Raising Godly Girls

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 332 – Raising a Family Who Loves (and Likes!) Each Other with Jessica Smartt Feb 14, 2026

Show notes

As February fills our culture with pink hearts and romantic gestures, today's Valentine's weekend episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast invites families to pause and remember where love truly begins—at home. Before our daughters ever understand dating or marriage, they first learn what love looks like around the dinner table, in everyday conversations, and in the way family members treat one another. Rooted in the timeless truth of 1 Corinthians 13, this conversation reminds parents that real love is patient, kind, and formed through daily faithfulness, not grand gestures.

Host Patti Garibay is joined by beloved author and speaker Jessica Smartt, whose work encourages families to slow down, reclaim childhood, and build homes marked by warmth, joy, and connection. Drawing from her newest book, Come On Home, Jessica shares how intentional rhythms, shared memories, and Christ-centered priorities help families move beyond merely loving one another—to genuinely liking one another. Together, Patti and Jessica explore how Biblical love shapes sibling relationships, strengthens marriages, and gives girls a clear, hope-filled picture of what love is meant to be.

This episode offers encouragement for parents navigating busy schedules, sibling conflict, or seasons of disconnection. With humor, honesty, and practical wisdom, Jessica reminds listeners that a peaceful, joy-filled home is not built overnight—but through small, faithful choices that invite Christ into the center of family life. As Valentine's Day approaches, this conversation reframes the holiday as an opportunity to model Christlike love in ways that will shape a daughter's heart for years to come.

Scripture Referenced in This Episode:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

John 13:34-35

Psalm 127:1

To learn more about Jessica Smartt and her books, visit jessicasmartt.com

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org

Ep. 331 – Joy as the Key Ingredient for Family Game Night Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

As Valentine's Day approaches, we're shifting the spotlight from romantic love to one of God's most foundational gifts: the love of family. On today's Thursday episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose invite you into a joyful, practical conversation about Family Game Night—and how simple moments of play can strengthen connection, build unity, and help our families genuinely enjoy being together.

In a culture where screens often compete for attention and schedules stay perpetually full, creating intentional space for laughter matters more than ever. Drawing from Psalm 133:1—"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity"—this episode reminds us that joy, togetherness, and shared fun are not extras in the Christian home; they're part of God's design. Whether your family loves fast-paced card games, outdoor competition, or classic board games, these moments of play can become sacred ground for connection.

You'll also hear a special Raising Godly Girls Minute from AHG Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay, sharing why laughter and shared experiences help families weather busy seasons and deepen bonds. Rachael and Natalie reflect honestly on the challenges parents face—exhaustion, stress, and competitiveness—and offer grace-filled encouragement alongside practical "pro-tips" to help family game night stay accessible, meaningful, and focused on connection rather than winning.

Finally, the conversation ties directly into the heart of American Heritage Girls, where "faith, service, and fun" work together to shape joyful girlhood and strong families. From faith-based games to creative ways to invite friends into family rhythms, this episode will inspire you to carve out time for fun—and to trust that God uses even playful moments to cultivate unity and love at home.

Be sure to subscribe to the Raising Godly Girls Podcast so you never miss an episode, and join us again this Saturday for a special Valentine's Day conversation about memory-making and protecting the wonder of childhood. Until then, keep raising Godly girls—and don't forget to bring on the fun!

Three Things to Consider:

Be sure the games guarantee that every age of kids can participate! (And if it's Twister, parents you might want to schedule a chiropractic adjustment for the next day!)

While winning is fun, it's not the goal. I'm talking to you, competitive folks!

Make it a regular time on the family calendar that everyone can look forward to.

Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:

Psalm 133:1

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

Ep. 330 – When Teaching a Girl Love Starts First in the Home Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

Valentine's Day often points our attention toward romantic love—but what if this season became an invitation to strengthen the most formative love a girl will ever know? In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose reframe Valentine's week through a family lens, reminding parents that the home is the first and best place for a girl to learn how to give and receive love.

