• 21 minutes 39 seconds
    533: When Your Child’s Behavior Scares You

    Have you ever looked at your child and wondered, Where in the world is this behavior coming from? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by big emotions, difficult behavior, or a child you just can’t seem to figure out, this episode is for you. Karen and Emily share practical insight and tools to help you better understand your child and respond with confidence instead of frustration.

    Episode Recap:

    • Sign up for SOAR today!  (1:32)
    • My 10 yr old is so domineering that other kids don’t want to play with him (3:44)
    • My ADHD daughter cannot control her temper and hits frequently (5:39)
    • My son has been horribly mean to us lately, what could be wrong that he has started to treat us this way? (10:05)
    • It’s okay to pause and remind your kids of your family’s rules (13:25)
    • When we discipline our son, he takes his anger out on our Sheetrock (18:09)


    Scripture: James 1:19-20 (NIV)
    “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

    Discussion Questions:

    1. What behavior in your child scares/worries you the most right now? Are you dealing with what’s actually happening, or are you catastrophizing about where it could lead?
    2. Karen talked about knowing her children’s sin tendencies. Do you know your child’s? Have you asked God to show you what’s really going on in their heart?
    3. When your child loses control, do you tend to lose control too? What would it look like for you to pause before responding?
    4. Is there a behavior you’ve been excusing that actually needs a clear boundary or consequence? What do you need to address this week?


    Resources:


    Want More of This Conversation?
    During Wire Talk+, Karen pulls back the curtain on what discipline really looked like in the Stubbs home, plus she and Emily talk about how to keep from catastrophizing when our kids’ behavior scares us.

    Become an Insider today to get bonus content each week, join quarterly Zoom calls with Karen and sustain the ministry of this podcast.

    1 September 2026, 7:00 am
  • 18 minutes 35 seconds
    532: Am I Making the Right Parenting Decision?

    Ever wish God would just TELL you what to do? Today, Karen and Emily tackle parenting decisions that don’t have a clear right or wrong answer; from kindergarten readiness and family size to going back to work and navigating technology at school. If you’re facing a parenting dilemma, we hope this episode helps you pray, trust God’s guidance, and move forward with confidence. 


    Episode Recap:

    • SOAR is only one month away! Sign up today (2:00)
    • Should I redshirt my Kindergartener? (2:40)
    • How do you know when you are done having kids? (5:39)
    • Is there a time that it’s wise to stop having kids? (7:20)
    • How do I know if it’s time to go back to work or if I should continue staying home? (10:44)
    • I’m frustrated about the amount of technology my young child is using at school (14:58)
    • Practical capability exercises for each age group (18:00)


    Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) 
    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”


    Discussion Questions:

    1. Is there a parenting decision you are wrestling with right now?
    2. What influences your decisions most: fear, opinions, practicality, or prayer?
    3. How can you invite God into a decision you’re facing?
    4. What parenting decision once felt huge but seems much smaller in hindsight?


    Resources:


    Want More of This Conversation?
    Wire Talk+ moms will hear Karen share some of the parenting decisions that kept her up at night!

    Become an Insider today to hear more from Sissy and help us reach our goal of 400 subscribers this year! 

    25 August 2026, 7:00 am
  • 20 minutes 33 seconds
    531: Are We Making Our Kids Less Capable? with Sissy Goff

    Kids today are becoming increasingly afraid of risk and discomfort- are parents part of the problem? Today bestselling author and counselor Sissy Goff joins Karen and Emily to talk about her new book, Capable, and why loving our kids well sometimes means encouraging them to do hard things. Sissy shares how moms can manage their own anxiety and trust their parenting instincts to prepare their kids for greater confidence. Don’t miss the absolutely brilliant catchphrases she offers for reminding kids that hard isn’t a bad thing! 


    Episode Recap:

    • Sissy is a therapist and counselor in Nashville who has been counseling families for 33 years! (1:30)
    • Kids today more than ever are risk and discomfort avoidant (2:18)
    • Parents are abdicating intuition for the sake of experts (5:19)
    • We need to re-evaluate what it means to love our kids well (7:00)
    • How can we let go of our own anxiety to help our kids step up in independence? (13:30)
    • The three Cs of Capability (16:17)
    • Practical capability exercises for each age group (18:00)


    Scripture: James 2:1-4 (NIV)  
    “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

    Discussion Questions:

    1. Where are you most tempted to step in and remove risk, discomfort, or struggle for your child?
    2. How might your own anxiety be affecting your child’s willingness to try hard things independently?
    3. What is one responsibility or challenge your child may be ready to handle without your help?
    4. What words could you use this week to remind your child that something being hard does not mean it is bad?


    Resources:


    Want More of This Conversation?
    Wire Talk+ moms will hear practical capability-building exercises for preschoolers through teenagers, along with specific phrases that help kids believe they can handle hard things.

    Become an Insider today to hear more from Sissy and help us reach our goal of 400 subscribers this year! 

    18 August 2026, 7:00 am
  • 20 minutes 4 seconds
    530: How to Stay Calm When Your Child Isn’t with Josh Thames

    If you've ever lost your temper with your kids, this conversation is for you. Counselor Josh Thames shares practical tools to help moms stay calm, communicate more effectively, and respond with confidence, even when emotions are running high. Whether you're parenting a child with ADHD, anxiety, or just big feelings, you'll walk away with practical encouragement you can use today.

    Episode Recap:

    • Josh is an LPC with a background in teaching (1:30)
    • Are we making parenting decisions out of fear? (5:18)
    • Remaining steady is critical, especially for parents of kids with ADHD (8:07)
    • How can I stay calm on crazy, back to school mornings? (10:22)
    • A practical illustration of what tasks are like for an ADHD brain (14:29)
    • How can I bring down the emotional climate in my home? (17:30)
    • Having kids who are wired differently is a really good thing! (20:11)


    Scripture: Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
    "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."


    Discussion Questions:

    1. Josh said our job is to be shepherds, not engineers. How does that change the way you think about your role as a parent?
    2. When your child becomes emotionally overwhelmed, what usually happens inside of you? How can you become the calm your child needs?
    3. Which parenting habit would make the biggest difference in your home this week: using more concrete language, planning better transitions, or slowing down your own reactions?
    4. Josh reminded us that success isn't measured by our child's behavior on any given day. How would redefining success change the way you parent this week?


    Resources:


    Want More of This Conversation?
    During Wire Talk+, Josh shares practical advice for connecting with teens who don't want to talk, helping kids navigate transitions, and learning how to stay calm when your own emotions start to rise. This extra conversation is full of real-life parenting wisdom you won't want to miss!

    Become an Insider today and help us reach our goal of 400 subscribers this year! 

    11 August 2026, 7:00 am
  • 23 minutes 8 seconds
    529: You Don't Have to Disciple Your Kids Alone

    You don't have to carry the weight of discipling your kids by yourself! In this episode, Karen and Emily sit down with children's ministry leader Kendra Fleming to share how partnering with your church can strengthen your family's faith without adding more to your plate. As we head into a new school year, we hope this episode encourages you to lean into the support God has already provided.

    Episode Recap:

    • Kendra has been working in children’s ministry for 30+ years (3:30)
    • Church gives your kids another trusted voice and a place to serve (7:00)
    • What are some church rhythms that are worth protecting this school year? (11:00)
    • What does spiritual development look like at the different stages of childhood? (15:50)


    Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
    "Two are better than one...if either of them falls down, one can help the other up."


    Discussion Questions:

    1. When you think about discipling your children, do you feel excitement, pressure, fear, or something else? Why?
    2. Has your church encouraged or supported your family in ways you couldn't have done on your own?
    3. What rhythms around church have been most life-giving for your family? Are there any you've allowed to slip?
    4. Is there a children's ministry leader, small group leader, or mentor you could intentionally encourage or build a relationship with this fall?
    5. What practical step could your family take this year to more intentionally partner with your church in helping your kids grow in their faith?


    Resources:


    Want More of This Conversation?
    During Wire Talk+, Kendra continues to encourage us to be authentic in our relationship with Jesus, plus Kendra and Karen each give advice to their younger selves!

    Become an Insider today and help us reach our goal of 400 subscribers this year!

    4 August 2026, 7:00 am
  • 45 minutes 40 seconds
    528: Marriage First: Why Your Spouse Comes Before the Kids [RE-AIR]

    In this listener-favorite episode re-air, Karen and Greg pull back the curtain on nearly four decades of marriage—the good, the hard, the early years, and the season they’re in now. This conversation will make you smile, and maybe even tear up, as they remind us that we serve a faithful God who wants the best for us and our marriages.

    Episode Recap:

    • How Karen and Greg back met in 1984 (4:00)
    • What were some of your biggest differences as newlyweds? (7:50)
    • How did you stay connected during the early years of raising kids? (10:09)
    • What has been the hardest season of your marriage? (18:48)
    • How has your relationship changed now that your kids are grown and gone? (31:35)
    • What has surprised you about becoming grandparents? (37:19)
    • Lightening round questions (40:12)


    Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)
     “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

    Discussion Questions:

    1. Karen and Greg talked about prioritizing their marriage even while raising young kids. How do you currently make space for your spouse in a busy season of parenting?
    2. Greg shared the advice he received from his dad: “Your family is your hobby.” What might it look like for you to protect your margin for your family?
    3. Karen described her “needy gal” season where she learned to depend on God to meet her needs. How have you experienced God providing for you in a hard marriage or parenting season?
    4. What small rhythms (like a daily debrief, date nights, or intentional quiet time) could you adopt to strengthen your connection with your spouse?
    5. Looking ahead, what do you hope your marriage will look like when you reach the “high five” finish line of raising kids together?


    Resources:


    Want More of This Conversation?
    During Wire Talk+, Greg and Karen share advice for making it through difficult seasons of family life and don’t miss the very end of this conversation, when they share some of their biggest fights that they laugh about now!

    Become an Insider today and help us reach our goal of 400 subscribers this year! 

    28 July 2026, 7:00 am
  • 27 minutes 28 seconds
    527: The Secret to Stress-Free Potty Training [RE-AIR]

    If you’ve been thinking that summer is the perfect time to potty train, this one’s for you! Christine Clark joins Karen and Emily today - she’s a mom, preschool teacher, and pro who’s successfully potty trained 17 children. From handling accidents with grace to dealing with fear, regression, or defiance, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement for moms in the potty-training trenches.

    Episode Recap:

    • Christine runs an in-home daycare and LOVES toddlers (2:33)
    • Personality definitely feeds into potty training (5:58)
    • Is there a difference in training girls vs boys? (7:25)
    • Give us a step-by-step for those who are new to this (8:55)
    • What are the biggest mistakes parents make? (12:00)
    • How to support your child’s training at daycare (14:16)
    • What about kids who have “accidents” out of defiance? (16:35)
    • What if a child is afraid to go #2? (22:21)


    Scripture: Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
    “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

    Questions for Discussion:

    1. What’s been your biggest potty training challenge so far, and what mindset shift could help you handle it with more patience?
    2. How can you bring fun and encouragement into the process instead of frustration?
    3. What does “everything can be cleaned” look like for you in this season of motherhood?
    4. What other “hard things” have you done recently that remind you you’re capable of more than you think?


    Resources:


    Want More of This Conversation?

    During Wire Talk+, Karen and Emily share some of their own adventures in potty-training and remind us once again that everything can be cleaned!

    Become an Insider today and help us reach our goal of 400 subscribers this year! 

    21 July 2026, 11:00 am
  • 29 minutes 10 seconds
    526: [RE-AIR] How to Handle Big Emotions and Bigger Attitudes

    From tantrums to name-calling to after-school meltdowns, this listener-favorite episode is packed with practical help for moms dealing with big emotions…and even bigger attitudes. Karen and Emily talk about red temperaments, ADHD outbursts, and how to handle disrespectful behavior without losing your cool. Listen in for advice on teaching kids to pause before reacting, role-playing tough situations, plus learn why setting boundaries with screens and school is worth the fight.

    Episode Recap:

    • Meltdowns can happen at 6 or 16 (2:10)
    • Lean into the Lord and He will help you (5:14)
    • What do I do about a 10 year old who dominates her friends all the time? (6:31)
    • Role playing is a powerful teaching tool (8:56)
    • My daughter resorts to name calling when she’s angry - any advice? (9:39)
    • Anger is a secondary emotion (18:00)
    • I’m struggling with the amount of screen time that is embedded in school/homework, it clearly changes my kid’s behavior. What can I do? (24:00)


    Scripture for Reflection:

    Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) — “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

    Questions for Discussion:

    1. How do you typically respond when your child is disrespectful or melts down?
    2. What do you think is really behind your child’s anger in those moments?
    3. What boundaries do you need to reinforce in your home around disrespect, screen time, or emotional outbursts?
    4. How could role-playing or using tools like the feelings wheel help your child grow in emotional maturity?


    Resources:


    Want More of This Conversation?

    During Wire Talk+, Karen and Emily talk about why so many parents are afraid to address disrespectful behavior and they discuss how to use devices intentionally so they serve your family instead of becoming a parenting crutch.

    Head to https://www.patreon.com/c/BOAW to become an Insider and help us reach our goal of 400 subscribers this year! 

    14 July 2026, 7:00 am
  • 29 minutes 53 seconds
    525: [RE-AIR] Do Less For Your Kids - Parenting for the Long Haul

    We're re-airing one of our most popular episodes this week! Karen and Emily sit down with Elizabeth Pehrson to discuss how moms can parent with purpose by focusing on the long game. In this conversation, Elizabeth shares her no-nonsense approach to raising independent, contributing adults. Whether you’re navigating the pressures of parenting littles or wondering how to prepare your teens for the real world, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped.

    Episode Recap:

    • Elizabeth is a long time friend of BOAW Moms and a breakout speaker at Soar (2:09)
    • Most women live a Groundhog Day kind of life, but they don’t have to (8:08)
    • We can’t love others when we’re not loving ourselves well (10:32)
    • How did The Exchange come about? (12:37)
    • We need to raise adults who are contributors, not consumers (18:25)
    • We are overprotecting and under preparing our kids for the real world (21:00)
    • Keep the long game in mind! (25:01)


    Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
    Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it."

    Questions for Discussion:

    1. What areas of parenting do you feel pressured to “do more,” and how might adopting a “do less” mindset bring freedom to your family?
    2. How are you currently preparing your children for independence, and what’s one practical step you can take to help them contribute more?
    3. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of rediscovering yourself as a mom. What’s something you used to enjoy that you can reintroduce into your life?
    4. How can shifting your focus from short-term achievements to long-term character development change the way you approach parenting?


    Resources:


    Want More of This Conversation?
    During Wire Talk+, Karen and Emily talk about why it’s easier to do for our kids than to teach them to do for themselves and Emily shares her new chore routine for her kids this summer.

    Head to https://www.patreon.com/c/BOAW to become an Insider and help us reach our goal of 400 subscribers this year! 

    7 July 2026, 7:00 am
  • 29 minutes 12 seconds
    524: My Kid Saw Porn...Now What?

    Pornography exposure is happening younger and more often than most parents realize, and it’s affecting both boys and girls. In this episode, Karen and Erin Mashaw are joined by returning guest Kristen Jenson, author of Good Pictures, Bad Pictures, for a practical conversation about what to do when your child has been exposed to pornography.

    If you’ve been avoiding this awkward conversation, today’s discussion will motivate you and equip you to help your child navigate this topic.

    Episode Recap:

    • We want our kids to have a plan to reject pornography when they see it (1:30)
    • Parents underestimate kids’ negative online exposure (3:30)
    • Your kid is not bad because they are curious about sex (6:00)
    • Girls’ exposure to pornography is often through literature (8:10)
    • Take time to compose yourself before responding (13:50)
    • Don’t blame yourself (18:00)
    • These conversations help arm our kids against the influence of porn (22:00)
    • Your child deserves to be prepared (27:00)


    Scripture:
    Psalm 119:9 (NIV) "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word."

    Discussion Questions: 

    1. What emotions come up when you think about having conversations about pornography with your children?
    2. What practical steps has your family taken to create open communication around technology and online safety?
    3. What would it look like for your home to be a safe place for difficult conversations?


    Resources:


    Want More of This Conversation?
    During Wire Talk+, Kristen explains what's happening in a child's brain after pornography exposure, why these images can become "sticky," and how parents can help prevent repeated viewing from becoming a long-term struggle.

    Head HERE and join us for the full conversation.

    30 June 2026, 7:00 am
  • 29 minutes 17 seconds
    523: Simple Ways to Make Summer More Fun

    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: 

    1. What are some of your favorite summer memories from childhood?
    2. Which ideas from this episode for adding fun into everyday life could you try with your family this week?
    3. Do you feel pressure to create a "perfect" summer for your kids? How might that expectation be stealing joy from your family?
    4. How does your temperament influence the way you approach fun and play with your children?


    Resources:


    Want 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.

    23 June 2026, 7:00 am
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