.   Stacey Morgan: (2:55 - 2:58) I am so excited to be here. Thank you for having me.   Laura Dugger: (2:58 - 3:07) Well, it is truly my pleasure. And will you just start by giving us a little bit more context for our time together and just share a few things about yourself?   Stacey Morgan: (3:08 - 4:49) Sure. Well, hi, my name is Stacey. I currently live in Texas.   I have four kids. I'm married to a guy named Drew who has kind of an unusual job. I grew up in a small town just outside of Boston and was kind of a scholar-athlete growing up interested in a lot of different things but always involved in church and youth group. And that really served me well when I went off to college.   The first college I went to, West Point. And actually, I'll tell you in a minute, but that is where I eventually met my now husband, Drew.   We got married after I graduated from undergrad. He's a little bit older than me and he is an Army officer. And so, we have moved all over the country. We've lived on both coasts and had a number of kinds of unusual situations just, you know, kind of typical for a military family living all over the place.   I've had a lot of crazy jobs. I think mainly I have an unusual story because I'm really quick to say yes to things, which sometimes, you know, it's a double-edged sword. Sometimes you say yes and you realize, “I should have thought through that a little bit more.” But really it's been quite an adventure because we have had the opportunity to live in a lot of different places, experience a lot of different things.   And we ended up here in 2013. We can kind of get into that if you want, but we ended up down here in Texas with my husband, who is still an Army officer, but he became a NASA astronaut. And so, that totally changed the direction of our lives and kind of changing all the plans we had for what we were supposed to be doing in the military and ending up down here at Johnson Space Center. Then, him eventually launching into outer space.   Laura Dugger: (4:49 - 5:01) Wow, there are so many points to unpack, but let's back it up to what you had mentioned about West Point. So, will you just elaborate and tell us more about how you and Drew met and fell in love?   Stacey Morgan: (5:01 - 7:21) Sure. So, we were both cadets at West Point when we met. He was a little bit older than me, but we met through Officers' Christian Fellowship, which is a Christian club that is very popular on military bases, both at the academies but in big Army and other services as well when you get out.   It's a, you know, it's like small groups, typical for what most people would find comfortable in kind of church community. And so, we met there and we just kind of clicked, you know.   I would say it's funny looking back, we were not the type of people I think we would have thought we would marry. He was far more serious than I am. I'm a little bit more, I'm the one to more kind of like walk the fine line, but we work together really well.   We've always been a great team. That's always been a real theme in our marriage, you know, that we are a team. And, you know, when he proposed after I graduated from undergrad, he kind of said, “I promise you a life of adventure,” which at the time sounded wonderful and adorable.   Of course, it has come back to haunt me several times when he has been, you know, come up with some crazy plan and when I hesitate he's like, “I promised you adventure.” And I'm like, “Now that's unfair. I did not know when you said adventure back in 2000 that you meant all these crazy things like going to space or all these different deployments and all this kind of stuff like that.”   So, we now have four kids. We've been married this summer will be 22 years. And, you know, it hasn't been without its challenges like any marriage and certainly any marriage under stress because of stressful situations, whether that's military deployments, whether that's space travel or just kind of life and parenting. And as you kind of grow up together and get to know each other and the world changes around you, we've certainly had ups and downs, but we are a team.   And I think God has really honored that and it's been really helpful for us when we've had those sticky seasons where you just feel like, “Man, we are just not connecting or kind of jiving the way we would want,” to actually say to each other that we are on the same team and that has been really helpful.   Laura Dugger: (7:22 - 7:40) The part of your story that involves space travel is one that most of us will never be able to relate to experientially, but it's still extraordinary. So, can you walk us through the detailed events leading up to 9:28 p.m. on July 20th, 2019?   Stacey Morgan: (7:42 - 15:28) Sure. So, I should back it up one big step behind that just to give everybody a little context. So, in 2012, we were kind of living our lives. We had always been deep into the Army Special Operations community. We love that. In order to live and kind of thrive in that environment you have to be all in, and we were all in.   And one day my husband came home and he was uncharacteristically giddy and he said, “You're not gonna believe this huge news. NASA is opening up the application window for a new class of astronauts.”   And I thought, “Why are you telling me this? This has no bearing whatsoever on our lives. We are on this path and that is a completely different path.”   And he said, “Well, I want to apply.”   And I thought to myself, “Well, I wanted to be a ballerina at one point in life, but that ship sailed. Like who doesn't say they always wanted to be an astronaut? Like this seems like a childhood fantasy.”   But he said, “No, I just want to apply. Like don't worry, all of our plans are gonna stay the same. They've never selected an Army physician before. I just, you know, I want to...” You know, the joke was that you'll always be a NASA applicant, right? And that'll be great. We'll laugh about it at family Christmases and stuff.   Except he kept making it through every gate. And so, in 2013 we got the call that completely took our life off of one set of train tracks and put it on another. At that time, we were currently stationed just outside of Washington DC at Fort Belvoir. We were supposed to be literally the next week moving to Germany. And that's how close these changes kind of came up on themselves. And so, we had to unravel everything for Germany and move to Houston, Texas, because that's where Johnson Space Center is.   And so, he began his training in 2013. I started my journey in learning a whole new culture, a whole new way of doing life. I'd never lived in a place that was at least not near a military base or within a military community. Didn't quite recognize at the time how much that shared sense of community had made things easier in terms of connecting with people before that and when I didn't have it.   So, it was probably our rockiest transition for me personally that I'd ever had in terms of friendships and getting connected. That's a big part of my story because I think friendship struggles are so common for adult women. It's just something that nobody really teaches us how to do and so a lot of women are very lonely.   But fast forward, he trained for several years until it was eventually his turn to fly. And in 2019, the only way to get to the International Space Station was to fly on a Russian Soyuz rocket. So, some people are very confused because they think, “Well, every space movie I've ever watched is taking place in Florida, right? Whether that's Apollo 13 or Armageddon or whatever. Why didn't he launch from Florida?”   Well, between 2011 and 2020, the Space Shuttle program had ended. SpaceX Crew Dragon had not yet started launching from Florida again. So, for about a 10-year period, the only way to get to and from the International Space Station was to ride a Russian rocket.   So, that's what NASA did. They went into partnership with the Russians, which of course makes things very interesting given today's kind of current political climate and all the world events. But that meant when it was Drew's turn to launch, we as a family had to travel to Kazakhstan, which is a country that I could not spell before 2019.   And so, if you don't know where that is, don't feel bad. I didn't either. I had to look it up. It's a former Soviet Republic really kind of in between Russia and Afghanistan. So, it is in the middle of nowhere. And when the Soviets were building their space program in the 1950s and 60s, they built their secret space city there in Kazakhstan. That's where they started their space program and they have kind of kept it unchanged and they continue to launch their rockets from there today.   It was a whole kind of world travel and cultural experience to take my four kids to Kazakhstan, which is a completely different cultural experience for really what came down to a very stressful, very emotional moment really waiting for that launch. So, unlike Florida, which you know when you watch on television, it's colorful, there's a lot of people, a lot of spectators, big people remember from the shuttle days big countdown clock, a loudspeaker kind of telling everybody what's going on... that's not how it is in Kazakhstan.   So, about 30 minutes before the launch, the kids and I were brought to this viewing area. And by viewing area I would say big field. It's not... there was kind of some grandstands area far at the other end of the field, but that's where all the space tourists stand and the press and all that kind of stuff and we didn't want to be near them. So, our escort brought us down to the end, the other end of the field, and it's just dark and it's quiet and there's no announcements. There's no countdown clock. It's just looking at your watch or your phone there just kind of in the dark and you just know that that Russian ground crew is going to launch that rocket at exactly 9:28 p.m. Not a minute earlier, not a minute later.   And so, standing there in the dark holding my kids' hands, and we can see the rocket in the distance only about a mile away, which by rocket launch standards is very close. Knowing that in a minute or 30 seconds or 10 seconds as it gets closer, it's either going to be one of the best days of your life, super exciting, super proud moment, or it's going to be the worst day of your life, and you could become a widow.   And as much as it's easy to kind of get complacent because incidents are so rare, but we all can remember any number of space disasters that have happened. Columbia, Challenger, those are very real. And with my time down here at Johnson Space Center, you come to learn those names and you meet those families and you meet those widows and widowers and you realize that space travel is dangerous. You know, at the end of the day my husband was in a little tiny capsule on top of a rocket full of highly explosive fuel. So, it's very scary.   And in that moment standing there thinking, “In 10 seconds my life is going to change no matter what happens.” Even if this goes perfectly, what happens next? I don't really know. It's kind of like having a baby. You can read all about it and assume things will be the way they're going to be, but until you're in it and then it happens, you don't really know how it's gonna go.   And so, it was a really overwhelmingly emotional moment because you think this could go sideways. And also, by the way, the world is watching live with me. So, if something goes wrong, I'm not able to process this privately. I will be experiencing it in real time with the rest of the world.   But even if it goes perfectly, what happens next? Like what does it look like to live on earth with a spouse in space and single parent for nine plus months while their other parent is in space? And you really don't know and it's scary to think like, “Gosh, what if something happens?” You know, he can't like come home early. Can't just like a business trip jump on a plane or a train and get home early. There's no coming back early. So, whatever happens, I'm on my own for better or worse. I'm on my own and I hope I have the endurance and the support system and everything I'm gonna need in order to be successful in this nine months.   Laura Dugger: (15:28 - 15:47) And my heart is pounding a little bit faster just as I hear you describe this. And I'd love to get back to your story, but first just to pause and wonder with that mixture of this adventure right in front of you and then your experience of army life, how did God meet you in all of that to reveal your choice of you're able to choose hope or fear?   Stacey Morgan: (15:47 - 22:32) Right. So, you know, when you take the time to step back and think, sometimes you don't see these patterns in your life until you kind of start putting them down on paper. And it was interesting for me to see how God had prepared me for that moment with other moments, especially related to military deployments in the past. Because certainly experiencing a rocket launch and all that fear and kind of this moment of where is my hope found in this moment, that was a varsity level moment.   But I'm so thankful that about ten years earlier God really started to prepare me for that moment with some other big moments. Like when my husband deployed for the first time.   I'll never forget, it was the height of the War on Terror. So, we were living in a military community which was amazing and a lot of my friends' husbands were also serving in the same military units or similar military units and they were deploying. The tempo was high so that meant, you know, six months deployed or longer, coming home for short amounts of time and then deploying again. Lots of action specifically in Afghanistan and Iraq at the time.   And so, lots of fatalities, lots of injuries, lots of grief, and for spouses a lot of fear because we knew what they were doing was very dangerous. And so, for me and my friends we kind of had this unspoken rule which I think a lot of people can understand which was, “Let's just not talk about this scariest thing because somehow talking about it makes it seem more possible.”   And as crazy as that is to say, people get that. You know, there's a lot of things we don't talk about because it's just too scary to think about. And so, for us the scariest thing in our life at that time was the fear that our husbands would not come home, that they would be killed in action. And that felt very real because we were going to memorial services, we were visiting people in the hospital, we were turning on the news and seeing what was going on in the world. And there was often communication blackouts because we knew that they were doing things that were very dangerous, very secretive.   And so, at the time I happily did what everybody else was doing which was, “Let's just not talk about it. Let's just kind of live life managing.” We felt like we were managing this fear, I think that's what I would have said at the time.   But then one day my friend Lisa, who's an amazing friend and she's always like two steps ahead of me on the wisdom scale, we were having coffee on her front porch and she turned to me and she said, “I've been thinking a lot about what life would be like if our husbands were killed.”   And this was like a bomb drop. I mean because we just were not supposed to be talking about this. Like here the rest of us had been avoiding all morbid thoughts about what could possibly happen with our husband and instead she had like turned and looked it straight in the eye.   And I was shocked. And so, I kind of sat up straighter and I said, “What do you mean?”   And she said, “Well, I've been thinking about it and it's not that, you know, life would certainly be hard and doesn't mean we wouldn't need counseling or our kids wouldn't need support, but life would still go on even if that happened. Life would still go on. Life would still be full of good things and God would provide and bring people around us to support us and I've just been thinking about that.”   And I was stunned. I was absolutely stunned because while the rest of us were too afraid to face that fear, in looking at it she kind of exposed it for what it was, which was certainly real and an absolute possibility that that could happen. But when she started walking down the path of like, “Okay, if this happened then what would happen?” You have to decide, “Do I believe God would really be with me or not? Do I believe His promises are true that He will be with me on good days and bad days and that He will draw people to me who will love me and support me? And have I plugged myself into friends and a faith community that would be there for me if that happened?”   And it was a game changer. That was probably one of, at the time, the biggest life-changing conversations I'd ever had as an adult because it really did shift how I viewed feeling afraid about things like that. And so, I had several opportunities... Drew deployed several times and then certainly doesn't take combat deployments to feel afraid like that. I know I have felt it before when my daughter was in the NICU, you know, and I had to leave her in the NICU and go home at night. I know I have felt it during this pandemic several times. I know I'm gonna feel it when I drop my oldest off at college this summer. You know, this moment where it just life feels very scary mainly because of the unknowns that come next and the fact that you have no control over those.   And so, that rocket launch moment was, you know, I felt like God was really prompting me in that moment to say, “Hey, if this rocket explodes like what will you do with that? Do you still trust me that I'm here with you and that I will still bring people to you and love you? Like is your support, is your foundation and your hope truly found in me or is it found in this rocket launch going successfully? Because it might not, and then what does that mean for you?”   And so, it really was this choice of am I gonna choose to live a life of fear, which is our default because if you do not choose something else we will always live a life dictated by fear of something. It's exhausting to live like that because once you conquer one fear another one's gonna pop up. Then they come in bunches and they just start layering on top of each other. Honestly it can lead to despair because there's plenty of things in the world to be afraid of and new ones just pop up every day.   So instead, I felt like God was offering me a new way of living and it really felt tangible in that moment of that rocket launch which is, “Hey, I hope that you will choose to find your hope in me. Just me. The one unchanging thing in this world that will be unchanging regardless of what happens with this rocket launch in 10 seconds. But if it goes well or if it goes poorly I am unchanging. You can rely on me. I will be with you in the best and the worst of times. And even if the rocket launch goes successfully and whatever happens in the next nine months, I'm with you there as well. So, you don't need to be afraid because I'm here with you. You can have hope that I will enable you to do what must be done no matter what happens tomorrow.”   Laura Dugger: (22:32 - 22:49) I'm so grateful that you chose hope and you chose faith. And then after all of that excitement and that adrenaline experienced on launch day, what did your life look like in the months to follow?   Stacey Morgan: (22:49 - 26:47) Yeah, it wasn't easy. You know I joke that those nine months really were like it was like a master class in all these little lessons I've learned throughout the years, but I'd never had to put them into practice at this level and all at the same time.   So, things like being honest about that I needed help. That, you know, there are times in the past where I have certainly wanted people to know or think that I had it all together and that I could do it all by myself especially, you know, I think every mom feels that way.   Certainly, military spouses, we take a lot of pride and feel like I'm doing this on my own.   And I realize now that I had certain seasons I have made life a lot harder for myself because I somehow thought that there was like an extra trophy if I finish the race by myself. I said that it was like, spoiler, there's no trophy. And also, I was just making it harder for myself.   And so, this season I could not fake it. Like past seasons I could fake it. This one I could not fake it. I had two teenagers, two tweens, a lot of hormones and then prepubescent and puberty things flying around. Just a lot of scheduling, a lot of driving, like just life. And then just the stress of living with someone who, you know, a spouse who was living in space and the stress of what does that do to your marriage, to parenting and, you know, parent-child relationships. Just every single piece of running a house, of parenting all the things, was solely on my shoulders and that's a big weight. And it was tough. It was tough.   So, I could not fake it. I had to ask for help. I had to be willing to ask for it and receive it, which are two different skill sets I found. It's sometimes you get good at one and not the other. I had to get really willing to be vulnerable as my friends and say things like, “I'm really lonely.” Can you know, it's like being honest. Like everything's not just, “Oh, this is so exciting. Oh, isn't it so great? Aren't we just so proud of them?” Yes, but at the same time sometimes I'm lonely. Sometimes I'm struggling.   Sometimes in my stress I would overly focus on trying to control my home life or what was happening within my own house and become not as pleasant of a person to live with because I was just trying to kind of regain some control in what felt like a little bit of a chaotic world and then you become not your best self and you know that. And so, I had to learn how to kind of get out of that survival mode and still have fun even when life is hard. And really just kind of accept that life isn't one thing or the other. You can be in a hard season and it still have good things in it. Life can be full of opportunities and challenges and one does not negate the other. And when you try to live your life by one narrative or the other, not only are you faking it but you make life harder than it needs to be and you kind of block other people out of it.   So, there was a lot of learning going on in there but we really all came down to that first decision of how am I gonna live my life in this season? Am I gonna live it fearfully, reactionary, hair trigger, you know, just stress all the time because I'm afraid of what comes next. I'm not sure if I'm gonna be able to handle it? Or am I gonna live a life of hope, which is of course like not wishes and dreams but it is anticipation that God will be with me no matter what comes down the pipeline. And sometimes that's divine comfort that is hard to explain but you just feel it. Sometimes it's people he draws to your life who literally will sit on the couch with you and just like hold your hand or give you a hug that moment you need it. Sometimes it's someone offering to carpool or take your kid out driving because they're trying to get their driver's license, you know?   But that's really the biggest thing for me. I talked about it in chapter one of the book because that's the foundation that really all those other lessons were built on.   Laura Dugger: (26:47 - 27:26) And I think also with your book, it was helpful to hear little insights into what it looked like for your marriage. And it was even interesting when you said it's really important for astronauts to have forms of entertainment and that you were so committed to being involved in Drew's life and that you two still found ways to stay connected. I just think that has to be encouraging to any married couples listening right now because you clearly had a big barrier to overcome. But what were some of those ways that the two of you tried as best as you could in that season to stay intimately connected to one another's lives?   Stacey Morgan: (27:26 - 31:19) Yeah, it's not easy. And I think there's kind of this fallacy that is kind of dangerous for especially young married I think to believe which is like in every season of your life you're gonna feel amazingly connected to your spouse and you're gonna constantly be growing in your relationship. And sometimes that's not true. Like sometimes one person has a job that takes them away from home or someone is sick or there are other issues going on in your life where the connection is just not as strong not because you don't want it to be but because the circumstances you find yourself in don't allow for that.   And certainly, while my husband was in space that was a lot of challenges to feeling connected. I mean there's good communication but there's a difference between like quality and quantity, right? So, he could call me on the phone every day but because of the time differences and his schedule the only time he could call me was between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. my time, which as any person knows and with any kids, is like the worst time of the day. Like everything's happening, the wheels are coming off, homework, pickups, dinner prep, like all that kind of stuff was crazy.   So, needless to say, I was not able to sit down and have like a heartfelt drawn-out conversation. And then kids hate talking on the phone so he wasn't really talking to them during the day. I'm like, you know, my eight-year-old isn't gonna send him an email. So, you know, there wasn't like a lot of quality or quantity conversation with the kids which of course puts a little stress on your marriage too because you worry about that.   And then we have one video chat a month and you want it to be fun. You want it to kind of be good for the kids as well as him but it's a very, you know, it's one hour to share between five people and so that's not a lot of time. And so, the reality is that for that season there was a lot of, I would say, relationship treading water. And you're, you know, the goal is just not to let things go downhill, which you can easily do in life when you and your spouse are experiencing the same event but from different points of view. And that's what we were doing. You know, we were sharing the mission but from two vastly different points of view.   And so, you do your best. But the difference is I think you have to in order to kind of come out on the other end better, you have to have a kind of a mutual commitment that, “Hey, we're going to... we are eventually going to come back together on this. We can't change the circumstances. I can't make the time difference different. I can't give you more time on the phone. I can't... there's things I just cannot change. But we are committed as a team to doing the best we can right now and when this circumstance changes, in this case when he came home, we're gonna kind of back up again and do some story sharing and reconnect about some things that we just didn't have the opportunity to in the past.”   And so, it's a little bit kind of like two steps forward one step back but eventually you still come out ahead if you are committed to trying to come back together and share those experiences in one way or another. Where you run into kind of danger is if people start experiencing two different things and then they never come back together so the gap just kind of keeps widening and widening. And then you hear when people say like, “Yeah, I woke up and I felt like I was living a different life than the person who was sleeping next to me.”   And so, reminding us to ourselves that we are a team even though we were experiencing the same thing. I didn't know a lot about a lot of the things he was doing. He didn't know a lot of stories about how things were for me. And so, it's okay to tell them later if you don't have the ability to tell them in the moment as long as you both have the goodwill and you prioritize coming back together eventually.   Laura Dugger: (31:19 - 34:26) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Did you know you can go to college tuition free just by being a team member at Chick-fil-A East Peoria? Yes, you heard that right. Free college education. All Chick-fil-A East Peoria team members in good standing are immediately eligible for a free college education through Point University.   