Advertise on podcast: The MOM Show with Courtney Doyle

What happens when motherhood looks nothing like the life you imagined? We all have dreams for our children, but sometimes the story unfolds differently than we hoped. And when it does, it's easy to find ourselves questioning every decision, carrying guilt, and wondering where we went wrong. In this week's solo episode of The Mom Show, Courtney continues the conversation from last week's interview with Shannon Popkin, author of Kinda Judgy. She shares a personal reflection on celebrating her son's birthday without him, the difference between regret and repentance, and why our children's choices are not a reflection of our worth as mothers. Together, we'll explore how to release expectations, stop confusing responsibility with control, and extend to ourselves the same mercy God so freely gives. Because you can grieve the story you imagined while still trusting God with the story He's writing. Scripture referenced: Romans 8:1 Lamentations 3:22–23 Mentioned in this episode: Last week's conversation with Shannon Popkin about her book Kinda Judgy. Connect with Courtney Follow Courtney Doyle for encouragement in faith, motherhood, and finding beauty in life's messy moments. Instagram: @courtneydoyle Facebook: Courtney Doyle Ministries YouTube: Courtney Doyle Podcast: The Mom Show with Courtney Doyle If this episode encouraged you, share it with another mom who needs the reminder that she isn't alone. Life Is Messy. Make It Beautiful Anyway.

Have you ever caught yourself being just a little... judgy? Maybe it's toward another mom. Maybe it's toward your husband. Maybe it's even toward yourself. In this honest and grace-filled conversation, Courtney sits down with author and Bible teacher Shannon Popkin to discuss her newest book, Kinda Judgy, and the surprising connection between control, anger, judgment, and God's incredible mercy. Shannon vulnerably shares how God first exposed her struggle with control as a young mom and later revealed an even deeper issue—a heart that was often quick to judge instead of extending compassion. Together, Courtney and Shannon explore how our desire to control outcomes can quietly shape the atmosphere of our homes and how learning to surrender allows both us and our children to experience God's faithfulness. Whether you're parenting toddlers, teenagers, or adult children, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that we were never meant to be our children's Savior—only their mom. In This Episode You'll Hear: Why anger is often a symptom of a deeper control issue The surprising connection between control and judgment How to recognize subtle judgment in your parenting The difference between healthy correction and harsh criticism Why extending mercy doesn't mean lowering biblical standards Learning to "hold and fold" as your children grow How giving our children room to grow strengthens their faith Replacing contempt with compassion in our homes Why God's mercy changes how we see both ourselves and others Scripture Mentioned Luke 6:36 "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Resources Mentioned Kinda Judgy by Shannon Popkin Control Girl by Shannon Popkin Live Like It's True Podcast Connect with Shannon Website: https://shannonpopkin.com Instagram: @shannonpopkin Podcast: Live Like It's True Connect with Courtney: Instagram: @courtneydoyle_8 Website: www.courtneydoyleministries.com Join the MOM 101 Facebook Group: Click here

October is here, and with it comes fuller calendars, fall activities, school schedules, sports, and the beginning of that end-of-the-year rush. When life around us starts speeding up, it can be easy for our emotions to speed up too. Following last week's conversation with Christie Thomas about biblical gentleness, Courtney is continuing the conversation with a practical look at what happens when the emotional temperature starts rising in our homes. When our kids are frustrated, do we automatically become frustrated too? When someone gets louder, do we get louder? When there's conflict, do we immediately feel responsible for fixing it? In this episode, Courtney shares what she has learned about recognizing her own triggers, creating a pause before reacting, and remembering that we don't have to match the emotional intensity of the people around us. You'll hear encouragement about: Recognizing the warning signs that you're becoming reactive Why gentleness is strength, not weakness Creating margin when busyness makes patience harder Letting our kids work through some uncomfortable moments without immediately rescuing them Holding boundaries without adding unnecessary intensity Allowing our children to see our growth, apologies, and transformation Practicing the simple prayer God, help me in difficult moments Spending time with Jesus so His gentleness begins to show up in us You don't have to absorb the chaos around you in order to respond to it. Sometimes growth simply looks like pausing long enough to respond differently than you would have before. Connect with Christie Thomas Listen to last week's episode: Gentleness Is Not Weakness with Christie Thomas Book: Everyday Prayers for Gentleness Find Christie and her resources at Little Shoots, Deep Roots Instagram: @littleshootsdeeproots Connect with Courtney Instagram: @courtneydoyle_8 Website: CourtneyDoyleMinistries.com Join the MOM 101 Facebook Group for community, encouragement, and connection with other moms. If this episode encouraged you, share it with another mom who may be feeling the pressure of a busy season. And be sure to follow or subscribe to The Mom Show so you don't miss an episode.

What comes to mind when you hear the word gentleness? Do you picture someone passive, quiet, or weak? In this episode of The Mom Show, Courtney talks with author and speaker Christie Thomas about the surprising strength of biblical gentleness. Christie reminds us that Jesus was both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God—powerful, courageous, and perfectly gentle. Together, Courtney and Christie discuss what gentleness is, what it is not, and how moms can respond with grace when parenting stretches their patience. Christie offers encouragement for the mother who wants to become slower to anger but feels discouraged by the moments when she falls short. Gentleness is not something we manufacture through willpower. It is a fruit of the Spirit that grows as we remain connected to Jesus and allow Him to transform the way we respond to our children, our circumstances, and even those with whom we disagree. In this conversation, you'll hear encouragement about: Why gentleness should never be confused with weakness How Jesus demonstrated both strength and gentleness Becoming a slower-to-anger parent Responding instead of reacting during difficult parenting moments Extending grace to yourself when you make mistakes Practicing gentleness in a culture filled with anger and division Helping our children develop deep and lasting faith Trusting the Holy Spirit to grow gentleness within us You do not have to know it all, do it all, or parent perfectly to build a strong foundation of faith in your children. Small, faithful habits can grow deep roots—and God can use even our imperfect moments to draw our families closer to Him. Connect with Christie Thomas Everyday Prayers for Gentleness: https://littleshootsdeeproots.com/gentleness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleshootsdeeproots/reels/?hl=en Connect with Courtney Instagram: @courtneydoyle_8 Website: www.courtneydoyleministries.com Join the MOM 101 Facebook Group: Click here

When your child is struggling, it can feel impossible to be okay when they're not. Following last week's conversation with Tara Norbeck, author of Dear Mom of an Addict, Courtney continues the conversation about what happens when a child's struggle begins to consume the entire family. In this episode, Courtney talks honestly about the fear, hypervigilance, guilt, and exhaustion that can come with loving a child through addiction—and the important reminder that experiencing joy while your child is hurting does not mean you love them any less. You'll also hear about setting healthy boundaries, Tara's reminder that we can have "unconditional love with conditional support," and the three truths every parent needs to remember: I didn't cause it. I can't control it. I can't cure it. Courtney also shares one of the most powerful lessons from Tara's story: learning to place our hope in the Healer, not only in the healing. In This Episode Loving your child without losing yourself Why joy is not betrayal Helping vs. enabling Setting boundaries without withholding love The three C's of addiction Separating your child from their struggle Moving from "what if" to "even if" Finding hope and peace when recovery isn't a straight line Scripture Psalm 34:18 — "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted…" You are allowed to live, laugh, love your family, care for yourself, and experience joy even while someone you love is struggling. Connect with Courtney Instagram: @courtneydoyle_8 Website: Courtney Doyle Ministries Join the MOM 101 Facebook Group Subscribe to The Mom Show on YouTube

When Tara Norbeck discovered that her 17-year-old son was struggling with addiction, everything she thought she knew about motherhood changed. In this episode of The Mom Show, Tara shares the painful reality of walking through addiction, psychiatric hospitalizations, overdoses, and the fear of constantly waiting for the next crisis. She also opens up about the guilt she carried as a mom, the impact addiction had on her marriage and other children, and what she had to learn about boundaries, enabling, and letting go of the responsibility to fix what she could not control. Tara shares powerful truths from her book, Dear Mom of an Addict: Ten Truths You Need to Know to Parent Your Addicted Child and Reclaim Hope, including the three C's: I didn't cause it. I can't control it. I can't cure it. Courtney and Tara also talk about unconditional love with conditional support, separating your child from the disease, caring for the entire family, and why secrecy only deepens the shame surrounding addiction. Most importantly, Tara shares how she learned to stop placing her hope solely in her son's recovery and instead place it in God: "I had to put my hope in the Healer and not necessarily in the healing." If you are walking alongside a child or loved one struggling with addiction, this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone—and there is still hope. Connect with Tara: Website: taranorbeck.com Instagram: @taranorbeck Facebook: @tara.norbeck Tara's Books: Dear Mom of an Addict: Ten Truths You Need to Know to Parent Your Addicted Child and Reclaim Hope God Loves You Most Connect with Courtney: Instagram: @courtneydoyle_8 Website: www.courtneydoyleministries.com Join the MOM 101 Facebook Group: Click here

Last week's conversation with Ashley Martin sparked a deeper question: What are we keeping hidden because we're afraid of what people might think? Shame tells us to hide. It convinces us that if people really knew our struggles, failures, or past, they might see us differently. But there is a difference between privacy and secrecy—and some things were never meant to be carried alone. In this episode, Courtney talks about how shame keeps us isolated, the difference between guilt and shame, and why bringing our struggles into the light with God and a trusted person can be the first step toward freedom. She also shares why being honest about our own imperfect stories can help create safer relationships with our children and remind them that failure does not cancel God's forgiveness, redemption, or purpose. In This Episode The difference between privacy and secrecy How shame keeps us isolated Guilt vs. shame Why confession can lead to healing Finding a safe person to trust Talking honestly with our children about our past Allowing God to redeem the parts of our story we wish we could erase Scriptures Mentioned Psalm 32 James 5:16 1 John 1:7 At the end of September, Courtney will also be giving away signed books from this month's guests, including Ashley Martin's Lost No More and Tara Norbeck's Dear Mom of an Addict. Follow along on social media for giveaway details. Your secret does not get the final word. Your shame does not get the final word. Your past does not get the final word. God does. Connect with Courtney Instagram: @courtneydoyle_8 Listen and subscribe to The Mom Show Join the MOM 101 Facebook Group

What happens when the thing you once turned to for comfort becomes the very thing keeping you from freedom? In this powerful conversation, Ashley Martin shares her journey from nearly two decades of alcohol addiction to more than 12 years of sobriety, a renewed relationship with God, and a life she now describes as thriving—not simply surviving. Ashley opens up about the moment she finally surrendered, entering treatment, facing the shame and secrets of her past, and discovering that God could use even the most broken parts of her story for good. We also talk about the three pillars Ashley continues to practice every day—surrender, prayer, and service—and how they help her protect her sobriety, her peace, and her relationship with God. In this episode, we discuss: Recognizing when alcohol or another coping mechanism has taken control Why addiction doesn't have a certain "look" Breaking free from shame and refusing to hide your past The role surrender played in Ashley's recovery Raising children honestly when addiction is part of your family story Choosing faith over fear when addiction runs in the family Ashley's three daily pillars: surrender, prayer, and service The difference between simply surviving and truly thriving How God can redeem and use the parts of your story you once wanted to hide Ashley reminds us that there is always hope. No matter where you've been or what choices are behind you, God has not left you—and your story is not beyond His redemption. Connect with Ashley: Website: www.ashleymartinministry.com Instagram: @ashleymartinministry Book: Lost No More  Connect with Courtney: Instagram: @courtneydoyle_8 Website: www.courtneydoyleministries.com Join the MOM 101 Facebook Group: Click here

Addiction doesn't just affect the person struggling, it impacts the entire family. In this episode for National Recovery Month, Courtney shares important statistics about teen substance use, warning signs parents should watch for, the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills, and practical steps to take if you suspect your child may be struggling. She also shares from her own family's experience with addiction and the difficult balance of loving your child, setting boundaries, seeking help, and surrendering what you cannot control to God. This episode is not meant to create fear, but to help moms become aware, prepared, prayerful, and hopeful. In This Episode • Warning signs of substance use • What parents need to know about fentanyl • How addiction affects the whole family • Helping vs. enabling • When and where to seek professional help • Trusting God for wisdom, peace, and hope Find Help SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Treatment Locator: FindTreatment.gov 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 Partnership to End Addiction: drugfree.org Emergency or suspected overdose: Call 911 Scriptures James 1:5 Philippians 4:6–7 Proverbs 3:5–6 Throughout September, The Mom Show will continue the conversation about addiction and recovery with Ashley Martin, author of Lost No More and Tara Norbeck, author of Dear Mom of an Addict. Addiction may become part of your family's story, but it does not have to write the ending. Connect with Courtney Instagram: @courtneydoyle_8 Courtney Doyle Ministries MOM 101 Facebook Group

Five years ago, one simple sentence changed my life: "I like listening to you. You should start a podcast." I had no idea that one small "yes" would become 225 episodes, and countless conversations pointing moms back to Jesus. In this special anniversary episode, I'm taking you behind the microphone to share the journey, from the early Unmasking series and HELP! episodes to the heartbreaking seasons of losing both of my parents, navigating unexpected challenges, and watching God's faithfulness every step of the way. Whether you've been here since Episode 1 or just recently found The MOM Show, thank you for being part of this community. Here's to celebrating God's faithfulness over the past five years—and looking ahead to what's next! In This Episode How The MOM Show began The evolution of the podcast through the years The biggest challenges I've faced behind the microphone Why your small "yes" can change more lives than you imagine Connect with Courtney 🌐 Website: https://courtneydoyle.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneydoyle_8/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneydoyleministries ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CourtneyDoyle-8 If you've been encouraged by The MOM Show over the past five years, I'd love to hear from you! Leave a review or send me a message sharing your favorite episode. Your stories are one of the greatest gifts of this ministry. Thank you for celebrating five years with me. Here's to all God has in store for Year Six!

Have you ever reached the end of the day with everything checked off your list... and still felt empty? In this solo episode of The Mom Show, Courtney reflects on one powerful takeaway from last week's conversation with Katie Reid: Are we serving from love... or serving for love? It's a small difference in wording, but it can completely change the way we experience motherhood. Together, we'll explore how easy it is to tie our identity to being needed, why the lack of a simple "thank you" can affect us so deeply, and how resting in our identity as daughters of God allows us to serve from a place of fullness instead of striving. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why serving for love always leaves us exhausted. The difference between serving as a daughter of God versus performing for approval. A simple way to recognize when your identity has become tied to what you do. Five practical ways to begin serving from a full heart instead of an empty one. Why God's love was never something you had to earn. This Week's Challenge Choose just one of these practices this week: Do one hidden act of kindness that no one knows about. Notice moments of resentment and ask what you're hoping to receive in return. Spend intentional time allowing God to fill your heart before you pour into everyone else. Speak this truth over yourself daily: "I am loved, not because of what I do today, but because I belong to Christ." Before saying yes to something new, ask: "Am I serving from a full cup... or trying to fill one?" Scripture to Reflect On "We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19 Mentioned in This Episode Katie Reid's episode on The Mom Show (listen to the previous episode for the conversation that inspired today's message). Connect with Courtney  Website: https://courtneydoyle.com  Instagram: @courtneydoyle_8 Join the Mom community on Facebook: Mom 101 Remember, friend... You don't have to earn the love you're already standing in. You get to serve from it—not for it.

Have you ever felt like you have to earn God's love? Maybe you're constantly trying to be the perfect mom, the perfect wife, the perfect friend, or the perfect Christian. You keep doing more, serving more, and striving harder—yet you still feel exhausted. In this encouraging conversation, Courtney sits down with author and speaker Katie Reid to talk about the life-changing moment she calls her "dusty living room revelation"—the day God showed her that grace isn't something we earn, but a gift we simply receive. Together they explore what it means to move from striving to settledness, from perfectionism to peace, and from living like hired help to embracing your identity as a beloved daughter of God. If you've ever wrestled with comparison, burnout, people-pleasing, or the pressure to have it all together, this conversation is one your heart needs to hear. In This Episode Katie shares the story behind her unforgettable "dusty living room revelation." How legalism quietly sneaks into motherhood and our relationship with God. Why so many Christian women struggle to receive God's love. A fresh perspective on Martha that may completely change how you read her story. Learning to serve from love instead of serving for love. Why saying "no" can actually be one of the most spiritual things you do. Practical encouragement for overwhelmed moms carrying too much. Trusting God with your children's spiritual journeys. How embracing your identity as God's daughter changes the atmosphere of your home. A Favorite Quote "Jesus is not company to impress. He's family to enjoy." Scriptures Mentioned Luke 10:38–42 John 11 Exodus 2 Proverbs 3:5–8 Zephaniah 3:17 Resources Mentioned Made Like Martha by Katie Reid Katie's message is a beautiful reminder that God never asked us to earn His approval. As moms, we can stop striving and begin resting in the love that's already ours through Christ. A Gift for Our Listeners Katie has graciously provided a FREE Bible Study lesson for The MOM Show listeners! 🎁 Download it here: https://katiemreid.myflodesk.com/biblestudyfreebie1 She also wanted to share her beautiful song, "Daughter," as a reminder of your identity in Christ. 🎵 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3NFgPjcT1RU8vd4FgdDR7k 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/S8NDS_k1_Mk?si=VS0WIZUDOvX0tcXQ Connect with Katie 🌐 Website & Books: https://www.katiemreid.com/books/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_m_reid/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatieMReidWriter ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatieMReid Connect with Courtney Instagram: @courtneydoyle_8 Website: www.courtneydoyleministries.com Join the MOM 101 Facebook Group: Click here

