Wire Talk was created to encourage and equip moms throughout the challenging and life-changing journey of motherhood. Each week on Wire Talk Karen Stubbs offers godly, practical advice on the topics every mother has questions about: mom guilt, our children’s faith, potty-training, divorce, our teenagers dating, and more!
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Sep 29, 2026 · 29:09
Big emotions can leave even the most confident mom wondering, Is this normal… or should I be concerned? Counselor Dr. Chinwé Williams joins Karen and Emily to explain what’s…
Sep 22, 2026 · 20:00
Working moms carry a lot, and sometimes we make the load even heavier by carrying things God never asked us to! Erin Mashaw joins Karen and Emily to talk about mom guilt,…
Sep 15, 2026 · 26:49
Boundaries can feel uncomfortable, but they’re essential for healthy relationships! Counsellor Debbie Causey joins Karen and Emily today to explain what healthy boundaries…
Sep 8, 2026 · 19:04
Sometimes it's not the kids - it's the adults around them that make parenting so difficult! Today we are answering your questions about difficult in-laws, boundaries with…
Sep 1, 2026 · 21:39
Have you ever looked at your child and wondered, Where in the world is this behavior coming from? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by big emotions, difficult behavior, or a child…
Aug 25, 2026 · 18:35
Ever wish God would just TELL you what to do? Today, Karen and Emily tackle parenting decisions that don’t have a clear right or wrong answer; from kindergarten readiness and…
Aug 18, 2026 · 20:33
Kids today are becoming increasingly afraid of risk and discomfort- are parents part of the problem? Today bestselling author and counselor Sissy Goff joins Karen and Emily to…
Aug 11, 2026 · 20:04
If you've ever lost your temper with your kids, this conversation is for you. Counselor Josh Thames shares practical tools to help moms stay calm, communicate more effectively,…
Aug 4, 2026 · 23:08
You don't have to carry the weight of discipling your kids by yourself! In this episode, Karen and Emily sit down with children's ministry leader Kendra Fleming to share how…
Jul 28, 2026 · 45:40
In this listener-favorite episode re-air, Karen and Greg pull back the curtain on nearly four decades of marriage—the good, the hard, the early years, and the season they’re in…
Jul 21, 2026 · 27:28
If you’ve been thinking that summer is the perfect time to potty train, this one’s for you! Christine Clark joins Karen and Emily today - she’s a mom, preschool teacher, and pro…
Jul 14, 2026 · 29:10
From tantrums to name-calling to after-school meltdowns, this listener-favorite episode is packed with practical help for moms dealing with big emotions…and even bigger…
Jul 7, 2026 · 29:53
We're re-airing one of our most popular episodes this week! Karen and Emily sit down with Elizabeth Pehrson to discuss how moms can parent with purpose by focusing on the long…
Jun 30, 2026 · 29:12
Pornography exposure is happening younger and more often than most parents realize, and it’s affecting both boys and girls. In this episode, Karen and Erin Mashaw are joined by…
Jun 23, 2026 · 29:17
Summer doesn't have to be packed with fancy vacations or elaborate plans to be memorable. In this episode, Karen and Emily share simple, practical ways to add more laughter,…
Jun 16, 2026 · 20:01
Summer brings more snacks, more messes, and more opportunities to teach our kids valuable life skills! Today Karen and Emily are talking about why building a strong work ethic…
Jun 9, 2026 · 20:47
Summer is a perfect time to help our kids learn to look beyond themselves. In this episode, Karen and Emily share simple, practical ways families can serve together, whether…
Jun 2, 2026 · 33:21
We’re kicking off a brand-new summer series today! All month long, we’ll be talking about how to make the most of the new rhythm summer brings to your home. In this episode,…
May 26, 2026 · 23:04
As we wrap up our Mothers of the Bible series, we’re looking at one of the most complicated and heartbreaking stories in Scripture: Bathsheba. Her life was marked by loss, pain,…
May 19, 2026 · 19:26
Naomi’s story is one of grief and disappointment, but ultimately, it’s about redemption. Today on Wire Talk, Karen and Emily continue our Mothers of the Bible series by looking…
May 12, 2026 · 20:30
Today we’re continuing our Mothers of the Bible series by looking at Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel. Hannah was a woman who longed for a child and wrestled with seasons of waiting…
May 5, 2026 · 18:13
This week, we kick off our month of celebrating moms with a new series: “Mothers of the Bible.” Today we’re looking at the life of Jochebed, a woman who faced unimaginable fear…
Apr 28, 2026 · 30:56
Are you trusting your mom gut or Googling yourself into anxiety? In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Laura Bleekrode shares wisdom from nearly 40 years of experience to help moms…
Apr 21, 2026 · 17:39
May can feel overwhelming for moms, filled with endless events, expectations, and emotional moments.Today Karen offers practical wisdom to help you navigate the busyness without…
Apr 14, 2026 · 27:06
Mom guilt can make even the best moms feel like they’re falling short. In this episode, Karen and Emily talk through the pressures we carry and the expectations we place on…
Apr 7, 2026 · 18:54
Family dynamics can get complicated quickly, especially when expectations, boundaries, and communication styles start to clash. Today we’re talking about how to navigate tension…
Mar 31, 2026 · 15:20
Ever find yourself second guessing your parenting decisions? You’re not alone. In this episode, Karen answers questions from moms navigating school struggles, motivation, and…
Mar 24, 2026 · 22:18
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I ruining my teenager’s life?” - you’re not alone. Today, Karen answers questions from moms navigating strong personalities, emotional pushback, and…
Mar 17, 2026 · 15:53
If you’re in the stage of parenting where tears, tantrums, and big emotions seem to take over every day, you’re not alone. Today Karen and Emily are tackling questions from moms…
Mar 10, 2026 · 20:08
Last week, Karen talked about the temperaments. This week, she takes that conversation one step further by answering real questions from moms who are navigating strong-willed…
Mar 3, 2026 · 19:20
Today Karen and Emily tackle listener questions about kids with big emotions; the pouters, the perfectionists, the rule followers, and the fiercely competitive. Whether your…
Feb 24, 2026 · 27:58
Are you parenting a Gen Z child and wondering why everything feels so different from when you were growing up? Today Karen and Emily sit down with leadership expert Tim Elmore,…
Feb 17, 2026 · 23:43
Do you ever feel overwhelmed, overtouched, overstimulated and find yourself wondering, why does this feel so hard? Today Karen answers real questions from moms about marriage,…
Feb 10, 2026 · 27:10
Friendships in motherhood are rarely as simple as we expect them to be. Today Karen and Emily are continuing our friendship conversation by tackling comparison, conflict,…
Feb 3, 2026 · 19:18
Friendships in motherhood can feel complicated, especially when old wounds and insecurities get stirred up in new seasons. In this episode, Karen and Emily talk honestly about…
Jan 27, 2026 · 31:12
Parenting doesn’t end when your kids turn 18. In many ways, it gets more complicated! Today Karen and Erin are joined by longtime parenting expert Jim Burns for a wise and honest…
Jan 20, 2026 · 25:58
Discipline is hard, especially when the results feel slow or invisible. In this final episode of our Parenting Principles from Proverbs series, Karen and Emily shift the focus to…
Jan 13, 2026 · 38:57
We are celebrating 500 episodes of Wire Talk and using this milestone to talk about something every mom wants: wisdom that actually works in real life. Today Karen breaks down…
Jan 6, 2026 · 32:23
Karen and Emily are kicking off the year with a three-part series about parenting principles we can learn from the book of Proverbs . Today, Karen addresses the confusion many…
Dec 23, 2025 · 25:11
As Christmas approaches, we are turning our focus to love this final week of Advent. In this episode, Karen and Emily unpack what it looks like to love like Jesus in everyday…
Dec 16, 2025 · 16:41
Joy doesn’t just happen, our hearts have to be tuned to it. In this third week of Advent, Karen and Emily talk honestly about how hard it can be to find joy in the middle of…
Dec 9, 2025 · 25:03
It’s easy to find ourselves in the middle of December with a packed calendar and an unprepared spirit, carrying bitterness, comparison, or disappointment into every day. Drawing…
Dec 2, 2025 · 24:15
Today we’re kicking off our Advent series with a focus on hope. December fills up fast with activities, expectations, and pressure for a picture-perfect holiday, making it easy…
Nov 25, 2025 · 22:52
Today Karen is tackling your questions about navigating the teenage years, from motivating strong-willed teens to handling independence, changing relationships, and the…
Nov 18, 2025 · 27:15
If you’re staring down the potty training season with dread, this one’s for you! Karen and Emily are joined by Christine Clark—a mom, preschool teacher, and pro who’s…
Nov 11, 2025 · 23:30
This week, Karen tackles listener questions on navigating everything from over-involved mother-in-laws to family disagreements and unmet expectations. Karen shares wisdom from…
Nov 4, 2025 · 34:07
When it comes to raising independent kids, doing less can actually mean loving more. Karen and Emily welcome back mom of eight, Elizabeth Pehrson, whose last Wire Talk clip went…
Oct 28, 2025 · 22:38
The moms we’re hearing from today are facing questions that feel big ; from whether to move our families, to when to say yes at church, to how we pray, parent, and pass down…
Oct 21, 2025 · 24:43
Between ages 6 and 10, kids are learning big lessons about honesty, responsibility, and gratitude…and those moments don’t always feel peaceful. Today Karen and Emily are talking…
Oct 14, 2025 · 15:58
From setting boundaries to tackling tough topics, today’s episode is all about navigating the hard parts of parenting with truth and grace. In this conversation, Karen shares…
Oct 7, 2025 · 23:24
How do you discipline your kids without damaging your relationship? Today Karen and Emily are talking about what it looks like to set boundaries, correct behavior, and still be…
Sep 30, 2025 · 29:42
Between toddler tantrums, potty training battles, and endless power struggles, the preschool years can feel like the wild west of parenting. Today Karen is answering your…
Sep 23, 2025 · 44:20
What if a better marriage starts not with more work, but with changing the way you think ? This week we’re sitting down with author and speaker Ted Lowe to talk about his book Us…
Sep 16, 2025 · 31:38
When one mom asks a hard marriage question, we know hundreds more are wondering the same thing. Today, Karen and Emily tackle your vulnerable questions about jealousy, mismatched…
Sep 9, 2025 · 30:23
Marriage doesn’t have to feel heavy or complicated, sometimes we just need a gentle nudge to see where we’ve let things slide. In this conversation with Arlene Pellicane, author…
Sep 2, 2025 · 45:40
Moms, you don’t want to miss this conversation! Karen and Greg pull back the curtain on nearly four decades of marriage—the good, the hard, the early years, and the season…
Aug 26, 2025 · 48:00
No matter where your kids are in school this year, every mom will take away encouragement and wisdom from this conversation about homeschooling. In this episode, Karen and Emily…
Aug 19, 2025 · 38:02
School today looks a lot different than when we were kids, and moms often feel stuck between supporting their children and not piling on more pressure. In this episode, Karen and…
Aug 12, 2025 · 35:36
If you’re parenting an elementary-age child, this episode is for you! Today Karen and Emily sit down with elementary school principal Amber Lamb to share practical ways you can…
Aug 5, 2025 · 31:32
Starting preschool can feel overwhelming, both for moms and our little ones! That’s why Karen and Emily are joined today by veteran preschool director Lisa Lucas, who brings 20…
Jul 29, 2025 · 35:14
As we turn the corner into a new school year, we’re bringing back part two of one of our most-loved mini-series: the State of Motherhood. In this candid conversation, Karen…
Jul 22, 2025 · 39:43
As July comes to an end, many moms are turning their eyes toward the school year ahead. That’s why we’re bringing back one of our most-loved mini-series: the State of Motherhood…
Jul 15, 2025 · 23:38
Today Karen and Emily dive into the dynamics of marriage and parenting by reminding us that we are not our husband's Holy Spirit! Karen shares her own story about letting go of…
Jul 8, 2025 · 22:47
Today Karen and Emily are talking about one of the biggest challenges moms face—knowing when (and how) to say no. With stories from their own families and practical advice for…
Jul 1, 2025 · 24:58
Discipline is one of the hardest parts of parenting—and one of the most frequently asked-about topics from Wire Talk listeners. In this popular re-air, Karen breaks down…
Jun 24, 2025 · 22:14
We can’t shield our kids from everything—but we can prepare them. In today’s episode, Karen answers your questions about navigating tricky situations that stem from outside…
Jun 17, 2025 · 25:13
From disappointment in marriage to disrespectful teens, today’s episode tackles some hard moments moms are facing. Karen answers questions about how to parent through anger,…
Jun 10, 2025 · 48:47
What if understanding your child’s temperament could transform the way you parent? Today Karen and Emily sit down with author and temperament expert Kathleen Edelman to talk…
Jun 3, 2025 · 45:34
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by anxiety, resentment, or fear in motherhood? You’re not alone. Today Karen and Emily open up about navigating hard seasons—from managing a home…
May 27, 2025 · 22:12
From dentist visits to bedtime clinginess, today’s conversation is all about helping kids face fear with confidence. Karen answers your questions about navigating anxiety, new…
May 20, 2025 · 29:10
From tantrums to name-calling to after-school meltdowns, this episode is packed with practical help for moms dealing with big emotions—and even bigger attitudes. Karen and Emily…
May 13, 2025 · 21:35
Whether you're juggling work or chasing toddlers all day, summer can sneak up fast—and so can the pressure to make it “magical.” So today, Karen and Emily talk about how to…
May 6, 2025 · 19:22
Mother’s Day can be sweet, stressful, or just plain disappointing—sometimes all at once! In today’s episode, Karen and Emily get real about unmet expectations, social media…
Apr 29, 2025 · 28:34
Your college student has changed—and so has your family. In today’s episode, Karen and Emily talk about preparing for the emotional and practical realities of having a college…
Apr 22, 2025 · 28:03
When your husband’s job pulls him away from home, it can leave you holding the weight of family life alone—and it’s exhausting. Today Karen is answering questions from moms whose…
Apr 15, 2025 · 27:42
Today we’re talking about Good Friday —and reflecting on why something so awful was called ‘good.’ Karen walks through the events leading up to the cross, explains why Jesus had…
Apr 8, 2025 · 25:33
From dealing with toddlers who constantly say "no!" to navigating three-year-old stubbornness, today Karen is answering your questions and sharing practical strategies to help…
Apr 1, 2025 · 30:15
The stakes feel high when you’re parenting teenagers, but you don’t have to go it alone! Today Karen is answering questions from moms facing challenges as they are navigating the…
Mar 25, 2025 · 22:51
From preschool power struggles to teenage arguments, this episode is full of real mom moments. Today, Karen’s answering your questions on sibling conflict, possessiveness, and…
Mar 18, 2025 · 25:16
Navigating hard conversations can feel like walking a tightrope, especially when it comes to extended family! Today Karen is answering your questions about setting boundaries,…
Mar 11, 2025 · 25:02
Grief and joy don’t have to be opposites—sometimes, they go hand in hand. In this tender conversation, Annie F. Downs shares the story behind Where Did TJ Go?, a book she…
Mar 4, 2025 · 46:11
What is it like to raise children in the middle of a war? In this special episode, Karen sits down with Kimmie Saado, an American mom raising her five kids in Israel, to hear…
Feb 25, 2025 · 15:18
Discipling our kids can feel like a big responsibility, but moms don’t have to do it alone! In this episode, the new BOAW Moms operations manager, Erin Mashaw, shares her journey…
Feb 18, 2025 · 30:11
Raising kind and respectful kids feels like a lofty goal some days, but it's possible! Today Karen tackles your questions about guiding kids through friendship struggles,…
Feb 11, 2025 · 22:22
Today, we’re diving into your questions about parenting kids with melancholy personalities—from helping a 5-year-old navigate self-critical thoughts to encouraging a 10-year-old…
Feb 4, 2025 · 37:54
This week on Wire Talk, we welcome Sandra Stanley and her daughter Allie Cooney, co-authors of Meet Me in the Middle, a book designed to help moms and daughters build strong,…
Jan 28, 2025 · 16:19
If you’ve ever felt buried under clutter, you’re not alone. Today Maria and Rebecca of Simple Spaces Ohio join us to share how decluttering has transformed their lives, how you…
Jan 21, 2025 · 22:08
Navigating relationships with in-laws and grandparents can be tricky, especially when it comes to setting boundaries for the safety and well-being of your kids. Today Karen…
Jan 14, 2025 · 27:35
Description: As we step into a new year, Karen and Emily are here to help you start fresh. In this episode, they discuss practical tips for breaking bad habits, finding…
Jan 7, 2025 · 28:58
Today Karen and Emily sit down with Elizabeth Pehrson to discuss how moms can parent with purpose by focusing on the long game. In this conversation, Elizabeth shares her…
Dec 17, 2024 · 24:44
As we wrap up Wire Talk for 2024, we’re diving into practical ways to connect with your spouse during busy seasons. From showing appreciation in small ways to navigating family…
Dec 10, 2024 · 25:10
Today Karen and Emily are diving into what it means to love like Jesus, even when it’s difficult. They cover preparing your heart, navigating tricky relationships, and…
Dec 3, 2024 · 28:41
The holidays can often bring stress and guilt for moms as we try to make everything perfect for our families. In this episode, Karen and Emily share how to embrace a simpler,…
Nov 26, 2024 · 19:44
Moms often struggle with guilt and overthinking, especially when it comes to making decisions for their families. In this episode, Karen talks about how to avoid the trap of…
Nov 19, 2024 · 24:40
Navigating the holidays as a grandparent can be tricky, but holding plans with open hands can make all the difference. In this episode, we talk about how to foster unity, embrace…
Nov 12, 2024 · 38:46
Today, DeDe Wilbanks joins us to explore how we can set healthy boundaries around the technology in our homes. With John 10:10 as our guide, DeDe reminds us of our God-given role…
Nov 5, 2024 · 23:58
Election Day can bring a lot of uncertainty and even fear into our lives. Today, Karen and Emily remind us to keep our focus on God, no matter who ends up in the White House.…
Oct 29, 2024 · 32:15
“You just have to last one second longer…” If you are constantly fighting discipline battles these days, we hope those words stay with you long after this episode! In this…
Oct 22, 2024 · 26:03
Are your kids’ personalities shaped by their birth order? In today’s episode, Karen and Emily explore how birth order influences personality. They share insights from their own…
Oct 15, 2024 · 41:42
“There is nothing that beats conversation with our kids.” Today we’re chatting with Erin Mashaw about the new book she co-authored, A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity . We…
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