Don't Mom Alone Podcast

What does it mean to truly abide in Christ—and what do we do when our prayer life feels dry, blocked, or distant?In this conversation with Jennifer Barnett, we explore inner healing prayer as a tool that helps believers move into deeper intimacy with God. Jennifer shares how many Christians struggle with feeling disconnected in prayer, exhausted in their faith, or unsure whether they are truly hearing God’s voice. Rather than striving harder, she invites us back to the simplicity of abiding—remaining close, dependent, and continually connected to Jesus.Together, we unpack how God gently reveals the false beliefs and inner lies that shape how we see Him and ourselves, and how healing often begins when we invite Him to “search our hearts” as in Psalm 139. Jennifer also explains that hearing God’s voice is not reserved for a few—it is something we grow in over time, much like Samuel learning to recognize God’s voice through Eli’s guidance.This episode is a powerful reminder that prayer is not just about talking to God, but about learning to be with Him, discern His voice, and allow Him to bring healing layer by layer into our hearts and lives.In this episode, we discuss: The biblical meaning of abiding in Christ Why many Christians feel disconnected in their prayer life Healthy boundaries when discerning what comes from God How God reveals lies that keep us stuck The role of confession in spiritual healing and freedom Why speaking truth out loud can bring clarity and breakthrough Building healthy prayer cultures in our churches Connect with Jennifer Barnett: Website: Freedom Prayer Instagram: Freedom Prayer Facebook: Freedom Prayer (@freedom_prayer) Links Mentioned: Freedom Tools [book] First Freedoms: Drawing Near to God by Cultivating a Wholehearted Prayer Life [book] Get a free print copy of Jennifer Barnett's book Next Generation Prayer: Helping Youth Overcome Their Struggles — just pay shipping! Just click on https://oakspress.com/life to check out. Related Episodes: Healing Past Wounds for More Freedom :: Jennifer Barnett [Summer of Mentorship wk 4] Inner Healing Prayer :: Jennifer Barnett [Ep 323] How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation :: Ian Cron [Ep 506] Featured Sponsors: With a wink to the classic It’s a Wonderful Life, Twenty Something Else is a witty, wistful journey through the dreams we outgrow, the life choices that shape us, and the surprising detours that can lead us home. TwentySomethingElse by Stephanie Mack is available now in print, e-book, and audiobook wherever books are sold. Branch Basics: And here’s the good news—Branch Basics is now available at Target and Target.com, making it easier than ever to access safe and effective cleaning products. Whether you’re going all-in on safe cleaning swaps or just starting small, find Branch Basics at Target and Target.com today Hiya Health: We've worked out a special deal with Hiya. Receive 50% off your first order on any of their products. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body support they deserve.

What if the anxiety, chronic illness, and emotional struggles you’re carrying are connected to deeper wounds in the soul?In this powerful conversation, Susie Larson shares her deeply personal healing journey through childhood trauma, chronic illness, fear, and anxiety — and how God met her in the middle of it all.An author, national speaker, and radio host, Susie opens up about surviving physical and emotional abuse, battling Lyme disease while raising three young children, and learning how unhealed trauma impacts the body, mind, and spirit. Together, we discuss why so many women live in survival mode, how fear affects our physiology, and what it looks like to finally face the lies keeping us stuck.Susie shares how God revealed this life-changing truth to her:“The storms reveal the lies we believe and the truth we need.”If you’ve struggled with anxiety, chronic illness, emotional exhaustion, or feeling disconnected from yourself and from God, this episode offers hope, healing, and practical encouragement for the journey toward wholeness.We also talk about: How fear impacts the brain and body Why women often suppress pain until it shows up physically Learning to listen to your body instead of pushing through The importance of counseling, rest, and emotional processing Renewing your mind and rewiring fear-based thought patterns Why God cares about your whole health: body, mind, and soul How healing equips us to minister to a hurting world Connect with Susie Larson: Website: Susie Larson Instagram: Susie Larson (@susielarsonauthor) Facebook: Susie Larson Links Mentioned: Fully Alive: By Susie Larson The Uncommon Woman: By Susie Larson Curt Thompson MD Dr. Leaf Related Episodes: How to Stop Shame Spirals :: Dr. Curt Thompson [Summer of Mentorship Wk 6] Redeeming Shame through Community :: Dr. Curt Thompson [Ep 308] Freedom is Not a Look :: Alisa Keeton [Ep 393]

