PODCAST

Gotta Love Family Podcast

Mary Ann Johnson

Learn how to connect everyday in everyday ways.

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

09:47

Listening, Trusting, and Following Through Make a...

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/02/08

The day of my hip surgery, September 3, after returning home, I was going up and down our two stairs, caregiving, and managing as if I had never had surgery. At the end of the first two weeks, reality descended. I fell into extreme fatigue and became depressed. What had happened? I was desperate for answers. So, I did what I do. I prayed for help, resources, and thoughts. As I knew it would, help came. I had a thought that when heard, trusted, and followed through with, was life-changing. Join me as

10:31

Raising Resilient, Confident Kids Practical Ways to...

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/02/01

Here's an informative article from my friend, Laura Pearson. She's taken the time to dive into a topic that can seem tricky for parents. It's an easy read, contains useful information, and has helpful links. I loved her section on Entrepreneurship. Most of my grands have had small businesses of one type or another before going to or completing high school, a great way to practice resilience and gain confidence. Enjoy and learn!

13:35

Fantastic Dinner Conversations – Year of the Horse

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/01/25

Sometimes it can be a challenge to get kids to talk at the dinner table, especially teens. But having dinner conversations helps create a culture of togetherness and is worth the effort. This year marks the Year of the Horse. It begins on February 17, 2026, and will end on February 5, 2027. I know that seems odd compared to our calendar, but the moon cycle determines the dates each year. The Chinese New Year is a great jumping-off place for some happy dinner conversations. Join me as I share a

07:25

Our Dreams Can Come True. Watch For It!

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/01/18

On March 9, 2025, I shared truths that I had written when I was 62. I shared them again because from 62 to 75, they hadn't changed. I had lived them, and they were still true. I ended the article with these words: Our dreams can come true. We can live up to our expectations. There is a plan, and we fit perfectly into it. It may not happen in the time frame we want, but if we hold on to hope and believe in ourselves, we will win. As I've shared in past articles, I wanted to be a writer as early as

10:44

The Education Adventure - Be an Example & Remember...

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/01/11

I mentored parents for many years. One of the issues for all parents was how to help children/youth want to learn, enjoy the process, and take responsibility for their learning. No one system insulates parents from this dilemma. I began writing a series of articles titled The Education Adventure. These articles contained real experiences, from real families. Their stories are helpful when working to help children take on the adventure of education. Join me as I share a family's story and how they

14:06

Transparency as We Begin 2026

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/01/04

To a post I made about my Sept. 3 hip surgery, a friend responded with: Hope you both recover quickly! I love how you make the best out of any situation. Kristine A. Two weeks later, my life went into the dumpster. After a lot of thought, I decided to share what happened, why, and what I finally did about it. If you want five great tips on how to take control of your response when life is tough, join me and welcome.

06:31

Five Principles of Power Series – The Importance of...

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/12/28

Join me as I share the magic of Christmas in our lower-middle-class home and how the anticipation my parents created can bless your family, even when it comes to Family Work. Don't believe it? Listen in and be converted.

09:25

Peter and the Boy - A True Christmas Story by Lynda...

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/12/21

My mother had a stroke in February. She wasn't doing well and was put in hospice. In the ensuing months, she had an astonishing recovery and will be leaving hospice at the end of December. Her current nurse, Laurie, said it is a joy because it rarely happens. Our hospice caregivers have been wonderful, and we've enjoyed getting to know them. They have made a difference in our lives. This week, we had a visit from Lynda Huddleston, who is the chaplain currently visiting us. She brought a story she

08:51

12-14-25 How Being Inspired Transforms the Quality...

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/12/14

In 2010, I hosted an essay contest. The topic was The Inspiration Connection: How Being Inspired Transforms the Quality and Effectiveness of Our Education. A friend, Jody Jarvis, who lived in Nevada at the time, won. The prize was awesome and was inspired. You will enjoy that story also. You will learn from and appreciate the experience she had, inspiring her boys by being an example for them. Her example made all the difference in the learning experience they had as a family. Enjoy

07:48

A Children's Christmas Play - Enjoying Kids Being Kids

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/12/07

A fun Christmas season activity is watching children perform Christmas plays. When Maggie was five and Jack was three, they had the opportunity to be in a play depicting the First Christmas. All the actors were under eleven, and many were under five years old. Maggie has severe cerebral palsy, which posed challenges; fortunately for her, Cindie Walker, her best friend, was the director. Maggie needed to be placed in a stander to participate in an upright position, without her wheelchair. Cindy had

07:48

A Children's Christmas Play - Enjoying Kids Being Kids

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/12/07

05:38

When Things Go Wrong

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/11/30

The article I had prepared to post on November 30, 2025, had been published in 2017. My Excel sheet wasn't as in order as it needed to be. Instead of getting another article ready at the last minute, I wrote a note to my readers and sent it out via the Sunday newsletter. It made an impact, and I got emails. I realized that I had written an article with an important message without even knowing it. So, I'm posting it on the website and recording it. If it helped last Sunday, then it may be of help in

06:06

11-23-25 Reasons for my Thanksgiving Celebration

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/11/23

Join me as I share the things that I am most grateful for this year. You will find yourself included. : ) It may help you ponder what you are grateful for and bring joy to your heart for Thanksgiving Day.

05:10

The Value of Expressing Gratitude

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/11/16

Several years ago, I wrote an article about the importance of gratitude. I'm posting it again because this is the season when we think about expressing gratitude. However, I hope it helps you take some daily actions that move you to think about what you are grateful for every day. Join me as I share the story of the Turbo Pickle and other ways that gratitude changed my life. My story may change yours.

05:42

We Can't Stop Our Lives, But We Can Invite Others In

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/11/09

In an article I wrote in September 2024, titled The Five-Year Lesson, I detailed how I transitioned from not nurturing relationships to consistently engaging in them. In the latter half of 2025, I've experienced the wisdom of that five-year lesson. I'm glad I listened to God and myself and took some challenging steps, even though it seemed like just another thing on my very full plate. Join me as I share what has happened and how even though things can't be perfect, they can be wonderful!

05:12

What It Looks Like to See Another and Why It Matters

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/11/02

This week, I had an experience that brought to mind the importance of letting our kids know, daily, that we see them and that they matter. It brought back many memories of families I have worked with, parents I have mentored, and the huge impact I've seen when moms and dads learn to 'see' their kids during the mundane moments of every day. A universal human need is to matter, especially to those we love. We can all satisfy this need for others, especially in our families, in simple ways. When our

06:26

Five Principles of Power - Principle Five

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/10/26

Today, let’s look at the fifth Principle of Power. I love all five principles; they all matter, but this seems to be the most challenging to implement. Many of us fly by the seat of our pants. Don and I did that in our marriage and family life for many years, and we paid a price; our family paid a price. Things go better, even if they don’t go exactly as we envisioned, when we have a plan. This is true in our goals, family discipline, maintaining loving relationships, having workable family systems,

09:25

Five Principles of Power - Principles 3 and 4

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/10/19

Recently, I wrote about principles that I consider powerful for a healthier and happier family life. Last week, we delved into principles one and two. Today, I will share information and examples on principles three and four. Principle 3 - Make It Special Principle 4 - Make It Simple You will relate to the stories I share, and I know you will see the value in adding these principles to your life.

08:38

Five Principles of Power – Principles 1 and 2

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/10/12

I love the Five Principles of Power (formerly the Five Rules of Engagement). I didn’t have them fully formed in my mind when I began working with parents and helping them connect with their children. I just knew what children needed: to learn well, connect, and thrive. In the beginning, I connected the principles with education, as I worked with families who homeschooled. As I have transitioned to working with all families, regardless of how they educate, I have witnessed the power these principles

06:55

From the Archive – Two Principles of Power: Show Up &...

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2025/10/05

A mother who attended one of my classes in the early days of my teaching career mentioned that because what I taught was based on principles, she could go home and put it right to work. A principle is a fundamental truth that we can build on. There are five principles I have focused on in my life and career that determine success, or mediocrity, and failure in our efforts. In the beginning, I called them the Five Rules of Engagement. Today, I call them the Five Principles of Power. These five

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