Have you ever found yourself waiting for the "perfect" time to spend with God? In this solo episode, Courtney reflects on one powerful lesson from last week's conversation with Shalene Roberts: Nothing is ordinary when Jesus is in it. Whether you're folding laundry, packing lunches, sitting in the carpool line, or washing sticky little hands, God is present in the ordinary moments of motherhood. Join Courtney as she shares how to stop waiting for life to slow down and start discovering the sacred moments God has already placed right in front of you. In This Episode: Why ordinary moments matter to God The lie that you'll spend time with God "when life slows down" Finding worship in everyday routines Why God values faithfulness over visibility Practical ways to invite Jesus into your daily life Connect with Courtney 🌐 CourtneyDoyleMinistries.com 📱 Instagram: @CourtneyDoyleMinistries 📘 Facebook: Courtney Doyle Ministries 💌 Join Courtney's email community for weekly encouragement, podcast updates, and resources for every season of motherhood. 🎙️ Subscribe to The Mom Show wherever you listen to podcasts or watch each episode on YouTube.

Motherhood is often filled with moments that no one applauds. The dishes get washed. The tears get wiped away. The prayers are whispered long after everyone else is asleep. And somewhere along the way, many moms begin to wonder, Does any of this really matter? In this heartfelt conversation, Courtney sits down with author Shalene Roberts to talk about the unseen work of motherhood and the God who sees every sacrifice, every prayer, and every ordinary moment. Drawing from her new book, When Mothering Is Hard and No One Sees, Shalene shares the story behind the viral blog post that encouraged hundreds of thousands of moms, the season that nearly broke her, and how God gently reminded her that motherhood has eternal significance. Together, they discuss how to find Christ in the chaos, release comparison, embrace rest, and trust God's plans for our children—even when we can't yet see the outcome. In This Episode You'll Hear: Why so many moms struggle to feel seen and valued The powerful story of Hagar and the God who sees How motherhood shapes eternity more than we realize Practical ways to practice abiding, prayer, and true soul rest How to overcome comparison with gratitude Encouragement for moms walking through uncertainty with their children Why surrendering your plans often leads to God's very best Scripture Mentioned Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart..." Connect with Shalene 📖 When Mothering Is Hard and No One Sees https://amzn.to/4do5a4Y 📷 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shalenerobertsblog Connect with Courtney: Instagram: @courtneydoyle_8 Website: www.courtneydoyleministries.com Join the MOM 101 Facebook Group: Click here

Have you ever felt like giving up on a prayer you've been praying for years? In this solo episode, Courtney reflects on one unforgettable question from last week's conversation with Lyndsay Roberts: "What if you quit mid-miracle?" Whether you're waiting for healing, restoration, a prodigal child, or simply praying for peace, this episode is a reminder that God's silence doesn't mean He's stopped working. Together we'll talk about fear, change, forgiveness, surrender, and how to keep trusting God even when you can't yet see the miracle. In This Episode: Why waiting can make us lose hope How fear steals today's peace The freedom that comes through forgiveness Learning to trust God's timing instead of controlling the outcome Why you shouldn't quit before God is finished Connect with Courtney 🌐 CourtneyDoyleMinistries.com 📱 Instagram: @CourtneyDoyleMinistries 📘 Facebook: Courtney Doyle Ministries 💌 Join Courtney's email community for weekly encouragement and podcast updates.