Beyond the Highlight Reel: Embracing Imperfection & Authenticity in Motherhood

Join Michelle Barnett on the Mommin' Together podcast as she welcomes Jill Wagner, a mom of four and social media influencer with over 2 million followers. They dive into Jill's journey through motherhood, from teen pregnancy to raising adult children. Jill shares her insights on maintaining authenticity online, balancing family life, and the lessons she's learned through various life challenges. This episode is a must-listen for moms seeking genuine connections and practical advice on staying true to themselves in the digital age.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:20 Meet Jill Wagner: A Journey of Resilience

01:14 Motherhood and Authenticity

02:31 Navigating Teenage Pregnancy

03:19 The Impact of Upbringing on Parenting

04:20 Embracing Imperfection in Motherhood

06:24 The TikTok Journey Begins

08:39 Going Viral and Building a Community

13:22 Balancing Privacy and Authenticity

16:00 Faith and Authenticity in Motherhood

20:35 Balancing Family and Social Media

22:15 Handling Online Criticism

25:12 Building Authentic Connections Online

26:40 Managing Content Creation as a Busy Mom

31:39 Advice for Moms on Social Media

41:05 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

About Jill:

Jill Wagner is a wife of 25 years to Brian and a mom of 3 boys, 1 daughter, and 1 daughter in law aging from 20-26 years old.

Jill claims to be a professional dabbler as she got her teaching degree, real estate license, babysat kids, tried network marketing companies, owned tradition businesses and flipped houses before she landed upon her passion with the Juice Plus Company and made it to the top level in 2016.

I’m 2020 during the pandemic she decided to put herself out on social media sharing her family life along with the vulnerability of the struggles of teen pregnancy, marriage, addiction, infidelity, weight, and empty nesting.

She has grown a following of over 2 million on her platforms and strives to help women find their voice as they choose to live in a place of courage instead of shame.

Connect with Jill:

TikTok: @authenticallyjill

IG: @authenticallyjill

FB: @JillSechrestWagner

Connect with Michelle

IG: @mommin_together

FB: Join the Mommin’ Together Community on Facebook

In this episode of the Mom and Together podcast, host Michelle Barnett interviews her friend Christine Brandt, a California native and fire wife, about her journey of deconstructing and reconstructing her Christian faith. Christine shares her experiences of struggling with infertility, loss, and reevaluating long-held doctrines and traditions. They discuss the definition of faith deconstruction and reconstruction, the impact on Christine's family and parenting, and how she navigated these challenges. Whether you're questioning your faith or seeking encouragement in your motherhood journey, this episode offers valuable insights and support.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:20 Meet Christine Brandt

01:16 Christine's Family and Lifestyle

03:28 Understanding Faith Deconstruction

07:03 Christine's Deconstruction Journey

17:19 Navigating Faith and Motherhood

24:09 Embracing a Slower Lifestyle

29:37 Faith Practices and Borrowed Prayers

32:53 Navigating Social Media and Faith

35:56 Lessons Learned on Faith and Motherhood

41:54 Practical Mom Hacks

43:57 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Connect with Christine

C.n.hamel@gmail.com

IG: @christinethebrandt

Resources:

Prayer Book - The Lives We Actually Have by Kate Bowler

Pray as You Go App (Imaginative Prayer)

The Faith Construct (Christine’s Podcast):

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-faith-construct/id1731921436?i=1000645932977

Connect with Me:

Instagram: @Mommin_Together

Building a Christ-Centered Marriage and Family

In this heartfelt episode, meet April Gamble, a devoted wife, mother of three, and foster parent from Austin, Texas. With a background in speech language pathology, April shares her marriage journey of 18 years, she reveals the trials, triumphs, and transformative power of grace in her relationship with her husband, Justin. From the importance of prayer and community to tackling conflict with humility, April offers practical advice and personal anecdotes that underscore the profound impact of a Christ-centered marriage. Whether you're navigating the challenges of raising children or seeking to enrich your marriage, this episode is a valuable resource on fostering love, respect, and unity in the home. Listen in for actionable tips and a refreshing perspective on how to thrive in both marriage and motherhood.

00:00 Introduction to April Gamble

01:10 April's Marriage and Family Background

03:12 Purpose and Foundation of Marriage

06:10 Challenges and Growth in Marriage

10:35 Practical Tips for Prioritizing Marriage

19:41 Working on Your Marriage

29:57 The Role of Counseling in Marriage

34:50 Finding the Right Marriage Counselor

36:02 The Value of Ongoing Counseling

38:28 Overcoming Stigma in Counseling

44:04 Communicating Effectively in Marriage

48:54 Handling Conflict and Arguments

56:29 Impact of Marriage on Parenting

01:00:23 Keeping the Fun Alive in Marriage

01:05:19 Motherhood Advice and Final Thoughts

Good Inside podcast - Doctor Becky Kennedy https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-inside-with-dr-becky/id1561689671

https://open.spotify.com/show/1paqsvlLA7b5n0MFmo5xOq?si=d6897d6d19e94ea0

Real Christianity podcast - Dale and Veronica https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-christianity/id1408224071

https://open.spotify.com/show/1Xj099RA5Zkq8WWgDxZMfl?si=ef602aface564991

Books Recommendations:

Rocking the Roles: Building a Win-Win Marriage by Robert Lewis https://amzn.to/41Togdq

Love and Respect - The love she most desires and the respect he desperately needs. by Dr Emerson Eggerichs https://amzn.to/4lbv39J

Sacred Marriage - Gary Thomas https://amzn.to/42mkk42

The 5 Love Languages - Gary Chapman https://amzn.to/4jabFJb

Finding the Hero in Your Husband by Juli Slattery https://amzn.to/41W0aij