Recently, Leslie Means sat down for a chat about her life, wealth of knowledge, and everything else between.
Leslie Means, a former news anchor, has made her passion for writing and motherhood into a vibrant online community.
Leslie founded Her View From Home from her tiny closet. Since then, it has become a powerful resource for mothers who need encouraging and insightful advice on a wide range of subjects, including marriage and relationships, grief and faith.
This website attracts 2.5 million visitors monthly and has quickly become a popular platform for women who are looking to connect with other women and share their experiences.
Leslie Mean’s latest project is her book, So God Made a Mother: Tender, Proud, Strong, Faithful, Known, Beautiful, Worthy, and Unforgettable–Just Like You. The book contains emotional essays from women at all stages of life, including Kelly Cervantes and Jess Urlichs. God made a mother offers readers a relatable and powerful perspective on motherhood, celebrating a mother’s purpose and worthwhile addressing the challenges and joys of the role.
Leslie Means lives in Nebraska with Kyle, her husband, and their three children, Ella Grace and Keithan. She is an inspiring leader in motherhood. Her View From Home is still her main site. She also writes a monthly newspaper column, and has a popular collection that features faith-inspired clothing. Leslie is an advocate of mothers everywhere and her influence on families and the lives of women is unquestionable.
Leslie Means is a woman who has established a platform to empower and inspire mothers all over the globe. We had a fascinating and uplifting conversation. Leslie’s unique perspective on motherhood, faith, and her wealth of experience and insights into motherhood, Leslie is a dynamic and inspiring figure in the motherhood space and a voice for mothers everywhere.
Your new book, So God Made A Mother by Leslie will be released on April 18, 2023. This book was inspired by what?
We’ve known for years we were going to write a book, but we were waiting for the right time and the right title. After a long soak in the tub, I realized that So God Made A Mother was the perfect title for this book. We have similar titles on our website that resonate with millions of women—God Gave Me Sons, God Made a Grandma, So God Made a Mother, etc—and we knew we needed to create a book with the same title.
Each chapter will have the reader connecting with the beautiful, vulnerable, and brave stories written by Her View From Home authors. We used characteristics of mothers— tender, proud, strong, etc—to divide each section, so no matter what chapter you’re in, you’ll see yourself in these stories.
We hope the readers gather with friends around kitchen tables, coffee shops, in the carpool lane – and talk about the stories on these pages, and share their own stories as well.
How has motherhood changed from the time you were a child?
Where do I begin? My oldest child will be 15 years old this summer. Motherhood has certainly changed over the years. The pandemic caused us to all look at our lives closer. When I first became a mother, we weren’t talking about the tough parts of parenting—the stress, the Mental health issuesIt’s overwhelming. These mothers are more comfortable speaking up and asking for help. These women are brave and they’re helping countless other moms, just by sharing their own stories.
What perspectives can women from all ages and stages share with readers through your book, what unique perspectives?
We joke and say anyone who is a mother, who knows a mother, who has a mother should read this book—but it’s true. These stories and this book have the beauty that all mothers can relate to the words. Even if you aren’t raising teens or babies, even if you’ve never experienced devastating heartbreak, even if you’re a grandmother and the days of raising kids are long gone, you will see yourself in these stories and the incredible words the authors share.
Please tell us about Her View From Home. We are interested in learning more about it, and the history behind it.
Sure! Her View From home is a contributor-based site. We share raw, honest, tender, powerful, bittersweet stories on motherhood, marriages, faith, grief, relationships, and other topics. We’ve had 1000s of writers share their stories with us—and millions of readers! It’s a story-based website. We
don’t want controversy and no one on our site claims to be an expert. We’re mothers, women—who’ve been through and are currently in the trenches of life, and we love sharing our experiences with others. It’s a community, really—it’s like a big hug, to let you know you’re not alone.
It started 12 years ago, well—41 years ago I suppose.
My family was located in central Nebraska. We didn’t have a lot of money or many neighbours, but we did have wide open spaces and room for imagination. Each night Tom Brokaw filled our living rooms, while Barbara Walters interviewed celebrities, dignitaries and other notables on Fridays. Even as a child, I was intrigued by the lives of strangers. I was curious to learn their stories. As a young girl, my room was filled with books that transported me to other worlds. But I never felt small. The internet wasn’t accessible yet, and no social media existed – but I knew the world had something special to offer me and everyone in it.
I received my broadcast journalism diploma from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln and spent seven years in the TV business, as a reporter, anchor, and talk-show host. My girls were very young when I left television. It was foolish, at least on paper. Although I loved my job, and the people were very kind, there was something missing. There was more to my life.
I decided to leave TV and work at the local chamber of Commerce. I cried the first day and thought I’d made a mistake. My first female boss taught me quickly how to do the job. She encouraged me in my pursuit of my dreams. When I felt that I missed the television world, I combined the skills from TV and the business world to create Her View From Home.
Now, Her View from Home is twelve years old! It’s an incredible honour to help these women share their stories.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received as a mother?
The best advice ever? Great question. I don’t think it was ever an actual phrase, but more action. My parents taught me how to be a good parent. They were hard workers and taught me how to love people well, be kind and work hard for what I want.
Could you tell us more about HVFH’s best-selling “So God Made A Mother” t-shirt and why it’s become so popular?
Sure! We opened our online shop just a few days before Covid launched. Ack! Talk about a terrifying time but we knew it would work when people were buying—even during hard times! The shirt—it’s the title. It’s the sentiment. It’s all there in just a few words. Whether it’s on a shirt, mug, or a soon-to-be bestselling book, moms get it. So God Made a Mother, tender, proud, strong, faithful, known, beautiful, worthy and unforgettable—just like you.
Faith is mentioned in both your book as well as HVFH. How does it play in your life, as a mother?
Yes! This is a great question. I believe that Her View From Home and God Made a Mother are the best books on the subject. Hands down—the end. There’s no way I could do this on my own. I talk a lot about “God’s Whispers” in our writing community. I believe He wants me to do this—to create this community that is changing lives. That said, I love that our site isn’t a teaching or preaching community (our book isn’t either). It’s a place for women to share their stories. Period. Your story should contain a touch of faith. It’s welcome. If your story doesn’t include an element of faith? It’s welcome. Everyone has an important story to tell—and we can learn from those who are different from us.
Would you like to share any advice with new mothers?
Today, I was talking to a mom about the same question. When my first daughter was born, social media was still new—heck, blogs were new. I can’t imagine raising a new baby with all the noise of today—the filtered accounts, the pressure new moms must face. It’s OK to ask for advice, and it’s definitely OK (and good) to ask for help. And don’t forget, YOU are their mama, and no one can love them better. Trust your instincts, and love as only you can—and you’ll be OK!
What led you to decide to move to Nebraska to raise your children?
This is where I was born and raised. It is the same house my great-grandfather bought in 1901. The house was his home, and my grandfather and father grew up in it. My sister and her family still live there. We are proud of our heritage—that’s certain. But I was sure I’d leave. Nebraska was too small to me, or so I thought. After living in Houston for several years, my husband was able to bring me back to Nebraska for my television career. But once we had kids, we didn’t want to leave. We’re both close to our families and they all live within an hour’s drive. I couldn’t imagine raising my kids away from them.
But if I didn’t have the internet and Her View From Home, I would desperately miss the connection with people from all over the globe. That’s the beauty of owning an online business. My internet friends are now my best friends. They’re only a flight away. I’m able to live in a place with wide open spaces and fresh air and be around family, and I’m still able to connect to people everywhere. I am grateful for this gift.
Are there any other books or projects you’re working on at the moment or in the near future that we should be aware of?
So God Made a Mom could be the next Chicken Soup for the Soul. We don’t see this as the only book—we think it’s just the beginning. So God Made Grandma, Boy Mom, Sports Mom, and so on. It’s obvious, right? You can, too. We think this is what the world needs right now—and sometimes, I believe, it can be even bigger than our Her View From Home community.
What did Covid-19 do to Her View From Home? This online resource is for mothers who are looking for advice on topics such as faith, marriage, and family.
Oh, Covid. Over the past few decades, the online world changed drastically. But I’m proud of us. We stayed neutral—and continued to provide a platform for mothers to share their stories without arguing and bickering and clickbait. We offered a huge hug to the readers in a time where the world was fighting.
What ways did this pandemic bring out America’s best in mothers?
Mothers don’t hesitate to discuss the difficult stuff. These mothers are courageous and vulnerable. The pandemic exposed us to the importance of community and the need for it.
Please tell us more about how important community is in parenting.
You know, it’s funny—in my early years of motherhood, I was so ingrained in growing Her View From Home, I didn’t make time for mom friends. I was stubborn. I convinced myself I didn’t need that community and could do it on my own.
But of course, I was desperately craving that connection—which is why I started the website. Moms can’t do this alone. The older I get (and the older my kids get) the more I realize I have absolutely no clue what I’m doing and I need these women to come alongside me and say, “Hey, I don’t know either, but I do know you’re a great mom, you love your babies, and we’re going to do this together.” There is an incredible bond that forms when moms are able to put down their barriers and ask for help. We can do it on our own—yes. But it’s just so much better if we have support.
What other hobbies or activities, aside from writing, do you enjoy?
I enjoy spending time outdoors, with my family and by myself. I’m online for many hours each day so I’ve had to learn to set boundaries. I usually try to go for a run at the end of a workday to recharge and focus on what’s most important.
I also love movies and can often watch something like You’ve Got Mail, over and over again—because I know the feel-good ending and sometimes, with the noise of the internet, a person just needs peace.
Let’s end by asking you to tell us something about Leslie Means that few people know.
Ha! This is a great question. Um, I can hold my head up. We didn’t have cable as a kid, so I watched a lot of news and game shows. I used to watch the The price is right I spent all that time on my head. I’m talented—clearly.
