Podcasts about intentional parenting

Is it true that a woodpecker's tongue wraps around its brain? Discover the amazing ways God designed woodpeckers as avian acrobats and what they teach us about Jesus taking the impact of our sins.Here's our trail map:Why Do Woodpeckers Peck On Trees?Does a Woodpecker's Tongue Wrap Around Its Brain?Do Woodpeckers Hurt Trees?How Does God Shield Us From Harm?Related Lessons to listen to next:How Do Wood Duck Babies Survive a 60-Foot Fall? Lesson 53: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7df63827-a6cc-4e50-a3f2-4afee0e19933/Why Is Nature Musical?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/076641d2-bf3c-4eaf-b810-ef1f1b256e65/Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Explore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/memberGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Woodpecker Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/does-a-woodpeckers-tongue-wrap-around-its-brain/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:3 (NIV)“But he took our suffering on himand felt our pain for us.We saw his sufferingand thought God was punishing him.But he was wounded for the wrong we did;he was crushed for the evil we did.The punishment, which made us well, was given to him,and we are healed because of his wounds.We all have wandered away like sheep;each of us has gone his own way.But the Lord has put on him the punishmentfor all the evil we have done.” Isaiah 53:4-6 (NCV)“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT)Terms Learned in This Episode:Cavity Nest: A nest inside a tree often made by a woodpecker.Drumming: Rapid pecking of a woodpecker to communicate with other nearby woodpeckers.Zygodactyl: A four-toed foot design with two facing forward and two facing backward, built for gripping.Hyoid Bone: A long bone wrapping around the woodpecker's skull that allows its tongue to move in and out and stabilizes its brain.Capillary Action: When liquid climbs a surface because it sticks to itself.Some but not all sources used for research (*additional information from some sources may present conflicting worldviews)https://answersingenesis.org/birds/what-we-knew-about-woodpeckerhttps://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/hole-story-how-woodpeckers-make-homes-forest/https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/how-to-recognize-woodpeckers-by-their-drumming-sounds/This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.Credits:Woodpecker sound credit: Jonathon Jongsma, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSap sucker video clip: Paul Danese, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Is a “sawtooth shark” a real animal? And how do they use their nose like a metal detector, sword, and shovel? Discover the mystery of this often confused creature and how God designed sawfish with a long jagged nose to find and catch their next meal. Here's our trail map:What Is a Sawtooth Shark?Why Do Sawfish Have a Saw?Are Sawfish Born With Saws?How Can We Tell What Is True From What Is False?Related Lessons to listen to next:How Do Fish Breathe Underwater?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0fc09da4-deab-42ce-9e57-2a2d5e9a2d8c/What Is a Shark's 6th Sense?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6d415944-5436-4f3c-810f-7ab3cf20591a/Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Discover God's designs in crabs and other ocean creatures with Apologia's Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-course-set/Explore all of Apologia's award-winning curriculum and courses: https://www.apologia.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/memberGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Sawfish Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/are-sawfish-born-with-saws/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askFurther Research:An excellent article on sawfish by Creation Ministries International: https://creation.com/en/articles/wonderfully-designed-sawfishScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“There used to be false prophets among God's people, just as you will have some false teachers in your group. They will secretly teach things that are wrong—teachings that will cause people to be lost. They will even refuse to accept the Master, Jesus, who bought their freedom. So they will bring quick ruin on themselves. Many will follow their evil ways and say evil things about the way of truth.” 2 Peter 2:1-2 (NCV)“The time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching but will find many more teachers who please them by saying the things they want to hear. They will stop listening to the truth and will begin to follow false stories.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NCV)“...The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true.” Acts 17:11b (NCV)“Really, there is no other Good News. But some people are confusing you; they want to change the Good News of Christ. We preached to you the Good News. So if we ourselves, or even an angel from heaven, should preach to you something different, we should be judged guilty! I said this before, and now I say it again: You have already accepted the Good News. If anyone is preaching something different to you, let that person be judged guilty!” Galatians 1:7-9 (NCV)“Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and instruct each other by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 (NCV) Terms Learned in This Episode:Spiracle: A special breathing hole located behind each eye that brings in water to flow over gills, so a creature can breathe while resting on the bottom of the ocean.Rostrum: A long, flat, saw-shaped snout with sharp “teeth” along the edges.Dermal Denticles: Teeth-like scales covering the skin of sharks and rays.Chondrichthys: Fish including sharks and rays that have cartilaginous bodies instead of bones.Cartilage: Strong tissue in a body that is flexible. Ray: A category of chondrichthyes (cartilaginous) fish with flat bodies and large pectoral fins, mouths and gills on their underside, spiracles for breathing, and some have whip-like tails.Ampullae of Lorenzini: Jelly-filled sacs (pores) that allow sharks and rays, including sawfish, to sense the electrical field and find food using electrical currents.Ovoviviparous: Babies grow inside the mother and are born live, but they're fed by a yolk sac (not a placenta) and no hard egg is laid.This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

Why do kangaroos hop? Can they walk? Do all kangaroos have pouches, and what are they for? Discover God's wild and wonderful design in kangaroos and how they're designed to move forward—never backward.Here's our trail map:Do All Kangaroos Have Pouches?Why Do Kangaroos Hop?Can Kangaroos Jump Backward?How Does God Help Us Move Forward in Faith?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Explore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Subscribe to the Ginger Hubbard podcast for biblical parenting advice and encouragement: https://www.gingerhubbard.com/podcastNat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/memberGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Kangaroo Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/do-all-kangaroos-have-pouches/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NCV)“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5 (ESV)“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)“‘For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) Terms Learned in This Episode:Marsupial: A group of mammals that have very tiny babies which are born early. Most have a pouch in which their baby or babies crawl into. Inside the pouch, the baby drinks milk and stays warm and safe as it continues growing.Marsupium: A pouch on a mother marsupial's belly where her tiny baby or babies stay safe and warm after being born. Inside the pouch are nipples so the babies can drink milk and keep growing.Macropodidae: A family (category) of marsupials meaning “big feet,” including kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, tree-kangaroos, pademelons, quokkas, and other creatures known for large feet for hopping and tails for balancing.Saltation: Moving by jumps or hops instead of walking.Pentapedal Locomotion: Moving by using five feet. Or in the case of kangaroos, four feet and one tail.This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Ever wonder how to handle picky eating at parties without creating food battles? Or how to set healthy screen time boundaries when screens feel like the only babysitter?In this Ask Me Anything episode of the Healthy Parenting Handbook podcast, I'm answering your real-life parenting questions about dessert rules for kids, the Division of Responsibility in feeding, raising independent children, and building healthy family habits that actually stick.We're talking about practical strategies for limiting screen time for toddlers and young kids, alternatives to screen time that encourage creativity, and how involving kids in chores builds responsibility and executive functioning. I'm also sharing how to create a real food family culture without labeling foods as “bad,” how to monitor sugar and food dyes without being extreme, and how to gradually pass ownership of health to your kids so they can make wise choices when no one is watching.If you want less pressure around food, more confidence in your parenting decisions, and a clear path toward raising healthy, independent future adults, this episode is for you!Resources We Mention in This Parenting Q&AGet the one-page “cheat sheets” at raisinghealthyfamilies.com/handbook.Register for the No More Picky Eating ChallengeCheck out my chores system hereFor my lemon water: collagen and vitamin C powderThe blue light glasses I haveStarting to eat real food is easier with the Monday Missions!The risks of synthetic food dyesSome ways we deal with sugar and desserts at the Kimball houseTap over and see the YouTube shorts channelTake control of your stress with the Stress Mastery Challenge today! Get four free workshops now at https://raisinghealthyfamilies.com/skills Kitchen Stewardship Raising Healthy Families follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at raisinghealthyfamilies.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

1 Timothy 4:8 NIV “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”   *Transcription Below*   Brian Smith, author of The Christian Athlete: Glorifying God in Sports, is a staff member with Athletes in Action and a cross-country coach at Lowell High School. A former collegiate runner at Wake Forest University, he earned a BA in Communications and Journalism before completing his MA in Theology and Sports Studies at Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary. Brian lives in Lowell, MI with his wife and three children. You can find him on Twitter @BrianSmithAIA.   Ed Uszynski is an author, speaker, and sports minister with over three decades' experience discipling college and professional athletes. With a heart for reconciliation and justice, he also works as a racial literacy consultant and marriage conference speaker, blending Biblical wisdom with practical living in the midst of complex cultural realities. He has two theological degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a PhD in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. He and his wife Amy have four children and live in Xenia, Ohio.   The Christian Athlete Website   Thank You to Our Sponsor:  Sam Leman Eureka   Questions and Topics We Cover: What is one of kids' greatest game day complaints?  Is it true that young athletic success is a predictor of adult athletic success? What are a few tips for instilling a heart of gratitude in our young athlete, rather than entitlement?   Related Savvy Sauce Episode: 230 Intentional Parenting in All The Stages with Dr. Rob Rienow   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:11)   Laura Dugger: (0:12 - 1:51) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   The principles of honesty and integrity that Sam Leman founded his business on continue today, over 55 years later, at Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka.   Owned and operated by the Bertschi family, Sam Leman and Eureka appreciates the support they've received from their customers all over Central Illinois and beyond. Visit them today at lemangm.com.   Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski are my guests for today.   They are co-authors of this recent amazing book entitled, A Way Game, A Christian Parents Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. And from the very beginning, I was captivated, even with one of the endorsements from Matt Martens, who's the president and CEO of Awana, and he summed it up this way, A Way Game provides a much needed perspective shift on one of the most sacred idols in our culture, youth sports. So, Brian and Ed are all for youth sports, and yet you're going to hear there's a different way to approach it than what we've been trained in culture.   And they're going to share some wonderful and very practical insights. I can't wait to share this with you. Here's our chat. Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Ed and Brian.   Ed Uszynski & Brian Smith: (1:51 - 1:54) Thanks for having us, Laura. Yeah, good to be here, Laura.   Laura Dugger: (1:54 - 2:04) So, excited about this chat. And will the two of you just start us off by sharing your family's stage of life and your involvement in sports?   Brian Smith: (2:05 - 3:29) Yeah, there could be a lot on the back end of that question. I'll start with sports, then get into family. I've been involved in sports my entire life, played every sport imaginable growing up, got cut from just about every single sport my freshman year of high school, ended up running track and cross country because it was the only sports that you could not get cut from at my high school.   And I ended up being pretty good at it by the time I was a senior, won some state championships, ended up getting a scholarship to run at Wake Forest University. So, I did that for four years right out of college. I coached a little bit collegiately.   Soon after that, I joined staff with a sports ministry called Athletes in Action that Ed and I have a combined 50 years with Athletes in Action. And really, that's been my life ever since. I've been ministering to college and pro athletes, discipling them, helping them figure out what does that actually look like to integrate faith in sport.   Even today, I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I coach high school cross country while I'm still on staff with Athletes in Action. I have a middle school Bible study that I run on Wednesday mornings.   Been married to my wife, who I actually met in high school. She was a distance runner too, and she ran at Wisconsin. So, we've been married for 20 years.   We have three kids, a high schooler, a middle schooler, and an elementary schooler who are all involved in sport at some level, some way, shape, or form.   Laura Dugger: (3:30 - 3:34) Wow, that's incredible. Thank you, Brian. And Ed, what about you?   Ed Uszynski: (3:34 - 5:04) Well, my story is very parallel to Brian's, just different sports and some different numbers. Just tack on 15 years. Yeah, I was a basketball player.   Grew up on the west side of Cleveland with a high school football coach. My dad was, but I was a basketball player. I played at high levels all the way through my 20s, got to play overseas.   I mean, this was a long time ago, but I got everything I could out of that sport. And as soon as I graduated from college, though, I started to work with that Athletes in Action ministry that Brian mentioned. So, I've been working with college and professional athletes for 34 years now.   And same, coached at different levels, have four kids. Amy and I have been married for 26 years. We have four kids, three are in college, and one's in ninth grade, who has a game this afternoon, actually.   So, we've just been going to games and have been involved in going to sports stuff for the last 20 years with our kids. And really what happened with Brian, and I is that we looked up a decade ago and realized this youth sports thing was a fast train that was moving in directions that we weren't used to ourselves, even though we've been around sports our whole life. It's like, there's something different happening now.   And then thinking about it as Christians, like, how do we do this well as Christ followers? We don't want to separate from it. We don't want to just go for the ride. How do we do this as Christian people? And that's what got us talking about it and eventually led to this book.   Laura Dugger: (5:05 - 5:23) Well, the book was easy to read and incredible. And I'd like to start there where you begin, even where you go back before going forward. So, when you're looking back, what are the factors at play that changed youth sports over time?   Ed Uszynski: (5:26 - 6:17) Well, I'll say this and then Brian, maybe you jump in and throw a couple of them out there. I mean, youth sports is a $40 billion industry today, which is wild to think about. It's four times how much money gets spent on the NFL, which is just staggering.   I can't even hardly believe that that's true, but it is. And it's really just in the last 20 years that that's happened. I mean, 50 years ago, you couldn't have had the youth sport industrial complex, as we refer to it.   You couldn't have had it. There were a bunch of things that had to happen culturally, as is true with any new movement or any paradigm shift that happens in culture. You've got to have certain things be true all at the same time that make it possible.   So, Brian, what were a couple of those? Again, I'll throw it over to you. There's six of them that we talk about in the book. And I think it's really fascinating because I'm a history guy.   Brian Smith: (6:18 - 8:40) Yeah. And we can obviously double click on any of these, Laura, that you want to, but we talk about how the college admissions process became an avenue where youth sports parents saw, man, if we can get our kids involved in some extracurriculars and kind of tag on high level athlete to their resume, it actually helps with the college admissions process. And so even the idea of college scholarships became an opportunity for youth sports parents to get their kids involved.   And then, yeah, maybe sports can actually get them into college. We talk about the economic shifts that happen, the rise of safetyism and helicopter parenting. ESPN was a massive one in 1979.   This thing called ESPN starts, and we get 24-7 coverage of sports, which they started exploring even early on. What does it look like to give coverage to something like Little League World Series and saw that it didn't really matter how young the sport was, it's going to draw a national audience. And so, we've almost been discipled by ESPN really over the last 50 years with this consistent coverage.   We talk about the rise of the sports complex. This one to me is like the most fascinating out of all of them. In 1997, Disney decided to try to get more people to come to their parks.   They built a sports complex, just a massive sports complex. The idea was, are the older kids getting sick of the Buzz Lightyear ride and the Disney princesses? So, let's build a sports complex and maybe it'll be something else that will draw this older crowd too.   And what happened was, I mean, a lot of people started coming to it, but kind of the stake in the ground game changer was when 9-11 hit. In the months and years after that, they saw a lot less people go to their parks, but population actually doubled going to the sports complex, which is wild to think that people were afraid to go to theme parks for a vacation, but they were willing to travel across state lines to play sports at the Disney complex. So other cities and municipalities took notice of that.   Today, there's over 30,000 sports complexes like Disney's, which again, this is all adding to the system of the youth sports industrial complex. Did I miss any, Ed?   Ed Uszynski: (8:41 - 10:47) Well, no, and that's good. And the reason why we even put all that on the table, again, everybody kind of intuitively knows if you're involved, you know, something's not right. But I think it's important to say this is not normal what's happening.   It's a new normal that's been manufactured by a bunch of cultural trends, by a bunch of entrepreneurs that are doing what entrepreneurs do, and they're taking advantage of the moment, and they are generating lots of money around it. So, it should be encouraging. If it's not normal, that means actually there's a counter way of going about this.   There really can be reformation. But when all this money gets involved, the two biggest consequences that come out of that is our kids start getting treated like commodities, which they are, and we could talk the whole time even just about what that means. But maybe even more importantly, or what comes out of that is that beyond their physical development, most coaches and clubs are not paying any attention to their emotional development, their psychological development, their spiritual development, all the different aspects of what it means to be human that, frankly, used to be paid quite a bit more attention to in youth leagues when I was growing up.   I'm 58 now, so I was playing in the 70s and the 80s. And it used to be expected, at least at some level, even among non-Christian people, that you would take those aspects of a kid's life seriously. And now those just aren't prioritized.   And so, what do we do about that? Again, that's kind of our whole point is, well, as Christian people, we're really supposed to be our kid's first discipler anyways. And part of that role and part of taking on that identity is that we would be asking, what is God trying to do in the wholeness of their life, the entirety of their life, even in the context of sports?   So again, I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but that's why we're trying to poke into that to say, oh, we could actually make change. We may not change the whole system. In fact, we won't. Most of us won't be expected to do that, but we can make significant change in our corner of the bleachers and what happens with our kids.   Laura Dugger: (10:48 - 11:05) That's good. And just like you said, to double-click on a few places, first of all, real quick, the 30,000 number, I remember that shocking me in the book, but I'm forgetting now, is that worldwide, the amount of sports complexes or is that just in America?   Brian Smith: (11:05 - 11:06) That's domestically in the US.   Laura Dugger: (11:07 - 11:52) Yeah. That is staggering. And then one other piece, all of this history was new to me as you brought it all together, but it was also fascinated.   This is from page 32. I'll just read your quote. The American youth sports ball began rolling when a British movement fusing spiritual development with physical activity made its way across the Atlantic Ocean at the turn of the last century.   And Ed, that's kind of what you were touching on, that they were mixing, I'm sure, spiritual, psychological discipleship, physical. Can you elaborate more on what was happening and where it originated? Because we've come very far from our origins.   Ed Uszynski: (11:53 - 13:18) Yeah. And there's been a bunch of really great books written about this topic called muscular Christianity. This idea, like you just said, Laura, of wedding physical activity through sports with our spiritual development and expecting and anticipating that somebody that was taking care of their body and that was engaging in sport activity, that was the closest thing to godliness.   That opened up the door for you to also be developing spiritually. And there was an expectation that both of those are going on at the same time. A bunch of criticism about that movement, but it was taken seriously.   The YMCA is actually a huge byproduct of the muscular Christianity movement. The Young Men's Christian Association created space for sports and for athletic activity to take place under the banner of you're also going to grow spiritually as you're doing this. So again, that was a hundred years ago.   And that's not really what AAU stands for today. The different clubs and leagues that we get involved in just don't talk that way anymore. Of course, culture just in general has shifted away from sort of a Judeo-Christian ethic guiding a North Star for us.   Even if we're not Christian people, that used to be more of a North Star. That's gone now. And so, it really is not expected in sports anymore.   Brian Smith: (13:18 - 13:55) And what we're saying is we cannot expect organizations to own that process for our kids. We can't outsource the discipleship of our kids to the youth sports industrial complex or the YMCA or the AAU. It really does start with us as Christian parents to be the primary discipler of our kids.   And there is a way to take what's happening on the field or the court or the pool and turn it into really amazing discipleship opportunities. But it means, and Ed is starting to tease this out, it means we need to change our perspective as parents when we sit in the bleachers or on the sidelines of what we're looking for and even the conversations we have with our kids on the back end.   Laura Dugger: (13:57 - 15:29) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Sam Leman Chevrolet Eureka has been owned and operated by the Bertschi family for over 25 years. A lot has changed in the car business since Sam and Stephen's grandfather, Sam Leman, opened his first Chevrolet dealership over 55 years ago.   If you visit their dealership today though, you'll find that not everything has changed. They still operate their dealership like their grandfather did, with honesty and integrity. Sam and Stephen understand that you have many different choices in where you buy or service your vehicle.   This is why they do everything they can to make the car buying process as easy and hassle-free as possible. They are thankful for the many lasting friendships that began with a simple welcome to Sam Leman's. Their customers keep coming back because they experience something different.   I've known Sam and Stephen and their wives my entire life and I can vouch for their character and integrity, which makes it easy to highly recommend you check them out today. Your car buying process doesn't have to be something you dread, so come see for yourself at Sam Leman Chevrolet in Eureka. Sam and Stephen would love to see you and they appreciate your business.   Learn more at their website, LemanEureka.com or visit them on Facebook by searching for Sam Leman Eureka. You can also call them on 309-467-2351. Thanks for your sponsorship.   Laura Dugger: (15:30 - 15:31) And I want to continue getting into more of those practicals. Do you want to give us just a taste or an example or story of what that might look like?   Brian Smith: (15:32 - 16:54) We keep saying, we keep talking about the importance of the car ride home that it's tempting for us and not us broadly in the U.S., tempting for us, Ed and I, as people who have done this for 50 plus years and who should know better, it's tempting for us as discipled by an ESPN over analyzing everything culture and want to talk about sports to get in the car ride home with our kids and all we want to talk about is how game went, what they did right, what they did wrong, what they could fix next time.   Maybe instead of passing to Tim, they should take the shot next time because they're wide open. They just hit three in a row. So, and what our kids need from us in those moments is less coaching, less criticizing, less critiquing, and they just need us to connect with them.   The stats on kids quitting youth sports is crazy right now. Its 70 percent are quitting before the age of 13, in large part because it's not fun, and a lot of kids are attaching this idea of it not being fun to the car ride home with their parents who, let's say this too, most of us are well-intentioned parents. We're not trying to screw our kids up.   We want what's best for our kids, but the data and the research and the lived experience continues to tell us what our kids need from us is just to take a deep breath, connect with them, less coaching. Ed keeps saying less coaching, more slurpees.   Laura Dugger: (16:55 - 17:07) I like that. And that ties in. Is it called the peak-end principle that you discovered why kids are resisting that critique on the way home?   Brian Smith: (17:07 - 18:17) Yeah, absolutely. The peak-end rule in psychology is known as this: we, just as humans in general, not just kids, we largely remember things in our lives based on the peak moment of that event, but also how the event ends. And so, the peak moment in sport can be anything from something that goes really well, like they scored a goal or made a basket or something that did not go well, just like a massive event that took place that they're going to remember.   But then it's also married to how that event ends. So, if you think for kids, how does every youth sport experience end? It ends with the car ride home.   So, if they're experiencing the car ride home as I did not live up to mom and dad's standards, or there's fear getting into the car because they don't know what their parents are going to say, how are they remembering the totality of their youth sport experience? It is, I didn't, I didn't measure up. I wasn't enough.   It felt like sports was a place that I needed to perform for my parents or my coach. And I always feel a little bit short. We want to help parents see like there's a different path forward that can be more joyful for you, but hopefully more joyful for your kid as well.   Ed Uszynski: (18:17 - 21:37) Well, and, and I'll just, let me keep going with that, Brian. I thought you really articulated all that so well. I can just imagine a parent maybe thinking, was there never a time to correct?   Is there never a time to give input? And we would say, well, of course there, there is, they need far less of it from us than we think they need when it comes to their sport. And again, we can talk about that.   They need far less of that from us. They need us to be their parents, not to be their coaches. Even if we are their coach, they need us to be more their parents.   But there is a time to do it. We're just saying the car ride home is the worst time to do it. And that's usually the time that most of us, you know, we've got two hours of stuff to download with them.   And that's just, it's not a good time. But the other thing that Brian and I keep talking about is how about, what if we had some different metrics that we were even trying to measure? So, most of the time our metrics have to do with their performance.   Like what, what are we grading them on? Again, depending on what the sport is, there's these different things that we're looking for to say, how you did today is based on whether you did this or you didn't do that and whatnot. And we're saying as parents, and again, starting with us, we needed some other metrics that were actually more concerned about what was going on in their soul.   So again, I'm sure we'll talk more about this, but the virtues, how did love show up in the way they competed today? Where that usually is tied to them noticing somebody else. Do I, am I even asking them any questions about that?   Are they experiencing peace in the midst of all this chaos and anxiety that shows up at every game? How do we teach them to experience peace? How do they become other-centered instead of just self-centered all the time in a culture, a sport culture that's teaching them to always be the center of attention and try to be?   So, we just have needed to exchange some of what we had on that performance list, like tamper that down a little bit and maybe expand the list of categories that we're looking for that actually will matter when they're 25. And we keep saying this, our goal is that they'd come home for Thanksgiving when they're 25. And so, we need to stay relationally connected to them and how we act on the car ride home day after day after day after day, year after year is doing something to our relationship.   But we also are recognizing that it's really not going to matter whether Trey finishes with his left hand at the game today when he's 25, it's not going to matter. It's not going to matter probably a year from now, but how he goes through the handshake line after the game and the way he addresses other people, and whether or not he's learning to submit to authority, whether or not he's learning to embrace other people's humanity. Yes, even in the context of sports, that's really going to matter when he's 25.   It's going to matter when he's married. Those are the things that will matter. And we say that as people who are older and have been involved in ministry and have worked with college athletes and see what happens in their lives even after they're finished, and they have no idea who they are anymore.   And this thing that's dominated their life has not actually prepared them well to do life. And that's a problem that we say, let's start changing that when they're six and not hope they're figuring it out when they're 22.   Laura Dugger: (21:38 - 22:11) I love that because that's such a theme throughout those virtues that you talked about, but discipleship and sports are a tool or a way that we can disciple our kids. I also love that you give various questions throughout the book and even quick phrases. So to close that conversation on the car ride home, if we say, okay, that's what I've been coaching the whole way home, what is a question we could ask our child afterwards and a statement we could say and leave it at that and do it a better way?   Brian Smith: (22:12 - 23:56) The question I have consistently asked my kids after learning that I've been doing this the wrong way for a long time, I tweet my question to they get in the car and I say, is there anything that happened today from the game that you want to talk about? And it's frustrating to me because 99% of the time they say, no, can we listen to the radio? And we listen to the radio, or they play a on my phone, but I'm respecting their desire that they're done with what just happened and they're ready to move on to the next thing, even though I really want to talk about what just happened.   And then the statement that I want to make sure that I'm consistently saying that they're hearing is I love you and I'm proud of you. So, game didn't go well. Yeah, you did play well today.   That's okay. Hey, I love you and I'm proud of you. Game went well today.   Awesome. Great job. Hey, I love you and I'm proud of you.   So I want that to be the consistent theme that they're hearing for me, which is hopefully going to help them better understand the gospel later in life, that as they get older and older, hopefully they'll begin to realize it seemed like the way that my mom and dad interacted with me when I was performing in sport, but their love was not attached to my performance. That seems really similar to what I'm learning more and more that Jesus does for me, that I'm trying to do all these things that are good. But from what I'm understanding about the gospel, it seems like Jesus loves me in spite of what I do.   He loves me just because He's connected to me, that God loves me because I'm a son or daughter, not because I'm performing as a son or a daughter. So, in a very real way, I really am hoping that I'm giving a good teaser for my kids now for when they fully experience the gospel as they go through the life.   Ed Uszynski: (23:56 - 24:47) Another really good connecting question. I love how you said all that, Brian, is if they don't want to talk about the game, is it okay, did you have fun today? And they can only go in one of two directions.   No. Well, tell me about that. Why not?   And it opens up the door to talk about, well, because I didn't get to play or because something bad happened. And again, tell me more about that. Tell me more about that.   Or they say, yes, great. What happened that was fun? And it creates a very different conversation in the car.   And it opens up, again, relational possibilities that go way beyond, why do you keep passing it when you should be shooting it? Wow. And just all the different ways that that comes out of us, depending on sport, depending on their age.   But those are great questions. Go ahead, Brian.   Brian Smith: (24:47 - 25:41) I just asked my son this morning. He's a freshman. His wrestling season is almost done.   And I just asked, like, what has been most fun for you in wrestling this year? And his first thing was, I feel like I'm learning a lot. And that's really fun for me, which he's on a really good team.   He's had a lot of success. He's made a lot of good friends. But even that gave me a window into his characters.   My son enjoys and I knew this is true about him. But my son enjoys learning, which means he enjoys the process of getting better and better and better, which can happen in school, it can happen doing stuff in the yard, it can it can also happen in sport. But for me to remember moving forward, yeah, he he's probably going to have a different metric for what's fun in sport than I often do for him.   Yeah, like I wanted to learn. I want him to win though, too. He's happy with learning right now.   So, I need to be happy with that for him.   Ed Uszynski: (25:41 - 26:34) If I can say this, too, again, I don't want to be vulnerable on your behalf. But then knowing this, he's lost a lot this year to really good kids. Yeah.   And so much of the learning has been in the context of losing. So, you as a dad, actually, you could be crushing him because of those losses and what he needs to do to fix that and what he needs to do so that that doesn't happen again. And it's like he's already committed to learning.   How do you just how do you celebrate the loss? Like he took the risk to try something new in this movie. He tried to survive an extra period.   That's a process when and it's we just need to get better at that. Like you genuinely can celebrate that. That's not just a that's not like a participation trophy.   It's acknowledging now, do you're taking you're taking the right steps that are actually making you a winner, even if you don't have more points at the end of the game right now.   Laura Dugger: (26:34 - 26:54) Yeah. Yeah. And that long term win that you're talking about, even with character and you've talked about fun and asking them about fun.   Is it true that that's the main reason kids are dropping out of sports at such a rapid rate before age 13 is that it's just not fun anymore?   Ed Uszynski: (26:55 - 28:58) Yeah. Yeah. And why is it not fun?   And again, this is where Brian and I are always getting in each other's business. And we know that this conversation gets in all of our business as adults. But why is it not fun?   It's not fun because of the coaches and it's not fun because of the parents. We are creating stress. We are creating again collectively because we're all in different places on the on the spectrum on this in terms of what we're actually doing when we show up at games.   But if you even just go to any soccer game and you be quiet and just listen to what's happening and everybody's shouting and screaming things and there's contradictory messages being sent and there's angst at every turn and there's an incredible celebration because this eight year old was able to get the ball to go across the line for another goal. And what that's doing inside the kids is it is creating a not fun atmosphere. Let's just say it like that.   That's a not fun atmosphere when you're eight, when you're 10, when you're trying to figure out how to make your body work. You're trying to learn the game that you're unfamiliar with and you're trying to do what this coach is telling you to do. And you're also trying to do what all the parents are telling you what to do.   And if it's a team sport, you're trying to interact and play with other kids who are all in that same state of disarray, which is very stressful and frustrating. And we're just adding to it. So instead of removing it, instead of playing a role that says, we're going to keep diffusing that stress.   And again, I'll speak for myself. Too often, I have been the one that's actually adding to it. And so, kids are just like, why would I do this?   Why would I want to get in that car again with you? It's not fun. This is a game.   And so, there's a million other things that I can do with my time where I don't have everybody yelling at me and I don't have to listen to you correct me for two hours.   Laura Dugger: (29:00 - 29:21) Well, and one other thing that surprised me, maybe why kids are dropping out, you share on page 47, a quote that research reveals a strange correlation. The more we spend, the less our kids actually enjoy their sport. So, did you have any more insight into that?   Brian Smith: (29:21 - 30:50) Yeah, this was a real study that was done at Utah State. Researchers found that the more money parents are spending, again, let's say well-intentioned parents, the more we're spending in sports, the less our kids are enjoying. And the more they have dug into it, they're finding, and intuitively it makes sense.   If you buy your kid a $600 baseball bat, what's the expectation that they're supposed to do with this really expensive bat? When they swing, they better hit the ball, and they better get on base. If we're going to buy you this expensive of a bat, you can't just have process goals with it.   You better swing and hit it. And that's causing stress for kids. If you travel across state lines and you go to Disney to play at their sports complex, you're not there for vacation.   You're there to perform. So even if parents are saying we're trying to have fun, kids know when you're traveling and you're getting all this good equipment and you're on the elite team and you're receiving the best of the best stuff, they know it comes with some sort of an expectation. College athletes can barely handle that type of pressure and expectations, but we've placed this professional on youth sports from fifth five-year-olds to 15-year-olds, and it's just crushing them.   It's crushing them. Again, college athletes and professional athletes can barely handle it. They need mental health coaches for sports, but we're expecting that our five-year-olds can handle it, and they can't.   Ed Uszynski: (30:51 - 31:19) And they may not even be able to articulate it. So that's the other thing. They may not be able to identify what's actually going on inside and put it into words.   So again, that's why we're trying to sound the alarm for ourselves and for others who are listening, because we can do it different. Again, just to even keep spinning it back in an encouraging direction, we can do this different. We can change this this week in our corner of the bleachers.   We can start over again.   Laura Dugger: (31:21 - 31:48) Absolutely and make a difference. And before we talk about even more of the pros with sports, I think it's also necessary to reflect and maybe even grieve a few things. So, what would you say are some things families are missing out on when they choose youth sports to overfill their calendar, that that's all that they make time for?   What do you think they're missing out on?   Brian Smith: (31:51 - 33:16) Yeah, I think a couple that come to mind are family dinners are a big one. That's big for us in the Smith house, is just having the ability after a long day to sit at the dinner table together, to eat food together, and to process the day and be with one another. But when my kids' practice goes late, it means we're either eating almost towards bedtime or we're eating in different shifts.   And so that's something that we grieve. I think for me, when my schedule is full, I'm tempted to adopt the mindset that what's happening on the wrestling mat or on the track matters more than it actually does. And it robs me of the ability to just take a deep breath and smile and enjoy watching my kids play sports.   That without an intervention or a pregame devotional in the car for myself, I risk sitting in the stands or being on the sidelines, being stressed out and putting pressure on myself and pressure on my kids and gossiping about why the coach didn't put this kid into the people next to me, instead of just enjoying the gift that is sports and watching my kid try and succeed and try and fail. That is a gift available to me as a dad to watch my kid do that. But the busyness often robs me of that perspective.   Ed Uszynski: (33:17 - 36:06) Well, and the busyness robs, again, if you're married, that busyness eventually wears away at your relationship. And it's not just sports. I mean, busyness, we can fill our schedule, overfill our schedules with any number of things.   We can overfill our schedules with church stuff to a point where it becomes detrimental to our relationship. If we don't set boundaries so that we're making sure we're doing what we need to do to be face-to-face and to be going to areas beneath the surface with each other in our relationship and being able to do that with our kids as well, eventually there's negative consequences to that. It may not happen right away, but I've definitely experienced that.   We've experienced that in our home where it's easy to maybe chase one kid around for a while, but what happens when you add three into the mix and you haven't really done a time budget or paid attention to the fact that when we sign up for all these things, you get a month into it and you realize, oh, we have to be in different places at the same time. So, we're not even watching stuff together anymore. We're just running.   I can endure anything for a season, but what youth sports wants now in every sport from the youngest ages is that it becomes a year-round commitment. So, you're not even signing up to play a season anymore. You're signing up for a year in most cases because after the games, then they're going to have training.   They're going to have this other thing going on. And so again, can we say, well, we'll play the actual season, but then we're not going to do the additional training over these next three months. Again, we want to give parents' permission that you can say no to that.   Well, we paid for it. Well, it's okay. If you want your kid to be on that team and you like this club or whatever, then you pay the money and you just say, we're going to sit those three months out and we're going to use those three months actually to have people over our house for dinner.   Again, whatever's on the list, Laura, that you said about being more holistic and not letting sport operate like an idol in our life where it's taken on, it's washed out everything else in our life. We can get back in control of that by just saying no a little bit. You can go to church on Sunday.   Even if there's tournament games going on on Sunday, you can go to the coach early and say, hey, we just, in our family, we just don't want to be available before 12. Are you okay with that? And most of the time coaches will be.   The kid might have to sit extra maybe for not being, whatever. Okay. That's not going to be the end of the world that they had to sit out an extra game or had to sit out a half because they weren't available on Sunday morning.   It might actually make a huge difference that they weren't at church for two and a half years in the most formative time of their life.   Laura Dugger: (36:07 - 37:36) And a lot of times the way of wisdom includes reflection, getting alone with the Lord and asking, have we overstuffed our schedule this conversation today? Let's talk specifically with youth sports. Is that trumping everything else?   Because what if we're putting it in a place it was never intended to be as an idol where we sacrifice hospitality or discipleship or community or even just a more biblical way of life? I think we have to bring wisdom into the conversation for what you've mentioned. Whether it's worth it, if they're even enjoying it, how much we're spending on it, and do we have the budget to allocate our finances that way and evaluating the time just to see and make sure that it's rightly ordered.   Did you know you could receive a free email with monthly encouragement, practical tips, and plenty of questions to ask to take your conversation a level deeper, whether that's in parenting or on date nights? Make sure you access all of this at thesavvysauce.com by clicking the button that says join our email list so that you can follow the prompts and begin receiving these emails at the beginning of each month. Enjoy!   But if we flip that to if youth sports are rightly ordered, then what are some things that we can celebrate or reasons that you would want families to give this a try?   Brian Smith: (37:37 - 40:09) The massive positive that we keep coming back to is we have a front row seat to see our kids go through every possible emotion in sport, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. And then if we have the right perspective, we are armed with awesome opportunities and awesome information that we're seeing. We get to see what our kids are really good at.   We get to see their character gaps. And then we get to be the ones who, again, who are their primary response, primary disciplers. It really goes back to like, are we trusting youth sports for too little in our kids' lives?   Like many of us are trusting that our investment is going to get them a spot on a team, or maybe they get an opportunity in high school, maybe in college. And what we're saying is, yeah, that maybe. And that's not a bad end goal.   But if that's everything that you're investing into youth sports, it's not enough. Like what you have available to you every single day is to ask your kid if they showed somebody else's dignity on the field. You don't know if your kid's going to hit a home run today.   That may not be available to them their entire life. What's available to them every single day is to ask a question to their teammate, to see somebody and show dignity to them. And that's really, it's like, it's almost the opportunity of a lifetime for us as parents who, when our kids get home from school, we really don't know what happened most of the day.   We asked them how it went and we get the one-word answer. In sports, we don't have to guess. We get to see everything that happens.   And again, if we are actually trusting youth sports for discipleship investment, that's a good ROI. That's a good return on our investment. But we need a consistent intervention almost daily to say, no, this is why they're in sports.   Yes, I want to see them get better. I want to see them have fun, but Holy Spirit, would you help me see things today that I normally don't see? Holy Spirit, would you put them in circumstances and relationships today and in the season that's going to help them look more and more like Jesus by the time the season's done?   Holy Spirit, would you convict me in the moment when I am being a little too mouthy and saying things that I shouldn't? Would you help me to repent? And God, in those moments where I'm actually doing wrong on behalf of my kid, would you help me to humble myself and apologize to them?   And God, would you repair our relationship that way? So again, all of these options are available just because our kid's shooting a ball or they're on the field with somebody else tackling other people. We're trusting youth sports for too little.   Ed Uszynski: (40:10 - 41:10) That's all big boy and big girl stuff. It just is. I don't normally naturally do any of that.   I have to be coached into that. I have to be discipled myself. I have to work through my own issues, my own baggage, my own fears about the future, my own idolatrous holding onto this imagined future that I have for my kid, irrespective of what God may or may not want.   I've got my own resentment. I've got my own regrets from the past. I wish things had gone differently for me, so I'm going to make sure they go different for you when it comes to sports.   And it's hard to look in the mirror and admit that I have anger issues. I mean, youth sports create a great opportunity for me to get up all my pent-up frustration from the day. We've given ourselves permission to do that, in most cases, to just yell and yell at refs and gripe about coaches and yell at kids.   Brian Smith: (41:10 - 41:31) Because that's what we do at the TV, right? When our favorite team is playing, we've conditioned ourselves to say, awful call, that was terrible. Then we get on social media and we complain about it.   We are discipling ourselves to this is how it's normative to respond within the context of sports. Then we carry all that baggage to our six-year-old soccer game.   Laura Dugger: (41:33 - 42:02) Well, I love how you keep pointing it back toward character and discipleship. You clearly state throughout the book, sports don't develop character, people do. But could you maybe elaborate on that a little bit more and share more now that we've listed pros and cons, you still list a completely different way that we can meaningfully participate while also pushing back?   Brian Smith: (42:04 - 43:49) I'll start with the first part, and then you can answer the second. We use the handshake line as a great example of why character needs to be taught to our kids. If you just watch a normal handshake line left without coaching, the kids are going through it, especially the ones who lose with their head down, they have limp hands, there's no eye contact, and they're mumbling good game, good game.   Sometimes they don't even say it, they'll say GG stands for good game. They don't just learn character by going through the handshake line. If anything, that's going through it like that without any sort of intervention or coaching, that's malforming their character.   That's teaching them when things don't go well, that it's okay for them not to be a big boy or a big girl and look somebody in the eye and congratulate them. What needs to happen? An adult needs to step in and say, hey, as we go through the handshake line, whether you win or lose, here's how we do it with class.   We shake somebody's hand, we look them in the eye, and we say good game. Even if in those moments we don't actually mean it, we still show them dignity and honor. And then when we're done going through the handshake line, guess what we're going to do?   We're going to run down the refs who are trying to get in their car and get out of here, and we're going to give them a high five and say, thank you so much for reffing today. That stuff needs to be taught. Our kids don't just come out of the womb knowing how to do that.   We have to teach them how to do it. Sometimes good coaches will do that, but the more and more we get sucked up into the sports industrial complex, we're getting well-intentioned coaches, but we're getting coaches who care more about the big W, the win, than the character formation stuff that happens.   Ed Uszynski: (43:49 - 45:27) They need to keep hearing it over and over again. I have a ninth grade Bible study in my house the other day with athletes and a whole bunch of my son's basketball team. Exactly what Brian just said, I actually was like, wow, I've got them here.   There was a big blow up at a game the other day, and we wound up talking about it. I said, I'm going to take this opportunity actually to say what Brian just said. When you go through a handshake line, this is how you go through it.   I watched what happened in the game a couple days later. Basically, they did the exact opposite of what I told them to do, and they lost. It was just what Brian said.   They went through limp handed. They didn't look anybody in the face, and they weren't even saying anything. I just chuckled to myself, and you know how this is as a parent.   They may or may not do it. Of course, those aren't my kids. I have more stewardship over my child, who actually, he is doing what I've asked him to do because I've re-emphasized it across time now.   It's not a failure because they didn't do what I said. Again, the pouty side of me wants to be like, forget it. I'm just not even going to try anymore.   It's like, no, they're kids. That was the first time they've heard that. They're going to do what their patterns have, the muscle memory that's been created by their patterns, just like we do as adults.   The next time I have a chance to bring that up again, I'm not going to shame them. I'm just going to go over it again with them. Here's how we do it.   It's super hard to do this, guys, when you just want to be violent with people or you want to cry. You got to pull yourself together. That's what big men do.   That's what big women do in life. They pull themselves together in those moments and do the right thing.   Brian Smith: (45:28 - 46:01) You don't know whether the fifth time you say it is going to stick or the 50th time. Your responsibility as the Christ-following parent is to do it the sixth time and the seventh time and the seventh time and trust that God is going to take those moments and do what he does. We're ultimately not responsible for our kids' behavior.   We're responsible for pointing them in the right direction, and then hopefully, yeah, the Holy Spirit steps in and transforms and changes and convicts in those moments, but it might take some time.   Ed Uszynski: (46:02 - 47:47) Tom Bilyeu So that's how you push back, Laura. You were asking that. How do we push back without being just completely involved in it or going for the same ride that everybody else is going for?   There's just little moments like that scattered throughout. Literally, every day that my kids are involved in youth sports, the car ride over, what happens on the way home, how we talk about it, what happens during the game and what we wind up talking about out of that, the side conversations that happen that just get brought up apart from games of how we interact with people and so-and-so looks like they're struggling. What do you know about that?   That's how we push back, that in our corner of the bleachers, oh, how we interact with other parents. We haven't even talked about that yet, that I can take an interest in more than just my own kid in the bleachers and spend way more energy actually in cheering for other kids and just trying to give them confidence and spend way less time trying to direct that at my own child who knows that I'm there. In fact, my side kid has said he doesn't want to hear my voice during the game.   It distracts him. He's like, I'd much rather that you cheer for other people. It's like, okay.   Having questions ready for other parents during timeouts and as you sit there for hours together, what do you talk about? Well, I could be the one that actually initiates substantive conversations over time with them and asks them about what's going on in different parts of their life. And in having done that, people want to talk.   They want a safe place actually to share what's going on in their So let me be the sports minister. Let me take on that identity and actually care about other people.   Laura Dugger: (47:49 - 49:47) I love that. Even that practical idea of just coming to each game, maybe with a different question, ready to open up those conversations. And I'll share a quick story as well.   Our two oldest daughters recently just gave cheerleading a try at a local Christian school that allows homeschool kids to participate. And this is an overt way that somebody chooses the different way. So, it's the coach of the basketball team.   His name is Cole. And at the end of every game, we saw him consistently throughout this season when it was a home game, whether their team won or lost, he would ask them, okay, shut off the scoreboard. It's all blank.   He gathers both teams. As soon as the game is over teams, cheerleaders, the stands stay filled with all the parents. And he says, this is not our identity.   The world and Satan, our enemy, who's very real. He wants us to put our identity here, but it's not here. You made us better tonight by the way that you played and you were able to shine Jesus.   And we're going to go a step further and we're going to do what we call attaways. So, he's like, all right, boys, you open it up. And his team is trained.   They say to the other team, Hey, number 23, what's your name? I loved how you pushed me so much harder tonight and says, my name's Ben. And so, their Attaway is, Hey, Ben.   And everybody goes, Hey, Ben. Yeah, Ben. Yeah, Ben Attaway.   And everybody just erupts in clapping. And the other team is always blown away and they are just grinning, whether they just lost. So, the boys go through that for a while and then they open it up to the other team and they start sharing Attaways.   And then they open it up to the crowd and the parents are able to say, I see the way you modeled Jesus by being selfless with the ball or whatever it is. So, Cole said that his college coach did that many years ago and he's passed that on. And I love that's one way to redeem the game.   Ed Uszynski: (49:47 - 51:39) Wow. Beautiful. Beautiful.   Yeah. That's amazing. And, you know, I, so Brian and I talk about this too.   And I coached at a Christian school. So, we, we think that it's really important if you're going to play sports and you're going to be a Christian coach that you actually take the game seriously. And that we actually are here to compete and we are here to try to win.   There's nothing wrong with that. And we're going to pursue excellence when we show up with our bodies, and we train for this sport and we're going to try to win. Cause I think sometimes we end up kind of going all or nothing, especially within our Christian circles.   We're uncomfortable with that. And it's like, yes, do that. And on the backside of that to do what that coach did is amazing.   It's that, that is, that is exactly what we're saying. We're also going to try to form our souls in the midst of this. We're going to try to win on the scoreboard.   Okay. The game's over, we lost, we won, whatever. There's more going on here than just that. And can we access that together? And again, that's so rare. Probably everybody listening has never even heard of anything like what you just said.   It would be amazing if a bunch of people did, but that's what we're saying. Let's do more of that. Let's find ways to have more of those conversations in our sphere of influence.   Maybe we're not the coach, but we can do that in our car. We can do that when we're at dinners with the other, with other players and other team, you know, we, we can do that. We can take that kind of initiative.   If we have those categories in our mind, instead of just being frustrated that my kid didn't get to play as much tonight. And I'm that bugs me. It's like, okay, it can bug you.   And now I gotta, I gotta be a big boy and get more out of this than just being frustrated that he or she didn't get to play as much. It's hard.   Laura Dugger: (51:40 - 52:11) Absolutely. Well, and like you guys are doing having Bible studies outside of the, the team that you can instill values in that way and share scripture that they're memorizing to go out there with excellence for the Lord. So, I love all of that.   And I've got just a few quick questions, just kind of for perspective. I want to draw out something from the book. Is it true that young athletic success predicts adult athletic success?   Brian Smith: (52:13 - 53:51) It is not true. This is, this is not a hot take. This is researched back more and more research they're doing on this.   And they're finding that there's not a direct correlation between a young elite athlete and them continuing that up into the right trajectory and being an elite athlete later in life in large part, because when puberty hits, like everything is a game changer. So, this is, I found this fascinating and this is probably going to be new to you too. This just came out today.   At the time we're doing this podcast, the winter Olympics is going on in Norway. It's just like, they're killing it. Nor Norway's youth sports system.   This is wild. They give participation trophies for all the kids. They don't keep score until 13 years old.   They don't do any national travel competitions, no posting youth sports results online. So, there's no online presence of youth sport results. And their country motto is joy of sport for all.   And they're, they're killing it right now in the Olympics. So, like, that's not to say, like you got to follow their model and then you're going to win all these gold medals, but it is, there is something to just let the kids have fun. And the longer they play sport, because it's fun, the better opportunity you're actually going to have to see them blossom and develop some of these God-given gifts that they might have.   Don't expect it to come out before they're 13. Even if it does, there's no guarantee that it's going to continue on until they're 23. Just let them have fun.   Ed Uszynski: (53:52 - 55:55) Brian, we, Brian and I got to speak at a church the other day about this topic. And there was a couple that came up afterwards and they asked the question of what, so when do you think we should let our kids play organized sports or structured sports? And so again, Brian and I are careful.   Like I, there's no, there's no one size fits all answer to that. We would suggest as late as possible, wait as long as possible. Because once you start doing structured sport where there's a coach and you have to be at practices and the games are structured and there's reps, it just cuts away all the possibility they have to just play and just to go up to the YMCA and just play for three hours at whatever it is that they like to do.   And they said, well, it's encouraging to hear that they said, because we, we actually are way more into just developing their bodies physically. And so, we do dance with them, and we do rock climbing and they were kind of outdoorsy people, and they just started listing off all these things they do because we want them to become strong in their bodies, and learn to love activity like that. And I just thought, again, that's, that probably would cause a lot of people to freak out to hear that, that they have eight, nine-year-olds that aren't on teams yet.   They're just, they're training their bodies to appreciate physicality and to become coordinated and to, you know, to get better at movement. And it's like, what sport is that not going to be super helpful in five years from now, even when they're 12, 13 years old. And now they really do want to play one sport, and they do want to be on a team.   They're going to be way ahead of the kids actually that just sat on benches or stood in the outfield, you know, day after day after day at practices. Again, that's maybe hard to hear, but maybe there's some adjustments that need to be made again; to give ourselves permission to say, we don't have to get on that train right now. You don't have to, your kid's not going to be behind.   They actually could be ahead. If you do the kinds of things we just talked about.   Laura Dugger: (55:56 - 56:11) I love that. And even that example with what it looks like played out with Norway and also, do you have any other quick tips just for instilling and cultivating a heart of gratitude and youth sports rather than entitlement?   Brian Smith: (56:13 - 57:33) I'm a high school cross country and track coach, and I have kids on my team who want to get faster at running, but instead of running, they want to lift weights and they want to do plier metrics. So, there's, yes, there's a spot for that. But the way you get better at running is to run.   You got to run more miles and more miles. And I think gratitude is similar. That gratitude, part of it is a, it's a feeling, but it's also a muscle that we can flex even if we don't feel it.   And so, I would encourage parents who are trying to instill gratitude into their kids to give them practical things like, hey, after practice, just go shake your coach's hand or give them a fist bump and tell them, thanks for practice today, coach. That that's a disciplined way to practice gratitude that will hopefully build the muscle where they're, they're using it later in life. After a game, I taught my kids this when they were young and they still do it today.   Go shake a ref's hand. I mentioned this earlier, just a really, really practical way to show thankfulness and gratitude to somebody who really doesn't get a whole lot of gratitude pointed at them during a game or after a game. If anything, they have people chasing them through the parking lot for other reasons.   I want my kids to be chasing them down to give them a fist bump or a high five. And so, gratitude is something that we can just practice practically. And hopefully the discipline practice will lead to a delight and actually doing it.   Ed Uszynski: (57:34 - 59:39) And how do we cultivate an inner posture? Cause I tend to be a cup half empty type person. I'm a, I'm a whiner by nature and a continuous improvement.   There's always something wrong. And I'm, it's easy for me to find those things just as a person. I'm not even saying that as a dad or a coach or anything.   And it's been super helpful to me in the last decade, even to just like, I can choose to shift that. There, there is, there's a list of things that are broke, but there is always a list of things that are good. There's always something good here to be found.   And even as I've tried to like, again, tip the scales more in that direction, I can keep pushing that out of my kids. So, so this, you know, my ninth-grade son tends to just like, he doesn't like a whole bunch of what's going on in basketball right now. So, I keep asking him if he's having fun.   He says, no, like, why not? Or like, who did, why did you not have fun today? So, it's just the same thing every day.   I'm like, okay, who did you enjoy even being with today? Nobody. And I'm like, dude, I don't believe that actually.   I just, I don't believe that. There was somebody that you had some moment with today that you enjoyed, or you wouldn't want to keep going back up there because, and he does. So, give me a name.   Okay. Lenny. What happened with Lenny that was fun? And I make him name it. Like I'm, I'm, I'm trying to coach him through it. And sure enough, he does have some sentences of what was fun today.   And it's like, good, let's, let's at least hold onto that in the midst of all the other stuff that's not right. Let's choose to see the thing that was good and that you enjoyed and that we could be thankful for. Not everybody got to have that today.   Again, I have to have my, I have to be the parent. I have to be the discipler. I have to be in, you know, in charge of my own soul that wants to be negative all the time and say, nope, we're going to, we're going to choose gratitude today because the Bible tells us to do that.   There's something about that posture that opens the door for the gospel to be expressed through us. So, let's practice.   Laura Dugger: (59:40 - 59:50) Well said, and there's so much we could continue learning from both of you. Where can we go after this chat to learn more from each one of you?   Brian Smith: (59:52 - 1:00:14) Yeah, we do a lot of our writing online at thechristianathlete.com. And so, if you go there, you can see articles that are specifically written for parents, for coaches, for athletes, all around this idea of what does it look like to integrate faith and sport together? So, the

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✨  Ready to transform your parenting from reactive to intentional? Join the Amazing Parents Club now → https://www.drlindsayemmerson.com/club In this episode, I'm sharing the research-backed parenting approach that's been proven for over 60 years to create happier, more confident, better-behaved kids—and it's something almost nobody knows about. You'll discover the authoritative parenting style that research proves works best, why the "strict parent/lenient parent" dynamic from TV shows actually hurts kids, and the Family Mantra strategy—a Level 1 preventive tool you can start using today. I'll show you how to shift from reacting to your kids to intentional, confident parenting, with real examples of this framework in action with families just like yours. Plus, you'll get a FREE Family Mantra Guide to help you create your customized family values and start implementing them this week. #drlindsayemmerson #authoritativeparenting #parentingtips #positiveparenting #parentingworkshop  Better behavior starts with a better framework. Download the full 7-page guide here →  drlindsayemmerson.com/mantra-download New to my podcast?  I'm Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a clinical psychologist and Mom of 4, and I help parents find that sweet spot between support and structure that psychology research tells us is best for families now and best for our kids in the future. ------------------------------------------- Let's connect! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindsayemmerson TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drlindsayemmerson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@drlindsayemmerson ------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The advice provided on my channel is different from therapy and does not substitute for professional psychological treatment or other types of professional advice or intervention.  Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or postpone seeking professional medical advice related to anything you hear on this channel.   If you or your child have concerns or need further parenting or personal support, please contact a physician or other qualified local health professional. 00:00 – 02:02: The Chaos Check-In   02:02 – 05:23: The Problem We All Face   05:23 – 06:08: The Research – Brief but Powerful   06:08 – 08:16: Introducing Authoritative Parenting   08:16 – 09:55: The Missing Piece   09:55 – 13:09: The 5 C's Overview   13:09 – 22:52: Family Mantra – The Foundation for Better Behavior

Dung beetles do more than roll poop—they roll it straight while walking backward in the dark. How? Meet the scientists who answered that question—using beetles, moonlight, and tiny cardboard hats.Here's our trail map:Why Do Dung Beetles Roll Piles of Poop?Why Do Dung Beetles Collect Dung?How Is a Dung Beetle Like a Tiny Beetle Astronomer?How Can We Use God's Word to Find Our Way?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Explore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Subscribe to the Ginger Hubbard podcast for biblical parenting advice and encouragement: https://www.gingerhubbard.com/podcastNat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Dung Beetle Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/why-do-dung-beetles-roll-piles-of-poop/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This...

Send a textWhat happens when a 20+ year educator — who has worked with thousands of children — becomes a father of twin daughters?In this episode, Oscar sits down with Kyle Hill, longtime educator, intervention leader, professor, and father, to unpack what decades inside classrooms have taught him about raising daughters at home.Kyle has spent over two decades helping children with:• ADHD and neurodivergence• Behavioral and emotional challenges• Academic struggles• Confidence and resilience issuesAnd now he brings that experience into his own home as a girl dad navigating adolescence, medical challenges, and the daily realities of fatherhood.We dive into:• Why kids copy what we do — not what we say• The difference between reacting and responding• Why consistency beats big speeches• How to build a “village” around your child• When dads need coaching — not just their kidsIf you're serious about becoming a stronger, more mindful, more present father… this conversation delivers.RechargeEDDad's All In Parent Hub00:00 Kids Are Watching00:45 Penn State Fan Control01:18 Podcast Welcome02:44 Kyle's Dad Journey05:25 Twins and No Sleep06:59 Helping Kids With Needs10:05 The Easy Button Trap14:43 Coaching Beyond Sports17:10 Finding the Right Help23:37 Laugh and Let Go30:14 Becoming a Girl Dad32:10 What Daughters Teach34:22 ADHD Hyperfocus Lens35:23 Boys vs Girls Reactions36:04 Protecting Sons and Daughters38:00 How Daughters Rewire Dads39:07 Boy Brain Girl Brain39:57 Aggression Nurturance Story43:51 Emotions and Hormones46:13 What Daughters Teach47:40 Individualized Discipline50:36 Help Framework for Parents54:00 Type One Diabetes Example58:18 Find True Specialists01:00:59 Podcast and Resources01:02:34 Final Takeaways and OutroGuest Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, any organizations, companies, or institutions mentioned, or corporate entities represented by the host.Our aim is to provide a platform for diverse perspectives and open dialogue. While we strive for accuracy and balance, it's important to recognize that opinions may vary. We encourage critical thinking and further exploration of the topics discussed.Support the showCatch up w/ The Daughtered Podcast Oscar on Instagram Few Will Hunt. 10% OFF use GIRLDAD Want to be a guest on The DAUGHTERED Podcast? Want to collaborate? Send Oscar Pena a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/daughteredpodcast

Why do ostriches not fly? And is it true ostriches bury their heads in sand when they are scared? Discover how God designed ostriches—the largest bird on earth—with pogo stick legs and feathery eyelashes, and what ostriches can teach us about facing our fears head on.Here's our trail map:Why Don't Ostriches Fly?How Is an Ostrich Like a Pogo Stick?Do Ostriches Bury Their Heads in the Sand?How Can We Face Fears?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Explore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Subscribe to the Ginger Hubbard podcast for biblical parenting advice and encouragement: https://www.gingerhubbard.com/podcastNat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Ostrich Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/do-ostriches-bury-their-heads-in-the-sand/Ask your nature question:

We know about massive dinosaurs, but how small were the smallest dinosaurs? Did dinosaurs swim and fly? Ken Ham, the founder of Answers in Genesis, joins us as we discover God's wild and wonderful designs in dinosaurs.Episode Links:Dinosaurs for Kids: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-for-kids-hardback-singleDinosaurs of Eden: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-of-eden-revised-hardback-singleKen Ham's Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/authors/ken-hamExplore Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Visit the Creation Museum: https://creationmuseum.org/Visit the Ark Encounter: https://arkencounter.com/Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Why do decorator crabs dress up? Are they trying to be fancy, or do their costumes serve a purpose? Do they use duct tape or hot glue to stick slimy seaweed and prickly urchins to their shells? Learn how and why decorator crabs decorate themselves and what their elaborate outfits teach us about our own appearances.Here's our trail map:Why Do Decorator Crabs Dress Up?How Do Decorator Crabs Stick Things to Themselves?What Happens When a Decorator Crab Molts Its Shell?How Can We Dress Ourselves in God's Goodness?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Discover God's designs in crabs and other ocean creatures with Apologia's Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-course-set/Explore all of Apologia's award-winning curriculum and courses: https://www.apologia.com/Try CTCMath for free and with a 12-month money back guarantee: https://ctcmath.com/Subscribe to the Ginger Hubbard podcast for biblical parenting advice and encouragement: https://www.gingerhubbard.com/podcastNat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Decorator Crab Coloring Sheet:

Send a textWhat if the most powerful influence on your daughter's future isn't what you tell her — but how you show up when life gets stressful?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a psychologist and parent coach, to break down the science behind how children actually learn from their parents — and why modeling matters more than lectures.We explore:The difference between reactive vs intentional parentingWhy “being strict” can create compliance without characterThe parenting style research that leads to the healthiest long-term outcomesA practical 3-step triage plan for handling discipline moments without damaging connectionHow fathers can hold high standards while still building emotional safetyThis is not theory or gentle parenting trends.It's psychology-backed, real-world guidance for dads who want to lead with strength, clarity, and presence.If you've ever walked away from a moment with your daughter thinking “that's not how I wanted to handle that” — this conversation is for you.Dr. Lindsay on InstagramDr. Lindsay Parenting TipsDr. Lindsay on Youtube00:00 Introduction: The Impact of Fathers on Daughters 01:05 Welcome to the Daughter Podcast01:42 Meet Dr. Lindsey Emerson03:15 Parenting as a Learned Skill06:38 The Five Cs Parenting Framework11:11 The Importance of Authoritative Parenting32:58 The Role of Consistency and Communication36:18 Establishing Consequences36:47 The Importance of Authoritative Parenting37:42 The Five C's of Parenting38:47 Intentional Parenting and Self-Check40:55 Introducing the Three-Step Triage Plan41:31 Step One: Respond, Don't React45:49 Step Two: Teach, Don't Punish57:08 Step Three: Monitor and Reinforce01:02:10 Final Thoughts and ResourcesGuest Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, any organizations, companies, or institutions mentioned, or corporate entities represented by the host.Our aim is to provide a platform for diverse perspectives and open dialogue. While we strive for accuracy and balance, it's important to recognize that opinions may vary. We encourage critical thinking and further exploration of the topics discussed.Support the showCatch up w/ The Daughtered Podcast Oscar on Instagram Few Will Hunt. 10% OFF use GIRLDAD Want to be a guest on The DAUGHTERED Podcast? Want to collaborate? Send Oscar Pena a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/daughteredpodcast

Can a massive moose swim through water? And what are their giant antlers for? Discover one of the largest land animals in North America and what they can teach us about being good listeners.Here's our trail map:Is a Moose a Big Deer?Can Moose Swim?Why Do Moose Have Massive Antlers?How Can We Listen Well For God's Voice?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Try CTCMath for free and with a 12-month money back guarantee: https://ctcmath.com/Explore Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Parents and caregivers: hear remarkable stories of God's work in real people through the Compelled Podcast: https://compelledpodcast.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Moose Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/can-moose-swim/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askMoose Antler Amplification Test: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2008/mar/21/medicalresearch.animalbehaviourScriptures Referenced in This...

Besides light and warmth, what is so special about the sun? Discover how God Set the Stage for life when he placed the sun at the center of our solar system, and how this solar design reflects his faithfulness to us.Here's our trail map:What Is the Sun and How Does it Rise?How Hot is the Sun?How Does the Sun Hold Our Solar System Together?How Does the Sun Help Us Spend Our Time Well?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:God's Design for Heaven & Earth: https://www.masterbooks.com/gods-design-for-heaven-earth-set-mb-editionExplore Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Try CTCMath for free and with a 12-month money back guarantee: https://ctcmath.com/Parents and caregivers: hear remarkable stories of God's work in real people through the Compelled Podcast: https://compelledpodcast.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Sun Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-hot-is-the-sun/

Do we need plants to live? Why did God fill the earth with plants before making creatures and people? Discover how God builds plants from air, and uses those plants to clean the air around us! and how seeds grow and spread to fill earth with tasty, useful, and life-giving plants.Here's our trail map:How Do Water, Light, and Air Build Plants?How Is Fruit Made?Why Is Earth Full of Plants?How Can We Grow Good Fruit?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Try CTCMath for free: https://ctcmath.com/Discover God's designs in plants with Apologia's Exploring Creation with Botany course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/botany-course-setDiscover all of Apologia's curriculum and courses from a Biblical worldview: https://www.apologia.com/Parents and caregivers: hear remarkable stories of God's work in real people through the Compelled Podcast: https://compelledpodcast.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree God Made Plants Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-is-fruit-made/

Parenting doesn't suddenly get easier as kids grow — it just changes. In this honest and practical episode of The Journey to Becoming Podcast, I'm joined by Nellie Harden, wife, mom of four daughters (ages 16–20), author, and speaker in family life and leadership, to talk all about what she calls “the great transition” — parenting in the middle years. We dive into the real-life challenges and opportunities that come with raising teens and young adults, from setting healthy phone boundaries to understanding different learning styles, meeting your children where they are, and creating meaningful one-on-one time with each child. Nellie also shares powerful tools for staying calm when you're overstimulated, emotionally taxed, or tempted to react instead of respond. This conversation is a much-needed reminder that leadership in the home matters — especially in seasons of discipline, tension, and growth. Nellie encourages moms to lead by example, model emotional regulation, and create an environment where connection and character development can flourish. If you're a mom navigating the in-between — no longer in the little years, but not quite on the other side — this episode will leave you feeling encouraged, equipped, and reminded that you're not alone in this season. ✨ In this episode, we talk about: Parenting teens and young adults with wisdom and confidence Setting boundaries with phones and technology Understanding learning styles and meeting your kids where they are Creating intentional one-on-one time Staying calm when you feel overstimulated Leading by example in discipline and character

Elise Orozco's insights remind us that in our busy lives, the quality of our presence matters far more than the quantity. By striving for intentionality in our interactions, we can foster stronger relationships with our children and instill essential values that will guide them throughout their lives. Key takeaways include the importance of being truly present, the impact of core values in parenting, and the necessity of intentional engagement in nurturing our children's hearts.Find Elise at: Raising RockPodcast – Raising Rock

We enjoy water everyday, but how much of Earth's water can we actually drink? And where does it come from? Discover how God set the stage for life when he created bodies of fresh water. We'll visit Psalm 104 to see how God shaped mountains, valleys, and springs to care for his creatures, then dive into groundwater and underground aquifers to learn how water moves beneath our feet. Finally, we meet Jesus at Jacob's well (John 4) to understand the gift of Living Water that never runs dry.Here's our trail map:How Much Fresh Water Is on Earth?What Does Psalm 104 Say About God's Water System?Why Is There Water Underground?How Is Jesus Like a Water Well?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Explore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Parents and caregivers: hear remarkable stories of God's work in real people through the Compelled Podcast: https://compelledpodcast.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/memberGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree God Made Water Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-much-fresh-water-is-on-earth/

What is the atmosphere and how does it keep us alive? Discover how God Set the Stage for life by carefully engineering the sky and air around and above us. Travel through the five layers of the atmosphere and discover how God carefully protects us through his design of waters above and below.Episode Links:God's Design for Heaven & Earth: https://www.masterbooks.com/gods-design-for-heaven-earth-set-mb-editionDebbie Lawrence's books: https://www.masterbooks.com/authors/debbie-lawrenceExplore Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Scriptures In This Episode:“Then God said, ‘Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.' And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens. God called the space ‘sky.' And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day.” Genesis 1:6-8 (NLT)This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy

Send us a textIt's the first proper episode of 2026!!This week I am over the moon to be joined by Melissa Schulz as we discuss parenting higher-needs kids. Melissa Schulz, MS, BCBA, is a parenting coach and behavior analyst with a  Master's in Psychology and is one of those people that you just make time for to listen to when they are willing to share their expertise :)We discuss many things including;The difference between parenting neurodiverse/shy/strongwilled kids and "normal" children. (Note the Air quotes!)How YOUR triggers should not be your child's problem, and how to manage them.Why parenting always, absolutely always, starts with the parent. (Sounds obvious, doesn't it?)How different parenting styles are sometimes needed  for different kids, and even the same child at a different age.And much, much more.It's definitely worth checking out!You can find Melissa everywhere online;Her website (where you can download the e-book she mentioned)InstagramFacebook Just a  reminder that HPNB only has 5 billing cycles!So this means that you not only get 3 months FREE access, no obligation! BUT, if you decide you want to do the rest of the program, after only 5 months of paying $10/£8 a month you now get FREE LIFE TIME ACCESS!This means you can sign up after your first child, use the program and recover and then still have access after giving birth to child 2 and 3!None of this "pay X amount a year" nonsense, once you've paid..you've paid!This makes HPNB not just the most efficient and complete post-partum recovery program, it's also BY FAR the best value.Remember to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the competitions, wisdom and cute videos. And, of course, you can always find us on our YouTube channel if you like your podcast in video form :) Visit healthypostnatalbody.com and get 3 months completely FREE access. No sales, no commitment, no BS. Email peter@healthypostnatalbody.com if you have any questions or comments    If you could rate the podcast on your favourite platform (especially Apple) that would be a big help.   Playing us out "We go" by Isaac Joel

We welcome Elizabeth and Brook Mosser from the Intentional Parents Podcast for a "copod" that—despite the catchy name—is definitely not a killer whale documentary. They tackle the "Godzilla of intentionality", a terrifying concept that often looms over parents like a massive monster with surprisingly tiny arms. Moving beyond "prescribed trails" and scripture-based scavenger hunts, the group focuses instead on ordinary moments, like sharing milkshakes in the dark or surviving "homeschool sarcasm." You'll learn about TikTok's "aura farming" and why the best parenting strategy involves leaving your "fixing" agenda in the car to focus on simple curiosity. Visit Intentional Parenting: https://www.intentionalparents.org/ Join us: http://dadville.substack.com Thanks to our sponsors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We see and use light every day, but have you ever wondered what is light? Why can we see colors? And how did God use light at the very beginning?We're exploring how light travels in waves and photons, why objects bounce colors into our eyes, and even how creatures glow using living light (bioluminescence) and reflective light (biofluorescence). We'll hear how in Genesis 1:1-5 God said, “Let there be light,” and see how that shines into our lives today. Get ready to discover the amazing science of light — and the One who IS the Light!Here's our trail map:What Is Light?How Do Colors Work?Where Can We Find Light In Nature?How Is God Light?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Save 20% and get a FREE speaker using code Nat20 at https://www.sherwoodkids.com/nat20 (offer valid through March 31, 2026)Discover all of Apologia's curriculum and courses from a Biblical worldview: https://www.apologia.com/Parents and caregivers: hear remarkable stories of God's work in real people through the Compelled Podcast: https://compelledpodcast.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/memberGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree God Made Light Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-do-colors-work/

What is a water bear? And how does it survive space travel? Discover a microscopic animal that might be the toughest creature on earth: the tardigrade!Here's our trail map:If a Water Bear Isn't a Bear, What Is It?How Does a Tardigrade Grow Up?How Is a Tardigrade the Toughest Animal on Earth?How Does God Help Us Endure Hard Things?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:America's Story: American History Homeschool Curriculum from a Biblical worldview: https://www.masterbooks.com/americas-story-seriesExplore all of Master Books Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources: https://www.masterbooks.com/Explore Apologia's award-winning curriculum at https://www.apologia.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Water Bear Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/what-is-a-tardigrade/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askAn excellent video about tardigrades from Answers in Genesis (Used in researching this lesson): https://youtu.be/FcMPpXSAeV4?si=P8PeUmKY1a9ah8SdScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” Psalm 104:24 (NIV)“So don't worry, because I am with you. Don't be afraid, because I am your God.I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you.” Isaiah 41:10 (NCV)“...the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.” Psalm 5:11 (NLT)“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:44...

In this heartfelt year-end episode, Connected Families team members Stacy Bellward, Chad Hayenga, and Joe Dewey gather to reflect on a transformative year and share exciting plans for 2026 to continue to encourage you on your journey with intentional parenting. Along the way, they open up about their own families’ rhythms for reflecting on the year past and looking ahead. This episode has practical ideas you can try with your own family. Whether you’re curious about what’s next for Connected Families or looking for fresh ways to close out the year together, this episode has something for you. Key Takeaways: Ideas for family rhythms for year-end reflection Connected Families highlights from 2025 Looking forward to 2026 Mentioned in this Podcast: The Heart of Jesus, Dan Orland Book Connected Families Impact Stories Donate to Connected Families Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Program Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We'd love to have you take a seat at The Table! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! Guest Bio: Joe Dewey is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach. He has a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and has served in full-time ministry with Cru in Leader Development and Human Resources since 2010. He has been a certified life coach since 2017. These experiences and more have molded him to lead with solutions. Whether it comes to ministry or parenting, he finds clarity in the midst of complexity, providing win-win solutions. Chad Hayenga joined Connected Families in 2005. He is married to Carma and has three adult daughters and two sons-in-law. Chad oversees coaching and the Parent Coach Certification Program, which continues to grow in its reach across North America and worldwide. © 2025 Connected Families .stk-14eb4a5-inner-blocks{justify-content:center !important;}.stk-14eb4a5 {background-image:url(https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/iStock-894693700-scaled.jpg) !important;padding-top:64px !important;padding-right:64px !important;padding-bottom:64px !important;padding-left:64px !important;}.stk-14eb4a5-container{background-color:#00000096 !important;}.stk-14eb4a5-container:before{background-color:#00000096 !important;}.stk-14eb4a5 .stk-block-hero__content{min-height:300px !important;max-width:400px !important;min-width:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-left:0px !important;}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-14eb4a5 {background-position:center right !important;padding-top:30px !important;padding-right:30px !important;padding-bottom:30px !important;padding-left:30px !important;}} .stk-a848eca .stk-block-heading__text{color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff) !important;}“Things began to change when…” .stk-945cf01 .stk-block-text__text{color:#FFFFFF !important;}Be part of the team that brings “aha” moments of grace to families. .stk-6b4031e .stk-button-group{flex-direction:row !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-6b4031e .stk-button-group{flex-direction:row !important;}}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-6b4031e .stk-button-group{flex-direction:row !important;}} .stk-9906cf2 .stk-button{background:#431c3b !important;}.stk-9906cf2 .stk-button:hover:after{background:#95848f !important;opacity:1 !important;}.stk-9906cf2 .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff) !important;font-weight:600 !important;}.stk-9906cf2 .stk-button:hover .stk-button__inner-text{color:var(--theme-palette-color-8, #ffffff) !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-9906cf2 .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;}}DONATE TODAY

You know your child better than any teacher, curriculum, or system ever could — but trusting that instinct can feel scary.In this episode of The Homeschool How To Podcast, I'm joined by Leanne, a former classroom teacher, homeschool mom of two grown kids, and Unfold History co-creator, to talk honestly about what homeschooling really looks like over the long haul.We dive into:How to know when a curriculum isn't working — and when to switchWhy learning should be engaging, exciting, and sometimes messyThe freedom homeschooling gives families beyond academicsThe impact of screens, dopamine, and constant stimulation on developing brainsWhy college doesn't have to be the end goal — and what success can actually look likeHow homeschooling can strengthen family bonds well into adulthood

Why do opossums play dead, and how tiny are their babies? Why does an opossum's eyes glow at night? Discover God's design in North America's only marsupial, the opossum!Here's our trail map:Why Do Opossums Have Pouches?How Small Is an Opossum Baby?Why Does an Opossum Play Dead?Did Jesus Actually Die On the Cross, and Why?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Try CTCMath for free and enjoy their 12-month money back guarantee: https://ctcmath.com/Marvels of Creation 3-book set by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/marvels-of-creation-3-book-packExplore all of Master Books Christ-centered books, curriculum, and resources: https://www.masterbooks.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Opossum Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/why-do-opossums-play-dead/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“But one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus' side, and at once blood and water came out.” John 19:34 (NCV)“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8 (ESV)“Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could become right with God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NCV)“Christ himself suffered for sins once. He was not guilty, but he suffered for those who are guilty to bring you to God. His body was killed, but he was made alive in the spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 (NCV)“But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God's anger, because we have been made right with God by the blood of Christ's death.” Romans 5:8-9 (NCV)Terms Learned in This Episode:Marsupial: A group of mammals that have very tiny babies which are born early and then crawl into a pouch on the mother's belly to keep growing. Inside the pouch, the baby drinks milk and stays warm and safe.Nocturnal: Creatures that are mostly active at night.Tapetum Lucidum:...

In this special end-of-year episode, Kat and April sit down for a heartfelt and honest conversation reflecting on the journey of Moms Off the Record: how it began, how it evolved, and what it has meant to both of them and the community it grew.This episode also marks a meaningful transition. After years of co-creating MOTR together, April shares her decision to step away as a co-host, with Kat moving forward as the sole host and steward of the podcast. The conversation is rooted in gratitude, clarity, and mutual respect with an honoring of seasons, growth, and the courage it takes to listen when an assignment shifts.Together, Kat and April reflect on favorite moments, impactful conversations, and the many messages from women who have shared how MOTR helped them feel less alone, more confident in their intuition, and more empowered to question the narratives surrounding modern motherhood.This episode is two parts a look back and a blessing moving forward with the reminder that growth often asks us to release what we love in order to make room for what's next.Thank you for being part of this chapter. WE LOVE YOU! Cheers to Season 4 led by none other than Kat! WHERE YOU CAN FIND US:Follow April at Embracing Eden and on instagramBook a potty training 1:1 consult with KatSupport the showJOIN OUR NEW, PRIVATE COMMUNITY! DONATE (Thank you!!

Why do adult axolotls look young? And how exactly do axolotls regrow body parts? We are diving deep into axolotl DNA and discovering how God designed these magnificent and mysterious amphibians.Here's our trail map:Are There Still Axolotls in the Wild?How Do Axolotls Regrow Body Parts?Why Do Axolotls Never Grow Up?How Can We Grow Up In God?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Try CTCMath for free and enjoy their 12-month money back guarantee: https://ctcmath.com/Explore dinosaur books for kids by Master Books: Dinosaurs for Kids: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-for-kids-hardback-singleDinosaurs by Design: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-by-designDinosaurs of Eden: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaurs-of-eden-revised-hardback-singleMaster Books Dinosaur Bundle: https://www.masterbooks.com/dinosaur-basketNat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Axolotl Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-does-an-axolotl-regrow-body-parts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askSome but not all resources used in research:Axolotl populations in the wild: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/1095/53947343#populationAxolotl mRNA regeneration: https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2023/07/how-an-ultra-sensitive-on-off-switch-helps-axolotls-regrow-limbs.html#:~:text=Further%20experiments%20showed%20that%20axolotl,protein%20synthesis%20occurred%20during%20regeneration. (*mentions...

On this episode of Legacy Makers, Kevin and Eric dive into the power of rhythms, rites, and milestones in fatherhood. Drawing inspiration from David Salyers' Champion Tribes and cultural traditions like Bar Mitzvahs, they explore how to intentionally mark life's big (and small) moments—from firsts like losing a tooth or riding a bike, to transitions, coming-of-age experiences, achievements, and even hardships. The conversation unpacks the Peak-End Rule from the Heath Brothers, shares personal stories of one-on-one trips, monthly dates, bedtime rituals, and holiday traditions, and challenges dads to reject "good enough" parenting for a higher standard of legacy-building. Whether it's celebrating a kindergartner's success with ice cream or guiding teens through tough decisions, discover practical, low-cost ways to create lasting memories and teach resilience. Perfect for fathers seeking to amplify everyday moments and build a family legacy that endures—because what gets celebrated gets repeated. Tune in and get inspired to start your own traditions today! Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Community for Dads06:33 Creating Meaningful Moments and Milestones11:49 Navigating Transitions and Coming of Age17:27 Marking Achievements and Overcoming Hardships22:08 Building Lasting Legacies Through IntentionalitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do giraffes have spots, and do those spots serve a purpose? Why are giraffes so tall, and do they get dizzy when they stand up? And how does being the tallest land animal help keep themselves and other animals on the savanna safe? Discover God's amazing design in giraffes and how they show us excellent engineering in nature.Here's our trail map:Does a Giraffe Get Dizzy?What Do Giraffes Teach Us About Engineering?Why Do Giraffes Have Spots?How Are Giraffes Like a Watchman?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Apologia's Zoology 3 Land Animals Course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-3-course-set/Explore all of Apologia's Zoology courses: https://www.apologia.com/subject/science/zoologyDiscover Apologia's Christ-centered and award-winning curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Giraffe Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/what-is-special-about-a-giraffes-heart/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,because you made all things. Everything existed and was made, because you wanted it.” Revelation 4:11 (NCV)“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” Psalm 104:24 (NIV)“I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well.” Psalm 139:14 (NCV)“Human, I now make you a watchman for Israel. Any time you hear a word from my mouth, warn them for me.” Ezekiel 3:17 (NCV)“If the Lord doesn't build the house, the builders are working for nothing.If the Lord doesn't guard the city, the guards are watching for nothing.”

This week on Minimalish, I'm welcoming Devon Kuntzman, founder of Transforming Toddlerhood, for a conversation every toddler parent needs, especially during the holiday season. Devon brings so much clarity and compassion to the toddler years, and this episode is full of encouragement and truly helpful strategies you can start using right away. We talk about what's really going on beneath “big behaviors,” why toddlerhood is such an important developmental season, and how a lot of the work actually starts with us—our emotions, our expectations, and the environment we create. Devon also shares practical tips for everyday challenges, including navigating sibling conflict, managing screen time, prepping for busy seasons (like holidays) so you and your kids can handle transitions with more ease, and setting boundaries with family and friends in a way that protects your values. If you're craving more peace, confidence, and connection in your home—especially with little ones in the toddler stage (though the tips can span many ages of childhood)— then this episode is for you. Links from this episode: Devon's Website Devon on Instagram (@transformingtoddlerhood) Check out Devon's Book: Transforming Toddlerhood Desirae on Instagram Minimal-ish Podcast Website Holiday episodes: Declutter with me (Holiday Edition) A Values Based Holiday Season with Kat Steck Values Based holiday spending with Jen Hygge Holidays with Diane in Denmark Mental Decluttering for the Holidays Getting intentional about Gift Giving Thinking Ahead for Intentional Holiday Traditions Holiday Q&A (dealing with the influx of stuff, Finding time to rest, Traditions, etc) Teaching our kids contentment and gratitude with Rachel Cruze Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do wild horses find food and stay warm in winter? Discover God's designs in domestic and wild horses. Uncover the secrets to their strength and how horse power points us to the much greater power of our Creator. Here's our trail map:How Did God Design Horses to be Strong?Did God Make Horses to Help Humans?How Do Wild Horses Stay Warm?Should People Trust In Horses?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Support Nat Theo: https://erynlynum.com/giveMarvels of Creation Book Set by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/marvels-of-creation-3-book-packDinosaur Books by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/apologetics/dinosaursExplore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Horse Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-do-wild-horses-stay-warm-in-winter/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“Job, are you the one who gives the horse its strength or puts a flowing mane on its neck?Do you make the horse jump like a locust? It scares people with its proud snorting.It paws wildly, enjoying its strength, and charges into battle.It laughs at fear and is afraid of nothing; it does not run away from the sword.” Job 39:19-22 (NCV)“Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.'So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female. God blessed them and said, “Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on...

Have you ever wondered how sharp a lion's teeth are? Or why lions have to hunt and how do they do it? Discover God's designs in lions including how they work together in prides, care for lion cubs, and what they can teach us about God's grace in a fallen world.Here's our trail map:Where Do Lions Live?How Do Lions Raise Families Together?How Sharp Are Lion's Teeth?How Can We Glimpse God's Goodness In Carnivores?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Grab your copy of Wonders of Creation and discover God's designs in a fallen world: https://www.masterbooks.com/wonders-of-creationExplore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Lion Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-sharp-are-a-lions-teeth/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“God said, ‘Look, I have given you all the plants that have grain for seeds and all the trees whose fruits have seeds in them. They will be food for you. I have given all the green plants as food for every wild animal, every bird of the air, and every small crawling animal.' And it happened.” Genesis 1:29-30 (NCV) “Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence.” Genesis 6:11 (NIV)“Everything that moves, everything that is alive, is yours for food. Earlier I gave you the green plants, but now I give you everything for food.” Genesis 9:3 (NCV)“Then wolves will live in peace with lambs, and leopards will lie down to rest with goats.Calves, lions, and young bulls will eat together, and a little child will lead them.Cows and bears will eat together in peace. Their young will lie down to rest together. Lions will eat hay as oxen do.” Isaiah 11:6-7 (NCV)“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain, because all the old ways are gone.” Revelation 21:4 (NCV)Terms Learned in This Episode:Sub-Saharan Africa: The large area of Africa made up of many countries that is south of the...

I'm sharing some things that are deeply personal today about navigating life's hardest moments—from my daughter's mental health struggles to my husband's cancer diagnosis. This episode isn't about parenting strategies; it's about the inner work of choosing how we meet each moment. I'll walk you through my five-step process for staying present and intentional when everything feels overwhelming: self-awareness, willingness, breath, embodiment, and repeat. Whether you're facing challenges with your teen, relationship struggles, or health crises, this conversation explores how to create connection, ease, and trust in your present moment. Because that's all we really have—right here, right now. For more show notes, go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-627-the-inner-work-of-intentional-parenting/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever heard of the “Unicorn of the Sea”? Discover how the narwhal inspired the unicorn myth, why its long tusk is so special, and what happens when this Arctic whale faces danger and experiences “brain freeze.” Just like narwhals can panic when threatened, we can feel overwhelmed too—but God gives us peace and clear minds as we trust Him.Here's our trail map:Are Narwhals Unicorns of the Sea?What Is a Narwhal's Horn?Can a Narwhal Get a Brain Freeze?How Can We Stay Calm When Scary Things Happen?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Grab your copy of Wonders of Creation and discover God's designs in a fallen world: https://www.masterbooks.com/wonders-of-creationExplore books, curriculum, and resources by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Narwhal Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/narwhal-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and there was no sea anymore… The One who was sitting on the throne said, ‘Look! I am making everything new!'” Revelation 21:1, 5 (NCV)“For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLV)“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)Terms Learned in This Episode:Cetaceans: Scientific order (category) of mammals including whales, dolphins and porpoises.Marine Mammal: Mammals (warm-blooded, have hair or fur, breathe air through lungs, and feed their babies with milk) that live in or near the ocean for their whole lives.Unihemispheric Sleep: When a creature allows part of its brain to rest while the other part of its brain is still active and alert.Nerve Endings: End points of nerves that send messages from different parts of the body to the brain to tell it what is being felt.Panic: When someone suddenly feels...

Send us a textFrom the Vault; This week I am joined by the wondeful Danika Sanchez as we talk about all things to do with looking after your baby in the best way possible.Danika is the owner of "Baby Step Concierge Nursing", in itself a fascinating idea already. She holds a BSN in nursing, an RNC for NICU, and is certified in neonatal touch and massage. We are talking about some of the big things that parents should really know about taking care of a baby but probably don't.Did you know that it's really important to feed your baby through out the night and that a baby shouldn't sleep all the way through the night?Why babies don't like fast movements and loud noises.The right way to swaddle might not be to wrap the baby like a burrito.You can NOT spoil your baby by holding them too much!Why bath time can be difficult for babies and how to make it easier.A different way to change the baby's diaper that's kinder on your little one.How crazy it is that we have so many ante-natal classes and very few post-partum services when it would make soo much sense for baby's and parent's health and wellbeing.And soo much more, it's simply crazy how much evidence based information she shares in the hour she spent talking to me.I also have to say I think her idea of a post-partum concierge service is really clever and provides a services that I think a lof of parents could benefit from. I hope it catches on and, as always, I hope this sort of thing becomes available through your insurance or national health system.Check out the Babystepsnursing.com website for more resources and, if you're lucky enough to live in California, to get in touch.Just a  reminder that HPNB still only has 5 billing cycles!So this means that you not only get 3 months FREE access, no obligation! BUT, if you decide you want to do the rest of the program, after only 5 months of paying $10/£8 a month you now get FREE LIFE TIME ACCESS!This means you can sign up after your first child, use the program and recover and then still have access after giving birth to child 2 and 3!None of this "pay X amount a year" nonsense, once you've paid..you've paid!This makes HPNB not just the most efficient and complete post-partum recovery program, it's also BY FAR the best value.Remember to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the competitions, wisdom and cute videos. And, of course, you can always find us on our YouTube channel if you like your podcast in video form :) Visit healthypostnatalbody.com and get 3 months completely FREE access. No sales, no commitment, no BS. Email peter@healthypostnatalbody.com if you have any questions or comments    If you could rate the podcast on your favourite platform that would be a big help. Playing us out this week;  "Dear Frédéric" by Elise Solberg 

Today we sit down with Brook and Elizabeth Mosser, founders of Intentional Parents, to talk about marriage, parenting, and navigating life's toughest challenges. From chronic illness to raising children with unique needs, they share their personal stories, practical advice, and faith-based strategies for building resilience in family life. Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about how to lead with intention, love, and purpose in your home :) Love you guys! Shawn & Andrew Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we sit down with Brook and Elizabeth Mosser, founders of Intentional Parents, to talk about marriage, parenting, and navigating life's toughest challenges. From chronic illness to raising children with unique needs, they share their personal stories, practical advice, and faith-based strategies for building resilience in family life. Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about how to lead with intention, love, and purpose in your home :) Love you guys! Shawn & Andrew (00:00) all about the mossers (00:55) let's dig into this chat (03:55) why live an intentional life? (07:30) being intentional without being overbearing (12:55) needing to do the work internally (14:15) self-help, fear, and spiritual transformation (23:25) what's the hidden seed? (26:40) helping your kids learn to be intentional (37:50) how to protect the joy when planning intentionality (45:17) take the wisdom, be thoughtful, and figure out what works for your family culture (53:00) how special forces affected our marriage dynamic (57:00) simple daily habits that help with intentionality (01:06:20) speaking life into our kids and being curious (01:10:56) intentional fatherhood and soul friends

What is it like hovering in the water above countless hammerhead sharks? Or raising baby corals in aquariums? Or scuba diving at night beneath the moonlight? Dr. Robert Carter from Creation Ministries International shares what it's like (and what it takes!) to honor God as a scientist and professional diver on this special guest episode.Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Creation Ministries International: https://creation.comGrow together in faith, wonder, and wisdom with Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Explore Apologia's award-winning courses and classes: https://www.apologia.com/Free Coral Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/coral-reef-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askThis podcast contains paid advertisements.

Is coral a plant or animal? Discover the incredible ways God designed coral to build itself and create entire underwater communities. Joining us is coral ecologist Dr. Robert Carter who works with Creation Ministries International. Let's dive in and learn about these amazing mystery creatures!Here's our trail map:What Is a Coral?How is a Coral Different From a Coral Reef?How Does a Coral Build Its Own Home?What Important Work Did God Give Corals to Do?What Do Coral Reefs Teach Us About Hospitality?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Creation Ministries International: https://creation.comApologia's Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-course-setExplore Apologia's award-winning courses and classes: https://www.apologia.com/Try CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Coral Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/coral-reef-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” Romans 12:13 (NLT)“When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NCV)This podcast episode contains paid advertisements. Mentioned in this episode:Explore Creation and the Bible in the Nat Theo Clubhttps://erynlynum.com/club

Have you ever seen a coyote ice skating? Hear stories of real life coyote encounters and discover how God designed these amazing wild dogs to live in many habitats and raise their young (spoiler alert…they regurgitate their food like birds feeding their chicks). And answer the question: Are egg-snatching coyotes good or bad?Here's our trail map:Can Coyotes Ice Skate?How do Coyotes Raise Their Pups?Are Coyotes Good or Bad?How Can We Know What Is Good or Bad?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Order Wonders of Creation: Design in a Fallen World: https://www.masterbooks.com/wonders-of-creationGrow together in faith, wonder, and wisdom with Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/Try CTCMath for free at: https://ctcmath.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Coyote Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/coyote-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“Then God said, ‘Let the earth be filled with animals, each producing more of its own kind. Let there be tame animals and small crawling animals and wild animals, and let each produce more of its kind.' And it happened.So God made the wild animals, the tame animals, and all the small crawling animals to produce more of their own kind. God saw that this was good.” Genesis 1:24-25 (NCV)“The Lord has told you, human, what is good; he has told you what he wants from you:to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God.” Micah 6:8 (NCV)“Lord, tell me your ways. Show me how to live.Guide me in your truth, and teach me, my God, my Savior. I trust you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5 (NCV)Terms Learned in This Episode:Canidae: The dog family including wolves, jackals, foxes, coyote, and domestic (pet or working) dogs.Monogamous: When an animal has only one mate (partner) at...

Phil and Dianne Comer from Intentional Parenting teaches how to practice love and respect in marriage - referencing Ephesians 5.

Discover God's amazing design in the world's largest rodent—the capybara! Meet this calm, expert swimmer with chisel-sharp teeth and learn how it points us to keep returning to the goodness of God's Word again and again.Here's our trail map:Why Do Capybara Destroy Everything In Sight?Do Capybara Know How to Swim?Why Do Capybara Eat Their Poop?How Can We Get More and More Goodness From God's Word?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Save 15% off your entire order* with the code “nattheo” at https://generations.org/Discover God's designs in nature with the God Made… series: https://store.generations.org/products/god-made-science-bundleTry CTCMath for free at: https://ctcmath.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Capybara Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/capybara-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“The word of God is alive and active…” Hebrews 4:12a (NIV)“They love the Lord's teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night.” Psalm 1:2 (NCV)“Rain and snow fall from the sky and don't return without watering the ground.They cause the plants to sprout and grow, making seeds for the farmer and bread for the people.The same thing is true of the words I speak. They will not return to me empty.They make the things happen that I want to happen, and they succeed in doing what I send them to do.” Isaiah 55:10-11 (NCV)“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight…” Jeremiah 15:16a (NCV)Terms Learned in This Episode:Rodent: A type of mammal that has special teeth designed for gnawing. Their front incisor teeth keep growing and they must chew on things to keep them short and usable.Rodent Incisors: Special strong, sharp front teeth that never stop growing.Reserve Crown: The hidden part of a rodent's front tooth...

When Darnell “J.D.” Williams pulls up to the Father Hoods, you already know it's gonna be real. The Wire and Oz actor chops it up with DJ EFN, Manny Digital, and KGB about fatherhood, family, and finding balance between Hollywood and home. J.D. opens up about raising a teenage daughter, co-parenting with intention, and staying locked in as a supportive dad. He talks about guiding his daughter through life, how he'd back her if she chose acting, and what it takes to keep that emotional connection strong. The crew also gets into the tough stuff: college talk, teaching kids to “agree to disagree,” and handling relationship convos without losing your cool. It's raw, relatable, and packed with gems. J.D. reminds us that behind every role, there's a real one, and for him, being a Dad is the role that means the most. What You'll Hear in This Episode: [00:01:32] Intentional Parenting  [00:06:30] Co-Parenting Done Right [00:10:17] College Prep [00:16:19] Game Planning for Life [00:21:03] Emotional Connections [00:26:41] Disagree Without Disrespect [00:29:12] Facing the Tough Topics [00:34:25] The Role That Matters the Most Why It's Timeless: DJ EFN, Manny Digital, and KGB proving that fatherhood's a freestyle. No wrong bars, just real ones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is a cuttlefish a cuddly fish? Meet a color-changing, quick-escaping cephalopod with a built-in jetpack. Discover how God designed the cuttlefish to survive in the ocean and what it teaches us about running from the dangers of sin and temptation.Here's our trail map:Is a Cuttlefish a Fish?Is a Cuttlefish Cuddly?Do Cuttlefish Have a Jetpack?How Can We Make a Quick Getaway From Danger?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day Course by Apologia: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-course-set/Explore Apologia's courses and curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Cuttlefish Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/cuttlefish-facts/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“But run away from the evil desires of youth. Try hard to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with those who trust in the Lord from pure hearts.” 2 Timothy 2:22 (NCV)“But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13b (NCV)“So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you.” James 4:7 (NCV)Terms Learned in This Episode:Mollusk: A phylum (category) of animals that have soft bodies. Some have shells for protection. Some crawl on one big foot (like snails), some have two shells that open and shut (like clams), and some swim using arms and jets (like squids and octopuses).Cephalopod: A class (smaller category than phylum) of mollusks including octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus.Calcium Carbonate: A mineral or material from nature found in things like animal shells, egg shells, chalk, and limestone.Cuttlebone: The internal shell of a cuttlefishMantle: A special organ in a mollusk that creates a shell.Hyponome: Siphon organ on cephalopods used for many purposes including jet...

How can wildflowers inspire your art? Award-winning author and artist Ruth Chou Simons shares how God's wildflowers inspire her work and art even in difficult seasons. Episode Links:Order The Way of the Wildflower: https://www.amazon.com/Way-Wildflower-Meditations-Unburden-Anxious/dp/1400244412Ruth Chou Simons Website: https://ruthchousimons.com/Save 15% on your entire Generations Ministries order* using the code: nattheo at: https://generations.org/Generations God Made… Science Bundle: https://store.generations.org/products/god-made-science-bundleGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Wildflower Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/wildflower-pollination/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askEryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

What does it mean that God clothes the wildflowers? Discover the fuzzy sweaters, waxy coats, purposeful colors, and variety of perfumes God clothed wildflowers in so they can fulfill his plans and purposes. Joining us today is Ruth Chou Simons as we learn how wildflowers remind us to not be afraid, but trust God for all we need.Here's our trail map:Why Did God Make Wildflowers?How Does God Clothe Wildflowers?How Does God Paint Wildflowers?What Is a Wildflower's Perfume?How Do Wildflowers Remind Us to Not Be Afraid?Eryn's Books:The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782Episode Links:Order The Way of the Wildflower: https://www.amazon.com/Way-Wildflower-Meditations-Unburden-Anxious/dp/1400244412Ruth Chou Simons Website: https://ruthchousimons.com/Save 15% on your entire Generations Ministries order* using the code: nattheo at: https://generations.org/Generations God Made… Science Bundle: https://store.generations.org/products/god-made-science-bundleTry CTCMath for free for one week: https://ctcmath.com/Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Wildflower Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/wildflower-pollination/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askScriptures Referenced in This Episode:“Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.” Philippians 4:8 (NCV)“Then God said, ‘Let the earth produce plants—some to make grain for seeds and others to make fruits with seeds in them. Every seed will produce more of its own kind of plant.' And it happened.” Genesis 1:11 (NCV)“Consider how the lilies grow; they don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon with his riches was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers.” Luke 12:27 (NCV)“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the...

This Q+A episode tackles some of today's most pressing health trends—from the explosion of GLP-1 weight loss drugs to the ripple effects of social media on health decisions. We break down the growing obsession with quick fixes and why it's creating a dangerous dependency culture. You'll also hear our thoughts on how to start running (even if you're only going once a week), personal stories from our own health journeys, and what it looks like to prioritize intentional parenting while navigating homeschooling. If you're overwhelmed by the noise, chasing sustainable change, or just want a fresh take on modern wellness—this one's for you. APPLY FOR COACHING: https://www.lvltncoaching.com/1-1-coaching SDE Method app: https://www.lvltncoaching.com/sde-method-app The Fitness League Waiting List https://quest.lvltncoaching.com/project-b Macros Guide https://www.lvltncoaching.com/free-resources/calculate-your-macros Join the Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lvltncoaching FREE TOOLS to start your health and fitness journey: https://www.lvltncoaching.com/resources/freebies Alessandra's Instagram: http://instagram.com/alessandrascutnik Joelle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellesamantha?igsh=ZnVhZjFjczN0OTdn Josh's Instagram: http://instagram.com/joshscutnik Chapters: 00:00 The GLP-1 Controversy 06:42 The Impact of Influencers on Health Choices 13:12 The Role of GLP-1 in Health and Weight Loss 19:25 Future Predictions for GLP-1 Usage 28:33 Running and Injury Prevention 34:00 Optimal Recovery Strategies for Injuries 37:49 Bobcat Encounters and Chicken Losses 39:27 Adjusting Running Programs for Busy Schedules 40:49 Navigating Postpartum Health and Hair Loss 44:21 Progressing Workouts with Limited Equipment 46:23 Returning to Running Postpartum 49:21 The Homeschooling Journey Begins 57:44 Intentional Parenting and Learning Experiences 59:05 Listening to Your Body During Pregnancy

Fearless is back this week, and I'm so fortunate to be joined once again by author—and one of my biggest parenting mentors—Julie Carr, to talk about how to be an intentional parent in today's distracted world. Julie is the mother of eight kids, ranging in age from 18 to 35, so she's pretty much seen it all when it comes to raising and launching the next generation. I didn't hold back in my questions for Julie—talking about the often messy areas of technology, gentle parenting, and stewardship versus ownership of our kids. As a mom whose oldest is now 12, I also asked Julie about navigating that transition from little kid to pre-teen, and shared some of my own stories of days when I've gotten it wrong, while at the same time leaning into the grace God gives each of us as parents to ask for forgiveness and regroup. This episode is me letting you in on just one of the many parenting conversations I've had with Julie over the years. It's not polished, it's not a step-by-step guide, but it's real, and I hope some of the issues we've navigated as moms—both the highs and the lows—can help you feel like we're in this together as we do our best to equip our kids to stand firm in a constantly shifting world. Learn more about Julie and the amazing work she does on her website: https://julielylescarr.com/.