Growing Home Together Podcast: Recent Episodes
Rob & Joanna Teigen
Join us in prayer for a strong marriage and wisdom in parenting. We share uplifting advice and practical tools to help you grow closer to God and each other in every season of life.
As parents of five, we are all too familiar with how our kids can push our buttons and drive us to the end of our patience. Sometimes, when tensions get high, we may feel an impulse to respond to our children’s unwise choices and immature behavior with anger—even when we know that loving self-control is the best way to react.
Every parent we know shares the same desire to be more patient and calm with their children. But some days, it can feel like an impossible task to squelch our frustrations and respond with grace.
If you are carrying a weight of guilt on your shoulders from losing your temper and yelling at your kids, then you won’t want to miss this conversation with a mom who is right there with us.
Our guest, Janel Breitenstein, is a mom, ministry leader, and a popular author and speaker who knows what it is like to battle anger as a parent. She is here to help us discover a path of peace when navigating frustration with our kids.
In this episode, Janel shares:
- Why anger is an easy response to reach for
- Strategies for keeping your cool
- The importance of being a safe place for your children to turn to
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/janel-breitenstein-133/
Do you avoid talking about money with your spouse? Does the mention of a budget make you cringe? Do financial emergencies cause tension to grow in your household?
We know how it feels to be stressed about money. When we were first married, we lived on a tight budget with a rotating menu of mac n’ cheese and chili and beans. When it came to conversations about money, they always revolved around how we could earn a little bit more and how we could spend a little bit less every month.
As the years have passed, our income has changed, and so have our expenses. Like many couples, our financial life became more complex over time, and we learned that good money conversations don’t always happen naturally. Looking back, we wish we’d had someone like Matt Bell to guide us in those early years of marriage.
Matt is a biblical money management writer and speaker, as well as the author of an important new book for couples called Starting Strong: Discovering the Good That Money Can Do in Your Marriage.
In this episode, Matt shares:
- The factors that determine how we manage money
- Whether it’s wise for a couple to buy a house right away
- How to lay a strong financial foundation from the beginning of your marriage
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/matt-bell-132/
Can you still hear the beat of “Pomp and Circumstance” from the day your child crossed the graduation stage? For so many parents, this milestone signifies a big life transition—not only for their child, but for themselves, too. For the child, they’re flying the nest and entering the real world for the first time. For the parent, they will be entering (or approaching) the empty nest season of life.
If you are going through this today, I know you are very excited for what this next chapter holds for your child. But you may also be wondering how to keep your life and heart full when your nest is empty.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with the changes in your family life right now, or you are struggling inside with the realities of your child leaving home, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Our guest is here to help prepare our hearts to thrive in our empty nest season of life. Pamela Henkelman is a speaker, writer, podcast host, and a Certified Empty Nest Coach. She helps Christian moms let go with grace, strengthen their marriages, and rediscover their God-given purpose in the empty nest chapter of life.
In this episode, Pamela shares:
- What happens in this role shift from directing to supporting
- How to navigate grief during this transition
- How you can recapture your sense of personal identity
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/pamela-henkelman-131/
As parents, we hurt when our children hurt. From those first cries during sleepless nights to the more complex struggles of adolescence and beyond, our hearts tend to ache right alongside theirs.
Whether you’re watching your child struggle with bullying at school, battling an eating disorder, or walking through a mental health crisis, their pain can leave you feeling overwhelmed, afraid, or unsure of how to help. When someone you love so deeply is hurting, it’s natural to wish you could take the pain away yourself.
In this episode, I’m having a mom-to-mom conversation about this tender topic: the heartbreak we parents carry for our kids.
My guest knows exactly what it’s like to experience those intense emotions on behalf of our children. Lori Schumaker is a Certified Life and Mental Health Coach, speaker, and author with over 20 years of ministry experience. She is also a mother whose journey of adopting and parenting a daughter with special needs has brought her to a place of trust and surrender to God. I hope her story will encourage you!
In this episode, Lori shares:
- The vital practice of releasing control to God
- Why we should prioritize our personal healing
- How to stay connected with your spouse through the challenges
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/lori-schumaker-130/
Worry and stress can show up in every season of parenting—from the moment we first bring our newborn baby home from the hospital to the day they start preparing to head out into the world on their own. Over the years, we’ve felt the weight of countless uncertainties swirling through our minds as we raised our five children. Thoughts like:
When will my baby sleep through the night?
Are they hitting those developmental milestones on time?
Will they make good friends?
How will they adjust to going to school for the first time?
And on and on it goes. We know firsthand that sleepless nights in parenting don’t end with the baby years—as our children grow and change, we as parents must learn how to navigate new challenges right alongside them. Being concerned for our children and watching out for the dangers they can’t yet see themselves is a normal part of parenthood; however, healthy concern can quickly transform into unhealthy worry.
Our latest guest knows the destructive power of worry, and she is here to help us mark a path to peace. Laurie Davies is a speaker, lay counselor, and the author of an important new book, Emotional Hoarding: Letting Go of the Stuff That Keeps You Stuck.
In this episode, Laurie shares:
- Key differences between concern and worry
- Encouragement for parents in every season
- How to rely on God and release your worry
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/laurie-davies-129
A few weeks ago, we were sitting around the dinner table, enjoying a simple family meal together. But it felt like our son with ADHD spent less time in his chair and more time moving around the house. During the course of the meal, he got up for water, then the bathroom, then a spoon, then to grab something from his room…the list kept going! By the end, we had lost count of how many times he’d been in and out of his seat.
Moments like that remind us how often our expectations as parents don’t quite match the day-to-day reality of parenting a child who has ADHD. Getting out the door can feel like a challenge. Jackets and homework seem to disappear at the worst times. And some days, his room looks like a tornado passed through.
There are days when it feels like so much of our energy is spent trying to manage behavior that we don’t always get to slow down and simply enjoy who our son is.
If you’ve felt this too, please know you’re not alone. So many families are walking this same road, trying to better understand, support, and truly appreciate their child’s unique way of moving through the world.
Our guest today, Kirk Martin, has walked this journey himself as a parent to his son, Casey. Kirk is the founder of CelebrateCalm, where he equips parents and teachers with strategies that help decrease power struggles with children who are diagnosed with ADHD or autism.
In this episode, Kirk shares:
- Some of the benchmark behaviors of an ADHD child
- Creative ways to work with your child’s preferences
- Helpful strategies to support our children in the classroom
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/kirk-martin-128
As we’ve parented our five children through the years, we’ve held them when the tears wouldn’t stop flowing. We’ve listened as they questioned their worth, identity, and if the hard season they were walking through would ever end.
We have spent plenty of time in the waiting rooms of counselors and therapists when our children were struggling. And we’ve spent even more time in prayer when we just didn’t know what they needed or how to help.
If you are a parent, you’ve likely found yourself in a similar position at some point. You may even be questioning how you can support your teen with their mental health right now.
That’s why we are so grateful to welcome Kristen Hatton to the podcast to have this important conversation. Kristen is a counselor, author, mother of three young adult children, and host of the Redemptive Parenting podcast, where she equips parents with wisdom and hope. Kristen is also the author of a powerful new book, Parenting Ahead: Preparing Now for the Teen Years.
In this episode, Kristen shares:
- How family mealtime can have a powerful impact on our children’s mental health
- Three signs you should seek additional support for your teen
- Why we should offer support rather than solve problems
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/kristen-hatton-127/
In a “more is better” culture, how can women live lives that are balanced, not burned out? It’s easy to mistake a busy life for a meaningful one. Often, we don’t realize how exhausted we truly are until we reach a breaking point.
I’ve had my own season of burnout, juggling a job, volunteer roles, and homeschooling while Rob traveled extensively for work and we prepared for a cross-country move. When the boxes were finally unpacked, I looked around and found myself in a new life that was shockingly quiet. Out of that stillness, I gained a lot of perspective about roles, priorities, and peace.
As women, we care deeply for the close relationships in our lives. We want to love others well. We also want to give our best to the values and commitments that matter to us, whether that be a job, volunteer work, or homeschooling. How do we find the balance?
My guest today has wrestled through these questions as well. Kelsie Zarko is a wife, mom of two, and owner of the small business, Curate Social. We sat down for an honest, mom-to-mom conversation about seasons, roles, identity, and so much more. Kelsie shares powerful insight into how women end up burned out, and how we can find a different path when we stop striving and choose to live from a place of being deeply loved.
In this episode, Kelsie shares:
- Practical ideas for being intentional in relationships and priorities
- A helpful definition of self-care and how to pursue it
- Thoughts on how to live from identity, not performance
- And more!
I found this conversation so encouraging and I hope you do, too!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/kelsie-zarko-126/
Every week, we hear from wives who are quietly carrying the weight of a husband’s alcohol addiction.
“I am hoping and praying that he gets healed and that his addiction doesn’t kill him.”
“I have anxiety. I have fear. I feel stuck.”
“Too many times I have felt hopeless and have wanted to be dead so I wouldn’t feel this pain.”
“Hopefully my marriage will turn out for God’s glory.”
These words reflect the deep pain many women experience behind closed doors. Loving someone who struggles with addiction can leave you exhausted, confused, and wondering where God is in the middle of it all.
That is why we are so grateful for today’s guest.
Julie Sanford is a wife and mom of three who never imagined she would one day be married to an alcoholic. After walking through the long and difficult road toward her husband’s sobriety, she now comes alongside other Christian wives facing similar battles. Julie is a recovery mentor and the host of the Married to Addiction podcast, where she offers practical tools and biblical encouragement for marriages impacted by addiction.
In this episode, Julie shares:
- Common misconceptions wives often believe about their husband’s alcohol addiction
- Why shifting from “fixing him” to caring for yourself is a crucial step toward healing
- The importance of understanding what addiction truly is, and what it is not
- And much more!
We hope this conversation brings clarity and hope to your heart!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/julie-sanford-125
We all know that anxiety can take a big toll on the person who is personally suffering from it. But what we don’t talk about as often is how anxiety can take a toll on a marriage. The truth is, this challenging mental condition can often cause fear, exhaustion, and a sense of isolation that leaves both spouses wondering how to support one another or stay connected.
If you and your spouse are navigating anxiety, this conversation with Dr. Michelle Bengtson offers encouragement and practical wisdom.
Dr. Bengtson is a clinical neuropsychologist who understands anxiety both professionally and personally. She has endured anxiety and depression herself, and her book, Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises, became an unexpected guide during her own season of fearful thoughts as she and her husband faced cancer and all the accompanying unknowns.
In this episode, Dr. Bengtson shares both clinical insight and spiritual wisdom to help couples navigate anxiety’s impact on their relationship. While anxiety can feel lonely and overwhelming for both partners, there is hope.
In this episode, Dr. Bengtson shares:
- How couples can draw closer to one another, even in the midst of anxiety
- Why presence matters more than perfection
- How to prevent compassion fatigue and caregiver burnout
- And much more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/michelle-bengtson-124
*In this episode, we talk about abortion, pregnancy reduction, potential loss of an unborn baby, and infertility. If you have an aversion or are sensitive to any of these topics, we recommend skipping this episode.
How do we approach God with this?
Has my view of God changed because of this hardship?
Can I still trust God? Will I trust Him?
If this doesn’t go well, will I resent Him?
These are all questions that Mauricio and Christin Rosa faced when they received the news of a crisis in their pregnancy and learned that they were at risk of losing their unborn son. When doctors advised them to consider a “reduction” in their twin pregnancy, their hearts broke for their child and the hardships he would have to endure if he survived. But they held steadfast to their belief and trusted God with the outcome.
This story touches our hearts deeply, and we are so grateful that Mauricio and Christin were kind enough to share it with us personally on the The Growing Home Together Podcast. This courageous couple is here to encourage us and to speak about how that difficult season of life impacted their faith. Christin is a teacher, author, prayer leader, and pro-life advocate. She has written a powerful new book called Saving Nate: Choosing Life after a Devastating Prenatal Diagnosis.
In this episode, Mauricio and Christin share:
- The importance of guarding your heart against bitterness
- Encouragement for the “deep valleys” of life
- How to go to God with your worries
- And much more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/mauricio-christin-rosa-123
As we settle into the heart of winter, the world outside our windows carries an unmistakable chill. Unfortunately, during this time of the year, many couples can start to feel like matters inside their household are growing cold, too. Did you know that January is also known as “divorce month” because a surge of separations occur around this time?
If this resonates with you, you may have felt the tension intensify in your relationship this past holiday season. Perhaps you felt miles apart from your spouse, and you are losing the hope or motivation to try to find your way back to one another again. If you are in a place of hurt or discouragement today, this episode is for you!
Our guest knows a thing or two about navigating the frigid seasons a marriage can encounter. Lindsey Maestas is a relationship expert, writer, speaker, and the creator of The Wife Project, an incredibly popular course that has impacted thousands of marriages. She is also the author of the amazing new book, Don’t Burn Your Own House Down, which guides readers on how to build a marriage that lasts.
In this episode, Lindsey shares:
- How the little moments can make a BIG difference
- Steps you can take today to restore your marriage
- How “tech interference” can create division
- And much more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/lindsey-maestas-122
Technology is moving faster and faster every day. As parents, one of our biggest yet most challenging responsibilities is to safeguard our children. But these days, it can often feel like technology is outpacing our efforts. Just when we think we have online safety figured out, another threat comes knocking at our door.
You may have even considered whether it’s best to simply block your child from technology altogether. However, it’s important to remember that our children are going to have access to technology eventually. As parents, we have a powerful opportunity to guide them in using it wisely—helping them benefit from its advantages while steering clear of pitfalls that could lead them down a dangerous path.
In recent years, we’ve found ourselves relearning how to navigate the digital landscape as we educate and protect our teenage son. Technology has changed so much since we raised our older children, and this season has required fresh awareness and intention. That’s why we’re thankful for organizations like Protect Young Eyes, which is dedicated to helping families create safer digital spaces. We’re so happy that its founder, Chris McKenna, could join us for today’s conversation.
In this episode, Chris shares:
- Tips and tools to help protect our kids
- Why AI may stunt our kids’ development
- The importance of introducing the right tech at the right time
- And much more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/chris-mckenna-121
It wasn’t too many months ago that I (Joanna) decided to give up on coloring my hair to cover up all the grey. But you want to know something funny? When I look in the mirror, I sometimes laugh to myself and wonder: How many of these grey hairs are from the stress of parenting our youngest daughter as a toddler? She was fearless, and one of her favorite phrases was, “I do it myself!”
We know we are not the only ones who have experienced a battle of wills with our children. Today, you may be feeling the constant push-and-pull with your child; your days might feel tired and stressful, and it’s becoming harder and harder to feel joy in your parenting.
If you’re craving some peace and guidance in your home today, we are happy to introduce our guest, Beth Read. Beth is a mom of four who loves coming alongside other parents to remind them that God’s grace shows up in the messiest, hardest moments. Beth is also the founder of HeartWriters and the creator of Fruit of the Family, a fun, activity-based resource to help you disciple your children and bond as a family.
In this episode, Beth shares:
- Characteristics of many strong-willed children
- What to do when you feel like you are failing as a parent
- The Seven C’s for relating better to your child
- And much more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/beth-read-120
“But I don’t want to try that!” How many times have you heard this cry ring out whenever your child is faced with something new? Whether it be a new sport, trying to learn an instrument, or simply taking a bite of an unfamiliar food on their plate, our children can often resist new things—even if we know that they’ll eventually be grateful that they pushed through their anxious hesitations.
We want to be the type of moms and dads who help our kids grow in confidence. But it can be a challenge to know how to best support them. When should we push them to branch out or to stick with something they’ve committed to, and when should we give them grace and time to adjust to the thought of something new? We are so happy to welcome Valerie Ellis back to the show to help us answer these questions.
Valerie is the mom of two boys, and she is navigating parenthood with her husband every day. She’s the author of multiple books for kids, including Let’s Go! Bible Adventures and her exciting new project, Wild Faith Devotional for Kids. Valerie is a speaker and the founder of Our Everyday Parables, an online resource that offers parents ideas for pursuing faith and compassion.
In this episode, Valerie shares:
- Reasons our children may struggle to step into something new
- Ways to help our children shift their mindset
- How to model confidence, bravery, and even failure
- How to help our kids cope with the anxiety they feel in their mind and body
- And much more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/valerie-ellis-119
Do you ever struggle to bridge the gap between your hearts in your marriage? Does deep connection feel always out of reach?
Whether in your marriage, your relationship with your kids, or even with an old friend, many of us can feel at a loss for how to express our care and empathy for the people we love.
And when we’re overwhelmed or hurting, we end up hiding the pain we feel inside. We settle for shallow relationships because we’re afraid to be truly vulnerable with another person.
The good news is, we can strengthen our empathy and ability to connect—and it all begins with seeing the depth of God’s care and understanding for us. But it doesn’t happen overnight. This is something that takes mindful, intentional work to develop.
Our guests, Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, are here to help. Bill and Kristi have been counseling and ministering for 30 years. Together, they founded Soul Shepherding, a nonprofit ministry that helps believers discover their next steps toward emotional health, loving relationships, and intimacy with Jesus.
In this episode, Bill and Kristi share:
- The four A’s of empathy
- Bible-based empathy practices to affirm that you are deeply loved by Jesus
- Ways to grow in self-empathy and calm emotional triggers
- And much more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/bill-kristi-gaultiere-118
Years ago, when our oldest son was just a toddler, I (Joanna) was deep in the trenches as a stay-at-home mom. I had become engrossed in motherhood, and my world had shrunk to diaper changes and late-night wakings. I could not imagine the world beyond our front door.
While motherhood is absolutely a priceless gift from God, it’s important to remember that before we are mothers, we are daughters of the King. Even through the challenges of parenting, He is still inviting us to live out our full calling. Sometimes, what we initially think of as limitations on our lives turn out to be the very things that qualify us for what God is calling us to do next.
Helping us explore the challenges and callings of motherhood is Jessica Hurlbut. She’s a wife, author, speaker, pastor, and the mom to five kids. She’s also the host of The Full Spectrum Parent, a podcast serving parents of autistic children.
In this episode, Jessica shares:
- How God can shift our perspective in this season of life
- Lessons she has learned through her children’s autism diagnoses
- Encouragement to see beyond our current limitations
- And much more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/jessica-hurlbut-117
If you’re married, you don’t need us to tell you that understanding your personalities is key—because the differences between you and your spouse can sometimes collide. In our marriage, we experienced this recently when a concert was coming to our town.
What sounded like a fun date night to one of us sounded like a miserable night to the other. In the end, we each walked away feeling a little misunderstood and frustrated. The truth is, mismatched expectations and preferences affect every couple when they share life together. And if they aren’t addressed in a healthy way, they have the potential to drive a wedge further and further between us.
This is why taking the time to learn your spouse’s personality is so important to growing a close and supportive relationship, and our guest for this conversation, Linda Goldfarb, is here to show us how.
Linda is an author, speaker, certified personality trainer, life coach, and the co-founder of the LINKED® Personality System. She is passionate about helping individuals discover their God-designed personalities.
In this episode, Linda shares:
- Each personality type and its motivations
- How our differences bring value and personal growth
- Advice on approaching our personalities with the intent to encourage
- And much more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/linda-goldfarb-116
Of our five children, the oldest and the youngest are both boys—with a 17-year age gap between them! They’ve shown us that boys are a bit different to raise than girls, since they both seemed to thrive chaos, dirt, and taking big risks along the way.
But time and time again, we’ve recognized that our oldest son’s childhood looked much different from our youngest son’s. Our oldest grew up near dead-end roads and open fields where he could bike and explore all day with his friends. In comparison, our youngest has grown up in city neighborhoods where he’s had to stick closer to home.
With our second son, it can sometimes feel like we are learning how to parent for the very first time. Yet, for every challenge we encounter, we also know that boys all across the world (and their parents) are navigating the same obstacles. We find ourselves asking, “Is today’s culture of screens, schedules, and constant supervision what’s best for our sons?”
Our guest for this conversation has asked herself this same question. Rebekah Lovell is an author, speaker, and homeschool mom of two wild and noble boys. After homeschooling for a decade, she recognized the power of family culture and how it can help boys thrive by giving them an understanding of how they were wired.
In this episode, Rebekah shares:
- The unique way boys are wired
- How to encourage our sons toward leadership and independence
- Some of the best activities you can use to engage with how your son was created
- And much more!
Enjoy!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/rebekah-lovell-115
The great thing about birthdays is that they encourage us to pause and reflect on everything that has brought us to this point in life. Recently, Joanna celebrated her birthday, but coming soon is an even more important celebration—her spiritual birthday. This is the day that she accepted Christ as her Savior and committed to living for him.
As we remember our new birth in Jesus, we’re reminded of the many ways God uses the people around us to strengthen our faith. In marriage especially, a husband and wife can play a powerful role in nurturing one another’s walk with Christ.
However, we often hear from couples who find themselves in a difficult season—one spouse is growing in their faith while the other seems to be drifting further from God. In these situations, the spouse who is struggling may not feel comfortable praying together, may hesitate to get involved in church, or may simply prefer to keep their spiritual life private and unspoken.
We know this dynamic can be incredibly hard on both spouses in a marriage. That’s why, in this special episode, we want to take some time to encourage you and let you know how you can help your spouse move closer to God.
In this conversation, we share:
- The importance of listening first
- How we should respond to an unrepentant or resistant spouse
- Ways to encourage and strengthen our spouse’s walk with the Lord
- And more!
We hope this conversation brings you encouragement and gives you practical ways to help your spouse discover the love of God in their life.
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/spouse-faith-grow-114
The longer you share life with your spouse, the more you can struggle with frustrations and disappointments that chip away at your love. Through the years, we’ve heard from many couples who sincerely love one another but struggle to like each other or feel satisfied in their marriage anymore.
Every couple goes through seasons of feeling hurt or let down. They begin to pull apart. Joy fades. They lose hope that they’ll ever get what they want from their spouse. Bitterness creeps in, hardening hearts and crushing hope for tomorrow.
Does it feel like arguments are frequent, but moments of closeness are few and far between? Is it difficult to cherish your spouse for who they are? Do you feel lonely, misunderstood, or ready to give up on your marriage? Our guest is here to help us discover how to get rid of bitterness and love one another with the love of Jesus.
You may recognize him from The 5 Love Languages® series. Gary Chapman is an author, speaker, and counselor. He’s the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants. Gary has a passion for people and helping them form lasting relationships.
Gary shares with us:
- The three questions to start asking your spouse
- Why you should negotiate your differences
- The power of loving your spouse with a godly love
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/gary-chapman-113
Three and a half years ago, we stepped into a whole new world with the birth of our first grandchild. Everyone told us that this new chapter would be full of joy, laughter, and love for this tiny person. And they weren’t wrong!
Still, we had no idea just how amazing grandparenting would be, and soon we were dropping everything for the chance to see him and make memories together. Today, we are the grandparents of three little ones (and another one on the way) and we love to spoil them like crazy.
But we also know that being a grandparent is about so much more than the fun, silly moments—we are called to a special role that is very significant in their lives. Our latest guest, Larry McCall, knows this responsibility well. He is a pastor, author of the book Grandparenting With Grace, and the grandfather of six kids. Larry has a passion to equip followers of Christ to have an impact on their grandchildren’s lives both now and for eternity.
In this episode, Larry shares:
- Our biblical call as grandparents
- Ways to cultivate a close relationship with grandchildren
- The importance of respecting boundaries
- And much more!
Christian grandparenting resources are such a blessing—but sometimes, it can feel like they are few and far between. That’s why we are so grateful for this conversation, and we hope it serves as an inspiration and encouragement on your grandparenting journey. Enjoy!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/larry-mccall-112
One of the hardest moments I (Joanna) can remember as a mom is when our six-year-old daughter refused, to the point of tears, to wear her blue pants with a butterfly on the pocket. Thinking she was just being stubborn, I refused to back down—and it wasn’t until two hours later that I finally gave up on trying to convince her.
Well, a few months later, I learned that our daughter has a significant sensory processing disorder. Those pants that I was so determined for her to wear were actually causing her very real physical pain. In my determination to prove my authority, I was not just hurting my daughter’s spirit, but her body as well.
This is just one of countless examples I could give of how we can parent with the best intentions but still make mistakes. When this happens, shame can wash over us, polarizing our relationships and overwhelming us with despair. If you are struggling with guilt and shame today, I am so happy to be able to introduce you to this episode’s guest, Jodi Jackson Tucker.
Jodi is a biological, foster, and adoptive mother to eight children with her husband, Jerry. She is a sought-after speaker, ministry leader, and the author of Healing for Every Heart in Adoption. Jodi knows what it’s like to battle and overcome feelings of guilt or thoughts that she is simply not enough.
In this episode, Jodi shares:
- How false beliefs can shake our confidence
- The role of prayer in our parenting
- A mom’s truest job description
- And much more!
Mom guilt is something every woman will experience at some point in her parenting journey. I hope Jodi’s insights will encourage and help you navigate those feelings. Enjoy!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/jodi-jackson-tucker-111
Do you have a dog who panics on a trip to the vet or groomer? It can be quite an ordeal! It’s something we experienced recently with our Bernedoodle, Jovy, on grooming day. While the perceived threat wasn’t real, her reaction to it could have put her (and Joanna!) in real danger.
We can sometimes react just like Jovy as we interact with our spouse. Something that seems simple on the surface can trigger instant feelings of stress and anxiety. Our bodies go into overdrive. And in our fight to feel secure with our spouse, we only push them further away.
These painful patterns can occur in any relationship—not just marriages—and when they do, we can end up on a trajectory that causes even more pain and frustration. That’s why we are so grateful to have Ron and Nan Deal joining us for a conversation about how emotional reactions can hurt instead of help our relationships.
Ron is a bestselling author, licensed marriage & family therapist, podcaster, and popular conference speaker who conducts marriage and family seminars and professional trainings. Nan has a degree in Early Childhood Education and taught in schools for over 25 years. She is a leader with a local Re-Generation ministry and, together with Ron, leads a support group for parents who have lost a child.
Together, Ron and Nan are co-authors of The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself.
In this episode, Ron and Nan share:
- The four reactive coping styles
- Practical steps to uncover your painful patterns
- The role regulation plays in the equation
- And much more!
This is such a rich conversation about how we can resolve the patterns of the past and find healing in our relationships. Enjoy!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/ron-nan-deal-110
On this podcast, we usually sit down with guests to talk about marriage and family life. But in this episode, we wanted to get personal and share a piece of our own story—specifically, how depression has impacted our marriage.
We have been married for over 30 years and have five children together, but what we didn’t know until the birth of our third child is that one in seven women experience postpartum depression (PPD) after birth. Postpartum depression can wear many different faces, such as sadness, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, and intrusive thoughts.
What neither of us could predict at that time is that the birth of our baby would move us to one of the hardest valleys we’ve faced as a couple. Today, we’re sharing what we learned as we adjusted to life with a growing family—while also navigating the effects of this mental health struggle.
In this conversation, we share:
- How stress and depression can impact marriage
- What postpartum depression looked like in our story
- The importance of leaning on one another
- And more!
If you and your spouse are going through a hard season or a mental health issue is taking its toll, we hope this conversation will bring some hope and encouragement your way.
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/depression-109/
For parents, March can often feel like the last calm before the storm. Once April arrives, family calendars are inevitably flooded with school exams, spring sports, band concerts and dance recitals, and a whirlwind of other end-of-school-year obligations. Even if our days are full of good things, this hectic time of the year can make us feel tired, stressed, and disconnected from God and one another.
Our guest—a busy homeschool mom of three—can certainly relate to this sentiment. Ginny Davidson is a speaker, author, Bible teacher, and coach. She knows all about how the feeling of overwhelm can hijack our peace, and she’s here to share some powerful tools that can help us win the battle against overwhelm in our family life.
In this episode, Ginny shares:
- Practical tips for assessing your current schedule
- New rhythms we can lean into this spring
- How busyness can be an issue of the heart
- And much more!
We hope the practical strategies discussed in this conversation will bring you confidence and clarity as you assess your family calendar for the coming months.
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/ginny-davidson-108
As parents, we do all that we can to love and care for our kids. Our days are often filled with driving them to and from school, packing lunchboxes, helping with homework, doing laundry, and keeping up with everything they need to flourish.
But in spite of all the time we spend doing things with and for our kids, have you found that it can still be a struggle to connect with them in a meaningful way?
We’ve certainly felt this way at times—but we have good news to share. There’s a golden opportunity to reach the hearts of your children in an intentional way, and it’s already a part of your daily routine!
Valerie Ellis is joining us to explain how parents can use bedtime to disciple their kids and nurture their faith in Jesus. Valerie is an author, speaker, and founder of Our Everyday Parables—an online resource that features book reviews and helpful ideas for families pursuing faith and compassion together.
In this episode, Valerie shares:
- What makes bedtime such a special opportunity to connect
- Common challenges parents face when creating consistent bedtime routines
- How bedtime conversations can deepen as your child grows
- And much more!
Bedtime is a wonderful opportunity to encourage a child-like faith in your little one. We hope this conversation helps you work a practice of discipling your child’s heart into your family’s nightly routine.
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/valerie-ellis-107
As parents, we do everything we can to keep our kids safe, happy, and thriving. We make sure they eat their vegetables, buckle their seatbelts, and do their homework. We are committed to taking them to Sunday School each week, teaching them right from wrong, and nurturing them with love every day to help them grow into the best versions of themselves.
So when we discover that our child has fallen into addiction or some other kind of self-destructive behavior, it can feel like a nightmare. We start to wonder, what did I do wrong? In these tricky situations, we often struggle to know how to help our children, and at times, it may even feel like God has abandoned us.
If you have found yourself devastated by your child’s addiction, we want you to know that there is hope!
Our guest, Dawn Ward, is here to share her story of how God brought hope and healing in her journey as a mom. Dawn is an author, speaker, and biblical life coach. She has written a powerful book titled From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children.
In this episode, Dawn shares:
- How having a child struggle with addiction doesn’t make you a bad parent
- What to do with fear and worry about our children
- Why it’s important to continue to invest in your marriage even during hard parenting seasons
- And much more!
We hope this episode brings hope and encouragement as you continue to love and support your child, even in the face of their self-destructive behavior.
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/dawn-ward-106
Welcome to a special episode of the Growing Home Together Podcast—coming to you from the producers!
Hi, my name is Mitch. I support Rob and Joanna in their various creative endeavors by lending a hand with the production of their podcast, social media, blogs, and more.
I also have my good friend, Kelsie, with me to help spread some Christmas joy as we bring you a little bit of a different version of the podcast today.
Like many of you, Rob and Joanna have a to-do list that might be even longer than Santa’s this December! So we thought we would help them out by sharing a devotional for your Christmas season, taking time to reflect on true meaning of the Christmas story, discussing how we can all find beauty in the midst of busyness, and much more.
In this episode, we share:
- A special Christmas devotional
- The Christmas Story from Luke
- A few holiday-themed jokes
- And much more!
December can be such a hectic season. Our hope is that this episode is a helpful resource to refocus back on Christ this Christmas!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/beautifully-busy-105
If you’re like us, your weekly routine is filled with events, chores, doctor’s appointments, and more. Depending on the size of your family and how many obligations each person has to juggle, it can be quite challenging to coordinate all the details of who needs to be where and when.
At our house, we have a big calendar hung on the wall of our kitchen that keeps everyone on track and (hopefully) on time. But amid the pressure of our busy family schedule, we constantly find ourselves craving enough time to just breathe and enjoy the company of the people we love. At times, the calendar on our wall makes it feel impossible to find that time—and when we do go too long without Sabbath, rest, and intimacy with God, our souls suffer for it.
That’s why we are excited to welcome Kathi Lipp back to the podcast. Kathi is a speaker, bestselling author, and host of the Clutter Free Academy podcast. Kathi has discovered simple steps for creating a rhythm of rest in our families, and she shares some of them in her latest book, Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest. This book holds some delicious recipes, and it also guides us in making Sabbath rest a consistent part of our lives.
Kathi shares with us:
- Simple and practical ways to build a day of rest into every week
- How consistent Sabbath rest will change your life
- The power of a meal to minister to others
- Where to start decluttering before your holiday hosting
- And much more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/kathi-lipp-104
When Joanna was in fifth grade, her teacher passed out a pamphlet to everyone in the class. On that pamphlet were all kinds of topics about puberty and sex, and it had a phone number that you could call to listen to pre-recorded information on every subject. In all honesty, there were lots of terms and phrases on that pamphlet that she had never heard of before!
This led to Joanna's mom giving her “The Talk.” If you remember back to your own "talk", your parents may have been open, honest, and informative; or maybe they felt awkward, and you walked away with more questions than answers. Now that you are a parent, you may be wishing for some sort of manual or coach to lead the way as you prepare to broach this topic with your own children.
That’s why we are so happy to welcome back Jim Burns to the show. Jim is the president of HomeWord, an amazing ministry that equips parents to build God-honoring families for generations. He’s also the author of several books, including his latest, A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity: God’s Plan for Sex and Your Body. This book tackles the sensitive issues of sexuality for kids in today’s confusing culture.
In this episode, Jim shares :
- Why it’s important to have more than one "Talk"
- How to overcome the barriers around starting these conversations
- Practical tips for helping our kids navigate sexuality
- And much more!
We hope this episode is a helpful resource as you navigate the discussion on sexuality!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/jim-burns-103/
As our children grow up, they may start to handle some things themselves. This could be chores, getting up on time, or saving up their allowance or earned money whenever they want a new toy.
This is a natural part of getting older, but as a parent, it can be difficult to navigate when to step in and when is it healthy to let your child fail. There are going to be times when “helping” is actually preventing our children from developing their independence and sense of responsibility. We’ve been going through this with our own son lately so this conversation hit home as we are asking ourselves if we were actually helping our son or if we are feeding an entitled spirit.
And this topic of entitlement can pop up in all kinds of areas such as how much to buy for our kids, how much we expect them to help out around the house, or even when it comes to birthdays and Christmas gifts.
Today’s guest, Kristen Welch, has wrestled through these questions in her own home. She is the author of Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World and the founder and CEO of Mercy House Global, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower marginalized communities with life-changing opportunities that create hope.
In this episode, Kristen shares :
- The connection between gratitude and happiness
- How to identify entitlement
- The danger of instant gratification
- And much more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/kristen-welch-102
A number of years ago during one of our Michigan winters, our kids had a snow day off of school. What should have been a fun memory for our daughter became really scary since she suffered a sledding accident that put her in the hospital. She went through surgery and weeks at home in a wheelchair. To make matters worse, when she finally returned to school she was pushed out of her friend group by a bully who made the rest of her school year lonely and miserable.
For a time, these things affected her deeply until she healed and regained her strength. Yet for many children, traumatic events go beyond a single, difficult crisis. When kids experience ongoing abuse, neglect, and risk of harm, the effects can last for life. It’s no secret that traumatic events can have a profound impact on our kids’ lives. We all want to serve and love our kids well when they experience pain, and the awareness and understanding of the impact of trauma can make a world of difference.
