Shows
A Force To Be Reckoned With233. Replay: Making your Home a Place of Mission with Victoria DuerstockWhen is the last time you have invited someone into your home to sit down and dive into the parts of life that go deeper than everyday conversation?If this isn’t something that you do, or have done recently, what’s holding you back? Is it space? Is it clutter? Is it fear of what people might see when you let your walls down?For me, at one point or another it’s been all of those things, and I know I’m not alone in that. That’s why I’m so excited t...2025-05-0732 minA Force To Be Reckoned With232. Debt, Marriage, and Morning Coffee: Small Acts, Big ImpactsWhat if paying off debt didn’t mean putting life on hold?This month we knocked out some debt, paid off a line of credit, and finally feel the snowball rolling. It’s gonna take a few years—and that's okay. We’re in it for the long haul without putting life on hold.Instead of extreme cuts that leave us burned out, we're learning to be intentional: letting the kids play sports (no $6 concession stand nachos for us), fixing up the backyard, and choosing joy where we can.Funny thing—getting se...2025-04-2936 minA Force To Be Reckoned With231. When Motherhood Brings You to the End of Yourself with Whitney NewbyWhat if the hardest moments of motherhood weren’t something to escape—but a holy invitation?In this episode, we sit down with Whitney Newby, the heart behind Brighter Day Press, who opens up about the messy, beautiful collision of motherhood and faith. A former nurse turned homeschooling mama of four, Whitney shares how an early, overwhelming moment with her newborn led her to a deep realization: her own love and strength would never be enough—but God’s grace would be.With wisdom forged in the trenches, Whitney offers practical rhythms for weary ma...2025-04-2237 minA Force To Be Reckoned With230. We Should Talk More - On Not Raising Socially Awkward KidsRemember when eye contact, please-and-thank-you, and real conversations were just... normal? These days, it feels like we’re raising kids in a world that’s slowly forgetting how to be human.We see it everywhere—from the cashier who barely looks up, to parents missing “watch me!” moments at the playground because they're glued to their phones. It’s not just about manners—it’s about teaching our kids how to truly connect.The good news? It doesn’t take much to turn the tide. Let your kid order their own food. Chat with “safe strange...2025-04-0830 minA Force To Be Reckoned With229. On Suffering and Hard ThingsWhat if the struggle you're avoiding is the very thing meant to make you stronger?Across the pages of the Bible, scripture doesn’t shy away from suffering. Instead, it calls us to embrace it, learn from it, and find joy in the middle of it. Because maybe pain isn’t punishment—it’s preparation.Jesus didn’t promise a trouble-free life. He promised victory through the struggle. And when He said, “Take up your cross and follow me,” he wasn’t inviting us to a life of ease. He was inviting us to a life of pur...2025-04-0145 minA Force To Be Reckoned With228. Whatchu Doin’ With That Tax Return? - Debt UpdateWhat are you doing with your tax refund this year?In this episode, we’re getting real about our financial journey—how small, consistent habits have helped us make meaningful progress in paying down debt. We kick things off with a fun game (yes, it involves singing—and no, we’re not auditioning for American Idol). Expect a few missed notes and a lot of laughs along the way.We also talk about the curveball we got during tax season when our refund didn’t come through as expected, reminding us that it’s better to...2025-03-2531 minA Force To Be Reckoned With227. PGE: Peeing In The Shower (Spoiler Alert- We All Do It)Be honest… Do you pee in the shower? Or are you now questioning every shared shower you’ve ever stepped foot in? This time on Parents Google Everything, we dive into some highly scientific research (aka Google) to uncover the surprising truth about bathroom habits across generations.But that’s just the beginning. We’re also talking about the unexpected yet powerful Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll collab on Hard Fought Hallelujah—why it matters, how it’s pushing Christians outside their comfort zones, and what it says about the church’s need to love people...2025-03-1142 minA Force To Be Reckoned With226. Why We Stepped Into Foster CareWhat would happen if we stopped seeing foster care as someone else’s problem?Right now, there are nearly 400,000 children in the foster care system, and behind each number is a real child, a real family, a real story. In this episode, we’re sharing a bit about our own journey into foster care—what led us to say “yes” when so many step back, and why the fight for families is more urgent than ever.We dig into the hard truths about why families are struggling, the ripple effects on communities, and what it re...2025-03-0450 minA Force To Be Reckoned With225. Money and Marriage: Failure is Not an OptionHow would you define your relationship with money in your marriage—a seamless partnership, a constant tug-of-war, or something you avoid talking about altogether?In this episode, we’re getting real about marriage and money—because if there’s one thing