In this episode, Sass, Amy, and Chris dive into an important conversation about how we, as parents and ministry leaders, can equip the kids, teens, and families in our circles to engage with the tough questions and challenging conversations that life inevitably brings. Whether it's faith, relationships, cultural issues, or personal struggles, the reality is that adolescents are constantly navigating uncertainty and seeking answers. Avoiding these discussions just isn’t an option. As leaders, we have to be intentional about stepping into them with wisdom, grace, and biblical truth. Our role is not just to provide answers but to create a safe space where kids and teens can wrestle with these topics, grow in their understanding, and strengthen their faith. In this episode, we talk about practical ways to guide these conversations with the confidence and compassion they deserve.

In this month’s podcast, Sass, Amy, and Chris talk about one of the most basic elements of life and ministry that can often get overlooked, and that’s the importance of relationships. Relationships really are at the center of all of our lives, and we need to do everything we can to build and maintain healthy connections and bonds. As ministry leaders, we need to focus on the relationships in our lives (starting with our relationship with God) and encourage the families in our church to constantly be working on the relationships they have.

This month, Sass, Amy, and Chris dive into the reality of how easy it is for leaders and parents to get swept up in the busyness of life, often sidelining their faith in the process. Through a few honest moments and personal stories, they talk about the challenges of staying spiritually grounded in the midst of daily demands. They also share practical ideas to help both ministry leaders and parents intentionally prioritize their faith, putting spiritual growth back at the top of the list—where it truly belongs. Whether you’re leading a ministry or raising a family, this discussion will inspire you to refocus and take meaningful steps toward a deeper connection with God.

This month’s podcast is a conversation we recorded at the D6 Conference, where we talk to friend and author Lydia Randall. Lydia is the author of My Faith Box, a resource for parents to intentionally journey with their child through their spiritual life. She is also the creator of Faith Path, a strategy for birthday-driven kits to help parents intentionally pass on their faith, one step at a time. She has a passion for the home, to see God strengthen marriages, and for parents to be true disciple-makers. We have a fun conversation about how to help and encourage parents as they seek to lead their families in the faith.

On this month’s M2P podcast, our very own Amy Diller interviews her friend and single mom Donna Collins. Donna shares her story of raising her son as a single parent and she offers insight on how leaders in the church can help and support single parents in meaningful ways. In this conversation, Donna provides practical advice from her own experiences. She also offers words of encouragement for single parents and talks about some ways she has navigated her journey through the years. Sass and Kerry join in to offer their perspectives, and we’re excited to introduce a new member of the M2P team, Chris Hargrove.

On this month’s M2P podcast, you’ll join the conversation we had with wife, mom, and writer Carrie Bevel Partridge. Carrie and her husband, Kevin, have five children, two of whom they adopted from Colombia in 2016. They have been right in the middle of parenting struggles for a long time, and Carrie has a lot to say about our focus this month, “When Parenting Hurts.” Throughout the podcast, we will discuss her article, When Parenting Hurts: A Resource for Moms and Dads. This resource is full of ideas for parents to think through when they are going through hard times as a family. Carrie has been creating resources for families for over a decade, and her hope is to support, encourage, and offer hope to families as they navigate real life. This episode does just that.

As we all move along our journey of life, we are no doubt shaped by what we encounter. Our experiences and the people we encounter have a tremendous impact on who we are. This is especially true of kids and teenagers. Kids and teenagers have many voices and influencers in their lives. As we attempt to disciple the children and teens in our church, in our homes, and in our community, we need to pay attention to the voices in their lives and do everything we can to surround them with the “cloud of witnesses” they need to grow in their faith.

On this episode of the M2P podcast, you’ll join Sass, Amy, and Kerry as they bring to you an interview they recorded while at the 2024 D6 Conference in Orlando, FL. The M2P team had a great conversation with pastor, author, professor, and dad Rich Griffith, about the power of surrounding kids and teens with the positive influences they need. Rich shares a lot of great nuggets from his book Voices: Helping Our Children and Youth Listen to Wise Counsel. Rich has many years of experience both in ministry and as a parent. Rich and the M2P team offer some great insight and encouragement to those of us leading kids and teenagers. It really is a great conversation!