In this episode, I sit down with Abbie Halberstadt — mama of ten, author, and creator of M Is for Mama — to talk about the raw, real struggles many of us moms walk through: mom-guilt, impatience, that tendency to snap when we’re tired or overwhelmed, and how what’s in our hearts so often spills out inour words and actions. We dig into how to guard our hearts, lean on grace, and let our identity in Christ shape our motherhood — rather than guilt, perfectionism, or comparison.

Abbie brings her own story, biblical wisdom, anddecades of real-life motherhood to the table, helping moms reclaim confidence, kindness, and peace in the daily chaos.

Books by Abbie Halberstadt:
• M Is for Mama: A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood — a call to embrace biblical motherhood with grace and purpose.• You Bet Your Stretch Marks: Finding Beauty and Worth in the Ways Motherhood Marks Our Bodies and Souls — a powerfulreminder of the beauty, worth, and dignity of motherhood.

If you’re a mom navigating guilt, overwhelm, or those messy “mom feels,” this episode is for you. Tune in — and remember:your value isn’t in Instagram-worthy moments or perfect schedules — it’s in Christ and the rhythms He gives.

Find Abbie:
Instagram: @m.is.for.mama
Website: www.misformama.net
Pick up her books — search on your favorite retailer or follow the links on her site.

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you’d leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend.

Follow along on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@raisingrockco⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ andvisit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.raisingrockco.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—our website is now live! There you’ll find our products and merch, parenting toolsand resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock.

On the Resources page, you’ll also discover freedownloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more.

As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20%off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer).

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Anna Melendez—chiropractor, health and wellness expert, and the heart behind The Fresh Pursuit. Anna’s story is raw, honest, and deeply hopeful.

Over the last few years, she has walked through the heartbreaking journey of miscarriage and repeated loss, a road far too many women know but rarely talk about openly. Anna shares how she navigated grief, mourning, and the quiet questions that come with shattered expectations. But she also shares where she found strength: in the presence of Jesus, in His nearness, and in the slow, steady work of healing only He can do.

This conversation is tender, real, and full of encouragement for any woman who has faced loss, waited in the unknown, or found herself in seasons she never imagined. Anna reminds us that even when life breaks us open, God meets us with compassion, grace, and a fresh invitation to draw near.

Whether you’ve experienced miscarriage personally or love someone who has, this episode holds space, offers comfort, and points us back to the One who never wastes our pain.

You can connect with Anna Melendez and follow her journey at:
Instagram: @the.fresh.pursuit

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you’d leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend.

Follow along on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@raisingrockco⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.raisingrockco.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—our website is now live! There you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock.

On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more.

As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer).

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Timothy Dresselhaus—a retired Chief of Medicine and lifelong student of Scripture—for a deep, theological conversation about faith, family, and making God’s Word the heartbeat of our homes.

We talk about:

• Why theology matters for every family (not just scholars)

• How to make Bible study a rhythm your family actually looks forward to

• Helping children understand why they believe—not just what they believe

• How to stay anchored in truth in a shifting culture

  
  

Dr. Dresselhaus brings years of study, teaching, and real-life wisdom to the table, offering practical insight for parents who want their children to grow in truth and character. Whether you’re starting family devotionals or ready to go deeper, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

Want to explore Dr. Dresselhaus’s work further? Here are a few of his books:

• Seven Deadly Lies of Our Culture & Church

• The Crimson Thread: Tracing the Story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation

This week on the Raising Rock Podcast, Elise sits down with Katy Faust — founder of Them Before Us, an organization that boldly champions children’s rights above adult desires.

Katy is a warrior for truth in a world that’s lost its moral compass. With conviction and compassion, she breaks down some of today’s most difficult cultural topics — from why IVF can violate children’s rights, to her hope that Obergefell v. Hodges (the ruling legalizing same-sex marriage) will one day be overturned. Her message isn’t about stirring division, but about calling us back to God’s design for family, marriage, and human flourishing.

Katy’s book, Raising Conservative Kids in a Woke City, is a must-read for every parent who wants to equip their children to stand firm in truth. It’s full of age-based scripts, word tracks, and practical tools for talking about gender, socialism, economics, abortion, and more — all through a biblical lens.

This episode will challenge you — and encourage you.
Listen with an open heart, and be reminded that truth spoken with courage and love has the power to change a generation.

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you’d leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend.

Follow along on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@raisingrockco⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.raisingrockco.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—our website is now live! There you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock.

On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more.

As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer).

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, Elise sits down with her sweet friend Lauren Gilmore, host of The Little Lights Podcast — a storytelling podcast designed to help children learn and live out the fruit of the Spirit.

