The MAVEN Parent Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Raising Kids Who Can Actually Think in an Age of Distraction w/ Dr. Matt Burford Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Today's kids have more information than any generation in history but they struggle to pay attention, think deeply, and engage with truth. Why? In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Dr. Matt Burford, founder of Tactical Faith, to explore the hidden cost of the attention economy and what it's doing to our kids' minds. Together, they build a practical framework for how parents can address the attention crisis in our young people, helping them to wrestle with big ideas and cultivate wisdom instead of mere information.

Check out Tactical Faith: https://tacticalfaith.com/

Looking for a reading list for kids of all ages? https://jasonmbaxter.substack.com/p/how-to-get-your-kids-to-fall-in-love

Register for the C.S. Lewis Symposium: https://www.mavenconferences.com/cslewissymposium
MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

The Parenting Lesson From C.S. Lewis Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

"There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it." It's one of the best opening lines in children's literature—and it introduces one of C.S. Lewis's brattiest characters. In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the parenting lessons hidden in C.S. Lewis's unforgettable character, Eustace Scrubb, from "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." What does Lewis's initial description of Eustace teach children about having good vs bad character? What clues does he give about the family that shaped him? And what can Christian parents—and their kids—learn from Eustace's remarkable redemption?

Listen to our recent episode on reading and literature: https://linktw.in/qHGugW

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

Parents Break Down what Toy Story 5 got WRONG Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Brett and Erin took their grandkids to see Toy Story 5 recently and wow! Pixar's latest film may have unintentionally created one of the most realistic portrayals of modern parenting yet. An eight-year-old gets her first tablet even though her parents aren't sure they're making the right decision, and within hours, technology has replaced play. Sound familiar?

In this episode, they unpack where the parents went wrong in Toy Story 5 and discuss how Christian parents can navigate technology with wisdom and courage.

Download the smartphone contract: https://equip.maventruth.com/sign-up

Get your free copy of the Navigating a World of Screens course: https://equip.maventruth.com/navigating-a-world-of-screens

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

Why Kids Don't Read Anymore w/Dr. Jason Baxter Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Kids today are reading less and scrolling more. They're being shaped by a digital world that trains them to expect constant stimulation. And at it's core, the decline of reading is a spiritual and cultural problem. In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Dr. Jason Baxter, the Director of the Center for Beauty and Culture at Benedictine College and author of Why Literature Matters, to explore how the Great Books shape the imagination, train the affections, and help form the kind of wisdom, attention, and character our kids need to flourish.

Read the study on education: https://cepr.harvard.edu/news/2026/05/why-us-test-scores-are-generation-long-decline

Read Dr. Baxter's books: https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/my-bookstore

Get the reading list: https://jasonmbaxter.substack.com/p/how-to-get-your-kids-to-fall-in-love

Read "Help! Where Do I Go From Here?" - https://substack.com/home/post/p-177828655

Learn more about Dr. Baxter: https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/

The Battle for Your Child's View of America w/ Jeannette Tulis Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Are you proud to be an American? This week, we're celebrating 250 years of our nation! But nowadays, pride in America is hitting never-before-seen lows. In a culture where it's trendy to despise the United States, how can parents offer a counteracting narrative to our kids amid all the noise? Because if you don't intentionally shape your child's view of America, the culture will do it for you. In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with Jeannette Tulis, a homeschool mom and library and book enthusiast, about how you can use stories to teach kids about U.S. history and direct them towards a reasoned patriotism.

The poll: https://youtu.be/Cofbkllf0Jc?si=MpcFnOdbcuu8t_l5&t=156

Watch our episode on a Reasoned Patriotism: https://linktw.in/vpsipF

Jeannette's recommended book list: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gIICAbubHtCQvNkKtveI26OuZFC5iPmi/view

Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

What Every Parent Needs to Understand About Wokeness w/Dr. Neil Shenvi & Dr. Pat Sawyer Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Your kids are being discipled every day, but by who? Through social media feeds, classrooms, textbooks, influencers, and friends, they are constantly being confronted by competing worldview ideas. And many of the cultural conversations surrounding identity, truth, justice, and what it means to be human are shaped by the ideas behind "wokeness." In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Dr. Neil Shenvi and Dr. Pat Sawyer, authors of Post-Woke, to unpack the worldview behind many of today's cultural debates. Together, they explore how critical theory has influenced our culture, why these ideas continue to resonate with young people, and how parents can help their kids navigate them.

Read about the trans athlete mentioned at the beginning - https://abc7.com/post/jurupa-valley-transgender-athlete-ab-hernandez-wins-2-titles-cif-state-track-field-championships/19206586/

Pick up the book "Post-Woke" - https://a.co/d/04pxzEsC

Learn more about Neil Shenvi - https://shenviapologetics.com/

Learn more about Pat Sawyer - https://www.patsawyer.org/

Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

Progressive Christianity Has Changed w/ Alisa Childers Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Progressive Christianity is evolving. As deconstruction content spreads across social media, many students and young adults are encountering challenges to historic Christianity from voices that seem compassionate, relatable, and trustworthy—all delivered in 30-second, bite-sized clips. In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Alisa Childers to discuss how Progressive Christianity has adapted for a new generation, common red flags parents should watch for, and how Christians can help students navigate these ideas with confidence and discernment.

Get the student edition of “Another Gospel” - https://a.co/d/0aKvg2DH

Learn more about Alisa and her books: https://alisachilders.com/

Check out Alisa's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@alisachilders

Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

Families Never Eat Together Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

In the rush of modern life, family dinner has become increasingly rare. Between work, sports, and endless activities, gathering around the table often falls to the bottom of the priority list. But are families losing something far more important than a shared meal? In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the biblical significance of food, feasting, and fellowship, and why family meals have always played a central role in God's design for families. They also share practical ways to prioritize family dinners and create meaningful connection around the table—even during life's busiest seasons.

Read the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19476994/

American College of Pediatricians on Family Dinners: https://acpeds.org/the-benefits-of-the-family-table/

Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

What I Didn’t Expect About Mom Guilt Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Moms, have you ever experienced "mom guilt"? Your child is struggling with potty training, and somehow you're convinced it's your fault—that if they’re having a hard time, you must have done something wrong. Mom guilt is a nearly universal mom experience—but where does it come from? In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the roots of mom guilt, why mothers often feel uniquely responsible for their children's struggles, and how God's design for motherhood can help explain—and redeem—those feelings. Most importantly, they offer practical encouragement for moms who feel weighed down by guilt and challenge husbands with ideas for how they can actively support their wives and share in the responsibility of raising their children.

Watch the video Brett and Erin are reacting to: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTDbantAJzK/

The Toxic War on Masculinity by Nancy Pearcey: https://a.co/d/0aA6wP3G

Every Moment Holy liturgy books: https://www.everymomentholy.com/

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

What Your Adult Children Need From You w/ Dr. Kathy Koch May 26, 2026

Show notes

One day, our kids grow up. They move away, start their own lives, and make choices of their own—including some we may not agree with. That transition can be difficult to navigate, often bringing grief, uncertainty, and the temptation to overparent in ways that strain the relationship—especially in a culture where many adult children are cutting off contact with their parents. In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with author Dr. Kathy Koch about the dos and don’ts of navigating life after your children are grown.

Get Dr. Kathy's book: https://ckonlinestore.com/

Learn more about Celebrate Kids and Dr. Kathy Koch: https://celebratekids.com/

Watch our other episode on parenting adult children: https://linktw.in/ZRYAma

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

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