Connected Families Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Impact: The Unexpected Global Parenting Movement Changing Lives Worldwide Jul 21, 2025

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In this exciting episode, we explore how Connected Families has evolved from a Minnesota-based ministry into a global parenting resource for families worldwide. Host Stacy Bellward, along with Chad Hayenga, Connected Families Education and Equipping Director, is “visiting” other countries to share with you the impact the Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches are having on a global scale. Listen in to hear the testimony of how grace-centered, gospel-focused parenting translates across cultures. Key Takeaways: The story behind an “accidental” global movement of Connected Families How an Ethiopian workshop drew 450 leaders Hear how our God is answering Finnish believers’ prayers for revival Mentioned in this podcast: Connected Families Certified Parent Coaching Program Connected Families Workshop Speakers Connected Families Ministry Partnership Program Blog post: Culturally-Sensitive Biblical Parenting Resources Our Parent Hood podcast (Philippines) Family Life Canada Visit our website for additional resources to support your parenting needs. Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!* Guest Bio: Chad Hayenga joined Connected Families in 2005. He is married to Carma and has three adult daughters and two sons-in-law. Chad oversees parent coaching and the Parent Coach Certification Program, which continues to grow in its reach across North America and worldwide. © 2025 Connected Families

Conflict Resolution for Kids: Take Advantage of Summer to Hone These Priceless Skills Jul 14, 2025

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Everybody needs conflict resolution skills, but it shows up particularly for kids during the summer when they've got more free time to hang out with siblings and neighbors. What does conflict resolution for kids look like? Today we're welcoming back Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches Nicole Gillette and Lyssa Stoyko to discuss how to view summer as an ideal opportunity to teach your kids conflict resolution skills. They walk us through the practical, four-step peace process that takes the overwhelm out of conflict. In this episode, you’ll learn how to guide your kids from crazy mountain to reconciliation meadow! Check out this video preview for what you'll learn in this podcast. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P9DzGI4SSPM Key Points: Sometimes we can have unhelpful beliefs about conflict, and it can be encouraging to shift those beliefs toward viewing conflict as an opportunity for growth. The peace process helps us move our kids from "Crazy Mountain" to "Reconciliation Meadow." Parents are responsible for teaching and guiding children through conflict, but the conflicts are theirs to resolve. Helping siblings see and focus on the good about each other can be helpful when relationships are in need of connection. Mentioned in this podcast: Beyond Boredom: Creating Rhythms with Your Kids in Mind | Ep. 236 BLOGPOST: Siblings Arguing Again? Here's 3 Tips to Help You Know When to Step In and Help Your Kids BLOGPOST: Have You Experienced the Benefits of Child-Led Play? Sibling Conflict Online Course Connected Families Certified Parent Coaching Program Calming Strategies from the Connected Families Website Visit our website for additional resources to support your parenting needs. Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!* Guest Bio: Lyssa Stoyko is a wife, foster, and adoptive mama of three children who are six, six and a half, and seven years old. Her house is active and noisy! She is also a Connected Famlies Certified Coach. Along with her parent coaching company, she hosts the podcast “Moms Take Ten.” Nicole Gillette is a teacher, Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, and founder of the non-profit Raising Wonder, with experience supporting educators, families, and children. After working for over a decade in a wide variety of schools, Nicole now focuses on equipping adults with tools for connection, communication, and confidence as they raise and love the kids in their lives. She is also helping lead a local nonprofit that offers an indoor playspace designed to foster community and play-based learning for young children and their caregivers. Nicole is a mom of two kids! You can also find Raising Wonder on Facebook and Instagram. © 2025 Connected Families

Beyond Summer Boredom: Creating Rhythms With Your Kids In Mind Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Through today’s podcast, feel equipped with parenting ideas that transform chaotic summer days and summer boredom into opportunities for family connection and growth. In this episode, host Stacy Bellward interviews Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches Nicole Gillette and Lyssa Stoyko. They share real-world and practical wisdom for summer success with kids at home during the break. Check out this video preview for what you'll learn in this podcast! https://youtube.com/shorts/NTcV0awXV0Y?si=-z570-2HYqmT-RpU Key Points: Acknowledging your beliefs and expectations about summer can mean addressing how it looks different from what you expected, and that’s okay. Maintaining routines and flexible structure can help kids during the summer Scheduling activities that intentionally help posture your family for success by balancing what they need and what you are able to provide as a parent Using questions and narration can be really helpful during challenging times of transition Mentioned in this podcast: The Peace Process Sibling Conflict Online Course (use coupon code: Sibling19 to take the course for $19) Power of Questions Online Course Luke 8:22-25 Visit our website for additional resources to support your parenting needs.Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!* Guest Bio: Lyssa Stoyko is a wife, foster, and adoptive mama of three children who are six, six and a half, and seven years old. Her house is active and noisy! Along with her parent coaching company, she hosts the podcast "Moms Take Ten." Nicole Gillette is a teacher, Connected Families certified parent coach, and founder of the non-profit Raising Wonder, with experience supporting educators, families, and children. After working for over a decade in a wide variety of schools, Nicole now focuses on equipping adults with tools for connection, communication, and confidence as they raise and love the kids in their lives. She is also helping lead a local nonprofit that offers an indoor playspace designed to foster community and play-based learning for young children and their caregivers. Nicole is a mom of two kids! You can also find Raising Wonder on Facebook and Instagram. © 2025 Connected Families

Move Beyond Homeschool Stress: Practical Ideas That Promote Peace Jun 23, 2025

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Homeschooling can be delightful, beautiful, and an amazing privilege! It can also be hard. You can move beyond homeschool stress and experience peace in your home. Today we've got Marni Love and Amy Nyvall, homeschool moms and Connected Families certified parent coaches, here to address the real challenges homeschool families face daily. From sibling conflicts, pushback during lessons, and the toxic beliefs about ourselves and our children, they share vulnerable stories and practical strategies for creating a peaceful learning environment. This episode serves as an introduction to their upcoming LIVE Homeschooling Webinar "Homeschool Discipline: 4 Ways to Cultivate Calm, Connection, and Confidence". In the webinar they'll dive deeper into practical tools for homeschool families seeking to apply the Connected Families Framework. Key Points: Common challenges homeschool families face that are different than the ideals in our minds Replacing toxic beliefs about yourself and your children with grace-filled truths that you review regularly Practical strategies for handling pushback and emotional moments during lessons How the concept of "slow, low, and listen" can help families when tensions rise during the day Creating margin in your school day for connection and conflict resolution Mentioned in this podcast: Connected Families Parent Coach Certification Program Sensitive & Intense Kids online course FREE PDF: Slow/Low/Listen You Lost Your Temper with Your Child: How to Make Things Better Again Marni Love Website Learn more about Amy Nyvall: Coach Profile REGISTER NOW: Homeschool Discipline: 4 Ways to Cultivate Calm, Connection, and Confidence July 16th 10:00am CST Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!* Guest Bio: Marni Love is a former public school teacher who has been a home educator for 14 years. She is a Homeschool Mentor, a Certified Connected Families Parent Coach, and an instructor for CF coaches-in-training. Marni enjoys spending time with her husband, Eric, and their three sons in the beautiful mountains and beaches of Northern California. You can connect with her through her website, marnilove.com. Amy Nyvall is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach who lives near Portland, Oregon, where she homeschools her kids ages 14,11, and 9 and leads a vibrant Charlotte Mason Education Community. Contact Amy at amynyvall@gmail.com or learn more about her here: https://connectedfamilies.org/coaches/amy-nyvall/. Amy is available for coaching and speaking on the Connected Families Framework. © 2025 Connected Families

How to Be the Caring Father You've Always Hoped to Be Jun 16, 2025

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In honor of Father’s Day, Jim Jackson and Mike Tobie have a conversation about empathy. Mike Tobie shares his authentic journey in developing grace and empathy with his family. This powerful conversation explores how showing God’s grace and empathy can be applied in equipping our children and how that models Christ to them. In this episode, you’ll discover the transformational healing that can happen when parents move toward their children in a way that connects with their hearts. Key Points: Offering understanding helps our children feel safe and supported rather than alone and ashamed Understanding God's unconditional grace can deepen our capacity to extend empathy and grace to our children These principles of empathy can apply to marriages, ministry, and all other relationships as we become "a light of the Gospel." Mentioned in this podcast: Philippians 4:8 Hebrews 4:15 1 Kings 19:11-13 Connected Families Parent Coach Certification Program Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! Rate this podcast to help others discover the show easily! *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!* Guest Bio: Born and raised in Chicagoland, Mike has been in Sacramento, CA for 10 years. He has been married to Kelly for 9 years, and they have three children, ages 1, 3, and 6. Mike has been in full-time sport ministry for the past 3 years, and is preparing to move to Guatemala this summer to launch a sports ministry. He is currently in Phase 2 of the Connected Families Parent Coach Program. © 2025 Connected Families