Point University is a fully accredited private Christian college located in West Point, Georgia. This online self-paced program includes 13 associate's degrees, 17 bachelor's degrees, and two master's programs, including an MBA. College courses are fully transferable both in and out of this program. This could even be a great option to complete your general education courses and then transfer to the college of your choice and save money in the process. So, if you're looking for an affordable college option while simultaneously gaining valuable work experience and earning an income, Chick-fil-A East Peoria is the place for you. You don't have to go into debt to get a great education. To apply today, please go to https://www.chick-fil-a.com/locations/il/east-peoria  and click on the careers tab. You can also call the restaurant at 309-694-1044 to find out more. And if you aren't located near Chick-fil-A East Peoria, make sure you check with your local Chick-fil-A restaurant to see if they also participate in the Elevate program with Point University. Thanks for your sponsorship.   Did you know that this podcast is 100% listener supported? We love producing free content that's available to everyone around the world with our monthly newsletters when you sign up for our email list and with our weekly episodes. We pray that this has been a benefit to you. That if any episode has ever impacted you, what we ask is that you will partner with us now and generously and prayerfully give financially before the end of the year. There's multiple ways to do this. Online at thesavvysauce.com, you can donate through Stripe,  PayPal, or Venmo with just a simple click. Or you can send snail mail to us at Savvy Sauce Charities, P.O. Box 101 Roanoke, Illinois, 61561. We hope you choose to support us today and during this season especially.   It sounds like you really leaned into your friendships. So, what would you say you've learned about community both before and after your experience of launching Drew into space?   Stacey Morgan: (34:26 - 38:07) Well, I tell you what, I realized that as an adult often a lot of us don't really know how to do friendship well. And our culture is so, it so values independence that we often convince ourselves that if we tell our friends or our community that we need help or just kind of show our true heart for how important it is to us, that somehow that's gonna be kind of like devalued or we're gonna feel weak. And I realized like, “Man, I wasted a lot of years trying to be tougher than I really am.” And I wish I could go back and change that because in this season, mainly because I had no choice. And so, God really used this opportunity to show me like, “Hey, I'm gonna kind of like force you to open up your heart, be vulnerable with this small group of really trusted friends and like just trust me to see what happens next.”   And I did and it was a game-changer. I mean, I have a lot of deep feelings but I put a little bit of a tough exterior and I forced myself to be super honest and super vulnerable with my friends and say things like, “I'm lonely or I don't even know what I need but I'm just feeling exhausted or angry or this is really frustrating to me or I need help with this and I don't even know where to begin.” And just let those friends step into my life in a really intimate way.   And you know, I think we've all had a friend at some point who has asked for help and we have been so happy to help them and we've never thought less of them for it. But somehow when it comes to our own time we're like, “Oh, I don't want to trouble anybody. Oh, they're gonna think I can't handle it.” Or like, “Well, this is like I made this bed so I better lie in it. You chose to have all these kids, you chose this career, you chose this whatever, like this is your problem.” But we would never say that about another friend. And so, I don't know why we are harder on ourselves than we are on our friends because it's not right. Most of our friends are happy to help us. They love us helping us, being with us, comforting us, supporting us. That's how they show how important you are to them and we need to let them do that.   I've also gotten better about verbalizing the feelings that I had always felt inside but I felt awkward verbalizing. Like, “Thank you for being my friend.” Or like, “Thank you for just spending this time with me,” or, “You are an important person in my life.” Words that we say to our kids, that we often say to our spouses, but sometimes for me at least felt weird saying to friends and I'm really trying to get better about that. That was a great nine months of practice. It doesn't come easy or natural I think to anybody but it's a game changer. Like why not tell your friends how much they mean to you?   So, community is essential. Like don't try to lone wolf this life. I've certainly had some more extreme experiences than probably the average person, but the principles are the same. Get plugged into community and have multiple circles of community. Certainly, your faith community but also you know if you work, if you go to the gym, if you go to school, like your kids' friends, like there's so many circles of community and don't be afraid to just jump right in and get connected. And you've got to do it before you are in crisis. You've got to kind of invest in these friendships so that you know them and can trust these friends so that when those seasons come that are hard you have this small group of people who you can rely on. It will be a complete game changer in your life when you have a small, could be one person, can be two people, trusted people who can journey with you.   Laura Dugger: (38:07 - 38:34) I could not agree more. I really think that friendship is one of the most precious gifts were given in this life. And going back to your marriage we had discussed that time of separation but then there was a whole other season of transition as well. So, what was it like to come back together after being apart for nearly 10 months?   Stacey Morgan: (38:34 - 42:55) Yeah, so it's funny there's always these Hollywood romanticized versions of what reunions must look like whether that's a military deployment reunion or you know when an astronaut comes home. And I think people assume it's some kind of like hot sexy romantic can't keep hands off of you but the reality is far different, right? Because it's... I mean maybe it is, maybe that's how it is for some people. I will just say for us, you know, when you've been living an independent life for however long, whether that was you know a six-month or an eight-month deployment or a nine-month deployment to outer space, you know I was living my own life fully independent for that long where I made all the choices. I didn't have anybody looking over my shoulder or you know there's a little bit of independent freedom there when you're the only one kind of making the big decisions.   And so, when that person comes back into your life, which you want them to come back, you're happy they're home, but there is this awkward transition period. It's definitely an opportunity for some tension because now there's another opinion back in the mix, right?   Like I had to kind of adjust my way of doing life for another person who had a valid opinion, another decision maker. The kids had to adjust to having another parent back in the house. You're kind of getting to know each other so there is a little bit of a sniffing out period where you're like, “Hey, nice to meet you.” Because we all change. You know you could be gone from someone for a month, you know, you're not the same person you were today as you were last year or six months ago or maybe even a month ago. So, anytime someone comes back in your life they're different, you're a little different. You're like my friendships had shifted over those ten months, like my work had shifted, everything in my life had moved on and he had not been there in the house with me to experience that so there was... it was a whole new set of experiences and a new person to get to know again.   Now he came home and what made it a little bit more dramatic was that Drew came home in the startup of the pandemic. He came home in April of 2020 which at the time I think we weren't sure, “Are we going up? Are we coming down?” We know now looking back we realize things were just ramping up; the world was, we were all still very confused about what's the best thing to do can we all the things you know. So, NASA pretty much brought him home and then he came home to our house after just a few days in kind of the quarantine facility there on Johnson Space Center. But then he came back to our house and then it's like he never left because all of the normal stuff that would happen when you come home from space like travel and meetings and all these kind of things were all canceled or postponed.   And so, instead of kind of like getting to know each other slowly it was like zero to sixty. I mean he was home and he didn't go anywhere, none of us could go anywhere. So, we joke that the irony that he was in space with five professional crew mates in a small space and then he came home to live in our small space with five amateur crew mates who are certainly not nearly as gracious or accommodating or helpful as the professional astronaut and cosmonaut crew mates he had. The irony is not lost on us. So, he came home I don't think we've ever spent that amount of time together you know 24/7 in the same house with all four of our kids, no school, nowhere to go because everything's closed. And so yeah we're getting to know each other in this kind of Petri dish of new experiences as the world is also kind of like upside down and everything's unusual.   So, in the end it was okay. I joke like we did a lot of “I was like let me go do this puzzle I just need some alone time” or “I'm going for a walk around the neighborhood please don't text me. I'll be back when I'll be back I just need a few minutes to myself.” I think everybody has had that moment in the during the last two years where you're just like, “I just need a few minutes alone please,” you know in my if you've been trapped in your house with somebody who you're not normally with 24/7.   Laura Dugger: (42:56 - 43:17) Well sure and with your experience, mental health is very important for the family of the astronaut and the astronaut themselves. Wasn't it your psychologist who is saying typically when you come back and enter this time of reentry and reuniting you do little bit by little bit because that tends to be wiser?   Stacey Morgan: (43:17 - 45:22) Yes, that's right. They call it titrating a return. That's a principle they have in the military as well which is they would normally come back from a deployment for at least the first couple weeks back from a long trip away they would go to work every day for several hours because it's you know psychologically difficult for two people who have been living very independent lives to come back together just with like zero transition. The military has learned this over the last 20 years you know that you could go from a combat zone to mowing your lawn in 24 hours. That's stressful especially if you add in you know marriage baggage, kids you know nagging kids or issues like that, financial struggles, that's a kind of what can be a breeding ground for some really difficult situation. So, it's best to let people get to know each other again a little bit at a time.   Like you said the normal return from space was kind of the same thing. It would be come home and then you'd have some physical therapy, you'd have these different meetings and it would be a little bit like going to work for several weeks while they're getting their body and everything back to normal. Then, you kind of could have this kind of extended time at home but it gave both people the ability to kind of like reintroduce themselves to each other in bits and pieces and just kind of ease into it. But we did not have that luxury so we kind of had to create it ourselves. And I am glad again that we had those past experiences to know where the potential minefields were. If you were not prepared you could be very disappointed if you went into it thinking, “Oh, they're gonna come home, it's gonna be like romantic. We're gonna be like together and loving it all the time and just connecting so deeply. It's gonna be amazing.” And then the first time that your spouse is like, “Why are you emptying the dishwasher like that?” It's important to know like, “Yeah, if there is going to be tension it is going to be awkward. That's okay that is part of the normal cycle and it's gonna be okay.” But I'm glad that we had that knowledge beforehand because it could be tough.   Laura Dugger: (45:22 - 46:07) Well and Stacey another reason that I really appreciate you being willing to let us enter your story with you. When we have different careers or we have someone in the military and a civilian who's not involved, there's so much room for assumptions and maybe not always assuming the best. There's opportunity for miscommunication so I'm just wondering about the person who's hearing this and what if they're thinking, “Well that sounds irresponsible or even selfish of Drew to choose this path if he's a husband and father.” So, how would you offer that kind of person another perspective that they might be missing?   Stacey Morgan: (46:07 - 48:20) I mean I would say is when it comes to astronauts for sure, you know, these are not like hot-rodding thrill-seeking people. In fact, I would say I think a lot of people make the assumption that people who do some of these higher like physically higher risky jobs must be like thrill-seeking you know just thrown caution to the wind about everything in their life. Actually, nothing could be farther from the truth. I think you would find that we certainly and I would you know I think a lot of people in the same career field are similar and that we are good risk calculators. And that like policemen, like firemen, like military personnel you know it's an act of service to be in this job. These are not just like you know space tourists or billionaires getting on a rocket for fun. These are professionals who have chosen a career field of service and whether that is as a policeman, a fireman, a service to the nation, service to humanity, service to their community and they all play a part in that.   I think most people recognize that that it is you know there's something to be said for the person who chooses a career that has a level of risk because they feel called to it and because thank God for people who will take on risk and are willing to potentially sacrifice themselves for someone else. I mean I think it's kind of a higher calling which is why in general in our culture we honor them and rightfully so. It is risky, it's very risky. They certainly don't do it for the money. I don't think anybody in any kind of government service would say that they're doing it for the money, that's for sure. You know they're doing it because they feel called to something bigger than themselves and to serve their fellow man in some way. That's certainly I know how we feel as a family that his choosing to transition as an Army physician into being still in the Army but serving in this capacity was just the next level up. The way he could serve our community, our country, our nation and all of humanity and he really is its service first. It's the opposite of selfish; it is selfless service really.   Laura Dugger: (48:20 - 48:55) Mm-hmm thank you for that. I just say amen to everything you just said. Really it's service from your entire family that requires a sacrifice from each of you like you said for the greater good. And I think something else that you pointed out so well in your book was that having this value more so of security or not living into this calling that you said this calling was put upon your lives that could actually be idolatry if you're starting to place a higher value on security or anything else other than God and so I think you model that well.   Stacey Morgan: (48:55 - 51:13) Thank you. Yeah I think a lot of people you know sometimes these idols creep up on us we don't realize that we have put something on a pedestal until it gets threatened to be taken away from us and all of a sudden our reaction is over the top because we're you know you realize, “Gosh, I'm finding my security in this thing I'm finding my identity in this thing whether this thing is a job, another person, a political party, a scientific breakthrough whatever it is.” Right? Like and I think a lot of people, I certainly felt it you know in that launch moment like, “Am I finding my identity in being married to this person or him having this job or this launch being successful? Because if I am in about 10 seconds my world may crumble because if that could all be taken away from me.” And in that yeah I think we all kind of have probably had a moment especially in the last two years where for a lot of people something that they have built their life on has been either taken away from them or has it has been threatened to be taken away because of the pandemic a job a person in their life you know a relationship your kids going off to school every day I mean whatever it is that you've built in your life and you have put on this pedestal and you kind of made without even realizing it have started to place more hope in those things remaining unchanged than you have in God. And all of a sudden when those things are threatened you have this over-the-top emotionally fearful response that's kind of an indicator I think to all of us like when we have that is like, “Whoo my fear and my response should tell me that I seem to be very very afraid that this is going to be taken away from me because I am putting too much hope in it. Instead, I should be taking that and putting it back where it belongs. I should reprioritize where I am finding my hope and the only unchanging thing that we can build our foundation on is God. Everything else, every person, everything, every job, every whatever it is can and could possibly be taken away from you and on your deathbed will be.” So, you know you can't help but have a little bit of self-reflection there.   Laura Dugger: (51:13 - 51:23) Well and then for all of us how do you recommend that we all can rediscover our fun side when we've been trapped in survival mode for too long?   Stacey Morgan: (51:23 - 56:05) This is a great question because I think all of us have felt this definitely in the pandemic. You know this part in your life where everything in the world feels very chaotic and so you try to regain some control in your own life by maybe regimenting your kids a little more, cleaning your house a little more, you know, controlling things at work or whatever your environment is. And without really realizing it you become this just like survival mode like your day just becomes about making things easier for yourself, streamlining things, making things just go go go. And you wake up one day and you were like, “I'm exhausted. Like why am I so tired? Why am I why do I have like no joy? Why do I just feel unhappy?” And you realize that you have not done anything other than just be like surviving and cleaning and doing work or whatever it is like you have just been doing the basics with no fun whatsoever.   So I have been there I hit that a bunch of times in the pandemic, but I certainly hit it when Drew was in space because it's really hard being a single parent and managing all of the emotional burdens and the logistics of it. And I realized that I was cleaning a lot I was kind of getting a little bit more trigger angry with kids or people who you know were making me upset because when you're in survival mode it's all about just like “Get out of my way let me do what I want to do,” it's about getting things done quickly and other people become an annoyance instead of a joy in your life.   So it's all about going back to something that that fills you up and it can be something really frivolous it can be something like it's very it's 100% unique to you and so I can't tell you what that thing is but I would say the first step in kind of getting yourself out of survival mode and kind of getting back to your your whole self is asking yourself the question like, “What do I enjoy?” Not for its educational value, not for its good cardio exercise or and not what your kids enjoy, not what is Instagram worthy, or anything like in your soul what fills you up? Is it reading? Is it watching movies? Is it riding bikes? Is it roller skating? Is it you know eating Mexican food? Like what is it that you enjoy doing that when you do it you just feel like more of yourself?   And then just go do it tomorrow. Like it's gonna take prioritizing time probably some money but that is as much of a part of who you are how God created you. He didn't make you this like worker bot or like just a mom or just a wife or just a daughter or a sister like He made you a whole person and a huge part of who you are are these things that you enjoy. And you cannot continue to pour into other people or work or your community if you are never getting filled up yourself. You will just dry out, you will be burnt out, you'll be unhappy and you'll actually be worse in all these other areas where you were trying to work hard because you're just gonna be like a shell of yourself.   So, for me it was prioritizing time with friends. It was... I got this crazy flyer on my front door for roller skating lessons and I had this fantasy of being a really good roller skater that stemmed from like when I was eight and so I signed my girls and I up for roller skating lessons which was hilarious and very humbling but it was just silly. It took time, we had to prioritize the time on every Saturday it took money, but it was just fun. It had no educational value my kids will look back on it and be like, “What was that all about? I don't even know.” But it was great because even in the midst of a stressful season like that was a very stressful season, undeniable, but as part of that narrative it will not only be like, “Yeah it was really tough when my dad was away and you know my mom had to like single-parent us but that was also the season where my mom took us to roller skating lessons. Isn't that weird? That was so weird.” And we'll laugh about it.   And so, it's just about finding something that you want to do and then just unapologetically spend the money, spend the time, and invite a friend to do it with you again. Doing something with a friend is always more fun than doing something alone. Don't feel like you have to justify it or explain it to everyone you don't need to take pictures to post online you don't need to tell it just just go do it and have a good time. It's amazing how when you do that suddenly like those dust bunnies or that email that had a weird tone that you got don't annoy you as much as they used to because your kind of like finding your whole self again.   Laura Dugger: (56:05 - 56:27) That's helpful to remember to live life to the fullest and be ready for the next adventure that life's gonna throw at us. Yeah. And just as a bonus can we just ask what are some of the most common questions that you and Drew answer about space?   Stacey Morgan: (56:27 - 57:25) That's a good question. A lot of like personal hygiene questions about teeth brushing toilets how do you know take showers or whatever and of course the answer is they don't take showers. But and then of course a lot of people want to know, “Hey I've always been interested in becoming an astronaut how does somebody do that?”   And there are so many resources online people you know I say, “Look go online read all about it. There's amazing videos NASA puts out an incredible amount of resources that you can read up on but at the end of the day do what you are most passionate about because the likelihood that you, or your nephew, or your cousin, or your co-worker, your son, or, whoever it is that you know is convinced they want to be an astronaut the likelihood of them being an astronaut is very low. So you should do what just fills you up do a career and a life that you are passionate about and if God calls you to that path those doors will open but if He doesn't you'll still be living a life fully within God's purpose for you.”   Laura Dugger: (57:25 - 57:39) And Stacey you're such an incredible communicator both in this interview time together but also really enjoyed your book. And so, if people want to follow you to hear what you're up to next, where would you direct them online?   Stacey Morgan: (57:39 - 58:41) Sure well they can go to my website StaceyMorgan2000. That's like Stacey Morgan two zero zero zero dot com. That has my blog that has links to a different podcast like this that I've been on and they can check that out. They can find me on Instagram same handle StaceyMorgan2000.   And you know if people want to reach out, I love when people have been sending me messages lately after they've read the book it's been so awesome. You know I tell people like I certainly didn't write this book for the money I'm actually donating all my book proceeds to charities that support military families. So, I've been joking like, “Hey read the book if you don't like it the worst that happened is you donated to a military charity. If you do like it buy ten copies and give one to all your friends. But if you do like it I love it when people send me messages and just tell me kind of like what resonated and how it spoke to them.” That's just been one of the I would say the coolest aspect of completing this project was kind of putting it out there and then getting to see how God uses it in people's lives.   Laura Dugger: (58:41 - 59:02) There were so many things that resonated but off the top of my head if anybody has a copy of the book they'll have to turn to the part about baloney on sale friends. And Stacey you may know that we're called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge and so as my final question for you today what is your savvy sauce?   Stacey Morgan: (59:02 - 1:01:08) Well I'll piggyback off your baloney is on sale friends' reference and that would be: pick up the phone and text your friend. We didn't need a study to show us this because I think most of us have just known this in our soul but there is an endemic of loneliness in the world right now as you know we've got all these ways to connect and yet people feel more disconnected. They feel more lonely especially women and what I learned through my own kind of relationship struggles over the years is that everyone's waiting for someone else to go first. That you in that moment you feel like you're the only person who's feeling lonely and alone and that everybody else is in these friend circles and you're just somehow on the outside. But the reality is that pretty much everybody feels the same way you do and everybody's sitting at home wishing someone would just text them and invite them to coffee.   So that's my practical tip is don't wait, go first be the bold friend or even acquaintance like it doesn't have to be someone that you are super besties with. But those baloney is on sale friends like I said you have to read the book and understand that that is like a special category of friendship that's the kind of friendship that our soul longs for but those things don't appear or like pop out of the ground. That kind of friend doesn't just show up it's developed over time it's invested in and cared for and loved and it starts with literally a text to go get coffee. That's how every great friendship story begins. So, if that's you, if you feel like yeah I don't have this close friend who I can do something with I'm lonely. Okay take that first step be the one who picks up the phone send that text message to the woman from church, or the woman from the gym, or that friend you haven't talked to in a while and just invite them over for coffee. Nothing fancy nothing crazy no agenda just come over for a couple hours for coffee. Every single person I know who does this no one ever regrets inviting a friend over for coffee. That's the first step that we can all take into just feeling more connected and having those kind of friends that we want.   Laura Dugger: (1:01:08 - 1:01:31) Love it. Well Stacy your book definitely changed my perspective on risk and I was so hooked on all the stories that you shared so I believe that your book is truly a gift to anyone who chooses to read it and your faith is very inspiring so thank you for sharing your journey with us and thank you for being my guest.   Stacey Morgan: (1:01:31 – 1:01:33) Well, thank you it's been great.   Laura Dugger: (1:01:33 – 1:05:16) One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it

Let's be honest, parenting can feel incredibly isolating at times. Whether you're in a full house or navigating solo moments between the chaos, it's easy to feel like no one really sees what you're carrying. But here's the good news: you were never meant to do this alone. This week's conversation is a beautiful reminder of that truth.I had the joy of sitting down with Elisa Morgan. And let me tell you, her wisdom is like a warm hug and a pep talk wrapped in one. We talked all about community: the kind that meets us in our mess, challenges us with grace, and reminds us we're not the only ones still figuring this out.Here's what you'll take away from our time together:Why showing up as you are is the key to finding meaningful friendshipsHow biblical community helps us grow spiritually and emotionallyWhat to do when you feel disconnected or unseenWays to nurture authentic relationships in every season of motherhoodElisa is a speaker, author, and podcaster with Our Daily Bread Ministries, and formerly served as president of MOPS International (now MomCo). She has a deep passion for encouraging women through honest stories of faith and motherhood. Elisa's personal experience of brokenness and grace infuses her work with incredible hope and healing.I hope this episode helps you feel just a little more seen—and reminds you that you are never parenting alone.(00:00) Introduction to Community and Personal Stories(03:05) The Importance of Community in Parenting(06:06) Navigating Changing Friendships(09:12) The Role of Scripture in Community(11:52) Encouragement for Women to Reach Out(14:57) Building Relationships with Non-Christians(18:00) Final Thoughts on Parenting and CommunityConnect with ElisaInstagramGod Hears Her podcastBlogWebsiteResources MentionedGod Hears Her podcastMomCoChristian Parenting resourcesChristian Parenting Christmas Gift GuideFizzlebop Super Science Board BooksPrefer video? This episode is on YouTube!The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CPPODCAST for a great deal: https://everydaydose.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Elisa Morgan knows what it's like to mother through every season—from raising young kids to walking alongside adult children through different challenges. She spent years investing in mothers as the first president of MOPS International (now MomCo), but in this season of life she's discovering something sacred about aging: The purpose isn't to do more—it's to grow more like Christ. We talk about leaning into our limitations, praying for our kids, and asking what God is calling us to give birth to in each new season.   Elisa's Podcast, God Hears Her  The MomCo   Be the Bridge: Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison  Jobs to be Done: Theory to Practice by Anthony W. Ulwick  Truth Rising   ___________ The Strong Women Podcast is a product of the Colson Center which equips Christians to live out their faith with clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Through commentaries, podcasts, videos, and more, we help Christians better understand what's happening in the world, and champion what is true and good wherever God has called them.  Learn more about the Colson Center here: https://www.colsoncenter.org/   Visit our website and sign up for our email list so that you can stay up to date on what we are doing here and also receive our monthly journal: https://www.colsoncenter.org/strong-women    Join Strong Women on Social Media:   https://www.facebook.com/StrongWomenCC  https://www.facebook.com/groups/strongwomencommunitycc/  https://www.instagram.com/strongwomencc/  https://linktr.ee/strongwomencc 

What does it mean to live a good Christian life? Is it being friendly or always seeing the positive side instead of the realities of life's struggles? What if being a good Christian is different from being like Christ?   Join Barb and author Elisa Morgan for a conversation that invites us to peel past the niceness of Christianity and learn to live by the fruit of the Spirit so God can transform us into something truly sweet. Elisa Morgan is the founder of MOPS International and co-host of Our Daily Bread, God Hears Her Podcast.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE Connect with Elisa on Instagram Connect with Elisa on Facebook Fruitful Living: Growing a Life That Matters Visit Elisa's Website   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST   Elisa Morgan (MDiv) has authored over twenty-five books including The Beauty of Broken, Hello, Beauty Full, When We Pray Like Jesus, You Are Not Alone, Christmas Changes Everything and her newest book, Fruitful Living.   For twenty years, Elisa served as CEO of MOPS International (The MOMCo) and now is President Emerita. She writes for Our Daily Bread Devotional and co-hosts Discover the Word and God Hears Her for Our Daily Bread Ministries. With her husband, Evan, she has two grown children and three grandchildren who live near her in Denver, Colorado. Her constant companion is Mia, an elderly Jack Russell who shadows her every move.

In this conversation, Nina and Dr. Morgan Cutlips delve into the complexities of the mental load in relationships, particularly focusing on the emotional labor involved in parenting and household responsibilities. They explore how the mental load affects attraction and communication between partners, the importance of recognizing and sharing responsibilities, and strategies to navigate resentment and achieve a fair balance in relationships. In this conversation, Morgan and Nina explore the complexities of household responsibilities and the mental load that often falls disproportionately on women. They discuss the importance of communication, appreciation, and the need for couples to navigate their roles in a partnership effectively. Morgan shares practical strategies for making invisible tasks visible and framing conversations about the mental load in a way that fosters understanding and collaboration. The discussion also touches on how the mental load can impact intimacy and connection within relationships, emphasizing the need for appreciation and teamwork. 00:00: Understanding the Mental Load 12:10: The Emotional Labor of Parenting 23:46: Navigating Resentment and Fairness in Relationships 24:29: Navigating Household Responsibilities 26:10: The Piling On of Precedence 28:31: Making the Invisible Visible 32:31: Communicating the Mental Load 36:24: Framing Difficult Conversations 40:25: The Impact of Mental Load on Intimacy Dr. Morgan Cutlip, PhD in Psychology and highly sought after relationship expert, knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better. Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships. Dr. Morgan has been a featured relationship expert with Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women's Health Magazine, MOPS International, Loveology, and Flo, the #1 app in health and fitness. Her new book, A Better Share, is available now! Episode Sponsor: Visit activeskinrepair.com  to learn more about Active Skin Repair and to get 20% off your order, use code: MAMAKNOWS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description: We all experience brokenness—whether through past mistakes, deep wounds, or feelings of unworthiness. But what if, instead of hiding those cracks, we allowed God's love to fill them? Elisa Morgan, former president of MOPS International and a widely respected author and speaker, knows this journey firsthand. Having walked through struggles in her own family and personal life, she speaks with deep authenticity about how God's love creates beauty in our most broken places.Why Listen? ✅ Learn how to let go of self-doubt and accept God's unconditional love. ✅ Discover how brokenness can become a pathway to deeper faith. ✅ Gain practical insights on strengthening your spiritual journey.No matter where you are in your faith, this episode will remind you that you are fully known, deeply loved, and never beyond God's grace. Tune in and let His love reshape your heart! Tags: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godhearsher/ and https://www.instagram.com/elisamorganauthor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GodHearsHer/ and https://www.facebook.com/elisamorganauthor/

