Advertise on podcast: Faith & Family Growth

Most people don’t struggle with hearing God.They struggle with distinguishing His voice from their own desire. In this episode, we break down a practical, biblical framework for discerning whether something is:God leading youor you wanting something badly and spiritualizing itInstead of relying on feelings, signs, or pressure, we walk through:How God consistently communicates direction in ScriptureWhy clarity often comes before confidenceThe difference between peace, alignment, and emotional excitement. Why wanting something doesn’t automatically make it wrongHow obedience produces confirmation over timeIf you’ve ever asked: “Is this God… or is this just me?”This episode will help you move forward with clarity, not confusion.

Our daughter is 20 years old and has special needs. When she asked us this question, it stopped us both in our tracks—not just as parents, but as a husband and wife walking out our faith together.In this episode, my wife and I sit down for an honest conversation about parenting a child with special needs, what healing really means, and how faith intersects with identity, disability, and feeling different. This isn’t a polished teaching—it’s a real, vulnerable dialogue between two parents learning how to walk with their daughter instead of trying to fix what was never broken.If you’re a parent of a child with special needs, a couple navigating faith together, or someone who’s ever wondered why they don’t feel “normal” even after praying for healing, this conversation is for you.Topics covered:– Parenting a child with special needs as a couple– Faith and disability– What healing really means– Identity, worth, and feeling different– Being present parents, not fixers👇 If this resonates, share it with a parent or couple who needs to know they’re not alone.

Forgiveness is often talked about, but what about reconciliation? Do you always have to reconcile with someone you’ve forgiven — or is forgiveness enough on its own? In this episode, we explore the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, why they’re not the same, and how to navigate these decisions in marriage, family, and everyday life. You’ll learn: – The difference between forgiving and reconciling – When reconciliation is healthy — and when it’s optional – How to protect your heart while honoring your faith – Practical steps to move forward after conflict or hurt This conversation is for anyone who: • Struggles with setting boundaries after forgiveness • Wants clarity in marriage or personal relationships • Is learning to balance grace and wisdom 🙏 Subscribe for weekly faith, marriage, and mindset discussions.

I used to wake up at 4 am every day. Single, focused, disciplined. It worked… until I got married and had kids. Suddenly, the same discipline felt heavy, exhausting, and even harmful. In this 6–8 minute clip, I share: Why your discipline might be costing you presence. How to tell the difference between stewardship and punishment. A simple mindset shift to reclaim your energy If you’ve ever felt burned out while “doing all the right things,” this one’s for you. A faith-driven community for people ready to stop circling the same patterns. Strengthen your body. Renew your mind. Move forward with clarity and courage. No perfection. No pretending. Just real progress—together. https://www.skool.com/the-word-wellness-community-6348/about

Parenting is one of the most meaningful and challenging journeys a family can walk through — especially when you’re raising kids while still healing yourself. In this episode, we have an honest conversation about parenting while healing from past trauma, navigating personal growth as parents, and what it really looks like to build a family while you’re still becoming whole yourself. Many couples and parents assume they need to be “fully healed” before they can lead their families well. But the reality is that healing and parenting often happen at the same time — especially during seasons of transition, marriage, relocation, and spiritual realignment. In this conversation, we explore: Parenting while healing from childhood trauma Personal growth during marriage and parenthood Raising children while navigating emotional healing How therapy supports parents and families The impact of unresolved wounds on family rhythms Faith, healing, and parenting through hard seasons How community support helps parents grow and heal Marriage is often viewed as a fresh start, but for many couples it reveals areas that still need healing. We talk about preparing for marriage, personal development, and how emotional healing can surface unexpectedly once you begin sharing life, space, and responsibility with another person. Parenting has a way of bringing old wounds to the surface. As families grow — especially when welcoming additional children — new challenges can highlight the need for deeper healing. We discuss how parenting can be a catalyst for healing, self-awareness, and faith-driven growth. We also talk openly about therapy for parents, the importance of addressing trauma, and the powerful realizations that come from doing the inner work. Healing isn’t always comfortable, but it is often necessary for building healthier families and relationships. No family is meant to heal or grow alone. Community plays a vital role in helping parents navigate healing, faith, and family life. Spaces like the Breakthrough Community exist to offer support, understanding, and connection for parents walking similar paths. Healing while parenting is not a destination — it’s an ongoing process. This episode is for parents, couples, and families who are: Raising kids while still healing Navigating faith and family transitions Learning to lead their homes without having it all figured out Choosing honesty over perfection If you’re parenting in the middle of your own healing journey, you’re not alone. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations on faith, family rhythms, marriage, healing, and life transitions.👉 Join our community and continue the journey of parenting, healing, and growing together. Parenting, Marriage, and Personal GrowthHealing Past Trauma While Raising a FamilyTherapy, Trauma, and Emotional HealingThe Importance of Community SupportParenting While Healing Is a Journey

In this episode, we dive deep into our journey of relocating from Connecticut to Georgia. Hear about the emotional and practical challenges we faced, the adjustments in our daily lives, and the support we've found in our new community. From beloved sneakers to navigating DMV procedures, we cover it all. Plus, discover how this move has impacted our family dynamics and individual growth. Join us as we share insightful reflections on embracing change and finding stability in a new environment.

In this episode, we discuss our recent trip to the Dominican Republic, sharing our initial impressions and experiences navigating a new culture and language. We recount stories from our travels, including an encounter with locals using machetes, and our thoughts on the area's economic disparities. We reflect on our observations of local life and the importance of investing in communities meaningfully. We also share how these experiences influence our ideas for future business ventures and community development. Tune in for insights on cultural exposure, personal growth, and a special announcement about our upcoming couples' health challenge.00:00 Introduction: Machete in the Grass00:18 Virgin Islands Gym Adventure01:03 First Impressions of the Dominican Republic02:21 Navigating the Airport and Local Help05:11 Driving in the Dominican Republic08:02 Cultural Observations and Reflections13:20 Economic Disparities and Local Labor17:18 Creating Opportunities and Final Thoughts19:23 Building Local Economies19:52 The Power of Exposure20:23 Understanding Community Needs21:09 Reflections on Personal Gain22:14 Teaching and Empowering Others22:58 Navigating Business Opportunities26:20 Cultural Exposure for Children30:09 Future Business Ideas36:02 Upcoming Challenge Announcement37:48 Final Thoughts and Subscriber GoalTwo ways we can help you:The Breakthrough is where faith, fitness, and calling collide.A real community to break patterns, build strength, and move forward with clarity, courage, and God-aligned purpose. https://www.skool.com/the-word-wellne...Join the book club! Join us in exploring Church Girl by Sarita Lyons—a heartfelt journey designed for those seeking a deeper connection with God and community. This book is perfect for new believers, those who feel a call for a closer relationship with Christ, women being called to ministry, and anyone who has been churched but knows they desire more than a surface-level faith.https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%...[0]=AT1WGcA6o_PWnLMH4VYp5Y-lqzZY7tPxGVzeWSsu_u24cWaGroCDt1JOjb1zCwvlPOhhio20VpNdWX26HyCNLUy2WMs-ksX61wMqXCj-qdL3r6S0fy7GuFZXPqAWGZpx-zdoR7VzWQauk1tDBJt4CdsRsd__sY6-qK-bQPzVVsWMdx3tjqybtcF4jb8

Introduction: The Journey Begins Raising a child with special needs is a journey filled with unique challenges—and profound rewards. In this conversation, we explore the realities of parenting an adult child on the autism spectrum, from early diagnosis to adulthood, sharing struggles, triumphs, and lessons learned. Our daughter was diagnosed at age three. Parenting didn’t follow the typical script. As a single mom, balancing life with a child in a neurodivergent world required patience, strength, and adaptability. Educating ourselves on autism helped us move from confusion to advocacy. By honoring our daughter’s unique abilities, we fostered an environment where she could thrive. Now a graduate of a renowned culinary institute, our daughter inspires us daily. But parenting an adult child with autism brings new challenges—society often expects conformity rather than celebrating diversity. Our journey involves helping her find confidence in her identity while navigating life’s milestones in her own way. It’s about letting go while supporting her individuality. Having friends and family who truly understand makes a world of difference. Even small acts of support can have a big impact. Faith has been our anchor. We’ve learned to steward our daughter’s life rather than control it, trusting God’s timing and plan. This trust has brought freedom and peace in the midst of challenges. To parents on a similar path: stay resilient, love steadfastly, and celebrate every small victory. Progress isn’t always linear, but God guides every step. We hope our story inspires other families to approach their journey with hope, faith, and love. We’d love for you to be part of our Book Club on Sarta Lyons’ Church Girl starting January 8th. It’s a free space to get honest, aligned, and moving. Here’s what you’ll get: Spot blind spots driving your patterns Break cycles keeping you stuck Build real strength spiritually, mentally, and physically Align faith, habits, and calling Lead with clarity and courage No perfection. No pretending. Just presence, purpose, and progress—together. 🏠 Welcome home. Book Club Link: Join Here Separate from the book club, The Breakthrough is a space to strengthen your body, renew your mind, and walk boldly in God’s calling. What you’ll experience: Spot blind spots driving your patterns Break cycles keeping you stuck Build real strength spiritually, mentally, and physically Align faith, habits, and calling Lead with clarity and courage No perfection. No pretending. Just presence, purpose, and progress—together. 🏠 The Breakthrough Link: Join Here Understanding Autism and Family DynamicsNavigating Young AdulthoodThe Importance of a Support SystemFaith and Parenting: Trusting the ProcessFinal Thoughts: Encouragement for ParentsJoin the Conversation: Book Club ✅Grow With Us: The Breakthrough Community

We were ONE minute from missing our cruise.One door closing away from disaster. What was supposed to be an exciting family trip turned into a full-blown sprint through the terminal… luggage in hand… a stranger yelling… our nerves shot… and a door about to close in our faces. Traffic. Delays. Miscommunication. One bad assumption about “boarding time” almost canceled everything. In this episode, we break down: • The exact moment we thought we were too late• Why driving to Miami almost cost us the whole trip• The lesson nobody tells you about cruise departure times• How ONE Uber driver saved the day• What nearly losing the trip taught us about stress, marriage, rest, and real life And then… something deeper happened. When we finally got on board?No rush.No pressure.No chaos. Just people laughing… connecting… breathing… living. Which made us realize something scary… 👉 The only time we rest… is when life forces us to. Not because we chose it. We talk about how we learned that rest is a muscle.And if you don’t intentionally train it — you won’t have it when you’re back in “real life.” If you’ve ever:• Been running late• Felt life moving too fast• Lived in survival mode• Been tired without knowing why …this episode is for you. Drop a comment:💬 “Have you ever had a close call like this?”💬 “What’s the most stressful travel story you’ve lived?” And if you’re planning a cruise soon…Watch this before you go.

Ever take a vacation and realize… you didn’t know how tired you really were? This cruise wasn’t just a getaway. It was a confrontation with burnout, expectations, and what real rest actually feels like. In this video, we share what God revealed to us while sailing the Caribbean — traveling from Georgia to Miami, racing through traffic, almost missing the ship, and finally being forced to slow down. What started as a trip became a mirror, exposing emotional exhaustion, spiritual misalignment, and why rest is not lazy — it’s obedience. If you’re an entrepreneur, a parent, a leader, or someone silently carrying too much… this message is for you. Why burnout is usually emotional before it’s physical How God uses discomfort to reset your priorities Why rest is a spiritual discipline, not a luxury What cruise life revealed about our addiction to stress How expectations quietly steal your peace Why slowing down feels uncomfortable at first What faith looks like when you’re actually tired How God speaks when you finally sit still This journey was unexpected. From Lyft delays… to Uber miracles… to making the dock by minutes… all of it echoed a deeper truth: We rush through life. God invites us to walk. If you’ve been feeling: Disconnected spiritually Burned out emotionally Overworked mentally Numb internally Tired but unable to rest Busy but unfulfilled Then stay until the end. This isn’t travel content. This is soul content. 🙏 CREATOR NOTES This cruise wasn’t sponsored. This wasn’t perfect. This was real. Shoutout to: Norwegian Cruise Lines for the atmosphere My friend D Green for the hoodie + love If this helped you, comment: “I’m learning to rest.” Subscribe if you want content built on: Faith. Truth. Depth. Clarity. Rest for your soul. The pain we carry  How we heal What my bones know  Yoga and healing  Healing is resistance  You’ll discover:

Parenting frustration hits different when you’re juggling kids, marriage, responsibilities, and your own emotional bandwidth. In this episode, we break down real-life moments of parental frustration, how it shows up in your body, and why it’s not always about the thing your kid is doing — it’s about everything that’s piled up before it. We talk openly about:✨ The moment we knew our frustration was no longer about the situation✨ How suppressing emotions turns you into a pressure cooker✨ How parents can support each other in heated moments✨ Why kids mirror our stress✨ Gentle parenting vs. “Malcolm X mode” (😂 you tell it beautifully)✨ How frustration builds up in marriage and family life✨ Practical ways to emotionally regulate before you snap✨ Why understanding your spouse’s stress signals saves the whole day✨ How to avoid spiritually bypassing your real feelings✨ The mistakes we made early in marriage — and what changed everything This conversation is raw, relatable, and full of wisdom for parents, married couples, and anyone feeling overwhelmed right now. (You can add exact timestamps after you upload.)00:00 – Why Frustration Sneaks Up on You02:45 – Kids + Chaos: The Perfect Storm06:20 – When You Know You’re Not Actually Mad at the Thing09:15 – Gentle Parenting vs. Real Life12:40 – How Marriage Helps Regulate Emotion14:55 – Preventing a “Frustration Day”18:10 – Parenting Two Kids at Different Ages20:25 – Boundaries, Balance, and Letting Kids Into the Experience ⏱️ Timestamps

Join us on a heartfelt journey of faith, family, and new beginnings as we navigate one of the biggest transitions of our lives—moving from Connecticut to Georgia. In this episode, we share our experiences of selling a cherished home, stepping into the unknown, and embracing the transformative world of homeschooling. From the emotional farewell of our old house to the excitement and challenges of a new state, this story explores the power of trusting God’s plan, navigating life transitions, and finding community in unexpected places. Whether you’re considering a relocation, exploring homeschooling for your kids, or seeking inspiration to embrace change with courage, our journey is a testament to the strength found in faith, family, and intentional living. Highlights in this video include: Emotional reflections on leaving a longtime home Lessons learned from unexpected life changes How we embraced homeschooling in Georgia Building a supportive community of like-minded families Insights on faith, trust, and stepping into the unknown If you’re on a journey of personal growth, relocation, or simply looking for family inspiration, this video is for you. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories of faith, family, and living intentionally.

In this episode, we take a journey into the heart of a question every believer wrestles with at some point: Is following God’s will really better than following my own? Through real stories, Scripture, and honest conversation, we explore what it looks like to: Trust God when life feels inconvenient Surrender control and release your own plans Hear God’s voice amid the noise of doubt Step into obedience, even when it stretches you beyond comfort Along the way, we dive into biblical stories of faith, sacrifice, and unexpected doors that only obedience can open. If you’ve ever hesitated, questioned, or wondered whether your path should bend to God’s calling, this episode is for you — a reminder that when we align our steps with Him, the journey transforms everything: our faith, our purpose, and even our identity.

🌿 Reconnect With Purpose Hey — if you’ve been feeling disconnected from who you are or what God’s called you to do, this is for you. Our Skool Community isn’t just another program. It’s a space to reconnect, grow in faith, and walk out our purpose with confidence. We move, pray, and grow together. Join us for $19/month — your transformation starts here: 👉 Join The Word + Wellness Community 🛍️ Shop With Mika Be empowered with style and purpose: 👉 shopwithmika.com 🎧 Listen to the Life With The Cost Podcast Faith. Family. Real growth. 📱 Apple Podcasts Life is full of its fair share of frustrations, from handling kid stories and parenting challenges to managing adult responsibilities, work stress, and maintaining healthy relationships. In this blog post, [Names Redacted] dive into how they handle everyday frustrations and offer practical insights into finding emotional balance, stress relief, and peace in these challenging moments. We kicked off our conversation on frustration with some personal anecdotes that brought a smile to our faces. From a 6-year-old's creative pedicure session to the unexpected path to Dunkin' Donuts, these stories highlight the joys of parenting, family life, and everyday moments. These little parenting experiences remind us how humor, patience, and perspective can help manage stress and family dynamics. Frustration can take on many forms, from work stress and financial pressures to relationship conflicts and parenting challenges. It often stems from unmet expectations or delays in life’s plans. Whether it’s dealing with customer service issues, car repairs, or miscommunications with loved ones, frustration is a universal human experience. We discussed the importance of emotional intelligence, identifying triggers, and developing strategies for stress management and constructive problem-solving. In a fast-paced world filled with daily frustrations, maintaining emotional control and practicing mindfulness can be difficult. We shared personal experiences where past impulsive reactions created more stress, emphasizing the value of keeping long-term goals and family harmony in mind. Parenting naturally brings its own set of frustrations and requires patience, understanding, and compassion. Real-life examples of gentle parenting show that acknowledging both parent and child emotions can improve behavior management, build stronger bonds, and create a calmer home environment. Practicing positive discipline, active listening, and empathy helps parents navigate challenges and reinforce healthy family communication. Frustrations within marriage can also add layers of complexity to life. Understanding each partner’s emotional needs, encouraging open communication, and showing empathy can strengthen relationships and reduce conflict. Couples can benefit from conflict resolution techniques, marriage counseling tips, and proactive strategies for maintaining intimacy, trust, and mutual respect during stressful times. From a spiritual perspective, frustration often tests our patience, faith, and identity. Our journey with God teaches perseverance and trust, even when life feels uncertain. Reflecting on Philippians 4:6 encourages believers to replace anxiety with prayer, bringing concerns and frustrations to God while cultivating spiritual peace and emotional resilience. Family routines, chores, and trips can create stress when balancing different needs and age groups. Setting realistic expectations, clear boundaries, and effective family planning are key strategies for reducing household stress. Understanding family dynamics, fostering teamwork, and prioritizing self-care can make daily life and shared experiences more enjoyable.

God, what are we doing today?“Every morning I wake up and ask, ‘God, what are we doing today?’ Because every day we get to decide what energy we’re putting into the world. I choose positivity — not because life is perfect, but because I know Who I’m walking with.” Donna Middlebrooks ✨ Join the Word & Wellness Community$47/year for monthly workouts, motivation, encouragement, and upliftment — come grow with us!https://www.skool.com/the-word-wellness-community-6348/about💛 Helping your little one navigate big emotions?This 8-page digital workbook makes it easier for them to understand their feelings — and for you to understand them.https://www.drewcost.com/product-page/my-anger-thermometer-printable-for-kids-faith-based-emotion-worksheet-calm