Can teaching children kindness toward animals help them become more compassionate adults?

In this inspiring episode of Medicine, Motherhood & Missions, host Johanna Moses sits down with award-winning children's author and former elementary school teacher Christine Devane to explore how storytelling, empathy, and caring for animals can shape a child's character for life.

Christine shares the heart behind her award-winning children's books, including Elephant Beach, Lola and Sophie's ABC Adventure, and Pet Safety with Lola & Sophie. Inspired by her lifelong love of animals and years spent in the classroom, Christine writes stories that help children develop empathy, confidence, kindness, and responsibility.

Together, Johanna and Christine discuss why teaching children to care for animals is about so much more than pets. These early experiences become opportunities to teach compassion, respect, gentleness, responsibility, and emotional intelligence—qualities that help children build healthy relationships throughout their lives.

Whether you're raising young children, teaching in a classroom, working in healthcare, or simply looking for ways to cultivate kindness in the next generation, this conversation is full of practical encouragement and timeless wisdom.

• Why kindness toward animals builds empathy toward people
• How children's books can help shape character and emotional development
• Practical ways parents can teach compassion at home
• The importance of pet safety and respectful interactions with animals
• Encouraging shy children through stories that help them feel seen
• The value of adopting rescue pets
• How small moments of kindness create lifelong character

"The way children learn to care for animals often becomes the way they learn to care for people."

Christine Devane is an award-winning children's author, former second-grade teacher, and lifelong animal advocate. Her books encourage children to develop empathy, confidence, kindness, and responsibility while promoting pet adoption and animal safety. Inspired by her own childhood love of animals and years spent reading with students, Christine creates stories that help children grow into compassionate leaders.

• Elephant Beach
• Lola and Sophie's ABC Adventure
• Pet Safety with Lola & Sophie

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe to Medicine, Motherhood & Missions on your favorite podcast platform. Leaving a five-star review helps more listeners discover conversations that encourage purpose, leadership, faith, and impact.

Share this episode with a parent, teacher, grandparent, librarian, pediatric provider, veterinarian, or animal lover who believes in raising children with compassion.

Together, we can raise a generation that leads with kindness.

Connect with Christine:

https://www.christine-devane.com/
Instagram @stined13

Connect with Johanna

Instagram: @medicine_motherhood_missions ⁠

www.johannamoses.com

Welcome back to Medicine Motherhood Missions. Today’s episode takes us behind the curtain of medicine with Dr. Ryan McPherson, a trauma surgeon and author of

While You Were Asleep: Behind the Scenes Stories from Residency at a Level 1 Trauma Center.

In his book, Ryan pulls us into the raw, unfiltered realities of residency—the 3 a.m. trauma calls, the quiet doubts of imposter syndrome, the weight of mistakes, and the cost of living a life fully consumed by the calling of medicine.

But he also invites us to consider something deeper:

What mindset sustains a physician through burnout, perfectionism, sacrifice, and the pursuit of integrity?

Whether you’re in medicine, walking alongside someone who is, or simply curious about the human side of healing, this conversation will challenge you to reflect on resilience, honesty, and what it truly means to live out a calling.

Connect with Ryan:

Check out the book, "While You Were Asleep: Behind the Scenes Stories from Residency at a Level 1 Trauma Center" https://a.co/d/jaEwdb3

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ryan_mcpherson_author/

Connect with Johanna

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠

www.johannamoses.com

Hi Friends!

Thank you for checking out our podcast today! Paul & I discuss marriage and communication as we just celebrated our 10 year anniversary.

We aren't experts nor very experienced but we share what we have learned in our 10 years. How we listen to each other, make decisions and what we hope for our marriage.

We digress a little and share a compelling story from The Ephraim Foundation International we heard of a lady and her son who have faced several challenges but still persevere. We discuss how it is important to listen and hear the cries of help from others and support them.

Thank you so much for listening!

-Johanna

CONNECT:

LinnkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠

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Hi Friends!

I love this conversation with Katrin Green, a gold medalist Para - Olympian and fellow PA. We discuss how we have seen beauty in the mess and chaos of our lives.

We also delve into her handwork and perseverance. How Katrin balances motherhood, work in the Pediatric ICU, training and life. Also how fostering led to lessons on grace.

Thank you so much for listening!

I hope you find inspiration & encouragement as you seek the beauty amidst the chaos of life.