Together, Rachael and Natalie explore how secure attachment, intentional family rhythms, and spoken affirmation shape a girl's understanding of belonging. From handmade Valentines and quirky family traditions to naming shared values and modeling grace, this conversation highlights how love is learned in everyday moments—not perfection, but presence. When a girl feels seen, known, and anchored in her family, she carries that confidence into every relationship she'll one day hold.

You'll also hear a Raising Godly Girls Minute from AHG Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay, offering a tender reflection on a girl's innate desire for beauty, creativity, and connection—and how those expressions of love can become lifelong markers of belonging. Rooted in Scripture, this episode equips parents to consecrate their homes as places where grace is practiced, forgiveness is spoken, and love is never assumed.

Whether your family is in a season of closeness or rebuilding, this Valentine's week episode invites you to start right where you are—praying over your home, speaking life over your daughter, and trusting God to grow love that lasts far beyond February 14.

Three Things to Consider:

A home consecrated to God's love will be known by God's love.

Grace and Forgiveness are key ingredients for a healthy understanding of love in your home.

Love must be spoken in your home. So don't let it go unsaid!

Scripture Referenced in this Episode:

Deuteronomy 6:9

Ephesians 4:32

Colossians 3:12-13

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

Ep. 329 – Helping Girls Find & Cultivate Belonging in a Lonely World with Dr. Heather Thompson Day Feb 07, 2026

Show notes

Friendship is one of God's sweetest gifts—and also one of the most tender places in a girl's heart. From playground dynamics to group texts and even church friendships, many girls are quietly wrestling with the ache of wanting to belong. In a culture that elevates popularity and visibility, it's easy for girls to believe that being included defines their worth. But Scripture offers a far richer and more secure vision of friendship—one rooted in Christ's love and invitation to make room for others.

In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Patti Garibay is joined by bestselling author and speaker Dr. Heather Thompson Day for an honest and hope-filled conversation about helping girls navigate the highs and lows of friendship. Drawing from John 15:12, Heather reminds parents that Godly friendship is shaped not by cliques or clout, but by Christlike love—love that sees, welcomes, and stays faithful even when relationships feel messy or disappointing.

Together, Patti and Heather explore how parents can respond with empathy when their daughter feels left out, how to help girls develop discernment in choosing friends, and how to guide them through conflict with both grace and truth. They also discuss the powerful connection between hospitality and belonging, offering encouragement for families to cultivate homes where others feel seen and valued.

Heather also shares the heart behind her new picture book, Can I Sit Here?, inspired by her daughter's own story and written to help girls understand that belonging doesn't come from fitting in—but from knowing who they are in Christ. For parents worried that their daughter may never find "her people," this episode offers reassurance that God is faithful to provide community in His perfect timing.

If your daughter is navigating loneliness, shifting friendships, or the deep desire to be known, this conversation will equip you with biblical perspective, practical wisdom, and renewed hope. You'll be reminded that when we root our girls' identities in Jesus, we don't just help them build stronger friendships—we help them grow confident hearts that know exactly where they belong.

Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:

John 13:34

Matthew 5:43-48

John 15:12

To learn more about Dr. Heather Thompson-Day, visit heatherthompsonday.com/

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

Ep. 328 – When Your Girl's Friend Drama Spills into the Family Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Continuing a week of episodes on Godly friendship, hosts Melissa Bearden and Rachael Culpepper put the friend drama under the spotlight. When boy crazy seasons affect girls' friendships to then folding core relational skills that play into a marriage setting, both hosts share personal issues they've parented through personally.

Leaning on the wisdom of healthy boundaries communicated in grace, Melissa and Rachael share a core tenet of maintaining interactions in the midst of oversharing, obsessive tendencies toward boys, and balancing time spent with each friend to avoid jealousy.

The Raising Godly Girls Minute shows gracious wisdom that comes through Biblical loyalty in friendship. When today's girls are used to swiping left to immediately make something (or someone) undesirable go away, it's important that girls don't adopt the same pattern toward one another in real life. Melissa shares her daughter's experience walking through an instance when this was tested in a specific friendship. Discovering that her friend had changed—and preferred her phone over the person in front of her—was revealing to Melissa's daughter, helping her to cultivate important patterns moving forward.

Rachael shares three Biblical approaches to help girls hop off the friend drama roller coaster and adopt a more consistent pattern in their friendships. From getting to know a friend's parents to allowing trusted mentor and pastoral voices speak into conflict, each approach cuts down an addiction to division and embraces a more mature, Godly friendship.

Three Things to Consider:

Knowing the Friend's Family Helps to Offer Context when head-to-head conflict seems to be the norm.

Grace Comes through the Gentle Truth of Scripture to turn the tide on unhealthy friendship patterns.

When Conflict Boils Over, Lean on Your Village—You don't have to go this parenting journey alone.

Scriptures Shared in this Episode:

Proverbs 17:17

Ephesians 4:32

1 Corinthians 13

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

Ep. 327 – Key Ingredients for Trusted Friendships in Today's Girls Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

On this Tuesday episode of the RGG Podcast, hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden launch a week of conversations surrounding friendships—something that Christian girls might struggle to navigate Biblically and often the source of a girl's first heartbreak.

With the banner of John 13 in the spotlight, this episode peels back the curtain on Christian girlhood friendships—by showing the world "who and Whose they are" by how they walk out the bond of friendship with other girls. Melissa unhitches from a worldly notion of cancel culture or even bullying tactics when a friendships go awry. Since conflict is inevitable in friendship, it's important to lead girls to stay aligned with the Lord's character when navigating those difficulties.

The Raising Godly Girls Minute poses a provocative mindset shift—what if girls were to offload the pressure of "best friend forever" and opted to embrace true friendship in loyalty? This slight distinction liberates today's Christian girls to take on a Biblical approach rather than a culture-fueled narrative.

From an older girl parenting to a younger girl parenting perspective, both hosts unpack how they lead their daughters to navigate conflict. 'Friendship breaks' can help a girl rein in her own emotions. Rachael shares about all the drama that often comes along with middle school friendships in the midst of hormonal changes. Both hosts land on a healthy approach to boundaries in order to shut down patterns of manipulation and hurtful behaviors.

Rachael offers three key ways to think of a trusted friendship as a recipe, inviting girls to build something beautiful and let God lead the way in her friendships.

Three Things to Consider:

A Trusted Friendship is Christ-centered.

A Trusted Friendship is Flexible & Adaptable.

A Trusted Friendship brings JOY!

Scriptures Shared in this Episode:

John 13:34-35

1 Corinthians 13:4-6

Proverbs 27:17

Romans 12:15

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

Ep. 326 – Helping Girls Develop a Biblical Worldview in a Culture of Confusion with Dr. Jeff Myers Jan 31, 2026

Show notes

In this weekend edition of the podcast, AHG Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay welcomes Dr. Jeff Myers, apologist and President of Summit Ministries as a guest. From various book titles to teaching work through Summit, Dr. Myers specializes in guiding families into confidence so they can raise well-equipped kids whose faith tracks throughout their lives.

Patti describes a world where girls who believe in absolute truth are often mocked and that the cultural message of "live your truth" is steeped in deception and a shaky foundation. Dr. Myers wants parents to know that apologetics is worth the effort to learn and practice well but doesn't require expertise or many college degrees.

Through a traumatic upbringing, unanswered questions about his faith, and then a nearly fatal car accident, Dr. Myers describes his journey away from and then toward the Gospel with God using Summit Ministries in his own life.

