Fireside Talk Radio

Today, Anna and Cathy talk about how can we instill tender, responsive hearts in our kids and grandkids. Hymns and poetry can help. Not only that, they also help young readers learn to sequence their syllables and process deep concepts. Pretty cool stuff. We're watching as confused leaders are turning our culture into a nation victims. Co-dependence is passed off as compassion. Helping folks stay in victim status is NOT compassion. Never has it been more important for moms and dads to teach their kids to respond with wisdom when others are hurting. Don't miss this timely and loving episode, filled with laughter and personal stories.

School just started and everyone is swamped. So it may seem really odd to release a podcast on bug collecting now. But Anna and Cathy have NOT lost their minds. They just think we can make the connection between something as simple as bug collecting and, you guessed it, humility. You may have noticed as you swat at flies, dirt daubers, and wasps, the best bug catching time is now. So turn you children loose to find bugs and wildflowers now. Next spring, your children will think you're a genius next spring.  Plus, you'll be encouraging humility in their sweet hearts. We think that's a win for mom. Listen in to see if you agree.

Today, Cathy and Anna talk about a big topic in our culture right now: Social Justice. But so much of what we hear is based on codependency. Thomas Jefferson said, “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.” So how do we differentiate between compassion and codependence? How do we teach our children to love true justice? Anna shares how to teach your kids to love justice in a simple way. Just teach them to love yard games. She tells personal stories about how her older nieces and nephews live out justice as they play with their young cousins. Plus, she talks about how justice looks in her classroom. Cathy shares the purpose of law. And it's non-stop affection between this mother and daughter duo. Don't miss the wisdom and the laughter!

In today's episode, Anna joins Cathy to talk about how volunteering can impact 4 generations or more of your family. Plus, teach kids the difference between compassion and codependence. Anna shares more personal stories, including why she still loves to connect with a hug. Are we cheating our family by saying “no” to other good stuff? The answer is absolutely not. Time with family is limited. Our kids grow up. We have to make a the most of our time together now. Don't miss Cathy's no-fail cure for being too busy and how their family decides where to serve!

What if you could replace family drama with joy during the holidays? Today, Anna and Cathy share how drama --that is, acting out plays --can actually be a really fun and hilarious family activity! Oh, the benefits of drama! In this episode, Anna shares how the thespians at her school teach students to respect their characters. She talks about teaching family servant-hearted leadership for sons. And as usual, Anna shares embarrassing stories and they laugh a ton! Want to give your kids and grandkids the BEST family Christmas? Theater productions -- even at home -- can give your kids and grandkids a love of history and drama. Plus, create servant-heartedness in your nearest and dearest. And be tons of fun!

In this episode, Anna joins Cathy to talk about some of their favorite topics: textile art, creative kids, reading, and our crazy culture. American Patchwork; Americans seem to be holding it together, like one giant crazy quilt. An educator and artist, Anna talks about how textile projects can help kids' brains connect in wonderful and creative ways. She even shares a super-easy lesson plan she uses to teach her art students to love sewing. Plus, she shares some ideas for vaccinating your kids against defeat and self-doubt. And how textile art can give your child a sense of belonging and a healthy identity. And she shares how textile art helped her process grief. And she gently edits my definition of mindfulness. Yep, we packed a ton in this episode!

One thing we all learned early, mommies of small children get a ton of anatomy lessons! Especially involving bodily fluids! In today's episode, Cathy and Anna talk about how medical vocabulary, like words for anatomy, can help our children succeed and set them up to love their own identity. Awkward conversation? You bet! But with laughter and insight, Anna shares personal stories about how her hubby, a nurse, comforts patients. And how having a medical vocabulary kept her heart at peace at a critical moment at the pediatrician's office. Plus, Cathy shares how YOU can get FREE resources for your small church. This is one episode you don't want to miss!

Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy today to share their family tricks for teaching kids to LOVE reading out loud. Some people hate to read out loud. But the Krafves look for any excuse to read out loud. Fall, winter, spring, summer. Anytime. Some of the benefits include: Ability to identify emotions, Confidence on stage, Story-telling skills, More persuasive communication skills, and Reading changes the culture. Okay, but how? No worries, Anna and Cathy share easy-does-it ways to get started! Don't miss today's life-changing podcast designed to inspire life-long, self-learning inYOUR family!

Cathy and Anna talk about how story-telling is terrific for kids. Social media is swamping us with stories. False? True? Who knows? However, teaching our children to tell stories allows them to listen to other people's stories with enthusiasm and compassion. But, better yet, it also trains them in discernment. Cathy and Anna share lots of personal stories in this episode. Plus, Anna share lots of tips for how to teach story-telling skills to your kids. This podcast is the second in our Podcast Summer Series, created especially for YOU! So sit back and enjoy a little laughter and a break from the summer heat.

Anna and Cathy get together to create a series of summer podcasts just for YOU. Summer is the perfect time to change things up a bit. First up? Timelines! Are you, like us, concerned about all the self-rejection free loading around in our culture? Nobody wants a time bomb of self-rejection taking our their kids. Maybe you'll think they're crazy, but Cathy and Anna think timelines are perfect tools for helping your child recognize and love the identity God gave them. As always, Anna's ideas are creative, simple, and mom-friendly! Because we love ya. And we sure know momma needs a little change of pace, too!

Jason Karpf returns to give us the details about how he's using sci-fi to knit the generations together. At church! Yep, Cathy asks him some tough questions about the dark side of sci-fi. Jason debunks her preconceived ideas with biblical insight about story telling. He tosses in some insights on how rock and pop music speak to a generation of worshippers. Don't miss this lively and fun conversation with a guy who is single-handedly transforming the way churches come together in youth group.

Jason Karpf joins Cathy to geek out about science fiction. How can we use sci-fi to bring all the generations together at church? If you have a creative child, you're gonna love today's podcast with science fiction author, screenwriter, and once-upon-a-time child actor Jason Karpf. You may have seen Jason in episodes of The Bold Ones, The Courtship of Eddy's Father, or a Krafve family favorite, Bonanza. Maybe you find yourself wondering how to inspire your child's imagination so they won't get bored. Can't keep up with their reading or viewing? There's nothing worse than wondering if your child is getting weird stuff pumped into their brains! You're gonna love the encouragement in this lively conversation with Jason.