In a world that prizes hustle and constant productivity, breaking the habit of hurry can seem far-fetched, and yet we still try to achieve it with life hacks to get more sleep and increase energy. But self-help strategies are not the solution to our exhaustion problem.Today I've invited Eryn Lynum on for a discussion regarding her new book The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach us Sabbath Living.Eryn Lynum is author of the book 936 Pennies, and has been featured on FamilyLife Today radio and the Simply Wholehearted podcast, as well as at Proverbs 31 Ministries, MOPS International, and For Every Mom. She lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and four children.In this six-week Bible study, you'll explore the deep roots of rest found in Scripture and the outdoors while unearthing attainable rest for everyday life. Through nature reflections, scriptural word studies, and guided journaling prompts, you will learn how toreturn to God's original pattern of rest and workturn seasons of waiting into restful growthexperience daily rest through selah pausespractice Sabbath in a way that fits your lifestylelive every day in God's restful presence

299: No Ego Allowed: Leading with Humility (Lisa Steven)SUMMARYOur friends at Armstrong McGuire & Associates bring this episode to you. Check them out for your next career opportunity OR for help finding an interim executive or your next leader. Are you letting ego impede building a stronger, more effective nonprofit team? Leadership in the nonprofit sector often demands humility, yet the pressure to appear confident and in control can lead to isolation, burnout, and missed opportunities for growth. How can nonprofit leaders shift their mindset, embrace humility, and empower their teams while staying connected to their mission? In episode #299 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Lisa Steven, Executive Director of Hope House Colorado, shares her journey from being a teenage mom to leading a transformative nonprofit organization. Lisa explores the challenges of isolation in leadership, the importance of reconnecting with your mission, and how to approach delegation as an act of empowerment for your team. She discusses building a culture of humility, learning to lead with faith and authenticity, and navigating the complexities of board relationships. Lisa also provides actionable insights into fostering mentorship, creating environments of excellence, and approaching fundraising as a deeply relational and transformational practice.ABOUT LISALisa Steven has over 28 years of experience working with teen moms. In 2003, she co-founded Hope House Colorado and has served as the founder & executive director ever since. Under Lisa's leadership, Hope House has reached new levels and growth that, with a budget of over $3.5 million, puts the organization in the top 10 percent of nonprofits in the United States. Lisa is also a co-founder of the Colorado Teen Parent Collaborative (TPC) and serves on the Board for the Arvada Chamber. Lisa co-authored the Teen MOPS Handbook and worked with MOPS International on their strategic plan for expanding the ministry of Teen MOPS. Lisa is the author of A Place To Belong, a book that shares the miracle of Hope House while encouraging women in their leadership journey. A former teen mom, Lisa is committed to empowering teen moms in her community and across the world.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESReady for your next leadership opportunity? Visit our partners at Armstrong McGuireCEO Excellence by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, Vikram MalhotraHave you gotten Patton's book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector – Now available on AudibleDon't miss our weekly Thursday Leadership Lens for the latest on nonprofit leadership

Send us a textLisa Steven is the author of A Place To Belong, a book that shares the miracle of Hope House while encouraging women in their leadership journey. A former teen mom, Lisa is committed to empowering teen moms in her community and across the world.Lisa  has more than 28 years of experience working with teen moms. In 2003, she co-founded Hope House Colorado and has served as the founder & executive director ever since.  Under her leadership, Hope House received the Governor's Service Award for Outstanding Nonprofit Organization in Colorado.  Lisa co-authored the Teen MOPS Handbook and worked with MOPS International on their strategic plan for expanding the ministry of Teen MOPS. Learn more and connect with Lisa:https://hopehousecolorado.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-steven-54b48a10/ Order Stephanie's new book Imagine More: Do What You Love, Discover Your Potential Learn more at StephanieNelson.comFollow us on Instagram @stephanie_nelson_cmFollow us on Facebook at CouponMom

In this episode, we welcome back special guest Jami Kirkbride, founder of Parenting with Personality. Jami shares her journey of parenting seven children, including one with neurodiverse needs, and how she developed strategies to help parents navigate challenges like anxiety, ADHD, and sensory processing issues. Through her *Calm Connection Parenting Program*, Jami offers insights on validating emotions, building connection, and advocating for our children's unique needs. Whether you're raising neurotypical or neurodiverse children, Jami's advice will transform how you approach your child's behaviors and emotional outbursts. Tune in to learn about the importance of understanding your child's personality, addressing sensory sensitivities, and how to model flexibility in your parenting. Jami also shares details on her upcoming free workshop, "Bold Emotions, Big Hearts," designed to support parents in understanding and advocating for their uniquely wired children. Join us as we explore how mindful, connection-based parenting can make a difference in your family dynamics. **Resources Mentioned:** - Jami Kirkbride's *Parenting with Personality* program: [parentingwithpersonality.com](http://parentingwithpersonality.com) - Free workshop: "Bold Emotions, Big Hearts" on October 2nd at [calmconnectionparent.com/workshop](http://calmconnectionparent.com/workshop) - Recommended Book: *Brain-Body Parenting* Don't miss this powerful discussion on raising sensitive, emotionally intense, and neurodiverse children while fostering a strong family bond! In this episode, parenting coach, professional counselor, personality trainer, and mom of seven, Jami Kirkbride shares a pivotal piece of advice she learned during her journey as a mom: "All communication is behavior, and challenging behaviors are not always defiance or disrespect." For Jami, this realization became life-changing as she navigated raising a highly sensitive, emotionally intense child who exhibited challenging behaviors. Like many parents, she initially believed that much of her child's actions were rooted in defiance or disrespect. But through experience, she learned the importance of reshaping her approach—understanding her child's unique wiring and needs. Jami dives deep into the mindset shift that helped her move from reactive to curious, focusing on what her child's behavior was communicating. She shares how this new perspective on behavior led to a more connected, empathetic parenting style. Drawing from her personal journey and professional expertise, Jami now teaches other parents these valuable insights through her Calm Connection Parent Coaching Program. Tune in to hear Jami's story, and learn faith-based strategies to help you lead your child with empathy, understanding, and connection, even through their most challenging moments. Jami resides on a ranch in Wyoming where she and her husband are raising seven children. She has appeared on ChannelMom Radio and her work has been featured on MOPS International, CBN.com, and several other radio and podcast program. She is co-author of The You Zoo, a children's personality and parenting resource. Visit ParentingWithPersonality.com to learn more about her coaching program, app, and soon to be launched podcast! Connect with Jami: Website: ParentingWithPersonality.com FB Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1355086178331900 APP: Parenting With Personality (On Apple Store and Google Play) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parentingwithpersonality/ Upcoming Podcast: Calm Connection Podcast Coaching Program: Calm Connection Parent Coaching Program Connect with me: linktr.ee/momsupportcorner --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/momsupportcorner/support

Hey Friend!   Do you ever grapple with shame and guilt? The answer for most of us is “yes” at least on some level.    My guest today knows all about the bondage guilt and shame brings. But she also knows how we can be set free!    Join me as I sit down with Sarah Ferraro from MomCo, formerly Mops International, to hear about her courageous journey through an unplanned pregnancy at 18 and the subsequent decision to have an abortion. Sarah's story is a powerful testament to the complexities of faith and the transformative power of grace.    Raised in a Christian environment, her path to healing began at Biola University, supported by her now-husband and her church community. Sarah's involvement in MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) and her bravery in sharing her story brought her overwhelming love and grace..    Tune in for an inspiring conversation on embracing God's forgiveness and finding peace and true freedom from the bondage of shame.    Hit the “subscribe” button now so you don't miss a single episode!   xo, Donna   Listen in to learn more: (06:07 - 08:23) Journey of Healing and Redemption (10:19 - 12:16) Healing Through Sharing Vulnerability (15:50 - 17:07) Navigating Difficult Conversations With Grace (20:04 - 21:36) Path to Forgiveness and Freedom Donna's Resources:   Order a copy of my new book -  Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret.    It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon.    If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith or Christianity or simply want to strengthen your knowledge, you'll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman's Guide to Meeting God.   It's a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to be more confident in their faith.   Connect with Sarah Instagram : @sarahroseferraro   Anyone interested in starting a MomCo group can visit Grow the Church or email startaministry@themom.co. There's a dedicated team ready to assist them. If moms are looking to find a group, they can go to MomCo's website.     Connect with Donna   Instagram: @donnaajones       Website:  www.donnajones.org       Donna's speaking schedule:   https://donnajones.org/events/    

Elisa Morgan (MDiv) has authored over twenty-five years and served as CEO of MOPS International and now is President Emerita. She writes for Our Daily Bread Devotional and co-hosts Discover the Word and God Hears Her for Our Daily Bread Ministries. With her husband of forty-three years, Evan, she has two grown children and three grandchildren who live near her in Denver, Colorado!

Elisa Morgan (MDiv) has authored over twenty-five years and served as CEO of MOPS International and now is President Emerita. She writes for Our Daily Bread Devotional and co-hosts Discover the Word and God Hears Her for Our Daily Bread Ministries. With her husband of forty-three years, Evan, she has two grown children and three grandchildren who live near her in Denver, Colorado!

Kristen Hallinan knew she needed to make some changes. How she responded to situations was threatening the peace in her family and costing her precious relationships. Once she figured out that much of her over-reactions were based in deep-seated early life trauma, she was able to begin to move forward: for her sake and for the sake of the next generation.  As a result of what Kristen learned, she's put together a resource that is her legacy and will be of help for many who feel stuck in the pain of their past. That may not be you but you may know someone who needs to hear her story and how to get beyond small-t trauma and live in the freedom and wholeness that Christ provides. A copy of her newly-released book will be part of a giveaway all week long. Be sure to comment to be entered: Legacy Changer: Heal the Hurt, Redeem Your Story, Create Hope for Your Family Some gems from our conversation: It took me many years to resource all the tools to help me heal.  We are forgiven completely when we come to faith in Christ, but not always fully healed. I love seeing women walk in freedom when God redeems their past pain. As a child, I felt unwanted, unseen, and that I was simply annoying to others.  It took courage to speak up about my needs and face the fact that many were not met as a child. To quiet the lies in my head, I list them out and contrast them with the truths of who God says I am.  I am teaching our children that it's okay not to be enough because God is enough. I've learned that I am in charge of my emotions—they are not in charge of me. Kristen Hallinan is a sought-after writer and speaker, passionate about helping women redeem the pain of their past and move towards a healthier and more hopeful future. On mission to equip women and support families, Kristen previously worked as Director of Development for MOPS International. She enjoys working with teen moms, crisis pregnancy centers, and serving as a pre-marital mentor with her husband Shawn in Dallas, TX. Legacy Changer is Kristen's debut book, and you can find her other writings in publications like Relevant Magazine and The Joyful Life. Laughing with and chasing after her four children helps burn off the calories she consumes of her favorite treat—homemade gluten free churros.     

Elisa Morgan was named by Christianity Today as one of the top fifty women influencing today's church and culture. She has authored over twenty-five books, including the one we're talking about today, When We Pray Like Jesus: Courageously Honest & Fearlessly Abandoned Before God. For twenty years, she has served as CEO of MOPS International and now is President Emerita. You can connect with her at godhearsher.org or on any podcast platform. Today, we're talking about: How Elisa unknowingly helped me through one of my most difficult times What does it look like to pray Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane today? How do we pray with authenticity and abandon simultaneously? C A N D A C E  C O F E R author + speaker ⁠⁠website⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠facebook

My guest today, Kristen Hallinan, is a sought-after writer and speaker, passionate about helping women redeem the pain of their past and move towards a healthier and more hopeful future. On mission to equip women and support families, Kristen previously worked as Director of Development for MOPS International. She enjoys working with teen moms, crisis pregnancy centers, and serving as a pre-marital mentor with her husband Shawn in Dallas, TX. Legacy Changer is Kristen's debut book, and you can find her other writings in publications like Relevant Magazine and The Joyful Life. Laughing with and chasing after her four children helps burn off the calories she consumes of her favorite treat—homemade gluten free churros. Enjoy this absolutely encouraging and raw conversation about her new book, that you can now purchase, along with emotional regulation and so much more. I was so blessed by this conversation and I pray you will be too. Purchase Kristen's book: https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Changer-Redeem-Create-Family/dp/1684262976/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.luqmggEQk86jzKs0YGDZr5xTejIsbp2-I_IK475NO0F6m_uZC9jrZH0bCJVzgurLK2mpDv4FuIqPcBP2j527qLQGONbGV7ZWwBIt4PR7uUZlEP_i5UOGsYT0qSQiuU2fiNDOnktIMCJ3jt4OArHr3lthQMxb5zi0VkjowqU0P-DhJiBEfWrVZ_j2FDWJDTKkHkhmBQmxB1Nv3GG_xzuRWU6kdNMUftukAn8pEXkTJqA.a6XeO6AT9nHXOUNO3q9-FOTgfP7sKMynT8ECWWRUWiE&dib_tag=se&keywords=legacy+changer&qid=1708484617&sr=8-1 Get connected with Kristen: Email marketing and digital tools that bring your brand to life (myflodesk.com)

We sat down with Jess Bowler and Sarah Ferraro after a Dessert & Data event at our church. They are both a joy, and work for MomCo by MOPS International in donor relations. It was a great conversation around the data collected by Barna Group around state of motherhood after the pandemic and what it means for the church.You can find both Jess and Sarah on IG.

