M Is for Mama Podcast
On the M is for Mama Podcast, you’ll hear encouragement for all things motherhood, practical helps and systems to help you thrive in your home from day to day, funny, relatable kid-stories, examinations of what the Bible has to say about cultural issues, and so much more!
Episodes
Ep. 159: A Biblical Look at Sleep Training (A Chat with Jessie Martin)
If you have questions about sleep training, this is the show for you! Not only is Jessie Martin a pediatric sleep specialist who has helped numerous clients find the best plan for optimizing sleep in their individual homes, but she’s also a Bible-believing Christian who desires to honor God with her work. Sleep training has become a hotly debated topic, especially on social media. It’s common to f
Ep. 158: WWKW (Dating + Friendships + Sibling Relationships)
We’re back with another round of Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday, podcast style after a long break! This episode, I’m tackling your questions about teen dating guidelines, how to move forward after a friendship breakup, how to foster great sibling relationships, and more! It’s always fun to do a catchup episode with you, dear listeners. Enjoy! Sponsor Info:Voetberg Music AcademyVoetberg Music Academy
Ep. 157: Built on Faith (A Chat with Dr. Ben Carson)
Today’s show welcomes Dr. Ben Carson who shares with us about how the Lord grabbed ahold of his life in his teens and had guided him ever since—through an illustrious medical career, influential positions in government, and writing bestselling books. Through it all, he emphasizes personal responsibility and returning to the roots of our nation’s Christian faith. Be encouraged that you have so much
Ep. 156: Teaching Toddler Theology (A Chat with Lauren Groves)
If you’ve ever struggled with how to convey deep theological concepts in a simple way to your toddlers, this episode is for you! In it, we talk about the common obstacles that keep parents of young children from engaging with and catechizing them. So often, it’s less about a lack of desire and more about feeling intimidated and not knowing where to start.Lauren Groves has written a series called T
Ep. 155: Double Delights (A Chat with Evy and Nola Halberstadt)
My twin girls, Evy and Nola, are some of the most delightful humans I know, and they join me on the show to chat all things Double Delights (the baking book they wrote with me).We talk about how much we learned in the process of writing this book, how it came to be in the first place, and which recipes we love the most.I know you’ll love hearing from Evy and Nola as much as I loved having them on
Ep. 154: Does It Really Take a Village? (A Chat with Jennifer Flanders)
We’re back with season 4 of the M is for Mama podcast, and we’re kicking it off with one of my favorite people, Jennifer Flanders. In this episode, we chat about all things “village” in motherhood.It’s no secret that moms need help, but the ultimate question is from where? And what do we do when we’re in seasons of little or no help from our community?We tackle these questions (and lots more) with
Ep. 153: A Candid Q&A About Catholicism—Part 2 (with Pastor Rick Witmer)
In our Part 1 of this series, we answered common questions about Catholicism from the Catholic perspective with help from a Catholic priest. In Part 2, we’re sharing answers from a Protestant viewpoint.The number one question I get asked from Catholics is, “We seem so aligned on a lot of topics, so why aren’t you Catholic?”We answer this question and so many more in this episode—particularly focus
Ep. 152: A Candid Q&A about Catholicism—Part 1 (with Pastor Rick Witmer)
You asked, we’re answering! After months of receiving questions about Catholicism, I decided it was time to dive in. I’ve invited Wit (my pastor) to join me as we address FAQs about Catholicism from Protestants (Part 1) and answer questions about Protestants from Catholics (Part 2). For Part 1, Wit interviewed a local Catholic priest, Father Gavin, to ensure that our answers accurately reflect the
Ep. 151: Why Family Devotionals Matter (With Melissa and Michael Kruger)
We know we’re supposed to read the Bible with our kids. But sometimes, we overlook the why of its importance. In this episode, Melissa and Michael Kruger approach the topic of family devotionals in a way that makes it seem doable—because it is! It’s not about perfection but instead intention. And with their new book. The Good News Family Devotional, they’ve created a resource that walks parents th
Ep. 150: Boyhood Resurrected (A Chat with Rebekah Lovell)