That’s why we are so glad to welcome our guest, Jayne Schooler. Jayne is the author and co-author of many books including Caring for Kids from Hard Places. She’s an expert in Child Welfare, she’s an adoptive parent, and she has brought trauma-informed training worldwide to help adults care for kids in pain.
In this episode, Jayne shares :
- What trauma is and the different types
- Some of the behaviors children may display after a trauma
- How we can best support our children through the pain
- And much more!
This conversation has been so helpful in understanding how trauma can affect our children!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/jayne-schooler-101
This is an exciting podcast for us since it’s our 100th episode! Wow! We are so grateful for every one of our guests who have joined us to encourage us in our faith and in loving our family well. We are also truly grateful for all of you who have tuned in, listened, and supported the ministry of the Growing Home Together podcast.
We have the honor of welcoming some of our favorite people to the show for this very special episode—our oldest son, Josh, with his wife, Cassie, and our oldest daughter, Emma, and her husband, Adonis. They’ve given us some of the greatest gifts of our lives, our grandbabies, and they’re here to help us accomplish three goals:
- We want to grow our empathy for young couples and parents in this season.
- We want to learn how to serve as a support system.
- And we want to gain some ideas for how to connect with our grandchildren as they grow.
Listen in as our family shares their wisdom and perspective on these topics and more. We hope you enjoy this special conversation! It was so fun!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/teigen-family-100
In this stage of life with our middle schooler, it is pretty clear what our job description is as his parents. He needs us to provide clean clothes, food in the fridge, some help with his homework, drive him everywhere, and pay for his schooling and extracurriculars. We are his biggest cheerleaders and guides as he is doing this work of growing up.
But things aren’t so clear when it comes to our adult children. We are having to tear up that old job description and learn a whole new way of relating and supporting them. Today’s guest knows all about this and often says that “the transition is complicated, often messy, and can sometimes feel like you are walking on eggshells.”
Jim Burns is the president of HomeWord and the author of several popular books, including Doing Life With Your Adult Children. He and his wife, Cathy, reside in Southern California and have three grown daughters and four grandchildren.
In this episode, Jim shares :
- Strategies for redefining your relationship with adult children
- The danger of offering unsolicited advice
- Tips for the child who resists launching
- And much more!
We hope this episode is a helpful resource as you navigate this season of parenting!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/jim-burns-99
If we could use one word to describe Christian parents right now it would probably be “overwhelmed.” Parents feel overwhelmed by their busy schedules, concern of how culture will influence their kids, insecurity in their own ability to teach their kids about Jesus, or even the pressure to get everything right.
Our guest is bringing a word of encouragement and hope to us as moms and dads. Christie Thomas is a mom and best-selling author with expertise in Children’s Ministry and Family Discipleship. Her latest book is Little Habits, Big Faith: How Simple Practices Help Your Family Grow in Jesus. Christie is here to set us free from overwhelm with wisdom and advice to help us disciple our kids with confidence and joy.
In this episode, Christie shares with us:
- How to use the bit-by-bit approach
- Tips for engaging different ages with Scripture
- The power of prayer at bedtime
- And much more!
We hope this episode gives you confidence as you disciple your children!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: growinghometogether.com/christie-thomas-98
We got married when we were pretty young after we met at Bible college. Needless to say, we had a lot of lofty ideas about what our Christian marriage would look like. We thought we would never argue, never lose our temper, keep the romance alive all the time, and always put each other first.
While we meant every word of our vows and we have stayed committed for over 30 years, we did not anticipate that we both entered our marriage with a sinful nature and would fail to love well at times. We’ve said words that have hurt each other deeply and haven’t always been there when we needed each other the most.
Looking back, we wish we had started with a more solid foundation of what God’s design for marriage truly looks like. That’s why we are glad to welcome Chad and Emily Van Dixhoorn. They are authors of Gospel-Shaped Marriage: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints. If you need fresh hope and vision for your relationship today, this is the place to be!
In this episode, Chad & Emily share with us:
- How God uses marriage to grow us
- The source of true happiness in marriage
- How your spouse has been uniquely designed to love you
- And much more!
We hope this episode strengthens your relationship!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/chad-emily-vandixhoorn-97
When I (Joanna) was in middle school, I can remember having a love of learning, I enjoyed being outdoors and moving through childhood content with who I was. It wasn’t until I moved to a new school and got my hands on my first Seventeen Magazine that it seemed like I was overwhelmed with feelings of not being enough. I felt like I wasn’t pretty enough, popular enough, or good enough to be wanted and loved for who I was.
I think most girls could tell you the moment when comparison drove insecurity deep into their spirit. As we parent our daughters, we want to be aware of how comparison is destructive to their mind, their body, and their souls as they grow.
We are so excited to have Shannon Popkin and Lee Nienhuis, authors of Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares, with us on the podcast for this episode.
In this episode, Shannon & Lee share with us:
- What it means to be a “comparison girl”
- Some comparison cues to look out for as you interact with your daughter
- The importance of biblical literacy when it comes to issues of self-worth
- And much more!
We hope you find encouragement and hope in this episode!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/popkin-nienhuis-96
“A mom is only as happy as her unhappiest child.” Have you seen this quote floating around social media? It’s caught our eyes more than a few times.
I think for a lot of us as parents, this phrase can feel accurate because when our child is hurting or struggling, it becomes the main focus of our lives. Our emotions can get all tangled up in their anxiety, pain, or their failures, and those feelings can make us feel like we let them down.
You may be in a hard parenting season right now. You may be having a difficult time feeling okay because your child is not okay at all. If that’s you, we are so glad to introduce our guest, Erica Wiggenhorn.
She is a national speaker, best-selling author, and she’s on the writing team for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Erica’s passion is to equip people to read God’s Word with confidence. She’s also a wife and a mom of two who knows all about the joys and challenges of parenting.
In this episode, Erica shares with us:
- The danger of focusing too much on a single circumstance
- How we can unwittingly direct what our children are placing their faith in
- Practical ways you can remain connected with your spouse in this season
- And much more!
We hope you find encouragement and hope in this episode!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/erica-wiggenhorn-95
Does your calendar have nearly every square filled to the brim? For most families, May is a particularly busy time of year with graduation parties, school concerts, sports, final exams, and all the things that go along with wrapping up the school year.
Even with such a busy schedule, we can get to the end of a packed-out day and still feel like we don’t have much to show for it. We can be in the same room with the people we love and feel like we haven’t connected at all. When we take a minute to slow down and look inside, we may even realize how we have lost our sense of purpose and joy in it all.
Brenda Yoder is here to talk about this very thing! Brenda is the author of Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life. She’s also a speaker, a counselor, an educator, and a mom who knows what it’s like to juggle a full and complicated life. Brenda is here to share how the wisdom and simple habits of the past can speak into the busy and hectic lives that we lead today.
Brenda shares with us:
- Some of the underlying reasons for stress
- The role of interdependence in regaining community
- The simple power of ordinary practices
- And more!
We hope you find encouragement and hope in this episode!
Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/brenda-yoder-94
When we got married over 30 years ago, we learned right away that growing a strong relationship would be a never-ending process. In our years together, we keep blending our personalities, habits, and the good and bad in our backgrounds so that we can love each other well and accomplish the oneness that God designed for marriage.
For couples who marry after divorce or the loss of a spouse, they face even more layers of grief and complexity to grow a strong relationship. That’s why we are so glad to welcome Sabrina McDonald on the podcast today to help us understand the challenges of building a blended family.
She is a writer and speaker with expertise in marriage and family counseling. Sabrina has been a contributor to national ministries like Focus on the Family and FamilyLife. She is the author of her latest book, A Home Built from Love and Loss: Coming Together as a Blended Family. For anyone facing the challenges of blended families, this book offers practical advice and spiritual guidance to find hope amid grief.
Sabrina shares with us:
- The challenges of a blended family
- Tips for maintaining a relationship with all your children
- Different ways grief can manifest
- And more!
We hope you find value in this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/sabrina-mcdonald-93
This week on the podcast, we're revisiting an excellent conversation originally shared in 2021. Anxiety remains a challenge for many children and families (including ours). While you’ll hear references to COVID-19 in this episode (as this was recorded in the height of shutdowns), the practical tips for anxiety are well worth revisiting so we can better support our kids in their challenges.
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/kelly-boprie-92/
—
We don’t need the experts to tell us that anxiety is a very real and growing struggle for children today. It touches nearly every family we know, and moms and dads are feeling discouraged and helpless in the face of their kids’ emotions.
That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome an expert therapist and mom of two to the podcast today. Kelly Boprie provides therapy for kids who face struggles with anxiety and depression, trauma and eating disorders. In her practice, she guides children through the transformative work of overcoming difficult emotions and behavior. This episode provides a wealth of practical help for parents by teaching us:
- How to recognize anxiety issues in your kids at all ages and stages
- How to discern the difference between a temporary struggle and a mood disorder
- The ways anxiety affects your kids’ ability to function and thrive
- Simple stress-management skills you can teach your kids to move them from panic to peace
- The importance of managing your own anxiety as parents
- How to teach your kids to name and express their emotions
- Knowing when and how to seek professional help for your child
- The impact of faith on our fears
Adopting our youngest son through the foster care system ten years ago was truly one of life’s greatest gifts. But one thing we didn’t fully understand as we looked forward to a bright future with our beloved little boy was just how much trauma a child suffers when they’re separated from their birth parents.
Like many foster and adoptive parents, we are on a constant learning journey and are always looking for better ways to support our son through the unique struggles he experiences. That’s why we’re so grateful that Jenni Lord was able to join us for this candid conversation.
Jenni founded Chosen—an organization committed to empowering parents and fostering children’s trauma recovery. Chosen connects families impacted by the child welfare system with the resources and support they need to move from hurting to healing.
Jenni shares:
- How trauma impacts the brain, body, and behaviors of youth in foster care
- How prioritizing connection over correction can strengthen your parenting
- The importance of creating safe spaces for your child to open up
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/jenni-lord-91
There’s a common misconception that it's always the big things—like dishonesty or infidelity—that cause marriages to fall apart. But the truth is, many marriages experience death by a thousand cuts as small areas of misalignment add up over time.
Every marriage has its squabbles, clashes, and little flare-ups of friction. Over our more than 30 years together, we’ve certainly had our fair share of moments where our mindsets didn’t quite match up.
We’ve all been there at some point, and that’s why we were elated to chat with today’s guest, Kari Trent Stageberg. Kari is a wife and a mom of two little boys. With her dad, she runs a nonprofit called Strong Families, and she’s also the author of The Merge for Marriage, a book designed to help couples stay on the same page in spite of all the ways they may be different.
In this conversation, Kari shares:
- How to work together with your spouse towards the same goal even if you use different approaches
- Tools for resolving conflict, nurturing connection, and bringing joy back into your relationship
- Why today’s world creates unique challenges for modern marriages and how to overcome them
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this episode!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/kari-trent-stageberg-90
We all have wish lists in life—wishes for bigger houses, more quality time with our spouses, or even just a simple wish for better weather.
While there’s nothing wrong with dreaming, we find our spirits dragging when we grow too preoccupied with the parts of life we wish would change. When this mindset takes over, it can prevent us from finding joy in the present.
So what’s the solution?
Our inspiring guest, Tama Fortner, is here to help us find out. Tama is a best-selling writer who has published and contributed to many books that are inspirational for all ages. Her newest book, Everyday Joys Devotional, invites us to experience God in our real day-to-day lives. Tama was moved to write this book during a time of great personal struggle. When her hope was scarce, she asked God for help, and He gave her a strength that empowered her to restore a joyful spirit to her heart and her home.
Tama shares with us:
- How to start seeing His divine presence even in the ordinary moments of life
- Advice for setting a positive tone of joy and trust in your household
- The secret to holding happiness even during the “in-betweens” of life
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/tama-fortner-89
Raising our two sons has been one of the most rewarding journeys of our lives. If you have boys of your own, you know that parenting sons comes with its own unique set of blessings and challenges.
One skill we strive to help our sons build is the ability to overcome the lies they encounter in life. We want to help them better understand what’s true and false about who they are, what’s really important in life, and where God is when things get hard.
That’s why we were so grateful for the opportunity to chat with today’s guests, Erin and Jason Davis. They’re the authors of Lies Boys Believe, a book that helps kids understand the truth of the Bible using strategies taken straight from Erin and Jason’s experiences raising four sons.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to use narratives from the Bible to counteract the lies society has told your son
- Tips for working the Word into daily life in a way that helps your sons appreciate the stories of Scripture
- Why grounding your sons in the truth of the gospel will help them identify lies for themselves
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/erin-jason-davis-88
Our son entered middle school this year and he is growing in all sorts of new and fun ways! He outgrew his shoe size, his appetite is bigger, he’s grown a wider circle of friends, and he’s definitely sleeping longer and longer hours. Along with that growth, his desire and appetite for screen time is growing bigger too!
Honestly, navigating our son’s screen time isn’t a new challenge to us. We’ve wondered for years how to set good boundaries so that screen time could be a blessing and not a burden as he grows.
That’s why we are glad to have our guest on the show today, Arlene Pellicane. She is the author of Screen Kids and is here to help us all navigate screen time with our kids.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- How technology has been designed to be addictive
- The importance of managing your own screen time
- Practical tips for putting limits on screen time as a parent
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/arlene-pellicane-87
The goal of our ministry has always been to help you care for the soul of your family and help you nourish relationships that keep God at the center of your home.
We know that many couples desire the closeness and encouragement of sharing their faith with their husband or wife. Instead, they feel a painful sense of disappointment when their spouse isn’t stepping into the role of spiritual leader as they expected. It can feel lonely and like you are single-handedly trying to teach your children about Jesus and deepen your family’s spiritual walk.
That’s why we are so glad to welcome today’s guest, Dana Che Williams, to talk about what it really means to lead your family spiritually and how couples can find peace in this area of their marriage. Dana is a wife, mom, speaker, marriage coach, and the host of the Real Relationship Talk podcast.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- A definition of spiritual leadership
- What it looks like to be unequally yoked in your marriage
- The impact of cultivating a deep relationship with the Lord
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/dana-che-williams-86
Before you got married and into the first year of marriage, you probably spent hours dreaming about what your life would look like together. But today those dreams may feel far out of reach. Your marriage may have settled into a predictable routine that seems impossible to get out of. You may even feel like you're stuck in a rut and have lost your sense of excitement for what the future could hold for you as a couple.
We’ve heard this from many other couples and even felt it at times in our own marriage. But the truth is you still have many exciting years ahead of you! They can be full of exciting adventures and dreams if you take the time to talk with your spouse and dream together.
This is why we are so excited to have our good friends, Kathi & Roger Lipp, on the show today. They know what it is like to dream together and make those dreams become a reality. Kathi is a popular author and speaker as well as a marketing and writing coach. She hosts the popular Clutter Free Academy the Podcast! and the Writing at the Red House Podcast.
Kathi and Roger are also homesteaders who traded their life in the city for the mountain life in California.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Practical tips for discussing your dreams
- The importance of knowing your limits and triggers
- How chasing after a dream can bring out the best in you
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/kathi-roger-lipp-85
I take you to be my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.Whether it’s been one year, ten years, or 25 years since you uttered those vows, we can all agree that they have and will be tested! We all experience some kind of disappointment, loss, or pain. And even though we’ve vowed to walk through hard times together, grief can take a toll on our marriage, causing us to question how to communicate about the deep loss we feel, how to best support each other in grief, and even how to maintain our faith when life circumstances just don’t make sense.
Chuck & Ashley Elliott are popular speakers and workshop leaders, a pastor and a counselor who hold numerous psychoeducational certifications. After walking through miscarriage and grief in their own lives, they authored their new book, I Used to Be ___: How to Navigate Large and Small Losses in Life and Find Your Path Forward. Chuck and Ashley are here today to help us understand how grief can actually draw us closer to God and each other.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How everyone responds to grief differently
- The role “Switch Theory” can play in our outlook during hard times
- Practical tools for navigating grief together
- And so much more!
We hope you find this conversation insightful and valuable in your own relationship!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/chuck-ashley-elliott-84
Words are powerful! They have the potential to tear down our relationships or build them up. Ever since I (Joanna) was a young girl, I loved words. I would spend hours writing stories and poems. When I went to college, it just made sense to pursue a major in communications. Even though I took numerous writing and even a public speaking class, I was never taught was how to talk to people with kindness and express my thoughts in a way that protected other people’s hearts.
If we are honest, we all could use some help understanding the power of words to impact our relationships. That’s why we are excited to have Sarah Molitor with us. Sarah is a wife, mother of seven kids, and the author of Well Said: Choosing Words that Speak Life, Give Grace, and Strengthen Your Faith and Family. You may know Sarah from her thriving social media community at Modern Farmhouse Family.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The power words carry in our relationships
- How God can sometimes do more in our lives when we hold our tongue
- Common pitfalls our words can lead us into
- And so much more!
This conversation was such an honor, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/sarah-molitor-83
From the time we had the first of our five children, some of our most special moments were snuggling up to read books together. And some of those stories became like familiar old friends as we read them over and over until the kids could probably recite them by heart.
We found so many gifts in reading together with our kids – the quality time, our children’s enjoyment of language and artwork, and many sweet life lessons contained in the stories.
We found a kindred spirit in a love of reading in our guest, Valerie Ellis. She is an author, speaker, certified teacher, and mom. Valerie knows the power of a story to connect children to their families and to the love of God. We are excited to hear about her latest children’s book and how through this story we can help our kids to share the joy of Christmas this year.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- How God created us to learn through stories
- Tips to engage all ages in reading
- Ways to connect reading to our faith
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/valerie-ellis-82
We got married young and it felt like we were launching out of a starting gate with other couples we knew who got married around the same time. As the years have gone by, one of the hardest things to hear is when one of the couples we care about has fallen to sexual sin and some have even chosen to get a divorce.
It’s a sad reality that many marriage partners struggle against the pull of pornography. This sin is wreaking havoc on the trust and intimacy of the marriage relationship. Based on statistics, it’s a sure thing that some couples listening here or sitting next to us in church are walking wounded because of this sin that is damaging their marriage.
That’s why we are so grateful to have Dannah Gresh join us for this episode. She shares her own story of heartbreak and marriage in her book, Happily Even After. Dannah is the co-host of the Revive Our Hearts podcast, a speaker, a best-selling author, and a wife who has experienced the power of God to redeem her marriage.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- The physical and neurochemical impacts of pornography
- Why this is not an issue exclusive to men
- Hope for healing and redemption
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/dannah-gresh-81
Many of us have the perception that prayer is a one-size-fits-all aspect of our faith with God. We may think that we are getting it wrong or failing that aspect of our Christian life.
We believe that prayer is a deeply personal practice. It is an essential way to invite God’s power and wisdom into our lives, marriages, and relationships with our kids.
We are so excited to welcome Janet McHenry back to the podcast today. Janet is a national speaker who has authored 27 books, including PrayerWalk and her newest title, Praying Personalities: Finding Your Natural Prayer Style. Janet serves on the California leadership team for the National Day of Prayer and she has been helping others build their lives on prayer for over 20 years.
In this episode, Janet is sharing how, just like our personalities are unique, how we connect with God through prayer should be unique too! It’s not about doing it right or wrong, it’s about praying in line with how God has created us. Janet’s perspective will definitely grow our hope and confidence in prayer today.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The connection between our personality and our prayer
- Examples of prayer styles from Scripture
- The four praying personalities
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/janet-mchenry-80/
Most couples have encountered situations where they feel stuck. Maybe there’s a recurring area of conflict. Or a pain from the past that keeps showing up in the present. Maybe you wish your spouse would utilize your love language more, or that the two of you would be more unified in your parenting.
No matter the area of your marriage that feels stuck, the good news is that change in your marriage is possible! The Bible says when we seek God through prayer, He will do something new in our lives.
We are excited to have Jodie Berndt back on the show with us. She is the bestselling author of the Praying the Scriptures book series, which includes her latest book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage. Jodie has been a trusted speaker, Bible teacher, and prayer warrior for 30 years, and she’s here to give us a word of encouragement in our marriages.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to start a habit of prayer with your spouse
- The ways prayer can powerfully strengthen your relationship
- Practical guidelines for hard conversations
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/jodie-berndt-79
We are keeping it real today! You’ve likely heard us say that we are committed to quality time as a couple. Even when our kids were small, once a month we would scrape together whatever money we had left in our budget to pay a sitter to make sure we got quality time together.
Date night has always been a big deal for us, but lately these last months we’ve fallen out of our routine. It’s felt like a struggle to find time alone together where we can have conversation and fun! We are definitely feeling the effects of not being able to get quality time together.
To help us get back into our routine, we want to invite you along as we take a deep dive into conversation cards and how they can help you build intentional connection time with your spouse.
Rob and I share:
- How intentional time can benefit you as a couple
- Practical ways to use conversation cards
- A real life conversation prompted by conversation cards
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this episode!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/conversation-cards-78/
Did you know that we’ve been parents for over 30 years? We can still remember holding each of our children as newborns and feeling overwhelmed by our love for them. But we also had many fears about raising our children in a world that is so broken and full of dangers. While we knew we couldn’t change the world, we did have hope that our children would grow resilient, full of faith in God, and able to cope with whatever life throws their way.
That’s what we all hope for as parents, isn’t it? We want our kids to be strong, brave, and emotionally prepared to face the world. But how can we raise kids who will be strong and resilient when we still know we have areas to grow as parents? To help us answer this question and more, we are excited to welcome Lauren Gaines to the podcast.
Lauren is an author, speaker, teacher, and mother. She is the creator of Inspired Motherhood, a thriving online community for moms to find practical tools to raise spiritually and emotionally healthy kids. Lauren also holds a master’s degree in school psychology and is about to release her first book, Unshakable Kids.
Lauren shares with us:
- The best way to increase our child’s resilience
- Why we should be thinking about our thoughts
- How our brains are constantly learning
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/lauren-gaines-77/
I have to be honest with you. This month is just giving me all the excuses to lay awake at night and worry about my kids. I have one that is headed into middle school and it’s just so easy to spiral into worrying about his friend group, how he is going to manage academically, and what kinds of influences might drag him down this year. Not to mention we have a daughter who is moving away to college for the first time.
I think we would all agree that parenthood brings one worry after another. But how do we tell when our worry is something more? How do we recognize when we have a mental health issue with anxiety? And if we do, how do we cope as moms and dads? How does it affect our faith in God?
To help us answer these questions is my guest, Courtney Devich. Courtney is a former human resources professional who is using her leadership skills to manage her three kids as a stay-at-home mom. She has authored a new book called Mama’s Got Anxiety: But It’s Not Going to Steal Her Joy. In this book, Courtney shares her story and so much insight to encourage moms who struggle with anxiety or depression.
Courtney shares with us:
- The difference between “mom worry” and anxiety
- If anxiety should be considered a faith issue
- How to help your kids understand anxiety in age-appropriate ways
- And more!
We hope this conversation helps you navigate worries and stressors in your everyday life!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/courtney-devich-76/
Recently, I (Joanna) have been meditating on the story of Abram and Sarai in Genesis 12. In the story, Abram becomes afraid that someone will murder him because his wife, Sarai, is so beautiful. It can seem like a pretty crazy story. But it shows how we can look at our spouse's assets and view them not as gifts, but liabilities.
In this episode, Rob and I want to look at why we can struggle to celebrate our spouse's strengths, skills, talents, and qualities that make them special. In our own marriage, we encountered moments where the character we love about our spouse is also the thing that costs us something. For me, it was when Rob’s passion for learning inspired him to pursue a master’s degree. However, that also meant it would cost us a lot of time and money. For Rob, it is when my gift of hospitality causes stress and takes him out of his comfort zone to open our house to others.
Do you see your spouse’s differences and talents as an asset or a liability? Join us as we discuss the ways we can view our spouse’s gifts and how to see them as an asset to the relationship.
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/asset-liability-75/
Next month, our family remembers one of the most important anniversaries of our life together–the adoption day of our youngest son. We view this day as a blessing and a celebration, but for our son, that day holds a whole mix of feelings. While he loves us and is securely knit in the love of our family, his story holds confusion and loss that are an inherent part of a child’s separation from their birth parents.
As our son grows, we want to create space in our home for him to express his emotions, ask questions, and be confident that he is a wonderful and valuable person. This can be challenging and requires a special set of skills as well as an extra dose of understanding.
As parents, it can be hard to know what is happening inside your adopted child. They don’t always share what they are going through. And they may even be acting out on emotions or beliefs that they are hiding. As a parent, you may be wondering how can we understand your child and their experiences.
Our guest today is Susan TeBos. Susan is a writer, speaker, Bible study leader, adoption advocate, and adoptive mom of three children. She is the author of We've Been There: True Stories, Surprising Insights, and Aha Moments for Adopted Teens.
Susan shares with us:
- Her story of international adoption
- Why adopted teens may resist bringing up the past
- The importance of honing your observation skills
- And more!
We hope this conversation is an encouragement to you as you help your adopted child navigate the teenage years!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/susan-tebos-74
You may have heard of decision fatigue where you just have so many choices to make it can kind of be exhausting. Well, our family has been going through transition fatigue.
We have had so many transitions both as a family and as individuals over the last year and a half. These transitions have been everything from switching jobs, moving to a new house, saying our goodbyes as a family member moves overseas, and having a daughter graduate college. Each of these transitions on their own are a major event, but we have begun to feel the wear and tear as it has felt that life has been constantly changing.
As we approach this topic of transition fatigue and share what has been going on in our own life, this episode will look a little different from our normal. We hope this is an encouragement for you in whatever season of life you are currently in!
Rob and I share:
- Some of the transitions our family has experienced recently
- Practical tips as you experience transitions
- How prayer can bind your family together
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation as we discuss how to navigate transition fatigue!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/transition-fatigue-73
We have five children and in recent months they have been asking some significant questions about their money and their future. Everything from how health insurance will handle a pregnancy, how to find a good job and a reasonable apartment, and how to sell old video games to finance purchasing a new game.
Each of our kids is at a different age and stage but they all have questions about money that are significant to their life and how they are moving forward. As we listen to their questions, we are wondering how to prepare them to find answers and make sure they understand how today’s decisions might affect tomorrow. Do they know the spiritual implications of how they relate to money?
Our guest puts it so well when he says, “Get the money thing wrong and it can shipwreck your life. Get the money thing right and it can contribute mightily to a life of great joy and impact.” We all want our kids to get the money thing right, so we are excited to dig into this topic with our guest, Matt Bell.
Matt is the managing editor at Sound Mind Investing as well as an author, speaker, and dad to three kids. Matt has a powerful testimony about his faith and his finances. He is passionate about helping others manage their finances well.
Matt shares with us:
- How money management reveals what we believe about God
- If allowances are a helpful tool or hurtful handout
- Little ways you can prepare your children to handle finances
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation and feel better equipped to teach your children about finances!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/matt-bell-72
Even before we were married, we dreamed about becoming parents. We’re so grateful to God that today we have two wonderful sons and three beautiful daughters.
While parenting truly is incredible, it is not easy! For Rob, if he had to pick one of the hardest parts of parenting, it’s when our kids break down and cry. As a dad that just breaks his heart and he wants to make it all better as quickly as possible. It’s hard to see them feeling those emotions and know how to best respond!
The truth is that our kids deal with such heavy things in this world. If you have wondered the best way to comfort your child, how to help them understand themselves, or explain to them how God can meet them in their sadness, then you will want to pay special attention to this episode.
Michelle Nietert is a professional counselor of 25 years, speaker, and frequent guest on national television and podcasts. She hosts her own podcast called Raising Mentally Healthy Kids. Michelle is also an accomplished author and just released her latest book, God, I Feel Sad: Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God.
Michelle shares with us:
- Why you should ask your kids when they cried last
- How to know when your child needs professional help
- The importance of acknowledging emotions
- Why we shouldn’t ignore meltdowns over something that feels small to us
- And more!
We hope this conversation helps you support your kids even more intentionally in their sadness and emotions this week.
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/michelle-nietert-71
It’s a very common story. You have an idea of how life will be with your spouse. You probably imagined a picture-perfect idea of a marriage with no conflict where you would just click together. But then once you start living with them day in and day out, it is all too easy to get hung up on their flaws and notice all the ways you are different from one another.
This happened to Rob and me when we were first married and living in Chicago. Every day Rob and I would commute home through terrible rush-hour traffic. As Rob would take very sensible and cautious routes home, I began to perceive this as driving like an old man and as the negative thoughts spun out of control I soon found myself thinking that he was not being confident or assertive enough. My negative thoughts had given me a false sense of reality and were straining our relationship.
At some point, God smacked me upside the head to show me that I was letting negative thinking steal my joy and come between us. It was a lesson I needed to learn as a young wife for sure!
Rob and I aren’t alone. There are so many couples, marriages, and relationships that are impacted when we get stuck in negative thinking. That is why we are so excited to introduce you to our guest, Kendra Burrows. Kendra is a writer, speaker, and personal coach who helps bright, successful overthinkers overcome their negative thoughts using Scripture and the science of how God made us. With her Bible in one hand and her advanced psych degree in the other, Kendra is going to show us how to shift our mindset for stronger relationships with the ones that we love.
Kendra shares with us:
- How everyday thoughts can become negative
- Practical tips for preventing negative thoughts from ruining relationships
- Ways you can practice asking and not assuming in your marriage
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/kendra-burrows-70
Recently, I was talking to a good friend of mine who has an older teenager. We talked about the struggle we feel as parents to help our kids hold onto their faith while they have the world’s voice in their ears all the time. Like so many parents, she has watched her child turn from the truth of God to believe the lies of the world.
How can we help our kids have confidence in the Bible? Why does the world’s philosophy seem so compelling to our children? What do we say when our kids as tough questions about sexuality, heaven, hell, or the suffering they see all around us in the world? If you’ve been asking these tough questions, then this episode is especially for you!
To help us start finding answers is our guest, Elizabeth Urbanowicz. Elizabeth is an educator and Biblical apologist who is passionate about equipping kids to understand the truth of the Christian worldview. She is the founder and CEO of Foundation Worldview, which creates a huge array of resources to equip the next generation to be lifelong critical thinkers as well as disciples of Jesus.
Elizabeth shares with us:
- The importance of equipping yourself to evaluate ideas
- Tips to prepare your kid’s faith for the outside world
- Helpful ways we can train our children to discover Biblical truths
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/elizabeth-urbanowicz-69
While we love each other very much, marriage is not always easy. Joanna and I are in this for the long haul, but it isn’t easy for two imperfect people to stay close, connected, and happy for a lifetime. Maybe you are feeling this struggle in your marriage today. Your spouse's habits are making you crazy, or you may not be feeling cared for, or you are constantly in conflict that drives a wedge between you.
The topic we are going to talk about in this episode is how can we keep showing up instead of giving up in our marriages. Karen Ehman is here to help us discuss this! Karen is a New York Times bestselling author, a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker, and a writer for Encouragement for Today. She knows the joys and challenges of marriage and how, with God’s help, love can last.
Karen shares with us:
- How to respond when your spouse’s weaknesses are showing
- The importance of being on the same team
- Practical ways you can express your needs to your spouse
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/karen-ehman-68
Fifteen years ago, our lives were filled with stress and busyness. While I thought I was doing everything right to work FOR my family by homeschooling during the day and working at night, I didn’t see that my relationship with my husband and my kids was struggling.
Have you ever felt that way? We can get so wrapped up in doing and being productive that we miss out on what matters most. That’s not to say that doing things is wrong, but we often sacrifice necessary good things to pursue other good things. And when this happens, we forget to care for our souls with the things that matter most.
In this episode, we are exploring how to move into a life where we can work with purpose and passion, all while having a deep sense of peace and rest at the same time. To help us do that is our guest, Dr. Laurel Emory. Laurel is a writer, speaker, podcaster, and accomplished business and leadership coach. Her heart is centered on helping others cultivate confidence and joy in life and work.
Laurel shares with us:
- The importance of valuing things outside of what is productive
- Signs that God is inviting you to rest
- Additional resources to help you as you pursue rest
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/laurel-emory-67
In our previous episode, we discussed how to prepare ourselves to launch our children into adulthood. Continuing on this theme, this episode focuses on parenting young adults, which is particularly important to Rob and me since it's a topic that's close to our hearts.
We delve into the heartache that comes with parenting a wayward child and aim to offer you the hope and encouragement you need. Joining us in this discussion is our guest and friend, Mary DeMuth, who is the author of the book, Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Kids with Joy. Mary is an international speaker, podcaster, and author of over 40 books. She understands firsthand what it's like to overcome a difficult past and helps others write a new story in their lives.
Mary shares with us:
- Why our joy shouldn’t be dependent on our children’s decisions
- The role our convictions should and shouldn’t have in our relationship with our children
- How having a wayward child can bring you closer to Jesus
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/mary-demuth-66
In this episode, we are going to discuss a stage of parenting that isn’t talked about as much. It’s what is known as the “messy middle” of parenting, where your kids are preparing to leave the nest for good. The questions and situations you have to deal with as your children start to assert their independence can be quite challenging.
We are excited to have Brenda Yoder with us to discuss how we can prepare our hearts and our homes for our kids to leave the nest. Brenda is the author of Fledge: Launching Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind, a mom, speaker, podcaster, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and life coach who gives biblical wisdom to parents who want to launch their children well.
Brenda shares with us:
- The reality of “mom grief”
- How to be kid-led in your parenting
- Preparing your own heart for shifting your role
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/brenda-yoder-65
We know many couples who have split up or who are seriously questioning their future together, and the one thing that is crystal clear with all of them is that their relationship did not break down overnight.
You may be wondering where your marriage will stand in 2023 or if you can overcome the hurts and conflicts that have happened in your marriage. If you have been looking for a change but don’t know where to start then you’ll want to pay special attention to this episode!
Our guests, Mark and Jill Savage know the stress and pain that comes with a broken marriage. They know the habits, assumptions, and choices that can pull couples apart. Jill is the author of 14 books, two of which are co-authored with Mark. They frequently speak about marriage and offer coaching to other couples.
Mark & Jill share with us:
* Their personal story of repairing their marriage
* The slow fades that can erode a marriage
* The difference between forgiveness and making amends
* And ways to reignite your marriage!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/mark-jill-savage-64
For the majority of our marriage, we had a traditional schedule where Rob would head off to an office job in the morning while I would stay at home with the children. But a few years ago, we flipped our lives upside down to pursue self-employment together as partners. This transition made us realize that we had a lot to learn, not just as marriage partners but as life and business partners.
That is why we are so excited to introduce Robert and Kay Lee Fukui. They have a consulting business where they guide other married entrepreneurs to create a thriving marriage and a prosperous business.
Robert and Kay Lee share with us:
The importance of knowing how to resolve conflict
* Why more sales aren’t the solution to business stress
* How setting aside time for rest is the most productive thing you can do
* The focus of their book Tandem: The Married Entrepreneurs' Guide for Greater Work-Life Balance*
* And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/Robert-Kay-Lee-Fukui-63
Every married couple will face challenges throughout their marriage. It could be dealing with a serious health crisis, mental illness, parenting prodigal children, infertility, financial setbacks, or overwhelming work and responsibilities. From the day a couple says “I do,” they set out on a journey that holds inevitable struggles and threats to a happy and lasting marriage relationship.
Today’s guest, Gary Thomas, offers a powerful teaching on how to make your marriage a fortress that can stand up to the battles you will face with your spouse. In this episode, we are going to hone in on just one of those battles: the pain and brokenness from our past that we each bring into a marriage. He also helps us to understand:
- The effect the world has on our marriages
- How your past has shaped who you are and how you react
- The importance of getting curious about your behaviors
- The power of God to redeem your past hurts and strengthen your marriage
- And more!
We are praying that you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/gary-thomas-62
If you're married, you likely stood up at the altar on your wedding day and made vows to stick together for better and for worse, in sickness and in health. And maybe, like many couples, your vows have been tested because of an injury, illness, or chronic condition affecting your daily life. The challenge of chronic pain puts a unique kind of stress on a marriage—it can bring you together and grow your relationship in new ways, or it can wear down the joy and closeness that you share.
Our returning guests for this episode are Chris and Jamie Bailey. They have walked their own road filled with medical issues, back pain, and other chronic conditions. In this episode, they offer their unique insight into building a strong marriage despite difficult circumstances.
Chris and Jamie share with us:
- The importance of choosing to depend on God and each other
- How chronic pain and health issues can negatively impact your marriage
- Ways to stay connected and keep stressors from stealing your joy
- Practical ways to help and encourage your spouse dealing with pain
- And ways to prepare your marriage now to withstand whatever the future may hold
We hope this episode brings you encouragement today!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/chris-jamie-bailey-61
Do you ever feel disappointed or discouraged in your marriage? As wives, I (Joanna) know we want to know how to bring life to our marriages when we’re losing hope. I know so many women, despite their love for their husbands, feel discouraged in their marriages. Their husbands may seem distant and like he doesn’t want to work on a close relationship, or the communication has broken down, and they find themselves often in conflict. Can you relate?
Today, I am having a conversation with Estrella Rogers, a licensed counselor, author, speaker, and founder of Star Level Coaching, where she coaches couples to build strong and lasting relationships. She is also a wife and a mom that has experienced the power of prayer in her own family. Listen in as Estrella shares how wives can encourage, pray, and love their husbands through life’s challenges.
Estrella shares with us:
- What to do when you “hit a wall” in your marriage
- The power of praying for your husband
- How to be supportive when it feels like you can’t fix the circumstances
- The importance of self-evaluation
- And more!
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/estrella-rogers-60
This episode was recorded in the midst of a crazy season of our life. From moving homes to health issues to the back-to-school season and much more, it was quite stressful. During seasons like that, it’s no secret that the marriage relationship can get a little tense.
That season of life provided the perfect context for us to have this conversation with Chris and Jenni Graebe, authors of The Rhythm of Us: Create the Thriving Marriage You Long For and hosts of the Rhythm of Us Podcast.
This was such a fun and engaging conversation. In it, Chris and Jenni share with us:
- How to set a vision for your marriage and introduce habits that will get you there
- How to stop pointing fingers and start being in rhythm as a couple
- Why busyness can be one of the greatest joy-killers in marriage
- Why your differences don’t have to threaten your connection
- And more!
We hope this conversation encourages you!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/chris-jenni-graebe-59/
This episode was recorded in the midst of a crazy season of our life. From moving homes to health issues to the back-to-school season and much more, it was quite stressful. During seasons like that, it’s no secret that the marriage relationship can get a little tense.
That season of life provided the perfect context for us to have this conversation with Chris and Jenni Graebe, authors of The Rhythm of Us: Create the Thriving Marriage You Long For and hosts of the Rhythm of Us Podcast.
This was such a fun and engaging conversation. In it, Chris and Jenni share with us:
- How to set a vision for your marriage and introduce habits that will get you there
- How to stop pointing fingers and start being in rhythm as a couple
- Why busyness can be one of the greatest joy-killers in marriage
- Why your differences don’t have to threaten your connection
- And more!
We hope this conversation encourages you!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/chris-jenni-graebe-59/
Rob and I have four biological children, and eight years ago our family grew again through adoption. We are so grateful that God gave us the best gift in the courtroom that day, but we also had no idea what the journey ahead would hold. When we read Brittany Salmon’s book, It Takes More Than Love, we felt seen and understood.
Today, we’re welcoming Brittany onto the podcast! She is a professor, writer, and Bible teacher with a MA in Intercultural Studies. Brittany and her husband, Ben, have seen God do incredible things in their lives, and are passionate about advocating for the adoptive community.
Whether you have considered adoption yourself, are an adoptive parent, or just want to learn how to better support those in the adoptive or foster care communities, this episode is for you.
Brittany shares with us:
- God’s intervention in their journey of infertility
- The different types of adoption that are possible
- Why we need to listen to all the voices in “the adoptive triad”
- Whether you should pursue adoption if your spouse isn’t 100% on-board
- How to be supportive even if you can’t adopt right now
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/brittany-salmon-58/
Rob and I have four biological children, and eight years ago our family grew again through adoption. We are so grateful that God gave us the best gift in the courtroom that day, but we also had no idea what the journey ahead would hold. When we read Brittany Salmon’s book, It Takes More Than Love, we felt seen and understood.
Today, we’re welcoming Brittany onto the podcast! She is a professor, writer, and Bible teacher with a MA in Intercultural Studies. Brittany and her husband, Ben, have seen God do incredible things in their lives, and are passionate about advocating for the adoptive community.
Whether you have considered adoption yourself, are an adoptive parent, or just want to learn how to better support those in the adoptive or foster care communities, this episode is for you.
Brittany shares with us:
- God’s intervention in their journey of infertility
- The different types of adoption that are possible
- Why we need to listen to all the voices in “the adoptive triad”
- Whether you should pursue adoption if your spouse isn’t 100% on-board
- How to be supportive even if you can’t adopt right now
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/brittany-salmon-58/
Sometimes, when we are on the journey of parenting, it’s easy to forget that we are also children. Not just to our earthly parents, but to our Heavenly Father.
As we consider what it means to be a parent, it’s foundational to first consider what it means to be a child of God.
That’s exactly what we’re doing on today’s episode with Christina Fox, a licensed counselor, retreat speaker, and author of multiple books including "Like Our Father: How God Parents Us and Why that Matters for Our Parenting."
Today, Christina shares with us:
- Why God’s role as a Father should impact our own parenting
- Why God can relate to any of our daily experiences as parents
- How we can respond to our imperfections as parents
- How to respond when we have doubts or insecurities about God’s view of us
- And more!
This was such a special conversation. We hope you enjoy it!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/christina-fox-57/
Have you ever noticed that you struggle for control? Maybe you just care a little extra about how your spouse loads the dishwasher. Maybe you struggle a little more to recover when life goes a different way than you were planning. Maybe you have trouble letting your kids make mistakes. Or maybe your marriage feels like a battle for leadership more than it feels like a partnership towards a united goal.
Today on the podcast, we have the opportunity to welcome Shannon Popkin, author of both Comparison Girl and Control Girl and host of the “Live Like It’s True” podcast. From the platform, page, and podcast mic, Shannon Popkin wants to invite you to drink deeply of God’s story, and live like it’s true.
Today, Shannon shares with us:
Why so many of us struggle to let go of control
What it looks to identify the emotion or sin that is behind the desire to control
How unity in our roles in marriage help us become better partners
How to find peace in God’s provision and plan
And more!
We hope you enjoy this episode!
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/shannon-popkin-56/
We imagine, like us, you desire to leave a spiritual legacy for your family and see your children making their faith their own. But it can be so tough to navigate how to do that well, all while releasing control and trusting God.
Today, we have the opportunity to welcome our guest Ray Pritchard, president of Keep Believing Ministries. Ray has written 31 books, is a co-host on Today’s Issues on American Family Radio, and was a pastor for 26 years to churches in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago. To us, however, he is just “Pastor Ray,” from the time he was our pastor at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, IL.
Today, Ray shares with us:
- His own journey of faith and how God helped Ray and his wife identify how to lead a home filled with faith
-The importance of abiding in Christ each and every day - Practical ways to help you leave a legacy of faith that extends for generations
- What it looks like to truly trust God’s faithfulness
- How to handle seasons when your children are struggling with church or faith
- Why prayer is the most powerful tool we have in our toolbox
- And so much more!
We hope this episode is an encouragement to your heart this week.
Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/ray-pritchard-55/
Thank you for listening to the Growing Home Together Podcast. Please click HERE for show notes and other info on this episode.
Need a sign to know if your marriage is thriving or struggling today? The clues are standing at your own front door:
How do you feel when your spouse walks in at the end of the day?
Are you greeting with a kiss or a cold shoulder?
Do you feel eager to connect and share the events of the day?
Is your spouse the reason you’re excited to come home?
If your stress goes up and your happiness goes down when your spouse comes through the door, chances are you’re suffering from a “joy gap” in your marriage. Today’s guests, Marcus Warner and Chris Coursey, are here with a super-encouraging message to help us grow close and refresh the joy in our relationships. They help us to understand
- How two pastors utilize both brain science and scripture to minister to couples
- Why joy is the key element to a strong marriage
- Why it’s possible to “train your brain” to grow your joy together
- Practical ways to connect in simple, powerful ways with your spouse
- How fear drives couples further apart
- How to protect your “joy zones” from stress and conflict
- How to meet God as the true Source of joy
Dr. Marcus Warner is a conference speaker and author who has spent over thirty years helping people and organizations navigate some of life's toughest challenges. As the president of Deeper Walk International , he has helped develop dozens of resources that deal with recovery, leadership, and family life.
Rev. Chris M. Coursey is the president of THRIVEtoday, a non-profit ministry focusing on training leaders and communities in the nineteen skills that make relationships work. Chris is an ordained minister, pastoral counselor, published author, curriculum designer and international speaker. Chris is the husband of Jen and the father of two young boys, Matthew and Andrew.
Marcus and Chris created The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled Marriage: How 15 Minutes a Day Will Help You Stay in Love to help you grow a joyful, thriving relationship.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
You put your trust in Christ a long time ago. Since then, you’ve spent countless hours in prayer and reading the Bible. You’ve attended church and been faithful to give and serve however you can. You could tell story after story of how God met your needs and helped you along the way. Yet today, God feels distant and out of reach. It seems like your prayers hit the ceiling. Doubt, guilt, and discouragement are making a wreck of your faith. You wonder how to break down the wall and draw close to God again.
Today’s guests, Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, are here to give you hope on your journey of faith. Bill and Kristi have served both in ministry and as counselors for 30 years. They have authored a powerful book titled Journey of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual Health to meet you in whatever stage of faith you’re living right now.
Bill and Kristi help us to understand
- The pain of feeling distant from God
- The “Christ stages” we experience in our Christian life
- Why we hit the wall and become stuck in our journey of faith
- The part suffering plays in our spiritual confusion
- How to open our soul to the Spirit in new ways
- How growing in God can help us cope with difficult emotions
- Spiritual practices that help us to connect with God when he seems far away
- The powerful impact of “soul talk” conversations with your spouse and kids
Bill and Kristi Gaultiere are the founders of Soul Shepherding, helping believers move toward intimacy with Jesus, emotional health, and loving relationships. As a psychologist and Spiritual Formation Pastor, Bill has trained over 1,000 lay counselors and taught courses in Christian psychology and spirituality at the graduate school level.
Bill and Kristi, a psychotherapist, train pastors and other men and women in ministry in their Soul Shepherding Institute and Spiritual Direction certificate program. Bill has been speaking in churches and conferences since 1987 and especially enjoys speaking with Kristi. You can listen to their weekly Soul Talks podcast and read their weekly Soul Shepherding blog.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
Like Gary Thomas says, we come into marriage with certain “sexpectations” of what we’ll experience with our spouse. We look forward to romance, pleasure, and satisfaction over a lifetime of love together. But every couple struggles to sustain the passion. To understand each other’s needs and wants. To communicate our thoughts, feelings, and desires about the most personal part of our relationship. We want to draw close and experience all God designed sex to be, but we don’t know how to make it happen.
Today’s guest, Gary Thomas, comes with practical insight to help you and your spouse break down walls to build the love life you’ve always hoped for. He helps us to understand
- What moved him to teach on the topic of married sex
- God’s design for your ideal love life
- Why sex can get better and better as you get older
- Why you don’t need a new spouse; you need new experiences together
- How to open up communication with your spouse about your love life
- The most important question to ask each other about sex
- How sex can glorify God as our Creator
Gary Thomas is an award-winning author, speaker, and professor whose books have sold over two million copies. His writings have established him as a thought-leader in the areas of marriage, parenting, and spiritual formation.
Gary’s latest book, Married Sex: A Christian Couple’s Guide to Reimagining Your Love Life, is exactly what you need to make your marriage stronger, in and out of the bedroom. Psychology, theology, research, story, and let’s-get-started ideas combine to make Married Sex a resource for you and your spouse like no other book you’ve read before.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
In our dreams, we’d love our Christmas season to look and feel like a Hallmark movie. We imagine handmade stockings hung over a crackling fireplace, smiling children wearing matching pajamas, colorful gifts piled underneath a stunning Christmas tree, and a delicious feast to share with the ones we hold dear.
Yet so often, our reality is more frantic than festive. Our to-do list of shopping, cooking and cleaning, decorating and hosting leaves us rushed and exhausted. By Christmas Eve, we’re too worn out to worship. We wonder how to find the joy and peace we’re longing to experience with our family.
Today’s guest, Tama Fortner, brings a fresh perspective on how we can approach the holiday season this year. She shares practical, heartfelt wisdom so we can understand
- How she let go of the pressure to create a “perfect” Christmas for her family
- Ways to cope when you feel overwhelmed by your to-do list
- When to rethink your old traditions and create new ones
- How to draw near to Christ despite a busy schedule
- Ways to support your spouse when they feel stressed
- How to show hospitality without wearing yourself out
- The reality of God’s love every day of the year
Tama Fortner is a bestselling author and ghostwriter with more than 40 titles to her credit. She has been blessed to work with some of the biggest names in Christian publishing to create inspirational books for children, teens, and adults. Tama and her husband are the parents of two kids and they make their home in Tennessee.
Tama’s latest devotional book, Simply Christmas, is your personal invitation to slow down and savor the beauty of the manger this year. Accompanied by seasonally inspired full-color photographs, this 31-day devotional brings a bit of calm to each day through a short reflection and Scripture, together with points to ponder and fun ideas for simplifying your Christmas traditions.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
A fun, snowy day of sledding ended in broken bones for our young daughter. The following weeks held an hours-long surgery, isolation at home, and painful bullying after her re-entry into her classroom. We watched our child lose her smile. Her confidence. Her assurance that she was strong, wanted, and truly loved.
Every child will face threats to their sense of worth. They’re pressed into a mold that says achievement equals acceptance and image earns inclusion. Without the truth of who God says they are, our kids will struggle to know they are purposed and precious to the One who made them.
Today’s guest, Jamie Ivey, is here with a powerful message of hope for moms and dads who want to build up their child’s heart. She helps us to understand
- Why all of us need to be reminded of our value and purpose as God’s children
- What led her to write her uplifting book for children
- Why young kids are particularly open to receive God’s truth of who they are
- The unique role of parents in building a sturdy foundation for their kids’ identity
- Why you and your kids absolutely matter in God’s kingdom
- How to meet your children in the hardest places of asking who they are
Jamie Ivey [https://www.jamieivey.com/ ] loves creating things that help people believe the truths about who God made them to be. She does this mostly through her popular podcast, “The Happy Hour” and the new YouTube show, The Jamie Ivey Show, and through multiple books geared towards women.
Now she’s taking this passion to a younger generation with her book, God Made You to Be You. [ https://www.jamieivey.com/kids/] As a mama to four kids, she knows the value in kids learning at a young age that God made them to be themselves! Her whole family plus two dogs live in Austin, Texas, and they all love to visit the West Texas desert as often as possible!
Before your son or daughter even started kindergarten, you dreamed of all they’d do. You imagined an excitement to learn, fun friendships, and positive teachers who cherished your child and brought out their best. Yet perhaps you’re like many parents who grieve the gap between your hopes and expectations and the tough realities your child is facing at school. Pressure to perform is crushing your child emotionally. Learning or behavior struggles attach negative labels to your child’s identity. Maybe your child is so discouraged or frustrated that they want to give up and quit.
Today’s guest, Janet Newberry, brings a powerful hope and insight for your family today. As an educator, school administrator, author, and consultant, she helps us to understand
- The “performance injuries” our kids suffer at school
- The impact of fear and stress on our kids’ learning, maturity, and happiness
- How to help our kids take hold of their “why” and purpose
- Why struggle is something to embrace—not avoid—in learning
- Why typical behavior modification methods do more harm than good
- How to navigate the tough decision of where to send your child to school
- The powerful connection between love and learning for our children
Janet Newberry [ https://www.janetnewberry.com/] is an educator, consultant, and author who is passionate to transform your child’s growth and learning through the power of loving, supportive relationships. Take hold of Janet’s insights for your family on the Love is Fearless podcast https://www.loveisfearless.com/podcast.
Janet’s book, Education by Design, Not Default, [https://www.janetnewberry.com/book] is a powerful resource to help parents and teachers to lead their children with love. Be sure to visit https://www.john15academy.com/ for Janet’s online learning community that provides targeted tools, help, and resources for parents to support their child’s education and journey to maturity.
I stood over my screaming child in her bedroom, making it as clear as possible that she was going to wear those pants OR ELSE! After a miserable two-hour tantrum, she was wearing those pants. But the victory in winning that battle was really a defeat of broken trust, hurt feelings, and distance between us.
Do you struggle to relate to your stubborn child? Does your son push your buttons and refuse to cooperate? Would your daughter rather argue that submit to the most simple request? Are your days together filled with stress, conflict, and resentment? In your heart, are you secretly afraid that your strong-willed child faces a future of failure or difficulty?
Today’s guest, Kirk Martin, https://celebratecalm.com/ is here with wisdom and proven strategies to transform your relationship with your challenging child. He explains
- The moment his relationship with his son, Casey, turned in a whole new direction
- How he became a popular coach for parents and teachers to relate with the kids in their lives
- Why the most well-intentioned parents become triggered and lose control
- The fears and frustration beneath your child’s bad behavior
- Effective ways to interrupt the negative cycle in your home
- Tips to take the stress out of homework
- What it really means to discipline your kids
- The power of accepting your child for who they are
Kirk Martin is the founder of CelebrateCalm.com and host of the Calm Parenting Podcast. [https://celebratecalm.com/podcasts/] Kirk and his son, Casey, have helped one million parents stop the defiance, disrespect, and power struggles with the most strong-willed children and kids on the spectrum. Learn more about Kirk’s resources, coaching, and live events at CelebrateCalm.com, Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/calmparentingpodcast/], and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateCalm] for the help you need today.
How to Clean Up the Stress Mess in Your Child’s Body for a Healthy School Year—with Dr. Kate Lyzenga-Dean
Headaches. Bad Dreams. Upset tummies. Grumpy moods. Distracted attention. Aches and pains. Sugar cravings. Our kids can show us they’re stressed without even saying a word. As moms and dads, we know the worries and troubles of life can take a toll on our kids’ physical health and well-being.
Today’s guest, Dr. Kate Lyzenga-Dean, is here to help us understand the effects of stress on our kids’ bodies as they grow. She helps us learn and understand
- The effects of long-term stress on our kids’ bodies and health
- The difference between acute and chronic stress
- How food and nutrition play a part in our kids’ response to stress
- The important connection between stress and sleep
- How to use quick, practical stress management tools right in the moment
- The connection between our spiritual life and our physical well-being
- Why parents’ own self-care is essential to our child’s sense of peace and calm
- Where to take hold of more tips and tools to help your kids manage stress
Dr. Kate Lyzenga-Dean is a Functional Medicine Health Care Provider who knows how much damage chronic stress can do to the body, mind, and spirit. She always seeks the root cause of a health problem, which often comes from underlying chronic stress.
As a practitioner and writer, Dr. Kate has created powerful tools to help her clients manage stress and move toward greater health. She created the “Stress Less Starter Kit” as your first step toward whole-person, Functional Medicine, healthy stress relief. You’ll also find recipes, blog articles, and links for your own personal health consultation.
Make sure to watch this video with your kids to learn—together—how to manage stress this school year! You can also take hold of Dr. Kate’s Calm Kiddos Lunch Planner and the awesome stress-busting supplement she shares on the show.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
This spring our daughter walked the aisle to say “I do” to the man who won her heart. As her mom and dad, we’re celebrating this season of firsts right along with them: Their first apartment, first shared trips and holidays as a married couple, and all the new discoveries they’re making about the one they love.
Yet we know that this newlywed season only lasts for a time. To grow and thrive, their relationship needs to move through specific stages of change and maturity. If a couple fails to move forward and becomes stuck in a certain stage—or “ring” as our guest Jackie Blesdoe describes—their marriage can struggle and fall apart.
Jackie Bledsoe joins us today to help us understand
- How Jackie and his wife moved from a difficult start in their own marriage to serving couples through marriage ministry
- How to identify the unique stage you and your spouse are living right now
- Why each of the seven “rings” of marriage offer new ways to grow as a couple
- What to do if you feel stuck in a negative rut in your marriage
- The powerful link between prayer and intimacy as a couple
- A word of hope for couples who want to build a new foundation for their relationship
Jackie Bledsoe and his wife of 20 years, Stephana, are the parents of three kids. They make their home in Indiana. As an author and popular speaker, Jackie has also contributed to several well-known and award winning sites like Tony Dungy’s AllProDad , Disney’s Babble, Black and Married with Kids (BMWK), the NFL’s USA Football (USAF), and Coach Up. In addition, he has been featured multiple times on HuffPost Live and Yahoo! Shine, and was one of the official speakers at an Indianapolis Colts sponsored event for All Pro Dad.
Learn more about The 7 Rings of Marriage and all of Jackie’s resources here to grow a stronger marriage today!
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
This summer, we dropped off our son for a week of summer camp. We sent him away with a sleeping bag, bug spray, and a whole lot of hopes and fears in our hearts. We worried if he’d stay safe and healthy, if he’d feel homesick or left out, or if he’d make poor choices he’d regret. We also carried high hopes that he’d have fun, build positive relationships, and grow a stronger faith in Jesus.
Honestly, those are the same hopes and fears each of us hold for our children every day of the year. Nothing puts us on our knees like parenting the sons and daughters we love! We want to pray powerful, effective prayers that make a difference in their lives.
Today’s guest, Jodie Berndt, is here with a great word of inspiration to fire up our prayer life for our kids. She helps us to understand
- What it means to pray the scriptures over our children
- How to break out of your “rut” and pray with confidence and excitement
- The unexpected struggles Jodie faced while parenting her teens, and how God met her in them
- How praying scriptures will change our goals and desires for our kids
- Why God wants you to pray about every detail of your life, big and small
- How to keep praying when you’re tired and discouraged in the waiting
- Why you can trust God completely and know your prayers make a difference
Jodie Berndt has written or cowritten many books, including the bestselling Praying the Scriptures series for children, teens, and adult children. A speaker and Bible teacher, Jodie has been featured on programs like Focus on the Family, The 700 Club, and a host of popular podcasts, and she has written articles for Fox News, Club31 Women, and Proverbs 31 Ministries. She and her husband, Robbie, have four adult children, and they live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
Maybe like us, you put your faith in Jesus many years ago. Yet as life has brought pain and disappointment, loss and frustration, your faith in God has worn away. You look at your marriage and family relationships and wonder how you’ve grown so far apart. You wonder how your passion for Christ can be rekindled and if your most important relationships can ever be happy and close again.
Today’s guest, Alison Simmons, knows the pain of a broken marriage. She knows the stress and strain of trying to be a “perfect” Christian while feeling as far from God as she could be. Her powerful testimony gives hope that God can break through the hurt and confusion. His love and power can draw us close to himself and transform our families. Through her honest testimony, Alison helps us to understand
- How she met Christ in the middle of her mess
- Her journey of divorce, remarriage, and growing her family
- How Alison let her marriage relationship take the place of God in her life
- The breakdown of her marriage and her frustrations in life as a mom
- The powerful encounter with God that transformed her heart and home
- How God used Scripture to give her a whole new attitude toward her husband
- The steps you can take to rekindle your passion for God and renew your relationships
Alison Simmons is a writer and host of the Grace Over Perfection podcast. Her passion is to help you draw closer to God through his Word. If you sat down for coffee with Alison, she’d tell you that
"I am a busy, audacious, outgoing, sometimes irritable, but always blessed, woman. A few years after becoming a Believer, I stopped investing in my relationship with the Lord years ago and found myself discontent and angry. I didn’t WANT to be this way, but I just couldn’t ‘get happy!’ It wasn’t until I started making time for God and His Word every day, praying to Him unashamedly and listening for His response that things started to change. I have come a long way in my walk with Jesus since then and now I help stressed out moms reclaim their joy through a relationship with Jesus."
Connect with Alison at https://graceoverperfection.com/ and find hope for your faith and family.
You scroll through your social media feed and feel layers of shame and insecurity building in your heart. Other parents’ kids seem confident and successful, while yours are taking one step forward and two steps back. Other couples create romance and fun every day, while you and your spouse are stuck in a rut and feel miles apart. The burden of shame steals the joy from your home. And, you see the sickness of perfectionism infecting your kids as well.
Today’s guests, Dave and Ann Wilson, offer a powerful word of encouragement to break the cycle of shame in our families. They help us to understand
- Why we feel pressured to become perfect parents and sustain an ideal marriage
- Why Dave and Ann are so open and authentic about their own mistakes and struggles
- How to find freedom from the guilt you carry as a spouse or parent
- How to raise kids who feel loved and accepted as they are
- How God can use our parenting to expose our brokenness and bring healing
- The power of partnering with your spouse to give your kids what they need
- Why Jesus is our best hope as we seek to love our families well
Dave and Ann Wilson are the authors of Vertical Marriage: The One Secret That Will Change Your Marriage and No Perfect Parents: Ditch Expectations, Embrace Reality, and Discover the One Secret That Will Change Your Parenting. Additionally, they are touring speakers, as well as the radio hosts of the nationally syndicated radio show, Family Life Today. But it’s their singular passion for enriching lives through spreading the Word and wisdom of God that truly defines them.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
Every child’s heart longs for the love of a father. A warm and attentive dad gives his son or daughter a sense of security. They feel valuable, supported, and understood. A dad’s care and presence allow a child to grow and thrive into a healthy, whole adult who is able to build strong relationships for life.
Yet many women and men carry painful father wounds that never heal. Those wounds create a ripple effect of pain and damage that can persist for generations. Today’s guest, Kia Stephens, offers a powerful word of hope for the hurting. She explains
- What led Kia to minister to those with father wounds
- How you can exchange your father wounds for the love of God
- How past hurts affect our adult relationships and parenting
- The breakthrough that helped Kia know God as her perfect Father
- Ways to begin a journey of freedom and forgiveness
- A word of advice for dads who want to love their children well
Kia Stephens is a wife and homeschooling mom of two who is passionate about helping women know God as Father. For this reason, she created The Father Swap Blog to help women exchange their father wounds for the love of God the Father.
Kia is also the founder of Entrusted Women, which she created to equip Christian women
communicators of color. In addition to these ministries, Kia faithfully serves in Bible
Study Fellowship and her local church. When she is not writing or serving women, she
enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. Connect with Kia at https://www.kiastephens.com/ and on Facebook and Instagram today!
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
If we bump into a friend and they ask how we’re doing, most of us would probably reply the same way: I’m busy. Life feels overwhelming. I don’t know how to juggle the kids and my to-do list. I’m always running behind. Stress and fatigue is knocking me down. I wish I could just get away from it all.
Today’s guest, Jennifer Dukes Lee, helps you to identify the “hurry sickness” that so easily infects your home. If the hustle of life is stealing your peace and joy, she’ll help you to understand
- How Jennifer discovered she was suffering from “hurry sickness” in her life
- What pushes us to move too fast, to the harm of our souls and our families
- The cure for the hurried heart
- How to cope when you feel like you’re running behind in your life
- Ways to help our kids grow and thrive at the pace God holds for them
- Why we need to create space and time to heal our hurts
- Why it’s never too late to reset the pace for your family
Jennifer Dukes Lee lives on the fifth-generation Lee family farm in Iowa, where she and her husband are raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans. She writes books, loves queso, and enjoys singing too loudly to songs with great harmony. Once upon a time, she didn't believe in Jesus; now he's her CEO. Find Jennifer—and her book, Growing Slow--at JenniferDukesLee.com and on Instagram at @JenniferDukesLee.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
Three years ago, Rob left his day job and Joanna took on a new full-time career to become full-time partners in writing, podcasting, and building Growing Home Together. As they joined both their personal and working lives, they heard the same question over and over: I could NEVER work with my spouse! How can you be happy working together as a team?
The answer to that question isn’t simple and it’s unique for every couple. In every marriage, a husband and wife must team up to parent kids, manage the home, and accomplish their goals. In whatever you aim to achieve together, you need skills and habits to move you toward success.
Today’s guests, Robert and Kay Lee Fukui, are here with business and marriage expertise to equip us all for teamwork in our marriage. They offer practical insight to help you understand
-
How Robert and Kay Lee met, married, and created both a marriage AND business partnership.
-
Why they utilized a counselor from the beginning of their relationship.
-
The key skills, habits, and mindsets that set you up for success as a team.
-
How to make your differences work for you instead of against you.
-
The one important habit that will build unity, structure, and closeness in your work and marriage.
-
Practical tools to help you with work and life balance.
-
How to cope with burnout when your life together is overwhelming.
-
The need to grow as a listener to God and your spouse.
Robert and Kay Lee Fukui are the co-founders of i61, inc., a marriage and business consulting company. They focus their work on assisting entrepreneur couples (who may or may not be working together) increase their margin of time and money in both marriage and business.
Robert experienced 25 successful years in sales/marketing and played instrumental roles in the launch of six major brands. He was directly responsible for over $150 million in revenue and a recipient of national sales and leadership awards.
Kay Lee worked in the banking industry and in her family business as operations manager for over 10 years before meeting the love of her life, Robert. Her passion is to see marriages flourish in the midst of building a profitable business.
Together, they have developed an innovative consulting program, Power Couples by
Design, which equips couples to build a thriving Marriage AND a prosperous business. Their podcast, courses, and valuable content will move you forward, together.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
Even the most bold, assertive, and confident man feels the heavy burdens and fears that come with fathering kids in these challenging times. He wonders Do I have what it takes? Who is the right example to follow? How do I measure up to God’s perfect example of fatherhood? What does it take to be a success? Am I the only one who struggles? Who will walk this road of parenting with me?
Today’s guests, Becky Thompson and Mark Pitts, are here to share the one most important source of help and encouragement that every dad needs. They help us to understand
-
How—and why—the Midnight Mom and Midnight Dad communities were born and have grown to encourage so many.
-
How a dad’s needs are different from a mother’s as he raises his kids.
-
What a dad needs to tackle the tough task of fatherhood in these challenging times.
-
How a close relationship with Father God equips a dad to parent his kids.
-
How to move past the insecurity of knowing you can’t be a perfect parent.
-
The powerful motivation to keep reaching for more in your life as a dad.
-
How to grow in your confidence to pray for your kids.
-
How community with other dads is a game-changer in the life of a father
Becky Thompson and Dr. Mark R. Pitts are the father-daughter duo behind the Midnight Dad online community , that encourages fathers with short, powerful prayers every night at midnight. Modeled off the runaway success of Midnight Mom, which has over 1.3 million followers, Midnight Dad meets fathers where they are and assures them that they are exactly who God chose as ‘dad’ for their family.
The pair have written a new devotional, Midnight Dad Devotional: 100 Devotions and Prayers to Connect Dads Just Like You to the Father. It gives dads a sense of connection with other fathers, strength for each night and the day ahead, wisdom from the Bible for tough situations, affirmation of the importance of their role, and the reassurance that God is with them.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
Pain and stress, unresolved conflict, and past traumas can lead even the most committed couple to the brink of divorce. Perhaps you and your spouse—or a couple you know—is feeling so hurt and disconnected you wonder how to carry on. In your heart of hearts, you’re tempted to give up and walk away from your relationship.
Today’s guest, Toni Nieuwhof, knows what it’s like to feel wounded and hopeless in her marriage. As a divorce attorney who experienced dramatic healing and joy in her own marriage, she brings a powerful and practical word of hope for couples. In this heartfelt conversation, Toni shares:
- How Toni and her husband reached a breaking point in their marriage
- How as a divorce attorney, she witnessed the pain and regret on the other side of splitting up
- What it’s like to feel stuck in survival mode in your marriage
- How to make a plan to reconnect and build the bond between you
- The lies that keep you from a healthy, happy relationship
- How to finally break the negative cycle of conflict
- The power of shared experiences to build intimacy
Toni Nieuwhof is a family law mediator, former divorce attorney and co-host of the Smart Family Podcast. She is the wife of Carey Nieuwhof, who is an influential leadership author and podcaster, and international speaker. Toni and Carey have spoken publicly about their marriage of more than three decades. In her downtime, Toni enjoys outdoor sports and spending time with Carey, their two grown sons, and their extended family and friends. Visit her online at www.ToniNieuwhof.com.
For practical help on how to find what you really want for the future of your marriage, take hold of Toni’s powerful book, Before You Split. Enter to win your very own copy by leaving the comment “Before You Split” on this post today!
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
Today’s guest, Blake Brewer, faced unspeakable tragedy at the age of nineteen when his father died in his arms. Later that same day, he discovered his dad had provided an unexpected gift in the form of a letter to Blake and his siblings. The letter became a lifeline that permanently connected Blake to his dad’s wisdom, encouragement, and love. That life-changing experience prepared Blake to help you write a legacy letter to your own child today.
In Blake’s conversation with Rob, he shares
- What drives him to be the best dad he can be to his three children
- How Blake’s dad made a huge impact on his life, faith, and future
- The hopes and needs only a dad can meet for his child
- The powerful impact of a father’s voice in his child’s life
- Three things every son and daughter need to hear from their dad
- Blake’s simple, effective strategy to help you create a “legacy letter” for your kids
Blake Brewer is a writer, speaker, and father of three who served for over a decade in campus ministry with Student Mobilization. He founded The Endurance https://www.theendurance.org/endurance to equip dads to leave a legacy of love, wisdom, and spiritual encouragement for their children.
At The Endurance you can join the Legacy Letter Challenge https://www.legacyletterchallenge.com/packages with other dads just like you. Blake’s tools, coaching, and community support will give you all you need to write a legacy letter to impact your kids for life.
You feel lonely in your marriage. Your spouse pursues every other relationship and activity instead of you. Romance gave way to rejection, and you’re asking tough questions in your heart. Does she love me anymore? Am I still attractive to him? Why don’t we talk like we used to? Will I always feel invisible and unappreciated? Am I the only one working on this marriage? You feel the pain of trying to love your spouse when it doesn’t feel like they love you back.
Gary Thomas joins us today with a powerful word of hope for the spouse who feels alone in their marriage. He shares
- Gary’s unique journey to serve in ministry to married couples
- How God will use the difficulties in your marriage to do good things in your life
- The most important question you’ll ever ask about your marriage
- The truth of what it means to live with an imperfect person
- Why loving your spouse is not the same as enabling sinful behavior
- How transforming your perspective on your spouse can change your life
- Why a soul completely satisfied in God is able to be satisfied in marriage, too
Gary Thomas is an award-winning author, international speaker, and professor whose books have sold over two million copies. His powerful ministry https://garythomas.com/ brings people closer to Christ and closer to each other. He unites the study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics to foster spiritual growth and deeper marriage relationships.
Whatever season of marriage you are in, A Lifelong Love https://garythomas.com/books/a-lifelong-love/ gives you the practical help you need to infuse your marriage with a spiritual passion that will not only change you but will change the world around you.
As parents of five kids, now ages 10 to 27, we’ve been blindsided by every kind of tough question over the years. You know the kind of questions we’re talking about: Where do babies come from? When can I have my own smartphone? Why does that family have two moms? What’s going on with the riots on the news? It’s tempting to dodge the questions instead of talking with your kids about the tough issues they face.
Jimmy and Kristin Scroggins are here with a word of a hope and a powerful new book to share. They help us understand
- How God grew Jimmy and Kristin’s family and led them to write a parenting book
- Why parents can go all-in to embrace their unique role in their kids’ lives
- How knowing God’s design for his world equips us for gospel conversations with our children
- How to use the “Three Circles” tool as a map to communicate effectively with your kids
- The transformation that comes from understanding the complexity of your son or daughter’s character
- How to discuss important topics like sexuality, gender, and technology in a way that connects with your child’s heart
Jimmy and Kristin Scroggins have been married for twenty-six years and have eight children. They have served at Family Church in South Florida since Jimmy became the lead pastor in July 2008. The Scroggins family is passionate about Family Church’s mission to build families by helping them discover and pursue God’s design. Jimmy also serves as a visiting seminary professor and Kristin co-leads The Mom Village Podcast at familychurchnetwork.com.
Jimmy and Kristin’s book, Full-Circle Parenting https://www.christianbook.com/full-circle-parenting-guide-crucial-conversations/jimmy-scroggins/9781087713441/pd/713441?event=ESRCG will give you a “conversation map” to work through any tough conversations you have with your children. Whether it’s substance abuse or sex, “mean girls” or technology, you’ll be equipped to stay in the game and share gospel conversations as they grow.
Our life as a couple brings one transition after another. For Rob and I, we’ve added babies to our family and sent young adults out into the world. Job changes sent us cross-country and turned our routines upside-down. For years Joanna was a stay-at-home homeschooling parent, but now she’s working and sending our son off to school each day. Like us, you’ve had to face the changes of life as a couple. Those transitions can pull you together or create stress that drives you apart.
That’s why we’re happy to welcome our guest Cheri Fletcher to the podcast today. Cheri and her husband Todd have experienced empty nesting and a crisis that forced them to change their lives in nearly every way. Cheri is here with great experience to help us understand
- The unforeseen events that forced Cheri and Todd to change their lives
- The losses and grief that come with change
- How God holds on to you so you don’t have to stay strong by yourself
- How to grow in empathy for each other’s unique needs and emotions
- How to approach life’s changes as a team
- Why you can celebrate the “new” God is putting in your life
- The ways a couple can “divorce-proof” their relationship in times of loss and change
[Cheri Fletcher is a writer, speaker, singer, and the host of Your Spiritual Game Plan podcast. She loves to help women develop a spiritual game plan so they can live out the purpose God created for them. She wants to share the message of just how intentionally you were made to be a part of God’s plan. Through her writings, speaking, and podcast, https://cherifletcher.com/ it is her desire to equip you with an understanding of the enemy’s plot against that very plan.
Cheri and her husband Todd are empty nesters and have just moved from Seattle, WA, to Cleveland, Tennessee. They have three grown children and one dog, Libby. Cheri enjoys running and walking with friends. She will also invite you in for coffee no matter what state her kitchen is in!
To grow closer to your spouse and each other through every season of life, take hold of Rob and Joanna’s powerful resource, Mr. & Mrs.: 366 Devotions for Couples.
Every couple begins married life together with a different background of traditions and habits, values and relationship patterns. https://growinghometogether.com/four-ways-opposites-attract-in-our-marriage/ can create conflict and stress or be used by God to draw you closer to him and each other. Today’s guests, Kagiso and Kate Motaung, know all about bridging differences in their cross-cultural marriage. They offer hope and great wisdom to help couples understand
- How God wrote Kate and Kagiso’s love story in South Africa
- The cultural differences they faced in their new life together, both in South Africa and the United States
- The value of a mentor couples for your marriage
- A challenge to look for beauty in the unfamiliar aspects of your life
- Why parenting demands a whole new level of adjustment and compromise
- How to communicate effectively about your differences
- How “meeting each other under God’s Word” changes everything
This episode—and Kagiso’s heartfelt prayer over YOUR marriage—is the encouragement you need to grow your love and understanding today.
Kagiso and Kate met and married in South Africa before relocating to the United States. They have been married since 2004 and have three children. Kate is the author of A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging and co-author of Influence: Building a Platform that Elevates Jesus (Not Me). She is the host of the online writing community Five Minute Friday, and is the owner of Refine Services, providing editing services to writers. Kagiso is trained as a pastor and teacher, and currently serves as a Realtor in West Michigan.
Connect with Kate on her website https://katemotaung.com/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/kate.motaung to discover her books, services, and inspiring resources. To win your own copy of her beautiful memoir—including Kate and Kagiso’s love story—leave a comment with “Loving Our Differences” to be entered in our giveaway drawing.
God bless your marriage today!
You’ve taken your child to church since they were a baby. Family Bible reading, worship music on the radio, and bedtime prayers have been woven into the life of your family. Yet despite the foundation of faith you’ve built for child, they struggle to believe. Doubts, poor choices, and even resistance to God have eroded their trust in Jesus. You’re discouraged and afraid as a parent—will praying for the heart of your prodigal child make a difference?
Janet McHenry joins us today to encourage moms and dads to pray by faith for their sons and daughters. With experience and insight, she explains
- How Janet’s prayer walks grew into a powerful ministry to help us all learn how to pray.
- The day Janet realized her son was far from God
- Our limits as parents to shape our children’s beliefs and choices
- Signs your child is struggling with doubt or secret behaviors
- How to cope with fear as a mom or dad
- Why prayer is more about access to God than answers from God
- How to pray for your child with confidence
Janet McHenry is an award-winning speaker and the author of 24 books, including the bestselling PrayerWalk and her newest, The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus. Janet is the wife of her rancher husband, Craig, in the Sierra Valley, and is a mom of four and grandmother to ten children.
Through prayer walking, Janet’s life was transformed and her ministry was born. Connect with Janet at janetmchenry.com to discover a wide collection of resources, life coaching, and her “Prayer School” masterclass today.
Parenthood doesn’t come with an instruction manual. So as you and I try to write our own job description, you might say your job is to raise responsible, independent adults. Or it’s to raise godly children who love Jesus with all of their hearts. Or maybe it’s to raise kids who make good choices and have strong character. But as you work so hard to achieve those goals in your home, you just become stressed and feel like a failure as a parent.
Today’s guest, Crystal Paine, is here to offer a whole new way of looking at our life as moms and dads. She shares her own parenting crisis that began a journey of transformation to understand
- Why moms and dads carry so much stress, doubt, and discouragement in parenting
- What your child needs most from you in their hardest moments
- Why learning to “live as loved” changes everything
- The lies you believe about yourself as a parent
- The difference between rules-based and relationship-based parenting
- How to find freedom in letting go of your kids
Crystal Paine is the founder of MoneySavingMom.com host of “The Crystal Paine Show” podcast, New York Times bestselling author of Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, and author of Money-Making Mom. She lives with her husband and kids in the Nashville, Tennessee area, where she is actively involved in her local church. Her biggest passions are helping women understand how the Gospel can radically transform their lives, raising awareness for foster care, going on adventures with her family (locally, domestically, and internationally), finding great deals at the grocery store, heartfelt conversations, and trying to read too many books at one time!
In Crystal’s latest book, Love-Centered Parenting, she shares her own parenting stories—the good, the bad, and the ugly—what she’s learned, and how she’s shifted into a love-centered model of raising her children. And because you can’t give what you don’t have, she first had to let God reparent her, relearning to parent from the inside out.
Comment on this post or reply to this email with “I Love My Kids” to be entered into a drawing to win a copy of your own!
To help you lift up your kids in prayer, Rob and Joanna created Powerful Prayers for Your Son and Powerful Prayers for Your Daughter. Visit our store to learn more.
This week we are excited to celebrate our 29th anniversary! In just a few more weeks, our oldest daughter will be walking down the aisle as a bride. And a few weeks beyond that, our son and his wife will celebrate five years of married life together. As we reminisce about our own newlywed season and watch our kids experience love for themselves, we’re asking these important questions: How can you start your marriage off right? What are the tools and choices that help a couple grow—and remain—loving and devoted for life?
That’s why we’re so excited to welcome marriage experts Christ and Jamie Bailey to the show. In this mini marriage workshop, they help us to understand
- How and why Chris and Jamie expanded their marriage ministry beyond the walls of their private practice.
- What a new couple needs to “pack” for the journey of your new life together.
- The necessary transition from self-centeredness to sacrificial love
- What to do when reality doesn’t live up to your expectations
- Why praying together is the best gift you can give your marriage
- How any couple can improve their communication
- How to build a healthy relationship with in-laws, a thriving sex life, and joy and laughter together
Chris and Jamie Bailey are professional counselors and marriage coaches who are passionate about helping couples live their best lives together. As the hosts of the Expedition Marriage Podcast, they also speak at retreats and workshops and provide expert, uplifting content on their blog at ExpeditionMarriage.org.
Their latest book, the Newlywed Couple’s Devotional, will bless your marriage and the new couples in your life for years to come.
To win a copy of your own, simply comment on this post or reply to this email with “Newlywed Devotional” to be entered in our giveaway drawing!
Since the day you fell in love and married, you carried a dream in your heart. More than anything you want to build a Christian home full of faith and the goodness of God. Yet like so many couples, you have no blueprints from your past to guide your way. God’s truth and his ways were painfully absent from your upbringing. You feel scared and insecure about how to put Christ in the center of your home and love each other like Jesus.
Today's guest, Mary DeMuth, knows what it’s like to build a loving, godly home out of the ashes of the past. She offers hope as she helps us to understand:
- How Mary’s traumatic childhood motivated her to create a new vision for her family life.
- The struggles “pioneer parents” face as first-generation Christians in their families.
- The pitfalls of perfectionism in our marriage and parenting.
- Why pursuing your own healing is the best gift you can give your family.
- The power of forgiveness to change your life and home.
- The value of mentors and examples to follow.
- How to set healthy boundaries so you can “leave and cleave” and support one another.
- How God’s kindness and prayer make all the difference.
Mary DeMuth is an author, artist, literary agent, and the host of the popular podcast, Pray Every Day. She and her husband, Patrick, are the parents of three adult children and make their home in Texas.
Mary’s passion is to give you hope through her story: “Not only have I been re-stored and restoried, but I long to see the same for you. You no longer have to live haunted. I believe your new story starts today. It’s time to heal, be set free, and find the new story God has for us. Won’t you join me on the adventure?” Discover Mary’s resources for you at marydemuth.com.
Enter to win your own copy of Mary’s book by commenting on this post with “Building a Christian home.” You will be entered in a drawing to choose a winner on March 10!
As you build your Christian home and marriage, we created this powerful resource HERE to help you grow closer to God and each other.
Ten years ago we began a new journey into foster parenting that would grow our family with the adoption of our youngest child. We didn’t know then how little we understood the realities of childhood trauma. Learning how to understand our son’s emotions—and the behaviors they triggered—has challenged us in our parenting like nothing else.
Perhaps your own child has suffered separation from birth parents or the loss of a loved one. A traumatic accident or lengthy hospital stay, or a painful crisis your family never saw coming. In the overwhelm of sad or anxious emotions, perhaps your child is acting out in negative or destructive ways. You want to meet your child in their struggle but you simply don’t know where to begin. You’re discouraged, confused, and desperate for help.
Today’s guests, Mike and Kristin Berry, bring a powerful word of hope for parents whose children have suffered trauma. They speak to all of us “friend to friend” and equip us to
- Understand how trauma changes a child’s brain in fundamental ways
- Identify the issues that keep children from securely attaching to their caregivers
- Interpret the emotions and needs that are underneath your child’s negative behavior
- Respond in a fresh, effective way to our children’s trauma
- Create a foundation of calm, firm parenting to provide security for our kids
Mike and Kristin Berry have been married for more than twenty years and are the parents of eight adopted children. Their mission is simple - to offer hope to adoptive, foster, and special needs parents who feel weary, overwhelmed and frustrated, and to let them know they're not alone.
Mike and Kristin are the authors of The Adoptive Parent Toolbox and their latest title, Securely Attached: How Understanding Childhood Trauma Will Transform Your Parenting. As the creators of The Honestly Adoption Company, their podcast, training courses, and practical resources will provide you with the tools and insight you need to help you thrive as a parent and transform your family.
To win your own copy of Mike and Kristin’s book, Securely Attached, simply reply to this email with your name and “Securely Attached.” We will enter you in the drawing, and the winner will be announced on March 10!
Rob did the math, and discovered that we’ve shared 10,552 days of our lives together as a couple! That’s a LOT of time to spend raising kids, growing careers, coping with pain and struggles, and seeing the good, bad, and ugly in one another. It’s just as true today as 29 years ago—it takes effort and intention to keep the love alive between us.
That’s why we’re excited to welcome Jason and Terri Earls to the podcast today. Jason and Terri encourage couples through comedy and in-depth teaching to discover:
- How their friendship grew into love in the beginning of their story
- What makes Jason a “comedian familiologist” who partners with Terri to encourage couples in their life together
- The connection between laughter and learning
- The need for “pit stops” to keep your relationship from breaking down on the road
- How to embrace your differences
- The importance of becoming each other’s safe place to be vulnerable
- How God moves through humility in your marriage
Jason and Terri Earls are popular speakers who coach couples to build strong marriages. They are the creators of the upcoming “Marriage DNA course at marriagedna.com and are parents to six amazing kids. Follow their marriage ministry on Instagram @marriagedna to learn more.
Jason is an award-winning comedian who has brought laughter to audiences around the world. He knows the power of humor to convey deep, life-changing truth. You can connect with Jason and find a reason to smile at jasonearls.com and his YouTube.com/Jason Earls. Make sure to check out his Facebook page at facebook.com/JasonEarlsComedy too.
To help you grow in your marriage every day of the year, Rob and Joanna created Mr. and Mrs: 366 Devotions for Couples. Connect with God and each other for a love that lasts.
The exhausting realities of the past year exposed our fears and limits like nothing we can remember. As moms, we have felt overwhelmed and tired. Lonely and restless. Sad and even helpless in the face of our families’ struggles. We’ve moved into survival mode, pushing our dreams, needs, and growth to the back burner.
What happens to our hearts when life is hard? Do we grit our teeth and press on, trying to be all things to all people? Does our identity get buried under the needs of those around us? Where do our passions and feelings fit into the puzzle of our life? What are God’s thoughts toward us as his daughters?
Today’s guest, Bethany Howard, brings us a refreshing perspective on our identity, our emotions, and our purpose as women. She shares:
- Her personal discovery of her passion and purpose, and how she wrote a book during a pandemic!
- How to become attentive to your inner thoughts, needs, and emotions
- How to embrace God’s transforming work in your life
- Why perfectionism is a barrier to moving forward
- Why emotions are our “superpower” as women and moms
- How embracing your calling becomes a gift to the ones you love
- How we can show up for each other on our unique journeys
Bethany Howard is a writer, speaker, and poet whose latest book, Permission Granted (https://www.bethanyhoward.com/permission-granted-book/) invites you into a journey of embracing who you are, cultivating courage, and encouraging you to engage in the community that surrounds you.
Bethany has been married for 20 years and is mom to three little people who are growing to be less little very day. The dog, the cat, and her four immediate family members all do their part to chisel her into the person she has the potential to be. She enjoys coffee, music, chocolate, shopping, laughing, reading, writing, and sometimes running but never cleaning. She and her family make their home in Atlanta, GA. Connect with Bethany at bethanyhoward.com and https://www.facebook.com/permissiongrantedfriend.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
We don’t need the experts to tell us that anxiety is a very real and growing struggle for children today. It touches nearly every family we know, and moms and dads are feeling discouraged and helpless in the face of their kids’ emotions.
That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome an expert therapist and mom of two to the podcast today. Kelly Boprie provides therapy for kids who face struggles with anxiety and depression, trauma and eating disorders. In her practice, she guides children through the transformative work of overcoming difficult emotions and behavior. This episode provides a wealth of practical help for parents by teaching us
- How to recognize anxiety issues in your kids at all ages and stages
- How to discern the difference between a temporary struggle and a mood disorder
- The ways anxiety affects your kids’ ability to function and thrive
- Simple stress-management skills you can teach your kids to move them from panic to peace
- The importance of managing your own anxiety as parents
- How to teach your kids to name and express their emotions
- Knowing when and how to seek professional help for your child
- The impact of faith on our fears
Kelly Boprie**, LMSW, CEDS, has served children, teens, and families through both residential and inpatient therapy to address a wide variety of mental health conditions. She provides counseling and therapy services at GR Therapy Group and holds certifications in treatment for eating disorders and premarital counseling. Kelly is a wife, mother, and active member of her church in West Michigan.
**https://grandrapidstherapygroup.com/therapists/kelly-boprie/
Visit our website Growing Home Together to view a handout from Kelly Boprie on how to cope with anxiety.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
Deep down, you want more than anything to be a good man. A man of courage and self-discipline. Of character and integrity. Of wisdom, insight, and faith. You want to be the kind of man your friends and family can count on when life is tough. You’re eager to see admiration in your wife’s eyes and joy in your kids when you walk through the door. Yet with all the pressures and shame you feel from inside and the world around you, you feel far from the man you wish you could be.
Joining Rob and his son Josh today, guest Nathan Clarkson offers a signpost to point the way to becoming a good man. With honesty and insight, he helps men to understand:
- What inspired Nathan to write about the issues men face
- How men “living wrongly” affect everyone in their life
- Why men are losing their identity in our culture
- The powerful role of community and friendship in men’s lives
- The way to become the hero of your own life story
- How sexuality can be restored to the rightness of God’s design
- How to instill “good man” qualities into your son
Nathan Clarkson (https://www.clarksonfamily.com/nathan) is an actor, author, filmmaker, artist, poet, and full-time wannabe philosopher. He is the coauthor of the bestselling book Different and has acted in numerous popular TV shows and films. Nathan lives in New York City but can often be found in Los Angeles, Colorado Springs, or adventuring around the country and world speaking and sharing his passion for helping people better know their Creator and the story He has for them to tell.
Josh Teigen is Rob’s oldest son and the husband of four years to his wife, Cassie. Since pursuing studies in psychology and theology, Josh is an active volunteer and leader at his local church. He founded the nonprofit organization Banner Media (bannermediagroup.org), whose mission is to create high-quality digital media that shares powerful, personal testimonies of God engaging with people today.
To win your own copy of Nathan’s latest book, “Good Man: An Honest Journey into Discovering Who Men Were Actually Created to Be,” leave a comment with your name and GOOD MAN. You’ll be entered in a drawing with the winner chosen on January 31, 2021.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
At the end of this long year, perhaps your marriage feels battered and bruised. Stressors, losses, and obstacles have tested your vow to cherish and love one another “for better or worse.” Affection gives way to irritation. Warmth is chilled by cold distance. Passion and intimacy fall away, leaving you with empty arms and lonely nights.
Today our guests Bill and Pam Farrel offer hope to couples who want to rekindle the passion in their relationship. They bring years of expertise as marriage speakers and writers—and their own decades of shared life together—to bring this hope and wisdom today:
- How God brought Bill and Pam together and gave them a vision for their relationship.
- Why sexual intimacy is so powerful and important in your marriage.
- The pitfalls that keep couples from sustaining “red-hot monogamy.”
- How to open up communication about your love life.
- How sexual intimacy can thrive and grow through every stage of life together.
- How your love can shine the light of Christ to others.
Bill and Pam have also created an amazing devotional planner to help you grow a successful and intimate marriage. Simply comment on this podcast post with your name and “Marriage Meet Ups” to enter our drawing for your own copies!
Bill and Pam Farrel inspire audiences around the world to live better, laugh often and love skillfully. It has often been said, “More is caught than taught,” and this is the secret to Bill and Pam’s effectiveness. They are a real couple helping real couples. As couples watch Bill and Pam present, they see a couple in action, experience the kind of support that builds trust in relationships and can visualize their own success. Bill and Pam don’t just teach about marriage, they demonstrate it for their audiences. Learn more about Bill and Pam’s wide collection of books and messages at http://www.love-wise.com/.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
This Christmas, we’re all a little weary. A little stressed. A little lonely for the friends and loved ones we’ve felt separated from for so long. Many of the gatherings, events, and traditions we cherish each year have been taken from our hands, leaving us empty or confused.
And yet, there is hope. Today’s guest, Asheritah Ciuciu, points the way to perhaps the most beautiful and significant Christmas we’ve ever known. By immersing in the names of Jesus—and in the presence of Jesus himself—you and your family can capture the peace and joy you’ve been searching for all along.
With heartfelt honesty, Asheritah shares:
- How she redeemed the painful Christmas memories of her childhood to create a joyful season for her own family.
- The history and significance of the Advent tradition
- Practical ways to slow down and pursue Jesus as a family
- How to unwrap the names of Jesus in creative ways with your children
- How connecting together with Jesus can bring healing in this difficult season
- Asheritah Ciuciu is an author and speaker, wife and mama, and founder of One Thing Alone Ministries—an online ministry that helps overwhelmed women find joy in Jesus through consistent and creative time in His Word.
Discover Asheritah’s interactive family devotional, Unwrapping the Names of Jesus, at unwrappingthenames.com. As you and your children gather together to focus on Jesus, your hearts will be prepared to celebrate Christmas like never before.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
If most dads are honest, they carry a truckload of insecurity about parenting their daughters. They wonder, How do I know if I’m the dad she needs? Why won’t she open up and talk to me? How do I show I love her even when I don’t like her choices? What difference can I really make in her life, anyway?
That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome today’s guest, Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield. Michelle has marked a path for any dad to follow that leads right to his daughter’s heart. She offers powerful, practical insight as she shares:
How God led Michelle to her ministry as a “coach” for dads of daughters
Creative, intentional ways to help your daughter open up and talk
What holds men back from stepping up to lead their families
How a dad can build a bridge to a daughter who’s distant or hard to understand
The impact of a dad’s love on a girl’s emotional health, identity, and confidence
How to make amends if you’ve wounded your daughter’s heart
How a girl’s dad can introduce her to Father God
Dad, this is one episode you don’t want to miss!
Dr. Michelle Watson-Canfield is a licensed professional counselor, speaker, author, and radio host of “The Dad Whisperer.” She is the co-chair--with her husband, Ken--of the Dad-Daughter Division of the National Center for Fathering. Michelle is also the founder of the Abba Project, a group forum for dads with daughters. She is passionate to equip and inspire fathers to dial in to their daughters’ hearts.
Take hold of Dr. Michelle’s latest book, Let’s Talk: Conversation Starters for Dads and Daughters, and her other powerful resources at www.drmichellewatson.com.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
Thanksgiving Reset: Raising Kids to Have an Attitude of Gratitude
During Thanksgiving—and the holiday shopping frenzy that follows—we want to see a grateful and generous spirit in our kids. At the end of this rough year of struggles and losses, we want our sons and daughters to recognize God’s blessings through it all.
In today’s episode, Rob and Joanna share a personal conversation about their own family’s journey of learning to be thankful. They tackle parenting strategies to teach kids to
- Delay gratification and wait for good things
- Help others in fun and practical ways
- Weave thankful words and actions into life every day
- Trust God as their true provider
As your family steps into this season of giving and receiving, Rob and Joanna offer the encouragement you need to raise “cheerful givers” who count their blessings all year long.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Rob and Joanna Teigen have celebrated over 25 years of marriage and are loving life with two sons, three daughters, and a beautiful daughter-in-law. They share an addiction to coffee, bookstores, and Christmas music. They debate whether two dogs are enough and who should win “The Voice” every season. Rob and Joanna are a neat-freak married to a mess, an explorer to a homebody, and an introvert to a ‘people person.’ In this season of thankfulness, they’re grateful for you and pray for God’s blessing on your family.
How to Let Go of Your Young Adult Children – with guest Jill Savage
Our kids’ passage from childhood to life as adults is rarely smooth, straight, or simple. As moms and dads, we carry a burden of worry over our young adult children’s lives. We wonder, Will they ever be fully independent? Will they succeed in school or in a career? What if they reject our values and Christian faith? Will their friends and dating relationships move them forward or hold them back? How will they stay emotionally strong in this time of turmoil? How do I help my kids navigate this new phase of their lives?
Today’s guest, Jill Savage, is here to tackle those concerns with practical wisdom and hope. She offers moms and dads a fresh mindset as we launch and let go of our young adult children. In today’s podcast, you’ll learn:
- The difference between accepting and affirming our kids’ poor choices
- Why we struggle with giving up control
- How to discern if you’re helping or enabling your child
- What our young adult kids need from us the most
- How to trust God with your kids’ future—and your own!
- The reason your next phase of parenting is so exciting
Jill will leave you encouraged and equipped to parent your child as they step into life as an adult. For even more of her insight, enter to win her book Empty Nest, Full Life: Discovering God’s Best for Your Next. Simply leave the comment “Letting Go” on this podcast episode by November 30 to be entered in a drawing for your very own copy!
Jill Savage is an author and speaker who is passionate about encouraging families. She is the author or co-author of fourteen books, including No More Perfect Moms and No More Perfect Marriages. Featured on Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, and Today’s Christian Woman magazine, Jill is also the founder of Hearts at Home. Jill and her husband Mark have five children and three grandchildren. They make their home in Normal, Illinois.
In all the talk about 2020, the word we’ve heard the most is “unprecedented.” Who in the world expected a pandemic to land on our doorsteps? Who could foresee the fires and natural disasters. The school closures and financial losses. The empty shelves at the store. Lockdowns and travel bans. Is it possible that our families could have been prepared for crisis after crisis this year?
Today’s guest, Kathi Lipp, gives an enthusiastic YES to that question. Kathi offers a truckload of tips and steps to get ready for whatever might come your way. In her smart and positive style, she shares
- The scary event that started her on the road to preparedness
- The number one item to have on hand at all times
- Three specific goals to achieve to be ready for a crisis
- The spiritual and emotional payoff for your family when you’ve prepared
- Why you’re closer to “ready” than you think!
Comment on this episode by November 15, 2020, with “Ready for Anything!” to win your own copy of Kathi Lipp’s book, Ready for Anything: Preparing Your Heart and Home for Any Crisis Big or Small.
Kathi Lipp inspires thousands of women each year to strip down their expectations and lives and live with real purpose. With humor and wisdom, Kathi offers hope paired with practical steps to live with meaning.
Kathi Lipp is the author of 20 books including Clutter Free, The Christmas Project Planner, The Husband Project, and Overwhelmed. She is the host of Clutter Free Academy the Podcast! with Kathi Lipp, and also runs the Facebook group Clutter Free Academy, where thousands of women (and a few brave guys) support each other in living a Clutter Free life.
She is a national speaker and is often featured on Woman’s World as one of their “Ask the Experts”, Focus on the Family, MOPS International, Crosswalk.com, Girlfriends in God and Proverbs 31 Ministries as well as a number of other media outlets around the country.
How to Walk Your Way Closer to God and Each Other
Stress. Political turmoil. Racial division. Financial hardship. The pain of life’s burdens can shake your faith to the core.
In this year of trouble, relationships struggle too. Couples, families, and friendships suffer from loneliness and conflict with no relief in sight.
Today’s podcast offers great hope in the hurt. Our guest Mark Buchanan shares how the simple act of walking has the power to draw us closer to God and the ones we love most.
Listen as Mark describes:
- Walking as the spiritual discipline you never heard about at church
- Why walking is a powerful way to connect deeply with God
- How walking is a tool to grow and repair our relationships with the ones we love.
- How walking is not only exercise, but can “exorcise” the darkness from our hearts and minds
- Why walking is uniquely relevant in this day and age
- A word of encouragement for those who are unable physically unable to get out and walk
Comment with “God Walk” on this episode to be entered to win your own copy of Mark Buchanan’s book, *God Walk! ***
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
You want a close, intimate relationship with your spouse. Both of you want to make memories as one another’s best friend. You aim for unity and teamwork in your parenting, decisions, and plans.
Yet for many couples, these goals and desires crash against the rocks of your circumstances. You might be separated by job assignments or military deployment. One of you may be called away to care for an aging parent. Daily barriers like opposite work shifts or a health crisis might keep you alone. How can you stay connected as a couple when life forces you apart?
Today’s guest, Kristi Woods, is a military wife who knows the pain of separation from the one she loves. During her husband’s lengthy deployments, she shouldered the burdens of loneliness, single parenting, and navigating life on her own. She can also share a beautiful testimony of God’s love and faithfulness through it all.
In today’s episode, we’ll discover:
- The losses and struggles you face if you can’t be together.
- The challenges of parenting when you’re away from your partner.
- The confidence – or “Godfidence” -- that can be learned while you’re alone.
- How to cope with feelings of guilt or loneliness.
- How to recapture unity and teamwork when you are reunited.
- The ways God can grow you closer to him and each other at all times.
For more insight from Kristi Woods, join us on the blog as she shares more on this topic.
Kristi Woods is a writer, speaker, and podcaster, but she most loves the label “Jesus girl.” Her latest Bible study, Created to Believe: A Bible Word Study, and other faith-building tools can be found at www.KristiWoods.net.
Kristi, her handsome, retired-from-the-Navy husband, and their three children survived a nomadic, military lifestyle and have set roots in Oklahoma--where she keeps a close watch for tornadoes and good chocolate.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
Bryan and Shayla Moffitt, co-founders of Anguished Hearts, are speakers, writers, parents to the two most adorable kids, and followers of Jesus. Shayla loves coffee and Bryan loves running marathons. They have been best friends for over 22 years and husband and wife for over 20 years.
They use their own life experiences to show that hope can be found no matter the situation, struggle, or sin you're facing. Anguished Hearts exists to lead broken people into a powerful relationship with Jesus. Their desire is to share the hope of Jesus so others can experience the same forgiveness and freedom that they have.
You can learn more about their story at www.anguishedhearts.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/anguishedhearts
Instagram: @AnguishedHearts
Be sure to check out our website at growinghometogether.com for even more wisdom, family resources, and a free marriage devotional that will help you conquer fear with faith! You can also find us on the Growing Home Together Facebook page.
This podcast is produced and edited by Angie Elkins Media, Inc.
Bryan and Shayla Moffitt, co-founders of Anguished Hearts, are speakers, writers, parents to the two most adorable kids, and followers of Jesus. Shayla loves coffee and Bryan loves running marathons. They have been best friends for over 22 years and husband and wife for over 20 years.
They use their own life experiences to show that hope can be found no matter the situation, struggle, or sin you're facing. Anguished Hearts exists to lead broken people into a powerful relationship with Jesus. Their desire is to share the hope of Jesus so others can experience the same forgiveness and freedom that they have.
You can learn more about their story at www.anguishedhearts.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/anguishedhearts
Instagram: @AnguishedHearts
Be sure to check out our website at growinghometogether.com for even more wisdom, family resources, and a free marriage devotional that will help you conquer fear with faith! You can also find us on the Growing Home Together Facebook page.
As a couple, you have goals and hopes for the future. You feel stress and concern over the difficult issues you face. You want a close, growing relationship but find conflict and frustration is driving you apart. In every part of your life together, prayer has the power to build your marriage and transform your circumstances like nothing else.
In today’s conversation we explore why prayer is life-changing and how a couple can build it into their life together. Sharing from their own personal experiences of answered prayer, Rob and Joanna Teigen answer your questions, like:
- How does prayer make a difference in a couple’s marriage?
- How can we find healing and deal with conflict between us?
- If prayer is so important, why is it so hard to do?
- How can we fit prayer into our busy, stressful life?
Be sure to check out our website at growinghometogether.com for even more wisdom, family resources, and a free marriage devotional that will help you conquer fear with faith! You can also find us on the Growing Home Together Facebook page.
In today’s image-driven, social-media saturated culture, our kids face a tough battle for a healthy body image and relationship with food. Our own family encountered the destructive force of eating disorders in a painful way. We’re excited to welcome Jennifer Lane to the podcast today. Her expertise and her own personal story give great hope to families facing the struggle of disordered eating:
“It was like God turned on a light on in a dark room and showed me the fundamental lies I had been believing since I was a small child, that had only gained momentum as experiences fed the lies. I was able to see that they were lies and was able to replace them with the truth of his Word… The veil had been lifted.”
Jennifer Lane helps us to understand:
- The risk factors and causes of eating disorders for our kids.
- The spiritual, emotional, and physical sides of disordered eating.
- How to recognize an eating disorder in your child’s life.
- How a parent can support their child with an eating disorder.
- How dads can affirm their daughters and build them up.
- The power of God to set our children totally free from eating disorders.
- How Jennifer’s personal journey with an eating disorder led to an impactful ministry to girls and women who struggle.
For more on this topic, you can find a recent article here on our blog.
For more encouragement and insight as you care for the soul of your family, meet us at the Growing Home Together Facebook page.
Every couple is feeling the stress of COVID-19 these days. But let’s be honest—this isn’t our first run-in with challenging times, and it won’t be the last. In today’s episode, Rob and Joanna Teigen share how to cope with stress so it draws you together instead of pulling you apart. They’ll give you insightful tips, such as:
- How to recognize and honor your spouse’s “stress personality.”
- How to keep stress from creating conflict in your marriage.
- How to welcome stress as a tool to grow your relationship.
- How to build a powerful prayer life together in hard times.
Be sure to check out our website at growinghometogether.com for even more wisdom, family resources, and a free marriage devotional that will help you conquer fear with faith! You can also find us on the Growing Home Together Facebook page.
Grief can be overwhelming even for adults. So what does it take to help a child or a teenager navigate the flood of powerful emotions and confusion in the wake of a tragedy?
Today, author and speaker Lisa Appelo shares her story of guiding her seven children through the unexpected loss of their father. She also offers practical and heartfelt advice to help you support your kids in life's most difficult moments.