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Upside-Down Parenting – Summit Ministries — Christianity
Upside-Down Parenting – Summit Ministries

Do you feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of helping your kids see the world the way God does? Does parenting sometimes leave you feeling disoriented—like you’re spinning upside-down?

You’re not alone. We love our kids and want more than anything for them to grow up with flourishing faith. Each episode of this podcast will give you practical insight, biblical wisdom, and encouragement for the journey. We’re here to walk through both the hard stuff and the everyday stuff with you. By connecting truth with relationships, we can create a powerful, lasting influence in a child’s life. When our kids experience both—the clarity of biblical truth and the security of God’s love, and yours—it creates a space for real transformation.

If parenting feels upside-down sometimes, that’s okay—following God’s design often is upside-down compared to everything around us, and that’s exactly what makes it powerful.

Welcome to Upside-Down Parenting from Summit Ministries. Let’s journey together.

Copyright: © 2025

Latest Episodes:

How to Set a Family Mission, Values, & Verse Together—A New Year Reset for Christian Parents | Ep. 25 Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to the Upside-Down Parenting podcast, and Happy New Year! We're so glad you're kicking off the new year with us. Today we're diving into a conversation that could set the tone for your entire year as a family.

The truth is, most families don't drift toward purpose—they drift toward busyness, apathy, or passivity. And if we're not intentional, we let the world dictate our schedules instead of discipling our kids. That's why, in this episode, we're talking about starting the year on purpose—on mission—by creating a simple family mission, identifying your core values, and choosing a Bible verse that anchors everything you do.

No matter your family's life stage, this is a practical, hope-filled way to bring clarity, unity, and direction to your home. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let's build a meaningful foundation for the year together.

Email us at podcast@summit.org—your question may shape an upcoming Q&A!

Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend:

*The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God—Timothy and Kathy Keller

*Choosing a Family "Rule of Life" for the New Year: A Simple Guide for Christian Parents—Jesse Childress

*What role does family play in society?—Jennifer Marshall

Making Holiday Memories That Matter: Choosing Presence Over Perfection | Ep. 24 Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast! As we step into the Christmas season—a time filled with joy, anticipation, and plenty of emotion—we're glad you're here. I'm joined by my co-host, Matt Jones, and together we're slowing things down to talk about what it really looks like to flourish as a family during the holidays.

Whether you're wrapping gifts, driving to a Christmas program, or grabbing a quiet moment between events, this episode is an invitation to cultivate a season marked by presence, connection, and intentionality—all while keeping our hearts centered on the birth of our Savior. Have a question you'd like us to explore in a future episode?

Email us at podcast@summit.org—your question may shape an upcoming Q&A!

Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend:

*Women in Apologetics

*Your Kids Need a Bigger Christmas Story—Sara Starkey

*5 Reasons to Celebrate Advent—Hannah Long

*Is Christmas Pagan? Helping Your Kids Understand the Truth—Timothy Fox

Got Questions? We've Got Answers: Teens, Faith, & Apathy | Ep. 23 Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Who doesn't love a good Q&A podcast? Today, we're diving into some of the biggest and most pressing questions Christian parents are asking right now—questions about raising resilient kids in a rapidly shifting culture, standing boldly for biblical truth, and helping your children embrace God's upside-down Kingdom in their everyday lives.

In this episode, we'll unpack practical parenting strategies, offer faith-filled encouragement, and share real-life tools you can start using immediately. From navigating cultural confusion to strengthening your child's spiritual foundation, we're here to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and Christ-centered wisdom.

Have a question you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? Send it our way at podcast@summit.org—your question just might shape our next Q&A!

So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let's jump into today's conversation!

Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend:

*58% of Highly Engaged Christian Parents Choose a Church with Their Kids in Mind—Barna Group

*2025 American Worldview Inventory Report 1 & Report 2—George Barna

*How Concerned Are Christian Parents About Their Children's Faith Formation?—Barna Group

*The Sibling Effect: What the Bonds Among Brothers & Sisters Reveal about Us—Jeffrey Kluger

*The Nuts and Bolts of Worldview Formation—Dr. Maggie Pope & Dr. Roger Erdvig

Finding Your Voice as a Parent: Speaking Boldly in an Apathetic Culture w/ Katy Faust | Ep. 22 Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

As parents, we all want to raise kids who can recognize truth, love what's good, and stand firm in a world that often feels confusing or apathetic. In this episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast, hosts Matt Jones and Janel Greig talk with global children's advocate Katy Faust about how ordinary moms and dads can find their voice and confidently lead their families.

Katy shares her inspiring journey from being an anonymous blogger to becoming the Founder and President of Them Before Us, a movement dedicated to protecting children's rights. Her story shows that you don't need a platform—you just need conviction and a willingness to speak up.

In this conversation, we explore:

Why kids need more than love and safety—they need both their mom and dad
How to talk with your kids about cultural messages that contradict biblical truth
Practical ways to push past fear, self-doubt, or criticism as a parent
The most important thing you can do to help your children stand boldly for truth
Encouragement for parents who feel overwhelmed, unsure, or alone

You'll also get to know Katy through a fun rapid-fire round that highlights the habits and influences that shape her own family life.

If you're a parent wanting to raise confident, grounded kids in today's world, this episode will give you clarity, courage, and hope.

Have questions for a future Q&A episode? Email us at podcast@summit.org with the subject line "Upside-Down Parenting." Thanks for listening!

Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend:

*Them Before Us

*Them Before Us: Why We Need a Global Children's Rights Movement—Katy Faust & Stacy Manning

*Raising Conservative Kids in a Woke City: Teaching Historical, Economic, & Biological Truth in a World of Lies—Katy Faust & Stacy Manning

*Pro-Child Politics: Why Every Cultural, Economic, & National Issue Is a Matter of Justice for Children—Katy Faust

*Kids' Rights, IVF, Legislation, and More with Katy Faust & Josh Wood

Helping Teens Care About God Again: What Parents Can Do | Ep. 21 Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

Parenting is an incredible adventure—but it can also feel confusing and overwhelming, especially when your teen drifts into apathy about faith. In this episode of the Upside-Down Parenting podcast from Summit Ministries, Matt and Janel unpack what apathy really is, why it shows up, and how parents can help their kids reawaken desire for God through meaningful, everyday practices.

We kick things off with stories from Matt and Janel's lives—from student moments and family traditions, to the world of PSATs, college planning, and the subtle apathy teens sometimes bring to significant life transitions. These honest reflections help set the stage for today's deep dive. This episode offers rich insight for parents who want to cultivate deeper meaning, mission, and affection in their home.

Apathy isn't solved in one conversation—it's shaped over time through rhythms that awaken the heart and steady the soul. 👉 Have a question for our next Q&A episode? Email us at podcast@summit.org with "Upside-Down Parenting" in the subject line. Thanks for listening—and we'll see you next time!

Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend:

*Five Reasons for Spiritual Apathy in Teens: What Parents Can Do to Help—Rob & Amy Rienow

*The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts—Gary Chapman

*Overcoming Apathy: Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care—Uche Anizor

*Five to Thrive: How to Determine if Your Core Needs Are Being Met (And What To Do When They're Not)—Kathy Koch

Pick up the Mic! Why Teens Stop Caring About God: Understanding the Drift | Ep. 20 Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Why do so many teens seem to lose spiritual interest, disconnect from faith, or drift into apathy? And what can parents do about it?

In this episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast from Summit Ministries, hosts Matt Jones and Janel Greig open with real-life stories to highlight the surprising moments when God uses ordinary experiences to shape our kids' hearts.

Then they dive into the rising challenge of spiritual apathy among teens. Instead of simply blaming attitude or immaturity, Matt and Janel explore the deeper heart issues behind apathy and unpack key reasons today's teens disengage spiritually. They discuss how parents can use these reasons as "heart check-ups" to understand what's really going on beneath the surface.

Along the way, they discuss practical parenting stories—humility in parenting, asking forgiveness without excuses, heart-motivation conversations, managing fear when a teen pulls away, and creating rhythms of honesty, grace, and discipleship in the home.

But there is hope! apathy doesn't happen overnight, and neither does growth—but God meets parents and teens in the middle of the mess. Next week, they'll turn to what parents can do to help reignite a teen's desire for God.

If you have a question you'd like answered on a future Q&A episode, email podcast@summit.org and include "Upside-Down Parenting" in the subject line.

Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend:

*Five Reasons for Spiritual Apathy in Teens: What Parents Can Do to Help—Rob & Amy Rienow

*The 4 Questions That Shape a Teen's Faith

*Visionary Parenting: Capture a God-Sized Vision for Your Family—Rob & Amy Rienow

Raising Confident Boys & Girls with a Biblical Identity w/ Dr. Jeff Myers & Dr. Kathy Koch | Ep. 19 Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Today, we're thrilled to share a special episode of the Upside-Down Parenting podcast with you. Several times a year, we host livestreams at Summit specifically for parents—and a few months ago, Dr. Jeff Myers and Dr. Kathy Koch joined us for one of those events to discuss their latest book, Raising Gender-Confident Kids: Helping Kids Embrace Their God-Given Design.

In this conversation, Dr. Jeff and Dr. Kathy equip and encourage parents to navigate today's gender confusion with both clarity and compassion—always grounded in biblical truth.

And here's some fantastic news: you can actually get a free copy of their book by visiting Summit.org/Parents. Be sure to check it out! With that said, let's jump into the discussion.

Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend:

*Raising Gender-Confident Kids: Helping Kids Embrace Their God-Given Design—Dr. Jeff Myers and Dr. Kathy Koch

*Resilient Kids: Raising Them to Embrace Life with Confidence—Dr. Kathy Koch

*Parent Kit: Sexuality & Identity

Pick up the Mic! Overcoming Apathy: Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care | Ep. 18 Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the Upside-Down Parenting podcast from Summit Ministries. Parenting is one of the greatest adventures ever, yet we all know that parenting can also feel overwhelming and confusing. The great news is you don't have to do it alone. We're here to walk with you as you raise your kids to embrace God's counter-cultural truth, his upside-down kingdom, and champion a biblical worldview.

On this episode, we're continuing our conversation about apathy—and how we can push back with courage and purpose. As parents, how can we resist the tide of indifference and step boldly into action? How can we help our kids avoid falling into the same trap? The call to action may look different for each of us, but the heart is the same: pick up the mic. Don't defer, delay, or disengage. Step in. Speak up. Be part of shaping a worldview grounded in truth, courage, and love. So, let's dive in!

Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend:

*Faith of the Fatherless: The Psychology of Atheism—Paul Vitz

*What Do I Say When . . . ?: A Parent's Guide to Navigating Cultural Chaos for Children and Teens—Andrew T. Walker & Christian Walker

*How Parents' Modeling Faith Shapes Their Child's Beliefs—Dr. Jason Barker

Pick up the Mic! The Wake-Up Call–Why Apathy Is Stealing Our Kids' Future | Ep. 17 Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the Upside-Down Parenting podcast from Summit Ministries. Parenting is one of the greatest adventures ever, yet we all know that parenting can also feel overwhelming and confusing. The great news is you don't have to do it alone. We're here to walk with you as you raise your kids to embrace God's counter-cultural truth, his upside-down kingdom, and champion a biblical worldview.

On this episode, we're talking about a rallying cry for parents—and really, for all of us—to push back against apathy and step into action. Whether it's speaking up at a school board meeting, having that tough conversation with your child, really listening to your teen, giving someone else the mic, or re-engaging with an apathetic kid—each moment matters. The call to action may look different for everyone, but the heart is the same: pick up the mic. Don't defer, delay, or disengage. Step in. Speak up. Be part of shaping a worldview grounded in truth, courage, and love. So, let's dive in!

Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend:

*2025 American Worldview Inventory Report 1 and Report 2—George Barna

*Almost Half of Practicing Christian Millennials Say Evangelism Is Wrong—Barna Group

*Apathetic Christians—J. Warner Wallace

*Parenting Gen Z: Guiding Your Child Through a Hostile Culture—Gregory Koukl

Why Marriage Matters in Parenting: The Secret to Strong Families | Ep. 16 Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the Upside-Down Parenting podcast from Summit Ministries. Parenting can feel overwhelming and disorienting. But you don't have to do it alone. We're here to walk with you as you raise your kids to embrace God's counter-cultural truth, his upside-down kingdom, and champion a biblical worldview.

Today, we're going to talk about the secret sauce of good parenting and a strong family: your marriage! Prioritizing your marriage may be the most important thing you focus on as you work to be a better parent.

For more practical, biblically-based resources for parents, check out summit.org/parents.

Resources we talked about or that we'd recommend:

*The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God—Timothy & Kathy Keller

*What Makes a Great Marriage… and Why It's Worth It—Dr. Bob Paul

*What Marriage Has Taught Us About God—Dustin Jizmejian

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