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This podcast is all about growth through the journey and I am so pleased to share Amanda Crew's motherhood story today. She recounts her journey of pregnancy and loss, grief and unexpected joy, foster care and adoption, rainbow babies, and learning to accept and embrace her unexpected journey.

We also talk about learning to live in the moment, and our commitment to show up for friends who are in deep transition and grief.

This is a beautiful episode full of authenticity, resilience and hope.

BIO: Amanda Crews is a Jesus follower, wife, mama, teacher, and encourager. She author's the website SanctifiedByLove.com, where she encourages others weekly. She believes that ALL things (even the hard and unthinkable) can be used for good!

Link to "Loved" baby memory quilts here

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Michelle shares her story of adopting a child who is a different race than her biological family. With authenticity and compassion, she relates how much she didn’t know about raising a black son before the adoption and how much she had to learn, especially in the wake of racial tensions in 2020.

We talk about her growth as a person as she worked through emotions of embarrassment, grief, and compassion and how she and her family are embracing their new experiences, perspectives, community, holidays, with their precious son and brother.

BIO: Michelle K Umbehauer studied Journalism at La Salle University in Philadelphia. She soon opted to become a full-time mom (x6), yet has never stopped with her love of writing. You can find her work on Her View from Home and Moms in Prayer International; she also wrote an encouraging book for moms of many entitled, "Got Your Hands Full" and most recently, "The Marriage Workbook" with her husband, Doug. 

Check out Michelle's books here:
Got Your Hands Full: What Strangers Say to Moms & Why You Shouldn't Listen

The Marriage Workbook: Lessons in Love for the Committed Couple

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Debbie shares her unique story of loss in recounting a failed adoption of a little girl they planned for, prayed for, and longed to bring into their family. She shares her anticipation, joy, and dreams that died when this little girl ultimately did not come into their home.

On this podcast, we believe that sharing stories of loss can help provide solidarity, comfort, and hope for listeners who may have experiences a similar situation.
Every story of loss is precious and deserves to be heard and held.


BIO: Debbie Prather is a freelance writer from Indianapolis. She and her husband have three grown children and two grandchildren. Her pieces have been included in the books Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles, Angels & Messages From Heaven, So God Made a Mother, and the upcoming So God Made A Grandma. She shares essays on marriage, family, and faith at 742iloveyou.com.

Find Debbie's writing in the new Chicken Soup for the Soul book here!

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Mikala and I dive into a conversation focused on the metamorphosis that is MIDLIFE for all women, and how that transformation intractions with our  motherhood story. We talk about health, reverse puberty (perimenopause!!), medical care and mental health, and the small ways we are making ourselves a priority when our families demand and need so much from us.

Such a wonderful conversation with a wonderful person and author! Her book launches this week! Check it out here: Everything I wish I could tell you about Midlife

Dr. Mikala Albertson is a board-certified family practice doctor, author, and well-being advocate who is passionate about women’s health and healing in the imperfect bodies we actually have.

She’s the author of the book Ordinary on Purpose and inspires readers every day to stop striving for “perfect” lives or some unattainable cultural ideal of “beauty and wellness” and instead aim for wholehearted living through a gentle, achievable, sustainable approach.

Find her online here
Get her amazing FREE resources here

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Suzzie and I talk about her journey to becoming a doula, her experiences working with birthing women and postpartum moms, her passion for public health, and how being a doula has guided and shaped her as a woman and mom in her own metamorphosis journey.

Find Suzzie on IG here

BIO: Suzzie Vehrs is a Mother, Doula, Childbirth Educator and the founder of She Births Bravely, an organization that provides comprehensive education and support for expecting parents. She has worked with hundreds of families on their journey towards childbirth and parenting. Suzzie is passionate about empowering parents to make informed decisions about their birthing and parenting experiences.

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Kim and I discuss her journey to becoming a cottage foster mom to teenage girls, recounting her reluctance, fears, and compassion and love she's gained in her vocation as a foster mom. 

We talk about the trials, joys, and laughs involved in raising both toddlers and teens and the ways she's grown and changed on her unexpected journey of motherhood and foster care. 

Kim Patton is an adoptive and foster mama living in South Carolina with her family. In her free time, she is usually reading a memoir, taking her girls to the playground or playing tennis with her husband at the YMCA. Her second book, "Nothing Wasted: Struggling Well through Difficult Seasons" encourages readers to recognize personal growth amidst hard times. She writes at kimpatton.com, and has been the host of the Book Therapy podcast since 2022.

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 Krystal Sieben and I talk about the challenges and sadness she experienced in the first 5 years of her motherhood, when her son was struggling and she didn't feel accepted and seen by family and friends.

She narrates her journey in discovering her son is Autistic and how befriending a "weird" horse name Chadwick helped heal her heart and find her joy again.

She turned her personal joy, healing and love for horses into a non-profit horse experience for for adults and children of all abilities: Three Little Burdes.

Follow her on Social Media here

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The Motherhood Metamorphosis is BACK! Welcome to season 5!

Amy Betters-Midvedt and I talk about all things parenting teens--this episode is authentic and real and is for every parent, whether you are in the teen years now or years away.

We discuss Amy's new book and the wisdom she brings to topics like
acting out,
clamming up,
making sure they are OK vs. making sure I am OK,
boundaries,
co-dependence,
changing the narrative of “this is what caring moms do”,
giving yourself a mom “time out”,
taking opportunities to repair the relationship,
accepting “their way” vs “your way”,
choosing the hills you die on,
creating and choosing connection,
and the woes of having teens clean the kitchen

We hope you laugh and find solidarity with us in whatever parenting stage you are in!

Find Amy's website here
Find Amy's book here: 

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Love this episode? Send me a message here!

Support the show

Join the FB group here!

Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)

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Dr. Mina and I dive into a conversation about skincare, aging, and our evolving beauty. She shares stories and struggles she's had in both a dermatologist and a mom of two and the ways she has come to accept herself.

We talk about inner narratives and insecurities we have about motherhood, aging and beauty, social pressures, social media narratives, simplifying our skin care routines, and so much more!

This episode is encouraging, refreshing,  as well as candid and practical.

Follow Dr. Mina on IG here

BIO: Dr. Mary Alice Mina is a Harvard-trained double-board certified dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, and leading expert on skin health and skincare. She is the host of THE SKIN REAL, a podcast for people looking for real skin care guidance, by true skin experts where she emphasizes a holistic and preventative approach to skin health and aesthetics. She is co-owner of Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia where she treats patients with advanced surgical and cosmetic procedures to restore and maintain healthy skin. She is recognized for her artistic eye and surgical skills while helping people feel good in their skin!

Support the show

Join the FB group here!

Check out the new shop on Buy Me a Coffee and please consider becoming a $5 supporter of the show (I need 8 per month to cover the out of pocket expenses of producing the podcast)

I'm so glad you are here! Please share the podcast with a friend and don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts!