Wire Talk with Karen Stubbs

Joy doesn’t just happen, our hearts have to be tuned to it. In this third week of Advent, Karen and Emily talk honestly about how hard it can be to find joy in the middle of exhaustion, family stress, and the very real unmet expectations of the season. Using the picture of tuning an instrument, they unpack how joy comes when we continually refocus our hearts on Jesus, not on our circumstances. If you’re longing for a steadier joy this Christmas season, this conversation is for you! Episode Recap:Intro (00:00)Today we’re talking about joy (2:10)We have to tune our hearts to joy (4:12)Jesus often becomes a secondary thought in this season (5:55)Remind yourself on a daily basis that this life is not about you, it’s about Christ (7:50)Find ways to re-center yourself on Christ this Christmas (10:30)Decide to have NO expectations each day, live with an open hand (11:35)Focusing on God makes the trivial things of this world fade away (16:01)Scripture: Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”Discussion Questions: When you hear the idea of “tuning your heart to joy,” what stands out to you personally?What tends to pull your focus away from Jesus most during the Christmas season?Can you identify a recent moment where unmet expectations robbed you of joy?What practical practices help you re-center on Christ?How does Mary’s response to God’s plan challenge the way you respond to interruptions or disappointments?What would it look like to hold your plans and expectations with open hands this season?Resources:Please give today to help us reach more moms with Wire Talk in 2026! boaw.mom/give

It’s easy to find ourselves in the middle of December with a packed calendar and an unprepared spirit, carrying bitterness, comparison, or disappointment into every day. Drawing from Matthew 3:3, Karen talks about what it means to “prepare the way for the Lord” so we don’t miss Jesus in the middle of our own expectations. You’ll come away with simple, practical ways to prepare your heart for Christmas, no matter what your circumstances are like.Episode Recap:Today we’re talking about preparation (2:15)We must prepare our hearts so we don’t miss Christ (3:54)We prepare through self-reflection, repentance, readiness (5:06)It’s hard to see the condition of your own heart, so pray about it (6:12)This world is full of trouble, but Christ has overcome the world (13:09)We have to take our thoughts captive over and over and over again (14:45)Practically, how do we prepare our hearts? (17:13)Scripture: Matthew 3:3 (NIV) – ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’Discussion Questions: When you look at this Christmas season, where do you see that your heart might be “unprepared”? (Bitterness, comparison, resentment, fear, exhaustion, etc.)What “self-talk” tends to get loud for you during the holidays (i.e.: life isn’t fair, I never have enough, no one appreciates me)? Which scriptures could help you renew your mind with truth instead?Karen shared practical ideas for preparing your heart: starting the day with Jesus, lighting a candle, sitting in silence, simplifying your schedule, serving someone in need. Which one could you realistically try this week?Is there one thing you could say no to this December to create more space for peace, presence, and noticing Jesus? What would it look like to trust God with that decision?Resources:Give today to help us reach more moms with Wire Talk in 2026! boaw.mom/givePick up a copy of Karen’s Self Talk curriculum today: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/products/six-truths-study-guide?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=ac36e3440&pr_rec_pid=1414191513677&pr_ref_pid=4773089017933&pr_seq=uniformListen to Noel by Tommee Profitt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDyA9W9CaeQ

Today we’re kicking off our Advent series with a focus on hope. December fills up fast with activities, expectations, and pressure for a picture-perfect holiday, making it easy to place our hope in circumstances, schedules, and our spouses. But what do we do when Christmas doesn’t go as planned?In this episode, Karen invites us to ask a powerful question: Where am I placing my hope this Christmas? If you’re craving a calmer, more Christ-centered Christmas, this conversation will help you anchor your hope in Him alone.(Psst! If you’re listening with littles, you may want to skip to 3:30, we talk about Santa early on.)Episode Recap:Karen and Emily talk Santa and gift purchasing (1:45)What is one thing about Christmas you love & one thing you could do without? (4:15)Karen went on an advent deep dive this year (7:59)Everyone can use more hope (12:27)There’s a lot of grief and sadness at the holidays (14:50)Emmanuel means ‘God with Us’ (16:52)Our hope cannot be in our circumstances (18:02)Where are you placing your hope right now? (19:07)Scripture: Micah 7:7 (NIV) “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”Discussion Questions: Where are you most tempted to place your hope: your spouse, finances, health, kids’ behavior, or a “perfect” holiday?Have you ever walked through a Christmas marked by grief, disappointment, or loneliness? How did God meet you there (or how are you asking Him to now)?What would it look like, practically, to shift your hope from circumstances to Christ this month?How can you help your kids see Christmas as a season of hope in Jesus, not just presents and activities?Resources:Give today to help us reach more moms with Wire Talk in 2026! boaw.mom/giveReach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

Today Karen is tackling your questions about navigating the teenage years, from motivating strong-willed teens to handling independence, changing relationships, and the ever-present “that’s not fair!” Karen shares what worked in her home, including how to stay connected to strong-willed teens, helping boys who are pulling away, and parenting through the ever-changing norms of phones, jobs, and freedom.Episode Recap:You can be strict in the teen years and have great relationships with adult kids (4:00)Give them a “no, because…” during the teen years (5:54)How do I motivate my 15 year old to help out around home? (7:25)Help! My 13 yr old thinks he knows everything! (11:37)My teenage son is pulling away, I feel sad and rejected (15:35)How do you handle keeping things “fair” during the teenage years? (18:40)We have to remember our teens are growing up and that’s messy (22:01)Scripture: James 1:5 (NIV) “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”Discussion Questions: Where do you struggle most in balancing independence and safety with your teen?Are you naturally stronger in boundaries or connection? What needs strengthening?How does remembering your teen is still maturing affect your responses to them?Who supports you during the teen years, and how can you invite more support?Resources:Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms

If you’re staring down the potty training season with dread, this one’s for you! Karen and Emily are joined by Christine Clark—a mom, preschool teacher, and pro who’s successfully potty trained 17 children. From handling accidents with grace to dealing with fear, regression, or defiance, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement for moms in the potty-training trenches. Episode Recap:Christine runs an in-home daycare and LOVES toddlers (2:33)Personality definitely feeds into potty training (5:58)Is there a difference in training girls vs boys? (7:25)Give us a step-by-step for those who are new to this (8:55)What are the biggest mistakes parents make? (12:00)How to support your child’s training at daycare (14:16)What about kids who have “accidents” out of defiance? (16:35)What if a child is afraid to go #2? (22:21)Scripture: Galatians 6:9 (NIV) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”Discussion Questions: What’s been your biggest potty training challenge so far, and what mindset shift could help you handle it with more patience?How can you bring fun and encouragement into the process instead of frustration?What does “everything can be cleaned” look like for you in this season of motherhood?What other “hard things” have you done recently that remind you you’re capable of more than you think?Resources:Reach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms