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What happens when you treat your family like the most important team you'll ever be part of? On this rebroadcast of the Art of Raising Humans podcast, Kyle and Sarah Wester speak with Jordan about her inspiring transition from a clinical social worker to a leader fostering character in families. Jordan shares her personal insights on how intentional parenting not only shapes children’s lives but also fortifies marriages and fuels personal growth. Learn how embracing familial conflicts can create an environment that mirrors the values and character you aspire to cultivate.

Feelings of burnout and resentment are all too common for many parents today. Jordan shares how the "three C's" — consistently showing up, clarifying the calendar, and fostering a culture of unity — have helped families move from isolation to a place of unity and mutual support.

Empowering communication and setting family goals are key to strengthening family bonds, and Jordan offers invaluable insights into conducting over 250 family huddles since 2019. Discover how these gatherings can enhance organization, build trust, and develop essential skills in children. By involving everyone in the planning process, families can create a collaborative environment where all members feel valued and integral to the family's success. Dive into the rewarding journey of continuous improvement and learn how consistency can make family life more fulfilling for everyone involved.

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the show

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.
Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!
Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

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Fareedah Shaheed, a pioneering internet safety expert and Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, joins us to unravel the complexities of protecting children in the digital age. Fareedah shares her journey into cybersecurity, inspired by her own experiences as a gamer, and introduces the innovative SAFE method designed to create secure online environments for kids. Her fresh perspective challenges outdated internet safety advice and offers practical solutions influenced by AI and the nuances of online interactions. With humor and insight, she recounts her teenage attempts to persuade her parents for a smartphone, reflecting the evolving nature of digital safety.

Our conversation takes an emotional turn as we explore the intricate dynamics of mother-teen relationships amid family challenges like divorce. We dive into the story of a mother grappling with her daughter's risky choices, highlighting the societal pressures that can push young girls towards relationships with older partners. This chapter emphasizes the significance of teaching children their self-worth and the impact of brain development on decision-making. We also shine a light on the lurking dangers of online predator rings targeting youth, stressing the necessity of education and vigilance to safeguard young lives.

As we tackle the role of parents in the digital realm, we offer practical cybersecurity strategies to protect children while fostering open communication. From utilizing parental controls to gradually allowing more independence, we provide guidance on trusted tools from Microsoft, Apple, and Google. Beyond technical measures, we encourage parents to engage in meaningful conversations about digital safety, ensuring children feel secure in sharing their online experiences. Our aim is to equip families with the knowledge and resources needed to create a supportive, secure environment both online and offline.

Check out Fareedah's Library of Resources and how to protect your kids on Snapchat.

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the show

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.
Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!
Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

Send us a Text Message and suggest a topic or guest!

As we watched our firstborn, Parker, step out into the world, a kaleidoscope of emotions unfolded. This bittersweet moment underscores the profound importance of nurturing deep connections with our children. Our special guest, Katie Merrill, an insightful mother of three and business owner, joins us to introduce the Shared Journal, a heartwarming tool crafted to bolster parent-child relationships through open and empathetic communication. Katie shares how the journal’s simple but powerful design, featuring blank pages for organic discussions and thoughtful response guides, can become a cherished keepsake as families weave their stories together over time.

Join us as we explore the transformative potential of journaling in enriching family dynamics and promoting mental well-being. Writing down thoughts is a therapeutic exercise that can help lighten mental burdens and provide clarity, empowering both parents and children to navigate their emotions more effectively. By naming and addressing emotions through writing, families can move towards constructive solutions and reinforce positive affirmations and self-confidence. We discuss practical ways to incorporate journaling into daily routines with a focus on building healthier mental states and fostering secure attachments—a gift that could reshape the mental health landscape for generations to come.

Discover how journaling can become a meaningful tradition within your family, offering a space for self-discovery and reflection away from the pressures of social media. Shared and personal journals serve as a sanctuary for capturing special memories and facilitating heartfelt exchanges between parents and children. By sharing our own stories, we illustrate how these journals can strengthen familial bonds and develop writing skills, offering children a safe space to express their feelings. We also emphasize the importance of allowing kids to control their journaling process to ensure it remains a delightful and voluntary activity. With journaling as a gentle guide, we can nurture a culture of openness and security that empowers our children to face life's challenges with resilience and grace.

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the show

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.
Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!
Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

Send us a Text Message and suggest a topic or guest!

Discover the keys to nurturing a virtuous family environment as we engage with Andy Reed from the Heights School, who brings over twenty years of wisdom in middle school education. This conversation promises to equip you with essential strategies for balancing individual and family activities, setting impactful boundaries, and fostering shared experiences that enhance connectivity and joy. From the nuanced challenges of smartphone introduction to the profound benefits of screen-free family time, this episode offers a roadmap to strengthening the bonds that form the cornerstone of your child's development.

We unravel the unintended consequences of digital distractions on family dynamics and offer actionable insights for cultivating meaningful connections without screens. Hear firsthand how a friend's well-intentioned gift of smartphones led to unanticipated family disconnection, illustrating the critical need for mindful engagement. By prioritizing family dinners, open communication, and routines that encourage togetherness, we reinforce the idea that family is the most formative environment for growth. This episode emphasizes the value of creating a nurturing home culture where love, support, and unity prevail over all else.

Finally, we explore how aligning family and school values can create a harmonious learning experience for children. By maintaining open dialogue with educators and sharing aspirations and developmental objectives, parents can build a cohesive foundation for their child's growth. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on parenting's challenges and triumphs, underscoring the importance of a strong marital relationship in providing children with stability and security. Join us as we celebrate the journey of parenting and highlight the enduring mission of being present for our children in a world full of distractions.

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the show

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.
Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!
Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

Send us a Text Message and suggest a topic or guest!

Welcome to an inspiring exploration of integrating faith into family life with our special guests, Soren and Ever Johnson, the visionary founders of Trinity House Community. Soren and Ever share their transformative journey from coordinating Catholic experiences for young adults to establishing a nurturing ministry that supports families across 29 churches in 10 states. As parents of five, their personal story of navigating the challenges of parenting while fostering faith offers practical insights and a refreshing perspective for families seeking to cultivate spirituality at home.

Our conversation uncovers the profound impact of intentional family practices inspired by the Trinity House Way. Soren and Ever discuss how principles of welcoming, listening, and serving can elevate family life into a communion of persons that reflects divine love. They reveal a practical roadmap through the five levels of family life, providing families with a structured approach to spiritual growth that permeates daily living and transcends traditional Sunday services or religious education.

Listeners will gain valuable wisdom on the importance of surrender and allowing divine guidance to lead family life. Through heartfelt discussions on hospitality and community service, informed by insights from the Barna Group study, Soren and Ever illustrate how these practices can enhance children's faith retention into adulthood. With their Trinity House Café and community gatherings as a backdrop, they showcase a model for churches to foster "Heaven in Your Home" events, strengthening family bonds and spiritual growth through meaningful fellowship and hospitality.

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the show

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.
Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!
Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

Send us a Text Message and suggest a topic or guest!

Embark on an inspiring journey with Shaun Garrison, a dynamic adventurer and musician from Denver, whose life weaves together the threads of outdoor exploration, faith, and family. Shaun opens up about his love affair with nature that blossomed during his youth and eventually led him to Colorado. His path took an unexpected turn from seminary to a remarkable fusion of faith and the great outdoors. As a devoted father of six, Shaun shares the transformative power of family adventures in cultivating deep connections with each child, illustrating how the magnificent tapestry of nature reflects his spiritual devotion.

Unpack the profound concept of being "windswept" by the Holy Spirit with Shaun as he encourages setting intentional time aside for personal adventures with children. Learn how simple, yet profound activities like hiking or camping can forge unforgettable memories and strengthen familial bonds. Drawing on insights from thinkers like G.K. Chesterton, Shaun emphasizes the importance of embracing life's surprises and maintaining presence in each moment to create a sense of wonder and connectivity in our bustling everyday lives.

Explore the role of intentional fatherhood and adventure planning in fortifying spiritual defenses within the family. Shaun recounts personal stories of rites of passage and the essential role of prayer to protect and nurture familial ties. He passionately discusses the importance of spiritual leadership and the subtle yet significant impacts of shared outdoor experiences. Finally, Shaun’s musical talents bring an additional layer to the discussion, harmonizing the themes of growth, faith, and connection through the universal language of music, leaving listeners with a resonant sense of peace and encouragement.

You can hear the full song that Shaun shares at the end of the podcast on his YouTube channel!

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the show

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.
Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!
Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

Send us a Text Message and suggest a topic or guest!

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Leonard Sax, a renowned expert in psychology and family medicine, who challenges the status quo on gender identity and parenting in today's ever-changing world. Dr. Sax shares his experiences with being canceled by public schools due to his views on transgender issues and offers a critical perspective on the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines for pediatric gender transition. Dive into the updates in his book, The Collapse of Parenting, and explore the new chapter that tackles the rise of transgender identity among children—a topic previously unaddressed in earlier editions.

Our discussion ventures into the effects of social media on youth mental health. We contrast biblical parenting philosophies with modern permissive styles, and you'll discover why authoritative parenting is backed by evidence to produce happier and healthier children. The episode also introduces the concept of "normophobia," exploring how societal pressures towards non-conformity are reshaping young minds, particularly in English-speaking countries.

Finally, we guide parents through navigating educational and cultural landscapes that may conflict with their values. Dr. Sax shares insights on the importance of choosing schools that align with one's beliefs. We emphasize the crucial role parents play as primary educators of their children, particularly in areas of faith and morals, offering strategies to instill resilience and confidence in navigating today's complex cultural dynamics.

Like what you hear in this episode? Be sure to listen to Episode 100 and 118 for more from Dr. Sax!

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the show

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.
Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!
Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!

Send us a Text Message and suggest a topic or guest!

Have you ever wondered if your parenting style is more fear-driven than love-inspired? Join us as we sit down with Kyle and Sarah Wester, licensed professional counselors and parenting coaches, who have navigated the tumultuous waters of parenting and marriage, despite having different upbringings and temperaments. Kyle opens up about the initial challenges he faced and how relying on old, ineffective parenting tools eventually led to a complete transformation in their approach. They share their journey towards The Art of Raising Humans, which focuses on fostering growth and connection in both parenting and marriage.

Kyle and Sarah discuss the profound shift from fear-based control to nurturing love and understanding, allowing them to appreciate each other's strengths and build a harmonious family dynamic.

The episode celebrates imperfections, urging parents to embrace them as gateways to deeper family connections. Kyle and Sarah show how self-awareness and vulnerability can turn stressful moments into valuable learning experiences, modeling love and open communication within the family. They invite listeners to see their children as catalysts for personal growth and transformation while fostering a supportive environment for open dialogue and positive discipline.

Download their FREE parenting guide and learn how to get on the same page with your partner and parent together with compassion, resilience, and shared values.

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the show

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.
Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!
Looking for things to combat boredom and bolster growth in your kids? Check out our Tame the Tech Bundle and the Best Me I Can Be Journal!

our website | our Private FB community!