Connected Families Podcast

Latest Episodes:

3 Principles to Help Your Child Calm and Regulate Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

In this episode on calming for kids, Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) and Lydia Rex (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) talk with Stacy about what role parents play in helping their kids calm down. This conversation especially has sensitive or intense kids in mind, and the principles shared are paired with practical examples and stories from parents who’ve tested the ideas. Plus, we’ve got a free PDF for you: 50 Calming Activities (with ideas for engaging each of the senses). Mentioned in this podcast: Sensitive & Intense Kids online course - 30% off! 50 Calming Activities PDF Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting. Did you find this episode helpful? Share it with a friend, and leave us a review! Your donation fuels our work! Donate to Connected Families today.

Hope & Healing for Your Sensitive or Intense Child Jan 22, 2024

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Listen in as Stacy chats with parent coaches Jarrett & Luisa Wendt about the parenting course that has equipped them to understand and help their sensitive children. In today’s episode, Jarrett & Luisa Wendt (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) talk with our host, Stacy Bellward, about the daily meltdowns, sleep issues, stress, and discouragement their family has experienced. Then, they share how they found hope and healing through the Sensitive & Intense Kids online course. Jarrett & Luisa discuss the tools they’ve learned to help their kids regulate and how they’re sustaining positive progress. If you have a sensitive or intense child, you’ll be encouraged by their story and inspired by their persistence to build a safe, connected family with Christ as the foundation. Mentioned in this podcast: Sensitive & Intense Kids online course - 30% off! Rocks in the Backpack video Rocks in the Backpack PDF Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting. Your donation fuels our work! Donate to Connected Families today. Guest Bio: Jarrett and Luisa Wendt are Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches. They have a beautiful family of six children, three in Heaven and three on Earth. Two of their precious children were born into their family through adoption. During a very challenging season, Connected Families led them (and continues to lead them) toward hope, grace, and truth. Together, they have a ministry called Built on Rock Parent Coaching which was born out of the deep desire to pass on that same hope, grace, and truth to as many families as God leads them to! Luisa was joyfully promoted to becoming a stay-at-home Mom after more than a decade of teaching music in the classroom, while Jarrett serves the church in theology and pastoral ministry. For more about their story, ministry, and cute photos, head to their website: www.builtonrockparentcoaching.org

Sensitive or Intense Child? Your Questions Answered! Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

In today’s episode, parent coaches Lynne Jackson and Lydia Rex answer questions from parents about sensitive and intense kids. We’re excited to share another Q & A conversation with you today. The new questions came straight from parents in the CF community, and you’ll likely relate to the scenarios. Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) and Lydia Rex (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) offer answers and suggestions based on their combined experiences in occupational therapy, nursing, coaching, and parenting their own sensitive and intense kids. You’ll gain insight into your child and find realistic suggestions for challenging situations. And, as always, you’ll receive God’s grace and truth for you and your child. Mentioned in this podcast: Sensitive & Intense Kids online course - 30% off! Rocks in the Backpack PDF Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting. Your donation fuels our work! Donate to Connected Families today.

Moving From Discouragement to Freedom | Ep. 161 Jan 08, 2024

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Listen as parent coach Lydia Rex shares about building hope and strength for parenting when you’re feeling discouraged. In this episode, Stacy and Lydia discuss current factors that contribute to overwhelm in parents. Lydia goes on to offer strategies that can help you overcome challenges and experience freedom on difficult days or in the midst of trying seasons. We know you’ll find hope and practical ideas as she shares relatable parenting moments from her life as a mom and parent coach. Today’s conversation is based on a workshop given at a recent Connected Families Parent Summit hosted in our home state of Minnesota. In the next few months, we’ll share content from all of the Parent Summit workshops, so stay tuned! Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting. Your donation fuels our work! Donate to Connected Families today. Mentioned in this podcast: FREE downloadable and printable PDF self-coaching worksheet to help you move from discouragement to freedom. Ep 158 with Mandy Arioto

