License to Parent with Trace Embry

Friend of Trace - Paul Coughlin Paul Coughlin is an expert witness regarding bullying and the law, and the founder and president of the anti-bullying program The Protectors.  He has appeared in many media outlets.  Paul is a best-selling author of eight books, including the freedom-from-bullying parent and teacher resource Raising Bully-Proof Kids, as well as a former newspaper editor. He works with numerous professional organizations to diminish bullying.  His anti-bullying curriculum is used throughout North America as well as in South Africa, Uganda, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil among other countries. Paul is a boys varsity soccer coach, where he was voted Coach of the Year twice. Paul has previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees for St. Mary's School in Medford, Oregon. He is also a popular men's conference speaker who has inspired thousands across North America as well as in Wales and England. Freeing Us from Bullying Trace Embry and Michelle Hill talk with friend Paul Coughlin.  They discuss the issue of bullying with a focus on how parents can help their children navigate this problem. They share the importance of recognizing that anyone can be a bully, including one's own child, and the need for a plan of action if this is the case. The role of the internet is also highlighted and how it exacerbates bullying as it allows for constant harassment. Paul Coughlin, author of the book "Freeing Us from Bullying," emphasizes the importance of teaching children to stand up against bullying, and the dangers of allowing them to become victims.  He also differentiates between teasing and bullying, and explains why some people become bullies. The discussion also touches on the misinterpretation of biblical teachings, such as "turning the other cheek," in the context of bullying. Episode Highlights: Have you ever considered if your child was the bully?  Is bullying worse now than it was 20 years ago? Determine the difference between bullying and kids just playing around. Does the Bible give examples of bullying and how to deal with it? Image from Canva

Friend of Trace - Rick Boyer Rick Boyer is recognized by many in the homeschool network as Uncle Rick.  He is an author, speaker, and homeschool pioneer.  For many years his audio recording have taken Scripture, history, and adventure stories and turned them into character lessons for many children.  Rick and his wife Marilyn created the homeschool curriculum “Character Concepts.” It's Off to Homeschool We Go! Today we discuss the challenges of raising children in today's society, where traditional family values seem to be under attack. Trace Embry and Michelle Hill, talk with friend Rick Boyer, a homeschooling pioneer, about the importance of teaching children about their history and equipping them to think critically. Rick Boyer emphasizes the need for parents to expose their children to different viewpoints and to teach them that there is absolute truth, as found in the Bible. He also discusses the importance of homeschooling in raising future leaders, as it allows children to be involved in designing their own education and encourages individuality and creativity. Boyer's Uncle Rick Audio Book Club offers resources for parents and children to learn about American history through old books and biographies. Episode Highlights: The importance of instilling good character in our kids.  Have you reviewed the history being taught in the public school system? What can we do to wake up America? How are homeschooled kids being taught differently than public school kids? Image from Canva

Friend of Trace - Tina Marie Griffin Tina Marie Griffin went from baling hay and milking cows on a dairy farm in Wisconsin to working as an actress in Hollywood.  She enrolled at California State University – Los Angeles to pursue a film and TV broadcasting degree and start her acting career.  Tina is doing a great job as the founder of Counter Culture Mom - Helping Parents Safely Navigate the Pop Culture Chaos! When she isn't traveling and speaking, you will find her busy writing radio spots, blogging, cooking, camping, traveling, homeschooling her four munchkins, or having a romantic date night with her best friend and husband Luke.  Listen to her podcast The Counter Culture Mom Podcast with Tina Griffin. How to Raise Godly Kids in an Ungodly Culture Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, and friend Tina Marie Griffin discuss the challenges of raising children in a culture that increasingly contradicts Christian values.  Tina Marie is also known as the Counter Culture Mom, who shares her insights on how to raise godly kids in an ungodly culture. Tina Marie, having worked in Hollywood, uses her knowledge of the entertainment industry to inform parents about the negative influences it can have on children. She emphasizes the importance of parents being in the Word of God daily and instilling it in their children. Griffin also discusses the negative impact of mainstream media and encourages parents to seek out positive entertainment alternatives. She recommends her Counter Culture Mom app as a resource for parents, which provides pop culture updates, resource links, and solution-driven content. Episode Highlights: Is it possible to raise kids counter culturally in today's ungodly culture? What is the most damaging thing happening today to our kids that parents need to be aware of? Do parents not take it seriously enough the effects that music, movies and the internet have on our kids? What do public schools, history books and communism have in common? Image from Canva

Friend of Trace - Michael Farris Michael P. Farris is a lawyer and founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association and Patrick Henry College. He is the former President & CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom, which he served from 2017 until 2022. Michael is also an author. He's written several titles on homeschooling and parenting. Bring up a Child the Way He Should Go Trace Embry, Michelle Hill and guest attorney, Michael Farris from Alliance Defending Freedom discuss the importance of standing up for family's religious convictions and liberties. Michael claims that the government is overstepping its boundaries and imposing its power on parents, particularly in the realm of education. He believes that parents should have the right to direct the upbringing of their children, especially in terms of their moral and religious beliefs. He also discusses the issue of critical race theory and critical gender theory in public schools, arguing that these theories are promoting a form of systemic racism and undermining parental rights. Michael Farris encourages parents to consider alternatives to public schooling and to fight back against these issues through litigation. Episode Highlights: Why Christian parents need to know about Alliance Defending Freedom.  What is the most pressing issue regarding parental rights? Michael Farris' take on systemic racism and the public school system. Is your religious freedom at risk? Image from Canva

Friend of Trace - Richard Cohen, M.A. Richard Cohen, M.A. is the founder and executive director of Positive Approaches To Healthy Sexuality, or PATH, a psychotherapist, educator, and author. He travels the world teaching on such issues as healthy sexuality, marital relations, communication skills, parenting skills, gender identity, and sexual orientation. He has authored seven books, and also does consultations and speaking engagements at colleges and conferences. Healthy Touch & Emotional Connection Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, together with guest Richard Cohen, M.A. discuss the changing dynamics of the parent-child relationship in our American culture. They argue that children today have more influence and authority in their homes than previous generations, which some view as progress, while others see it as potentially harmful. Richard Cohen, M.A. shares about his book "Healing Humanity: Love, Time, Touch, and Talk."  He emphasizes the importance of healthy touch in parenting, arguing that many people in Western culture are oversexed because they are undernourished in terms of healthy, non-sexual touch. He suggests that parents should introduce healthy touch incrementally and always inform their children before implementing a new parenting skill. Cohen also discusses the importance of parents modeling healthy touch and emotional connection in their own relationships. Episode Highlights: Have we helped our kids survive the American Culture norms?  Learn what healthy touch is within the family, community, church and the culture? Is it possible to have a deep need and desire for appropriate touch by others without realizing it, particularly by one's parent? How to attach and show affection to your child in a healthy way? Image from Canva

