So God Made a Mother

Who Are You?

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Have you ever downplayed something about yourself that’s actually really great? Maybe an accomplishment or skill or a character trait? Rebecca Cooper (author of SIX books!) was guilty of doing precisely that about her writing—until our good friend Brea Schmidt looked her in the eye and called her out.

It’s something we often do as women, isn’t it? We struggle to believe in ourselves when the only thing standing in the way of our confidence…is us.

Rebecca tells us how that conversation with Brea changed her—and why naming your God-given talents and sharing them with the world matters.

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This is Not What I Prayed for

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Trigger warning: Death of a child

Six-year-old Joey was dying. Kathy Glow knew the cancer growing inside her beloved son’s body would, eventually, take his life, but she didn’t expect it to ravage her faithful heart. She believed in God, in the power of prayer and the fullness of His love—but she was angry. If Jesus heals, why wasn’t He healing her child?

It would take years for the answer to settle into her fractured heart and mend the cracks of grief. But time brought understanding—and an honest, vulnerable faith that shows us how following Jesus can be beautiful, even in the broken.

Kissing the Frog by Kathy Glow

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When God Answers Unspoken Prayers

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0500

God’s miracles aren’t always grand and flashy—sometimes they’re as simple as a bag of hand-me-down clothes from another mother. That’s what Victoria Riollano learned when she was a young mother with growing boys and a bank account that struggled to stretch far enough for ankles or answers.

But as Victoria learned, God provides—and He often nudges others to be part of the story. She recalls that sweet moment of grace and gratitude with us today.

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Unexpected Grace

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 09:15:00 -0500

Richelle Byrne was turning 40 and making plans for the next phase of her life. Her three boys were growing up, her professional life was taking off, and she and her husband were confident their baby days were behind them.

But God had other plans.

Richelle shares about her unexpected and unlikely pregnancy—and how God used the curveball in all her plans to write a story more beautiful than she could have dreamed.

Episode links

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The Grace of Getting Up

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Crystal Fulmer was pregnant with twins, but it wouldn’t end with two babies in her arms. A diagnosis of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome started a cascade of medical challenges, both physical and mental—and left the young wife and mom paralyzed with heartache and a feeling of hopelessness.

But then, God spoke.

What happened next is a testimony of faith, hope, and the grace of getting up.

Episode links

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Crystal's Book: The Grace of Getting Up

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From the Depths of Divorce

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Becoming a single mom wasn’t in Amy Vanderbeek’s plans. But the young mother found herself struggling to find her footing in that unexpected life—and slipping into a dark place. As she stood in church one Sunday morning, she couldn’t even hear the praise and worship music that once calmed her spirit.

That’s when she says God spoke a little tough love straight to her heart—and it set her on a new path forward.

Amy shares her story of healing and finding hope, and how she’s using that experience to help other women who find themselves in her shoes.

Episode links

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Nightmare at Sea: A Mother’s Fight for Life

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:00:00 -0500

It was supposed to be a fun-filled family cruise for Charissa Bates and her family. But just a couple of days into the excursion, Charissa’s mom landed in the ship’s sick ward with terrifying, life-threatening symptoms. The hours that followed were filled with waiting and worrying as the family fought to get back on U.S. soil to save her life.

Then a chance encounter with a pastor and a whisper from above breathed peace and comfort into Charissa’s heart as her mother lay in a coma. It’s a harrowing story, but we think you’ll agree it’s also filled with hope.

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Charissa's Books

STANDSTILL: A Young Mom Conquering Triple Negative Breast Cancer

We Find Joy: Cancer Messed with the Wrong Family

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Monday’s Miracle

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0500

It wasn’t a phone call Jennifer Vail was expecting that Monday morning, but what her OB/GYN said proved to be a miracle—one that gave the young mother her son.

On this week’s episode, Jen shares the story of her son’s birth following a traumatic pregnancy, and how her doctor’s dream prompted life-saving action. It’s a story of listening to gut feelings. It’s a story of faith and trust. And it’s a story of witnessing just how real God’s love for His children truly is.

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Whispers: Three Days with Dan

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0500

“Go with him.” Lisa Appelo heard the whisper as she lay in bed consumed by all the things on her to-do list. She was a busy mom of seven, but her husband, Dan, wanted her to join him on a work trip—a trip she couldn’t see how to make happen. But when God nudged her to go, the three days that followed proved to be irreplaceable in ways she could never have imagined.

We talk with Lisa about how life changed after those three days, about heart-shattering grief as a wife and a mother, and about how God speaks to His beloved children and gives us hope even in heartbreak.

Episode links

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FREE 7 Days of Hope for Your Shattered Heart

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Whispers: The Her View From Home Story

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Intuition. A gut feeling. The hairs on the back of your neck standing up. Unexplainable peace. Call it what you like, but many of you have experienced what Leslie calls God whispers—and in Season 2 of the So God Made a Mother Podcast, you’ll hear the incredible stories behind them.

