CHRISTIAN MOTHERHOOD: The REAL Conversation | Honest conversations about faith, family, & marriage, Christian Women Podcast, Christian Wife, Biblical Parenting

If nothing changed in the next 365 days, would you be okay with that? In this honest and reflective conversation, Elyse and Michelle invite Christian mums to slow down, examine their priorities, and consider what God might be asking them to release so He can bring real rest and transformation — not hustle, guilt, or pressure.

What We Talk About

The question that stops you in your tracks: If nothing changed, would you be okay?

Why reflection isn’t about shame, but honesty

The difference between “glamour rest” and the real rest Jesus offers

Removing excess so God can transform (REST redefined)

Why good things can still crowd out God things

Boundaries with phones, calendars, commitments, and expectations

Letting go of control and fear to make room for peace

How small, faithful changes over 365 days can reshape your life

3 Key Takeaways

Real rest isn’t found in escape — it’s found in Jesus.

Transformation requires letting go, not adding more.

Small, faithful changes over time matter more than big emotional resets.

A Gentle Invitation
This question isn’t meant to pressure you — it’s meant to clarify you. As you look ahead, ask God what needs to stay, what needs to go, and where He’s inviting you into deeper rest and trust.

We Want to Hear From You 💛
This podcast is shaped by real mums walking real life with God.
If there’s an area you’re longing to see change, a topic you want us to cover, or a question you want to ask — we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Share anonymously here: https://bit.ly/cmtellus

Join the Conversation
Subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes as we keep unpacking faith, rest, priorities, and real transformation in motherhood.
Connect with us and tell us what God is stirring in you this year.

Elyse – @wholesomemumma
Michelle – @itsmemichellecastro
Email – [email protected]

Still feeling overwhelmed even though it’s a new year? You’re not doing it wrong. In this honest follow-up conversation, Elyse and Michelle unpack why January pressure doesn’t work for mums — and share practical, faith-filled ways to create rhythms, priorities, and peace at home and in marriage without burning out.

What We Talk About

Why “new year motivation” fades so quickly for mums

The problem with unrealistic expectations and all-or-nothing goals

Why rhythms work better than resolutions

Simple home rhythms that reduce daily mental load

Habit stacking and small changes that actually stick

Creating margin and priorities that protect peace

Staying connected in marriage when life feels full

Why consistency matters more than perfection

3 Key Takeaways

You’re overwhelmed because the pressure is unrealistic — not because you’re failing.

Small, repeatable rhythms create more peace than big, emotional goals.

Change that lasts is built slowly, with grace, not guilt.

A Word of Encouragement
January doesn’t need more hustle — it needs honesty. You don’t have to fix everything at once. Pick one area, one rhythm, one small step, and let consistency do what motivation never could.

We Want to Hear From You 💛
This podcast is shaped by real mums walking real life.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, have a question, or want us to cover a specific topic, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Tell us here: https://bit.ly/cmtellus

Join the Conversation
Subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s episode as we keep talking about faith, motherhood, marriage, and creating margin in real life.
Connect with us and let us know what area feels most overwhelming for you right now.

Elyse – @wholesomemumma
Michelle – @itsmemichellecastro
Email – [email protected]

You don’t need a word, a vision board, or your life together to start the new year well. In this grace-filled conversation, Elyse and Michelle remind Christian mums that January isn’t a spiritual deadline — and invite you to release pressure, resist hustle, and make room for God in a way that fits your real life.

What We Talk About

Why January 1st isn’t a magical reset button

The pressure of words of the year, planners, goals, and vision boards

Letting go of “new year, new you” expectations for mums

Quality vs quantity when it comes to Bible reading and devotionals

How busyness quietly crowds out prayer

Creating margin, boundaries, and space to hear God

Holding dreams lightly and trusting God’s timing in 2026

3 Key Takeaways

You don’t need a word for the year to walk faithfully with God.

Busyness is not spiritual maturity — margin is where prayer grows.

