Don't Mom Alone Podcast

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]

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Why does homework and school in general turn into a battle in so many homes?
In this insightful conversation, Dr. Matthew Housson breaks down what’s really going on when kids struggle with homework—and why it’s often not a discipline issue at all. Instead, many challenges come down to executive function skills—things like planning, focus, emotional regulation, and the ability to start and finish tasks.
We talk about how brain development impacts motivation, why some kids struggle to shift into “low dopamine” tasks like homework, and what parents can do to support their child without taking over.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated, confused, or even discouraged trying to help your child succeed academically, this episode will give you clarity, practical tools, and encouragement—you’re not alone, and there is a better way forward. In this episode we talk about: 

When behavior is developmentally normal vs. when to seek help

The key signs of depression in teens (including irritability)

Why a full profile is often more helpful than a diagnosis

Practical tools to make homework time smoother

Executive function skills are learned and developed over time

You can’t rush development—but you can support it

Connect with Dr. Matthew Housson: 

Website: Home - The Housson Center

Facebook: The Housson Center

Instagram: The Housson Center (@thehoussoncenter)

Links Mentioned: 

Resources from The Housson Center (books & websites)

Definitions of different childhood challenges (parent resource)

Related Episodes:

How to Stay Calm with School Stress :: Kirk Martin {Ep 88}

School Choice Series: Public School Options with Emily Fenlaw:: [Ep 561]

Grace Based Discipline for Kids with Unique Needs :: Karis Murray [Ep 237]

Featured Sponsors: 

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In The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini share more than 40 years of lived experience raising a son with profound disabilities. With honesty and faith, they speak to the strain on marriage, the weight of finances, the sting of unkind comments, and the grief of a journey you didn’t choose, but also the joy you didn’t expect. If you’re walking this road—or love someone who is—this book offers steady encouragement for the long journey ahead. To learn more about The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, visit moodypublishers.com or find it wherever books are sold.

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What do you do when life doesn’t just hand you lemons—but keeps throwing them at your face?
Today, Kirby Kelly joins us to share about her new book, The Fabric of Hope.  After unexpectedly losing her mom, Kirby turned to Scripture to find hope in a season that felt unbearable. With a Master’s in Theology, she began searching for truth and hope right in the middle of her pain.
When life unravels, it can feel impossible to believe that anything good could come from it. In those moments, it’s easy to begin seeing God as the enemy in our situation. But God is not the author of evil—He is the redeemer of it. And when the hits keep coming, that truth can be incredibly hard to hold onto.
This episode is a reminder to stay tethered to Him through both praise and lament—to remain connected and fight for that connection, even when it’s difficult.
Be encouraged today as Kirby shares her personal story of pain and how God is with us in all things. 
Connect with Kirby Kelly: 

Website: Kirby Kelly

Facebook: Kirby Kelly

Instagram: Kirby Kelly (@kirbyisaboss)

Links Mentioned: 

The Fabric of Hope: By Kirby Kelly

Eternity is Now in Session: by John Ortberg

Related Episodes:

Finding Freedom from Habitual Sin :: Kirby Kelly [Ep 469]

Walking Through Grief: Coping, Comforting Kids, and Embodied Emotions :: Erin Nelson and Colleen Montague [Ep 517]

When Moms Walk through Grief :: Stacey Thacker {Ep 76}

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As moms, we are like a life support system for our kids. To keep our families healthy, we need to be healthy. A key part of our overall well being is setting healthy boundaries. 
But boundaries are hard. They require uncomfortable, direct conversations. We may need to put a limit on really good things or draw a line in the sand with our in-laws or parents. 
My guest, Dr. John Townsend literally wrote the book on boundaries and he shares some deep wisdom on how to set healthy boundaries while honoring our family members and others. 
“You've got to take care of your energy, your heart and your emotions. You've got to take care of yourself and your health. If you don't guard that heart, then the wellsprings of life won't come out from it. Boundaries are basically about how to set healthy, loving limits in our life. So we have something to offer to our children.”
Townsend answers your tough questions about setting limits with in-laws, making healthy boundaries for the holidays and even models having a tough conversation with a parent about a boundary. 
This is an episode packed with great information and Townsend has several books and resources available if you want to go deeper. Let’s make setting healthy boundaries a priority and guard our hearts and our time to bring life to our family!
Connect with John Townsend: 

Instagram: John Townsend (@dr.john_townsend)

Facebook: Dr. John Townsend

Website: Home - Dr. John Townsend

Links Mentioned: 

Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: By John Townsend

Relational Nutrients (new layout) - Dr. John Townsend

People Fuel: By John Townsend

Related Episodes:

Parenting a Spicy Child: How to Stay Calm, Set Boundaries, and Keep the Connection :: Mary Van Geffen [Ep 558]

Good Boundaries and Goodbyes :: Lysa TerKeurst [Ep 387]

Strengthening the Relationship with Your Adult Child :: Kathy Cunningham [Ep 543]

Featured Sponsors: 

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