Patti and Jeff talk about the Charlie Kirk legacy of fielding questions in public settings to clarify and invite people into a Gospel relationship with God. Through 1 Peter 3:15 and 2 Peter 2:24, Dr. Myers had the opportunity to counsel Charlie in order to keep his work focused on a Biblical Worldview foundation. Now after Charlie's death, Patti and Dr. Myers both hope his legacy continues.

Dr. Myers and Patti talk through issues that are pressing in on today's girls, including transgenderism as a social contagion. Jeff feels it's not only important to prepare girls to have a response but to have a solid confidence in God in order to push back against this spiking trend. Parents shouldn't feel like they have to start with the heavy-hitter topics though. Dr. Myers feels that the time to start having apologetics conversations is as soon as children can talk. Through natural questions, cueing conversations, and keeping an ongoing connection with kids, Dr. Myers encourages parents to faithfully embrace their place as primary disciplers of their girls.

Patti brings up the relationship between questions, doubt, and discipleship, to which Dr. Myers offers practical approaches for a sustainable path—one that real-life parents can follow. Jeff's wisdom on Biblical Worldview serves as the foundation for both parents and kids, so it's vital for parents to be willing to learn alongside their girls. Finally, Dr. Myers tells about a young woman who skillfully kept open dialogue going through asking good questions and a willingness to listen—thereby facilitating intelligent and helpful conversation in a very casual setting. Dr. Myers sees the influence of these approaches as a deep blessing to many around Christians who practice their Biblical Worldview in these ways.

Dr. Myers tells about Summit Ministries summer intensive for high school and college students and how the influence of alumnae is shaping the current landscape of apologetics in today's world. Patti's final reminder seals in the strength and dept of God's truth—that it can be trusted and can withstand even the toughest critics.

Scriptures Shared in this Episode:

Romans 12:2

1 Peter 3:15

2 Peter 2:24

Genesis 1:26-27

Colossians 3:23

To learn more about Dr. Jeff Myers work, visit summit.org

Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.

Find or start an AHG Troop in your area at americanheritagegirls.org.

Ep. 325 – Equipping Girls to Defend the Bible's Toughest Questions Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

To continue this week on the Raising Godly Girls Podcast's deep dive into Apologetics, hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden tease out the basics of how to approach daily conversations so parents can guide girls as they are going in daily life. Both hosts describe 'speechless' moments they each had when they didn't know how to respond to tough questions regarding their faith convictions.

Rachael talks about 'sprinkling apologetics' into normal situations like car rides and daily real life so it doesn't feel like a memorized chorus for girls, rather an infused way of living. Through questions like, "Does that line up with what we know is true?" or "What do you think God is showing us here?" Rachael shares that a girl's faith moves from fragile to fortified one conversation at a time. In an honest moment, Rachael also shares that she doesn't always know 'all the answers' as a mom, so she encourages parents to be willing to learn alongside their girls.

The featured Raising Godly Girls Minute in this episode drops a difficult Bible question that comes up a lot for girls: "God in the Old Testament seems very different from God in the New Testament—are there different God's in the Bible?" With generation alpha's focus on social media algorithm-fueled scroll feeds and YouTube influencer-fed notions (often apart from Scripture), many parents are feeling overwhelmed and hopeless about the current state of the next generation's worldview status.

The hosts remind listeners that real-life apologetics has to happen…in real life! So the old notion of memorized answers and echo-chamber video feeds miss the mark. With three key anchor points, Rachael guides listeners through ways to approach this well. Story Swaps, Debate Club, and Faith Detective all offer creative approaches that easily translate into daily conversation for families. Melissa enthusiastically challenges listeners to 'just start'—at the dining room table, in daily life activities, and often at unexpected times!

Rachael shares her love for the AHG Stars & Stripes Award process, specifically how the Spiritual Walk Essay gives award recipients a chance to unpack their journey in places that God strengthened their faith through adversity.

Three Things to Consider:

Faith is built in the small moments.

Questions are a gift, not a threat.

Equip, don't overwhelm.

