Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast
501 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsHow should a godly woman and mother live in a chaotic world? Cynthia L Simmons gets right to the heart of issues a mother needs and combines history with Scripture to offer God's timeless wisdom
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Episodes
Uncovering Women's History: The Story of Katie Luther
March 06, 2024 17:49 - 2 minutes - 101 MB VideoIn this special episode for Women's History Month, we offer a snippet on the life of a remarkable woman from the Reformation: Katrina von Bora who married Martin Luther, the Reformer. Cynthia has written more about Katie's life in the book, Women Who Overcame.
When Children Stray: A Mother's Journey Then and Now
February 29, 2024 19:25 - 20 minutes - 29.1 MBIn this riveting podcast, Cynthia explores the problem of the wayward child. As Cynthia opened the interview, she related the story of Susannah Wesley and her prodigal child. Afterward, she asked her guest, Deborah Crawford to share the struggles she faced when her daughter made poor choices. The ladies discussed the gut-wrenching pain of letting go and trusting God. Join Cynthia and Deborah as they shared how they found hope in the middle of pain.
President's Day: John Quincy Adams and the Courage of Convictions
February 15, 2024 19:14 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBIn this President's Day podcast, Cynthia and Rebecca Price Janney, author and historian, discuss intriguing stories. Discover how John Quincy Adams made an impact by refusing to accept a gag order on slavery. From enduring marriages and diplomacy, this episode makes history live and sheds light on our lives today.
Beyond Romance: Sacrificial Love of Susannah and Charles Haddon Spurgeon
February 08, 2024 20:29 - 5 minutes - 7.61 MBWelcome to another episode of Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast. We all enjoy a love story, and this week Cynthia shared a tidbitt from the courtship of Charles Haddon Spurgeon and his wife Susannah. Susie was very shy, but Spurgeon had set London ablaze when he came to New Park Street Chapel. The church had to hire a new auditorium to handle the crowds he attracted. However, he tended to forget everything when he started speaking. Once he even forgot Susie. Listen for a snippet of their s...
Red Lipstick and God's Love
February 01, 2024 19:45 - 3 minutes - 4.9 MBIn this podcast episode, hostess Cynthia L Simmons discussed the connection of red lipstick, World War 2, and patriotism. She explored how American women expressed their femininity and kept their spirits up during a pivotal time in history. Drawing parallels to the idea of love, Cynthia also discussed the idea of agape love as we launch into the month of February. Join us as we dive into history and consider how to improve the present.
Adventures in Odyssey's Katie Leigh and Peggy Sue Wells
January 25, 2024 23:34 - 20 minutes - 28.5 MBWelcome to the latest episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast where we celebrate women from the past and learn new and powerful ways to cope with our nutty, upside-down world. This week we had a special guest, Katie Leigh who plays Connie Kendall on Adventures in Odyssey. She was joined by a mutual friend, author Peggy Sue Wells. Katie shared how she got the job at Focus on the Family and her heart for sharing truth with others. Peggy Sue explained how she became friends with Kat...
Brave Hearted Woman: Empowering Women to Find their Purpose
January 18, 2024 20:51 - 39 minutes - 39.4 MBWelcome to another episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. In this episode Cynthia and her guest Dawn Damon discuss what a brave-hearted woman looks like. Dawn shared her insights on discovering your vision and living as God intended you to live. Join Cynthia and Dawn as they discuss practical tips to make 2024 more successful.
Live Boldly in 2024: Insight on Living Intentionally
January 12, 2024 22:51 - 12 minutes - 18.1 MBWelcome to our second podcast for 2024. Cynthia and her guest, author Nicki White, discuss stories of people who rose above circumstances and lived out what they believed. Nicki also offered encouraging ideas about how we can reach out to needy people this year and make a difference in our world. Join us as we brainstorm tackling 2024.
