Minimalist Moms Podcast | Purposeful Life & Parenting Tips

For those who are new here, I occasionally release bonus episodes designed for a specific part of my audience. I have listeners from all kinds of faith backgrounds, and this episode is shared from a Christian perspective. If that’s not quite what you’re looking for today, feel free to explore the other episodes released this week - or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation you won’t want to miss!
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Parenting rarely unfolds the way we imagine. For some families, the challenges run far deeper than sleepless nights or busy schedules, bringing chronic illness, mental health struggles, financial hardship, unanswered prayers, and seasons of profound uncertainty.
In this episode, Diane sits down with authors Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton to discuss their book, Jesus Will Meet You There. Drawing from their own experiences of suffering and motherhood, they share what it looks like to trust God when life doesn't improve the way we hoped it would. Rather than offering quick fixes or easy answers, Kristen and Sarah point listeners toward the compassionate presence of Christ in the middle of exhaustion, fear, grief, and inadequacy.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Previous Episode: "Quiet is a Place I Return To" | Sarah Clarkson (EP02)
Kristen's Resource: Breville BDC650BSS Grind Control Coffee Maker With Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel
Sarah's Resource: Everyday Gospel by Paul David Tripp
Connect with Sarah
Website
Instagram
Connect with Kristen
Website
Instagram
Book: Jesus Will Meet You There: Finding Strength and Comfort in the Savior Who Understands

About Sarah + Kristen |
Sarah Walton is a wife, mother, and writer. She is the author of several books, including her children’s book The Long Road Home and her evangelistic resource Tears and Tossings. She is also the co-author of Hope When It Hurts, He Gives More Grace, Together Through the Storms (co-written with her husband, Jeff), and devotional contributor to the forthcoming ESV Girls Study Bible through Crossway. Sarah lives in the beautiful state of Colorado with her husband and four children.
Kristen Wetherell is a pastor’s wife, mother, and writer. She is the author of numerous books, including Help for the Hungry Soul, Humble Moms, and the award-winning Hope When It Hurts. She loves writing for kids and is the author of the board book series For the Bible Tells Me So, Teach Me to Pray, and The Big WHY. Kristen also enjoys teaching God’s word to women of local churches. She and her husband, Brad, live in Chicagoland and are members of The Orchard. They are parents to Joanna, John, and Lydia.
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Women's health can often feel overwhelming. Between conflicting nutrition advice, endless supplements, and constantly changing wellness trends, it's easy to wonder where to focus your energy.
In this episode, Diane sits down with integrative oncologist and former breast surgeon Dr. Jenn Simmons to discuss a simpler, more intentional approach to health. After nearly two decades practicing conventional breast surgery, Dr. Jenn's own health journey led her to functional medicine and a deeper understanding of the root causes of chronic disease.
Together, they explore how everyday choices—from the foods we eat and the way we move our bodies to reducing inflammation and minimizing toxic exposures—can have a profound impact on our long-term health. They also discuss Dr. Jenn's book, The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer, and why prevention, education, and whole-person wellness are essential parts of the conversation.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Dr. Jenn's Resource: Environmental Working Group |
Connect with Dr. Jenn Simmons:
Website
Instagram
YouTube | Podcast
Book: The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer

About Dr. Jenn Simmons|
Dr. Jenn Simmons, MD, is a Philadelphia-based breast surgeon and functional medicine practitioner who pivoted from conventional oncology to focus on holistic, root-cause healing. She founded Real Health MD (2019) and PerfeQTion Imaging, advocating for radiation-free, 3D sound-wave technology, and hosts the "Keeping Abreast with Dr. Jenn" podcast.
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Fatherhood has a way of reshaping a man's identity, priorities, and definition of success - but many dads feel unprepared for the emotional work it requires. In this episode, Diane sits down with Jeff Hittner, founder of the Ambitious Dads Project, to explore what it means to become a more intentional father. Drawing from conversations with more than 200 dads, Jeff shares the six "dad gaps" that often keep fathers from thriving, including confidence, community, co-parenting, and legacy.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Previous Episode: More Than a Provider: The Emotional Reality of Fatherhood | Jon Gustin, Tired Dad (EP450)
Previous Episode: Rethinking Modern Fatherhood, Mental Health, & Masculinity | Kevin Maguire (EP452)
Connect with Jeff
Website
Personal Website
Podcast

About Jeff |
Jeff Hittner is an executive coach, leadership expert, entrepreneur, and founder of the Ambitious Dads Project, a global community helping fathers redefine success at work and at home. With more than 25 years of experience developing leaders and building high-performing teams, Jeff is passionate about helping dads become more intentional in their parenting and leadership. He lives in Valencia, Spain, with his wife and two sons.
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When Lisa Woolery unexpectedly lost her husband, Eric, she found herself navigating unimaginable grief while raising two children, managing overwhelming paperwork, and making countless decisions about the home and belongings they had built together.
In this episode, Diane sits down with Lisa to discuss what it looks like to move forward after profound loss. Lisa shares how creating order in her home became part of her healing process - from sorting through sentimental possessions and setting boundaries around others' opinions to downsizing from a 6,700-square-foot home to a more manageable space. She offers compassionate encouragement for anyone facing loss, major life transitions, or the emotional weight of letting go.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Previous Episode: EP207: Swedish Death Cleaning: Morbid or Mandatory? with Emily McDermott
Previous Episode: Encouraging Your Aging Parents to Downsize: Secrets From a Senior Move Expert | Jeannine Bryant (EP384)
Kristen's Resource: Breville BDC650BSS Grind Control Coffee Maker With Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel
Connect with Lisa
Website
The Widow’s Comeback 365 Day Grieving Calendar
Book: The Widow's Comeback

About Lisa |
After two decades as a public relations executive, Lisa was thrown into widowing without warning. Not ashamed of her many “hot messes,” she shares the challenges of rebuilding life after the desolation of losing her husband.
Lisa writes with grit, humor, and raw honesty so other widows know they don’t have to be perfect in the face of grief. In The Widow’s Comeback, she dives into money, abandonment, parenting tweens, dating, self-forgiveness, and faith - offering companionship and hope for the road ahead.
She lives in Kansas City, loving on her two teenagers while chasing after her three rapscallion dogs. For fun, she travels the world, plays pickleball, and reads in her cheetah-print recliner.
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

For those who are new here, I occasionally release bonus episodes designed for a specific part of my audience. I have listeners from all kinds of faith backgrounds, and this episode is shared from a Christian perspective. If that’s not quite what you’re looking for today, feel free to explore the other episodes released this week - or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation you won’t want to miss!
------------------
Raising boys in today's culture can feel both rewarding and overwhelming. As parents navigate conversations around identity, character, confidence, and faith, many are asking the same question: What do our sons need most from us during these formative years?
In this episode, Diane sits down with author and mom of six, Molly DeFrank, to discuss her book, Mothering Boys: 8 Things Your Son Needs from You Before He Turns 10. Together, they explore the unique role mothers play in shaping their sons' hearts, helping them develop resilience, courage, emotional strength, and a strong biblical foundation.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Book: Digital Detox by Molly DeFrank
Podcast Episode: Masculinity Debate: Are Dating Apps Creating A Generation Of Incels?! Lonely Men Are More Dangerous Than Ever!
Connect with Molly
Website
Instagram
Book: Mothering Boys: 8 Things Your Son Needs from You Before He Turns 10

About Molly |
Molly DeFrank is also the author of Digital Detox: The Two-Week Tech Reset for Kids. Molly graduated with a degree in International Relations from the University of California, Davis, where she met her wonderful husband, David. Molly is a mom of six, three boys and three girls, ages six to thirteen.
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy