Are we living in the most anxious generation ever? In this powerful and hope-filled conversation, Max Lucado joins us to talk about anxiety, mental health, and the unseen struggles so many kids and teens are facing today—and what parents can do about it.

With constant access to phones, social media, and nonstop information, anxiety often shows up sideways in our kids through anger, withdrawal, or fear. Max explains what’s happening in the brain, why anxiety feels like an alarm that never shuts off, and how parents can become a soft place to land when emotions run high.

We also talk about the importance of parents addressing anxiety in their own lives, how worry steals joy and peace, and why our presence (not perfection) is what God desires most. Max shares encouragement for praying parents, reminding us that Jesus never turned away a parent who asked for help for their child. Here is some of what we cover:

• Why today’s kids are facing unprecedented levels of anxiety
• The physical and emotional toll of chronic worry
• Why a parent’s physical presence matters more than we realize
• Max Lucado’s personal faith journey and what God taught him about presence over performance

• Instagram: Max Lucado (@maxlucado)
• Facebook: Max Lucado
• Website: Max Lucado

Links Mentioned:

• Calm Thoughts for Kids: 90 devotions for Anxious Days
• Tame Your Thoughts: By Max Lucado
• Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado
• Hermie Series–Buzby and the Grumble Bees
• **SIGN UP to Join Heather and Megan at Pro Love Saturday for Embrace Grace

• Life Empowered by the Holy Spirit :: Max Lucado [Ep 381]
• You Are Never Alone :: Max Lucado [Ep 298]
• From Overwhelmed to Anchored: Replacing the Lies of Motherhood with God’s Truth :: Erica Gwynn [Ep 544]

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My friend and Sidetracked podcast co-host, Cynthia Yanof, joins me to discuss her new book, How’d I Miss That?

Cynthia shares hilarious and poignant stories about family and kids that help uncover deeper truths—reminding us that God has a plan, and there’s no formula for this parenting journey. We often stress over things that feel big at the moment, like preschool registration or making the “right” sports team, but what really matters is having an eternal perspective—focusing on who our kids are becoming at 25 and who we are becoming as parents. In this episode, we talk about:

• How to pray audacious, faith-filled prayers over our kids
• Trusting the process, even when it doesn’t make sense in the moment
• Why not all friendships are meant for every season of parenting—and being intentional about your inner circle
• And we wrap up with some fun hosting tips from Cynthia

• Instagram: Cynthia Wilkinson Yanof (@cynthiayanof)
• Website: Cynthia Yanof

Links Mentioned:

• How’d I Miss That?: By Cynthia Yanof
• Sidetracked - Podcast - Apple Podcasts
• Draw the Circle: By Mark Batterson
• Pre-order Cynthia’s book and then fill out this form to join us LIVE on Jan 27th at 7:30 pm CST

• The Goal Isn’t Happy Children :: Cynthia Yanof – Summer of Mentorship – Wk 6 [Ep 419]
• The Unicorn That is Adult Friendship :: Cynthia Yanof – Summer of Mentorship – Wk 3 [Ep 416]
• Raising Kids Who Can Stand Alone :: Cynthia Yanof -Summer of Mentorship-Wk 2 [Ep 415]

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• Relationships and people skills: The strength of your relationships depends on the skills you bring into them.
• Communication matters: In a tech-driven world, real-life interactions with tone, body language, and facial expressions are more important than ever.
• Understanding communication styles: Learn the four types—assertive, aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive—and how to navigate them.
• Practical tips for being a great conversationalist: Honor your story, honor theirs, and create space for give-and-take in relationships.

• Instagram: Debra Fileta
• Facebook: Debra Fileta Truelovedates.com
• Website: Debra Fileta, M.A. LPC (@debrafileta)

• Soul Care: By Debra Fileta
• People Skills: By Debra Fileta
• Talk To Me: The Debra Fileta Podcast

• When Friendships Get Messy: Healing, Humor and Finding Your Chicken-Fried Women :: Melissa Radke [Ep 519]
• Important Topics to Cover with Tweens and Teens about Manners, Technology and Friendship :: Lee Cordon [Ep 408]
• Helping Our Kids Foster Friendships :: David Thomas and Sissy Goff [Ep 338]

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