The Joy Filled Podcast - Christian Motherhood, Stay at Home Mom Mindset, and Faith Based Encouragement

Hey hey, sister! We’ve had a bit of a break from the pod but I’m back this week to share all the details on where I’ve been, what I’ve been up to, and more. Think of this as a girlfriend chat on my couch, filling you in on all the things that have happened over the last month or so. Thanks for being here! Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram

If you are struggling with overwhelm in motherhood and wondering if there’s a way to move past it, or if you doubt that God is really at work in the midst of your overwhelm, then you will love getting to hear from our guest Michelle today. Michelle is a single mom and founder of PlusONE Parents, a ministry for single parents and she is no stranger to overwhelm and how isolating and crippling it can often feel. Michelle and I share a lot of our own experiences with overwhelm in motherhood and how it shows up in different ways, sometimes without even really being aware of it. We also discuss the world’s definition of “more” and the biblical definition of “more” and how that changes how we approach motherhood, how the enemy uses our overwhelm against us, and how God works through our overwhelm to invite us into more with him.   If you haven’t experienced overwhelm as a mom yet, there will probably be a time when you do and when that time comes, you’ll want to have the truth that Michelle shares in this episode tucked in your heart.   More about Michelle: Michelle Donnelly is the President and CEO of PlusONE Parents, a ministry devoted to helping single parents overcome overwhelm to rebuild God-empowered lives and raise up a new generation. A mother of three, Michelle is also the host of The Christian Single Moms Podcast and author of Safe Haven: A Devotional for the Abused & Abandoned, and Made for More: Life Beyond the Wreckage of Hurt, Loss, & Heartbreak. Learn more about PlusONE Parents at www.plusoneparents.org   Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram

If you have ever wondered if starting a business is right for you in this season of motherhood, you’re gonna wanna lean in and listen close to today’s guest. Katie Lewis is a Jesus loving mama and founder of the Christian jewelry and accessories brand Dear Mushka. Katie tells the beautiful origin story of how Dear Mushka started as an adoption fundraiser and has turned into a thriving business and full time job for both her and her husband. In this episode, we talk all things motherhood, adoption, business, and so much more and I am so thrilled for you to hear from Katie today.   CONNECT WITH KATIE Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram

Hannah Keeley is no stranger to the exhaustion, fatigue, and stress that so often comes with motherhood. As a young mom, Hannah struggled with depression, overwhelm, anxiety, and health issues and after looking around at her life and realizing it was nothing like she thought it would be, she decided it was time to do something about it. Now, Hannah is a mom of 7 and a life coach for moms - helping them get rid of stress for good.   Today, Hannah joins me to talk about her book Mom Fog. Mom Fog is the step by step guide to walk moms out of Mom Fatigue Syndrome and into a life of high energy, good vibes, and incredible productivity. We also explore her 8-step Mom Mastery Method, proven time and time again to help moms see lasting results.   Connect with Hannah Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram

One of the biggest struggles as a mom with young kids is keeping up with their mess! We love those little people so dang much, but they sure know how to make big messes for being such tiny people, am I right?! And if you’re anything like me, that mess can really take a toll on your mental health. I know my brain is so much clearer when my space is clear. Maybe you feel like you’ve tried everything - you’ve taken all the expert advice, read all the books, done all the things, and you still can’t seem to stay on top of the mess. Sound familiar? Today I’m gonna let you in on a little secret that might change everything for you, as well as peel back the curtain and give you a glimpse into the systems and routines that help keep the Griffith home tidy (well, mostly tidy, anyways).   Reheat your coffee and press play on this episode of the Joy Filled Podcast. Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram

Whether you’re a seasoned mom or a brand new mama, you’ve probably experienced mom anxiety at some point. Anxiousness, stress, and worry show up a lot in motherhood and it can be difficult to handle when you don’t know what to do with those feelings. Personally, I experienced postpartum anxiety after having my first baby and still to this day have moments where those anxious thoughts pop back up and I’m forced to face them.   The good news is, we don’t have to face these things alone and the Bible is very clear about how we should approach our anxieties. Today we’re diving into the topic of mom anxiety, how it shows up in our lives, and what practical things we can do to move through those anxious moments and come back to a place of peace. (because yes, it’s more than just saying “don’t worry!”)   Reheat your coffee and press play on this episode of the Joy Filled Podcast. Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram

Making the decision to be a stay at home mom comes with a lot of sacrifices, and for a lot of us it means becoming a one income family. Maybe being a stay at home mom was always your plan and you prepared to be a one income family, maybe you never thought you’d leave your job but here you are longing for more time with your kids and a way to replace your income, or maybe you’re somewhere in between and your family income is okay, but a little extra money would be nice.   Wherever you land, today I am going to give you some ideas on how to make money from home without building a personal brand, becoming an influencer, or joining a social selling company. Because while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with those options, those definitely aren’t the only options out there. Reheat your coffee and press play on this episode of the Joy Filled Podcast. Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram  

Do you ever get bored as a stay at home mom? So much of what you do in your day to day life is repetitive - same books, same routines, and if your kids are anything like mine… cooking the same three meals because you know it’s what they’ll actually eat. All this repetition can easily make it feel like this season of life is dull, boring, and even a waste of time. So often I hear, and I’m sure you’ve heard it too (or maybe even said it!), “I could never be a stay at home mom! I’d get so bored!”. Today, we’re gonna flip the belief that being a stay at home mom means leading a boring life on its head so you can begin to actually, genuinely, enjoy your life and all this season with your kids has to offer. Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram P.S. Your homework this week is to listen to episode 34 of the podcast: Mom Goals: How to Show Up as Your Best Self Every Single Day. Get to it, sister! ;)  

“What if I don’t have what it takes?” “What do I do when God feels silent?” “What if God’s promises don’t line up with my reality?” “What about when the worst-case happens?”   If you’ve ever asked yourself any of these questions, you’re in good company. Today on the podcast, author and speaker Heidi Lee Anderson is sharing with us how we can choose FAITH over FEAR - no matter what.   Heidi is a writer, speaker, and stay-at-home mom. While crafting Instagram devotionals @heidileeanderson and writing kid’s curriculum @thismotherhen and teaching biblical online courses, she’s a master at cleaning up Cheerios spills and building LEGO towers while simultaneously chugging coffee like a Gilmore. Heidi has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from University of Northwestern, MN, and has spent her career doing ministry—from teaching hundreds in kids’ ministry to writing daily devotionals, Bible reading plans, and small group curriculum as a content developer. After being diagnosed with cancer, Heidi’s fuel is now to make sure that Christ-followers realize, know, and claim the sure promises God offers—in the mundane, amid the heartache, and on top of the highest mountains.   Are you ready to choose faith over fear? Grab your coffee, get ready to laugh and be encouraged, and listen in to this conversation with Heidi Lee Anderson.   PRE-ORDER HEIDI’S NEW BOOK   Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram  

What would you do with a handful of extra hours each week? Would you start a business? Read more books? Open your Bible more often? Start that workout program? I know it’s easy to feel like you don’t have enough time in the day. Maybe you’re even thinking Jenna, is it even possible for a mom to have extra time? And my answer to that is yes, it is possible. Because the truth is, we all have the same 24 hours in a day and with these 3 simple tips, you'll be able to move from operating out of lack and time scarcity and into ease and an abundance of time. Are you ready to start using the time you have with intention and purpose? Reheat, or refill, your coffee and let’s dive in together.   EP 60: How to Use Nourishment to Balance Your Hormones and Restore Your Energy Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram

How often do you pray for your kids? Like, really pray intentional, intercessory prayers for them, not just the bedtime prayers or the prayers at mealtimes? For most of us, if we were honest the answer would be not very often. Today, we’re talking through why being a praying parent is vital for our children and how prayer actually impacts not only them, but the generations to come after them. Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram  

Motherhood can be a very lonely time for so many of us. It’s hard to make friends as an adult, and it’s even harder to make friends as a mom. Most of the time, it can feel like it’s not even worth the effort to try to find good friends in this season of life, especially because it can feel like everyone else has already found their community. But the truth is this: we weren’t made to do life alone. In fact, the first thing God said wasn’t good, was being alone. We were created for community, we’re better when we’re in community, and we need community. Plain and simple. Join me as we discuss why community is so vital and how to find true, meaningful connections in this season of your life. Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram  

Amy Seiffert is no stranger to the empty, shameful, anxious feelings that social media often leaves us with.   Amy knows that so many of us feel dissatisfied and empty—emotionally, physically, and even spiritually. Our lives are rushed, overflowing, and we’re low on joy, fulfillment, peace, and purpose. In our spare moments, we turn to our phones, social media, and a million other little things, desperate for relief, but over time, these distractions become an unhealthy diet for our souls—uplifting us for a moment but ultimately denying us the nourishment we need. When we over consume these imposters that promise a temporary boost but actually leave us weak and weary, we become anxious, fearful, and depleted. These addicting substitutes keep us coming back for more, never providing satisfaction.   But, Amy reminds us, there is hope. We don’t have to stay stuck and malnourished. We can become free of shame, disappointment, and anxiety.   Today, Amy Seiffert shares with us how to stop ingesting spiritual junk food and offers simple and replenishing practices like silence, service, and Sabbath that can bring us closer to Jesus. She encourages us to put down our phones, set aside our pride, and let go of the hustle so that we can receive a spiritual diet change that will leave us delightfully content, spiritually healthy, and free to experience the goodness of Jesus.   Episode Show Notes: www.jennagriffith.co/amyseiffert   Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram  

Have you ever felt guilty for taking time away from your family to rest, recharge, or do something for yourself? Even if it’s just 30 minutes, there can often be so much guilt that surfaces when we as moms take time away from our families. Maybe it’s society, maybe it’s how we were raised, maybe it’s brought on by our own inner dialogues and expectations for ourselves, but for some reason, there seems to be this unspoken rule that moms aren’t allowed to think of themselves. So today, we're diving into why we seem to neglect rest, why rest is important, and how to rest the right way.   Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram

How can we see God even in the messy mundane moments of motherhood? The answer might be more simple than you think. See, it’s easy to feel far from God in this season of life – you’re busy, you’re tired, you hardly have a moment to yourself these days. But God’s Word promises us that if we seek Him, we will find Him. The more we look for Him, the more we’ll begin to see evidence of His goodness all over our lives. Yes, even in the chaos and the mess.   Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram

Winter is... hard. Especially as a stay at home mom. The snow that was once magical, beautiful, and leaving us all full of Christmas wonder in December is now just another annoying reminder that we've still got a ways to go until spring. The days are gloomy and often dark. We're spending entirely too much time stuck inside with our kids no matter how hard we try to get them outside. Like I said, winter is hard. As a mom who's had my fair share of years dealing with the winter blues, I know it can be difficult to navigate struggling internally while still facing the pressures and daily responsibilities that motherhood inevitably brings. Which is why today I want to share 4 easy ways to support your mental health this winter. These tips are easy to implement and based on my own experiences, so they're sure to help you thrive even in the gloomy days of winter.   SAHM Guide to Thrive Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram

Leisha Drews has had her fair share of hormonal issues. From irregular, painful periods to hormonal acne and migraines, she knows the struggle all too well. She also knows that our bodies have the incredible ability to heal and balance when they’re given the right nourishment even, and especially, as busy mamas.    In today’s episode, Leisha and I discuss how she went from hormonal issues to claiming her cycle as her superpower, where to start when experiencing hormone imbalance, how to use nourishment to care for our hormones, and more.   Episode Show Notes: www.jennagriffith.co/leishadrews   Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram

Happy 2023!! I’m doing something a little crazy this year and DELETING. INSTAGRAM. For the whole year! (and mayyybe forever) Listen in as I share the real and raw truths behind my social media struggle and why I finally decided enough is enough. As always, I hope this episode encourages you, challenges you juuuust a little, and leaves you feeling better than you came. I love you, sister! Praying joy unspeakable over you today and everyday.   

Whether this year has been everything you hoped it would be or it was the hardest year of your life, I know you could probably use some encouragement as we gear up for the new year. So today I am speaking encouragement, blessing, and a prayer over you and your family.   Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram

Merry Christmas! In honor of it being Christmas week, we’re diving into the book of Luke to learn 4 valuable lessons from Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary’s willingness to follow the plan of God for her life teaches us countless lessons, but today we’re focusing on just 4 that we can take back into our motherhood every single day. Cozy up, listen in, and let’s learn from Mary.   Joy Filled Podcast Community Connect on Instagram