Seek Wholly Living with Christa Svoboda
147 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 119 ratingsWeekly conversations with amazing moms who choose a life of hope, joy, and purpose. Topics include all things mom: marriage, parenting, pregnancy & baby, health & wellness, and home. Lead by Christa Svoboda, mother, wife, teacher, and friend to some amazing women.
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Episodes
Learning Through Games
July 19, 2021 08:00 - 32 minutes - 22.9 MBLearning with our children should be fun, but in reality that is not always the case. Today we are having a fun conversation about learning with games! You will leave this episode excited to play games with your children and see results in your home that will last a lifetime. And don't miss the game giveaway we're doing on Instagram this week! I have an expert on this topic who has invested countless hours into researching high quality games for her children, playing them over many lunch...
Clearing the Clutter in Your Home
July 12, 2021 08:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBDo you ever feel so overwhelmed by the clutter in your home? Maybe you have counter tops or drawers, or even a closet or a room, that tends to "catch" all of the extra stuff? I have invited an expert to talk with me about this topic of clutter today. Kayse Pratt is here from Anchored Women. She helps equip women to remain anchored in Christ as they manage their homes, family, and daily life. Kayse is a mom to 2 children so she is no stranger to the balancing act of mom life. I'm so ...
Tools for Discipline: Young Children
July 05, 2021 08:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBWe’re back again today to talk about discipline! Discipling our children is one of the greatest privileges and responsibilities that God has given us and my mom, Connie Burroughs, is back with us again today for this important conversation. My mom raised 4 children who love and serve the Lord and now she is Nana to 9 grandchildren. (5 of those are my sweet babies!). We began this conversation in episode 33, The Heart of Discipline. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, listen to t...
Tools for Discipline: Young Children
July 05, 2021 08:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBWe’re back again today to talk about discipline! Discipling our children is one of the greatest privileges and responsibilities that God has given us and my mom, Connie Burroughs, is back with us again today for this important conversation. My mom raised 4 children who love and serve the Lord and now she is Nana to 9 grandchildren. (5 of those are my sweet babies!). We began this conversation in episode 33, The Heart of Discipline. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, listen to t...
Creating a Healthy Sexual Culture in Your Home
June 28, 2021 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBHave you wondered how to talk with your children about sex? Or how to create a healthy sexual culture in your home? Due to the nature of this topic, this will be an episode that you’ll want to save to listen to without little ears around. Time and time again moms have asked for a conversation on this topic, so I did it here with Greta Eskridge. Greta is a mom who loves to adventure through life with her 4 children. She loves adventuring so much that she wrote a book about it! You shoul...
Speaking Life into Your Children
June 21, 2021 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBHave you considered that you are the first voice to speak into the lives of your children? What a beautiful privilege and responsibility it is that we carry as moms. My mom, Connie Burroughs, and my friend, Bethany Bruebaker, are back with me for this conversation about speaking life into our children. They are both naturally gifted encouragers who fill their days with words of life. For more from Bethany, you can follow her on Instagram @happyhomemakerme. You can also join me on Ins...
The Importance of Sabbath
June 14, 2021 08:00 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MBDo you practice the Sabbath? Do you wish you knew how to make a Sabbath day possible in your busy life? Joining me today is Rachel Fahrenbach, author of Rest and Reflect: 12-Week Guided Sabbath Journal. We discuss what the Sabbath is and why it is important. We also take on the biggest struggle in our busy culture of how we can intentionally begin practicing the Sabbath as an act of obedience and expect to see God's faithfulness and blessings in our life. This conversation will leave...
Healthy Families - Chiropractic
June 07, 2021 08:00 - 31 minutes - 22.1 MBI have heard it said that when you feel well, you act well. I have found this to be true for myself and for my children as well. One of the ways we keep our family healthy is through chiropractic care. In today's conversation we will learn about many ways that chiropractic care can be beneficial for moms during their everyday life as well as during pregnancy. We will also discuss some of the reasons that chiropractic care is helpful for babies and children and how you can find a chiropr...
Hope After a Difficult Diagnosis
May 31, 2021 08:00 - 50 minutes - 35.5 MBHave you received a difficult diagnosis? Or do you have a mom, or a sister, or a friend who has been given a devastating diagnosis? This conversation is rich with hope for you and your loved ones! In this special episode, we'll dive deep into the topics of what you can do for those in the midst of a cancer battle or other serious illness and also some very real ways that you can keep walking, one day at a time, if you're the one in a health crisis. My dear friend Kelly Sipan is sharing...
Rebuilding After Betrayal
May 24, 2021 08:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBBetrayal can take so many painful forms in the life of a mom. Your story of betrayal might be from a parent during your childhood, or a dear friend, or the devastating betrayal of a spouse. Or maybe you have been the trusted mom friend supporting another mom through a painful betrayal in her life story. This is a tender topic that is looked at through a new lens of hope in today's conversation. Joining me with a story of hope and healing after betrayal is Tina Konkin. She is the Founder...
Mothering In Community - Revisited
May 17, 2021 08:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBMothering alone, without the friendship and community of other moms, is a recipe for loneliness and mediocrity in life. In today’s conversation, we will discuss Mothering in Community. Joining us, are two amazing moms with over a decade of experience in finding, living, and contributing in vibrant communities with other moms. My friend Talithia, is a math professor at Harvey Mudd College and has 3 boys, between eight and twelve years old. And my friend Debran, is a family pastor and ex...
The Heart of Parental Discipline
May 10, 2021 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.5 MBDisciplining our children is hard work! This conversation is with my mom, Connie Burroughs, who poured herself into discipling the hearts of her four children for so many years and has encouraged many moms on this topic of the heart of parental discipline. Between her four children and my five children, it is incredible to see the many different struggles that can come with training children. There will be a follow up episode with some specific tools of discipline, but it must begin first...
Mother's Day Special
May 03, 2021 08:00 - 27 minutes - 19.5 MBHappy Mother’s Day dear mamas! It’s such a privilege to be moms and truly is a gift from the Lord. Today’s conversation is a special one because I have my sweet new baby in my lap and my mom across the table from me! I begin the conversation with two dear friends, Bethany Bruebaker, @happyhomemakerme , and Kelly Sipan, @socalnaturekids, to share some beautiful stories of their friendships with their moms and how their relationships with their moms continue influencing their mothering today...
Yes, You Can Homeschool
April 26, 2021 08:00 - 32 minutes - 22.9 MBThis conversation will leave you encouraged and empowered that YOU can homeschool your children. If you are the mom who has listed reasons why you could never homeschool, I am sure we will address many of those here. If you are the mom who has said you would never consider homeschooling your children, you will relate very well with one of my guests who was a very unlikely homeschooler. If you already homeschool your children or are considering trying homeschooling, you will be very encour...
The Heart of Adoption
April 19, 2021 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.6 MBWe are all called to care for the orphans. What does that look like in your life? Have you adopted children into your family? Have you fostered children in your home? Do you support ministries or families that directly care for orphaned children? In today's conversation, two moms share their adoption stories. Sarah Dykema is back with me. You can follow her on Instagram @purpose_life_homes. And I'm so glad to welcome Kimberly Gunderson with me here for the first time. This convers...
Healthy Habits for Moms and Kids
April 12, 2021 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBJoin us for a fun conversation about the healthy habits that we can choose for ourselves and our children. Michelle Akrami from @theunhurriedfarm and Christina LeMaster are with me as we talk through how we strive to prioritize keeping ourselves and our children healthy. As moms, we have a great privilege and responsibility to live our lives in a way that will create healthy habits for our children that will go with them into adulthood. Michelle, Christina, and I will share rhythms that w...
Priorities in Work and Home
April 05, 2021 08:00 - 32 minutes - 22.7 MBDo you struggle with the balance between work and home priorities? Today’s conversation is with two moms who live very full lives, balancing their priorities between work and home as the Lord leads. Sarah Dykema is mom to two boys and is a real estate agent with Purpose Homes and you can follow her @purpose_life_homes. Grace Sekayan is mom to 3 children and works as a nurse and you can follow her @mamanursegrace. God will lead us as we seek His direction for our families and these women ...
Preparing Our Hearts for Easter
March 29, 2021 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBDo you celebrate Holy Week with your children? This week leading up to Easter is referred to as Holy Week and with it comes many opportunities to draw close to the Lord with our family as we look forward to Easter Sunday. Similarly to the ways we celebrate advent as a season, looking forward to Christmas, this week has it’s own unique blessings. I’ve invited my friends Michelle and Becky back with me today as they both celebrate life so beautifully and this Holy Week is no exception. Mic...
The Joys and Challenges of Breastfeeding
March 22, 2021 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.5 MBAre you an expecting mom? Or, are you a friend, or a sister, or a mother, or a grandmother to someone who is expecting? This conversation is going to be such a blessing to you and to that precious baby! With me today is my dear friend Ashley Hontz who is a registered nurse and a lactation consultant. She has many years of experience and so much wisdom to share on the topic of breastfeeding. So whether it's you, or someone you'll be supporting through their breastfeeding journey, I'm so ...
Being a Good Friend
March 15, 2021 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18.9 MBDo you know what it means to be a good friend? With me today are two amazing women who very intentional in their friendships. On today's episode, we are going to discuss what it means to be a good friend. With me today is Michelle Akrami, mother if five children between the ages of four and ten, and Heidi Ollman, who has two teenagers and one adult child. I know that ever women will be blessed by this conversation. Visit the SEEK WHOLLY LIVING website (for Encouragement, Information,...
How to Manage Conflict with Children
March 08, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.6 MBDo you intentionally train your children to work through conflict? Managing conflict is an necessary skill that will serve your children well through life. My friend Starla Anderson is back with me for this conversation. She is a professor of Conflict Resolution at Azusa Pacific University and studied Communication, Law and Dispute Resolution. In addition to her professional experiences, in her personal life at home she has raised two wonderful children. Be sure to listen through the e...
Hope for a Healthy Marriage
March 01, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBHave you gone through a rough patch in your marriage? Or maybe you’re in a difficult season right now? With me today are two dear friends who have spoken so much hope and life into my marriage. Rebecca McAllister and Jill Hardy are here to talk about hope for a healthy marriage and I’m so glad you’re joining us. Links to things mentioned on the podcast: Relationship Lifeline Retreat, https://relationshiplifeline.org 8 Great Dates, By John Gottman www.focusonthefamily.com Vi...
Talking with Kids About Difficult Topics - Revisited
February 22, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.8 MBNo one looks forward to having difficult conversations with their children. When kids have questions about serious matters, they usually ask when we least expect it and often at inconvenient times. But as parents, it’s our privilege and responsibility to be the voice that speaks into the hearts and minds of our children, especially about important topics. Whether your children are toddlers or teens and whether you live in America or somewhere on the other side of the world… this year in ...
Opening Your Heart to Your Children's Friends
February 15, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBWould you like to build a deeper and life-long relationship with your children? One of the best ways that you can do that is by opening your heart and your home to your children’s friends. Joining us today is my mom, Connie Burroughs. Mother to me and my three younger siblings. She began her work with children in the classroom as a teacher before we were born and has continued to pour into children as a mother, grandmother, and friend. Also with us today is my friend, Becky Slamer. Mot...
Sex and Intimacy in Marriage
February 08, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBDo you have plans for Valentine’s Day – the Husband and Wife kind. Before we begin, If you have little ears listening with you, this is an episode you’ll want to enjoy later on your own. Today we have an open conversation about some of the more intimate areas of marriage. So, take off our mom hat, and put back on your wife hat and join us for a fun conversation about sex and intimacy in marriage. Back with me today are my friends, Michelle Akrami and Talithia Williams. Michelle is mam...
When Your Husband has a Stressful Job
February 01, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBIs your husband in a stressful job? I’m sure most of you can relate to your husband experiencing some type of job stress and how it impacts your marriage and children. Today’s guests both have husbands with extraordinarily stressful jobs and years of experience cultivating a healthy marriage and home in the midst of that stress. I’m so glad to welcome back Starla Anderson and Wendy Tung. Starla is a professor of Conflict Management at my alma mater, Azusa Pacific University, and has two ...
The Gift of a Strong-Willed Child
January 25, 2021 09:00 - 23 minutes - 16.9 MBDo you have a strong-willed child? The determined type with very strong convictions? Today’s guests are two of my favorite strong-willed people. My mom, Connie Burroughs, is back! With a background in elementary education and a mother of four, she found great joy in raising multiple strong-willed children. And one of those determined children, my younger sister, Megan, is here with us today to provide insight into the heart and mind of the strong-willed child. With a degree in commu...
Empowering Your Children Through Chores
January 18, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 19.4 MBHi ladies! Every January I love taking inventory of our home to evaluate what is working well and what is working… not so well. In today’s conversation we’ll talk about the manager of the home… you, and the ways that you can keep your home functioning best. Today, I’ve invited Rachel Wilson and Aimee Nielsen to join us for this conversation. Both moms who find joy in training their children in the daily work required to keep a home running well. They’ve inspired me and I know they’ll inspir...
