Connected Families Podcast

The holidays are definitely a time when many families and children experience overstimulation, picky eating, chaos, and sibling bickering, which can lead to holiday family stress. What if we could experience God as Emmanuel (God With Us) even in the midst of the mess? Hear from Stacy Bellward as she reads one of the Connected Families blog posts, which will prepare you with a plan to set your kids up for success at your next holiday gathering! Key Takeaways: Develop empathy for common behavior challenges for kids during the holidays Uncover the good news in all of the chaos Learn about the positive behavior and identity-building tool: ABCs of Affirmation Mentioned in this Podcast: Blog Post – 3 Steps to Prepare Kids for Holiday Family Gatherings Blog Post – How to Handle Unsolicited Parenting Advice From Family ABC’s of Affirmation 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: Lynne Jackson is one of the Co-Founders of Connected Families. As a parent coach and mom of three intense kids herself, Lynne has walked alongside hundreds of parents to encourage and bring hope. She is also a research enthusiast and loves leaning into the brain science and research to better equip parents and caregivers. Most importantly, as a follower of Christ, she brings biblical wisdom, abundant grace, and a “no shame” policy. © 2025 Connected Families Know your strengths. Your best mom or dad instincts are exactly what your kids need. So identify them. Take the free Parenting Strengths Assessment. FREE PARENTING STRENGTHS ASSESSMENT

There are identity-forming lies all around your kids, at school, on screens, even in their own thoughts. In this powerful episode on identity in Christ, host Stacy Bellward sits down with spoken-word artist and author Hosanna Wong. They discuss her viral poem, “I Have a New Name,” with over 11 million views, and her new children’s book, What God Says About You. The book helps parents equip their children to reject lies and embrace their God-given identity. Key Takeaways: How the importance of identity starts at a young age Learn how recentering on our identity in Christ is central to the Connected Families tool, Trash, Truth, or Treasure Learn nine biblical names to replace the lies kids (and adults) hear every day about themselves Mentioned in this Podcast: Mean Words Hurt! Are they Trash, Truth, or Treasure? Online Mini Course FREE Download: Trash, Truth, & Treasure What God Says About You – Audiobook What God Says About You – Book Connected Families Monthly Giving Program – The Table I Have a New Name – Spoken Word Poem Thrive Women’s Conference – MN 1 Corinthians 3:16 Ephesians 2:10 1 Corinthians 6:19 Acts 1:8 Galatians 3:26 Romans 5:8 John 8:36 2 Corinthians 5:17 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: Hosanna Wong is an international speaker, best-selling author, and spoken word artist helping everyday people know Jesus for real. Widely known for her spoken-word piece, “I Have A New Name,” Hosanna shares her message in churches, conferences, prisons, and other events around the world, reaching across various denominations, backgrounds, and cultures. Born and raised in an urban ministry on the streets of San Francisco, Hosanna later packed her life into suitcases and traveled to churches and other ministries throughout the United States to share about Jesus through spoken word poetry. Hosanna currently travels and speaks year-round, serving on teaching teams at churches throughout the United States. She and her husband, Guy, serve together in various ministries equipping people with tools to share the gospel of Jesus in today’s world. Hosanna is the best-selling author of How (Not) to Save the World, You Are More Than You’ve Been Told, and her new book, What God Says About You, is her first children’s book. © 2025 Connected Families Transform hurtful words into life-changing lessons When harsh words hurt your child, what do you say? This mini-course gives you practical tools to turn these everyday moments into powerful opportunities for spiritual and relational growth. Your kids will learn to discard hurtful lies, discern helpful truth, and anchor themselves in God’s love when things get hard. LEARN MORE

Join Stacy Bellward and Lynne Jackson as they chat with Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Kartina Baros about using the “Trash, Truth, or Treasure” tool to help kids process hurtful words and build skills for handling criticism. Katrina shares how she turned this concept into a fun basket-shooting game with her four boys, making it their family’s common language for evaluating words they hear and speak. This conversation highlights how asking thoughtful questions and modeling vulnerability helps kids transform harsh statements into grace-filled responses. Key Takeaways: Hear how Katrina used basketball to teach Trash, Truth, Treasure, with no lectures, just fun! Teaching kids to find the kernel of truth in criticism, without shame, builds humility and resilience. Discover how this tool gives kids an