The Christian Parenting Podcast - Motherhood, Teaching kids about Jesus, Intentional parenting, Raising Christian kids

The Christian Parenting Podcast: Faith, apologetics, and the supernatural with Lee Strobel

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When Christmas doesn’t go as planned with Sheila Walsh Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

The lights are twinkling, the carols are playing, and everything should feel magical... but sometimes, it just doesn’t. Whether your kids are navigating big feelings of disappointment or you're trying to balance joy and weariness in your own heart, this conversation is for you.

This week I’m joined by author and speaker Sheila Walsh, and we’re talking about what really matters this Christmas: God’s love, Emmanuel with us, and how to guide our children through holiday letdowns with grace, presence, and prayer.

Here are just a few things we talked about:

How to help kids walk through disappointment (even when they don’t get the part they wanted in the play)
Why our prayers for our children matter more than any gift we could ever wrap
Simple ways to re-center your home on Jesus in a culture that’s always asking for more
How unmet expectations can be invitations to discover God's love more deeply

Sheila’s brand-new picture book, The Little Drummer Girl, tells a beautiful story about a child who doesn’t get what she wants… and instead finds the joy of giving to Jesus. It’s such a special book to read together this season. You can find the link in the show notes!

Sheila Walsh is a best-selling author, Bible teacher, speaker, and co-host of TBN’s Praise. She has written over 50 books for women and children, including It’s Okay Not to Be Okay, Holding On When You Want to Let Go, and The Storm Inside. Her new book, The Little Drummer Girl, is a heartwarming Christmas story for kids about faith, giving, and the love of Jesus.

So whether you’re on your third cup of cocoa or hiding wrapping paper in the closet, I hope this episode wraps around you like a warm blanket and reminds you: Jesus is with us. That’s what matters most.

(00:00) Embracing the Christmas Spirit

(02:52) Sheila Walsh: A Journey of Faith and Family

(05:59) The Heart of Christmas: Lessons from Isabella

(08:59) Navigating Disappointments: Teaching Kids Resilience

(12:06) The Power of Prayer in Parenting

(15:05) Finding Joy in Community and Service

(18:13) Understanding God's Love and Forgiveness

(20:47) The Impact of Prayer Across Generations

(24:08) Celebrating God's Plan in Our Lives

(26:54) The Gift of Christmas: Sharing God's Love

Connect with Sheila

Resources Mentioned

The Little Drummer Girl book

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The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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Parenting was never meant to be done alone with Elisa Morgan Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Let’s be honest, parenting can feel incredibly isolating at times. Whether you're in a full house or navigating solo moments between the chaos, it’s easy to feel like no one really sees what you're carrying. But here’s the good news: you were never meant to do this alone. This week’s conversation is a beautiful reminder of that truth.

I had the joy of sitting down with Elisa Morgan. And let me tell you, her wisdom is like a warm hug and a pep talk wrapped in one. We talked all about community: the kind that meets us in our mess, challenges us with grace, and reminds us we’re not the only ones still figuring this out.

Here’s what you’ll take away from our time together:

Why showing up as you are is the key to finding meaningful friendships
How biblical community helps us grow spiritually and emotionally
What to do when you feel disconnected or unseen
Ways to nurture authentic relationships in every season of motherhood

Elisa is a speaker, author, and podcaster with Our Daily Bread Ministries, and formerly served as president of MOPS International (now MomCo). She has a deep passion for encouraging women through honest stories of faith and motherhood. Elisa’s personal experience of brokenness and grace infuses her work with incredible hope and healing.

I hope this episode helps you feel just a little more seen—and reminds you that you are never parenting alone.

(00:00) Introduction to Community and Personal Stories

(03:05) The Importance of Community in Parenting

(06:06) Navigating Changing Friendships

(09:12) The Role of Scripture in Community

(11:52) Encouragement for Women to Reach Out

(14:57) Building Relationships with Non-Christians

(18:00) Final Thoughts on Parenting and Community

Connect with Elisa

God Hears Her podcast

Blog

Website

Resources Mentioned

God Hears Her podcast

MomCo

Fizzlebop Super Science Board Books

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The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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Finding faith in unanswered prayers with Kara Stout Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Hey friend,

We all know the ache of unanswered prayer, the kind that keeps us up at 2 a.m., whispering desperate prayers into the dark.

This week on the podcast, I sat down with Kara Stout, who knows that ache all too well. From infertility and adoption to financial stress and deep grief, Kara’s story is one of wrestling with disappointment, surrendering expectations, and still choosing to trust a good and faithful God.

This conversation is for anyone who’s walked through the valley and wondered if God was still near. Kara gently reminds us: He is. Even when it hurts.

Here are a few things we talk about:

What it looks like to pray through grief instead of performing for God
How to hold space for fear, faith, and surrender at the same time
The simple but powerful gift of morning and evening prayer rhythms
Why honesty with God invites deeper healing

Kara Stout is a writer, speaker, wife, and mom who has walked through more than her share of heartache, but she’s also found the beauty of God’s nearness in it all. Her new devotional, An Untroubled Heart, is a 30-day prayer guide to help you start and end your days grounded in God’s presence. She is passionate about helping women grow deeper roots of faith even in hard seasons.

Let this episode remind you that unanswered prayer doesn’t mean unseen pain—and healing often begins in the honesty of the wait.

With love,

Steph

Connect with Kara

KaraStout.com

An Untroubled Heart book

Facebook

Resources Mentioned

You Are My Miracle book

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The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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Holding on to hope while you wait with Alice Matagora Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

This week’s conversation is tender, powerful, and one that so many carry quietly: the journey of waiting for a child. I’m joined by Alice Matagora and she shares her story of infertility with such grace and vulnerability, offering encouragement for anyone walking through a season of waiting or supporting someone who is.

Whether you’ve walked this road yourself, are in the middle of it, or love someone who is, this episode is an invitation to sit with hope and trust that God is near, even in the waiting.

Here are a few truths Alice helped shine a light on:

- God's timing is never wasted, even when it feels like everything is on pause

- It’s okay to feel unseen—God still sees and is working in your story

- Waiting seasons can deepen our faith and strengthen our identity in Christ

- How to support others walking through infertility with compassion and sensitivity

Alice is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a wife, mom, and a missionary with the Navigators. She serves as the leader development initiative program director and is passionate about raising up disciple-makers in everyday life. Alice’s personal journey through infertility has shaped her deep belief in God’s faithfulness, even in unseen seasons.

Wherever you are today, waiting, celebrating, or supporting someone on their journey, know that you’re not alone. God sees you.

00:00 The Joys and Challenges of Parenting

02:54 The Journey of Infertility

05:53 Faith and Waiting

09:01 The Impact of Infertility on Relationships

12:01 Navigating Joy and Grief

14:52 Supporting Friends Through Infertility

17:59 The Miracle of Life

21:12 Celebrating the Gift of Children

Connect with Alice

Resources Mentioned

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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Living in the tension of overwhelmed and grateful as a parent with Jillian Benfield Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever felt pulled between being deeply grateful and totally overwhelmed? You’re not alone, and today’s conversation will meet you right in that tension.

I’m joined by author and TV journalist Jillian Benfield, who shares her powerful story of navigating unexpected challenges and discovering a deeper, more honest relationship with God along the way. We talk about avoiding toxic positivity, embracing life’s hard and holy moments, and learning to live in the “and.”

Here are a few of my favorite takeaways:

How the Psalms teach us to see life through the lens of order, disorder, and reorder
What it means to raise emotionally aware kids using simple practices like “highs and lows”
Why honesty with God is more powerful than forced positivity
How to start practicing daily rhythms of gratitude and lament

Meet Jillian Benfield:

Jillian is a former TV journalist turned author and disability advocate. Her book, Overwhelmed & Grateful, invites readers to reframe unexpected seasons and find deeper purpose in the midst of pain. She writes and speaks with vulnerability, wisdom, and a deep heart for helping others see God’s goodness even when life doesn’t go as planned.

With Love,

Steph

(03:02) Navigating Parenting Challenges

(06:08) The Power of Vulnerability

(08:56) Understanding Overwhelm and Gratitude

(11:55) Practicing Honest Gratitude

(14:55) Order, Disorder, and Reorder

(18:02) Finding God in the Everyday

(21:03) Creating a Daily Rhythm of Gratitude

(24:03) Connecting with Jillian Benfield

Connect with Jillian

W ebsite

Facebook

Overwhelmed & Grateful book

Resources Mentioned

Biggest Story Holy Bible for Kids

What to Say and How to Say it to Your Teens

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The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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How to start your mornings with God (even if you’re not a morning person) with Tara Beth Leach Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

If your mornings feel more like survival mode than sacred space, this week’s episode is for you.

I’m joined by Tara Beth Leach, she's pastor, author, and mom, and we’re talking all about how to make mornings with God doable and deeply meaningful, even in the busiest seasons of parenting. Tara Beth shares how a personal valley led her to create a simple rhythm that invites God into the start of her day… and now she’s helping the rest of us do the same.

Whether you’re up before the sun or waking to chaos and cartoons, there’s something here for you.

