Fireside Talk Radio

In this episode, Ellen interviews her mom! And they laugh pretty hard about some silly, personal stuff. Plus, Cathy confesses she feels really nervous. Ellen asks great questions to prompt her mom to share the nitty-gritty, personal stories about her relationship with both her mom and her dad (Ellen's grandparents). Tune in for a very authentic, spontaneous conversation about how having a few strategies can lead to life-changing conversations. Cathy tells the truth about why she NEVER wanted to look closely at the woman at the well, much less pull over 40 communication principles out of the story! Not in a million years did she think this Bible story would be her first book!

Therapist Sarah Van Hook joins Cathy to talk about rebuilding relationships after sexual abuse implodes a family. Most of her work experience has been intervention with patients in acute crisis. But Sarah knows first-hand how the long-term consequences devastate families. How can a mom respond in healthy ways? What if you spend years in foster care as a kid? What if your daughter won’t reconnect with you? In such a heartbreaking situation, is there hope? Yes! Don't miss the terrific insight this expert and tender-hearted lady brings!

Therapist Sarah Van Hook joins Cathy to talk about life after sexual abuse. The beauty of this courageous woman is in what she’s done with her experiences, some of them very traumatic. When you’ve experienced sexual abuse, how do you claim victory? Sarah is in a very unique spot to give great counsel. Once the victim of an abuser herself, she grew up to be a trained counselor. She is now a champion pediatric and geriatric therapist. Yep, she seen the full gamut of evil out there in all its manifestations. Sarah is pushing back the darkness every day victoriously showing others the way. You’ll love her down-to-earth attitude. If we didn’t tell you, you might not ever guess this is one well-educated chick! Join us now as Sarah spreads victory to others!

Connections Exert DeeDee joins Cathy to share wisdom on how to bolster the hearts of teenage girls. Conversation is the basis of all companionship, but how do we talk to our teenager daughters? If only we could capture our daughter’s heart? Not to mention her attention for more than thirty seconds! “Teenagers look weird, they smell weird, they sound weird, but they’re not!” laughs DeeDee. “They are just a walking big heart that needs love. If we see them the way Jesus sees them, we’re gonna love them.” Mentoring your teenage daughter may not be as hard as it sounds. Tune in now!

Connections Expert DeeDee Lake joins Cathy to talk about how do we keep our daughter’s hearts and souls safe in this crazy world. No matter how destructive our culture gets, there’s hope for parents, according to DeeDee. What’s next for teenage girls? How do we create the right conversations with our daughters? DeeDee’s passion is communication and connection. There’s a reason she has a heart for teen and preteen girls. Don’t miss what this funny, tenderhearted expert has to say about pre-empting the culture’s destructive pull to guard the heart and soul of your daughter.

Cathy is not waiting for Thanksgiving to thank God for champion warrior women, like Rosie MaKinney. Rosie joined Cathy to talk about “porn-proofing” your kids. Hollywood seems to claim October for evil and destruction in the name of entertainment. Our culture throws all kinds of yucky stuff at families, especially at our most vulnerable children. Rosie shares the science behind why parents need to pay attention to the threat for both their sons and daughters. She also joyfully brings resources and practical ideas to keep our kids and grandkids safe. Today, we’re reclaiming October to safeguard our kids! Don’t miss this content-packed episode with one of the leading experts on this crucial topic.

Rosie Makinney joins Cathy to talk seriously about what takes to free our families of all the problems associated with “porn addiction.” Cathy is so pleased to bring you the story and wisdom of a champion in the Fight For Love. “What I’d heard were these sort of scandalizing stories in the tabloids of celebrities doing, you know, deep and dark things. It all seemed a little sordid and scary," Rosie says. Folks can put out movies exploiting young girls in dance class, but we can’t talk about how to reclaim our homes? Can you believe it! Marriages, children, churches, and communities are fed a steady stream of Big P saturating our eyes, ears, and hearts. It feels impossible to escape. Really? No way! Join us now for great news on how to claim freedom in your home and life!

Ellen and Cathy celebrate blessings with heartfelt gratitude. Guess what? YOU are one of them! Also, BIG news.In 2020, Fireside Talk Radio podcasts downloaded over 3 million times. Wow! THREE Million. Huge! Most importantly, we are truly grateful for all YOU’ve done to help us catapult the messages of heroic people out into the universe. Please pray their tender stories keep comforting others.NEVER wanted to look closely at the woman at the well, much less pull over 40 communication principles out of the story! Not in a million years did she think this Bible story would be her first book! This episode is packed with wisdom about creating authentic conversations. Listen in now to transform the lives of those you love in ONE conversation!

Cathy and her co-host, Anna Krafve Pierce, ALWAYS come from the place of keeping life easier for MOM! That’s right. Being Mom is hard enough without guilt trips. Are you groaning under the weight of textbooks and assignments? if so, you are NOT alone. With only one month down and eight more to go, how can you lighten your own load? Time travel. Quiet moments with your kids. DIY curriculum. Listen in now, as Cathy and Anna chat about one of their favorite, easiest ways to inspire joy and responsibility in self-learning.

Spending time on social media today? Dr. Angie Ruark and Cathy talk about how to build a life around women praying powerfully. Want your own sisterhood of warrior women who pray? A wonderful sisterhood of spiritual warrior women exists to serve each other, especially by praying it forward. For instance, once you get your kids raised and out the door a marvelous thing happens. You suddenly have more energy to do the things you always dreamed of doing. Angie knows first hand what it’s like to suddenly realize you already know the women you need. Are you building a social media platform? Or a catapult? Tune in now for Dr. Angie’s wisdom!

Angie Ruark has a knack for attracting spiritual warrior women into her life. Whether it’s her friends, her fellow-writers, or her daughters-in-law! She joins Cathy to talk about what happens when spiritual warrior women pray. There’s got to be an irony in here somewhere. How does the mother of three boys become an expert at attracting spiritual warrior women to pray? “God made it very clear to me there were lots of spiritual warrior women I already knew. When I see someone I know, their gifts just stand out.” She shares her secrets for recognizing the good women God sends your way. If you're wondering how God works through other women, don't miss this episode!

Author Lindsey Bell returns to share tender insight about how we weather pain unbeaten. We can come out better for suffering. In the process, she shares stories of people who comforted her when she experienced four miscarriages back-to-back. What did Lindsey learn from the tender comfort offered by God through His people? If anyone you know is suffering, or if your heart is broken, you will want to tune in to hear Lindsey speak from her victorious heart.

Author and mom Lindsey Bell joins Cathy to talk about surviving wrenching pain unbeaten. When you marry your high school sweetheart, you don’t picture a future that includes miscarriage. Most people avoid pain. But what if you can’t? Today’s episode is dedicated to four beautiful kids in heaven, Eden, Jesse, Ella, and Jadon. Lindsey shares about how she faced down four miscarriages, honors the babies she lost, and offers encouragement to other people when they are in pain. If you or someone you love is suffering, don’t miss the comfort Lindsey shares!

Cathy and Anna share one of the top secrets of truly successful homeschooling parents--getting our kids to enjoy learning for themselves. If you can get your children to teach themselves everyone wins! Teachers, parents, and best of all the kids themselves! Not only that, you equip your kids for success throughout life. Why? Because every truly successful leader is a natural self-learner. Most leaders read several books a month. Wow! So, how do you get your child to love learning so much they seek to educate themselves? You may be surprised at how easy it truly is!

“I didn’t expect it would be so hard,” Brooke Frick says. Then she and Cathy break into giddy laughter. You can see why we love this author and mother of five. Motherhood is one thing. Motherhood times five? Oh, my! As Brooke shares, you may notice a pattern of encouragement. She loves to talk about how to depend on God's strength when we feel weak. If life is feeling like a drudge, Brooke's humor and honesty may be just the boost you need! Don't miss a chance to laugh along with these two fun women!

Mother of five and author, Brooke Frick comes on the show to talk abut her life with her Hands Full. You will love her humor and authenticity as much as we do! Brooke is living proof that even when we feel down, God’s good plans can strengthen us for the adventure He has in store for our families. Is a good day just getting a shower and some clean clothes on mom? If you're wondering how you'll make it through another day of unmade beds, laundry, and dirty tissues, Brooke's encouragement will include the laughter and insight you need!

Anna and Cathy talk family stories, hilarious history, and architecture on this episode. How do we hand down family values from the air-conditioned comfort of our cars? Can a tour of your hometown convey tons of fun history so your kids do better in their school work? Do the bricks on your house or the furniture inside tell their own stories? You bet! Take a stroll down memory lane. Help yourself to a little drive-through education. If you're tapping your nails in anticipation of school opening back up, don't miss this chance to teach your children some life-changing lessons packages as pure fun.

Deb Butterfield joins Cathy to talk frankly about what it means to forgive someone who has sexually abused your daughter. And what forgiveness is NOT. What will your life look like now? Will your daughter forgive you? Has God forgotten you? Will your brain ever un-fog? Who can you trust? Deb includes practical tips for maintaining some kind of normalcy in crisis. She tenderly encourages us to know our families can heal. In fact, she and Cathy even laugh--yes, laugh--throughout this gentle conversation filled with comfort for the broken-hearted mom still reeling from the trauma. If you think life will never be the same, listen in now as Deb describes healed lives and what hope looks like after sexual abuse.

Author, editor, and friend, Deb Butterfield joins Cathy to share her personal story of discovering someone she loved had been sexually abusing her daughter. Over twenty years ago, the worst nightmare a mother can imagine unfolded in Deb's life. This warrior-hearted woman discovered the unthinkable. A strong believer and military veteran, Deb explores the emotions a woman feels in the worst trauma a family can experience. She offers understanding to the rest of us as she answers important questions. How can a mom miss the signs? What should Christian friends say--or not say? When does the pain subside? If you or someone you know is experiencing this kind of trauma, you don't want to miss this information-packed episode!

Anna joins Cathy to talk about the "other verses" of some of their favorite patriotic hymns. If you ever wondered if American patriots loved God over the centuries tune in for this lively discussion. Not only that, Anna throws in some of her trademark creative tips for inspiring kids to love God and country. In a world that seems to be falling apart because people can't agree, Cathy and Anna find highlight the Biblical ideas that bind Americans together. Don't miss this tribute to the faith of our Fathers.