Steph interviews Dr. Morgan Cutlip about practical strategies to feel good in motherhood and in your relationships. Dr. Morgan Cutlip, PhD is a highly sought-after relationship expert. She knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better.  In this episode, they discuss what it means to “lose yourself” in motherhood and how to find yourself again; core conflicts moms are facing that make motherhood challenging; and how information consumption, societal messaging, and early experiences shape our perception of ourselves and our beliefs about our children. Dr. Morgan helps us identify and break apart impossible standards so moms find fairness in the mental load and care for themselves. Topics Discussed: Core conflicts moms face Impossible standards we place on ourselves Navigating the mental load of motherhood What it means to “go mom yourself” A better definition of self-care Show Notes: Follow @drmorgancutlip on Instagram Get Dr. Morgan's free gift Read Love Your Kid's Without Losing Yourself Check out Dr. Morgan's Website Click here to learn more about Dr. Elana Roumell's Doctor Mom Membership, a membership designed for moms who want to be their child's number one health advocate! Click here to learn more about Steph Greunke, RD's online nutrition program and community, Postpartum Reset, an intimate private community and online roadmap for any mama (or mama-to-be) who feels stuck, alone, and depleted and wants to learn how to thrive in motherhood Listen to today's episode on our website Dr. Morgan Cutlip, PhD in Psychology and highly sought after relationship expert, knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better. Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships. Dr. Morgan has been a featured relationship expert with Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women's Health Magazine, MOPS International, Loveology, and Flo, the #1 app in health and fitness. Her new book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, is available now! This Episode's Sponsors  Enjoy the health benefits of PaleoValley's products such as their supplements, superfood bars and meat sticks.  Receive 15% off your purchase by heading to paleovalley.com/doctormom  Discover for yourself why Needed is trusted by women's health practitioners and mamas alike to support optimal pregnancy outcomes. Try their 4 Part Complete Nutrition plan which includes a Prenatal Multi, Omega-3, Collagen Protein, and Pre/Probiotic. To get started, head to thisisneeded.com, and use code DOCTORMOM20 for 20% off Needed's Complete Plan! Active Skin Repair is a must-have for everyone to keep themselves and their families healthy and clean.  Keep a bottle in the car to spray your face after removing your mask, a bottle in your medicine cabinet to replace your toxic first aid products, and one in your outdoor pack for whatever life throws at you.  Use code DOCTORMOM to receive 20% off your order + free shipping (with $35 minimum purchase). Visit BLDGActive.com to order. INTRODUCE YOURSELF to Steph and Dr. Elana on Instagram. They can't wait to meet you! @stephgreunke @drelanaroumell Please remember that the views and ideas presented on this podcast are for informational purposes only.  All information presented on this podcast is for informational purposes and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a healthcare provider. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement regimen, or to determine the appropriateness of the information shared on this podcast, or if you have any questions regarding your treatment plan.  

Listen as we talk with Mandy Arioto about what moms need today based on a new study by the Barna Group. Moms are powerful influencers in their families and communities, yet they often feel exhausted and alone. In this episode, Mandy Arioto, President & CEO of MOPS International, reflects with Stacy Bellward (podcast host) on […]

Are you a mother or partner of a mother who feels like your relationship has gone downhill since kids entered the scene? You love your partner and you love your kids, but you feel like you've lost yourself somewhere along the way. I've said it before and I'll say it again, our sexuality is inextricably linked to our individuality. Without a strong sense of self, your relationship and sex life are going to suffer. So, how can we love our kids without losing ourselves and still find time for love and romance in the mix? That's the topic of today's episode.Dr. Morgan Cutlip, who has a Ph.D. in psychology and is a highly sought-after relationship expert, knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better. Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships. Dr. Morgan has been a featured relationship expert with Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, New York Times, Women's Health Magazine, MOPS International, Loveology, and Flow, which is the number one app in Health and Fitness. Her book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, is available now. Thank you to BetterHelp, an online therapy platform that has already helped millions, for sponsoring the show. Get 10% off your first month of therapy by visiting www.betterhelp.com/dremily or by using code DREMILY at check out.If you like what you hear, don't forget to leave me a five-star review. Your positive feedback helps me grow so that we can continue having these engaging, informative, and fun conversations. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow & subscribe so that you'll be notified when a new episode is released.If you have a question or a story you would like to share, you can submit it at www.loveandlibido.com. You can either email in your story or you can record your submission, whatever is easier for you. We always give you the option to have your voice professionally disguised with our fancy editing software, so no worries if you would like to remain anonymous. Or if you're loud and proud, and you want to tell us who are as you share your question, that is fine too. We are also collecting story submissions as well. You can follow me across all the social media channels @dremilyjamea. That's usually the best place to see what information we are looking for as it relates to topics we are discussing on the show.And don't forget to check out my online workshop, Anatomy of Desire: 5 Secrets to Lasting Intimacy. Visit www.emilyjamea.com/workshop for your free sample. Subscribers can use code HALFOFF for 50% off.

Host Bart Zandbergen was joined in the podcast studio by Scott Heinila and Dr. Morgan Cutlip, PhD. She recently released her book entitled “Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself.” As a highly sought after relationship expert, Dr. Morgan knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better. Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships. In this episode, Dr. Morgan talks candidly about the art of relationships, the unexpected nuances of motherhood, and how to blaze a successful trail that unites the two. Dr. Morgan has been a featured relationship expert with Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women's Health Magazine, MOPS International, Loveology, and Flo, the #1 app in health and fitness. Learn more in the episode about: -Movie moment expectations of motherhood versus reality -How to navigate the feeling of losing freedom -Why knowing who you are is vital to knowing how your needs can be met -How to develop a self check-in and assessment in order to navigate your emotions in real time Soundbyte: “Mother yourself like you mother your kids.” -Dr. Morgan Cutlip, PhD. Connect with Dr. Morgan Cutlip HERE on LinkedIn and HERE on Instagram.   *** The Zandbergen Report, where wealth strategies and investment wisdom collide, is led by host Bart Zandbergen. The show is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Store, Podbean and Spotify. Interested in being a guest on The Zandbergen Report? Email podcast@bartzandbergen.com. Learn more about Bart by visiting www.BartZandbergen.com *** NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION: The contents of this podcast episode: (i) do not constitute an offer of securities or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities, and (ii) may not be relied upon in making an investment decision related to any investment offering Axxcess Wealth Management, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Axxcess does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Opinions are our current opinions and are subject to change without notice. Prices, quotes, rates are subject to change without notice. Generally, investments are NOT FDIC INSURED, NOT BANK GUARANTEED and MAY LOSE VALUE. Axxcess and its advisors do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. Representatives have general knowledge of the Social Security tenets. For complete details on your situation, contact the Social Security Administration. The contents of this podcast episode do not constitute an offer of securities or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities, and may not be relied upon in making an investment decision related to any investment offering Axxcess Wealth Management LLC, An SEC-registered investment advisor. Axxcess does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Opinions are our current opinions and are subject to change without notice. Prices, quotes, rates are subject to change without notice. Generally, investments are not FDIC insured, not bank guaranteed, and may lose value.  

Dr. Morgan and I have such a honest conversation about motherhood burnout and identity. We talk about it all, and of course big congratulations to Dr. Morgan and her BOOK: Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself: 5 Steps to Banish Guilt and Beat Burnout When You Already Have Too Much to DoIn this epsiode:What leads to burnout in motherhood? Identifying, Preventing and managing burnout in motherhood Finding your identity in motherhood-normalizing that we aren't who we used to be?-normalizing changing our beliefs and stance?How do we nurture our relationships in this season of motherhood? Friendships & intimate. Dr. Morgan Cutlip, PhD in Psychology and highly sought after relationship expert, knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better.Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships.Dr. Morgan has been a featured relationship expert with Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women's Health Magazine, MOPS International, Loveology, and Flo, the #1 app in health and fitness. Her new book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself______________________________Did you love this episode? BUY ME A COFFEE for support!Find me on Instagram@balkanina@mamaknowspodcastFind me on TikTokBalkaninaSubscribe to my NewsletterPrivate Facebook Motherhood-Podcast CommunityMama Knows FBDisclaimer: This podcast does not provide any medical advice, it is for informational purposes only!

I'm so excited to welcome Dr. Morgan Cutlip back to the show. Dr. Morgan has a PhD in psychology, and she's a highly sought-after relationship expert. She knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better. Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships.Dr. Morgan has been featured On Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women's Health Magazine, Mops International, Loveology. Her brand new book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, is available now. In today's episode, we dive into what the research says about striving to be a perfect parent, and tools for managing the realities of motherhood. I love how Dr. Morgan gives examples from her own life showing how competing priorities and unmanaged expectations can lead us to feel like we're failing as parents – and uncovering why we put so much pressure on ourselves. She effectively combines her expertise as a psychologist and experience as a mom together in her book to provide practical tips for how to prioritize our time and check in with ourselves – all in order to show up in ways that bring us more peace. Check out Dr. Morgan's Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself to dive deeper into supporting yourself in parenthood and in life.We also cover…(01:00) Unpacking Identity Conflicts That All Moms Go Through• Read: Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself by Dr. Morgan Cutlip• Identity, your needs vs. the needs of everyone and everything else• Risk in losing touch with your own priorities • Tapping into your personal power to dictate your life• How Kelly's mom influenced her mindset as a mother • Acknowledging and reframing our judgements of other moms • We're not empty nesters, we're bird launchers (11:00) Ideals vs. Reality: Setting Healthy Expectations • Studying the the idealization of motherhood• What does it mean (to you) to be a good mom?• Understanding feelings of guilt, shame, and falling short• How Dr. Morgan's mom influenced her mindset as a mother• How Kelly manages her own expectations in the home• Grieving for your old narrative and accepting the pain of prioritization • Inherent risk in setting impossible standards • Untangling me time vs. work time• Finding untapped power in behavioral change (29:00) Identifying the 5 Components of Intensive Mothering• The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood by Sharon Hays• Essentialism, believe that other people can dutifully care for your children • Child-centered, know that they can't be your entire world• Fulfillment, understand that being a mother won't complete you• Stimulating, stepping down as entertainment director for the family• Challenging, it doesn't have to be hard to be effective • Decoding a desire to create control over your environment• Removing perfection from parenting • Working with Tina Bryson • Panting positive seeds of personal growth (42:00) Loving Your Kids Without Losing Yourself• Background and meaning of Relationship Attachment Model (RAM)• Intro to the 5 points of connection • Knowing yourself...

