Fireside Talk Radio

Award-winning author and pastor, Andy Clapp, returns to talk to Cathy about how to refresh our own souls. He shares 3 tips, which he and mutual friend Michelle Medlock Adams call, "Plant the Word, Pray the Word, Work the Word." Plus, he shares a personal story about how when he forgave, his life turned around immediately. Wow! So much scholarly insight and practical, personal help in less than 30 minutes. Plus he's funny! Yep, he's a Fireside kinda guy.

Speaker, award-winning author, scholar, pastor, and down home guy, Andy Clapp joins Cathy to talk about how we claim joy this Spring. Or anytime. It seems like God wants us talking, especially in the church, about how much people are suffering right now. “You know, Jesus had to withdraw from the crowds at times and pray,” explains Andy, “If He needed that connection with the Father, how much more do we need it?” Jesus is more than a story you hear at Easter. His life, His death, and His resurrection can be the source of hope and joy, even when life feels beyond repair. So, how do we find balance when life dishes up struggles? Andy talks about prioritizing our time to gain more energy for the things that bless our hearts. Plus, he shares a personal story about how when he forgave, his life turned around immediately. Wow! Don’t miss what this dynamic, down-to-earth communicator has to say!

Kristin Faith Evans returns to share her hacks for joy no matter the circumstances with Cathy. How do we keep the sunshine of joy when dark clouds threaten? God gave Kristin a second chance at life after a suicide attempt and she embraced life. Now a mental health therapist and mother of two special needs kids, Kristin understands what all moms need. Starting with a little compassion, please! Are folks sitting in the pews at church but feeling too inhibited to talk about what they face at home? Of course. We’ve all been there. How do we find joy in life's little moments? Kristen shares how preteen Bethany Grace, her little "miracle baby," teaches her joy daily. If you're feeling overwhelmed today, don't miss this uplifting episode!

Kristen Faith Evans joins Cathy to talk about the challenges of days spent at the hospital with her babies. All mommies feel isolated and in the dark sometimes. A normal mommy day is tough enough, but what about when your life gets complicated because your kids are in pain? How do you pull down oxygen for yourself so you can take care of the emergencies your family may face? Kristen will share what she’s learned with all the sparky, fun personality she brings to every conversation! Mommies and grandmoms are gonna love this gal! It is our privilege to introduce her to our listening friends!

CrossRiver Media Publisher and author, Tamara Clymer joins Cathy to talk about the battles women are facing in our culture right this minute. We’ll talk about what it means to be a battle worthy woman. No one needs to feel isolated or defeated. How do we build a battle ready marriage? Can we raise kids who stand firm in the face of life’s ultimate challenges? Is battle ready warrior mode part of your family plan? Tamara will offer hope, courage, and practical strategies for our families.

Tamara Clymer joins Cathy to talk about her husband’s brain cancer, glioblastoma. Their daily moment by moment turned everything upside down. How did God prepare her and her family before the big battle ever began? She offers insight on how to prepare our children for battles we can’t predict. This is one mighty lady, bold and tender simultaneously. You are going to LOVE her. If you want battle ready faith for your family, don’t miss this!

Author Michelle Lazurek joins Cathy to talk about how overwhelming and scary some of our adventures can be! As women we get a lot thrown at us. Strong, successful women almost universally struggle with control and perfectionism. A lot of times, we’re expected to do it all perfectly. And keep it all under control,” laughs Michelle. As if. Don’t miss this fast-paced, often funny conversation as Michelle gets real about what it means (and does NOT mean) to surrender!

Michelle Lazurek joins Cathy to talks about her experience with anxiety, depression, and panic. “(Panic is) that constant feeling of fear. That comes in waves,” describes Michelle. Plus, she also gently shares insight about how controlling moms pass debilitating perfectionism down to their children. And why in the world would we stay in panic mode when we can find freedom? With compassion and authenticity, Michelle shares her secrets. This is one tender, talented, smart, get-real, Jesus-loving gal you won’t want to miss!

In this episode, Anna shares a personal approach to instilling healthy ambition in our kids. She also tells Cathy privately what she wants to talk about after the break. Of course, our Producer Roy could’ve fixed her accidental comment. But we thought you might enjoy hearing the unvarnished ambition Anna has for YOU, our listening friend. Plus, Anna shares some amazing stuff about one of Cathy's favorite people in all the world—Anna's hubby. Today's podcast is devoted to instilling healthy ambition in our kids. Practical wisdom to understand what motivates our kids? You bet. You won't want to miss this one! Plus, there're easy ideas here you can try out TODAY with your own kiddos!

Author, Speaker, and Life Coach Deb DeArmond joins Cathy to talk about mother-in-law, daughter-in-law relationships. Plus, Deb offers practical tips for those drawn to mentoring. (Also, find more in the podcast we called: Family Fatigue: Building Back Better Families.) Are there some big no-no’s to avoid for both sides of the mother-in-law, daughter-in-law relationship? You bet! Ever wish you could foster better relationships throughout all generations of your family? Of course. Don’t we all! You’ll love what this down-to-earth, funny expert shares when Cathy asks really personal questions. Don’t miss it!

In this episode, Cathy interviews family expert, Deb DeArmond, a regular contributor to Focus on the Family. Deb shares personal stories about being a 19-year-old bride and how they grew together for 46 years of marriage. Plus, she shares some great stuff about how not to be THAT mother-in-law. Got “family fatigue”? With the holidays over, we all know family fatigue is real. Are you a mother-in-law, daughter, sister, mommy? Or an aspiring writer? Did your holiday leftovers include a big dish of residual family frustration? If your 2022 goal setting includes building back better family, you’re gonna love today’s interview.

Today, Anna and Cathy talk about how you can change your approach and succeed in one of the most frustrating challenges a parent faces. Getting your child to clean up. With a great attitude. Seem impossible? Cathy confesses her bad “black bag” attitude about cleaning up. Anna ever-so-gently offers her a better way to interface with the grandkids. Fortunately us all, one of Cathy's favorite joys in life is watching her kids parent better than she did! Don't miss the laughs and good ideas here! By teaching them to curate their collections so they can focus on what really matters. We want our kids and grandkids to lives that leave us gasping with delight. That only happens when they understand priorities are people, not stuff.

PATH Executive Director Andrea Wilson joins Cathy to talk about how communities can face the family challenge of homelessness. Andrea is an expert with tons of experience, but what you’ll love most is her compassionate heart for those who need help in a crisis. She offers great ideas about how to halt the quick slide from crisis to homelessness. Plus, she shares insight about the mindset churches need in order to make a lasting impact on families in crisis. Best of all, you’ll love what she shares about progress one family, one community, one volunteer at a time. Don't miss her practical advice on how we can all pitch in together!

Cathy couldn't wait to interview PATH Executive Director Andrea Wilson. PATH=People Attempting To Help. Don't ya love it! Andrea came through with tender and hilarious stories about how her parents influenced her to be the compassionate, civic-minded leader she is today. Are you also concerned about the culture we hand off to the next generation? Homelessness? Poverty? Hunger? Maybe, like Cathy, you’re paying close attention. Who else is raising civic-minded kids and grandkids? Don't miss what this wise and wonderful young leader, Andrea, has to say!

Drug-related crisis in your family? You are not alone. Media guru and mom Bobbie Ziemer continues her conversation with Cathy about the ways drug addiction can manifest in families. Families can face one pill ending in instant death to long decades of addiction.  We fell in love with Bobbie’s beautiful heart. And with her great courage to pull together a book about Drug Addiction. We see God’s fingerprints all over the book, Not in Vain. Perhaps you feel overwhelmed and afraid. You are not alone. You'll find comfort here.

Media guru and mom Bobbie Ziemer brings unique blend of passion and pain to this episode with Cathy. Is the drug pandemic sweeping our nation simply media hype? Bobbie’s experience will open your heart to understand how families suffer. Bobbie brought together 167 moms who share their tender stories in the book, Not In Vain. Together, she and Cathy honor the memory of Bobbie's daughter, Madison, as they talk about the ways families suffer. If you are looking for comfort, here it is.

Anna joins Cathy to talk about how great recipes get kids in the kitchen and reading! Anna points out how welcoming your children into your kitchen prepares them to welcome others into their hearts. AND prepares your pre-schoolers to read! “It’s about hospitality,” says Anna. “'Hospitality isn’t busy entertaining, but instead welcomes drop-in guests to join the daily pageantry of family life.’ Do you know what that’s from?” Then, Anna and Cathy burst into laughter together. It’s from an old cookbook Cathy pulled together for her family when Anna was tiny. Anna shares how that cookbook is still influencing her approach to life and friendships! Very personal, especially since Cathy only cooks for people who love her unconditionally! Don’t miss this fun episode!

Anna Pierce (Educator, Artist, and Cathy's daughter) co-hosts to talk about how we can use bedtime stories, pajama parties, and family games to encourage our kiddos to read. “All my pajama stories involve our cousins and the silly things we did," reports Anna. “It’s less about reading and more about silly adventures.” How can your bedtime rituals and family games help you conserve the things that really matter? What is a true conservatism in today’s politicized world? Don’t miss this podcast!

Co-host Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy to talk about how memoirs for kids, even scrapbooking, can teach kids to read and to own their stories. Anna dazzles with her insight about how giving and story-telling can unite families. As so often happens with Anna, she took this conversation in an unanticipated and deeper direction, including a Krafve family story about a lost cemetery plot. Eventually we all have stories we NEED to tell. Our stories pass along family values. They may even become crucial to our personal sanity as adults. Why not prepare your kids now to own their stories? They will thank you later.

In this episode, Cathy and Anna offer encouragement to any young moms who might wonder if their child is dyslexic. Take heart! Anna shares a ton about how she helps dyslexic kiddos using spacial awareness in her classroom. Plus, how to protect your child from self-condemnation and self-inflicted defeat. She even finds an excuse to talk about horses at the barn! “Reading can be driven by just enjoying to read," she says. But for most of us, it's also driven by something else, according to Anna. Today’s blog and interview are dedicated to young mommies everywhere! We admire and affirm your devotion —your perseverance— to helping your child love reading!