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".

    Emotional Maturity, Teamwork, and 25 years of Marriage :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 458]

    Emotional Maturity, Teamwork, and 25 years of Marriage :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 458]

    Bruce joins me today to discuss 25 years of marriage and answer listener questions like-  What did you learn in year 25 that you wish you knew in year 1? How do you make time for intimacy? How to handle times when your significant other is having a struggle with faith? And, What are you looking forward to when your kids are grown and flown? 

    I discuss how I’ve grown in emotional maturity while Bruce talks about how to get out of the ruts and routines of work and family life. We also tackle different personality types and how we handle those when parenting our boys. Teen parenting is hard y’all, there are no formulas but we have learned that teamwork is essential. 

    God had been so good and faithful through 25 years of marriage and parenting. Join us today as we share the vulnerable, hard, and good parts of the journey. 

    Connect with Bruce: 


    Website:  zello.com/about-us

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-macfadyen/ 


    Links Mentioned:  





    A Drama Triangle explanation
    A Definition of Locus of Control 

    Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow 

    Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age: by Melissa B. Kruger 
    Shōgun: The Complete Novel: by James Clavell
    The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany: by William Shirer



    Related Episodes:





    Bruce Learns to Label His Feelings :: Bruce and Heather [Ep 316]
    Talking, Teens, and Twenty-four Years :: Bruce + Heather [Ep 399]
    Changing the Atmosphere of Your Home with Positive Parenting :: Ralphie Jacobs [Ep 456]
    Helping Socially Anxious Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 451]



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    • 44 min
    Three Faith Pillars for Parenting Teens :: Melissa Kruger [Ep 457]

    Three Faith Pillars for Parenting Teens :: Melissa Kruger [Ep 457]

    Do you feel like you are on the hamster wheel of expectations this culture throws at your teen? Do you feel the pressure and pull of having them in every sport, activity, and tutor to excel? Is church becoming a point of struggle every Sunday? 

    Melissa Kruger joins me to talk about all things teen and how to raise them in this culture that is pointing to everything but Jesus.  Melissa is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women as they walk through life and motherhood. We talk about how to enjoy our teens instead of curating their lives and how to allow them space to fail. Melissa shares the three pillars that are the foundation of a home focused on Christ- God’s word, prayer, and the Church. We dive into each of these and how to practically walk them out in our homes and with our teens.

    Melissa ultimately reminds us that as recipients of God’s unfailing grace, we get to share that identity with our kids as we guide them through these challenging years. 

    Connect with Melissa Kruger 


    Website:  Melissa Kruger (melissabkruger.com)

    Facebook: Melissa B. Kruger

    Instagram:  Melissa Kruger (@melissabryankruger)


    Links Mentioned:  





    Pre-order “Parenting with Hope”

    Books – Melissa Kruger

    Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein  
    Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know by Melissa B Kruger
    The Gospel Coalition (TGC)
    Article on Melissa’s family prayer routine: Now’s the Time! Resources for Family Devotions 


    Related Episodes:





    “What is My Responsibility in My Child’s Salvation?” :: Vela Tomba [Ep 431]
    Freeing Your Adolescents to Step Into Adulthood – Ages and Stages – Teens :: Dr. Ken Wilgus [Ep 382]
    Doubt, Questions and Your Teen’s Growing Faith :: Mary Jo Sharp [Ep 375]

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

    • 50 min
    Changing the Atmosphere of Your Home with Positive Parenting :: Ralphie Jacobs [Ep 456]

    Changing the Atmosphere of Your Home with Positive Parenting :: Ralphie Jacobs [Ep 456]

    Is your home a place of peace or one of anger and frustration? Do you feel exhausted from the arguing and bickering between kids? Does the bedtime struggle make most evenings end in overwhelm? 

    Ralphie Jacobs is here to help us understand the science and tactics behind Positive Parenting. She started her career in early childhood education and soon realized through her own parenting struggles that there was a lack of resources for behavior change through Positive Parenting. She teaches parents how to change their own behaviors to change home environments and the practical steps to get there. 

    Shifting the atmosphere of our home can feel like turning the Titanic, but Ralphie gives us hope that we can walk a path of gratitude instead of a path of scarcity. 

    Connect with Ralphie Jacobs: 


    Website:  Simply On Purpose - Home

    Instagram:  Ralphie• Positive Parenting (@simplyonpurpose)


    Links Mentioned:  






    Calm in the Chaos Webinar (watch the replay) 
    50+ ideas for spending one-on-one time with your kid

    Related Episodes:


    Choosing Connection Over Critique :: Rachel Macy Stafford [Ep 280]
    How to Stop Yelling, Lecturing and Power Struggles :: Kirk Martin {Ep 62}
    The Window of Tolerance :: Charissa Fry [Ep 260] 



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    • 39 min
    Secure Borders and the Compassionate Christian :: Bri Stensrud [Ep 455]

    Secure Borders and the Compassionate Christian :: Bri Stensrud [Ep 455]

    Do you feel the pull between protecting your family and kids while having compassion on the orphan and the widow who are crossing our borders? Do you feel confused about immigration laws and sustainable immigration practices? 

    Today Bri Stensrud, author, human dignity advocate, and the Director at Women of Welcome shares her heart on immigration. She began her career as a pro-life advocate and after going to Mexico and seeing the reality of so many women and children, compassionate care quickly became her mission. 

    Bri tells us that we can advocate for secure, safe, and legal borders and also the dignity of those arriving here in America. Fear and confusion can often cause us not to engage in the conversation or the communities around us but the Lord has called us to be salt and light. Stick around for the end where she gives practical ideas on how to reach out to those who have fled from desperate situations to bring friendship and hope. 

    Connect with Bri Stensrud: 





    Website:  Bri Stensrud - Women of Welcome

    Facebook: Women of Welcome | Facebook

    Instagram:  Women of Welcome (@womenofwelcome)


    Links Mentioned:  





    Start with Welcome: The Journey toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation: by Bri Stensrud
    World Relief 
    Compassion International

    Show Me the Way by Henri Nouwen (the lent study Heather is doing) 

    Private Refugee Settlement Program  

    Related Episodes:





    The Ministry of Presence in a Broken World :: Tess Clarke [Ep. 252]
    Compassion Changes Everything :: Jonathan Almonte [Ep 264]
    Many Hues, One Humanity :: Dr. Lucretia Berry [Ep 282]

    Featured Sponsors: 





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    • 55 min
    Sidetracked by Throat Gurgles, Unlikely Friendships and Trash Can Valentines :: special guest Rachel Green [Ep 454]

    Sidetracked by Throat Gurgles, Unlikely Friendships and Trash Can Valentines :: special guest Rachel Green [Ep 454]

    Today’s show starts with a small hiccup and then really gets going with our guest and listener Rachel Green (but not that one ;)).  We discussed what we had for breakfast and it was everything from a frittata, to coconut milk yogurt with all the toppings, to a Diet Dr. Pepper with saltines. Can you guess who ate what? 

    Rachel admits to being sidetracked by ruminating over her busy calendar, and how Cynthia’s book is helping her, “get comfortable with being uncomfortable so she can bring others in”. We share what the Lord is teaching us lately including Kingdom success vs. the world’s success and how to prioritize relationships over tasks. All while Cynthia starts a new segment called, “How are we even friends?”. Lastly, don’t forget to tag us on socials with your amazing dog names (Heather promises not to judge). 

    Connect with Cynthia Yanof: 





    Website:  https://cynthiayanof.com/ 
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof 
    Instagram:  @cynthiayanof 
    Podcast: Episodes – Cynthia Yanof


    Links Mentioned:  






     Life Is Messy, God Is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life: by Yanof, Cynthia

    Jordan's Skinny Syrups Sugar Free Coffee Syrup, Vanilla
    Life Is Beautiful (English Subtitled)
    Right Where You Belong: How to Identify and Fully Occupy Your God-Given Space: by Heather MacFadyen

    Women, Food and Hormones 
    Jesus cookies

    Lume deodorant (use DMA to get $5 off starter pack)
    Clothes Steamer

     Related Episodes:





    “Plump it Up”:: Sidetracked by 10 years of Podcasting [Ep 437]
    Balancing Work and Family Life :: Tricia Goyer [Ep 7]
    Strengthening Our Friendships :: Susan Seay [Ep 289]

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    • 48 min
    Hope for the Hopeless Marriage :: Kathy Bush [Ep 453]

    Hope for the Hopeless Marriage :: Kathy Bush [Ep 453]

    If you need a reminder that God can redeem and restore a broken marriage, this week’s guest, Kathy Bush shares her powerful restoration testimony. 

    Kathy and Tim have been married for 42 years, many of those years filled with hurt, pain and infidelity. Their story centers around a primary marriage challenge —bringing two stories,  backgrounds, and expectations together. It took Kathy and Tim hitting rock bottom to begin a two-year process of counseling where they found a place of healing. 

    Kathy reminds us that God designed marriage before He designed the church and that it can be a powerful tool against the enemy if we can walk in step together. Today Kathy and Tim run War Room Ministries to serve men, marriages, families, and churches across the country and help families find healing. 

    Connect with Kathy Bush: 


    Website:  Home - War Room Ministries

    Instagram:  War Room Ministries (@warroomministry) 


    Links Mentioned:  





    Sex on The First Date by Tim and Kathy Bush
    The Bible Recap
    Family Life –Weekend to Remember Conferences

    Genesis Women's Shelter---resources if you are in an abusive relationship



    Related Episodes:





    Building Strong Marriages :: Kimberly Beam Holmes [Ep 374]
    Finding the Courage to Speak Up When You’re Not Ok :: Kristen Glass [Ep 427]
    Rebuilding from an Abusive Marriage :: Jeni B [Ep 246] 
    Infidelity, Divorce and Redeeming Love :: Rebekah Greer [Ep 8]
    Walking Through Divorce :: Lara Williams [Ep 324] 
    Sinners Married to Sinners–How God Refines Us :: Cheryl Scruggs and Jae Carpenter [Ep 195]

    Featured Sponsors: 




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

    • 55 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
2.2K Ratings

2.2K Ratings

GretchenSue ,

Love it!

I have been listening for a long time, even binging the episodes before to get it all in. I have loved most every episode and Heather! Adding Cynthia to this mix has been a surprise and breath of fresh air. I want a Cynthia in my life too! I think I’d have side pains after hanging out together though from all the laughter! Keep up the good work!!

Screwed by vintes ,

Idk what’s happening but God is good!

Omgoshhhh just found this podcast and idk what’s happening but it’s hilarious and SOOO GOOD. Cynthia and Heather were so dang funny. I felt like I was a fly on the wall (ew) or maybe just a friend sitting at the table with them). I can’t wait to start “Life is Messy God is Good”. Thank you for the laugh. Thank you for making things lite! This mama needed this. The message about doing xyz and really what Gods favor is hit the nail on the head for exactly what I’m experiencing in motherhood. Ty Heather! 🥰

Daniella0928 ,

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Goodmorning im a full time sahm i am 27 years old &I I have 5 kids , one being medically complex and requires 24/ hour care I really get caught up home a lot of my time and in my time of cleaning and doing the mom thing i need something to get me going or just to simply start my day right you ladies made me laugh so hard on the Feb 2nd podcast thank you from a momma who definitely needed that laugh 💕💕🫶🏼🫶🏼 keep the podcasts coming thank you for the great laugh and encouragement to keep going life is messy but god is good 😊 🙌🙌🙌🙏

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