Hey, Family Brand community! Have you ever had an idea that just wouldn't leave you alone? Maybe it was starting a business, improving your health, strengthening your marriage, or trying something completely outside your comfort zone. The question isn't whether you've had those moments—we all have. The real question is: what separates the ideas we simply think about from the ones that actually change our lives? That's exactly what we're exploring in this episode.

One of our favorite stories in this conversation comes from Melissa's unexpected "side quest" of starting a vintage business with her sister called Yarn Chasers. It wasn't something they had years of experience doing or a perfectly mapped-out business plan for. They simply decided they were going to do it, rented a booth at a huge market, spent months preparing, and went all in. Whether it lasted forever wasn't the point. The point was that they stopped wondering and started moving. That single decision created opportunities, memories, confidence, and lessons they still carry with them today.

Throughout this episode, we talk about something we've both seen play out over and over in our own lives: there's a huge difference between making a decision and truly deciding. It's easy to say, "Someday I'd like to..." It's much harder—and much more powerful—to commit, take action, and move forward before you have every answer. We've found that once you begin moving, opportunities appear, people show up, and clarity often comes through action rather than before it. You don't have to be certain—you simply have to be willing to take the next step.

One of our biggest hopes is that this conversation encourages you to look back at your own life. Think about the moments that changed everything. Chances are they began with a simple but powerful commitment: "I'm doing this." Whatever season you're in, maybe this is your reminder to stop waiting for perfect certainty. Choose a direction. Commit to it. Trust that you'll learn along the way, even if the path eventually changes. Sometimes the greatest growth doesn't come from making the perfect decision—it comes from becoming the kind of person who isn't afraid to decide.

Hit play to hear the full conversation! We dive into the stories, the mindset shifts, and the powerful quote that inspired this entire discussion—and why we believe commitment often creates the conditions for miracles.

P.S. We're here to help you build your own Family Brand, one episode at a time. So go ahead, hit play, and let's grow together! Or, if you're ready to dive even deeper into our community, follow the links below.

LINKS:

All Links Family Brand!

• stan.store/familybrand
• familybrand.com/quiz
• familybrand.com/retreats.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 Chris Surprises Melissa With a Question
• 01:31 Melissa's Yarn Chasers Story
• 03:37 What Happens When You Go All In
• 05:45 The Power of Truly Deciding
• 08:00 Possibility 2.0 and Radical Commitment
• 10:05 A Quote That Changed Everything
• 11:38 From Wishing to Doing
• 13:00 The Difference Between a Decision and Deciding
• 14:17 Why Commitment Attracts Opportunity
• 16:00 The Kitchen Table Analogy
• 17:26 The Hidden Cost of Indecision
• 18:40 Looking Back at Life-Changing Decisions
• 20:32 Expect Miracles
• 22:00 What If You Choose the Wrong Path?
• 24:08 Why Deciding Is Never Wasted
• 25:18 Be a Person Who Commits

Hey, Family Brand community! Have you ever had one of those moments where nothing is necessarily wrong... but something just feels off? That's exactly where we found ourselves not too long ago. On the surface, life was full of good things—work, activities, commitments, opportunities—but somehow we looked around and realized we didn't actually have much time left to simply be a family. That realization eventually led us to create one of our favorite Family Brand exercises: Take Back Your Family's Time.

The truth is, your calendar will always fill itself if you let it. We learned that the hard way. We had said yes to so many good opportunities that there wasn't much room left for the best things—the conversations around the dinner table, family traditions, slow evenings together, or simply doing the things we genuinely love as a family. Sometimes the problem isn't that we're filling our lives with bad things. It's that we're filling them with so many good things that there's no space left for what matters most.

One of the first things we did was ask a simple question: "Our family works when..." We started making a list of the moments when we feel the most connected. Maybe it's eating meals together, camping, turning off devices in the evenings, going to church, reading together, or having a nightly family check-in. Every family will have different answers, but identifying those rhythms gave us clarity about what we wanted to protect. From there, we took an honest look at where our time was actually going. It wasn't always easy, but it gave us permission to say "no" to some things so we could say a much bigger "yes" to our family.

As another busy season approaches, this is the perfect time to pause and do your own family time audit. Involve your kids in the conversation—they often have incredible insight into what makes them feel most connected. You might be surprised by what they remember and what they value. The goal isn't to create a perfect schedule. It's to intentionally create a life where your family has room to thrive instead of simply trying to keep up.

Hit play to hear the full conversation! In this episode, we walk through the entire Take Back Your Family's Time framework, the questions we ask ourselves every year, and the practical exercise you can use with your own family this week.

P.S. We're here to help you build your own Family Brand, one episode at a time. So go ahead, hit play, and let's grow together! Or, if you're ready to dive deeper into our community, follow the links below.

LINKS:

All Links Family Brand!

• stan.store/familybrand
• familybrand.com/quiz
• familybrand.com/retreats.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 Why We Needed to Take Back Our Family's Time
• 01:19 When Good Things Become Too Much
• 02:11 The Family Exercise We Shared in Croatia
• 03:14 The Wake-Up Call Our Family Needed
• 04:13 Identifying What Your Family Loves Most
• 05:00 Good vs. Better vs. Best
• 05:46 The Story That Changed Our Perspective
• 06:46 Why Every Family Needs a Time Audit
• 07:46 Rediscovering Family Traditions
• 08:27 Preparing for a Busy Season
• 09:00 "Our Family Works When..."
• 10:00 A Family Tradition That Inspired Us
• 11:06 Give Yourself Permission to Say No
• 11:47 Involve Your Kids in the Conversation
• 00:00 Why We Needed to Take Back Our Family's Time
• 01:19 When Good Things Become Too Much
• 02:11 The Family Exercise We Shared in Croatia
• 03:14 The Wake-Up Call Our Family Needed
• 04:13 Identifying What Your Family Loves Most
• 05:00 Good vs. Better vs. Best
• 05:46 The Story That Changed Our Perspective
• 06:46 Why Every Family Needs a Time Audit
• 07:46 Rediscovering Family Traditions
• 08:27 Preparing for a Busy Season
• 09:00 "Our Family Works When..."
• 10:00 A Family Tradition That Inspired Us
• 11:06 Give Yourself Permission to Say No
• 11:47 Involve Your Kids in the Conversation

Hey, Family Brand community! We are so glad to be back in the studio. It probably doesn't feel like we've been gone since we recorded a few episodes ahead of time, but after spending the last few weeks traveling through Croatia and Turkey, we're excited to sit down and share some of the biggest lessons we brought home with us. Every trip has a way of changing us, and this one was no exception.

Our first stop was Croatia, where we hosted another Family Brand cruise with our good friend Antony and the Solomori team. If Croatia has been sitting on your travel bucket list, consider this your sign to move it to the top. It's absolutely beautiful, but what impacted us most wasn't just the scenery—it was the culture. Everywhere we went, we saw families making time for one another, preserving traditions, sharing stories, and simply slowing down. Meals weren't rushed. Conversations stretched for hours. We even learned a Croatian word that quickly became the theme of our trip: pomalo—which simply means take it easy, slow down, don't rush. It became a reminder that maybe we're not meant to race through life quite as fast as we often do.

Then we landed in Turkey, and talk about a complete shift. Everything felt unfamiliar—in the best possible way. From hearing the call to prayer echo across Istanbul to visiting beautiful mosques, trying a traditional Turkish bath, navigating a language barrier, and experiencing a culture completely different from our own, we found ourselves having conversations as a family that we never would have had otherwise. It challenged some assumptions, expanded our understanding of another faith and culture, and reminded us how valuable it is to step outside what's comfortable. We left with an even greater appreciation for the kindness we experienced everywhere we went and for how much there is to learn simply by being curious.

By the time we made it home, each of us had something different we were bringing back. For some of us, it was a renewed commitment to slow down and prioritize family. For others, it was a deeper appreciation for home, or even a desire to start reading physical books again instead of always listening to audiobooks. More than anything, this trip reminded us that growth doesn't just happen through travel—it happens anytime we're willing to be open to new people, different perspectives, and meaningful conversations. Whether your next adventure is across the world or simply across town, we hope it stretches you in all the best ways.

Hit play to hear the full conversation! We dive much deeper into the stories, the laughs, the culture, and the lessons that simply can't all fit into a blog post.

P.S. We're here to help you build your own Family Brand, one episode at a time. So go ahead, hit play, and let's grow together! Or, if you're ready to dive even deeper into our community, follow the links below.

LINKS:

All Links Family Brand!

• stan.store/familybrand
• familybrand.com/quiz
• familybrand.com/retreats.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 Back in the Studio After Three Weeks Away
• 00:41 Our Family Trip Through Croatia and Turkey
• 01:03 The Family Brand Cruise Through Croatia
• 02:18 Why Croatia Should Move Up Your Travel List
• 03:05 From Croatia's Coast to Istanbul, Turkey
• 04:13 A Croatian Village Where Everyone Knows Your Family
• 06:06 Preserving Family Stories and Traditions
• 07:15 What Strong Families and Croatian Culture Have in Common
• 09:28 Pomalo: Slow Down, Relax, and Don't Rush
• 10:33 Experiencing Istanbul and Turkish Culture
• 11:26 What Turkey Taught Us About Faith and Perspective
• 12:30 Stepping Outside Our Comfort Zone as a Family
• 13:12 Helping Our Kids Experience a Different Way of Life
• 15:00 What Each of Us Brought Home From the Trip
• 15:27 Travel, Curiosity, and Learning From Other People
• 16:21 Slowing Down and Prioritizing Family
• 17:05 Rediscovering the Joy of Reading
• 18:13 Here's to the Rest of Summer

Welcome back to the podcast! Today is a fun one because we're recording from an Airbnb in Istanbul with a very special guest—our son, Tate. After spending a week with incredible families on our Family Brand retreat in Croatia, we decided to extend our trip and let our kids help choose the next adventure. Somehow, that led us here to Turkey, which also felt like the perfect place to have a conversation we've wanted to record for a long time: homeschooling, education, and what it looks like to create a learning path that's unique to your child.

Over the last few years, we've had so many parents ask us about homeschooling. Not because they know they want to do it, but because they're wondering if there's another option besides the traditional path. We certainly didn't have it all figured out when we started. In fact, Tate's educational journey has included charter school, public school, homeschooling, a microschool, community college, and plenty of learning that happened outside of a classroom. Looking back, one of the biggest lessons we've learned is that education doesn't have to look the same for every child. Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop asking, "What's normal?" and start asking, "What's right for this child?"

One thing I appreciated hearing from Tate was how honest he was about the experience. It wasn't perfect. There were semesters that went really well and one that went really, really poorly. There were moments where we had to adjust, fill in gaps, and learn alongside him as parents. But that's part of the process. I think so many parents are afraid they'll make the wrong decision and somehow ruin their child's future. This conversation reminded me that kids are incredibly resilient. If there's a gap, it can be filled. If something isn't working, it can be changed. Education doesn't have to be perfect—it just has to keep moving forward.

One of the unexpected gifts of taking a less traditional path was the freedom it created. Tate was able to travel with us, take college classes while still in high school, play sports, explore hobbies like cooking, filmmaking, guitar, and even bird watching, and graduate with an associate's degree before most students graduate high school. More importantly, he developed perspective by experiencing different cultures, meeting entrepreneurs, and seeing that learning happens everywhere—not just inside four classroom walls. Those experiences have shaped who he is every bit as much as his academics.

At the end of the day, this episode isn't really about homeschooling. It's about giving yourself permission to ask better questions. What kind of education will help your child thrive? What environment helps them become curious, confident, and capable? There may not be one perfect answer, and that's okay. Our hope is simply that this conversation reminds you that you have more options than you may realize, and that the best educational path is often the one that's intentionally designed for your family—not the one everyone else expects you to choose.

LINKS:

All Links Family Brand!

