Wire Talk With Karen Stubbs

We're continuing this month's series on Spiritual Disciplines with a conversation about prayer today. Karen and Sunny address the tenderest questions from moms about how to pray when the words won't come, why Christians say the words, "In Jesus' name, Amen" at the end of prayers and what the purpose of prayer is. If your prayer life is feeling less than inspired lately, we hope this conversation is an encouragement to begin where you are.  P.S. That prayer journal Karen mentions? It's not available yet, but will be later this year. Be sure you're subscribed to our email list to know when it is released! 

All month long we are diving into spiritual disciplines of the Christian faith. We’ll be talking about studying God’s Word, prayer, intentional community with other believers and Sabbath.  Today we are kicking things off by answering your questions about studying the Word. Practically speaking, what does that look like with little kids (and little quiet) in your house? What resources do Karen and Sunny recommend and how can we lead our children well in this discipline? We hope this episode encourages you to start today, whenever you are, knowing that God sees you and has grace and understanding for the season of life that you are in.  Links from today’s episode: Keep God’s encouragement close by with our Moments with God or Tips on Motherhood card sets. Listen to our Spotify worship playlist on the go Adventures in Odyssey  @kidsbiblestories  God’s Big Story podcast from The Village Church Wild & Wacky and Totally True Bible Stories A study Karen is currently doing: The Grave Robber by Mark Batterson

Those strong-willed kiddos - phew! We know they'll be leaders one day, but what do we do TODAY when they won't listen or are constantly pushing back against us? How do we establish our authority without crushing their spirits? How do we teach them to harness their innate confidence without being aggressive or coming across as a bully?  We hope this conversation gives you a few tools to parent your headstrong children with confidence. Don't know your kid's color? Take our quiz! 

Both Karen and Sunny have moved A LOT in their lifetimes! In this episode, we’re answering questions about preparing your heart to move, staying in touch with friends and family who live far away, and helping your child navigate the difficulties that come with moving frequently. Shownotes: birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast/episode256 Related Wire Talk episode: Getting on the Same Page With Your Partner  

Today we are talking all things home management on Wire Talk. From splitting space in your home with a work-from-home spouse to organizing toys and rooms, we even talk about how to keep the kids from getting into your stuff! Karen is feeling fiesty today, so get ready for a little tough love. Become a Patron today and gain instant access to our other podcast, Real Life Real Moms.

How is it possible that we are always making food and yet our kids never seem to be full? Keeping our families fed is not for the faint of heart! Today Sunny and Karen are answering questions about feeding your people day in and day out. Tune in for practical tips about cooking with babies and toddlers underfoot as well as the one thing Greg did that made dinner prep at the Stubbs home so much easier. Get the show notes: birdsonawiremoms.com/podcast/episode254

Recent census data has shown one-child families are the fastest growing family unit in the United States. But often times families with one child feel isolated by the culture of family and siblings around them. On today's show we are diving into questions from moms with one child. A big shout out goes to our mom of the month, Casey Cattell, who suggested this topic and helped us gather questions from moms of one! If you're not a mom of one, we'd love for you to listen to learn, and share with a friend. 

Any toddler moms out there at their wit’s end with potty training?! In our first-ever episode on this topic, Karen and Sunny are sharing encouragement and wisdom for all those moms spending a LOT of time in the bathroom these days. The bottom line? Your sanity is just as (and maybe even more) important as wearing big kid undies. Want an extra dose of Karen in your podcast feed each month? Become a Patreon member today! 

Let's be honest moms, all of our children can be rebellious at times. And when your child is walking through a season of rebellion, sometimes it's really hard to "feel the love." On today's episode we're answering your questions on everything from toddlers who obey daddy but not mommy to lying to teenagers having sex. Yup, today we're running the full gamut. Pop in those earbuds and join us for this conversation - we hope you'll leave encouraged knowing you're not alone, momma! 

‘Happily ever after’ requires a LOT of work when you’re raising kids, and we could all use some encouragement in this arena from time to time. So today, Karen and Sunny are leaning in to your questions about keeping your marriage in a healthy place. Whether it’s that the day-to-day logistics of life have snuffed out your romantic spark, or that there’s tension in your home around who should lead, Karen has a word of encouragement for you amidst it all. Want more podcasts about marriage? Check out these episodes: WT 148: Keeping The Spark Alive WT 129: How Do I Re-Connect With My Spouse After Kids? WT 146: Discontentment in Marriage

SURPRISE! We wanted you to overhear a conversation between me and my good friend Claire Stanfill, which we recorded together last spring as episode 5 of our other podcast Real Life / Real Moms, which is available exclusively on Patreon.  Patreon is a way for you to support podcasts you love so we can make bonus content for our best supporters. Become a Family Level Patron $10 per month (or $114 / year if you pay annually). Your support sustains our non-profit ministry and has kept Wire Talk ad-free for all 249 episodes now. This $10 / month level also gets you companion journaling pages for self-reflection, and (my favorite!) quarterly Zoom Q&A sessions with a very small group. We couldn’t do this without your support and we are grateful for each one of you! // Sign up at PATREON.COM/BOAW

In the wake of World War II, a young college graduate decided to answer God's call on her heart to share the Gospel in Japan. Today, 90 year old Betty Loudermilk joins Sunny and Karen in the studio to share stories from her 50+ years of ministry in Japan. Over the years, Betty placed more than 250 children with their forever families and adopted 15 children as a single woman herself! Don't miss Betty sharing the word God spoke to her heart when she felt overwhelmed by His calling (skip to 20:00 if you are in a hurry). This is one powerful story of provision and encouragement mamas! Enjoy. 

From team sports to bedroom boundaries, your questions in this episode concern the problems we face when our kids refuse to play nicely. Get ready for some practical tips as always and a little bit of tough love from Karen: remember that your children aren't Instant Pots and some of this stuff is going to take time!  Love Wire Talk? Leave us an iTunes review and help spread the love!  Want more episodes like this one? WT 120: When Multiple Personalities Collide WT 151: Sibling Rivalry

Parenting teenagers means late nights, empty pantry shelves and more than a few tricky situations. Today Karen and Sunny answer your questions about getting quality time with your teen…plus, Karen shares her secrets to having the “cool” hang out house. Mentioned on the show:  BOAW Colors Personality Test

From absorbing bad behavior from TV and social media to making good friends - on today's episode Karen is answering your questions about dealing with character issues in your daughters and showing us simple ways to point our girls to Christ in every season. Don't have a daughter? Listen to these episodes all about boys: WT 181: Building Character in Your Son with Taylor Stubbs WT 109: Raising Older Boys WT 108: Raising Little Boys  

It's the first full week of 2021 and we are more than ready. Today Karen and Sunny are chatting about how they do (and don't do) goal setting, if they have any resolutions to kick off the new year right, and what's in store this year for Birds on a Wire. Whether you've already got your word of the year emblazoned across your annual planner, or you're tip toeing quietly into 2021 just hoping to catch a break, join us as we ring in the New Year at Wire Talk! 

Wire Talk's producer, Katie @Leipprandt, joins Karen and Sunny in the studio for this episode to talk about all things Wire Talk. We discuss how the BOAW team decides on episode topics, which questions we answer, and what's coming up in 2021 for the show. Join us as we say, "Peace out!" to 2020 and welcome a fresh New Year in together.  Got questions for Karen and Sunny? Send them in to info@birdsonawiremoms.com and use the subject line "Wire Talk questions" - we'd love to answer your question on the show! 

Karen is reading from her Moments with God devotional again today, reminding us to set our minds and our hearts rightly on God. As we celebrate Christmas with our family and hopefully get some much needed rest this week, let's take a moment out of each day to declare His praises and give Him honor.  Moments with God for Moms is available from Amazon HERE. 

We know you're running hard toward Christmas this week and today's episode is intended to give you a minute of peace. Listen as Karen reads from her devotional and reminds us to place our weary souls into God's very capable hands. We love you mommas!  Find Karen's devotional HERE. 

We’re talking all things Santa Claus on today’s episode! From how to handle the conversation when your kids ask if Santa is real, to making a decision to not start the Santa tradition at all, Karen shares her thoughts on walking that line this Christmas. However your family chooses to celebrate, Karen reminds us to stand firm and be confident in our choices - something we can never hear enough!