Mom guilt.Mom rage. Mom brain.So many terms in motherhood, most of which we didn't really understand until we were in it.As mothers in this age, it can be really difficult to love your kids without losing yourself (and your mind!)  in the process.My guest on the show today has made it her life's work to help mothers banish guilt and beat burnout in motherhood. She just released her first book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself: 5 Steps to Banish Guilt and Beat Burnout When you Already Have Too Much to do. This is a book that every mother needs, in my humble opinion.Dr. Morgan Cutlip, PhD in Psychology and highly sought after relationship expert, knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better.Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships.Dr. Morgan has been a featured relationship expert with Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women's Health Magazine, MOPS International, Loveology, and Flo, the #1 app in health and fitness.Today on the show, we talk about very practical things you can do to find your way back to yourself in motherhood. Spoiler alert: it's not a quick fix (and anything that promises to be is probably too good to be true).It's a process. But a noble one at that.Enjoy, mama!Warmly,LaurenxoxoFollow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themomfeedpodcast/Follow Dr. Morgan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmorgancutlip/Dr. Morgan's website: https://drmorgancutlip.com/Follow along on Instagram @themomfeedpodcast Sign up for our newsletter for weekly inspiration and advice on motherhood and beyond.Remember to subscribe to the show if you don't already! xoxo

  356.  Go Mom Yourself with Dr. Morgan Cutlip   Dr. Morgan Cutlip, Ph.D. in Psychology and highly sought-after relationship expert, knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better.   Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships.   Dr. Morgan has been a featured relationship expert with Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women's Health Magazine, MOPS International, Loveology, and Flo, the #1 app in health and fitness. Her new book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, is available for preorder now!   Order her book on Amazon (affiliate link) -- https://amzn.to/44SDDRu   Hello, I'm Dr. Morgan Cutlip (drmorgancutlip.com)   Dr. Morgan Cutlip | Mental Load & Burnout Support (@drmorgancutlip) • Instagram photos and videos     Self-Care Idea: Know the season you are in and talk to yourself kindly if you're in a season of overwork and burnout.    Family Fun Idea:  Swimming, Adventures, Mr. Bean!       Join us for Lunch and Learn!   Find me on Instagram: Christy Thomas — Coach for Exhausted Moms (@everyday_christy) • Instagram photos and videos. Don't forget to leave a rating or review. Email me Play4life.Christy@gmail.com  Don't hesitate to reach out for coaching with Christy: Coaching (christythomascoaching.com)      

Scott was joined in studio by Dr. Morgan Cutlip and Bart Zandbergen for a collaborative episode. Both Dr. Morgan Cutlip and Bart Zandbergen have been guests on the Optimized Advisor Podcast multiple times. Dr. Morgan Cutlip, PhD in Psychology and highly sought after relationship expert, knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better. Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships. Dr. Morgan has been a featured relationship expert with Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women's Health Magazine, MOPS International, Loveology, and Flo, the #1 app in health and fitness. Her new book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, is available now!In this episode you will learn the following: Dr. Morgan's book writing journeyTangible tools to take care of yourself emotionallyHow to overcome burnout and optimize your relationship with your partner for a better family dynamicListen to our previous episodes with Dr. Morgan Cutlip:Ep. 048 - Being Intentional With Your Relationships Part II with Dr. Morgan CutlipEp. 008 - Being Intentional With Your Relationships with Dr. Morgan CutlipConnect with Scott on LinkedInConnect with Morgan on LinkedInConnect with Bart on LinkedInFor more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here  For more on Dr. Morgan and to purchase her book click hereFollow us on LinkedInFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook**This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at optimizedadvisor@mailpcwest.com

Have we taken this whole "motherhood" thing too far?Dr. Morgan Cutlip joins me to talk about all the ways we've cultivated a very unhealthy perspective on what it means to be a good one: good moms, good partners, good friends, good people. What happened to just being enough? Episode highlights:The insane amount of pressure that's put on by society and ourselvesLosing ourselves in the roleOur favorite parenting "hacks" that aren't exactly "mainstream"How to feel good in motherhood, while navigating all the pieces Dr. Morgan Cutlip has a PhD in Psychology and is a highly sought-after relationship expert. Her work focuses on helping moms navigate motherhood better, through forming and maintaining healthy relationships.Dr. Cutlip has been a featured relationship expert with Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women's Health Magazine, MOPS International, Loveology, and Flo, the #1 app in health and fitness. Follow her on Instagram or find out more via her website. Her new book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, comes out September 19th and is available for preorder now!Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com

This week marks the return of Dr. Morgan Cutlip. Dr. Morgan Cutlip, PhD in Psychology and highly sought after relationship expert, knows what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood, and she's determined to help mothers navigate it better. Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships. Dr. Morgan has been a featured relationship expert with Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women's Health Magazine, MOPS International, Loveology, and Flo, the #1 app in health and fitness. Her new book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, is available for preorder now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Jonathan and Linsey Driskill interview author, speaker and CEO of MOPS International, Mandy Arioto. Mandy shares her story of finding community as a mom, building it across the country and offers practical advice on how to find the same. Step into an honest conversation around the complexity of building community as families from a mom's and dad's perspective.

Today we are chatting with my good friend Sherri Crandall about motherhood - little ones all the way up to parenting adult children. Sherri is the Vice President of Global Ministries and Leadership Experience for MOPS International. She is an author, speaker and podcaster. Sherri speaks at events across the country and internationally where she shares her passion for encouraging women to live life to the fullest. This is a great episode for every stage of parenting. I hope you will join us in the chat. https://sherricrandall.com/https://www.mops.org/https://www.instagram.com/sherri_crandallhttps://www.facebook.com/sherri.l.crandallWe would love to connect with you!!!https://www.instagram.com/lanastenner/https://www.tiktok.com/@lanastennerandgoatganghttps://lanastenner.com/newsletter/Email us at info@lanastenner.com

Kids used to play outside for hours. Now they game or stay on their phones for hours indoors. How can you get your screen-saturated kids to put down their devices and head outdoors? Eryn Lynum, author of Rooted in Wonder, is here to help us fall in love with God's creation as a family. You don't have to live on a beach or near a national park to enjoy the many benefits of nature. In this conversation, you'll learn about: 3:10 Getting your kids interested in nature 6:00 Boys are drawn to the wildest things 8:30 Connecting the dots between the created world and the Creator 13:40 Invasive plants and what they teach us about technology 17:00 Nature is not relative - there are definitive truths about nature 20:00 Going into creation to sort your thoughts and get perspective 22:50 Practical ideas to get outside even with little kids 25:11 Word of encouragement to the non-outdoorsy people Today's guest Eryn Lynum is the author of Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith through God's Creation. Eryn is a certified master naturalist, Bible teacher, wife, and mom of four. She's been featured on Family Life Today, Proverbs 31 Ministries, and MOPS International. Find out more about Eryn on her website, ErynLynum.com Get her book, Rooted in Wonder Are your kids getting too much screen time? Take the free quiz at happyhomeuniversity.com/screentimequiz More Resources for Your Family: Arlene's Free Marriage Webinar -- Get Unstuck in Your Marriage. If you feel stuck in a rut or you've just lost that lovin' feeling, register for Arlene's free marriage webinar. Subscribe to Arlene's free email list for a monthly resource to help your home at happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's new Happy Home YouTube Channel @arlenehappyhome

Stephanie is delighted to welcome Richard Foster, the author of one of the most influential books in her life, Celebration of Discipline. Today, Richard, with Brenda Quinn, talk about the power of learning humility. He tells Stephanie, “The practice of humility has made me playful and free.” In our culture of raging narcissism, Richard calls humility the "vanishing virtue." He says that practicing humility has been "playful, freeing, fun, and freedom from [his] need to feel important." How wonderful! When Stephanie asks about how to learn humility, Richard answers, “We learn humility by taking up other tasks, like serving others.” Richard explains that humility is a secret gift that keeps on giving. He says, “one of the things we need to learn is to embrace and enjoy anonymity.” Richard encourages us to develop a passion for culture, encouraging each one if us to keep on living at the intersection of culture and Scripture here at Gospel Spice. He says, “look for the finger of God at work through every culture.” He adds, “in every culture there are things that are consonant with Scripture, and some that are dissonant. Our task is to discern among them.” In a society where raging narcissism dominates the moral landscape, the virtue of humility is often dismissed as irrelevant. Not only is humility vanishing from contemporary culture, but we are also witnessing how destructive a lack of humility has become among our churches and ministry leaders. And yet, Richard Foster, the founder of Renovare, insists that humility is central to the journey toward character formation and spiritual transformation. For this reason he decided to spend a year studying the virtue of humility. Using the Lakota calendar as a framework, Foster provides us with a look into the insights he gathered from sources ranging from Native American culture to Julian of Norwich to Scripture to personal friends. By engaging with both the spiritual classics and Foster's own experiences, Learning Humility provides profound insight into what humility can look like in our current cultural climate. Join Richard Foster on Gospel Spice today, and embrace the journey toward a life of humility, which he says leads us into "freedom, joy, and holy hilarity." MEET RICHARD FOSTER Richard Foster is founder, past pres­i­dent and cur­rent team mem­ber of Ren­o­varé. Hav­ing stud­ied at George Fox and Fuller The­o­log­i­cal Sem­i­nary, Fos­ter has served as a pas­tor and taught world­wide on spir­i­tu­al for­ma­tion. Author of dozens of arti­cles and six books, includ­ing Cel­e­bra­tion of Dis­ci­pline, Richard con­tin­ues to write on the spir­i­tu­al life. He and his wife, Car­olynn, have two grown chil­dren, Joel and Nathan, nine grand­chil­dren, and live near Den­ver, Colorado. Discover more at https://renovare.org/ MEET BRENDA QUINN Brenda Quinn is a pastor of spiritual formation in the Foursquare church and a writer of many years. She is also the author of the character profiles in the Life with God Bible. Brenda Quinn, former staff editor for Serendipity House and editorial coordinator for MOPS International, Inc., is cowriter of study guides for both "The Jesus I Never Knew" and "What's So Amazing About Grace?" She coauthored the devotional "Meet the Bible" with Philip Yancey. Brenda lives with her husband and son in Colorado. We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Or, of course, you can start at the beginning with episode 1.  Season 1: the gospel of Matthew like you've never experienced it https://www.podcastics.com/episode/3280/link/ Season 2: Experience Jesus through the Psalms https://www.podcastics.com/episode/33755/link/ Season 3: the gospel of Luke, faith in action https://www.podcastics.com/episode/40838/link/ Season 4: Proverbs spiced with wisdom https://www.podcastics.com/episode/68112/link/ Season 5: Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/ Season 6: Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/ Season 7: Shades of Red | Against human oppression https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/ Season 8: God's glory, our delight |  https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/   Support us!

Do you know what is the most powerful word? A word that can uproot anxiety. A word that is simultaneously scary and life-changing. YES.  An Intentional YES unlocks growth and pushes the boundaries of what is possible. Here at MOPS, we are declaring this year as the Year of Yes.  Too often, our 'yeses' are reserved for default decisions we aren't even intentionally making or the stuff we feel obligated to do. What if we started saying 'yes' to the important things? Yes, to parenting on purpose. Yes, to significant challenges and out-of-your-comfort-zone opportunities. Yes, to your marriage. Invitations to connect with others? Yes, please. Saying yes opens us up to new ways of thinking and helps cultivate a growth mindset. Listen in as we detail how this year's theme "Say Yes" came about and get the inside scoop on the process. Looking for even more, visit sneakpeek.mops.org. Show Notes:Check out all the MOPS annual theme details at sneakpeek.mops.org For more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.orgFind a MOPS group: www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php Start a MOPS group: www.mops.org/start-a-group 

We are joined by Trauma Therapist and Life-Coach, Dr. Anita Phillips, for a deep-dive into what we need to know if we are walking through trauma, walking alongside someone who has experienced trauma AND how to best prepare ourselves, as moms, for trauma with our children. We hit some big topics like handling hard decisions, boundaries and a fresh take on personality types. Plus, Dr. Phillips grants us insight the 4 human experiences and how that shapes that way people handle trauma. You will walk away with tangible advice and food for thought regardless of your trauma experience.Show Notes:For more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.You can connect with Dr. Anita Phillips through her website, https://www.anitaphillips.com and on social @dranitaphillips.