Habits of a Healthy Mom
January 11, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBIf you have felt burdened and helpless by the events of this past week, then I’m so glad you’re with us today. At a time when it feels that so much of our world is out of control, today’s podcast will encourage you to focus on the things you can control. Starting with you and how you prepare your heart, mind, and body daily to do the work that God has called you to in your home. With me today are my friends Dubron Haselwood an online marketing coach and pastor and Ashley Hontz a registered n...
Homeschooling Revisited
January 04, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.4 MBIf that small voice inside your mom heart is saying that something in your child’s education just doesn’t feel right this year, then today’s podcast is for you. If school in the age of Covid isn’t working for you and your family, then I want to encourage you today to consider something different! Keep listening and I promise you’ll leave with some newfound hope. Visit the SEEK WHOLLY LIVING website (for Encouragement, Information, and Fun for all things Mom!) https://seekwhollyliving.co...
New Years Resolutions of Peace
December 28, 2020 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.5 MBI hope you’re joining us with a full heart after a beautiful Christmas weekend! We have been treasuring this season with our newest baby. There’s something so beautiful about a baby at Christmas!.. (look at Graham) And now we look forward to a New Year with our family of seven, with fresh beginnings and new hope. Back with me today are two of my dear friends, Alicia Dallas and Stephanie Kamps. Both wonderful women who prioritize peace in their hearts and homes. Visit the SEEK WHOLLY L...
Anxiety Free Christmas
December 21, 2020 09:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBHappy Christmas week! I hope this finds you well! This final week of Christmas preparations and celebrations can be so life-giving. But keeping it real… this week can also stir up some heightened emotions of anxiety, disappointment, and stress. The opposite of what you would hope for at Christmas time. Joining us today are two very insightful moms who are both masters at recognizing and addressing the signs of anxiety that can creep into our hearts and homes during the holidays. Michel...
Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas
December 14, 2020 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.6 MBMerry Christmas ladies! I hope today finds you in a place where your heart is ready to be refreshed and encouraged during the busyness of the Holiday season. Today’s conversation is about preparing our hearts for Christmas. Joining us today are two of my sweet friends, Michelle Akrami and Alicia Dallas. Michelle has 5 children ranging in ages from 4 to 10 and Alicia has 4 children, ages 2, 4, 7, and 10. Join us as we share how a right perspective and focus on the true meaning of Christmas mu...
Preparing Our Homes for Christmas
December 07, 2020 09:00 - 33 minutes - 23.7 MBThe Christmas season is such a special time of year. On today’s episode we enjoy a warm conversation about ways that we can bring the wonder, hope, and joy of Christmas to life in our homes! The treasured decorations, the smells of the season, songs we sing, the food we savor, and the love we share brings Christmas to life for you and your family. Today I get to invite you into this wonderful Christmas conversation with my mom, Connie Burroughs, and a dear family friend who is like ano...
Reading Aloud to Your Children
November 30, 2020 09:00 - 32 minutes - 22.7 MBWelcome back ladies! I’m so excited that you can join us today as we share about reading aloud to our children. This is topic a that I’m passionate about, and so are my guests. Returning today, are my friends Wendy Tung and Rachel Wilson, both mothers of elementary age children who have so much to share during this conversation. Now, before we start, let me assure you that our show notes today will be full, and will include all the wonderful book titles and authors that are recommended in t...
A Meaningful Thanksgiving
November 23, 2020 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.9 MBHappy Thanksgiving! What a joy it is to be a mom during the holiday seasons. We have all these opportunities to create memories that will fill the hearts and minds of our children for years to come. Joining me today to talk about how to create a meaningful thanksgiving are 2 of my dear friends, Michelle Akrami and Heidi Ollman. Michelle has 5 children between the ages of 4 and 10, and Heidi has 3 children, ages 13, 18, and 20. Both of these ladies demonstrate hearts of gratitude that sh...
Hosting Simplified
November 16, 2020 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBI am so excited for this conversation! There are so many opportunities in life to celebrate with friends and family, and today I invited two of the best hosts that I know to share about hosting gatherings and parties in a simplified and relational way. Joining us today is one of my favorite guests, my mom, Connie Burroughs. She hosts so beautifully and with such grace, whether it’s a child’s birthday party, a baby shower, or a wedding reception… I’ve learned so much from her! And, join...
Raising Amazing Girls
November 09, 2020 09:00 - 28 minutes - 20.1 MBBeing a woman who can speak life into the heart of a growing girl is a privilege and beautiful gift from God. Today we will be hearing from a friend, Lisa Toney, founder of Girl Tribe Nation and creator of the program, Raising Amazing Tween Girls. She is a pastor, a mother to four wonderful children, and is here to share her wisdom on how to speak into the lives of the girls that God has given us. Whether you have a daughter, a niece, a grand-daughter, or even a friendship with a young gi...
