In a world where social media normalizes labels, more kids are turning to self-diagnosis to make sense of their struggles. Dr. Kathy Koch and Wayne Stender unpack why this happens, how labels can both help and harm, and how parents can respond with curiosity, compassion, and truth. Learn how faith, relationship, and guidance help kids find their identity in who God says they are—not in a diagnosis.

Why are so many kids anxious, lonely, and unsure of who they are? In this episode, Dr. Kathy Koch and Wayne Stender unpack new research showing that a loss of play and independence is leaving kids less creative, more fearful, and increasingly depressed. Learn how restoring freedom, purpose, and connection through Dr. Kathy’s Five to Thrive model can help kids rediscover joy, confidence, and identity in Christ.

How do we talk to our kids about the hard things they see in the news without overwhelming them? In this episode, Dr. Kathy Koch and Wayne Stender explore how parents can help children process violence, fear, and brokenness with truth and hope. Learn how creativity, compassion, and Christ-centered security can become release valves for kids’ anxiety in a world that often feels heavy.

In this episode of the Raising Gender Confident Kids podcast, hosts Wayne Stender and Dr. Kathy delve into the roots of radical gender ideology, exploring how postmodern thinking and the concepts of "your truth" versus "my truth" contribute to today's confusion surrounding gender identity. They discuss the importance of understanding these philosophical underpinnings and how they impact identity formation, particularly in children. The conversation builds on insights from the book "Raising Gender Confident Kids," providing listeners with valuable context and strategies for navigating these complex issues. Join them for an enlightening discussion that aims to equip families with the knowledge to foster gender confidence in their children.

Our kids are tired, but not just from sports or school. In this episode of the Celebrate Kids Podcast, Dr. Kathy and Wayne Stender unpack how smartphones are quietly stealing sleep, peace, and purpose from our children. Learn how constant connection leads to exhaustion and anxiety, and how reclaiming rest can restore focus, joy, and faith in your home.

When truth becomes optional, courage becomes essential. In this episode, Dr. Kathy Koch and Wayne Stender unpack a Supreme Court case surrounding Christian counselor Kaley Childs and explore what it means to raise kids who stand firm in truth with grace. Discover how lies breed anxiety and confusion, but truth, spoken with love, restores peace, identity, and confidence in who God made us to be.

When culture celebrates what’s loud instead of what’s true, families can feel out of sync. In this episode, Dr. Kathy Koch and Wayne Stender talk about why moments like the Super Bowl, concerts, and national holidays shape kids’ identity and belonging more than we realize, and how Christian parents can reclaim these cultural rhythms to point kids back to Christ. Discover how faith-filled families can celebrate with joy, think critically, and bring light into the dark corners of culture.

When was the last time you looked around a room full of kids and saw every face lit—not by screens—but by conversation and curiosity? Across the country, more schools are going device-free, and something amazing is happening: kids are becoming more attentive, more engaged, and more confident.

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids Podcast, Dr. Kathy and Wayne Stender unpack what’s really going on when we unplug. Dr. Kathy explains that technology, while useful, can condition children to expect life to be easy—and when challenges come, they give up too soon. True resilience, she says, comes from facing real-life challenges, learning through struggle, and being guided by caring mentors and teachers.

Wayne and Dr. Kathy share stories of classrooms that have banned devices and rediscovered the joy of eye contact, laughter, and deep discussion. They also dive into how screens affect the brain, why “teachers teach—devices don’t,” and how parents can intentionally awaken their kids’ natural strengths—the 8 Great Smarts—by engaging them offline.

Together, they remind parents that resilience isn’t about perfection—it’s about being teachable, humble, and ready to grow. Through stories from Scripture (like Apollos in Acts 18) and insights from today’s classrooms, this episode will inspire you to see device-free living not as deprivation—but as an invitation to rediscover the fullness of life God designed for your family.

In this episode of Facing the Dark, Wayne Stender and Dr. Kathy Koch tackle a question many parents quietly wrestle with: Can we really afford to raise kids in today’s world? Drawing from both research and real-life experience, they unpack the financial realities of family life and explore what it means to trust God’s calling over cultural caution.

Dr. Kathy emphasizes that parenting isn’t just a financial decision, it’s a spiritual one. She encourages parents to seek the Lord’s guidance when considering children, to embrace sacrifice with joy, and to celebrate kids as image bearers, not economic burdens. Together, Wayne and Dr. Kathy connect these themes to the book of Haggai, reminding listeners that delaying obedience for financial security often leads to spiritual emptiness. Parenting, they say, is sacred temple work—raising the next generation to reflect God’s glory in the world.

In this episode of the Raising Gender Confident Kids podcast, hosts Wayne Stender and Dr. Kathy delve into the roots of radical gender ideology, exploring how postmodern thinking and the concepts of "your truth" versus "my truth" contribute to today's confusion surrounding gender identity. They discuss the importance of understanding these philosophical underpinnings and how they impact identity formation, particularly in children. The conversation builds on insights from the book "Raising Gender Confident Kids," providing listeners with valuable context and strategies for navigating these complex issues. Join them for an enlightening discussion that aims to equip families with the knowledge to foster gender confidence in their children.