Don't Mom Alone Podcast

Melissa Harrison is the President and CEO of 4word, an organization that equips professional Christian women to integrate their faith and work through community, mentoring, and leadership development. 4word creates spaces where women can build authentic connections, grow in their leadership, and live out their purpose in every season of life. Melissa brings a unique perspective as a working mom navigating career, family, faith, and the many demands that come with trying to do it all. About This EpisodeWhat happens when you're trying to be a great mom, a great employee or leader, a good friend, and still take care of yourself? In this conversation, Melissa and I talk honestly about the pressure women feel to do it all, and what can get lost along the way. We talk about the loneliness that can come with busy seasons, why friendship and connection often get pushed to the bottom of the list, and the importance of intentionally making space for people. Whether you're a working mom or a stay-at-home mom, there's an invitation to step back and ask: Who am I beyond the roles I fill, and what would it look like to stop carrying everything alone?In This Episode, We Talk About: Balancing motherhood, career, family, and personal needs The loneliness that can come from living in a busy season Why friendship and camaraderie are often the first things to go Creating intentional connection through consistent, committed gathering Recognizing the triggers behind our need to measure up Knowing when it might be time to talk to someone and dig deeper The challenge of always feeling available to everyone Navigating seasons when work and family collide The power of mentorship and meaningful community Connect with Melissa Harrison:  Website: 4word  Instagram: 4word (@4wordwomen) Facebook: 4word Links Mentioned:  Work, Love, Pray: By Diane Paddison Tyranny of the Urgent: By Charles Hummel Mentor program for women  BOLDLY Conference - 4word   Related Episodes: Corporate Working Moms :: Causha Jolly and Stacey McCabe [Ep 205] Working from Home :: Jehava Brown [Ep 288] Mentoring for Women in the Workplace :: Diane Paddison [Ep 412] Featured Sponsors:  Lola Blankets– For a limited time, our listeners can get 40% OFF select Lola Blankets products with code [DMA] at checkout. Just head to LolaBlankets.com and use code [DMA] to get 40% OFF your order. Wrap yourself in luxury with Lola Blankets Hiya Health Products–You can now find Hiya in person at Target stores nationwide, or order directly from their website with a special deal we’ve worked out just for you. Receive 50% off your first order on any of their products. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body support they deserve. Branch Basics–Branch Basics is available at Target, Target.com, Amazon, and BranchBasics.com. And for the Home Essentials Kit, you'll get 15% off at BranchBasics.com with code [DMA]. 

Amanda Taylor is the woman behind From Playgrounds to Psych Wards, where she shares her story of postpartum mental illness, recovery, motherhood, faith, and hope. After the birth of her fourth child in 2013, following a traumatic labor and delivery, Amanda experienced severe postpartum mental health challenges that ultimately became an 18-month journey through postpartum psychosis, hospitalization, and recovery. Today, she uses her story to help other women and families recognize the warning signs, ask for help, and remember that there is hope beyond the darkest seasons.We talk about the difference between the normal challenges of new motherhood, postpartum depression and anxiety, and something more serious like postpartum psychosis? In this powerful conversation, Amanda shares her firsthand experience of racing thoughts, sleeplessness, becoming disconnected from reality, hospitalization, and the long road back to herself. We talk about the warning signs that require immediate support, the critical role caregivers and family members play, how postpartum mental illness can impact a marriage, and how friends and church communities can practically support a struggling family. Most importantly, Amanda shares a message of hope for the mom who cannot imagine feeling normal again: your story is not over, you are not a burden, and healing is possible.In This Episode: Understanding the differences between postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis Warning signs that may indicate a postpartum mental health emergency Mania, racing thoughts, confusion, rapid speech, and becoming disconnected from reality Why caregivers should trust their instincts and seek an evaluation when something feels wrong The importance of listening to the perspective of spouses, siblings, and caregivers How postpartum psychosis affected Amanda’s marriage and family How her husband continued to see Amanda beyond her mental illness The practical ways friends, family, and church communities can support a struggling family Why sometimes the best way to help is to simply show up and do something Asking for help and finding one trusted person to say, “I’m struggling” Amanda’s experience of feeling like she would never have a normal life again Why postpartum mental illness does not have to define the rest of your story Connect with Amanda Taylor:  Website: Home  Instagram: Amanda Taylor (@amandataylor.life) Links Mentioned:  From Playgrounds to Psych Wards: By Amanda & Colby Taylor Emergency Resources: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department when someone may be experiencing psychosis or presents an immediate danger to herself or others. Emergency Resources: Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Emergency Resources: Postpartum Support International HelpLine: 1-800-944-4773 or text HELP to 800-944-4773. The PSI HelpLine is not an emergency service. Postpartum Support International The Engaged Life Related Episodes: Shame, Perfectionism and Smiling Depression :: Misty Persefield and Stephanie Coker [Ep 154] Hope and Help for Taboo Topics in Postpartum Care :: Krystle Howald [Ep 467] Postpartum Depression :: Brittany Turner [Ep 277] Featured Sponsor:  Honeylove: Save 20% off Honeylove by going to honeylove.com/DMA #honeylovepod

