Embracing Your Season: Raising Littles and Understanding Teens with Paige Clingenpeel

In today’s episode of Embracing Your Season, Paige welcomes Sara Baldwin, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Story House Ministries, a licensed mental health counselor, wife, and mother of 4. Paige and Sara dive deep into the practice of therapy and how knowing your story intimately; the good, the bad, and the ugly, is paramount to a healthy life. They discuss common misconceptions surrounding therapy, how prioritizing our own healing is a gift to those around us, and how a thriving life mentally, emotionally, and spiritually comes down to connection with others (and Jesus). 

Takeaways:

• When choosing a therapist:
  • Ask around! Referrals are a great way to find trusted options.
  • When you are paired with a counselor - know that you don’t have to stick with them if they aren’t a good fit! Your counselor will not be offended if you want to work with someone else. Think of it like speed-dating: Try a few out before you decide who you feel comfortable enough to be vulnerable with and begin healing. 
  • AACC.net is an amazing resource if you don’t know where to start!
• Recognize how the gift of counseling isn’t just for you, but for the people around you who you love!
  • You helping yourself prevents generational bondage from transferring to your children, your spouse, and others who are close to you. 
• Ask yourself: Am I resistant to counseling? Why is that?
  • Maybe it’s your personality type and you don’t want to be transparent, maybe it’s financial, maybe there’s a spiritual warfare component - the truth is, there will always be reasons why you don’t want to or can’t enter into counseling. But here’s a bigger truth: Healing will never come if you keep making excuses.
  • When you start focusing on how your life and happiness could improve with counseling, look at your excuses and see what can be renegotiated to make room for it. 

Paige Clingenpeel

Questions About the Podcast? Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @Paige Clingenpeel

Instagram: @paigeclingenpeel

YouTube: Embracing Your Season Sponsored by HomeWord

HomeWord

Connecting with Sara Baldwin

StoryHouse Ministries

Email StoryHouse: [email protected]

Keywords/Hashtags

#embracingyourseason #mentalhealth #podcast #podcastcommunity #paigeclingenpeel #homeword #therapy #counseling #trauma #healing #process #benefits #happy #connection #storyhouseministries #storyhousecounseling #pfcaudiovideo 

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*Listener Discretion Advised* This episode contains adult themes such as depression, suicide, self-harm, sex, and others. We suggest listening to this show with headphones or when your littles are not around.

On today’s episode of Embracing Your Season, Paige welcomes Jennifer Barnes, a licensed K-6 educator with over 14 years of experience in the field who is currently the Director of Programming with The Respect Team. Jennifer and Paige dive into a powerful conversation about the work Jennifer and her team are doing in schools, equipping kids and teens with essential life skills. They focus on teaching practical tools like setting boundaries, understanding consent, healthy communication, and respect for self and others. This is a must-listen for parents of children at any stage, as Jennifer and Paige highlight how modeling kindness, honoring boundaries, and being a safe space for your child to learn these lessons are vital, not just during childhood but well into adulthood.

Takeaways:

1. Using everyday scenarios in our homes to help equip our kids to navigate hard circumstances:
   1. i.e., talking about kindness, how do we navigate giving consent? How do we help set our boundaries and make sure people are respecting them?
   2. Ask your kids in daily life - Was that kind? How would you have done that? How can you share this boundary with your sibling, friend, etc.?
2. Model boundary behaviors with our kids
   1. What we speak over our kids, what we enforce or let them get away with is teaching them their worth and value in our home. This also informs the relationships they will have outside the home!
3. Be educated about the policies that are being implemented at your child’s school
   1. Figure out what the teacher “standards: are coming into the classroom from the school board at the state and federal levels - this is our responsibility as parents!

Paige Clingenpeel

Questions About the Podcast? Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @Paige Clingenpeel

Instagram: @paigeclingenpeel

YouTube: Embracing Your Season Sponsored by HomeWord

HomeWord

PassItOn: Trainer of Trainers

Connecting with Jennifer Barnes

The Respect Team

Instagram: @the.respect.team

Facebook: The Respect Team

TikTok: The Respect Team

Email Jennifer: [email protected]

Suicide Hotline: If you need emotional support, reach out to the national mental health hotline: 988.

