![Don't Mom Alone Podcast - Find Your People: Jennie Allen on Meaningful Adult Friendships *top 10 episode* [Ep 579]](https://audioboom.com/i/39842989.avif)
Find Your People: Jennie Allen on Meaningful Adult Friendships *top 10 episode* [Ep 579]
Don't Mom Alone Podcast
06/29/26
•48m
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Friendship isn't something most of us are taught. We often find ourselves fumbling through the trial and error of making and keeping friends while navigating busy schedules, family responsibilities, and a culture that celebrates independence.
In this top 10 replay episode, author and speaker Jennie Allen joins us to discuss why meaningful friendships can feel so difficult to build as adults. Drawing from her own experience of moving to a new city and intentionally creating a close-knit community, Jennie shares practical insights on overcoming loneliness, embracing vulnerability, and finding the people who will walk through life's highs and lows with you.
We explore why new friendships often feel awkward, how shame and pain keep us from being vulnerable, and why many of us expect one or two people to meet all of our relational needs. Jennie challenges us to move beyond comfort, create a "village mentality," and become the kind of people who show up with pizza, sit in the mess, and do life together.
In This Episode
- The difference between transparency and complaining
- How many hours it takes to feel like close friends
- How shame and pain keep us from vulnerability
- Jennie's "5 Miles, 5 Friends" approach to building community
- Why friendship requires embracing awkwardness
- How to create a village in today's culture
- The truth about disappointment, expectations, and healthy friendships
- Deep friendships don't happen by accident—they require intentionality
- Website: Jennie Allen
- Facebook: Jennie Allen
- Instagram: Jennie Allen (@jennieallen)
- Fighting Toxic Thoughts :: Jennie Allen [Ep 272]
- How to Stop Shame Spirals :: Dr. Curt Thompson [Summer of Mentorship Wk 6]
- Redeeming Shame through Community :: Dr. Curt Thompson [Ep 308]
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Previous Episode
Motherhood has never come with more information, advice, and expectations than it does today. Every scroll through social media offers another parenting expert, another strategy, and another reminder of what we "should" be doing. While access to information can be helpful, it can also leave us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and wondering if we're ever doing enough.
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Morgan Cutlip explores the invisible mental and emotional load that so many moms carry. From managing household responsibilities to regulating emotions, coordinating schedules, and trying to create the perfect childhood, the pressure can feel relentless.
We discuss why comparison is a natural human tendency, how expectations formed throughout our lives can quietly shape our parenting, and why unmet expectations often become the roots of resentment. Dr. Morgan shares practical ways to have honest conversations with your partner about parenting pressures and the frustrations that keep surfacing.
One of the most meaningful parts of this conversation is the idea of choosing a parenting anchor. Instead of trying to excel in every area, what if you focused on one thing that matters most in this season? Having an anchor gives us something steady to return to when the noise and expectations start pulling us in every direction.
Most importantly, this episode is an invitation for moms to share their real stories. When we talk honestly about the challenges, frustrations, and growing pains of motherhood, we help other women realize they are not alone. The more we pull back the curtain on the realities of parenting, the less power shame, guilt, and comparison have over us.
If you've ever felt weighed down by the mental load of motherhood, struggled with unrealistic expectations, or wondered if everyone else has it figured out, this conversation is for you.
In This Episode We Discuss:
- The three zones of energy: physical, mental, and emotional
- Why emotional labor is often the most draining part of motherhood
- How information overload is making parenting feel harder
- Expectations, resentment, and relationship challenges after becoming parents
- Practical conversations couples can have about parenting pressures
- Choosing a parenting anchor for your current season
- The concept of intensive mothering and the guilt it creates
- Raising resilient kids without burning yourself out
- The power of sharing authentic stories and supporting one another
- Website: Dr. Morgan Cutlip
- Instagram: Dr. Morgan Cutlip | Mental Load, Marriage and Motherhood (@drmorgancutlip)
- A Better Share: By Morgan Cutlip [book]
- Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself [book]
- The MomCo [mom ministry]
- Better Share [quiz]
- Motherhood Reflection Guide [pdf]
- Unpacking Moms’ Mental Load :: Dr. Morgan Cutlip [Ep 503]
- From Overwhelmed to Anchored: Replacing the Lies of Motherhood with God’s Truth :: Erica Gwynn [Ep 544]
- Organize Your Mental Load :: Laurel Denise [Ep 444]
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Next Episode
Motherhood changes everything—including your marriage.
In this first episode of my summor of mentorship series, I'm sharing the conversation I wish someone had invited me into years ago. If we were sitting across from each other with a cup of coffee, these are the things I'd want every mom to know.
Parenting is one of the greatest blessings, but it can also become one of the biggest stress tests on a marriage. The shift from dating and dreaming together to managing schedules, diapers, sports, meals, and endless logistics can leave even the healthiest couples feeling disconnected.
The good news? You're not alone, and your marriage doesn't have to become another casualty of the busy parenting years.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Why parenting often creates tension in marriage—and why that's completely normal.
- How different parenting styles can actually become one of your family's greatest strengths.
- The danger of keeping score and how resentment quietly grows.
- Practical communication habits that help couples stay connected.
- A simple weekly marriage check-in you can start this Sunday.
- The power of praying together, especially when parenting feels overwhelming.
- How small daily habits shape a strong marriage over time.
One truth I hope you'll remember this week:
Your parenting differences don't have to divide you. They can become one of your greatest strengths when you choose to work as a team.
God never intended for us to navigate marriage and motherhood alone. The Holy Spirit is our Helper—the One who comes alongside us, gives us wisdom, and strengthens us for the work He's called us to do. When we bring our parenting struggles to Him first, we make room for His peace, wisdom, and perspective.
Connect with Dr. Kim Kimberling:
- Website: Awesome Marriage — Marriage, Relationships
- Instagram: Christian Marriage | Help and Education (@awesome_marriage)
- Facebook: Awesome Marriage
- How to Align with Your Spouse in Parenting :: Dr. Kim Kimberling [Ep 491]
- Self-Differentiation and Why it Matters :: Nancy Houston [Ep 335]
- Talking, Teens, and Twenty-four Years :: Bruce + Heather [Ep 399]
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- Lola: For a limited time, our listeners can get 40% OFF select Lola Blankets products with code [DMA] at checkout. Just head to LolaBlankets.com and use code [DMA] to get 40% OFF your order.
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