It’s Time for Bible Believers to become Bible Readers, with Wendy Speake
Happy New Year and Welcome to the Monica Swanson podcast! If you missed last week’s episode, I hope you can go back and have a listen (it’s SHORT!) In this new year I am rebranding the podcast with a new name and a broader scope, but the heart of the podcast has not changed. I am SO excited to dive into some great topics and interviews ahead. (Also: Welcome to the girl moms joining us!)
Today’s interview is special for so many reasons. First, Wendy Speake was my very first guest over 3.5 years ago when I launched the Boy Mom Podcast; it only made sense she would also help me kick off this new season of the podcast! Second, Wendy has a new book coming out this month which is so much of my heart for all of us this year. The 40-Day FEAST is a follow up to her books, “The 40-Day Sugar Fast” and “The 40-Day Social Media Fast.” The Feast she is referring to is the kind where we consume God’s Word…learning to read it, study it, and hide it in our hearts. And friends: Living in this world today I cannot emphasize enough how important this is. I am really excited about Wendy’s new book and I am excited to feast on God’s Word in the New Year alongside all of you! (Deal?! Deal!).
Find all of the links Wendy mentioned in show notes:
www.monicaswanson.com/Wendy-Speake-Feast
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Welcome 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 season as I talk about what you can expect and about how excited I am to be releasing my next book – Raising Amazing – on February 21st!
This podcast community has grown tremendously over the past couple of years with 1.7 million + downloads and so many new subscribers (hit the + to "follow"/subscribe!) and it is my heart to continue to serve you well. I pray that you feel welcome here and I hope you will spread the word about the podcast with all of your family-loving friends!
Find links and show notes at:
https://monicaswanson.com/monica-swanson-podcast-trailer/
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
The Last Chapter of Boy Mom and the Last Episode of the Boy Mom Podcast!
Welcome to the FINAL episode of the Boy Mom Podcast! Wait! Let me explain. Beginning next week (New Year's, 2023) this podcast will be called The Monica Swanson Podcast!
In this very special, final episode of the Boy Mom Podcast, I am sharing highlights from the final TWO chapters of Boy Mom! This wraps up my monthly series which began in January of 2022! If you’ve missed any of the previous book highlights, be sure to go back and catch previous episodes from the last Wednesday of each month of the year!
This week we are talking about raising boys to embrace a solid worth ethic…how that begins in the home, and how we might motivate boys to be hard workers as they grow up! After that we touch on the final chapter of Boy Mom, called “Ready, Set, Launch!” This part brings up some emotions for me because it is a topic so near to my heart and also because this is the closing episode for the Boy Mom Podcast. Oh, so many feelings!
Be sure to visit show notes to get the free downloads mentioned: A list of “Life Skills by Age” as well as the “Boy Mom Manifesto”! I pray you have enjoyed this series and I will look forward to doing a similar series highlighting chapters from my next book: Raising Amazing, which comes out on February 21, 2023!
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-190
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
A Merry Christmas catch-up with Luke and Levi
Merry Christmas! Join Luke (18), Levi (12), and I for a Merry Christmas chat…and also catch up on Luke's world travels since he was last with us back in June.
If you’re busy you can skip to 20 minutes for a brief Christmas greeting, but if you have the time/enjoy surf stories or listening to Luke (☺) then grab some cocoa and enjoy this conversation! (Your kids might enjoy it too!)
Sending hugs and love to all of you and praying you have a most wonderful Christmas week ahead!
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-189
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Loving Your Actual Christmas, With Alexandra Kuykendall
True confession: This is about the exact week when I typically find myself morphing from the happy, care-free, "I love Christmas everything!!!!" Mom, to the stressed out, feeling behind, "I just want to get Christmas over with" Mom. Yep. Anyone with me? As much as I love (truly, adore!) this season, I have learned that Christmas can bring up all kinds of hard emotions and dashed expectations, leaving us moms weary and worn. If you relate to this a little or a lot, today's episode (a replay from 2020) is for you.
Alexandra Kuykendall joins us today with such a refreshing, endearing message about Loving Your Actual Christmas. Drawing from her book (by that name ;)) Alex reminds us that Christ did not come for the people who have it all together (if such people even exist!) but for the weary, grieving, and hurting. He came for us real people who sometimes struggle our way through the holidays. When we don’t have our act together, Jesus meets us in the most real way.
Whether this Christmas finds you with joy and plenty, or grief and struggle (or any combination of things in between,) I think Alex's words about Jesus and Advent (and “Christmastide” – I learned something new!) will will be refreshing to your soul.
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-188
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Tell Your Kids Your Story! with Asheritah Ciuciu
I am so excited to share this special conversation with my (now, in-real-life) friend, Asheritah Ciuciu. Asheritah has been on the podcast before as we talked about her amazing Advent devotional, Unwrapping the Names of Jesus. Now, with a beautiful Children’s Book newly released, Asheritah joins me to talk about the power of sharing our own stories with our kids, as we point to what Jesus has done in our lives.
I loved learning a bit more about Asheritah and her husband (both Romanian) and the amazing things God has done in their lives. In this busy holiday season, I believe this conversation will be a blessing and so inspiring! I hope you love it as much as I have!
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-187
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Preparing our boys for dating and future relationships
In this episode we are talking about how we can approach the topic of dating and relationships as our sons grow up. I talk about how we have handled things with our sons, focusing on Biblical values and wisdom principles, not a set of rules. I share some resources we use for teaching our kids about sexuality, and the importance of having many conversations about even the awkward topics as our kids grow up.
Many more highlights found in this episode and in Chapter 12 of Boy Mom. Be sure to get the free printable download: "Before He Asks Her Out" (a list of questions to go over with your son when he feels he is ready to date) in show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/episode-186
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Practicing Presence during the Holidays (and everyday) with Kate Merrick
Today I am sharing a podcast episode that could transform your holiday season…maybe even your whole life. Seriously, that’s a big claim, but have a listen and I think you’ll agree — it’s that powerful.
I’m so happy to bring back this conversation I had with Kate Merrick in 2019. If you aren’t familiar with Kate yet, you’ll fall in love with her quickly. In this episode I get to tell the funny story of how Kate and I met, and all of the wild ways our lives now intersect. Kate shares her story of embracing presence in the hardest season of her life and how much she does not regret that now. Friends, this episode is both convicting, and inspiring. I hope you can dive in and listen! And then go have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season!
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-185
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast
Holidays with Boys, and More - with Ruth Chou Simons
If you're like me, you always intend to keep the holidays Christ-centered, but in reality it isn't easy. In the busyness of the holidays, we often finish the Christmas season feeling defeated and depleted.
Today’s guest, Ruth Chou Simons knows the hectic nature of the holidays; raising 6 sons and running a retail business that is thriving over the holidays, the Simons family has to be intentional to keep Christ at the center.
Pour a cup of coffee (or some holidays cider!) and join Ruth and I as we talk about family traditions, (or lack of!) our shared love for raising boys, and how we can all set our hearts on Jesus during the holidays, and beyond! Find links to Ruth’s gorgeous Christmas devotional and all the things we talk about over in show notes:
www.monicaswanson.com/episode-184
Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast