PODCAST

Gotta Love Family Podcast

Mary Ann Johnson

Learn how to connect everyday in everyday ways.

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

07:44

The Spark Station - Everything You Need to Know to...

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/03/29

When I was in fifth grade, I learned to crochet. It wasn't easy to learn. I had never done anything like it before. I felt all thumbs, and it wasn't always easy to conceptualize what it was I was supposed to do. With time, I did learn, and I made a small purse. My teacher coached me through almost every row until it was done. I still have that purse. The next hurdle was learning to read actual directions. Yikes. It was like reading Greek. I had learned how to crochet, but without a teacher

06:32

Five Principles of Power Series - The sunday Box

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/03/22

07:31

3-15-26 From the Archive - A Fun and Messy Easter...

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/03/15

"Mom, come on. It's almost Easter, and we need to color the eggs." These words were spoken in a voice of desperation and a full two weeks before Easter. I love holiday traditions, and this egg-dying ritual was one of ours. Some years went better than others, but each one brought us closer as a family. Each one tied us together in a bond that exists today. Traditions matter to children. These are the things that they can depend on: certain foods on the table at holidays, special activities done year

11:02

3-8-26 From the Archive - Panoramic Sugar Eggs Your...

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/03/08

I've taught hundreds of children to make sugar eggs. I taught two groups of kindergartners every year for over 15 years. I taught children how to make sugar eggs in Girl Scouts, community groups, and for the city in Laurel, MT. I traveled to Colorado to help over ninety children in my grands school classes. I flew to Washington, where more grands lived and helped many other children, do the same. It has become an Easter tradition in our family, and traditions matter. Join me as I share a hilarious

14:29

Learning Play - Math and Science Through Levers

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/03/01

Some children love math and science, while others find these topics unenjoyable or uninteresting. My grandson, Ben, was interested in both. He spent time on the computer looking up science questions rather than playing outdoors. As a child, I wanted to understand both math and science. I was intrigued by them, but my learning style made both very challenging. I had children who weren't interested at all! Math and science are important subjects that our kids will encounter in school, regardless of

06:48

2/22/26 Five Principles of Power Series – A Marvelous...

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/02/22

When my youngest daughter, Kate, was a senior in high school, she was in an advanced writing class. One of her assignments was to write a poem using iambic pentameter. She was overwhelmed by the assignment and wasn't clear as to what iambic pentameter meant. They had talked about it in class, but most of you will relate to how clear it was by the time she got home. LOL So, it wasn't a happy circumstance when she came to me and asked for help. I had no idea what iambic pentameter was. But how could I

08:30

2-15-26 Leave a Legacy of Growth and It Will Be Enough!

Gotta Love Family Podcast ·

2026/02/15

A mom in our neighborhood has become a family friend. She has spent time in our home. She has shared meals, and we have had the opportunity to talk. She has observed our four-generation family, our little ecosystem, as my daughter calls it, from inside and out. Not too long ago, she said, "I wish you were my mom. You're the best mom. My mom didn't share love; she was a stone." This comment has caused me to ponder my past, my in between, and my now. I could understand some of what Christy was feeling

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.

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