Navigating a Nutty World: Hints for 2024
January 04, 2024 20:13 - 27 minutes - 38.6 MBWelcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. 2024 has arrived. Typically, people consider their plans and resolutions for the new year. This week, Cynthia mentioned the craziness around us. She asked author Peggy Sue Wells to give thoughts about stewardship in this situation. Peggy Sue pointed out the importance of self-care and of controlling your thoughts rather than leaping into crisis mode. She highlighted the need for prayer and loving people as well as listening to the opinions of oth...
New Year's Thoughts: Leave a Lasting Legacy
December 28, 2023 21:34 - 3 minutes - 5.95 MBWelcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. In this week's New Year podcast, Cynthia related a story about the man who accidentally ignited Thee Great London Fire, which took place in 1666. Imagine how ashamed he must have felt. Based on that event, she invited listeners to consider their own legacy. What will people remember about your life?
Create Lasting Christmas Memories
December 22, 2023 23:17 - 6 minutes - 8.76 MBWelcome to the Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This week Cynthia offered a holiday message about creating lasting memories with those we love. She emphasized the need for transcendency in our lives. and for giving messages that clearly communicate our hope. As a Christmas gift, Cynthia offered listeners her childhood memories of Christmas as well as a cake recipe her mother used to make for the season.
Christmas Wedding: Unveiling the Roosevelt Love Story
December 14, 2023 20:49 - 31 minutes - 43.5 MBWelcome to the Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This week we go back in history to learn about Teddy Roosevelt's parents. His mother, Mittie Bulloch, lived in Roswell, Georgia, just north of Atlanta. Our guest this week, Gwendolyn I. Koehler researched their lives and transcribed their letters. In this episode, she shared their romantic journey and their gorgeous winter wedding at Bulloch Hall. To learn more about Bulloch Hall, you can check visiting hours here. Ms. Koehler's book, Mit...
Mastering Holiday Stress: Secrets to Finding Peace
December 07, 2023 19:28 - 12 minutes - 17.1 MBWelcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. In this episode, author and counselor Tina Yeager chatted about ways to whip holiday burn out. Tina offered useful ideas on managing social obligations and genius ways to give meaningful gifts without spending a fortune. She also offers a course you can check out here. Use the codes FRIDAY23 or ACT NOW to get a discount. In addition, Cynthia is offering a gift to all her listeners. She complied Christmas memories from her childhood and a favori...
Sarah Joseph Hale's Fight for Thanksgiving: The Inspiring Story Behind a National Tradition
November 23, 2023 16:43 - 4 minutes - 6.66 MBWelcome to the Thanksgiving episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. Cynthia steps back ino history and hightlights Sarah Josepha Hale. Sarah, who lived during the Civil War, believed a national day of thanksgiving would unite and fractured nation. Due to her persistance, President Lincoln finally made the Thanksgiving a national holiday. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and listen to this delightful story while you count your blessings. This year, Cynthia is offering her childhood memories ...
Prepare for the Holidays and Nurture Your Relationships
November 16, 2023 18:17 - 11 minutes - 16.7 MBWelcome to Heart of the Matter Podcast/Radio. As the holiday season approaches, Cynthia and her guest, author Janet K Johnson, delve into the topic of making memories with your family. Afterall, you will look back on the happy times with loved ones rather than fret over what you didn't purchase. They discuss how to make the holiday special by spending time with family and by remembering those who are missing from your circle. Janet also offered tips for those who might be grieving as well...
Nurturing Gratitude: Practical Tips for Fostering Thankful and Respectful Children
November 09, 2023 21:47 - 20 minutes - 28 MBIn this episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast, Cynthia chats with author and parenting expert, Jill Rigby Garner. They tackle the reason we see so much modern day disrespect, and Jill believes we have placed too much emphasis on self-esteem. Instead Jill believes we should avoid fostering a sense of entitlement and teach children to give to others. The episode also features heartwarming stories that hightlight the beauty of gratefulness. Check out Jill's ministry here.
Approaching the Topic of Death with Kids
November 02, 2023 19:06 - 18 minutes - 25.2 MBWelcome back to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. In today's podcast, we discussed a tough topic: how to approach the topic death with your children. Our guest was Author Janet K Johnson who wrote the children's book Fly High: Understanding Grief with God's Help. Our hostess, Cynthia, shared her experiences and fears surrounding death in childhood. In contrast, Janet offered guidance on using nature as an example. She suggested allowing a kid to say goodbye in his or her own way as well ...
What is a Near Death Experience and a Deathbed Experience?
October 30, 2023 15:27 - 58 seconds - 16.6 MB VideoWelcome to a special episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast for Halloween. We are all curious about death and what comes afterward. J. Steve Miller PhD has extensively researched Near death and Death Bed experiences and written several books on the topic. He and Cynthia discussed his work. This is a clip of a longer video. They discussed whether these experiences are compatible with Christianity. You can watch that video here.
Unraveling the Mystery of Praying Personalities
October 26, 2023 15:23 - 11 minutes - 15.7 MBWelcome to the Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. This week we continued the conversation with Janet McHenry on praying personalities. She introduced us to four praying personalities, which are Problem Solver, Friend of God, Organized Prayer, and Peace Seeker. You can take an online test to discover which best describes you here. Each praying personality has unique characterisics and app;roaches to God. Join Cynthia and Janet as they discuss this interesting topic.
Embracing Your Unique Prayer Personality
October 19, 2023 20:32 - 8 minutes - 12.5 MBWelcome to the Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. In today's episode we delved into the fascinating topic of prayer and discuss how each of us approaches prayer differently. Cynthia interviewed author Janet McHenry who is a prayer warrior and author of Praying Personalities: Finding My Natural Prayer Style. Janet explained how she noticed different prayer personalities in Scripture, ranging from emotive to devotional to physical prayer styles. She encouraged people to embrace their natural ...
Supporting Family Members with Anxiety and Mental Illness
October 12, 2023 18:56 - 20 minutes - 28 MBWelcome to another episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast where we dive deep into important topics that impact our lives. In today's episode, we have a special guest, Carol Leathem who wrote Are You Ready to Find Joy When Life Gets Messy? Carole brings her personal experience and insights on caring for her husband who struggles with mental illness. She sheds light on early signs to watch for such as mood swings or anxiety, and she emphasizes the importance of getting professional he...
Secrets to Improving Your Mental Health
October 05, 2023 16:40 - 33 minutes - 46.4 MBWelcome to another episode of Heart of the Matter Radio Podcast. We have a thought-provoking guest, Dr. Mel Tavares, who will discuss the important topic of mental health. Increased anxiety and depression after the pandemic prompted her to reach out to parents and families. Mel shares her insight on how people respond differently to situations. She emphasizes the need for understanding and empathy. Dr. Tavares reminds us that we are all on a journey toward becoming more like Christ, and s...
Finding Hope and Joy in Times of Uncertainty
September 28, 2023 14:04 - 23 minutes - 32.5 MBWelcome to another episode of Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. Today we have the pleasure of hosting Grace Fox, author of the devotional book, Fresh Hope for Today. With everything happening in the world today, it's easy to lose hope and feel overwhelmed. That's why we are diving into the topic of mental health for the next few weeks. Grace's book filled with touching and beautiful reflections reminds us our hope lies in Christ. Join us as we discuss the power of prayer, finding hope in ...
Parenting Ahead: Build a Strong Foundation for the Teen Years
September 21, 2023 16:04 - 20 minutes - 28.1 MBWelcome! In today's episode, we have a special guest joining us, Kristen Hatton, to discuss her book, Parenting Ahead. Parenting is a lifelong journey, and it's crucial to start planning for the teen years and beyond. Kristen shares insightful tips on proactive parenting, measuring success, and how parents can mature as individuals. We delve into the differences between proactive and reactive parenting styles, as well as the influence idols have on our parenting decisions. Join us as we exp...
