LC Parents Podcast: Recent Episodes
NextGen
The LC Parents Podcast is a monthly podcast where we get real about the struggles, victories, and laughs we share as parents. The podcast is hosted by the Life.Church NextGen team.
Dr. Burns shares three simple, powerful ways parents can lead well in a digital age:
- Protect your tables – creating intentional space for connection and conversation
- Take back bedrooms – prioritizing sleep, safety, and shared spaces
- Steward your clocks – being intentional with the limited time you have with your kids
You’ll also hear encouragement rooted in faith, neuroscience, and real-life parenting, reminding us that this conversation is ultimately about connection—not control.
What You'll Learn
- What it means to raise digital natives (Gen Z and Gen Alpha)
- How technology impacts attention, memory, mental health, and identity formation
- Why boredom is actually good for kids’ brains and creativity
- How family meals and shared time build resilience, trust, and emotional health
- Why removing screens from bedrooms can dramatically improve sleep and emotional regulation
- The Nine-Minute Theory for increasing meaningful parent-child connection
- How faith, balance, and intentionality can guide families toward healthy technology habits
Resources Mentioned
- LifeGroup Talk Notes
- Romans 12:2 – Scripture referenced when discussing cultural habits vs. transformation
- Dr. Anne Fishel (Harvard Medical School) – The Benefit of Family Meal Time
- Brian McLaren – Author and theologian; Four Stages of Faith Development
- Simplicity → Complexity → Perplexity → Harmony
- Axis.org – Life.Church partner focused on lifelong parent-child conversations
- Barna Group – Research on families, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha
- Life.Church Aligning Values – Referenced in closing encouragement
- Screen Time Suggestions:
- Preschool (2–5):
- Supervised iPad use OK, up to 1 hour/day.
- Parent chooses QUALITY content; child doesn’t “drive” device.
- Keep healthy developmental routines (sleep, outdoor play, undistracted parental connection).
- Elementary (5–12):
- Under 2 hours/day, PRIORITIZED AFTER schoolwork/family/chores.
- Devices should be locked down as much as possible with parental controls.
- No social media.
- No devices in bedrooms; shared family spaces only. (Hard with iPads and Gaming)
- Teens:
- Same guidelines for Adults!
- Focus on Purpose, Benefits, and Balance.
- Ask: “How much time do I want my kids to remember me on my phone?”
- Model the same standards: < 2 hours/day, no bedroom screens.
- Preschool (2–5):
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In this episode of the LC Parents Podcast, host Ally Evans sits down with Chris and Cindy Beall to talk about the joys and challenges of raising kids in a Christ-centered home. They share personal stories, parenting wisdom, and faith-based principles that have shaped their family. Whether you’re in the early years of parenting or navigating the teenage phase, this conversation will encourage and equip you to lead your children with intention and faith.Don’t do this alone. Engage in Biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through these questions together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups.
- Create Family Values: Need a great place to get started? Looking for a great way to get started? Family-id.com is an excellent tool to help you define your family values. As a LifeGroup, challenge yourselves to set values that are not only meaningful to your own family but also align with the values of other families within the group.
- Resources from Axis: At Axis, we believe you have the biggest influence on your teen. That’s why we’re committed to equipping you with Biblical resources like culture translation and conversation skills to disciple your teen toward a lifelong faith in Jesus. Visit Axis.org for more.
Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode here:
Episode Discussion Guide
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You'll hear insights on balancing being protective while giving your kids independence, and why it's more important than ever for parents to be informed and engaged in the digital world. Tune in for actionable advice to help set your kids up for success!
Resources:
- The Anxious Generation
- A Parent’s Guide to Smartphones
- A Parent’s Guide to Social Media
- 5 Ways to Use Technology to Connect with your Teen
Links and other resources mentioned* John 5 * Book: Stay Here by Jacob Coyne * Stay Here | Suicide Prevention Training * Stay Here | Student Ambassadors * Stay Here Website: stayhere.live * The Hope Line - 24 Hour Free Live Chat * Instagram - @stayhereorg * Axis resources: + A Parents Guide to Suicide - Self-Harm Prevention + How To Talk About Mental Health With Your Teen
We want to hear from you! Was there a topic on this episode that you were excited to hear more about? Comment below!
Looking for more resources on this topic? We’ve got you covered! Check out these incredible resources below:
- Anxious Generation
- A Parent’s Guide to Teens & Social Media (Axis Resource)
- A Parent’s Guide to Smart Phones
- A Parent’s Guide to Teen Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention
- Kids & Screen Time (Parent Cue)
- Setting and Keeping Technology Boundaries (Parent Cue)
- Screen Sanity
Parenting the next generation can sometimes feel like we have little aliens living in our homes. Their technology, knowledge, awareness, and sometimes even their questions can be very challenging to navigate. We could go as far as to say we have never, in history, had to navigate what our kids and students are facing today! Statistics show that anxiety in kids and students is at an all-time high. Many factors can contribute to these statistics.
In this episode of the LC Parents Podcast, Ally Evans interviews our special guest Vince Parker about all things Gen Z and Gen Alpha. They explore new ways to engage kids and students, how to navigate difficult questions, and how to better bridge the gaps between our generation and theirs.
Want to go deeper? Check out these resources that were mentioned on this podcast and more!
- Family ID
- Axis Resources
Have you ever wondered as a parent…Am I discipling my child the right way?Is what I’m teaching them actually sticking? Bringing Jesus into our parenting can be challenging. Whether it’s because we feel like what we say isn’t getting through to our kids, we feel overwhelmed with all the parent resources online, or simply because we feel like we lack Biblical knowledge. In this episode on the LC Parents Podcast, Ally Evans interviews our special guests Stephen Hershberger, Luke Guevara, and Stephen Cole on the their favorite ways to bring Jesus into every day conversations. We hope this episode brings a new light to the simplicity of every day conversations you can have as a family about Jesus, and helps you find new ways to bring spiritual discipline into your home.
Join us as we uncover in-depth conversations about our curriculum, heartwarming stories, and share the inspiring moments that make LifeKids and Switch an integral part of our church family. Together, let's celebrate the journey of faith and family as we navigate the joys and challenges of raising a generation rooted in love, purpose, and a deep connection with their Creator.
In this podcast, Ally Evans and Dr. Tim Elmore share different stories of young people doing amazing things that have influenced many people even to this day. You can find Dr. Elmore’s new book, I Can’t Wait, on Amazon!
Just in time to head back to school, pastors Ally Evans and Will Hutcherson are discussing a topic that is heavy on many hearts right now: anxiety. Anxiety is a normal human response to stress, but sometimes it takes more control over us than we would like.
In this episode, Will walks us through common lies anxiety tells us and equips us as parents to combat these lies. Will and Dr. Chinwe Williams' brand new book, Beyond the Spiral, is written both for students and parents. This resource is designed to help students break free of the stronghold of anxiety with Biblical principles and practical action steps. You'll definitely want to tune in for this one!
- As you listen, be sure to check out the episode discussion guide. These guides are created specifically for parents to go through with other parents, because no one should navigate anxiety alone. Grab a friend or dig into this content with your LifeGroup this week!
- You might recognize Will's name from LC Parents Episode #14, How to Help your Kids Emotionally Exhale.
- Invite others in. Will's YouVersion Bible Plan, Seen is a great way to connect with others and learn how we can support our students together.
This month, Ally Evans and Tracy Foster are talking about how to do something that has never been done before—raise a generation of digital natives. You don't want to miss this conversation on setting the stage for the use of technology, the effects of video games on our kids' brains, and how to connect with our kids over what they are passionate about. What if video games are not the enemy and instead, an opportunity to build empathy and develop intentionally?
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Don’t do this alone. We are meant to be in community. Start or join a LifeGroup and work through the discussion guide today, because we need one other to raise digital natives! Check out existing LifeGroups at go2.lc/lifegroups
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Invite a few friends to go through the Bible Plan, Showing Empathy on YouVersion. The first step to helping our kids regulate themselves is to empathize with them right where they are.
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Discover all the amazing resources available for your family and LifeGroup at westartnow.org
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Consider using the Video Game Decision Tree to help create clarity around gaming at home!
Time to tap into the ever-elusive minds of teenagers! On this episode, Next Generation Research Specialist, Kara Powell, chats with Ally Evans about the three biggest questions that our teenagers—and really all of us—are asking. They discuss where our kids are looking for answers and how we can help them process in light of the truth found in Jesus.
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Don’t do this alone. We are meant to be in community. Start or join a LifeGroup and work through the discussion guide today, because we need each other! Check out existing LifeGroups at go2.lc/lifegroups.
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Invite a few friends to go through the Bible Plan, Showing Empathy, on YouVersion. The first step to helping our kids process these questions is fully empathizing with why they are asking.
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Pick up a copy of Kara’s book, Three Big Questions that Change Every Teenager, today!
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LC Parents is on Spotify! If this month’s episode was helpful to you, share it with friends today!
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. It is critical to bring attention to the victories and struggles that families with kids who have special needs experience. Join Ally and Sherry as they talk about who needs to be advocated for, how to speak up for yourself, and what it looks like to step past the fear of saying or doing the wrong thing in order to love people who really just want to be seen.
Resources and Next Steps:
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Don’t do this alone. Whether you have a child with special needs or not, engage in biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through your questions and challenges together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups.
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Look into the resources at church4everychild.org for ideas on how to partner with your church and the families who are a part of it with you.
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Encourage your family to engage with Scripture using the Bible App for Kids!
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If you are a mom, check out Sherry’s book: Brave Mom: Facing and Overcoming Your Real Mom Fears.
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If you have a child with special needs, connect with your LifeKids or Switch Pastor about LifeKids Buddies or Switch Support.
Life.Church is for your family!
On this episode, Ally and Michelle address blended families and our internal narratives. Whether you are part of a blended family or not, this discussion reminds us all to stay rooted in the right things—not the drama going on around us, but God's Truth for us.
- Don’t do this alone. Whether you have a blended family or not, engage in biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through your questions and challenges together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups.
- Work through the episode discussion guide with your LifeGroup.
- Remember your Source by staying rooted in the right things. Start the Bible Plan, Blend: Strengthen Your Family, on YouVersion today!
- If you are part of a blended family, check out the other Blend resources at life.church/media/ lifegroups/blend/
We are finally going there—unlocking the secret to your kid's best behavior. But the answer might be different than you think. Join Ally and Kaitlyn as they talk about the behavior cycle and the change that they have both made that's proved to be a game-changer in their lives and families.
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Don’t do this alone. Engage in biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through these questions together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups.
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Check out www.life.church/media/words-to-live-by/ and craft your own truth statements this week.
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Start the Words To Live By With Craig Groeschel Bible Plan on YouVersion today.
Another one of those big questions we all must answer is this: What difference do I make? We want to know why we are here, our calling, our purpose, and how to move past our fears. Jessica and Ally discuss how we often find answers to these big questions through small acts of service and generosity.
- Don’t do this alone. Engage in biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through the discussion guide together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups.
- Check out life.church/neighbor and talk about a Mission Partner you and your LifeGroup can invest in together!
- Invite a new friend to join you and your people at a Christmas Eve service this year!
One of the biggest questions every kid has to answer is: Who am I? There are multiple voices that try to inform the answer to that question, and those voices rarely say the same thing at the same volume. James and Ally discuss how we can help our kids cut through the confusion and show up in the world with confidence.
- Don’t do this alone. Engage in biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through the discussion guide for this episode together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups
- Check out the START resources and consider working through the Screen Sanity study with your LifeGroup!
- Write your Words to Live By and help your kids do the same. Find Bible Plans and other resources at life.church/media/words-to-live-by/
Often times, when we’re looking for answers about how to teach our kids to engage with technology well, we are met with blank faces and more big questions. But what if there’s a simple way to frame up this conversation? Join Ally and Tracy as they provide practical steps we can take to create a healthy culture around technology in our families.
- Don’t do this alone. Engage in biblical community by joining a LifeGroup and working through the discussion guide together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups
- Check out the START resources and consider working through the Screen Sanity study with your LifeGroup!
- When we get healthier, our families also reap the benefits. So take the time to go deeper into your personal inventory by considering the ways you use technology and how you can START with yourself.
What if there is a way to address our responses to pain, become more present to our kids, and stay grounded as parents? This month, Ally Evans and special guest, Matthias J Barker, help us reframe conversations around trauma and start thinking about it more wisely. Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/.
Next steps and resources:
- Don’t do this alone. Engage in biblical community by joining a LifeGroup and working through these questions together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups
- Start working through the self-paced trauma workshop to help you understand your own trauma and have healthier conversations with your kids at www.matthiasjbarker.com
- When we get healthier, our families also reap the benefits. So take the time to go deeper into your personal inventory about the ways you naturally respond to pain.
On this episode, Ally, James, and Charlie help answer your questions! From the challenge of getting our kids to open up more, to teaching them the value of education, to figuring out how to move forward when you have messed up—the wisdom shared will help you connect with your kids in deeper, more meaningful ways. Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/.
Next steps and resources:
- Don’t do this alone! Engage in biblical community by joining a LifeGroup and working through these questions and resources together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups.
- Check out these books if you are looking for your next great read:
- Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute
- WEIRD: Because Normal Isn’t Working by Craig Groeschel
- Habitudes: Images that Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes by Tim Elmore
Growing up, Jason used to chase and capture lizards with his brothers. He quickly learned that when he squeezed a lizard too tightly, it would run for its life as soon as it was released. What happens when we hold our kids tightly like that? Check out this episode to hear what our guest, Jason, and Ally have learned about the beauty of opening our hands as parents.
Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/
In our culture, many of us can fall into “superstar syndrome.” Meaning, we think we need to be an all-star Jesus follower with a degree in EUS (Everything Under the Sun) for our kids to turn out right—and that’s just not true. Instead, it’s the transparency about our failures that actually mean more to our kids than the immediacy of our answers.
Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/
What if there really is a formula for successfully parenting through conflict? What if the “formula” is more like a kindergartener’s basic house drawing? In this episode, Dr. Amy Newberry continues to share simple, impactful insights to inform our family’s conflict management strategy.
Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/
Have you ever had a blow up at your kids? Or wondered if it was really helpful to make them say sorry when you know they’re not? Amy Newberry, a child counselor, is back to help us learn how to deal with conflict and avoid the bottleneck effect.
Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/
On this episode, father-daughter duo, David and Riley, share the secret to great family time and relationships that last. And it’s not rocket science! Throughout the episode, we are encouraged to capitalize on the simple things that happen consistently versus the complex things that only happen occasionally.
Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/
It’s one of the biggest topics of all-time for parents: Discipline! We have Amy, a child counselor, on the podcast for the last part of our series all about discovering how our faith impacts our parenting. On this episode, we talk about three tips that will help you correct your kids in a life-giving way.
Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/
We’ve all heard the expression, “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” But does it really matter who my kid’s friends are? How do I make sure they make the ‘right’ friends? We have Deleise, a mom of four, on the podcast for part three of our series all about discovering how our faith impacts our parenting.
Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/
Looking for a formula to guarantee your kids will love Jesus? What if you’re new to following Jesus yourself? We have Robin Meadows, author of Overwhelmed By My Blessings, back with us for part two of our series all about discovering how our faith impacts our parenting. On this episode, we talk about how consistency in our own faith can root our family in Christ.
Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/
Is the bathroom the only place to find peace in your home? Oh, not there either? We get it. We have Robin Meadows, author of Overwhelmed By My Blessings, on the podcast to kick off a brand new series where we discover how our faith impacts our parenting. On this episode, we talk about those times when we feel overwhelmed and hear the secret to creating peace in your family.
Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/
In a culture that shouts all kinds of bad ideas at our kids about sex and sexuality, how can we equip our kids with habits and practices that help them live a life that honors God? This month on the LC Parents Podcast, we hear from James Meehan as he shares how Life.Church and parents can partner together to lead our kids through sexual integrity.
Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/
This month on the LC Parents Podcast, we sit down with a dad and one of the creators of the Loop Show, Greg Castle. We’re talking about YouTube, connecting with your preteens, the value of coming to church, and what this year has taught us in our parenting journey!
When adding one more thing to our plate seems too overwhelming to bear, but we also want to love and lead our families well, we can feel at a crossroads. This month on the podcast, we have Dana Williams with us to talk about how to use our family’s daily rhythms to help our kids grow closer to Christ!
As parents, we've all dealt with meltdowns at one time or another. How can we make sure we're responding with love? Tune in to get tips about discipline, and hear how we get to the heart behind the behavior.
Parenting has changed a lot since we were kids. How can we make sure our kids are staying safe while also communicating that we trust them? This month, we sit down with Titania Jordan from Bark.us to discuss internet and social media monitoring, and how we can navigate parenting in the digital space!
It's back to school season, and we know it looks entirely different than it did last year! No matter what, our heart is to connect your family to God, community, and the Church. Tune in to hear about what we're doing in LifeKids and Switch right now, and hear about relevant resources specifically designed with you, your kids, and your students in mind!
How do we make sure a smartphone doesn’t take our place as the most influential person in our child’s life? In this episode, David Eaton, Co-Founder and President of Axis and author of Smartphone Sanity, talks about some of the tools available to parents for navigating this sea of uncertainty.
What do we do when our kids are having doubts about who God is? Guests Cindy Beall and Jenn Jewell sit down with us to talk about how we can trust in the Lord even when we experience challenges, and teach our kids to do the same! Whether you started following Jesus sixty years ago or six days ago, tune in to figure out how we can use seasons of doubt to grow our family's faith deeper than it's ever been before!
Have you ever tried to shield your child from the woes of the world? Us, too! In this episode, a father, author, and Generation Z expert Dr. Tim Elmore discusses how parents can learn about the hidden challenges of the most anxious population, and how you can help your child overcome them.
Our kids are fighting anxiety, depression, and despair like never before. In this episode of the podcast, Will Hutcherson, a pastor and speaker is here to talk about how we can help our kids "emotionally exhale" and overcome despair through conversation and connection!
During a season of physical distancing, how can we spread the hope of Christ and serve others rather than backing away? In this episode, we have Oklahoma's Director of Child Welfare Services and Pediatrician Deb Shropshire with us to discuss how we can be hope-dealers to every person we interact with!
How do we parent our kids through a season of complete uncertainty? We sit down with two pastors to talk about practical ways to produce resilient kids in the face of doubt. Tune in for encouragement, support, and helpful resources!
What if we could flip the script and help kids view their perceived disabilities as superpowers? This month, we talk with Jennifer Reardon McSoley, an author and mom who is passionate about showing every child how they are uniquely and wonderfully made by our Creator! No matter what part you play in supporting families touched by this topic, you don't want to miss this empowering episode!
Being intentional with your kids sounds great on paper, but how do you make time for that when it's challenging enough making room for family dinner in your schedule? This month, we hear from a mom of two young adults about how her and her husband made intentionality a priority in their parenting. Whether you're a brand-new parent or you're a brand-new empty nester, this episode is for you!
In this episode, we talk to two pastors at Life.Church about LifeKids and Switch ministries, and the ways that they're excited about coming alongside you as a parent! No matter what season your family is currently in, you'll hear about what it means to lean into your church and really partner with them in the new year!
Blending a family can be difficult, especially during the holiday season! With the right perspective and life-giving community, God can strengthen your family more than you could ever imagine. In this episode, we hear from two parents about what has worked for them during the holiday season in their blended family, and how to keep your focus on Jesus even when it isn't easy!
In this bonus episode, our guest Jalene Depperschmidt is back with her son Dustin! We talk about the importance of having a family "mission statement" and how core values can unify your family. Make sure you check out Part 1 first!
In this episode, we discuss the ways that you can create a thriving faith in your kids. We talk with Jalene and her daughter Macy as they reflect on the ways that they fostered an open and honest environment in Macy's journey into adulthood!
In this episode, we talk about various technology and gaming hot topics that kids are exposed to daily! If you don't know who Ninja or Lil Pump is, then this episode is for you! Today's guest is Pastor Sam Roberts, who's part of the Directional Leadership Team at Life.Church.
Who's ready for school! The start of the academic year presents new friendships and interests for your kids. As they navigate these new influences, how are you helping them develop positive relationships and strengthening your family? Hear from two parents, who are also pastors, on how they navigate this season.
In this episode we discuss one family’s experience fostering and the importance of strengthening families. Even if you aren’t called to fostering, take a moment and hear how being obedient to God’s calling can impact you and your family. This episode's guest is Jon Mays.
We all love summer and what it brings, but how do we maintain routines and create intentional time as a family during this season? On this episode of the LC Parents Podcast, Ally talks with Michelle Lively on just this topic.
Welcome to the first episode of the LC Parents Podcast. In this episode, you will hear the heart behind the podcast from Ally Evans. We can't wait to get real about the struggles, victories, and laughs we share as parents. This episode's guest is Sean McLean.