The Motherhood Experience

Is it really possible for teens to attend their dream school without piling on student debt? In this inspiring episode of The Motherhood Experience, Val welcomes Shellee Howard, visionary mom, college admissions expert, and founder of College Ready.

Shellee shares her own motherhood journey and how her strength as a planner helped both of her children get into Ivy League schools debt free. For the past 18 years, she has guided thous...

In this episode, we welcome Melissa Knific: recipe developer, food editor, and passionate advocate for family dinners. She talks about the joy and impact of sharing meals together. Melissa shares how regular family mealtime has strengthened connection in her home, encouraged her kids to try new foods, and created lasting traditions.

From creative recipe development to time-saving kitchen hacks, Melissa offers practical strategies fo...

Be sure to visit Deb's Website

In this episode, author and speaker Deb Burma joins us to talk about the intentional role of motherhood in shaping the next generation.

With wisdom drawn from Scripture and real-life experience, Deb discusses how moms can raise children to become Christ-centered, independent adults.

She explores how daily habits, discipline, and discipleship form a foundation of faith and identity in the home, and she ...

In this inspiring conversation, Madison Wetherill of CookAtHomeMom.com joins Val to talk about so much more than recipes.

As a homeschooling mom of three boys, a recipe creator, and a business owner, Madison shares how cooking became a pathway to connection, confidence, and purpose.

She opens up about her unexpected start in entrepreneurship, how her family’s health journey transformed their habits, and the values behind her popular...

In this heartfelt episode of The Motherhood Experience, Val welcomes grief mentor and coach Teresa Davis, a mother whose life was forever changed when her adult son, a pilot, died tragically in a plane crash.

Teresa opens up about her personal journey through deep grief, the impact of loss on her identity as a mother, and how she found renewed purpose in mentoring others through their own experiences of traumatic or significant los...

What if motherhood turns out nothing like you expected, but everything you need?

In this episode of The Motherhood Experience, host Val welcomes Linsey Knerl: homeschooling mom of six, freelance writer, and author of Homeschool Hacks, for an honest and insightful conversation about embracing the unexpected.

Linsey shares how her entrance into motherhood looked nothing like she envisioned, why she chose to homeschool from the very be...

Welcome to the 100th episode of The Motherhood Experience! 🎉

In this special milestone episode, host Val pulls back the curtain on how the podcast began, how it got its name, and the heart behind every story shared. You'll hear from past guests who reflect on how the podcast has impacted them, and get a sneak peek at exciting updates to the show’s look and feel.

From late-night recording sessions to vulnerable conversations that sp...

In this episode of The Motherhood Experience, we're joined by "Belle" (@bellesdirtydishes): homeschooling mom of three, self-proclaimed scrunchy mama, and real-talk advocate for moms everywhere.

From her beginnings in the online world sharing budget-friendly recipes to now offering glimpses into her day-to-day mom life, Belle has cultivated a space rooted in authenticity and encouragement.

We dive into how she balances...

Making friends as a mom can be unexpectedly hard—and sometimes, it feels downright desperate. In this honest and heartfelt episode, we’re joined by Kristen Strong, author of Desperate Woman Seeks Friends: Real Talk About Connection, Rejection, and Trying Again for the Friendships You Need.

Kristen opens up about the real struggles of loneliness in motherhood, the fear of rejection, and the courage it takes to keep showing up for com...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Kalee Isbell, founder of Isbell Family Films, as she shares how she helps moms turn forgotten phone footage into beautiful, music-backed video keepsakes. A former elementary school teacher and mom of two (soon to be three!), Kalee built a thriving business that blends storytelling, memory preservation, and motherhood. 

We chat about: 

• 📱 How Kalee turns everyday digital clutter into trea...

In this inspiring episode of The Motherhood Experience, we sit down with Lynn Greenberg—mom of four, grandmother, and now award-winning children's book author. Lynn opens up about her motherhood journey, including the challenges and triumphs of supporting her youngest son, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age.

When her local school district failed to offer adequate support, Lynn followed her maternal instincts, made ma...

🎙️ Learning With Kelsey: Early Childhood Education & Motherhood | A TME Conversation with Kelsey Cook

In this episode of The Motherhood Experience, I’m joined by Kelsey Cook—a preschool teacher turned entrepreneur who turned a simple act of love during the pandemic into a thriving business supporting moms and young learners. What started as porch pickups of activity packets has become a nationwide subscription box that brings f...

In this lighthearted yet heartfelt episode of The Motherhood Experience, host Val Kleppen sits down with Hannah Slay—a woman who once lived in the spotlight but now pours her heart into motherhood. 🎭👶

Hannah opens up about:

• Her journey through life as a public figure before becoming a mom

• The identity shift that came with motherhood

• Why she doesn’t regret putting her career on hold

• How she still nurtures her passion for creativity...

This episode made me physically uncomfortable. I got over it, obviously, but it's humbling to read things I was so adamant about once upon a time. It's been fun to see how life has changed, opinions have grown, and routines have developed since these Parenting Perspectives writings nearly a decade ago.

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Angella Moore, Candace Alford, and Chelsa Jons joined me (and we fought *hard* through multiple technical glitches, y'all) to talk about what it takes to plan a women's conference, why they're worth hosting, why rural ministry (and every ministry) is important, and so much more!

Despite the glitches, this conversation was packed full of wisdom, insight, and fun.

Here's how you can learn more:

Overflow Ministries

Contact Candace

Hear H...

Becky never could have imagined blogging about mom life, boots, and blouses would lead to a decade of writing 10 books, encouraging other moms in their life and in their faith, and gleaning from the very encouragement the Lord asks her to share. This was such a rich, thoughtful conversation where Becky gave us a true glimpse into her heart, and of her latest book, Healing Rest: An Invitation for Mommas Who Carry So Much to Lean Int...