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Elizabeth is a Stress Coach for Christian moms, a Podcast Host, a mom of 4, a wife, and a believer. She’s here to help you reduce mental stress and overwhelm so you can respond with patience and calm. In Part 2 of our 2-Part conversation, Elizabeth explains why some moms have so much trouble regulating their emotions,she gives us 5 things that contribute to mom rage, and then leaves us with actionable steps you can take today to calm your mind. For show notes visit Thescooponbalance.com/181. Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/thebalancedmomcast

In Part 1 of our 2-part conversation, Elizabeth shares how she always considered herself to be a calm person…until she became a mom. After she had her 3rd child, she felt like she was losing control and had the wisdom to seek help. Now she's a Stress Coach for Christian moms and she's here to help you. Today she explains the difference between normal anger and destructive rage and how to know when you’ve crossed the line. For show notes visit https://thescooponbalance.com/180  Become a Patron of the show! https://www.patreon.com/thebalancedmomcast

Surprise! Today I release a brand new podcast: Writing Off Social (best podcast name EVER!). This is a weekly podcast for female Christian writers who want to grow and nurture their audience without social media. I’m co-hosting it with my friend and yours, Mary K Tiller.  PLEASE GO TO APPLE PODCASTS AND CLICK FOLLOW! SHARE THE TRAILER FROM APPLE PODCASTS WITH A FRIEND OR POST IT TO YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA. Here's that link again: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/writing-off-social-the-podcast/id1676504296 Episodes 1 and 2 of Writing Off Social will release on March 21, 2023.  For more information about Writing Off Social, check out our website: https://writingoffsocial.com/ We will be back here at The Balanced MomCast next week with a 2-part interview on Mom Rage.     

Work for a lot of people–at least in my world–is challenging right now. As I consider the people I love, talk to regularly, and pray for, it’s weird that so many of them are struggling with work. Thankfully, the Bible has much to say about work. The Word of God speaks to our attitudes and our focus as we approach work. So, today, I’m sharing with you 5 scripture passages to encourage and strengthen you or your loved one when work is hard. Listen in. For show notes including a complete list of the verses I mention: https://thescooponbalance.com/178  For transcripts and a directory of episodes by topic: https://www.patreon.com/thebalancedmomcast.  

I believe that true balance is the peace we have when our life aligns with our God-given priorities. So, in order for us to achieve balance, we must first determine those priorities. I’ve been on a journey to re-find my own balance and it has taken me back to revisit and re-define my God-given priorities. Why am I here doing this work? What am I committed to doing? And what do I refuse to do? If you’re new here, this episode is a little bit different than usual, but it will give you a good idea about me and my mission and whether or not you want to stick around. For show notes visit https://thescooponbalance.com/177. Become a Patron.  

Today I welcome back to the podcast my new friend, Laurie Christine. She’s a mom to 4 boys, and also a certified Biblical Parenting Coach and seminar presenter through the National Center for Biblical parenting. Today she introduces us to Heart-Based Parenting, what it is and how it differs from other parenting styles. And then she gives us the first two of the seven tools for Biblical parenting. This is part 2 of our 2-Part conversation. For Part 1, listen to EP175. For show notes: https://thescooponbalance.com/176 Become a Patron of the show!    

Today I welcome to the podcast my new friend, Laurie Christine. She’s a mom to 4 boys, the oldest of whom was diagnosed with a heart condition at the age of 3 months old that ultimately required multiple surgeries. Today in part 1 of our 2-part conversation, Laurie explains tangible ways she clung to God during this time, the best ways her community supported her, and what she thinks of the statement, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” For show notes: https://thescooponbalance.com/175  Become a Patron of the show! 

I’ve been doing a little mini-series on what to do when you’ve lost your balance. In EP172, I gave you 3 questions to ask yourself.  Then in EP173, I offered 3 things to do next. And today, I’m addressing your energy levels. That's right. Today, I’m sharing 3 reasons you’re always tired and what to do about it. (And it probably isn't what you think). For show notes: https://thescooponbalance.com/174 Become a Patron of the show!

Last week in EP172, I brought you into my actual real life and shared with you the fact that I, Sandy Cooper, have lost my balance and I’m on a mission to find it. And then I offered you 3 Questions to Ask Yourself: 1: What feels off-balance or what is wrong?  2: Why is this happening or what has shifted to cause this loss of balance? 3: What do I expect right now that is not happening? Today I’m continuing our conversation by giving you 3 Things to Do Next. For notes visit https://thescooponbalance.com/173/  For transcripts, become a Patron of the show!

Balance is the peace that comes when your life aligns with your priorities. But what happens when you had balance–-you had a good idea of what your priorities were and lived those out most days--but now you feel like you can’t quite get your footing?  Today, I’m going to use my current actual real life as a case study–not after I have it all figured out and then look back and tell you what I did. Nope. Instead, I’m taking you through the process of finding my balance in real-time so you can find your balance too. Listen in. For show notes see https://thescooponbalance.com/172. Become a Patron.  

Is your home cluttered and disorganized? Do your kids walk through the house and drop their stuff everywhere? Are you buried under a mountain of laundry because you’ve never found a laundry system that actually works for you? Today is your day! I have my new friend Lisa Lizotte here from the Habits and Home Show to give you one habit you can do every day to keep your home clean and clutter-free but she ends up giving us so much more: A funny thing she often did as a child that was a giant arrow pointing her toward her current business The tragic event that caused her to consider the amount of possessions she owned and how that may be affecting her children  Her 2017 adventure of living with her family of five on a converted Greyhound bus Where to start if you want to gain control of the clutter in your home and what to do when you’re stuck More about Lisa: Lisa is a mom of three kids and a wife to her high school sweetheart. She helps women downsize and declutter their homes by creating new systems and habits through her coaching and courses.  She believes you don’t have to feel stuck in what feels like chaos in your home. You can find true peace by decluttering your home and creating habits to keep it organized. And she’ll help you get there. Lisa's Links: Get Lisa’s Free Checklist!  Go to Habitsandhome.com to see all the ways Lisa can help you declutter your home Check out Lisa’s Podcast: The Habits and Home Show Our BFF Patron of the week is Kelly Stoski. Kelly and I met 10 years ago when I spoke at the women’s retreat at her church and we became fast friends. Over the years Kelly has supported me and my work in every possible way. She is an outstanding mother to 2 teenage boys, a loving wife, a devoted follower of Jesus, and a good friend to me. Thank you Kelly for being a BFF of the show and a BFF in real life, too.    You can become a BFF Patron by joining The Balanced MomCast Patreon Community.   When you become a patron of the show, you gain access to exclusive content, resources, and our new MomCast BFF Community. Your support allows me to create even more valuable content for tired mamas trying to juggle all the things. Wave to Me in the Carpool Level $5/month At the Wave to Me in the Carpool Level, you will receive warm feelings for helping this podcast remain on the air, ad-free. You may also likey receive eternal rewards, though I cannot confirm this at this time since the eternal rewards on not mine to give. But you will be supporting content that is making a difference in eternity–this I know for sure.  So, $5 a month you are simply saying, “Sandy…thank you for investing in me. Here is a small token of support.” Let's Grab Coffee Level $10/month At the Let's Grab Coffee Level, you receive all the warm feelings (and likely-but-not- confirmed eternal rewards) of the Wave to Me in Carpool Level, but also gain access to written transcripts of all solo episodes beginning with EP169 today (and select guest episodes) + digital downloads of all my books! The digital downloads alone are a ($30 value).  BFF Level $25/month and is only open to 10 people. You get Everything included in the first two levels including… Transcripts of all solo episodes (Beginning with EP 169–today’s episode) Digital Copy (PDF) of Mom, You're Amazing! And Other Things I Want to Tell You ($10 value) Digital Copy (PDF) of Is the Voice in My Head God, or Just Me? ($10 Value) Digital Copy (PDF) of Finding Your Balance ($10 value) Live Monthly BFF Q&As–these will be monthly zoom calls where we will talk about whatever you want…you can pick my brain or I can help you strategize something in your home or in your life, you can ask me questions…whatever you want! You can also connect with other BFFs of the show. Signed Copy Book Bundle! That means you get a free signed physical copy of each of my books that you can keep or gift to your friend ($50 value--U.S. residents only) You will receive a Regular BFF shout-out on the podcast + a link to your website/product in the show notes for as long as you are a BFF of the Pod. If you have a book or something you sell on etsy or you sell coaching or courses…I will actively mention and promote you and your stuff for as long as you support the show.   OTHER LINKS: Become a Patron of the show To listen to the podcasts where I’ve appeared as a guest, visit my PR + Media Page Buy Mom, You’re Amazing! And Other Things I Want to Tell You on Amazon  Finding Your Balance is available on Amazon  Is the Voice in My Head God or Just Me? is available on Amazon  Take the Make Social Media Small 7-Day Challenge! Is it Time for You to Break Up with Social Media? Take the Quiz! How much time have you spent on social media since you joined? Try out the calculator and find out! Keep up with me outside the podcast: Join my email list! Blog post and graphics by Sophia Lebano Have a question or a comment?  Email me at thescooponbalance@gmail.com Follow me on Pinterest I am no longer active on social media.

Are you the person who LOVES choosing a word for the year? Or are you the one who has never chosen a word of the year? Does the thought of choosing just one word frustrate you? Scare you? Excite you? Irritate you? No matter where you are on the spectrum of feelings, I’m here for you. Join me while I share with you why you may want to choose a word, how to choose one, creative ways to apply the word, and what to do if you still don’t have one! For a transcript and other bonuses, become a patron! For show notes visit https://thescooponbalance.com/170   

It’s 2023! YAY! January is my absolute favorite month of the year. I am all about clean slates, fresh starts, and new goals. But before I go all goal-crazy, I love to first look back at the year prior and reflect on what I learned. Today I share 16 things I learned last year and introduce you to a new way you can support the show and connect with me. For a transcript of today's episode, become a Patron. For show notes, visit https://thescooponbalance.com/169

Today I’m digging in the Balanced MomCast Mailbag and answering YOUR questions! I answer questions about relocating my family, transitions in general, and what to do when work leaves us no margin. I also have several important announcements including a huge book sale which may or may not still be going on when you are listening, the relaunch of my Make Social Media Small 7-Day Challenge, a new survey I need you to take, and a break that I’ll be taking. So much to do, so let’s dive in! For complete show notes visit https://thescooponbalance.com/168

In the last couple of months since we started the Make Social Media Small series, I’ve had three different people tell me, “You’ve got to talk to Stefanie Gass.” And so I invited her to come and talk to all of us today. Stefanie is a podcaster and business owner and today she is here to share her story of social media addiction, how her life has changed since she drew firm boundaries around it, and what God spoke to her literally the day before we recorded. This is a Spirit-led conversation and the timing is absolutely incredible. I’m so excited for you to hear my conversation with my new friend Stefanie Gass. Listen in.  For show notes visit https://thescooponbalance.com/167  SALE ON ALL BOOKS BY SANDY COOPER https://thescooponbalance.com/books/

This is Part 3 of a 3-part conversation with author Kate Merrick. Today Kate begins by speaking directly to the author or entrepreneurial mom who feels trapped by social media to run her business or sell her product. She doesn’t mince words about this and I love it. She also shares all the things that are on her To-Don’t List (she's got quite a few–one of them is just in time for Christmas.) And finally, she leaves all of us with some beautiful encouragement. Listen in. For show notes visit https://thescooponbalance.com/166

This is Part 2 of a 3-part conversation with author Kate Merrick. Today Kate describes what being “off the grid” looked like for the last months of her daughter’s life. And she suggests we ask ourselves some hard and honest questions about our own social media use, like “how much do I really want to give away?” We dive into the weird mom culture portrayed on Instagram and how it makes us feel. Note: I apologize for the poor audio in parts of this episode…we were having tech issues! For show notes visit https://thescooponbalance.com/165

When I was considering taking a one-year social media hiatus in 2019, a fellow writer told me to look up Kate Merrick. When I did, I discovered that we had a few things in common: We were both authors, we both love the ocean, and sadly we had both buried a child. I bought her book and savored it slowly with a highlighter in hand. At the time, she was the only published author in my genre that I knew of who had walked away from social media. And now we also have THAT in common. Today she’s here to talk about all of it in the first part of a three-part conversation.  For show notes visit https://thescooponbalance.com/164.

Thanksgiving is Thursday. (!) And if you are anything like me and struggle with overwhelm on a normal day, the holidays have the potential to throw you over the edge. All of a sudden you need to spend a bunch of money and go to a bunch of events and have a bunch of people in your home and cook a bunch of food you don’t normally cook or eat. Holidays are just hard for moms like us. So, I’m popping in here a few days early to give you a little Thanksgiving pep talk. And to tell you a heartwarming Thanksgiving story about the time I lost my crap. Listen in.   For show notes visit https://thescooponbalance.com/163   For Show Notes visit https://thescooponbalance.com/163

Today my new friend Leah Remillet returns for Part 2 of our conversation. Leah is the host of the Balancing Busy podcast, an international speaker, and the Anti-Hustle Business Coach. After collapsing on a trip to the zoo with her three babies, Leah knew she needed to make a change. Today she shares her proven strategies and systems that have given her back hours in her week. And she breaks it down for moms at every level of overwhelm. This episode is gold. Listen in. For show notes, visit https://thescooponbalance.com/162