Connections Podcast

Come celebrate 100 episodes with us! Hear how we got started, why we have a podcast, what we have learned, and what is in store for the future.As we look forward, who do you want to hear from? Which guests should we invite? What topics would you like us to cover? Tell us at leaders@mops.org.

Sherri, Kelli and Jennifer share their favorites from the past 12 months. Find out what unique things we do at Christmas, our favorite gifts to give, and some of our other favorites from this past year.  Links to Our Favorite Things from 2022Favorite Recipes:Breakfast Egg CasseroleFish Tacos with Corn & Radish SalsaApple Pecan Holiday SaladPistachio SaladSweet Potato Souffle Go to gifts:Ubrands Monterrey penBuxom lip gloss - DollySalt and Pepper Shakers Favorite Books:Soundtracks by Jon AcuffGift From the Sea by Ann Morrow LindberghChase the Fun by Annie F DownsWaiting Here For You by Louie GiglioGod Has a Name by John Mark Comer Favorite MOPS We Go Together Curriculum Videos:Try Softer with Aundi KohlberFind Your BRAVE with Deborah PorterDon’t Be Offended with Nirup AlphonseHow to Plan Your Day with Kendra AdachiThe Sisterhood of Motherhood with Alli Worthington Favorite Connections: the Podcast episodes:Episode 89: Evangelism: Shift Your Perspective Episode 94: It’s the Small ThingsEpisode 79: The 3C Ap

The Christmas season is chaotic at times. Take the next 10 minutes to sit in a quiet space and listen to MOPS Board Member and mom coach, Deborah Porter, read the Christmas story from Luke, chapter two. Then listen as Deborah prays for you as a mom and leader. 

This episode is the last in a series where we are going to dig into some of the moms that aren’t always represented well in groups around the globe. In this episode, we focus on moms of kids with special needs. The term special needs covers a broad spectrum, but these moms are ones that have an added  element to their parenting in dealing with kids that need some extra care.Jennifer Iverson and Sarah Ferraro chat with TiaLynn Scott, founder of Critically Loved, a nonprofit providing support to families of critically and chronically ill children. TiaLynn is also the author of the MOPS Collective, Beyond Measure.To learn more about the free support they provide to parents, visit criticallyloved.org. All of the MOPS Collectives are available on the MOPS Member Site.

Who doesn't love to talk about conflict? Most of us! But in this episode, Kelli Jordan and Jennifer Iverson talk about how to best handle difficult conversations. They give you three tips to consider and then walk through several scenarios. While most of the conversation centers around MOPS groups, these three tips can be applied to any conflict in life.For more resources on conflict resolution, complete the Managing Conflict course  in the MOPS Leader Training & Certification.

MOPS is a place where every mom is welcomed and affirmed as a human being created in God's image. Regardless of her lifestyle choices, beliefs, mistakes, political leanings, habits, relational status or any other qulifiers. The MOPS program is designed to be a place where there are no barriers that keep her from coming to a group.This episode is the second in a series where we will explore three types of moms. We want to help you, the leader, better understand how your life as a mom is different yet very similar to other moms. We will also give you some practical ways you can support moms in your group.In this conversation, we are focusing on working moms. These moms have many things that require her attention and can often feel pulled in different directions. We'll talk about mom guilt and how we often compare ourselves to an unrealistic standard.Jennifer Iverson chats with Meredith King, author and speaker, and with Sarah Ferraro. Three working moms talking about their experiences. Meredith King a

Kelli Jordan and Laurie Jarvis talk about what stops us from supporting others well and how we can change our mindset. Let's create an other-focused culture in our homes and community. 

MOPS is a place where every mom is welcomed and affirmed as a human being created in God’s image. Regardless of her lifestyle choices, beliefs, mistakes, political leanings, habits, relational status or any other qualifiers. The MOPS program is designed to be a place where there are no barriers that keep her from coming to a group.This episode is the first in a series where we are going to dig into three types of moms. We want to help you, the leader, better understand how your life as a mom is different yet very similar to other moms. We are also going to give you some practical ways you can support moms in your group. In this conversation, we are going to focus on single moms. We will use that term to describe moms who parent alone. The reality is that could be a widowed mom, divorced mom, single mom by choice OR it could also be a mom with a partner who works nights or is deployed or is fighting a debilitating illness. Join Jennifer Iverson & Sarah Ferraro from MOPS International as they interview Leea

If your team works well together, your group benefits. Join Sherri Crandall and Kelli Jordan as they talk about what a healthy team looks like and how we can work together to create community that battles loneliness, draws women in and introduces them to Jesus.

Leadership is a journey - there is a starting point, times of growth and times of change. In the final episode of this podcast series, Sherri Crandall and Monica Rovira share their personal leadership lessons and their combined ministry journey. Listen and be inspired, because we all need a place to dream on our own but also a place to dream together. If you are looking for more information about MOPS, visit us at mops.org or listen in on one of the other podcasts in the MOPS Podcast Network - including Moms Unscripted and Turn Around and Greet Your Neighbor. Want to share a piece of your leadership journey with us? Email us at leaders@mops.org. 

Sherri Crandall and Laura L. Smith, author of Restore My Soul talk about the beauty of we can find hope in how God never leaves us. We can take our joys and fears to our faithful, powerful, and loving Father. Find Laura on Instagram @laurasmithauthor. 

The idea of “evangelism” can be scary to both believers and non-believers. Understanding how non-believers feel about spiritual conversations helps us share the Good News in ways that will draw others in, rather than scare them away. Kelli Jordan and Melodi Leih talk through some trends in today’s culture impacting how people feel about “evangelism.” If we can understand some of the trends, we can face them with truth. Scripture references: Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:14; Romans 2:3-4Resources: If you are a MOPS leader, learn more in our Evangelism Perspective course at training.mops.org. MOPS International's YouVersion study on Acts 17: Here and Now. Sources: "Reviving Evangelism: Current Realities That Demand a New Vision for Sharing Faith"; A Barna Report produced in partnership with Alpha USA, 2019IF:Lead Conference, "Deconstruction" with John Mark Comer, Joshua Ryan Butler and Jennie Allen, 2021. 

Leadership is a journey - there is a starting point, times of growth and times of change. In this podcast series, Kelli Jordan talks to some friends about their path - where they started as leaders, what they've learned and how they've changed their styles as they've moved  through leadership. In this episode, we talk to two leaders who believe that leadership is a calling and that leaders have to take risks. 

Leadership is a journey - and there are some strategies that can help us along the way. Things like perspective, embracing your strengths and leaning into learning.  In this podcast series, Kelli Jordan talks to some friends about their path - where they started as leaders, what they've learned and how they've changed their styles as they've moved  through leadership. 

A break from meetings over the summer doesn’t mean it is time to take a break from community. It is important to stay connected and prepare for the fall. Join Kelli Jordan and Jennifer Iverson as they share their ideas for staying connected plus some resources to help you plan and reach even more moms in your community. Find all the leader training @ leader.mops.org/trainingOther tools mentioned:We Go Together curriculumThe MOPS LibraryRetreat Planning Guide

Leadership is a journey - there is a starting point, times of growth and times of change. In this podcast series, Kelli Jordan talks to some friends and co-leaders at MOPS about their path - where they started as leaders, what they've learned and how they've changed their styles as they've moved  through leadership. 

Join Kelli Jordan and Jennifer Iverson as they talk about what it means to finish well.  Finishing the year strong is just as important as getting your group off to a strong start. Your finish will impact how your next year begins. Here are some things you can do now to prepare for next year. Find practical finish well tips at leaders.mops.org/finishing-well. This content was originally presented as a webinar. Watch the replay. 

Did you know MOPS International is in over 70 countries around the globe? From Albania to Zambia, moms are part of this amazing sisterhood. Sherri Crandall shares some amazing stories in this episode.If you would like to learn more visit mops.org/global or email globalsisterhood@mops.org.To donate to the Global Sisterhood Fund where 100% of your money directly impacts moms in need, visit mops.org/donate and select "Global" as the project.

Have your friendships suffered over the last two years? Sherri Crandall and author Amanda Anderson have an honest conversation about the behaviors that may have damaged our relationships and a recipe for how we can shift the dynamic, see others clearly and be truly seen by someone else. 

Kelli and Jennifer guide you through five things you need to think about this spring! Easter planning (leaders.mops.org/easter) Leaders for next year (leaders.mops.org/cohorts)Renewal begins April 5 (leaders.mops.org/renewal) Last Meeting Celebration (Love in Action at leaders.mops.org/forms) Summer Plans (leaders.mops.org/summer)Tell us how you have lived All For Love this year! Email leaders@mops.org or find MOPS Leaders on Facebook or Instagram.