In this heartfelt episode of The Motherhood Experience , Val welcomes grief mentor and coach Teresa Davis , a mother whose life was forever changed when her adult son, a pilot, died tragically in a plane crash. Teresa opens up about her personal journey through deep grief, the impact of loss on her identity as a mother, and how she found renewed purpose in mentoring others through their own experiences of traumatic or significant loss. Together, Val and Teresa explore the complexities of parenti...
Jul 15, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 102
What if motherhood turns out nothing like you expected, but everything you need? In this episode of The Motherhood Experience , host Val welcomes Linsey Knerl: homeschooling mom of six, freelance writer, and author of Homeschool Hacks, for an honest and insightful conversation about embracing the unexpected. Linsey shares how her entrance into motherhood looked nothing like she envisioned, why she chose to homeschool from the very beginning, and how she managed to build a freelance writing caree...
Jul 08, 2025•54 min•Season 5Ep. 101
Welcome to the 100th episode of The Motherhood Experience ! 🎉 In this special milestone episode, host Val pulls back the curtain on how the podcast began, how it got its name, and the heart behind every story shared. You'll hear from past guests who reflect on how the podcast has impacted them, and get a sneak peek at exciting updates to the show’s look and feel. From late-night recording sessions to vulnerable conversations that sparked real connection, this episode is a celebration of communi...
Jul 01, 2025•47 min•Season 5Ep. 100
In this episode of The Motherhood Experience , we're joined by "Belle" (@bellesdirtydishes): homeschooling mom of three, self-proclaimed scrunchy mama, and real-talk advocate for moms everywhere. From her beginnings in the online world sharing budget-friendly recipes to now offering glimpses into her day-to-day mom life, Belle has cultivated a space rooted in authenticity and encouragement. We dive into how she balances motherhood and content creation, why she chooses to go against the grain wit...
Jun 24, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 99
Making friends as a mom can be unexpectedly hard—and sometimes, it feels downright desperate. In this honest and heartfelt episode, we’re joined by Kristen Strong, author of Desperate Woman Seeks Friends: Real Talk About Connection, Rejection, and Trying Again for the Friendships You Need. Kristen opens up about the real struggles of loneliness in motherhood, the fear of rejection, and the courage it takes to keep showing up for community. As a military spouse and mom, she’s had to start over mo...
Jun 17, 2025•44 min•Season 4Ep. 98
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Kalee Isbell, founder of Isbell Family Films , as she shares how she helps moms turn forgotten phone footage into beautiful, music-backed video keepsakes. A former elementary school teacher and mom of two (soon to be three!), Kalee built a thriving business that blends storytelling, memory preservation, and motherhood. We chat about: 📱 How Kalee turns everyday digital clutter into treasured family videos 👩🏫 Her transition from teaching to full-time ...
Jun 10, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 97
Episode 5 and the finale of the Revisiting Parenting Perspectives series! I cover everything from poetry to the FBI, grief, and humor. My favorite episode in this series! Visit themotherhoodexperience.com for more.
Jun 03, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 96
In this inspiring episode of The Motherhood Experience, we sit down with Lynn Greenberg—mom of four, grandmother, and now award-winning children's book author. Lynn opens up about her motherhood journey, including the challenges and triumphs of supporting her youngest son, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age. When her local school district failed to offer adequate support, Lynn followed her maternal instincts, made major sacrifices, and enrolled her son in a specialized private school...
May 27, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 95
🎙️ Learning With Kelsey: Early Childhood Education & Motherhood | A TME Conversation with Kelsey Cook In this episode of The Motherhood Experience , I’m joined by Kelsey Cook —a preschool teacher turned entrepreneur who turned a simple act of love during the pandemic into a thriving business supporting moms and young learners. What started as porch pickups of activity packets has become a nationwide subscription box that brings fun, intentional learning into homes every month. When schools ...
May 20, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 94
In this lighthearted yet heartfelt episode of The Motherhood Experience , host Val Kleppen sits down with Hannah Slay —a woman who once lived in the spotlight but now pours her heart into motherhood. 🎭👶 Hannah opens up about: Her journey through life as a public figure before becoming a mom The identity shift that came with motherhood Why she doesn’t regret putting her career on hold How she still nurtures her passion for creativity in small but meaningful ways Her honest take on the tug-of-wa...
May 13, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 93
This episode made me physically uncomfortable. I got over it, obviously, but it's humbling to read things I was so adamant about once upon a time. It's been fun to see how life has changed, opinions have grown, and routines have developed since these Parenting Perspectives writings nearly a decade ago. ____ Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience...
May 06, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 92
Angella Moore, Candace Alford, and Chelsa Jons joined me (and we fought * hard * through multiple technical glitches, y'all) to talk about what it takes to plan a women's conference, why they're worth hosting, why rural ministry (and every ministry) is important, and so much more! Despite the glitches, this conversation was packed full of wisdom, insight, and fun. Here's how you can learn more: Overflow Ministries Contact Candace Hear How it All Started...
Apr 29, 2025•55 min•Season 4Ep. 91
Becky never could have imagined blogging about mom life, boots, and blouses would lead to a decade of writing 10 books, encouraging other moms in their life and in their faith, and gleaning from the very encouragement the Lord asks her to share. This was such a rich, thoughtful conversation where Becky gave us a true glimpse into her heart, and of her latest book, Healing Rest: An Invitation for Mommas Who Carry So Much to Lean Into the Arms of the One Who Carries it All. Learn More about Becky:...