Constitution Day Special: Unpacking our Constitution
September 14, 2023 14:33 - 18 minutes - 25.6 MBWelcome to another exciting episode of Heart of the Matter Radio. We delve into the fascinating topic of the Constitution just in time to celebrate its signing which occurred on Sept 17, 1787. Laura Key joined Cynthia today. She is doctoral student at Liberty University and a teacher at Colorado Christian. Together they explore the significance of the Consitution, its evolution from the Articless of Confederation, and its relationship to a democracy and a republic. Join us as we travel throu...
Unlocking the Power of Hospitality: A Deep Dive into Creating Meaningful Connections
September 07, 2023 18:22 - 28 minutes - 39.4 MBHey everyone! I just finished an amazing podcast with DeAnna Kane on the power of hospitality. We talked about how hospitality is not just fancy decor or big events. It is about genuine connections and creativity. DeAnna and her business partner started an online magazine called The Heart of Hospitality where they share tips on having the best parties and events. The even introduced the idea of "fast food hospitality" which is a quick and easy way to stay connected in our fast paced world....
Hope for a Disabled Child
August 31, 2023 20:12 - 18 minutes - 26.7 MBWe all want a bright future for our children, and it's tough when we learn a child is less than perfect. What can a parent do? Annie Yortie had a beautiful baby girl who had Down's Syndrome. She was heartbroken. However, she grew closer to God and learned to educate her daughter. Annie's book, From Ignorance to Bliss, unfolds her secrets to success.
What if Your Child Questions Christianity?
August 24, 2023 18:38 - 29 minutes - 42.1 MBI can recall questioning the existance of Santa Claus. How could he visit every household in just one night? How did he get inside my house since we had no fireplace? Did he really know everything I had done? Your children will question what you have taught them about God. As Francis Schaeffer pointed out, Christianity can handle their questions. Mike McGarry just published Discover: Questioning Your Way to Faith. He joined me this week, and we discussed common issues kids wonder abo...
Discover Ways to Keep a Strong Marriage Despite Unexpected Grief
August 17, 2023 19:25 - 24 minutes - 34.9 MBTraditional marriage vows say '...till death do us part...', and that's God's ideal. However, when trouble or grief attacks, what can you do? Todd and Kristin Evans fell in love and married. They wanted to have a ministry together. However, their son became very sick and then they had a daughter with a severe illness. They almost lost their marriage. However, they overcame. Todd and Kristin shared ways they learned to still enjoy each other and work together as a team. And they are doin...
Marriage Week 2: Make the Romance Last
August 10, 2023 13:46 - 41 minutes - 77.1 MBLast week we started on the topic of marriage to honor my parent's relationship. They married 71 years ago on August 24th. This is week 2. Of course, we were 'in love' when we married, but how can we make romance laslt? My guests this week were Greg and Julie Gorman. I recorded them several years ago, but their message is still resonates. They experienced tough times early in their relationship, and they worried they might not make it. Both share how the Lord helped them break through....
Marriage Week 1: Keep Romance Alive
August 03, 2023 15:03 - 6 minutes - 9.23 MBAugust is a special month. Mom and Dad married on August 24th. This year they would have been married 71 years. In their memory, I am going to highlight keeping love in marriage for several weeks. Mom died a couple months shy of their 56th wedding anniversary. Later, I found a box in the bottom of her cedar chest. She had wrapped up her wedding suit and her night gown in tissue papeer for protection. Obviously, she treasured that memory, just like she treasured my father and his love. I...
Protect Your Kids from Porn
July 20, 2023 12:32 - 30 minutes - 42.3 MBWhen I was a little girl, I found a magazine in our yard with inappropriate pictures, and the photos upset me. Today children can find pornography much more easily when they are on the internet or phone. Author Kristen Jenson was my guest this week. She said we need to give our children a plan in case they do come across offensive pictures. In addition, she suggested teaching them how to put aside the photos they might have seen, replacing them with pleasant images. You'll find lots of us...
