Entering the Season of Ordinary Time: From Pentecost to Advent

Entering the Season of Ordinary Time: From Pentecost to Advent

Are you interested in learning more about following the rhythms of the liturgical calendar? Have you been curious but unsure of where to start?  This standalone episode provides a brief overview of all of the different church calendar seasons, with a focus on our present season of Ordinary Time.  Moving from Advent all the way through to Pentecost gives us the opportunity to witness the work of Jesus’s life and ministry all the way through the Ascension. Shortly after, we observe Pentecost, which is when we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Ordinary Time is an invitation for us to apply the wisdom and encouragement we have received through Christ’s example. We are called to minister to our neighbors, care for widows and orphans, and serve our families in our everyday lives, drawing on the power of the Holy Spirit which is available to all believers. From a practical standpoint, Gretchen also shares about her rule of life, weekly examen, and some of the tools and resources that are available in our show notes if you would like to build more structure into your inner spiritual life. Cultivating depth and intention in your spiritual life requires time and patience with your own personal progress, and this conversation will hopefully steer you towards next steps in your journey of sanctification and faithfulness. We hope you’ll find a moment to listen. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502857/fan_mail/new]

Honest Parenting Part 8: A Moment with Keri

In this episode of Honest Parenting, Gretchen and Jennifer sit down with a mother of three adult children. Keri is Gretchen’s neighbor, and two of her children have special needs, requiring lifelong daily care.  This conversation explores the space between our parenting ideals and the realities of everyday life, and how differently that journey can unfold when raising children with special needs. With remarkable strength and honesty, Keri shares a life marked by service, advocacy for her children’s needs, and the outpouring of support that has sustained her family along the way. Other notable mentions include the importance of radical acceptance, the grief that often lingers beneath the surface, the impact of caregiving on marriage, and the challenge of reimagining aging, end-of-life planning, and lifelong care. We hope you’ll find a moment to listen to this powerful conversation about resilience, community, and unconditional love. Show Notes: www.medicinemotherhood.com/blog/honestparenting Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502857/fan_mail/new]

Honest Parenting Part 7: A Moment with Kalee & Anouk

Are you chasing toddlers and trying to figure out how to make meaningful connections with them? Do you find yourself torn between your maternal instincts and the voices from the outside world?  If you’re in the thick of raising tiny humans, this interview is certain to inspire and give you a renewed sense of hope!  Listen to our sweet friends Kalee and Anouk share about parenting challenges, preparing for different seasons, and being intentional about building trust with their children.  The Honest Parenting series is all about getting real. And sometimes real is HARD… So we talk about it. Because we want you to know that you are not alone!  Jump in wherever you are in the journey because it's a new take on one of the most important and universal experiences throughout the ages. We hope you'll find a moment to listen! Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502857/fan_mail/new]

Honest Parenting Part 6: Navigating Life with Adult Children

Parenting doesn’t stop when our children turn 18. In many ways, it becomes more complicated, more intentional, and sometimes even more emotional.  In this episode of Honest Parenting, Gretchen and Jennifer talk honestly about what it looks like to parent adult children and how the relationship shifts as they begin building lives, routines, beliefs, and traditions of their own. We discuss the transition from being the primary voice in your child’s life to becoming one of many voices influencing them. From navigating changing holiday rhythms and significant others to figuring out family expectations and even future grandparent roles, this stage of parenting comes with a different kind of letting go. We also talk about the importance of praying for our adult children, that they would find wise mentors, healthy community, and people who genuinely see them and walk through life with them. And for parents in this season, we discuss the value of continuing to invest in younger adults ourselves through simple connection, meaningful conversations, and showing up consistently. Most of all, this episode is a reminder that parenting adult children also means continuing to grow as individuals. No matter where you are in the parenting journey, there’s food for thought and a tender reminder that it’s never too late to reach out and connect.  We hope you’ll find a moment and listen. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502857/fan_mail/new]

Honest Parenting Part 5: From Puberty to Adulthood

What do puberty, screen time, friendship difficulties, and curfews have in common? If you're parenting kids between 11 and 18, you've likely been navigating these universal challenges. In this continuation of our Honest Parenting series, Gretchen and Jennifer share both ideals and real-life experiences as we raise children who are impacted by how puberty changes both bodies and emotions, layered onto a growing awareness of the world around them. As parents, we’re called to prioritize building trust with our sons and daughters. This trust becomes the foundation that gives us access to their hearts and minds during a season that can quickly overwhelm both them and us. As our children begin to understand how and why their bodies change, we have the opportunity to come alongside them with nonjudgmental support, empathy, and practical information. They will have questions, and we can respond with gentleness and care. The screen time conversation has exhausted many of us as we try to set healthy boundaries around digital media. With devices now serving as hubs for socializing, learning, shopping, finances, and entertainment, it’s increasingly difficult to define what’s healthy. In this episode, we discuss common challenges and share practical resources to help families create boundaries that are both realistic and sustainable. What happens when our children begin to question (or even walk away from) the faith traditions of our family? Or when friendship disappointments lead to loneliness and isolation? This episode offers a vulnerable conversation filled with honest lessons, thoughtful guardrails, and encouragement for walking alongside our children during this critical stage without defaulting to fear, guilt, or constant conflict. If you’re looking for voices shaped by experience, wisdom, and a touch of humor, you’re in the right place. We hope you’ll take a moment to listen. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2502857/fan_mail/new]