Connected Families Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Strong-Willed Child and Unconditional Love? Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Parents Oct 12, 2025

Show notes

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : In this micro-episode, host Stacy Bellward and Certified Parent Coach, Tara Prevo, address two common parenting challenges: 1) When a child says "You don't love me," and 2) The strong-willed child who rejects offered choices. Tara encourages parents to use misbehavior as an opportunity to demonstrate unconditional love and commit to the long game of grace-filled responses over time. Tara helps parents come alongside their child as a teammate, celebrate creative problem-solving, and guide with empathy. Key Takeaways: Misbehavior is an opportunity for unconditional love Strong-willed children seek safety, not control Parenting is a long game Bring a Connected Families Workshop to Your Community - Ready to equip and encourage parents in your church, school, or community? Let’s connect! The team of trained presenters offers Connected Families workshops across the U.S. and internationally. Find out more here. Mentioned Today: The Table Community - Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Connected Families Workshop Speakers Program Tara Prevo - Workshop Speaker Connected Families Thursday Email Sign Up Power of Questions Online Course Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: Connected Families founder Jim Jackson offers parents a powerful glimpse of graceful parenting in yesterday's soul care message designed specifically for you, moms and dads: What Is Christian Discipline? A Peek At Graceful Parenting | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families

What Is Christian Discipline? A Glimpse At Graceful Parenting Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥Ready to be the hero who brings hope to overwhelmed parents in your community? Today, will you join the Table Community, along with six others, and multiply your impact? Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast: In today’s mini-episode, Jim Jackson is filling in for Stacy and explores a powerful truth: you can only give grace to your kids if you've first received it yourself. He invites parents to imagine Jesus offering lavish mercy toward themselves instead of harsh condemnation. Jim reminds parents that the goal isn't just behavior modification—it's gentle restoration that transforms homes into places where grace flows freely, mistakes become opportunities for connection, and children experience God's unconditional love through their parents. Key Takeaways: Extending grace to our children comes after we first receive God’s lavish grace for us Don't let your approval of your children depend only on their behavior Pausing to be sure you’re walking in the fruit of the Spirit is helpful before correction Mentioned Today: The Table Community - Monthly Giving Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course 1 John 3:1 Romans 5:8 Romans 8:1 Hebrews 4:15 Titus 3:4-5 Galatians 2:21 Galatians 3 Galatians 5:19-26 Galatians 6:1 Are these mini episodes hitting the spot?Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think. In Case You Missed It: How to take the trek to the top of peaceful parenting mountain can seem like a mystery most days. Lynne Jackson shares practical, research-based strategies to help children calm down without triggering their fight-or-flight response in this episode: Brain-Based Strategies: How to Help Kids Calm Down | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families

Brain-Based Strategies: How to Help Kids Calm Down Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

Christian Parenting Advice: Showing God's Unconditional Love Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥Ready to be the hero who brings hope to overwhelmed parents in your community? Today, will you join the Table Community, along with six others, and multiply your impact? Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : In today's episode, Christian Parenting Advice: Showing God's Unconditional Love, we address the question: Do your kids truly understand that they're loved unconditionally? As parents, we often take this for granted, assuming our children just understand this fundamental truth. Today’s episode is a powerful story about sixth-grader Mitch and his Corporate Executive Dad. Stacy Bellward, podcast host, reads this resource-filled blog post. Key Takeaways: Reasons why unconditional love can transform your children’s lives Discover how God's Spirit and supportive community help you love unconditionally Mentioned Today: The Table Monthly Community Giving Program Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Unconditional Love: 15 Reasons to Show Love-No-Matter-What to Your Kids - Blog Post Connected Families Certified Parent Coaching Program Connected Families - Instagram Are these mini episodes hitting the spot? Leave us a rating, review, or comment and make our day - seriously, we read every single one! In Case You Missed It: Has your child ever had a meltdown over something small? Listen to this dad share his story in How to Handle Meltdowns: Grace-Based Approach. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families

How to Handle Meltdowns: Grace-Based Approach Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at a suggested donation of $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only! Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : If your child melts down over seemingly nothing, and you wonder how to handle meltdowns, this episode is for you! Josh shares how he transitioned from frustration to curiosity during a meltdown with his teenage son. After completing our Discipline That Connects course, Josh had new tools he needed when his son got upset over a simple bowl. Instead of reacting with anger, he responded with grace, creating a sense of safety, love, and connection. His story shows the practical, real-world application of the Connected Families Framework in those challenging parenting moments we all face. We're working to double the Table Community this month, which means we need six new superhero supporters every day to keep these life-changing resources available for overwhelmed parents everywhere. Josh's transformation occurred because he had access to biblical, research-informed parenting tools through Discipline That Connects—and when you join The Table at connectedfamilies.org, you receive the same course, plus ongoing support through webinars, devotionals, and community. As Josh discovered, this framework can "so significantly impact your family for generations to come." Will you join us in making that possible for more families? Key Takeaways: Learn just how much a pause and creating a safe space can impact an escalated meltdown How choosing to say, “I've got all kinds of grace for that,” turned into laughter, and prayer together through a tough season Guest Bio Josh Keller is a certified Parent Coach through Connected Families and Spiritual Life Director at Community Christian School in Willmar, MN. After two decades in ministry, he's passionate about helping families discover the transformative Connected Families framework that revolutionized his own parenting. Josh and his wife Rachel, have three kids and co-founded The Freedom Center MN. Mentioned Today: The Table Monthly Community Giving Program Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course The Freedom Center MN Josh Keller - Certified Connected Families Coach Are these mini episodes hitting the spot? Leave us a rating, review, or comment, and let us know what you think! In Case You Missed It: What if we could share unconditional love even during those challenging moments of discipline? Yesterday, we took a sneak peek at how we can do this in Discipline with Love: Showing Love When Your Child Acts Out. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families

Discipline with Love: Showing Love When Your Child Acts Out Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥Ready to be the hero who brings hope to overwhelmed parents in your community? Today, will you join the Table Community, along with six others, and multiply your impact? Click here to find out more.💥 Today on the Podcast : In this mini-episode, host Stacy Bellward shares a helpful 7-minute clip from Session 4 of Connected Families' Discipline That Connects online course, where Jim and Lynne Jackson offer a perspective shift: misbehavior is actually an opportunity for unconditional love. Every parent knows the frustration of dealing with the same challenging behavior over and over—and how easy it is to unintentionally communicate "you're a problem" when what we really want our kids to hear is "you are LOVED no matter what." Drawing from Jesus' example, Jim and Lynne share practical strategies for discipline with love, helping you show up in a way that keeps the connection going. Key Takeaways: When kids regularly misbehave, parents can naturally feel frustrated, which can lead to communicating unintentional messages Including affection and empathy during challenging moments helps to promote unconditional love Mentioned Today: The Table Monthly Community Giving Program Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart - Book Are these mini episodes hitting the spot? Leave us a rating, review, or comment and make our day - seriously, we read every single one! In Case You Missed It: Whatever you need right now, Jesus is enough—He is your peace in chaos, your strength in weakness, and your wisdom in uncertainty. Last week, we dove right into becoming a safe parent, discovering how one grandparent practices meeting the needs of the moment just as Jesus meets us in ours, in Parent-Child Connection: From Shutdown to Safety. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families

Parent Child Connection: From Shutdown to Safety | [Mini-Episode] Oct 05, 2025

Show notes

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only!💥 What do you do when your child resists eye contact when trying to engage in conversations about their behavior? In this mini-episode, Parent Coach Laurie Shaffer offers some suggestions for navigating parent child connection during these challenging encounters. She shares an honest moment she experienced with her 3-year-old granddaughter. In this episode, you'll discover how she practiced connection and presence in the moment, ultimately empowering her granddaughter with helpful tools she could use next time. Key Takeaways: How deciding to be present can be more powerful than immediate correction See a real-life example of how connection before correction helps to bring lasting change Bring a Connected Families Workshop to Your Community Ready to equip and encourage parents in your church, school, or community? Let’s connect! The team of trained presenters offers Connected Families workshops across the U.S. and internationally. Find out more here. Guest Bio With over 25 years in pastoral ministry alongside her husband, Laurie Shaffer has facilitated parenting classes and mentored moms through MOPS/MomCo groups. After raising three biological children, they began fostering and adopting. Connected Families became the answer to their prayers as they were now parenting children who had experienced trauma. Laurie is a Connected Families Workshop Speaker, based in Michigan. Mentioned Today: The Table Monthly Community Giving Program Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Connected Families Workshop Speakers Hope for the Journey by Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman Connected Families Certified Parent Coaching Program In Case You Missed It: Parenting with Grace is definitely a journey of discovery. Two moms share their journey of how transforming their own responses has impacted their homes in Parenting with Grace: Overcoming Shame and Anger [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families

Parenting with Grace: Overcoming Shame and Anger | [Mini-Episode] Oct 04, 2025

Show notes

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only!💥 Hear from two moms navigating the challenging parts of parenting. Clare shares her journey of learning to give herself grace and model it for her children. Ami opens up about confronting unexpected anger toward her young child. Through vulnerable storytelling, both moms share how transforming their own responses has become the key to creating lasting change in their families. They have discovered that effective discipline begins with looking inward rather than focusing solely on their kids’ behavior. Through this work, they have gained practical tools to break destructive patterns. Let’s hear their superhero stories! Key Takeaways The Modeling factor: How children mirror what they see, not what they hear, only Explosive moments of anger often come from something deeper, requiring intentional healing Guest Bio Ami WickiserAmi Atkins Wickiser is a writer and blogs at https://whenmercyfoundme.com/. She began writing about tragedy as a way to process her thoughts after her first husband, Jon, passed away in 2013. Ami is married to her second great love, David, and they have four children. The Wickisers serve at their church in Waterloo, Illinois. Clare KoensClare Koens loves helping ministry parents strengthen their relationships with their children. Originally from the UK as a trained primary teacher, she has spent most of her adult life supporting missionaries and their families in the South Pacific. As a Connected Families Parent Coach, Clare’s cross-cultural family experience, conflict resolution skills, and trauma-informed care provide both personal and professional insights for effective parent coaching. For more information about her coaching, please visit https://ckparenting.weebly.com/. Mentioned Today: The Table Community Monthly Giving Program Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Grace & Truth for Moms Course Connected Families Certified Parent Coaching Program Clare Koens Coaching The Neuroscience of Meltdowns: Kids Stress Response Explained [Mini-episode] In Case You Missed It: As we continue our superhero month, don’t miss Katie Johnson’s real-life story of how a misplaced backpack turned into a moment of connection and growth. Listen here: Positive Discipline Examples: Handling A Lost Backpack | [Mini-Episode]. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families

Positive Discipline Examples: How One Mom Handled Her Child's Lost Backpack | [Mini-Episode] Oct 03, 2025

Show notes

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family is a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only!💥 What does a backpack have to do with parenting? Well… Katie Johnson, a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, shares how her 6-year-old son's misplaced camp backpack turned into a moment where the Connected Families parenting framework guided her. In today’s episode, listen in to discover how to intentionally apply this grace-filled approach to everyday moments, providing positive discipline examples that lead to lasting connections and growth in your family. Key Takeaways Build a solid foundation over time using the CF parenting framework as your guide Avoid coming across as "fast, large, and loud" Use daily moments to practice long-term wisdom-building Guest Bio As a former teacher turned homeschool mom with a sensitive & intense child, Katie Johnson came to Connected Families at the end of her rope. As a CF coach, she now helps struggling families adopt a whole-Bible, whole-brain approach for Christ-centered transformation. She loves providing practical tools to help families apply the CF framework to their unique situations. Katie lives in Madison, WI, with her husband, three young kids, a dog, and three chickens. Katie holds a Master's in Education and has a special passion for supporting families with toddlers. Mentioned Today: The Table Community -Monthly Giving Program Katie Johnson - Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Learning from Parenting Mistakes: How God Taught One Dad the Value of Safety | [Mini-Episode] Thursday Parenting Tips Email Sign-Up In Case You Missed It: If you’re still learning the value of safe parenting, you’re not alone, and there’s always grace to learn. Hear how God showed one dad the value of safety in yesterday’s mini-episode: Learning from Parenting Mistakes: How God Taught One Dad the Value of Safety. See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families

Learning from Parenting Mistakes: How God Taught One Dad the Value of Safety | [Mini-Episode] Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Not Perfect. Still Super. Every Family a Hero… Would you join us at The Table? 💥You can be a hero who helps create ripple effects of family transformation that last for generations to come. Join The Table Community at $35 and get free access to the Discipline That Connects online course, this month only! 💥 In today's episode, Dr. Bo Bryson shares an incredible real-life superhero moment that will inspire every parent! Explore how parenting mistakes can profoundly impact our understanding of what it truly means to be a "safe place" for our children. This practical mini-episode will help you confidently communicate "you are safe with me" to your children at home. See how Dr. Bo's commitment to being safe led to beautifully connected relationships years later —love the photo of their thriving family with kids who are now teenagers! Plus, learn why his transformation inspired him & his wife to become long-time monthly supporters, passionate about ensuring more families have access to the same life-changing parenting support they received. Key Takeaways: "You’re always welcome home." - The phrase that changed everything The best parenting lessons happen when you're NOT studying parenting Being "safe" isn't about agreement—it's about being heard, understood, valued, and known Guest Bio: Dr. Bo Bryson has owned Trinity Chiropractic for over 20 years and authored two books: Create a Trinity Lifestyle and Benefits of the Cross. A cum laude graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College, he received the Clinical Excellence award and holds a degree in Biology from Georgia Southern University. Dr. Bo lives in Lincoln, NE, with his wife Jennifer and their four children. His life verse is Joshua 1:8. Mentioned Today: The Table Monthly Giving Program Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course How to Be a Safer Parent - Original Blog Post Create a Trinity Lifestyle - Book Benefits of the Cross - Book Trinity Chiropractic Psalm 116:1-2 Psalm 139 Matthew 10:29-31 Jeremiah 1:5 In Case You Missed It: Ever wonder why discipline moments spiral out of control so quickly? Yesterday’s mini-episode will help shed some light on why this happens. Don’t miss it: The Neuroscience of Meltdowns: Kids' Stress Response Explained [Mini-Episode] See all of our mini-episodes for this MARVEL-ous campaign on our October podcast page. © 2025 Connected Families

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Connected Families Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected