The Monica Swanson Podcast - boy mom, build strong families, Biblical worldview, women’s wellness – Details, episodes & analysis

Thank you for tuning into this special episode! 

A story: I am sharing something I have never documented publicly! It is my story of going from being a 40-year old, full-time homeschool mom (with a newborn!), to blogging, writing books, creating courses, and hosting a podcast! There are a few sentimental moments tucked in there, as well as some heartfelt encouragement for everyone listening.  

An announcement: I am also announcing that after SIX YEARS of podcasting (every week of the year!) I am planning a break from the podcast. I am looking forward to this much-needed sabbatical as I am headed to Australia this week (for Luke’s first “Challenger series” surf contest) and have a lot more kids’ sports-related travel this summer, as well as other family commitments I want to be present for. I hope you can take some time to revisit episodes from the past years in the meantime.  

An invitation: With the break from podcasting, I whole-heartedly invite you to join my weekly email list where I will be sharing a short-and-sweet summer email (calling it “summer shorts”!) with links to favorite articles and podcasts, a quick word of encouragement and other helpful links and fun surprises.  

JOIN THE EMAIL LIST AT: http://www.monicaswanson.com/subscribe 

Also, find links mentioned and a chance to comment in today’s show notes: http://www.monicaswanson.com/announcement 

General podcast page: http://www.monicaswanson.com/podcast 

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The teenage years can be an emotional roller coaster in your kids’ lives. It can be hard to watch our teens face difficulties, insecurities, temptations, and crossroads when they must make big decisions. Unfortunately, there are limits to what we can do for our teens. But fortunately, there are never any limits to what we can PRAY – and what God can do! 

My friend, Brooke McGlothlin is back with us today to talk about praying for our teen boys. (Though I believe most of this conversation will apply to girls as well.) Brooke is sharing from her new book, “Praying for Teen Boys” which I had the honor of writing the Foreward for! 🥰

Brooke and I open up with some of our favorite #boymom stories, and then we have a very real chat about the teenage years – what has surprised us, and the role of prayer in our own motherhood journey. Brooke shares some of the topics in her new book, including 90 Scripture-based prayers to guide you in praying for your children! 

This is a special conversation since this podcast was originally “The Boy Mom Podcast” and I go back as a contributing writer for Brooke’s previous ministry, the “MOB (Mother of Boys) Society.” I love this topic and I hope it is a big encouragement to you as well!  

Find show notes at: http://www.monicaswanson.com/prayingforteens 

General podcast page: http://www.monicaswanson.com/podcast 

Looking for a Bible-based math or science homeschool curriculum? The DIVE/Shormann Math and science is an amazing choice for short-but-thorough lessons through the AP level! My sons used DIVE throughout their high school years and they believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Shormann Algebra 1&2 prepares kids for everything on the Pre-SAT, SAT, and ACT with over 200 practice questions! Go to diveintomath.com to learn more! 

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org 

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 speaks TO THE KIDS sharing 5 regular disciplines that have shaped his life! (with a printable list to go with it.)  

The Character Training Course opens on Monday, March 24 (for one week only) so be sure to check out the COURSE PAGE for all the details! Show notes and links can be found at:  

https://monicaswanson.com/Luke-discipline 

Find all show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast 

Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bible-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through the AP level! Your kids will love Dr. Shormann’s short, well-put-together lessons, and Shormann’s Algebra 1 and 2 classes will equip your kids for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT with over 200 practice qustions! Go to diveintomath.com to learn more! 

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org 

Gather 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 life. I hope your kids can join you to listen and be inspired. 

Don’t miss the free PROVERBS for LIFE Printable over on my website. 

www.monicaswanson.com/proverbs-luke

Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

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.org

I 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 things is to model what it looks like to live them out.  We’ll never get anything perfect, but we certainly can model a life of excellence and a humble spirit that keep seeking God’s grace and direction!  So join Dr. Rick (“parenta-life coach”) and I for this important…possibly challenging episode.  I hope you are encouraged!

Find a free download with a lovely printable of 1 Corinthians 11:1 over in show notes!

www.monicaswanson.com/Raising-Amazing-3

Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

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.org

Summer 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 kids does not have to be complicated! 

www.monicaswanson.com/Steph-Thurling

Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

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.org

A 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!) Her new book, Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood is so good! In this interview you can hear some of Ashlee’s personal journey -- finding the balance between motherhood and creativity, as well as some ideas for how we all might explore the gifts God has given us, even in the busiest of seasons!

Find links and more over in show notes:

www.monicaswanson.com/Ashlee-Gadd

Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

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.org

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 helpful and I am praying you have a wonderful summer with a little less stress over screens!

Find a free download with the 7-Steps Checklist over in show notes!

www.monicaswanson.com/seven-steps

Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

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.org

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 “culture”, then putting things together in a Family Mission Statement. I talk about challenges or hard things families might face, and how that too, can shape us in unexpected, but beautiful ways.

Find a free download of a Family Mission Statement Template over in show notes!

www.monicaswanson.com/Raising-Amazing-2

Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

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.org

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 tells us the best age-range for reading aloud (hint: no one is too old for read-alouds! - And my sons would agree!) Sarah gives some super helpful book recommendations (especially for middle-age boys who don’t love to read!) and many more practical tips and resources for families and reading this summer. You might want to take notes on this episode (but I will also have a lot of links and notes over on my website…) www.monicaswanson.com/sarah-mackenzie

Podcast page (for all episodes) www.monicaswanson.com/podcast

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.org