 As a mom of three small children, author and podcaster Tsh Oxenreider found Christmas a bit overwhelming and as Charlie Brown would say, “too commercial.” Year after year she found herself dreading the season and looking for simple ways to refocus the holiday on the things that mattered most. 
 After living overseas for a year with her family and switching to a more liturgical church, Tsh found the centuries old observance of Advent to be the perfect way to slow down the crazy season of Christmas. She joins me to introduce Advent if you are new to it and to talk about the beautiful new Advent guide she created.
 “This is for us, this is to reset our hearts and our focus to that which is the true reason we celebrate Christmas. So the thing I love about celebrating Advent in our culture is that it feels pretty counter-cultural in a world that both is focused on the gifts and is focused on the consumption parts of Christmas.”
 If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the liturgical practice of Advent, this is the show for you! Tsh shares a lot of practicals and perspectives about why celebrating this separate season can help us prepare for both the celebration of Jesus’ birth and the eventual time when Christ will, one day, make all things new.
 Connect with Tsh:   Website:  https://tshoxenreider.com  Instagram:  @tshoxenreider
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/tsh  
 Links Mentioned:    BOOK:  Shadow and Light: A Journey into Advent
 Biblical Feasts with Amber Lee  Advent resources from Tsh Other books from Tsh 
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Celebrating Advent :: Tsh Oxenreider [Ep 305]

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".

Kids & Family

Parenting




Rebecca St. James, a popular Australian American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and actress, is here to talk about the amazing new movie Unsung Hero, which chronicles her family's journey to rebuild their lives from the ground up. She shares personal stories from her childhood and how their mom’s faith stands up against all odds and inspires her husband and children to hold on to theirs.



Rebecca vulnerably shares her own  marriage and motherhood struggles as she longed to be married and have children and how God shaped her through the waiting. Once she started a family all of the spiritual disciplines that her parents instilled in her have become an important part of how she and her husband lead their children today. 



This movie and conversation reminds us that every Christian family is called to a unique adventure- they are not all the same but God has a plan for every one of us. When we settle for cookie-cutter lives we are missing out on the miracles He has for us. Be encouraged today that God has an adventure for your family when we step out in faith. 



Connect with Rebecca St. James: 






Website:  RSJ (rebeccastjames.com)

Facebook: Rebecca St. James

Instagram:  Rebecca St. James (@rebeccast.james)


Links Mentioned:  






Unsung Hero | Now Playing In Theaters
Thank-You-Poster.pdf (focusonthefamily.com)

Related Episodes:






Summer of Mentorship 2019 Week Four :: Helen Smallbone
Raising Rock Stars on a Firm Foundation :: Helen Smallbone [Ep 166]
The Day Fear Died :: Courtney Smallbone [Ep 201]
Lasting Parent-Child Relationships :: Summer of Mentorship 2022 Week 1

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Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 


Honoring Moms, the Unsung Heroes :: Rebecca St. James [Ep 466]

As usual, this sidetracked has so much packed into it, especially as we head into Mother’s Day and the end-of-school-year May(hem). We recap my son Quade’s final high school musical performance as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast. Once again the tears are flowing as I process having a senior and all of the final milestones that come along with it. 



Cynthia tries to describe what her best Mother’s Day would look like and it ends up being a 1980’s party with a clean house and peaceful kids. While I would like to bring back the homemade Mother’s Day crafts, let’s get all the high school teachers on board. Cynthia chats about what summer looks like when the college kids come home, it's around-the-clock fun with the little one up at 6:30 AM and the big kids up until the wee hours of the morning. 



Come laugh along with us as we face the month of May and all of the busyness and big feelings that come along with this season of motherhood.  Stick around to the end where we share a big announcement about how the summer of podcasting will look. 



Connect with Cynthia Yanof: 






Website:   https://cynthiayanof.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof 
Instagram:  @cynthiayanof 
Podcast: MESSmerized 




Links Mentioned:  






LTK | Fashion, Home, Beauty, Fitness and More
Life Is Messy, God Is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life: by Cynthia Yanof
Chico's (chicos.com)
Forgiving What You Can't Forget: by Lysa TerKeurst
I Shouldn't Feel This Way: by Alison Cook PhD
The Body Keeps the Score: by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

A Mother’s Day Questionnaire for your kiddos to fill out.

A Questionnaire you fill out about your kids by Brooke Romney
The Holderness Family
When Mother’s Day isn’t Facebook Perfect

Related Episodes:






Forgiving What You Can’t Forget :: Lysa TerKeurst [Ep 304]
Embracing the Mom You’re Meant to Be :: Jo Saxton [Ep 283]
The Goal Isn’t Happy Children :: Cynthia Yanof – Summer of Mentorship – Wk 6 [Ep 419]

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Better Help- This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/dma today to get 10% off your first month and get on your way to being your best self.
VisitFind links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 


Sidetracked by 1980’s Mother’s Day, LTK, and Bad Book Reviews :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 465]

Do you feel like you are just existing with your family instead of being intentional? Are you finding it hard to consistently spend time with the Lord as a busy mom? Do you wonder how to train your kids in Godly principles and practices that last a lifetime? 



Today Jennifer Pepito- author, podcaster, and homeschool curriculum writer- joins me to talk about her new book Habits for a Sacred Home. She studied the ancient practices and habits of monks and Christian women who have gone before us to see how they lived and how we can use some of their tools in our homes. 



Through the Benedictine rule, she discovered nine principles that can guide our days: simplicity, stewardship, order, stability, hospitality, community, prayer, and work. Jennifer talks about what this looks like in the imperfect, busy, messy seasons that family life brings. Life does not need to be idyllic to have a sacred home.  The goal of these practices is not to have another burden or to-do list but to create space for the Holy Spirit to show up in our families and guide us as we walk through life together submitted to Him. 



Connect with Jennifer Pepito: 






Website:  THE PEACEFUL PRESS

Facebook: Jennifer Pepito

Instagram:  Jennifer Pepito (@jenniferpepito)





Links Mentioned:  







Restoration Home with Jennifer Pepito [PODCAST]

Habits for a Sacred Home: by Jennifer Pepito 

Really Very Crunchy: by Emily Morrow 

The Rule of St. Benedict 
Atomic Habits: by James Clear
He Leadeth Me: An Extraordinary Testament of Faith: by Walter Ciszek
Kimberly June Miller
Mothering by the Book: by Jennifer Pepito




Related Episodes:






Inner Healing Prayer :: Jennifer Barnett [Ep 323]
Creating Family Culture :: Amber O’Neal Johnston [SOM Wk 4]
Create a Home of Belonging and Becoming :: Sally Clarkson {Ep 107}




Featured Sponsors: 







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Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 


Stewarding Sacred and Spiritual Disciplines at Home :: Jennifer Pepito [Ep 464]

Do you often feel like you are dropping all the spinning plates? That you can’t keep up or believe the lie that you are the worst mom and wife? Do you wonder why you are not further along, why does everyone else seem to have it together? 



Today Joanna Weaver- author, speaker, and podcaster- joins me to discuss her new book Embracing Trust. We also spent time talking about her classic Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and how that message has stayed applicable through the years. We want to worship at the feet of Jesus like Mary but the Martha in us keeps bossing us around, telling us to work harder and strive more. Joanna reminds us that if we tend our connection with the Lord everything else flows out of that place. The tasks and needs do not disappear but the ability to tackle them with grace, tranquility, and truth increases as we spend time at the feet of Jesus.  



Connect with Joanna Weaver: 

Website:  Christian Author and Speaker - Joanna Weaver

Facebook: Joanna Weaver Books

Instagram:  Joanna Weaver | Christian Author (@joannaweaverbooks)


Links Mentioned:  

Podcast - Joanna Weaver
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: by Joanna Weaver
Embracing Trust: by Joanna Weaver
Don't Mom Alone: by Heather MacFadyen

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The What, Why and Work-through of Panic Attacks :: Kasey Van Norman [Ep 452]
Inner Healing Prayer :: Jennifer Barnett [Ep 323]
Set Free From Shame :: Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 190]
Exchange False Beliefs with True Identity :: Jamie Winship [Ep 433]




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Thrive Causemetics- get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA

Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 









When You're Busy and Stressed by Mom Life Expectations :: Joanna Weaver [Ep 463]

Do you feel like you just need more money to create a home you love? Do you want an inviting home that feels peaceful and open to your friends and family? Are you confused about your decorating style and end up buying random decor that does not work? 



Myquillyn Smith, author and founder of the Nesting Place, joins me to help with all of the House Rules that can be so overwhelming. She gives me advice on how to update my kitchen on a limited budget by utilizing Pinterest. Plus gives advice on everything from throw pillows, lamps, wallpaper, and buying new couches. Myquillyn says that decorating is taking the time to learn about yourself and what you need for your home. Building the confidence to make big and small decisions that lead to a home you love and is functional. She reminds us that it does not have to be perfect to be beautiful. 



One powerful statement from Myquillyn is to not wait to get started, get started today on creating a home you love. One that you, your family, and your friends can be invited into a place of peace and rest. 



Connect with Myquillyn Smith: 

Website:  Nesting Place

Facebook: Nesting Place

Instagram:  Myquillyn Smith (@thenester)





Links Mentioned:  






House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home, Style, and Budget by Myquillyn Smith
The Cozy Minimalist Community
Jason Saft | Staged To Sell Home (@stagedtosellhome)
The Nesting Place: It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful: by Myquillyn Smith
Quiz: What's Your Decorating Era?



Related Episodes:

How to Quit Hustle and Embrace Small-Moment Living :: Emily Freeman {Ep 83}
Create a Home of Belonging and Becoming :: Sally Clarkson {Ep 107}
Your Unique Color Palette and Authentic Style :: Karen Blanc [Ep 343]




Featured Sponsors: 







Honeylove - Save 20% Off at honeylove.com/DMA


Skylight - Get 15% off a Skylight Calendar at SkylightCal.com/ALONE


StoryWorth - Save $10 on your first purchase when you go to StoryWorth.com/DMA 

Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 


Celebrating Advent :: Tsh Oxenreider [Ep 305]

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