Protect Your Kids from Internet Predators Part 2
July 12, 2023 22:47 - 23 minutes - 38.1 MBA couple weeks ago, author John Girolamo spoke with us about dangers from online predators. Today, we have the second segment of that interview. Mr. Girolamo gave suggestions for protecting our children from his new book It's All About the Predator. For instance, he warned us about passing out personal information online, and he suggested we give our kids dumb phones that only do calls. We should also examine our children's phones from time to time to see what apps they might have add...
Independence Day: Two Revolutionary War Patriots
July 06, 2023 20:51 - 6 minutes - 23.6 MBWe have just celebrated the birth of our country on July 4. Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence 247 years ago, and men fought for our freedom. But that was a long time ago. Who were these patriots who risked their lives? This week, Cynthia shared about two patriots from her family. Daniel McKinney's father had immigrated from Scotland but died when Daniel was nine years old. Daniel owned land and worked as a farmer and carpenter. He signed up to fight., but he di...
July 4: New and Fun Ideas for Your Family
June 29, 2023 19:15 - 19 minutes - 27.8 MBWe live in a fantastic country, and we need to share our incredible heritage with our family. Not only can we glean lessons from history, but we can also learn about the men who gave their lives for our freedom. This week award-winning author Author Rebecca Price Janney was my guest. She has written the Easton series about her patriot ancestor. The latest book, which just came out, is Easton at Sunset. Rebecca offered wonderful suggestions, like look up your ancestry. You may discover you ...
Protect Your Kids from Internet Predators Part 1
June 22, 2023 15:54 - 11 minutes - 27.1 MBTechnology has made our lives easier but has also brought serious risks. Today predators attempt to get to your children and entice them into hurtful relationships. How can we protect our children? Parents need to be informed. John DiGirolamo has researched internet safety and has published several books. He gave information from his book, It is Not About the Predator.
Marriage Part 2: Celebrate Our Differences!
June 14, 2023 22:04 - 39 minutes - 57.4 MBWhenever I need to get my husband's attention, I have to call his name. Otherwise, I can talk all day and he won't hear. A man tends to focus on one thing whereas, I can juggle lots of jobs. One way to improve your marriage is to understand how God made your spouse. My guests this week were Bill and Pam Farrell, and they wrote the best-selling book, Men are Like Waffles and Women are Like Spaghetti. We enjoyed lots of laughter as we discussed male and female differences, but we also demon...
Marriage Part I: Tips on Melding Two Lives
June 08, 2023 18:25 - 16 minutes - 26.7 MBHow do you meld two very different lives and stay happy in marriage? That can be difficult, especially if you marry late in life. Author and publisher, Athena Dean Holz married a busy pastor. She shared tips on how they managed the transition and how they keep the relationship strong.
New Activities to Engage Your Children and Family
June 01, 2023 15:07 - 29 minutes - 51.6 MBWe all long for a rich relationship with our family, however, we have to compete with technology. Movies, social media and chat rooms can steal your family's time. There's hope! My guest this week was author and coach Linda Goldfarb. She offered new and exciting ideas for interacing with your children. Make some memories you'll treasure!
Overcome Mom Guilt
May 25, 2023 19:11 - 32 minutes - 44.4 MBWhen I had my first child, I had a list of things I would not do. I certainly would not make the same mistakes as my mother. However, I discovered I tended to lecture when I should listen and get angry when I should be patient. How can you overcome mom guilt? Author Jennifer Slattery spoke from her experiences as a mother and foster mother.
Discover New Ways to Manage a Wayward Child
May 18, 2023 16:57 - 23 minutes - 33.3 MBOur children tend to misbehave in uncomfortable situations, like the grocery store. What are the best ways to handle a wayward child? My guest this week was Linda Goldfarb who is an author and coach. She gave great tactics for staying engaged rather than coming unglued. You might want to check out her podcast or her Facebook group on parenting. You can also access Cynthia L Simmons' tips on creating a peaceful home here.
What if Mother's Day is Hard?
May 11, 2023 19:31 - 25 minutes - 25 MBMother's Day can be very fun. I can remember when my kids were little, and they planned surprises for me. I would hear mumbling and whispers around me. However, Mother's Day isn't always happy. If you just lost your mom or if you have a prodigal the day can be so painful. Author Angela Breidenbach was my guest this week, and her mother was mentally ill, making it difficult to have a relationship. She shared about her past and offered ideas for mothers who are grieving.
Dealing with Infertility on Mother's Day
May 05, 2023 14:22 - 13 minutes - 19.2 MBMother's Day isn't always happy. Today we remember those ladies who would like to be mothers but cannot get pregnant. Author Betsy Hermon told her story and offered encouragment to women in the same situation. She wrote When Infertility Books Are Not Enough. Let's be senstive to that childless mother this year.
What Can a Mom Do About Bullies Part 2
April 27, 2023 14:16 - 23 minutes - 33.2 MBBullies can make our children's lives miserable, but we can teach them to be proactive rather than a victim. My guest this week was Lori Wildenberg. She gave numerous tips found in Raising Big Kids with Superenatural Love which she co-authored. Lori said to prepare your child ahead of time and be a safe place where they can talk.
What Can a Mom Do About Bullies? Part 1
April 20, 2023 17:08 - 15 minutes - 22.1 MBAs moms our hearts ache when one of our children suffer, especially when bullies have upset them. This is part one of a two part series on dealing with bullies. This week, Karen Whiting was my guest. She has a finger game and Bible stories for dealing with this uncomfortable situation.
How Can We Be Sure the Resurrection Happened?
April 13, 2023 15:45 - 19 minutes - 27.8 MBWe just celebrated Easter, which is the resurrection of Jesus. No one wants to believe a lie, so we want to be confident about our faith and convey that to our children. How can we be sure the resurrection actually happened? After all, many today do not believe in miracles, so it helps to know the facts that support our belief system. My husband, Ray Simmons, was my guest this week. He is a Bible scholar who loves apologetics. We covered ways we can be certain Jesus rose so you can answer...
Easter Thoughts: Remembering His Sacrifice
April 06, 2023 19:57 - 14 minutes - 21.8 MBThis is a rerun of an interview on the Shroud of Turin. While I am not ready to say this cloth was the burial garment of Christ, I want to focus on the sufferings of Christ. We can learn a lot about crucifixion from the shroud. Praise God for his sacrifice! My guest was Mark Antonacci who has tested the shroud for many years.
Conquering Adult Insomnia
March 30, 2023 14:27 - 14 minutes - 22.1 MBWhen you lose sleep, you can't think clearly, your temper flares too quickly, and you drag through the day. But there's hope! My guest this week was Author Jennifer Slattery, and we discussed how to learn your body's cycle and wind down at night.
Solve the Sleep Problem
March 23, 2023 11:24 - 29 minutes - 41.8 MBAmericans stay so busy we cut back on sleep, and that can have long-term consequences. Lack of sleep can cause you to be less focused and more vulnerable to disease. In that light, how can we get our children in bed when they are resistant? My guest this week was Author Sarah Hamaker. She has researched sleep for years and offered useful tips for you and your family.
Discover New Ways to Manage Your Child's Anger
March 16, 2023 18:19 - 17 minutes - 25.6 MBThe fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, and against these things there is no law. On the other hand, deeds of the flesh includes outbursts of anger. (paraphrase from Galatians) And it's hard to handle that toddler when he loses his cool in the grocery store. This week, Author Tina Yeager was my guest. She is a licensed counselor, and she gave useul tips on teaching self-control to our children.