Matt and Emily had quite the week. Norah got her first cold (all thanks to her father) which led to their first ever adventure in rectal thermometers. Plus, they go into full wildlife rescue mode when a bird gets trapped in their fireplace.

Kaitlin and Scott wrap up a week of VBS (Vacation Bible School), which was a total win. Shoutout to the army of volunteers that went above and beyond to make it such a good experience for all of the kiddos!

Scott’s physical appearance is thriving…glowing, even…possibly hotter than ever? Plus, we talk about the return of nostalgic '90s summer vibes. We also dive into the Shiny Happy People documentary and talk honestly about abusive church/institutional cultures.

Samantha Decker is a wife, mom of four, Bible teacher, and author of the new book Unhurried: An Invitation to Slow Down, Create Margin, and Surrender Control to God. Samantha’s on a mission to help us rediscover the sacred rhythms of rest, space, and spiritual stillness.

We explore why margin is essential. Samantha walks us through the power of solitude and how leaning into your spiritual gifts can help you press pause on the chaos. We discuss what it really means to surrender control to God, and she shares practical strategies for building a schedule that leaves room for grace.

If you've ever felt like your calendar is running your life, or wondered how to make quieter spaces in your soul, this one's for you.

The audio files from last week’s SWEpisode vanished into the abyss (not Matt’s fault…cough cough), so the B-Team (Caroline and Josh) is here to save the day. We talk first jobs—Scott’s lasted about five minutes, and apparently Kaitlin was once a barista? Josh takes us back to his roots growing up on a farm in West-West Jersey where his parents owned a Christian bookstore.

Kaitlin cries on a beach (you’ll find out why), and is experimenting with a slow summer. We explore the philosophical conundrum of renovating a bathroom. Is Emerson channeling the spirit of Donald Trump? Plus, Kaitlin almost became a famous actress and Caroline’s on a journey toward becoming a comedian.

Arlene Pellicane is an author, speaker, and host of The Happy Home Podcast. She’s here to talk all things marriage, connection, and making love last.

Arlene shares wisdom from her new book, Making Marriage Easier: How to Love (and Like) Your Spouse for Life, and walks us through the four key decisions that have helped her build a strong, joyful relationship. We talk about why kids are important…but not all-important. How to be a truly good listener (and avoid the three annoying listener types), and how social media might be doing more harm than help in your marriage.

She opens up about navigating the hard seasons and what it looks like to stick together when life gets messy. Whether you're newly married or decades in, this one is packed with insight and encouragement.

Kaitlin Kool-Aid Man’s straight through a closet door minutes after our last recording. Costco: the happiest place on earth...until you check your bank account. Scott somehow accidentally sleeps under the fitted sheet. We debate the best crappy pizza. Kaitlin and Scott buy donuts for their soccer team, only for the other team to shamelessly steal them. Rude.

Emily is too busy to put her credit cards in the wallet slots. Things get heated over Matt’s complete and utter lack of sense of urgency. Kaitlin “loses” her keys, but Scott heroically saves the day. And, the mom’s group at church pulls off an elaborate sinful prank by tricking (lying and deceiving) all the husbands into wearing the same shirt. Scott is hilariously oblivious. Emily? Can’t keep a secret and caves immediately.

Hallie Dye is a wife, mom, host of The Saltworks Podcast, and author of You’re Still a Good Mom: Motherhood Surrendered to the ONE Who Never Fails (Even When You Feel You Have). She's here to talk about some heavy, but extremely relatable mom stuff: like mom guilt, the lies we believe about ourselves, and what it feels like when you’re just not the “fun mom.” Hallie shares powerful insight on those mundane, soul-crushing days that feel anything but meaningful, and reminds us that our limits aren’t flaws… they’re intentional. We talk about what it means to abide and keep showing up even when it feels like we’re failing. This one’s for the moms, dads, and really anyone who is feeling tired, unsure, and wondering if you're doing any of it right.

Kaitlin makes a bold financial call…peanut butter is officially cut from the budget. We get nostalgic about old-school church hymns and ruin a big SWE secret. Kaitlin opens up about her phobia of jelly. CHICK-FIL-A SAUCE. Kaitlin discovers Scott’s hoarder closet, but Scott comes prepared with a defense. Emily needs a step stool to get into bed. Kaitlin tries (and fails) to understand tax write-offs. We rank our favorite haircuts and play a round of “What movie character would you be?” Somehow Kaitlin lands on…well, you’ll see.

Rachel Taylor is a postpartum nurse, doula, author, and founder of Mama Did It™. Her new book, After Baby Comes: Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional Recovery for Postpartum Moms, tackles everything no one warned you about: how to set boundaries when everyone suddenly wants to “stop by,” what you really need to know before leaving the hospital, why “mommy brain” is legit, and how to tell if it’s baby blues or something more.

We even wade into the murky waters of postpartum sex...because it’s not just about physical healing, it’s about emotional readiness too.

Whether you're in the thick of it, on the other side, or just want to be a better support to the moms in your life, this one is full of truth, insight, and “thank you for saying that” moments.

Jayce Elliott takes over the pod this week. Emily is crowned the breastfeeding Queen. Matt’s shopping algorithm is on point and maybe knows him a little too well.

Kaitlin and Matt debrief their passport renewal journies (spoiler: it’s a mess). Are Slurpees and slushies the same thing? And Emily educates us about Happy Tail Syndrome.

Pure chaos, minor enlightenment...just the way we like it.

Nicole Zasowski is an author and licensed marriage and family therapist (and returning favorite to the pod!) and she's here to talk about her brand-new Bible study, Daring Joy: What Six Women in the Bible Teach Us About the Power of Celebration When it Feels Risky, Complicated, and Even Impossible.

We dig into the question: how do we hold on to real joy when life feels anything but light? Nicole shares why joy can feel like such a vulnerable experience, how her work in Restoration Therapy shapes her perspective, and why it’s often easier to sit with someone in their suffering than in their celebration.

It’s honest, hopeful, and exactly the conversation we all need this week.

Baby Norah has finally arrived! Matt and Emily recount all the wild, emotional, and chaotic details of Baby Norah’s grand entrance into the world. Plus, Norah makes her podcast debut by contributing some of her own sound effects to the story. Welcome to the SWE chaos, baby girl.

Author and speaker Amber Lia joins us to talk about her brand-new devotional, Untriggered: 60 Days of Transformation for Moms Who Struggle With Anger. Amber gets real about what it looks like to parent with grace, even when your kids are driving you crazy.

We dive into the sometimes-controversial term "gentle parenting"—why it’s often misunderstood, and why it doesn’t mean being a doormat. Amber also shares practical tools for staying calm when you’re feeling triggered, how to ditch the comparison trap, and why our kids don’t need perfect parents...because there's no such thing.

This one is full of encouragement, wisdom, and the kind of honesty we all need more of in the trenches of parenthood.

Emily and Matt just had their baby so they’re busy trying to figure out how to keep a tiny human alive. That means it’s date night pod night for Kaitlin and Scott and they discuss very normal topics like: Is Chat GPT a man or woman? Does brushing a toddler’s hair backward make it thicker? Why are ski lifts not regulated? Plus, Scott has a mental breakdown about toothpaste. Enjoy!

Caroline's back and she's better than ever! Everyone's favorite other sister returns and we cover everything from the orthodontist to voicemails to Kaitlin’s childhood anxiety to walking pads at work to kebabs and the gym. It’s unhinged and slightly therapeutic...it's Caroline.

Kaitlin finds a tick on her moments before we hit record. Unsurprisingly it wasn’t the only traumatic insect incident of the week. Scott installs a bougie outdoor warm water faucet. We talk about the new Netflix show Adolescence (it’s amazing—go watch it), and we check in on Emily’s pregnancy. Anxiously waiting for labor to ensue is its own special kind of torture.

Also: Emily and Matt finally get window shades (they’re gorgeous but functionally…less than ideal), Emily reveals she doesn't understand attics, Scott has a week from hell, and Kaitlin is using a mildly disgusting product to make her feet soft.

Classic SWEpisode.

Sheila Wray Gregoire is back...for the third time (making SWE history)! A speaker, author, and podcast host, Sheila challenges outdated ideas and offers fresh, research-backed perspectives on what makes a marriage truly thrive. She's here to chat about her new book, The Marriage You Want: Moving Beyond Stereotypes for a Relationship Built on Scripture, New Data, and Emotional Health. We also tackle:

• Gender stereotypes—why they persist and how to break free

• Entitlement in marriage—what it looks like and how to shift the mindset

• The division of household labor—because it should be about sharing the load

• The mental load—who’s really carrying it, and why it matters

If you’ve ever questioned the pervasive myths about what makes a happy marriage, this episode is for you!

Emily is mere moments away from giving birth. Kaitlin gives Emily a breast pump tutorial. Meanwhile, the sinkhole saga is escalating. 

We also tackle some very important topics:

• Why are all Jr.’s men?

• Kaitlin’s 42 potential Easter outfits

• The Diet Coke debate—people have opinions.

• Even the tooth fairy is being impacted by inflation.

• Food conspiracies…what is even good for you anymore?

• Men are flocking to Suzy’s hair.

Plus, we dive into some listener questions. Enjoy, friends!

Writer, podcaster, and resident Bible scholar, Erin Hicks Moon, joins us for a fun, honest, and thoughtful conversation about faith, doubt, and asking big questions. Erin is the author of the Substack newsletter The Swipe Up, where she tackles God, faith, and American Christianity. She's the Resident Bible Scholar on the Faith Adjacent podcast as well as the Senior Creative at The Popcast Media Group.

We’re diving into her new book, I’ve Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out with God, and talking about:

• Deconstructing faith without losing it entirely

• Lament as a spiritual practice

• Jesus doesn’t just love us—He likes us

• The uncomfortable truth that we’re all wrong about something when it comes to faith

If you grew up in evangelical Christianity and find yourself wrestling with questions, this episode is for you. It’s thoughtful, funny, and hopefully, maybe even a little healing.

Emily is beyond pregnant. Walkie-talkies are being under-utilized. Baby Carpenter makes an “appearance.” Big Yellowstone discussion, so if you haven’t seen it…you’ve been warned. Does anyone else call butts, “coolies”? Follow up on the facial journey. Matt’s toe still hasn’t fully healed and still looks like a disaster. Scott finally sees an ENT for his 117-day cough (and takes it like a champ). Penelope (the dog) might just be the loudest snorer in history. Kaitlin has full-blown diarrhea of the mouth. Should we be saying photo poop instead of photo dump?

Justin and Trisha Davis, founders of RefineUs Ministries, are here for a powerful and honest conversation about rebuilding trust, breaking unhealthy cycles, and creating deeper connection in our most valued relationships. As authors, teachers, and coaches, their mission is to help people walk in truth and healing—and their personal story is a testament to that mission.

In this episode, Justin and Trisha share their journey of reconciliation after infidelity, the impact of discovering identity-altering truths about their fathers, and Justin’s path to healing from childhood trauma. We also dive into the power of forgiveness, and why truth-telling—though difficult—is the key to true transformation.

Plus, their brand-new book, One Choice Away from Change: Break the Cycles That Hurt Your Relationships and Hold You Back, releases TOMORROW, March 4th! They give us a preview of the life-changing principles inside.