It's rare for a relationship to suddenly rocket off the rails. More likely, we deviate off course a degree at a time. Fortunately, there are some do-able and practical efforts we can make to "course correct" on a regular basis to maintain the direction we want to grow in!

We lay out our top 10 "rules for life," otherwise known as stuff that's worked for us over the years. Join us for this line up of part-wisdom/part-opinion!

Special guests, Marisa Bailey and Katelyn Sproles, join us for a conversation from two points of view: a parent raising kids in a different culture and a kid who was raised that way. Both lived in Tanzania, East Africa, for many years and have felt the effects of crossing back and forth between cultures and navigating the differences. Third Culture Kids (TCKs) definitely have a different worldview than the rest of us!

What goes into choosing a home? Are there some features in particular families should look for? We walk down memory lane a bit in this episode with Rachel Farrell as we talk about what made our houses "home." (Pre-recorded and pre-aired on the RACHEL FARRELL SHOW.)

While this isn't "the birds & the bees" talk, on this episode we talk about body parts and frequently asked questions by parents of toddlers and young kids. Is it just our American culture with its Puritan roots that makes us uneasy with brazen nakedness or is it something else? How do we educate our kids without shaming them and still give them a sense that their body--ALL of it--is fearfully and wonderfully made?

There's something in all of us that aches for home. When our homes are threatened--by natural disaster or other catastrophe, it can be disorienting and shake our sense of safety. On this episode, our guest is Tiffany Wax Mangus, who lost her new home suddenly through a fire ignited by a gas leak. She, her husband, and sons were safe, but most everything they'd worked for was gone in a matter of hours. She walks us through an emotional time, when her family discovered where their faith lay and the power of community.

For many parents, their kids' transition into tween or teen can feel abrupt and personal. Most of the things teenagers cope with and act out about are universal, and we can do ourselves (and them) a favor by recognizing when and how to react. Psychologist Lisa Damour's book, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, is a helpful resource when navigating the white water of kids ages 12-20.

We may be on top of it when it comes to intellectual, physical, and emotional training of our kids, but many of us feel inadequate or forget to address the spiritual side of our kids. How do we talk to our children about God, salvation, and things they might witness in church? This JAM episode gives you ideas, age by age, on what kids can comprehend and when and how to introduce concepts and practices to help children grow spiritually.

Part 5 in our Home Series, this episode focuses on our homes being a temporary reflection of our eternal home. What features does a Christian home have and how can we set our sights on things beyond the laundry and dishes? What does it mean to be Christ-centered?

A fantastic & informative interview with father of 4 and self-described tech nerd, Doug Smith, author of the book Unintentional: How Screens Secretly Shape Your Desires and How You Can Break Free. A companion episode to our "Should My Kid Watch That?" conversation, we dig into what (or who) is behind the screens, apps, & games we use and look at some practices that might help us take back the reins.