If you’ve ever wondered how you’ll survive your boys’ energy and verve for life, if you’ve been concerned the walls might not be standing by the time they leave the house, and if you’ve racked your brain for productive ways to channel their zeal for life, this episode is for you.Rebekah Lovell is a boy mom of two, and she joins me (mom of seven males) to talk about the wild, wonderful world of boy
Ep. 149: Raising “Successful” Young Adults (A Chat with Jonathan Brush)
Are we willing our young adults for success as they go out into the world, and are we even defining success correctly?These questions are just two of the many I tackle with my guest, Jonathan Brush from Unbound Ministries.With multiple decades of working with youth and young adults under his belt, Jonathan approaches helping them thrive in a world full of pitfalls and opportunities for failure in
Ep. 148: WWKW (May 2026)
In our last Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday episode of this podcast season, I share several tidbits of exciting news from our family (hint: Europe 2.0, baby!), answer your burning questions about toddlers, and so much more!I’m so glad you enjoy these long-form answer-style episodes as much as I enjoy making them!If you have a WWKW question for me, you can always submit it for consideration to abbie@m
Ep. 147: Prepping for Postpartum (A Chat with Anne Marie Williams)
Postpartum is such a special time in every mom’s life, but it can also has its fair share of challenges: hormonal shifts, sleepless nights, and physical recovery, to name a few. Our guest Anne Marie Williams is here to encourage moms to be proactive with their postpartum, actively pursuing ways to get help, think ahead, and manage their expectations. We chat about everything from meal prep to diff
Ep. 146: The Piggybank Playbook (A Chat with Bryant Greening)
If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s desire to have a lemonade stand is an indication of future financial stewardship or a glimmer of true entrepreneurial spirit, you’ll love this episode! Bryant Greening has taken his own childhood (then adult) propensities for building businesses and translated them into a resource for kids called The Piggybank Playbook. Part vision casting, part practic
Ep. 145: Contentment for Christian Women (A Chat with Tilly Dillehay)
What if we truly believe our contentment were not linked to our circumstances—that we really do have the ability to give thanks in all circumstances, as we’re exhorted to do by Scripture?What would it change?For the Christian woman mired in bitterness and comparison, the answer just might be “everything.”In this conversation with Tilly Dillehay, we explore the influences in modern culture that dri
Ep. 144: Healthy Eating Tips for Kids
Every week, on Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday, I get asked for tips for picky eaters, how to get kids in the kitchen (without losing your mind), and teaching kids about healthy eating choices. In this episode, we tackle all of these topics and more with Katie Kimble from Raising Healthy Families. She provides lots of practical suggestions for overwhelmed moms, gives great insight on how to equip kid
Ep. 143: We’re Building Another House!! (Q&A)
If you had asked me if I had finding acreage and building another house on my bingo card for 2026, my answer would have been a resounding NO! And yet, here we are! In this episode, I’m tackling a bunch of your FAQs about how this came to be, the plan for our current house, and what we’re hoping to keep the same/change in the new build. We’re excited (and a little nervous) to embark on this adventu
Ep. 142: From Administrator to Homeschool Educator (A Chat with Mandy Davis)
Homeschool moms, you’re in for a treat as I chat today with Mandy Davis, a former public school administrator turned homeschool educator. In this episode, we talk about her unlikely journey to homeschooling as well as what made her keep going once she arrived.Woven throughout are so many tidbits and practical tips for new and seasoned homeschool moms.Not only that, but Mandy’s created a resource f
Ep. 141: Help! I’m Ruining My Kids! (A Gospel Chat with Abbey Wedgeworth)
On today’s show, Abbie and Abbey talk all things grace, mom guilt, and perseverance in motherhood.In a world that can swing from extremes such as try-hard motherhood perfectionism to the “hot mess express” mom, finding our center on the truth of the completed work of Christ for us as moms can feel almost impossible.I’m thankful for grounded voices like Abbey’s who help moms to discern Scripture ri
Episode 140: Christians and Birth (A Chat with Dannette McGrew)
If you’re a Christian and a mother (or soon to become one), this episode is for you!Dannette McGrew, certified birth doula, is on the podcast today to talk about Christians and birth. We discuss everything from hypnobirthing to the best place to give birth (spoiler: it’s wherever the Lord leads you).Everything that Dannette shares is rooted in a desire to compare birthing practices to the Word of
Ep. 139: Spiritual Self-Talk (The Art of Preaching Truth to Yourself)
If you’ve ever found yourself mumbling about what you’re doing in the pantry or asking yourself why you walked into the garage and flipped on the lights, then you’re probably well-versed in the art of talking to yourself. The science behind it is obvious: As we vocalize our thoughts out loud, we help our brains process better. So, what if we applied this truth to our spiritual lives and began “tal
Ep. 138: Teenage Girls Are Fun (A Q&A with Della)
Today’s episode is extra-special since I have my 15-year-old daughter Della joining me to chat and answer your questions. We talk about what it’s like to be the oldest girl in a large family, how to navigate sibling conflict, what she’s looking forward to in her future and so much more!I hope you enjoy hearing from Della’s much as I enjoyed chatting with her! She’s truly a gem of a human being. Sp
Ep. 137: Taking on Teens (A Chat with RuthAnn Zimmerman)
In a world that tells every parent of young children, “Just you wait until they’re teens. Then you’ll really know how bad parenting can be,” RuthAnn Zimmerman and I are here to call hog wash. Yes, teens are a unique challenge and need to be treated with kindness and discernment. Yes, teen struggles can feel much bigger and scarier than toddler meltdowns. But teenagers also can be delightful, funn
Ep. 136: Raising Responsible Kids (A Chat with RuthAnn Zimmerman)
One of my biggest FAQs involves questions about chores, kids’ responsibilities, and teaching children self-discipline. On this episode, I invite my friend RuthAnn Zimmerman to share her wisdom about intentionally facilitating responsibility and stewardship in children through hard work, discipline, and appropriate expectations. She talks about how they chose to take on animals and tasks for the sa
Ep. 135: A Marriage Chat with Shaun
Today’s episode has a rare treat—an appearance from my husband, Shaun.We tackle some of your burning questions, most notably how to stay connected in seasons of stress, busyness, small children, or all of the above. We hope you’ll glean some helpful tidbits from this marriage chat and that you’ll be encouraged to invest faithfully in your own marriage each and every day. Sponsor Info:T
Ep. 134 Kat and Chat (A Conversation with a Kindred-Spirit Mama)
Sometimes, you meet someone with whom you instantly click, and it feels like you’ve known each other for decades. That’s how it felt when I found my friend Kat online. We started chatting via DMs, and a couple of years later, we got the chance to hang out face-to-face when she came to stay at our house for my book launch party for You Bet Your Stretch Marks. Our conversations during our time toget
Ep. 133: “Must Be Nice” (And Other Lies That Steal Our Joy)
What if we truly believed God’s power gave us everything we need for life and godliness? That His power really is made perfect in our weakness? That His grace is actually sufficient for every circumstance we encounter?In this episode, we dive into the kind of thought patterns that keep us stuck in resentment + bitterness, instead of contentment (“must be nice” and “if I had what she had, I’d be ab
Ep. 132: Be a Blessing (The Why Behind Our Family Motto)
Y’all asked, and I’m delivering! So many of you wanted a dedicated episode on why “be a blessing” is our family motto and how we practically apply it in our home and community at large. As always, we go back to Scripture as our guide for any phrases or intentions we choose to focus on, and there are plenty of examples of what it means to look outside ourselves for the purpose of blessing others al
Ep. 131: WWKW (January 2026)
Welcome to Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday podcast-style in 2026!In this episode, we’re tackling everything from chores as discipline to whether you can homeschool without a co-op to how to move forward with peace when you’ve gone through multiple miscarriages. As always, my goal is to give you practical helps based on biblical principles, rather than teach you to do anything “Abbie-style.” May this
Ep. 130: Six Words for Family Success (A Chat with Arlene Pelicane)
One of my favorite things when I have guests on is when they combine biblical principles with actionable steps for more peace, joy, and order in our homes. Arlene Pelicane does this so well in today’s episode in which we discuss the biblical principles that undergird family interactions in areas that span everything from technology to marriage.I know you’ll be encouraged to stay the course (or may
Ep. 129: The Ebb and Flow of Capacity (New Years 2026)
Have you ever wondered why you can’t seem to get as much done as you used to? Or, conversely, why something that used to feel overwhelming now seems like not as big a deal? The answer, in a word, might be capacity.Human beings are seasonal creatures, and there will be times in our life when we are simply capable of more (or less), thanks to a variety of factors. Join me as we chat about how to app
Ep. 128: WWKW—Christmas Edition 2025
All right, friends! We’re answering all things Christmas in this episode. A few years back, I did a Christmas series you guys loved, but it felt like a good time to do a follow up.We talk gifts, keeping Jesus the focus, what to do about Santa Claus, and favorite traditions—all in one jam-packed Christmassy show! Mentions:Me First! Gameshow BuzzersAwana Advent DevotionalEpisode 45: Let's Talk Chris
Ep. 127: Kids + Autonomy (Balancing Safety and Responsibility Biblically)
If you’ve ever struggled to find the line between teaching your children life skills while also not putting them in dangerous situations, then this episode is for you. In it, we explore what the true purpose of promoting autonomy in our kids is from a biblical perspective and how we can do that while fulfilling our God-given parental roles of protecting and discipling.Practicing discernment in par
Ep. 126: The Joyfulness Challenge
During the Christmas season, joy can feel like something we *should* have, even while we struggle to stay afloat with everyday life plus the responsibilities of making magical memories for our children. But what if joy were so much more than a feeling—were instead an assurance of something weighty and eternal that can never be taken away? I wrote The Joyfulness Challenge to explore these exact the
Ep. 125: Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday: Thanksgiving 2025
Join in as I answer your burning questions about everything from my favorite Thanksgiving foods to how to handle snarky comments about your family size to how I deal with exhausted days to what I think of all of the speculation swirling around Charlie Kirk’s death. As always, it’s a mix of fun, lighthearted topics, and deeper cultural issues. And as always, my goal is to answer in a way that align
Ep. 124: Walking Through Grief with Kids (a Chat with Wit)
Join us as we tackle the tricky topic of grief and children. A few weeks ago, a reader whose husband had died under tragic circumstances asked for resources on how to navigate grief with her four children.So I invited my pastor Wit (Rick Witmer) on to share from the perspective of a biblical counselor. In this episode, he introduces the idea of “trellissing” grief in a way that helps our kids make
Ep. 123: Raising Gender-Confident Kids (with Dr. Jeff Meyers)
Whether you have personal experience with a child asking questions about gender or are nervous about how to address issues that might arise from exposure to media or peers, this episode is for you!Dr. Jeff Meyers breaks down the importance of emphasizing God’s good design for gender and why it matters that male and female remain distinct. We also dive into the science behind gender as well as the
Ep. 122: The Lies of Progressive Christianity and the Next Generation (with Alisa Childers)
My friend, Alisa Childers, is back on the podcast to talk about how we can help the next generation—middle schoolers through young adults—to spot and refute the lies of progressive Christianity. We talk about how politics and culture are always downstream from theology and ways we can prepare ourselves and our children to stand on historical Christianity in the face of an onslaught of secular ideo
Ep. 121: An Unforgettable Birthday
Come along for the ride as I tell you all about the ways my family made my 43rd birthday a magical experience. I pray you’ll be encouraged to press into whatever season you find yourself in, knowing that, regardless of your family’s response, the Lord sees and honors your efforts to invest well in your husband and children.Sponsor Info:King’s Ridge ElderberriesFresh, cold-pressed elderber
Ep. 120: Share the Arrows (Highlights and Takeaways)
This week’s episode is all about Share the Arrows—a conservative Christian women’s event in Dallas, Tx. I’ve had the honor of being invited to speak and represent the motherhood perspective from a biblical standpoint for 2024 (the year of its inception) and 2025. And both times were utterly surreal experiences in sheer scope of number of attendees (4,000 the first year and 6,700 the next) and the
Ep. 119: WWKW Podcast Style (October 2025)
We’re back with another episode of Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday in long/form podcast answers. In this show, we tackle everything from toddler expectations to dating guidelines for teens and lots of things in between! As always, my goal is to approach each topic from a biblical perspective while encouraging you to seek the Lord for wisdom in how to apply His Word to your specific circumstances. Enj
Ep. 118: Should Women Be Pastors? (A Chat with Pastor’s Wife, Jenn Witmer)
Today, we’re tackling the hot button topic of whether women should be pastors with my own pastor’s wife, Jenn Witmer. As female pastors and clerics become more common, it’s inevitable that even the most traditional minds will start to question or at least reconsider the historical church’s position on the subject. The real question is: Should we? In this episode, Jenn and I approach the topic with
Ep. 117: Walking With God When I’m Afraid (A Book Chat with Wit)
This show tackles such a timely topic for children and parents alike: how to approach anxiety from a biblical perspective. My pastor, Rick Witmer, unpacks his very personal story of struggling with crippling anxiety and how the Lord lead him to write a book for children called Walking With God When I’m Afraid. The impetus for this book was one of his children’s anxious tendencies, but everyone who
Ep. 116: The Charlie Kirk Effect
On September 10, all of America (and the western world, at large) was shocked by the violent assassination of Charlie Kirk. Since then, more words and social media posts have been dedicated to his murder than to any other subject in recent history—prompting a wide range of responses. This episode is mine—an attempt to respond to the violent, senseless death of a non-violent man with wisdom that on
Ep. 115: Live Beyond Your Label (A Chat With Erin Kerry)
This episode is a must listen for anyone who’s found themselves looking for answers to questions about the connection between nutrition and our brains, hormones, and overall well-being. Erin Kerry is holistic health coach (and personal friend) who’s passionate about equipping and helping you to “live beyond your label.” After being given multiple discouraging mental diagnoses beginning at age 18,
Ep. 114: Veins and Surgery and Blood Clots—Oh My!
Shoowee! Friends! This is not an episode I ever expected to record. In this show, I tell the story of a health scare I experienced the week before You Bet Your Stretch Marks came out—during our first week back to homeschooling and while my husband was out of town.Throughout the ordeal as it developed, it was so evident the Lord’s care and provision was going before me every step of the way. I hope
Ep. 113: A Titus 2 Talk with My Mentor and Friend, Jennifer Flanders
Join my dear friend and mentor Jennifer Flanders and me as we dive into all things motherhood encouragement.Whether you’re struggling with encouraging camaraderie between your children, drowning in unhelpful comparison to other moms, or failing to find the joy in the every day, we have a bit of hope for you!Jennifer is one of my favorite people, not simply because she edits my books, has birthed a
Ep. 112: Hope For Angry Moms (A Chat with Elizabeth Andreyevskey)
Join us as we unpack foundational and practical helps for how to face “mom rage” head on. Whether you’re dealing with irritability as the result of wonky hormones after having babies, a colicky baby who’s shredding your last nerve, or just discovering that you’re not as patient as you thought you were before you had kids, this conversation is full of hope for every mom who’s ever struggled with lo
Ep. 111: Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday (Summer 2025)
Come along for the ride on our first WWKW since our sabbatical this summer. We’re tackling: How to store kids' clothing for hand-me-downs, what to do if you miss your life before becoming a mom, homeschool curricula recap, and so much more! Enjoy! Sponsor Info:King’s Ridge ElderberriesFresh, cold-pressed elderberry from a family-owned farm!Visit Their Site HereDon't forget to use the code: MAMA1
Episode 110: Simple Rhythms for Busy Moms (A Chat with KyAnn Molina)
