Called to Love: An Adoption Podcast for Christian Parents - Christian Adoption, Trauma and Healing, Foster Care, Parenting Adopted Children

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 
In this episode, I was joined by the amazing comedian, Tim Hawkins. Tim Hawkins is a big name in my household! In case you have never heard of him, he is a Christian family-man who does clean, family-friendly comedy shows and tours across the country. We have loved and enjoyed his comedy specials and songs as a family for years, so this is a special gift to have him on the podcast. Together, we are talking about the healing power of laughter. Family is not easy but laughter can get you through the tough times, as Tim himself explains with his own experiences. 
I am so glad you’ve joined me for this episode! Let’s dive in! 
Key topics in this episode: 
Healing power of laughter
Family life and parenting
Staying true to faith and values

Connect with Tim Hawkins on Facebook or check out his website to learn more. 
Watch his brand new comedy special, Fist Bump, on Amazon! 
To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! 
You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. 
I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!
Christian Parenting resource for you: Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide!
And this year's edition is our best one yet! Whether you're honoring a loving mom, a
devoted dad, or an inspiring grad, we've got you covered with meaningful gifts they'll
truly love. From Bibles and study tools to encouraging books, you're guaranteed to find something special for everyone on your gift lists this spring. 
Visit christianparenting.org/gifts to explore the 2026 Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide today!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 
In this episode, I was joined by a woman who I wish I knew 20 years ago - or at least, had her book 20 years ago! Her name is Janel Breitenstein and she’s the author of, “How to Stop Yelling Up the Stairs: Keeping Your Cool While Raising Your Kids” which is the topic of this episode. 
Long-time listeners may know some of my story and how I truly struggled as a mom with my littles and especially after adopting my precious little girl. The adoption-reality was completely different from the adoption-dream I had - countless sleepless nights and a traumatized baby who would not sleep and wouldn’t accept anyone but me. The external triggers were intense, but I realized many years later there were also things in my heart, too. I still carry guilt over how I yelled at my kids which is also a part of today’s conversation with Janel. 
I am so glad you’ve joined me for this episode! Let’s dive in! 
Key topics in this episode: 
Managing anger in parenting
Modeling emotional health for children
Creating a gospel-centered home amidst chaos

Connect with Janel on her website and blog: https://www.janelbreitenstein.com/ 
Buy her book, “How to Stop Yelling up the Stairs” by clicking here! 
To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! 
You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. 
I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!
Christian Parenting resource for you: Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide!
And this year's edition is our best one yet! Whether you're honoring a loving mom, a
devoted dad, or an inspiring grad, we've got you covered with meaningful gifts they'll
truly love. From Bibles and study tools to encouraging books, you're guaranteed to find something special for everyone on your gift lists this spring. 
Visit christianparenting.org/gifts to explore the 2026 Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide today!

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 
In this episode, I was joined by the amazing author and parenting coach, Mary Van Geffen. Since 2011, Mary has coached over 1,700 moms of “Spicy Ones”, walking with them through the same struggles she once thought would break her. She now has a book titled, “Parenting a Spicy One: A Compassionate Guide for Raising a Deep-Feeling and Wonderfully Strong-Willed Kid” which prompts today’s conversation. 
As parents of foster and adoptive kids, sometimes we have a “spicy” child - a child who is very emotional, passionate, strongwilled, and maybe labeled as “challenging, difficult, stubborn” and any other descriptors. It can be extremely taxing and difficult navigating this relationship - what do you do when the kid refuses to brush their teeth or change out of their pajamas? It feels like one battle after another, and it can send our nervous systems into overdrive and survival mode, hijacking us into an overly reactive state because we are at our limit. Mary offers a ton of practical advice throughout this conversation – it’s almost like she’s an amazing coach! She has a lot of great insight for shifting our perspective on this “spicy” little one of ours and how to truly connect with them. 
I am so glad you’ve joined me for this episode! Let’s dive in! 
Key topics in this episode: 
Defining a spicy child and their temperament
The importance of communication and connection
Practical tools for daily parenting challenges
The power of repair and forgiveness in relationships
Shifting mindset from control to compassion

Connect with Mary on her website or Instagram, and get a copy of her book! 
To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! 
You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. 
I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!
Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning Minute
Subscribe now at MorningMinute.org to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 
In this episode, I was joined by a mom who’s message spoke near to my heart and I believe many parents in this calling: Jamie Erickson. Jamie is the busy mama of five kiddos, ages ranging from college to 8th grade, and she also homeschools. She is also an author with a recent book that speaks to my heart, “Overwhelmed Mom: Quiet the Chaos, Mind What Matters, and Enjoy Your Life Again.”
As adoptive and foster parents (and even just biological parents, of course!), we are carrying a very heavy load and I feel overwhelmed. Jamie’s book comes at a perfect time in my life and I hope you will also find it encouraging and practical. 
Key topics in this episode: 
Types of overwhelm: circumstantial, emotional, and self-inflicted
The importance of managing priorities and setting boundaries
Practical tips for reducing overwhelm: analog life, digital detox, and community support
The role of faith and trusting God in overcoming stress
Recognizing physical and emotional signs of overwhelm

Connect more with Jamie on her website. 
And check out new book and topic of today’s episode, Overwhelmed Mom: Quiet the Chaos, Mind What Matters, and Enjoy Your Life Again
To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! 
You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. 
I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!
Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning Minute
Subscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.

Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast! 
In this episode, I was joined by Dr. Kelly Flanagan. Dr. Kelly Flanagan is an award-winning author, international speaker, personal and relationship coach, and licensed clinical psychologist with two decades of expertise in interpersonal relationships. His thought leadership has been featured in The 5 Love Languages, the TODAY Show, Reader’s Digest, HuffPost, and Success Magazine. Kelly’s two non-fiction books, Loveable and True Companions.
He has recently released The Road Less Triggered which is the topic of our discussion as foster and adoptive parents. Dr. Kelly discusses what it means to be triggered in the clinical sense and how we as parents can experience it and our children - biological, adoptive or foster. He also shares his own personal journey and how he overcame his own triggers which were causing destruction in his relationships. This is a great and practical conversation to help us in any stage of this calling. 
Key topics in this episode: 
Understanding the clinical and broad definition of triggers
Physiological signs of being triggered and interoception
Balancing regulation and recognition in emotional responses
Empathy and boundaries in trauma-informed care
Practical steps for owning moments and teaching children

Connect more with Dr. Kelly on his website. 
And check out his book, The Road Less Triggered. 
To submit your prayer requests, use this form by clicking here! 
You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. 
I would love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!
Christian Parenting resource for you: Morning Minute
Subscribe now at MorningMinute.org  to receive each weekday morning a verse to strengthen your spirit, one parenting insight grounded in Christ-like wisdom, one short action item to guide your heart and your kids’ and one resource to help you go deeper.