Keywords/Hashtags

#embracingyourseason #mentalhealth #podcast #podcastcommunity #paigeclingenpeel #homeword #therespectteam #teens #school #consent #respect #boundaries #model #teach #getinvolved #pfcaudiovideo 

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Picture the scene: your kid tells you so-and-so’s parent (your friend) said something mean about them to someone else. You see red. There’s no deep breath, there’s no prayer sent heavenward - you pick up your phone, shoot off a text…and then come to find out it was all a big misunderstanding. UGH. Friends, we’ve all been there. Parenting fails are REAL and probably more frequent than we want. So, how do we handle these moments of embarrassment and use them as teaching moments for our kids? Paige and producer Mike Segovia tackle this subject by vulnerably sharing some of their recent fails. Get ready to cringe, laugh, and join them in solidarity as they examine what they would have done differently, and how we can use our shortcomings to model integrity to our kids.

Takeaways:

1. Continue to create opportunities for your kids to come to you.
2. If you fail (as we all do), ask forgiveness and then ask your kids what you can do differently to support them next time. 

Paige Clingenpeel

Questions About the Podcast? Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @Paige Clingenpeel

Instagram: @paigeclingenpeel

YouTube: Embracing Your Season Sponsored by HomeWord

HomeWord

Guest Info:

Mike Segovia - PFC Audio Video

Keywords/Hashtags

#embracingyourseason #mentalhealth #podcast #podcastcommunity #paigeclingenpeel #homeword #pfcaudiovideo #communicationfails #parenting #drama #communicate #lifelessons #livinginintegrity #honesty #learning 

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On today’s episode of Embracing Your Season, Paige has a special conversation with Rhonda Haslett and her son Maxx. Maxx’s story is one of hopelessness to hope; of chasing substance-induced highs and self-harming behavior to encountering God and His love in a deeply powerful way. With honesty and vulnerability, Maxx and his mom share the journey their family navigated while he was in some of the darkest seasons and how God in His goodness brought him out and led him to light. This testimony is a beautiful picture of how God pursues the hearts of those He loves - and a reminder that He is always waiting for us to surrender ourselves to Him. 


Paige’s Takeaways:

• God is the one that saves, and my role as a parent is one to love.
  • Don’t put yourself in a role that you were never designed for! As hard as it is, we have to surrender our children to God and trust that He saves and He loves them!
• Am I overstepping in my advocacy for my child?
  • We want our kids to build resilience and sometimes that means we have to step back, love them well by allowing natural consequences to happen and only step in when absolutely necessary.
• If you find out your child is self-harming:
  • We automatically assume that they can be suicidal, but more often than not it is a coping mechanism.
  • Don’t let your fear rule you! Talk to your child with love and curiosity - ask questions to try and help find what is causing this. 
  • FIND A COUNSELOR for your child and your family. We are trained to help so your child can start to heal. 

Resources:

Paige Clingenpeel

Questions About the Podcast? Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @Paige Clingenpeel

Instagram: @paigeclingenpeel

YouTube: Embracing Your Season Sponsored by HomeWord

Sponsored by: HomeWord

Donate to HomeWord

Connect with The Hasletts

Email Rhonda: [email protected]

First Assembly Ft. Wayne: https://www.fafw.org/about/

Keywords/Hashtags:

#embracingyourseason #podcast #podcastcommunity #paigeclingenpeel #homeword #pfcaudiovideo #rhondaandmaxxhaslett #ministry #prodigalson #ADD #ADHD #substanceabuse #selfharm #depression #loneliness #redemption #love #testimony #Godencounter #healing #teen #parents #treatment

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“First, we form habits, they they form us. Conquer your bad habits, or they’ll eventually conquer you.” - Anonymous

Most of us don’t really think about our daily habits. Aside from our morning coffee or making lunch for the kids before they head off to school - our days just kind of happen. If we started being intentional in the way we lived each day, how much of a difference could we expect to see? Today, Paige welcomes author, speaker, and lawyer Justin Whitmel Earley to discuss the power of habits and more specifically his book, Habits of the Household. With grace and encouragement, Justin shares how intentionality in the areas of discipleship to Jesus, dedication to your spouse, and focused parenting leads to a life positioned toward peace and growth. 

Paige’s Takeaways:

• Our Routines Become Who We Are
  • When we aren’t intentional in our routines, we tend to be emotional and reactionary - which means our “routines” can be stressful.
  • To become intentional - we need a plan!
    • Start with creating a Rule of Life. What do you value as a family? What are your expectations for how you relate to each other and to your community? What do you want to prioritize in your life?
• Discipline - What it Is and What it Isn’t
  • There’s a difference between punishment and discipline
  • Punishment is about inflicting pain/hurting someone as a consequence of their mistake or deliberate action
  • Discipline allows for consequences, but it’s based on a foundation of teaching: teaching why their actions were harmful (to others and themselves), asking where their reaction came from (a place of anger, hurt, confusion, shame, etc.), helping to change their heart to act out of truth and right action next time. 
  • Take a ‘Pause Prayer’ moment. Invite God into the equation! 

Resources:

Paige Clingenpeel

Questions About the Podcast? Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @Paige Clingenpeel

Instagram: @paigeclingenpeel

YouTube: Embracing Your Season Sponsored by HomeWord

Sponsored by: HomeWord

Donate to HomeWord

Connect with Justin Whitmel Earley

Justin Whitmel Earley

Instagram: @justinwhitmelearley

Books:

Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms

The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction

Made For People: Why We Drift into Loneliness and How to Fight for a Life of Friendship

Keywords/Hashtags:

#embracingyourseason #podcast #podcastcommunity #paigeclingenpeel #homeword #pfcaudiovideo #justinwhitmelearley #author #speaker #lawyer #habits #habitsofthehousehold #intention #family #marriage #parenting #kids #grace #transformation #discipline #discipleship 

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In 2011, Melinda Patrick’s daughter came to her and confessed that she was experiencing same-sex attraction. Melinda, an avid follower of Jesus and an active member of her church community was completely caught off-guard, and, admittedly, didn’t handle it well. On today’s episode, Paige has a raw and honest conversation with Melinda about her ongoing journey with her daughter  - and how God in His goodness has worked to transform Melinda’s heart - so she can love her daughter well and surrender her to Him. This is a truly powerful and timely conversation for any parent, family member, friend of a parent, or member of the church to learn from. Melinda’s book, The Daring Rescue, is a hope-filled memoir pointing us back to the true pursuer and molder of our hearts. 

Paige’s Takeaways:

• If your child shares something secret with you, don’t panic!
  • 1st point of conversation should always be: Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m sure it was so hard to let me know what was going on with you.
  • 2nd point of conversation: I am so sorry that you have been struggling with this as long as you have and haven’t felt comfortable coming to tell me. 
  • The topic of conversation can be secondary. Especially if it has deviated from your convictions.
• The Ministry of Presence
  • Sometimes our kids just need us to be with them, to listen to them. 
  • We are designed for community. We need people around us.
  •  Be wary of shutting down and isolating - it can be so destructive!
• If you are not going through an issue like this with your child, but you have a friend or other family member who is:
  • Your friend just needs you to see them and walk alongside them.
  • Understand that grief may be playing a very large role in their life - show up in a loving, honoring way, even if you don’t understand exactly what they are going through.

Resources:

Paige Clingenpeel

Questions About the Podcast? Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @Paige Clingenpeel

Instagram: @paigeclingenpeel

YouTube: Embracing Your Season Sponsored by HomeWord

Sponsored by: HomeWord

Donate to HomeWord

Connect with Melinda Patrick

Melinda Patrick: https://melindapatrick.org/

The Bridge Between Us Podcast: https://melindapatrick.org/the-bridge-between-us/

His Wonderful Works: https://hiswonderfulworks.com/

Contact: [email protected]

Books:

The Daring Rescue: https://melindapatrick.org/the-daring-rescue/

Keywords/Hashtags:

#embracingyourseason #podcast #podcastcommunity #paigeclingenpeel #homeword #pfcaudiovideo #thedaringrescue #melindapatrick #lgbtq #lgbtqchild #book #encouragement #repentence #community #counseling #motherdaughter #forgiveness #faith #truth #followingJesus 

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On today’s episode of Embracing Your Season, Paige welcomes friend, motivational speaker, and author of Worth Seeing, Amy Williams. Amy is a certified Gang Intervention Specialist, a youth ministry veteran of over 29 years, and currently the Project Coordinator for the Ilinois Youth Center for New Life Centers Chicagoland. Paige and Amy discuss God’s heart for the marginalized and why the church has a responsibility for serving these groups. Amy shares that a growing number of young people are experiencing hopelessness which means they have no plans or dreams for their futures - but that we as followers of Christ carry hope wherever we go! It should be our joy and great privilege to share the light, peace, worth, and belonging we have in Him. 

Paige’s Takeaways:

• People are NOT Projects
  • If we see people as problems to fix, the relationship dynamic shifts. Most of the time, people just need us to sit with them and show empathy. We can’t and shouldn’t try to change people - only God can do that!
• We Never Know Their Story
  • Oftentimes we allow our ignorance to place a judgment over their present circumstance - when in reality, we have no idea what led them to this place. 
  • Lean in with compassion and ask questions. Be willing to learn - and be wrong.
• We Already Belong
  • Even if we don’t know the full story, there’s usually a catalyst that has led people to their current situation - and most of the time, it stems from a desire to belong.
  • As followers of Jesus - we already belong! We are chosen, we are beloved, we have worth and value simply because Jesus loves us. We don’t have to strive or perform our way into belonging!
  • This point is particularly important while raising your kids. When they know to whom they belong, it’s not as easy to be swayed or tempted by different crowds with the lure of “belonging”. Teach them whose they are and instill the worth and value that Jesus has placed on them - on each of us.

Resources:

Paige Clingenpeel

Questions About the Podcast? Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @Paige Clingenpeel

Instagram: @paigeclingenpeel

YouTube: Embracing Your Season Sponsored by HomeWord

Sponsored by: HomeWord

Donate to HomeWord

Connect with Amy Williams:

Website: https://www.ahopedealer.org/

IG: @ahopedealer

Email: [email protected]

Books:

Worth Seeing: Viewing Others Through God’s Eyes: https://a.co/d/1YfNVV3

Keywords/Hashtags:

#embracingyourseason #podcast #podcastcommunity #paigeclingenpeel #homeword #pfcaudiovideo #hopedealer #amywilliams #worthseeing #marginalized #poor #incarcerated #gangs #worth #value #youngpeople #service #connection #intention #hope #behope #bemorelikeJesus

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Description:

*Trigger Warning* This episode mentions sexual abuse and listener discretion is advised.

On today’s episode of Embracing Your Season, Paige is joined by author Ben Locke. Ben’s story is one of deep pain, frustration, and wrestling with God ultimately leading to an unexpected outlet for his suffering. Ben’s book, In Our Suffering, Lord Be Near, is a raw, vulnerable, and poetic image of the truth that we will have trouble in this world but that God is with us every step of the way. This episode is a powerful reminder that suffering is part of the fallen world we live in and that when we surrender our pain to God, He will always use it for our good. 

Paige’s Takeaways:

• Focus on the positives in a season of suffering
  • God will always use the pain and the suffering - and He will never abandon us
  • Suffering can lead to blessings, intimacy, and a deeper relationship with the Lord
  • Don’t always take away adversity or the negative circumstances that our kids are going through - in actuality, it can lead them to more maturity, a deeper relationship with God, and depth of character
• Suffering is not linear
  • Remember that in the hardest moments, we are never alone. God is always with us and we have the gift of community.
  • Give yourself grace
• While suffering, lean into God
  • He knows what’s going on, but when we tell Him how we are actually feeling (frustrated, angry, disappointed) and process it with Him - we realize we are not alone, and He will meet us where we are. 

Resources:

Paige Clingenpeel

Questions About the Podcast? Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @Paige Clingenpeel

Instagram: @paigeclingenpeel

YouTube: Embracing Your Season Sponsored by HomeWord

Sponsored by: HomeWord

Donate to HomeWord

Connect with Ben:

Website: https://www.ben-locke.com/

Evensong Journal: https://www.evensongjournal.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evensongjournal

Reach out to Ben: https://www.ben-locke.com/contact

Books:

In Our Suffering, Lord Be Near: https://a.co/d/0z0jnch

Keywords/Hashtags:

#embracingyourseason #mentalhealth #podcast #podcastcommunity #paigeclingenpeel #homeword #pfcaudiovideo #benlocke #soccer #dreams #failure #challenges #loss #abuse #evensongjournal #writer #writing #author #fa

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In today’s episode, Paige is joined by Jennifer Pepito, host of the Restoration Home podcast, founder of The Peaceful Press, and author of the new book Habits for a Sacred Home. As a mother of seven, Jennifer shares her insights on what it truly means to create a ‘sacred’ home (and why it’s not as daunting as it sounds). Together, they explore the importance of intentionality in instilling strong values in children, how to establish “Rules of Life” for your family, and the significance of entrusting your children to God, who ultimately holds their future. 

Paige’s Takeaways:

• We model our values in our homes - not just to our kids, but also to our spouses!
  • If you and your spouse approach modeling values in a different way:
• Have a conversation!
• Keep modeling these values every day, even if your spouse isn’t quite sure how to do it

• Rules of Life for Your Family - if you don’t have an established “Rule of Life”, consider making one now! If you do have one, assess it and see if it still aligns with your values or if an adjustment is needed. Don’t know where to start? Use these guidelines/categories to help!
• Relationship with God
• Do you value going to church? Being part of a small group? Where is your priority and where do you want your kids/your lie to implement your values when it comes to your relationship with God?
• Personal Life and Health
• Are you valuing your health choices, your exercise, and your sleep? When we start putting structure in these areas, it helps us make wiser choices in the moment.
• Relationships with family and friends
• How are you intentional with your relationships? If time with family and friends is important to you, are you structuring your life to honor that?
• Work
• What are your values when it comes to work? If you’re in a toxic or negative work environment, are you in a position to make a change? Do you overwork when it’s not necessary? Take a look at what is necessary in your work life and what you can change.
• How can we teach our children these habits and values?
  • Be intentional! Even when kids are out of the house at school or sports for most of the day, it doesn’t mean those outside influences will win in their lives. Research shows us that the power of a parent's voice can transform the values and belief systems of their child. Recognize that your voice has power!

Resources:

Paige Clingenpeel

Questions About the Podcast? Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @Paige Clingenpeel

Instagram: @paigeclingenpeel

YouTube: Embracing Your Season Sponsored by HomeWord

Sponsored by: HomeWord

Donate to HomeWord

Connect with Jennifer:

Website: https://www.thepeacefulpreschool.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepeacefulpress

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferpepito/

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So, what’s the difference between worry and anxiety?  Having lived with undiagnosed anxiety and depression for 36 years, Nichole Suvar felt like there was something inherently wrong with her. She loved her family, community, and work - and yet she still felt like the world might be better off without her in it. Listen in as author and intentional-living strategist Nichole shares with Paige the tipping point for seeking help, how medication (for a time) and counseling gave her the stepping stones for health, and how living with intention has transformed her life in the past 6 years. Filled with vulnerability and hope, this conversation is for anyone who has ever been (or knows someone who is) the “worry-wart” in their family. 

Paige’s Takeaways:

• What is the difference between worry and anxiety?
  • Anxiety is an actual medical diagnosis that indicates a chemical imbalance in the brain. There’s an overabundance of fight or flight symptomology in their bodies (thinking too much into the future, overwhelmed by circumstances in their life). 
  • Worry and stress are part of daily life but they don’t incapacitate you. You can still function; you can add truth to whatever lie/worry/stress you’re thinking about and be able to move forward.
• You don’t have to do this alone!
  • Go and get help. Talk to your spouse, talk to your friends, talk to people at church, talk to a counselor. Bring this into the light and start healing!
• Combat anxiety by being intentional
  • Ask yourself: How am I intentional? What am I prioritizing? How much screen time am I doing throughout the day? Am I making choices that bless my soul and bless my relationships? These are great questions to prompt you into more intentional living.

Resources:

Paige Clingenpeel

Questions About the Podcast? Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @Paige Clingenpeel

Instagram: @paigeclingenpeel

YouTube: Embracing Your Season Sponsored by HomeWord

Sponsored by: HomeWord

Donate to HomeWord

Connect with Nichole:

Website: www.livewithintent.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startlivingintentional

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrs_nichole_suvar/

Books:

Numbering Our Days: Combating Anxiety in the Power of Small Intentional Moments

Keywords/Hashtags:

#embracingyourseason #mentalhealth #podcast #podcastcommunity #paigeclingenpeel #homeword #pfcaudiovideo #nicholesuvar #anxiety #worry #stress #seekhelp #intentionality #livingwithintention #psalms #combatanxiety #counselor #prioritize #yourenotalone

Suicide Hotline: 988

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