Little Shoots, Deep Roots

How do you keep pouring into your kids’ faith and health when your own energy tank is empty?Christie Thomas is joined by personal trainer and coach, David Donaghue, to tackle the challenges of every tired parent.Discover why caring for your own body is not selfish, but a vital act of stewardship, and how the journey of physical wellness deeply connects with spiritual growth. You’ll find encouragement, down-to-earth advice, and practical steps to cultivate stamina, patience, and a joy-filled family life—no guilt or perfectionism required.✨ IN THIS EPISODEThe surprising spiritual importance of taking care of your bodyOvercoming parent guilt: why investing in your health actually blesses your familyPractical strategies to boost energy, mood, and patienceHow your physical routines can teach kids perseverance, discipline, and faithfulnessSmall, sustainable wins for busy parents (that don’t require hours at the gym!)The gentle art of adjusting routines in hard seasons—without shame📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:Roadmap to Food Freedom (free guide from David Donaghue): DM “food freedom” on Instagram @David_Donaghue “Little Habits, Big Faith” by Christie ThomasJoin us every month for more practical tips, honest conversations, and inspiration for parents who want to love God with all your heart, soul, mind…and strength. #ChristianParenting #FamilyWellbeing #FaithAndFitness #SpiritualHabits #ChristianPodcast #ParentingPodcast #SelfCareForMoms #FamilyDiscipleship00:00 Journey into Ministry and Burnout05:55 Physical fitness in Christian spaces08:48 Focusing on personal growth12:07 Parenting requires stamina and patience14:37 The mood-boosting power of exercise20:08 Sustainable habits and weight loss21:40 Discussing personal motivation and faith25:09 Encouraging kids' active lifestyles29:04 Planning and strategizing for success32:31 Dealing with fitness setbacks35:12 Instagram contact and free document offerfaith gardening, parenting stamina, Christian discipleship, physical wellbeing, burnout, personal training, fitness coaching, Christ-centered fitness, work-life balance, nutrition habits, strength training, mental health, physical health stewardship, mood management, energy for parents, leading by example, family fitness, sustainability in habits, planning meals, overcoming guilt, time management, exercise routines, perseverance, discipline for kids, food freedom, self-mastery, parent self-care, resilience in difficult seasons, body image, spiritual growth

Welcome to Little Shoots Deep Roots, the podcast that equips busy parents to gently nurture faith in their families one simple habit at a time! In this episode, host Christie Thomas sits down with Elizabeth Santelman, author and podcaster, to explore practical, approachable spiritual disciplines for every season of family life.Feeling overwhelmed by perfectionism or "falling behind" in faith routines? Elizabeth Santelman shares her real-life strategies for remembering God's presence (even during the busiest or most exhausted days) and reveals why celebration is the most underrated (and joy-filled!) spiritual discipline of all.Whether you're a mom, dad, or caregiver, you’ll discover how little habits can create deep spiritual grooves in your family’s heart, no matter how hectic life gets.✨ In this episode:How to tend the soil of your own heart without aiming for faith perfectionTiny practices for busy parents that fuel spiritual growthWhy “remembering” (not striving) is the real purpose of spiritual disciplinesThe forgotten discipline that brings energy, connection, and delight to family faithA peek inside "Gently Tended," Elizabeth Santelman’s new Bible study crafted for women (and adaptable for teens)Making habits work for you: why flexibility and grace are keyEPISODE PAGE (including transcript)📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:"Gently Tended" by Elizabeth Santelman – Preorder + free bonusesStart Little Guide: 5 simple habits for family faithBook: "Little Habits, Big Faith" by Christie Thomas:Join us bi-monthly for gentle encouragement, creative ideas, and real talk on growing lasting faith...one little shoot at a time!

Monica Tanner draws from her own journey, as a child of divorce and now a mother of four, shares why intentionality in marriage matters, especially in the busy seasons of raising kids. Learn practical and doable habits, like the 3% rule for staying connected, reigniting curiosity for your partner, and navigating through "roommate syndrome." 🔗 Episode Webpage (with written summary)📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:🖥️ ⁠⁠Secrets of Happily Ever After (Monica's Podcast)⁠⁠📚 Book: ⁠⁠Bad Marriage Advice⁠⁠📱Instagram & Facebook: @monitalksmarriageSummary: Why a strong marriage impacts parenting and sets the relational blueprint for children (02:18).The 3% rule for connection (07:34).How intentional curiousity and asking meaningful questions can reignite connection and spark, even after years together  (14:07).The importance of modeling emotional vulnerability, empathy, and accountability (12:10).Why it's not too late to invest in your marriage (24:29).#christianity #marriageadvice #christianparenting

This episode is for every mom who’s ever wondered if her daily sacrifices matter. Whether you’re deep in the trenches of parenting littles, guiding teens, or simply trying to hold it all together, Shalene Roberts’s story and wisdom will encourage you to:- Recognize and honor the challenges of feeling unseen and unappreciated- Exchange external validation for seeing yourself through God’s eyes- Find practical ways to connect with God even in busy, chaotic days- Shift your mindset and see the sacred value in your everyday tasks- Use small discipleship moments with your kids to nurture your own faith- Embrace the slow, sometimes hidden, fruit of mothering as Kingdom workConnect with Shalene Roberts:🖥️ ⁠Website & resources⁠📚 Book: ⁠When Mothering Is Hard and No One Sees⁠📱Instagram & Facebook: @shalenerobertsblogShalene Roberts shares from her journey as a former magazine editor, now raising five children in Texas, and what it looked like to give up worldly validation...but then discover how God sees and values the hidden work of mothering. Hear how a viral blog post, a transformative encounter at the kitchen sink, and lessons from the life of Susanna Wesley all shaped her approach to faith and family.Episode Highlights:00:00 – Welcome & Introduction00:39 – Shalene Roberts’ Family Story02:02 – The Loneliness and Challenge of Feeling Unseen03:32 – Breaking Down: When You Can’t Do It All04:46 – Meeting God in Our Need: Hagar and El Roi06:04 – You’re Not Alone: The Power of Shared Struggle09:00 – God’s Grace for Every Season10:01 – The Ongoing Journey to Feeling Seen12:12 – Why Motherhood’s Fruit Isn’t Always Immediate13:19 – Emotions, Truth, and Renewing Your Mind14:25 – A Story of Surrender: Praying for Your Kids16:26 – Habits & Disciplines for Staying Connected to God17:27 – Praying in Chaos: The Susanna Wesley “Apron” Method19:20 – Making Ordinary Discipleship Sacred20:01 – Drawing Near to God with Your Kids21:01 – Seeing God’s Kingdom in Ordinary Days22:27 – Encountering the Sacred at the Kitchen Sink23:54 – You Are Doing Kingdom Work: A Mindset Shift#unseenmotherhood #motheringishard #sacredordinary #faithfulparenting #momlife #familydiscipleship #shaleneroberts #christythomas #littleshootsdeeproots #christianparenting #spiritualformation #kingdommotherhood

Dragons & Giants in the Bible | Faith, Adventure & Biblical Truth for Christian Families (with Laurie Christine)Why does the Bible mention dragons and giants—and what do these legendary creatures have to do with the gospel and courageous faith?In this epic episode of Little Shoots, Deep Roots, Christie Thomas welcomes special guest Laurie Christine—mom of four boys, creator of the Dragon Slayer Bible series, and host of the Sword and Story podcast—to unravel the mysteries behind dragons and giants in Scripture. Discover how these symbols point to deep truths about God, evil, and spiritual battles our families face today.From Genesis to Revelation, this conversation explores why kids are captivated by heroic stories, how dragons and giants appear throughout ancient cultures, and how the Bible uses these creatures to highlight God’s ultimate power and the heart of the gospel.You’ll discover:• Where dragons and giants really show up in the Bible• What ancient myths got wrong—and how the biblical story is different• The link between dragons, the serpent in Eden, and spiritual warfare• How heroic stories can ignite your kids’ curiosity about Scripture• Simple ways to foster biblical courage, imagination, and faith in your family• Why Laurie Christine wrote adventure-based biblical fiction for boys (and girls!)• Practical tips for parents using fiction to spark gospel-centered conversationsWhether you’re a Christian parent, homeschooler, grandparent, or kids’ ministry leader, this episode will equip you with ideas for helping children see the wonders, battles, and beauty of God’s story in the Bible.Big faith often grows from small wonders—curious questions about giants, brave knights, and a God who conquers every dragon. Nourish your child’s imagination and root them deeply in biblical truth.🔗 ⁠EPISODE PAGE (with book links and notes)⁠📖 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Dragon Slayer Bible series: https://dragonslayerbible.comSword and Story Podcast: https://lauriechristine.com/swordandstoryCompanion Devotionals & Family Resources: Linked on episode page00:00 Welcome & Introduction00:14 Meet Laurie Christine01:26 Why Dragons? Myth vs. Bible04:26 Dragon Imagery in Ancient Cultures05:22 Dragons at the Heart of the Gospel08:26 Why Kids Love Dragons & Giants09:33 Dragons in Fictional Bible Stories12:13 Seth, Cherubim, and Adventure14:22 Giants, Goliath, and the Nephilites18:35 Shem & the World Before the Flood22:56 Which Parts Are Fact or Fiction?24:08 Devotionals for Going Deeper25:52 Inspiring Courage & Spiritual WarfareSubscribe for more Christian parenting inspiration and practical faith-building tools!#christianparenting #biblicalfiction #raisingboys #familydiscipleship #spiritualwarfare #christianfamily #biblestories #kidsfaith #adventurebooks #faithfilledkids #giantsinthebible #dragonsinthebible #homeschoolmom #bibleforkids #christianimagination