Wire Talk With Karen Stubbs

May can feel overwhelming for moms, filled with endless events, expectations, and emotional moments.Today Karen offers practical wisdom to help you navigate the busyness without losing your joy (or your mind.) From setting realistic expectations to prioritizing what truly matters, this conversation is full of encouragement.Episode Recap:May is just December with sunscreen! (0:30)May feels chaotic with elementary schoolers - how do I get through? (4:40)Sit down with your high schooler and help them prioritize (9:10)Don’t be a wet blanket on your high schooler’s parade (10:15)Working mom here struggling with school events - help!  (11:15)This season has me emotionally up and down with my Senior(14:35) Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”Discussion Questions: What part of May feels the most overwhelming for you right now?Are you trying to attend everything? What might you need to let go of?How can you involve your kids in deciding

Mom guilt can make even the best moms feel like they’re falling short. In this episode, Karen and Emily talk through the pressures we carry and the expectations we place on ourselves. They offer a practical, biblical perspective to help you recognize what’s true and what isn’t. We hope you walk away encouraged and ready to let go of unnecessary guilt! Episode Recap:Supermoms are a modern day myth (2:00)Stay tuned after the show for Wire Talk+ (6:20)I have been pregnant or postpartum for the past 4 years, everything feels uphill from here. How does anyone do this? (7:04)How do I make the transition to being a stay at home mom? (12:42)My 6 yr old’s incessant talking overwhelms me, help! (15:19)My fuse is pretty short these days, how do I work on this? (19:20)Join us for more questions on WT+ - link in show notes! (26:29) 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 Questi

Family dynamics can get complicated quickly, especially when expectations, boundaries, and communication styles start to clash. Today we’re talking about how to navigate tension with extended family without losing your peace (or your voice.) We hope you’ll walk away with practical ways to communicate clearly, pursue peace, and love your extended family well.Episode Recap:Moms can easily get stuck in the middle of family conflicts (1:59)I’m stuck in the middle of conflicts between my mom and my husband, help! (4:02)My MIL is extremely difficult, even mean and petty toward me (7:47)How can I be good friends with my mother in law and still have boundaries? (11:30)How can grandparents be closer to the grandchildren of divorced parents? (14:33)Join us for more questions on WT+ - link in show notes! (18:00) Scripture: Romans 12:18 (NIV) “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Discussion Questions: Where do you feel the most tension right now with extended family or in-laws? Wha

Ever find yourself second guessing your parenting decisions? You’re not alone. In this episode, Karen answers questions from moms navigating school struggles, motivation, and knowing when to step back. We hope you walk away feeling encouraged to trust God with the parenting choices you are making.Episode Recap:One parenting decision won’t make or break your child (1:50)My 1st grader doesn’t work hard in school and I can’t make her care! (2:30)How do I motivate my 10 year old yellow/green son? (5:00)My son is reluctant to participate in extracurriculars, how should I handle this? (11:42)Don’t project your fears and anxieties onto your child (14:15)Ask God for the wisdom you need to make parenting decisions today (15:00)Scripture: James 1:5 (NASB) “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach and it will be given to him”Discussion Questions: When do you find yourself second guessing your parenting the most? What tends to be the trigger?Are there areas wher

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I ruining my teenager’s life?” - you’re not alone. Today, Karen answers questions from moms navigating strong personalities, emotional pushback, and the tension between protecting and preparing their teens. With her trademark practical wisdom, she reminds us that what feels like conflict is often part of God’s process for refining our kids.Episode Recap:As moms, we can see the writing on the wall but our teens literally can’t (1:45)My daughter and I fight all the time, I just do not like her right now (4:02)You cannot take their attitude and/or push back personally (7:43)How do I motivate my lazy teenage son? (9:01)We don’t need to coddle our sons (11:09)Look into our new study: How to Teach Your Kids the Bible (13:30)My daughter’s career dreams are unrealistic, how do we talk to her about it? (13:45)Any tips for a blue mom raising a melancholy 15 year old teen? (17:36)Our job is not to solve all our kids’ problems, it’s to point them to the Lord (19:41)Scripture: Galatians 6:9 (N

