Andrea Fortenberry joins me on TME this week and if you don't have your coffee handy, you'll feel warm and satiated after listening to this conversation with her!

Andrea is the host of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Mothering, a podcast that equips moms to find freedom from perfectionism and show up for the life God has for them. She is the author of "Two-Minute Timeouts: 100 Devotions for Weary and Wonderful Days (Our Daily Bread Publishers, April 2026)," a practical, grace-filled resource for women navigating pressure, burnout, and the desire to do everything “right.” She is on staff with MomCo (formerly MOPS International) as the Leadership Development Manager, where she where she equips and supports leaders around the world as they guide women through the realities of modern motherhood, faith, and community. She is also a cohost of The MomCo Leadership Podcast.

A lover of chai lattes herself, Andrea's episode is the perfect accompaniment to enjoying a cup of joe and organizing your to-do list.

Connect with Andrea:

• Andrea's Website: https://www.andreafortenberry.com/
• Follow Andrea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreafortenberry

____________________

Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

Raeanne Johnson, founder of Brainwaves Wellness, is one of the most fun, engaging guests in TME's history. Our conversation was so rich and full of laughs while balancing serious topics in a lighthearted approach.

Raeanne is a Pediatric Mental Health Specialist, Nurse Practitioner and homeschooling mother of three. Her superpower is taking hard neuroscience concepts and pairing them with core Biblical truths and sharing that in a way that feels approachable and understandable.

This episode will no doubt become one of your favorites. Whether you're wanting to learn a new way to relate to your kids, appreciate your motherhood, or interact with neurodivergent kiddos, this episode has all of that and then some!

Connect with Raeanne:

• Free Resources from Raeanne Here: https://www.brainwaveswellness.com/
• Engage with Raeanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainwaveswellness/

____________________

Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

One of the most unique episodes of the podcast to date where I visit with Doreen Virtue. Once, she was the top authority and influencer in all things New Age, now she has serving Jesus as her top priority in life.

Listening to her story was fascinating and hearing how she reflects on her motherhood journey really tugged at my heart strings.

If you're curious about things like vision boards, yoga, or how one becomes involved in New Age at all - this episode will hit on all of those topics and then some!

Connect with Doreen:

• Visit Doreen's ⁠Website⁠⁠
• Follow her on ⁠Instagram⁠
• New Age is Old Age Book on Amazon
• From Counterfeit to Christ Book

____________________

Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

This episode of the podcast with Brigitte Donoho was such a fantastic, fun, friendly conversation! Turns out we had a lot of the same experiences and tastes in life, and it was so fun to reminisce with Brigitte as she shared about her motherhood and her career in music.

Brigitte is an award winning Songwriter, Recording Artist, Wife, Mom and Worship Leader.

For the past 13 years, Brigitte has traveled with her family for ministry at worship events, youth rallies, ladies' retreats, conventions, television specials, and festivals. She currently lives in Michigan with her husband (her high school sweetheart) and homeschools their two teenage sons.

Connect with Brigitte:

• Visit Brigitte's Website⁠
• Follow her on Facebook or Instagram
• Find Brigitte on YouTube

____________________

Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

This week, I’m joined by Clancy Denton, co-host of the podcast The Loud Quiet, for a conversation about motherhood, transitional stages, and leaning into the "loud quiet" of life after grown children leave home.

Clancy shares her own experience and how she and her husband started mentoring an entire community of empty nesters, both in-person and over the airwaves.

Clancy talks about their book, as well, which would make an excellent gift for Father's Day, college move-in day, Mother's Day, or graduation!

Connect with Clancy:

• The Loud Quiet Website
• Find the Book
• Listen to The Loud Quiet Podcast

____________________

Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

This week, I’m joined by Emily Cleghorn, host of the podcast Mamahood After Trauma, for a conversation about motherhood, emotional wellbeing, and learning to move forward after difficult experiences.

Emily shares about the ways unresolved trauma can unexpectedly surface in everyday life, sometimes feeling, as she describes it, “like a freight train”, especially within the already demanding and vulnerable season of parenting.

Together, we talk about the emotional weight many mothers carry, the importance of self-awareness and support, and the ongoing process of healing while still showing up for your family.

While this conversation touches on hard realities, it’s ultimately centered on resilience, growth, and the hope that healing is possible even in life’s most overwhelming seasons.

Connect with Emily:

• ⁠Mamahood After Trauma Podcast
• On ⁠Instagram⁠ or Facebook
• Emily's Website

____________________

Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

After struggling with infertility and unanswered questions, Kim Patton and her husband found themselves on an unexpected path to motherhood through adoption.

In this episode, Kim shares the stark realities of infertility, the journey of adopting two sisters, and what it looks like to build a healthy open adoption relationship with their daughters’ birth mother.

As the host of Book Therapy with Kim Patton, Kim now encourages foster and adoptive families through honest conversations, hope-filled stories, and a deep love of books. Together, we discuss the healing power of reading, why embracing our passions matters, and how purpose can emerge from seasons that once felt full of grief and uncertainty.

This conversation is full of wisdom, encouragement, and hope for anyone walking through infertility, adoption, foster care, or the unexpected turns of motherhood.

In This Episode:

• Kim’s infertility journey and transition into adoption
• Adopting two sisters and navigating open adoption
• Building a relationship with a birth mother
• The joys and challenges of adoptive parenting
• How books and storytelling bring healing and connection
• Encouragement for foster and adoptive parents
• Embracing the passions that bring purpose and hope

Connect with Kim:

• Book Therapy with Kim Patton
• On Instagram and Facebook
• Find her authored books and more resources on her website!

Bonus Resource:

• Thriftbooks (you can thank me later)

⭐️ If You Loved This Episode

Share it with a friend, leave a review, or send it to a mom who might need encouragement today.

____________________

Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40

In this episode, Bonnie Butler shares her honest tale of adoption: the emotional highs, the unexpected challenges, and the long road toward becoming a truly connected family.

What began as a comfortable journey into motherhood became something deeper. It was a refining process that stretched limits of patience and dentity. Bonnie opens up about the hard seasons that tested her, and how choosing to stay, regulate her emotions, and grow through the struggle ultimately led to a home filled with laughter, genuine connection, and joy.

Now a life coach, Bonnie helps other mothers navigate the emotional weight of adoption and family transition with greater awareness, steadiness, and grace.

About Our Guest: Bonnie Butler

Bonnie Johnston Butler is a certified life coach, speaker, and teacher specializing in thought management and emotional resilience. Drawing from her experience as a mother of 10, four biological, six adopted, and former foster parent to 17 children, she founded Bonnie Butler Coaching to help parents and professionals transform overwhelm into clarity.

Through practical strategies for emotional regulation and self-leadership, she empowers clients to overcome self-sabotage, navigate complex dynamics, and create purpose-driven lives. Bonnie brings deep expertise in mindset shifts and personal transformation to every client interaction.

Connect With Bonnie:

Bonnie's Website: https://bonniebutlercoaching.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075873774099

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonniebutlercoaching/

⭐️ If You Loved This Episode

Share it with a friend, leave a review, or send it to a mom who might need encouragement today.

____________________

Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1758742098661627c9cc46f40