God’s mercies are new every morning, not just on January 1st.

A Gentle Word for the New Year
Fresh starts are a gift — but pressure and guilt are not from God. Whether you’re still unwrapping presents or just trying to catch your breath, this episode is permission to begin slowly, intentionally, and with grace.

We Want to Hear From You 💛
This podcast exists because of you. If there’s a topic you’d love us to cover, a question you want answered, or a story you want to share, we’d love to hear it.

👉 Tell us here: https://bit.ly/cmtellus

Join the Conversation
Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next this year — honest conversations, unapologetic faith, and real motherhood.
Tell us: are you choosing a word this year… or choosing rest?

Elyse – @wholesomemumma
Michelle – @itsmemichellecastro
Email – [email protected]

As 2025 comes to a close, Elyse and Michelle reflect on the highs, lows, lessons, and unexpected gifts God brought this year. From weddings and anniversaries to mental load, motherhood, and trusting the Lord’s provision, this honest year-end conversation invites Christian mums to pause, reflect, and move into 2026 with gratitude and wisdom.

What We Talk About

Why 2025 felt both long and fast all at once

The unexpected fruit of starting Christian Motherhood: The Real Conversation

Weddings, anniversaries, and trusting God with finances

Mental load, hormones, and why mums feel so stretched

Walking through a child’s diagnosis and carrying it as a mum

Family dynamics, estrangement, and God’s grace in reconciliation

Letting go of pressure and entering the new year with wisdom, not guilt

3 Key Takeaways

God is faithful in provision, even when the numbers don’t make sense and fear feels loud.

Mental load is real — naming it helps us create margin and breathe again.

Reflection isn’t about regret; it’s about learning wisely so we don’t repeat what God has already taught us.

A Gentle Invitation
As you finish this year, take a moment to thank God for what He’s done — and to notice the lessons He’s been faithful to teach you. You don’t need perfect resolutions to step into a new year with grace.

We Want to Hear From You 💛
This podcast exists for real mums walking real life with God.
If there’s a topic you’d love us to cover, a question you want answered, or something God taught you this year — we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Share with us here: https://bit.ly/cmtellus

Join the Conversation
Subscribe so you don’t miss our first January episode — giving you permission to rest, reset, and release the pressure.
Connect with us and tell us what God taught you in 2025.

Elyse – @wholesomemumma
Michelle – @itsmemichellecastro
Email – [email protected]

Surviving Christmas Without Losing Your Joy (or Your Marriage)
If Christmas feels more like pressure than peace, this episode is for you. In this honest Christmas Eve conversation, Elyse (Australia) and Michelle (USA) talk about expectations, stress, family dynamics, and how Christian mums can survive the holidays without losing their joy—or snapping at the people they love most. Drawing from Colossians 3:17, they gently reframe Christmas as an opportunity to live, serve, and love as representatives of Jesus, not performers of perfection.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why Christmas Day itself isn’t stressful—but expectations are

The pressure cooker of family dynamics, travel, and mental load

Doing everything “as a representative of the Lord” (Colossians 3:17)

Letting go of Pinterest pressure and unrealistic standards

How simplifying traditions protects your joy and your marriage

Practical ways to care for yourself during the holidays

3 key takeaways

Christmas isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. Expectations create stress; grace creates peace.

Your attitude matters as much as your actions. Even small moments reflect who (and what) we’re living for.

Simplifying isn’t failure—it’s wisdom. Especially for mums carrying the mental load.

We want to hear from you (completely anonymous)
Have a question, story, or topic you want us to cover—but want to stay anonymous?
We’ve created a 100% anonymous Google Form where you can share freely:
👉 bit.ly/cmtellus

Join the conversation
Subscribe so you never miss an episode of Unfiltered stories. Unapologetic faith. Real motherhood.
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a mum who needs permission to breathe this Christmas.

Contact
Elyse – @wholesomemumma
Michelle – @itsmemichellecastro
Email – [email protected]