Screen Addiction: Prevent & Combat It by Giving a Big YES to Your Kids Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Even if your kids aren't struggling with screen addiction, Connected Families co-founders Jim and Lynne Jackson want to help you shift the conversation away from a big "No" to a big "Yes!" In this episode, you will discover how to apply this transformative approach to managing screen time in your family. Listen in to help your children find their God-given purpose and calling beyond screens! Key Points: Jim and Lynne share how their initial parenting approach toward screens escalated with their son, leading them back to the Foundation level of the framework Mutual accountability with daily screen usage creates trust and open dialogue in a world where screens are here to stay Helping your children discover real-world activities that align with their God-given gifts Mentioned in this podcast: The Mindful Marriage by Ron & Nan Deal and Terry & Sharon Hargrave Driver’s Training for Social Media Online Course Screens Webinar with Matt & Jill Reed Good Pictures, Bad Pictures 1 Corinthians 6:12 Luke 2:52 Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!* Guest Bio: Jim and Lynne Jackson are the Co-Founders of Connected Families in Plymouth, MN. With over 50 combined years of professionally helping families and a love for working in the church, Jim and Lynne have been dedicated to bringing reliable, God-centered, research-based parenting resources to all families since 2002. © 2025 Connected Families

How to Talk to Your Kids About Porn Jun 02, 2025

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Today we've got the author of Good Pictures, Bad Pictures, Kristen A. Jenson, here with us to help us navigate how to talk to your kids about porn and protect them. Stacy and Kristen discuss how parents can proactively prepare children to recognize and reject pornography in our digital world. Listen in to be equipped to start the conversation with your kids. Key points: Start conversations about pornography as soon as children access the internet, even at ages 2-3. Talking with kids about porn must include 3 key parts: defining, warning and making a plan Understand the ways pornography can lead to addiction, increase vulnerability to abuse, and distort healthy views of relationships. Use age-appropriate resources: books and tools make these difficult conversations easier and provide structured language for you to use Mentioned in this podcast: Screens Webinar with Matt & Jill Reed - Register Today! Drivers Training for Social Media Online Course Good Pictures, Bad Pictures (Ages 7-11) Good Pictures, Bad Pictures Jr. (Ages 3-6) Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! Rate this podcast to help others discover the show easily! *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!* Guest Bio: Kristen A. Jenson is the founder of Defend Young Minds and best-selling author of the Good Pictures Bad Pictures series of read-aloud books. She is also the executive producer of the Brain Defense: Digital Safety curriculum and the owner and CEO of Glen Cove Press, LLC. Kristen is a positive voice for raising empowered, resilient, screen-smart kids who know how to reject pornography. Kristen received her bachelor’s degree in English Literature and her master’s degree in Organizational Communication. She is a mother of three and grandmother of two, and currently lives with her husband and awfully cute dog in Washington State. Connect with Kristen at: defendyoungminds.com Facebook: DefendYM Instagram: @DefendYoungMinds X: @DefendYM LinkedIn: @DefendYoungMinds

Kids & Technology: How to Navigate the Constantly Shifting Landscape May 26, 2025

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Screens cause issues for families everywhere! The full scope of what social media is in today's world is complex and can be overwhelming. It goes way beyond the typical social media platforms and games we usually hear about. That's why we're bringing in Matt & Jill Reed, founders of Know Curtains, who have created an online course for parents to help you parent wisely and put you in the driver’s seat around technology. The Reeds share insights from their "Driver's Training for Social Media" course, discussing how families can work together to develop healthy digital habits. Matt & Jill emphasize the importance of what we model as parents and creating fun alternatives when it comes to kids & technology. Key Points: Parents and kids can work as a team to manage technology, rather than parents simply imposing rules Kids observe parents' screen behaviors from a very young age, so your modeling is crucial Social media is far more than just the popular social networking sites Intentionally growing your family’s fun and engaging activities without screens Mentioned in this podcast: Driver’s Training for Social Media Screens Webinar with Matt & Jill Reed - Register Today! Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! Share encouragement with other parents–leave a review where you listen most. *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!* Guest Bio: Know Curtains was founded in 2024 by Matt and Jill Reed. As parents, they saw a huge void in tech resources for families and made it their mission to see past the hype, curate news that keeps tech wizards honest, and produce independent resources to render the public powerful. Tech Insight and Guidance for the Rest of Us. No hype. Know curtains. In their first online course, "Driver's Training for Social Media," you and your family will learn how to navigate the digital world safely, manage screen time, and avoid online traps with a customizable plan you create together. Find it online at training.knowcurtains.com. Matt & Jill are filmmakers with nearly twenty years of experience in media and communications, plus a rich background in pastoral and volunteer ministry. They have two boys, and they’re based in Minnesota. They love food, travel, history, and sharing adventures on their @wildgooselife YouTube channel. © 2025 Connected Families

How to Love Your Stepchildren Well with Ron Deal May 20, 2025

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In this bonus episode, Jim Jackson and Ron Deal discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of blended families through the lens of the Connected Families Framework. Ron, a bestselling author and host of the Family Life Blended podcast, shares his 30+ years of expertise in step-family dynamics. The conversation explores how step-parents can build emotional safety with children who may be resistant to new relationships. Ron emphasizes that safety must precede love, explaining that children often bristle against a step-parent's affection due to grief, loyalty conflicts, or simply not being ready for that relationship. Key insights include: The importance of "pacing" with children at their readiness level How step-parents can acknowledge their role without trying to replace biological parents Practical approaches to discipline and household rules when facing resistance Building respectful relationships with biological parents in the other household Mentioned in this podcast: Galatians 6:1 Romans 12 The Smart Step Family - Ron's comprehensive book on blended family dynamics Building Love Together in Blended Families - Ron co-authored with Gary Chapman, integrating love languages with step-family principles FamilyLife Blended Podcast The Smart Step Family video curriculum - Email blended@familylife.org for free online access The Mindful Marriage Certificate in Blended Family Ministry - online training through FamilyLife Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!Share encouragement with other parents–leave a review where you listen most. *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!* Guest Bio: Ron is the bestselling author of more than a dozen books and resources, a licensed marriage and family therapist, podcast host, and a Senior Director for the ministry of FamilyLife®. In addition, Ron is one of the most widely read and referenced authors on blended families. His latest #1 Amazon bestselling book, The Mindful Marriage, coauthored with his wife Nan and Terry and Sharon Hargrave brings the proven principles of Restoration Therapy to a mass audience. The Deals live in Little Rock, Arkansas. Learn more at RonDeal.org. © 2025 Connected Families

The Emotionally Distant Marriage: Don't Stay Stuck May 19, 2025

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Do you feel like you are in an emotionally distant marriage? In this special episode, Jim and Lynne Jackson interview Ron and Nan Deal about their new book, The Mindful Marriage, which combines biblical foundations with brain science. The authors vulnerably share how their marriage hit a crisis point after 20 years, leading them to seek help from a therapist (who later co-authored the book with them). They explain how our "pain cycles" develop from childhood and manifest in four reactive coping styles: blame, shame, control, and escape. The conversation explores their four-step process for moving from destructive pain cycles to "peace cycles.” This approach isn't just for marriage but applies to all relationships as it's fundamentally about discipleship—bringing your best self to relationships by following Jesus. Key points: How family-of-origin issues affect marriage Four reactive coping styles when triggered Breaking free from destructive pain cycles Nurturing your marriage "us-ness" Mentioned in this podcast: The Mindful Marriage by Ron & Nan Deal and Terry & Sharon Hargrave FREE: Learn your reactive coping style Galatians 5:22-23 Romans 7 Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! Share encouragement with other parents–leave a review where you listen most. This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table! Guest Bio: Married since 1986, Ron and Nan Deal are the authors of The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself, as well as popular marriage conference speakers. Ron is the bestselling author of more than a dozen books and resources, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a podcast host, and a Senior Director for the ministry of FamilyLife. Nan retired from teaching after 25 years and currently works for a Christian non-profit ministry. They have three sons, a daughter-in-law, one grandson, and a Golden Retriever and live in Little Rock, Arkansas. Learn more at RonDeal.org. © 2025 Connected Families

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