Discovering Home Podcast: Faith, Peace, and Purpose at Home for Christian Moms

Karla B. Monterrosa, Coach for Christian Moms Called Home
  • 5.0 (17)
  • CHRISTIANITY

Biblical encouragement and practical wisdom to help you walk in faith, clarity, and confidence at home.Whether you’re a working mom sensing God’s call to slow down or a stay-at-home mom needing fresh encouragement, Discovering Home will help you find clarity and confidence in your God-given calling. Welcome to Discovering Home — the podcast that helps you discern God’s voice and step confidently into a home-centered life filled with faith, peace, and purpose. Each week, Karla B. Monterrosa, author, speaker, and coach, shares biblical encouragement, practical wisdom, and real-life stories to help you walk in faith, clarity, and confidence as you build a life that honors God at home. After leaving a 20-year career in public service to follow God’s call home, Karla now equips Christian working moms to discern God’s leading and embrace a slower, purpose-filled life centered on faith and family. Because home is holy work—and motherhood is a ministry worthy of your time, energy, and talents. New episodes every Wednesday. Learn more and access free resources at karlabmonterrosa.com. Subscribe now and start your journey home today.

  1. 4D AGO

    #16 Is Daycare Good for Babies? What I Wish I Knew as a New Mom

    Welcome back to Discovering Home with Karla Monterrosa. In this deeply personal and research-based episode, we explore a question many mothers quietly wrestle with: Is daycare actually good for my baby? If you’ve ever dropped your child off and felt that knot in your stomach… If your baby cries at separation… or if you’ve wondered whether what’s common is truly what’s best—this episode is for you. Karla shares her personal experience navigating daycare with both of her daughters, including signs of stress she didn’t recognize at the time, and what she now understands through attachment theory. You’ll learn: What attachment theory says about early childhood (John Bowlby + Mary Ainsworth)Insights from Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters by Erika KomisarWhy babies don’t “adapt”—they copeThe importance of the first three yearsWe also talk about cultural pressure, motherhood, and what options may better support your child if staying home isn’t immediately possible. This is not about guilt— but about awareness, truth, and invitation. If you’ve been feeling a pull toward a different way of living, this episode will help you take your first step. Keywords: daycare, babies, attachment theory, working mom, stay at home mom, separation anxiety, early childhood development, Christian motherhood, parenting, infant care Support the show And if you’re wondering whether God may be calling you into a new season, take my short quiz (linked below). You’ll receive my free guide: Start Your Journey Home—with reflection prompts and practical next steps. 🎧 QUIZ : Start Your Journey Home www.karlabmonterrosa.com/quiz Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2498555/support Shop gifts for moms at my online store: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/store Interested in 1:1 Coaching, click here to learn more: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/work-with-me 💌 Stay Encouraged Join my email list for updates and encouragement directly to your inbox: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/subscribe Do you have a question or comment for me?  I'd love to hear from you. Email me at: hello@karlabmonterrosa.com For speaking events, interview inquiries, or collaboration, email: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/speaking Keywords Christian motherhood, Christian working mom, stay at home mom transition, leaving the workforce for family, career gap for moms, Christian stay at home mom, faith and motherhood, Christian homemak...

    26 min

  2. MAR 18

    #15 What Happens to My Career If I Step Away? Reframing the “Career Gap” Fear

    A faith-filled perspective for Christian working moms wondering if stepping away from their careers will close doors in the future. If you’re a Christian working mom who feels the pull to spend more time at home with your children, one question almost always surfaces: “What happens to my career if I step away?” Will I fall behind? Will I lose credibility? What if I need to work again some day? Am I wasting my education? In this episode of Discovering Home, I'll address the fear many women carry about the “career gap” and offer a different way to think about work, contribution, and long-term purpose. Drawing from my own journey of nearly a decade as a stay-at-home mom, I'll share: • why career paths don’t have to be linear  • how women can continue growing and contributing in different seasons  • practical ways to keep skills sharp while prioritizing family  • the importance of taking the long-term view of your life and calling I'll encourage you to redefine success in each season and remember that the quiet work of nurturing a home and raising children is deeply meaningful in God’s kingdom. If you’ve ever wondered whether stepping away from your career could close doors in the future, this episode will help you approach the question with faith, wisdom, and perspective. Support the show And if you’re wondering whether God may be calling you into a new season, take my short quiz (linked below). You’ll receive my free guide: Start Your Journey Home—with reflection prompts and practical next steps. 🎧 QUIZ : Start Your Journey Home www.karlabmonterrosa.com/quiz Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2498555/support Shop gifts for moms at my online store: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/store Interested in 1:1 Coaching, click here to learn more: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/work-with-me 💌 Stay Encouraged Join my email list for updates and encouragement directly to your inbox: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/subscribe Do you have a question or comment for me?  I'd love to hear from you. Email me at: hello@karlabmonterrosa.com For speaking events, interview inquiries, or collaboration, email: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/speaking Keywords Christian motherhood, Christian working mom, stay at home mom transition, leaving the workforce for family, career gap for moms, Christian stay at home mom, faith and motherhood, Christian homemak...

    16 min

  3. MAR 11

    #14 Can I Afford to Become a Stay-at-Home Mom, Mindset Shifts for Christian Moms Considering Home Centered Living

    Can You Really Afford to Stay Home? 5 Mindset Shifts for Christian Working Moms If you’re a Christian working mom who longs to be home with your children — but the numbers don’t seem to add up — this episode is for you. Maybe you’ve whispered, “I wish I could stay home.” Maybe your husband has asked, “How would we afford it?” Maybe you loved your career at one point…but something has shifted and you feel a growing need to be more present at home. After nearly a decade of living on one primary income, I’ve learned this: transitioning home isn’t just about budgeting differently. It’s about mindset, marriage, stewardship, and faith. In this episode, I’m sharing five mindset shifts that helped me move from full-time career life to a slower, more home-centered rhythm — even when the math didn’t always perfectly work on paper. We’ll talk about: • Seeing your husband as your teammate • How provider roles can sharpen purpose • Learning to steward differently as a wife and mom • The hidden weight of the mental load • Why your budget is only part of the story This isn’t about quitting recklessly. It’s about asking: Is it truly impossible… or simply uncomfortable? And, can I live in that discomfort, for a time? If you’re praying about stepping away from your career, reducing your workload, or creating more margin for your family, I hope this conversation brings clarity and peace. You are not crazy for wanting a slower life. And you are not alone in the tension. 🎧 Press play — and let’s walk through these five shifts together. Support the show And if you’re wondering whether God may be calling you into a new season, take my short quiz (linked below). You’ll receive my free guide: Start Your Journey Home—with reflection prompts and practical next steps. 🎧 QUIZ : Start Your Journey Home www.karlabmonterrosa.com/quiz Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2498555/support Shop gifts for moms at my online store: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/store Interested in 1:1 Coaching, click here to learn more: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/work-with-me 💌 Stay Encouraged Join my email list for updates and encouragement directly to your inbox: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/subscribe Do you have a question or comment for me?  I'd love to hear from you. Email me at: hello@karlabmonterrosa.com For speaking events, interview inquiries, or collaboration, email: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/speaking Keywords Christian motherhood, Christian working mom, stay at home mom transition, leaving the workforce for family, career gap for moms, Christian stay at home mom, faith and motherhood, Christian homemak...

    19 min

  4. MAR 4

    #13 Redefining Success as a Christian Mom: Christie Morales on Faith, Family, Budgeting & a Home-Centered Life

    In this episode of Discovering Home, I’m joined by Christie Morales. She is a holistic nurse and mom of two (with baby #3 on the way), for an honest conversation about identity in Christ, redefining success, and building a home-centered life in a culture that prizes hustle and productivity. Whether you’re a...  Christian working mom, a stay-at-home mom in need of renewed vision, or a young woman prayerfully preparing for a future family and a life shaped more by God’s design than cultural expectations,I know this conversation will bless you deeply. Christie shares how her identity as a child of God has reshaped everything—her marriage, her motherhood, her priorities, and the way she defines success in this season.  We talk about what it really takes to live with intention: living below your means, learning creative ways to generate income as a stay-at-home mom, and creating rhythms that protect your peace while prioritizing what you value most. You’ll also hear Christie’s practical wisdom on: Why she chose nursing on purpose—so her work could support her family, not compete with itHow to integrate your kids into your real life (calls, errands, Bible study, and all) without guiltThe beauty of a multi-generational community in the local church—for moms and kids“Winks from God” that confirm you’re on the right path—like seeing Scripture come alive in everyday life and watching your kids grow in biblical wisdomLetting go of the pressure to prove your worth through productivity, income, or titlesAnd if you’ve ever felt torn—between your career and your desire to be more present—Christie offers a powerful reminder: God’s sovereignty can feel scary… or it can feel like freedom. The question at the end of life won’t be “Did you do it perfectly?” but “Did you obey the Lord and trust Him in each season He gave you?” This episode is such a beautiful invitation to rethink success, embrace a slower rhythm, and trust God one faithful step at a time. And, if this conversation encouraged you, please share it with a friend.  Support the show And if you’re wondering whether God may be calling you into a new season, take my short quiz (linked below). You’ll receive my free guide: Start Your Journey Home—with reflection prompts and practical next steps. 🎧 QUIZ : Start Your Journey Home www.karlabmonterrosa.com/quiz Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2498555/support Shop gifts for moms at my online store: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/store Interested in 1:1 Coaching, click here to learn more: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/work-with-me 💌 Stay Encouraged Join my email list for updates and encouragement directly to your inbox: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/subscribe Do you have a question or comment for me?  I'd love to hear from you. Email me at: hello@karlabmonterrosa.com For speaking events, interview inquiries, or collaboration, email: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/speaking Keywords Christian motherhood, Christian working mom, stay at home mom transition, leaving the workforce for family, career gap for moms, Christian stay at home mom, faith and motherhood, Christian homemak...

    48 min

  5. FEB 25

    #12 Highly Sensitive Moms & Working Motherhood: Discerning God’s Call to a Slower, Home-Centered Life

    Highly Sensitive Working Moms: Burnout, Overstimulation, or God’s Invitation to a Slower Life? Do you feel overstimulated, overwhelmed, and emotionally spent—especially after the holidays? If you’re a Christian working mom who longs to slow down, come home, and live at the pace of grace, you may not be “too much”… you may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). In this Season 2 premiere of Discovering Home, Karla B. Monterrosa introduces the concept of the highly sensitive mom and why working motherhood can feel uniquely exhausting when you have a sensitive nervous system. You’ll learn what it means to be an HSP (and what it isn’t), including the widely recognized DOES framework: Depth of Processing, Overstimulation, Emotional Responsiveness/Empathy, and Sensitivity to Subtleties. If you’ve ever wondered: “Why am I so sensitive?”“Why does full-time work drain me more than it seems to drain others?”“Is my desire for a slower, home-centered life burnout… or is God inviting me into a new season?”…this episode will help you name what’s happening without shame and begin discerning a life rhythm that aligns with how God uniquely made you. You’ll also walk away with gentle, practical strategies for nervous system regulation as a highly sensitive mom—without adding more pressure: Why rest is a biological need, not a luxuryThe role of play, renewal, and restorative hobbiesHow to protect your peace by reducing noise, artificial lighting, and constant digital inputSimple ways to build “recovery time” after overstimulating daysA faith-centered reminder: you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139), and Jesus invites you into real rest (Matthew 11:28–29)📍 Ready for clarity? Take my free discernment quiz: “Is God Calling You Into a New Season of Motherhood?” Visit: karlabmonterrosa.com/quiz (and you’ll receive my free guide Start Your Journey Home with encouragement and next steps). If this episode encouraged you, please rate the show and leave a review—and share it with a mom friend who needs permission to breathe. Support the show And if you’re wondering whether God may be calling you into a new season, take my short quiz (linked below). You’ll receive my free guide: Start Your Journey Home—with reflection prompts and practical next steps. 🎧 QUIZ : Start Your Journey Home www.karlabmonterrosa.com/quiz Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2498555/support Shop gifts for moms at my online store: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/store Interested in 1:1 Coaching, click here to learn more: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/work-with-me 💌 Stay Encouraged Join my email list for updates and encouragement directly to your inbox: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/subscribe Do you have a question or comment for me?  I'd love to hear from you. Email me at: hello@karlabmonterrosa.com For speaking events, interview inquiries, or collaboration, email: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/speaking Keywords Christian motherhood, Christian working mom, stay at home mom transition, leaving the workforce for family, career gap for moms, Christian stay at home mom, faith and motherhood, Christian homemak...

    40 min

  6. FEB 18

    #11 A Slower Rhythm, A Word for the Year & Starting Something Creative from Home

    Happy 2026 and welcome to Season 2 of the Discovering Home Podcast. In this season premiere, I’m sharing a personal reflection on what it looks like to choose a word for the year, anchor your life in Scripture, and embrace a slower rhythm as a Christian mom. After a full and fruitful 2025—launching this podcast, building my coaching practice, and balancing homeschooling and family life—I found myself exhausted. In this episode, I share the behind-the-scenes journey of how Discovering Home began, what God taught me through seasons of building and striving, and why this year I’m choosing acceptance instead of pressure. We’ll talk about: Choosing a guiding Scripture for the year (Philippians 2:13)Trusting God to work in you and through youReleasing hustle and embracing a slower, home-centered lifeAligning your faith, motherhood, and purposeLetting go of perfection and resting in God’s timingIf you’re a Christian working mom discerning a transition home, a stay-at-home mom seeking renewed clarity, or simply longing to live at a gentler pace rooted in faith and family, this episode will encourage you. This season, we’re exploring what it means to steward your calling, honor how God designed you, and build a life that reflects peace instead of pressure. You don’t have to rush. You don’t have to prove anything. God is already at work in you. Be sure to follow the show so you don’t miss next week’s episode, where I’ll share a powerful discovery about sensitivity, overstimulation, and how God uniquely designs some moms for a slower, more intentional rhythm. Support the show And if you’re wondering whether God may be calling you into a new season, take my short quiz (linked below). You’ll receive my free guide: Start Your Journey Home—with reflection prompts and practical next steps. 🎧 QUIZ : Start Your Journey Home www.karlabmonterrosa.com/quiz Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2498555/support Shop gifts for moms at my online store: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/store Interested in 1:1 Coaching, click here to learn more: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/work-with-me 💌 Stay Encouraged Join my email list for updates and encouragement directly to your inbox: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/subscribe Do you have a question or comment for me?  I'd love to hear from you. Email me at: hello@karlabmonterrosa.com For speaking events, interview inquiries, or collaboration, email: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/speaking Keywords Christian motherhood, Christian working mom, stay at home mom transition, leaving the workforce for family, career gap for moms, Christian stay at home mom, faith and motherhood, Christian homemak...

    15 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    #10 Season Finale - Choosing Peace Over Pressure: A Simpler Christmas for Christian Moms