We are back with season 3 of the M is for Mama Podcast and kicking it off with a great podcast full of helpful tips with KyAnn Molina from Simple Rhythms for Busy Moms.Whether you have a good routine that could use a few tweaks or feel like you’re drowning in daily tasks with no rescue in sight, we’ve got encouragement for you! We chat gospel-centered encouragement and vision as well as doable, bo
Ep. 109: You Bet Your Stretch Marks
In our last show before we take a break for summer 2025, we chat about the final book in the M Is for Mama trilogy: You Bet Your Stretch Marks. I reveal where the title came from, why it’s countercultural to the common narrative about “worth it” in motherhood and flesh out what it means to have a “tiger-striped soul.”Be sure to pre-order You Bet Your Stretch Marks (link below) for all the stories,
Ep. 108: WWKW (MAY 2025–The Birds and the Bees, “Divorce Parties,” Mom Rage, and Prepping for More Kids)
Welcome to our monthly installment of me answering your burning questions on long-form here on the podcast. Today’s episode tackles topics I get asked about every single week (like prepping for adding a new baby to your clan and how to talk to your children about sex) and one I’ve NEVER received (“should I attend a divorce party?”).As always, the goal is the ground every answer in God’s Word (and
Ep. 107: A Life Catch-up (Hawaii, New Cars, Baking Books, and Mother’s Day)
We are in a whirlwind season of finishing school, taking trips, meeting deadlines, and transitioning to different vehicles. It’s good stuff, but it can feel like a lot all at once. So today, we’re doing a good ol’ brain dump of all things life lately in the Halberstadt household to get you up to speed. Enjoy! Sponsor Info:Voetberg Music AcademyCheck Out Voetberg Music Academy
Ep. 106: Jesus Over Pity Parties (A Chat with Laura Wifler)
In this episode, my friend and fellow mom + author, Laura Wifler, and I dig into a plethora of motherhood topics from a biblical perspective—listening to the Lord for direction in our callings, grief in unmet expectations, struggles which are hard but not bad, and even those which are hard and bad.Through it all, a central theme emerges: We are not victims of our circumstances, and Christ did not
Ep. 105: WWKW (April 2025)
We’re back with the fan-favorite monthly install of Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday in which listeners submit questions, and I answer in longer form than my usual WWKW slides on Instagram allow.Today’s show centers around 2 themes that emerged from the questions submitted: outward appearance and earning an income from home. As always, I strive to approach every topic from a “what does the Bible say”
Ep. 104: Christians and Fertility (A Chat with Pastor Wit—Part 2)
In this episode, we dive right back into the deep waters of “Christians and Fertility” with a continued goal of bringing this topic under the magnifying glass of Scripture and historical Christianity. We both truly believe that when the goal is to say, “What does God’s Word say about this,” we will receive wisdom and conviction that is timely and effective. As we tackle topics like surrogacy and “
Ep. 103: Christians and Fertility (A Chat with Pastor Wit—Part 1)
In this episode, Pastor Wit and I tackle one of my most requested topics: How to approach issues like childbearing, birth control, infertility, IVF, and so much more from a biblical perspective. Our goal is to equip, encourage, and exhort fellow believers to think about each of these topics from a place of prioritizing God’s Word, rather than cultural influences or man’s wisdom. We pray this episo
Ep. 102: 100 Mom Things (Part 2)
We’re diving back with part 2 of our 100 Things for Moms episode in honor of 100 WHOLE episodes of M Is for Mama (can’t believe it!).In this one, we tackle top 10 snacks, dinners, habits I find helpful, and much more, My goal with these episodes is to show you how many ways there are to do motherhood well, not to tell you, you should only do it like I do. I hope you’ll be encouraged to look for wa
Ep. 101: One Hundred Mom Things (Part 1)
As I contemplated the milestone of filming 100 episodes for a podcast that, 10 years ago, I couldn’t have even fathomed making even one episode for, I knew I wanted to pack as much value for moms as I could into one show. To that end, you will find my favorite Bible verses, top 10 family meals, things I would let go, hills I’ll die on, and so much more. Consider this your handy-dandy reference epi
Ep. 100: Keepers of the Home (A Chat with My Pastor’s Wife, Jen Witmer)
In this episode, Jenn Witmer (Wit’s wife!), and I tunnel deep into the rabbit hole of feminism, the “tradwife” movement, and what it truly means to be given the responsibility of being the keeper of our homes. Along the way, we examine what God’s Word has to say about our roles at home as Christian women and why this standard must be our guide, regardless of how loud the voices of our world become
Ep. 99: It’s Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn (A Chat with Greta Eskridge)
One of the biggest FAQs I receive weekly is how to tackle tough sexuality topics with our kids–one of the chief of which is pornography. Parents feel ill-equipped to handle this in an age-appropriate way. And yet, the world is more than eager to fill in the gaps and give our children images and words that aren’t appropriate for any age. In this episode, we tackle practical ways to equip parents wi
Ep. 98: Lift Your Eyes (Motherhood Encouragement from Whitney Newby)
If you’ve ever found yourself discouraged in motherhood and wondering where to look for help, today’s guest, Whitney Newby from Brighter Day Press, has written a Scripture-drenched devotional geared toward helping you answer that exact question. In this episode, we chat all things motherhood, including the fallacy of “doing it all” (nobody does) and how to change our mindset when we’re being bomba
Ep. 97: Motherhood Through the Ages (Finding Joy No Matter What Stage You’re In)
One of my biggest FAQs is, “How do you survive and thrive when you have only littles?” Followed closely by, “How do you find balance and meet the needs of so many different ages when you’re mothering multiple stages?” And finally, “How do you adjust to being needed less and losing some of your primary role in your kids’ lives as they age?”Clearly, moms are hungry for solid principles on which to
Ep. 96: A Very Eventful Valentine’s Day Weekend (Lessons Learned and Remembered)
Shaun and I are not huge Valentine’s folks, although neither are we the type who grumble about “manufactured holidays” and “forced love.” We typically view the holiday as a reason to get special treats for our kids and sneak in a yummy meal together. This year, though, Shaun thought it would be fun to make it a weekend away. And it was! But also, parts of it weren’t. And there were plenty of oppor
Ep. 95: WWKW February 2025
Welcome back to our monthly segment of Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday—Podcast Style, where you ask me questions, and I tackle as many as I can in an episode. In this episode, we address what personality I identify with most, how to overcome feelings of failure and hopelessness, what it means to be a lukewarm Christian, and so much more! I hope you'll be edified, encouraged, and, yes, at least a litt
Ep. 94: Facing the Future Without Fear (Encouragement for Today and Tomorrow)
Have you ever found yourself crippled with fear or indecision when faced with a major life change or the prospect of an unknown outcome? If so, join the club!The truth of the Christian life is we’re called to more than curling up in a ball of dread or allowing ourselves to get worked up in a tizzy of anxiety.On the contrary, the Bible makes it very clear that, though we don’t know the outcome of o
Ep. 93: Informed Consent and Medical Freedom (A Chat with Just the Inserts)
No matter on what side of the line you fall when it comes to issues like vaccines, birth protocols, hormonal contraceptives, and common pharmaceuticals, I hope we can all agree that knowing what the meds say about themselves is important to being able to make an informed decisions. This premise is the very foundation on which Alexandra has built her platform, Just The Inserts. Through her social m
Ep. 92: Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday
We’re back with this month’s edition of WWKW where I answer all your burning questions from how I maintain daily energy to thoughts on natural family planning to—super niche!—a clear breakdown of the rules for “the kitchen” in pickleball. Hope you enjoy this little smorgasbord of topics! If You Would Like to Send Feedback:abbie@misformama.netSponsor Info:Voetberg Music AcademyCheck out Voetberg Mu
Ep. 91: In Case You’re Starting 2025 With an Empty Tank
“New year, new you” has a catchy ring. But what if it’s not your reality?In this episode, I share some hard news from our family, as well as encourage you to find your strength in the Lord if 2025 already doesn’t feel like “your year,” or you feel like you’re still dragging the weight of sad circumstances from 2024 with you.Take heart, friends. The Lord is neither surprised by nor apathetic about
Ep. 90: Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday (Last Chance for 2024!)
