What do spanking, suffering, and art have in common? Those are just some of the topics Gretchen and Jennifer explored during season two recap of Find A Moment. During this episode, we reflect on some of the difficult ideas, beautiful stories, and plenty of fun moments we encountered along the way.

Our second season included a series on grief and suffering, we explored artistic expression and beauty with artists from different generations, and we bravely tackled some important questions related to parenting, including myths and hot-button topics such as spanking. We also explored the changes in liturgical seasons and then wrapped up with our Summer Book Club.

It was a season full of honest questions, thoughtful conversations, and learning how to navigate the space between our ideals and everyday life. Whether you are a longtime listener or new to the show, we hope you’ll find a moment to join us as we look back at Season Two!

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In part two of our nonfiction book club discussion, Gretchen and Jennifer finish working through Try Softer by Aundi Kolber. The second half of the book takes the conversation deeper into emotions, relationships, our inner critic, and self-compassion.

As we walk through the remaining chapters, we share personal stories and talk about what it looks like to take some of these ideals and actually live them out in everyday life. Because, as we all know, what sounds realistic in a book can be a little harder to practice as we navigate family, work, ministry, and community relationships.

We hope you'll find a moment to listen in with us. Whether you're working through the book yourself or simply curious about what it might look like to approach life with a little more gentleness, this conversation will bring a sense of hope and courage to your heart.

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For our nonfiction book club selection, Gretchen and Jennifer dive into the first half of Aundi Kolber's Try Softer. Each chapter presents faith-informed therapeutic wisdom, encouraging readers to become students of themselves while crafting a gentler internal narrative.

Whether through awareness of thought patterns or noticing physical sensations that accompany difficult moments, Kolber instructs us in “compassionately listening to our needs so we can move through pain--and ultimately life--with more gentleness and resilience.”

While discussing the individual chapters, quite a few personal stories are shared as well. Jennifer recounts her recent experience of applying some of the book's grounding techniques, and Gretchen offers a thoughtful reflection on her approach to the timeline exercise (recommended in the book).

Whether you're just starting the journey of processing and healing from the hard parts of life or you're getting curious about respectfully establishing boundaries, this episode will get your wheels turning towards an emotionally healthier version of yourself. We hope you'll find a moment to listen.

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Welcome back to our Summer Book Club! This is the second of four episodes in the series, and this week we’re talking with author Keelia Clarkson about our fiction pick, Chapter One Again.

Keelia shares with Gretchen and Jennifer the story behind the story, what inspired her to write the book, and some of the themes readers connect with most, including second chances, healing, hope, forgiveness, and finding the courage to begin again.

Whether you’ve already finished the book or are reading along with us, we hope this conversation gives you a deeper appreciation for the story and encourages you in your own life. We hope you’ll pull up a chair and find a moment to join the conversation!

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To kick off our Summer Book Club series, Gretchen and Jennifer are discussing Chapter One Again by Keelia Clarkson. This new release is a thoughtful novel that explores the universal search for purpose, the longing for recognition, and the pursuit of life’s “mountaintop” moments.

Some of the discussion includes discovering faith, finding meaning in unexpected places, and how the quiet rhythms of small-town life often cultivate the things that matter most. There are so many layers of connections and relationships in this book, all with their own unique struggles and passions, and it left us eager to discover what lies ahead for each of them.

We hope you’ll find a moment with us for this rich conversation, and don’t miss our next episode when we’ll have the privilege of interviewing Keelia Clarkson herself!

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Are you interested in learning more about following the rhythms of the liturgical calendar? Have you been curious but unsure of where to start?

This standalone episode provides a brief overview of all of the different church calendar seasons, with a focus on our present season of Ordinary Time.

Moving from Advent all the way through to Pentecost gives us the opportunity to witness the work of Jesus’s life and ministry all the way through the Ascension. Shortly after, we observe Pentecost, which is when we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Ordinary Time is an invitation for us to apply the wisdom and encouragement we have received through Christ’s example. We are called to minister to our neighbors, care for widows and orphans, and serve our families in our everyday lives, drawing on the power of the Holy Spirit which is available to all believers.

From a practical standpoint, Gretchen also shares about her rule of life, weekly examen, and some of the tools and resources that are available in our show notes if you would like to build more structure into your inner spiritual life.

Cultivating depth and intention in your spiritual life requires time and patience with your own personal progress, and this conversation will hopefully steer you towards next steps in your journey of sanctification and faithfulness. We hope you’ll find a moment to listen.

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In this episode of Honest Parenting, Gretchen and Jennifer sit down with a mother of three adult children. Keri is Gretchen’s neighbor, and two of her children have special needs, requiring lifelong daily care.

This conversation explores the space between our parenting ideals and the realities of everyday life, and how differently that journey can unfold when raising children with special needs. With remarkable strength and honesty, Keri shares a life marked by service, advocacy for her children’s needs, and the outpouring of support that has sustained her family along the way.

Other notable mentions include the importance of radical acceptance, the grief that often lingers beneath the surface, the impact of caregiving on marriage, and the challenge of reimagining aging, end-of-life planning, and lifelong care. We hope you’ll find a moment to listen to this powerful conversation about resilience, community, and unconditional love.

Show Notes: www.medicinemotherhood.com/blog/honestparenting

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Are you chasing toddlers and trying to figure out how to make meaningful connections with them? Do you find yourself torn between your maternal instincts and the voices from the outside world?

If you’re in the thick of raising tiny humans, this interview is certain to inspire and give you a renewed sense of hope!

Listen to our sweet friends Kalee and Anouk share about parenting challenges, preparing for different seasons, and being intentional about building trust with their children.

The Honest Parenting series is all about getting real. And sometimes real is HARD… So we talk about it. Because we want you to know that you are not alone!

Jump in wherever you are in the journey because it's a new take on one of the most important and universal experiences throughout the ages. We hope you'll find a moment to listen!

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