174 episodes

Parent with confidence. Lead with grace.

Connected Families Podcast Connected Families

    • Kids & Family
    • 4.9 • 367 Ratings

Parent with confidence. Lead with grace.

    Max Lucado: Just In Case You Ever Feel Alone

    Max Lucado: Just In Case You Ever Feel Alone

    Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Max Lucado about loneliness and his new children’s book, Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone.















    Feelings of isolation and loneliness are increasingly common, and the need for meaningful connection and reassurance is becoming more pressing than ever. In our recent conversation with pastor and author Max Lucado, we shared that 61% of Americans and an overwhelming 80% of those under 18 report experiences of loneliness. This growing epidemic of feeling isolated not only affects our mental health but also touches our spiritual well-being.







    In the midst of this reality, in his gentle style, Max offers insights into the nature of loneliness and asks us to consider it from a spiritual perspective. He emphasizes the value of equipping young children with the vocabulary to express this complex emotion. His latest children’s book, Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone, helps children better understand that loneliness is a shared human experience.







    Pastor Max encourages people experiencing loneliness to pray using scripture, and he highlights the promises of Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,” and Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” These biblical assurances are not just words but anchors for the soul that offer stability and hope.







    To wrap up the conversation, Pastor Max read a passage from his book for our listeners. Through the tender narrative, his words aim to reassure young readers of the comforting presence of their parents and caregivers, as well as God, who is always with them. His words serve as a gentle reminder that no matter how isolated we may feel, we are all continually held in God’s care.







    Mentioned in this podcast:









    * Enter to win Max’s new book and a stuffed bear







    * Bridge the Gap! Support the work of Connected Families to equip parents today.







    * Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone by Max Lucado







    * Matthew 28:20







    * Hebrews 13:5







    * “Must-Know Loneliness Statistics”







    * “Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Consequences and Mechanisms“









    Got a minute? Rate and review our podcast on your favorite platform!







    Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting.







    Guest Bio:







    Max Lucado is known for combining poetic storytelling and homespun humor withthe heart of a pastor.

    Holy Week Activities to Nurture Faith in Kids of All Ages

    Holy Week Activities to Nurture Faith in Kids of All Ages

    In this episode, Stacy Bellward (podcast host) and Katie Wetsell (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) offer insights on how to engage children in the Easter story, emphasizing the Resurrection’s significance through traditions and conversation. They provide age-appropriate scripts for explaining Jesus’ sacrifice and suggest inclusive activities like the Resurrection Sunday Rock Hunt to make the concepts of sin and redemption tangible for kids. The key message is that Easter traditions, when intertwined with faith, can deepen everyone’s understanding and foster a sense of community and belonging.















    Mentioned in this podcast:









    * Resurrection Sunday Rock Hunt Guide – Free, downloadable PDF provides a step-by-step guide to a meaningful family activity that helps children understand the significance of Easter.







    * John 14:1-3







    * Romans 3:23









    Previous episodes featuring Certified Connected Families Parent Coach, Katie Wetsell









    * Ep 165 | Tame Your Temper: Calming Strategies for Parents







    * Ep 99 | How Can I Identify Anxiety in My Child?







    * Ep 124 | Empowering Your Differently Wired Child









    Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting.







    Bridge the Gap! Donate to Connected Families by March 31st to make a meaningful impact for families in the coming year!







    Guest Bio:







    Katie Wetsell is the Connected Families online course moderator. She is also a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, pediatric nurse, and mom of four through birth and adoption. She is passionate about encouraging and empowering parents to love their families with confidence and connection. Building on her bedside experience, she has also been trained in SPACE treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) to help parents support their children in overcoming anxiety. Her website is www.parentwithhope.org, and you can find her on social media @parentwithhopecoach.







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    • 33 min
    Bonus: Supporting Grieving Families in Your Community

    Bonus: Supporting Grieving Families in Your Community

    Join us for this special bonus episode where Stacy invites community members and ministry leaders to explore the delicate and important topic of supporting children and families in times of grief. Stacy is joined by Cindy Wilson, Connected Families Partnership Program Manager, and Stacey Rodenbeck, who shares her personal experience with grief. Together, they offer practical advice and compassionate insights to help ministry leaders (and everyone else) approach these difficult situations with confidence and care.















    Mentioned in this podcast:









    * Ep 169 | How to Navigate Grief in Children







    * Partnership Program – Sign up for a Discovery Session to find out more!







    * My Child’s Loved One Died; What Should I Do Now?









    Was this episode helpful? Consider sharing it with a ministry leader in your life!







    Bridge the Gap! Donate to Connected Families by March 31st to make a meaningful impact for families in the coming year!







    Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting.







    Guest Bio:







    Cindy Wilson, PhD., CFLE, is a Certified Connected Families Parent Coach and a Certified Family Life Educator with 20+ years in ministry and academia. She helps churches and other organizations integrate the Connected Families Framework into their communities. Cindy lives in Florida with her husband of 31 years. They have three adult children, one son-in-law, one grandson, and a farm full of animals. Cindy’s specialties include leading parenting workshops on the Connected Families Framework and other topics, training children’s ministry volunteers, helping churches integrate trauma-informed practices into their ministries, and organizing church-based foster care ministries. You can find out more at http://www.familylifesolutions.org.







    Stacey Rodenbeck is the widowed mother of Susan (almost 5) and Chris (3.5). The Rodenbecks live in Central Arkansas, where Stacey is employed as an Associate Professor of Biology at Harding University. Since the death of her husband in 2020, Stacey has focused on developing a robust relationship with her children that positions the three of them to operate as a team. They enjoy cooking and baking together as a family, reading aloud, and hiking, and they have recently delved into playing board games together. (Candyland is the family favorite right now!) Stacey is thankful to God for the new mercies of each new morning as she seeks to guide her children and fully embrace the people God created them to be.















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    Learn more about the Framework







    Want to dig deeper into Connected Families’ Parenting Framework? Get our FREE ebook, 4 Messages Every Child Longs to Hear.

    • 33 min
    How to Navigate Grief in Children

    How to Navigate Grief in Children

    Children experience grief in all different forms. If you’re walking through grief with your kids, tune in to this grace-filled chat with our guest, Stacey Rodenbeck. Stacey, a widowed mother of two young children, shares her personal experience of grief and how she has used the Connected Families Framework to navigate parenting while grieving. The conversation covers the unique circumstances of parenting grieving children, the importance of safety and connection, and the role of coaching and accountability in parenting. Stacey’s story and insights provide valuable guidance for parents who are navigating grief while raising their children.















    Mentioned in this podcast:









    * Isaiah 43:1-3







    * Blog post: My Child’s Loved One Died; What Do I Do Now?







    * Transform Bedtime Struggles Into Nighttime Snuggles ebook









    Was this conversation helpful to you? Share it with a friend, and rate and review the show on your favorite listening platform!







    Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting.







    Bridge the Gap! Donate to Connected Families by March 31st to make a meaningful impact for families in the coming year!







    Guest Bio:







    Stacey Rodenbeck is the widowed mother of Susan (almost 5) and Chris (3.5). The Rodenbecks live in Central Arkansas, where Stacey is employed as an Associate Professor of Biology at Harding University. Since the death of her husband in 2020, Stacey has focused on developing a robust relationship with her children that positions the three of them to operate as a team. They enjoy cooking and baking together as a family, reading aloud, and hiking, and they have recently delved into playing board games together. (Candyland is the family favorite right now!) Stacey is thankful to God for the new mercies of each new morning as she seeks to guide her children and fully embrace the people God created them to be.















    .stk-8z4ly7a{background-image:url(https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/iStock-1073040070-2-compressed-scaled.jpg) !important}.stk-8z4ly7a-container{background-color:transparent !important}.stk-8z4ly7a-container:before{background-color:transparent !important}





    .stk-vygfxws .stk-block-heading__text{font-size:44px !important;color:#f7eb9f !important}@media screen and (max-width:1023px){.stk-vygfxws .stk-block-heading__text{font-size:44px !important}}Transform Bedtime Struggles into Nighttime Snuggles







    .stk-ytnot01 .stk-block-heading__text{font-size:44px !important;color:#f7eb9f !important}@media screen and (max-width:1023px){.stk-ytnot01 .stk-block-heading__text{font-size:44px !important}}Transform Bedtime Struggles into Nighttime Snuggles











    .stk-2uvq9a1 .stk-block-text__text{color:var(--theme-palette-color-8,#ffffff) !important}If bedtime feels like a battle zone, it’s time to change. This short and FREE ebook empowers you to transform the bedtime routine.

    • 38 min
    Questions & Doubts: When Your Child’s Faith Is Uncertain

    Questions & Doubts: When Your Child’s Faith Is Uncertain

    If your child has serious doubts or has walked away from their faith, it can be scary. Together with parent coaches Bonnie Williams and Chad Hayenga, we explore parenting through a child’s spiritual doubts or unbelief. Chad and Bonnie share the importance of fostering open dialogue through thoughtful questions and building a foundation of connection, emotional safety, and unconditional love. Tune in to this heartfelt discussion to equip yourself with the knowledge and encouragement needed to support your child’s faith journey, acknowledging that their doubts or unbelief can be an essential part of developing a resilient and personal faith.







    (Note: The use of “they/them” language is related to privacy, not identity.)















    Mentioned in this podcast:









    * Connected Families Partnership Program







    * Parent Coach Certification Program







    * Power of Questions online course







    * Ephesians 3:18-19







    * Luke 15:17







    * Bridge the Gap – Donate to support Connected Families today!









    Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting.







    Guest Bio:







    Bonnie Williams has a Master of Education in Special Education and is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach. She is a wife and the mother of 3 young adults. Bonnie has supported students with learning and behavior challenges for over 25 years, specializing in working with parents with children ages 3 to 15. Helping families apply the Connected Families Framework is what Bonnie is passionate about. By doing this they can learn new strategies to grow in wisdom and help lead them in having peaceful, grace-filled homes. You can reach her by email at newpathways65@gmail.com.















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    .stk-zwxljr6 .stk-block-heading__text{color:#FFFFFF !important}Less arguing. More wisdom.







    .stk-5auh847 .stk-block-text__text{color:#FFFFFF !important}That’s what you get with the Power of Questions online course.







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    • 30 min
    Kids’ Arguments: Establish Peace with 4 Steps

    Kids’ Arguments: Establish Peace with 4 Steps

    If your kids’ bickering ever drives you bonkers, you’ll want to hear this fresh perspective with our guest and certified parent coach, Megan Thorp. Stacy and Megan unpack the Connected Families’ approach to transform kids’ arguments into opportunities to build lifelong skills. You’ll learn the four-step process to help bring peace to your home and guide your kids toward true reconciliation.















    Mentioned in this podcast:









    * Calming for Parents Free PDF







    * Calming for Kids Free PDF







    * Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches







    * The Peace Process Diagram







    * Ep 140 | Restoring Relationships: Empowering Kids to Want to Reconcile and Heal







    * Ep 110 | Why “Calm Down!” Doesn’t Work







    * Sibling Conflict online course







    * Power of Questions online course









    Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting.







    Your donation fuels our work! Make a donation to Connected Families today.







    Guest Bio:







    Megan is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach as well as an instructor for coaches in training. She and her husband have been married for 18 years and have 3 kids. Megan loves to come alongside parents to help them gain confidence and equip them to lead their families. She is passionate about parents creating an environment in their home where everyone feels valued and connected and equipping parents with skills to build a relationship with their kids that will last long after they leave home. Seeing misbehavior and especially sibling conflict as a golden opportunity to show Christ’s love and disciple her kids has been a game changer for her in her parenting. You can connect with her for coaching at meganlthorp@gmail.com.

















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    .stk-4iz4y8q .stk-block-heading__text{color:var(--theme-palette-color-2,#98c1d9) !important}Do you want more peace at home?











    .stk-9qnyd55 .stk-block-text__text{color:var(--theme-palette-color-8,#ffffff) !important}And for your kids to enjoy each other?







    .stk-dvgxsbw .stk-block-text__text{color:var(--theme-palette-color-8,#ffffff) !important}And to reconcile when they hurt each other?







    .stk-56xxnzk .stk-block-heading__text{color:var(--theme-palette-color-8,#ffffff) !important}If peace is your goal, take the Sibling Conflict online course.









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    • 40 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
367 Ratings

367 Ratings

Lovemesometruth ,

Help that was NEEDED

I couldn’t raise my twins without the help of this podcast!

Justamommadoingherbest ,

Love this content

I come to Connected Families podcasts over and over again - have found every message to have at least one thing to take away or consider as I navigate the challenges of parenting and other relationships. Love the scripture based content and am so grateful to have found this ministry!

Hsuehwen ,

Must-have

This podcast is a must-have for whoever is struggling to be a godly parents but have no godly model.

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