Friend of Trace - John Rosemond John Rosemond earned his masters in psychology in 1971 from Western Illinois University, and is licensed in North Carolina.  During his career he has directed several mental health programs for children, and has help numerous families and children every since. John devotes his time to speaking and writing now. John is syndicated in well over 225 newspapers nationwide. He has written over eighteen best-selling parenting books, and travels to speak all over the country sharing his parenting experience and humor with so many others. He lives in North Carolina with his wife Wilma, a.k.a. "Willy."  They have been married over 50 years.  He is also the founder of ParentGuru, where he helps parents to raise responsible adults. Prepare Your Kids for the World Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, together with John Rosemond, author of The Bible Parenting Code, share about the importance of traditional parenting methods and the dangers of modern psychology's influence on parenting. John Rosemond argues that parents should not strive to be in a relationship with their children, but rather should focus on disciplining and preparing them for the world. He also discusses the importance of parents being on the same page and putting their marriage first. John Rosemond suggests that parents should not compromise their standards to secure a relationship with their children.  He advises parents of adult children who have cut off communication with each other to pray about it rather than pursue it. Episode Highlights: What's John's advice to parents with adult children?  Do parents need to change the way they are doing parenting? What is the importance of parents being on the same page in their parenting style? What does Scripture say about parenting? Image from Canva

Friend of Trace - Dr. Nicholas Kardaras Dr. Kardaras is an Ivy-League educated psychologist, a well known speaker and addiction expert. He is also the CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of Maui Recovery in Hawaii and Omega Recovery in Austin, Texas.  Dr. Kardaras is the author of the book titled "Glow Kids."  Please visit his bio page to learn more about his amazing accomplishments. Keep Your Kids from Glowing in the Digital Age Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, and Dr. Nicholas Kardaras speak about the dangers of excessive screen time for children and its impact on their emotional, social, physical, and spiritual health.  They highlight the importance of face-to-face interaction and the role of parents in setting examples for their children. They also discuss the influence of digital technology on the mental health of young people, particularly the addictive nature of devices and the impact of social media influencers.  They suggest that the excessive information and lack of critical thinking skills can lead to mental health issues, self-destructive behaviors, and even suicide. They advocate for delayed access to devices, regulation of screen time, and avoidance of social media and gaming to protect children from the harmful effects of digital technology. Episode Highlights: How has technology affected how we parent our kids?  Learn the influence of digital technology on the hearts and minds of human beings, particularly kids. What is impulsivity & who has it? Younger females contracting Tourette syndrome. What percent of mass shootings are linked to mental illness? Culprits of Digital Addiction? Image from Canva

Friend of Trace - Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is a Retired (1998) US Army Ranger, a paratrooper, and a former West Point Psychology Professor.  He has become one of our nation's leading trainers for military, law enforcement, mental health providers, and school safety organizations. He has a Black Belt in Hojutsu, the martial art of the firearm, and has been inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Lt. Col. Grossman has five patents to his name, published many books including his bestseller "On Killing" and a New York Times best-selling book co-authored with Glenn Beck.  He is well-known for his research, has been cited by the President of the United States, and has presented papers before the national conventions of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Today, Lt. Col. Grossman is the director of Grossman On Truth, LLC.  After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he has written and spoken extensively on the terrorist threat with articles published in many leading law enforcement journals.  He has been inducted as a “Life Diplomate” by the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, and is a “Life Member” of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute. Parents Know the Danger Violence has on Your Kids Trace Embry, Michelle Hill and our friend Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, who is an expert on human aggression and violence, together discuss the potential negative effects of violent video games on children.  They also speak about other dangers of technology on our young people. Lt. Col. Dave Grossman shares his research and knowledge that the addictive nature of video games, combined with the violent content, can lead to serious issues such as sleep deprivation, impaired judgment, and increased aggression.  He also criticizes the video game industry for fighting against regulations that would limit children's access to violent games. Trace Embry and Lt. Col. Grossman agree that parents need to be proactive in monitoring their children's gaming habits and enforcing age-appropriate content.  They also recommend resources like Lt. Col. Grossman's book "Assassination Generation" and the website of our friend Melanie Hempe, ScreenStrong.org, for parents seeking guidance on this issue. Episode Highlights: How has technology affected how we parent our kids?  Is social media designed to be addictive? How sleep deprivation affects our behavior. Do you believe video games generate violence? How can parents push back on big tech and social media? Is violence tolerated more today than 5o years ago & how does it affect our emotions? Image from Canva

Friend of Trace - Gary Chapman, Ph.D. Gary Chapman, Ph.D. is an author, speaker, and counselor who has a passion for people to help them form lasting relationships.  He is a well-known marriage counselor and director of marriage seminars.  The 5 Love Languages® is one of Dr. Chapman's most popular titles with millions of copies sold and on the  New York Times bestsellers list since 2007.  Find all of Dr. Chapman's resources at his Store. Dr. Chapman has been directly involved in real-life family counseling since the beginning of his ministry years, and his nationally-syndicated radio programs air nationally on Moody Radio Network and over 400 affiliate stations.  His Podcasts are Building Relationships & A Love Language Minute. Dr. Chapman holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in anthropology from Wheaton College and Wake Forest University, respectively. He received his Ph.D. degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has taken postgraduate work at the University of North Carolina and Duke University. Dr. Chapman and his wife, Karolyn, have been married for more than 45 years, reside in North Carolina and have two grown children. How to Help Your Child Feel Loved  Trace Embry, Michelle Hill and our friend Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages of Children, discuss how parents can foster emotional wellbeing in their children by understanding their love languages.  He explains that each child has a primary love language, which could be physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, or quality time. Parents can identify their child's love language by observing their behavior, listening to their complaints, and noting their requests.  Dr. Chapman emphasizes that while all love languages are important, speaking the child's primary love language is crucial for them to feel loved.  He also suggests that discipline should be wrapped in the child's love language to ensure fairness and understanding. Dr. Chapman shares a sad story of a young man who never really knew his father.  This was shared with Dr. Chapman by the young man at his father's graveside service.  Therefore leaving Dr. Chapman sad knowing it was now too late for that father to know his child's love language. Episode Highlights: Can you name the 5 Love Languages?  Ask yourself, "Do your children feel loved?" How to identify your child's love language. When is it NOT a good time to offer advice to your child? Why is it so important to spend time with your children? What are Primary and Secondary love languages? Image from Canva

Friend of Trace - Melanie Hempe, BSN Melanie Hempe, BSN, is an author, speaker and the founder of ScreenStrong and Families Managing Media (FMM).  She received her bachelors of Nursing from Emory University and has worked with technology experts and researchers on the impact of social media and video game use.  She helps families avoid problematic screen use, i.e., video games, pornography, social media, etc. in their kids' lives. Through ScreenStrong, she provides resources and education courses on brain development and the effects of screen use on kids, and solutions for parents who desire to free their kids from screen addictions. Melanie hosts the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast and has been featured in Psychology Today, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, "Screened Out" (the movie), and many other news and television outlets. Melanie lives in North Carolina with her husband, Chris, and their four children.  As a family they enjoy reading good books, spending time with friends in their home and just good family fun without screens. Life on the Other Side of the Screen Delima  Trace Embry, Michelle Hill and guest Melanie Hempe, BSN discuss the dangers of screen time and digital addiction with our children, comparing its effects on the brain to that of cocaine and heroin. The conversation brings out passions how the constant exposure to screens can lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Trace and Melanie also highlight the importance of parents taking responsibility for their children's screen time and setting boundaries.  Then Melanie Hempe shares the personal experience she encountered with her own son's gaming addiction and how she managed to help him overcome it. Melanie emphasizes the importance of real-life social interactions for children and warns against the false sense of social fulfillment that social media provides.  She encourages parents to stick together with other like minded parents.  The three of them encourage parents to seek support and gather resources to help manage their children's screen time effectively. Episode Highlights: Effects of addiction to screens is much like substance abuse.  What changes has the pandemic brought on regarding digital addiction? Will we look back on too much screen time like smoking cigarettes? What was Melanie's son addicted to and how did he overcome it? Parents have to ask themselves; "Is it worth it to let my kid have a smartphone?" Image from Canva

