Wire Talk With Karen Stubbs

Today Courtney DeFeo, host of the Pardon the Mess podcast and a dear friend of Karen’s joins us to talk about raising her daughters. They talk about the season when Courtney felt God calling her to take a break from the professional world - which turned into a 3 year pause. Courtney shares what God did in her world during those years and the new season she is moving into now. She and Karen also share how motherhood uncovered their deep-seated selfishness and how the Lord has worked in their hearts to enable them to celebrate their husband’s successes. We know Courtney’s story will encourage you today! Episode Recap:2:40 - How Courtney and Karen know one another4:25 - Courtney’s family and work history 9:55 - God called Courtney to take a complete break from work13:53 - Just as He told her when to get out, He told her when to get back in15:58 - Motherhood taught them how selfish they were21:20- Being jealous of their husbands’ careers and successes24:19 - Separating her children’s struggles from her responsibi

Today we’re answering Bible questions you might feel silly asking out loud! This episode is full of insights across a breadth of biblical topics. Be sure to check out the show notes for every scripture reference Karen mentions! We hope this one encourages you to pick up your Bible, pray for wisdom, and get reading this week!  Episode Recap:1:45 - Emily’s confusion over multiple James and Johns in the New Testament4:30 - Is everything all white in heaven? Where does that stereotype come from? 9:43 - What did the “judges” do in biblical times? 13:04 - Why do we tithe? Where does God command it? 15:50 - Help me straighten out all the ‘Marys’ in the New Testament! 19:03 - Why do so many Bible characters go by two different names? 21:30- What’s the difference between the Pharisees and the Sadducees?23:20 - Where does the phrase, “for this child I have prayed” come from?26:00 - Why do we obey the Ten Commandments but not the Levitical law? 28:30 - Help! Reading the Bible confuses me! 31:20 - Tools for studying the

Danielle from Intentional Marriages joins us today to share insights from over a decade of working with married couples. She offers practical ways couples raising young kids can connect with one another on a daily and weekly basis and shares hope for couples who are struggling in their marriage.We hope you pick up one practical tip that helps you be intentional about prioritizing your marriage relationship today.Episode Recap:11:45 - Connecting with Your Spouse in Seasons of Busyness14:30 - What Does a Daily Check-In Look Like?15:50 - Pausing to Talk Through “The Story I’m Telling Myself…”19:10 - Tigers Vs. Turtles23:15 - You Need a Weekly Check-In27:30 - Everything Else Is Scheduled, Schedule Sex! 31:30 - Get Help Before Your Relationship Is In TroubleResources:Check out Danielle and Russ’s ministry and resources: Intentional Marriages: https://www.intentionalmarriages.net/Want Karen to speak to the moms in your community? Reach out to us for events in 2025: www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite Connect with Birds

Our strong-willed children can drive parents up the wall with their forceful opinions! In today’s episode Karen gives advice for any mom locked in a battle with her “red” child. She reminds us of the needs our strong-willed children have, and offers encouragement for coming alongside them without giving in to their demands. Episode Recap:04:28 - Why Karen Loves Her Reds5:30 - Strengths and Weaknesses of the Red Personality7:50 - Dead Giveaways You Have a Red Child11:00 - How Do I Handle My 6 Year Old’s Stubbornness?19:00 - How Do I Discipline a Defiant Toddler Who Hits?24:15 - How Do I Break Bad Habits We Started During Covid? 29:05 What Do I Do About My Picky Eater?32:00 - Give Choices to Your Strong-Willed Child34:33 - Reds Are Your Leaders, Get Them on the Right PathResources:Take the quick quiz to learn your child’s personality color: boaw.mom/quizGrab Kathleen Edelman’s book: A Grown Up’s Guide to Kids’ Wiring https://amzn.to/3vnmyUdCheck out Karen’s latest curriculum on Right Now Media: Survival Guide t

Today Karen is sharing a simple way to talk with your kids about the meaning of Easter. Listen as she walks us step-by-step through the Easter story using Resurrection Eggs. This may be a great new tradition you can start with your family this year! Episode Recap:11:00 - Karen walks through the Resurrection Eggs14:30 - Old Testament prophecy Jesus fulfilled (Zec. 9:9)22:10 - Don’t try to sugarcoat the ugliness of the crucifixion for your kids36:05 - You can have fun with Easter and still focus on the reason we celebrate36:45 - How can we share the Good News of the resurrection with our older kids? Resources:Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@birdsonawiremomsGrab Resurrection Eggs for your family this Easter! https://amzn.to/48QOWM5Pick up Karen’s Teen Devotional: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collections/frontpage/products/preorder-teen-devotionalWant Karen to speak to the moms in your community? Reach out: www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite Connect with Birds on a Wire Moms on Instagra

Moms face conflicting priorities daily. From little things, like: do I wake up early to get a workout in or catch extra sleep because the baby was up last night to bigger questions like, do we have another baby or do I prioritize going back to work? The answers aren’t always black and white, but today Karen offers up wisdom to help guide you when you’re caught between two good choices. Episode Recap:08:34 - How do I shift my mindset about the heavy workload I carry as a working mom?15:44 - How can I be a more playful mom? 20:07 - I’m finding it hard to be joyful as a newly expectant older mom…22:37 - Help! The blue personalities in my life are draining me! Resources:Pick up Karen’s Teen Devotional: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collections/frontpage/products/preorder-teen-devotionalCheck out Karen’s grandkids on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee2YYTZ-mfQListen to our Dad Color series from last summer: 368, 369, 370, 371Want Karen to speak to the moms in your community? Reach out: www.birdsonwi

Today's episode rides the emotional rollercoaster ride of defiance, particularly with red/blue personality kids. Karen shares insights, encouragement, and practical tips for parents who are facing defiance head-on.Episode Recap:08:26 - Red and Blue Temperament Combination10:16 - Seeking God's Wisdom19:41 - Addressing Defiance in Children24:56 - Gaining Respect from a Defiant Child27:54 - Letting Fathers Take the LeadResources:Don’t miss it! Register for Mom Core Online today! www.boaw.mom/momcoreonlinePick up Karen’s Teen Devotional: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collections/frontpage/products/preorder-teen-devotionalWant Karen to speak to the moms in your community? Reach out: www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite Connect with Birds on a Wire Moms on Instagram: www.instagram.com/birdsonawiremoms  and Facebook: www.facebook.com/birdsonawiremoms

Today we’re answering your questions about the challenges of potty training. We cover dealing with frequent bathroom trips during outings and handling stubborn three-year-olds and Karen shares practical tips for creating routines and staying patient through the ups and downs of potty training. Tune in for helpful advice, encouragement, and reassurance that you’re not alone on this messy adventure!Episode Recap:2:16 - Potty Training Boys vs. Girls3:24 - Frequent Potty Breaks Issue5:15 - Motivating a Stubborn Child to Potty7:16 - Dealing with Weak Pelvic Floor in Children10:21 - Empathy and Understanding in Potty Training11:36 - Strategies for Poop TrainingResources:Register for Mom Core Online today! www.boaw.mom/momcoreonlineWant Karen to speak to the moms in your community? Reach out: www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite Connect with Birds on a Wire Moms on Instagram: www.instagram.com/birdsonawiremoms and Facebook: www.facebook.com/birdsonawiremoms

Taylor joins Karen and Emily in the studio today to answer your questions about creating a healthy relationship with your son. We answer questions about what experiences bonded Taylor’s heart to Karen early on in life and how Karen being a student of Taylor’s (blue/melancholy) personality helped him to feel known growing up in a house full of girls. This conversation is full of nuggets that will both encourage your heart and help you invest in your sons. Episode Recap:- Mother-Son Relationship Dynamics- How Karen Showed Love During Taylor’s Teen Years- Strategies for Interacting with a Blue Personality- Learning to Communicate with a Blue Child- Dating Rules for Taylor vs. His Sisters- The Four S's for Blues- Structuring Family Time for Blues- Advice for Grandparenting with Sensitivity and Staying in Your LaneResources:Register for Mom Core Online today! www.boaw.mom/momcoreonlineWant Karen to speak to the moms in your community? Reach out: www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite Check out Christian Parenting’s Di

As moms, making time to prioritize friendship can feel difficult or downright impossible depending on your situation. In today’s episode, Karen answers questions about friendship from the new mom in town, working moms, introverted moms, and the mom who feels out of place with others in her peer group.  Episode Recap: 4:17 - The Loneliness of Motherhood 7:15 - Finding New Friends After Moving 9:15 - The Challenge of Making Friends as an Introvert 10:45 - Balancing Work & Friendship 13:43 - Dealing with Past Hurt from Mom Cliques Resources: Want to start a group? Learn more: https://birdsonawiremoms.com/start-a-group Codependent No More book: https://amzn.to/4bmmrs4 Want Karen to speak to the moms in your community? Reach out: www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite  Check out Christian Parenting’s Discipleship Simplifed Guide: https://www.christianparenting.org/product/discipleship-simplified/ Connect with Birds on a Wire Moms on Instagram: www.instagram.com/birdsonawiremoms  and Facebook: www.facebo

If the church has hurt you - this is one conversation you don’t want to miss. Today Karen is answering questions about what to do if your teens don’t enjoy the church you attend, seeking a new church family, when church hurts, and how to respond to a church that seems to be slowly dying. We hope this conversation encourages you to persevere in your efforts to be a part of a local church and reminds you why it is worth it! Episode Recap: 4:30 - There’s no such thing as a perfect church 11:20 - How to handle teens hurt by church 16:30 - Help! My teens dislike our church 22:00 - Our church is dying…what do we do? Resources: Check out Christian Parenting’s Discipleship Simplifed Guide: https://www.christianparenting.org/product/discipleship-simplified/ Available Now! Karen’s new Teen Girls Devotional: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/products/preorder-teen-devotional Want Karen to come deliver some encouragement to the moms in your community? Reach out to Katie at www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite 

We’re talking teens and their faith on today’s show. Join us as Karen answers your questions on everything from choosing a Bible for your teen to navigating difficult life situations and even to questioning God. Our prayer is that this episode gives you the encouragement and the resources you need to help guide your teens along their faith journey. Check out today’s show notes for links to all the recommendations from the episode and then some!  Episode Recap: 7:48 - Bible study recommendations for teen girls 8:06 - Announcing Karen’s devotional for teen girls! 9:43 - Handling apathy in your teen's faith 10:01 - Encouraging your teen to read their Bible 10:54 - Creating boundaries around your teen’s behavior Resources: Find great Bible studies for teens on Right Now Media: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/ Available Now! Karen’s new Teen Girls Devotional: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/products/preorder-teen-devotional Great Bible for Teen Boys: https://amzn.to/48IJTOF Katie’s choice Bible f

It's a milestone episode for us—number 400—and today we are going to answer all your questions about chores! When should we start assigning them? Do we need to pay for them? Is it all just part of being in the family? How do we instill this into our family unit and get it going as a mom? Tune in as Karen shares how chores were handled in the Stubbs home as her kids were growing up and encourages us to reframe how we think about chores!   Episode Recap: 6:09 - Adjusting Chore Expectations 8:00 - Consistency & Allowance for Chores 12:20 - Tailoring Chores to Children's Ages 14:19 - Paying for Chores: Yes or No? 17:04 - Simplifying Chore Systems   Resources: Want Karen to come deliver some tough love and major encouragement to the moms in your community? Reach out to Katie at https://www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite  Check out Mom Core Online, course registration opens February 2024: https://www.boaw.mom/momcore2024 Pre-order Karen’s new Teen Girls Devotional: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/pr

Join us today as we dive deep into the heart of prayer, answering your questions and offering wisdom on where to start. From instilling the power of prayer in your children to practical tips about getting your mind focused when you pause to pray, we hope this conversation encourages you to make prayer an integral part of your daily routine this year! Episode Recap: - Overcoming Guilt in Prayer Life (8:47) - Staying Focused During Prayer (10:16) - Praying with Kids and Modeling Prayer (13:35)  - Structure/Format for Effective Prayer (17:34)  Resources: Want Karen to come deliver some tough love and major encouragement to the moms in your community? Reach out to Katie at www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite  Kick start your prayer life this year with Karen’s 52 week long prayer journal: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collections/accessories/products/moments-in-prayer-52-week-prayer-journal Grab Moments with God for Moms to guide you during your time with God: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collectio

