After struggling with infertility, IVF and multiple losses, Kate and her paraplegic husband choose to pursue adoption through the foster care system. Meanwhile, Cindy—battling homelessness and addiction—gives birth to her sixth child, a boy, who is immediately removed from her care. In the next episode, we learn how these two women’s stories collide and intertwine in the most unexpected ways. Content warning: sexual assault and pregnancy loss.

“Making a Mother” is a production of Coffee + Crumbs. 

Executive Producer, Writer: Ashlee Gadd. 

Producer, Writer, Host: Julie Vlahon. 

Music, Sound Design, Mix Engineer: Scott Vlahon

For more information on today’s episode—including podcast club discussion guides—check out our show notes at coffeeandcrumbs.net/makingamother. If you’d like to support the show, please share this episode with a friend and consider leaving us a 5-star review wherever you listen to podcasts. 

This episode is brought to you by Needed—offering Radically Better Nutrition™. Use CC20 at checkout to get 20% off your first order of a single product. If you’re shopping between Jan 6th-20th, check out their New Year’s deal, which offers 25% off your first subscription. 

This episode is also brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/CC10 and get 10% off your first month.

Thank you for supporting the brands that helped make this series possible.

Making a Mother is a collection of raw, honest stories about some of the complex circumstances and unthinkable challenges women face in the pursuit of motherhood. These stories speak to the physical scars left on our bodies, as well as the emotional scars left on our hearts. Featuring universal themes of loss and redemption, broken dreams and resilience, deep heartache and unwavering love—each episode showcases one woman’s unique story of courage, hope, and tenacity.

Making a Mother will be released in January of 2025. If getting a peek into these stories moves you the way it moves us, we’d love for you to be part of our Making a Mother podcast launch team.

Open those library accounts and Amazon carts, because today we’re sharing our latest favorite books, just in time for summer reading. We cover everything from non-fiction to novels, with a little bit of mystery, research, and personal essays sprinkled in between. And of course, Anne Lamott’s most recent work is included (surprise, surprise). Whether you listen on Audible, read on your Kindle, or like to hold a good ol’ fashioned paperback in your hands (it all counts!), we hope these stories inspire and entertain you while you sip refreshing bubbly water and lounge in the perfect chair.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous Substack community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party (and get bonus episodes!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

For more stories—this time written by the Coffee + Crumbs team—listen to this bonus episode: Story Slam.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs. 

Today we’re wrapping up our mini-series on how to have important conversations with your kids, and, well, this one is going to make you blush the most because we’re talking about SEX. Our guest today is Kristen Crichton, a marriage and family therapist and professor of human sexuality at William Jessup University.

Kristen packs a punch in this conversation, reminding us why this dialogue should start at birth—because the greatest enemy of sexual wholeness is silence. Plus, she reminds us that we need to be the ones to tell our kids sex is fun and also teach them to respect Mom and Dad’s locked door. We hope you leave this episode feeling empowered to make the most of every opportunity and every curious observation!

Remember: if you need to practice saying body parts without blushing or giggling, this makes an excellent Girls Night In. For more on this topic, be sure to head to our shownotes for a comprehensive list of book recommendations from Kristen.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

While our homes may have been overtaken by Cheerios and Legos, we still have dreams of their potential. Today we’re talking about all things home decor: how we define our home style, where we like to shop, what room we’d love to make over if we won the lottery, and some of our worst home decorating flops. Plus, Indiana tells us about her prized golden armadillo, and Ashlee shares why she’ll never buy another rocking chair off Craigslist. We hope this conversation leaves you feeling inspired to channel your inner Joanna Gaines, right after you make the kids pick up those Legos … again.

P.S. Don’t forget to head to our website and check out the mood boards we created in the show notes today!

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

Continuing our mini-series on how to have important conversations with your kids, on today’s episode we tackle how to talk about tricky people. Sam Sutherland—a social worker with more than 10 years of experience working with schools and social welfare organizations—joins Indiana and Ashlee to share her expertise on this topic. In this conversation, you’ll learn why it’s best to use the term “tricky people” over stranger danger, five rules to teach our kids by the time they’re five years old, and some general tips for how we can empower our kids to trust their instincts. Plus, we talk about Sam’s stance on sleepovers, the difference between secrets and surprises, and why she’s never afraid to be the bad guy. We hope you leave this episode feeling equipped to have this conversation with your kids, and possibly implement some new strategies to help keep your family safe.   

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

To Pinterest or not to Pinterest—that is the question. On today’s episode we’re talking about all things birthday party! From big themed bashes to simple parties at the park, we cover invitations, menus, gifts and more on this much-requested topic. Plus, Indiana reveals the full name of Chuck E. Cheese (who knew he had a real name?!), and Ashlee goes on an accidental rant about her deep hatred of goody bags. Whether you’re an overachiever, underachiever, or fall right in the middle when it comes to birthday parties, remember: all kids really want is cake.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

As part of our debut mini-series on how to have important conversations with your kids, today we’re talking all about race. Latasha Morrison, founder of beabridgebuilder.com, joins host Indiana Adams and Coffee + Crumbs writer Melanie Dale to educate us on how to approach this topic with our children, and how to lead by example in the quest for racial unity. Tasha also speaks about the difference between diversity and racial reconciliation, the difference between being color brave and color blind, and how we can equip our children to speak up when they witness an injustice. We hope this dialogue inspires you to start having some conversations about race in your home, if you haven’t already.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

Join us for today’s episode as we reflect on our love/hate relationship with exercise. We may as well have titled this episode, Fitness: This is How We Don’t. You’ll hear Ashlee share about the first and last Bikram yoga class she ever took, find out the real reason Indiana takes up new exercise hobbies (hint: shoes are involved) and cringe along with us as April shares her horrifying yet hilarious ballet class fail. You may not walk away with many practical tips from this episode, but maybe your abs will get a work out from laughing? We sure hope so.

Like what you heard?

Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

Let’s hear it for the dads! On today’s episode, Kevin Madsen (hilarious host of the HeyDad podcast) joins us to talk about all things #dadlife. We discuss the cultural shift taking place in modern day fatherhood, dad stereotypes that drive Kevin nuts, and why men need good friends just like women do. Plus, Kevin shares an encouraging word for women who want to empower their husbands to lean into their roles as fathers. As you know, we only have a man on our show once in a blue moon, so we hope you enjoy this extra-special Father’s Day episode!

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

On today’s episode, we’re chatting about all things summer vacation. From flying with babies to surviving epic road trips, we hope this conversation leaves you feeling better equipped next time you head out of town with kiddos in tow. In this episode, Ashlee shares her secret for keeping kids quiet in the car, Indiana reveals her deep-seated love of all things Disney, and everyone has a good laugh over April’s travel motto: Eat, Pray, Prime. (As Melanie Shankle would say—put that on a t-shirt.) Happy summer travels!

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

On today’s episode of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, we approach a topic that every mother has likely faced at some point: loneliness. In this honest conversation, we unpack why motherhood in particular feels so isolating sometimes and ask ourselves, how can we be good friends even when we feel lonely ourselves? Whether you’re new to motherhood altogether, or a veteran mom who hasn’t found her tribe yet, we hope you can relate to this vulnerable conversation and walk away inspired to put yourself out there. Plus, you’ll get to hear how Indiana and Katie (our podcast producer) met over a very glamorous matchmaking scheme in the middle of Costco. If you only get one thing from this episode, let it be this: even in your loneliness, you are not alone.

Can you relate to this conversation? Who are the friends that keep this season of motherhood from being lonely for you?

Like what you heard?

Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

Ever wonder how other couples manage to have a regular date night once kids enter the picture? Today April, Indiana and Ashlee chat about the complexity of making date night happen with kids running around. You’ll hear how the concept of ‘date night’ has changed from pre-kids to post-kids, how they make childcare work, what makes for a great date, and of course, what makes for a bad one as well. Plus, April shares about her ‘stay-in date night clothes’ and you’ll get to find out what bizarre thing Indiana and her husband did for a cheap night out back in college. Whether your ideal date night includes a four-course meal at a hip restaurant or eating takeout on the couch, we hope you feel encouraged after this episode to plan a date night of your own this month! 

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

Get the tissue box out, because today we’re feeling ALL THE FEELS as we talk about launching kids into the world. Katie chats with C+C’s mentor mom Krista Gilbert and C+C writer Sonya Spillmann, both of whom hate to admit the adage is true: the days are long but the years are short. You’ll hear how these seasoned moms are leaning into the highs and lows of a long season of lasts, how they’re marking this special time with tailored celebrations, and how they’re caring for themselves along the way (spoiler alert: Sonya’s answer involves horseback riding!). Whether your baby is finishing kindergarten or heading to college in the fall, we hope this episode encourages you to embrace whatever transitional season of motherhood you’re in. 

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous Substack community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party (and get bonus episodes!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

Happy summer! From rhythm charts to chasing down indoor activities strictly for the air conditioning, don’t miss this bonus episode about our favorite tips and tricks for surviving the summer months.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs. 

On today’s show we talk with proud Texan, veteran blogger and New York Times bestselling author, Melanie Shankle, or as you may know her, Big Mama. Melanie was one of our most requested guests last season so we were thrilled she was able to share her hilarious, raw, and beautiful view of motherhood with us. Find out where the nickname Big Mama comes from, what lie both she and April are guilty of telling their pediatrician, and laugh along with us as we reflect on the myriad mundane moments that make up a life of mothering. Disclaimer: you’ll also learn what the tweens today consider “oldies” on their playlists—and it’s gonna make you feel old.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

Today we’re talking about something close to all of our hearts: the art of gift giving. We share the good, the bad and the downright ugly gifts we’ve received, and we also share our philosophy on what makes a good gift (hint: it’s not about the money). In this episode we offer tips for how to come up with a great gift when you’re stumped and we laugh about the curse of being a gift-loving girl married to a man who just doesn’t get it. Plus, you’ll hear all about that one time Indiana’s husband gave her a nose hair trimmer. Join us and laugh along as we unpack the art of giving gifts, Coffee + Crumbs style.

P.S. We’ve linked our favorite gift-giving sources and more gifts we love in the show notes today, so check them out!

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

“Exhaustion has become the social norm among busy women. And let’s admit the hard truth, we often find ourselves glorifying those busy schedules, giving ourselves a pat on the back when we squeeze one more commitment into an already too-packed day, and admiring others who seem to handle the juggling act as if they were a professional in a three-ring circus.”

On today’s episode Indiana talks with Shaunti Feldhahn, author and social researcher, about her latest research-based book, Finding Rest, and the practices science says we should make a part of our daily lives in order to become more rested women. Listen as they unpack the lie we believe that keeps us from rest and don’t miss Shaunti sharing one simple thing that has been scientifically shown to improve 89% of relationships within 30 days ...

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about all things meal planning! Can you guess who geeks out over meal planning, who couldn’t get dinner on the table without her kitchen gadgets, and who would rather just serve cereal for dinner?! You’ll also hear Indiana show off her French skills and break down what on earth ‘sous-vide’ means, while April describes her “old school” meal planning techniques. Plus, Ashlee shares about that one time she went to McDonald's in the middle of the night while she was pregnant and destroyed the evidence before crawling back into bed. Whether you’re a meal planning pro or cereal enthusiast, we hope you find laughter and grace in our “fed is best” motto for this episode.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

“You don’t have to be blooming to be growing.” Oh, how encouraged we are by these words from Ruth Chou Simons! On today’s episode Indiana and Ashlee chat with Ruth, artist, photographer and mom to six boys, about her initial calling as an artist, her current blossoming career and what life looked like in the waiting in between. We talk about what it looks like to cultivate hope in the midst of the mundane, uncertainty, and creative setbacks.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

What do you do when your baby stops napping? (Tip: cry is not the answer.) In the first of our brand-new “This Is How We Do” episodes, Indiana, April and Ashlee share how they carve out time for themselves each day now that their kids are older. Quiet time, rest time, play-by-yourself-away-from-mommy-time … whatever you call it, this is when momma gets a much-needed break. Plus, you’ll learn why Ashlee is still hanging on to her baby gate, why Indiana doesn’t keep toys in her kids’ rooms, and the magical “adventure treat” April hands out to keep her kids busy.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Three of the Coffee + Crumbs podcast, head on over to our Patreon support page.

When was the last time you and a friend had a conversation that got really vulnerable? Come to think of it, when was the last time you had a conversation with a friend about anything at all?! In today’s episode Indiana chats with Jamie Ivey about the necessity of friendship, the value of vulnerability and how to be a “safe person” for others. Tune in to hear what Indiana does to make Jamie (almost) cry and stick around for Jamie’s encouraging word for mothers of young children.

Like what you heard?

Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

We’re baaaaack! In our premiere episode for season three, we’re tackling motherhood + social media. Like most things, social media is neutral in and of itself, but it’s the way we use it that has the power to build us up or tear us down. This week we’re talking about how we use social media as both consumers and creators, why we occasionally take breaks from Instagram, what happens when we compare ourselves to others online, and the pitfalls of seeking validation from strangers. You’ll also get to meet our fabulous new podcast host—who, of course!—found out about the job on Instagram.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

It’s our final episode in 2017 (sob!) and Lesley has a big announcement to make (more sobs!). This week we’re answering YOUR questions. You’ll hear us chat about our favorite mom hacks, our favorite beauty products, how we talk to our kids about faith, and how we deal with rough toddler transitions. We also tackle mom guilt, sleep training, and picky eating. Oh, and April gets a serious case of the giggles when Ashlee confesses how many times she’s joined and quit the gym. This episode is extra long, and we hope it tides you over until we return next year!

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

Christmas is around the corner and we are determined to enjoy the season. In this episode we talk with Alex Kuykendall about her new book, Loving My Actual Christmas. You’ll hear us discuss how to fall in love with the season again, reflecting on themes of advent—hope, love, joy and peace—plus, practical advice on common Christmas stressors such as finances, schedules and extended family. We hope you’ll finish this episode with the encouragement to go easy on yourself, remember what truly matters, and find joy in your own imperfect Christmas.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

Forget the bounce houses and goody bags, today we’re talking about OUR birthdays. From the simple gift of heartfelt cards to how we really feel about surprise parties, today we’re diving into the art of celebrating. You’ll also hear why Ashlee’s recent birthday was a smashing success (spoiler alert: clear communication is key!), and why Katie is fully embracing a “go big or go home” mentality as she plans for her 40th next year. We hope this episode encourages you to commemorate your friends’ birthdays, daydream a bit about your own, and get all those delightful plans on the calendar.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous Substack community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party (and get bonus episodes!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

We love celebrating our birthdays, but see what Rhythms + Routines Are Currently Working For Us in our everyday lives, too.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs. 

In this episode Lesley chats with Sharon Hodde Miller about her new book, Free of Me: Why Life is Better When It’s Not About You. We talk about insecurity—including our struggles with measuring ourselves against other women, the perils of image management, and what happens when we make parenting all about us. But it’s not all deep and heavy! Sharon also tells a story about a fun surprise her husband recently planned for their anniversary and we discuss the classic 90’s film She’s All That. While we continue to live in a self-focused culture, we hope this paradigm-shifting message encourages you and challenges you in all the right ways.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

Making baby books, creating photos albums, and keeping track of hundreds of family videos is enough to make any momma break out in hives! This week we’re talking about allllll the ways to keep track of your family memories with easy, creative ideas for every personality type. From our favorite brands and products to technical logistics, we’ll help you make a plan for storing and displaying all the beautiful memories you make each year. Plus, Ashlee gives a Christmas card photo pep talk, and April asks if she should make her kids a Powerpoint. Don’t worry—we talked her out of that idea. Join us for a fun (and practical!) episode on how to preserve memories while also preserving your sanity.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

When a family learns their child has a disability, the road ahead is often filled with many questions, pain and unknowns. In this episode, Lesley chats with two very special mamas about their very special kids. Katie Blackburn (a listener favorite and our first returning guest!) is back sharing about her son’s recent autism diagnosis along with Regina Robinson, mama to four children including a son with Down Syndrome. We encourage all women to listen to this episode with a pen in hand, ready to learn how to navigate the waters of a new diagnosis, or, to simply discover how to encourage the families at your playgrounds and churches who need friends in their journey.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

It’s a decision every woman makes at some point in her motherhood journey: will she stay home, work part-time, juggle an at-home business, or work full-time? For some the decision is obvious; for others, it’s a series of fluctuating factors. In this special ad-free episode, we are getting real honest about the joys and struggles of pursuing part-time work while raising young children. We discuss all that went into our decisions, things we didn’t consider but wished we had, and the pros and cons of working from home. No matter where you fall on the spectrum—stay-at-home mom, full-time working mom, or somewhere in between—we hope you'll feel encouraged by this conversation and remember that God has a unique plan for your life and family.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

In this episode we’re talking to three mothers about their different educational values and choices. From a public Spanish immersion school to Charlotte Mason homeschooling to a classical style private school, you’ll hear how each family landed on their respective choices, what they love about their schools, and some of the things to consider as you wrestle with options for your own family—including how faith can play a role in that decision. We hope this episode leaves you feeling encouraged and empowered, better understanding the choices other mothers make and the beauty that comes with every option.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

If you’ve been a mom longer than 24 hours (or should we say 24 minutes?), you know there’s no room for perfectionism when it comes to parenting. So why do most of us still hold ourselves to unrealistic standards? In this episode, we talk with recovering perfectionist, Sarah R. Bagley, about how children have changed our “good enough” meters. We also talk about what the weight of control feels like physically, how to avoid passing the perfectionism gene to our kids, and our advice for new moms who are worried they’re not getting it right (Sarah may have made us cry with that one!). Plus, Lesley gives Ashlee a lunch box hack that’s changing her morning routine for the better.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