Vicki Courtney is an author, speaker, and mom who has spent years helping parents navigate the hard conversations that come with raising kids in today’s culture. Through her books and ministry, she equips parents to talk honestly with their kids about faith, culture, relationships, and the challenges they’re facing.In this top 10  episode (which originally aired on March 18, 2019), Vicki and I talk about how to parent with courage and humility in a culture that can feel increasingly unfamiliar to Christian families. Instead of parenting from fear, Vicki encourages us to make space for honest questions, lead with love, and create an environment where our kids know they can come to us with anything. Even when the world feels uncertain, Jesus is still our hope, and our kids need parents who are willing to walk alongside them as they wrestle with faith.In this episode, we talk about: How Vicki came to know Jesus and the ministry God called her to The culture our kids are growing up in and why it can feel increasingly unfriendly to the Christian faith Why we need to teach our kids to walk in truth while leading with love How to make room for meaningful conversations by creating margin in your family The pressure moms feel to make sure their kids are doing everything: sports, music, activities, academics, and more Letting go of the belief that we have to orchestrate our children's futures Giving our kids room to fail, wrestle, and learn from failure Creating an environment where our kids feel safe coming to us with anything Why real-time conversations and our attitude toward our kids matters Parenting without shame, finger-wagging, or pretending we have it all together What the prodigal son and the older brother teach us about God's grace The challenges young men are facing as they grow into adulthood Finding hope when you're afraid of the world your kids are growing up in Connect with Vicki Courtney:  Website: Vicki Courtney  Instagram: Vicki Courtney (@vickicourtney) Facebook: Vicki Courtney Links Mentioned:  5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter: By Vicki Courtney 5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Son: By Vicki Courtney The Prodigal God: By Timothy Keller Revolutionary Parenting: By George Barna Related Episodes: How Parents Can Equip Kids to Find Freedom, Healing, and Identity in Christ :: Jennifer Barnett [Ep 577] Gospel-Focused Conversations :: Joel Fitzpatrick [Ep. 251] The Parenting Shift That Changes Everything :: David Thomas and Sissy Goff [Ep 572] Featured Sponsors:  Thrive Causemetics: Get your new everyday favorites with 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA.  Finding Jesus Countdown to Christmas Kit: Finding Jesus is a fun and meaningful countdown to Christmas that turns seeking Jesus into a daily family tradition. You can find the Finding Jesus Countdown to Christmas Kit at SeekHimFirst.com/HEATHER. You can also order on amazon here.

Today’s guest is Crystal Paine, founder of MoneySavingMom.com and a longtime advocate for helping families save money, manage their finances, and live with greater intention. Crystal is passionate about helping women find financial peace and make practical changes with whatever they have, wherever they are. In This EpisodeWe’re talking about the fear, stress, and emotions that can come with money, and how to move toward greater financial peace. Crystal shares practical habits anyone can start using today, whether you’re paying off debt, trying to save, or simply wanting to feel more confident about where your money is going. We talk about:  Why so many women have fear around money How to align your spending with what matters most Navigating money differences in marriage Understanding emotional spending Simple ways to start saving more Why we often use money to feel like we are helping our kids Crystal’s 1-hour money plan Looking at your finances with your 90 year old self in mind  Trusting God as your provider, even in lean seasons Connect with Crystal Paine:  Website: Money Saving Mom® | Saving Families Money Since 2007  Instagram: Crystal Paine 🌻 MoneySavingMom (@themoneysavingmom) Facebook: Money Saving Mom Links Mentioned:  The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women: By Crystal Paine 5 Day Budget Makeover  Budget Spreadsheet  Related Episodes: Budget Isn’t a Dirty Word :: Ericka Young [Ep 244] Reflecting on Financial Priorities :: Ericka Young [Ep 286] Hope When You Hit a Financial Bottom :: Erin Odom [Ep 177] Featured Sponsors:  Primal Queen – For a limited time only, our listeners are getting a Full FREE MONTH of Primal Queen plus FOUR FREE GIFTS at PrimalQueen.com/DMA.  Tushy – Some of life’s best upgrades happen behind a closed bathroom door. For a limited time, our listeners get 10% off their first bidet order when you use code [DMA] at checkout. That’s 10% off your first bidet order at HelloTUSHY.com with promo code [DMA]. Wayfair: Transform your space with pieces that hold up to real life. Join Wayfair rewards today and get 5% back on every purchase. Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less. 

As moms, it can be easy to confuse parenting with controlling. We want our children to make wise choices, succeed, and avoid pain. But fear can quickly turn our desire to help into nagging, manipulation, or control. Sarah Stephens joins me to talk about what it looks like to move from controlling our children to mentoring, discipling, guiding, and loving them well.Sarah shares how God has taught her that our calling is not to control outcomes, but to remain faithful to the process. We talk about seeking wisdom from above, listening for God’s voice, recognizing the difference between conviction and condemnation, and learning to entrust our children and their choices to God.In this episode, we talk about: Why control is often motivated by fear Learning to focus on the process, not the outcome How to know when to speak up—and when to let something go The only control we’re actually called to have: self-control Seeking God’s wisdom instead of simply collecting more information Learning to recognize God’s voice How comparison can steal a mom’s peace Asking, “Can my child recover from this?” Parenting, guiding, and loving our children even when we disagree Praying for our children and leaving it at the feet of Jesus  What it looks like to say, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done” Connect with Sarah Stephens:  Website: Sarah Stephens - Equipping Women for Every Day  Instagram: Sarah Tunstall Stephens (@sstephenstx) Facebook: Sarah Tunstall Stephens Links Mentioned:  Boundaries: By Dr. Henry Cloud and  John Townsend Have a New Teenager by Friday: By  Dr. Kevin Leman   Related Episodes: Inner Healing Prayer :: Jennifer Barnett [Ep 323] How Parents Can Equip Kids to Find Freedom, Healing, and Identity in Christ :: Jennifer Barnett [Ep 577] How to Hear God’s Voice: Freedom Prayer and Abiding in Christ with Jennifer Barnett [Ep 576] Featured Sponsors:  Lola Blankets: For a limited time, our listeners can get 40% OFF select Lola Blankets products with code [DMA] at checkout. Just head to LolaBlankets.com and use code [DMA] to get 40% OFF your order. Wrap yourself in luxury with Lola Blankets. Branch Basics: And here’s the good news—Branch Basics is now available everywhere you shop: at Target, Target.com, Amazon, and of course, BranchBasics.com. Tossing the toxins has never been more convenient! For anyone grabbing the Premium Starter Kit, you can still get 15% off at BranchBasics.com with our code [DMA].  Our place: Upgrade your kitchen with Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/DMA and use code DMA for 10% off sitewide. With a 100-day trial, you can try it completely risk-free.