We’re back with part two of our “State of Motherhood” address and we hope you’ve got on your closed toe shoes, because Karen might step on your toes today! As we continue this candid conversation about the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of being a mom, we talk about the necessity of taking ownership for your world and encourage you to root out laziness wherever it has crept into your life. Don’t miss Karen’s encouragement for us all at the end, that it is worth it. Despite the challenges and the seemingly never-ending work of motherhood - there are great rewards in this calling. We hope this episode reminds you that everything we do should be done unto the Lord, and that includes being a mom!    Episode Recap • Stop blaming others, take ownership for your life (6:00-18:00) • Stop being lazy (18:53) • Proverbs 31 and the virtuous woman (29:17) • It’s all worth it (32:07)   Resources: Want Karen to come deliver some tough love and major encouragement to the moms in your community? Reach out to Katie at www

Welcome back to Wire Talk, moms! It's a new year, and today we're kicking off a two-part series with a "State of Motherhood" address. We're acknowledging the good, the hard, and the unfair aspects of motherhood, and we're here to give you a loving kick in the pants to help you refocus and maintain perspective as we jump back into the “real world” this week. Episode Recap • What’s coming up at BOAW Moms this year (0:00-10:54) • Moms are pursuing wisdom and excellence in parenting (10:54-13:09) • Life isn’t fair (13:09-20:20) • Being a mom is HARD (20:20-32:27) • Lean in on Christ and on others (32:27- 35:57)   Resources: Want Karen to come deliver some tough love and major encouragement to the moms in your community? Reach out to Katie at www.birdsonwiremoms.com/invite  Check out Mom Core Online, course registration opens February 2024: www.boaw.mom/momcore2024 Pre-order Survival Guide to Motherhood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Guide-Motherhood-Parenting-Christian/

Today we’re wrapping up our three-part series, Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas, by looking at parallels between the circumstances of Jesus’ birth and the ancient Jewish Passover tradition. Listen as Karen unpacks the significance that Jesus is the Lamb of God, and His life is the very best gift we can all receive this Christmas. Mentioned on today’s show: Give to Birds on a Wire Moms to help us carry on our mission in 2024 Watch today's episode on YouTube Messianic Prophecies print out Scripture referenced: Exodus 12:3-27, John the Baptist declaring, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:29)

We’re back with the second episode in a three-part series leading up to Christmas. In the middle of this FULL season as moms, our hope is that these episodes allow you to take a moment for yourself and pause and reflect on the reason behind this season. Today we’re focusing on the role Mary played in the story of Jesus’ arrival. Karen points out that Mary's life was completely disrupted when she was chosen to give birth to the Messiah, but she chose to trust God despite the messiness of her situation. Join us as we meditate on the faithfulness of God, who walks with us through the challenges and the uncertainty of our own messy lives. Mentioned on today’s show: birdsonawiremoms.com Give today to help us grow next year Watch today's episode on YouTube Messianic Prophecies print out Luke 1:26-56 Wire Talk is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Join us for the first installment of a special three-part series leading up to Christmas. We all know how crazy December can be with shopping, family gatherings, cooking, and so much more. It's easy for Christmas to become background noise. But in these next three weeks, let's take a moment to pause and reflect on the faithfulness of God.  Today, we'll dive into the topic of God's faithfulness by exploring Old Testament prophecies that found their fulfillment in the birth of Jesus. Karen shares parallels between a God who kept His promises in ancient times and the God who keeps his promises to us today. No matter what your personal circumstances look like this year, we hope you’ll find peace as you reflect on God’s faithfulness today, which anchors us even in the midst of chaos. Mentioned on today’s show: Watch today's episode on YouTube! Chapter 3 of Science Speaks (regarding the probability of one man fulfilling all the OT prophecies about Christ)   Wire Talk is a part of the Christian P

We know that for many moms, parenting solo is a daily reality. For whatever reason and for however long you are walking through this season, it is HARD. The questions in today’s conversation come from moms whose situations may sound like your own. We pray this episode encourages you today and points you to your heavenly Father, who always stands ready to meet your every need.  Mentioned on today’s show: Watch today's episode on YouTube Take the BOAW Moms Colors quiz for insights into your particular temperament Wire Talk is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org