Podcasts about mops mothers

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/    

We all know our kids shouldn't be eating so many sweets and so much junk food but it's not always easy. Processed foods are everywhere, plus there's picky eating, peer pressure, food marketing, and the high cost of food, not to mention that we're all time-strapped and stressed out. Yet getting more real food in your child's diet is possible—and it all starts by setting up your real food kitchen.  On today's episode, I sat down with Heather Englund, founder of the popular food and wellness blog Fit Mama Real Food. Heather is a certified nutrition coach, a certified group fitness instructor, a recipe developer, food photographer, and author of the new book, Everyday Muffin Party. Heather talks about what a real-food kitchen is and how to get started, plus the best pantry staples to have on hand, how to use your freezer to make your life easier, and how to save time in the kitchen. She also talks about easy, realistic ways to encourage your kids to eat healthy. Welcome 2:07 Let's talk about your story! 4:09 Most kids are eating too many ultra-processed foods. Why is this something parents should be thinking about more?  5:57 What are your tips for packing real, whole foods for school? 7:06 Do you rely on processed foods to make your life easier? 8:25 Why is it more important than ever that parents focus on mostly real, whole foods? 12:59 What is a real food kitchen? 14:56 What is important to keep in mind as you're setting up your real food kitchen?  17:22 What are the first steps to get started? 18:56 What are the pantry staples you like to have? 20:7 What are ways we can make healthier swaps?  23:05 How can we use the freezer to make our lives easier? 26:14 What are your best tips for encouraging kids to eat more real foods? 28:56 You have a new book: tell us about it! LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW Julie mentions that she was a guest on Heather's podcast, Fit Mama Real Food.  Julie mentions recent research that shows kids are eating too much ultra-processed foods. Julie talks about the NOVA Food Classification System Julie mentions MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Learn more about Heather on FitMamaRealFood.com and follow her on Instagram. FROM OUR PARTNERS Kids Cook Real Food eCourse The Kids Cook Real Food eCourse, created by a mom of 4 and a former elementary school teacher, is designed to build connection, confidence, and creativity in the kitchen. The course includes 30 basic cooking skills, 45 videos including several bonuses, printable supply and grocery shopping lists, and kid-friendly recipes. The course is designed for all kids ages 2 to teen and has three different skill levels. More than 18,000 families have taken the course and The Wall Street Journal named it the #1 cooking class for kids. Sign up now for the Kids Cook Real Food ecourse and get a free lesson for being a “Food Issues” listener. Thrive Market Thrive Market is an online membership-based market that has the highest quality, organic, non-GMO, healthy, and sustainable products. From groceries, clean beauty, safe supplements, and non-toxic home products to ethical meat, sustainable seafood, clean wine, and more, Thrive Market is where members save an average of $32 on every order! Through Thrive Gives, every paid membership sponsors a free one for a low-income family. Join Thrive Market today and get 25% off your first order and a free gift. 

“I needed something that didn't center around my kids,” said Britteney Barber who is a mom of three, Space Force spouse, and former elementary school teacher. She loved volunteering with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) so much she stayed in leadership positions for a decade. The volunteer work made her a better mom, wife, and friend. (Moms, I know you get this) It gave her a sense of purpose and kept her brain out of mom fog. She desired to keep doing the same work but wanted to get paid for it when her kids all went to school. That's when Britteney found me and my digital marketing course and started her new freelance business. She was looking for a part-time job that: allowed her to be a mom first, moved with her in the military lifestyle, and gave her all the flexibility.  Her business took off, she found her golden ring client, and the virtual work that met her checklist of requirements to be her dream job.  In this episode, Britteney shares her advice for getting hired, standing out in Facebook groups, working virtually, and finding those first clients… plus what's not-so-special about her and where she credits all of her self-employed success.    Links Britteney Mentioned: The Podcast Episode Britteney's mom referred to was Tammy Cannon's Multi-Passionate Entrepreneur Podcast. (Shout-out to Tammy!) My Top Ten Digital Marketing Tasks that Britteney downloaded first   Connect with Emily: Facebook Community: Emily's Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant Lab Instagram: @emilyreaganpr  Facebook: @emilyreaganpr 3 ways we can work together:  Get on the waitlist for the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School.  My signature course on digital marketing implementation will give you the confidence and teach you HOW to do the work that's in demand and highly marketable. This is the secret weapon to getting booked out Got the skills but need help getting your digital marketing services business to take off? I've got an advanced tight-knit referral and networking community that can help and I would love for you to apply here. You'll get the latest updates and trainings, networking opps and job leads from online business owners who are looking to hire digital marketing implementers and assistants. Looking for a fast way to get your foot in the door with up-to-date skills? Take my 2-hour Quickstart to Facebook Community Management workshop and learn how to help online business owners like course creators and membership site owners manage and engage their community    >>> Download my Top Ten Most Requested Digital Marketing Tasks & Services  >>> Take the Quiz to Discover your Digital Dream Job