instant filter to process what they hear and choose what they believe. Mentioned in this Podcast: Mean Words Hurt! Are they Trash, Truth, or Treasure? Online Mini Course FREE Download: Trash, Truth, & Treasure Proverbs 3:17 Connected Families Monthly Giving Program – The Table 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: As a mom of four boys, Katrina Baros discovered the transformative power of grace-based parenting through her own coaching journey. Now, as a certified Connected Families parent coach with 13 years of parenting experience and a degree in early and elementary childhood education, she helps families shift from behavior modification to heart transformation. She walks alongside parents through their challenges, pointing them toward the grace that changes everything. © 2025 Connected Families Transform hurtful words into life-changing lessons When harsh words hurt your child, what do you say? This mini-course gives you practical tools to turn these everyday moments into powerful opportunities for spiritual and relational growth. Your kids will learn to discard hurtful lies, discern helpful truth, and anchor themselves in God’s love when things get hard. LEARN MORE

When your child hears something unkind, those words can stick: shaping how they see themselves and the world around them. In this episode, we’re launching a three-part series on a simple but powerful Connected Families tool: Trash, Truth, & Treasure. This tool helps kids (and adults!) deal with mean words, hurtful thoughts, anger, and anxiety by rooting their identity in God’s truth rather than the lies they hear. Join Connected Families Co-Founder Lynne Jackson, along with therapists and Certified Parent Coaches Vicky Wieben and Marlee Thomsen, as they share the story behind this tool and offer practical ways to use it in your everyday life. Key Takeaways: How a simple Bible verse about “fluttering sparrows” became a framework helping thousands of families combat lies and anxiety Why brain science and biblical truth work together to help kids discern what’s true Practical ways to teach your child to recognize Hurtful Trash, Helpful Truth, and Heart-Filling Treasure Real stories from counselors using this tool with families every day Mentioned in this Podcast: Mean Words Hurt! Are they Trash, Truth, or Treasure? Online Mini Course Proverbs 26:2 James 3:17 FREE PDF Download: Trash, Truth, & Treasure 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: Marlee Thomsen – Marlee Thomsen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate and Connected Families Certified Parent Coach at Cornerstone Counseling and Wellness. She specializes in helping children, adolescents, and adults navigate anxiety and other disorders. She uses a variety of therapies and other evidence-based approaches. Marlee is passionate about involving parents in their child’s healing journey and offers parenting support using the Connected Families Framework to equip families for lasting transformation. Connect with Marlee here. Vicky Wieben – Vicky Wieben is a Licensed Independent Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Connected Families Certified Parent Coach who brings 20 years of social services experience to her work with children, adolescents, and families. She co-founded Bright Light Counseling with her husband Matt in 2020, where she uses a compassionate, holistic approach that incorporates multiple therapies. When she’s not in the therapy office, Vicky enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, reading, and connecting with nature. Connect with Vicky on Facebook. © 2025 Connected Families Transform hurtful words into life-changing lessons When harsh words hurt your child, what do you say? This mini-course gives you practical tools to turn these everyday moments into powerful opportunities for spiritual and relational growth. Your kids will learn to discard hurtful lies, discern helpful truth, and anchor themselves in God’s love when things get hard. LEARN MORE

Welcome back to our usual podcast rhythm, listeners! November is National Adoption Month, and many Connected Families listeners have grown their families through adoption and foster care. Adoption often brings unique parenting challenges that prompt families to seek creative, compassionate solutions. Many adoptive and foster families have discovered that the Connected Families Framework provides exactly what they need to cultivate Christ-like love and deep connection in their homes. The Framework’s emphasis on helping parents grow in self-awareness while responding to their children’s needs with grace and truth has proven especially valuable for families navigating the complexities of adoption. Join host Stacy Bellward as she chats with Cindy Wilson, Ministry Partnership & Research Program Manager at Connected Families, and Sara Wilson Worley from Lifeline Children’s Services about adoption, faith, and building Connected Families. Key Points: Adopted/foster children’s brains are wired for hypervigilance due to early trauma Building