E132: How to Surrender Being a Control Girl

Welcome to Episode 136 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering! Today I have the privilege of chatting with Emily Stroud. As a Christian Financial Advisor and bestselling author of Faithful Finance, Emily knows firsthand how finances can weigh onfamilies, and how grace can transform even the busiest seasons. She is also cohost of the Faithful Finance Podcast. Some of the resources we mention in this episode include:Emily's book, Faithful Finance*Budget worksheet on Emily's websiteJump and Find Joy by Hoda Kotb*You can connect with Emily via:Her website: faithfulfinance.comInstagram: @emilygstroudAs always, you can connect with me via:​My website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠andreafortenberry.com⁠⁠⁠⁠​Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@andreafortenberry⁠⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-order my book, Two-Minute Timeouts for New Moms*⁠⁠⁠⁠*Affiliate Link

For this episode of the podcast, I thought it would be fun to share some things I found life-giving in 2025 that improved my life or brought me joy. I’m a firm believer that real friends tell each other when they have food in their teeth and they tell each other about their favorite things. Some of the resources I mention in this episode include:Apps​Marco Polo​Splitwise Products​PowerSheets*​SofiaKashuk Travel Toiletry Bag at Target​Elemis Pro-Collagen MarineFacial Oil*​Elemis Superfood FacialOil*​Ember Mug* Books​Mother and Son: TheRespect Effect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs*​The Women byKristin Hannah* Rhythms​FASTer Way to FatLoss Program* New Things​SourdoughBread Recipe I Use​PioneerWoman’s Minestrone SoupAs always, you can connect with me via:​My website: ⁠⁠⁠andreafortenberry.com⁠⁠⁠​Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@andreafortenberry⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠Pre-order my book, Two-Minute Timeouts for New Moms*⁠⁠⁠*Affiliate Link

Welcome to Episode 134 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering! Today I have the privilege of chatting with Rachel Marie Kang. Rachel is a New York native, born and raised just outside New York City. A writer and poet, Rachel writes in poignant prose on themes of culture, art, faith, and loss. Her writing has been featured in Christianity Today, Proverbs 31 Ministries, and Hallmark. Rachel is author of Let There Be Art and The Matter of Little Losses. She lives in the New York metro with her husband and two sons.Some of the resources we mention in this episode include: Rachel's (in)courage article, "The Spiritual Practice of Pondering"Let There Be ArtThe Matter of Little LossesYou can connect with Rachel via:Her Website: https://www.rachelmariekang.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelmariekangFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelmariekangAs always, you can connect with me via:My website: ⁠⁠andreafortenberry.com⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@andreafortenberry⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-order my book, Two-Minute Timeouts for New Moms*⁠⁠*Affiliate Link

Welcome to Episode 133 of The Perfectionist's Guide to Mothering! Today I get the pleasure of chatting with Amber Lia. Amber is mom to four boys, ages 8-18. She is the author of multiple books and is a certified independent health coach. We are chatting about her devotional, Untriggered: 60 Days of Transformation for Moms Who Struggle with Anger.*Some of the resources we mention in this episode include:Psalm 103:12-14Praying the Scriptures for Your Teens by Jodie Bernt*Foot Masks from Amazon*You can connect with Amber via:Her website: amberlia.comInstagram: @therealamberliaAs always, you can connect with me via:My website: ⁠andreafortenberry.com⁠Instagram: ⁠@andreafortenberry⁠⁠Pre-order my book, Two-Minute Timeouts for New Moms*⁠*Affiliate Link

Welcome to Episode 132 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering!  Today I have the privilege of chatting with Shannon Popkin. Shannon is a wife, mom, author and speaker. She loves combining her gifts for humor and storytelling with herpassion for Jesus and the truth of God’s Word. She speaks for ladies’ events, retreats, and conferences, and hosts the Live Like It’s True Podcast.  Some of the resources we mention in this episode include:Restore: Soul Care for Moms TicketsShannon's Book, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible*Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund*Speechify AppControl Girl QuizYou can connect with Shannon via:Her website: shannonpopkin.comInstagram: @shannonpopkinAs always, you can connect with me via:My website: andreafortenberry.comInstagram: @andreafortenberryPre-order my book, Two-Minute Timeouts for New Moms**Affiliate Link

Welcome to Episode 131 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering! October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month, and I thought it would be timely for us to have a conversation with a woman who has walked this road and found hope. My guest for today is Nichole Thompson. She is a faith-based writer and the author of The Miscarriage Journal. A wife and mom of two, she lives in North Carolina and is passionate about creating Christ-centered content and co-authoring Bible studies. When she’s not writing, you can find her skiing, coaching middle school volleyball, or spending time with her family, including their beloved dogs. P.S. She’ll never say no to a gummy bear, they’re her weakness.Some of the resources we mention include:The Miscarriage Journal*The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes*Wild and Distant Seas by Tara Karr Roberts*Being Fully Known by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith*Untamed on NetflixYou can connect with Nichole via:Her website: nicholekthompson.comYou can connect with me via:My website: andreafortenberry.comInstagram: @andreafortenberryPre-order my book, Two-Minute Timeouts for New Moms**Affiliate Link

Today I have the privilege of chatting with Sherri Crandall.Sherri is an amazing lady and I’m so privilege that I get to work with her at The MomCo, where she is the Vice President of Global Ministries and Leadership Experience for The Mom Co. She is also an author and speaker for women’s eventsacross the country and internationally where she shares her passion for encouraging women to live life to the fullest.We chat all about her new book, Lexi the Butterfly*, and her family's story of adopting her daughter from China.Some of the resources in this episode include:Restore: Soul Care for Moms on November 14thBody and Soul Bible Study by Lisa Whittle*The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin HarmelYou can connect with Sherri via:Her website: sherricrandall.comInstagram: @sherri_crandallYou can connect with me via:My website: andreafortenberry.comInstagram: @andreafortenberryPre-order my book, Two-Minute Timeouts for New Moms**Affiliate Link

Welcome to Episode 129 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering!   Today I have the privilege of chatting with Cindy Manko. She is an author, podcast host of The Listen-Love-Launch Podcast and is a life coach for moms of high school seniors. She has raised three children and has great wisdom and resources. Even if you’re momming little ones and senior year seems a long way off, listen in and tuck her wisdom into your mom toolbox for when you need it.   You can connect with Cindy via:Her website: cindymanko.comInstagram: @cindymankoFacebookGet The Journal Project: My Senior Year Through Mom's Eyes here*You can connect with me via:My website: andreafortenberry.comInstagram: @andreafortenberryGet a Mom's Guide for Back to School here⁠ ⁠Pre-order my book, Two-Minute Timeouts for New Moms: 100 Devotions for Weary and Wonderful Days.*⁠⁠ ⁠Join my book launch team.⁠ *Affiliate Link

Welcome to Episode 128 of The Perfectionist’s Guide toMothering!  I originally had different content planned for this episodebut after the events of last week, felt compelled to record this episode instead. I hope you find it helpful and encouraging!You can connect with me via:My website: andreafortenberry.comInstagram: @andreafortenberryGet a Mom's Guide for Back to School here⁠Pre-order my book, Two-Minute Timeouts for New Moms: 100 Devotions for Weary and Wonderful Days.*⁠⁠Join my book launch team.⁠*Affiliate Link

Welcome to Episode 127 of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering! In this episode, I’m sharing another best of replay episode. Today I’m talking with Becky Kopitzke. She is a wife, mom of two, author, speaker, and writing coach. She’s the author of three books including ⁠The Cranky MomFix: How to Get a Happier, More Peaceful Home by Slaying the "Momster" in All of Us.⁠* Becky and her family are living the dream in northeast Wisconsin, where they share precious space with two lazy dogs, and tables stacked with homework and craft supplies.I loved this conversation with Becky, we are kindred spirits! We talked about crankiness triggers, how to handle blunders that happen despite our best intentions, Becky's three family rules, and more. Some of the resources we mention include:Get a Mom's Guide for Back to School here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre-order my book, Two-Minute Timeouts for New Moms: 100 Devotions for Weary and Wonderful Days.*⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my book launch team.⁠⁠Becky's Book, The Cranky Mom Fix⁠*⁠All Creatures Great and Small on PBS⁠⁠A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell⁠*You can connect with Becky via her:⁠Website: beckykopitzke.com⁠⁠Instagram @beckykopitzke⁠Just a reminder that you can connect with me via: ⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@andreafortenberry⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠ My website⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠: ⁠⁠andreafortenberry.com⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to my free magazine, Restore.⁠⁠⁠⁠ *Affiliate Link