*Trigger Warning* This episode mentions complex psychological disorders, sexual abuse, sexual trauma, and other adult themes. Listener discretion is advised. In today’s episode of Embracing Your Season, Paige shares an interview from her recent trip to AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors) in Dallas, TX with Dr. Shannae Anderson. Dr. Shannae is a licensed clinical psychologist and is currently the Clinical Director at Monarch Recovery Intensive Outpatient Program in Ventura, Cal...
Curious about taking your children on a short-term mission trip? This episode is for you! Join Paige as she welcomes her producer, Mike, and reflects on her transformative journey to the Dominican Republic with her two daughters. She unpacks key considerations for parents, the heart posture needed for this type of experience, and the real “pros and cons” to weigh before committing. Mission trips can be humbling and life-changing, offering a powerful opportunity for both you and your children!...
What if parenting focused on teaching our children self-regulation? Imagine if they knew how to advocate for themselves and understood the unique ways they learn best. In today’s episode, Paige welcomes Dr. Kelly Cagle, host of the Parenting IQ podcast, author of God's Promises as Waves, and devoted mom to three boys: Levi, Titus, and Micah, alongside her husband, Josh. Holding a PhD in Education, Dr. Kelly is passionate about guiding parents to turn everyday moments into powerful learning op...
On today’s episode of Embracing Your Season, Paige welcomes Nirup Alphonse, lead pastor of LIFEGATE Church in Denver, devoted husband, and father of four boys. Nirup delivers a powerful message on parenting, emphasizing the importance of leading children toward their God-given identity. He challenges parents to go beyond raising independent kids and instead nurture humility - teaching them to recognize their role in shaping others and to take ownership of their lives. Paige and Nirup dig into...
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) Discussing Spiritual Warfare (SW) isn’t the most comfortable topic for the modern-day Christian. We like our “spiritual forces of evil” to be metaphorical rather than literal. Yet, the Bible is clear that we are in a battle against a very real Satan and very real...
Where does God’s goodness fit when we’re confronted with grief? How do we grapple with the command to “be of good cheer” (John 16:33) when life is a daily struggle? Today’s guest, Dr. Curt Thompson has made it his life’s work to understand how God sees us, knows us, loves us, and welcomes us into His arms, even in the midst of unimaginable grief. With great authenticity and vulnerability, Dr. Curt shares with Paige how God is waiting for us to invite Him into our grief and pain, to sit with u...
What can we do as parents to strengthen our kids spiritually before they leave the home? On this week’s episode of Embracing Your Season, Paige Clingenpeel welcomes back international speaker, author, and Christian apologist, Alex McFarland. Together, Paige and Alex discuss who has the most influence on your kids as they grow, the importance of intentional family time (including meals together whenever possible), confronting and adjusting our priorities, and how prioritizing spiritual growth ...
Every marriage has busy seasons and any parent will tell you that when you add kids to the mix, things get next-level crazy. Between sleep deprivation, a messy home, financial strains, and overstimulation, it can seem like you and your spouse are ships passing in the night, barely acknowledging that each of you is taking on water! How do you keep connecting with this person you vowed to love til death do you part? Today, Paige welcomes Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Brooke Sellhorn to...
How can we as parents, step-parents, caregivers, leaders, and mentors, be a safe place for our kids to be able to talk to us about their biggest questions? On this week's episode of Embracing Your Season, host Paige Clingenpeel interviews Kara Powell, PHD as they discuss her book, 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager. Kara is the chief of leadership formation and executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary and provides a wealth of knowledge when it co...
So, what’s the difference between worry and anxiety? Having lived with undiagnosed anxiety and depression for 36 years, Nichole Suvar felt like there was something inherently wrong with her. She loved her family, community, and work - and yet she still felt like the world might be better off without her in it. Listen in as author and intentional-living strategist Nichole shares with Paige the tipping point for seeking help, how medication (for a time) and counseling gave her the steppin...
On this week's episode of Embracing Your Season with Paige Clingenpeel, author Gary Thomas joins Paige to discuss his book, Sacred Marriage. Married for over 40 years, Gary credits his devotion to loving his wife well to his faith in God. Recognizing that even the best marriages face challenging moments is key to a successful marriage! While no marriage is perfect, if we surrender our imperfections to God, He will shape us to become more like Christ. Takeaways: Marriage is hard. Even the best...
“When I lay my burden down to Him, He takes it and releases me—and I can rest in His peace.” -Paige Paige and producer Mike dive into the difference between a weekly Sabbath and a longer sabbatical, exploring why God cares deeply about our rest—and even commands it. Paige shares practical ways to pause intentionally, prioritize what truly matters, and trust God with the things left undone. She opens up about her own upcoming sabbatical from the podcast to fast, pray, and seek God’s visi...
Research shows a child’s worldview is largely formed by age 13, making these early years critical for shaping their hearts and minds. In this episode, Paige Clingenpeel sits down with Molly DeFrank—author, speaker, and mom of six—to talk about what today’s boys need to thrive. Molly shares practical ways moms can model a biblical worldview, create meaningful moments with their sons, and equip them with the essentials for life—belonging, authority, bravery, tenderness, creativity, and emotiona...
Parenting today can feel overwhelming as families face loneliness, anxiety, depression, suicide, and bullying. In this episode, Paige talks with Dr. Eric Scalise, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Hope for the Heart, about his book The Care and Counsel Handbook and how parents can build a strong emotional and spiritual foundation for their kids. They discuss why deep relationships matter in a world that’s “technologically connected but relationally disconnected,” share tips for choosing...
Talking with kids about sickness, grief, and death is never easy—but it’s essential. In this episode, counselor and speaker Paige Clingenpeel joins producer Mike Segovia to share honest, practical ways parents can walk their children through these difficult moments. Paige opens up about her own health journey, the questions kids naturally ask, and how parents can give age-appropriate, hope-filled answers without needing to have it all figured out. Together, they discuss how children process g...
When life feels heavy and we’re worn down, the only true source of strength and confidence is God. In this episode of Embracing Your Season, Paige Clingenpeel talks with Amber Albee Swenson—wife, mom, speaker, and author of 13 books, including her latest The Key to Confidence: Where to Go When You Feel You’re Not Enough. Amber shares why our identity must be rooted in God rather than in ourselves, and how we can point our kids to the same truth. Together, they explore the difference between s...
Sending your young adult into the real world can feel both heartbreaking and heart-warming. In this episode, Dr. Jim Burns—author, speaker, and president of HomeWord—joins Paige Clingenpeel to share practical, faith-based wisdom for parents navigating this season. Together, they unpack the essential life skills kids need before leaving home, how to raise children toward greater responsibility without enabling, and the shift parents must make from being in control to becoming a coach. They als...
Whether your child is in elementary school or preparing to leave for college, this episode will encourage and equip you as a parent. Licensed counselor and host of Embracing Your Season, Paige Clingenpeel, shares practical wisdom on how to prepare your kids for the challenges they’ll face socially, emotionally, and mentally in the school year ahead. From navigating peer pressure, drugs, and alcohol, to choosing wise friendships and rooting their identity in Christ, Paige unpacks how to approa...
Rise up, warrior—get up, wipe your tears, and go forth! Ready for powerful encouragement in your walk with Christ? Today, Paige Clingenpeel welcomes Myshel Wilkins—an American–Ghanaian worship leader, recording artist, speaker, and author of Arise, Shine, and Conquer: 40 Days of Courage for Women. In this powerful conversation, Myshel uncovers the lies women often believe about their worth, identity, and value—and points us back to the truth found only in God’s Word. She speaks about standing...
What do you do when the child you raised in the Christian faith walks away from it? In this powerful and hope-filled episode, Laine Lawson Craft—a Christian wife, mom, media host, speaker, and best-selling author—shares her raw journey of parenting three prodigal children. Through years of fear, rebellion, and spiritual battles, Laine learned to fight not against her children, but for them—through prayer, truth, and unwavering trust in God. Together with counselor Paige Clingenpeel, they unpa...