Joy doesn’t just happen, our hearts have to be tuned to it. In this third week of Advent, Karen and Emily talk honestly about how hard it can be to find joy in the middle of exhaustion, family stress, and the very real unmet expectations of the season. Using the picture of tuning an instrument, they unpack how joy comes when we continually refocus our hearts on Jesus, not on our circumstances. If you’re longing for a steadier joy this Christmas season, this conversation is for you!

Episode Recap:

• Intro (00:00)
• Today we’re talking about joy (2:10)
• We have to tune our hearts to joy (4:12)
• Jesus often becomes a secondary thought in this season (5:55)
• Remind yourself on a daily basis that this life is not about you, it’s about Christ (7:50)
• Find ways to re-center yourself on Christ this Christmas (10:30)
• Decide to have NO expectations each day, live with an open hand (11:35)
• Focusing on God makes the trivial things of this world fade away (16:01)

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Discussion Questions: 

1. When you hear the idea of “tuning your heart to joy,” what stands out to you personally?
2. What tends to pull your focus away from Jesus most during the Christmas season?
3. Can you identify a recent moment where unmet expectations robbed you of joy?
4. What practical practices help you re-center on Christ?
5. How does Mary’s response to God’s plan challenge the way you respond to interruptions or disappointments?
6. What would it look like to hold your plans and expectations with open hands this season?

Resources:

Please give today to help us reach more moms with Wire Talk in 2026! boaw.mom/give

It’s easy to find ourselves in the middle of December with a packed calendar and an unprepared spirit, carrying bitterness, comparison, or disappointment into every day. Drawing from Matthew 3:3, Karen talks about what it means to “prepare the way for the Lord” so we don’t miss Jesus in the middle of our own expectations. You’ll come away with simple, practical ways to prepare your heart for Christmas, no matter what your circumstances are like.

Episode Recap:

• Today we’re talking about preparation (2:15)
• We must prepare our hearts so we don’t miss Christ (3:54)
• We prepare through self-reflection, repentance, readiness (5:06)
• It’s hard to see the condition of your own heart, so pray about it (6:12)
• This world is full of trouble, but Christ has overcome the world (13:09)
• We have to take our thoughts captive over and over and over again (14:45)
• Practically, how do we prepare our hearts? (17:13)

Scripture: Matthew 3:3 (NIV) – ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’

Discussion Questions: 

1. When you look at this Christmas season, where do you see that your heart might be “unprepared”? (Bitterness, comparison, resentment, fear, exhaustion, etc.)
2. What “self-talk” tends to get loud for you during the holidays (i.e.: life isn’t fair, I never have enough, no one appreciates me)? Which scriptures could help you renew your mind with truth instead?
3. Karen shared practical ideas for preparing your heart: starting the day with Jesus, lighting a candle, sitting in silence, simplifying your schedule, serving someone in need. Which one could you realistically try this week?
4. Is there one thing you could say no to this December to create more space for peace, presence, and noticing Jesus? What would it look like to trust God with that decision?

Resources:

• Give today to help us reach more moms with Wire Talk in 2026! boaw.mom/give
• Pick up a copy of Karen’s Self Talk curriculum today: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/products/six-truths-study-guide?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=ac36e3440&pr_rec_pid=1414191513677&pr_ref_pid=4773089017933&pr_seq=uniform
• Listen to Noel by Tommee Profitt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDyA9W9CaeQ

Today we’re kicking off our Advent series with a focus on hope. December fills up fast with activities, expectations, and pressure for a picture-perfect holiday, making it easy to place our hope in circumstances, schedules, and our spouses. But what do we do when Christmas doesn’t go as planned?

In this episode, Karen invites us to ask a powerful question: Where am I placing my hope this Christmas? If you’re craving a calmer, more Christ-centered Christmas, this conversation will help you anchor your hope in Him alone.

(Psst! If you’re listening with littles, you may want to skip to 3:30, we talk about Santa early on.)

Episode Recap:

• Karen and Emily talk Santa and gift purchasing (1:45)
• What is one thing about Christmas you love & one thing you could do without? (4:15)
• Karen went on an advent deep dive this year (7:59)
• Everyone can use more hope (12:27)
• There’s a lot of grief and sadness at the holidays (14:50)
• Emmanuel means ‘God with Us’ (16:52)
• Our hope cannot be in our circumstances (18:02)
• Where are you placing your hope right now? (19:07)

Scripture: Micah 7:7 (NIV) 
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”

Discussion Questions: 

1. Where are you most tempted to place your hope: your spouse, finances, health, kids’ behavior, or a “perfect” holiday?
2. Have you ever walked through a Christmas marked by grief, disappointment, or loneliness? How did God meet you there (or how are you asking Him to now)?
3. What would it look like, practically, to shift your hope from circumstances to Christ this month?
4. How can you help your kids see Christmas as a season of hope in Jesus, not just presents and activities?

Resources:

• Give today to help us reach more moms with Wire Talk in 2026! boaw.mom/give
• Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!
• Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

Today Karen is tackling your questions about navigating the teenage years, from motivating strong-willed teens to handling independence, changing relationships, and the ever-present “that’s not fair!” Karen shares what worked in her home, including how to stay connected to strong-willed teens, helping boys who are pulling away, and parenting through the ever-changing norms of phones, jobs, and freedom.

Episode Recap:

• You can be strict in the teen years and have great relationships with adult kids (4:00)
• Give them a “no, because…” during the teen years (5:54)
• How do I motivate my 15 year old to help out around home? (7:25)
• Help! My 13 yr old thinks he knows everything! (11:37)
• My teenage son is pulling away, I feel sad and rejected (15:35)
• How do you handle keeping things “fair” during the teenage years? (18:40)
• We have to remember our teens are growing up and that’s messy (22:01)

Scripture: James 1:5 (NIV) 
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Discussion Questions: 

1. Where do you struggle most in balancing independence and safety with your teen?
2. Are you naturally stronger in boundaries or connection? What needs strengthening?
3. How does remembering your teen is still maturing affect your responses to them?
4. Who supports you during the teen years, and how can you invite more support?

Resources:

• Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!
• Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

If you’re staring down the potty training season with dread, this one’s for you! Karen and Emily are joined by Christine Clark—a mom, preschool teacher, and pro who’s successfully potty trained 17 children. From handling accidents with grace to dealing with fear, regression, or defiance, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement for moms in the potty-training trenches.

Episode Recap:

• Christine runs an in-home daycare and LOVES toddlers (2:33)
• Personality definitely feeds into potty training (5:58)
• Is there a difference in training girls vs boys? (7:25)
• Give us a step-by-step for those who are new to this (8:55)
• What are the biggest mistakes parents make? (12:00)
• How to support your child’s training at daycare (14:16)
• What about kids who have “accidents” out of defiance? (16:35)
• What if a child is afraid to go #2? (22:21)

Scripture: Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Discussion Questions: 

1. What’s been your biggest potty training challenge so far, and what mindset shift could help you handle it with more patience?
2. How can you bring fun and encouragement into the process instead of frustration?
3. What does “everything can be cleaned” look like for you in this season of motherhood?
4. What other “hard things” have you done recently that remind you you’re capable of more than you think?

Resources:

• Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!
• Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

This week, Karen tackles listener questions on navigating everything from over-involved mother-in-laws to family disagreements and unmet expectations. Karen shares wisdom from her 39 years of marriage about when to speak up, when to set boundaries, and how to keep your marriage strong even when extended family drama threatens your peace! 

Episode Recap:

• How do we make our relationships with our MILs stronger and better? (2:53)
• As a MIL, how can I best help my DIL when Baby #3 arrives? (4:25)
• My MIL doesn’t get along well in family situations, should I intervene? (8:35)
• Boundaries are for you, not the other person (10:17)
• My SIL never prioritizes our family, should I talk to her? (12:25)
• My MIL is upset over our parenting choices, (15:18)
• My husband and I are at odds over how best to honor his family (18:20)

Scripture: Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Discussion Questions: 

1. When have you found it hardest to set boundaries with family? What helped you hold firm?
2. How can you and your spouse stay unified when you see a family situation differently?
3. What practical ways can you show love to your in-laws while still protecting your family’s peace?
4. When conflict rises, what would it look like for you to “take it to the Lord” instead of trying to fix it yourself?

Resources:

• Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!
• Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

When it comes to raising independent kids, doing less can actually mean loving more. Karen and Emily welcome back mom of eight, Elizabeth Pehrson, whose last Wire Talk clip went viral with over 7.6 million views! In this powerful conversation, Elizabeth unpacks the long-term value of letting kids struggle, take responsibility, and learn from consequences. From packing lunches to doing laundry, she shares age-appropriate ways to teach kids ownership and why moms need to resist the urge to over-function.

Episode Recap:

• Elizabeth’s last conversation on Wire Talk struck a nerve with viewers (3:31)
• Her children are reaping the rewards of parents who did less, not more (8:16)
• Age-appropriate chores for all ages (9:28)
• How does not helping set our kids up for success in the long run? (14:30)
• We set ourselves up for failure when we put too much of ourselves into our kids (19:20)
• Overfunctioning means doing things for your child that they can do for themselves (17:23)
• How can we start small this week? (23:00)
• It’s not what matters today, it’s what matters when they’re 30 (29:11)
• Just because you can do, provide, or give…doesn’t mean you should (29:43)

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Discussion Questions: 

1. What’s one area where you tend to step in for your kids instead of letting them handle it?
2. How does doing less for your children actually prepare them for adulthood?
3. Elizabeth said, “Just because you can do, provide, or give, doesn’t mean you should.” What does that look like in your home?
4. What are some areas you need to teach your children to do for themselves this week? 
5. What might God be teaching you about releasing control as your children grow?

Resources:

• Follow Elizabeth online: www.instagram.com/octomama or www.instagram.com/theexchangeus 
• Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!
• Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

The moms we’re hearing from today are facing questions that feel big; from whether to move our families, to when to say yes at church, to how we pray, parent, and pass down faith to our children. Karen is tackling listener questions that cover everything from culture and church life, to leading your child to Christ. We hope you’ll come away from listening encouraged that God’s wisdom is available to you in every decision, big or small.

Episode Recap:

• Emily’s family does Halloween right! (3:37)
• Should we move our family away from family for a better overall culture? (6:06)
• How do you know what to say yes to at church? There’s always a need. (8:32)
• How can I make time to pray for everything I should be praying about? (11:10)
• What are your favorite parenting resources (14:33)
• How do I tell if my child truly understands salvation? (17:23)

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)  
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Discussion Questions: 

1. Karen shared that she prays throughout her day, even mid-conversation, asking God for guidance. What would “praying without ceasing” look like in your own daily routines?
2. Have you ever faced a big family decision—like moving or changing schools—and had to rely on prayer for clarity? What helped you discern God’s will?
3. How can you model an authentic prayer life for your kids so they grow up seeing prayer as part of everyday life, not just something done before meals or bedtime?
4. For moms whose children are beginning to ask questions about salvation, what practical steps can you take to guide them with confidence and faith rather than fear?

Resources:

• Grab a copy of Karen’s book, Survival Guide to Motherhood
• Find all Karen’s FREE curricula in the BOAW Moms app: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collections/free-curriculum
• Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!
• Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

Between ages 6 and 10, kids are learning big lessons about honesty, responsibility, and gratitude…and those moments don’t always feel peaceful. Today Karen and Emily are talking  about shaping character during these years. From handling bad attitudes and entitlement to teaching kids about truthfulness and contentment, they share practical ways to mold your child’s heart without losing your cool.

Episode Recap:

• My 10 yr old pitches a fit when he has to do something he’s not prepared for (5:50)
• Life doesn’t always go the way we want it to go, that’s what builds character (10:50)
• My 6 yr old struggles with gratitude and contentment (11:30)
• My kiddo is a whiny complainer! Help (17:50)
• My niece recently stole a ring from my home and lied about it, my sister won’t address it!  (20:40)

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Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Why is it important to address small character issues early, instead of assuming kids will “grow out of them”?
2. Do your kids struggle with gratitude and contentment? What did you think of Karen’s approach to dealing with that heart issue? 
3. What’s one area of character (honesty, gratitude, perseverance, responsibility) that you want to intentionally strengthen in your child this month?

Resources:

• Use coupon code HBDK for 30% off a cozy Peace sweatshirt 
• Raising Emotionally Strong Boys with David Thomas: https://amzn.to/4hkvDk9
• A Grown Up’s Guide to Kids’ Wiring: https://amzn.to/3J8ZTlq

From setting boundaries to tackling tough topics, today’s episode is all about navigating the hard parts of parenting with truth and grace. In this conversation, Karen shares practical wisdom for protecting your home, teaching empathy, and leaning on the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do, change hearts. Whether you’re navigating big emotions, sensitive subjects, or family boundaries, this conversation will help you parent with confidence and compassion.

Episode Recap:

• My daughter’s friend is coming to live with us; what rules do we need to establish? (3:55)
• My daughter struggles with a judgmental heart, how can we help her? (5:15)
• My 8 year old son is asking questions about sex, help! (8:02)
• My SIL’s family has very different values from ours which makes visits stressful (11:45)

Scripture: James 1:5 (NASB)
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Discussion Questions: 

1. Do you have “house rules”? If so, what principles guided those rules? How do you balance firm boundaries with a spirit of grace?
2. How can we help our kids live out their convictions without becoming judgmental toward others who make different choices?
3. Does the sex conversation feel intimidating to you? Is it time for a conversation in your home? If so, how can you approach it with honesty and calm?
4. Karen mentioned the Holy Spirit’s role in transforming hearts; how can you rely on His guidance more in your day to day parenting?
5. Is there a “hard talk” or situation in your home right now that you can approach differently after hearing this episode?

Resources:

• Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!
• Follow @birds_bees for tips about talking to your kids about sex
• Grab the God’s Design for Sex series on Amazon! https://amzn.to/43jefX5
• Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms