Ever wished you could pull up a chair with seasoned parent coaches and ask your most pressing questions? Whether you’re in the midst of bedtime challenges or working through sibling competition, host Stacy Bellward invites listeners into a real taste of what’s happening inside the new cf community.

Katie Johnson, a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and dedicated cf community moderator, is joined by fellow certified coaches Jared Kingry and Bekah Idle for a conversation about two real questions that parents submitted in the community!

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that you’re not alone, there’s no silver bullet, and growth happens through hard moments, not around them. Press play to listen in, and when you’re ready for more, the door to the cf community is wide open.

Today’s episode is brought to you by David Richter, owner of SimpleCFO and author of Profit First for Real Estate Investing. We’re grateful for David’s sponsorship, which helps make these conversations possible for families everywhere. You can find more information on his website https://simplecfo.com/.

“What’s most important is not that I get it right all the time, but that I can stay regulated… “ — Jared Kingry

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

As a former teacher-turned-homeschool mom with a sensitive & intense child, Katie Johnson came to Connected Families at the end of her rope. As a CF coach, she now helps struggling families adopt a whole-Bible, whole-brain approach for Christ-centered transformation. She loves providing practical tools to help families apply the CF framework to their unique situations. Katie lives in Madison, WI, with her husband, three young kids, a dog, and three chickens. Katie holds a Master’s in Education and has a special passion for supporting families with toddlers.

Jared Kingry is a youth pastor, husband, and father of three, bringing both personal and professional perspectives to parenthood. With over a decade in youth ministry, he’s walked alongside families through the challenges and joys of doing life together. He has worked to expand his church’s ministry to include parent coaching that supports discipleship at home, offering a holistic approach that integrates faith, love, and compassion into every aspect of parenting.

As a mom of 6 kids (biological and foster), Bekah Idle is a Certified Parent Coach with Connected Families. She walks alongside parents who are ready to move from frustration to fruitfulness. Through years in ministry, homeschool co-ops, and children’s theater, she’s seen it again and again: kids thrive when they feel connected, understood, and deeply loved. She encourages parents with this: You CAN raise wise, confident, connected kids—and ENJOY doing it.

🏡 Ready to Take a Seat in the cf community?

This episode is your personal invitation.

If anything shared today resonated, if you felt that quiet “yes, I need that” while you listened — we’d love to welcome you in. The cf community is open and ready for you, with coach-led conversations, faith-anchored courses, and parents from around the world walking this road right alongside you.

👉 Join the cf community today

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents find shows like this one.

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

© 2026 Connected Families

In this special episode, host Stacy Bellward sits down with Katie Johnson, Connected Families’ new Community Engagement Manager, Certified Parent Coach, and former educator, to unveil something brand new: the cf community! A place where you’re not parenting alone.

After years of watching the Connected Families Framework™ transform households, the team noticed one consistent truth: parents grow faster when they’re not parenting alone.

The cf community is designed to be that “people in your corner” space. A faith-anchored, research-informed gathering place where parents can slow down, reflect, ask hard questions, and celebrate small wins alongside a coach and like-minded community. Stacy and Katie walk through what’s inside, who it’s for, and the deep biblical why behind this new chapter of the ministry.

Whether you’re a grandparent helping raise grandkids, a parent in a particularly hard season, or someone simply hungry to keep growing, this episode is an invitation to find a resting place for your parenting journey.

When Katie shared a post from a mom who had just experienced a profound mindset shift inside the community:

“I’m working through Grace and Truth for Moms, and today’s lesson was so impactful. What a mindset shift from ‘it’s my job to get my kids to obey’ to ‘it’s my job to parent wisely.'”

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

As a former teacher-turned-homeschool mom with a sensitive & intense child, Katie Johnson came to Connected Families at the end of her rope. As a CF coach, she now helps struggling families adopt a whole-Bible, whole-brain approach for Christ-centered transformation. She loves providing practical tools to help families apply the CF framework to their unique situations. Katie lives in Madison, WI, with her husband, three young kids, a dog, and three chickens. Katie holds a Master’s in Education and has a special passion for supporting families with toddlers. 

🏡 Ready to Take a Seat in the cf community?

This episode is your personal invitation.

If anything Katie or Stacy shared today resonated, if you felt that quiet “yes, I need that” while you listened, we’d love to welcome you in. The cf community is open and ready for you, with coach-led conversations, faith-anchored courses, and parents from around the world walking this road right alongside you.

👉 Join the cf community today

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents find shows like this one.This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

© 2026 Connected Families

What if your church’s parent ministry became the place families pointed to and said, “That’s where everything changed for us”?

In this eye-opening episode, host Stacy Bellward sits down with Dr. Cindy Wilson, Connected Families Director of Education, Equipping, and Research, and Joe Dewey, Connected Families Director of Operations, two people who are also living out our Ministry Partnership Program inside their own churches. They pull back the curtain on what it really looks like when a church goes “all in” on equipping parents, the surprising cultural shifts that happen, and the simple first steps any ministry leader can take.

Whether you’re a parent who wishes your church offered something deeper, a children’s ministry director hungry for trusted resources, or a school administrator searching for a unifying framework, this conversation will give you both the vision and the practical roadmap. Press play and discover how your church or school can become a place where families don’t just survive parenting, they thrive through it.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

Guest Bio:

Cindy Wilson is a CF-Certified Parent Coach and a Certified Family Life Educator with 20+ years in children & family ministry and academia. As Director of Education, Equipping, and Research for CF, she helps churches, schools, and other organizations use CF resources to equip and support families in their community. She is also helping collect data to show the impact of CF resources on parents and families. Cindy lives in Florida with her husband of over 30 years. She has three adult children, one son-in-law, four grandchildren, and a farm full of animals.

Joe Dewey is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach. He has served as Connected Families Operations Director for the past year and is on the ministry’s leadership team. He is the husband of Courtney, who is also a Certified Parent Coach, and together they have awesome kids.

© 2026 Connected Families

You crawl into bed exhausted, but your brain won’t stop spinning. The to-do list. The moment you wish you’d handled differently. The worry you can’t quite name. There’s a term for what you’re carrying: the mental load of motherhood, and you weren’t meant to carry it alone.

In this conversation, host Stacy Bellward sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist Heidi Mortenson to unpack what the mental load actually is, why it’s often rooted in lies rather than tasks, and how inviting Jesus into those quiet, exhausting spaces can change everything.

Heidi shares her personal journey of surrender and how the Holy Spirit transformed her marriage, her work, and her parenting. Whether it’s Mother’s Day, an ordinary Tuesday, or 11 pm and you can’t sleep, this episode is a warm encouragement for every mom carrying more than she was meant to carry.

“Jesus doesn’t just love you. He likes you.” Let that calm your soul, Mom.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

Heidi Mortenson is a coach and consultant for businesses, leaders, and churches. Having built a mental health practice herself, she understands the ups and downs of balancing personal and business. She is the host of the Strong Tower Mental Health Podcast and the author of the book The Brave Encourager. She speaks on various topics such as identity, parenting, mental health, and leadership. She lives with her husband and three children in Minnesota, where they spend a lot of time at the hockey rink. You can find out more about Heidi at www.heidimortenson.com.

© 2026 Connected Families

May is National Foster Care Month! For today’s episode, we’ve invited author Jamie Finn to help us discover how faith and foster care are deeply connected. Jamie Finn opens up about the surprising realities that reshaped her family’s mission. You’ll hear what truly sustains foster families through their hardest seasons. Listen in for practical wisdom that applies whether you foster yourself or simply want to love foster families well.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

Jamie C. Finn is the author of the bestselling book, Foster the Family, as well as Filled: 60 Devotions for the Foster Parent’s Heart, and a new children’s book, God Loves Kids: A Gospel-Centered Book About Foster Care. She is the founder and President of Foster the Family and founder of the Filled Gathering. She uses her social media accounts to offer a glimpse into the real life of a foster parent and provide encouragement to tens of thousands of foster and adoptive parents. Jamie is the mother to 7 children through foster care, adoption, and birth. She lives in Sicklerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Alan.

© 2026 Connected Families

Get the FREE ebook, and start your journey toward better, more connective discipline in your home.

Does your child often wake up with a grumpy morning attitude — cranky, overwhelmed, or melting down before the day even begins? You’re in the right place. In this audioblog episode, the final installment in our Sensitive & Intense Kids series, you’ll hear practical, sensory-smart strategies rooted in the Connected Families Framework™  for turning a grumpy morning into a calmer start for the whole family. You’ll walk away encouraged to meet your child with grace, compassion, and understanding, even on the hardest mornings.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

You’ve seen what the Connected Families Framework can do. What if you could bring that to other families?

Join us on May 6 at 12:30 pm CTS for a free one-hour informational webinar on becoming a CF Certified Parent Coach. No pressure. Just real information to help you take your next step.

Reserve your spot today!

Can’t make it live? A recording will be available through May 14.

© 2026 Connected Families

Parenting isn’t easy, but when you’ve got an extra INTENSE or SENSITIVE child with big feelings… it’s even harder.

The Sensitive and Intense Kids online course will equip you to parent well, even with these unique kiddos.

Ever feel stuck when your child’s big emotions take over, and nothing seems to help? In this audioblog episode, host Stacy Bellward adapts one of our most-downloaded blogs for listeners: 50 Self-Regulation Activities to Empower Your Child to Calm. She’ll walk you through the essential difference between self-regulation and emotional regulation for kids. Learn practical sensory strategies, hear real family stories, and discover how to help your child move from meltdown to meaningful conversations. Whether you’re parenting a toddler or a teen, you’ll walk away with fresh confidence and a toolkit of calming activities you can start using today.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

You’ve seen what the Connected Families Framework can do. What if you could bring that to other families?

Join us on May 6 at 12:30 pm CTS for a free one-hour informational webinar on becoming a CF Certified Parent Coach. No pressure. Just real information to help you take your next step.

Reserve your spot today!

Can’t make it live? A recording will be available through May 14.

© 2026 Connected Families

Parenting isn’t easy, but when you’ve got an extra INTENSE or SENSITIVE child with big feelings… it’s even harder.

The Sensitive and Intense Kids online course will equip you to parent well, even with these unique kiddos.

Does your child melt down over clothing tags, loud noises, or unexpected changes? You’re not alone, and you’re not failing as a parent. In this audioblog episode, Stacy continues our four-week series on sensitive and intense kids with a compassionate, research-informed look at what’s really happening beneath the surface of your highly sensitive kids and their big reactions. Learn how you can respond with grace, empathy, and confidence.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

You’ve seen what the Connected Families Framework can do. What if you could bring that to other families?

Join us on May 6 at 12:30 pm CTS for a free one-hour informational webinar on becoming a CF Certified Parent Coach. No pressure. Just real information to help you take your next step.

Reserve your spot today!

Can’t make it live? A recording will be available through May 14.

© 2026 Connected Families

Got a child with extra big emotions? We get it. And we want to support and equip you. Raising an intense and sensitive child isn’t easy, but it can be filled with hope.

In this episode, we unpack the surprising reasons why some children experience the world more intensely than others, and why their big emotions are rarely about what they seem to be about. You’ll discover a reframe that just might change the way you see your child’s most challenging moments, including a simple but powerful analogy that explains why your child can hold it together all day and then completely fall apart the moment they walk through your door.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated, confused, or just desperate to understand what’s really going on beneath the surface of your child’s behavior, this episode offers the compassionate insight and practical perspective you’ve been looking for.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

Lynne Jackson is one of the Co-Founders of Connected Families. As a parent coach and mom of three intense kids herself, Lynne has walked alongside hundreds of parents, encouraging and bringing hope. She is also a research enthusiast and loves leaning into brain science to equip parents and caregivers better. Most importantly, as a follower of Christ, she brings biblical wisdom, abundant grace, and a “no shame” policy.

Lydia Rex is a registered nurse, wife, and mother of two, and has worked with families in many capacities throughout her career and personal life. She’s been a student of Connected Families since 2014 and continues to find it incredibly life-giving for her own family. Areas of her experience/special interest include foster care and adoption, attachment difficulties, developmental and learning disabilities, including FASD. She brings a trauma-informed perspective to the Connected Families Framework and the desire to see families find peace and healing even in the midst of challenges!

You’ve seen what the Connected Families Framework can do. What if you could bring that to other families?

Join us on May 6 at 12:30 pm CTS for a free one-hour informational webinar on becoming a CF Certified Parent Coach. No pressure. Just real information to help you take your next step.

Reserve your spot today!

Can’t make it live? A recording will be available through May 14.

© 2026 Connected Families

The Sensitive & Intense Kids online course is a game changer. It’s for YOU.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why is parenting so hard?” this episode is for you. In this deeply personal and practical episode, Connected Families co-founder Lynne Jackson opens up about her own journey from organized perfectionist to overwhelmed mom of three. Lynne introduces the foundational layer of the Connected Families Framework, exploring three mental habits that quietly set parents up for toxic, lie-based thinking. Learn how to overcome them and transform your home.

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

Lynne Jackson is one of the Co-Founders of Connected Families. As a parent coach and mom of three intense kids herself, Lynne has walked alongside hundreds of parents, encouraging and bringing hope. She is also a research enthusiast and loves leaning into the brain science and research to equip parents and caregivers better. Most importantly, as a follower of Christ, she brings biblical wisdom, abundant grace, and a “no shame” policy.

© 2026 Connected Families