Elevating Motherhood

Last week, we began a conversation about marriage—not the highlight-reel version, but the honest, complicated, sometimes fragile reality that so many couples live inside of. And today, we’re continuing that conversation in a deeper way.

Tim and Kathy Bush join me to share their story —a marriage that began on shaky ground and nearly ended in complete destruction. Their relationship was marked by infidelity, trauma, addiction, and secrets that stayed hidden for years. And yet, this is not a story that ends in heartbreak. It’s a story of what can happen when the truth is brought into the light, when pretending stops, and when hope arrives in a way no amount of effort could manufacture.

Their book, Sex on the First Date, is raw, courageous, and deeply redemptive — and this conversation reflects that same honesty. Whether your marriage feels like it’s barely holding together, quietly drifting, or strong but still growing… orwhether you’re not married at all, there is wisdom here for every relationship and a reminder that no story is too broken to be transformed. Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/3Zh0HZJ

The Bush Bios: Tim and Kathy Bush are the authors of Sex on the First Date: A Story of a Broken Beginning to a Radically Transformed Marriage. They have been married since 1982 and are the proud parents of three children, three in-law children, eight grandchildren and one dog. They are speakers as well as FamilyLife affiliate staff, who share their story at marriage conferences and retreats across the country. They founded War Room Ministries (warroomministries.com), which has served to strengthen men, marriages, families and churches and to develop Christian character through redemption, relationships and resilience. Tim and Kathy have received countless responses of gratitude for openly discussing the shame that comes from searching for happiness in all the wrong places.
Tim is retired from thirty-five years in the automobile business and is an entrepreneur in real estate and business development, having owned businesses since just out of high school. Kathy has been a homemaker and esthetician who studied at Euro Institute of Skin Care and is retired from running her own spa and skin care business. They both enjoydrinking coffee, walking and traveling. They love spending time with their kids and grandkids, praying and reading God’s Word and worshiping God and going to churchtogether. They also stay very busy serving together at marriage events, and partnering with other couples who have a passion for marriages. And you might be interested to know they also recently moved to North Idaho.
Elevating Motherhood Links:
Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.com
Instagram: @loribethauldridge @elevatingmotherhood

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www.elevatingmotherhood.com/sponsors

Today’s episode might surprise you — especially if you’ve ever thought, “If my husband would just change, our marriage would be easier…” (You're not alone in this thought...)
I’m sitting down with Ann Wilson, speaker, author, and co-host of FamilyLife Today, to talk about her latest book How toSpeak Life to Your Husband —a book born out of real-life frustration, honest mistakes, and a total shift in how she used her words at home. Ann doesn’t sugar-coat anything. She shows us how encouragement, respect, and truth-filled communication can actually reshape our marriages — not by pretending, but by learning how powerful our voices really are. If you’ve ever felt stuck, misunderstood, or just tired ofrepeating the same arguments… this conversation is going to give you hope, tools, and a whole new perspective.
 
Ann’s Bio: Ann Wilson has served with her husband for more than twenty-five years, co-founding Kensington Community Church, speaking at FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember®, and hosting their own marriage conferences across the country. They live in the Detroit area, and have three grownsons, CJ, Austin, and Cody; three daughters-in-law; and seven grandchildren.
Ann’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daveannwilson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaveAnnWilson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DaveAnnWilson
Her Book: https://amzn.to/49fPXAM
 
Elevating Motherhood Links:
Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.comInstagram: @loribethauldridge

Please Visit Our Sponsors: www.elevatingmotherhood.com/sponsors

Every year December sneaks up on moms — the traditions, the sugar, the sickness, the parties, the pressure. This episode is all about what I’m doing differently next Christmas to create a calmer, healthier, more intentional holiday season for our family. From planning ahead and simplifying gifts to supporting our kids’ immune systems and downsizing expectations, I’m sharing practical changes that reduce stress, protect our peace, and let us actually enjoy Christmasagain. If you’ve ever thought, “There has to be a better way to do the holidays,” this conversation is for you.
 