that can test a relationship, it’s finances. We’re pulling back the curtain on our own experiences, sharing the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) about handling bank accounts, tackling debt, and navigating different spending styles without losing our minds.Talking about money in marriage doesn’t have to feel like a high...2025-02-2532 minA Force To Be Reckoned With222. Healing Through Adversity: The Story Behind The Bohemian MamaHave you ever thought about how the hardest moments in life can become the foundation for something beautiful?In this episode, we chat with Vivian Brinkman, the force behind The Bohemian Mama, a natural skincare brand with a heart for community and authenticity. Vivian shares how growing up in a traditional Greek immigrant family shaped her values, how she and her husband turned challenges into creativity, and how parenting—especially raising a son with learning differences—taught her resilience, faith, and the true meaning of patience.We’ll uncover the beauty of finding purpos...2025-01-2850 minA Force To Be Reckoned With206. Life Update: We Think We Might Like Each OtherHave you ever felt God nudge you to do something challenging?We're back with another life update. From high stakes to minor conflicts, we dig deep into the real battles that test our resilience every day. Despite the chaos, we find strength in our unity and ability to laugh even sometimes when we probably shouldn't.As you may remember, we recently found mold in our home, leading to an exhaustive (and expensive!) remediation process. We open up about the significant toll it took but also celebrate the invaluable lessons learned—like the importance of accepting he...2024-08-0634 minA Force To Be Reckoned With199. What Was It All For?Remember the raw, unfiltered conversations we used to have in the early days of our podcast?That's where Corey and I begin this heart-to-heart episode, reflecting on how our discussions have matured alongside our audience's growth. As we've welcomed more listeners into our fold, the balance between honesty and discretion has become a dance we constantly refine. We're peeling back the layers on the evolution of the podcast, sharing the delicate art of preserving candidness while respecting the privacy of those stories intertwined with our own.We then stroll down memory lane, examining...2024-05-2145 minA Force To Be Reckoned With198. What Happens When the Dust Settles?Have you ever pulled off a prank that left everyone better off than before? Join us as we recount our weekend filled with 'kindness pranks', a unique way of spreading joy and laughter to our friends. This episode is full of parenting, friendship, and a whole lot of love rolled into a series of heartwarming stories that affirm the beauty of giving back, even if it means the occasional tumble down a hill.Life can throw curveballs, especially when it involves opening your home and heart to foster children. We get real about the emotional r...2024-04-2340 minA Force To Be Reckoned With197. Habits of the HouseholdEver found yourself in an argument with your spouse over something trivial and wondered how it escalated so quickly? We, the Adkins, open up about those little marital tiffs that can teach us a lot about the bigger battles within ourselves. Our latest episode peels back the curtain on navigating disagreements with humor and grace, and we're letting you in on the secrets to turning conflicts into opportunities for growth. We also dive into the importance of communication and the art of the apology, sharing a personal story that proves even the most mundane days can lead...2024-04-1737 minA Force To Be Reckoned With192. Life Update: Has Our Foster Care Journey Ended?Ever accidentally shatter a full glass bottle of kombucha in Marshall's? We have! In today's episode, we take you through life's everyday laughter and trials, swapping tales from bathroom disasters to the quirks of marriage. As we navigate the tender complexities of fostering, parenting, and the relentless passage of time, we invite you to join our conversation and embrace the journey of life with us. This is not just an update—it's a chapter of our lives, shared candidly with hopes to spark inspiration and sprinkle a bit of joy in your day.Delving into the...2024-03-0556 minA Force To Be Reckoned With191. PGE: Parents Google EverythingWhat are your thoughts on bell-bottoms and landline phones?Get ready to laugh and nod along as we unveil our "Parents Google Everything" segment, where we dive headfirst into the quirkiest corners of the internet. It's a weird world we live in.. with Gen Z dialing up on landlines and sporting mullets and people smuggling snakes across the border in their pants—yep, we're scratching our heads too. Join our light-hearted debate over the allure of 90s fashion's comeback and why nostalgia seems to have a grip on the new generation, all packed wi...2024-02-2735 minA Force To Be Reckoned With186. Remember When Christmas Used to Feel Warm and Cozy?Do you remember when you were a kid and Christmas felt all warm and cozy?Sometimes, as adults, we can get so wrapped up in the hustle & bustle that we forget to slow down and just be present. When you think back to your favorite Christmas memories growing up, are they of big extravagant gifts? Or are they memories of traditions enjoyed with family?We're peeling back the layers on our unique Christmas traditions, discussing ways to make the holidays memorable without the pressure of perfection, and sharing personal stories about our themed movie nights...2023-12-0552 minA Force To Be Reckoned With183. Be Careful What You Pray For: Meet the Adkins Media Co. TeamHave you ever felt like God put a desire on your heart that you just couldn't ignore?Here at Adkins Media Co., each of us have had that undeniable nudge on our hearts. We've navigated the rough waters of juggling our professional aspirations and raising our families, but all throughout our journeys, there was a fire on the inside that just couldn't be ignored.Join us as we share how we transformed from our previous careers to create Adkins Media Co, a family-first business that perfectly strikes the balance between work and home life. This b...2023-10-3140 minA Force To Be Reckoned With175. Small Talk and Changing Seasons with the AdkinsHow is your summer going? While we often anticipate summer to be a little more slow-paced, sometimes it's just the opposite. There is always something to do, whether it's spending time with friends or going to events - it's easy to get wrapped up in saying 'yes' to so many things that we get overwhelmed.In our episode today, we're sharing about what's been going on with us and how we're learning to be more intentional in our approach to different situations. We'll talk about how our environment, the people we surround ourselves with, and...2023-08-1539 minA Force To Be Reckoned With163. Take Charge of Your Health with Traci ZizzaToday, Bethany is diving into the topic of health with functional nutrition health coach, Traci Zizza. Traci and her husband are the owners of Zizza Nutrition, and she has been a strong motivational and informational force in Bethany’s life. After she had her children, Traci realized that more than just her outward appearance, her body didn’t feel the way she thought it should. She was irritable and tired and wanted to make a change for her health and her family. She went to doctor’s appointments, and they all told her everything was fine, but she kne...2023-04-1132 minA Force To Be Reckoned With154. Unexpected Part 1: Our Story of Unexpected Pregnancy**Disclaimer-This is a sensitive topic and covers points that may not be appropriate for children. Viewer discretion is advised.**Unexpected: Imperfectly and Unexpectedly Going Places That God Calls UsToday Corey and I share a huge piece of our journey walking through an unplanned pregnancy together and how it helped to mold our perspectives on certain hot topic issues in our culture.This is part one of our five-part series called Unexpected, and we are covering sensitive and heavy topics. We are utilizing our life-changing story to launch a s...2022-09-211h 07A Force To Be Reckoned With153. Some of You Are Doing a Good Job, and Some of You Are NotThis week we are talking about all kinds of things, including a challenge that Corey gave me (Bethany): spelling supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.No, but really, today we are talking about priorities, attitude, and how to get yourself out of a funk. We hope you enjoy today’s episode.Make sure you’re following our show because next week we are starting an amazing series you won't want to miss.Episode Highlights: Kids are our best teachers.How to get yourself out of a funk.Prioritizing your “big rocks”The power...2022-09-0641 minA Force To Be Reckoned With152. Don’t Underestimate the Power of WordsOne of the best things about having kids is that we often need to be reminded of the lessons we teach them. This week I (Bethany) am sharing about a lesson that I was walking Carter through, and it spurred me on to this episode idea.We all know that words can be powerful, but we forget how much control we have over the quality of words we consume. Today we are diving into that, the story of the lesson with Carter, and also sharing our favorite books of all time. We hope it encourages y...2022-08-3054 minA Force To Be Reckoned With150. All Good Things Must Come to an EndMan, oh, man. How in the world did summer fly by so quickly?!It seems like just yesterday we were telling you all that we were taking a break, and now we are back recording. While the time flew by, we are so happy to be back in front of our mics.Today, we are catching you up on our summer, life updates and what we learned during this break. While taking breaks in nothing new around here (we usually do two a year), we learn something new every time. This week we a...2022-08-1642 minA Force To Be Reckoned With148. “Lighten Up Bubs!” - Stop Taking Life So Ding Dang Seriously!Can we just stop taking life so ding dang seriously!? Ding dang - it’s a thing…not made up and not stolen from anyone else…and Corey will definitely be adopting this phrase in the near future. Perhaps the last two years, life has made us all just a little more uptight and overwhelmed - it seems now more than ever. But to the Overthinker, Billy Buzzkill, Negative Nancy, and Debby Downer…you need to let loose a little bit. On today’s episode, we try out our new piece of equipment and you get to hear all ki...2022-05-1035 minA