LC Parents Podcast

Dr. Burns shares three simple, powerful ways parents can lead well in a digital age:Protect your tables – creating intentional space for connection and conversationTake back bedrooms – prioritizing sleep, safety, and shared spacesSteward your clocks – being intentional with the limited time you have with your kidsYou’ll also hear encouragement rooted in faith, neuroscience, and real-life parenting, reminding us that this conversation is ultimately about connection—not control.What You'll LearnWhat it means to raise digital natives (Gen Z and Gen Alpha)How technology impacts attention, memory, mental health, and identity formationWhy boredom is actually good for kids’ brains and creativityHow family meals and shared time build resilience, trust, and emotional healthWhy removing screens from bedrooms can dramatically improve sleep and emotional regulationThe Nine-Minute Theory for increasing meaningful parent-child connectionHow faith, balance, and intentionality can guide families toward healthy technology habits Resources MentionedLifeGroup Talk NotesRomans 12:2 – Scripture referenced when discussing cultural habits vs. transformationDr. Anne Fishel (Harvard Medical School) – The Benefit of Family Meal TimeBrian McLaren – Author and theologian; Four Stages of Faith DevelopmentSimplicity → Complexity → Perplexity → HarmonyAxis.org – Life.Church partner focused on lifelong parent-child conversationsBarna Group – Research on families, Gen Z, and Gen AlphaLife.Church Aligning Values – Referenced in closing encouragementScreen Time Suggestions:Preschool (2–5):Supervised iPad use OK, up to 1 hour/day.Parent chooses QUALITY content; child doesn’t “drive” device.Keep healthy developmental routines (sleep, outdoor play, undistracted parental connection).Elementary (5–12):Under 2 hours/day, PRIORITIZED AFTER schoolwork/family/chores.Devices should be locked down as much as possible with parental controls.No social media.No devices in bedrooms; shared family spaces only. (Hard with iPads and Gaming)Teens: Same guidelines for Adults!Focus on Purpose, Benefits, and Balance.Ask: “How much time do I want my kids to remember me on my phone?”Model the same standards: < 2 hours/day, no bedroom screens. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the LC Parents Podcast, host Ally Evans sits down with Chris and Cindy Beall to talk about the joys and challenges of raising kids in a Christ-centered home. They share personal stories, parenting wisdom, and faith-based principles that have shaped their family. Whether you’re in the early years of parenting or navigating the teenage phase, this conversation will encourage and equip you to lead your children with intention and faith.Don’t do this alone. Engage in Biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through these questions together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups.Create Family Values: Need a great place to get started? Looking for a great way to get started? Family-id.com is an excellent tool to help you define your family values. As a LifeGroup, challenge yourselves to set values that are not only meaningful to your own family but also align with the values of other families within the group.Resources from Axis: At Axis, we believe you have the biggest influence on your teen. That’s why we’re committed to equipping you with Biblical resources like culture translation and conversation skills to disciple your teen toward a lifelong faith in Jesus. Visit Axis.org for more.Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode here:Episode Discussion Guide Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You'll hear insights on balancing being protective while giving your kids independence, and why it's more important than ever for parents to be informed and engaged in the digital world.  Tune in for actionable advice to help set your kids up for success!Resources:The Anxious GenerationA Parent’s Guide to Smartphones A Parent’s Guide to Social Media5 Ways to Use Technology to Connect with your Teen Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Links and other resources mentionedJohn 5Book: Stay Here by Jacob CoyneStay Here | Suicide Prevention TrainingStay Here | Student AmbassadorsStay Here Website: stayhere.liveThe Hope Line - 24 Hour Free Live ChatInstagram - @stayhereorg Axis resources:A Parents Guide to Suicide - Self-Harm PreventionHow To Talk About Mental Health With Your Teen Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We want to hear from you! Was there a topic on this episode that you were excited to hear more about? Comment below!Looking for more resources on this topic? We’ve got you covered! Check out these incredible resources below:Anxious GenerationA Parent’s Guide to Teens & Social Media (Axis Resource)A Parent’s Guide to Smart PhonesA Parent’s Guide to Teen Suicide & Self-Harm PreventionKids & Screen Time (Parent Cue)Setting and Keeping Technology Boundaries (Parent Cue)Screen Sanity Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Parenting the next generation can sometimes feel like we have little aliens living in our homes. Their technology, knowledge, awareness, and sometimes even their questions can be very challenging to navigate. We could go as far as to say we have never, in history, had to navigate what our kids and students are facing today! Statistics show that anxiety in kids and students is at an all-time high. Many factors can contribute to these statistics.In this episode of the LC Parents Podcast, Ally Evans interviews our special guest Vince Parker about all things Gen Z and Gen Alpha. They explore new ways to engage kids and students, how to navigate difficult questions, and how to better bridge the gaps between our generation and theirs.Want to go deeper? Check out these resources that were mentioned on this podcast and more!Family IDAxis Resources Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever wondered as a parent… Am I discipling my child the right way? Is what I’m teaching them actually sticking? Bringing Jesus into our parenting can be challenging. Whether it’s because we feel like what we say isn’t getting through to our kids, we feel overwhelmed with all the parent resources online, or simply because we feel like we lack Biblical knowledge. In this episode on the LC Parents Podcast, Ally Evans interviews our special guests Stephen Hershberger, Luke Guevara, and Stephen Cole on the their favorite ways to bring Jesus into every day conversations. We hope this episode brings a new light to the simplicity of every day conversations you can have as a family about Jesus, and helps you find new ways to bring spiritual discipline into your home. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join us as we uncover in-depth conversations about our curriculum, heartwarming stories, and share the inspiring moments that make LifeKids and Switch an integral part of our church family. Together, let's celebrate the journey of faith and family as we navigate the joys and challenges of raising a generation rooted in love, purpose, and a deep connection with their Creator. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this podcast, Ally Evans and Dr. Tim Elmore share different stories of young people doing amazing things that have influenced many people even to this day. You can find Dr. Elmore’s new book, I Can’t Wait, on Amazon!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Just in time to head back to school, pastors Ally Evans and Will Hutcherson are discussing a topic that is heavy on many hearts right now: anxiety. Anxiety is a normal human response to stress, but sometimes it takes more control over us than we would like. In this episode, Will walks us through common lies anxiety tells us and equips us as parents to combat these lies. Will and Dr. Chinwe Williams' brand new book, Beyond the Spiral,  is written both for students and parents. This resource is designed to help students break free of the stronghold of anxiety with Biblical principles and practical action steps. You'll definitely want to tune in for this one!As you listen, be sure to check out the episode discussion guide. These guides are created specifically for parents to go through with other parents, because no one should navigate anxiety alone. Grab a friend or dig into this content with your LifeGroup this week!You might recognize Will's name from LC Parents Episode #14, How to Help your Kids Emotionally Exhale.Invite others in. Will's YouVersion Bible Plan, Seen  is a great way to connect with others and learn how we can support our students together. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This month, Ally Evans and Tracy Foster are talking about how to do something that has never been done before—raise a generation of digital natives. You don't want to miss this conversation on setting the stage for the use of technology, the effects of video games on our kids' brains, and how to connect with our kids over what they are passionate about. What if video games are not the enemy and instead, an opportunity to build empathy and develop intentionally?1. Don’t do this alone. We are meant to be in community. Start or join a LifeGroup and work through the discussion guide today, because we need one other to raise digital natives! Check out existing LifeGroups at go2.lc/lifegroups2. Invite a few friends to go through the Bible Plan, Showing Empathy on YouVersion. The first step to helping our kids regulate themselves is to empathize with them right where they are.3. Discover all the amazing resources available for your family and LifeGroup at westartnow.org4. Consider using the Video Game Decision Tree to help create clarity around gaming at home! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Time to tap into the ever-elusive minds of teenagers! On this episode, Next Generation Research Specialist, Kara Powell, chats with Ally Evans about the three biggest questions that our teenagers—and really all of us—are asking. They discuss where our kids are looking for answers and how we can help them process in light of the truth found in Jesus. 1. Don’t do this alone. We are meant to be in community. Start or join a LifeGroup and work through the discussion guide today, because we need each other! Check out existing LifeGroups at go2.lc/lifegroups.2. Invite a few friends to go through the Bible Plan, Showing Empathy, on YouVersion. The first step to helping our kids process these questions is fully empathizing with why they are asking.3. Pick up a copy of Kara’s book, Three Big Questions that Change Every Teenager, today!4. LC Parents is on Spotify! If this month’s episode was helpful to you, share it with friends today!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. It is critical to bring attention to the victories and struggles that families with kids who have special needs experience. Join Ally and Sherry as they talk about who needs to be advocated for, how to speak up for yourself, and what it looks like to step past the fear of saying or doing the wrong thing in order to love people who really just want to be seen. Resources and Next Steps: 1. Don’t do this alone. Whether you have a child with special needs or not, engage in biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through your questions and challenges together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups.2. Look into the resources at church4everychild.org for ideas on how to partner with your church and the families who are a part of it with you.3. Encourage your family to engage with Scripture using the Bible App for Kids!4. If you are a mom, check out Sherry’s book: Brave Mom: Facing and Overcoming Your Real Mom Fears.5. If you have a child with special needs, connect with your LifeKids or Switch Pastor about LifeKids Buddies or Switch Support. Life.Church is for your family! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode, Ally and Michelle address blended families and our internal narratives. Whether you are part of a blended family or not, this discussion reminds us all to stay rooted in the right things—not the drama going on around us, but God's Truth for us. Don’t do this alone. Whether you have a blended family or not, engage in biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through your questions and challenges together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups.Work through the episode discussion guide with your LifeGroup. Remember your Source by staying rooted in the right things. Start the Bible Plan, Blend: Strengthen Your Family, on YouVersion today!If you are part of a blended family, check out the other Blend resources at life.church/media/ lifegroups/blend/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We are finally going there—unlocking the secret to your kid's best behavior. But the answer might be different than you think. Join Ally and Kaitlyn as they talk about the behavior cycle and the change that they have both made that's proved to be a game-changer in their lives and families. 1. Don’t do this alone. Engage in biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through these questions together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups.2. Check out www.life.church/media/words-to-live-by/ and craft your own truth statements this week.  3. Start the Words To Live By With Craig Groeschel Bible Plan on YouVersion today.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Another one of those big questions we all must answer is this: What difference do I make? We want to know why we are here, our calling, our purpose, and how to move past our fears. Jessica and Ally discuss how we often find answers to these big questions through small acts of service and generosity. Don’t do this alone. Engage in biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through the discussion guide together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups. Check out life.church/neighbor and talk about a Mission Partner you and your LifeGroup can invest in together! Invite a new friend to join you and your people at a Christmas Eve service this year!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One of the biggest questions every kid has to answer is: Who am I? There are multiple voices that try to inform the answer to that question, and those voices rarely say the same thing at the same volume. James and Ally discuss how we can help our kids cut through the confusion and show up in the world with confidence.  Don’t do this alone. Engage in biblical community by starting or joining a LifeGroup and working through the discussion guide for this episode together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroupsCheck out the START resources and consider working through the Screen Sanity study with your LifeGroup!Write your Words to Live By and help your kids do the same. Find Bible Plans and other resources at life.church/media/words-to-live-by/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Often times, when we’re looking for answers about how to teach our kids to engage with technology well, we are met with blank faces and more big questions. But what if there’s a simple way to frame up this conversation? Join Ally and Tracy as they provide practical steps we can take to create a healthy culture around technology in our families. Don’t do this alone. Engage in biblical community by joining a LifeGroup and working through the discussion guide together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroupsCheck out the START resources and consider working through the Screen Sanity study with your LifeGroup!When we get healthier, our families also reap the benefits. So take the time to go deeper into your personal inventory by considering the ways you use technology and how you can START with yourself. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if there is a way to address our responses to pain, become more present to our kids, and stay grounded as parents? This month, Ally Evans and special guest, Matthias J Barker, help us reframe conversations around trauma and start thinking about it more wisely.  Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/.Next steps and resources:Don’t do this alone. Engage in biblical community by joining a LifeGroup and working through these questions together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroupsStart working through the self-paced trauma workshop to help you understand your own trauma and have healthier conversations with your kids at www.matthiasjbarker.comWhen we get healthier, our families also reap the benefits. So take the time to go deeper into your personal inventory about the ways you naturally respond to pain. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode, Ally, James, and Charlie help answer your questions! From the challenge of getting our kids to open up more, to teaching them the value of education, to figuring out how to move forward when you have messed up—the wisdom shared will help you connect with your kids in deeper, more meaningful ways. Talk this episode over with your spouse, LifeGroup, or friends! Check out the Discussion Guide and resources for this episode at https://leaders.life.church/lc-parents-podcast-discussion-guides/.Next steps and resources:Don’t do this alone! Engage in biblical community by joining a LifeGroup and working through these questions and resources together. You can find a group near you at go2.lc/lifegroups.Check out these books if you are looking for your next great read:Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger InstituteWEIRD: Because Normal Isn’t Working by Craig Groeschel Habitudes: Images that Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes by Tim Elmore Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.