Sinopsis
Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs is a podcast designed to encourage and equip moms through the precious, challenging and life-changing journey of motherhood. Karen Stubbs is an author, speaker, and mom mom to four grown children. She's also the founder of Birds on a Wirea ministry for moms. Hosted by Sunny Williams, Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs offers Godly, practical advice on the topics every mother has questions about mom guilt, our childrens faith, potty-training, divorce, our teenagers dating, the toddler years and more!
Episodios
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452: How to Build a Stronger Bond with Your Daughter – With Sandra Stanley & Allie Cooney
04/02/2025 Duración: 38minThis week on Wire Talk, we welcome Sandra Stanley and her daughter Allie Cooney, co-authors of Meet Me in the Middle, a book designed to help moms and daughters build strong, faith-filled relationships. Sandra and Allie share lessons from their own relationship, and insights from their book—covering everything from communication struggles to the challenges of raising (and being) a teen girl today. They discuss the importance of creating a safe space for daughters, avoiding the “know-it-all” trap as moms, and learning to let go of control while guiding daughters toward wisdom and faith. Episode Recap:6:30 - Sandra Stanley & Allie Cooney join us to talk about their book, Meet Me in the Middle13:00 - This book was written for girls in 5th through 10th grade and their moms14:30 - Social media creates so much noise for our daughters today17:20 - Moms and daughters are facing many of the same pressures, just at different times in our lives and at different levels of maturity. 20:02 - When our girls feel safe wi
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451: Reclaiming Peace in Your Home
28/01/2025 Duración: 17minIf you’ve ever felt buried under clutter, you’re not alone. Today Maria and Rebecca of Simple Spaces Ohio join us to share how decluttering has transformed their lives, how you can help your kids understand the value of less, and how a simple morning routine can bring order to the chaos. Whether you're naturally sentimental or just in need of a little guidance, this episode will encourage you to reclaim peace in your home and take back valuable time in your day.Episode Recap:2:15 - Clutter affects the way we feel in our homes4:00 - Young moms are overwhelmed by the chaos in their homes 6:30 - As your kids get older, you can help them understand they don’t need so much stuff 9:45 - Some people are naturally more sentimental than others 11:10 - Having a morning routine with just a few chores can help manage the overwhelm 13:00 - Decluttering gives you back time in your dayScripture for Reflection: 1 Corinthians 14:33 "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—As in all the congregations of the Lord’s people
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450: Handling Grandparents and In Laws: Tips for Healthy Boundaries
21/01/2025 Duración: 23minNavigating relationships with in-laws and grandparents can be tricky, especially when it comes to setting boundaries for the safety and well-being of your kids. Today Karen tackles your questions about managing challenging family dynamics with wisdom, grace, and confidence. Whether you're dealing with safety concerns, feeling smothered, or struggling with differing parenting approaches, this conversation is packed with practical advice to help you protect your family while fostering peace. Episode Recap:2:10 - Check out our new podcast set up on YouTube4:35 - How do I graciously handle having two sets of hyper-involved grandparents? 9:15- How do I handle my mother-in-law’s disrespect in a kind but firm way? 12:45- My mom hovers and overprotects my kids - what should I do? 16:45 - My in-laws have repeatedly shown they do not respect my boundaries, is there anything I can do? Scripture for Reflection: James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fa
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449: New Habits for the New Year
14/01/2025 Duración: 28minDescription: As we step into a new year, Karen and Emily are here to help you start fresh. In this episode, they discuss practical tips for breaking bad habits, finding contentment in your current season, and making space for your own growth as a mom. If you’re ready to embrace 2025 with renewed purpose and encouragement, you’re in the right place.Episode Recap:2:30 - Jumping into the New Year, what are your New Year’s resolutions? 9:02 - My childrens’ bad moods put me in a bad mood! What can I do about this? 13:34 - How do I prioritize my spiritual growth with 3 under 3 in my home? 17:15 - How do I break the habit of having my 5 year old share the bed with us? 20:50 - I’m struggling with contentment because I want another child but my husband and I both feel like we can’t afford another one, help! Scripture for Reflection:2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV): “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”Questions for Discussion:Does your child’s behavior affect your o
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448: Do Less For Your Kids - Parenting for the Long Haul
07/01/2025 Duración: 30minToday Karen and Emily sit down with Elizabeth Pehrson to discuss how moms can parent with purpose by focusing on the long game. In this conversation, Elizabeth shares her no-nonsense approach to raising independent, contributing adults. Whether you’re navigating the pressures of parenting littles or wondering how to prepare your teens for the real world, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped. Don’t miss the rest of the interview over on Patreon! Episode Recap:2:09 - Elizabeth is a long time friend of BOAW Moms and a breakout speaker at Soar 20253:36 - She is mom to 8 and founder of The Exchange8:08 - Most women live a Groundhog Day kind of life, but they don’t have to10:32 - We can’t love others when we’re not loving ourselves well12:37 - How did The Exchange come about? 18:25 - We need to raise adults who are contributors, not consumers21:00 - We are overprotecting and under preparing our kids for the real world 24:00 - Young adults today do not know how to problem solve on their own25:01 - We ru
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447: Staying Connected When Life Gets Busy
17/12/2024 Duración: 26minAs we wrap up Wire Talk for 2024, we’re diving into practical ways to connect with your spouse during busy seasons. From showing appreciation in small ways to navigating family expectations and finding joy in spontaneity, Karen has got wisdom and real-life practical tips for you! Whether you’re balancing the holidays, family dynamics, or simply trying to plan a date night, we hope this conversation inspires you to be intentional in your marriage.Episode Recap:5:30 - How can I show my spouse they matter in small, but meaningful ways?9:00 - How can I accommodate my in-laws' tendency to plan way ahead? 11:45 - Communicating clearly is gracious, even if it disappoints others13:30 - I don’t feel lovey-dovey when we’re travelling, but my husband does. How do we navigate this dynamic? 16:50 - Did your yellow ever rub your blue husband the wrong way? How do I be more spontaneous to accommodate him? 23:00 - Thank you for all of your support this year! Sign up for SOAR in 2025Scripture for Reflection:1 Corinthians 16:1
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446: Loving Like Jesus During the Holidays
10/12/2024 Duración: 26minToday Karen and Emily are diving into what it means to love like Jesus, even when it’s difficult. They cover preparing your heart, navigating tricky relationships, and approaching family gatherings with humility. You’ll learn how to manage expectations and hear practical ways we can love others like Christ loves us. Whether you’re juggling in-laws, extended family, or just trying to survive the season, this episode is packed with encouragement and wisdom for the holidays.Episode Recap:5:41 - Why is it so challenging to love our extended family like Jesus?10:26 - How can we shift our mindset and love family when it feels impossible? 12:33 - You can’t ignore your feelings, but you don’t have to act on your feelings. 13:30 - What are some practical ways we can prepare our hearts before family gatherings?16:00 - Pray and ask God to show you what He loves about hard to love people23:44 - The holidays can bring joy, but they can bring a lot of trigger points as wellScripture for Reflection: John 13:34-35 (NIV)"A ne
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445: Creating Stress-Free Holiday Memories with Your Family
03/12/2024 Duración: 30minThe holidays can often bring stress and guilt for moms as we try to make everything perfect for our families. In this episode, Karen and Emily share how to embrace a simpler, more joyful approach to Christmas. From favorite childhood memories to navigating tight budgets, they remind us that the best moments often come from just being together! We hope this episode inspires you to let go of the pressure, focus on what truly matters (Jesus’ birth!), and create meaningful traditions—whether planned or unplanned.Episode Recap:3:08 - Karen and Emily “This or That’ Christmas edition9:30 - Emily’s favorite Christmas memories growing up in the Stubbs’ home11:20 - The best memories aren’t always the ones you plan16:54 - Pick a few things that are important to you and forget the rest18:20 - Some traditions happen organically and end up being the kids’ favorite20:10 - How do I keep the holiday spirit alive as my kids grow?23:00 - Explain the budget to your kids and don’t feel bad about sticking to it25:32 - Mishaps can
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444: Letting Go of Mom Guilt and Overthinking
26/11/2024 Duración: 20minMoms often struggle with guilt and overthinking, especially when it comes to making decisions for their families. In this episode, Karen talks about how to avoid the trap of overanalyzing every choice and instead focus on what brings peace and unity to your family. Whether you're navigating school decisions, holiday traditions, or just everyday challenges, this discussion will help you let go of guilt and embrace the best yes for your family with confidence.Episode Recap:4:00 Navigating mom guilt around holiday decisions7:30 Deciding whether to do Elf on the Shelf13:00 Setting boundaries for attending kids' birthday parties17:45 Learning to communicate clearly with your children before making commitments22:00 Making decisions that are right for YOUR family, without comparisonScripture for Reflection:Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."Questions for Discussion:What kind of mom
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443: Holiday Survival Guide for Grandparents
19/11/2024 Duración: 25minNavigating the holidays as a grandparent can be tricky, but holding plans with open hands can make all the difference. In this episode, we talk about how to foster unity, embrace flexibility, and keep a spirit of grace at the center of holiday gatherings. Whether you're a mom of grown children or still in the thick of raising kids at home, Karen offers practical tips to help you approach the season with love and understanding.Episode Recap:4:56 Grandparents need to hold holiday plans with open hands7:45 Remember what it was like to be a young adult and all of the pressures they are facing10:00 Be open and flexible to new traditions13:00 Enjoy the kids when they are around and be okay if they are not present some years14:55 Learn how to communicate plans early 16:30 It’s okay for grandparents to spoil the grandkids and overindulge them once a year!19:30 Ask your grown children, “what can I do to make holidays easier/better for you?” 23:00 The holidays aren’t about exactly ‘when’ or ‘how,’ they are about being
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442: Protecting Your Kids from Screen Addiction with Practical Tech Limits
12/11/2024 Duración: 40minToday, DeDe Wilbanks joins us to explore how we can set healthy boundaries around the technology in our homes. With John 10:10 as our guide, DeDe reminds us of our God-given role to protect our children's hearts and minds from the addictive nature of technology. While we can't control everything, we can be intentional about setting limits that nurture our families, trusting God with the rest.Episode Recap:4:30 What downtime and screen time parameters do you put on your devices? 9:43 Is there a right age to give kids a phone? 13:09 Why do screen time limits matter? 15:15 What mistakes have you made when it comes to technology in your home?19:10 I had to learn to enjoy the “no”22:00 How do you actually set limits on the iphone? 31:22 What simple practical tips can you offer to get started?Scripture for Reflection:John 10:10 (NIV) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”Questions for Discussion:What boundaries are in place around the tech
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441: A Faithful Approach to an Anxious World
05/11/2024 Duración: 25minElection Day can bring a lot of uncertainty and even fear into our lives. Today, Karen and Emily remind us to keep our focus on God, no matter who ends up in the White House. They encourage us to pray for our leaders and show us how to foster peace, especially if our families are divided on political views. Karen shares powerful biblical truths to help us navigate the ups and downs of the election season with faith and grace, reminding us that our hope is always in Christ and that we are citizens of heaven. Episode Recap:7:12 How should Christians approach political elections?10:20 What does Jesus say about engaging with governments and politics? 13:04 Daniel 2:21 says God “deposes kings and raises up others”14:30 We have to focus our eyes on God and not our circumstances15:45 Go vote! And also, pray for our leaders17:45 Look at the story of Nebuchadnezzer, God can turn the hearts of evil leaders20:39 We can have different opinions and still love one another21:58 Your children are watching youScripture for Re
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440: How Can I Effectively Discipline My Young Children?
29/10/2024 Duración: 33min“You just have to last one second longer…” If you are constantly fighting discipline battles these days, we hope those words stay with you long after this episode! In this conversation, Karen tackles questions about disciplining your younger children. From chaos in the car, to rough play, to bad behavior that only happens at school, Karen offers practical advice for finding consequences that work for your child. Episode Recap:6:37 My four year old is constantly getting in trouble at school - what can we do?12:30 Car rides are the worst! How can I stop the cycle of craziness?17:00 You just have to last one second longer than they do!18:25 My son plays too rough at school - does he need therapy? 21:30 How do I know which things are discipline worthy and which things I should let go? 27:18 My son gets really angry- we don’t want to punish him for feeling emotions, but know we need to find ways to help him regulate, any advice? Scripture for Reflection:Proverbs 29:17 (NIV) “Discipline your children, and they will
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439: Birth Order and Sibling Squabbles
22/10/2024 Duración: 27minAre your kids’ personalities shaped by their birth order? In today’s episode, Karen and Emily explore how birth order influences personality. They share insights from their own families and tackle questions like, “How do I help my oldest think of others before herself?” and “How can I teach my daughter to let go of things without holding on to everything?” Plus, Emily talks about how she’s using the BOAW Moms app to keep up with studies and episodes!Episode Recap:2:00 Emily is loving using the BOAW Moms app to watch studies and look up podcast episodes3:45 Karen and Emily share how their personalities were shaped by their birth order 7:13 Is it possible to avoid reinforcing birth order stereotypes as a parent?10:25 How do I help my 5 year old let go of things? She wants to hold onto all the things!15:24 How do I help my oldest daughter think of others before herself? 20:45 How do I help nurture my daughter’s kindness? 24:50 Send in your question on the app using the “Ask Karen” sectionScripture for Reflection
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438: A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity
15/10/2024 Duración: 43min“There is nothing that beats conversation with our kids.” Today we’re chatting with Erin Mashaw about the new book she co-authored, A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity. We touch on purity culture, pornography, and the constantly shifting cultural values around us. Erin shared the importance of having small conversations early and often and offered practical tips for getting over the awkwardness! Our hope is that you will be encouraged to engage in new conversations this week in your home and feel equipped that YOU are the best source of information for your child. Psst - pop some earbuds in for this one! Episode Recap:3:20 What is the difference between integrity and purity? 6:54 ‘The Talk’ is no longer one marathon session, it’s simpler than that! 8:30: Is it possible to make these conversations less awkward?11:37 Your mind is your most important sex organ 14:00 Teach your kids to live by the Integrity Code18:30 How do we share the truth that the historical biblical sexual ethic is loving and not exclusive