Force To Be Reckoned With142. Rooted Wrap Up - Living Life IntentionallyWe are wrapping up the Rooted Series this week with Part 5 and talking about how being rooted in all of the things we’ve touched on in Parts 1-4 impacts our specific family unit. We’ve chatted faith and friendships and real-life and community…so what does all of that mean for our family and how does being rooted in those things change the way we live our daily lives?There is so much that our family unit has gained by choosing to be intentionally rooted. Our kids have witnessed us fighting to dig deep into our faith...2022-04-1233 minA Force To Be Reckoned With141. Rooted Pt. 4 - Rooted in Community - Choosing and Pursuing itYou all have probably heard the idiom “Blood is thicker than water” and most of us know it to mean that familial or blood-related relationships are stronger than non-familial relationships. On today’s episode, we discuss its original meaning and how it is exactly opposite of how most people use it. The original saying is actually, "Blood of the covenant is thicker than water of the womb" - and it’s talking about bloodshed on the battlefield. So, "blood is thicker than water" actually means that bloodshed on the battlefield creates stronger ties than the water of the womb does. 2022-04-051h 01A Force To Be Reckoned With138. Rooted Part 1: Faith- “Be Willing To Say Yes” with Alli Corley and Lisa RobertsonWould you describe yourself or your family as rooted? In your faith? In friendships? In your community? In today’s episode, we are kicking off a new series that I’ve been thinking about and praying about for quite some time. Over the last two years especially, Corey and I have noticed the lack of connection that the Millennial generation culture has as a whole. It’s something we, personally, felt we were lacking in our lives and the idea of being “rooted” has been stirring in our hearts. So I just knew it was time to sha...2022-03-1555 minA Force To Be Reckoned With137. Nothing is Wasted with Stephanie Byler from The French RoosterHave you ever gone through a difficult season and wished it never happened?Life is beautiful, but it can also be full of days of discouragement and trials. If facing difficulty is something you can resonate with, you will undoubtedly find encouragement through today’s episode.This week, we are sharing a conversation with our friend Stephanie Byler. Stephanie is a wife, mom, business owner, and faithful follower of Christ. If you looked at her life today, you’d see a hard worker, faithful servant, and successful entr...2022-03-0846 minA Force To Be Reckoned With134. Feeling Burned Out?Has anyone else been feeling like they have been running on all cylinders and about ready to combust?What the heck is causing it? Today we are sharing our thoughts on this topic and inviting you along on our studies on this topic over the next several weeks. Whether it’s our own dang faults, or simply because this world is going crazy, we are excited to dive in and find a solution. Will you join us?Listen today to hear more, and thanks for...2022-02-1538 minA Force To Be Reckoned With133. At Your Breaking Point?The last two years have been packed full of changes, obstacles, and trials. In addition to everyday challenges, we’ve all dealt with COVID, cancel culture (more to come on that), and all kinds of crazy stuff.All of this has forced us to adjust more times than we’d like to, and if you’re anything like us you’ve felt unsettled in a lot of ways. Today, we are talking about the unrest we’ve been feeling in our own lives, and what we’ve been doing about it.We’ve ha...2022-02-0840 minA Force To Be Reckoned With132. Didn’t Make Resolutions for 2022?! Us Either!Wheew! We certainly hope you guys enjoyed your holiday break as much as we did!A lot of changes have been happening in the Adkins household, and we are glad to be back updating you on everything as well as sharing where our heads are around resolutions this year.We are so excited for another year of podcasting, learning, and growing with all of you so that we can RISE UP together and become the people that God has called us to be!Episode Highlights: A life u...2022-01-1857 minA Force To Be Reckoned With130. Get your Crap Together with Weekly ResetsWe’ve talked about family meetings before, today we are diving into the nitty gritty per your requests. Think you have it all together and have no need for family meetings? You’re still going to want to listen because where else can you find awful dad jokes and awkward conversations like this?!Episode Highlights: Bethany and Corey have a debate about Corey’s beardMore awkward conversation.What family meetings are.Bethany and Corey answer your questions about family meetings.Freebie!More on The Millennia...2021-11-2330 minA Force To Be Reckoned With129. Obedience is HardToday we are talking about obedience. The truth is obedience is hard, but at the end of the day we have to choose: Will we obey and trust God even in the unseen, or will we choose our own ways and deal with the repercussions of disobedience?Listen today to hear our thoughts!Episode Highlights: Bethany and Corey give a brief life update.The difference between obedience and compliance for the sake of this episode.The importance of knowing what the