My dear friends, who I've been chatting with for 10 years, are back! David Thomas and Sissy Goff are seeing a growing "crisis of capability" in kids. In this conversation, we talk about their new book Capable and why the goal isn't to raise confident kids. It's to raise resilient ones.If your child won't try out for a sport, avoids new friendships, or struggles to take initiative, you're not alone. Many kids today are hesitant to step into discomfort, and many parents feel unsure how to help without pushing too hard or stepping in too quickly.David and Sissy share a powerful reframe: confidence isn't something kids magically gain. It's something they build through repeated, uncomfortable experiences. And instead of chasing success, we should be helping our kids become sturdy, able to handle challenges, setbacks, and real life.We also talk about why we need to move from reactive skills to proactive strength-building, and how small, everyday opportunities (like ordering food, making appointments, or trying something new) can shape long-term resilience.This episode is both practical and deeply encouraging, especially if you're navigating anxiety, motivation struggles, or the pressure to "get it right" as a parent.In This Episode, We Cover: The difference between capability and confidence Why many kids today avoid risk and discomfort 5 key strengths: competence, flexibility, perseverance, humility, and gratitude 100 practical ways to build independence Why habits matter more than quick fixes How to motivate teens who won’t engage Connect with David and Sissy: Website: Raising Boys and Girls | Tools, Tips, and Hope for Strong Families Instagram: Raising Boys and Girls (@raisingboysandgirls) Facebook: Raising Boys and Girls Links Mentioned: Capable: By Sissy Goff and David Thomas I Am Capable: Unlocking the Secret Strengths Inside of You – Boys and Girls Workbook and Activity Guide to Grow in Grit, Resilience, and Confidence: By Sissy Goff and David Thomas Related Episodes: Helping Kids Do Hard Things, Strong-Willed Kids, and Growing Through Failure :: David Thomas and Sissy Goff [Ep 522] The Art of Nurturing Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 119] “How Can I Help My Kid Make Friends?” :: David Thomas and Sissy Goff [Ep 483] Summer of Mentorship week 6 Emotional Milestones :: Sissy Goff and David Thomas [Ep 160] Featured Sponsors: Branch Basics: And here’s the good news — Branch Basics is now available everywhere you shop: at Target, Target.com, Amazon, and of course, BranchBasics.com. Tossing the toxins has never been more convenient! And for anyone grabbing the Premium Starter Kit, you can still get 15% off at BranchBasics.com with our code [DMA]. Hiya Health; We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults. The updated and revised And the Bride Wore White by Dannah Gresh equips you to speak with clarity and confidence about sexual integrity and God’s good design. Rooted in biblical truth and full of grace, this trusted resource helps you start the conversations that matter most— and guide the next generation toward healing, wisdom, and a deeper love for Jesus. For over two decades—and more than 300,000 copies later this message is still changing lives. Get your copy of And the Bride Wore White today

Talking to kids about sex can feel overwhelming—but avoiding the conversation doesn’t make it easier. In this replay episode, Megan Michelson and Mary Flo Ridley break down how to approach these important topics in a way that feels natural, age-appropriate, and shame-free.Instead of relying on a single, awkward “talk,” they encourage parents to build an ongoing dialogue that evolves as kids grow. From early childhood curiosity to teenage years and deeper conversations about puberty and masturbation, this episode offers practical tools to help you stay calm, confident, and connected.We cover how to introduce basic biology (like seeds, eggs, and conception), how to respond when your child isn’t interested in the conversation, and why tone matters more than perfection. You’ll also learn how to navigate common parenting moments—like little ones exploring their bodies—without shame, while still setting healthy boundaries.As kids get older, the conversation shifts. Megan and Mary Flo share how to approach puberty, why “shoulder-to-shoulder” conversations can be more effective than face-to-face talks, and how to handle more complex topics like masturbation in a way that balances honesty, guidance, and emotional awareness.If you’ve ever felt unsure about when to start, what to say, or how to say it—this episode will give you a clear, grounded approach.What You’ll Learn: Why “the talk” doesn’t work—and what to do instead How to start conversations about bodies and sex at a young age Age-appropriate language for explaining reproduction and biology What to do when your child avoids or shuts down the conversation Why tone and delivery matter more than saying everything perfectly Connect with Birds & Bees: Website: Birds and Bees Instagram: Birds and Bees | Online Course | Megan Michelson (@birds__bees) Links Mentioned: God's Design for Sex Series: By Stan &Brenna Jones Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys By David Thomas Related Episodes: Gender and Sexuality :: Preston Sprinkle [Ep 370] Let’s Talk about Sex :: Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson [Ep 328] Sexual Identity and Radical Ordinary Hospitality :: Dr. Rosaria Butterfield [Ep 301] Featured Sponsors: Thrive Causemetics: Amplify your spring look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/DMA for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. Cozy Earth: This spring, give yourself the kind of comfort that lives with you all day — not just the moment you get home. Head to cozyearth.com and use my code DMA for an exclusive 20% off.

Why does homework and school in general turn into a battle in so many homes?In this insightful conversation, Dr. Matthew Housson breaks down what’s really going on when kids struggle with homework—and why it’s often not a discipline issue at all. Instead, many challenges come down to executive function skills—things like planning, focus, emotional regulation, and the ability to start and finish tasks.We talk about how brain development impacts motivation, why some kids struggle to shift into “low dopamine” tasks like homework, and what parents can do to support their child without taking over.If you’ve ever felt frustrated, confused, or even discouraged trying to help your child succeed academically, this episode will give you clarity, practical tools, and encouragement—you’re not alone, and there is a better way forward. In this episode we talk about: When behavior is developmentally normal vs. when to seek help The key signs of depression in teens (including irritability) Why a full profile is often more helpful than a diagnosis Practical tools to make homework time smoother Executive function skills are learned and developed over time You can’t rush development—but you can support it Connect with Dr. Matthew Housson: Website: Home - The Housson Center Facebook: The Housson Center Instagram: The Housson Center (@thehoussoncenter) Links Mentioned: Resources from The Housson Center (books & websites) Definitions of different childhood challenges (parent resource) Related Episodes: How to Stay Calm with School Stress :: Kirk Martin {Ep 88} School Choice Series: Public School Options with Emily Fenlaw:: [Ep 561] Grace Based Discipline for Kids with Unique Needs :: Karis Murray [Ep 237] Featured Sponsors: Hiya: We’ve worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children’s vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA (not available on regular website). Get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults. In The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini share more than 40 years of lived experience raising a son with profound disabilities. With honesty and faith, they speak to the strain on marriage, the weight of finances, the sting of unkind comments, and the grief of a journey you didn’t choose, but also the joy you didn’t expect. If you’re walking this road—or love someone who is—this book offers steady encouragement for the long journey ahead. To learn more about The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, visit moodypublishers.com or find it wherever books are sold. Branch Basics: And here’s the good news — Branch Basics is now available everywhere you shop: at Target, Target.com, Amazon, and of course, BranchBasics.com. Tossing the toxins has never been more convenient! And for anyone grabbing the Premium Starter Kit, you can still get 15% off at BranchBasics.com with our code DMA.

