Alicia Michelle is a Christian mindset coach, author, and all-around encourager for moms navigating emotional overwhelm. Her story was raw and honest, and I loved how she linked faith, science, and practical tools to help women build emotional confidence.

Three key takeaways that really resonated:

1) Faith and Science Work Together: Alicia explains how understanding brain science doesn’t conflict with our faith—it actually helps us steward our God-given minds and emotions, just as we steward our bodies.

2) The ADD Method for Emotional Resilience: She shared a simple, actionable 3-step tool (Acknowledge, Discern, Decide) to process emotions, move out of overwhelm, and train our minds to respond with wisdom and compassion.

3) Modeling Emotional Growth for Our Kids: By making room for our own emotional processing, we not only heal and grow ourselves, but also teach our children healthy ways to handle anxiety, anger, and uncertainty—all while pointing them to God’s faithfulness.

If you’re a mama, educator, or leader wanting more calm and confidence—from the inside out—this episode is a must-listen. And if you want to dig deeper, check out Alicia’s book “Emotional Confidence” or her podcast for more brain-based, biblically-sound wisdom!

Website: https://aliciamichelle.com/

In this episode, we dive deep into Rachel’s personal journey—facing her daughter’s bullying experience in a private Christian school—and how it inspired her to write a comprehensive guidebook for families, counselors, and educators dealing with bullying.

Rachel shares her insightful strategies for identifying signs of bullying, navigating the emotional landscape, advocating for children, and reclaiming identity through the power of scripture and affirmation.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or someone impacted by bullying, Rachel’s wisdom and practical advice will resonate deeply.

FREE SCRIPTURE AFFIRMATION CARDS: https://beautifuljoyrachel.com/

See it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JE0FPSwhtyU 

Katie Robinson is joining us to share about her impactful book series, Walking Together, designed to help families navigate through life’s toughest challenges with faith and support. Katie’s extensive background in family ministry at her local church in North Carolina has equipped her with unique insights into how parents can make Jesus a central part of their everyday lives, even amid difficulties like grief and divorce.

In this episode, we dive deep into the creation and purpose behind Walking Together, exploring how Katie and her team craft these vital resources. We’ll discuss how each story aims to provide parents with the language and tools to walk alongside their children through complex emotions and situations. Katie shares the collaborative process behind the books, involving counselors, teachers, and parents to ensure that every book is a comprehensive, relatable, and meaningful guide. Katie’s passion for storytelling and her commitment to aiding families with practical, faith-based solutions truly shine through.

Listen in to discover this book series that walks kids through divorce, anxiety and loss, and discover how these stories help kids understand and trust God through life’s uncertainties. So, grab your coffee, find a comfy spot, and let’s dive into this heartwarming conversation with Katie Robinson.

Check out the WALKING TOGETHER collection: https://www.portcity.church/walkingtogether

Amber is a longtime Children and Family Ministry leader at her church (just like me), and we decided to do a double-interview today! Amber and I will each share our personal journeys, exploring how to create meaningful and realistic faith routines within your home.

You’ll hear about my struggles and eventual success with morning devotions, and Amber’s creative approach to engaging her family through faith-themed bookmarks and kitchen dance parties with Jesus music.

We’ll discuss the importance of living out our faith daily, both intentionally and unintentionally, and how even small spiritual habits can profoundly shape our children’s lives.

We’ll also highlight the power of adaptability, finding devotional practices that resonate with your family’s unique rhythm, and why authenticity in faith is crucial. Plus, we’ve got some heartwarming stories and practical tips to encourage you on your own family discipleship journey.

It’s all about making faith a natural part of everyday life, nurturing those little shoots into deep roots. So, whether you’re struggling to find a routine or looking for fresh ideas, this episode is for you. Let’s grow together in faith!

Find Amber: https://amberpike.org/

“You told me I have this power, but why don’t I FEEL like I have this power?”

This is the question Tara raises in this episode, and the question that started her journey of discovering the power of the Holy Spirit to transform her everyday life.

In this episode, Tara and I dive deep into how the Holy Spirit guides us in our daily lives. Tara shared powerful stories about being open, saying yes to God’s call, and the transformative power of the Spirit. We also unpacked the differences between the Holy Spirit’s roles in the Old and New Testaments, and how He can bring calm out of chaos.

Here are some highlights you won’t want to miss:

**The Holy Spirit’s Gentle Leading**: Christie and Tara discuss moments when they feel called by God to take action, and how they listen to the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit. The conversation is a beautiful reminder of the importance of being open to divine guidance in our day-to-day lives.

**Power in the Word**: Tara emphasizes the significance of grounding ourselves in the Bible and seeking God’s help in all situations. She shares moving stories of how being in tune with God’s Word and Spirit has brought about positive outcomes, even in times of uncertainty.

**Personal Testimonies**: From organizing a successful prayer breakfast to receiving timely nudges to check on loved ones, Tara recounts her experiences of relying on the Holy Spirit’s strength and wisdom. These testimonies highlight how God works through us, often in the most unexpected ways.

**Holy Spirit’s Role**: Learn about the distinct roles of the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments, and how the Spirit empowers and indwells believers today. The hosts also tackle common fears associated with the Holy Spirit’s unpredictability, reassuring us that His guidance will always align with biblical truth.

**Practical Impact**: Be inspired by stories of individuals who have felt the Holy Spirit’s call to take significant actions, such as donating a kidney, and how these acts of obedience have brought about incredible blessings.

As a wife, mother, state university teacher, author, and host of her own podcast, Tara brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to our discussions. Her journey began about five years ago, spurred by a quest to better understand the Holy Spirit’s role in her life—a journey that many of us can relate to.

Check out Tara’s website HERE. 

Welcome to another uplifting episode of “HopeGrown Faith,” where we explore the spiritual threads that weave through the tapestry of our daily lives. Today we are blessed with the presence of Charity Rios—a mother of four, an author with a mission, and an inspiring voice in the realm of motherhood and faith.

In our conversation today, Charity opens up about how she finds sacred spaces for prayer in the midst of life’s everyday tasks—from the humbling act of laundry to the tender moments spent nursing. She shares a transformative shift from binge-watching Netflix to embracing these quiet times as opportunities for connection with God.

Together, we delve into the common struggle of choosing meaningful engagement with the divine over the instant gratification of entertainment while tackling our chores. Charity courageously details her personal battles with the distractions of social media and her deliberate efforts to set boundaries that honor her time with God.

As a beacon of guidance for fellow moms, Charity is excited to announce her upcoming podcast, “Mama Bear Prayers,” designed to foster deeper relationships with God through prayerful reflection and biblical insights. Aiming to support and empower mothers, she invites her audience to contribute their voices to this new venture here (https://forms.gle/6s5h5k7u15TgVAJE8).

We also discuss Charity’s children’s book, “My Heart’s Garden,” which emerged from the depths of her own healing journey after tragedy. This poignant story illustrates the profound effect lies can have on our hearts and behaviors, offering a pathway to truth and restoration through the nurturing love of “Father Gardner.”

Join us as we delve into a conversation that is both raw and redemptive, with Charity Rios guiding us through the act of teaching our children the power of discerning God’s truth in our lives. It’s all about nurturing faith, recognizing vulnerabilities, and most importantly, turning every little moment into an encounter with the divine.

Let’s cultivate our HopeGrown Faith together, one story, one prayer, one extraordinary guest at a time. So sit back, listen in, and let’s grow in grace with Charity Rios.

Connect with Charity online:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claritywithcharity/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charityriosauthor/

Website: https://charityrios.com/

1. How have you been able to find moments of prayer and connection with God amid mundane daily tasks?

2. After listening to Charity’s transition from watching Netflix to praying while nursing, have you considered any similar transitions in your own life to make room for spiritual growth?

3. Christie mentioned using the audio Bible to transform chore time into an opportunity for spiritual nourishment. What are some ways you incorporate scripture or prayer into your daily routines?

4. Both Charity and Christie discussed the challenge of choosing meaningful moments with God over entertainment. What strategies do you use to resist the pull of entertainment and instead turn to God during daily activities?

5. Charity touched on social media as a significant distraction. How do you manage or set boundaries with social media to ensure it doesn’t interfere with your faith practice or family time?

6. Listening to how both Charity and Christie prioritize their spiritual growth, what are some steps you can take to ensure that this aspect of your life receives the attention it deserves?

7. What are your thoughts on Charity’s upcoming “Mama Bear Prayers” podcast? How might brief, accessible episodes of guided prayers and reflections support your spiritual journey as a mother?

8. Reflecting on the conversation about teaching children to discern God’s truth from Satan’s lies, what practices do you believe are essential for building this discernment in children?

9. Charity mentioned using sticky notes with scripture to remind her of God’s presence. Can you share a simple, creative method you’ve used to keep your faith front and center in your home?

10. Hearing about the lies that Charity’s children have grappled with, like feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks, can you identify similar lies that you, or children you know, have faced and how you’ve addressed them with God’s truth?

Welcome to the HopeGrown Faith podcast, where we explore the intersection of faith and everyday life. In today’s episode, host Christie sits down with Marnie Hammar, a mom of three and a writer, to delve into the topic of hearing from God and the journey of faith. Marnie shares her personal experiences of being called by God and emphasizes the need to move toward Him without fear. She discusses the challenges of staying connected with God while being a new mom, the importance of prayer in parenting decisions, and the significance of expecting and recognizing God’s voice in individual ways. Join us as we explore Marnie’s insights on nurturing a vibrant faith in the midst of everyday life.

Visit Marnie’s website: https://marneyhammar.com

First, let’s talk some history! How did we get from the real person of St. Nicholas (whose holiday was observed on Dec 6) to the jolly, sleigh-riding Santa Claus of modern Christmas celebrations? I’d always known Santa was loosely based off Nicholas of Myra, but how did he morph so much?

Second, let’s talk about 4 ways Christians have dealt with the modern myth of Santa Claus. If you’re curious about this topic, or maybe want to make some changes this year, watch or listen today.

Here are the links to the files I shared:

20 Christ-centered Christmas bedtime activities for little ones

Happy Birthday Jesus kit

Article: Who Is St. Nicholas?

In this episode, Eryn shared her insights on connecting children with nature and nurturing their sense of wonder, all while pointing them back to God. It was an uplifting and thought-provoking conversation that we can’t wait to share with you.

Eryn believes that by taking children outside and asking them questions about nature, we can help them form a deeper connection with God. From the biblical story of Abram being taken outside and shown the stars, to encounters with wildlife during family hikes, Eryn beautifully articulated the importance of understanding that God’s creation reflects His qualities and designs.

In addition to reconnecting children with God through nature, Eryn also addressed important topics such as climate change and using nature to combat relativism.

Eryn is not only a guest on our podcast but also the host of her own podcast, “Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible,” where she provides fun and educational episodes for kids. Make sure to check it out and share it with the young ones in your life.

FIND ERYN AND LINKS TO HER BOOK/PODCAST AT https://erynlynum.com/.

On this episode of HopeGrown Faith, we sit down with Lori Wildenberg, the author of “Messy Hope,” a book that discusses how parents can help their children overcome depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. We dive into Lori’s own family’s struggles with these issues, and she provides practical advice for parents based on her research and consultations with therapists, pastors, and educators. We also discuss the importance of being realistic, building interdependence within families, and embracing imperfections as a parent. Lori emphasizes that mental health struggles are common and should not be accepted as the new normal, and her book offers hope for parents and struggling children alike.

CONNECT WITH LORI: https://loriwildenberg.com/

Lori Wildenberg is the co-founder of First Corinthians 13 Parenting Ministry, where she writes parenting books, speaks nationally, coaches families, and runs the Moms Together Facebook community. She is a licensed parent and family educator who weaves her faith and passion for parenting to encourage, educate, and equip moms. Personally, she is a mom to four adult children, including one adopted from Colombia. Two of her three married children have kids of their own, making her a proud Mimi to four. Regardless of how God brings you to parenting, Lori believes it’s a precious role and her mission is to help families build connections that last a lifetime.