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Feeling like a frazzled, coffee-reheating, “I’ve got this” mom who’s actually barely holding it together? You’re not alone. Welcome to Unlikely Housewives — the Christian mom podcast where two real women (and moms) trade people-pleasing for freedom, self-care for soul-care, and “the hustle” for a life of purpose.
Tracy and Tori are Christian moms who met after moving their families across the country and realized they were both faking it, lonely, and tired of comparison. We’re recovering people-pleasers and straight shooters who believe God calls the unlikely — and that you were made for more than just surviving motherhood, marriage, and the daily grind.
On this show, we talk real about:
- Christian parenting with purpose (and the mess that comes with it)
- Marriage, faith, and the hard conversations no one wants to have
- Women’s health, emotional baggage, and ditching cultural lies
- How to stop pretending and start living with hope as a Christian mom
If you’re a busy, isolated Christian mom looking for encouragement, laughter, and a reminder that you’re not alone — this is your tribe. Pull up those high-waisted yoga pants, tighten your top knot, reheat your coffee (again), and let’s rise together in faith, motherhood, and marriage.
Want to be a guest on Unlikely Housewives? Send Tori Shirah a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/unlikelyhousewives
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Hey Housewives!
We had so much fun chatting with Ellen, a pastor’s wife in this episode! We absolutely loved hearing how she and her husband met, and how unlikely their path into ministry really was…and for those sports loving families, she has some truly incredible nuggets on being competitive!!
Ellen sheds some light on what it’s like to be a pastor’s wife and how she learned to extend grace and be flexible as her husband gets called away from home for counseling, prayer, sermon prepping, etc. God truly has given her an inner strength and she shares how she feels pastors wives are truly gifted to hold this title. We couldn’t agree more.
It’s not always easy to put your marriage first in any family network, and Ellen encourages every couple to make it a priority to have date nights and take trips together, apart from the children. She also dives into how parenting styles can affect the marriage relationship that sometimes creates a wedge, stressing how important it is to be intentional in communication.
Ellen is well known as not your typical pastor’s wife and has become one of the top leaders in a direct sales company. It’s common for some to judge such a venture, especially one that has been extremely successful yet this opportunity actually became one that allowed her to honor God even more than she could have ever imagined.
We loved how she debunked a few of the typical pastor’s wife myths such as they can’t be authentic or real. She and her husband are both enneagram 3’s and their love languages are words of affirmation so you can imagine how that can be entertaining and challenging yet of course she sheds light on how they bond.
Competitive nature is also an internal drive for each of them. Having an “I want to win” attitude and feelings being brought into a marriage and family is not an easy feat. Ellen shares how they have had to set some boundaries, and pull back some on the pushing in order to allow God to do the work in their kids to become who He intended them to become.
If you’d like to connect with Ellen, you can find her on instagram at @thefunpastorswife
Join our fast growing community on Facebook and connect with us on Instagram!
Write an apple review and YOUR review could be read on our next episode!
Hosted by Tori Shirah and Tracy Stine
Contact us ➡️ UnlikelyJoCo@gmail.com
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Tuesday Mar 01, 2022
Hey Housewives!
Today’s episode is going to have a different feel…Tracy is going to interview Tori and help her share her personal journey with depression in order to encourage others who have experienced these feelings, especially after these last 2 years.
Depression looks different for everyone. For some, it’s seasonal or circumstantial. Others, it starts with sad feelings while being pregnant or after the baby is born. Some can’t get out of bed, while others walk around numb. People look on from the outside and have no idea. But there is hope. It will get better. And we hope Tori’s story will show that to you and encourage you in your journey.
💙Call to action: Open up…talk to someone. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Suicide hotline: 1.800.273.8255
Crisis text line: Text HOME to 741741
Disclaimer: This is Tori’s personal story and is for informational purposes only. We are not doctors and this does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always consult with a physician or other health care professional first.
Join our fast growing community on Facebook and connect with us on Instagram!
Write an apple review and YOUR review could be read on our next episode!
Hosted by Tori Shirah and Tracy Stine
Contact us ➡️ UnlikelyJoCo@gmail.com
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022
Hey Housewives!
This week we have a fun and informative conversation with our guest, Andrea Studt, a mama of 7 boys and their family’s journey of homeschooling!
Homeschooling used to be just another option of schooling that only a few ever considered taking on for their family. The thoughts of so much extra time, effort, work, energy, emotions, & the added stigmas were all that you would hear in friendly discussion around this topic. That was until the pandemic hit a couple years ago and families were thrust into homeschooling their own kids! Parents found zooming with all their teachers, working on projects and assignments and discovered while that was stressful, there were some benefits that came with it as well.
➡️ We know more families than ever that have chosen to homeschool, but Andrea is one mama that was doing it long before the pandemic and their kiddos didn’t skip a beat when the world shut down.
➡️ Andrea shares her advice on those considering homeschooling and encourages others to let go of the typical classroom standards and find your way to enrich your kids' lives in a new way.
💙 Follow Andrea on Instagram @7boycrazy and her homeschooling, holistic-minded RN lifestyle.
Join our fast growing community on Facebook and connect with us on Instagram!
Write an apple review and YOUR review could be read on our next episode!
Hosted by Tori Shirah and Tracy Stine
Contact us ➡️ UnlikelyJoCo@gmail.com
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Hey Housewives!
Do you feel like a conventional mom or do you feel comfortable doing things that are best for you and your family without the thought that it might not be “normal”? In this episode we discuss unconventional motherhood…doing things against the norm in our homes and with work.
Everyone has standards of what the perfect mother should be and to some degree, we all fall short and feel guilty that something, somewhere is not getting done right or on time. But this isn’t truth because no one sets your standard for your kids but YOU!
Normal is familiar, cultural norm is something that you see happening around you, on social media and we’ve taken notes, trying to implement what others are doing…but is it always best for us or our families? Not always and we are here to encourage you that it’s ok to be an unconventional mom.
A few of our favorite mom memes, lighthearted mom tips:
😂 The majority of my diet is made up of foods my kids didn’t finish. —Carrie Underwood
😂I always say if you aren’t yelling at your kids, you’re not spending enough time with them. —Reese Witherspoon
😂When you are children are teenagers, it’s important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you. —Nora Ephron
💙 This episode is full of light and hope that you can let go of whatever you think you normal is…let go of what you think is some kind of standard. Embrace the weird, embrace the hard. Let got of the stimga that you need to be a perfect mom.
Join our fast growing community on Facebook and connect with us on Instagram!
Write an apple review and YOUR review could be read on our next episode!
Hosted by Tori Shirah and Tracy Stine
Contact us ➡️ UnlikelyJoCo@gmail.com
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
Hey Housewives! Grab you coffee and tissues…
We are honored to have our friend and guest, Jill Renfro, on our show to share her unlikely story of battling through infertility. God has already been using her to share His message, and we hope this podcast is not only an extension of what she has already shared, but hopefully one that reaches many mama-in-waiting hearts.
Jill, and her husband Dakota, have a precious little boy now, but their journey in the waiting and battle of infertility is a beautiful story as it unfolds, through the valleys, the good, the bad and ugly. Jill uses humor and her passion for Jesus to share the heart of this journey.
It’s not easy to boldly share how the enemy tries to deceive in our personal lives. God has moved through Jill in her words and sharing via social media to bring people to her inbox that breathed hope and light to her during this journey. Women who have gone before her and who have been praying with her gave her peace and comfort.
The pandemic brought an extra layer of darkness as they lost their 2nd baby the day before the world shut down and they were told, “we don’t know when the doors of the specialist would reopen”
God’s timing is always perfect and as they opened ALL doors after the pandemic allowed, they stepped into a specialist’s office and hope was provided once again.
Her message for others is that “It is ok to not be ok.” That is a message all mom’s need to hear…when it’s hard, it’s hard and we don’t have to pretend it’s not. You deserve grace and to be loved where you are at, but it’s hard to receive if your family and friends don’t know what you are going through or that you even need the space, prayer or support.
Jill encourages other women to be vulnerable to allow those that want to love you in your valley to be there for you. While this episode is about their fertility journey, the faith journey she shares is one that many can relate to as well.
💙 If you’d like to connect with Jill, please feel free to email her at Jillhrenfro@yahoo.com or connect with her on Instagram at @jillhrenfro as she continues to be a voice for infertility and the joys of being a new mom.
Join our fast growing community on Facebook and connect with us on Instagram!
Write an apple review and YOUR review could be read on our next episode!
Hosted by Tori Shirah and Tracy Stine
Contact us ➡️ UnlikelyJoCo@gmail.com
Thursday Jan 27, 2022
Thursday Jan 27, 2022
Hey Housewives!
In this episode, you are going to hear the beautiful unfolding of how Stephanie & her husband, Jeremy, became a family of 8, one by one building an incredible family with 6 children through fostering and adoption.
Stephanie shares how their story is the definition of UNLIKELY as fostering or adoption wasn’t their plan…yet it ended up being their journey.
We love how Stephanie talks about the divine plan and God’s orchestration in how each child became their own. Our conversation touches on the effects on foster kids, families, and the foster care system due to the pandemic. Stephanie shares how advocacy has changed in so many ways especially with caseworker visits being held virtually instead of in person.
As mamas, we understand that every day is like spinning plates in the air. And Stephanie hits on a few important topics (or plates) that this pandemic has heightened such as fear, mental health, emotional well being, & stress on marriages, just to name a few.
She touches on the statement of “it’s ok, children are resilient”…but are they? This phrase isn’t a blanket statement that holds true for every child…something we should all consider.
➡️ If you’d like to connect with Stephanie, please feel free to email her at skdulin@yahoo.com or find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.tayloedulin
💙 Join our fast growing community on Facebook and connect with us on Instagram!
Write an apple review and YOUR review could be read on our next episode!
Hosted by Tori Shirah and Tracy Stine
Contact us ➡️ UnlikelyJoCo@gmail.com
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Hey Housewives!
Have you ever been offended? Like really hurt by something someone said about you, your beliefs or ideas? How about when they have attacked your character? Then there are those times where we take offense by a story we tell ourselves…that probably isn’t true.
➡️ We share a couple personal stories of how we were offended and then ask the question…Is being offended justified? Sometimes? Always or never?
We were highly encouraged by a statement in the book “The Opposite Life” by Alex Seely (link below) and shared this quote:
“I truly believe there is a fine line between being offended and staying offended that can make or break someone.”
➡️We discuss what people often find offensive…
Racism, patriarchy, religious beliefs, political views, parenting styles, all the way to how someone dresses, what size they are, etc.
➡️Offending an idea sparks discussion, offending the person leads to hurt.
Ted talk we refer to:
https://youtu.be/f4JiSQxdl6M
➡️We want to recognize that being offended and then staying offended is a choice. There will always be people who are offended…whether that was the intent of the person inferring the offense or not.
➡️We also discuss what some of the reasons are for some people getting offended…past hurts not healed, comparison, unmet expectations and more.
➡️Offending someone if inevitable, so many emotions and feelings on high…BUT what if we learn to be intentional about living unoffended?
“Imagine a world where the people of God lived unoffended. Imagine a world where people pursued relationships even when they got hurt. Imagine a world where people lived like Jesus, full of God’s spirit, where nothing could affect their love and mission for the people God had called them to serve.” —Alex Seely
➡️So HOW do we live like that? We are human and when we are hurt, it hurts.
“When God comes into our lives to save us and make us whole, we need to receive the fullness of His love. Then when we face inevitable disappointment or hurt from others, we aren’t wounded and offended.”
Alex Seely’s “The Opposite Life” book we referenced:
💙 Are you living offended? We encourage you to let go of some past hurts and feelings in order to let go, and let God! Live more freely, with joy & peace.
Join our fast growing community on Facebook and connect with us on Instagram!
Write an apple review and YOUR review could be read on our next episode!
Hosted by Tori Shirah and Tracy Stine
Contact us ➡️ UnlikelyJoCo@gmail.com
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Hey Housewives!
We understand that being a mom makes you question everything, while also feeling like you know it all. Due to our current culture, we have resources and help from every angle, however we also have advice and criticism on EVERYTHING we do as a parent…which brings along so much shame & guilt for the motherhood journey.
We start this episode by sharing how initially doubting your own motherhood intuition is the beginning of mom guilt and developing that inner sense. It’s different for each of us, becoming moms, that first mom guilt for Tracy was “failing at breastfeeding” which led her into postpartum depression. Tori’s experience was going on an antidepressant due to anxiety while pregnant and having an 8 month old.
➡️ Mom guilt: my kid isn’t reading at grade level, my kid doesn’t play competitive sports, whether your kid goes to college, quality time with each kid, cooking for them or hitting the drive thrus, the way that you support your kids
➡️ We want to encourage you to not put yourself in a box to what type of mom you are: homeschool mom, stay at home mom, work from home mom, working mom, step mom, foster mom, adoptive mom. All those titles are just circumstance around you…it doesn’t define you, you’re a mom! Remove the adjective before mom and be confident that “You are a good Mom!” Motherhood doesn’t need to be defined as a certain type of mom.
➡️ Mom shaming is becoming more apparent due to social media and the freely sharing of conflicting ideas. It’s caused a lot of comparison: to what other moms have time for, their Pinterest ideas, how they are handling the pandemic and more. The feeling of if you aren’t doing it the way someone else is, you aren’t a good mom, is a false claim and we encourage you that you are exactly the kind of mom your kids need, and your kids are exactly what you need.
💙 What we want for you is to say “I’m a good mom”…not I’m a good mom because I do this or that…just simply “I’m a good mom”
💙Housewives, each one of you are a good mom 💙
Join our fast growing community on Facebook and connect with us on Instagram!
Write an apple review and YOUR review could be read on our next episode!
Hosted by Tori Shirah and Tracy Stine
Contact us ➡️ UnlikelyJoCo@gmail.com
Tuesday Jan 11, 2022
Tuesday Jan 11, 2022
Hey Housewives!
We are going to dive into the TOXIC side of our mental health. The space that fills our days and minds with information that simply isn’t true about who we are and who we have the potential to become.
God calls us to step into our purpose, and yet we allow one of these areas to stop us. Why? Because we feel overwhelmed and perhaps we fully don’t believe we were made for a greater purpose.
T—Talk (negative self talk)
O—Occupation (hustling to hard or truly not happy)
X—eXit a relationship (if someone causes you more stress/anxiety than filling your spirit then it may be time to allow space)
I—Inner belief (do you truly believe you are worthy of success, happiness and true love? It’s time to stop doubting yourself, overthinking to a point of talking yourself out of what you are being called to.)
C—Consumption (social media, news media, porn, rom coms: things that cause you temptations & distractions)
💙 Press play & listen to some ways we’ve overcome these TOXIC areas in our headspace. Maybe it’s time you take out your head trash and open yourself up for opportunities that you could be missing.
Join our fast growing community on Facebook and connect with us on Instagram!
Write an apple review and YOUR review could be read on our next episode!
Hosted by Tori Shirah and Tracy Stine
Contact us ➡️ UnlikelyJoCo@gmail.com
Tuesday Jan 04, 2022
Tuesday Jan 04, 2022
Hey Housewives!
It’s a New Year, now what? Time to set some New Year's resolutions…or not? We know the #1 resolution revolves around health goals, weight loss and dieting. We have an interesting take on this new diet culture. We feel it brings shame and guilt instead of focusing on wellness and that we have one body & we should take care of it the best we can.
“Diet culture” refers to a set of beliefs that values thinness, appearance, and shape above health & well-being.
In this episode we are here to validate you around this heavy topic as we’ve been there and battled all the same thoughts…there are emotions with food, working out, past issues, health issues, and more…THIS IS A CONSTANT LIVING BATTLE for most.
➡️ We both share the list of diets we have tried and the good and bad of all
➡️ Healthy relationships with our bodies…WHOLE picture…body is a temple
➡️ Unhealthy where are our mobility, level of activity, paralyzed by something mental/emotional, insecurities…
➡️ We know this is HARD…it is sensitive and as mamas…we battle the post baby bods into taking care of ourselves for our kids, to how do our kids see we take care of ourselves and it’s honestly scary knowing the diet culture our kids are growing up with…
➡️ We can speak on this now because we’ve been there and found an answer for us…it’s addressing gut health and healing from the inside.
💙 What we want for you is to find your answer, your breakthrough. What’s your relationship with the diet culture? Is it healthy?
Join our fast growing community on Facebook and connect with us on Instagram!
Write an apple review and YOUR review could be read on our next episode!
Hosted by Tori Shirah and Tracy Stine
Contact us ➡️ UnlikelyJoCo@gmail.com