Hey friends,

You know those conversations that feel like sunshine and strong coffee at the same time? That’s what today’s episode is. I’m sitting down with the one and only Cynthia Yanof, OG host of the Pardon the Mess podcast and someone who knows how to bring laughter, truth, and grace into every room she walks into.

We’re talking about her brand new book, How’d I Miss That? and it’s all about those holy “aha” moments, when something you've heard a million times in Scripture suddenly lands differently and stirs your heart in a new way. If you've been craving encouragement that’s both lighthearted and deeply rooted, this episode is for you.

Here’s what we unpack:

• Why love is the Christian brand and how we often forget that
• How mustard seed moments can shape your legacy as a parent
• What it means to live your faith in ordinary, everyday ways
• How to create a personal “Mount Rushmore” to guide your parenting and faith

It’s hopeful. It’s hilarious. And it will make you want to lean in just a little closer to Jesus today.

Cynthia is a speaker, author, and podcast host passionate about encouraging parents to pursue Jesus in the middle of the mess. She’s the original host of Pardon the Mess and now serves as a frequent voice in the Christian Parenting community. Her latest book, How’d I Miss That?, is all about rediscovering the simple but powerful truths of our faith that we often overlook. Cynthia lives in Texas with her husband and kids and brings wisdom wrapped in wit wherever she goes.

Let’s keep choosing the small things, because they’re often the big things in disguise.

With love,

Steph

(00:00) Welcome Back and Introduction

(03:11) Navigating Parenting and Faith

(05:45) How'd I Miss That? Moments in Faith

(09:00) The Importance of Love in Our Lives

(12:11) Parenting Perspectives: Lessons Learned

(14:51) The Mustard Seed Mistake

(18:03) Building a Personal Mount Rushmore

(21:01) The Impact of Small Acts of Love

(24:00) Conclusion and Resources

Connect with Cynthia

Website

https://www.instagram.com/cynthiayanof/

MESSmerized podcast

Sidetracked podcast

Feeding the Mouth that Bites You podcast

Resources Mentioned

How’d I Miss That? book

Sign up for Morning Minute

Christian Parenting

Dwell Bible in a Year

Prefer video? Find this and other episodes on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Hey friends,

You know those conversations you know are important, but they still feel a little intimidating to start? That’s exactly what we’re diving into today. In this episode, I’m joined by Erin Kerry who’s bravely sharing her story and helping us hold space for the hard things, especially when it comes to mental health in our homes.

As parents, we’re often navigating silent battles, whether it’s our own struggles or the ones our kids are facing. And while it might feel easier to push through or avoid the topic altogether, what if we could learn to meet it with grace, faith, and even some practical tools?

Here are a few takeaways from today’s conversation:

• The importance of naming emotions and removing the shame from mental health conversations
• How nutrition and nervous system regulation play a vital role in healing and well-being
• Why spiritual and emotional health can walk hand-in-hand
• Encouragement for when you’re in the thick of it faith, community, and rest are not optional luxuries, they’re lifelines

I’m praying this episode feels like a warm cup of tea and a deep exhale. You’re not alone, friend.

Erin is a writer, speaker, and serves as an Integrative Health Coach at Living Well Counseling and Wellness Center in Tyler, Texas. Diagnosed with PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder as a young adult, Erin has spent years learning how to live with resilience, faith, and grace.

Here’s to sparking healing and honest conversations in your family and beyond.

With Love,

Steph

(06:01) The Role of Faith in Healing

(11:55) Living Beyond Labels in Mental Health

(17:51) Navigating Anxiety and Its Protective Nature

(20:46) Nervous System Regulation and Co-Regulation

(22:54) Understanding Anxiety and Its Physical Roots

(25:51) Navigating Conversations on Mental Health

(30:01) The Intersection of Nutrition and Mental Health

(34:51) Practical Tools for Holistic Mental Health

Connect with Erin

Website

Sparking Wholeness podcast

Instagram

Resources Mentioned

Live Beyond Your Label book

Dwell Bible in a Year

Sign up for Morning Minute

Christian Parenting

Prefer video? Find this and other episodes on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Hey friends,

If you’ve ever looked at the world and thought, “This is too much, I don’t even know where to start,” you are not alone. Culture is moving at warp speed, and as Christian parents, it can feel impossible to keep up, let alone know how to guide our kids through it all with clarity, calm, and conviction.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my Denison Ministries teammates and friends, Connor Jones and Micah Tomasella. These two are not only culture watchers and podcast hosts, but they’re also dads in the thick of raising littles, so they get it. Together, we talk about how to engage culture without being consumed by it, and how to stay grounded when the headlines won’t stop coming.