-Much Love,

Johanna

Dr. Josh Wageman holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from Yale, and a PhD focused on lipid disturbances in Alzheimer’s Disease. Josh recently authored and published,

The Home Security System and the Lipid Neighborhood: Un-Complicating Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Disease.

He’s a Clinical Lipid Specialist, educator, author, and former collegiate athlete.

And through it all, he’s remained deeply rooted in his faith.

In this conversation, we explore what it really looks like to carry faith into academia, medicine, research, and leadership.

How do we stay grounded in spiritual truth while navigating the pressures of evidence-based professions?

What gets in the way? And how can we influence others—not just with knowledge, but with wisdom, humility, and purpose?

Whether you're in healthcare, higher education, or simply wrestling with how to integrate faith into your work, this episode will encourage you to think deeper, stand firmer, and live more boldly.

• Faith and Science Integration: Discover how Josh Wageman bridges the gap between faith and science, showing they can coexist and enhance each other in professional settings.

• Overcoming Adversity: Hear Josh's inspiring story of overcoming a severe illness that reshaped his life and career, emphasizing resilience and faith.

• Insights on Lipid Research: Gain insights into Josh's groundbreaking research on lipid disturbances and their implications for Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular health.

• Youth Engagement: Learn about Josh's approach to engaging with youth, fostering curiosity, and encouraging independent thinking in a world dominated by social media.

• Maintaining Integrity: Explore the importance of integrity and relationship-building in academia and medicine, and how these values can influence and inspire others.

Josh Wageman’s journey reminds us that walking with God doesn’t mean stepping away from science—it means stepping into it with eyes wide open.

As a researcher, educator, and clinician, he’s shown us how faith can shape the way we think, teach, serve, and lead.

In a culture that often pushes faith to the margins, may we be the ones who bring it back to the center—with compassion, excellence, and courage.

Let this conversation remind you: your faith is not a liability in your profession—it’s your foundation.

Connect with Josh:

• X: @joshjwageman
• Insta: @wagejosh
• LinkedIn: Josh Wageman

Welcome to Medicine, Motherhood, and Missions – the podcast where we dive into impactful and inspiring conversations with amazing professionals who’ve turned their challenges into stepping stones for success.

Connect with Johanna

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠

www.johannamoses.com

In a world often clouded by divisive narratives surrounding immigration, stories of resilience, courage, and hope shine brightly.

In the latest episode of the podcast "Medicine, Motherhood and Missions," host Johanna Moses engages in a heartfelt conversation with Heidy de la Cruz, the award-winning host of "The American Dream in the Eyes of an Immigrant."

This discussion not only highlights personal journeys but also redefines the essence of the American dream through the lens of immigrant experiences.

The conversation emphasizes empathy, cultural diversity, and the power of storytelling in fostering understanding and compassion.

• Heidy’s podcast aims to change the narrative around immigration through empathy and storytelling.

• Cultural shocks are a common experience among immigrants, highlighting the differences in societal norms.

• The American dream is redefined by each individual's experiences and aspirations. What does the 'American Dream' really mean?

• Sharing immigrant stories can foster understanding and compassion in society.

• We are more alike than different!

• Empathy is crucial in understanding the immigrant experience and the challenges they face.

• The journey of immigrants often involves resilience and perseverance despite hardships.

• Heidy emphasizes the importance of honoring both the struggles and triumphs in immigrant stories.

• Success in podcasting is measured by the impact on listeners and the comfort provided to guests.

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• Faith and hope are central themes in navigating the immigrant experience.

Connect with Heidy:

Heidy De La Cruz is a podcaster, speaker, and online business coach.

Heidy is the host of the two-time award-winning podcast

"The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants," where immigrants share their journey of coming to the United States. Heidy speaks about immigration,

teaches all things podcasting and digital marketing, and shares her mental health experience on managing her PTSD.

She also coaches Latina women and busy moms to start their online business.

Lastly, she hosts the Digital Marketing 101 for Latinas Podcast, where she discusses all things online business and digital marketing. In her free time, Heidy enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and making memories with her family.

https://heidydelacruz.com/
https://www.instagram.com/heidy.delacruz13

Welcome to Medicine, Motherhood, and Missions – the podcast where we dive into impactful and inspiring

conversations with amazing professionals who’ve turned their

challenges into stepping stones for success.

• LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamoses/⁠

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• Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/medicine_motherhood_missions/⁠

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• www.johannamoses.com

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• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXH7WkmRtzX-gt_sDcKzwFA