Friend of Trace - John Rosemond John Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of psychology. In 1971 he earned his masters in psychology from Western Illinois University, and is licensed in North Carolina.  During his career he has directed several mental health programs for children. For the last 30 years or so, John devotes his time to speaking and writing. John is syndicated in well over 225 newspapers nationwide. He has written over eighteen best-selling parenting books, and travels to speak all over the country sharing his parenting experience and humor with so many others. He resides in North Carolina with his wife of over 50 years, Wilma, a.k.a. "Willy."  He is also the founder of ParentGuru, where he helps parents to raise responsible adults. Help for Parents from the ParentGuru  Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, and psychologist John Rosemond discuss John's latest book, "The Bible Parenting Code: Revealing God's Perfect Plan for Parenting."  John shares an amusing personal experience of raising his son using modern psychological methods, which resulted in his son being the worst behaved child his teacher had seen in 20 years. After this revelation, John and his wife Willy decided to raise their children the way they were raised, which led to a significant improvement in their son's behavior and academic performance. John Rosemond is a critic of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and refers to it as a book of bogus diagnoses.  He emphasizes the importance of relying on God's perfect parenting plan as outlined in the Bible. He also discusses the congruence between Scripture and recent astrophysical facts as a way to affirm the truthfulness of Scripture. Episode Highlights: Why does John call his wife of 50 years "Willy?" Learn how John & Willy dealt with their worst behaved child. What does John say about children's feelings? Is modern psychology all it's cracked up to be? John's contrast of astrophysics and Scripture. Image from Canva

Friend of Trace - Holly Hunter Holly Hunter is the founder of Hunter Investigations, LLC and Safe Passage Global.  It is her passion and calling to help families in crisis.  For more than twenty years she has been a private investigator helping parents with crisis management intervention.  Holly also helps families transport troubled teens to therapeutic programs via Safe Passage Global.  She is certified in crisis management, a mental health coach, first responder, a Christian life coach, and so much more!  On a more personal level, Holly cares deeply about people, loves to take pictures, writing books, and singing. Help for Parents with Unruly Teens  Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, and Holly Hunter share their experiences about the challenges parents face when dealing with troubled teenagers and the options available for help. They discuss the role of residential care programs like Shepherd's Hill Academy, which offers therapeutic and educational support for teens in crisis. They also discuss the importance of parents maintaining their relationship and not blaming each other for their child's issues. Our guest, Holly Hunter, founder of Safe Passage Global, explains her organization's role in transporting troubled teens to therapeutic schools and programs and their benefits. She emphasizes the importance of family unity and the need for professional help in extreme cases. They also touch on the legal aspects of involuntary treatment and the misconceptions surrounding it. Episode Highlights: Informing parents that long-term treatment programs exist for the safety of their child and family? No shame in seeking outside help for your family. Holly explains residential care? What resonates with parents to help them choose residential care? What is the important to not play the blame game? Image from Canva

Friend of Trace - G. Craige Lewis G. Craige Lewis has been ministering for over 30 years. He's been pastoring Adamant Believers Council in North Richland Hills, Texas for over a decade, promoting the message of Christ and fighting against the secularization of God's church. Lewis also leads and is the founder of EX Ministries; established to share God's Truth to the body of Christ and others, and to expose the deception of the enemy. He is often called on to speak about the hip-hop sub-culture, as he authored the "The Truth Behind Hip Hop" series.  Musical is Spiritual Trace Embry, Rich Roszel and G. Craige Lewis discuss the impact of music on children and teenagers. They share that the music young people listen to can shape their identities and influence their behavior!  To a higher degree, certain types of music, particularly rock, rap, and hip-hop, can have a negative impact on young people, potentially leading them to engage in harmful behaviors.  They all stress the importance of parents being intentional in their parenting and being aware of the music their children are listening to. G. Craige shares his views on the spiritual nature of music and its effect on human behavior. He argues that music can bypass a person's moral code and influence them in ways they may not be aware of.  He also emphasizes the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit to discern the spiritual nature of music.  Rich expounds on this and shares a personal story about how music touched his soul. Trace expresses this;  "I think we've got too many people claiming the name of Christ who want to live like hell and expect heaven for a reward.  It just doesn't work that way." Episode Highlights: Is there an inherent evil found in certain songs or certain kinds of music? Can certain music profoundly affect our kids behavior negatively? Why do parents overlook the effects of music? Is today's music worse spiritually than in years past? What are God honoring lyrics? Learn what Ex Ministries is all about! Image from Canva

About Joshua Straub, Ph.D., CMCLC Dr. Joshua Straub is the Co-Founder and President of Famous at Home, a company that equips others with relational connections and emotional intelligence.  He is also an author and speaker.  He is passionate about helping others lead; he is a marriage and leadership coach, and is a Fellow at the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling.  He takes most pride in his role as husband and dad.  He and his wife Christi host the Famous at Home podcast. How to Cultivate Emotional Connection with Kids Michelle Hill, Trace Embry and Dr. Joshua Straub discuss the importance of emotional safety in raising children. Together, they also highlight the importance of showing up for children, both physically and emotionally, and the role of a biblical community in child-rearing.  Dr. Straub suggests that parents should regularly check in with their children to understand their needs and feelings and to show them grace and wisdom. Both Trace and Joshua share stories about their own fathers.  Joshua also gives pointers how he parents his own children as he and his wife homeschool and have family weekly meetings. Episode Highlights: Be sure to listen to the end; Trace gives a special announcement. With risks all around us, how do we keep our kids safe? God's standards never fall short. Is there safety without boundaries or exploration? What is effective parenting without grace? How do messed up parents turn out some really good kids? Image from Canva

About Brad Griffin Our guest, Brad M. Griffin, is the Senior Director of Content & Research for the Fuller Youth Institute.  Brad develops research-based resources for youth ministry leaders & families.  Brad is the coauthor of over fifteen books, including Faith Beyond Youth Group, 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager & 3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future, Growing Young, and Sticky Faith.  He is also a speaker, writer, and volunteer pastor.  Brad and his wife, Missy, live in Southern California with their three teenage and young adult kids. The Ideal Youth Group Together, Michelle Hill, Trace Embry and Brad Griffin discuss the role of youth groups in the church and how they can and should impact a child's faith. The ideal church youth group knows how to express and live out the importance of trust, consistency, and communication with its members. They also highlight the need for youth leaders to model Christ-like behavior and promote conversations about faith outside of the youth group. It is suggested that parents should expect youth leaders to provide information about the content of the group's discussions and activities.  Parents should be given an outline of the youth group discussion topics to facilitate effective discipleship and transparency. Youth groups shouldn't try to compete by trying to keep kids entertained.  They already get enough of that!  There should be an emphasis on the importance of fun in youth groups, but be cautious on relying too heavily on entertainment. Episode Highlights: Can parents be a stumbling block for youth leaders trying to disciple youth group participants? Think about your own child's youth group. Can youth groups be harmful to your child's faith? What does the ideal youth group look like? Does effective discipleship always include entertainment? Image from Canva

About Jordan Whitmer Our guest, Jordan Whitmer, age 25, is the Founder of the evangelism and missions organization reaching Generation Z youth called the HowToLife Movement.  He also hosts the podcast called "Gen Z Today."   He is a graduate of Liberty University, with a Bachelor's in Religion: Biblical and Theological Studies, and is an ordained reverend.  Jordan's heart is that Gen Z find Christ and live and lead boldly for Him. Gen Z for Jesus Together, Michelle Hill, Trace Embry and Jordan Whitmer discuss discipling to Gen Z. The Gen Z generation, those aged between 11 and 26, are reportedly leaving the church at a higher rate than previous generations. The reasons for this are complex, but some suggest it may be due to a lack of discipleship and the influence of secular agendas. However, Jordan Whitmer believes that many Gen Z individuals are open to faith conversations and can be reached through peer-led evangelism events.   Learn more how to get involved and see how Jordan is making a difference. Whitmer's movement has organized over 155 student-led evangelism events across 29 U.S. states and 11 countries. Despite the challenges, Jordan remains hopeful for the spiritual future of Gen Z! Episode Highlights: What is causing Gen Z's to leave the church? Learn Jordan's heart for evangelism to young people. What is the common makeup of Gen Z? Are Gen Z's looking for truth more than other generations? Is Gen Z giving up on their millennial aged parents? Image from Canva

About Dr. Frank Turek Our guest, Dr. Frank Turek is an Author and President of Crossexamined.org, a Christian Apologetics ministry helping young people defend the Christian faith. Frank hosts an hour-long TV program each week called "I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist." He hosts a podcast with the same name.  He also writes for Townhall.com. Help Defend the Faith with Christian Apologetics Together, Michelle Hill, Trace Embry and Dr. Frank Turk discuss the challenges of raising Christian children in a secularized culture.  Dr. Turek  emphasizes the importance of Christian apologetics in defending the faith and addressing tough questions sparked by secular standards. Dr. Turek also highlights the role of the digital age in spreading distorted information and lies about God and His word. He encourages parents to equip themselves with cogent answers to these questions and to guide their children in navigating the digital world. There is also discussion on the concept of miracles, arguing that the universe itself is a miracle and that natural laws require a lawgiver.  Frank shares that the fundamental essence of the story of Christ is sacrifice.  People sacrifice themselves to save others, and that's what all the top movie blockbusters of the past 50 years have heroes that sacrifice.  Jesus sacrificed Himself to save His friends.  Jesus said 'There's no greater love than to lay down your life to save your friends." Episode Highlights: What is it others are stealing from God? What is Christian Apologetics. Do Christian parents have to be Theologians to answer their kid's questions? What lies are being fed to our kids. Who is to say what morality is? Image from Canva

Continued from Last Week In this episode of License to Parent, Trace and Michelle continue their discussion on the impact of sexual perversion and the LGBTQ+ movement on society and the church. They mention how the normalization of these issues are causing a moral decline and confusion among young people. Open and Honest Discussion They also discuss the importance of parents having open and honest conversations at a young age with their children about sexuality, and setting clear boundaries. They emphasize the need for parents to guide their children based on biblical principles and to always affirm their love for them, even when they make choices that go against these principles. Episode Highlights: What is the lie that people believe today? What is the difference between harm and hurt? A good analogy on God's plan for sex. Why aren't we calling out the evil that is happening? Image from Canva

About Today's Program Trace and Michelle approach the sensitive topic of individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ that is often left undiscussed among families.  They recommend and offer this disclosure for today's program audio:  (If you have younger kids in the room, you may want to distract them from our conversation today, or hit the pause button and listen to this when they're out of the room because this is kind of a delicate subject). Love and Lust Trace attributes the increase of Gen Z members joining the LGBTQ+ community with regard to a combination of factors; including the removal of God from daily life, the conflation of love with lust, and the misuse of freedom.  Trace remarks that the LGBTQ+ community is not about love, but about sexual lust without moral restraint. He also suggests that the acceptance and celebration of sexual perversion in society is leading to a rise in sexually transmitted diseases. Trace and Michelle both agree that we need to return to God's definition of love and sex within the bounds of traditional marriage.  They also discuss the dangers of other sexual behaviors including; narcissism, addiction, delusion, autism, and OCD. Episode Highlights: Why does the LGBTQ+ society seem to be increasing? Can what we do in the privacy of our bedroom hurt others? A good analogy on God's plan for sex. Do the members of Gen Z feel peer pressure to join the LGBTQ+ community? Image from Canva

About Karen Whiting Our guest, Karen Whiting, is a mother of two daughters and three sons, and that includes rocket scientists. She's a grandmother of 15 and her late husband served in the U.S. Coast Guard, so they raised their children from Hawaii to New York and Michigan to Florida. She is the author of 27 books, an International speaker, certified writing and marketing coach, and a former television co-host. Gaining a Peaceful Heart within Your Family Trace, Michelle and Karen discuss the importance of peace within families and how to cultivate it.  They share their thoughts on the current state of the American family where internal conflict and anxiety are prevalent due to the complexities of modern life.  They suggest that genuine peace can only be achieved through faith in God. The conversation also touches on the role of parents in guiding their children through life's struggles, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and allowing children to experience failure as a means of growth. Karen shares her approach to fostering peace within her family through devotions, prayer and active listening.  She gives great examples of how this approach helped her children have love and compassion for each other.  She also discusses the negative impact of permissive parenting and the overuse of digital devices on children's mental health. At the end, Trace and Karen differentiate between peacekeeping and peacemaking and explain which they think is a long-term solution that sometimes requires conflict, and use the example of Jesus in the temple in Matthew 21:12-17. Episode Highlights: What is the polar opposite of peace? Karen's take on anxiety, and how to get your kids to get a long. What is investigative listening? How media or music can affect your child's peace. Do people seem to thrive on conflict? Image from Canva

Transported to Treatment Today we explore the process of what it looks like to transport a child to a treatment program. It takes building trust with the child. It comes with fear, and that's where we must work with parents to alleviate the fear, give them as much information as we can so they can process what to do, how to do it, and how to move forward. What is a SafePassage A parent's decision to send their child to a residential program, or a wilderness program to seek treatment is one of the most difficult decisions they are faced with. How parents get their child to the physical location to get them help can be a challenge. Sometimes the child is not willing to go, or the parents can't bare to "drop them off." This is where a trusted transport company comes into play like SafePassage Global. Holly Hunter is the founder of SafePassage Global, and a private investigator for more than 20 years.  She holds certifications in crisis management intervention and has been a Christian life coach. Holly is also a first responder, and a certified mental health coach. In her spare time she enjoys writing, singing and taking pictures. Episode Highlights: What is SafePassage Global? Is it safe to use a transport service to get my child into a program? What percentage of kids are transported to a program by their parents? When should a parent transport a child instead of taking them themselves? What should a parent look for in a transport service? Image from Canva

Exploring Residential Care Throughout the 18-year journey of parenting, conflicts between parents and children are inevitable. However, when these conflicts intensify during the teenage years, leading to constant battles, what steps should parents take? What happens when the strategies to control a rebellious teenager no longer work, putting the household and its members at risk? When all ideas seem exhausted in maintaining a safe and peaceful home, there are alternatives available, guided by professionals specializing in assisting families in such situations. Discussing Residential Care with Holly Hunter Holly Hunter has been transporting troubled teens to therapeutic schools and programs across the country through Safe Passage Global which she founded. Holly has been a private investigator for more than 20 years, holds certifications in crisis manager intervention, and has been a Christian life coach. Holly is a certified mental health coach, first responder, and much much more. Holly is good at what she does and cares deeply about people. When Holly has some downtime you can find her singing, taking photos, or writing books. Episode Highlights: Awareness about the existence of long-term treatment programs for parents. The emotional struggles parents face when seeking external support. Holly's perspective on residential care and its significance. Guidance on choosing residential care through specific language or phrases. The importance of avoiding blame in such situations and focusing on solutions instead. Image from Canva

Ask Trace Ever wished for a chance to glean wisdom from an expert specializing in troubled teens? I ask your questions to Trace Embry, a leading authority in working with challenging teens. Periodically, we engage Trace Embry in discussing parenting difficulties, drawing from his vast experience as the Founder of Shepherd's Hill Academy. This institution has successfully redirected numerous teens on a negative path towards a positive future. Trace's expertise lies in understanding teenagers and facilitating their growth. Gain insights into handling issues like bullying, discernment, and more. Discussing Parenting with Trace Embry Trace Embry is the Founder of Shepherd's Hill Academy a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd's Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd's Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd's Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now. Episode Highlights: What is the primary challenge faced by parents today? Is a family akin to a democracy, or is it different? Despite having certain advantages, why might a child remain unhappy? What is our fundamental nature as individuals? Why is it crucial for parents to encourage their children to undertake tasks they may not want to do? Image from Canva

Christmas Stress Our thoughts can easily lean more toward sentiments, traditions, or even festivities, but Christmas is definitely a time for emotions - often mixed emotions. Discussing Emotional Stress during Christmas with Bob Lepine Bob Lepine is the long-time co-host of Family Life Today. You can also hear him on Truth For Life. Bob is a pastor, author, and serves various other ministries. Bob and his wife have five children, and ten grandchildren. Today we're talking with him about his book, “The Four Emotions of Christmas.” Episode Highlights: Why is Christmas such an emotional time? For both Christians and non-Christians? What are the “four” emotions of Christmas? How can Christmastime be a good time to engage people in spiritual conversation? Why studying our emotions around Christmas can help us examine what's really going on in our souls. Is there possibly a spiritual issue creating stress during the Christmas season? Image from Canva

Ask Trace Delve into issues concerning bullying, discernment, and the starvation experienced by children—though not related to hunger. Reach out to asktrace@licensetoparent.org to seek solutions to your parenting challenges. Discussing Parenting with Trace Embry Trace Embry is the Founder of Shepherd's Hill Academy, a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd's Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd's Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd's Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now. Episode Highlights: What are the unmet needs of our children? What is the emerging role of science in parenting? How can we begin providing our children with what they truly require? Who else plays a role in shaping our children's upbringing? What steps can a previously lenient parent take to initiate changes? Image from Canva

Ask Trace In today's societal landscape parents are faced with tough decisions. Raising their children in a manner that aligns with their faith often requires a denial of certain activities that their peers might enjoy. During our co-host, Michelle Hill's own childhood this meant not being allowed to go to movie theaters, a source of disagreement within her household. Navigating cultural norms and effective parenting can lead to some tough questions. Discussing Parenting with Trace Embry Trace Embry is the Founder of Shepherd's Hill Academy, a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd's Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd's Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd's Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now. Episode Highlights: Trace sheds light on the most misguided statement any parent might make. The importance of parental guidance: "If you don't train your children, who will?" Identifying the "right ways" to effectively raise children, as highlighted by Trace. An exploration of whether God truly holds sway within American households. The potential outcomes when parenting adheres strictly to prevailing cultural norms. Image from Canva

Five Lies Perhaps we need to look to our society for answers. Discussing Our Society with Rosaria Butterfield Rosaria Butterfield is a pastor's wife, homeschool mom, author, and speaker. She is a former tenured professor of English and Women's Studies at Syracuse University. Rosaria converted to Christ in 1999 in what she describes as a ‘train wreck.' Today we are discussing her book, Five Lies Of Our Anti-Christian Age. Episode Highlights: Why can society be considered another parent to our kids? When and why did American society begin turning away from a biblical worldview? What is the definition of culture? How does unfettered access to social media and digital outlets affect our kids? What are the five lies that our society promotes? Image from Canva

Raising the Unshakable When raising kids, it's important that parents raise them to be unshakeable. But what exactly does that mean? Today, we are continuing our discussion with author Lauren Gaines about instilling an unshakable spirit into our kids and teens, and what that looks like. Discussing Resilience with Lauren Gaines. Lauren is an author, speaker, teacher, and mother. She is the creator of Inspired Motherhood, an online community for moms, and author of Unshakeable Kids. Today, Lauren is a busy mom of three, and her unique approach to parenthood can be credited to her masters degree in school psychology. Episode Highlights: Is there a void of ‘grit' in today's kids? Why is it important to not be too gentle when raising kids in today's society? How can parents create a loving bond without constantly pacifying their kids? Can discipline be an act of love? Are parents prioritizing the right things? Is society pressuring women to do too much? Image from Canva

Building Strong Marriages It has been commonly understood that stronger marriages have always helped to produce healthier and more well-adjusted children. There are many studies on this topic. Today we will talk with Bob Lepine about his most recent book, “Build A Stronger Marriage”. Discussing Marriage with Bob Lepine Bob Lepine is best known to radio and podcast listeners as the long-time co-host of Family Life Today. Now you can hear him on Truth For Life with Alistair Begg. Bob is a pastor and he serves in various other ministries. In his spare time, he writes books. Bob and his wife Mary Ann live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have five children and 10 grandchildren. Episode Highlights: What sense does a strong marriage give to the children? What fundamental, when addressed, helps secure marriages? What has happened to marriage in America? First and foremost- what kind of relationship is marriage? In what way is marriage emblematic of the godhead? Image from Canva

Raising Conservative Kids Throughout history, parents in every country around the globe have been given the right to exercise final authority over their own children. This includes how they raise their kids. Teaching them things like values, religion, and worldview along with reading, writing, and arithmetic. However, these days political correctness, the “woke” police, public schools, the media, government, and more appear to have teamed up to create something on par with Hitler's Youth. Today we will be talking with Stacy Manning, co-author of “Raising Conservative Kids in a Woke City”. This book will help you preserve your right to be the final authority over your own children. Discussing Woke Culture with Stacy Manning Stacy Manning is senior Editor for the organization Them Before Us which advocates children over adult desires and helps to give children a voice. Stacy is a stay-at-home suburban mom, author, and a side hustle professional. She and her husband have over 20 years of experience raising their 3 children behind enemy lines in a suburb just outside of Seattle. When Stacy does not have her hands in another writer's work she is barefoot in the kitchen making her husband a sandwich. Episode Highlights: When did the slippery slope start? What does it mean to be “woke”? What does Trace say about systemic racism? What tool do the “woke” use to dismantle society? What two questions do conservative kids need to be able to answer so they can defend their worldview? Image from Canva

Entertainment Roles In the past, by and large, Christian parents in America raised their kids to assimilate into the culture, but that was when American culture had, for the most part, accepted and lived by Judeo-Christian moral values. Today the cultural pendulum has swung far from any semblance of the biblical standard that once shaped it. So now we have to raise our kids in a more intentional way. One that prepares them to swim against the flow of our culture. Today we will be talking with Focus on the Family's Adam Holz about the role entertainment might play not only in shaping our culture but in our homes and churches as well. Discussing Entertainment with Adam Holz Adam Holz served as an Associate Editor at NavPress Discipleship Journal and consulting Editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In's Reviews. These are reviews of movies, games, books, and music. Adam is the site's director. He and his wife Jennifer have three children. In their free time the Holz's enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming, and of course- watching movies. Episode Highlights: How do SHA students come to understand the emptiness of the world's promises? What two things draw the students to Jesus? What is Plugged In? What specifically is Plugged In trying to provide? What is the site's hope? Image from Canva

The Miracles of Shepherd's Hill Have you ever taken a step of faith believing that God was directing you and knowing that He would do just that? Trace and Beth Embry saw a need in our world and knew God was calling them to be the answer and to bring healing. So step by step, brick by brick, child by child, through God they are breathing life into our next generation. And they are watching God build something incredible. Discussing Miracles with Trace Embry Trace and his wife Beth have a heart and a passion for the parents of the youth of today's culture. Trace was a former business owner and police officer in the Chicago area, but God led them on a journey. The Embry family basically gave up everything to move to Georgia and begin Shepherd's Hill Academy. Trace is the author of "The Miracles of Shepherd's Hill". Trace and Beth have 5 kids and 8 grandchildren. Episode Highlights: How do you define miracles? What is the story of Shepherd's Hill? How did you know this was from the Lord? How was the land of SHA a miracle? What is it like to keep stepping out in faith one step at a time? Image from Canva

Intentional Parenting Open the Bible to Proverbs 22 and you will find these words, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” As parents you know you have 18 years to guide, direct, discipline, coach, and train your child “in the way he should go.” Those 18 years set them on a path for success in the world and hopefully eternity. That is what you hope for, right? You're probably realizing that it takes time! Time and intentionality. Both time and intentionality take work. Being intentional with our time as we prepare our children for what lies ahead. Discussing Intentionality with Dave Glander Dave Glander was formerly a devout atheist and is now a deeply committed believer in Jesus Christ, and a Speaker for Reasons for Hope. Dave teaches Christians how to know what they believe and how to defend their faith. He is a pastor and founder of an apologetics youth camp called Equip Retreat and is the author of “How, Why, Where” and “The Faith Survival Guide." Episode Highlights: What does Deuteronomy 6:6-7 say? What does the “as you go” concept mean? What do our kids need to see in us all the time? What does Colossians 3:23 say? What is the average time a parent spends face-to-face with their child? Image from Canva

Faith Still Moves Whether in raising our children or in life in general, we exercise faith. The object of our faith makes all of the difference. If you and your family have been blessed by Trace Embry's book, “The Miracles of Shepherd's Hill,” then stay tuned. Today we will be speaking with Fox News' Harris Faulker who has also broached the realities and benefits of faith, prayer, healing, and miracles in the face of adversity. It is all in her New York Times Best Selling book, “Faith Still Moves Mountains: Miraculous Stories of the Healing Power of Prayer.” Discussing Prayer with Harris Faulkner Harris Faulkner is the author of the New York Times Best Seller “Faith Still Moves Mountains: Miraculous Stories of the Healing Power of Prayer.” She is a six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist. Harris currently anchors two daily daytime programs on Fox News; The Faulkner Focus and she is the co-host of Outnumbered. Outside of her work as a journalist Harris is a motivational speaker, writer, and philanthropist. She is involved in the Green Beret Foundation as well as the Navy Seal Foundation. She helps funds breast cancer research and has received an award for her humanitarian efforts.  Harris and her husband have two daughters. Episode Highlights: What was Shepherd's Hill when Trace bought it? What was Harris' motivation for writing her book? What statistics surprised Harris during her research for her book? What does Harris say about facing the unknown? Where does truth come from? Image from Canva

Sound Minds It is no secret that grit is something that seems to be lacking in many of our kids today. This even includes some of our 30-something-age kids. So how can we impart a sturdier constitution in our children while they are still at home? Not only for the sake of our children's future but for our sanity and success as parents. After all, we may likely need the help of an emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually strong offspring to take care of us someday. Find out how to raise kids with sound minds and whole hearts who stand firm in their God-given identities. Discussing Parenting with Lauren Gaines Lauren Gaines is an author, speaker, teacher, and mom. She is the creator of Inspired Motherhood which is an online community for moms. Today Lauren is a busy mom of 3 whose unique approach to parenthood can be credited to her Master's Degree in School Psychology. She worked in the public school system and taught Human Development as an Adjunct Professor. Lauren understands the mental overload that families are experiencing today. Episode Highlights: What phrase has led to our cultural decline? What is the best gift we can give our kids? What does overload do to our kids? What vital skill do young children not have? Where does the problem start? Image from Canva

Supermoms Activated Throughout all of history, from Bible times until now, it seems that when leadership fails among the male population God has always brought forth brave women to stand in the gap. Today it seems that fewer American males are taking the leadership that they need to, which means that once again men aren't standing up and speaking out to protect their kids and society from the insanity that is infecting our nation. Jacqueline Toboroff wrote the book "Supermoms: Activated" to discuss just this topic. It explains what we can do to stem the tide of government-sponsored child abuse. Discussing Action with Jacqueline Toboroff Jacqueline Toboroff is a power hitting mom who is leading a nation wide revival. She has taken a stand for her two kids and also for you. Jacqueline is a private citizen from Manhattan who ran for city counsel and was appointed VP of the Manhattan GOP. Jacqueline is a speaker and author of the book "Supermoms: Activated."  She is providing a platform for mothers who are fed up with having their parental rights challenged by the government. Episode Highlights: What does Isaiah 5:20 say? How does our knowledge of history impact our ability to be effective leaders today? Psalm 14:1 says what? How does Jacqueline describe her book? What 3 things do we need to know about Jacqueline's book? Image from Canva

Vertical Marriage One of the keys to success for just about any endeavor in life is setting proper priorities. Proper priorities are important for having a healthy marriage, bringing up healthy kids, and for managing a healthy family. Dave and Ann Wilson will be talking with us about proper priorities for keeping families upright amidst the chaos of a world that has gone sideways. It is what they call vertical marriage. Find the book here. Discussing Priorities with Dave and Ann Wilson Dave and Ann Wilson are speakers, authors, and co-founders of Kensington Church which is a national multicampus church based in the Detroit area. They are also hosts of the radio program Family Life Today. Dave and Ann have been married for more than 42 years and have spent the last 37 teaching and mentoring couples and parents across the country. They are featured speakers at Family Life's Weekend To Remember, and they also host their own marriage conferences across the county. Dave and Ann have three grown sons and a growing number of grandchildren. Episode Highlights: Why is a child-centric parenting paradigm not good for children? What is Vertical Marriage about? Where do our eyes go when they are not on Jesus? What is the first step to re-prioritizing your family dynamic? How can the unprioritized spouse confront the "offending" spouse on their priorities? Image from Canva

In His Image We learned from the creation story that God didn't do anything random. Day One God created the light, Day Two was the sky, and so forth. Then we come to Day Six. After God created the animals He made humans. Here are the words from Genesis 1:27, “So God created mankind in His own image. In the image of God, He created them. Male and Female, He created them.” What it means to be male and female is really coming into question today. Or rather, it is coming under hard scrutiny today. The government, doctors, counselors, teachers, and more are telling our children that they get to decide “What is a woman?” Today we will be talking to the director and producer of a film called “In His Image”. Discussing Gender Identity with Tim Wildmon and Kendra White Tim Wildmon is the executive director of “In His Image”. He is also president American Family Association and American Family Radio. American Family Association is a national organization that advocates for Biblical teaching on morality and values. Tim also hosts a daily program on Amercian Family Radios 180+ stations. Tim and his wife Alison have three children and seven grandchildren. Kendra White is the producer for American Family Studios which is the film division of American Family Association. She co-wrote and directed American Family Studio's first feature film “Summer Snow” with her brother Jeremy White. Kendra is passionately pursuing Christ and loves to encourage other women to fall in love with the Savior who has stolen her heart. Kendra is married and has one daughter. Episode Highlights: What was the inspiration behind the making of "In His Image"? What are the proposed reasons for the astronomical growth in women transitioning? What is the difference between gender dysphoria and gender confusion? What was the simple reality that the 11-year-old girl was struggling with which had her convinced she was gay? Who does the LGBTQ+ community want to be to your children? Image from Canva

Loving Our Children For most parents loving our kids is as natural as breathing. It's hardwired into us. And though they would usually agree that we really do love them, our kids may not necessarily always agree that we always make them feel loved. At least not in a way that fosters security and emotional well-being. How can you foster that security and emotional well-being in your children? Dr. Gary Chapman is the 5 Love Languages guy and today we will be talking about his book “The 5 Love Languages of Children”. Discussing Love with Dr. Gary Chapman Dr. Gary Chapman is best known for working to improve or heal our most important relationships. Since the success of his first book, Dr. Chapman has expanded the Love Language series to specifically reach out to teens, singles, men, children, and military families. Dr. Chapman is a pastor, marriage counselor, conference speaker, and author. His book "The Five Love Languages of Children" can be found here. Episode Highlights: What are the 5 love languages? What is your primary love language? What is/are your child(ren)'s primary love language(s)? Do you know for certain that your children feel loved? What is the value of affirming effort? Do gifts always have to cost money? Image from Canva

Father Figure Though you wouldn't think anyone would have to make an argument for it, fathers are a big plus toward healthy emotional and spiritual development in their kids. While no family functions optimally without a father, fatherlessness still compromises 80% of American households in some areas of the country. Not surprisingly these are also the most crime-ridden areas. Is that a coincidence or is there a link between fatherlessness and lawlessness? Both in our homes and in our society at large? Today we will be talking to Dr. Meg Meeker as she argues for the importance of every household having a strong father. Discussing Fathers with Dr. Meg Meeker Dr. Meg Meeker is one of the global leading experts on child-father relationships. She has over 30 years of experience as a pediatrician, is the author of the best-selling book, and now movie, "Strong Fathers Strong Daughters". As an expert in the field, Dr. Meg equips Dads with tools and training built through extensive practical experience and research. Dr. Meg says that "hero dads are game changers". Episode Highlights: Why should a woman be teaching men about fatherhood issues? What helps dads become who they need to be? What is the hard yet simple thing that Dr. Meg references? What answer do the students of Shepherd's Hill give to the question, "What can we never stop doing?" What do parents believe about conflict? What two things do children need? Image from Canva

Family Life A parent's love for their children is immeasurable. For most of us, this love seems to be wired into us from the moment our first child is born. But is it possible that this unconditional love, despite good intentions, could be misdirected? Something that can block God's design for a healthy family? Dennis Rainey talks to us about choosing a life that matters and about loving our kids, our spouse, and our God in ways that can help make family life the good life. Loving Your Kids, Spouse, and God Effectively with Dennis Rainey Dennis Rainey and his wife Barbara Rainey are founders of the family and marriage ministry Family Life. They have devoted their lives to seeing marriages thrive and individuals grow in their relationship with God. Dennis is a pastor, a popular author and speaker, and for over 25 years he was the host of the radio program Family Life Today. Dennis longs to empower people to live in courageous faith as they parent their kids and love their spouses well. Episode Highlights: What is God's ecosystem? What are the three most important relationships in life? How is true success measured? What is a life that “matters?" What is the quote that brought Dennis freedom? Image from Canva

Enough is Enough 2 Last week we heard from an expert in making the internet safe for your family. She said, “Let me just share the story of John Doe who was a convicted sex offender in a high-security prison. I talked to him for three hours. He would look for kids online that he was interested in. He was talking to a 13-year-old girl. That 13-year-old girl liked boys who were around 15 and played soccer. He would find pictures of boys that looked like that and he would send it and pretend to be that boy and engage that girl. Often times these lead to sexual encounters and situations where he would get nudes of them and back and forth and then used [those same pictures] to keep that child silent.” Donna Rice Hughes is the CEO and president of Enough is Enough. Discussing the Internet with Donna Rice Hughes Donna Rice Hughes works hard to protect our children from internet predators. She is the President and CEO of Enough is Enough and also is an internationally known internet safety expert, author, speaker, and producer. Donna's vision, expertise, and advocacy have helped to birth the internet safety movement in America at the advent of the digital age. For 30 years Donna has been working hard to make the internet safe for your kids and family. She has developed and spearheaded the National Safe Wifi Campaign which is calling on corporate America to filter pornography and child sex abuse images off of public wifi. As a result of these efforts, two major companies that own stores all across America are now filtering wifi in their stores. Episode Highlights: How did the internet help close the gap between boys and girls and pornography use? What dangers are girls more prone to over the internet than boys? What percentage of 8-12-year-olds are using social media (regardless of “age restrictions")? How many pro-eating disorder accounts does Instagram have? What is the most important thing that Christian parents need to do about this issue? Image from Canva

Enough is Enough It is obvious that we are raising our kids in a nation that has veered from the Christain morals and moreens that helped make America a global superpower. Consequently, our children are now being abused as a logical outworking of this moral veering. So what is a wise and godly parent to do for today? We will be talking about Donna Rice Hughes about how we can bring a semblance of sanity and spiritual grounding back into our homes and hopefully back into our nation as well. Discussing the Internet with Donna Rice Hughes Donna Rice Hughes works hard to protect our children from internet predators. She is the President and CEO of Enough is Enough and also is an internationally known internet safety expert, author, speaker, and producer. Donna's vision, expertise, and advocacy have helped to birth the internet safety movement in America at the advent of the digital age. For 30 years Donna has been working hard to make the internet safe for your kids and family. She has developed and spearheaded the National Safe Wifi Campaign which is calling on corporate America to filter pornography and child sex abuse images off of public wifi. As a result of these efforts two major companies that own stores all across America are now filtering wifi in their stores. Episode Highlights: What word does Trace say some people argue started America's loss of morality? What hypocrisy and cognitive dissonance does Trace point out? How did the redefinition of “freedom” lead to many of our problems today? What is Enough is Enough? What happened to the underground black market crimes when the internet debuted? Image from Canva

Feelings Pt. 2 Last time on License to Parent we talked with John Rosemond about the mental health crisis and how it is affecting our teens. Mr. Rosemond said, “My contention is that it all goes back to the fact that we followed the herd in the early 1970s and we radically overhauled our parenting practices and we “fixed” something that wasn't broken and we are paying a terrible price for that.” Today we continue this conversation. Discussing Mental Health with John Rosemond John is a family psychologist, best-selling author, and a popular speaker on parenting issues. He is husband to his wife, Wilma, of 55 years, father to two successful adults, and grandfather to seven well-behaved grandchildren. John's goal is to help you parent with love and leadership and to raise responsible adults. You can find his website here. Episode Highlights: What difference has Trace seen in parents and kids since smartphones came out in the early 2000s? What does John say about the statistical data that the mental health field is helping reduce the mental health problem in America? What does Trace say about epigenetics? What is one of the most popular questions in psychology from a psychologist to their client? What does John have to say about that question? Image from Canva

Feelings It used to be that when a parent needed advice for parenting they would go to a trusted and seasoned family member like a grandparent, an aunt, or an uncle - even if the child had behavioral problems. And if that didn't help, then the parent usually went to their pastor or clergy. But today we see that behavioral issues are viewed many times as clinical issues and this has given birth to what many refer to as the mental health industrial complex. John Rosemond is going to help us think through what modern mental health has become and the role it should or shouldn't play in your family's well-being. Discussing Mental Health with John Rosemond John is a family psychologist, best-selling author, and a popular speaker on parenting issues. He is husband to his wife, Wilma, of 55 years, father to two successful adults, and grandfather to seven well-behaved grandchildren. John's goal is to help you parent with love and leadership and to raise responsible adults. You can find his website here. Episode Highlights: What does John call psychology? Why have people tried various times to take John's license away? What does John say is the truth about the mental health profession in America? Emotions are not more important than what? The more you talk to your child about their feelings the more - what? Image from Canva

Prodigal You may have read a myriad of books about raising godly kids and you are truly following the principles, but one of your own kids walks away from God. You could be a Sunday school teacher who taught other parents how to bring up godly kids and yet your child still leaves the fold. Or you are actually the author of a preeminent parenting book and still one of your kids abandons the Lord. As a parent, if you've been disillusioned by doing things right this program is for you. Last time Kari Trent-Stageberg said, “Even though there was not a day that I didn't hear or know that my parents were crazy about me, and that there was a God who was crazy about me - for me what it really was, was that God just felt incredibly abstract and I wasn't able at the time to figure out the relationship piece. It made me think, "why would I follow this if it doesn't actually impact my life?” Today we will continue our conversation. Discussing Endurance with Dr. John Trent & Kari Trent Stageberg Dr. John Trent is the Founder and President of the organization Strong Families. He is also the author of the book “The Blessing.” His daughter Kari Trent Stageberg works alongside her dad as CEO of Strong Families and together they help build stronger marriages, coach parents to be better parents, and move everyone toward a closer relationship with God. Episode Highlights: How long does Kari say that she lived in rebellion? What does John Trent say to parents of children who walked away from God 20+ years ago and show no signs of returning? Where did John go in the Bible to find encouragement while his daughter was walking away from God? What does Hebrews 13:5 say? What does Kari say we don't get to choose? Image from Canva

Walk Away Let's say that you have read the myriad of books that have been written about raising godly kids and you are truly following the principles in those books to a “t." Still one of your own kids walks away from God as a teenager. Maybe as a Sunday school teacher, you taught other parents how to bring up godly kids from what you have read in those same books, and yet your Bible Quiz winner has now become an angsty teen. What happens when you're actually the author of one of those preeminent parenting books and still one of your kids abandons the Blessing that you thought would guarantee you and your family blessing in return? As a parent, if you've been disillusioned by doing things right then this program is for you. Discussing Parenting with Dr. John Trent & Kari Trent Stageberg Dr. John Trent is the Founder and President of the organization Strong Families. He is also the author of the book “The Blessing.” His daughter Kari Trent Stageberg works alongside her dad as CEO of Strong Families and together they help build stronger marriages, coach parents to be better parents, and move everyone toward a closer relationship with God. Episode Highlights: How do we reconcile what the Bible says about training up a child when we do it and it doesn't seem to work? What was the idea behind the book “The Blessing?" Where does the Blessing come from? The Blessing is not a-what? What caused Kari to walk away from God and her family? What brought her back? Image from Canva

Daily Hope No one would disagree that it is difficult to raise teenagers today. However, some would argue- when have parents not found the times unprecedented and the task of raising teenagers difficult? On the surface, this argument might sound plausible, but when we really peel back the onion to see all of the moving parts it seems apples are being compared to oranges. Perhaps a better analogy is that maybe molehills are being compared to mountains. A generation of kids without hope is what too many parents are dealing with today. What we need is hope for every day. Discussing Hope with Mark Gregston Mark is an author, speaker, radio host, and the Founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark's passion for helping teens can be seen in his 50 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life Area Director, and now as Executive Director of Heartlight. Today we discuss his new book, "Daily Hope for Families." Episode Highlights: What is the second leading cause of death in teens? What quote does Trace give from Voltaire? What is the main reason kids feel hopeless? What main question does Mark ask himself? What is our role as parents and grandparents? Image from Canva

Digital Madness If you haven't noticed we are living in a time where parents have to raise their kids in a society that itself has become mentally ill. If you have listened in before you may have wondered if we are just being extreme or if our culture really has descended into an emotional, psychological, and spiritual abyss. Unfortunately, the data would suggest the later. Many times we suggest that parents ask what role digital technology may play in all of this. Today we will receive insights from Dr. Nicholas Kardaras' book, “Digital Madness: How Social Media is Driving Our Mental Health Crisis and How to Restore Our Sanity.” Discussing Tech Addiction with Dr. Nicholas Kardaras Dr. Nicholas Kardaras is an Ivy League-educated psychologist, best-selling author, internationally renowned speaker, and an expert on mental health, addiction, and the impacts of our digital age. He is one of the country's foremost addiction experts. Dr. Kardaras lives with his wife in Sag Harbor, NY and they have twin sons. He is a frequent presenter and lecturer on the subjects of philosophy, mental health, and both substance and screen addictions. Episode Highlights: What quote from Voltaire does Trace give? What does Trace believe is the real root of our society's mental health problems? Sin will take us _, cost us _, and keep us _. Who do Dr. Kardaras and Trace theorize God is using to wake up His people? “What harm can that do?” What harm does this phrase cause? Image from Canva

Ask Trace It's another installment of Ask Trace where I ask Trace questions that are on your hearts. Today's topic is kind of sensitive. It is around the topic of LGBTQ youth. Over the last couple of weeks, I have had several conversations about pronouns and how to adjust your thinking around that. In some of those eye-opening conversations, I am seeing parents, teachers, and leaders in the Christian community that are on opposite sides. Both believe that they are on the side of compassion and the gospel. So how does Trace handle this with the teens at Shepherd's Hill Academy? Email asktrace@licensetoparent.org to ask your tough questions. Discussing LGBTQ+ with Trace Embry Trace Embry is the Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd's Hill Academy a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd's Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd's Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd's Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now. Episode Highlights: What happens when you start to break down the fundamentals of reality? What do common definitions of terms provide? How are the students at Shepherd's Hill addressed? What is Shepherd's Hill here to bring? What leads to spiritual and psychological healing? Image from Canva