And the Top Podcast of 2023 is... Jan 01, 2024

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Have you ever been perplexed by the intensity of your child's big emotions or the frequency of their anger? You really want to help your child! But it can feel confusing and overwhelming, and you may even unintentionally spark more anger. It's likely that your child's anger is protecting some softer emotions, such as feeling anxious, alone, or discouraged. Listen to this podcast to gain insight and practical tools to help your child understand and work through their anger! In this podcast, Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder and Occupational Therapist) and Lydia Rex (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and RN) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about anger and anxiety in children. Drawing on their experience supporting families, Lynne and Lydia share how you can look beneath your child’s anger to get out of a stress cycle and into a healing pattern. Other popular Connected Families podcasts in 2023 Episode 121: Teaching Kids the Framework In this podcast, Jim and Lynne Jackson (co-founders of Connected Families) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to discuss ways parents can model and teach each principle of the Framework: Foundation, Connect, Coach, Correct. This podcast includes a downloadable, 5-session mini curriculum developed by Jim and Lynne to help teach the Framework to children in interactive and hands-on ways. Episode 122: How To Know If Your Child Needs a Diagnosis or Extra Support All children go through more challenging developmental seasons, but some children are wired differently altogether, also known as neurodiverse. These kids often benefit from the understanding and support of professionals. In this episode, Stacy Bellward (podcast host) and Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) are joined by Mandy Cuda, MD. Listen in on a profound conversation to help parents navigate the choice to seek a diagnosis or support for a struggling child. Episode 123: Advocating for Your Sensitive or Neurodiverse Child Communicating with teachers, coaches, and other adults about how to support your sensitive or neurodiverse child may feel difficult to navigate, but thankfully, other parents have also walked that journey and have some practical wisdom to share. In this podcast, Marni Love (former public school teacher, home educator, and Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) and Taylor Irby (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to share their experiences about advocating for a sensitive child. Taylor and Marni offer practical ideas to empower you so your child can receive the support they need in any environment. Episode 124: Empowering Your Differently Wired Child Do you have a child who is wired differently? You’ve probably felt frustrated or discouraged at times about how to support your child through daily routines or going to school. Knowing what your child needs and offering that at the right time may be challenging. In this podcast episode, Katie Wetsell and Corrie Thetford (Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about empowering your uniquely and wonderfully wired child.

BONUS: Connected Families Future Plus A Story of Transformation Dec 22, 2023

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Listen as we wrap up 2023 with Jim Jackson and Anna Braasch chatting about Connected Families' plans for 2024. Plus, Stacey Rodenbeck shares about the hope she’s found through the Framework. In today’s bonus episode, Jim Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) and Anna Braasch (Connected Families Executive Director) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to share about Connected Families’ year-end goals and the plans for 2024. Stacy also interviews Stacey Rodenbeck, a mom from the Connected Families community, about her transformational journey with the Framework. Mentioned in this podcast: Make Change today with a year-end gift to Connected Families Ep 154 | Stories of Transformation…One Mom’s Journey 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.

Refresh Your Parenting with Prayer Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Katie Johnson talks with Stacy about how prayer can help transform your parenting. Have you ever wished you could deepen your prayer life? Or does it feel difficult to find time for meaningful prayer in your day-to-day life with kids? In this episode, Katie Johnson (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) and Stacy Bellward, podcast host, explore prayer from a fresh, practical perspective. Katie shares ideas for prayer that are rooted in scripture and easy for parents to implement. In this podcast you’ll discover: Ways to pray using scripture that are accessible at any moment with whatever time you have How to use the phrases “Thank you,” “Yes,” and “Help” to create prayers from Bible passages How Scripture can act as a guardrail for your prayers when you are desperate and hurting Ideas to model prayer for your kids and grow their joy-filled connection with God Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Free PDF - Refresh Your Parenting With Prayer (see below) Psalms Journal Psalm 84:11 James 1:17 Proverbs 18:10 Episode 139: How To Help Siblings Stop Fighting All the Time Guest Bio: Katie Johnson is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and lives in Madison, WI, with her family. She worked for many years in education and is now beginning the homeschool journey with her 3 young children. She received her M.Ed. from Valparaiso University and currently serves on the board of Safe Families, Dane County. You can find out more about Katie on our Coaching page.

Stories of Transformation…Finding Hope For Change Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

Listen as Stacy chats with two families about the grace-filled changes they’ve experienced through the Connected Families Framework. Whether it’s your child’s defiant attitude or your angry reaction, your family likely has patterns that you’d like to change. Changing default responses like these isn’t easy, but it is possible. In today’s conversation, Stacy Bellward (podcast host) interviews Katrina Baros and Kate Bakker, two moms from the Connected Families community. These moms candidly share how they began to shift the dynamics in their homes and what they’ve learned along the way. In this podcast you’ll discover: How two families began to shift the challenging patterns they experienced The significance of asking, “What’s going on in me?” That “do-overs” are for kids and parents too! Connected Families resources that can support your parenting and help you instigate change in your family How your support can help other families make change Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Parent Coaching The Power of Questions online course Sibling Conflict online course Make a donation today to support transformation in families Guest Bio: Katrina Baros and her husband live in Seattle, WA, with their four sons, ages 5-13. Their family enjoys road-tripping, playing family football games in the yard, and playing board games, especially if snacks are involved. Kate Bakker and her husband are from Austin, TX. They have two biological children, ages 4 & 6, and a 5-month-old foster son. Their family loves to explore the local hiking trails and enjoy family movie nights.

