Shows
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessMy greatest joy in Motherhood (double celebration day!)Today I like to imagine I am gathered with all of you moms for a big group hug and some sincere encouragement. I wish you all a happy Mother’s Day (week) and I want you to know how valuable and precious you are as a mom! Today also marks the one-year birthday of my book, “Becoming Homeschoolers”. To celebrate all these things, I decided to read a short excerpt from the book…specifically the part about “How we started” homeschooling. For those of you who homeschool, I hope you are encouraged today. For those of you who don’t h...2025-05-0716 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessMy wellness journey (diet, exercise, hormones and more)– a Q & A with MonicaWelcome to the final week of this spring series on Women’s Wellness topics! Today, Leanne Benson flips the mic to interview ME to talk about my personal wellness journey. We gathered questions that many of you sent in via email and Instagram, and we’re covering a great range of topics! Leanne opens with a chat about my book, The Secret of Your Naturally Skinny Friends, as Leanne calls it “the last diet book you’ll ever read!” J. Leanne asks how my approach to diet and nutrition has changed over the years, and what my workouts cu...2025-04-3038 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessRunning vs. Walking…A Girlfriend chat with Jessica SmarttWelcome to the fourth week of this spring series on Women’s Wellness topics! Today, Jessica Smartt joins me to chat about women’s fitness; specifically, walking and running…for physical and mental health, in every season! Jessica and I have been online friends for years, but we met IRL (and went running together!) a couple years ago in North Carolina! Since then, we have enjoyed chatting, not just about family, homeschool, and writing, but also about all things fitness! Jessica is a few years younger than I am, so I love that we are in different seasons a...2025-04-2331 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessFitness Trackers: Pros and Cons for Women’s Health, with Lindsey HeinWelcome to the third week of this spring series on Women’s Wellness topics! Today, my friend and fellow-running enthusiast (as well as running podcaster!) Lindsey Hein joins me for a fun, girlfriend chat about the hot topic of fitness trackers. From the Garmin to Fitbits, Apple Watches, the Oura Ring, and the Whoop, there are a lot of options out there! And today, Lindsey and I are sharing from our own experience using, avoiding, and ultimately finding a happy balance with trackers! Fitness trackers give us a good look at our daily activity, sleep data, and more...2025-04-1634 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessWhat You should Know about Supplements for Muscle and Hormone Health, with David BlockThe supplement industry can be overwhelming and confusing. How do you know who or what to trust? If you eat healthy, is that enough? This is a topic on a lot of women's minds, especially as they age and want to take care of their muscle and hormone health! Today’s guest, David Block, has an amazing personal story which led him to found Previnex, a top-of-the-industry supplement company that has the highest standards for their products. In today’s episode, David answers a bunch of my questions about supplements, from what we should know about...2025-04-0946 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessFrom toddlers to teenagers: Practical ways to cultivate gratitude in your kids, with Steph ThurlingSomehow the word "entitlement" has grown to represent children in America today. It's not entirely new -- Kids are selfish by nature, yet the culture we are raising them in reinforces a spirit of entitlement. Yet, we are not without hope! And you are not alone! Join Steph Thurling - Executive Director at Christian Parenting, and host of the Christian Parenting Podcast – and I as we talk about ways to cultivate gratitude and fight entitlement in kids, young and old alike! From family prayer ideas, to giving kids work to do (in and outside the house...2025-03-2639 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessThe power of self-discipline, with Luke Swanson (bring the kids!)Listener-favorite guest, (my son) Luke Swanson joins us for a fun and inspiring conversation about the character quality of self-discipline. Invite your kids to join you as Luke shares some of the ways he grew up to learn (and eventually appreciate!) self-discipline, and how he has grown to cultivate discipline in his own life. Luke and I highlight Bible verses that inspire discipline and Luke shares stories from his competitive surf life that have helped him embrace discipline. He also points to his brand new addition to my Character Training Course: A video where Luke spea...2025-03-1934 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessLet’s Talk about Kids and Dating, with JP Pokluda*I am re-sharing this episode with JP Pokluda as it was a favorite on the podcast and it is a perfect fit for my Feb. 2025 series on all things Love and Marriage! Hope you enjoy!Dating has never been simple (who remembers?!) but today it is more complicated than ever. The world offers all kinds of mixed messages to young adults and teenagers and our Christian culture isn’t giving a lot of alternatives. In such crazy times our kids need a voice of reason and a lot of Biblical wisdom to help them na...2025-02-1941 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessPerspectives on kids and dating, with Dave and MonicaWe continue this February series talking about all things love and marriage by talking parenting on the topic of dating. My husband, Dave, joins me to share Biblical perspectives and how we handled the topic of dating from the time our boys were young. Note: Dave and I spoke as a married couple, to married couples. We did not mean to leave out single parents (we love you!) so we hope you are able to apply the biblical principles we share to your parenting as well. Find more on this topic in my book, Boy Mo...2025-02-1928 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessTrailerMonica Swanson, author of Boy Mom and Raising Amazing, and blogger at monicaswanson.com, shares encouragement and inspiration for raising amazing kids and building strong families. Monica shares practical advice and biblical wisdom through honest conversations, interviews with experts, and light-hearted humor. The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.orgPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy2025-01-1402 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellness3 Things to do before the New Year! (& Merry Christmas!)Mele Kalikimaka! Merry Christmas from Hawaii! Whether you catch this on Christmas day (I’m so honored!) or a bit later, in this episode you will find some fun facts regarding that strange week between Christmas and New Years, as well as THREE THINGS I suggest we all do before the New Year begins!I’m keeping this short and sweet, but I think the tips in this episode will prepare you well for an intentional, faith-filled start to your new year. Find show notes with the three tips as well as the Scriptures I shared (and a few...2024-12-2514 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellness10 Do’s and Don’ts for a Happy Family Christmas with Dave and MonicaWe are officially one week away from Christmas! This is a replay from a fun “date-night” style episode my husband Dave and I shared a few days before Christmas in 2023. Dave and I are passing along wisdom we have gleaned over 29 Christmases together, most with a house full of boys. You'll find some important “do’s” as well as a few “don’t”’s! Hopefully a few will be encouraging reminders and a few will make you laugh. We imagine some of you might listen together with your spouse while wrapping gifts, running last-minute errands, or in front of the fire f...2024-12-1831 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellness5 Tips for Less Stress this ChristmasIf you’ve ever let the stress of the season steal the JOY of the season, you know what inspired this episode. I’ve been there, and I don’t want to go back! Today’s episode is all about facing the reality of the holiday season with intentionality, and ending it with no regrets! Today I share five very simple and do-able tips that will decrease our stress, and help us be more present, patient, and peaceful this season. Hoping you can catch this while running errands, wrapping presents, or folding laundry! Find show notes and links over at...2024-12-1114 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessRestoring Your Joy, with Asheritah CiuciuDid you know that you were created for delight? It’s true! Though, if you are not feeling the fullness of that right about now you are not alone. We live in a fallen world and life can feel complicated and hard. Sometimes even turning to the Bible can feel like another task on our to-do list. Most of us don’t like to admit these things, especially in the midst of what is supposed to be the happiest season of all. (right?) Today’s guest, Asheritah Ciuciu, is no stranger to this reality. After a season of feeli...2024-12-0442 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessMaster Your Holiday Mindset, with Krista GilbertI am so excited to officially kick of the holiday season here on the podcast with this incredibly practical and fun conversation! Krista Gilbert is an executive and personal life coach who helps people and companies “design a life they love” (how cool is that!?) She’s also a personal friend who I enjoy and respect so much! In this conversation Krista and I talk about the realities of the holidays: They are magical and wonderful but can also be tricky. Expectations sneak in, things don’t always go smoothly…kids grow up (and get married!?) Our own parents...2024-11-2749 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHow to make Biblical decisions, with Emily Jensen of Risen MotherhoodWe all know there is no formula for good motherhood (bummer!) Yet, the Bible does offer plenty of wisdom to help us navigate well. By understanding the gospel story and considering how God has made each of our families uniquely, Christian moms have access to the very best guide. Every day, moms must make decisions...so many decisions! The Bible has clear guidelines for some, but others are less clear and require wisdom and discernment. Today, Emily Jensen, co-founder of Risen Motherhood, joins us to talk about how we can make good decisions as Christian moms. We a...2024-11-2034 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessMommy overwhelm, anger, and guilt, with Natalie HixsonIf you’ve been a mom for more than a minute, you have dealt with difficult emotions. Destructive mommy anger has been one of the hardest issues for me personally, and I am so grateful for God’s grace in offering me forgiveness, grace, and a new way to parent. Now I am passionate about helping other moms overcome the cycle of overwhelm, anger, and guilt. Today’s guest, Natalie Hixson shares my passion, and has dedicated the past 8 years to coaching moms who struggle with anger. In today’s episode Natalie shares some of her story, as well as...2024-11-1341 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessThe Why and How of Disciplining Our Kids, with Dr. DaveAs we near the end of this fall series on the most frequently-asked-parenting questions, today we come to the topic that I have probably been asked the very most about: DISCIPLINE! I am grateful to have my husband with me to cover this challenging and potentially divisive, but incredibly important topic! Dave and I begin this episode with the WHY of discipline. We share Scripture and common sense reasons for disciplining our kids, ideally starting at a very young age. We spend the second part of the episode sharing some of the “how” of discipline…from our experie...2024-11-0648 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessSibling Squabling, competition, and other FAQs, with Jessica SmarttI am so excited to get to share this honest Mom-chat with my friend Jessica Smartt. I have loved Jessica’s books (links to them over in my show notes) and getting to know her in real life a couple years ago, and I appreciate her wisdom, conviction, and humor. I think you'll enjoy getting to know her too!In today’s episode Jessica shares three helpful parenting “goals” for sibling relationships, and then we go on to cover questions I have received from Instagram messages and emails. We cover a lot! -- From what to do about a...2024-10-3042 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessParenting Gold Nuggets from 7 Experts!I’m so excited to get to share a sneak peek, — some special clips from 7 of the interviews which are a part of the Character Training Course. And the fun news is: The Character Training Course is finally open (only until next Monday!) I hope you can go over to the COURSE PAGE to see what’s in there and join over a thousand families who are saying YES to raising kids of character! Whether or not you are a part of the course, today’s guests will inspire you in the areas of: Raising kids wit...2024-10-2319 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessTeach Character, Watch Kids Succeed, with Dennis TrittinWe all want our kids to have good character, but we don’t always consider how crucial character is to our kids’ future success. In today’s interview, former multi-billion-dollar investment manager, Dennis Trittin, helps us connect the dots and find even more motivation for raising kids of character.After over 30 years managing investments and studying successful leaders all over the world, Dennis shifted his focus to sharing what he had learned with the next generation. Writing books and speaking to students, parents, and educators, Dennis is passionate...2024-10-1631 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessParenting without Panic in an LGBT+ Affirming World, with Rachel GilsonWelcome to week 2 of this fall series focused on “Most-asked-about” Parenting topics. Today we tackle a hot topic in our culture which I think is incredibly important for parents to tune into. My guest, Rachel Gilson, has an amazing testimony (I can’t wait or you to hear it!) From her background as an atheist and a lesbian, to being confronted with the reality of Jesus’ love for her (at Yale, no-less!) Rachel’s story is powerful. Now as a wife, Mom, and Christ-follower, Rachel is in a unique position to communicate Truth and love to this gene...2024-10-091h 01The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessRaising Mentally Unshakeable kids, with Lauren GainesThis week we kick off a month + of “most-requested” parenting topics. We’re going to cover some hard topics and some hot topics. Today we kick it all off with a topic important for every parent: Raising mentally strong kids! My guest, Lauren Gaines, has a background in school psychology and has taught at the University level. More recently Lauren began wearing the title of “homeschool Mom”. In today’s interview Lauren tells us about the cognitive triangle, how to help kids “take captive their thoughts” and the power of metacognition (thinking about what y...2024-10-0238 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessA girlfriend/Doctor chat about Pelvic Floor Health, with Sierra RehrerWelcome to part 4 of my September Women’s Wellness Series. Today we get to talk about the common, yet often-confusing topics related to pelvic floor health! My good friend, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Sierra Rehrer, is with us to help us understand the various women’s health issues related to the pelvic floor. She shares the most common pelvic floor problems, what we can do at home to strengthen the pelvic floor, and when it is time to see a doctor or physical therapist. Sierra has a strong background in women’s...2024-09-2550 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessWhen it's More than just PMS, with Greta EskridgeWelcome to part 3 of my September Women’s Wellness Series. As we go through these topics, I am very aware that we are just scratching the surface, and I am already working on plans for more of these in the future! The topic of hormones alone could be a month-long series (if not more!) but I think this honest chat with my friend, Greta Eskridge, is a great start. Greta has had a long and challenging journey with hormones, from PMS to perimenopause. While her story may not offer a solution or specific remedies for everyo...2024-09-1840 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessMy personal journey overcoming struggles with food, exercise, and the scale.In this, my most vulnerable episode to date, I share my personal journey overcoming obsessions with food, exercise, and the scale. Beginning with my background as a competitive gymnast, to typical teenage insecurities, to dieting and obsessing as a lifestyle, to laying it all down in surrender to the Lord, and the amazing (though very practical) path He led me to when everything changed! (Including landing at my ideal weight without following any plan!) Perhaps most importantly, I am convinced that what I share from my journey will be applicable to almost any hangup you mig...2024-09-1144 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessBecoming Happy and Healthy, with Jeanine AmapolaJeanine Amapola is a popular influencer for Gen Z, but even more, she is wise beyond her years! After a long season of straddling the fence between sincere faith and hidden sin, Jeanine faced the truth: Only a true surrender to God would truly satisfy. Jeanine joins us to chat through some of the topics in her recent book, Becoming Happy and Healthy. We cover friends (good ones and the toxic type,) adventure, career, and the power of habits. Jeanine opens up about secret sins and the importance of someone willing to tell you the truth. Jeanine's t...2024-09-0441 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessBecoming the Prayer Warrior your Kids Need, with Brooke McGlothlinWe do a lot for our kids, but nothing is more powerful or effective as praying for them. Yet, many of us feel intimidated or inadequate in our prayer lives. Life is busy. We are tired. What is the best way to pray for our kids? Brooke McGlothlin is here to help! In today’s episode she shares her unexpected journey to becoming a praying mom, and steps that anyone can take to elevate their prayer lives. I love Brooke's focus on praying Scripture for our kids, and I’ll be including a few of the pray...2024-08-2844 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessA (back-to-school) Parenting Pep-Talk, with Leslie NunneryI thought we could all use a little “parenting pep talk” right about now…As we wrap up a busy summer and prep for the new school year, we need reminders of how important our role is as parents, the job description God has given us, and the difference we can make in our kids’ lives through our involvement, support, and prayers. In this episode I am chatting with Leslie Nunnery, author, podcaster, and host of the popular “Teach Them Diligently” homeschool conference. I love Leslie’s passion for parenting with strength and dignity, her commitment to God’s Word, and...2024-08-2137 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessThe 5 Building Blocks of a Well-Rounded StudentWe all have unique interests and strengths, and then other areas that, well, don’t come so naturally. (right?) That’s perfectly normal. Yet, being well-rounded is important for navigating every area of life. I think it is a good idea to zoom out occasionally and take inventory of how we and our kids are doing in the way of being well-rounded, and balanced! In this episode I am sharing what I call the “Five Building Blocks” of a well-rounded student. Whether your kids go to a traditional school, or they are homeschooled (or some combination of the two...2024-08-1424 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessCreating the best preschool years, with Lindsey Mimnaugh of Treehouse SchoolhouseLindsey Mimnaugh has grown a huge online following for her beautiful curriculums, nature studies, and always-inspiring social media posts (See: Treehouse Schoolhouse online) I love her book suggestions and all of her ideas for training little ones with good habits, life skills, and open-ended play! Beginning her homeschooling journey before she had kids of her own (by homeschooling other people’s kids!) Lindsey has experience and wisdom to share. In today’s episode we talk about five ways to set toddlers up for success. These are great ideas for turning what can feel like very long days (or wa...2024-08-0742 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellness5 Family Things to Do Before Summer is Through!Summertime is so special, yet the days are fleeting (right?) And without some intentionality it’s easy to wrap up summer, wondering where the days have gone. Whether your kids are about to start back to school already (like here in Hawaii!) or you still have a few weeks, you’ll be glad to make the most of these days while summer is still in the air! In today’s episode I suggest FIVE things families can do, for a no-regrets summer. These are not difficult, but they won’t happen on their own! I’m mentioning q...2024-07-3120 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessLuke’s Surf Journey and Competitive Mindset, with my son, LukeThis is part 3 of my summer mini-series on parenting and youth sports. Be sure to tune into the last two episodes if you have missed them! In today’s episode, my son Luke (20,) joins me talk about his experience pursuing a professional surf career. For context he explains a bit about how competitive surfing works, where he is now in the process, and his ultimate goals. He talks about how he got started surfing competitively, some of his early inspiration, and the twists and turns of youth surfing. Luke talks honestly about some of the ways our parenting shaped his...2024-07-241h 48The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellness3 Faith Principles for Navigating Youth Sports, with Dr. Dave.Welcome to part II of our summer series on parenting and youth sports. Be sure to catch last week’s (packed!) episode if you missed it! Today my husband Dave is with us to consider 3 important FAITH PRINCIPLES that impact our kids’ athletic endeavors. Background: Dave played soccer through the collegiate and professional level, and we are both super competitive people. We have navigated parenting our four sons through all kinds of recreational sports, and now our son, Luke, is a professional surfer, and our youngest son, Levi, is passionate about competitive golf.In today's episod...2024-07-1735 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessCan we Make Youth Sports Fun Again? With John O’SullivanNote: This is the first of a 3-part summer series on Youth Sports. (I'm so excited about this!) I hope you’ll spread the word and comment over in show notes to keep the conversation going. According to recent research, 70% of kids drop out of organized athletics by the age of 13. Today’s guest, John O’Sullivan, suggests that this is because youth sports have become adult-centered, ultra-competitive, and crazy-expensive. I don’t think he’s wrong. Since my husband and I have shared conversations about youth sports on social media this year, I’ve heard from a lo...2024-07-1049 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHow to Give Your Kids What Technology Can’t, with Erin Loechner"We’ve all heard the mind-boggling statistics about technology and social media use. The numbers don’t lie; our obsession with smartphones and social media is slowly eroding the very essence of our homes and families. We see it. We feel it. We know it.So what do we do about it? "... - Erin Loechner, today's guest.Erin Loechner walked away from over a million online followers to choose a different way of life for her family. Since then, she has done a lot of research and discovered the possibility of borrowing from the playbook of the...2024-07-0340 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHow to Have a Better Relationship with Your Phone, with Joey OdomWhen Joey Odom missed his son’s first soccer goal because he was looking at his phone, he had a realization: his phone was getting in the way of his best intentions as a Dad and a husband. Since then, he has been on a journey to change his relationship with his phone so that he can change the most important relationships in his life. I heard about Joey from our mutual friend (and a favorite podcast guest,) Justin Whitmel Earley who recommended I share Joey’s message with my listeners. I am so glad I did...2024-06-2641 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessSimple rules for decorating any space, with Myquillyn SmithWhether you’re a natural at home decorating or, (like me) feel a little lost on the topic, Myquillyn Smith (aka “the nester”) is the friend you need. When I got my copy of “House Rules” with 100 simple, memorable tips for decorating any space, I knew this would be a fun topic for the podcast this summer! I think you’ll enjoy Myquillyn’s laid back (but clearly educated) approach to making your space minimal, yet cozy. We cover a lot in this chat! From the “trinity” of rugs, drapes, and lighting, to what to do with the sofa you hate. My...2024-06-1943 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessThe 3 Best Things I Did as a Dad, with Andrew PudewaHappy Father’s Day week everyone! Today my friend Andrew Pudewa, is with us to offer some lessons and encouragement for all of the dads out there! (Ladies, you'll enjoy this too!)Andrew is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW), father of seven, and grandpa to a whole bunch of kids! Andrew travels and speaks around the world, addressing issues related to teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music with clarity, insight, practical experience, and humor. He's so much fun to listen to!And today, Andrew shares what he considers the “3 best th...2024-06-1244 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessParent Differently, with Kathy KochA child’s character reflects their convictions, establishes their reputation, and ultimately determines their destiny. In the world today it may seem like a big job to raise kids with biblical character, but today’s conversation should offer a lot of HOPE! Kathy Koch, child development specialist, author, and sought-after speaker, is here to help us understand how to guide children to develop biblical character. We talk about the connection between character and obedience, the essential foundational beliefs for good character, and strategies for teaching and improving character in our kids. I love this conversation so much...2024-06-0532 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessWhy We are So Tired and What to do About it, with Jess ConnollyWomen are mostly all tired, aren’t we? For women today, fatigue has become the norm, and busyness is often worn as a badge of honor. Jess Connolly has lived in that bone-weary place, even to the point of developing chronic panic-attacks, battling anxiety and an autoimmune disease. But with wise practices and a new way of living, Jess discovered the path to a realistic rest that is available to every Christ follower. Jess is sharing practical wisdom to guide women into a lifestyle of sustainable rest. In today’s conversation Jess and I talk about the...2024-05-2931 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessBeing a Mission-Minded Family, with Ann DunaganFor Christian families in the thick of it, the thought of world missions can seem unrealistic and overwhelming. Many of us feel like we are in survival mode, just taking care of our families and trying to protect our kids from the crazy world. (and that’s all so important!) Yet, in light of the fact that 1/3 of our world has not yet heard the Gospel, Jesus’ words in the Great Commission are still relevant: We are to make disciples of all nations. What do busy families do with that? Ann Dunagan is with us today...2024-05-2246 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessThe Juggle is Real, with Sarah Molitor of Modern Farmhouse FamilyWhen I come across a wildly popular influencer who is also raising (and homeschooling) 7 children, and keeping their home and marriage in (seemingly) great order, I can’t help but wonder: HOW DOES SHE DO IT ALL? Sarah Molitor is one of those people, and in this interview with Sarah, I dive right into my honest questions: When do you sleep? Do you have time for devotions? How about exercise? And really: Do you have help? Sarah is the author of Well Said (as well as 2 darling children’s books) and she also wrote the foreword to Be...2024-05-1552 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHighs and Lows from 25 years of Motherhood (and celebrating a BOOK RELEASE!)My husband Dave is with me today for a special Mother’s Day/book release interview! Dave and I are reflecting on the last 25 years of my motherhood journey...highs and lows, what I have learned, and my advice for younger moms. I share about some of my biggest joys of motherhood, (the laughter and fun, and much more!) and some of my greatest challenges (overwhelm, anger, and loneliness.) We also get to talk about my book that released yesterday (May 7th!) - Becoming Homeschoolers. I share a bit of our homeschool story, how I e...2024-05-0835 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessParenting, Homeschooling, and Friendships with Grown Kids, with Sally ClarksonSally Clarkson’s books and podcast have inspired me for years. Living between England and Colorado, Sally’s writing and voice is like a trusted mentor who puts everything in perspective. I have always hoped to meet Sally so this interview was really special. I got to ask Sally about her heart for parenting, what the rhythms in her home were as her kids grew up, and what led her to homeschooling. (Some of her answers might surprise you!) I asked Sally about her great relationship with her now-adult children, and I asked he...2024-05-0135 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessRaising Spiritual Champions with George BarnaRenowned researcher and bestselling author, Dr. George Barna is with us to share some startling data, along with a passionate call-to-action for Christian parents. This may be the most important episode you could listen to, and I pray that what we talk about inspires you to a deeper level of commitment in your parenting. (Don’t run away – I promise you'll be encouraged!) Dr. Barna’s recent book, Raising Spiritual Champions, focuses on the importance of raising kids with a Biblical Worldview, and how difficult this is in our world today. Part of the reason it is s...2024-04-2443 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessThe Fruit of a Purposeful Family, with Melissa BrownWhen you come across a family with a bunch of young adults thriving in their faith, work, and passions, you can’t help but want to ask the parents: “Ok! What is the secret?” (Right?) And for good reason: Yes we can learn through mistakes and struggles, but I vote that it is even better to learn from those who have had successes! Melissa and Jonathan Brown are some of those people. They have raised, discipled, and homeschooled 7 children, most of whom are now adults. They have also worked with CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ...2024-04-1732 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHard is Not the Same as Bad, with Abbie HalberstadtOur most trying moments as a parent can quickly spiral into discouragement, hopelessness, and sometimes even resentment toward God or your family—partly because our culture has conditioned us to believe that anything this hard can’t possibly be good for us. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why me, Lord?” today’s podcast guest will resonate with you. Abbie Halberstadt, (homeschooling) Mom to 10…with two sets of twins in the mix – understands toddler tantrums, mealtime melees, and the backseat blowups. Yet, she has lived out a message that is sure to encourage you. Learning the difference between...2024-04-1055 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessRaising Boys to Men, with Durenda WilsonThis one is especially for the boy moms out there! I know you'll love hearing from Durenda Wilson -- Mom to 8 (five boys!) author, podcaster, and someone I consider a virtual mentor -- as she shares from her new book, Raising Boys to Men. Durenda has homeschooled all of her kids, and now with grown children (and a bunch of grandchildren) she has a lot of wisdom to share. In today’s interview, Durenda addresses our culture’s masculinity crisis with encouragement for moms to celebrate and appropriately direct their boys’ God-given masculinity. She shares an acronym...2024-04-0346 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessSetting the First Tracks: Talk to Your Kids about EverythingWho do you want to set the first impressions on your kids on topics like: identity and self worth, sexuality and gender, politics, and other cultural hot topics? I vote YOU DO, Mom and Dad. I think most of us would say that we, the parents, are the best people to begin these conversations. Yet, it is easy to put these (sometimes awkward!) conversations off. But, when we do, our kids are likely learning about them from somebody else (or the internet!)In today’s episode I am encouraging you to “Set the first tracks”, to talk...2024-03-2729 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHow to Experience REAL JOY in a world gone mad, with Brant HansenWould you say that joy (a deep sense of well-being, regardless of circumstances) is something you live with daily? Brant Hansen joins us to tell us that this is not only possible, but promised to all who follow Jesus. In fact, through Christ, we can start to see the world in a more childlike, humble, and optimistic way. Brant and I are talking about his book: Life is Hard, God is Good, Let’s Dance, and I absolutely LOVE this conversation. We talk about how we can “outsource our worries”, what it means when you get goosebumps (I love th...2024-03-2041 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessLife is Messy, God is Good, with Cynthia YanofToday’s guest, Cynthia Yanof is the friend we all need. She is honest, encouraging, and hilarious. She shoots straight and stays humble. I am so glad she poured all of these things into her new book: Life is Messy, God is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life. In today’s conversation Cynthia and I talk about parenting (she has college age down to first-grade children!) fostering and adoption (so much respect!) church life (Cynthia knows her stuff!) Mom-friends, and so much more. We talk about some of the lies in our culture and h...2024-03-1339 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessPracticing The Way, with John Mark ComerBest selling author, teacher and Pastor, John Mark Comer, is here to talk about his newest book: “Practicing the Way”, which explores the concept of being an apprentice of Jesus. John Mark explains that to practice the way of Jesus, we must: “Be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did” (the subtitle to the book.💥) In this conversation we talk about the difference between being merely a “Christian” (which can mean all kinds of things today!) and an apprentice. John Mark points out that we are all being “formed” – all the time -- whether we know it or not -- a...2024-03-0642 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessScreentime and Other Ways Kids Spend their DaysIf screentime is a challenge in your home (pretty sure that is most of us!) then this episode is for you! Today we’re talking about how we can be intentional about screens, sports, hobbies, and all the ways kids spend their days! - From Chapters 12 and 13 of my book: Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! We start by zooming out on our kids’ days, and considering the time they spend at school, in sports, doing other activities. There is no doubt that in...2024-02-2829 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessNo Regrets Parenting in Difficult Cultural Times, with Rhonda StoppeHaving a solid mentor in your life is a true gift; mentors offer us wisdom from their life experience and help us navigate all that we face. If you don’t have a mentor in your life, I encourage you to pray for, and seek one out. But I am also thankful that we live in a time when we can have “virtual mentors”, people we may not know in real life but who we can glean wisdom from all the same! Rhonda Stoppe is one such mentor, and today she is on the podcast offering a whole lot of wisd...2024-02-2138 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellness7 Attitudes that will Sabotage Your Marriage (and 7 to Replace them with) with DaveHappy Valentine’s Day! My husband Dave is with me as we celebrate our 28th Valentine’s Day together. ☺ In this episode we are talking through a blog post that has been very popular for many years now on my website: “7 Attitudes that Will Sabotage Your Marriage, and 7 to Replace them with.” Dave and I are sharing from our own experience -- as we’ve been guilty of all 7 bad attitudes…but we’ve also experienced God’s grace in helping us learn to replace them. Dave shares a reminder from 1 Corinthians 13, and I say a prayer for all of the marria...2024-02-1440 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessLet’s Talk about Kids and Dating, with JP PokludaDating has never been simple (who remembers?!) but today it is more complicated than ever. The world offers all kinds of mixed messages to young adults and teenagers and our Christian culture isn’t giving a lot of alternatives. In such crazy times our kids need a voice of reason and a lot of Biblical wisdom to help them navigate. Pastor Jonathan “JP” Pokluda is the voice we all need and one that young people actually like to listen to. In today’s conversation JP and I are drawing from his book, “Outdated” which has become my...2024-02-0741 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHelping Siblings Become Friends, with Luke and JonahSince last March, at the end of each month I have been covering highlights from a chapter of my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover the topic of sibling relationships from Chapter 11, with the help of my two sons, Jonah (22) and Luke (19). I know sibling relationships can be challenging, and they are obviously not entirely in our control as parents. (far from it!) However, in Raising Amazing I share some of the things we can do as...2024-01-3137 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessThe Sacredness of Secular Work, with Jordan RaynorJordan Raynor is back with us (he’s been a favorite guest in the past!) with an encouraging message about the eternal value of our work. All of it!As Christians we often talk about how our workplace can be our mission field (and that is so true!) but Jordan suggests that is only part of the story. And he is passionate that we – and our kids, hear the whole story. Jordan talks about how our daily jobs – from baristas and entrepreneurs to stay-at-home parents and coaches – have intrinsic and eternal value. This is a great epi...2024-01-2434 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessWhat is Christian Deconstruction? (And how should we respond to it?) with Alisa ChildersAlisa Childers is back with a conversation I want every Christian parent to hear! A movement called “spiritual deconstruction” is sweeping through our culture, our churches, and (maybe especially) our universities. It is confusing and complex. It is leading young people away from the church and dividing families. In today's interview, Alisa offers us Biblical and historical context for deconstruction, and a truth-centered, loving way to respond to it.I first heard of the term “deconstruction” from my two sons who attended a Christian college, and who had friends “deconstructing” the faith their parents raised them...2024-01-1737 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessMonica’s (work and life!) Updates for 2024Hey friends! Today I hope you can grab a cup of coffee (or your tennis shoes!) and join me for a more personal chat. I’m sharing updates from my podcasting and writing life, as well as personal reflections as I look at the year ahead.From my next book release (May 7!) to my fitness plans (💪🏼), from podcast topics, to skin-care in my 50’s (🤗) it’s all in there! You’ll find more updates, photos, links, and a GIVEAWAY – over in my COFFEE DATE BLOG POST, so I hope you can visit me there and say hi as well!2024-01-1029 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessThe Value of Just Showing Up, with Drew DyckHappy New Year! Whether you are heading into 2024 with goals and resolutions, a word-of-the-year, and a whole lot of confidence, or you are just barely…plodding your way into it, this episode is for you! Drew Dyck, author of JUST SHOW UP, is with us to offer some encouragement and perspective. Drew reminds us that there is great value in every small act of faithfulness. That some of the people we respect the most have never done anyting famous or noteworthy. That heaven will be full of those who prayed in their closet, and simply showed up for the peo...2024-01-0332 minThe Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellness3 Ways to naturally instill character into your kids every dayWith a little intentionality, we can develop character in our kids’ throughout the natural rhythms of our days. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, this episode will equip you with some great tools for practical character development! Today I am pulling from chapters 9 and 10 of my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! This episode also comes with two free resources: A printable list of character-rich books and Bible verses to inspire your kids! And a link to my own chore system+money ma...2023-12-2725 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellness10 Do’s and Don’ts for a Happy Family Christmas, with Dave and MonicaHappy Christmas week everyone! 🎄Join my husband Dave and I for a fun and hopefully helpful “date-night” style conversation! Dave and I are sharing wisdom we have gleaned over 28 Christmases together, most with a house full of boys...Some important “do’s” as well as a few “don’t”’s! Hopefully a few will be encouraging reminders and a few will make you laugh. 🥰We hope some of you can listen together with your spouse while wrapping gifts, running last-minute errands, or in front of the fire for a stay-in date night. (Of course you can listen all on your own as well. ...2023-12-2027 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellness6 Discipline Mistakes to Avoid During the HolidaysOne of the most important and challenging jobs we have as parents is that of disciplining our kids. Most of us wish it weren’t necessary (and a lot of parents today mostly ignore it!) but I have learned that good discipline is one of the greatest keys to raising amazing kids!Back when my oldest sons (now 24 and 22 years old) were very young, I read a book that challenged and inspired me in how to discipline well. The book was called, “Don’t Make me Count to 3” by Ginger Hubbard.All...2023-12-1336 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessBe a Memory Making Mom this Christmas, with Jessica SmarttAs moms we want to fill the holidays with all kinds of magic and meaning for our families. We want to celebrate Advent, bless our kids with good food, special gifts, and then come out of it all with great memories, right? Yet, all of our best intentions often lead to a lot of overwhelm and frustration. (it’s not just me, is it?) If you feel any of that, today’s episode is just what you need! I am re-sharing a favorite interview from 2 years ago, with Jessica Smartt, author of The Memory Makin...2023-12-0636 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessThe Power of Parenting with Yeses and NosI am so happy to be back with another monthly podcast covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter Eight: All about the importance of saying YES…and NO…to our kids.This is one of my personal favorite chapters/topics and I think it holds the key to some of the game-changing parts of parenting. Join me as I acknowledge that most of us tend to be more “yes-loving” parents than others, why “no” is so important...2023-11-2936 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHappy Thanksgiving with Luke and Levi: Q&A, Gratitude, and GigglesHappy Thanksgiving week! Today I am sharing a very real, laughter-infused episode with my two youngest sons, Luke and Levi. Though it is a replay from 2 years ago, it’s still a listener favorite. Invite your kids to join as Luke and Levi answer a few questions, share what they are grateful for, and keep it all very real. Basically, this offers a sneak peek (listen) into our home during a holiday week! Find links and show notes on my website:Today’s episode: www.monicaswanson.com/Thanksgiving-2023 2023-11-2224 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHow to be Unoffendable, with Brant HansenHead’s Up: This may be the most important thing you listen to before your holiday gatherings this year! I am so excited to share this conversation with Brant Hansen – radio show and podcast host, author, and truly amazing (/self-proclaimed quirky) man, with all of you!It turns out giving up your “right” to be offended can be one of the most freeing, healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, encouraging things you can do. It’s a radical, provocative idea; We’re not entitled to get offended or stay angry. In this conversation, Brant gets practical ab...2023-11-1541 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessFinding Hope and Healing after Marriage Ends, with Brandi WilsonWhile no one goes into a marriage imagining it will ever end, we know that divorce is a reality for approximately half of Americans. And while I will always be pro-marriage and encourage those of you in difficult marriages to seek help and fight to save your marriage, I know that sometimes there are no other options than divorce. Today’s guest, Brandi Wilson, knows the pain of divorce. In today’s episode she shares her story of being married to a megachurch pastor, who in 2016 walked away from the church and his family. So, w...2023-11-0843 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHow To Support Students Standing Strong in the Public SchoolsPublic school parents, this episode will be a huge inspiration to you! Terry Ann Kelly is with us to talk about how God is working in the public school system through Students Standing Strong (S3). These are student-led Clubs held in public schools all across the nation which are completely legal and opening the door for amazing ministry opportunity in our public schools. Terry Ann is the President and Founder of S3, and she has a wealth of experience and God-sized stories that will blow your mind and bless your heart. Whatever situation you and yo...2023-11-0129 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessMaking Your Home the Hub!I am so happy to be back with another monthly podcast episode covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter Seven: How we can make our homes the hub -- a welcoming place for our kids…and their friends. Many of us have always imagined having a home that our kids love to be in, and a place their friends might want to gather in as well. Yet, making the idea become a reality can feel elusi...2023-10-2528 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessGod Never Gives Up On You, with Max LucadoMax Lucado, America’s bestselling inspirational author, has always been a dream podcast guest of mine. I started reading Max’s books back in the 90’s when my faith journey was just beginning, and I’ve always admired his winsome ability to bring deep theological truths down to earth. In this interview I also found him to be incredibly warm, funny, and conversational. We talk about his brand new book, God Never Gives Up On You: What Jacob’s story teaches us about grace, mercy, and God’s relentless love. We also talk about Hawaii, golf, and the...2023-10-1829 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHow to Experience God’s Strength When You Feel Weak, with Emily JensenEmily Jensen, cofounder of the wildly popular Risen Motherhood, joins us today to talk about the very relatable experience of...feeling weak. 