If you’re in the stage of parenting where tears, tantrums, and big emotions seem to take over every day, you’re not alone. Today Karen and Emily are tackling questions from moms navigating the emotional ups and downs of preschoolers and early elementary kids. They discuss why some kids cry more than others, how to handle tantrums without giving in, and how to guide sensitive kids through big feelings. If you’re in the thick of it these days, we hope this episode reminds you that this stage is normal and it won’t last forever! Episode Recap:All of our kids go through hard phases, you are not alone (1:08)My 5 year old boy cries about EVERYTHING - help! (3:05)My son’s temper tantrums are out of control, what can I do? (7:08)My 4 yr old is very dependent on her brother, I’m worried about her clinginess (9:11)How do I approach the “stranger danger” conversation with my outgoing girl? (12:39)You’re not going to change the way your kid is wired, but you can understand it (20:00) Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) “Train

Last week, Karen talked about the temperaments. This week, she takes that conversation one step further by answering real questions from moms who are navigating strong-willed kids, harsh words, whining, and emotional outbursts. If you’ve ever looked at your child and thought, I know their heart is sweet, so why is this coming out so sideways? this episode is for you. Karen shares practical wisdom for understanding your child’s wiring, correcting with grace, and helping them grow.Episode Recap:Last week, we talked about blue and red temperaments (2:00)My blue/green son often comes across as critical and harsh (3:00)My rising Kindergartener is controlling and bossy and can be physical (7:23)My daughter used to love being the center of attention, now she’s self-conscious (12:25)What is the temperaments book you reference all the time? (16:05)Pick a “lane” when you take the temperaments test (18:57) Scripture: Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produc

Today Karen and Emily tackle listener questions about kids with big emotions; the pouters, the perfectionists, the rule followers, and the fiercely competitive. Whether your child melts down when they lose, struggles to say they’re having fun, or takes rules a little too seriously, this episode will help you parent the way they’re wired instead of fighting against it.Episode Recap:Join Wire Talk+, our VIP club for listeners (3:45)Is it okay to let my sensitive child pout in his room? (4:27)My “blue child” never says she’s having fun and it’s discouraging to me (9:55)How do I handle an overly strict rule follower? (13:30)My 9 yr old cannot bear losing - should I give him consequences for meltdowns? (17:28)You’re not going to change the way your kid is wired, but you can understand it (20:00) Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”Discussion Questions: Does my child need space or correction in emotional moments?Am I re

Are you parenting a Gen Z child and wondering why everything feels so different from when you were growing up? Today Karen and Emily sit down with leadership expert Tim Elmore, founder of Growing Leaders, to talk about the unique pressures facing this generation.From overexposure to information and technology and underexposure to real-world experiences, Tim helps moms understand what’s really happening beneath the surface in a Gen Z kid. Don’t miss his fantastic illustration of what it means to be a “velvet-covered brick” as a parent!Episode Recap:Growing Leaders was created to help parents understand the next generation (00:54)Who is the Gen Z kid? Who is Gen Alpha? (2:00)Gen Z makes us better leaders (4:20)Gen Z is overwhelmed by their overexposure to information (8:25)This generation is underexposed to experiences (10:09)How can a generation be so connected and still so lonely? (13:06)How do I equip my kids to overcome hardship? (16:04)Parents allow their kids to risk too little, and then rescue too much.

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 Ch

Friendships in motherhood are rarely as simple as we expect them to be. Today Karen and Emily are continuing our friendship conversation by tackling comparison, conflict, cliques, and what to do when a friendship changes. They answer listeners’ questions about unmet expectations and learning when to lean in and when to let go. If friendship feels confusing, discouraging, or just plain messy right now, we hope this episode encourages you! Episode Recap:What is happening over on Wire Talk+? (4:01)Where do your friendship expectations come from? (10:30)How have your healthy friendships naturally changed over time? (12:56)Ask God for what you need - even in your friendships (14:52)Friendship doesn’t always look exactly like what we have imagined (18:02)How do we handle conflict and tension in friendship? (18:30)You can create space without ghosting people (21:37)How do I make friends when everywhere around me is full of cliques? (22:00)My friend continually brings up a topic of conversation that irritates me (25:

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

Parenting doesn’t end when your kids turn 18. In many ways, it gets more complicated! Today Karen and Erin are joined by longtime parenting expert Jim Burns for a wise and honest conversation about parenting adult children. They talk about releasing control, shifting your role, navigating boundaries, resisting unsolicited advice, and discerning the difference between helping and enabling. Whether your kids are still at home, newly launched, or already raising families of their own, this episode will help you parent with clarity, peace, and long-term perspective.Episode Recap:Jim is the founder of Homeward Ministries (3:06)When our children become adults, we have to give up control (4:43)What does it look like to embrace a new “job description” as moms? (7:00)How can we offer wisdom to our adult children or do we just bite our tongues? (11:37)Resist the urge to become a “one topic” parent (13:15)What’s the difference between helping your kids and enabling them? (15:45)How do we place good boundaries when adult

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 a

We are celebrating 500 episodes of Wire Talk and using this milestone to talk about something every mom wants: wisdom that actually works in real life. Today Karen breaks down what it means to be a wise mom, not a perfect one, and offers a simple grid for everyday moments by asking, “Will my response build my house or tear it down?” From discipline to independence, this conversation focuses on proactive parenting that shapes our kids over time.Episode Recap:Wire Talk is celebrating 500 episodes - don’t miss our BIG GIVEAWAY (2:34)A wise mom builds her house up in all she does (7:10)Children are born with a sin nature (11:00)Being intentional is hard work (14:31)What is the difference between teaching, training, and discipline? (15:50)Consistency builds trust (20:30)Discipline sets your child up for success long term (23:40)Listener question - how do I discipline my biter? (26:44)Listener question - is it too late for me to disciple my child in faith? (29:39)How do I discipline tantrums in public? (31:52)I don

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 wisdo

As Christmas approaches, we are turning our focus to love this final week of Advent. In this episode, Karen and Emily unpack what it looks like to love like Jesus in everyday moments: choosing presence, serving quietly, pausing before reacting, and remembering that we love others because Christ first loved us. If the holidays have stretched your patience thin, we hope this conversation will help you refocus your heart on what truly matters! Episode Recap:We’re talking about love this week (6:05)How do we respond to God’s love practically? (7:55)Loving others looks like not being selfish (8:44)Take an interest in others this Christmas (12:34)Choose presence over perfection (15:54)Speak life with your words (16:31)Pause before you react (18:42)Enjoy simple moments (20:20)Serve quietly (21:15)Focus on gratitude (22:42)Scripture: Philippians 2:1-5 (NIV)“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and co

Joy doesn’t just happen, our hearts have to be tuned to it. In this third week of Advent, Karen and Emily talk honestly about how hard it can be to find joy in the middle of exhaustion, family stress, and the very real unmet expectations of the season. Using the picture of tuning an instrument, they unpack how joy comes when we continually refocus our hearts on Jesus, not on our circumstances. If you’re longing for a steadier joy this Christmas season, this conversation is for you! Episode Recap:Intro (00:00)Today we’re talking about joy (2:10)We have to tune our hearts to joy (4:12)Jesus often becomes a secondary thought in this season (5:55)Remind yourself on a daily basis that this life is not about you, it’s about Christ (7:50)Find ways to re-center yourself on Christ this Christmas (10:30)Decide to have NO expectations each day, live with an open hand (11:35)Focusing on God makes the trivial things of this world fade away (16:01)Scripture: Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for beh

It’s easy to find ourselves in the middle of December with a packed calendar and an unprepared spirit, carrying bitterness, comparison, or disappointment into every day. Drawing from Matthew 3:3, Karen talks about what it means to “prepare the way for the Lord” so we don’t miss Jesus in the middle of our own expectations. You’ll come away with simple, practical ways to prepare your heart for Christmas, no matter what your circumstances are like.Episode Recap:Today we’re talking about preparation (2:15)We must prepare our hearts so we don’t miss Christ (3:54)We prepare through self-reflection, repentance, readiness (5:06)It’s hard to see the condition of your own heart, so pray about it (6:12)This world is full of trouble, but Christ has overcome the world (13:09)We have to take our thoughts captive over and over and over again (14:45)Practically, how do we prepare our hearts? (17:13)Scripture: Matthew 3:3 (NIV) – ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’Discussion Questions: When you look a

Today we’re kicking off our Advent series with a focus on hope. December fills up fast with activities, expectations, and pressure for a picture-perfect holiday, making it easy to place our hope in circumstances, schedules, and our spouses. But what do we do when Christmas doesn’t go as planned?In this episode, Karen invites us to ask a powerful question: Where am I placing my hope this Christmas? If you’re craving a calmer, more Christ-centered Christmas, this conversation will help you anchor your hope in Him alone.(Psst! If you’re listening with littles, you may want to skip to 3:30, we talk about Santa early on.)Episode Recap:Karen and Emily talk Santa and gift purchasing (1:45)What is one thing about Christmas you love & one thing you could do without? (4:15)Karen went on an advent deep dive this year (7:59)Everyone can use more hope (12:27)There’s a lot of grief and sadness at the holidays (14:50)Emmanuel means ‘God with Us’ (16:52)Our hope cannot be in our circumstances (18:02)Where are you placing