Here’s a little of what we cover:

A simple “G.R.E.A.T.” framework for mornings with God: Gratitude, Reflection, Exalt, Ask, and Trust
Why five intentional minutes can shift the tone of your whole day
How to create spiritual connection as a family (yes, even with toddlers!)
Ideas for inviting your spouse or teens into the rhythm with you

Meet Tara Beth Leach:

Tara Beth is a pastor, preacher, and author with a deep passion for helping people walk closely with Jesus in their real, everyday lives. Her newest book, The GREAT Morning Revolution, invites readers into a grace-filled rhythm of connection with God, no perfect routine or Instagram-worthy quiet time required.

Because the way you begin the day can shape your family’s whole rhythm.

(01:58) Transitioning to Morning Time with God

(06:02) Becoming a Morning Person: A Personal Journey

(14:59) Practical Morning Prayer for Parents with Littles

(20:09) Creating a Morning Routine: The GREAT Framework

(21:00) Transforming Morning Routines with God

(32:55) The Impact of Morning Practices on Family Dynamics

Connect with Tara

Website

The GREAT Morning Revolution

Facebook

Resources Mentioned

The GREAT Morning Revolution

Operation Christmas Child

Bishop's Block & Young Whit and the Shell Game

Biggest Story Holy Bible for Kids

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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The power of a shoebox & how one gift can change a life with Izabella McMillon Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Hey friends,

Have you ever packed an Operation Christmas Child shoebox and wondered where it might end up? Or what kind of impact something so small could really make?

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Izabella McMillon, who received one of those shoeboxes as a child growing up in Romania. Her story is deeply moving, a real glimpse into how God can use simple acts of generosity to open hearts and change lives.

We talk about how something as small as a toothbrush or a stuffed animal can become a doorway to the Gospel, and how serving together as a family can shape your kids' hearts for compassion and mission.

Here are a few things you’ll hear in this episode:

The moment a shoebox revealed God's love to a young girl in Romania
How small acts of service can create a ripple effect in a child’s life
Why participating in Operation Christmas Child builds a global perspective in our kids
Practical tips for turning shoebox packing into a fun, meaningful family tradition

Izabella grew up in Romania and now works with Samaritan’s Purse as a speaker and ambassador for Operation Christmas Child. After receiving a shoebox as a child, she now helps share the Gospel and invite others into the mission of reaching children around the world with hope and joy. Her story is a beautiful reminder of how God uses people, and shoeboxes, to write redemption stories.

Grateful for this conversation and praying it inspires you and your family to serve together in new ways.

With Love,

Steph

(00:00) Introduction to Operation Christmas Child

(02:50) Izabella's Childhood in Romania

(06:08) Discovering Faith in a Communist Regime

(09:11) The Impact of a Shoebox Gift

(11:50) The Journey of Faith and Prayer

(15:00) The Power of Prayer and God's Timing

(18:05) The Role of Discipleship in OCC

(20:59) Izabella's Path to Working with OCC

(24:03) Packing Shoeboxes as a Family

(27:08) How to Pack a Shoebox

(30:03) The Importance of Generosity and Service

(33:09) Conclusion and Call to Action

Resources Mentioned

Operation Christmas Child

Gift Suggestions

Year-round packing ideas

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

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Living out loud with kindness with Jimmy Darts Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

This week’s episode is one you’re going to want to listen to with your kids! I’m talking with Jimmy Darts, yes, thatJimmy Darts from social media, whose videos of undercover kindness and radical generosity have touched millions. But what you might not know is the incredible faith journey behind it all.

Jimmy’s story is a beautiful reminder that even the smallest act of love can ripple into something much bigger. He shares how God nudged him out of his comfort zone and into a calling that’s all about seeing people, stepping in, and choosing kindness again and again.

Here are a few things we talk about in this episode:

How God used an unexpected challenge to turn Jimmy’s life completely around
The importance of obedience, even when it feels risky or countercultural
Simple ways to model generosity and compassion in your everyday parenting
Why kids don’t need a huge platform to make a huge difference

And for a fun bonus, my son Griffin joins us at the end with some great questions just for Jimmy! It’s such a sweet moment that I think your whole family will enjoy.

Jimmy is a social media creator, author, and speaker known for his viral videos highlighting undercover acts of kindness. With over 12 million followers across platforms, he’s on a mission to spark a movement of generosity around the world. His new book, Undercover Kindness, is a heartfelt and practical guide to living out compassion, one small step at a time.

I hope that today’s conversation encourages a life of kindness that starts at home and reaches far beyond.

(03:09) Jimmy's Journey to Faith and Kindness

(06:09) The Impact of Social Media on Kindness

(08:59) Growing Up with Generosity and Faith

(11:56) The Power of Kindness in a Divided World

(15:07) Practical Ways to Show Kindness

(17:59) Encouraging the Next Generation

(20:58) Griffin's Questions on Kindness

(24:04) Deepening Your Relationship with God

(27:02) Conclusion and Book Release

Connect with Jimmy