Things I’mdoing different next Christmas/December:
1. I’m going to create a bin in the garage that I store gifts in
2. I’m going to buy gifts throughout the year
3. Order Christmas jammies in September/October
4. Start probiotics for the kids in August
* Immune probiotic chewable from Dr. Elisa Song of Healthy Kids Happy Kids
* Link to probiotics: https://healthykidshappykids.com  (Dr. Song Probiotics)
5. Start Vitamin D in September
* Favorite Vitamin D: https://amzn.to/3YTMVvV (MaryRuth’s)
6. I’m going to plan for the holidays at the beginning of October and order what I need to order and place celebrations on the calendar. This includes:
* My son’s birthday party (find the balance with holidays + December birthdays!)
* St Lucia Day
* Martinmas (lantern walk)
* Christmas Eve Eve party (do we want to host for an 11th year?)
* I’m not going to host homeschool group at my house in December…we’ll plan outdoor outings & adventures instead
8. Use bleach wipes when I hear about norovirus (I’m semi crunchy, okay?)
* Favorite non-crunchy wipes: https://amzn.to/3YV0bjX(Clorox Free & Clear)
9. Have grape juice, activated charcoal, and grapefruit seed extract on hand for stomach stuff
* Favorite grape juice: https://amzn.to/4sql5VF (Organic Grape Juice)
* Favorite activated charcoal: https://amzn.to/4q8CdxM(Activated Charcoal)
* Favorite GSE: https://amzn.to/4plY2IO (Grapefruit Seed Extract)
10. Have pineapple juice & gelatin on hand for coughs
* Favorite pineapple juice: https://amzn.to/49mqrsk (Pineapple Ginger)
* Favorite gelatin: https://amzn.to/3LdfqSg (Gelatin Powder)
11.  Limit sugar to outings and parties only (instead of giving in to all the sugar temptations & offerings of December)—make sugar a sometimes habit instead of a daily habit
12.  Open windows as a daily habit—make this a daily habit instead of a sometimes one

To summarize, we’re going to continue to downsize Christmas & aim for less stress and better health. I feel like there is an undercurrent in American motherhood culture that is leaning that direction…and I’m going to ride that undercurrent!

Elevating Motherhood Links:
Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.com
Instagram: @loribethauldridge

Please Visit Our Sponsors:
www.elevatingmotherhood.com/sponsors

This episode is a true meeting of the minds. Kiri Jorgensen and I both bring years of passion and experience in children’sliterature to the table—and this conversation might just change the way you see your family’s bookshelf.

The world of children’s publishing has shifted dramatically over the past few decades. What once felt simple and safe is now layered with hidden social agendas and stories thatoften work against the virtues we’re trying to nurture in our kids.

If you’ve ever been told that “as long as they’re reading, it’s fine,” this episode will gently challenge that idea. Not every book deserves a place in your child’s hands, and discernment matters more than ever.
We’re diving deep into how to spot truly good books, why quality matters more than quantity, and what you can do to raise thoughtful, well-read kids in today’s publishing climate.
Parents—you do not want to miss this one.
 
Kiri’s Bio: Kiri Jorgensen is the Publisher andSenior Editor at Chicken Scratch Books. She is also a writer, teacher, entrepreneur, and most importantly wife and mother. Her involvement in the world of children’s literature spans almost three decades with perspective from many angles—writer, editor, organization leader, and writing instructor forboth kids and adults. She also taught school for 16 years where she specialized in gifted and rural education. She loves all books middle grade, but in her heart, she is a teacher. Chicken Scratch Books lets her combine all her passions. Besides the world of teaching and story, Kiri loves gardening, sewing quilts, being in nature, and bragging about her four amazing kids. She lives with her husband and a plethora of animals in rural Montana, where she cooks her meals on a wood-burning cookstove and is grateful every day for being right where she is.
In this episode, Kiri & I talk about:
* Chicken Scratch Books: middle grade fiction without hidden social agendas
* Traditional American values
* Why Kiri started Chicken Scratch Books
* The drastic shift in children’s publishing world—and why we should be concerned as parents
* Quality, clean literature for kids
* How motherhood changed my perspective
* Writers are required to bring liberal agendainto their
* The political agenda in children’s literature
* Kids don’t naturally connect over demographics
* Relatable motives are what connects kids to a character
* How my degrees in children’s literature are for my kids more than anything else
* Podcast Docu-series: Sold A Story
* Books are competing with short attention spans
* Parents are so desperate for their kids to readanything that they’ll hand them anything regardless
* Don’t choose books based on what is most popular
* Character development in books affects our children’s budding character
* Children are vulnerable and impressionable—the children’spublishing world takes advantage of this
* Practical things parents can do to seek out decent children’s literature* “Books and media can be really powerful tools toteach and reinforce the virtues that you want instilled in your kids”
* Have a kid who doesn’t want to read? Doread-alouds!
* Every parent has power“Embrace who you are, where you are, and lookfor ways to be grateful for each of the experiences that you’re having alongthe way because they do culminate into what you become.” -Kiri Jorgensen
* AND MORE!
 
Chicken Scratch Books Links:
https://chickenscratchbooks.com
@chickenscratchbooks on IG and FB@CSBooks4 on X
 
Elevating Motherhood Links:
www.elevatingmotherhood.com
www.instagram.com/loribethauldridge
 
Please Visit Today’s Sponsors:
www.elevatingmotherhood.com/sponsors

Guest: Brianna Reiser, Vice President of Experience at Toothpillow

Overview: In this episode, we explore the incredible impact of Toothpillow, a comprehensive airway health program for kids, with Brianna Reiser—an experienced dental professional whose personal journey led her to this work. We dive into the “why” behind Toothpillow, how it works, and my personal experience using it with my daughter.

In This Episode:
Meet Brianna Reiser
14+ years in dentistry

Lost her mother to sleep apnea, which led to her passion for airway health

Now VP of Experience at Toothpillow, working to make airway care accessible

Why Airway Dentistry Matters
Underdeveloped jaws: a growing epidemic

Root causes of crooked teeth (not just cosmetic!)

Cultural factors: diet, breastfeeding challenges, and lack of support for oral development

The danger of “band-aid” approaches (like wisdom teeth removal without cause investigation)

What Toothpillow Is & How It Works
A two-year, app-supported airway health program

Includes myofunctional exercises, nasal hygiene, and tongue tie assessments

Guides kids through face muscle training and jaw development

Three current competitors: Healthy Start Habit Corrector, MyoBrace, and Vivos Guides

Toothpillow is a full program—not just a single device

What Makes It Different
Every child is assigned a dentist and a virtual dental assistant through the app

Personalized coaching and ongoing support available to parents

Not every child is a fit (about 30% are not recommended to proceed)

Compliance is supported through encouragement and tracking

Common Signs of Airway Struggles in Kids:
Mouth breathing

Night waking

Bedwetting

Nightmares or terrors

ADHD-like symptoms

Why Moms Love It
Affordable: No brick-and-mortar costs passed on to parents

Easy-to-use app experience

Holistic and rooted in connection—not just clinical

My Personal Review:
My daughter has been using Toothpillow for over 4 months

Noticed improvements: better sleep, no more night terrors, fewer dark circles

Face shape is changing; jaw is visibly wider

“When I wear my Toothpillow, my tongue just knows where to go.”

Toothpillow for the Future:
Plans to expand to adults and babies

Keeping long-term health and root causes at the center of care

SPECIAL OFFER: Use code LORIBETH for $200 off + a free video assessment ($50 value)

Referenced:
Episode 175 – Intro to Airway Dentistry

Toothpillow Website: ⁠Toothpillow.com⁠
Elevating Motherhood: ⁠elevatingmotherhood.com⁠
Instagram: @loribethauldridge