500 episodes

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, connects you the listener with people and resources to help you feel less alone. Consider it an invitation to "withness".

Don't Mom Alone Podcast Don't Mom Alone Podcast

    • Kids & Family
    • 4.9 • 2.2K Ratings

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, connects you the listener with people and resources to help you feel less alone. Consider it an invitation to "withness".

    Honoring Moms, the Unsung Heroes :: Rebecca St. James [Ep 466]

    Honoring Moms, the Unsung Heroes :: Rebecca St. James [Ep 466]

    Rebecca St. James, a popular Australian American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and actress, is here to talk about the amazing new movie Unsung Hero, which chronicles her family's journey to rebuild their lives from the ground up. She shares personal stories from her childhood and how their mom’s faith stands up against all odds and inspires her husband and children to hold on to theirs.

    Rebecca vulnerably shares her own  marriage and motherhood struggles as she longed to be married and have children and how God shaped her through the waiting. Once she started a family all of the spiritual disciplines that her parents instilled in her have become an important part of how she and her husband lead their children today. 

    This movie and conversation reminds us that every Christian family is called to a unique adventure- they are not all the same but God has a plan for every one of us. When we settle for cookie-cutter lives we are missing out on the miracles He has for us. Be encouraged today that God has an adventure for your family when we step out in faith. 

    Connect with Rebecca St. James: 





    Website:  RSJ (rebeccastjames.com)

    Facebook: Rebecca St. James

    Instagram:  Rebecca St. James (@rebeccast.james)


    Links Mentioned:  





    Unsung Hero | Now Playing In Theaters
    Thank-You-Poster.pdf (focusonthefamily.com)

    Related Episodes:





    Summer of Mentorship 2019 Week Four :: Helen Smallbone
    Raising Rock Stars on a Firm Foundation :: Helen Smallbone [Ep 166]
    The Day Fear Died :: Courtney Smallbone [Ep 201]
    Lasting Parent-Child Relationships :: Summer of Mentorship 2022 Week 1

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    • 43 min
    Sidetracked by 1980’s Mother’s Day, LTK, and Bad Book Reviews :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 465]

    Sidetracked by 1980’s Mother’s Day, LTK, and Bad Book Reviews :: Cynthia and Heather [Ep 465]

    As usual, this sidetracked has so much packed into it, especially as we head into Mother’s Day and the end-of-school-year May(hem). We recap my son Quade’s final high school musical performance as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast. Once again the tears are flowing as I process having a senior and all of the final milestones that come along with it. 

    Cynthia tries to describe what her best Mother’s Day would look like and it ends up being a 1980’s party with a clean house and peaceful kids. While I would like to bring back the homemade Mother’s Day crafts, let’s get all the high school teachers on board. Cynthia chats about what summer looks like when the college kids come home, it's around-the-clock fun with the little one up at 6:30 AM and the big kids up until the wee hours of the morning. 

    Come laugh along with us as we face the month of May and all of the busyness and big feelings that come along with this season of motherhood.  Stick around to the end where we share a big announcement about how the summer of podcasting will look. 

    Connect with Cynthia Yanof: 





    Website:   https://cynthiayanof.com/ 
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof 
    Instagram:  @cynthiayanof 
    Podcast: MESSmerized 



    Links Mentioned:  





    LTK | Fashion, Home, Beauty, Fitness and More
    Life Is Messy, God Is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life: by Cynthia Yanof
    Chico's (chicos.com)
    Forgiving What You Can't Forget: by Lysa TerKeurst
    I Shouldn't Feel This Way: by Alison Cook PhD
    The Body Keeps the Score: by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

    A Mother’s Day Questionnaire for your kiddos to fill out.

    A Questionnaire you fill out about your kids by Brooke Romney
    The Holderness Family
    When Mother’s Day isn’t Facebook Perfect

    Related Episodes:





    Forgiving What You Can’t Forget :: Lysa TerKeurst [Ep 304]
    Embracing the Mom You’re Meant to Be :: Jo Saxton [Ep 283]
    The Goal Isn’t Happy Children :: Cynthia Yanof – Summer of Mentorship – Wk 6 [Ep 419]

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    VisitFind links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

    • 48 min
    Stewarding Sacred and Spiritual Disciplines at Home :: Jennifer Pepito [Ep 464]

    Stewarding Sacred and Spiritual Disciplines at Home :: Jennifer Pepito [Ep 464]

    Do you feel like you are just existing with your family instead of being intentional? Are you finding it hard to consistently spend time with the Lord as a busy mom? Do you wonder how to train your kids in Godly principles and practices that last a lifetime? 

    Today Jennifer Pepito- author, podcaster, and homeschool curriculum writer- joins me to talk about her new book Habits for a Sacred Home. She studied the ancient practices and habits of monks and Christian women who have gone before us to see how they lived and how we can use some of their tools in our homes. 

    Through the Benedictine rule, she discovered nine principles that can guide our days: simplicity, stewardship, order, stability, hospitality, community, prayer, and work. Jennifer talks about what this looks like in the imperfect, busy, messy seasons that family life brings. Life does not need to be idyllic to have a sacred home.  The goal of these practices is not to have another burden or to-do list but to create space for the Holy Spirit to show up in our families and guide us as we walk through life together submitted to Him. 

    Connect with Jennifer Pepito: 





    Website:  THE PEACEFUL PRESS

    Facebook: Jennifer Pepito

    Instagram:  Jennifer Pepito (@jenniferpepito)




    Links Mentioned:  






    Restoration Home with Jennifer Pepito [PODCAST]

    Habits for a Sacred Home: by Jennifer Pepito 

    Really Very Crunchy: by Emily Morrow 

    The Rule of St. Benedict 
    Atomic Habits: by James Clear
    He Leadeth Me: An Extraordinary Testament of Faith: by Walter Ciszek
    Kimberly June Miller
    Mothering by the Book: by Jennifer Pepito



    Related Episodes:





    Inner Healing Prayer :: Jennifer Barnett [Ep 323]
    Creating Family Culture :: Amber O’Neal Johnston [SOM Wk 4]
    Create a Home of Belonging and Becoming :: Sally Clarkson {Ep 107}



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    • 50 min
    When You're Busy and Stressed by Mom Life Expectations :: Joanna Weaver [Ep 463]

    When You're Busy and Stressed by Mom Life Expectations :: Joanna Weaver [Ep 463]

    Do you often feel like you are dropping all the spinning plates? That you can’t keep up or believe the lie that you are the worst mom and wife? Do you wonder why you are not further along, why does everyone else seem to have it together? 

    Today Joanna Weaver- author, speaker, and podcaster- joins me to discuss her new book Embracing Trust. We also spent time talking about her classic Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and how that message has stayed applicable through the years. We want to worship at the feet of Jesus like Mary but the Martha in us keeps bossing us around, telling us to work harder and strive more. Joanna reminds us that if we tend our connection with the Lord everything else flows out of that place. The tasks and needs do not disappear but the ability to tackle them with grace, tranquility, and truth increases as we spend time at the feet of Jesus.  

    Connect with Joanna Weaver: 


    Website:  Christian Author and Speaker - Joanna Weaver

    Facebook: Joanna Weaver Books

    Instagram:  Joanna Weaver | Christian Author (@joannaweaverbooks)


    Links Mentioned:  


    Podcast - Joanna Weaver
    Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: by Joanna Weaver
    Embracing Trust: by Joanna Weaver
    Don't Mom Alone: by Heather MacFadyen

     Related Episodes:





    The What, Why and Work-through of Panic Attacks :: Kasey Van Norman [Ep 452]
    Inner Healing Prayer :: Jennifer Barnett [Ep 323]
    Set Free From Shame :: Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 190]
    Exchange False Beliefs with True Identity :: Jamie Winship [Ep 433]



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    • 49 min
    House Rules and Learning to Love your Home :: Myquillyn Smith [Ep 462]

    House Rules and Learning to Love your Home :: Myquillyn Smith [Ep 462]

    Do you feel like you just need more money to create a home you love? Do you want an inviting home that feels peaceful and open to your friends and family? Are you confused about your decorating style and end up buying random decor that does not work? 

    Myquillyn Smith, author and founder of the Nesting Place, joins me to help with all of the House Rules that can be so overwhelming. She gives me advice on how to update my kitchen on a limited budget by utilizing Pinterest. Plus gives advice on everything from throw pillows, lamps, wallpaper, and buying new couches. Myquillyn says that decorating is taking the time to learn about yourself and what you need for your home. Building the confidence to make big and small decisions that lead to a home you love and is functional. She reminds us that it does not have to be perfect to be beautiful. 

    One powerful statement from Myquillyn is to not wait to get started, get started today on creating a home you love. One that you, your family, and your friends can be invited into a place of peace and rest. 

    Connect with Myquillyn Smith: 


    Website:  Nesting Place

    Facebook: Nesting Place

    Instagram:  Myquillyn Smith (@thenester)




    Links Mentioned:  





    House Rules: How to Decorate for Every Home, Style, and Budget by Myquillyn Smith
    The Cozy Minimalist Community
    Jason Saft | Staged To Sell Home (@stagedtosellhome)
    The Nesting Place: It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful: by Myquillyn Smith
    Quiz: What's Your Decorating Era?


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    How to Quit Hustle and Embrace Small-Moment Living :: Emily Freeman {Ep 83}
    Create a Home of Belonging and Becoming :: Sally Clarkson {Ep 107}
    Your Unique Color Palette and Authentic Style :: Karen Blanc [Ep 343]



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    Find links to this week’s sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors. 

    • 51 min
    When You’re Disappointed in Mom Life Limitations :: Sara Hagerty [Ep 461]

    When You’re Disappointed in Mom Life Limitations :: Sara Hagerty [Ep 461]

    Do you feel as if you are always measuring yourself as a mom? Do you feel like the pressure to keep up with moms around you is overwhelming? Do you feel snappy or resentful at your kids and husband?

    Today, author Sara Hagerty joins me to talk about her new book, The Gift Of Limitations. She is a wife and mom of seven with four adopted kids. Sara shares how we often find ourselves daydreaming about other seasons and how to recognize our limits and give ourselves grace without shame and complaining. When we name our limits we can actually grieve them and let God give us the story He is intricately weaving for our families. Society tells us we can be limitless, we can optimize everything, but Sara reminds us that the limits and plot twists in our life are all from a good Father who is at work in our stories. 

    Connect with Sara Hagerty: 





    Website:   Sara Hagerty

    Facebook: Sara Hagerty

    Instagram:  Sara Hagerty (@sarahagertywrites)


    Links Mentioned:  





    The Gift of Limitations: Finding Beauty in Your Boundaries: by Sara Hagerty
    Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet: Tasting the Goodness of God in All Things: by Sara Hagerty
    Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed: by Sara Hagerty

    Related Episodes:





    When You Feel Unseen :: Sara Hagerty [Ep 175]
    Every Bitter Thing is Sweet :: Sara Hagerty [Ep 143]
    Help When You Feel Weak :: Lisa Whittle [Ep 170]



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    • 49 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
2.2K Ratings

2.2K Ratings

Rach 💇🏻‍♀️ ,

You are a gift!!

First of all, sidetracked episodes are my FAVORITE!! You both are so funny and I laugh along with you. Second, thank you Heather for being so honest a couple weeks ago about having a hard time with your boys and maybe they are not following the Lord at the moment. Praying for you and your family.
I started listening to your podcast a few years ago bc I had 2 little boys at the time. It’s often hard feeling like I’m not sure if I’m doing it right or wanting to blame myself if my boys make bad decisions (my boys are still little). Free will is God gift to us all and we are not responsible for their choices. Please know you are not alone either and please keep sharing with us bc you have truly been a gift to me over the years!!

juliemiree ,

“Side tracked” is my fav!!

Every month I anxiously await the release of the next side tracked episode! A wonderful dose of laughter in every episode!

AnotherDoodler ,

My Favorite Podcast!

I truly look forward to each episode Heather releases. I absolutely love how real, honest, gentle, and open Heather & her guests are. This show always includes biblical truth, honest conversation, lots of laughs, and camaraderie in motherhood. It’s definitely my favorite podcast! Thank you, Heather, for the time, effort, energy and wisdom you put into this podcast for us! You are a gift to the mom community!

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