    How Christian moms can slow down, simplify, and savor what truly matters this Christmas. Thriving This Holiday Season: Calling, Purpose, Work, and a Peaceful December In this final episode of Season 1, we’re wrapping up the year with a conversation that feels like a deep breath. I’m diving into three themes that have shaped this entire season and will continue to shape this community as we head into a new year: 1. A Heartfelt Recap of Season 1 We’ll look back at the journey we’ve taken together—from the early stories of calling and transition, to healing, motherhood, identity, and intentional living. I’ll share the biggest lessons God has highlighted through this first season of the Discovering Home podcast. 2. Calling, Purpose, and Work We’ll talk honestly about what calling actually is (and what it isn’t), and how so many of the roles God entrusts to us—marriage, motherhood, caring for family—are not “achievements,” but assignments from Him. I’ll share the mindset shifts I had to make after leaving a busy career, why humble work matters, and how to view your job and your home through the lens of obedience and purpose. 3. Thriving This Holiday Season as a Mom Whether you’re excited for the holidays or feeling the pressure rising, this section is your invitation to choose peace over performative perfection. We’ll talk about materialism, traditions that matter, simple hospitality, debt-free gifting, Mary vs. Martha, and how to focus on connection over consumption—all while keeping Jesus at the center. As we close out the year, this episode will help you breathe, release pressure, and step into the holidays (and the new year ahead) with clarity, confidence, and Christ-centered peace. If this season has blessed you, make sure to subscribe to the email list so you don’t miss updates while the show is on break.  Support the show And if you’re wondering whether God may be calling you into a new season, take my short quiz (linked below). You’ll receive my free guide: Start Your Journey Home—with reflection prompts and practical next steps. 🎧 QUIZ : Start Your Journey Home www.karlabmonterrosa.com/quiz Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2498555/support Shop gifts for moms at my online store: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/store Interested in 1:1 Coaching, click here to learn more: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/work-with-me 💌 Stay Encouraged Join my email list for updates and encouragement directly to your inbox: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/subscribe Do you have a question or comment for me?  I'd love to hear from you. Email me at: hello@karlabmonterrosa.com For speaking events, interview inquiries, or collaboration, email: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/speaking Keywords Christian motherhood, Christian working mom, stay at home mom transition, leaving the workforce for family, career gap for moms, Christian stay at home mom, faith and motherhood, Christian homemak...

    36 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    #09 From Overwhelmed to Intentional: Goal Setting for Moms Who Want Change

    Discover a grace-filled way to set goals that honor your season, your family, and God’s purpose for your life. Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything but not moving in the direction you want to go? In this episode, I share how intentional goal setting changed my life—from exhausted and overwhelmed in a busy career in public service to living a slower, more peaceful, and faith-centered life at home. I’ll also share a few updates about what’s ahead for Discovering Home and what you can expect during the upcoming holiday break and next season of the show. You’ll learn how to set goals that fit your current season, reflect on what truly matters, and take practical steps forward with grace—not guilt. Whether you’re a working mom dreaming of more time at home or simply craving clarity for the year ahead, this conversation will help you shift from feeling overwhelmed to feeling intentional and trusting God with your next chapter. To learn more about the resource I shared in the episode, visit www.writingoffsocial.com Support the show And if you’re wondering whether God may be calling you into a new season, take my short quiz (linked below). You’ll receive my free guide: Start Your Journey Home—with reflection prompts and practical next steps. 🎧 QUIZ : Start Your Journey Home www.karlabmonterrosa.com/quiz Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2498555/support Shop gifts for moms at my online store: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/store Interested in 1:1 Coaching, click here to learn more: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/work-with-me 💌 Stay Encouraged Join my email list for updates and encouragement directly to your inbox: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/subscribe Do you have a question or comment for me?  I'd love to hear from you. Email me at: hello@karlabmonterrosa.com For speaking events, interview inquiries, or collaboration, email: www.karlabmonterrosa.com/speaking Keywords Christian motherhood, Christian working mom, stay at home mom transition, leaving the workforce for family, career gap for moms, Christian stay at home mom, faith and motherhood, Christian homemak...

    27 min
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Biblical encouragement and practical wisdom to help you walk in faith, clarity, and confidence at home.Whether you’re a working mom sensing God’s call to slow down or a stay-at-home mom needing fresh encouragement, Discovering Home will help you find clarity and confidence in your God-given calling. Welcome to Discovering Home — the podcast that helps you discern God’s voice and step confidently into a home-centered life filled with faith, peace, and purpose. Each week, Karla B. Monterrosa, author, speaker, and coach, shares biblical encouragement, practical wisdom, and real-life stories to help you walk in faith, clarity, and confidence as you build a life that honors God at home. After leaving a 20-year career in public service to follow God’s call home, Karla now equips Christian working moms to discern God’s leading and embrace a slower, purpose-filled life centered on faith and family. Because home is holy work—and motherhood is a ministry worthy of your time, energy, and talents. New episodes every Wednesday. Learn more and access free resources at karlabmonterrosa.com. Subscribe now and start your journey home today.

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