Rachelle Kuramoto is an award-winning writer and brand strategist who balances creative and business acumen with deep empathy. As the vice president of brand and content for Dragon Army, she guides organizations to articulate what makes them distinctive and sustainable with the stakeholders who matter most. Rachelle’s professional path spans more than 20 years, starting at Ogilvy Public Relations. In 2015, she launched Watchword Brand, an agency specializing in branding, content production, and market intelligence. In 2019, the firm was acquired by Dragon Army, fueling its position as one of the most respected and fastest-growing digital agencies in the country. Rachelle has donated services and board support to not-for-profit entities that provide security and educational equality to Georgia’s citizens — including Waymark Foster, The Alliance Theater, Future Foundation, and Usher’s New Look. She helped to launch a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) chapter that has grown into one of the largest in the state. Rachelle is a founding member of 48in48 and a co-founder of Ripples of Hope, a 501(c)3 that accelerates the healthy, meaningful growth of organizations that believe business should be a force for good. Currently, Rachelle is serving as a board member for the Grove Park Foundation.Rachelle earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in literature and business as a Presidential Scholar in music at Wake Forest University. She published her Master’s dissertation under the watchful eye of Dr. Maya Angelou, whom she credits with teaching her ability to be courageously empathetic in every form of communication. Outside of work, Rachelle is a mom of two teenagers and a dog and a happy wife. What You'll Learn From This Episode How the motto of her alma mater "Pro Humanitate" (For Humanity) laid the foundation for a purpose-driven career and life Rachelle's experience studying under Dr. Maya Angelou Her shared values with her husband, Kenji, a former guest on our show, and what it's been like having two purpose-led entrepreneurs living under one roof The biggest lessons learned about how to truly leverage business as a force for good and positive impact The biggest challenges facing brands today What purpose-driven business leaders should start and stop doing today to elevate their brands Dragon Army's experience with becoming a B Corp What's motivating Rachelle's leadership and her team today Resources Related To This Episode Follow Rachelle https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachellekuramoto-atlanta-dragonarmy https://www.instagram.com/rkuramoto https://www.facebook.com/RachelleKuramoto https://twitter.com/ShelKuramoto Follow Dragon Army https://www.linkedin.com/company/dragon-army https://www.instagram.com/dragonarmy https://dragonarmy.com Credits Music by ZakharValaha from Pixabay Produced by Chat With Leaders Media. Visit https://chatwithleaders.com to learn more about starting a podcast for your own business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachelle Kuramoto is an award-winning writer and brand strategist who balances creative and business acumen with deep empathy. As the vice president of brand and content for Dragon Army, she guides organizations to articulate what makes them distinctive and sustainable with the stakeholders who matter most. Rachelle's professional path spans more than 20 years, starting at Ogilvy Public Relations. In 2015, she launched Watchword Brand, an agency specializing in branding, content production, and market intelligence. In 2019, the firm was acquired by Dragon Army, fueling its position as one of the most respected and fastest-growing digital agencies in the country.  Rachelle has donated services and board support to not-for-profit entities that provide security and educational equality to Georgia's citizens — including Waymark Foster, The Alliance Theater, Future Foundation, and Usher's New Look. She helped to launch a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) chapter that has grown into one of the largest in the state. Rachelle is a founding member of 48in48 and a co-founder of Ripples of Hope, a 501(c)3 that accelerates the healthy, meaningful growth of organizations that believe business should be a force for good. Currently, Rachelle is serving as a board member for the Grove Park Foundation. Rachelle earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in literature and business as a Presidential Scholar in music at Wake Forest University. She published her Master's dissertation under the watchful eye of Dr. Maya Angelou, whom she credits with teaching her ability to be courageously empathetic in every form of communication. Outside of work, Rachelle is a mom of two teenagers and a dog and a happy wife. What You'll Learn From This Episode How the motto of her alma mater "Pro Humanitate" (For Humanity) laid the foundation for a purpose-driven career and life Rachelle's experience studying under Dr. Maya Angelou Her shared values with her husband, Kenji, a former guest on our show, and what it's been like having two purpose-led entrepreneurs living under one roof The biggest lessons learned about how to truly leverage business as a force for good and positive impact The biggest challenges facing brands today What purpose-driven business leaders should start and stop doing today to elevate their brands Dragon Army's experience with becoming a B Corp What's motivating Rachelle's leadership and her team today Resources Related To This Episode Follow Rachelle https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachellekuramoto-atlanta-dragonarmy https://www.instagram.com/rkuramoto https://www.facebook.com/RachelleKuramoto https://twitter.com/ShelKuramoto Follow Dragon Army https://www.linkedin.com/company/dragon-army https://www.instagram.com/dragonarmy https://dragonarmy.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MOPS - Mothers of Preschoolers - is one of the most favorite things in my life.  It is a Christian organization that empowers, equips and comes-along women from all over the world - and I am honored to be  a part of it!  We want you!www.mops.orgor email me at nestingwiththeearleybirds@gmail.com for more information!MOPS MOPS International and MAMA Meetups have given me their full support in the podcating community!Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/nestingwiththeearleybirds)

Mandy Arioto, President and CEO of MOPS International, discussed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mothers and offered insight into some new trends involving work and motherhood.  You can learn more about MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) at mops.org.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) has been around for nearly 50 years and it has been such an important ministry to moms of little ones over the years. MOPS partners with local churches to bring moms together for fellowship, food and ministry -- usually while they get a few hours of childcare thrown in! Michelle Cowan started worked with MOPS just as COVID begin and has been part of the incredible adaptation the past year required. Despite the struggle of meeting in person, the program really took off online -- creating "Mama Meetup Groups" by topic and geography, as well as launching a few other new initiatives. In this conversation, Michelle shares her passion for getting the Gospel to moms. We talk about the unique ministry of reaching women who may be unchurched or dechurched in a way that isn't pushy or unhelpful. It's sometimes tough to reach demographics that aren't specifically looking for faith resources, but MOPS helps care for larger needs and in turn, can present Jesus to women in that way. I have been involved in MOPS on and off since my first baby was 4 months old -- and certainly gotten a lot of out of the fellowship and community it provided me! Recent Episodes: Katharine Hayhoe: Christian Climate Scientist CBN’s Dana Brown Ritter: Married to a Quadriplegic and Raising a Toddler Devi Abraham: Untangling Sexual Ethics for a New Generation of Christians

Kathi's speaking career started out when she began sharing her freezer meal ideas with MOPs(Mothers of Preschoolers) groups. Funny, engaging, and entertaining, Kathi quickly became a favorite of MOPs groups all over Nothern Californian. Kathi's come a long way from her days as the freezer meal mom, but she hasn't forgotten her beginnings. Kathi shares the need to show up authentically, be who you are and be humble. Kathi talks about the need to know what type of speaker you are before you step on the stage -- and how important it is to trust the Holy Spirit to guide you as you speak. Kathi shares that she never dreamed she would be a full-time speaker/ author/ coach. She encourages speakers to DREAM BIG! "I had very limited dreams because I didn't factor God into my dreams -- alone I couldn't have accomplished this, but God did this in me." Kathi's Website Red House Writing Collective Communicator Academy podcast Clutter Free Podcast Beth Moore Cheri GregoryMichele CushattSusy FloryWest Coast Christian Writers

Are you a tired mom, feeling like you are running on empty?Does the comparison game of parenting styles or cute family pictures on Facebook eat at your core?Do you feel like you are just not the right mom for the job?This week on the More to Be Podcast, I chatted with Becky Keife, about her debut book, No Better Mom for the Job, and what she has learned through the sanctifying role of being a mother. If you are in need of some encouragement and food for the soul, then this latest episode is for you.Becky Keife is the Community Manager for DaySpring’s (in)courage, a widely followed online community where authentic, brave women connect deeply with God and others. She is a popular speaker for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) groups and other women’s events. She is a huge fan of Voxer, Instagram, Sunday naps, and imperfect moms leaning on Jesus. She and her husband live near Los Angeles, where they enjoy hiking sunny trails with their three spirited sons.Mentions | Links | ResourcesNo Better Mom for the Job, by Becky KeifeLife Coach Training CourseLearn More about Life CoachingBook a Discovery SessionEquine-Assisted CoachingSisterhood MembershipMatthew 14:13-21Support the More to Be PodcastIf you are blessed by our podcast and ministry, we invite you to become a Sisterhood Member as a way of supporting our work. You’ll gain access to our digital library full of resources that will help you have a fresh encounter with God and His Word. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

                                                                        We want to remind YOU of how fabulous you are as a mom. We offered fun GIVEAWAY and words of advice from the woman who cheers on moms for a living. It's the CEO of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International,Mandy Arioto, with the BEST MOTHERING TIP she's EVER heard--to grow your mom game! ONE! Mandy Shares #1 Mothering Tip She's Ever Heard TWO! Unique Ideas for Having Fun on Mother's Day THREE! Things MOPS CEO Wants To Thank Moms For Tune in and ENJOY your Mom Life on this ChannelMom Podcast! Listen to ChannelMom Radio on 94.7 FM in Denver on Fridays @ 1PM MT - Saturdays @ 7AM and @ 2:30PM.                                             ALSO Listen on Faith Talk 99.5 FM Fridays @ 2PM CT in Little Rock! Or join us on Facebook LIVE Shop Amazon?? Go to Amazon Smile and choose ChannelMom Media as charity for Amazon Smile to donate to!

I met Raiza Giorgi when our children attended preschool together shortly after we moved to the Valley. We became friends at our bi-monthly MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meetings. I grew to admire and respect her when I freelanced for a short time as a contributing reporter at the Santa Ynez Valley Star, which she publishes along with Santa Barbara Family & Life Magazine. During those early encounters, she expressed her interest in starting a local newspaper. I watched her take that humble idea and turn it into the Santa Ynez Valley Star, the Valley’s local paper that you can pick up for free at any grocery store or coffee house. The Star has become the Valley’s trusted source of news and events, public safety information, politics, along with heart warming stories about the people who make a difference serving this community.Raiza’s passion for reporting the events that matter to this community and her dedication to getting the story right earned her recognition for her tireless coverage of 2017’s Thomas fire and the tragic mudslides that followed in Montecito. In our conversation, we discuss her childhood growing up here, her early days as a reporter at the Santa Ynez Valley News, and how she came to publish the Star. We also talk about her toughest experiences reporting on tragic murder-suicides. Incidentally, our interview took place just a few days before the unspeakably tragic passing of Vanessa Bley and her two babies at Cold Springs Bridge on 154, where Raiza once again put aside her feelings to report the story despite her broken heart for the loss of a valued community member, acquaintance, and fellow mom.Raiza’s love for and dedication to this Valley comes through in every issue she publishes.

On this week's episode Coleen and Angela will be discussing MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) with Stephanie Schumacher. Stephanie has written a wonderful article about MOPS. Check out Stephanie's article Why Your Church (and You, Believer) Should Stop Associating with MOPS International. Check out our more extensive resource sheet for this episode here. A Note From Coleen: Theology Gals exists to encourage women in the study of God's Word, sound theology and discernment. When we became aware of the problems with MOPS International, we knew this was an important topic that needed to be addressed. I have spent a lot of my time the last month researching MOPS, including reading Mandy Arioto's (President and CEO of MOPS) books and speaking with ladies that are currently and were previously involved in MOPS, some in leadership positions. We are aware that women have various experiences with MOPS as each program can be run differently. We are also aware that some of these programs are diligent in sharing the gospel clearly each week, which we are grateful for. We have been informed of a possible gospel presentation in the MOPS Christmas and/or Easter videos. Our concerns are still the same. The true gospel is not clear in Mandy's books and it is not central to the MOPS program. While we state our case strongly, we are not saying anything new. I think most, if not all of  our concerns have been communicated by others to both Mandy Arioto and the MOPS board. You can find the same concerns in "1 star" reviews regarding Mandy's books on both Amazon and ChristianBook. Sarah Wilkins brought up many of the same concerns in 2016 in her Open Letter to MOPS. As I mention at the end of the episode "when the faith is on the line, the tone is necessarily strong" quoting this article. I have spoken with women that have brought their concerns to MOPS and some that even spoke with Mandy directly. I'm aware of some of the responses and accusations that may come our way. We are speaking out because we love God and our neighbor, because we love The Church, . I know that one of MOPS responses to concerns has to do with the number of women that "get saved" at MOPS each year. I have heard stories of some of the testimonies of these women and I'm convinced that some counted in those numbers have no idea what the gospel is. This means they still need the gospel. I have no doubt that some women have come to saving faith in Christ through MOPS programs, I've spoken with a few myself. However, we believe that it is necessary for doctrinally sound, gospel preaching churches, to separate from MOPS. We discuss the reasons in detail in the episode. ~Coleen Sharp Theology Gals host All correspondence should be sent to theologygals@gmail.com Episode Resources: Extended Resource sheet for this episode Discernment: Growing Up In Christ Theology Gals Episode What is the Gospel? Michael Horton (video) Open Letter of Concern Over MOPS International Sarah Wilkins MOPS and Its Move Away from Biblical Christianity Sarah Wilkins Mysticism: We Don’t Need You Theology Gals Episode Moralistic Therapeutic Deism Theology Gals Episode Christless Christianity Michael Horton (video) Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church by Michael Horton (book) Tone Deaf Ref by Carl Trueman Women can join our Facebook Group Theology Gals-Ladies Theology Discussion and Encouragement Follow us: On Facebook On Twitter @TheologyGals On Instagram theologygals Email us at theologygals@gmail.com If you'd like to ask Theology Gals a question which may be answered on a future episode, you can text or leave a voicemail at (951) 407-0234. You may also send an email. Consider supporting Theology Gals with just a few dollars a month  

Christian insights into the biggest issues facing the nation. Help Vision to keep 'Connecting Faith to Life': https://vision.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Creating vs. Consuming:  A Conversation with Courtney Ellis Food and Faith PodcastWith Anna Woofenden and Sam Chamelin www.foodandfaithpodcast.org Courtney Ellis is a pastor, speaker, and author of Uncluttered: Free Your Space, Free Your Schedule, Free Your Soul, and Almost Holy Mama: Life-Giving Spiritual Practices for Weary Parents. A graduate of Wheaton College and Princeton Theological Seminary, she lives in southern California with her husband, Daryl, and their three children. Her bylines include Christianity Today, MOPS International, Fathom Mag, The Mighty, and (in)courage. She is a regular contributor to The Glorious Table and has been featured on Two Peas in a Podcast and The Ride Home with John and Kathy. A regular speaker for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), leadership retreats, college and teen events, Courtney is an engaging, hilarious, winsome, and thoughtful presence on the stage. Courtney grew up in northern Wisconsin where she and her two younger sisters figure skated in sequined leotards until they discovered ice hockey. She reads too much, can’t make herself enjoy yoga, and hits the trails near her home when life gets too life-y. The proud owner of a $.29 goldfish she’s kept alive for over a year (this is a big accomplishment for someone who once killed a cactus by under-watering), she’s never met a sour gummy treat she doesn’t like.

I'm wrapping up the podcast for 2018 this week; this is the last episode of the year, and I'm trying something a little different. Back in November, I was invited to speak to a local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group in Golden, Colorado. The MOPS theme this year is Find Your Fire – an excellent fit for the conversations we're having every week on The Devoted Dreamers Podcast. So, I recorded that talk, and I'm sharing it with you this week in lieu of an interview. I'll be back on January 9, 2019, with all new interviews for Season Five.   In this episode, you'll learn some of my real-life tips about how to find time for your dream, even as a busy mom/entrepreneur/wife, etc. You will be inspired to believe in the value of your dream not only for the dream itself but also for the ways it will draw you closer to the Father as you take risks, leave your comfort zone and do scary things to pursue it. Hear why you'll face opposition, what that looks like for other dreamers (including the most accomplished women you know) and how you can fight back in the face of these challenges. We also talk about letting go of the mom-guilt and, instead, discovering the benefits to your kids as you take time to pursue the dream God has placed on your heart. You can find the show notes, links to the resources I shared, including some episodes to binge on over the holidays, here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/104   GET MORE INVOLVED...BECOME A DEVOTED DREAMERS PATRON: https://www.patreon.com/DevotedDreamersPodcast Help me reach my goal of five new patrons by the end of the year. Your support helps me continue providing content each week to support listeners, just like you, in taking that next step toward their God-shaped dreams! GET CONNECTED:   Find your tribe in the Devoted Dreamers Insiders Facebook Group where you can connect with other like-minded women in pursuit of their God-shaped dreams. Leave your review of the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Stitcher Subscribe on Apple Podcasts * Subscribe on Android

I had the great honor to participate in a MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) panel with other "seasoned" moms. We couldn't get to all the questions that day, so I thought I'd address them here in a 5 part series.

I had the great honor to participate in a MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) panel with other "seasoned" moms. We couldn't get to all the questions that day, so I thought I'd address them here in a 5 part series.

I had the great honor to participate in a MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) panel with other "seasoned" moms. We couldn't get to all the questions that day, so I thought I'd address them here in a 5 part series.

I had the great honor to participate in a MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) panel with other "seasoned" moms. We couldn't get to all the questions that day, so I thought I'd address them here in a 5 part series.

Harp therapy? That's something new! Geraldine “Geri” Afshari will talk to us in today's episode how she uses Harp as a therapy. You can listen to the show at http://rockyourretirement.libsyn.com/shhhh-listen-do-you-hear-the-sound-of-harp-therapy-ep-38 Listen to the Interview with Geraldine “Geri” Afshari, Harp Musician and Speaker on iTunes, Stitcher, or Podcast Addict. For instructions on how to do that, go HERE.  She played a song for us, and we can't put that into words! Geri Afshari is a musician and plays the Paraguayan harp professionally, travels extensively and lived in Iran, is a writer/editor/photographer, a lay counselor, a life-long activist, an avid SUP paddler, and hunts sea glass for her sea glass mosaic artwork.  She is also retired from working because she has to for money.  What a great place to be! Geri has been the featured speaker for numerous parent classes and teacher workshops over the years, including MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers), various women’s ministries, annual Pre-12th grade conventions for ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International), and many K-12 school and home school groups. She loves to SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board), and tells people to slow down, use the luxury of time, understand how sound healing works, and she also volunteers for the palliative care team at Scripps Encinitas. Her newest passions include harp therapy and sound meditation, besides whatever her family is doing. * Geri is the mother of 2 grown children and has 2 grandsons. They all live near her in North San Diego County and share her love for the ocean and nature in general. She loves taking them with her on trips. * She plays her Paraguayan harp at all types of events besides harp therapy and sound meditation. * Jesus follower * Prayer group Geri says that eating, cleaning, epigenetics, yoga and meditation all can help improve your health.  Of course, listening to music (and in particular harp music) can't hurt either! What do you think people should know BEFORE they retire? * Geri thinks people should know how free and giddy they’ll feel to own their own time. She also thinks retirees should remember that the best things in life really are free. You will find your new self, your significance, your purpose and you don’t need much money. She also says to spend time in nature. What if you feel stuck: * Give yourself permission to return to your basic self. Your health is your responsibility, so take ownership of it, don’t outsource it anyone. Research, learn, grow, heal and seek joy. Do things that line up with the heart of God. Time is the treasure so use it well. Serve others and you will be blessed. Contact information: geri.harp@gmail.com Today’s Freebie:  http://RockYourRetirement.com/harp http://traffic.libsyn.com/rockyourretirement/Geri_Afshari_160523_IFinalo.mp3

On Episode 41, Tesi and Leslie interview Mandy Arioto, the president and CEO of MOPS (Mothers of Preschool) International, who will release her debut book Starry-Eyed: Seeing Grace in the Unfolding Constellation of Life and Motherhood in August. Tesi and Leslie absolutely love the book and were delighted by their conversation with Mandy, a woman who is smart, sweet, vulnerable, and full of inspiration. Mandy believes in intentionally showing up in relationships (even when it's hard or uncomfortable) and leaning on one another in times of celebration and strife. And, much like Leslie and Tesi, she goes BIG to cultivate joy! The women discuss the ins and outs of motherhood (both the inherent joy and pain), the challenges of finding time to embrace the Other Self, and the amazing opportunity women have to influence the next generation of humans. Ultimately, all three women believe somethings fundamental: Moms are world changers! For complete show notes and to order Mandy's book visit our website. 

Welcome to The Flourishing Culture Podcast! Recently, we asked ministry CEOs and senior pastors what topics they would enjoy and value most on our podcast. You know what they told us? The top leaders in Christian organizations said they wanted to learn more about developing their own spiritual life and how it impacts their leadership. And that's why we think you're going to enjoy today's guest. Today, it's our pleasure to talk with Elisa Morgan. We first met Elisa when she was the president of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International, a role she served in for 20 years.  MOPS was certified as a Best Christian Workplace, and Elisa was one of our “Outstanding Leaders” as she led MOPS in its growth from 350 to more than 4,000 groups around the world. After ‘retiring' from MOPS, Elisa has continued to influence and mentor leaders in ministry.  She has served on the Boards of ECFA and Denver Seminary. She's a sought-after speaker, radio show co-host, on-line magazine publisher, and author of over twenty-five books on spiritual formation, evangelism and mothering. Listen in as Elisa shares about her own personal journey of spiritual growth, and how she learned to lead authentically – deficit-to-deficit – allowing God to use her brokenness. Find the full show notes at http://blog.bcwinstitute.org/40-elisa-morgan-mops-international.

Episode 046: David Coleman – The Dating Doctor & National Speaker Of The Year David Coleman is an incredible interesting person.  He truly understands the importance of being real, being sincere, and being yourself.  We are extremely fortunate to have David share his knowledge with us, the loyal listeners of The Learning Leader Show.  David Coleman is known worldwide as The Dating Doctor.™ He has been honored fourteen times as The National Speaker of the Year— 11 times by Campus Activities Magazine and 3 times by The National Association for Campus Activities and is the only speaker ever to be honored as the National Entertainer of the Year! He is a highly sought after speaker, author, entertainer, media personality and product endorser. Episode 046: David Coleman – The Dating Doctor & National Speaker Of The Year Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio The Learning Leader Show “David Coleman is not a person, he is an event!” – Dr. Will Keim Some Questions I Ask: How did the movie Hitch with Will Smith help your business?  You do very similar things for clients, correct? What is your typical clientele? What is a “total immersion” weekend? What are some of the keys to a successful relationship? What does leadership in dating mean to you? What is the difference between character and reputation? How do you prepare to give your speeches? Why do you always ask the question, “what would Santa Clause do?” What does being a learning leader mean to you?   In This Episode, You Will Learn: The importance of understanding where your critics come from How Will Smith and the movie Hitch has affected his business Learnings from John Wooden… “Always give them one thing to walk away with” The importance of being prepared for your opportunity (great story around this) How Santa Clause has affected his life (another great story) World class performers are phenomenal both on and off the stage His philosophy on leadership – He feels not everyone is meant to be one The importance of taking a complicated message and making it clear “Mediocrity takes pot shots at excellence.” – David Coleman Continue Learning: ·         Go To David’s website: americasnextgreatspeaker.com ·         David’s books: Making Relationships Matter Nine Ways To Stay In Love For Life ·         Follow David on Twitter: @D8ngDoctor You may also like these episodes: Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Shot While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts Did you enjoy the podcast? This was a jam packed episode full of great content.  David Coleman is leader who is constantly learning in order to help us all live a better life. Who do you know that needs to hear this?  Send them to The Learning Leader Show! Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell   Bio From AmericasNextGreatSpeaker.com David Coleman is known worldwide as The Dating Doctor.™ He has been honored fourteen times as The National Speaker of the Year— 11 times by Campus Activities Magazine and 3 times by The National Association for Campus Activities and is the only speaker ever to be honored as the National Entertainer of the Year! He is a highly sought after speaker, author, entertainer, media personality and product endorser. David has been featured in such fine publications as Us Magazine, Glamour, Celebrity Living, Mademoiselle, Women's World, Cosmopolitan, The USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The New York Times. He has been featured on CNN as well as on all major television networks and on hundreds of radio stations nationwide. David has spoken to more than 2.5 million people in all 50 states, Canada and Europe and another 20,000,000 through his appearances on radio, television, and in print, Audience members at more than 2,500 college campuses, corporations, conferences, single's organizations, military installations, churches, and civic groups have experienced his energetic and entertaining programs. He has been a featured speaker for all branches of our Military Service, Purina, The Sprint Corporation, Merrill Lynch, The Kroger Co., Federated and Flo-Tork, Inc. as well as civic organizations such as MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers), Junior Achievement, Circle K International, and Mortar Board. David received a National Service Citation from President George Bush, and has served as a spokesperson for Microsoft, Abbott Labs, English Leather Cologne, Carpenter, IHG Hotels and Coca Cola.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! with an author doubleheader featuring Carol Stratton and Amy Sullivan. Carol Stratton has written for several publications, including InTouch magazine and Kyria. She is a contributing writer for Forsyth Woman magazine and has been published in two anthologies, Writing so Heaven Will be Different and Extraordinary Answers to Prayers. She speaks to women's groups such as MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), and at national writers' conferences. She attended Capenwray Bible School in New Zealand. Carol and her husband live in North Carolina and have four children and two grandchildren. Her website, www.ChangingZipCodes.com, helps women who are relocating. Carol's newest book is a contemporary Christian romance called Lake Surrender. You can find it through Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lake-Surrender-Carol-Grace-Stratton/dp/1941103227.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! with an author doubleheader featuring Carol Stratton and Amy Sullivan. Carol Stratton has written for several publications, including InTouch magazine and Kyria. She is a contributing writer for Forsyth Woman magazine and has been published in two anthologies, Writing so Heaven Will be Different and Extraordinary Answers to Prayers. She speaks to women's groups such as MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), and at national writers’ conferences. She attended Capenwray Bible School in New Zealand. Carol and her husband live in North Carolina and have four children and two grandchildren. Her website, www.ChangingZipCodes.com, helps women who are relocating. Carol’s newest book is a contemporary Christian romance called Lake Surrender. You can find it through Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lake-Surrender-Carol-Grace-Stratton/dp/1941103227.

