Shows
The Mom HourPaying It Forward: Episode 523After more than a decade and over 800 hours of conversation, connection, and community, The Mom Hour comes to a close in this final episode. Join Meagan and Sarah as we reflect on what it has meant to share this space with you—our listeners, fellow moms, and, truly, our friends. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or found us more recently, we hope this episode leaves you with inspiration to carry forward the spirit of The Mom Hour in your everyday life.You’ve let us into your ears and your lives, and we are endles...2025-06-2453 min
What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood | Parenting Tips From Funny MomsFresh Take: Meagan Francis, THE LAST PARENTING BOOK YOU'LL EVER READAmy chats with parenting writer and The Mom Hour podcaster Meagan Francis about her new book, The Last Parenting Book You'll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s Next. Together, they reflect on the identity shift that comes with parenting an emptying nest, the emotional complexity of "lasts," and why transitioning out of the "hands-on" years of parenting requires the same patience with ourselves that entering those years did.
Listen to the Substack Live Amy and Meagan did recently to discuss Amy's book HAPPY TO HELP!
🎧 Amy and M...2025-06-1343 min
The Kettle with Meagan FrancisMay journal: generosityHello friend,Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve given eleven livestreamed interviews and three or four (or was it five?) podcast interviews. I’ve been on TV twice, done two in-person signing events and have two more coming this weekend. And my book has only been out for nine days. A launch is an exercise in stamina, and this one is hitting me pretty differently at 47 than it did when I wrote my last book as a wee lass of 34.Other things have changed since then, too; namely, how much I find myself lean...2025-05-1519 min
Best of Both Worlds PodcastLater Phases of Parenting + Midlife Leisure Pursuits with Meagan Francis EP 406In today's episode, Meagan chats with Laura about launching kids into the real world (timely!), and they also pivot to talking all things fun and leisure.Meagan's book, The Last Parenting Book You'll Ever Read: How to Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What's Next is out this month and available wherever books are sold. Find lots more from Meagan at meaganfrancis.com .In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah discuss life skills kids should know as they head off to college.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.2025-05-1341 min
The Kettle with Meagan FrancisIs it possible to ditch the grocery store?For most of us, getting groceries automatically equals “going to the supermarket.” But does that brightly-lit jumble of logos, packaging, and confusing nutrition labels have to be the only - or even the primary - way we fill our fridges and pantries? For the past few years, as I’ve been committed to sourcing more and more of my food locally and seasonally, it’s automatically led to me relying less and less on the supermarket - and I’ve learned a lot along the way. In this episode of The Kettle, I share some alternate...2025-03-1539 min
The Kettle with Meagan FrancisExiting Instagram and investing in the real world with Sarah PowersMore and more, people are talking about leaving social media for good. But how? It’s easy to feel trapped by these networks that have become so intertwined in every aspect of our lives, from shopping to socializing. In this episode of The Kettle, I catch up with my good friend and business partner Sarah Powers to discuss her decision to walk away from Instagram over a year ago, and how the exit impacted her: both the positive effects (a return to writing without self-consciousness; more engagement in her physical world) and more negative effects (turns out, she struggles wi...2025-01-1556 min
The Kettle with Meagan FrancisJanuary Journal: Easing into the New YearDeep breath, friend: you don’t have to come into the New Year raring to go on January 1. In the first episode of the newly-named and slightly-refocused podcast, The Kettle (formerly The Tea’s Made) I take a different, slower approach. I reflect on my holiday celebrations, offer an alternative to the idea of ambitious (or restrictive) New Year’s resolutions and goals, reflect on the impact of small, embodied rituals and rhythms for keeping us grounded and rooted in what’s real, and also read one of my Christmas motherhood essays out loud. And, of course, you’ll get some t...2025-01-0126 min
The Kettle with Meagan FrancisCozy & Creative Spaces with Sarah PowersDo certain areas in your home inspire you creatively? What's the link between comfort and creativity? In this episode I'm joined by Sarah Powers, my cohost at The Mom Hour, to talk about our favorite cozy spaces and why they help us feel more ready to create. Episode LinksOrder Sarah's and my new guided journal, The Mother's Gratitude Journal: An Easy Guide to Capturing Everyday Joys and Milestone Moments, launching March 5!Milk Oolong Meagan was drinkingYogi herbal tisane that Sarah was drinkingThe Pottery Barn blanket that Sarah gifted MeaganQuince blanket that Sarah...2024-02-2237 min
The Kettle with Meagan Francis6 ways I'm staying warm & cozy right nowThe winter is finally here in earnest, and right now I’m all about staying warm and cozy. Listen to learn a DIY idea to keep you snug, how I keep my hands and legs warm on long walks, my improvised, bean-forward soup recipe, and more!Episode Links:Join me on Substack for exclusive episodes on the last Thursday of each month!The ridiculously soft and cozy Pottery Barn blanket Sarah Powers gifted meThe WoolX Leggings I live inMy Substack post about eating more beans in 2024The rechargeable hand warmers I’m eyeballingLeaning into a “t...2024-01-1820 min
Care and Feeding | Slate's parenting showWhy You Need Parenting “Friendlies”On this episode: We’re bringing you part two of ‘Friendship Week!’ We’ve received a lot of questions in the last year or so about finding parenting friends so we brought in the fabulous Meagan Francis and Sarah Powers from The Mom Hour podcast to help us tackle them. Meagan and Sarah share their tips for striking up conversations with potential friends, converting acquaintances to friends, and even how to make friends outside of your kid’s social circle. Then on Slate Plus: Jamilah, Zak, and Elizabeth take a friendship quiz to figure out what ki...2022-11-1040 min
Pitched: Real Stories of Pitching Bold IdeasMonetization, Advertising and the Podcasting Landscape with Meagan FrancisHave you ever considered buying podcast advertising for your business? Perhaps you have your own podcast and you want to approach sponsors for monetization opportunities. Or maybe you just want to get a better feel for the whole podcasting landscape. If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those statements you’re going to get a lot out of today’s episode. My guest today, Meagan Francis, has an incredible amount of knowledge about the podcasting landscape and industry. Meagan is a 15+ year media veteran whose work has appeared in nearly every medium, from books, magazines, and blog...2021-02-0250 min
ON BOYS PodcastMeagan Francis of The Mom Hour: Parenting in the Digital AgeMeagan Francis has been writing, blogging and podcasting about parenting for the better part of 20 years.
You might not know her name, but odds are good you've seen a photo of her:
That's Meagan, in the hot pink dress. And that's one of her (four) boys under her arm. (Meagan also has a daughter.)
If you have kids -- and you probably do, if you're listening to this podcast -- you know that look on her face. You've felt that combination of frustration and determination. And that, likely, is why the photo...2020-01-0941 min
ON BOYS PodcastMeagan Francis of The Mom Hour: Parenting in the Digital AgeMeagan Francis has been writing, blogging and podcasting about parenting for the better part of 20 years.
You might not know her name, but odds are good you've seen a photo of her:
That's Meagan, in the hot pink dress. And that's one of her (four) boys under her arm. (Meagan also has a daughter.)
If you have kids -- and you probably do, if you're listening to this podcast -- you know that look on her face. You've felt that combination of frustration and determination. And that, likely, is why the photo went viral and remains wildly popular.
What you...2020-01-0941 min
The Mom HourThe Holiday Meagan Went All In: Episode 237Meagan’s last three Christmases have played out like a sad country song (divorce! family emergency! breakup!), and this year she’s going ALL IN on festiveness in an effort to reset the tone for the season and find new ways to enjoy and embrace the holidays as a mom of older kids. There will be Nutcrackers, Messiahs, baking, multiple advent calendars, and even (teen-willing) some ambitious exterior illumination. Sarah’s asking the questions today and Meagan is here for all of us who want to kick off the season with maximum enthusiasm. Join us!
Sponsor Spotlight: Skylight Frames...2019-12-0353 min
The Mom HourThe Holiday Meagan Went All In: Episode 237Meagan’s last three Christmases have played out like a sad country song (divorce! family emergency! breakup!), and this year she’s going ALL IN on festiveness in an effort to reset the tone for the season and find new ways to enjoy and embrace the holidays as a mom of older kids. There will be Nutcrackers, Messiahs, baking, multiple advent calendars, and even (teen-willing) some ambitious exterior illumination. Sarah’s asking the questions today and Meagan is here for all of us who want to kick off the season with maximum enthusiasm. Join us! LINKS MENTIONED:Meagan...2019-12-0347 min
What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of MotherhoodSmall Town vs Big City (with guest host Meagan Francis of The Mom Hour)City versus country (versus the great strip-mall in-between): where’s the best place to raise your kids? Amy hashes it out with guest host Meagan Francis, founder of the Life Listened podcast network and co-host of The Mom Hour, one of the top parenting podcasts on iTunes!
For the other half of this Host Swap, our very own Margaret Ables is talking Regional Parenting Differences with The Mom Hour’s Sarah Powers this week. Give it a listen in your podcast app or right here:
If The Mom Hour isn’t on your podcast subscription list yet, it’s about to be!
I...2017-11-0855 min
Welcome HomeMeet The New Hosts! The Home Hour, Episode 65We’re BACK — and we’ve got big news! The Home Hour is relaunching with renewed focus on all things home: design, DIY, and gracious living. Co-hosts Kirsten Dunlap and Graham Smith have been busy behind the scenes preparing amazing shows, lining up interviews with experts in the home design/decor sphere, and freshening up this space with a brand new look and feel. In Episode 65 you’ll hear Meagan Francis, the podcast’s original host and founder of the Life, Listened Podcast Network, chat with her good friend Sarah Powers (of The Mom Hour) abou...2017-04-1055 minThe Mom HourMom Meltdowns, Oh No! Episode 01What do you do when you have an epic meltdown in front of your kids? Hosts Sarah Powers and Meagan Francis share their most embarrassing and over-the-top mom meltdowns, plus tips for pulling yourself together when you're about to fall apart.LINKS MENTIONED:Sarah's kids' newest obsession: Brains On! science podcast Meagan's recent personality test discovery: Enneagram This post from The Happiest Home: Tips For Saving The Day When You're Freaking Out This epic (and poop-related) meltdown Meagan wrote about a few years agoMORE HELPFUL LINKS:Visit...2015-03-1951 min
The Mom HourMom Meltdowns, Oh No! The Mom Hour, Episode 1What do you do when you have an epic meltdown in front of your kids? Hosts Sarah Powers and Meagan Francis share their most embarrassing and over-the-top mom meltdowns, plus tips for pulling yourself together when you’re about to fall apart. Thank you so much to the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility at Responsibility.org for sponsoring […]2015-03-1951 min
Get Buttoned Up Archives - WebTalkRadio.netGet Buttoned Up – When organizational styles create conflictLike it or not, our individual organizational tics can create minefields in our marriages and friendships. The little things, like dirty dishes that never make it into the dishwasher, dirty clothes that never make it into the hamper, a tendency to double book or forget a play date, are the cavities of our relationships. Little holes that, if ignored, will eat away and eventually rot something once solid. In this show, Alicia & Sarah talk with two authors, Alisa Bowman (Project Happily Ever After) and Meagan Francis (The Happiest Mom), about the different ways clashing organizational styles can create conflict...2011-04-0454 min