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437: Balancing Marriage, Parenting, and Life’s Big Decisions
08/10/2024 Duración: 31minWhen your kids are little, the challenges of day-to-day parenting often pit one spouse against another. Today Karen and Emily are answering questions from weary moms. They discuss practical ways you can connect with your spouse, strategies for handling the stress that comes with parenting young children, and remind us of the importance of prioritizing our husband’s needs during this season of life. Episode Recap:4:50 BIG announcement coming later this month - get the app to be the first to know 10:45 How do we find time to connect as spouses with 3 little kids at home? 15:05: Help! My 3 yr old twins are pitting us against one another! 17:14 Our marriage is struggling! We need help. 22:20 Ask your spouse: what is one way I can love you better this month? 25:20 I want to move back to where my family lives. What do you think we should do?Scripture for Reflection:Mark 10:9 (NIV): “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”Questions for Discussion:How do you currently prioritize connection with
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436: Resolve Conflicts by Tapping into Your Child's Unique Personality
01/10/2024 Duración: 27minUnderstanding how your child is wired can be a key to resolving conflict in your home! In today's episode, Karen dives into the dynamics of family conflict and emphasizes how important it is to recognize your child's personality type. By taking the time to understand their unique traits, we can cultivate patience and empathy in our relationships. Join us as we explore practical ways to bear with one another instead of butting heads!Episode Recap:6:08 I’m worried about my 9 yr old son’s lack of sociability…should I be? 9:05 My daughter and I are constantly butting heads! Help!12:15 What are the four core needs of the Red personality? 14:08 How did your husband being away for so long affect your children and the home? 18:32 My 1st grade daughter’s social awkwardness is affecting her relationships, what can I do? Scripture for Reflection:Ephesians 4:2 (NIV): Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.Questions for Discussion:How well do you know each of your children’s personal
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435: Transform Your Parenting By Renewing Your Mind
24/09/2024 Duración: 29minToday we’re diving into the idea of being a countercultural parent. Join us as Karen shares how important it is to parent in a way that aligns with God’s will instead of seeking the approval of others. From practical tips on renewing your mind to choosing God as your guiding “North Star,” Karen offers encouragement to moms who may feel out of step with the world – but exactly in step with God’s design. Episode Recap:3:51 Karen shares about her newest curriculum, The Counter Intuitive Parent8:36 How have you seen parenting trends/choices change over the years?11:38 Were you always countercultural as a parent or did you change as you realized you needed to parent differently from the world? 16:25 What worldly patterns do you see affecting families right now? 19:05 What can a mom do today to renew her mind? 23:00 God is our “North Star” as believers26:30 There is a lot on the horizon for BOAW Moms this year! Scripture for Reflection:Romans 12:2 (NIV) – "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transfo
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434: Setting Your Young Adult Up for Independence
17/09/2024 Duración: 24minToday Karen is answering questions from moms whose kids are in college or working and living on their own for the first time. She shares how to support them without enabling them, how to gently guide them toward wise-decision making, and how to encourage them toward maturity while simultaneously stepping back. She also reminds us that now, more than ever, is the time to get on your knees and PRAY for your kids! Moms, this season is hard, but the fruit of these years is worth the investment of time and energy. Episode Recap:3:41 How do I help my college-age daughter who is already struggling with time management while she’s away? She’s calling me in tears weekly!8:00 I feel like my son is growing apart from us as a young adult living in another state. Is this normal? How can I adjust my mindset? 13:02 My daughter calls me all the time about every little thing now that she’s living on her own. How can I help her be more confident in her decision making? 17:18 I think my son could be classified as “failure to la
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433: You Can Set Your Child Up for Reading Success!
10/09/2024 Duración: 38minLiteracy coach Welsley Jongko joins us in the studio today to talk about the process of learning to read and to encourage those of us who have beginning readers at home! She explains the current reading crisis in America and the simple but effective things parents can do to support their children on their way to become lifelong readers. There are so many great tips and resources shared in the conversation today, be sure you check the links in today’s show notes! Episode Recap:2:11 Welsley is a literacy coach supporting teachers in the K-5 school system4:00 Karen shares the story of Abby’s dyslexia diagnosis 7:56 Tips for parents who are already overwhelmed by the new school year9:40 How can parents help foster a love of learning in their child? 12:12 Is there a difference between a late learner and a struggling reader?16:00 What are the red flags your child is struggling to read? 23:08 Additional early signs of dyslexia26:00 What is the problem with “whole language” instruction? 30:37 Tips and strategies for