Join me as I wrap up 2024 with answers to your burning questions like… “What was your favorite food as a kid?”Okay, yes. That was one of the lighter questions I got asked, but I also dive into how to address sibling squabbling and what my favorite things about having only littles were, among other things. I hope you enjoy this last WWKW, podcast style, for the year. Can’t wait to share more with y
Ep. 89: Whaddya Wanna Know Wit’s Day (Head Coverings + Why Babies Go to Heaven)
On this episode, my pastor, whom I call Wit, tackles one of the biggest FAQs I’ve received over the last two years—the issue of whether modern Christian women should physically cover their heads, especially while in corporate worship. As always, he looks to Scripture as his guide and does a great job of addressing this sometimes contentious issue with clarity and compassion. We also talk about a b
Ep. 88: What Do You Wanna Know Wit’s Day (Christmas and the Lord’s Day)
Back by popular demand, my pastor, Rick Witmer (whom I call Wit), is on the podcast today to tackle some of your most pressing questions.We start with one that’s relevant for this time of year: “Is it biblical to celebrate Christmas?”And then, we move on to a biblical examination of why Christians worship on Sundays (instead of Saturdays) and what role Sabbath plays in the modern-day believer’s li
Ep. 87: Finding Gratitude in Unlikely Places
If we’re honest, we all have something to be grateful for: breath in our bodies, sun on our faces, a warm bowl of soup in our bellies, the sound of our children laughing in the other room… And then there are the even more obvious reasons to be thankful: job promotions, new babies, wishes fulfilled.But what about the things we don’t feel thankful for? Could there be any room for gratitude there? An
Ep. 86: Influencing Our Children for Good (a Chat with Kirk Cameron)
Join me as I chat with Kirk Cameron about how we as parents can have a godly influence on our kids, even with the clamor of worldly voices in their ears.We chat about current culture, Kirk’s goal in leaving mainstream Hollywood content creation, and his new show, Adventures of Iggy and Mr. Kirk—a resource for young children to counteract anti-biblical messaging from secular society.Be encouraged t
Ep. 85: An “Attagirl” for the Mama Bears
In a world which champions ungodly parenting philosophies, mocks the traditional family unit, and glorifies self over sacrifice, it can feel daunting to swim against the current of culture.But I have seen (and heard from) so many mamas who are doing just that and making a difference for good in their communities and the world at large.This episode is “an attagirl” and an encouragement to buck the
Ep. 84: WWKW—Podcast Edition
Back by popular demand, we’re doing a podcast version of my Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday Q&A.Just a few of the topics include parenting only littles vs. parenting a variety of areas, a typical “week in the life” around here, how I got published, my favorite literary character, and so much more!Hope you enjoy this casual chat format. Be sure to submit questions via email to abbie@misformama.net
Ep. 83: Theology Chats With Wit (Reformed Theology + God’s Sovereignty—Part 2)
This week, we continue with our chat with my pastor, Rick Witmer (or “Wit”), as he lays out a biblical case for reformed theology. We also get into some real-world examples that answer the question, “If God is truly sovereign, then why choose to take action at all?”Come unpack the “mystery box” of God’s sovereign will in conjunction with man’s responsibility to make choices in today’s thought-prov
Ep. 82: Theology Chats With Wit (Reformed Beliefs + God’s Sovereignty)—Part 1
If you’ve ever heard of the doctrine of election or the five points of Calvinism, you may feel like you have more questions than answers about what those and many other tenets of Reformed theology mean. Since it’s Reformation Month—when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of a Catholic church—I thought it would be the perfect time to chat all things Reformed with my pastor, Rick Witmer,
Ep. 81: Nobody is Killing It All the Time (Priorities and Preparation for Seasons of Limited Capacity)
It’s easy to see someone doing well in an area (or multiple areas) and assume they’re killing it in every other arena as well. The truth is, while we strive for the balance of doing all things excellently to the glory of God, we often found our capacities particularly limited during certain seasons and generally limited all the time (bc no one is good at everything). Whether we are unusually busy
Ep. 80: Whaddya Wanna Know Wednesday (Podcast Style)
On this episode, we’re trying something a little different by doing a podcast version of the Q&A I do every week on my social media. I tackle serious questions (like how to turn a bad day around when you’ve lost your cool) as well as lighthearted ones (could either of our sets of twins fools us by switching places??).I’d love to hear your thoughts and whether you’d like to see this as a regula
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