😌Whether we are in the midst of big hard things (a child with a disability, marriage or financial stress, etc.) or we’re just staring at the laundry pile in front of us, we have times of feeling overwhelmed, undisciplined, or just not very good at life. Emily’s beautiful new devotional “He is Strong” just released. In today’s interview Emily shares what led her to write it, and some inspiring insights found...2023-10-1133 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessThe Power of Our Words, with Sarah MolitorIf you’ve had moments when your words have gotten the better of you (who hasn’t?) then this episode will encourage, challenge, and inspire you! Sarah Molitor -- best known for her darling 6-boy + 1 girl family on her super popular @modernfarmhousefamily Instagram account – is with us to share her honest journey learning to use her words for good.I loved getting to know Sarah, and I think you will, too. Sarah opens up about how her words have hurt others, especially her husband. But she also shares what it took for her to own up to the neg...2023-10-0446 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessThe Secret Art of Confident Motherhood with Alli WorthingtonBy now you probably know that I consider parenting and family life some of the highest privileges on earth; it is Kingdom work. Yet, often in our season of raising kids, we tend to “lose ourselves”, right? I hear from women who don’t remember what they used to enjoy before kids… “Did I have any hobbies?...What do I like to do/eat, etc?” As these Moms prepare for their kids to launch, they can begin to feel a little bit lost. Alli Worthington wants to help moms avoid this! She coaches women to love and care...2023-08-0935 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessWhat Your Kids Should Know about the Book of Proverbs, with Jonah SwansonGather your kids and join Jonah and I for part II of my summer Proverbs series!The Book of Proverbs is packed full of wisdom and has incredibly practical help for all of the things kids (and adults) face today. The Swanson boys have all grown up reading a lot of Proverbs and it has shaped them into the (wise) young men they are today.In today’s episode, Jonah (22) joins us teach us a bit more about the book of Proverbs… Who wrote it, how to read it, why...2023-07-1245 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessFavorite Proverbs for Life, with Luke SwansonGather your kids and join Luke and I for part I of my summer Proverbs series! The Book of Proverbs is packed full of wisdom and has incredibly practical help for all of the things kids (and adults) face today. The Swanson boys have all grown up reading a lot of Proverbs and it has shaped them into the (wise) young men they are today. In today’s episode, Luke (19) updates us on his life as a professional surfer and college student, and then shares some of his favorite Proverbs, and how they have impacted his...2023-07-0545 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessParentamorphosis!: Living an Amazing Life in Front of Your KidsI am so happy to be back with another monthly episode covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter Three: Parentamorphosis. This is all about modeling an amazing life for your kids! We want so many good things for our kids’ future: From a strong faith to a healthy lifestyle to a great marriage or success in their work. And the best way to we can help our kids grow up to have all of these thin...2023-06-2822 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessRaising Prayerful Kids, with Steph ThurlingSummer is a great time to help our kids develop spiritual habits that might stick with them through the year. But sometimes that is easier said than done, right? Steph Thurling, executive director of Christian Parenting, co-founder of Raising Prayerful Kids ministry, and super-fun mom is with us to offer some practical help! Steph offers encouragement for every mom – the one who is new to faith (and prayer!) as well as the mom who is trying to get her kids on board with praying. I think you’ll be inspired by what Steph shares and relieved that praying with your...2023-06-2129 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessPursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood, with Ashlee GaddA lot of women trade in their personal passions and hobbies when motherhood takes over. Motherhood is so important and there is no doubt -- some seasons require just about all of us (right!?) Yet, what if we can be great moms, and nurture our creative side too? Ashlee Gadd is on the podcast today to give listeners permission to pursue their creative gifts alongside motherhood! And I think you’re going to be inspired! Ashlee is the Founder of the very popular website: Coffee + Crumbs, and she is an incredibly gifted writer. (One of my favorites!) He...2023-06-1448 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessSummer and Screentime! 7 Steps that Might Save Your Kids (and your sanity!)Technology does not have to steal your summer! Every summer I hear from parents who are frustrated, trying to navigate screen time with their kids. How much is too much? How can we keep them safe? Why do we have to have these battles!? I get it. And I’m here to help! I am sharing a blog post with 7 steps that literally could save your kids (and your sanity!) this summer. Over in show notes you’ll find a printable checklist to use as you go through each of these steps. I hope this is helpf...2023-06-0721 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHow to Lead Your Family on an Intentional Trajectory: Raising Amazing Chapter 2Join Monica for chapter Highlights and a free download! I am so excited to be back with another monthly podcast covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter Two: Welcome Aboard: Lead Your Family on an Intentional Trajectory. This has been a favorite chapter for a lot of people, as I get really practical about intentional family life. I talk about identifying your family’s core values, considering your family’s “brand” or “cultur...2023-05-3129 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessEverything You Need for Great Summer Reading with Your Kids, with Sarah MackenzieThe benefits of reading aloud, audio books, and so many inspiring tips and lists for you this summer! Sarah Mackenzie is with us today to talk about all things summer reading! Sarah is the author of Teaching from Rest and The Read-Aloud Family, and I have been a fan of Sarah’s for many years. Sarah is so much fun to talk to, and an absolute wealth of information and inspiration when it comes to families and reading! In today’s conversation Sarah offers some super motivating facts about the power of reading aloud, and tell...2023-05-2452 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessWhat We Should Know (and teach our kids) about Children and Disabilities, with Laura Wifler of Risen Motherhood.How understanding disabilities makes us better family, friends, and neighbors This is such a special conversation and I hope you can listen and share it with all of your friends. Laura Wifler of Risen Motherhood has so much profound wisdom and grace that will impact every listener! Laura is sharing from her experience raising a daughter with a rare chromosome disease, which led to her new children’s book, Like Me: A Story About Disability and Discovering God’s Image in Every Person. Laura offers heart-felt encouragement for those raising a child with a disability, and...2023-05-1750 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessWhat Moms Need Most (+Mother’s Day Giveaway) with Dear Mushka’s Katie Lewis!What do Moms' need most? Mother's Day flowers? Or chocolate? Or beautiful jewelry perhaps!? Katie Lewis of the much-loved brand, Dear Mushka, is with us to talk about what moms truly need most! Katie shares some of the difficult story of tragically losing her mother, and through that finding God's Word to be her lifeline. Her brand, Dear Mushka, grew out of this experience. Katie shares about her story and we agree that more than all the other stuff (as good as it is) what us moms need most is Truth from God's Wor...2023-05-1030 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHelping Your Child Prepare to Meet their Future Spouse, with Tricia GoyerQuestions and Prayers to prepare kids’ hearts Tricia Goyer, author of a lot of books :), and Mom to ten (!!) is with me today to talk about her new book (co-written with Robin Jones Gunn) called “Before You Meet Your Future Husband: 30 Questions to Ask Yourself and 30 Heartfelt Prayers” Tricia shares from her own experience facing a teenage pregnancy, and how that shaped her heart to raise her own children. Though the book we are drawing from is for girls/young women, (12 and up, approximately) we are applying this conversation to topics important to talk to our son...2023-05-0349 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHow to be an All-In Parent: Raising Amazing Chapter 1I am so excited to be diving into the new monthly podcast feature where I am sharing highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter One: All-In! – Fully Embrace Your Role as Parent. This chapter opens with my scary experience of nearly losing my first son right after birth, as well as my honest experience with mommy-burnout. I talk about perspective, and how being all-in is a decision we make, not just a feeling we experience. At the...2023-04-2630 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHow to Teach Your Kids to Mind Their Mindset, with Megan Hyatt MillerHopefully you caught last week’s episode where Megan Hyatt Miller gave us a little “Brain Science 101”. We talked about what it means to “Mind Your Mindset” (from her book with that title!) and the three steps to embrace a better mindset. Understanding this process can be an absolute game changer for your business, family, and every area of life. In today’s episode, Megan tells the story of her parenting challenges with two of her adopted sons, and how that led her to learning more about brain science. She offers encouragement for how we might change our pa...2023-04-1934 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessParenting Principles to Bring out the BEST in Your Kids, with Miles MettlerFamily life is busy, and parenting can be downright overwhelming. Oh how we need the sound wisdom of successful parents who are a step ahead of us to encourage us along the way. Today's guest, Miles Mettler is exactly that! Miles is an ambassador with Focus on the Family, and he has raised 4 amazing kids into adulthood. He has so much wisdom to share! Miles is the author of 52 Parenting Principles: How to bring out the BEST in your kids which we are drawing from in this episode! In today’s conversation Miles talks about the importance bei...2023-04-0544 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessWhat I Want You to Know About Raising Amazing, with MonicaWelcome to the FIRST episode of my new monthly podcast feature where I’ll be sharing highlights, nuggets, and free downloads and resources from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked. I am so excited to walk through these chapters with you on the last Wednesday of each month of 2023! This might be a good time to gather some friends to meet up with each month for coffee + podcast listen to chat through the chapters of Raising Amazing! Today’s episode is brief...2023-03-2921 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessKids, Character, and their Future Success, with Dennis Trittin.We all want our kids to have good character, but we don’t always consider how crucial character is to our kids’ future success. In today’s interview, former multi-billion-dollar investment manager, Dennis Trittin, helps us connect the dots and find even more motivation for raising kids of character. After over 30 years managing investments and studying successful leaders all over the world, Dennis shifted his focus to sharing what he had learned with the next generation. Writing books and speaking to students, parents, and educators, Dennis is passionate about inspiring the next generation to embrace the kind of charac...2023-03-2237 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessRaising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World, with Arlene PellicaneIf you are like 100% of the parents I know, 😉, your kids' relationship with screens causes you some amount of stress (and likely a good amount!) This is a difficult issue and one we might feel we will never catch up on. (and we're right.) Arlene Pellicane is a great help on this topic! She has done a lot of research and written a number of books to support parents raising kids in this screen-driven world. Two of her books were co-written with Gary Chapman (of the 5-Love Languages!) and in today’s conversation we are touching on some...2023-03-1544 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessBecoming a Time-Saving Mom, with Crystal PaineCrystal Paine, known for years as “The Money-Saving Mom” knows a thing or two about balancing time. Balancing a busy career with raising six kids, and being a passionate advocate for foster-and-adoption, Crystal is still able to prioritize her walk with God, her marriage, and…even some rest! In the midst of the busiest season of her life, Crystal was writing “The Time-Saving Mom: How to Juggle a Lot, Enjoy Your Life, and Accomplish What Matters Most”. She has lived her message and in today’s conversation she shares more of her story and a few helpful tips and too...2023-03-0847 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessLuke Interviews the Authors! Raising Amazing Release Episode, with Luke, Dave, and MonicaToday our son Luke, (19) takes the microphone and interviews his parents! Raising Amazing released on February 21st, and we are celebrating the release with a fun, but heart-felt conversation about the book. Luke asks us about the title (“Is Amazing a little over-the-top?”), the heart of the book, what Dave enjoyed about his first author-experience (and what was the hardest part) and more. I hope you feel like you’re at a release party and this interview should give you a little more insight into what you’ll find in the pages of Raising Amazing. Find links to order, l...2023-02-2229 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessRaising Amazing Kids with Korie RobertsonKorie Robertson, author of Strong and Kind, and star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty, joins us as we count down the final days to the release of my new book, Raising Amazing! Korie was so kind and generous to team up with me as the Foreward writer for the book, and I love sharing her heart for the message of Raising Amazing with all of you. Korie has raised 6 children and is now entering the grandparent stage of life, and she has so much experience, wisdom, and healthy perspectives to share with parents. I think you wil...2023-02-1544 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessHow to Anchor Kids in Truth on Cultural Issues, with Sean McDowellSean McDowell is an author, speaker, seminary professor, and father to teenagers! He has a heart to educate and empower students to think Biblically, communicate effectively, and stand strong in the midst of the noise of our world. Today we are chatting about Sean’s most recent book: A Rebel’s Manifesto: Choosing Truth, Real Justice, and Love amid the Noise of Today’s World. This book is written for teens but I think parents will benefit from it greatly as well! I have followed Sean for years, and before that I was already a fan of his fat...2023-02-0837 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessWelcome to the Monica Swanson Podcast {Trailer!}A New Season with Monica! Happy New Year and Welcome to the Monica Swanson podcast! For over 3.5 years I have been sharing episodes on the Boy Mom Podcast, and you can still revisit all 190 episodes any time. (I recommend you do! – there’s some good stuff in there!) But in this new year and new season, we are broadening our scope (and welcoming our girl moms – and all of the dads!) as we rebrand as the Monica Swanson Podcast!! (imagine the confetti!) Today’s very short episode is a quick intro to this new s...2023-01-0409 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessBuilding a Healthy Relationship with your SonToday I begin a series which will cover all of the main topics in my new book, Boy Mom: What Your Son Needs Most from You. In these first episodes we will be covering the 12 things your son most needs from you...These are areas moms can equip their sons so that they are ready to face the world once they leave the nest. In today's episode we are going over chapter two of the BOY MOM BOOK, and it's all about building a healthy relationship with our sons. We all want to feel connected to our sons in a re...2019-06-0427 min
The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women's wellnessWelcome to the Boy Mom Podcast with Monica Swanson and Friends 001Aloha, and welcome to the first episode of the Boy Mom Podcast with Monica Swanson and Friends! In this first episode I will be telling you a little more about me and my family, my blog (and the viral post which you might be familiar with) AND my new book -- Boy Mom!! (releasing on August 6th, 2019!) I am sharing my hopes for this podcast, and what I have planned for future episodes, and asking you for your thoughts on what you'd like me to cover here as well. Subscribe to get future episodes covering all kinds of topics r...2019-06-0416 min