Raising Amazing Girls
November 09, 2020 09:00 - 28 minutes - 20.1 MBBeing a woman who can speak life into the heart of a growing girl is a privilege and beautiful gift from God. Today we will be hearing from a friend, Lisa Toney, founder of Girl Tribe Nation and creator of the program, Raising Amazing Tween Girls. She is a pastor, a mother to four wonderful children, and is here to share her wisdom on how to speak into the lives of the girls that God has given us. Whether you have a daughter, a niece, a grand-daughter, or even a friendship with a young gi...
Mothering In Community
November 02, 2020 08:00 - 31 minutes - 22.6 MBMothering alone, without the friendship and community of other moms, is a recipe for loneliness and mediocrity in life. In today’s conversation, we will discuss Mothering in Community. Joining us, are two amazing moms with over a decade of experience in finding, living, and contributing in vibrant communities with other moms. My friend Talithia, is a math professor at Harvey Mudd College and has 3 boys, between eight and twelve years old. And my friend Debran, is a family pastor and ex...
Life-Giving Family Holiday Traditions
October 26, 2020 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.9 MBThe holiday season is just around the corner, bringing with it opportunities for creating beautiful memories of joy and warmth in your children’s’ hearts. One of the best ways to do this is by creating fun and life-giving holiday traditions for your family. For today’s conversation, back with us again is the original creator of so many traditions in my life, my mom, Connie Burroughs. With her is a another wonderfully creative mom, Becky Slamer, who makes memories daily with her 2 children...
Nature Adventures with Your Children
October 19, 2020 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBGetting out of the house and into nature breathes new life into your heart and into the hearts of your children. On today’s podcast, we will talk about How to Nature Adventure with Your Children. Now I know that for some moms, the idea of taking your children into the great outdoors might seem a bit overwhelming. So, joining us today are two of my adventure loving friends Aimee Nielson and Wendy Tung to discuss the how and the whys of Nature Adventuring. Aimee has 4 children ranging is a...
How to Win at Conflict in Your Marriage
October 12, 2020 08:00 - 28 minutes - 20.3 MBConflict in your marriage is guaranteed to happen. Try running a podcast with your spouse! Truly winning those conflicts doesn’t mean getting the upper hand in the argument though, or ultimately getting your way. To be able to have a happy and successful marriage for life requires conflicts to be managed in such a way that both you and your husband end the conflict as winners. Now, this may sound impossible, especially when you feel that you are definitely right, and he is definitely wro...
Rest for the Tired Mom
October 05, 2020 09:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBMom fatigue is real. Our families and home demand so much of our time and energy and then, add work into the mix… you are one tired mom. When fatigue sets in, we start to become irritable, and irrational, and if we push it too far, our bodies yell, “stop!” And we get sick. When that pattern of exhaustion repeats itself, then depression begins and robs you and your family of hope and joy. Life is not meant to be lived in a fog of exhaustion and despair. We can make better choices and set...
Alternative School Options for Your Children
September 28, 2020 19:00 - 29 minutes - 21.1 MBIf that small voice inside your mom heart is saying that something in your child’s education just doesn’t feel right this year, then today’s podcast is for you. Most families are about a month into the school year, and I hope it’s going well for your family. If it is, then I’m so happy for you! Good job starting strong mamas! But for most of us, it’s been very challenging. If school in the age of Covid isn’t working for you and your family, then I want to encourage you today to consider...
How to Talk With Your Kids About Difficult Topics
September 28, 2020 07:00 - 29 minutes - 21 MBNo one looks forward to having difficult conversations with their children. When kids have questions about serious matters, they usually ask when we least expect it and often at inconvenient times. But as parents, it’s our privilege and responsibility to be the voice that speaks into the hearts and minds of our children, especially about important topics. Whether your children are toddlers or teens and whether you live in America or somewhere on the other side of the world… this year in ...
A Beautiful New Normal for Your Family
September 25, 2020 04:00 - 30 minutes - 21.7 MBSo many moms are struggling with finding hope going into this fall season. But you can choose to create a beautiful new normal in your home by planning with intentionality. Fall is a season of fresh starts with new goals and dreams for the year ahead, and I love it! But this year, don’t you feel like you’re getting dragged into fall. Our lives were put on pause with the Covid pandemic and then we went into the summer not knowing what to expect. Now summer has passed, and it is fall, ...