Welcome to Episode 51 of The Perfectionist's Guide to Mothering! Today we're starting something new! We're kicking off a summer series all about friendship and my friend, Stacey Morgan, is joining me!

In this episode, we chat about:

We'd love to continue the conversation with you! Send us a DM on Instagram with your friendship questions and quandaries you want us to talk about this summer. Find me @andreafortenberry and @staceymorgan2000. 

We'd also love for you to share this episode with your friends! We hope our episodes will be a conversation starter and a catalyst for you to develop and deepen friendships.

We also mention in this episode that we work for MOPS, one of the greatest places a mom can make friends. Find a group near you here. 

Also, my event, Restore: Soul Care for Moms, is coming up on June 21st in Arizona! I'd love to see you there! Get your tickets here. 

Welcome to Episode 50 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering!

Before we dive into today’s conversation, I want to let you know about two things:

1. May 20th is the second birthday of the podcast! As a quick birthday gift, could you hop over to Apple Podcasts and rate and review the podcast? It means so much and will help more moms be able to find it.

2. Just a reminder that Restore: Soul Care for Moms is coming to Arizona on Tuesday, June 21st at Rock Point Church, 6:30-9 PM. Tickets are on sale now, link is in the show notes. I really hope to see you there!

Now, on to today’s episode:

Today I’m talking with Amberly Neese. I met Amberly earlier this year at an event here in Arizona and she’s amazing. Amberly Neese is a popular speaker/teacher, comedian, author, and all-around encourager dedicated to helping you become the joyful person you were created to be.

Amberly is a featured speaker for the Aspire Women’s Events and the main host and female comedian for Marriage Date Night, two popular Christian events that tour nationally. She is the author of The Belonging Project: Finding Your Tribe and Learning to Thrive*, Common Ground: Loving Others Despite Our Differences*, and The Friendship Initiative: Connecting and Loving Like Jesus.*

She and her husband have two teenagers and live in Prescott, Arizona, where they enjoy the great outdoors, the Food Network, and all things Star Wars.

Some of the resources we mention include:

You can connect with Amberly via:

*Affiliate Link

Welcome to Episode 49 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering!

Before we dive into today’s interview, I have some announcements:

1. I have a new digital magazine, Restore. You can subscribe here. 

2. Get your tickets to Restore: Soul Care for Moms in Arizona on Tuesday, June 21st

Now, on to today’s conversation:

Today I’m talking with Jaclyn Weidner. Jaclyn is the self-proclaimed former president of the Hot Mess Mom's Club. After God pulled her out of a pit of anxiety and depression she has been on a mission to help other overwhelmed moms thrive! She lives just outside of Vancouver Canada with her husband Brendan and their 3 talkative girls. She hosts the Ready to Thrive Podcast and is the author of Tangled: A Soul Care Revival Guide. She loves creating content that helps women experience transformation in her life and she started the Ready to Thrive school where she hosts e-courses for women to get the tools they need to thrive.

Some of the resources we mention include:

You can connect with Jaclyn via: 

*Affiliate Link

Welcome to Episode 48 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering!

Today I’m talking with Renee Swope. Renee is an award-winning author, a popular national conference speaker, and a former radio cohost and executive director with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Her most recent book is A Confident Mom: Simple Ways to Give Your Child What They Need Most.* Renee and her husband, J.J., have been married for 29 years and have three children ranging from middle school to married + two daughter-in-loves and two fur babies.

Some of the resources we mention include:

You can connect with Renee through:

*Affiliate Link

Welcome to Episode 47 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering!

Today I’m talking with Caris Snider. Caris is a Christian Communicator who shares the hope of God through speaking and leading worship. She is the best-selling author of Anxiety Elephants: A 31 Day Devotional and Anxiety Elephants for Tween Girls and Boys*. Her passion for the Lord comes through as she shares her experiences of overcoming depression and anxiety. Her desire is to help women of all ages with their faith and mental health journey.

We chat about how to detect symptoms of anxiety in our tweens and how to help them. We also chat through tips for us as moms navigating anxiety and our favorite Bible verses that help us. 

Some of the resources we mention include: 

You can connect with Caris via:

*Affiliate Link

Welcome to Episode 46 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering!

Today I’m talking with Becky Kopitzke. She is a wife, mom of two, author, speaker, and writing coach. She’s the author of three books including The Cranky MomFix: How to Get a Happier, More Peaceful Home by Slaying the "Momster" in All of Us.* Becky and her family are living the dream in northeast Wisconsin, where they share precious space with two lazy dogs, and tables stacked with homework and craft supplies.

I loved this conversation with Becky, we are kindred spirits! We talked about crankiness triggers, how to handle blunders that happen despite our best intentions, Becky's three family rules, and more. 

Some of the resources we mention include:

You can connect with Becky via her:

*Affiliate Link

Welcome to Episode 45 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering! Today I'm sharing a story, encouraging you to ask for help, and asking for your help. 

Could you please help me with these five things?

Some of my recommendations in this episode include:

Welcome to Episode 44 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering! Today’s guest is a familiar friend, Nicole Zasowski, who was with us for Episode 13. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the author of two books, including What If It’s Wonderful?*, which releases on March 8th. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and three young children.

Some of the resources we mention include:

You can connect with Nicole through:

*Affiliate Link

Welcome to episode 43 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering! Today’s guest is my favorite person, my husband, Will Fortenberry. We’ve been married for 17 years, we have two kids, ages 13 and 10. I could not do all that I do without him. Since it’s February and Valentine’s Day is this month, I thought it would be fun to have him on the show. 

We talk about how we knew we were meant for each other, how we handle disagreements, how we balance family and ministry, and more. 

You can connect with Will:

Welcome to today’s episode, friends, you’re in for a treat! My friend and MOPS coworker, the amazing Stacey Morgan, is back with us today. We recorded Episode 19 together on friendship and it is still my most listened to episode. If you’ve not listened, I encourage you to do that, just click here. 

Today we’re going to hear all about Stacey’s book, The Astronaut’s Wife*, which launches into the world on February 22nd! (There has been a supply chain issue, so the book will launch a few weeks later than we mentioned in the episode.)

Some of the things we talk about include:

You can connect with Stacey on Instagram at @staceymorgan2000 or her website staceymorgan2000.com. Find out all about her book at theastronautswife.com.

*Affiliate Link