As moms, we are like a life support system for our kids. To keep our families healthy, we need to be healthy. A key part of our overall well being is setting healthy boundaries. But boundaries are hard. They require uncomfortable, direct conversations. We may need to put a limit on really good things or draw a line in the sand with our in-laws or parents. My guest, Dr. John Townsend literally wrote the book on boundaries and he shares some deep wisdom on how to set healthy boundaries while honoring our family members and others. “You've got to take care of your energy, your heart and your emotions. You've got to take care of yourself and your health. If you don't guard that heart, then the wellsprings of life won't come out from it. Boundaries are basically about how to set healthy, loving limits in our life. So we have something to offer to our children.”Townsend answers your tough questions about setting limits with in-laws, making healthy boundaries for the holidays and even models having a tough conversation with a parent about a boundary. This is an episode packed with great information and Townsend has several books and resources available if you want to go deeper. Let’s make setting healthy boundaries a priority and guard our hearts and our time to bring life to our family!Connect with John Townsend: Instagram: John Townsend (@dr.john_townsend) Facebook: Dr. John Townsend Website: Home - Dr. John Townsend Links Mentioned: Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: By John Townsend Relational Nutrients (new layout) - Dr. John Townsend People Fuel: By John Townsend Related Episodes: Parenting a Spicy Child: How to Stay Calm, Set Boundaries, and Keep the Connection :: Mary Van Geffen [Ep 558] Good Boundaries and Goodbyes :: Lysa TerKeurst [Ep 387] Strengthening the Relationship with Your Adult Child :: Kathy Cunningham [Ep 543] Featured Sponsors: Thrive Causemetics: Amplify your spring look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/DMA for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.

In part two of my interview with Nadya Dickson, we dive deeper into how Christian moms can lead their families with clarity by identifying their values and creating a vision. Values and vision go hand in hand. Whether we’ve named them or not, every family operates from a set of values. Nadya explains that when we take the time to identify and name the values that matter most to us, they become a powerful lens for making decisions, setting priorities, and shaping the atmosphere of our homes.We also talk about creating a yearly vision for your children, focusing more on character than performance, and asking God to reveal who each child is becoming. In a world filled with competing messages about what motherhood should look like, a clear vision can help moms filter out the noise and focus on what is truly fruitful.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by expectations or unsure how to prioritize your time as a mom, this conversation will help you rediscover peace, purpose, and intentionality in your parenting. Here is some of what we cover: The power of naming your top 5 values How moms can filter out cultural pressure and expectations Why clarity helps us determine what is fruitful versus wasteful You can’t change people, but you can control the atmosphere Connect with Nadya Dickson: Website: Formed to Lead | Nadya Dickson Links Mentioned: 50 I am statements CliftonStrengths Online Talent Assessment 5 Values Exercise Annual Vision Process - Children 2026 One-Year PowerSheets® Goal Planner Related Episodes: Goals, Roles and Superpowers :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 112] Motherhood Is an Assignment, Not Your Identity | Clarity Series (Part One) with Nadya Dickson [Ep 563] Learning to Listen to God’s Voice :: Kelsey Phillips [Summer of Mentorship wk 3] Featured Sponsors: Written by Tim and Mark Shoemaker, a father and son duo who have spent years walking with guys through real questions, 72 Questions (and Answers) About Life and Becoming the Man God Designed You to Be tackles the issues they’re facing, porn, dating, purpose, fear, and spiritual dryness, with clear, biblical direction. Warby Parker: Warby Parker gives you quality & better-looking prescription eyewear at a fraction of the going price. Our listeners get 15% off + Free Shipping when they buy 2 or more pairs of prescription glasses at WarbyParker.com/DMA. Cove: Make protecting your home a top priority. Check out Cove at covesmart.com/DMA or use code DMA at checkout for up to 60% off your first order!

