How We Made This Year Harder Than It Had to Be: 5 Transition Mistakes Christian Moms Overlook

In this cozy season finale, Tracy and Tori take listeners back to where it all began—recording from the sauna that sparked the Unlikely Housewives podcast four years ago. Between the sweat, the laughter, and some real talk, they look back on a year marked by big transitions, parenting milestones, travel, and learning to stay obedient when life feels completely unsettled.

Tracy shares the story of her family’s unexpected move: downsizing, letting go of the pool and the “dream house,” and discovering that less house and more time can actually be the greatest gift. Tori opens up about how walking through Tracy’s moving season has impacted her own heart and conversations at home, especially with a husband who feels restless and kids who are racing toward new stages.

They also reflect on:

• What it’s like raising teens and near-adults in a post-Covid world.
• The tension between wanting to plan everything and realizing that God doesn’t do “conference calls.”
• How motherhood and marriage look from the eyes of their kids—and the surprising answer when they ask, “Do we make this look fun?”

From college decisions and menopause to cross-country road-trip dreams and learning to travel solo without guilt, this episode is a warm, honest reminder that God is present in the waiting, the moving, and the everyday carpool chaos.​

In This Episode, We Talk About

• Recording the season finale back in the sauna and celebrating four years of the Unlikely Housewives podcast.
• Why Tracy’s family chose to move, downsize, and say goodbye to the pool—and what that taught her about time, stress, and contentment.
• The emotional and spiritual side of feeling “unsettled” for an entire year and still trusting God’s timing.
• Parenting teens and soon-to-be college students in a post-Covid world, from increasing independence to the “Let me ask my mom” culture.
• Honest conversations about menopause, aging, and making motherhood and marriage look appealing (or not!) to the next generation.
• Why experiences and travel (including solo trips and mom–dad getaways) matter more than more “stuff” or bigger homes
• Looking ahead to 2026 with hopes of feeling more rooted, more confident as moms, and more intentional with the time that’s left at home with their kids.

Links & Mentions

• Sunlighten Amplify II Sauna – the at-home sauna Tracy is adding to her new space; great for joint support, thyroid support, stress relief, and overall wellness. (Tell them “Tori Shirah” sent you for current discounts.)
• Glow Tanning membership and spa services that offer saunas and spa beds as a budget-friendly way to invest in health and relaxation.

Connect with Tracy & Tori

• Follow the Unlikely Housewives on Instagram
• Share this episode with a friend who is in a moving, waiting, or “unsettled” season
• Leave a rating and review to help more housewives find authentic encouragement and faith-filled real talk

Support the Unlikely Housewives! Represent with our UH Merch! bit.ly/unlikelymerch

Sunlighten Sauna Sponsor: https://get.sunlighten.com/unlikely Save up to $1700!

Join our community on Facebook and connect with us on Instagram!

Write an apple review and YOUR review could be read on our next episode!

Hosted by Tori Shirah and Tracy Stine

Contact us ➡️ [e-mail]