Carol Stratton has written for several publications, including InTouch magazine and Kyria. She is a contributing writer for Forsyth Woman magazine and has been published in two anthologies, Writing so Heaven Will be Different and Extraordinary Answers to Prayers. She speaks to women's groups such as MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), and at national writers' conferences. She attended Capenwray Bible School in New Zealand. Carol and her husband live in North Carolina and have four children and two grandchildren. Her website, www.ChangingZipCodes.com, helps women who are relocating. Carol's newest book is a contemporary Christian romance called Lake Surrender.  For the past two years, Amy L. Sullivan looked harder, loved stronger, and discovered more by fixing her gaze on something other than the person staring back at her in the mirror. Amy writes for oodles of print and online publications and loves speaking with groups of any size. Connect with her online at www.AmyLSullivan.com. A portion of the proceeds from her new book When More is Not Enough, will benefit Transformation Village, a new housing development for women, children, and families in crisis in Western North Carolina. 

Carol Stratton has written for several publications, including InTouch magazine and Kyria. She is a contributing writer for Forsyth Woman magazine and has been published in two anthologies, Writing so Heaven Will be Different and Extraordinary Answers to Prayers. She speaks to women's groups such as MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), and at national writers’ conferences. She attended Capenwray Bible School in New Zealand. Carol and her husband live in North Carolina and have four children and two grandchildren. Her website, www.ChangingZipCodes.com, helps women who are relocating. Carol’s newest book is a contemporary Christian romance called Lake Surrender.  For the past two years, Amy L. Sullivan looked harder, loved stronger, and discovered more by fixing her gaze on something other than the person staring back at her in the mirror. Amy writes for oodles of print and online publications and loves speaking with groups of any size. Connect with her online at www.AmyLSullivan.com. A portion of the proceeds from her new book When More is Not Enough, will benefit Transformation Village, a new housing development for women, children, and families in crisis in Western North Carolina. 

"What is MOPS? MOPS is a grassroots movement that believes moms are world influencers. We also believe that incubating hearts and giving just-because-hugs can change the course of history. That’s why we connect moms all over the world to a community of women, in their own neighborhoods, who meet together to laugh, cry and embrace the journey of motherhood. MOPS groups are rallying women to be more honest, to feel more equipped and to find our identity by journeying along side one another. MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers, and by preschoolers we mean kiddos from birth through kindergarten. We know it's a little confusing so let's just stick with "MOPS." We are moms, and we believe that better moms make a better world." (http://www.mops.org/) Laura was invited to speak at the "Courage to Follow Your Dreams" event at a MOPS event in IL.  If you'd like Jessica, Laura, or both Chicks to speak at YOUR MOPS event, let us know- we'd be honored! www.ChristianComedyChicks.com www.facebook.com/ChristianComedyChicks  www.twitter.com/ccchicks

Tresha and Kyle talk about the principles they used to discipline their children throughout the early years. Tresha speaks regularly at MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) groups around the metroplex on this subject; and Kyle is the Director of Family Ministries at Watermark. This message will give you the chance to listen, laugh and learn as they discuss knowing your kids and how to appropriately set boundaries to make the pre-school years a rewarding adventure.

Tresha and Kyle talk about the principles they used to discipline their children throughout the early years. Tresha speaks regularly at MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) groups around the metroplex on this subject; and Kyle is the Director of Family Ministries at Watermark. This message will give you the chance to listen, laugh and learn as they discuss knowing your kids and how to appropriately set boundaries to make the pre-school years a rewarding adventure.