Don't Mom Alone Podcast

In this conversation, Haley Scully shares her journey into biblical counseling, ministry, and helping people find real hope in the middle of today’s mental health crisis. With a background in counseling and ministry through Hope for the Heart, Haley discusses the importance of caring for one another biblically while staying rooted in God’s truth rather than chasing cultural counseling trends.
We talk about the growing need for biblical answers to anxiety, pain, disappointment, and emotional struggles — and why true healing comes from addressing the heart, not simply assigning blame. Haley opens up personally about wrestling with unmet expectations, trusting God through singleness, and learning what it truly means to believe in His goodness even when life doesn’t look the way we hoped.
We also dive into one of the most relevant conversations happening today: faith and AI. Haley shares how Hope for the Heart partnered with Pray.com to create AI tools informed by 40 years of biblical counseling content and wisdom, helping ensure people searching for answers online are pointed toward truth grounded in Scripture.
In this episode, we discuss:

How experiences shape our emotions and reactions

Finding healing through God instead of blame

Trusting God when life doesn’t go according to plan

How Christians can approach AI and technology with wisdom

Why the Church should engage culture instead of fear it

Using technology as a tool for discipleship and biblical guidance

Connect with Haley Scully: 

Website: Hope For The Heart 

Instagram: Hope for the Heart (@hopefortheheart)

Facebook: Hope for the Heart

Links Mentioned: 

Pray: The World's #1 App for Daily Prayer and Biblical Audio Content 

Hope For The Heart - Event Page 

Related Episodes:

Rescuing the Girl in You :: Chrystal Evans Hurst [Ep 172]

Broken Crayons Still Color :: Toni Collier [Ep 267]

Freedom from Anxiety :: Ashley Willis [Ep 180]

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My dear friends, who I've been chatting with for 10 years, are back! David Thomas and Sissy Goff are seeing a growing "crisis of capability" in kids. In this conversation, we talk about their new book Capable and why the goal isn't to raise confident kids. It's to raise resilient ones.
If your child won't try out for a sport, avoids new friendships, or struggles to take initiative, you're not alone. Many kids today are hesitant to step into discomfort, and many parents feel unsure how to help without pushing too hard or stepping in too quickly.
David and Sissy share a powerful reframe: confidence isn't something kids magically gain. It's something they build through repeated, uncomfortable experiences. And instead of chasing success, we should be helping our kids become sturdy, able to handle challenges, setbacks, and real life.
We also talk about why we need to move from reactive skills to proactive strength-building, and how small, everyday opportunities (like ordering food, making appointments, or trying something new) can shape long-term resilience.
This episode is both practical and deeply encouraging, especially if you're navigating anxiety, motivation struggles, or the pressure to "get it right" as a parent.

In This Episode, We Cover:

The difference between capability and confidence

Why many kids today avoid risk and discomfort

5 key strengths: competence, flexibility, perseverance, humility, and gratitude

100 practical ways to build independence

Why habits matter more than quick fixes

How to motivate teens who won’t engage

Connect with David and Sissy: 

Website: Raising Boys and Girls | Tools, Tips, and Hope for Strong Families 

Instagram: Raising Boys and Girls (@raisingboysandgirls)

Facebook: Raising Boys and Girls

Links Mentioned: 

Capable: By Sissy Goff and David Thomas

I Am Capable: Unlocking the Secret Strengths Inside of You – Boys and Girls Workbook and Activity Guide to Grow in Grit, Resilience, and Confidence: By Sissy Goff and David Thomas

Related Episodes:

Helping Kids Do Hard Things, Strong-Willed Kids, and Growing Through Failure :: David Thomas and Sissy Goff [Ep 522]

The Art of Nurturing Boys :: David Thomas [Ep 119]

“How Can I Help My Kid Make Friends?” :: David Thomas and Sissy Goff [Ep 483] Summer of Mentorship week 6

Emotional Milestones :: Sissy Goff and David Thomas [Ep 160]

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The updated and revised And the Bride Wore White by Dannah Gresh equips you to speak with clarity and confidence about sexual integrity and God’s good design. Rooted in biblical truth and full of grace, this trusted resource helps you start the conversations that matter most— and guide the next generation toward healing, wisdom, and a deeper love for Jesus. For over two decades—and more than 300,000 copies later this message is still changing lives. Get your copy of And the Bride Wore White today

In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Babs Costello—beloved home cook, mom of four, grandmother, and viral content creator who proves it’s never too late to start something new. After launching her social media presence at 71, Babs has become a source of comfort, wisdom, and joy for millions.
We talk about the beautiful chaos of raising a family while running a business, how she built a supportive community of moms, and why the dinner table can be the most powerful place for connection. Babs shares practical tips on meal planning, keeping kids engaged during dinner, and how preparing ahead can make hosting feel effortless.
She also opens up about her children’s book, Did Your Mother Ever Tell You…?, a project made even more special with the help of her grandchildren. This episode is a reminder that when life feels overwhelming—“when it rains, it pours”—those storms can still bring growth, beauty, and deeper connection.
Whether you’re a busy mom, a grandmother, or someone wondering if you’ve missed your chance to start something meaningful, Babs’ story will leave you inspired to begin right where you are.
In this episode, we cover:

Simple meal planning strategies for families

How to keep kids engaged at the dinner table (and why it matters)

Turning everyday moments into meaningful family traditions

Overcoming fear and embracing new beginnings at any age

Lessons from her grandmother on faith, hospitality, and joy

Connect with Babs Costello: 

Facebook: Brunch with babs

Instagram: BABS (@brunchwithbabs)

Links Mentioned: 

Did Your Mother Ever Tell You?: By Barbara ("Babs") Costello

Every Day with Babs: By Barbara Costello

Celebrate with Babs: By Barbara Costello  

Related Episodes:

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

Help! My Kids Don’t Know How to Do Anything : Building Life Skills This Summer :: Katie Kimball [Ep 525]

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

Featured Sponsors: 

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Talking to kids about sex can feel overwhelming—but avoiding the conversation doesn’t make it easier. In this replay episode, Megan Michelson and Mary Flo Ridley break down how to approach these important topics in a way that feels natural, age-appropriate, and shame-free.
Instead of relying on a single, awkward “talk,” they encourage parents to build an ongoing dialogue that evolves as kids grow. From early childhood curiosity to teenage years and deeper conversations about puberty and masturbation, this episode offers practical tools to help you stay calm, confident, and connected.
We cover how to introduce basic biology (like seeds, eggs, and conception), how to respond when your child isn’t interested in the conversation, and why tone matters more than perfection. You’ll also learn how to navigate common parenting moments—like little ones exploring their bodies—without shame, while still setting healthy boundaries.
As kids get older, the conversation shifts. Megan and Mary Flo share how to approach puberty, why “shoulder-to-shoulder” conversations can be more effective than face-to-face talks, and how to handle more complex topics like masturbation in a way that balances honesty, guidance, and emotional awareness.
If you’ve ever felt unsure about when to start, what to say, or how to say it—this episode will give you a clear, grounded approach.
What You’ll Learn:

Why “the talk” doesn’t work—and what to do instead

How to start conversations about bodies and sex at a young age

Age-appropriate language for explaining reproduction and biology

What to do when your child avoids or shuts down the conversation

Why tone and delivery matter more than saying everything perfectly

Connect with Birds & Bees: 

Website: Birds and  Bees

Instagram: Birds and Bees | Online Course | Megan Michelson (@birds__bees)

Links Mentioned: 

God's Design for Sex Series: By Stan &Brenna Jones

Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys By David Thomas

Related Episodes:

Gender and Sexuality :: Preston Sprinkle [Ep 370]

Let’s Talk about Sex :: Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson [Ep 328]

Sexual Identity and Radical Ordinary Hospitality :: Dr. Rosaria Butterfield [Ep 301]

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Today on the podcast, I’m joined by comedian Tim Hawkins, who has been making people laugh for over three decades. With years of life, family, and stage experience behind him, Tim brings humor and perspective to everything from parenting to personal growth.
We dive into his family life, including the story of how he met his wife, and reflect on the journey of raising kids, including the rewarding moment of watching them grow into adults. Tim shares his thoughts on parenting, emphasizing that there’s no perfect formula. While many feel pressure to follow methods and systems, he and his wife chose not to get bogged down in outcomes, trusting that God is big enough to guide the process.
We also get into the realities of raising kids, like what to do when they’re constantly wrestling. For Tim, one of the biggest factors in raising kids well is simple but powerful: proximity. Being present matters.
Tim opens up about his own creative journey, including a season where he hit a wall, struggled to write, and had to step back and reset. He shares how his comedy process has evolved over the years and how life itself fuels his material.
His approach to comedy is simple and honest: live your life, take notes, and tell strangers. The more you can relate to people, the more successful your message becomes. Whether it’s disappointment, joy, or frustration, the best material comes from real passion and lived experience. Join us today for a great (and hilarious) conversation. 
Connect with Tim Hawkins: 

Website: Tim Hawkins 

Facebook: Tim Hawkins

Instagram: Tim Hawkins (@timhawkinscomic)

Links Mentioned: 

Watch Tim Hawkins: Fist Bump | Prime Video 

Listen to Heather on Sidetracked Podcast

Related Episodes:

Don’t Dad Alone :: Dustin Nickerson [Ep 472]

When Friendships Get Messy: Healing, Humor and Finding Your Chicken-Fried Women :: Melissa Radke [Ep 519]

From Blockbusters to Blanket Forts: Patricia Heaton on Parenting, Faith, and Comedy [Ep 521]

Featured Sponsors: 

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StoryWorth: This year, give Mom a gift that helps her reflect on her life with fresh perspective–and gives your whole family the gift of her stories. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10th. Order right now and save up to $20 at storyworth.com/dma

Skylight Calendar: Families are better when they’re working together. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch Calendars by going to MySkylight.com/DMA.