The Mom Hour

Welcome to The Mom Hour, a podcast co-hosted by Meagan Francis and Sarah Powers from 2015 to 2025. We wrapped production in June of 2025, but we’ve left our library of episodes available for anyone who wants to listen. So while you won’t find any new episodes in this podcast feed, we hope you enjoy the archives and that the more than 800 topics we’ve covered over the years remind you that you’re not alone, no matter what’s going on in your life as a mom. Enjoy the show!Want to know more about our decision to sunset the show? Listen to Episode 503.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What would you like to accomplish before your next milestone birthday? Today Meagan and Sarah share our personal “five before fifty” lists, giving ourselves the next few years to check off some aspirations both lofty and silly (think big travel goals, creative dreams, home improvements and outdoor adventures). Whether you’re approaching 30, 40, 50, or just love a good life list, this episode will get you thinking—and maybe even writing your own!HELPFUL LINKS:Listen to our new podcast, Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits, available now on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen. You can also follow us on Substack for email reminders and the full show notes experience.Meagan is currently becoming certified through this Tea Sommolier ProgramEpisodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:2022 Goals & Intentions (What We Said, How It Went & Where Life Surprised Us)New Year Mantras For Your Motherhood Era: Episode 498OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a decade of sharing the ups and downs of motherhood, we're wrapping up The Mom Hour this month—and taking one final episode to update you on the kids who’ve grown up alongside this show. From 12 to 27, our eight kids have been a background-but-constant presence on the podcast, and today we'll share where they are now and how they're each thriving in their own way. Join us!HELPFUL LINKS:What’s Great (Lately!) About Our Eight: Episode 470What’s Great (And Less-Great) About Our Eight: Episode 152Motherhood From "The Other Side" A Commencement Address For Parents by MeaganOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Visit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Honi asks how our friends are showing up for us these days. Laura wonders if we ever get recognized in public (and if it's our faces or our voices that give us away!). Aspiring writer Samm is looking for advice on getting started with writing, Lisa wants to know what we’ll miss most about The Mom Hour, and Erica prompts some reflection on what we’re most proud of as moms. And Ann? She’s eager for the scoop on what’s next—listen to find out!HELPFUL LINKS:The Evolution Of Friendships In Motherhood, Part One: Episode 474The Evolution Of Friendships In Motherhood, Part Two: Episode 478What’s Great (Lately!) About Our Eight: Episode 470Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits: Episode 484Books Mentioned About Writing (affiliate links):Ann Patchett's memoir Truth & Beauty: A FriendshipStephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the CraftAnne Lamott’s Bird by BirdOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Modern society loves the concept of ‘saving time’ – but at what cost? There’s nothing wrong with streamlining and efficiency, but today Meagan and Sarah push back against the notion that time-saving strategies – and products – unilaterally bring more calm to our days. Instead we look at ways to think about shifting time to our advantage, batching tasks and opting out to free up schedule space, simplifying rather than optimizing, and finding our own peace with our relationship to time.This is Part 2 of a three-part series about Time running this spring. Check out Part 1: On Balance & Busy-ness and come back next month for Part 3.HELPFUL LINKS:Episodes From The Archives Similar To This Topic:The Lazy Genius Helps Fix Our Time Management TroublesTime Management For The Season You’re InHow Do I Make Time For It All?The Life-Changing Magic of Opting OutWe both have this rice cookerOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meagan wrote a book—and Sarah has lots of questions. In this episode, we dive into Meagan’s journey from concept to publication. From the initial spark of an idea to the challenges of writing, editing, and getting it out into the world, join us for an inside look at the process behind bringing her book to life. Whether you’re a writer, a non-writer who likes to learn how the sausage gets made, or simply want to offer Meagan your support during launch week, we hope you’ll listen!Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextHELPFUL LINKS:meaganfrancis.substack.comMore on Meagan’s book-writing journey:The Kettle podcast episode Gretchen Rubin on her “open door” approach to parenting young adultsIs it possible to plan a “slow” book launch?Meagan shares thoughts about gearing up for book promotion season in One month until my new book publishes!Sarah mentioned the podcast #amwritingMeagan took a book proposal writing course from Beth KemptonEpisodes From The Archives On Writing:Life Of A Writer Mom: Episode 406Living A Writerly Life: Episode 454More Than Mom: Writing, Motherhood & Creative PracticeOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Raising creative kids isn’t just about paintbrushes and piano lessons—it’s also about noticing how they think, solve problems, and dream up deas. Both Meagan and Sarah come from creative backgrounds and hope to raise creative kids, but we’ve learned that creativity shows up in unexpected places—from storytelling and party planning to building weird contraptions out of couch cushions. We share what’s worked in our own families, where we’ve had to shift our thinking, and some of the misconceptions we’ve had about what being “creative” really means. Join us!HELPFUL LINKS:Episodes From The Archives You May Enjoy:More Than Mom: Writing, Motherhood & Creative PracticeMidlife Lady Leisure Pursuits: Episode 484More Than Mom: Creative Hobbies (Now … Soonish … Maybe SomedayOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Pre-Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, we’re talking about busy-ness—that always-running hamster wheel we either can’t get off… or can’t seem to climb onto. Meagan and Sarah each look back on times in our lives when our relationship with productivity felt off—whether we were drowning in to-dos or floating in a weird limbo of not-enough-to-dos. Where are we at now on the busy scale? How do our personalities lend themselves to being busy – or not? And is there even such a thing as the perfect balance? Join us!This is Part 1 of a three-part series about Time running this spring. Check back next month for Part 2!HELPFUL LINKS:The Fall Sarah Quit Everything: Episode 233Episodes From The Archives On Time Management:The Lazy Genius Helps Fix Our Time Management Troubles: Episode 485Time Management For The Season You’re In: Episode 483Time Management & Productivity Tips For Savvy Working Moms: Voices 54 With Whitnee HawthorneProductivity & Time Management Tips For Moms: Episode 169OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Pre-Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey, book lovers! This week, Meagan and Sarah catch up on our latest reading adventures. We share some books we’ve been loving lately, our TBR lists and check in on our library habits. We also discuss how reading habits change when we’re on vacation or just shaking up our routines. Oh, and with Meagan’s book launch on the horizon, we’re giving you a peek into how she’s keeping up with all the new releases and buzz in the book world. So grab a cup of your fav beverage and let’s dive into this bookish catch-up!HELPFUL LINKS:Episodes From The Archives On Reading & Libraries:7 Habits Of Moms Who Make Time For Reading: Episode 492More Than Mom: For The Love Of LibrariesMeagan and Sarah both use the Libby App to borrow books from the local library.Sarah subscribed to The New YorkerMeagan’s Books (book links are affiliate links)The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency SeriesThe Domestic Revolution: How the Introduction of Coal into Victorian Homes Changed Everything by Ruth GoodmanA Walk Across America by Peter JenkinsHero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell is on Meagan’s TBR listThe Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies is on Meagan’s TBR ListSarah’s Books(book links are affiliate links)Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come: One Introvert’s Year of Saying Yes by Jessica PanWintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine MayJedidiah Jenkins, author of Mother Nature, was featured on Armchair Expert.Meagan wrote about her current relationship with the library in a new Substack post.Meagan interviews Gretchen Rubin on her podcast The Kettle on April 15OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Pre-Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Living near other families with kids is a blessing and, occasionally, a challenge. In today’s episode of House Rules, Meagan and Sarah share tips from The Mom Hour community—consider this your go-to guide for making those impromptu playdates a little smoother! From setting boundaries, providing snacks, staying safe, and keeping the peace, we've got you covered. Enjoy!HELPFUL LINKS:House Rules For Neighbor Play ideas from our Facebook Community.Did you enjoy this House Rules episode? Here are a few more from the archives:House Rules For Messy Fun: Episode 468House Rules For Easier Bedtimes: Episode 443House Rules For Tidying Up: Episode 413House Rules For Gifting & Giving: Episode 393House Rules For After School: Episode 380House Rules for Playdates: Episode 340OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Pre-Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Let’s talk travel habits! How do you settle into a rental property? Do you unpack in a hotel room? Are you a fan of rental cars, or do you rely on ride-sharing apps? These are just a few of the things Meagan and Sarah discuss in today’s episode on traveling without kids and the unique habits that come with it. Join us as we share our personal quirks (and strong feelings) on things like rental cars, tech use while on vacation, our use (or non-use) of navigation apps, and how we make accommodations feel more like home. Enjoy!This is Part 3 of a three-part travel series running this winter! You can listen to Part 1 here, and listen to Part 2 here.HELPFUL LINKS:Check out our Family Travel Hub for episodes and blog posts to help with all your traveling-with-kids needs!Traveling As Business Besties (Meagan & Sarah From Dallas Together!)We mentioned this episode, where we deep-dive on our airport personalities: Getting There Is Half The Fun (Especially When You’re Flying Solo)OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Pre-Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does a peaceful evening beget a better morning? Let's find out. Today Meagan and Sarah talk about our evening routines lately, and next week we'll do the same with mornings. Now that our kids are older, we try to make time for the little things that make winding down feel calm and intentional. Plus, we share how we shut down our homes and families for the night, and how our loved ones—both human and animal—fit into the mix. Nighty-night!HELPFUL LINKS:Episodes from the archives on routines:Morning Routines & Morning Makeovers: Episode 222Routines, Rituals, and Traditions (Part 2): Episode 129Routines, Rituals, and Traditions (Part 1): Episode 128Bedtime Routines at Every Stage: Episode 80Realistic Hair & Skincare Routines: Episode 48Routines For A Happy Mom-Life: Episode 20Interested in gua sha (which Meagan talked about having an at-home routine similar to)? We learned a lot from this Good Housekeeping articleSarah uses DRMTLGY retinol and neck creamSarah keeps this cuter version of your grandma's pill box on her bedside table (h/t Erica Ladd for that rec!)Clevr blend sleeptime latte is Sarah's drink of choice in the eveningWe both use weighted blankets in a twin size, like this oneMeagan uses her Hatch Clock (affiliate link) to dim the lights before bed, helping to cue her to get sleepyOTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Pre-Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From crafting the perfect window display to chatting with customers and hand-picking the best products, Meagan shares the fun (and not-so-glamorous) side of running a business. Whether it’s her specialty tea shop or her family’s bookstore, Meagan has plenty of insights on what it takes to bring a dream to life. Sarah is here to ask all the questions, so tune in for an inspiring and candid conversation about entrepreneurship, retail, and everything in between!HELPFUL LINKS:Meagan’s a partner of a public market, The Mill ManistiqueMeagan opened a tea shop!Follow @papermillbooks or @themillmanistique or @bevytea on instagramEpisodes from the archives you may enjoy:How Do You Know What’s Next?: Episode 503More Than Mom: Dream BusinessesHaving Kids Young & Building A Creative Business With Camp Climb Founder Emma Hicks: Voices 37OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:Pre-Order Meagan’s book: The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What’s NextVisit our websiteCheck out deals from our partnersFollow us on InstagramJoin our private listener group on Facebook (be sure to answer the membership questions!)Sign up for our newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.