Valley of Fear (Version 2), The by DOYLE, Sir Arth: Recent Episodes
Tom & Kari Curran
The Curran Crew podcast with Dr. Tom and Kari Curran, parents of 9 kids, provides encouragement, insight and equipping to moms and dads to help them grow in faith and lead their families as they live the exhilirating and exhausting vocation to love their crew!
Dr. Tom and Kari Curran give reports on their discerned resolutions for 2019, battles and breakthroughs! Kari shares stories from Snowmageddon and Valentine’s Day. Tom talks about the four steps for cooperating with God to bring about a breakthrough: attend, discern, interpret, and respond.
Dr. Tom and Kari Curran share stories of breakthrough in areas of faith and family life. Kari talks about how her kids surprised her with creating a new space in the house and shares insights from an article about the wrong way to use the internet. Tom reflects on new ‘words’ for 2019, a new book and new insights on a personality test.
Dr. Tom and Kari Curran talk about the importance of family meetings: manners, medical emergencies, media, and more! Kari reads their family Christmas letter and explains SHLEP: Share, at Home, Lesson, Eat, and Prayer. Tom talks about how to help kids and families discern a Word of the Year.
The Currans reflect on the past year and explore their discerned resolutions for 2019. Kari talks about the absence of ‘presents,’ the call to simplify, and the book she’s resolved to read in 2019! Tom talks about how to concretize philosophical principles for growing in holiness through simple daily habits.
Dr. Tom and Kari Curran begin today’s podcast by reflecting on the funeral of George H. W. Bush and insights from the book Chasing Excellence: A Story About Building the World's Fittest Athletes by Ben Bergeron. Kari gives tips about creating special moments during Advent and Tom talks about how to bring light into the cold, dark season.
The Currans share gift ideas for children with different love languages: acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, expressions of affection, and gift giving. Kari talks about gifts to buy from the dollar store and Tom reads his second-favorite text from Mary Grace. Read more about The 5 Love Languages for Children, by Gary Chapman.
Dr. Tom and Kari Curran confess to having an empty tool box, honking the horn, lacking a bedtime routine, and watching Hallmark movies. Kari reads her favorite poem posted on Mary Grace’s World Race blog, “I Never Knew Jesus had Brown Eyes.” Tom shares insights he’s learned about trauma and trauma-informed care.
Dr. Tom and Kari Curran share stories about family prayer, marriage group and Halloween. Kari talks about how to prepare the home for family prayer and celebrate a faith-filled Halloween. Tom references the Church’s teaching on the Battle of Prayer [CCC: 2725] and continues to link demonic influence to the unfolding, priest scandal.
The Currans talk about the ‘new normal’ in the Curran home and their new form of parenting. Tom and Kari shares stories about homeschooling, attending Pentecostal youth group and the protection of guardian angels. Tom talks about the principles of form and the concept of creative discontent.
Dr. Tom and Kari Curran share stories about their current challenge of parenting five teenagers, such as: sibling rivalry, sarcasm, faith formation push-back, and more! Tom contrasts parenting principles from the first decade versus the second decade. Kari gives five ‘must have’ tips for organizing a successful family-bonding activity: fun, food, faith, fresh, and furtive.
Dr. Tom and Kari Curran testify to the challenge of parenting iGen teenagers by exploring the following topics: smartphone contracts, social media rules, sleepovers, the clergy sexual assault crisis, ‘vaping’ and more. Tom talks about how to manage apps/internet usage on a mobile device and Kari gives ideas on how to utilize smartphones to incentivize faith formation, hard work and good grades.
The Currans reflect on ‘faith vs. doubt’ and give examples of how difficult struggles lead to triumph. Tom talks about the message he spoke to Catholic school parents and reads an excerpt from the book Kingdom Journeys: The Lost Spiritual Discipline by Seth Barnes. Kari shares stories from the send-off party for Mary Grace and continues to discuss their smartphone rules for teens.
The Currans talk about the personal significance of September 8th. Along with honoring the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Currans launch Mary Grace into a year of mission and remember a special wedding anniversary. Kari talks about the gift of arduous goods and shares stories of sadness, anger and fear. Tom explores statistics about ‘practicing Catholics’ and addresses the unfolding clergy scandal.
Dr. Tom and Kari Curran recap the summer, launch the new school year and discuss the trials unfolding in their new stage of parenting. The Currans talk about the ‘gift of play’ and reveal the new conversations they are having with their kids.
The Currans share tips to throw a senior graduation party, cure summer boredom, revive summer reading, and celebrate Father’s Day well. Tom shares insights on the ‘healthy anxiety’ kids can experience during summer break. Kari gives encouragement to moms feeling overwhelmed by the summer months.
Curran daughter, Mary Grace, joins the podcast to testify to the gift of CYO summer camps and to anticipate her upcoming mission-minded gap year adventure through World Race. Later in the program, the Currans discuss what it means to ‘live out loud’ as a Catholic, mission-minded family in today’s world.
The Currans acknowledge the 50th Anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical, Humane Vitae, and testify to the gift of being ‘open to life’. Kari shares her testimony of the struggles and blessings of raising a big family. Tom compares and contrasts the Church’s teaching on marriage with the top five google-search results on “10 keys to a good marriage.”
The Currans share stories about missionaries, married couples and moms! Tom talks about the questions they asked their tax accountant about missionary faith formation. Kari explores three stages of motherhood referenced in an article about what moms ‘Really Want for Mother’s Day.’
The Currans discuss several topics, such as: teacher appreciation, summer jobs for kids, interactive gaming, dinner table activities, and how to prepare well for Mother’s Day. Kari references a loneliness survey and Tom talks about the concepts of ‘genuine vs. novel.’
The Currans share stories from their most memorable retreats and testify to the fruits of family retreats. Tom talks about the modern-day threats against the practices of silence and stillness. Kari gives ideas for creating a retreat with friends and family.