Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs

Summer doesn't have to be packed with fancy vacations or elaborate plans to be memorable. In this episode, Karen and Emily share simple, practical ways to add more laughter, spontaneity, and fun to your family's everyday moments. From DQ runs to dance-party cleanups, we hope this episode gives you some ideas and encourages you to let go of the pressure and just enjoy your kids this summer! Episode Recap:We’re talking about creating fun this summer with your kids (2:02)Does summer feel daunting or fun to you? (4:35)Fun isn’t trivial, it creates connection (9:53)It’s okay to let your kids be bored (12:10)Ask yourself, “is there a FUN way to do this?” (18:33)Fun is the antidote to anxiety! (20:57)I’m a blue, what if “fun mom” is just not my personality? (22:38)Nothing is ever enough for my kids (26:22)My kids are always bored, no matter what I do (27:11) Scripture:Proverbs 17:22 (NIV) "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."Discussion Questions: What are some of your favorite summer memories from childhood?Which ideas from this episode for adding fun into everyday life could you try with your family this week?Do you feel pressure to create a "perfect" summer for your kids? How might that expectation be stealing joy from your family?How does your temperament influence the way you approach fun and play with your children?Resources:Register for the SOAR Conference today. Become a WT+ Insider today! boaw.mom/insiderPick up a pack of conversation starters to add some fun to family dinnerWant More of This Conversation?During Wire Talk +, Karen and Emily dive into how temperament affects the way moms experience and create fun at home. They also discuss why cultivating joy and laughter in your home matters in the long run.Head HERE and join us for the full conversation.

Summer is a perfect time to help our kids learn to look beyond themselves. In this episode, Karen and Emily share simple, practical ways families can serve together, whether that’s visiting a nursing home, helping with food recovery, serving on a mission trip, or just paying attention to the needs around you. We hope this conversation encourages you to start small, think intentionally, and discover how serving others can grow your family's faith this summer!Episode Recap:Snack time strategies for summer (2:00)Serving with your kids can feel daunting (3:52)Start small wherever you are (5:36)Organizations like Lighthouse have opportunities for your whole family (13:17)When you open your eyes, you’ll start to see opportunities everywhere (15:55)Pray and ask God to show you ways to give back with your kids this summer (18:00)Scripture: Philippians 2:3–4 (NIV) "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."Discussion Questions: What opportunities already exist in your community for your family to serve together?What keeps your family from serving more often, and what’s one small step you could take this summer?Karen talks about how serving helps us get outside our own "bubble." Where might God be inviting your family to lift your eyes beyond your bubble this summer?Resources:Register for the SOAR Conference today. Second Helpings AtlantaLighthouse Family RetreatsBecome a WT+ Insider today! boaw.mom/insiderWant More of This Conversation?During Wire Talk+, Karen shares a personal story about taking Abby on a mission trip to China when she was just 9 years old - you never know how God is going to use your kids in service! Head HERE and join us for the full conversation.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed, overtouched, overstimulated and find yourself wondering, why does this feel so hard?Today Karen answers real questions from moms about marriage, resentment, anxiety, exhaustion, and the emotional weight of motherhood. From mismatched sex drives in the toddler years to school-day overload and traveling husbands, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone. Motherhood can be beautiful and exhausting at the same time- and good and hard can truly run on parallel lines.Episode Recap:Good and hard can run on parallel tracks! (3:10)How can I honor my husband’s higher sex drive and actually enjoy sex right now? (4:33)My afternoons are exhausting with 3 school age daughters - is this normal? (6:57)My husband travels for work & chooses golf on weekends, I feel resentful (12:50)My job and homeschooling has me feeling so anxious, I dread my day to day life (18:28)Scripture: Philippians 4:19 (NIV) “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”Discussion Questions: Where am I currently feeling the most overwhelmed — marriage, work, parenting, or emotionally?Is there resentment quietly building in my heart? What honest conversation needs to happen?What small buffer or margin could I create this week?Am I trying to solve everything myself instead of laying it before the Lord?Where do I need to remind myself that “good and hard can run on parallel lines”?Resources:Listen to the rest of our conversation on WT+: boaw.mom/insiderCheck out our BRAND NEW Bible study: How To Teach Your Kids the BibleListen to episode 131 or 165 on having a healthy sex life after kidsWant More of This Conversation?Wire Talk+ listeners get extended conversations every week! Today Karen shares a personal story about a painful season when she had to “bend the knee” to God’s will in her life. Join us and we hope you’ll come away encouraged.Head HERE and join us for the full conversation.