attachment can take 1-2 years minimum Connected Families Framework helps us respond with confidence, even when we can’t pinpoint the exact cause of behaviors Mentioned in this Podcast: Ep. 242 | Game-Changing Family Ministry Ideas for Churches of Any Size Ep. 244 |What Works When “Calm Down!” Doesn’t: How to Help Your Angry Child Connected Families Partnership 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: Sara Wilson Worley is originally from Florence, Alabama. She currently serves as the Regional Program Manager for the Asia Team at Lifeline Children’s Services. Sara attended the University of North Alabama and received her Bachelor’s in social work. She has two Master’s degrees in Church and Community Ministries and Social Work. Sara loves to read and has many hobbies (i.e., kayaking, antiquing, and watching soccer). © 2025 Connected Families

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast: In this final episode of our October campaign, Matt and Lauren Bishop share how they went from being unconvinced about grace-based parenting to passionate advocates. Listen in to see how God used these biblical principles to change not just their children’s behavior but also the parents’ hearts. Key Takeaways: Transformation starts with parents’ hearts first Parent coaching provides personalized support for lasting change Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Connected Families Certified Parent Coach – Julie Maas Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: Grandparents raising grandchildren can present unique challenges. Listen to this episode from yesterday that shows the Christ transformation one grandma experienced through showing unconditional love to her grandson: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: A Story of Grace and Transformation | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : In this touching episode, a grandmother’s transformative journey is highlighted. Grandparents raising grandchildren can present unique challenges. Listen as she learns to parent her teenage grandson after suddenly gaining guardianship. With time, she discovers that changing her own perspective from viewing her Grandson as a problem to seeing him through God’s eyes revolutionizes their relationship. Her creative use of a childhood mailbox to communicate affirming messages demonstrates the power of intentional love and grace in healing broken family dynamics. Key Takeaways: Before you can effectively communicate “You are safe” and “You are loved” to your child, examine how you view them Small acts of intentional love matter Spiritual dependence on God’s grace, wisdom, and help is essential Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart – Book Connected Families Certificed Parent Coach Program Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: It can take us aback when our children show obvious signs of disrespect. Chad Hayenga offers a new perspective in his reading of “Don’t Settle for Fake Respect,” in yesterday’s podcast: Guiding Disrespectful Kids: Eye Rolling, Door Slamming & Sass | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : In today’s episode, Chad Hayenga, Connected Families Director of Education and Equipping, joins us to encourage parents to reframe their thinking about disrespectful kids. Instead of demanding compliance, he encourages parents to respond with curiosity, asking what’s really happening in their child’s heart. This grace-filled approach builds genuine respect while still maintaining clear boundaries. Key Takeaways: Misbehavior is communication Respond with curiosity, not control Address the heart, not just behavior Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Connected Families Certified Parent Coaching Program Don’t Settle for Fake Respect – Blog Post Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: We only have a few days left of our special October campaign. Don’t miss Stacy Bellward’s testimony of how God has helped her move away from fear and control in her parenting in When Your Kids’ Choices Scare You | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast: Today, we’re talking about the top of the Connected Families Framework, Correct. This level communicates the message: “You are responsible for your actions.” As our kids get older, their choices can sometimes scare us because they could cause long-term damage. Host, Stacy Bellward, tells her story of how wrestling with that fear led her to discover truths about God’s character that freed her from parenting out of anxiety and control. That belief changed her parenting, and you’ll hear that in today’s story. Key Takeaways: “My kids are responsible for their own actions, and by His grace, He’s at work in ways I can’t see.” “I was asking the wrong question: The answer fed fear and harsh reactions. God corrected me.” Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Parenting in the Chaos: When There’s No Time to Be Calm | [Mini-Episode] The Power of Questions Online Course Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: Have you ever wondered how you will find time for calm when there’s always chaos? Check out what Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches, Alan and Corrie Thetford, have to say about that question in: Parenting in the Chaos: When There’s No Time to Be Calm [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : In this Q&A mini-episode, our host Stacy is joined by Connected Families Parent Coaches & Workshop Speakers, Alan and Corrie Thetford, to answer real questions from parents just like you. With four kids of their own, the Thetfords bring both professional expertise and lived experience to two common parenting challenges: managing multiple young children and addressing persistent behaviors. Key Takeaways: The Framework works in the chaos, not only after it Focus on one thing at a time Consequences are about repair, not punishment Bring a Connected Families Workshop to Your Community – Ready to equip and encourage parents in your church, school, or community? Let’s connect! The team of trained presenters offers Connected Families workshops across the U.S. and internationally. Find out more here. Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Alan and Corrie Thetford – Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches Connected Families Workshop Speakers Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It:  Don’t miss it! Connected Families Founder Jim Jacksom encourages parents to build wisdom in their children in Parenting with Grace, Modeling Humility, and Transforming Your Family | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : Connected Families co-founder, Jim Jackson, is back in this mini-episode, encouraging parents to view parenting from a new perspective! Being a better parent isn’t about getting kids just to behave; it’s about building God’s wisdom in ourselves and in them. Get challenged to embrace your calling as an everyday superhero who models faith, humility, and grace. Key Takeaways: Great parenting isn’t about controlling behavior; it’s about building God’s wisdom Model your own process of calming down Share your struggles, failures, and growth openly with your children. Model Humility When You Mess Up Identify Godly strengths your children have learned from watching you, and intentionally do more of what’s already going well Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart – Book Connected Families Certified Parent Coaching Program Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: Host Stacy Bellward shares a personal story when her daughters were late for a birthday party. Hear how do-overs saved the day in From Morning Chaos to Peaceful Dressing: How It Ended Well | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : In this vulnerable episode, host Stacy Bellward shares a real, messy parenting moment from years ago when she had to use do-overs and the Connected Families Framework to reset with one of her daughters. It all started when everybody was late to a birthday party. She shares her story in the spirit of our theme: Not Perfect, Still Super. Every Family a Hero—and she shares it to show you how using the CF parenting framework can look in a real-life messy situation. Parenting transformation isn’t a quick sailboat turn but a long game of being humble and inviting Jesus into the messes. Key Takeaways: Keep a Connected Families Framework magnet handy. It never hurts. 🙂 If you have been feeling the nudge to join the mission to equip more families, join the Table Community today! Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Connected Families Framework Magnet Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: Hear how one family made space for all levels of the Connected Families Framework when they navigated an issue with their teenage daughter’s device in: Device Issue: How God Used it to Draw One Family Closer. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : When the Caswell family discovered an issue with their daughter’s phone, they faced a choice: react with their first instinct or respond guided by the Connected Families Parenting Framework they’d been learning through the book and video course. With support from a parent coach, they created a safe space for an honest conversation that led to restoration instead of rupture. Hear from both parents AND their daughter in this rare, real-life example of how discipline can connect rather than divide. Key Takeaways: Hear what felt safe to Caswell’s daughter.  Hear how Caswell’s parents paused, shifted perspective, and guided their daughter.  Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Thursday Parenting Tips Email Sign-Up Connected Families Certified Parent Coaching Program Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It:  Punishment of natural impact? Learn the difference in Natural Impacts: Teaching Kids Responsibility Without Nagging. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects With Your Child Heart online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : Discover the transformative difference between a goal of punishment and restoration in this episode featuring Jim and Lynne Jackson from the Discipline That Connects With Your Childs Heart course. Learn how natural impacts like letting a child experience the consequences of forgotten homework without adding parental punishment teach responsibility far more effectively than nagging or arbitrary consequences. This grace-filled, biblical approach shifts the parenting goal from punishing bad behavior to restoring relationships and empowering kids to make things right. Key Takeaways: Teach true responsibility through natural impacts Effective discipline puts responsibility on the child to right their wrongs. The primary goal is restoration, not punishment. Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Connected Families Framework Magnet Should You Reward Kids? 9 Wisdom-Filled Guidelines | [Mini-Episode] Galatians 6:1 Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: Did you miss it? Last week, Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, Laura Zach shares practical wisdom for parents navigating the push-pull dynamic with a kid who asks for help but then resists it. Listen in Why Does My Child Ask for Help Then Get Mad? | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : Does your child ask for help with homework, sports, or other activities—only to push back or get frustrated when you offer it? You’re not alone! In this Q&A episode, host Stacy Bellward welcomes Connected Families Certified Parent Coach & Workshop Speaker Laura Zach to answer this common parenting challenge. Laura shares practical wisdom for parents navigating the push-pull dynamic with an 11-year-old who asks for help but then resists it. You’ll learn to identify the “gift gone awry” in your child, understand what’s happening beneath the surface, and discover grace-filled approaches to build connection and coach your child toward growth. Key Takeaways: How to recognize and affirm your child’s gifts—even when they’re showing up in challenging ways Why this is a journey, not a quick fix—and how to stay encouraged along the way Bring a Connected Families Workshop to Your Community – Are you ready to equip and encourage parents in your church, school, or community? Let’s connect! The team of trained presenters offers Connected Families workshops across the U.S. and internationally. Find out more here. Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Laura Zach – Connected Families Parent Coach Connected Families Workshop Speakers  Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart – Book Identifying Child Strengths: Finding God’s Gifts in Your Kid | [Mini-Episode] One Simple Question That Rewires Everyone’s Brains Toward Connection | [Mini-Episode] Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: Did you know that rewarding kids can actually be a helpful tool when you’re asking the right question, learn more about this in: Should You Reward Kids? 9 Wisdom-Filled Guidelines | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : Today’s mini episode is the audio version of a blog post we created as a guide to help you think through the question, “Should you reward your kids?” It’s the age-old question: Should I pay the kids to do house chores? Let’s be honest – we’ve all been there, wondering if we’re brilliantly motivating our kids or just straight-up bribing them. Turns out, rewards can actually be effective tools when you’re asking the right question, but they can totally backfire when your kid cares more about earning screen time than actually learning to be helpful. Host Stacy Bellward walks through nine super practical, research-backed tips that’ll help you use rewards in ways that actually build character. Key Takeaways: The one question that changes everything: It’s not about compliance – discover what your child is really learning The “Nathan story”: How one strategic “bribe” transformed a disruptive teen Creative reward systems that actually build character (not just behavior) Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Rewards for Kids: 9 Wisdom-Filled Guidelines to Get Beyond Bribing – Blog Post Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: Learn how noticing what’s going partly right can change the entire culture of your home in One Simple Question That Rewires Everyone’s Brains Toward Connection | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : Discover the transformative power of “Bright Spots!” A simple parenting strategy that shifts your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going partly right. In this episode, we share the inspiring story of Carly, who went from ski slope meltdowns to conquering her fears, plus host Stacy’s personal journey of learning to see what her middle school girls HAD cleaned in the kitchen instead of fixating on the one dirty fork left behind. This shift transformed their relationship and built an “I can do this” attitude in her daughters. Plus, learn how you can become a changemaker this October by equipping struggling families around the world with these life-changing tools. Key Takeaway: Asking “What’s going partly right?” when the kitchen only got half clean or during a full meltdown has the power to change your family’s trajectory. (We are not trying to be dramatic here – we have lived it.) Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard – Book Philippians 4 Connected Families Parent Coaching Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: Ever wonder if it’s too late to connect with your teenage child? It’s not! In Christ, there’s always hope! Listen to one mom tell her story in: Connection with Teens: It’s Never Too Late | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : Ever wonder if you’ve already blown it as a parent? Spoiler alert: you haven’t. In this episode, Lynne Jackson drops truth bombs about how God’s grace for YOU is the secret sauce to raising wise kids (hint: it’s not about being perfect). Then Laura Zach shares her own story of going from daily door-slams and zero conversations with her teen daughter to actually laughing together, yes, really laughing. Whether your kids are in diapers or driving cars, this one’s for you. Key Takeaways: Jesus is your report card, not your kid’s behavior. Parent from grace, not guilt. It’s never too late! Laura discovered Connected Families during a family crisis with teens—and everything changed. Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Proverbs 1:1-9 Laura Zach – Connected Families Parent Coach Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?  Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. Bring a Connected Families Workshop to Your Community Ready to equip and encourage parents in your church, school, or community? Let’s connect! The team of trained presenters offers Connected Families workshops across the U.S. and internationally. Find out more here. In Case You Missed It:  What happens when your child explodes over a simple stack of dishes? For Lydia Rex, it became a growth opportunity for connection in Dishes and Disrespect: A Story of Growth and Connection | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : What happens when your child explodes over a simple stack of dishes? For Lydia Rex, a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and mom, it became a powerful opportunity to use the parenting framework. Lydia reflected, “Real life is messy. It’s not linear. And that’s okay. God is at work in all of that.” In this mini-episode of the Connected Families podcast, Lydia shares an honest, messy, and ultimately beautiful story about applying the Connected Families Framework in real time. Her experience reminds us that effective parenting isn’t about following a perfect formula—it’s about walking in God’s grace and truth. Key Takeaway: Aim for Wisdom, Not Just Obedience: The goal isn’t raising children who comply when controlled, but cultivating internal values that lead them to choose what’s right on their own. Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Sensitive and Intense Online Course Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know. In Case You Missed It: Identifying their child’s God-given gift in misbehavior has transformed many parents’ approach to parenting during challenging behavior moments. Listen to Jim and Lynne teach about the Gift Gone Awry in: Identifying Child Strengths: Finding God’s Gifts in Your Kid | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : This episode is about identifying child strengths and recognizing the God-given gift hidden in their most frustrating misbehavior. In this teaching from our Discipline That Connects course, Jim and Lynne Jackson introduce the powerful concept of “Gifts Gone Awry,” showing parents how lying can reveal intelligence, arguing can signal courage to speak truth, and defiance often masks courage. When you learn to call out the gift instead of just correcting the behavior, you communicate to your child: “You are Called and Capable.” Key Takeaways: Misbehavior has a God-given gift at its core Calling out the gift changes the relationship – from just managing behavior to building their identity and your connection. Mentioned Today: The Table Community – Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: Got a strong-willed child? Parent Coach, Tara Prevo, helps parents come alongside their child as a teammate, celebrate creative problem-solving, and guide with empathy in Strong-Willed Child and Unconditional Love? Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Parents | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. Bring a Connected Families Workshop to Your CommunityReady to equip and encourage parents in your church, school, or community? Let’s connect! The team of trained presenters offers Connected Families workshops across the U.S. and internationally. Find out more here. © 2025 Connected Families Pull up a chair, get DTC for free! Right now: Join The Table at a suggested donation of $35 or more per month and get FREE access to our transformative online course, Discipline That Connects for you and a friend! I WANT TO JOIN THE TABLE!