In this episode, Suzanne Stabile, internationally recognized Enneagram expert and mom of four adult children, shares her personal story and how the Enneagram has shaped her approach to parenting. She explains that the Enneagram isn’t about changing who we are, but about understanding how we see the world and choosing how to act with intention. She reminds us that there’s no one right way to parent; motherhood requires recognizing differences, extending grace, and embracing our own authentic path.Suzanne dives into the practical applications of the Enneagram in family life, showing how it can transform relationships with your children, your spouse, and other moms. She explains the energy and tendencies of different Enneagram types—from aggressive and dominant types to dependent and withdrawing types—and how understanding these patterns can bring unity instead of conflict. Parenting is never easy, and mistakes are inevitable, but Suzanne emphasizes that grace covers our shortcomings. By using the Enneagram as a tool, we can parent with more awareness, respond with empathy, and honor our own authentic selves while guiding our children with love. Here is some of what we cover: Enneagram Types as Animals: Ones are Worker Bees, Twos are Kangaroos, Threes are Eagles, Fours are Butterflies, Fives are Owls, Sixes are Bunny Rabbits, Sevens are Monkeys, Eights are Lions, and Nines are Turtles. Grace covers the places we fall short Set appropriate priorities: You can’t do it all. Be mindful in child-centered families: When the focus is entirely on the children, much can get overlooked, and it often reflects a broader cultural expectation. Connect with Suzanne Stabile: Instagram: Suzanne Stabile (@suzannestabile) Website: The Enneagram Godmother Facebook: Suzanne Stabile | Facebook Links Mentioned: The Road Back to You: By Suzanne Stabile The Journey Toward Wholeness: By Suzanne Stabile Related Episodes: How God Personally Pursues and Redeems :: Jenn Jett [Ep 193] Enneagram and Stress :: Ian Cron Recap [Bonus Episode] The Enneagram, Marriage and the Gospel :: Beth McCord [Ep 259] Featured Sponsors: Green Chef: Head to Greenchef.com/50ALONE and use code 50ALONE to get fifty percent off your first month then 20 percent off for two months with free shipping. Cove: Make protecting your home a top priority. Check out Cove at covesmart.com/DMA or use code DMA at checkout for up to 60% off your first order! And if you get a survey, please let them know you heard about Cove from this podcast. Thrive Causemetics: Amplify your Spring look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/DMA for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order.

In part two of my School Choice Series, I sit down with Misty Persefield, a mom of three, to talk candidly about navigating school choice from the early years through high school. Misty shares her family’s journey through private and public schools, the fears she faced, and the peace that came from trusting God rather than comparing herself to others. This conversation offers reassurance for moms carrying the weight of making the “right” educational choices and highlights the importance of keeping fear out of the decision-making process.My hope with this series is to share a variety of school choice stories so you can hear different experiences and perspectives. As you listen, I encourage you to pray and seek God’s guidance, asking Him to bring to mind exactly what you need to know for your family’s journey. Trust Him to walk hand in hand with you, year by year, as you make decisions and navigate each step of your children’s education. Here is some of what we cover: Challenges of private school, including finances and high expectations The importance of knowing yourself, your child, and your family culture Pivoting from private to public school for high school Starting kids early vs. late, especially for boys based on birthdays Preparing kids for college by “taking off the bubble wrap” while they’re still at home Connect with Misty Persefield: Instagram: Misty Persefield (@mistypersefield) Website: Marketing Agency | Misty Persefield Marketing and Media Related Episodes: Shame, Perfectionism and Smiling Depression :: Misty Persefield and Stephanie Coker [Ep 154] School Choice Series: Homeschool to Private School with Kris Habashy :: [Ep 559] Confidence in Parenting Decisions :: Laura Wifler [Ep 497] Featured Sponsors: Cove: Make protecting your home a top priority. Check out Cove at covesmart.com/DMA or use code DMA at checkout for up to 70% off your first order! And if you get a survey, please let them know you heard about Cove from this podcast. Raising Daughters by September McCarthy: Most moms don’t need more advice—they need reassurance. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation with your daughter thinking, I said that all wrong, this book is for you. We’re raising girls in a world that’s loud, confusing, and constantly redefining womanhood. And before we can guide our daughters, we have to remember who we are in Christ. Raising Daughters meets you right where you are and gives you one faithful next step at a time—because raising daughters is holy work. It takes grit, grace, and guidance, and you’ll find all three here. Grab a copy here. Wayfair: Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.

Parenting a spicy child can feel overwhelming, isolating, and exhausting, especially when traditional parenting advice just doesn’t work. In this episode, Mary Van Geffen joins us to talk about what it really means to parent a strong-willed, spirited, intense child without losing yourself or crushing their spirit.So often, as moms, we unknowingly tie our identity and worth to how our children behave. When our kids are calm, compliant, or successful, we feel like we are doing a good job. When they are loud, explosive, or struggling, we internalize it as failure. Parenting a spicy child brings this tension to the surface and forces us to ask deeper questions about where our identity really comes from. This conversation invites moms to loosen their grip on performance-based parenting and remember that our value is not measured by our child’s behavior, but by who we are and whose we are. Here is some of what we cover: How to stay connected to your child so you can guide them long-term A practical calm down recipe for flare-ups and explosive moments How to set boundaries without crushing your child’s spirit Why you are not responsible for your child’s happiness How to support the mild child in a family with a spicy sibling Connect with Mary Van Geffen: Instagram: 🌶️Parenting Education Classes (@maryvangeffen) Facebook: Mary Van Geffen Website: Mary Van Geffen Links Mentioned: Parenting a Spicy One: By Mary Van Geffen The Cost of Control: By Sharon Hodde Miller Start Here- Quiz — Mary Van Geffen Related Episodes: Parenting as a Highly Sensitive Person :: Mary Van Geffen [Ep 438] Body Awareness in Parenting :: Mary Van Geffen [Ep 333] How to Stay Calm with Strong Willed Kids? :: Kirk Martin [Ep 479] Featured Sponsors: Barefaced: If you want to see results and find a skincare routine you’ll actually stick to, this is where I recommend starting. Head to barefaced.com and use code DMA for 15% off at checkout plus free shipping. That’s DMA for 15% off plus free shipping. Barefaced: less steps, better skin. Green Chef: Right now go to Greenchef.com/alonegraza and use the code alonegraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes. This 50% offer is only available for a limited time, so don’t wait. Cove: Make protecting your home a top priority. Check out Cove at covesmart.com/DMA or use code DMA at checkout for up to 70% off your first order! And if you get a survey, please let them know you heard about Cove from this podcast.

Are we living in the most anxious generation ever? In this powerful and hope-filled conversation, Max Lucado joins us to talk about anxiety, mental health, and the unseen struggles so many kids and teens are facing today—and what parents can do about it.With constant access to phones, social media, and nonstop information, anxiety often shows up sideways in our kids through anger, withdrawal, or fear. Max explains what’s happening in the brain, why anxiety feels like an alarm that never shuts off, and how parents can become a soft place to land when emotions run high.We also talk about the importance of parents addressing anxiety in their own lives, how worry steals joy and peace, and why our presence (not perfection) is what God desires most. Max shares encouragement for praying parents, reminding us that Jesus never turned away a parent who asked for help for their child. Here is some of what we cover: Why today’s kids are facing unprecedented levels of anxiety The physical and emotional toll of chronic worry Why a parent’s physical presence matters more than we realize Max Lucado’s personal faith journey and what God taught him about presence over performance Connect with Max Lucado: Instagram: Max Lucado (@maxlucado) Facebook: Max Lucado Website: Max Lucado Links Mentioned: Calm Thoughts for Kids: 90 devotions for Anxious Days Tame Your Thoughts: By Max Lucado Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado Hermie Series–Buzby and the Grumble Bees **SIGN UP to Join Heather and Megan at Pro Love Saturday for Embrace Grace Related Episodes: Life Empowered by the Holy Spirit :: Max Lucado [Ep 381] You Are Never Alone :: Max Lucado [Ep 298] From Overwhelmed to Anchored: Replacing the Lies of Motherhood with God’s Truth :: Erica Gwynn [Ep 544] Featured Sponsors: Cove : Make protecting your home one of your New Year’s resolutions! Check out Cove at covesmart.com/DMA or use code DMA at checkout for up to 70% off your first order. Wayfair: Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Every style. Every home. HiyaHealth: We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/DMA. This deal is not available on their regular website. Get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults.

