Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, connects you the listener with people and resources to help you feel less alone. Consider it an invitation to "withness"...
Processing Grief, Infertility, and Loss in Community :: Julie Fowler [Ep 502]
Have you or a friend ever walked through a season of infertility and grief? Do you often wonder what to say when a friend is walking through loss of any kind?
Today my friend Julie Fowler is here to talk about her heartbreaking (but hopeful) story of motherhood and how God used her story to help people navigate loss. Julie has faced miscarriage, adoptions that fell through at the last minute, and baby twins she only held for four short hours. She truly has walked this long road and knows all of the feelings of grief and uncertainty around waiting for a baby. This valley produced a beautiful study of walking through infertility in community and connecting with God in the deepest, darkest places. We cover so much in our conversation including…
How to talk to a friend in a season of infertility and loss- what not to say.
How husbands and wives can support each other instead of turning on one another.
Sharing your feelings with the Lord and then speaking truth over yourself.
Wrestling with deep spiritual questions when your prayers are not being answered.
Making a support group uplifting instead of only heavy while still leaving room to process.
Connect with Julie Fowler:
Website: Julie Fowler Ministries
Facebook: Juliefowlerministries | Facebook
Instagram: Julie Fowler Ministries (@juliefowlerministries)
Links Mentioned:
Infertility Bible Studies and Resources — Julie Fowler Ministries
Treasures in the Waiting: by Julie Fowler
Navigating Infertility and Loss with Strength and Hope: by Julie Fowler
When Empty Arms Become a Heavy Burden: by Sandra Glahn
Related Episodes:
Nobody’s Mother :: Dr. Sandra Glahn [Ep 443]
Hope During Infertility and Infant Loss :: Shawna Beucler [Ep 203]
Every Bitter Thing is Sweet :: Sara Hagerty [Ep 143]
Featured Sponsors:
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Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
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51:38
Moms and the Best Christmas Pageant Ever :: Dallas and Amanda Jenkins [Ep 501]
Today my conversation with Dallas and Amanda Jenkins is a powerful reminder that the Christmas story still needs to be told thousands of years later. Dallas is the acclaimed director, writer, and producer of The Chosen, and now the heartfelt movie The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
The movie is based on a book read for years in the Jenkins’ house (and many households worldwide). Twenty years ago Amanda brought the book home and asked Dallas to read it to the kids. By the end they were both in tears and could not finish the story without taking turns reading. That started a 20-year journey of Dallas praying to make this movie and the Lord answered through an amazing story in His own time.
Moms play a vital role in this film from a mom telling her son to let Dallas have the rights to the movie, to Amanda helping with the casting, to Grace (the mom in the film) who uses her God-given space to change the lives around her. As we enter the Christmas season let us remember Jesus came for the outsider and not cling so tightly to our traditions that we do not see those who need to hear the true Christmas story.
Connect with Dallas and Amanda:
Website:
Facebook: Dallas Jenkins
Instagram: Dallas Jenkins (@dallas.jenkins)
Links Mentioned:
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever | Now Playing In Theaters
Molly Wright: How Every Child Can Thrive by Five | TED
Related Episodes:
Seek Him First :: Lillian Richey [Ep 494]
Advent Untangled :: Mindy Rives [Ep 385]
Celebrating Advent :: Tsh Oxenreider [Ep 305]
Featured Sponsors:
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Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
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48:42
Finding God Faithful in All Stages of Motherhood :: Leslie Johnson [Ep 500]
I can’t believe it but today we are celebrating 500 episodes of Don’t Mom Alone! I am bringing back my very first guest and mentor Leslie to “recap” the last eleven years. Leslie had been encouraging me from before I started this podcast and her fingerprints are all over my motherhood. We get an update on her life and she shares how to navigate the empty nest phase.
Leslie reminds us of Psalms 16:6-8 (which I also wrote about in my book), “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” God is faithful in ALL seasons from newborn to empty nest.
Also, some of my listeners call in to share what Don’t Mom Alone has meant to them. Here are a few of the highlights…
How healing prayer ministry has been life-changing.
Be in community and reach out for help.
Become the inviter instead of waiting for others to invite you in.
Receive and give grace to others through the challenges of motherhood.
Connect with Leslie Johnson:
Website: Sursee Gal
Instagram: Leslie Johnson 🎉aka Sursee Gal (@surseegal)
Links Mentioned:
*A gift to you!! PDF of Psalm 16:6-8
Right Where You Belong: by Heather MacFadyen
Related Episodes:
Announcing…the God Centered Mom Podcast! Interview with Leslie Johnson (Sursee Gal)
A Pep Talk with Leslie Johnson {SurseeGal} –Yelling/Reading/Needing :: GCM Ep 20
That’s Me. . .Craving Authentic Friendships :: Libby and Leslie {Ep 102}
Featured Sponsors:
Betterhelp: Find comfort this December, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/DMA today to get 10% off your first month.
Skylight Frame: And now, as a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get twenty dollars off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go to SkylightFrame.com/ALONE.
Greenlight: The easy, convenient way for parents to raise financially smart kids and families to navigate life, together. Sign up for greenlight today at Greenlight.com/dma.
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
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45:06
Building Healthy Relationships by Exploring Adult Attachment Patterns (Part 2) :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 499]
Today we continue last week's episode in Part 2 with my friend Charissa Lopez. If you missed part one you can listen here to catch up Click Here for Part 1.
Charissa Lopez is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Dallas specializing in play therapy, EMDR, emotionally focused family therapy, and trauma-informed care. She is full of wisdom and the science to explain why we respond and parent in specific ways based on childhood patterns. We continue the conversation today by covering these topics…
Understanding Secure Attachment.
Exploring Preoccupied Attachment in Parenting
Disorganized Attachment - the most rare of all three tendencies.
Neurodiversity and Attachment Patterns and how to help our neurodivergent kids feel connected.
Interventions for Attachment Patterns - how to heal and parent from a place of secure attachment.
Healing Through Community- God created community for restoration and healing.
Connect with Charissa Lopez:
Website: Charissa Lopez | Licensed Professional Counselor
Links Mentioned:
Welcome Don't Mom Alone Friends! - Charissa Lopez Counseling
Secure Relating: by Sue Marriott and Ann Kelley
Related Episodes:
Building Healthy Relationships by Exploring Adult Attachment Patterns (Part 1) :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 498]
Connecting Through Play :: Charissa Fry [Ep 319]
Ages and Stages Series–The Tween Years :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 380]
“How Do I Regulate My Own Emotions?” :: Charissa Fry [Ep 482] Summer of Mentorship
Featured Sponsors:
Skylight Frame: And now, as a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get twenty dollars off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go to SkylightFrame.com/ALONE.
Greenlight: This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. A debit card and money app made for families. Sign up for Greenlight today at Greenlight.com/DMA
IXL Learning: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. And Don’t mom alone listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com/DMA.
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
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51:04
Building Healthy Relationships by Exploring Adult Attachment Patterns (Part 1) :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 498]
Do you ever wonder why you respond the way you do to your kids? Do you feel like there are things to process from childhood but don’t have the words to explain those feelings?
Today Charissa Lopez, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Dallas joins me. She specializes in play therapy, EMDR, emotionally focused family therapy, and trauma-informed care. She is full of wisdom and the science to explain why we respond and parent in specific ways based on childhood patterns. Join us as we talk about…
Secure attachment in the early years (ages 0-3) and how meeting our little ones needs just 30% of the time allows them to feel secure and attuned.
Loving parental behaviors – beyond the basic needs by showing our kids delight, affection, and supporting their inner and outer exploration.
How to repair relationships and remain a safe place for our kids.
Dismissive attachment pattern explained.
HOPE- a way to learn more helpful patterns and allow God to heal past hurts.
Connect with Charissa Lopez:
Website: Charissa Lopez | Licensed Professional Counselor
Links Mentioned:
The Window of Tolerance :: Charissa Fry [Ep 260]
Welcome Don't Mom Alone Friends! - Charissa Lopez Counseling–helpful pdfs on loving parental behaviors and attachment styles.
Related Episodes:
Connecting Through Play :: Charissa Fry [Ep 319]
Ages and Stages Series–The Tween Years :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 380]
“How Do I Regulate My Own Emotions?” :: Charissa Fry [Ep 482] Summer of Mentorship
Featured Sponsors:
Thrive Causemetics: Spice up your fall look with Thrive causemetics. Luxury beauty that gives back. Get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA
Skylight Frames: As a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get twenty dollars off your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go to SkylightFrame.com/ALONE.
Betterhelp: Let the gratitude flow, with Betterhelp. ● Visit BetterHelp.com/dma today to get 10% off your first month.
Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, connects you the listener with people and resources to help you feel less alone. Consider it an invitation to "withness".