Have kids always been picky eaters...or have we accidentally helped create them? This week, Dr. Ken and Cynthia talk about the fascinating book Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History and what it says about why so many kids today struggle with food. But don't worry—this isn't an episode about feeling guilty over what happened when they were little. It's about what to do if your teen or young adult is still a picky eater.

You'll hear why it's time to stop being the family short-order cook, how getting teens involved in shopping and cooking changes the conversation, and why, as they get older, their eating habits become their responsibility—not yours. They also talk about food sensitivities, "clean eating," medications that affect appetite, and how to help your teen prepare for real life without turning every meal into a battle. It's an encouraging conversation that just might take a little pressure off parents around the dinner table.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Does your teen have to like school? This week, Dr. Ken and Cynthia tackle a challenge lots of parents face this time of year: "I hate school!" They discuss when it's just normal back-to-school complaining...and when it's something parents should pay closer attention to.

You'll also hear why parents shouldn't rush in to fix every school problem, how to help teens take ownership instead of expecting mom and dad to solve it, and why changing schools isn't always the fresh start we think it will be. Plus, Cynthia shares the infamous (and traumatizing) story of her "1985" sweatshirt—and why she's still talking about it decades later. It's a practical, encouraging, and funny conversation that will help you head into the school year with a little more perspective.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

This July we are doing re-releases of our favorite episodes!

Episode 222: Defiant or Dysregulated?

This week on Feeding the Mouth That Bites You, Dr. Ken unpacks a word every parent has heard lately—dysregulation—and what it really looks like in teenagers. Spoiler: it’s not always as clinical or mysterious as it sounds. Sometimes it’s just what we used to call “spiraling” or “losing it.”

We talk about how to tell the difference between a teen who’s simply being disrespectful and one who’s truly overwhelmed by emotion, and why calling everything “dysregulation” can actually make parenting harder. Dr. Ken breaks down what’s happening when your teen crosses that line from moody to out-of-control, why they can usually hold it together outside the home, and what to do when they can’t.

We also get real about what happens when we join the chaos. If you’ve ever found yourself matching your teen’s energy (or volume), this conversation will give you a few tools—and probably a laugh—to help you step back and respond differently. It’s a practical, hope-filled episode for every parent navigating big emotions, slammed doors, and late-night drama.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

This July we are doing re-releases of our favorite episodes!

Episode 234: Does My Teen Really Need Counseling?

This week’s episode was important enough to re-record: when (and if) you should push your teen to go to therapy. Cynthia and Dr. Ken unpack what therapy actually is, why forcing a resistant teen rarely works, and the surprising ways counseling can sometimes do more harm than good.

Dr. Ken explains how to recognize when therapy becomes necessary, why parent coaching often helps more than sending a reluctant teenager, and what to consider when choosing a counselor—including privacy boundaries, insurance realities, and whether your teen truly needs a Christian therapist.

They also address one of parents’ biggest fears: what to do when you’re worried about your child’s safety. With a practical, steady framework, Dr. Ken walks through how to assess real risk versus normal emotional overwhelm and how to respond without panic.

Today’s show is for anyone wondering whether counseling is the right next step. 

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

This July we are doing re-releases of our favorite episodes!

Episode 221: When Spouses Disagree on Planned Emancipation

This week Dr. Ken and Cynthia discuss a challenge almost every parent faces—what to do when you and your spouse don’t see eye-to-eye on planned emancipation. From different approaches to devices and curfews, it’s not always easy to stay on the same page while raising young adults.

We discuss why keeping your marriage first changes the conversation, how to navigate disagreements without turning them into power struggles, and what it looks like to support each other even when you don’t fully agree. We also touch on blended families and shared custody, and why it’s never too late to start giving teens the message that they’re growing into adulthood.

It’s a practical, hope-filled conversation with plenty of humor (including a surprise iPad cameo from Cynthia’s youngest) and the kind of perspective every parent needs when the plan and the parenting don’t always match up.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

This July we are doing re-releases of our favorite episodes!

Episode 144: "You're Only Human" Part 2 Dr. Ken Interviews Dr. Kelly Kapic

Today we finish our great interview with Dr. Kelly Kapic, professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. His book, "You're Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God's Design and Why That's Good News" is a breath of fresh air for Christian parents who constantly struggle with their own limitations as parents.

In this second part, Kelly talks about how personal limitations reflects the human need for support from others. Should we be careful about "co-dependency" and other toxic relationships? What does humility really mean from a Christian perspective?

This is part two of two episodes. You can find Kelly's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Only-Human-Limits-Reflect/dp/1587435101

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

This July we are doing re-releases of our favorite episodes!

Episode 143: "You're Only Human" Dr. Ken Interviews Dr. Kelly Kapic

Most all parents constantly feel guilty that they're not doing enough for their kids. For Christian parents, does our faith make any difference when we suffer like this? Theology professor Kelly Kapic's most recent book, "You're Only Human" takes on this constant guilt and self-judgment. He reminds us that human limitations are not the same as sin.

As a college professor he has seen first hand how so many of our kids are taught to have those same demands on themselves. Kelly is the author of several books including his award-winning, "Embodied Hope: A Theological Meditation on Pain and Suffering." He reminds us that our stress isn't a time-management problem, it's a theological problem of knowing who God is and how he wants us to live into the world he created.

This is part one of two episodes. You can find Kelly's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Only-Human-Limits-Reflect/dp/1587435101 

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Your college kid is back home for the summer... and suddenly you're wondering whether they're still your child, a guest, or a roommate who leaves dishes in the sink. This week, Dr. Ken and Cynthia tackle one of the trickiest parenting transitions: when young adults return home after months of living life on their own. From curfews and chores to tracking apps and family vacations, they discuss why many of the rules that worked in high school don't work anymore.

They also dive into the harder stuff—what happens when your child comes home with different beliefs, different priorities, and a strong desire to spend most of their time somewhere other than your living room. If you've ever felt hurt, frustrated, or completely unsure of your role now that your child is growing up, this conversation will help you navigate the tension between holding on and letting go. Turns out, the very independence you've been working toward all these years feels surprisingly personal when it finally arrives.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Fake Instagram accounts. Secret relationships. Hidden piercings. Skipped classes. Every parent eventually discovers something their teen didn't tell them—and it raises the question: Is this normal teenage behavior, or is there something deeper going on? In this episode, Dr. Ken and Cynthia discuss why teens become "sneaky" and how to tell the difference between healthy independence and behavior that deserves closer attention.

Together, they tackle everything from Finstas (fake Instagram accounts) and hidden relationships to bad grades, skipping school, tattoos, piercings, and phone privacy. Along the way, Dr. Ken explains why some sneaky behavior is actually a normal part of adolescence, how certain parenting styles can unintentionally encourage secrecy, and what parents should do when they discover something they don't like. If you've ever found yourself wondering whether your teen is hiding something—or simply growing up—this episode offers practical guidance for raising honest kids while helping them become independent adults.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Parents today are raising kids in a world of sports betting apps, online casinos, fantasy leagues, and gambling opportunities that didn't exist a generation ago. In this episode of Feeding the Mouth That Bites You, Dr. Ken and Cynthia discuss the rise of teen gambling, why it's become so much more accessible, and how to know when it's simply part of the culture—or a risk worth paying attention to.

Dr. Ken explains the connection between gambling and the teenage brain, offers practical guidance on sports betting, fantasy football, casinos, and online gambling, and shares the warning signs to watch for in our kids. If you've ever wondered where to draw the line, how to start the conversation, or what behaviors deserve a closer look—today’s show is for you.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners. 

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here

You can order Cynthia's book "Life Is Messy, God Is Good" here

You can pre-order Cynthia's book "How'd I Miss That" here

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you! [email protected] 

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/