wo...2021-11-1646 minA Force To Be Reckoned With127. Why we should talk about the things that no one wants to: A candid conversation on sin, trust, biblical marriage, and more with Lindsey MaestasSo it’s a pretty long title this week. And that’s because we have one of our wonderful friends, Lindsey Maestas BACK on the show again. You guys, every time Lindsey comes on, she shares so many good tidbits which leaves us with an amazing conversation and we always cover so much. As you guys know from our previous conversation, just like us, Lindsey loves to talk about the tough things because if no one is talking about them, how can we fix them?Corey and I have had t...2021-11-0231 minA Force To Be Reckoned With125. Making your Home a Place of Mission with Victoria DuerstockWhen is the last time you have invited someone into your home to sit down and dive into the parts of life that go deeper than everyday conversation?If this isn’t something that you do, or have done recently, what’s holding you back? Is it space? Is it clutter? Is it fear of what people might see when you let your walls down?For me, at one point or another it’s been all of those things, and I know I’m not alone in that. That’s why I’m...2021-10-1931 minA Force To Be Reckoned With123. Unplanned Grace: Tackling the Topic of Unplanned Pregnancy with Natasha SmithLast week I told you Corey and I were going to start being more vocal about our convictions on the show, and here we are.Today we are sharing a conversation I had with Natasha Smith. Natasha works with a ministry called save the storks, and she just co-wrote a book with Brittany Smith called unplanned grace.First, I want to say that while I loved our conversation, I feel like I didn’t completely do it justice this week as I was interviewing solo and also right in the heat of our whole family be...2021-10-0538 minA Force To Be Reckoned With117. Marriage is HARD- Here's 7 Ways to HelpFeel like you’re living with an annoying roommate rather than your spouse?A couple weeks ago, we talked all about conversation starters to help initiate deeper communication in your marriage. Well, today we are taking that a step further, and giving those conversations legs so that you can start taking action. In this episode we share 7 different ways to deepen your relationship with your spouse. Some might seem common sense, but chances are you’re still not doing them. The challenge this week? For a month, pick one item...2021-08-3129 minA Force To Be Reckoned With119. Make your Life Easier by Having These Notes in your PhoneEver made a to-do list on a piece of paper, and then lost the paper?Communication, organization, and being on the same page are all things Corey and I have struggled through. Over the last several years, we have tried to implement tools to help us with all of those things, but sometimes the tools that people “sell” are cumbersome and don’t stick.We are all about simple. The simpler, the better and the more it will stick with our lives. We are about taking away from the chaos...2021-08-2424 minA Force To Be Reckoned With116. Communication is Key-Stop Having a Surface Level MarriageDo you ever feel like you are just going through the motions in your marriage? It's just another day. Or have you felt like you are working towards different things and not together? You’re just not on the same page.We have, and still do sometimes. The problem for us? Lack of communication.In this episode we talk about 5 Weekly “Touch Base” Topics to Discuss with your Spouse. These are not the “end all be all” but they are 5 conversation starters that have helped us, when we do them.2021-08-0328 minA Force To Be Reckoned With113. Life Hacks from the AdkinsOk we all love life hacks. Who doesn’t love a little shortcut here or there to make their lives a little easier? Can you blame us? Today, we are sharing some of our favorite everyday life hacks. Some you might already know, but most will likely blow your minds! The best part? We (Bethany and Corey) are competing with life hacks. Think rap battle- but only we go back and forth spitting out our favorite life hacks...and YOU get to pick who wins.Episode Highlights: Wh...2021-07-1333 minA Force To Be Reckoned With112. 5 Questions to Spark Conversation with your KidsWhat are your conversations like with your kids? If you are anything like us, they go something like this:Us: “How was your day?”Kid: “Good.”Us: “What did you do?”Kid: “Played.” or “Learned.” or “I don’t remember.”LAME…We saw this as a problem, and wanted to develop a deeper relationship with them. Get to know them better. Make them feel comfortable talking to us about anything. Their struggles. Their dreams.So we used a s...2021-07-0629 minA Force To Be Reckoned With110. Are your Weeks Chaos?! 5 Ways to Set Your Week up for SuccessLife is busy and sometimes chaotic! At the end of the day or the week, have you ever said “What just happened? The house is a mess, the car is a mess, I have nothing clean to wear, and I have no idea what any of us are doing this week?!” I know we have. The day or week blew by and we were super reactive to everything that came at us. In this episode, we discuss 5 ways that have helped us over the years to have more successful and intentional weeks. We are not perfec...2021-06-2228 min