The Connected Mom

In this episode of The Connected Mom podcast, host Becky Harling and guest Courtney Reissig discuss the pervasive issue of fear among children and how parents can help them navigate it. They explore the impact of recent traumatic events, such as tornadoes, on children's understanding of God and suffering. Courtney shares her personal experience with her son Seth, who questioned whether God was angry after a tornado hit their community. The conversation delves into practical strategies for parents to support their children in coping with fear, emphasizing the importance of faith, community support, and understanding God's presence in times of trouble.

In this episode of the Connected Mom Podcast, Becky Harling and Laurie Davies discuss the concept of emotional hoarding, exploring how unresolved emotions can weigh us down and hinder our growth. They delve into the impact of emotional baggage from childhood, the reasons we hold onto negative emotions like guilt and worry, and the importance of grace in parenting. Through humor and personal anecdotes, they encourage listeners to confront their emotional struggles and seek healing through community and scripture.

Laurie’s book: Emotional Hoarding: Letting Go of the Stuff That Keeps You Stuck

In this episode of the Connected Mom podcast, host Becky Harling and guest Rachael Groll discuss the importance of hearing God's voice in parenting. They explore how to discern God's voice through scripture and the Holy Spirit, the significance of trusting God during painful experiences, and practical ways to teach children to listen for God's voice. Rachael shares her personal journey, including her experience with a failed adoption, and emphasizes the need for a personal relationship with God for both parents and children.

https://www.rachaelgroll.com

Rachael's Book : Hearing Jesus: 365 Day Devotional

In this episode of the Connected Mom podcast, host Becky Harling engages in a heartfelt conversation with Blair Linne about the struggles of anxiety and worry, particularly in children and mothers. They explore Blair's personal journey with anxiety, the impact of social media, and practical strategies for parents to help their children cope with anxiety. The discussion also highlights the importance of prayer, scripture, and the therapeutic power of spoken word poetry. Blair shares insights from her book, Yara the Brave and the Swirling Worry,' which addresses children's fears and emphasizes God's presence in their lives.

Blair’s book: Yara the Brave and the Swirling Worry

In this episode of the Connected Mom Podcast, host Becky Harling and guest Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner discuss the feelings of invisibility that many mothers experience, the importance of seeking help through counseling, and the comfort found in knowing that God sees and cares for us. They explore the challenges of motherhood, the significance of small tasks, and the need for intentional communication and boundaries in relationships with adult children. The conversation emphasizes the power of prayer and the importance of community support.

https://sherylgt.com

In this episode of the Connected Mom Podcast, host Becky Harling and guest Mandy Horne discuss the challenges of the different seasons of raising children. 

Mandy's Resources: https://www.wellspringoflifecoaches.com/team-1

In this episode of the Connected Mom podcast, host Becky Harling speaks with author Janel Breitenstein about the challenges of motherhood, particularly focusing on the theme of anger. They discuss the societal and religious pressures that lead mothers to feel guilty about their anger, and how understanding and managing this emotion can lead to healthier parenting. Janel shares practical tips for recognizing triggers, the importance of self-awareness, and how to approach anger in a way that reflects God's love and grace. The conversation emphasizes the need for mothers to be kind to themselves and to seek God's help in their parenting journey.

Janel’s Book - How to Stop Yelling up the Stairs: Keeping Your Cool While Raising Your Kids

In this episode of the Connected Mom podcast, Becky Harling and Laine Lawson Craft discuss the significance of genuine friendships, especially during challenging times. They explore the transition from parenting to writing children's literature, emphasizing the foundational truths every child should hear. The conversation highlights the importance of prayer in parenting and the mission behind Laine's new book, 'The Beginning of You,' which aims to support mothers who choose life for their children.

Laine’s Book: The Beginning of You

Many believers feel torn between loving others and protecting their hearts. We’re taught to include everyone, forgive quickly, and keep our doors open—but Scripture also calls us to wisdom and discernment in who we allow to shape our thinking, emotions, and spiritual direction.

In this conversation, we explore the difference between loving people and trusting them equally—and why healthy boundaries aren’t unloving, but deeply biblical.

Author Becky Harling joins us to unpack what emotionally healthy, Christ-centered friendships look like, how to recognize unsafe relational patterns, and how to heal when relationships wound us. Together, we examine how grounding our identity in Jesus frees us to love generously without becoming drained, resentful, or spiritually pulled off course.

This episode provides clarity on:

• why loving everyone doesn’t mean giving everyone equal access to your heart
• how to identify safe, reciprocal friendships
• warning signs of codependency, control, gossip, and emotional imbalance
• how prayer shapes wise relational decisions
• what loyalty and long-term friendship look like in a Christ-centered life
• how to set boundaries without becoming guarded or cynical
• steps toward healing after relational hurt

Produced by Faith Over Fear and LifeAudio
Resource referenced: Friend-Wise: Practical Ideas for Richer Relationships

In this episode of the Connected Mom Podcast, Becky Harling and Erin Davis engage in a heartfelt discussion about the concept of over-functioning in parenting and friendships. They explore the challenges of wanting to do too much for others, the importance of allowing children and friends to experience their own struggles, and the necessity of finding identity and affirmation in Christ rather than in performance. The conversation also touches on the biblical story of Joseph as a lens for understanding family dysfunction and the redemptive work of God in our lives.

Erin's book: The Story of Joseph