Friendships in motherhood can feel complicated, especially when old wounds and insecurities get stirred up in new seasons. In this episode, Karen and Emily talk honestly about why friendships can feel hard for moms and how to move forward with grace, healthy expectations, and a “generous explanation” for the people around us.Episode Recap:Friendship is difficult as a mom (2:23)We all have past hurts that impact how we receive or offer friendship today (4:30)How do we prevent self-sabotaging friendships? (6:17)Communicate clearly when you have moved into a new season of life (8:06)Choose a generous explanation whenever possible (10:02)How do I handle someone who is not a good fit wanting to be friends?! (13:54)How do I maintain friendships in a very full season? (16:45)Continue this conversation on WT+ at the link below (20:16)Scripture: Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”Discussion Questions: Have you had a friendship since becoming a mom that didn’t turn out the way you expected. What made it hard?When friendships feel disappointing or painful, what past experiences or insecurities tend to get stirred up for you?Where do you think your expectations in friendships might need to shift to match the reality of your current season?What would it look like for you to give a “generous explanation” instead of assuming the worst in a friendship right now?What is one practical way you can pursue friendship with more grace this month without overextending yourself?Resources:Listen to the rest of our conversation on WT+: boaw.mom/insiderJoin our BOAW Moms Facebook groupCheck out our BRAND NEW Bible study: How To Teach Your Kids the BibleWant More of This Conversation?Wire Talk+ listeners get extended conversations every week! Today Karen and Emily share how their past relationships have affected the kind of friend they are today. To become a Wire Talk+ Insider, head HERE and join us for the full conversation.

Discipline is hard, especially when the results feel slow or invisible. In this final episode of our Parenting Principles from Proverbs series, Karen and Emily shift the focus to the long-term fruit of faithful discipline and the peace it brings to both children and parents.Drawing from Proverbs and Hebrews, Karen reminds moms that discipline is discipleship. It is not about control or behavior management in the moment, but about shaping hearts, building security, and leaving a generational blessing. Don’t miss the end of today’s episode, when Emily announces our big winners from last week’s giveaway!! Episode Recap:What does the fruit of discipline look like? (2:30)Discipline now will bring peace later (7:10)How do I teach my son to obey without all the drama? (11:30)How do I stay calm while disciplining my bonus child? (14:12)My kids argue and whine about everything. I’m exhausted! (17:30)Discipline takes time and repetition (21:17)Discipline leaves a generational blessing (22:54)Our big giveaway winners announced! (24:42) Scripture: Hebrews 12:11 (ESV) – “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”Discussion Questions: Why do you think discipline feels especially hard when results are not immediate?How does seeing discipline as discipleship change your perspective?Which scripture from this episode encouraged you the most and why?Where might God be asking you to stay consistent, even when you feel tired?What kind of long-term fruit do you hope to see in your children ten years from now?Resources:Check out our BRAND NEW Bible study: How To Teach Your Kids the BibleListen to episode 347 with David Thomas, Raising Emotionally Strong BoysGrab Thomas’ book: Raising Emotionally Strong Boys

Karen and Emily are kicking off the year with a three-part series about parenting principles we can learn from the book of Proverbs. Today, Karen addresses the confusion many moms today feel around discipline, authority, and the pressure to “get it right.” Drawing from Solomon’s teaching, she reminds us that children need leadership, clear boundaries, and parents who are willing to direct them with confidence rather than fear. We hope this conversation encourages you to trust God for wisdom no matter what you are facing this week!Episode Recap:Wire Talk is celebrating 500 episodes next weekSubscribe to our YT podcast so you don’t miss the giveawayGentle parenting does not workStop Googling and start getting into the Word of GodWe are bombarding ourselves with information overloadMoms are afraid of messing up and uncertain of what to doWhat are the 3 stages of discipline? How do I discipline without introducing shame? Children are so resilient, we do not give them enough creditTrust that God will give us wisdom exactly when we need itScripture: Proverbs 1:1-5 (ESV) – “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance…”Discussion Questions: What messages about parenting have influenced you the most in recent years—culture, social media, your upbringing, or Scripture?“More information is not always good information.” Where have you felt overwhelmed or anxious because of too much advice?Why do you think the word authority has become uncomfortable in parenting conversations?How does Proverbs reframe discipline as protection and love rather than punishment?What is one area of parenting where you need to ask God for wisdom instead of trying to figure it out on your own?Resources:Check out our BRAND NEW Bible study: How To Teach Your Kids the BibleListen to our series on the 3 stages of discipline: 154, 155, 156Grab Karen’s devotional book: Moments with God for Moms