This is the last episode in a three-part series by Jenifer and Barrett Johnson (of INFO for Families), and they dig into what experiencing true intimacy in a marriage looks like. If you haven't already, make sure you go back and listen to parts one and two of their series as well - it's some good stuff!

We welcome Barrett and Jenifer Johnson back for the 2nd in their 3-part marriage series. This week we'll hear them talk about how the little things matter when it comes to keeping our marriages alive and well. As always, they're full of wisdom and bring so much encouragement to the RLMS podcast!

I (Jordan) am taking a few weeks off from podcasting to allow Jenifer and her husband, Barrett, of INFO for Families Ministries to share their wisdom with the RLMS masses! Don't miss this week's episode, in which Barrett and Jenifer talk all about keeping the spark alive in marriage, and how to keep dating each other long after you're married. They're fun, funny, and always bring practical advice to the table when they speak. Hope you enjoy!

In light of the many natural (and man-made) disaster plaguing our country and the entire world, we wanted to spend some time this week talking about how we as parents can effectively and healthfully walk our children through painful situations, exposing them to reality while at the same time teaching them that they can be a part of the solution. That they are, in fact, oftentimes the answer to our own prayers.

"God, help those people in Houston as they deal with the aftermath of the hurricane."

"God, provide for the needs of those being persecuted in the middle east."

"God, help the people living through the wildfires in California taste and see that you love them."

We must teach our children that WE can help the people who've walked through a disaster. We can provide for the needs of Syrian refugees. WE can bring the love of Jesus to people in the midst of pain.

We can teach our children EMPATHY, and we MUST.

We hope you're greatly encouraged by this episode, and that you're spurred on to action as a family because of this truth.

Yep, you read that right. My entire family is on the podcast with me today...what could possibly go wrong? If you answered "everything," you're right on track. Hear from my kids, hear their antics and their hearts, and even hear what happens when my son knocks a 40-pound wooden bench over onto the top of my foot while we're recording. It's always fun times when the whole Watts family gathers, and this will be no different. It's good to be a Watts...

This week I'm joined by special guest, Holly Jones, who shares her story of how God took her years of heartache, addiction, and brokenness and used them to bring her to a place of peace, surrender, and wholeness. God is never through with us; in fact, He's only just getting started on our stories, and He wants to write a story of peace, surrender, and wholeness in each of our lives. Holly's story will bless your socks off, and I know God has a word for you as she shares so vulnerably with us today.

We are so excited to be back for a brand new fall season of The Real-Life Mom Show Podcast, and what better way to kick it off than with an interview with my current favorite mom-book author? Catherine McNiel, author of Long Days of Small Things, joins me on this, our 16th episode of The RLMS, to talk about how a shift in our perspective on spiritual disciplines might be the very thing we need to understand the beauty that's to be found in this season of motherhood. Catherine is the real deal and she doesn't attempt to pretend she has it all together; what she does do, though, is point us back to our Father and remind us that He has great purpose in these long days of small things.

A new trend is emerging in the parenting world -- the stay-at-home dad. He's always been around, but it seems there are more and more of them these days, and the stay-at-home dad can be an amazing asset to his family. Join me as I chat with Christopher Powers, my neighbor and stay-at-home dad to six...yes, that's SIX...children, ages 2 months - 9 years old. Christopher and his wife, Alana, don't live an ordinary life, but their family is thriving because they're willing to buck the status quo and live outside the box. Chris and I have some great conversation about parenting, faith (Christopher is not "religious"), and the legacies we want to leave our children.

Try as we might to avoid it, all of us as moms find ourselves feeling guilty from time to time. We might feel guilty because we are legitimately in the wrong, or we might feel guilty because of self (or society) induced pressure to perform perfectly. Sometimes we might even find ourselves under spiritual attack and heavy condemnation from the enemy. So how do we navigate this "mom guilt?" How do we know how to differentiate between whether it's spiritual attack or self induced pressure or actual conviction? Jordan and Jenifer dive into this topic in episode 14 of The Real-Life Mom Show.

I am THRILLED to have Jennifer Walker, co-founder of Moms On Call, former pediatric nurse, and all around awesome mom/human being on the show with me this week! Join us as we talk about the awesome, tough, exhausting early years of motherhood, and let Jennifer encourage and equip you if you're currently living in those trenches. Find out how to understand your toddler's personality and how that understanding can help you relate to him/her in challenging moments. Jennifer's heart is for moms, and you'll find that it won't take you long to fall in love with her demeanor and appreciate the wisdom she brings to this episode of the show.