Welcome to Episode 69 of The Perfectionist's Guide to Mothering! Today I'm talking with my friend and MOPS coworker, Kelli Jordan. Kelli Jordan is a mom, grandma, mentor and MOPS International staffer living in the Kansas City area. She loves a good story, especially the stories of real people doing good things in the world every single day. She is committed to helping others find and share the hope of Jesus and embrace the good all around them. Read more from her at kellijordan.blog. In this episode, we talk all about decision fatigue. As moms, we make so many decisions daily! Kelli shares these amazing tips and much more on how to handle decision fatigue: Make your most important decisions earlier in the day Set up some routines Simplify Focus on momentum Know when it's time to stop Set a deadline Some of the resources we mention: God Has a Name by John Mark Comer* The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer* Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus* Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo* --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andreafortenberry/support

Are you two old-fashioneds and a skinny dip away from losing it all? These two can relate. Savannah Chrisley is joined by author, podcaster and philanthropist, Toni Collier. As distinguished of a human and business woman as she's become, Toni does not shy away from her modest (and crazy) beginnings. SPONSORS -- Our podcast "Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley" is proudly sponsored by: - BETTERHELP: Save 10% off your first month at www.BetterHelp.com/SAVANNAH - PROGRESSIVE: Quote your car insurance at Progressive.com to join the over 29 million drivers who trust Progressive. About Toni Collier: Toni Collier is the founder of an international women's ministry called Broken Crayons Still Color, which helps women process through brokenness and get to hope. She is a Speaker, Host, Author of Brave Enough to be Broken, and Consultant who has helped organizations with creative marketing, leadership, student ministry, and strategic planning. She's had the opportunity to stand proudly to speak and work with organizations such as North Point Community Church, TBN, Chick-fil-A, IF:Gathering, Orange Conference, MOPS International, and more. Through Broken Crayons, Toni and her team of powerhouse women create raw, hope-filled content distributed to their growing social media following, including a Facebook group with 3,000 members, a semi-annual digital challenge, and an 8-step course called “The Hopeful Woman Course,” which walks up to 100 women at a time through a six-month journey of processing their brokenness and finding true healing. Toni kills illusions. She confronts the hard things. She approaches her challenges head-on, and then she takes on your challenges. In this digital age of anxiety, Toni is teaching people all over the country that you can be both broken and worthy, unqualified and called to do great things. She doesn't want you to just face your demons—she wants you to quash the illusion of your brokenness so you can live the most colorful life possible.

Sandra Stanley joins us to talk about her 30-year parenting journey with husband, Andy, how they determined their "IT" in parenting, and how they chose to parent in order to prioritize their "IT." Our convers, ation covers parenting with the relationship in mind, getting interested in what your kids are interested in, and the power of support in your parenting journey. This is a "don't miss" conversation!  Show NotesFor more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.Connect with Sandra through her website www.sandrastanley.com or on Facebook  sandra.w.stanley, Twitter @sandrawstanley, Instagram @sandrawstanleyBooks by Andy and Sandra Stanley, Parenting: Getting IT Right on Amazon.Mentioned: Kathleen Edelman's I Said This, You Heard That - Workbook

Nona Jones is a rare combination of preacher, business executive, author, and entrepreneur. Her corporate leadership includes serving as the Head of Global Faith Partnerships at Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, Chief External Affairs Officer for a multi-state school for at-risk girls and Public Policy Director for a multi-service utility company. Our conversation with Nona spans many topics including rejection, comparison, how to be "successful," health and wellness, and more. Listen in! Show NotesFor more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.You can connect with Nona through her website at www.nonajones.com and on Instagram,  @nonanotnora.Success School --https://www.nonajones.com/schoolKilling Comparison book on Amazon.

Rachel Cruze is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, financial expert and host of The Rachel Cruze Show. Growing up as Dave Ramsey's daughter, Rachel hated budgeting for years until she experienced the freedom of budgeting for herself. As a wife and mom, Rachel now shares fun, practical ways to take control of your money and create a life you love. Show Notes:For more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.MOMCON 2023 in Chicago tickets are on sale here.See Rachel's article in The MOPS Magazine February 2023 Issue -- https://www.mops.org/magazine/ https://www.ramseysolutions.com/rachel-cruze Budget app -- EveryDollarSee Grocery Store apps for couponsThe Rachel Cruze Show -- https://www.ramseysolutions.com/shows/the-rachel-cruze-show?gclid=CjwKCAiAheacBhB8EiwAItVO2ytNu5DeeLmWhmwmjzhlIqm-ila5VH_1T8pDr7BrJrtkm-dhZiEm0RoCu2MQAvD_BwE

You may know our guest today by her celebrated singing career. But what you might now know is that her life off the stage contains some very hard, very human moments. Today we welcome Nicole C. Mullen to the Moms Unscripted podcast to share her story. We hope her honesty and openness will bring hope and healing to you as you listen.  Show Notes:For more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.MOMCON 2023 in Chicago tickets are on sale here.You can connect with Nicole through her website at www.nicolecmullen.com and on Instagram, @nicolecmullenofficial. Mentioned in episode: Bounce Back to Love Course -- www.bounceback2love.com Jasmine Mullen's band -- @thenewrespectsNicole's husband Stacey A. Scott @therealcoachstaceyMarco Polo app

Dr. Chinwe Williams is a licensed and board-certified therapist, speaker, author, and consultant. Her expertise lies in areas of adolescent, family, and women's wellness, anxiety management, and trauma recovery. She is a featured contributor on topics related to adolescent mental health, parenting, racialized stress, and trauma recovery. In this episode we talk about maternal burnout, adolescent and teen mental health, medication, and how this generation's parenting style is impacting the kids we're raising. Show Notes:For more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.MOMCON 2023 in Chicago tickets are on sale here.Chinwe's book:  Seen: Healing Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teens Through the Power of Connection.  Available on Amazon.Website: https://meaningfulsolutionscounseling.com/Instagram:  @dr.chinwewilliams Mentioned: Dr. Anita Phillips, www.anitaphillips.com

Stephanie Hanrahan was just your seemingly average housewife until she grew tired of pretending and decided to make her private journal public. Since sharing her story, Stephanie has achieved viral success with her website, Tinkles Her Pants, which chronicles her journey as wife to a husband with chronic illness, mother to children with autism, and a woman who often unravels then finds her footing again. Join us for a conversation about perfectionism, pretending, and telling our truth no matter what the cost. Show Notes:For more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.MOMCON 2023 in Chicago tickets are on sale here.Stephanie's TED Talk "The Problem with Being Perfect" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAJAGR5_H4I&t=8sLabeled and Loved Nonprofit:  www.labeledandloved.org Labeled and Loved Podcast: http://www.labeledandloved.org/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TinklesHerPantsInstagram: @tinklesherspantswww.tinklesherpants.com

Raised by Nigerian immigrants, B https://twitter.com/honesttoddlerunmi Laditan left home at 16, which set her on a winding road through homelessness, faith investigation, relational upheaval, and ultimately . . . motherhood. She is all the things: funny, bruised, believing, fearful, over it, and also still sticking with it. In other words, she's like most of us these days . . . doing her best to show up even though there's a lot going down. Show Notes:For more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.MOMCON 2023 in Chicago tickets are on sale here.Guest: Bunmi LaditanBunmi's newest book: Help Me God, I'm a Parent book You can connect with Bunmi through her website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter:  https://www.bunmiladitan.com/,  https://twitter.com/honesttoddler, facebook.com/BunmiKLaditan,  @honesttoddler  The MOPS Magazine  -- https://www.mops.org/magazine/Mary and Martha passage -- Luke 10:38-42

Do you know the meaning of Christmas?  Join us in this episode of Following to Lead with Kevin East as he speaks with Elisa Morgan. Elisa Morgan was named by Christianity Today as one of the top fifty women influencing today's church and culture and is one of today's most sought-after authors, speakers, and leaders. For twenty years, Elisa Morgan served as CEO of MOPS International. In this discussion, they talk about how Christmas changes everything, the joys of Christmas, and how we can capitalize on this season to lead people to Jesus. Who were the Bible characters that were changed by Christmas or the birth of Christ? Listen to this episode to find out more.   Follow Jesus Lead Differently. The Mentoring Alliance https://www.thementoringalliance.com/   For donations https://www.thementoringalliance.com/donate   To connect with Elisa: https://www.elisamorgan.com https://www.instagram.com/elisamorganauthor/ http://www.facebook.com/elisamorganauthor http://www.twitter.com/elisa_morgan https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Changes-Everything-Birth-Brings/dp/1640701893   Similar Episodes: Ep. 62 • Christmas Family Devotions Ep. 61 • The Wonder of Christmas with Dr. David Daniels

Bonnie empowers thousands of women to lower anxiety and flourish in emotional and spiritual wellness. This episode is full of practical wisdom, scientific data, and personal experience, all to help you prioritize your own wellness so you can be there for those you love.Show Notes:For more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.MOMCON 2023 in Chicago tickets are on sale here.Guest: Bonnie GrayBonnie's books:Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to CalmSweet Like Jasmine: Finding Identity in a Culture of Loneliness Kindle EditionWhispers of Rest: 40 Days of God's Love to Revitalize Your Soul@thebonniegraywww.soulcarequiz.comwww.thebonniegray.comwww.thebreathebook.com 1 Thessalonians 4:11 "Make it your ambition to lead a restful, quiet life."

At the point when she felt most disqualified from ministry and life itself, Scripture finally came alive for Karrie Scott Garcia to reveal God's purpose and plan. This is the truth that continues to transform her life, and now she is on a mission to redefine freedom for others.  Show Notes:For more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.MOMCON 2023 in Chicago tickets are on sale here.Guest: Karrie Scott GarciaYou can connect with Karrie through her website: https://www.karriegarcia.com/ or through her socials.  Instagram: @karriescottgarcia, Facebook: Karrie Scott Garcia. Check out her podcast: The Honest Pod (Also available on Apple Podcasts).Karrie's 3-day Training, Freedom Academy: https://www.karriegarcia.com/freedomacademy Karrie's new book (June 2023): https://www.amazon.com/Free-Fully-Alive-Reclaiming-Created-ebook/dp/B0BN19L5C8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=J6NQ20BURJHN&keywords=karrie+garcia&qid=1669832638&s=books&sprefix=karrie+garci%2Cstripbooks%2C83&sr=1-2  The Allender Center -- https://theallendercenter.org/Dr. Townsend's 21 relational needs list -- https://drtownsend.com/relational-nutrients/

Artist and author, Ruth Chou Simons, talks to our cohosts about her long journey with striving and what it takes to actually surrender our lives and let go of producing as a means of securing our value. This is a vulnerable conversation about the temptations of success, the realities of content creation, and the role that humility plays in Ruth's life. Show Notes:For more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.MOMCON 2023 in Chicago tickets are on sale here.Guest: Ruth Chou SimonsWebsites: www.gracelaced.com, https://ruthchousimons.com/, www.emmanuelbook.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracelacedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthchousimons/, https://www.instagram.com/gracelaced/

 Simi John never saw women doing anything in ministry other than taking care of kids or cleaning. But from an early age, she felt called to speak. As an Indian-American Christian, there wasn't a paradigm for this calling. In this episode, Simi talks about how she has found her voice and her calling. This conversation will help you define who you are and who you are not. Show Notes:For more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org. Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.MOMCON 2023 in Chicago tickets are on sale here. Website: simijohn.tv Instagram: @simijohnI AM NOT: Break Free From Stereotypes And Become The Woman God Made You To Behttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B084T37Q3K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_FWQsEbEBWNAMK 

Are you tired of these messages as a mother: you must either hustle and strive to overcome the idea that you are more than "just a mom" OR forsake your own skills and gifts to be present with your kids in the home? This conversation with coach, writer, and podcaster Tori Hein is both inspiring and practical, and helps us honor the tension inside each of us who feel deeply ambitious and also deeply committed to our home life. Her primary message is all about finding a worth we can never lose.  Show NotesFor more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.MOMCON 2023 in Chicago tickets are on sale here.Guest: Tori Hein"How to Fail as a Mom" Episode from Tori Hein's podcast, For Eternity and UntilTori Hein's husband, Matt Hein's, band: www.iamthey.com Website: www.foreternityanduntil.com Social Media: @torimaehein / @foreternityanduntil Karrie Scott Garcia's work: www.karriegarcia.com"5 Day Time Finder" resource: https://workfromworth.mykajabi.com/  

After a life-shifting move from the Midwest to Manhattan with their two sons, Shauna and her husband Aaron, had to learn a whole new way of living. Not just because of a new city but because of a new perspective: learning to be a beginner, letting go of being experts, and allowing themselves to be shaped by the detour. "What if I just try?" became a central question, and "I guess I haven't learned that yet" became their family motto.Show Notes:For more information about MOPS International, go to www.mops.org.Find a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/groupsearch/index.php.Start a MOPS group: https://www.mops.org/start-a-group/.Guest: Shawna NiequistI Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet by Shauna NiequistLearn more about Shauna's husband's work: www.aaronniequist.com "Dancing on My Own" by Callum Scotthttps://www.shaunaniequist.com/https://www.instagram.com/sniequist/