Life is messy. We know this. But women––ordinary, everyday women––have never been braver, stronger, or more self-empowered. We are, as Jen Hatmaker says, bringing moxie back. In this episode we get to chat with one of our favorite women on the planet about her new book “Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild And Glorious Life.” With her classic humor and warmth, Jen gives us the pep talk we didn’t even know we needed—permission to leave our mom guilt behind, chase our God-given talents, and ‘feel our feelings’ whether we’re sending kids off to kindergarten or college this fall. Plus, because we couldn’t resist, we also ask her about incredibly important things like fashion, Whole30 and This Is Us.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

In this week’s episode we keep it light and fun with a guide to getting dressed—from the actual logistics of getting ready in the morning (anyone tried to put on skinny jeans with a baby hanging on one leg?) to how important it is to change out of yoga pants every once in a while. From fluctuating bodies to changing careers, April, Ashlee and Lesley share what they’ve learned about style since becoming mothers. Plus, April shares her favorite postpartum clothing tips, and Ashlee explains why she hopped on the capsule wardrobe bandwagon. This is an episode for anyone who needs a reminder that while fashion can be fun, it’s also not where we’ll truly find our confidence. (Phew!)

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

Today’s candid conversation is with Rachael Kincaid (one of our all-time favorite people to follow on the Internet!). We cover the full gamut of topics—from what it’s like to become a mother of six in just three short years, to some of the joys and challenges of step-parenting. We also talk about why her youngest children aren't involved in many extracurricular activities, what it’s like to not have a dishwasher, how Rach and her husband protect their marriage, and how she gets time with each kid despite working full time outside the home. Rachael has been inspiring us online for years, and we’re so thrilled to share a bit of her heart with you this week!

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

When Coffee + Crumbs listener Allie Roepe reached out to us last fall with a show idea around being a mother “half the time,” we asked if she'd be interested in sharing her experience. In this episode we talk about what it’s like to parent after a divorce, Allie’s desire to split equal custody with her ex-husband, why their arrangement is even harder as time passes, and the everyday logistics of sharing custody. Allie also offers her encouragement for single moms or families navigating custody conversations. Plus, we talk about what we’re reading, watching, and making for breakfast these days.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

Friends, grab your notepad and pen before you hit play on this one. Licensed professional counselor, renowned author, and co-host of the Raising Boys and Girls podcast Sissy Goff (!) is with us today—and you’re going to want to write down everything she says. Sissy is both a beacon of light and a wealth of tangible advice. We chat about fostering deep connections with our kids, guiding children toward self-confidence, and even some simple steps to change the trajectory of our families if we need a restart on the path toward healing. Sissy’s encouragement is equal parts practical and profound, and she saves her best piece of advice for last. We hope this conversation gives you reassurance and hope for parenting the exact kid(s) God knew you needed.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous Substack community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party (and get bonus episodes!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

We wish more people knew about Sissy Goff! We Wish More People Knew About This bonus episode, too!

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs.

Everyone loves a good birth story, so, as April put it, we’re bringing you the Coffee + Crumbs Vagina Monologues. In this episode we talk about allll the different ways we’ve birthed our babies from c-sections to epidurals to the un-medicated route--and the things we’ve liked and disliked about each. Plus, we get real about hospital undies and share the best advice you might ever hear about birth plans. You *might* want to listen to this one with headphones on.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

In honor of Father's Day, we're thrilled to be interviewing our first male guest! Father and couples counselor Zach Brittle joins us this week to talk about the transition into fatherhood, how dads can find friendship (and whether moms should help), and the very best thing you can get a man for Father’s Day. This candid conversation about parenthood and marriage will be an episode that both moms and dads can relate to. Plus, Ashlee gears up for Whole 30, and we share a few bands that are making us happy this month.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

This week April and Lesley talk with Sarah Powers, co-host of The Mom Hour Podcast, about the best and hardest parts of having three kids. We talk about what went into our decisions to grow our families, how our pregnancies and births differed each time, and the hardest parts of adjusting to life with three. Plus, Sarah offers encouragement for moms of littles (it only gets better!) and April lusts after Lesley’s leather minivan seats.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

In this episode, we’re talking with Catherine McNiel about incorporating spiritual disciplines into our lives as mothers. That’s right: we’re diving into rich, soul-inspiring practices for moms who want to grow in their faith, but have neither quiet nor time. Regardless of your background, this is a guilt-free episode for mothers who want to connect with God without adding more “shoulds” into their lives. Plus, Catherine’s encouragement to young mommas who find going to church in this stage of life flat out exhausting.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

What are you doing to celebrate Mother’s Day this year? What do you wish you were doing? This week we’re talking about all things Mother’s Day: the history of the holiday itself, what to do when your spouse isn’t a mind-reader, how to share the day with others, and what our ideal Mother’s Day really looks like. Plus, fellow C+C writer Sonya Spillmann gets honest about why this holiday can be extra bittersweet for women who’ve lost their own mothers.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

This week we’re talking with Jena Holliday-- artist,  illustrator, and creator of Spoonful of Faith. You’ll hear us talk about what it’s like to mother when you have a chronic illness, and why autoimmune diseases can be especially mysterious and frustrating for so many women. Jena also offers gentle advice to moms who are struggling with their identity, and how to take the first step in chasing dreams. Plus, Jena and Lesley both get brave and share dreams they haven’t said out loud before!

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

The Magic of Motherhood is officially out! This week we’re recapping all things book launch: the party in Sacramento, what it was like for the Coffee + Crumbs writers to meet in real life, our favorite moments from the weekend, and more! Plus, you’ll hear Ashlee Gadd and April Hoss read one of their essays from The Magic of Motherhood. We wish we could have parties in all the cities, but until we win the lottery, this recap is the best we could do.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

Marriage is hard work. Throw in a few kids and it can be extra, extra hard work. In this episode, we’re getting real honest about some of the storms we’ve weathered in our marriages. Plus, you'll hear why all of us are advocates for marriage counseling, how we split up household chores, creative ways we make time for our spouses, and April's three guiding questions for couples who work opposite schedules.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

We’re baaaaaack! The giggles and chit chat are at an all time high as we reconnect after our long three month break from podcasting. In this episode we’re talking about all the ways we’ve changed since having children--from the stuff we swore we’d never let our kids wear and do, to our post-baby beauty routines. Plus, we’re joined by a few C+C writers as we vulnerably share some of the ways our bodies look and feel different since birthing children.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

We’re celebrating the end of our first season by answering listener questions. In this super fun episode you’ll hear Ashlee, April and Lesley talk about everything from sleep training to breastfeeding, what we’re making for dinner, the best postpartum jeans, establishing our own family traditions, and what we’re buying our kids for Christmas. We hope you’ll laugh with us as we joyfully celebrate the end of season one.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

How do we guide our kids as they grow up in a world where the internet is infused in practically everything they touch? Today, renowned researcher Dr. Jean Twenge joins us for an eye-opening conversation about how smartphones are affecting kids—and also us. We chat about the link between social media and depression, how boys and girls are influenced differently, and how screen time affects younger children. While this topic can often feel overwhelming and/or doomsday-esque, Dr. Twenge offers us a good mix of tangible suggestions, practical tips, and the much-needed reminder that we need to model healthy relationships with our own smartphones first. Whether you’re already navigating the phone situation with your older teens, or rocking babies and not thinking about any of this yet, we hope this episode informs and encourages you as you continue making decisions around technology in your home.

This show is brought to you ad-free by our generous Substack community. If you’d like to support the work we do for as little as $3/month, head to coffeeandcrumbs.substack.com to join the party (and get bonus episodes!). For show notes, go to coffeeandcrumbs.net/podcast.

Speaking of bonus episodes—join us next week in Substack for Kids & Technology (Our Version), where Ashlee and Katie break down their biggest takeaways from this episode, and share more of their personal experiences navigating technology-related decisions with their kids.

Need to set up more healthy habits for yourself and your family? Check out our bonus episode, Rhythms + Routines Working For Us.

For more encouragement in your motherhood journey, check out the stories at Coffee + Crumbs. 

April Hoss reads her essay, Consider Yourself Warned, about how difficult the holiday season can be for women waiting to get pregnant or adopt.

In this episode we interview hit blogger and HGTV.com star Erin Loechner about how she turned away from fame and frenzy to chase a slower lifestyle. We talk about everything from capsule wardrobes to slow blogging, cutting down on social media use, and managing gift giving during the holiday season. This one will change your perspective, renew your priorities, and shift your focus for 2017.

Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

To help fund Season Two of the Coffee + Crumbs Podcast, head on over to our brand new Patreon support page.

On today's Coffee Break, Lesley reads her essay Preparing to Jump, about the sometimes complicated decision of trying to get pregnant for the first time.