Moms, life throws us into so many conversations every day…Talking with our kids, navigating our husband’s work party, connecting with other moms, or building our own friendship. All of these moments show who we are and how we communicate.Today, Debra Fileta, counselor, author, and podcaster, joins me to share practical tips on how to communicate effectively with friends, family, and loved ones. In our tech-driven world, we’ve lost many opportunities for genuine connection, and often we don’t realize how we come across when meeting new people or entering a room full of strangers.Debra shares insights from her new book, People Skills, to help us connect in deeper, more authentic ways. Here’s some of what we cover: Relationships and people skills: The strength of your relationships depends on the skills you bring into them. Communication matters: In a tech-driven world, real-life interactions with tone, body language, and facial expressions are more important than ever. Understanding communication styles: Learn the four types—assertive, aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive—and how to navigate them. Practical tips for being a great conversationalist: Honor your story, honor theirs, and create space for give-and-take in relationships. Connect with Debra Fileta: Instagram: Debra Fileta Facebook: Debra Fileta Truelovedates.com Website: Debra Fileta, M.A. LPC (@debrafileta) Links Mentioned: Soul Care: By Debra Fileta People Skills: By Debra Fileta Talk To Me: The Debra Fileta Podcast Related Episodes: When Friendships Get Messy: Healing, Humor and Finding Your Chicken-Fried Women :: Melissa Radke [Ep 519] Important Topics to Cover with Tweens and Teens about Manners, Technology and Friendship :: Lee Cordon [Ep 408] Helping Our Kids Foster Friendships :: David Thomas and Sissy Goff [Ep 338] Featured Sponsors: Honeylove: Treat yourself to the most advanced bras and shapewear on the market. Use our exclusive link to save 20% off Honeylove at honeylove.com/DMA. Cove: Make protecting your home one of your New Year’s resolutions. Check out Cove at covesmart.com, use code DMA for an additional 10% off your first order —easy, affordable, and peace of mind guaranteed. Green Chef: Go to Greenchef.com/ALONEGRAZA use the code ALONEGRAZA to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes. This 50% offer is only available for a limited time, so don’t wait.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Marc Cameron, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, to explore one of the most influential (and often overlooked) elements of our emotional lives: attachment styles. Drawing from more than 80 years of research, Marc breaks down how our earliest experiences with our families shape the way we connect, communicate, handle conflict, and relate to the people closest to us well into adulthood.This episode offers a compassionate and scientifically grounded roadmap for understanding yourself and the people you love. Whether you identify as avoidant, anxious, vacillating, disorganized, or relatively secure, you'll walk away with clarity, validation, and practical tools for building healthier patterns of connection. Here is some of what we cover: Why attachment styles are not personality traits, but relational survival strategies formed early in life Why “secure” doesn’t mean perfect; it means the relationship feels predictable and safe most of the time How attachment ruptures can be healed in adulthood through awareness and practice Why the holidays amplify attachment triggers—family roles, old wounds and unresolved expectations How to move toward secure attachment by learning emotional language, practicing repair, and using the comfort circle Connect with Marc Cameron: Instagram: How We Love (@howwelovebook) Facebook: How We Love Website: How We Love – Discover Your Love Style, Enhance Your Marriage Links Mentioned: How We Love: By Milan and Kay Yerkovich Understanding Your Attachment Style:By Marc Cameron Love Style Quiz – How We Love Freebies – How We Love Related Episodes: Building Healthy Relationships by Exploring Adult Attachment Patterns (Part 1) :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 498] Building Healthy Relationships by Exploring Adult Attachment Patterns (Part 2) :: Charissa Lopez [Ep 499] How to Align with Your Spouse in Parenting :: Dr. Kim Kimberling [Ep 491] What Does my Child Need :: Amy and Jeff Olrick [Ep 480] SofM 2024 Featured Sponsors: Thrive Causemetics: Complete your holiday look with Thrive Causemetics. Luxury beauty that gives back. Right now, you can get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/DMA Honeylove: Treat yourself or someone you love to Honeylove this holiday season and right now you can save 20% at honeylove.com/DMA Story Worth: Give your loved ones a unique keepsake you’ll all cherish for years–Storyworth Memoirs! Right now save $10 or more during their Holiday sale when you go to Storyworth.com/dma.