We also tackle tough questions like handling demanding friendships during busy seasons, setting boundaries, and supporting kids through their own struggles with making friends. With practical tips, real-life stories, and meaningful prayers for friendships, this episode is packed with encouragement for anyone looking to find authentic community—whether in person or online.

Tune in and be inspired to nurture friendships rooted in faith, confidence, and intentionality!

We touched on the messy, imperfect moments, the power of church community, and the importance of letting go with trust as our kids step into adulthood. If you’re navigating faith and family, you’ll want to hear these encouraging, authentic stories and actionable wisdom for building spiritual habits that last.

Whether you’re a mom, a mentor, or just wanting to invest in the next generation, this episode is packed with honesty, practical wisdom, and hope. As Casey reminds us: “Go to church, talk about Jesus.”

Looking for encouragement on your own parenting or faith journey? Give this episode a listen—and maybe check out Casey’s book, Her Children Arise: Passing a Legacy of Faith to the Next Generation, for even more biblical wisdom.

Casey’s website: https://www.caseyhilty.com/

]]> https://hopegrownfaith.com/audio/navigating-seasons-as-a-mom-with-casey-hilty/feed/ 0 6986 Christie Thomas https://hopegrownfaith.com/audio/managing-our-emotions-and-avoiding-burnout-with-alicia-michelle/ https://hopegrownfaith.com/audio/managing-our-emotions-and-avoiding-burnout-with-alicia-michelle/#respond Fri, 23 May 2025 02:19:11 +0000 https://hopegrownfaith.com/?p=6963 Alicia Michelle is a Christian mindset coach, author, and all-around encourager for moms navigating emotional overwhelm. Her story was raw and honest, and I loved how she linked faith, science, and practical tools to help women build emotional confidence.

Three key takeaways that really resonated:

1) Faith and Science Work Together: Alicia explains how understanding brain science doesn’t conflict with our faith—it actually helps us steward our God-given minds and emotions, just as we steward our bodies.

2) The ADD Method for Emotional Resilience: She shared a simple, actionable 3-step tool (Acknowledge, Discern, Decide) to process emotions, move out of overwhelm, and train our minds to respond with wisdom and compassion.

3) Modeling Emotional Growth for Our Kids: By making room for our own emotional processing, we not only heal and grow ourselves, but also teach our children healthy ways to handle anxiety, anger, and uncertainty—all while pointing them to God’s faithfulness.

If you’re a mama, educator, or leader wanting more calm and confidence—from the inside out—this episode is a must-listen. And if you want to dig deeper, check out Alicia’s book “Emotional Confidence” or her podcast for more brain-based, biblically-sound wisdom!

Website: https://aliciamichelle.com/

Rachel shares her insightful strategies for identifying signs of bullying, navigating the emotional landscape, advocating for children, and reclaiming identity through the power of scripture and affirmation.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or someone impacted by bullying, Rachel’s wisdom and practical advice will resonate deeply.

FREE SCRIPTURE AFFIRMATION CARDS: https://beautifuljoyrachel.com/

See it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JE0FPSwhtyU 

In this episode, we dive deep into the creation and purpose behind Walking Together, exploring how Katie and her team craft these vital resources. We’ll discuss how each story aims to provide parents with the language and tools to walk alongside their children through complex emotions and situations. Katie shares the collaborative process behind the books, involving counselors, teachers, and parents to ensure that every book is a comprehensive, relatable, and meaningful guide. Katie’s passion for storytelling and her commitment to aiding families with practical, faith-based solutions truly shine through.

Listen in to discover this book series that walks kids through divorce, anxiety and loss, and discover how these stories help kids understand and trust God through life’s uncertainties. So, grab your coffee, find a comfy spot, and let’s dive into this heartwarming conversation with Katie Robinson.

Check out the WALKING TOGETHER collection: https://www.portcity.church/walkingtogether

Amber is a longtime Children and Family Ministry leader at her church (just like me), and we decided to do a double-interview today! Amber and I will each share our personal journeys, exploring how to create meaningful and realistic faith routines within your home.

You’ll hear about my struggles and eventual success with morning devotions, and Amber’s creative approach to engaging her family through faith-themed bookmarks and kitchen dance parties with Jesus music.

We’ll discuss the importance of living out our faith daily, both intentionally and unintentionally, and how even small spiritual habits can profoundly shape our children’s lives.

We’ll also highlight the power of adaptability, finding devotional practices that resonate with your family’s unique rhythm, and why authenticity in faith is crucial. Plus, we’ve got some heartwarming stories and practical tips to encourage you on your own family discipleship journey.

It’s all about making faith a natural part of everyday life, nurturing those little shoots into deep roots. So, whether you’re struggling to find a routine or looking for fresh ideas, this episode is for you. Let’s grow together in faith!

Find Amber: https://amberpike.org/

This is the question Tara raises in this episode, and the question that started her journey of discovering the power of the Holy Spirit to transform her everyday life.

In this episode, Tara and I dive deep into how the Holy Spirit guides us in our daily lives. Tara shared powerful stories about being open, saying yes to God’s call, and the transformative power of the Spirit. We also unpacked the differences between the Holy Spirit’s roles in the Old and New Testaments, and how He can bring calm out of chaos.

Here are some highlights you won’t want to miss:

**The Holy Spirit’s Gentle Leading**: Christie and Tara discuss moments when they feel called by God to take action, and how they listen to the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit. The conversation is a beautiful reminder of the importance of being open to divine guidance in our day-to-day lives.

**Power in the Word**: Tara emphasizes the significance of grounding ourselves in the Bible and seeking God’s help in all situations. She shares moving stories of how being in tune with God’s Word and Spirit has brought about positive outcomes, even in times of uncertainty.

**Personal Testimonies**: From organizing a successful prayer breakfast to receiving timely nudges to check on loved ones, Tara recounts her experiences of relying on the Holy Spirit’s strength and wisdom. These testimonies highlight how God works through us, often in the most unexpected ways.

**Holy Spirit’s Role**: Learn about the distinct roles of the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments, and how the Spirit empowers and indwells believers today. The hosts also tackle common fears associated with the Holy Spirit’s unpredictability, reassuring us that His guidance will always align with biblical truth.

**Practical Impact**: Be inspired by stories of individuals who have felt the Holy Spirit’s call to take significant actions, such as donating a kidney, and how these acts of obedience have brought about incredible blessings.

As a wife, mother, state university teacher, author, and host of her own podcast, Tara brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to our discussions. Her journey began about five years ago, spurred by a quest to better understand the Holy Spirit’s role in her life—a journey that many of us can relate to.

Check out Tara’s website HERE. 

Discover ways to make Bible time engaging and adaptable for kids of all ages. From object lessons to discussions on culture and history, Christie and Laurie share practical wisdom on facilitating family devotions and ensuring everyone can partake and contribute. Get insights on verifying stories and nurturing analytical skills in Bible study, making spiritual learning both fun and educational.

(2) A Fresh Approach to Bible Reading

Laurie Christine brings a refreshing perspective to reading the Bible. Imagine your child or teen graduates high school having read through the entire Bible – this can be a reality with Laurie’s manageable 5-year chronological Bible reading plan. She explains how just 1 chapter a day, 5 days a week, can make a monumental impact. Included are delightful ways to supplement with audio Bible resources like the YouVersion Bible app.

(3) Dragons, Devotionals & More

Laurie’s Dragon Slayer Bible series isn’t just another book on the shelf; it’s an adventure combining fiction and devotion for preteens, especially boys, to deepen their faith. The latest adventure “Rise of the Enemy,” available on Amazon, brings the spiritual realm to life in a way that resonates with young readers. And the exciting journey continues with the second book which explores a captivating era 140 years after Adam and Eve’s fall.

Special Resources from Laurie Christine

– Order the new Dragon Slayer Bible book through Kickstarter at https://dragonslayerbible.com

– 5-Year Chronological Bible Reading Plan for Kids: https://fiveyearBibleplan.com

– Podcast episodes and resources at https://redeemingthechaos.com

– Laurie’s website at https://lauriechristine.com

In our conversation today, Charity opens up about how she finds sacred spaces for prayer in the midst of life’s everyday tasks—from the humbling act of laundry to the tender moments spent nursing. She shares a transformative shift from binge-watching Netflix to embracing these quiet times as opportunities for connection with God.

Together, we delve into the common struggle of choosing meaningful engagement with the divine over the instant gratification of entertainment while tackling our chores. Charity courageously details her personal battles with the distractions of social media and her deliberate efforts to set boundaries that honor her time with God.

As a beacon of guidance for fellow moms, Charity is excited to announce her upcoming podcast, “Mama Bear Prayers,” designed to foster deeper relationships with God through prayerful reflection and biblical insights. Aiming to support and empower mothers, she invites her audience to contribute their voices to this new venture here (https://forms.gle/6s5h5k7u15TgVAJE8).

We also discuss Charity’s children’s book, “My Heart’s Garden,” which emerged from the depths of her own healing journey after tragedy. This poignant story illustrates the profound effect lies can have on our hearts and behaviors, offering a pathway to truth and restoration through the nurturing love of “Father Gardner.”

Join us as we delve into a conversation that is both raw and redemptive, with Charity Rios guiding us through the act of teaching our children the power of discerning God’s truth in our lives. It’s all about nurturing faith, recognizing vulnerabilities, and most importantly, turning every little moment into an encounter with the divine.

Let’s cultivate our HopeGrown Faith together, one story, one prayer, one extraordinary guest at a time. So sit back, listen in, and let’s grow in grace with Charity Rios.

Connect with Charity online:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charityriosauthor/

Website: https://charityrios.com/

Questions for taking it deeper:

1. How have you been able to find moments of prayer and connection with God amid mundane daily tasks?

2. After listening to Charity’s transition from watching Netflix to praying while nursing, have you considered any similar transitions in your own life to make room for spiritual growth?

3. Christie mentioned using the audio Bible to transform chore time into an opportunity for spiritual nourishment. What are some ways you incorporate scripture or prayer into your daily routines?

4. Both Charity and Christie discussed the challenge of choosing meaningful moments with God over entertainment. What strategies do you use to resist the pull of entertainment and instead turn to God during daily activities?

5. Charity touched on social media as a significant distraction. How do you manage or set boundaries with social media to ensure it doesn’t interfere with your faith practice or family time?

6. Listening to how both Charity and Christie prioritize their spiritual growth, what are some steps you can take to ensure that this aspect of your life receives the attention it deserves?

7. What are your thoughts on Charity’s upcoming “Mama Bear Prayers” podcast? How might brief, accessible episodes of guided prayers and reflections support your spiritual journey as a mother?

8. Reflecting on the conversation about teaching children to discern God’s truth from Satan’s lies, what practices do you believe are essential for building this discernment in children?

9. Charity mentioned using sticky notes with scripture to remind her of God’s presence. Can you share a simple, creative method you’ve used to keep your faith front and center in your home?

10. Hearing about the lies that Charity’s children have grappled with, like feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks, can you identify similar lies that you, or children you know, have faced and how you’ve addressed them with God’s truth?

Visit Marnie’s website: https://marneyhammar.com