What Mom Needs: An Exciting Chat with the CEO of MOPS Int’l Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

Listen as we talk with Mandy Arioto about what moms need today based on a new study by the Barna Group. Moms are powerful influencers in their families and communities, yet they often feel exhausted and alone. In this episode, Mandy Arioto, President & CEO of MOPS International, reflects with Stacy Bellward (podcast host) on the Motherhood Today study. She offers insights from the study to help moms build resilience and move from surviving to thriving. In this podcast you’ll discover: Why Moms have the strongest impact on nearly every aspect of their family’s life, yet often feel that they’re not making a meaningful contribution to the world Reflection questions to help you move past “I should do it all” and “I want to be a perfect mom” That moms with Christian faith have significantly less anxiety about important decisions and less uncertainty about the future than moms who do not have Christian faith The best way to improve your emotional and spiritual life is to have a confidant aside from your spouse It’s ok to lower your expectations and have more fun! Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Make a year-end gift to Connected Families Visit Growthechurch.co for a copy of the Motherhood Today study and information about all that Mandy’s doing at Mom Co. Guest Bio: Mandy Arioto is the President and CEO of MOPS International and is widely known for her unique takes on evangelism, parenting, and cultural issues. Through MOPS, which every year mobilizes millions of women, and partners with tens of thousands of churches, Mandy serves as the voice of one of the most influential outreach organizations in the U.S. and around the world. Mandy has been featured on MSN, FOX, CBS, and hundreds of radio, TV, and print publications. She is the author of three books, the most recent being Have More Fun: How to be Remarkable, Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Enjoying Life. She is an avid rock climber and adventurer and regularly has harrowing stories to tell about her most recent ascent. Mandy and her husband, Joe, live in Denver, Colorado, with their three awesome kids. You can find out more about MOPS and Mom Co. at: Website: https://growthechurch.co; https://www.mops.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mops_international/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MOPS.Int/

A Parenting Framework for Adoption and Fostering? Yes! Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

Listen in as Lynn Beckett, Chad Hayenga, and Stacy unpack a grace-filled lens for navigating parenting and discipline in adoptive and foster care families. These creative and compassionate ideas can benefit any parent! When families grow through adoption or foster care, they often experience unique and sometimes challenging circumstances. Today’s conversation highlights ways the Connected Families Framework can guide these families toward deeper connection, secure attachment, and attuned correction. Our guest, Lynn Beckett, is a TBRI® Certified, licensed social worker and serves as the Program Manager and a parent coach at Lifeline Children’s Services. She joins Chad Hayenga (Connected Families Director of Education & Equipping) and Stacy Bellward (podcast host and adoptive mom) to share practical ideas and insights for each level of the Connected Families Framework. In this podcast you’ll discover: How your attachment style can influence how you view and respond to your child’s behavior, and how your child’s attachment style affects their behavior as well How the Connected Families Framework can deepen your child’s sense of felt safety Ways to strengthen your attachment with a child who is avoidant or suspicious How you can help heal your child’s negative identity messages from the past through the ABCs of affirmation Ways you may need to adjust discipline and correction as you respond to a child who has experienced trauma Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: The Connected Families Framework Episode 101: Does Attachment Style Matter? Childhood Wounds: What They Are and How to Free Your Parenting of Them Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches Guest Bio: Lynn Beckett has worked in the area of foster care and adoption since her graduation fromthe University of Georgia in 1981. She joined Lifeline staff in 1989. Her role atLifeline has included preparing and equipping families for foster care and adoptionand supporting them in the post-placement phase of their journey. She became aTBRI® Practitioner in 2016 and a Certified Parent Coach through ConnectedFamilies in 2021. While providing post-placement services to adoptive and fosterfamilies, she developed the parent coaching program for Lifeline. Lynn iscommitted to the care of vulnerable children and to helping caregivers bring thesechildren to a place of healing. Lynn is married to Brian, and they live in Birmingham,Alabama. They have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren. Lynnhas found that being a grandparent is the best “do over” ever.

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