Here’s what we cover:

• How to decide what’s actually worth paying attention to (and what you can ignore)
• How to enjoy entertainment and trends without letting them become idols
• Why biblical grounding matters more than having all the right answers
• How to have conversations with your kids that don’t feel like lectures

This one is practical, honest, and encouraging, especially if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, out of your depth, or tempted to just check out entirely.

Connor Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing and Micah Tomasella is the Director of Advancement at Denison Ministries. Together, they host The Culture Brief podcast, where they break down what’s happening in the world and how to think about it through a biblical lens. Both are young dads navigating the same parenting pressures and culture shifts that many of us face daily. Their goal? Help Christians stay rooted in truth while walking wisely in a noisy world.

Let’s keep showing up with curiosity, courage, and grace. You don’t have to know everything, just stay rooted.

With love,

Steph

(00:00) Introduction to the Hosts and Their Backgrounds

(04:54) Navigating Culture as Parents

(11:15) Engaging with Cultural Moments

(14:49) Discussing Cultural Events with Kids

(19:08) Fostering Healthy Conversations about Culture

(19:48) Navigating Theological Questions with Children

(22:14) The Importance of Open Dialogue in Parenting

(26:06) Equipping Ourselves for Cultural Conversations

(28:24) Encouragement for Overwhelmed Parents

(32:42) Trusting God's Plan in Parenting

Resources Mentioned

Dwell Bible in a Year

Give to Christian Parenting

Sign up for Morning Minute

Christian Parenting

Culture Brief Podcast

Denison Forum

Denison Ministries

Prefer video? Find this and other episodes on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Hey Friends!

I’ve never done a solo episode before, but Christmas felt like the right time to try. In the middle of a season that can feel loud, full, emotional, and a little overwhelming, this episode is an invitation to take just ten minutes to pause and breathe and remember the gift that never fades.

Whether your home feels busy and chaotic or quiet and tender this year, remember Emmanuel, God with us.

Through Scripture, simple family traditions, and honest encouragement, this episode is for weary parents who want to love their kids well and keep Jesus at the center without feeling pressure to get everything just right.

With love,

Steph Thurling

P.S. Please consider making a year-end gift to Christian Parenting to help us create more encouraging, faith-filled podcast episodes for families in every season.

Prefer video? Find more episodes on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Let’s talk about Christmas. Not just the cozy traditions or the sparkling lights, but the actual story of what happened in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago.

This week on the podcast, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Lee Strobel and together we explore the deeper truths of the nativity story, why the details matter, and how we can share that with our kids in a way that builds their faith.

Here are a few highlights from our conversation:

• Why understanding the virgin birth is crucial to understanding who Jesus really is
• The difference between the cultural version of Christmas and what Scripture actually says
• How to talk to kids about the parts of the story that might confuse them (like the wise men and the timeline!)
• And yes, we even touch on Santa and how to navigate that as Christian parents

Lee Strobel is a former legal editor for the Chicago Tribune and a New York Times bestselling author of more than forty books, including The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith. After investigating the claims of Christianity as an atheist, he became a follower of Jesus and now speaks and writes to help others explore faith with confidence. His newest book, The Case for Christmas, explores the historical and biblical evidence behind the nativity story.

Whether you’ve heard the Christmas story a hundred times or are learning it with your kids for the first time, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of awe.

(00:00) From Atheism to Faith: Lee Strobel's Journey

(03:00) The Cultural Significance of Christmas

(05:47) Revisiting the Nativity Story: Myths vs. Reality

(09:04) Understanding the Virgin Birth

(12:12) The Role of the Magi in the Christmas Story

(14:56) The Importance of Context in Biblical Narratives

(18:05) The Legacy of Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus

(20:47) Celebrating Christmas with Children

(24:01) The True Meaning of Christmas

Connect with Lee

LeeStrobel.com

Lee Strobel X

Case For Christmas

Resources Mentioned

Lee’s books

Case For Christmas

Christian Parenting resources

The Christian Parenting Podcast: Faith, apologetics, and the supernatural with Lee Strobel

Support Christian Parenting

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

The lights are twinkling, the carols are playing, and everything should feel magical... but sometimes, it just doesn’t. Whether your kids are navigating big feelings of disappointment or you're trying to balance joy and weariness in your own heart, this conversation is for you.

This week I’m joined by author and speaker Sheila Walsh, and we’re talking about what really matters this Christmas: God’s love, Emmanuel with us, and how to guide our children through holiday letdowns with grace, presence, and prayer.

Here are just a few things we talked about:

• How to help kids walk through disappointment (even when they don’t get the part they wanted in the play)
• Why our prayers for our children matter more than any gift we could ever wrap
• Simple ways to re-center your home on Jesus in a culture that’s always asking for more
• How unmet expectations can be invitations to discover God's love more deeply

Sheila’s brand-new picture book, The Little Drummer Girl, tells a beautiful story about a child who doesn’t get what she wants… and instead finds the joy of giving to Jesus. It’s such a special book to read together this season. You can find the link in the show notes!

Sheila Walsh is a best-selling author, Bible teacher, speaker, and co-host of TBN’s Praise. She has written over 50 books for women and children, including It’s Okay Not to Be Okay, Holding On When You Want to Let Go, and The Storm Inside. Her new book, The Little Drummer Girl, is a heartwarming Christmas story for kids about faith, giving, and the love of Jesus.

So whether you’re on your third cup of cocoa or hiding wrapping paper in the closet, I hope this episode wraps around you like a warm blanket and reminds you: Jesus is with us. That’s what matters most.

(00:00) Embracing the Christmas Spirit

(02:52) Sheila Walsh: A Journey of Faith and Family

(05:59) The Heart of Christmas: Lessons from Isabella

(08:59) Navigating Disappointments: Teaching Kids Resilience

(12:06) The Power of Prayer in Parenting

(15:05) Finding Joy in Community and Service

(18:13) Understanding God's Love and Forgiveness

(20:47) The Impact of Prayer Across Generations

(24:08) Celebrating God's Plan in Our Lives

(26:54) The Gift of Christmas: Sharing God's Love

Connect with Sheila

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Better Together show

Resources Mentioned

The Little Drummer Girl book

Christian Parenting resources

Christian Parenting Christmas Gift Guide

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Let’s be honest, parenting can feel incredibly isolating at times. Whether you're in a full house or navigating solo moments between the chaos, it’s easy to feel like no one really sees what you're carrying. But here’s the good news: you were never meant to do this alone. This week’s conversation is a beautiful reminder of that truth.

I had the joy of sitting down with Elisa Morgan. And let me tell you, her wisdom is like a warm hug and a pep talk wrapped in one. We talked all about community: the kind that meets us in our mess, challenges us with grace, and reminds us we’re not the only ones still figuring this out.

Here’s what you’ll take away from our time together:

• Why showing up as you are is the key to finding meaningful friendships
• How biblical community helps us grow spiritually and emotionally
• What to do when you feel disconnected or unseen
• Ways to nurture authentic relationships in every season of motherhood

Elisa is a speaker, author, and podcaster with Our Daily Bread Ministries, and formerly served as president of MOPS International (now MomCo). She has a deep passion for encouraging women through honest stories of faith and motherhood. Elisa’s personal experience of brokenness and grace infuses her work with incredible hope and healing.

I hope this episode helps you feel just a little more seen—and reminds you that you are never parenting alone.

(00:00) Introduction to Community and Personal Stories

(03:05) The Importance of Community in Parenting

(06:06) Navigating Changing Friendships

(09:12) The Role of Scripture in Community

(11:52) Encouragement for Women to Reach Out

(14:57) Building Relationships with Non-Christians

(18:00) Final Thoughts on Parenting and Community

Connect with Elisa

Instagram

God Hears Her podcast

Blog

Website

Resources Mentioned

God Hears Her podcast

MomCo

Christian Parenting resources

Christian Parenting Christmas Gift Guide

Fizzlebop Super Science Board Books

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Hey friend,

We all know the ache of unanswered prayer, the kind that keeps us up at 2 a.m., whispering desperate prayers into the dark.

This week on the podcast, I sat down with Kara Stout, who knows that ache all too well. From infertility and adoption to financial stress and deep grief, Kara’s story is one of wrestling with disappointment, surrendering expectations, and still choosing to trust a good and faithful God.

This conversation is for anyone who’s walked through the valley and wondered if God was still near. Kara gently reminds us: He is. Even when it hurts.

Here are a few things we talk about:

• What it looks like to pray through grief instead of performing for God
• How to hold space for fear, faith, and surrender at the same time
• The simple but powerful gift of morning and evening prayer rhythms
• Why honesty with God invites deeper healing

Kara Stout is a writer, speaker, wife, and mom who has walked through more than her share of heartache, but she’s also found the beauty of God’s nearness in it all. Her new devotional, An Untroubled Heart, is a 30-day prayer guide to help you start and end your days grounded in God’s presence. She is passionate about helping women grow deeper roots of faith even in hard seasons.

Let this episode remind you that unanswered prayer doesn’t mean unseen pain—and healing often begins in the honesty of the wait.

With love,

Steph

Connect with Kara

KaraStout.com

Instagram

Facebook

Resources Mentioned

An Untroubled Heart book

Christian Parenting resources

Christian Parenting Christmas Gift Guide

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org