Scriptures Shared in this Episode:

Matthew 5:17

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

Ep. 324 – Why Your Daughter's Faith Needs Apologetics (Now More Than Ever!) Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

In this Tuesday episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden take on the lofty topic of Christian Apologetics with an aim to bring it down to bite-sized chunks for families seeking to disciple their girls according to a Biblical Worldview in today's busy life.

Both hosts share the first times they figured out that people outside of their homes had different worldviews and how that shifted them into a new era of maturity as Christ followers. Rachael shares that girls are hearing big questions sooner, and from more directions, than any generation before them and that cultural discipleship will naturally happen unless parents actively step in to guide their daughters! Melissa reminds listeners that a girl's worldview needs to be established as well as strengthened in Scripture, otherwise it will crumble the first time it is questioned.

As a mom of a now college-aged girl, Melissa offers wisdom to listeners that a daughter's questions are not evidence that she's abandoning her faith—rather evidence of the opposite; she's seeking to strengthen her faith. She shares that she initially freaked out when the questions came, but the Holy Spirit equipped and empowered her to offer guidance rather than abandoning the conversation. Rachael balances the conversation by sharing that parenting is a long-haul journey, so these important apologetics conversations will build over time. It's certainly not a one-and-done approach!

By embracing a girl's questions, defining and fleshing out competing worldviews, and landing on God's solid foundation, Rachael walks listeners through three key approaches to ensure that a Biblical Worldview lens guides the conversation.

Both hosts give resounding encouragement that parents don't have to be apologetics experts to guide their girls through these tough questions. In true Raising Godly Girls fashion, it's deeply good for parents and girls to learn TOGETHER!

Three Things to Consider:

Start with Her Questions

Help Her Recognize Competing Worldviews

Teach Her that God's Truth Holds Up under Pressure

Scriptures Shared in this Episode:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Matthew 28:18-20

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

Ep. 323 — Raising a Gender-Confident Girl in a Confused Culture with Dr. Kathy Koch Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

In this Saturday episode, AHG Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay welcomes Dr. Kathy Koch back to the podcast as a returning guest to talk about ways we can raise gender-confident girls in a world steeped in confusion. Even when the culture tells us that Scripture is antiquated and oppressive, girls can embrace the clarity, purpose, and peace God offers us through His Word—a solid foundation for both Patti and Dr. Kathy in this conversation.

Dr. Kathy shares about her new book Raising Gender-Confident Kids, co-authored with Dr. Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries.

Dr. Kathy courageously describes the intention behind the book with Dr. Jeff Myers to embolden parents to push back and say 'no' to a deceptive notion of transitioning kids to different genders by altering their physical bodies. Patti draws out the direction of the book's title—gender-confident rather than gender-confused. Dr. Kathy unpacks the joy behind this theme by rooting a family's confidence in God first and then trickling down to a girl's understanding of her gender. Patti recalls her mother's phrase, 'God doesn't make mistakes.' This led the discussion to understanding God as the Potter at the wheel designing and crafting our bodies with perfect intention and meticulous care.

Dr. Kathy shares her personal journey as a girl learning to embrace things about herself that she previously ached to change, then under her mom's wise leadership shifting her thinking to love the unique facets of her body's design. From her height to her voice, Dr. Kathy shares wisdom, joy, and hope for girls struggling with their body's design.

Dr. Kathy offers precision in regard to gender confusion, settling that it is loving for a parent to correct confusion in gentleness and love. Patti and Dr. Kathy address the notion of labels that has changed drastically over the last 50 years in western cultures. To calm the strife, Dr. Kathy guides listeners to celebrate both the strength and softness of a girl's femininity rather than letting culture guide our views. Through the lens of a Biblical Worldview, Dr. Kathy teaches ways to let Scripture guide a girl's understanding, both with quoted chapter and verse as well as values of the Bible woven into daily conversations. Dr. Koch and Dr. Myers' book includes conversation starters so parents have a helpful launch-point when issues come up.

Scriptures Shared in this Episode: