Part 1 (Ep. 322, originally Ep. 143) 

Thanksgiving can be one of the most joyful times of the year—or one of the most stressful. In this episode, we’re bringing back one of our favorite holiday conversations to help your family lean into joy, peace, and purpose this Thanksgiving. We kick off our two-part series with the first ingredient for the best Thanksgiving week, and it may surprise you: awareness. 

We’ll talk about how awareness changes the way you approach family gatherings, helps you notice others’ needs, and invites God’s presence into the holiday. If you want this year to be less about stress and more about connection, this episode is a great place to start! 

👉 In this episode you’ll hear about: 

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After 33 years of parenting seven kids, Don and Suzanne Manning are stepping into a brand-new season: empty nesters! But before you picture peace and quiet, join us for this powerful episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast where we look back at decades of parenting, the lessons learned, and the incredible fruit that comes from choosing family—over and over again. 

You’ll hear raw and relatable stories—from dragging toddlers down the carpet (oops!) to persevere through teenage disconnect. Don reminds us that parenting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about never quitting. Mistakes don’t disqualify you; disengaging does. 

This conversation isn’t just for parents with littles. It’s for every stage: young parents learning the ropes, families juggling the chaos of multiple kids, and those entering the bittersweet transition of launching young adults. You’ll walk away encouraged, challenged, and reminded that family is worth it. 

Whether you’re knee-deep in diapers or navigating curfews with teens, this episode will inspire you to choose connections, embrace grace, and build a family culture that lasts for generations. 

👉 Tune in now and be reminded: parenting is hard, but it’s the greatest, most rewarding work you’ll ever do. 

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In this episode, Macy rapid-fires questions at Suz, drawing out three decades of parenting wisdom from raising seven kids to navigating the empty-nest season. Together, they unpack the heart of family as God’s idea—where parenting is discipleship, connection matters more than tasks, and playing the long game pays off.

From marriage teamwork and practical rhythms to the power of community, prayer, and the joy of adult children, this conversation offers encouragement and tools for every season of parenting. Whether you’re in the toddler trenches, managing teens, or stepping into grandparenthood, you’ll find faith-filled wisdom and relatable stories to inspire your family journey.

Build connection that creates capacity and peace in your home.

Use small resets (like a 5-minute tidy or micro-dates) to beat chaos.

Lead as a unified marriage team and signal love to your kids.

Lean into community and prayer as a protective covering.

Encourage adult kids and celebrate fruit in the next generation.

This episode is for new parents, large families, empty nesters, and anyone who wants practical rhythms and spiritual encouragement for raising a Christ-centered home.

How do you celebrate Halloween as a family and is it bad to do?  

First off, your family needs to personally seek God and obey what he is saying for your family. There is no right or wrong. Obeying God is top priority!  

Secondly, if you do decide to dress up and go house to house here are some mindsets you can empower your kids with.  

These are simple mindsets to help place in our kids' minds as we approach this holiday! 

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Kids can’t learn new skills when their nervous system is flooded. In this episode, Suz and Kenzie show you how to regulate first and coach second using our MONSTER cue: My Only Need: Start To Emotionally Regulate. You’ll learn a faith-filled, brain-wise plan for toddler tantrums, big-kid blowups, and teen flare-ups—without losin;g your own peace. 

Every parent has been there—the dreaded meltdown. Whether it’s your toddler on the kitchen floor, your teenager slamming a door, or even you holding back tears in the car, meltdowns are part of family life. But what if these moments aren’t just problems to solve, but opportunities to connect? 

In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne share wisdom from raising seven kids and over 30 years of parenting experience to help you reframe how you see meltdowns. We’ll dive into why meltdowns happen, how they make us feel as parents, and—most importantly—how to respond in ways that build character, strengthen relationships, and reduce chaos in your home over time. 

You’ll learn practical strategies for handling toddler tantrums, school-day meltdowns, and teenage blow-ups without adding fuel to the fire. From turning a “no” into a redirect, to knowing when to pause and offer grace, this conversation will help you see meltdowns as moments to disciple, not just discipline. 

We’ll also explore the spiritual side of meltdowns—how God uses adversity to grow us, and how we can model compassion, patience, and love even when emotions run high. 

Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. So, if you’ve ever felt embarrassed, overwhelmed, or unsure in the face of a meltdown, this episode is for you. 

👉 Tune in now and discover how to transform meltdowns into meaningful, crazy cool parenting moments. 

Podcast Resources:

Absolutely. In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning explain how to combine God’s favor (grace) with training to standards (discipline) to build self-control, connection, and freedom in your home. You’ll learn the difference between firm vs. harsh, how to respond not react, and a simple “same-side of the line” visual that moves you from power struggles to partnership. The conversation includes empathy that doesn’t excuse behavior, practical scripts for correction, and a preview of emotional regulation tools for “meltdown moments.” Anchored in Hebrews 12:6 and Galatians 5:1, this episode equips you to set clear boundaries and keep a gentle tone—so your kids actually learn. 

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In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning share how to teach kids integrity without lectures. Learn how to model honesty, coach truth-telling with a “respond, don’t react” approach, and create a family culture of integrity. Get age-by-age strategies for littles, middles, and bigs that make character building stick. Anchored in Proverbs 10:9 and John 8, this episode equips you to help your child keep their word, repair quickly, and walk securely.  

🎧 Listen now and start your 3:1 Praise Challenge this week. Then share your family’s integrity win with us! 

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In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Suz and McKenzie talk with Becky, founder of Clean Mama about simple, sustainable home keeping routines for busy families. Learn the 5 daily cleaning tasks, a practical weekly cleaning schedule (bathrooms, dusting, vacuuming, floors, catch-all), how to involve kids in chores, and how to keep a non-toxic home with easy DIY cleaners.

If you’re overwhelmed by clutter, laundry, and dishes, this conversation will help you create peaceful family rhythms that support Christian parenting and the mission of your home. 

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Suzanne sits down with her daughters—now mothers themselves—for an honest, hope-filled conversation about reclaiming a life-giving vision of motherhood. They unpack the tension most moms feel: the days are long, the needs are endless, and perfectionism and isolation creep in. Together they reframe motherhood as Kingdom work—discipleship in real time—where “hard” can be holy, refining, and deeply meaningful. 

You’ll hear practical ways to trade victim-thinking for vision: making motherhood the main thing (letting chores serve connection), joining your child’s world to build present-moment memories, creating more deposits than withdrawals with specific encouragement, and using quick repentance to repair when you blow it. The episode also tackles common pain points—asking for help, carving out breaks before burnout, battling loneliness with intentional friendships and spouse check-ins, and resetting your perspective so you see your kids as the blessing they are. Anchored in Isaiah 40:11, this conversation offers gentle leadership for moms in every season. 

Try it this week: 10 minutes of undistracted play, one clear ask for help, celebrate one tiny win out loud.