Hey, Mama, in today's episode, we’re sitting down with Julie Bender from thejuliebender.com to dive into the life-changing practice of praying for your husband. As Christian moms, we often juggle so much that our marriages can feel strained—but prayer can shift everything.

Join Julie Bender and Natalie as they explore the power of intercessory prayer, drawing from Julie’s deeply moving journey through the loss of her first husband, healing, and remarriage, as shared in her work and ministry.

Julie opens up about how prayer became her anchor after losing her first husband, guiding her through grief and into a restored future with a new marriage. Through heartfelt stories and Scripture, she reveals how praying for your husband can deepen your connection, dissolve resentment, and invite God’s peace into your home.

Listen along as you discover the beauty of lifting up your husband in prayer, freeing yourself from overwhelm and embracing a marriage rooted in faith. God’s love and grace are ready to work miracles in your heart and home—you don’t have to do it alone.

Julie is a believer, a wifey (formerly widowed), a mama, and an oversharer. As both a podcast host and recent author, she strives to be bold in everything: her lipstick and lashes, opinions, mistakes and wins, and sharing truth rooted in faith. Her life hasn’t been easy, but she's learned how to embrace her story, and in that, found healing and her true self. Her personal mantra is #beboldandjustbeyou so she shares her heart, humor, and frequent embarrassing moments willingly. She's winging it. Motherhood, her eyeliner, dinner plans, everything. She co-hosts Smart Living With Grit and Grace Podcast, hosts The Julie Bender Show Podcast, wrote When Marriage Is Hard and produces a video series for wives called #prayingforyourhusanddaily.

Please like, subscribe, rate, review, and share so we can help other mamas who are feeling stuck in their anger and burnout find joy in their motherhood journey!

Julie’s Links:

Website: https://thejuliebender.com

Julie's Book

The Julie Bender podcast

Smart Living with Grit and Grace podcast

#prayingforyourhusbanddaily

Follow on Instagram: @thejuliebender

Sponsor:

Make Wellness - Biactive Precision Peptides

Questions, thoughts, feedback? Send me a text!

Connect with Natalie:

Natalie’s Website: nataliehixson.com
Instagram: instagram.com/angrymamacoach
Pinterest: pinterest.com/nataliehixson
YouTube: @angrymamacoach

Acknowledgements:

Producer and editor: Skye Hixson

Music: Simon Reid www.simonreidmusic.com

Hey, Mama, in today's episode, we are chatting with author Sandra Byrd! We are discussing the pressure on mamas in society and Christian circles to be perfect to be accepted. But the truth is we will never be perfect in this life—and we don’t have to be.

Join Sandra Byrd and Natalie as they discuss what's behind Sandra's newest devotional, More Than Enough: 90 Devotions for Loving Yourself as God Loves You.

Sandra's new book explores the importance of loving yourself the way God does, while dismantling toxic perfectionism through heartfelt stories and Scripture that teach you that you don’t have to keep striving.

Listen along as you discover the importance of loving yourself the way God does, freeing yourself from unrealistic standards, unhealthy self-talk, and unattainable perfectionism. God’s grace and unconditional love already call you more than enough.

Sandra, author of over fifty books, has earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, multiple Library Journal starred reviews and Best Book selections, the Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice award, two Christy Award nominations, a BookPage Top Pick for Romance, and a spot on Booklist’s Top Ten Inspirational Books of the Year. Her devotionals, including The One Year Home and Garden Devotions, The One Year Experiencing God’s Love Devotional, and the bestselling tween devotional One Year Between You and God, are highly acclaimed, with the latter two named must-reads by Called Magazine.

As an editor and writing coach, Sandra mentors writers at all stages via sandrabyrdbookcoach.com. A foodie, Sandra cooks inspired by her books’ themes, collects vintage glass and serve ware, and enjoys walks with her husband and Sunday Suppers with her family.

Please like, subscribe, rate, review, and share so we can help other mamas who are feeling stuck in their anger and burnout find joy in their motherhood journey!

Sandra's Links:

Website: sandrabyrd.com

Sandra's Devotional: More Than Enough

Facebook: @AuthorSandraByrd

Sponsor:

Make Wellness - Biactive Precision Peptides

Questions, thoughts, feedback? Send me a text!

Questions, thoughts, feedback? Send me a text!

Connect with Natalie:

Natalie’s Website: nataliehixson.com
Instagram: instagram.com/angrymamacoach
Pinterest: pinterest.com/nataliehixson
YouTube: @angrymamacoach

Acknowledgements:

Producer and editor: Skye Hixson

Music: Simon Reid www.simonreidmusic.com

In this episode, Natalie is celebrating 50 episodes! She starts with a life update, reflecting on a busy summer in Montana, family milestones, and my journey of faith.

Then moves to explore moving from unhealthy coping mechanisms to healthier emotional processing through daily soul refreshers and transformative prayer. Learn how shifting from fear-based to faith-filled prayers can bring peace and joy to your motherhood journey.

Plus, updates on her upcoming book, group program, and season 2 wrap-up!

Key Takeaways:

• Daily soul refreshers and consistent Bible reading anchor spiritual and emotional growth.
• Praying with gratitude and surrender transforms fear into peace, renewing your motherhood.
• Challenge: Shift your prayers to focus on faith and God’s plan for joyful, surrendered living.

Links & Resources:

• Related episode: Refresh Your Soul to Calm the Rage
• Group program (Sept 29 - Dec 12): Apply Now
• Passage of the Year: Ephesians 5:15-20 (ESV)
• Contact: DM on Instagram or email natalie@nataliehixson.com with questions or thoughts.

Call to Action: Thank you for joining me on this journey! Your likes, subscriptions, and reviews help this podcast reach more mamas struggling with anger worldwide. Please take a moment to support the show and share this message of hope and renewal in motherhood.

Current Projects:

• Book: Hard deadline January 1, 2026; launching September 2026!
• Podcast: Season 2 wraps up in November 2025.
• Group Program: Enrollment opens September 1, 2025, for the program running September 29 - December 12, 2025. Price will be increasing in January 2026!

Prayer Challenge: This week, transform your prayers to reflect faith and gratitude. Instead of praying from fear, try this: “Lord, I feel anxious and overwhelmed. Thank you for working in my life and my family’s challenges. I trust Your plan for our good and Your glory. Grant me peace and align my desires with Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Stay Connected: I’d love to hear how this prayer challenge impacts your motherhood! Reach out via DM or email with your thoughts or questions.

Questions, thoughts, feedback? Send me a text!

Connect with Natalie:

Natalie’s Website: nataliehixson.com
Instagram: instagram.com/angrymamacoach
Pinterest: pinterest.com/nataliehixson
YouTube: @angrymamacoach

Acknowledgements:

Producer and editor: Skye Hixson

Music: Simon Reid www.simonreidmusic.com