• stan.store/familybrand
• familybrand.com/quiz
• familybrand.com/retreats.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Recording from Istanbul + introducing Tate
• 03:45 – Why we wanted to have this homeschooling conversation
• 05:00 – Tate's unconventional education journey (K–12)
• 08:00 – Graduating college before high school
• 09:00 – Will homeschooling ruin your kids?
• 10:30 – Tate's biggest academic failure—and what it taught us
• 12:00 – Why kids are more resilient than parents think
• 13:30 – The courage to choose an unconventional path
• 15:00 – The unexpected benefits of homeschooling
• 16:30 – Why travel became part of Tate's education
• 18:00 – There are more educational options than ever before
• 19:00 – Tate shares his biggest regrets and lessons learned
• 21:00 – Chris and Melissa reflect on parenting through uncertainty
• 23:00 – Advice for parents considering homeschooling
• 24:00 – The goal isn't homeschooling—it's finding what works for your child

Welcome back to the podcast. Today's episode is a little different because we're sharing some really exciting—and honestly, emotional—news. If you've been with us for a while, you probably know that Family Brand has been a huge part of our lives for the last seven years. It's been a dream, a calling, a business, and in many ways, something we've grown right alongside our own family. So today, we're sharing that Family Brand has officially been acquired by Libertas. Before we go any further, though, I want you to know this: we're not going anywhere. Chris and I are still very much part of Family Brand, and we're more excited than ever about what comes next.

As we've reflected on this journey, I keep coming back to where it all started. Years ago, I found myself at a crossroads, wondering whether I should return to nursing or pursue this little idea that just wouldn't leave me alone. I couldn't fully explain it, but I felt this persistent impression that I was supposed to help build stronger families. I had no idea what that would look like. I didn't know how to start a podcast, build programs, or run a business. I just knew I needed to take the next step. Looking back now, it's incredible to see what can happen when you simply say "yes" to something that feels bigger than yourself.

When the opportunity came to partner with Connor Boyack and the team at Libertas, I honestly wrestled with it. Family Brand has felt like one of our children. We've poured our hearts into it, celebrated victories, worked through setbacks, and watched it slowly grow. One day while I was journaling, an analogy came to me that brought so much peace. It felt like giving a child up for adoption—not because she wasn't loved, but because she could have opportunities we simply couldn't provide on our own. And the beautiful part was realizing we weren't saying goodbye. We would still get to watch her grow, cheer her on, and continue being part of the story. That perspective changed everything for me.

What makes this transition feel so right is the alignment. From our very first conversations with Connor, it became clear that we shared the same heart: helping families become stronger. We weren't looking to sell Family Brand, but we were looking for ways to reach more people. Seeing Family Brand become part of an organization that already serves families in so many incredible ways feels less like an ending and more like an expansion of the original mission. And already, we're watching ideas we've dreamed about for years begin to take shape with resources and a team that can bring them to life.

If there's one thing I hope you take away from this episode, it's this: don't let not knowing how stop you from saying yes to what you're being called to do. So often we think we need the whole roadmap before we begin, but that's almost never how it works. You take the first step, and then the next one appears. Family Brand exists today because we were willing to start before we felt ready. And now, this next chapter exists because we were willing to trust that sometimes the greatest act of stewardship is letting something you've built become even bigger than you imagined. We truly can't wait to see where this journey goes next—and we're so grateful you've been on it with us from the very beginning.

LINKS:

• stan.store/familybrand
• familybrand.com/quiz
• familybrand.com/retreats.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – A big Family Brand announcement
• 01:45 – How an introduction to Connor Boyack started everything
• 03:20 – Discovering the alignment between Family Brand and Libertas
• 05:00 – Chris's bold phone call: "Family Brand should be part of Libertas"
• 06:45 – Why this opportunity felt different from the beginning
• 08:00 – Melissa shares the emotions behind the decision
• 10:30 – The journal entry that changed everything
• 11:00 – "It felt like giving my baby up for adoption"
• 13:30 – Why Family Brand found the right home
• 15:00 – Watching dreams become reality with a bigger team
• 16:00 – Looking back on seven years of saying "yes"
• 17:15 – The lesson: answer the call, even when you don't know how
• 18:45 – Chris and Melissa reflect on building Family Brand together
• 19:30 – Family Brand 2.0: what's next and a thank you to the community

Welcome back to the podcast. With Father's Day here, I wanted to have a conversation that would cause all of us to pause and think a little differently about one of the most important relationships in our lives: the relationship we have with our dads. Today's guest is Mick Naples, author of Walking with Grizzlies, a book he wrote after losing his father and realizing there were lessons, conversations, and moments he wished he hadn't taken for granted. What I loved about this conversation is that it isn't really about fatherhood—it's about being a son or daughter and asking what responsibility we have in nurturing those relationships while we still can.

One of the things that stood out to me most was Mick's honesty. He openly shares that while he loved his dad, he didn't always appreciate him. In fact, many of the things he now treasures were the very things he overlooked when his dad was alive. As he reflected on his father's life after his passing, he began to see qualities, sacrifices, and acts of love that had always been there but that he simply hadn't fully recognized. It made me think about how often we focus on our parents' shortcomings while missing the gifts they've given us. And while none of our parents are perfect, that doesn't mean they aren't worthy of honor, gratitude, and intentional connection.

We also talked about something that we discuss often in Family Brand: relationships don't grow by default. They grow by design. As children become adults, the automatic proximity that once existed starts to disappear. We move away, build our own families, get busy with work, and suddenly years can pass without truly investing in the relationship. Mick challenged me to think differently about that. Instead of asking what our parents could be doing differently, what if we asked what role we have in strengthening those relationships? What conversations have we been putting off? What questions haven't we asked? What stories haven't we taken the time to hear?

Another part of the conversation that really stayed with me was the idea that many of the things our parents did that frustrated us as children can look very different through the lens of adulthood. As we become parents ourselves, we start to understand the weight of responsibility, the difficult decisions, and the imperfect ways people try to show love. It doesn't excuse every mistake, but it often creates empathy. And sometimes empathy opens the door to healing, understanding, and deeper connection.

More than anything, this episode felt like an invitation. An invitation to be intentional. To make the call. Ask the question. Write the letter. Schedule the visit. Have the conversation you've been meaning to have. Because one of the hardest lessons Mick learned is that sometimes "later" never comes. And if there's one takeaway I hope you carry from this episode, it's this: don't wait until a relationship becomes a memory to start appreciating it.

LINKS:

All Links Family Brand!

• stan.store/familybrand
• familybrand.com/quiz
• familybrand.com/retreats.

Links For This Episode:

• walkingwithgrizzlies.com.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Introducing Mick Naples and Walking with Grizzlies
• 02:30 – Why Mick wrote the book after losing his father
• 04:00 – "If you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly"
• 05:00 – The kind of father Mick's dad was
• 07:00 – Losing his dad and the regrets that followed
• 09:00 – Honoring parents despite their imperfections
• 11:00 – Why adult children share responsibility in the relationship
• 14:00 – Building parent relationships by design, not default
• 15:30 – Seeing the value in your dad
• 18:00 – When hard parenting is actually an expression of love
• 20:00 – Why proximity creates connection
• 22:00 – How becoming a parent changes your perspective
• 24:00 – Idolize, demonize, then humanize your parents
• 26:00 – The example we're setting for our own children
• 28:00 – The regret of "I'll talk to him later"
• 30:00 – Conversations worth having before it's too late
• 33:00 – Faith, legacy, and the condition of the soul
• 36:00 – Mick's challenge for every son and daughter
• 37:00 – The Walking with Grizzlies resolution
• 39:00 – Final Father's Day reflections

Welcome back to the podcast! Today's episode started with something that might seem small but actually sparked a much bigger conversation. Melissa recently hit a milestone that she's incredibly proud of—51 consecutive weeks of completing at least one workout every single week. Almost an entire year of consistency. And while the achievement itself is worth celebrating, what really got us talking was what it reveals about how meaningful change actually happens in our lives.

For years, Melissa has worked out on and off, but this season has felt different. Part of that comes from seeing the results of consistent effort—not just physically, but in everyday life. Feeling stronger. Having more energy. Being able to play volleyball, jump, run, and keep up with our kids. It's not really about a workout app or even fitness itself. It's about seeing firsthand what happens when you commit to something and keep showing up, especially on the days when you don't feel like it.

That led us into a conversation about a phrase we hear all the time: "must be nice." You know the one. Someone shares a vacation, a business success, a healthy relationship, a fitness goal, or an accomplishment, and the immediate reaction is, "Well, that must be nice." The problem is that phrase usually shuts down curiosity. It assumes the result simply happened to someone instead of asking what sacrifices, discipline, consistency, or effort may have gone into creating it. And if we're not careful, it can keep us stuck focusing on what we don't have instead of learning from people who have created something we admire.

One of the ideas we explored is that every achievement leaves clues. Instead of asking, "Why do they have that and I don't?" a more useful question might be, "What did they do to create that?" Whether it's health, finances, relationships, faith, or personal growth, the formula is surprisingly similar. Get clear on what you want, commit to it, and stay consistent long enough to see results. It sounds simple, but most of the things we admire in others are often built quietly through daily actions that nobody sees.

At the end of the day, this episode is really about personal responsibility and possibility. We all have moments where comparison creeps in or where it feels easier to become frustrated by someone else's success. But what if instead of being threatened by it, we allowed ourselves to be inspired by it? What if someone else's consistency became proof of what's possible rather than evidence of what's unfair? Because the truth is, you're capable of far more than you probably give yourself credit for. And the life you want is usually built the same way Melissa built 51 weeks of workouts—one choice, one day, and one act of consistency at a time.

LINKS:

All Links Family Brand!

• stan.store/familybrand

• familybrand.com/quiz

• familybrand.com/retreats.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Melissa's big accomplishment: 51 weeks of consistency
• 02:00 – Why the Sweat app has worked so well
• 03:30 – The power of tracking progress
• 04:30 – Why consistency is the great divider
• 05:30 – Be a lighthouse, not a tugboat
• 06:30 – How identity is built through repetition
• 07:00 – Staying active after 40
• 08:00 – Pickleball with Tanner and the "special rules"
• 09:00 – The dangerous phrase: "must be nice"
• 10:30 – What successful people actually do differently
• 12:00 – Turning jealousy into inspiration
• 13:00 – The formula for growth in every area of life
• 14:00 – Who's responsible for how content is received?
• 15:00 – 100/100 responsibility explained
• 16:00 – Victim mentality vs. personal ownership
• 17:00 – Creating change instead of complaining
• 18:00 – Final encouragement: you're more capable than you think

Welcome back to the podcast! With summer officially here, we've found ourselves having a lot of conversations about something that many parents seem to be wrestling with right now: how do you raise hardworking, capable, confident kids without accidentally raising entitled ones? We're not coming to this conversation as experts who have it all figured out. In fact, we're right in the middle of it ourselves. As our kids get older, we're constantly asking questions about responsibility, work, money, freedom, and what it looks like to prepare them for adulthood.

One thing we've noticed is that almost every parent we talk to is carrying some version of the same concern. Are we teaching our kids enough? Have we given them too much? Are they ready for the real world? Recently we found ourselves in conversations with other parents who were expressing many of the exact same fears. And honestly, it was reassuring. It reminded us that most parents care deeply about raising great kids and are doing the best they can while trying to navigate challenges that previous generations didn't necessarily face in the same way.

A big part of this discussion comes back to the relationship between responsibility and opportunity. We've been thinking a lot about what we pay for, what our kids pay for, and how to create clear expectations around things like cars, phones, spending money, and privileges. Not because we want to make life harder for our kids, but because we've seen how powerful it is when people earn something for themselves. There's a confidence that comes from contributing, working, sacrificing, and learning that freedom is often connected to responsibility. The goal isn't to create struggle for the sake of struggle. It's to help our kids discover that they're capable of doing hard things and creating opportunities for themselves.

Another idea we've been discussing is the difference between entitlement and empowerment. We recently came across a perspective that challenged us to think differently about how families support the next generation. It raised questions about family businesses, shared resources, multigenerational living, and what intentional support could look like as children become adults. We don't have all the answers, but we do think it's worth asking the question: what kind of future are we intentionally designing for our family instead of simply drifting into?

At the end of the day, this episode isn't really about summer jobs, cell phones, curfews, or snacks. It's about intentionality. It's about deciding what values matter most to your family and then creating systems that reinforce those values. Whether your kids are five, fifteen, or twenty-five, one of the greatest gifts we can give them is the opportunity to become capable, confident, and responsible adults. And sometimes that starts by asking a simple question: are we creating conditions that help them rise—or conditions that make growth optional?

LINKS:

All Links Family Brand!

• stan.store/familybrand
• familybrand.com/quiz
• familybrand.com/retreats.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Summer is here: parenting conversations we're having
• 02:00 – Are we accidentally raising entitled kids?
• 03:30 – The parenting dilemma: provide more or require more?
• 05:00 – Why parents worry as kids become teenagers
• 06:00 – Encouraging feedback from other adults about our kids
• 07:30 – Revisiting expectations around money and responsibility
• 09:00 – Why every family needs a clear philosophy
• 10:00 – When expectations are low, performance follows
• 11:00 – A story about earning phones, cars, and spending money
• 13:00 – Necessity creates action and confidence
• 14:00 – The hidden cost of over-providing
• 15:30 – A different perspective on supporting adult children
• 18:00 – Designing your family's future intentionally
• 20:00 – Family businesses, family compounds, and family vision
• 21:30 – Freedom and autonomy must be earned
• 23:00 – Real-life examples: cars, curfews, and cell phones
• 25:00 – Teaching kids the connection between effort and freedom
• 26:00 – Final thoughts on raising future leaders and capable adults

Welcome back to the podcast! Today's episode is a little different and honestly really special to me. I'm sitting down with my youngest brother, Taylor, for a conversation I've wanted to have for a long time. I'm the oldest of nine kids, Taylor is the youngest, and after my daughter Indy randomly asked me why Taylor had never been on the podcast, I realized this was finally the perfect time to record it.

Recently there's been a lot of conversation online around large families, especially after influencer Hannah Neeleman announced the birth of her ninth child. And watching the reactions was fascinating because people seemed split into a few camps: admiration, criticism, and curiosity. Some people thought it looked beautiful. Others questioned whether it was realistic or healthy. And then there were people who were simply fascinated asking, what is it actually like growing up in a family that big? It made me realize—we actually have a pretty unique perspective on that conversation.

One of my favorite parts of this episode was reading a paper I wrote as a teenager when my parents announced they were having their ninth baby… Taylor. And to be honest, my initial reaction wasn't exactly excitement. I remember worrying about the comments people made about our family, feeling overwhelmed by the idea of "one more," and wondering how our family could possibly stretch any further. But then I read the ending of the paper, written after Taylor was born, where I admitted something completely different: that our family felt more complete because of him. Reading it back now was hilarious, emotional, and honestly a reminder of how perspective changes over time.

Taylor shares what it was actually like growing up as the youngest of nine, and one thing I loved hearing was that what looked "crazy" from the outside just felt normal to him. He talks about how much he loved always having people around, growing up close to nieces and nephews because of our age gaps, and now becoming genuine friends with our siblings as adults. We also talked about how closeness in families doesn't just happen automatically—it comes from prioritizing each other, staying connected, and intentionally creating time together.

More than anything, this episode left me feeling deeply grateful. Grateful for siblings, for cousins, for the relationships that continue long after childhood, and especially for my parents. As we talked, I found myself reflecting on how much they gave to create the life we had. And maybe the biggest takeaway from this conversation is this: family life may not always look efficient or easy from the outside, but the relationships built inside of it can become some of the greatest gifts of your entire life.

LINKS:

All Links Family Brand!

• stan.store/familybrand
• familybrand.com/quiz
• familybrand.com/retreats.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Introducing Taylor + why this episode happened
• 02:00 – Melissa and Taylor's 17-year age gap
• 04:00 – The online debate around large families
• 06:00 – Melissa reads the paper she wrote about baby #9
• 09:00 – "He makes our family complete"
• 10:00 – What it was like being the youngest of nine
• 12:00 – Did the older siblings resent babysitting?
• 13:00 – The lasting effects of having a big family
• 14:00 – Becoming friends with siblings as adults
• 15:00 – The "ingredients" that create sibling closeness
• 17:00 – Melissa's sisters trip to Paris
• 19:00 – Challenges of growing up in a large family
• 20:00 – How their mom raised nine kids with one arm
• 22:00 – "Shoutout to moms everywhere"
• 23:00 – Final reflections on family, siblings, and gratitude

Welcome back to the podcast! Today's conversation is one I've been looking forward to for a long time. I'm sitting down with bestselling author Bruce Feiler to talk about families, transitions, rituals, and the stories that shape us. I first came across Bruce's work years ago through his article The Stories That Bind Us, and it completely changed the way I thought about family culture and the role our stories play in our kids' lives.

One of the things Bruce shares in this conversation is that strong families aren't strong because they avoid hardship—they're strong because they know how to navigate it together. He talks about research showing that children who know more about their family history tend to have greater resilience and emotional well-being. Not because they think their family is perfect, but because they understand that every family goes through challenges, setbacks, loss, growth, and reinvention. I loved this reminder that one of the best things we can do for our kids is tell the truth about our stories in age-appropriate ways. Not hiding the hard parts, but helping them see that difficult seasons are part of life—and that people can make it through them.

We also spent a lot of time talking about rituals, which is the focus of Bruce's new book, A Time to Gather. Before this conversation, I think I mostly associated rituals with formal traditions or religious ceremonies. But Bruce reframed it in such a practical and meaningful way. He describes rituals as shared acts that help people feel connected and grounded during moments of change. And honestly, the more we talked, the more I realized how much families need this right now. In a world that moves fast and constantly pulls us in different directions, rituals create space to pause, gather, reflect, and reconnect.

One of my favorite moments in the episode was when Bruce helped me think through creating a meaningful graduation ritual for my oldest son. As we talked about him preparing to leave home, I found myself emotional realizing that this season really is the end of a chapter for our family. And instead of just letting that moment pass by, Bruce showed how intentional gatherings and small symbolic acts can help families honor transitions in a way that feels memorable and grounding.

This conversation reminded me that families don't need to do everything perfectly to create meaningful connection. Sometimes the most powerful things are also the simplest: gathering around a table, telling stories, asking good questions, celebrating milestones, or creating intentional moments during seasons of change. More than anything, this episode feels like an invitation to slow down and create space for togetherness—because those moments are often the ones our families remember most.

LINKS:

All Links Family Brand!

• stan.store/familybrand
• familybrand.com/quiz
• familybrand.com/retreats.

Links For This Episode:

• Bruce's substack is at this link: https://brucefeiler.substack.com/
• Most recent post about his upcoming book release and some other exciting announcements: https://brucefeiler.substack.com/p/its-time-to-gather-watch-me-on-cnn
• A pre-order link for the book: https://greenlightbookstore.com/book/9780593656433

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Introducing Bruce Feiler and his work
• 02:00 – Bruce's journey from travel writer to family expert
• 04:00 – Why Bruce started studying families
• 06:00 – The modern challenges families face today
• 07:30 – Why parenting advice feels overwhelming
• 11:00 – The Stories That Bind Us explained
• 14:00 – Why family stories build resilient kids
• 16:00 – The "oscillating family narrative"
• 18:00 – Why kids need to hear about family struggles
• 19:00 – The importance of extended family and community
• 22:00 – Family mission statements and values
• 24:00 – Bruce shares his family mission statement
• 26:00 – How family values shape everyday decisions
• 28:00 – Introducing Bruce's new book: A Time to Gather
• 30:00 – What rituals actually are (and aren't)
• 32:00 – Why rituals are disappearing in modern culture
• 33:30 – The rise of reinvented family rituals
• 36:00 – How rituals help with loneliness and transition
• 38:00 – Bruce shares a story about grief and gathering
• 41:00 – Melissa workshops a graduation ritual for her son
• 48:00 – Why rituals don't need permission or perfection
• 50:00 – Bruce's three most important pieces of family advice
• 52:00 – "Family is not the most important thing—it's the only thing"