Apr 22, 2025•52 min•Season 4Ep. 90
Mora always wanted to be a missionary, and she always wanted to be a mother. A few weeks after moving to Panama with her husband for their new missions life, she found out she was pregnant. Now she's a mom of two boys and a baby due any minute (!!!) and shares what it's like to be a mom on a mission. To learn more about Mora and how you can support her family, visit: Instagram or email: moritamissions@gmail.com
Apr 15, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 89
When Raquel's son was struggling in school, she may never have imagined it would lead her to discovering her entire family was neurodivergent. Certainly that discovery changed everything - but perhaps not in the way you would think! Raquel went on a deep-dive and now helps people from all over learn how to self-regulate, and how to find normalcy in neurodivergence, rather than feel "unnormal" because of it. I LOVED this conversation! More about Raquel: Book: https://go.encorps.be/period Social m...
Apr 08, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 88
Coming up for air to revisit some writings I submitted that were originally published on Moms of Faith's website in 2014. These were refreshing and a little convicting at times but I'm so grateful for all the writing I did back in these early years to document where I was so I can not only be reminded, but recognize growth and change in the time since. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did! Which article was your favorite? ____ Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop ...
Apr 01, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 87
Nothing went the way Kayla Peterson envisioned as far as motherhood. Her first pregnancy resulted in an early miscarriage. She and her husband had talked of only having one child, but today they have two at home. While her motherhood journey has been quite different from what she expected, it has still been a blessing! Kayla shares all about her journey and touches on important realizations regarding plans, grief, and joy. ____ Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure ...
Mar 25, 2025•46 min•Season 4Ep. 86
Always a creative spirit, Lauren Jacobs found her passion and purpose in cookie decorating even appearing on The Food Network! Her motherhood journey is one full of pursuing adventure, overcoming challenges, and creating precious memories. More about Lauren: On Instagram On Facebook Founder of The Cheerful Baker – teaching cookie decorating & business skills. Host of Sugar Coated Dreams Podcast – helping cookie decorators grow their businesses. Published Author – The Boy Who Lost His Colors ...
Mar 18, 2025•54 min•Season 4Ep. 85
Many years ago RuthAnn Zimmerman popped up in my Instagram feed sharing something about gardening. Little did I know how much influence this woman would have in my motherhood journey! Listening to RuthAnn is like drinking from a deep well of wisdom - you will be encouraged, inspired, and happier just from listening to this conversation. (or your money back!) ;) Follow RuthAnn: on YouTube on Instagram via her Website RuthAnn and her family live in Northeast Iowa. She and herhusband Elvin have bee...
Mar 11, 2025•50 min•Season 4Ep. 84
Continuing on with reading previous columns Val wrote about her parenting journey for her local newspaper back in the day. This one hit a little harder! ____ Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience Website Follow us on Instagram Find us on Facebook...
Mar 04, 2025•42 min•Season 4Ep. 83
While on bedrest in the hospital, a fun TikTok post went viral and created a booming business for Caitlyn. She's passionate about motherhood and care for moms from the very beginning and shares all she has learned from other moms and in her own motherhood journey. Caitlyn Website: https://www.wearlila.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themodernmidwife Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitlyn_themodernmidwife/ Elora/LittleOne.Care Website: https://www.littleone.care/ Instagram: https://www....
Feb 25, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 82
Elizabeth Parsons joins me on The Motherhood Experience this week! You may know her as @PurelyParsons on Instagram, and I had the pleasure of sitting down with Elizabeth to hear about her motherhood journey, career shift, family focus, and heart for - well - purely parenting. For More About Elizabeth: Instagram Website & Store Info Site _______ Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Mother...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 4Ep. 81
When Kim Grustas was shopping for skincare products for her daughters, she was appalled when she read the ingredient labels. Pushed by her passion for health, she created her own line of skincare products for girls that has been going 15 years strong! Hear about how her motherhood journey led her to make a positive impact in the beauty industry. _______ Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The M...
Feb 11, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 80
According to the social media poll, listeners wanted to hear Val read through her archive of columns submitted when she used to write for the paper in North Dakota. The first four are revisited in this episode. What do you think: is this something Val should keep doing?? ____ Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience Website Follow us on Instagram...
Feb 04, 2025•25 min•Season 4Ep. 79
Alia dubs her family "nontraditional" as she owns her own business and her husband is a stay-at-home dad. She shares her perspective and thoughts on her personal motherhood journey, and what she loves about the adventure she's on. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience Website Follow us on Instagram Find us on Facebook...
Jan 28, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 78
Sara went from not dreaming about motherhood to having the kids of any mama's dreams! Listen as she shares her story of raising two young girls, discovering her passions and a renewed sense of purpose, and launching her own bookkeeping business. You can find more about Sara here: Website: www.RusticBarnesBookkeeping.com Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/RusticBarnesBookkeeping LinkedIn Company Profile: www.linkedin.com/company/rustic-barnes-bookkeeping LinkedIn Personal Profile: https://www.linked...
Jan 21, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 77
I hope this isn't your first time listening to The Motherhood Experience - but if it is, I promise they're not all like this. Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience Website Follow us on Instagram Find us on Facebook...
Jan 14, 2025•19 min•Season 4Ep. 76
Winter Hendrickson joins me this week on TME to talk about her journey through infertility, adoption, and the miracle births of two biological children! Winter's story is incredible, encouraging, and a beautiful episode to start out the new year. You can find Winter on Instagram Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience Website Follow us on Instagram Find us on ...
Jan 07, 2025•53 min•Season 4Ep. 75
Michael Hyatt's Your Best Year Ever Meal Planning via E-Meals Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience Website Follow us on Instagram Find us on Facebook...
Dec 31, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 74
You get a front-row seat to Val's stream-of-consciousness conversation. And I'm sorry. Merry Christmas, everyone! Looking to save money on quality, bulk foods? Shop Azure Standard Watch on YouTube Visit The Motherhood Experience Website Follow us on Instagram Find us on Facebook...
Dec 24, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 73
