Today we’re talking about the important–and sometimes misrepresented–topic of adoption. Katie chats with Becky (an adoptive mom) and Jamie (an adoptee) about the complexities and layers of this calling that most of the world never sees. 

Becky shares the steep learning curve of being an adoptive parent, but also the undeniable gifts and joys God has shown her along the way. Jamie speaks honestly about the grief she’s walked through, sheds light on some common misconceptions about adoption, and moves us deeply when she talks about embracing her belovedness. Although adoption plays a different role in each of these women’s lives, both have come to the same conclusion: God’s grace is abundant, and He is in the business of making things new. 

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Substack community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

From soccer mom acquaintances to soul sisters, today we’re talking about different kinds of friendships and all things friendship with author and podcaster, Laura Tremaine. We chat about making friends a priority, believing the best in each other, and the less fun (but necessary!) stuff like navigating DTRs, friendship reckonings, and even break-ups. Plus, Laura shares a few tips for meeting new friends on the internet. (Did you know your C+C hosts met each other online!?) We hope this conversation inspires you to take a few minutes to pursue and appreciate the beautiful friendships in your own life.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Substack community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

From the nitty gritty logistics to the right heart posture, today we’re talking all things hospitality. Sparkling floors and perfectly fluffed pillows: optional. Inviting people into our homes, as is, for real connection and real conversation: essential. Whether you enjoy cooking a beautiful three-course meal, or you’d rather serve store-bought cookies on a paper plate, we hope this episode encourages you to welcome old and new friends—and maybe that neighbor you keep meaning to talk to—into your life, mess and all. Plus, Katie gives a very convincing argument on why sheet pan nachos are the perfect food to serve any crowd. 

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Substack community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

We vacuum crumbs only to have little hands drop more on the floor, and we try to figure out what’s for dinner (again!). At times, the monotony of being a mom can leave us wondering: does this even matter? Today, Jill and Katie talk with Coffee + Crumbs writer and author of All Who Are Weary, Sarah Hauser, who reminds us that although so much of motherhood goes unseen, God notices ordinary faithfulness and can use the most mundane moments for his glory. If you’re feeling weary, we hope this conversation refreshes your soul and reminds you that you’re seen, you’re deeply loved, and your work matters.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Substack community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

After a loooong winter hiatus, we’re back just in time to celebrate the launch of Ashlee’s book, Create Anyway, which is now officially out in the wild (!). From infusing art into the most mundane tasks to reframing creativity as a posture, today we’re chatting about how creativity has changed us (and our mothering!) for the better. Plus, Katie and Ashlee get a little teary-eyed talking about photography. We hope this episode reminds you that creativity is valuable and worth carving out space for—not in spite of motherhood, but because of motherhood.

In other news at Coffee + Crumbs, our Spring Collection is here! Head over to coffeeandcrumbs.net/spring-collection to check it out.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Substack community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

In our last episode of 2022, please queue up the dramatic music and prep the stage for an imaginary awards ceremony celebrating the best moments, products, and people that have brightened our year. From the natural deodorant that doesn’t leave Jill smelling like greek salad (lol) to the bike shorts that made Katie finally realize she’s not as insecure as she used to be—most of these awards are silly, but some of them are meaningful, too. We hope this lighthearted conversation inspires you to create your own Best of 2022 list for the year! 

Be sure to listen to the end for a few announcements about some exciting new changes coming to Coffee + Crumbs in 2023. For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

What is it like to be sober in a society that glamorizes and makes light of drinking so often, especially in correlation with motherhood? Today we’re chatting with Dana Bowman—a mother in recovery—who shares how she once found validation in “Wine Mom” culture, before hitting rock bottom in 2014. Through the honest lens of her own experience, Dana offers some alternative ways we can approach conversations, hospitality, and even social media posts more empathetically, to support those struggling with alcohol use. 

If you think you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use, we hope this episode meets you with grace and encourages you to take the next right step toward health and healing.   

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

From five-dollar simple pleasures to the splurges that were totally worth it, today we’re sharing a few of our favorite things. While Jill teaches us how to level up our at-home spa game (hello, eucalyptus shower spray!), Katie is here to convince us that mushroom coffee is definitely worth trying. Plus, Ashlee’s undying love for the weighted blanket continues, per her confession of hauling all fifteen pounds of it when she travels. Whatever you fill your cart with this week, we hope you have a cozy and happy Thanksgiving! This episode is not sponsored by Aquaphor (or anyone for that matter), but it probably could have been.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

Today we’re talking with Aundi Kolber—a mother, professional counselor, and author—about motherhood and trauma. For many of us, trauma is a word we have reserved for people who have gone through life-altering, dangerous, or abusive experiences, and we have never given attention to the “little t traumas” that add up over a lifetime. No matter where you are, or what you’ve survived, Aundi compassionately walks us through this important conversation on honoring your story, learning how to be a mother even if you didn’t have a great example, and taking care of yourself so you can, in turn, take care of others. You’ll also learn a few ways to parent with empathy, so you can guide your children through their own pain. Whether you’ve endured a devastating circumstance, or many months of overwhelm, we hope this episode encourages you to make space for healing.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

In this honest and vulnerable episode, Katie talks with Sonya, Melanie, and Julie, three Coffee + Crumbs team members who were all diagnosed with breast cancer between 2020 and 2022. You’ll hear how all of these women felt or discovered something abnormal on their own and advocated for themselves to follow up on their intuition. You’ll listen in on the emotions that accompanied the agony of waiting for test results. They’ll let us in on how they shared the news with their kids. And mostly, you’ll hear from each of these women how cancer has forever changed them. 

This episode takes us up close to women who have had a life-altering diagnosis, and our hope is that by listening, we can all learn empathy, compassion, or – if this diagnosis is yours – a way to walk forward with both courage and grace for yourself. 

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous and loving Patreon community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $1/month, head to Patreon.com/coffeeandcrumbs to join the party (where we host discussions after every episode, offer bonus content, and more!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.