The Soapbox – Details, episodes & analysis

Join Kelsey and mom of 3, author, and LPC., Christine Wolf Hoover as they talk through the reality that we are going to mess up. Christine shares about her own freedom as she started owning that she was going to mess up in motherhood, as much as she really didn’t want to.

Learn more about Christine at www.christinewolfhoover.com and check out her brand new book, Soul Adventuring: Your Guide to Living with Bravery and Joy today!

Stay up to date with all things You Are Family at www.youareinc.com

Join Kelsey as she interviews mom of 4 and Founder and CEO of You Are, Inc., Stephanie Lee. Proverbs 18:21 says that "life and death is in the power of the tongue". Steph shares her deep conviction to speak life over her kids and teach them to speak life over one another as well.

To learn more about all things You Are, Inc. and You Are Family head to www.youareinc.com!

Welcome to The Soapbox! We wanted to take chance to introduce ourselves as we launch the first podcast, hosted by You Are Family. You Are Family is the family ministry of You Are, Inc. In this first episode, you'll meet You Are Family Director, Kelsey Smith and Stephanie Lee Founder & CEO of You Are, Inc.

You Are, Inc. exists to create spaces and resources for women and families to encounter God, connect with one another, and to be equipped and empowered to advance God’s Kingdom and impact future generations.

Through King Camp, Talitha Cumi, The Matchstick Project and more, You Are Family is a place for the whole family to grow in their discipleship to Jesus.

Learn more about all things You Are Family at ⁠youareinc.com

Laina Graf, mom of 5 and Honey to almost 9 grandchildren, joins us to share the importance of processing hard and playing hard through all the years of mothering. She has been in ministry for decades, both internationally and in her own backyard in California (literally). She is a culinary wonder, but mostly an expert in loving people. She heard a mentor say that healthy families do lots of things, but they all do two things well… process hard and play hard. This transformed the way she mothered and still does. Listen to her connect these dots with all different ages and stages.

King Camp Registration is now open for July 6-9, 2026!! If you have kiddos ages 5-11, be sure to sign them up!! Head here to learn more and register today.

Stay up to date with all things You Are Family by following us on Instagram or sign up for our free monthly resources for parents and families.

Emilie McCormack, our fabulous, fun mom friend is back in the South after years in the Northwest and we are happy about that! You’ll quickly see why! Emilie carries passion, wisdom, and humility. As a mom of 5, she has so much practice looking for the God-given gifts in each child and calling them out. She gave some incredible one-liners you’ll want to write down. You’re going to finish this episode with new questions to ask your kids and new things to ponder with God! Enjoy!

Emilie serves college students at Texas A&M and Blinn alongside her husband, Brian, Executive Director of Breakaway Ministries. Learn more about Breakaway at breakawayministries.org. You can also see what she's up to on Instagram here!

To stay up to date on all things You Are Family, be sure to follow us on Instagram and sign up for our monthly email full of free resources for parents and families!

And be sure to join us for You Are '26, Feb. 6-7, 2026! You Are is an intergenerational, interdenominational women's gathering centered on Jesus. Head to www.youareinc.com to learn more and register today.

Jean Marie, mom of 3, wants to encourage all the moms to keep walking with the Lord, even with a limp. She normalizes limping and shares vulnerably about learning to struggle well from the earliest days of motherhood through infertility, adoption, and the unique struggles of a transracial family. She shares ways she's helped her kids recognize and work through weakness as well. She will make you feel right at home with her no matter where your limping is. Jean Marie covers the bases from embracing weakness, to tackling hard things to teaching our kids the importance of “walking with a limp” and sticking with the Lord.

If you'd like to learn more about Impact Retreat that Jean Marie mentions, you can head here.

Do you have your ticket for The Soapbox Live happening Sept 18? It's a free event, but seats are limited so grab your ticket here. Stay up to date with all things You Are Family by subscribing to our monthly newsletter here and following us on Instagram.

Jamie Brown- mom of an only- joins us to share the why of knowing our kids. She, like most of us, has a kid wired very opposite of her. She is the champion of who God created her kid to be and left me even more convinced on my own kids exact wiring! She not only shares the why, but lots of practical hows in discovering more of our individual kids hearts.

Head to youareinc.com to learn more about all things You Ate Family and grab your tickets for the Soapbox Live event!

Kari Breed is a mom of 3 and founder of a Christian Montessori school in North Carolina. She spends her time thinking about the next generation and lives with great intention. She shares about how the ripples from faithfulness in our homes can influence kingdom family! Kari’s  friendship with Jesus always leaves me wanting to know Him even better!

Save the Date: Join us September 18th from 7-9PM at The Boathouse at Millican Reserve for The Soapbox Live! We’ll have a live interview, exciting guests, yummy treats, and more! Registration details coming soon. Be sure to stay up to date with all things You Are Family by following us on Instagram or signing up for our free monthly resource email here! 


Some of Kari’s recommendations for intentional parenting:

https://open.spotify.com/track/7CVLxsSOKpHjxehV7HFird?si=xxH_PiAp5SvaXx6BqflroIw

Don’t Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Hubbard (https://a.co/d/7LyxyVm)

Shepherding A Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp (https://a.co/d/dNJVGba)

How to Really Help Someone with a Problem by Danny Silk (https://youtu.be/DsJzKZV_Nso)

Wynne Elder is a mom of 4 whose family was built non-traditionally, through adoption + IVF.  Her kids range in age and her schedule is full. Her life could feel frantic, but she believes motherhood doesn’t have to be that way. Wynne is free and fun and loves being a mom. She shares how good rhythms have made motherhood even more enjoyable for her. She says, "rhythms are the quiet framework of a beautiful and intentional life." You will love hearing her passion and you will want to follow her on Substack where she shares stories, seasonal tools & everyday rhythms that will no doubt inspire AND help you in your home!

https://open.substack.com/pub/wynneelder

For our 10th episode Melissa Darst, one of my most passionate FRIENDS and the very inspiration for the SOAPBOX joins us a little differently! She shares a slew of soapboxes- everything from closets should be organized to the value in traditions! She could have kept going, but rest assured you’ll get to hear from her again! You are going to love hearing all the things, small and big, that she values!