It’s a series we’re calling Whispers, and in Episode 1, Leslie and Carolyn share the origin story of Her View From Home and why the site almost never existed, but for God’s whispers—and shouts in our stubborn direction.

Season 2 is going to astound you, we promise. These stories? Our God? So cool, friends. Let’s get started!

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Season 1 Wrap-up: How Did We Get Here So Fast?

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Leslie and Carolyn look back at Season 1 of the podcast, take a trip down Christmas memory lane, and look forward to a new series in Season 2. Oh, and Leslie cries (duh).

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As a Mom of Four Black Sons, This is What I Pray

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0500

What’s inside the heart of a mother? Our good friend and So God Made a Mother contributor Kierra Tate Henderson gives us a glimpse of its beauty in this honest conversation about raising four Black sons. What is her prayer, both for her family and for all of us as we approach a new year full of promise and potential?

Join us for honest talk and a life-giving dose of the beauty Kierra adds to the world.

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The Mental Load of Motherhood + Mental Health

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0500

As mothers, we juggle a lot: schedules, careers, kids, partners…and sometimes, our own mental health. Her View From Home Creative Director Casey Huff joins the podcast to talk about the mental load of motherhood when mental health is involved. She opens up about her struggle with postpartum depression and anxiety, what it’s really like to see a therapist, and why having someone you can let your guard down around is absolutely vital.

Will I ever feel like myself again? If you’ve ever asked yourself that question, this one is for you.

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Help! I'm Raising a Teenager!

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0500

They say kids don’t come with a manual—but what if teenagers did? You might call author, mom of five, and all around delightful human Amy Betters-Midtvedt a walking, talking resource for raising teens. She shares some of the mistakes she’s made navigating those years so many parents fear, and what she thinks is the most important skill to keep in your teen tool belt.

There’s beauty in this stage too—pull up a seat at the table with Amy and let’s lean into it together.

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Really, God? Gratitude

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0500

As Thanksgiving nears, gratitude gets all the attention—but sometimes life is hard and feeling thankful feels impossible. How do you make space for both gratitude and grief? Kelsey Scism shares her powerful story of loss and love, and tells us how God used it to draw her closer—and how He can do the same in your own seasons of heartache.

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Surviving Holiday Grief

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0500

When your mom is in heaven, the holiday season can feel impossible to face. Mande Saitta knows that grief all too well—she lost her mom just weeks before the holidays three years ago.

What does that first Thanksgiving or Christmas feel like without your mother?

How do you manage the grief and still leave room for joy?

How does a motherless daughter desperately heal her hurting heart?

Whether you still have your mom or you’re clinging to the memories this season, Mande’s heartfelt and hope-filled perspective will speak to your soul.

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Finding Balance in the Chaos

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0500

What is it like to be a military family in today’s world? Emily Solberg is a wife and a mom who knows firsthand—and she joins the podcast to give us a glimpse into the mental load of military motherhood.

Plus we talk about the age-old idea of mothers juggling it all. Are we really doing it all, or is there a facade we still need to break through…and how the heck do we do that anyway?

It’s time for some honest talk with a mom who gets it.

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It’s Not about the Wine

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0500

The day Celeste Yvonne quit drinking, she thought she might have been dying. That moment brought clarity to the young mother and wife—and sparked a passion to shed light on the pervasive mommy wine culture and its dangerous effects on overwhelmed and under supported mothers.

As the holidays near, the pressure to drink can intensify. Learn what you can do as you head to or host holiday parties, and what you should ask yourself before you grab that glass of wine or beer.

And if it’s not about the wine, what is it about? The answer might surprise you.

Episode links:

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Sober Mom Squad

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Self-care isn’t Selfish

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Mothers are givers—but they need to take care of themselves too. Brea Schmidt joins the podcast to talk about self-care, and why women owe it to themselves to make it a priority in their lives.

But what does self-care actually look like, and when on earth will I find the time for it in my busy life? Brea shares some simple steps that can make a big impact—no spa day required—and reveals the one question she asks herself every morning that changed everything.

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We’ve Been Waiting For You: Introducing the So God Made a Mother Podcast

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0500

You loved the bestselling book, now meet the women behind the stories! So God Made a Mother author and Her View From Home founder Leslie Means teams up with editor-in-chief Carolyn Moore to kick off the So God Made a Mother Podcast. Get ready to be inspired, have a few laughs, and learn how Season 1 is going to connect you to friends you didn’t know you needed.

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Welcome to the So God Made a Mother Podcast!

Leslie Means and Carolyn Moore — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the So God Made a Mother Podcast! Tune in to connect with women through the power of stories, inspired by the bestselling book So God Made a Mother. Her View From Home founder Leslie Means and Editor Carolyn Moore invite you to join them weekly, starting in October.

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