Lauren shares the heart behind Little Lights: why she started creating Christ-centered stories for kids, how these stories meet children in their everyday struggles, and practical ways parents can help their little ones grow in love, joy, peace, and more.

Whether your child is navigating big emotions or learning to walk in kindness, this conversation will remind you that God’s Word lights the way — even for the littlest hearts.

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you’d leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend.

Follow along on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@raisingrockco⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.raisingrockco.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—our website is now live! There you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock.

On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more.

As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer).

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Last week, you heard Mike Conway’s story — a powerful testimony of addiction, redemption, and the hard reality of relapse.

This week, we continue the conversation with his wife, Sara Conway.

When Mike relapsed, their story didn’t end there. Sara stood firmly on the promises of God. She prayed, believed, and clung to the hope that the Lord had a plan for their family even in the darkest season.

She is a stunning example of what it means to be a wife who loves faithfully — for better or for worse.

This isn’t a polished, picture-perfect story. It’s raw. It’s real. It’s what happens when grace meets brokenness and God writes a redemptive story through it.

If this episode touched your heart or you’d like to support Teen Challenge San Diego, ⁠visit their website here⁠.

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you’d leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend.

Follow along on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@raisingrockco⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.raisingrockco.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—our website is now live! There you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock.

On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more.

As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer).

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This week’s conversation is one you won’t forget.

Mike Conway’s story is raw, powerful, and drenched in God’s mercy.

From addiction… to becoming a pastor… and then facing the darkness of relapse while in ministry — Mike knows what it means to hit rock bottom. But he also knows the relentless, pursuing love of Jesus.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In this episode, Mike shares his journey of brokenness and redemption — the highs, the lows, and the grace that met him in the middle of it all.

✨ Next week, Part 2 continues with his wife, Sara — a powerful testimony of faith, forgiveness, and walking through the valley together.

If this episode touched your heart or you’d like to support Teen Challenge San Diego, visit their website here.

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you’d leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend.

Follow along on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@raisingrockco⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.raisingrockco.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—our website is now live! There you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock.

On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more.

As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer).

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with my friend Mia Elliott — host of Was That Too Much?, interior designer, and all-around amazing human — to talk about the real stuff: motherhood, infertility, growing up in the church, and learning to walk through challenges without becoming bitter.

It’s one of those cozy, honest, heart-level conversations that reminds you that you’re not alone. 🌿

If you’ve ever wrestled with waiting, wondered where God is in the hard seasons, or just needed a little encouragement for your own journey, this one’s for you.

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you’d leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend.

Follow along on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠@raisingrockco⁠⁠⁠⁠ and visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.raisingrockco.com⁠⁠⁠⁠—our website is now live! There you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock.

On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more.

As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer).

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Romance novels are often seen as harmless entertainment, but in this episode we take a closer look at the silent ways they shape women’s hearts, minds, and relationships. These stories promise escape and excitement, but many quietly erode joy, peace, and contentment—often leaving women dissatisfied with real life and real intimacy.

We talk honestly about why explicit romance novels function like pornography for women, setting up unrealistic expectations, distorting God’s design for love, and robbing us of the ability to fully cherish the relationships we’ve been given. We also explore the double standard: men are shamed for pornography, but women are often excused when turning to romance novels for the same kind of escape.

This episode isn’t about shame—it’s about freedom. Together we uncover the lies, bring them into the light, and talk about how to cultivate hearts that are rooted in truth, satisfied in Christ, and able to experience genuine peace and intimacy in the relationships God has entrusted to us.

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you’d leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend.

Follow along on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@raisingrockco⁠⁠⁠ and visit ⁠⁠⁠www.raisingrockco.com⁠⁠⁠—our website is now live! There you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock.

On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more.

As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer).

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Heidi St. John is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and host of The Heidi St. John Podcast. She has been encouraging moms for decades with her wisdom, humor, and honesty about faith, family, and culture. In this bonus episode, Heidi joins us to speak directly to the hearts of mothers navigating difficult seasons.

We talk about homeschooling, daily rhythms that bring peace, how to overcome seasons of loss or discouragement, and how to keep moving forward when life feels overwhelming. Heidi’s words are practical, heartfelt, and rooted in Scripture—reminding us that God is faithful no matter what we face.

Whether you’re walking through heartache or just needing a fresh dose of encouragement, this conversation will strengthen and uplift you.

Connect with Heidi on Instagram: @heidistjohn
Follow her ministry: @faiththatspreaks
Listen to The Heidi St. John Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

If you loved this episode, it would mean so much if you’d leave a 5-star review and share it with a friend.

Follow along on Instagram at ⁠⁠@raisingrockco⁠⁠ and visit ⁠⁠www.raisingrockco.com⁠⁠—our website is now live! There you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock.

On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more.

As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer).

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.