Fireside Talk Radio

Ever wonder if romantic dreams come true? Yes! According to romance expert Catherine Ulrich Brakefield, dreams do come true. She joins Cathy to talk about what makes for happy endings. Catherine takes us back in time to the day over forty years ago when she met the man of her dreams. Although, she had no idea the handsome sailor sitting next to her would propose in less than a week! Don't miss this epic love story, told by a master romance writer!

Michelle Medlock Adams joins Cathy to share her best wisdom for joy and victory, even when we feel like a hot mess today! Holding nothing back, Michelle shares personal stories about how God grows our faith, while we wait patiently (or not-so-patiently) on him! How do we start our day with the Lord when it feels too hard to get out of bed? Is it okay to retreat to the bathroom alone?! Seriously. You'll laugh with Michelle. And you'll feel ready to get back in there and speak blessings over your family. Don't miss what this game-changing, belly-laughing friend has to say about standing against the enemy for the victory!

Michelle Medlock Adams joins Cathy to share how God miraculously opened the doors to let her write children's book. If you’re thinking, "I’ve always wanted to write children’s book. Now that my kids are no longer toddlers or now that my kids have kids of their own, I finally get to write for children," this interview will encourage you to trust God with your dream. Perhaps you've read Platinum Faith or any of Michelle's other 90+ books (yes, that's ninety!!), you'll want to hear the personal update she shares about her grandson, Bear. With trust in the One who loves us tenderly, Michelle calls down his promises on us all! You won't want to miss the way this victorious friend sparks up the energy in life!

Dr. Dany Sessums joins Cathy to offer his best tips for raising history loving kiddos. And he does some of the interview in an Irish accent! He shares how his love of history snagged him roles in multiple documentaries, movies, and television series. “As luck would have it—and I mean my life has been luck, but I’m gonna say God inspired luck—a Hollywood producer saw that (performance) and gave me a call. I’m gonna tell you, I thought it was a friend of mine pulling a joke on me at the time,” laughs Danny. “He said, ‘We’re gonna do a series of movies, called North and South.” Do you wish you knew more history? Are you installing a love of history in the hearts of your own children? Don;t miss what this well-respected Antebellum expert has to say!

Growing up a history nerd wasn’t easy for Danny Sessums. He joins Cathy to share his story and tips for raising history-loving kids at your house. As a youngster, Danny found an unusual fossil and his love for all things historic was born. The local newspaper picked up the story. “I became known as Dinosaur Dan,” laughs Danny. Television Consultant, Antebellum Authority, Professor, Museum Designer, Author. With so many titles, who would believe Danny grew up with a bootlegger for a dad? You won't want to miss what this hilarious guest shares about the challenges of raising history-loving kids!

Co-host Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy to talk about ways to pass down a love of country to the next generation. Veteran's Day is a favorite holiday for this mother daughter duo, so they have plenty to share. They offer inspirational ideas about why we honor our heroes. Plus, silly to serious, there's no end to the fun we can create for our families around this profoundly personal holiday. If you want to teach your kiddos to love country and respect the sacrifices made for freedom, please tune in!

Thinking about cheap and easy homemade costumes for your kids this year? Anna Krafve Pierce brainstormed some terrific costume ideas for us. Pirates or princesses? Fire fighters or fall fairies? Soldiers or super heroes? Don't miss the fun as Anna explains how dressing up can be a significant part of helping your children imagine their amazing future!

First Liberty’s Lathan Watts joins Cathy to report on recent Supreme Court wins for religious liberty. Any threat to religious liberty seems scary. When it comes to matters of faith, we all want to follow our own consciences. Attacks on our faith—or our lack of it—feel un-American. So, what’s up next in the battle for securing religious liberty? “We are very busy which means there are a lot of attacks on religious liberty going on around the country. But, we’re also winning, so that’s the good news.” First Liberty is the nation’s largest legal organization exclusively dedicated to defending religious liberty. Plus, they never charge their clients! If you want to know what is happening in the battle to secure religious liberty, you’ll want to tune in for Lathan’s eyewitness account.

Defending religious liberty all the way to the Supreme Court takes up a ton of Lathan Watts’s mental energy. An attorney with First Liberty, one of the nation’s foremost defender of religious liberty, Lathan joins Cathy so she could get a bead on instilling a love of religious liberty in the younger generations. You’ll love his passion and sense of humor. Lathan sports an insider’s view of where the battle lines are drawn on the issue of religious liberty. Plus, he shared his personal book list for raising liberty loving kids. You won’t want to miss this constitutional scholar’s thoughts on how we protect our religious liberty!

In this episode, Jeanette Hanscome shares authentically about all the wisdom she gained as she went through divorce. Everyone who ever goes through divorce wonders if their kids will be okay. Jeanette addresses this common fear and many others with practical insight from her hard-won experience. Wonder if your church friends will be judge-y? What do you say to someone going through divorce? Are you struggling with how much to tell your friends about an extremely private crisis? You'll love what Jeanette shares her straight from her heart. This is one you'll want to share with friends! Don't miss it!

Jeanette Hanscome joins Cathy to talk about how divorce impacted her life with her kids. Author of Suddenly Single Mom, Jeanette shares authentically about all the fears and tender moments associated with going through a divorce. Since, she's visually impaired, Jeanette learned a ton about how to ask friends for help, how keeping a record of blessings changes everything, and how our own attitudes as moms can impact the kids in a positive way. If you're going through a divorce or know someone who is, you won't want to miss Jeanette's practical insight!

Could raising confident girls be as easy as planning a tea time anytime? Yes! This week, Anna joined me to share what she’s learning about teaching her young daughter to be comfortable in ALL social settings. Anna even talks about "rejection-proofing" your child. If you want to prepare your daughter to engage with women of all varieties, no matter where in the world God leads her, you'll love Anna's easy tips. We believe you'll want to share her thoughts with all you friends! It's as easy as serving tea! So, grab yourself a hot beverage and listen in now!

Ah, the relief of back to school! A plan for success each day! Suddenly, weekdays fall into place and weekends gain savored freedom. Kids groan. Moms rejoice. Whether you taxi your children to school or prepare to homeschool, you’ll love Anna’s back to school ideas for success. Want to avoid fashion miscalculations? Pack a lunch they'll be excited to open? Prepare them to make real friends and handle the dumb stuff other kids say and do? Listen in for Anna's insight as a mommy AND a teacher....

Writer, Publisher, and Entrepreneur Mike Sahno, joins Cathy to chat about creating your own company and following your dreams. No stranger to challenge, Mike understands the hurdles small business owners face. Author of the newly released fiction novel, Whizzers, Mike even throws in some worthwhile tips about how and why to publish a book. With several books and his latest release, Mike knows the angst and the joy of seeing your message in print! He talks about adding value for your readers long before they ever read your blog or book. As Cathy and Mike chat, he pulls together tips for the entrepreneurial at heart, especially about how to grow a social media following. If you've ever thought about starting your own business or writing the book of your dreams, you won't want to miss Mike's advice.

Drum Roll, Please…Yep, this is the episode on prayer we’ve been anticipating for months! Prayerwalking Authority Janet McHenry joins Cathy to talk about their mutual love of prayer! Author of the Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus, Janet shared all kinds of wisdom, including how Jesus prayed while “forgiving relentlessly.” If you thought prayer was for wimps or victims, you’ll be amazed as Janet breaks down the way we access Jesus’s power. Are you, like so many people, wondering if you know how to pray the right way? Janet’s insight had us shivering with excitement. This is one conversation you don’t want to miss! Please consider passing it along to friends!

Prayer Walking Mentor, Janet McHenry joins Cathy to tell about how a hunger for prayer and better health motivated her to begin prayerwalking. As a young woman walking through her small town each morning, she began to multitask by praying for individuals and businesses along her route. An accomplished writer, soon her agent asked for a book on her exercise habit: prayerwalking. Almost simultaneously, her family began to experience a six-year legal ordeal. Coincidence? You be the judge. Through it all, Janet learned significant lessons about injustice and God's love of justice. If you've ever wondered how to pray, Janet's insight will encourage and motivate you!

Today, Anna and Cathy put their heads together to do some birthday mythbusting. No need for Pinterest Perfect parties! The best parties create birthday blessings for everyone, including Mom. (Especially Mom!) Plus, they don’t have to break the family budget. Enough with over-the-top birthday parties for kids! Dirt piles, black ninjas, tree fort lunches. Ideas for everyone from toddlers to teen. And special ideas for mommy's birthday, too! Listen in for their trademark funny stories and a list of easy, fun, cheap ideas. FUN birthday parties art here!

Co-host Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy to inspire us with countless ways to create a natural sanctuary outdoors. Every child deserves a chance to explore and learn from nature in the safety of their own backyard. Yep, even if your backyard is a porch or a balcony! Creating a special outdoor retreat is as simple as inspiring a child’s natural imagination. Plus, Anna throws in some unexpected stories from her own childhood! Anna talks about growing up in a creative household and how that can look for young families today. You won't want to miss this trip down memory lane with Anna, artist, teacher, entrepreneur, and mom.

How do we foster healthy independence in our own kids and in our nation? Anna Krafve Pierce joins her mom to explain how independence in our kids can be a healthy thing. two seem inseparably  linked to me. An expert on education, childhood fun, history, and philosophy, Anna brainstorms some fun ways families can foster a respect for sacrifice and history while having a blast! Freedom in our country is linked to nurturing healthy independence in our children’s heart. What Anna says may surprise you.

Anna Krafve Pierce joins her mom to brainstorm answers to some of this week's most pressing questions. How can we possibly balance life with ear infections, crazy schedules, nonstop chatter, and create a Delightful Dad's Day? Oh my! Married, single, working, or stay at home, with toddlers or teens, all moms want our own Father’s Day Fabulous! What are some of the easiest, most romantic things you can do for the father of your children? What about when their dad is your ex? Don't miss all the creative, freedom-loving ideas this mother-daughter team dream up! Honoring ALL the good men in our lives means keeping it simple and keeping it real!