License to Parent with Trace Embry

Making a Change

Today we engage in Part II of that conversation. If you missed Part I with Eric, you can listen to it online.

Discussing a Changing America with Eric Holmberg

Eric Holmberg is the Founder and President of Reel to Real Ministries. He’s also with the Apologetics Group, an ordained minister, an author, speaker, and video documentarian.

The American Way & Our Role as Parents

Episode Highlights:

How can we impact change in our own communities?

Does relocation impact American thought?

What does creation tell us about our culture?

What does it mean to be woke?

How do hierarchies impact our lives? Our culture?

How can we prepare our kids to live and find love today?

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The Divine Reset

As children and teens, the world we experienced back then seemed to be much more straightforward. For the most part, our culture tended to agree on what was right and what was wrong; even if some chose not to follow the rules.

Enter the worldwide web. Screens and keyboards have become a new alter of worship as our kids are learning and discovering the ways of thinking of the masses without a moral lens or perspective.

We find that culture today goes against many of the principles of scripture, science, logic, and what we would consider to be common sense. Unfortunately, if you are waiting for a figurehead to take over and lead us back into morality, you may be in for a long wait.

Discussing a Different Approach with Eric Holmberg

Eric Holmberg is the founder and director of Reel to Real Ministries and the Apologetics group. He’s not only an ordained minister, but he is also an author, speaker, and video documentarian.

His work has been featured on a number of broadcasts and web media platforms. His writing has been featured in publications such as Focus on the Family Magazine, Time Magazine, and the American Family Association Journal.

Eric’s work covers everything from revival to rap music and from science to sex; helping to bring a biblical worldview to the conversation and ultimately transform lives.

He is working on a new project called “The Divine Reset: America 2.0.”

Woke or Awakened

Episode Highlights:

What is meant by a divine reset?

Is there a culture war? Are we winning or losing?

How is culture impacting and influencing our children?

What is courage and what role does it play today?

How can parents practice and exhibit courage?

What happens when we live differently?

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Never Knowing a Time Without Tech

A generation ago, raising children was a totally different ballgame! Sure, technology has made our lives (and our parenting journeys) much easier in a lot of ways. But in other ways, technology has made our lives a whole lot more complicated.

Some may argue that technology today is hindering parents and their ability to impart, maintain and preserve moral standards, wisdom, and spiritual maturity. We also see that technology has played a role in the decision of young people to leave the church that they once called home.

How can we help to guide our children and help them establish a solid biblical worldview? Can we remain relevant in our society today? Is it possible that tech could actually be a part of the solution?

Discussing a Life with Tech with John Fuller

John Fuller has worked with Focus on the Family for the last three decades. Since 2001 he has been in the co-host seat of the Daily Broadcast with Focus President Jim Daily. That program reaches over 6 million listeners each week. He also hosts Focus on The Family Minute and the podcasts Focus on Marriage and Focus on Parenting. Most Focus programs are available online on Focus Radio.

He has written dozens of magazine articles and has also written a book called First Time Dad: The Stuff You Really Need to Know. John and his wife have six children of their own.

Offering a Solution

Episode Highlights:

Why is it so important for parents to first model healthy technology use?

How do we equip our kids? How is this different than protecting them?

Can technology be used in a positive way to help our kids grow closer to Christ?

Are there any resources available to parents that offer guidance on this subject?

What role does our lifestyle play in our child’s faith?

What is the impact of showing up for our kids?

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Leading the Christian Life

Well, the Bible is clear that the Christian life will involve warfare. Metaphorically speaking, it refers to putting on the full armor of God. It also uses many other analogies of war that describe our role in advancing God’s kingdom.

In fact, Jesus himself describes his kingdom as something to be entered rather forcefully. Some English translations even use the word “violently”.

Furthermore, Jesus said that he came not to bring peace, but a sword, and yet Scripture calls him the “Prince of Peace.”

Unfortunately these days many people confuse peacemaking with peacekeeping.

Discussing Fighting Back with Sam Sorbo

Sam Sorbo is a model, actress, homeschool activist, media host, and linguist. She speaks five different languages. She’s a parent and educator who also has a background in biomedical engineering from Duke University.

She’s also an author and film producer. She’s the host of the nationally syndicated “The Sam Sorbo Show” and speaks publicly around the country. She has also worked with her husband, Kevin Sorbo, on recent films, Let There Be Light and Miracle in East Texas. Today, Sam discusses her brand new book, “Words for Warriors.”

Words for Warriors

Episode Highlights:

How are words changing and adapting in today’s culture?

What is systemic racism and critical race theory?

What is an NPC? Why is this important?

How can we fight to get our language back?

How do we impact our school systems and school board?

How are thoughts & ideas created? What is the idea exchange?

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Suicidal Ideations in Teens

Mental illness, addictions of all kinds, self-harm, and suicide are among the most prevalent. Sadly, suicide is now the second leading cause of death today among American teenagers. That is only surpassed by motor vehicle accidents. This is absolutely tragic.

Today we speak with one of our friends at Focus on the Family about the topic of suicide and how to keep this epidemic from invading your home.

Discussing the Teen Suicide Epidemic with Joannie Debrito

Joannie Debrito is part of the counseling team at Focus on the Family and draws from over 30 years of diverse experience as a parent educator, family life educator, school social worker, administrator, and licensed mental health professional. She speaks concerning how we can take an active role in suicide prevention.

Her expertise and personal experience, including counseling students and families after the Columbine tragedy, is something we hope will be an encouragement to you. We invite you to not only learn about this but to also take part in the solution.

Helping Teens Discover Hope

Episode Highlights:

What are suicidal ideations? How does this differ from a fleeting thought about suicide?

How do suicidal thoughts manifest? What do suicidal teens think about?

Do most people consider suicide at some point in their lives?

Are suicidal ideations contagious?

How can a parent recognize suicidal ideation?

What can parents do to help their teen who is exhibiting suicidal tendencies?

What resources are available for those struggling with suicidal ideations?

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God’s Perfect Parenting Plan

Last time on License to Parent:

“Our first obligation in the raising of a child is not to the child. Our first obligation is to God the father. Your second obligation is to your neighbor. Your third obligation is to your child.”

That’s John Rosemond, author of The Bible Parenting Code: Revealing God’s Perfect Parenting Plan.

You see, parenting is about more than just the kids. It’s about serving God and others through your parenting. We’ll talk more about that today on License to Parent.

If you missed our first conversation with Dr. John Rosemond, be sure to listen to our last episode, From Child Rearing to Mental Health with Dr. John Rosemond.

Raising a Child in the Way They Should Go

Episode Highlights:

Do we ever have to train a child to do wrong?

What is the first lie a child tells?

Should we be concerned about the parenting trends of today?

Do we need to always answer the “why” questions?

When should children obey their parents?

The most obedient children are the happiest

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Coaching the Fundamentals

Now many coaches through the years have used a framework for success that includes focusing on the fundamentals. But Wooden takes that to the extreme. At the start of each season when he would meet with the new team, he would spend about half an hour giving step-by-step instructions on the correct way to put on your socks. “Because in order to play the game, you have to start with a good foundation. Putting on your socks correctly is critical. Because if you don’t, you get blisters. And if you get blisters it impacts everything else you do as a player. Ultimately, that impacts the whole team.

As Christian parents, have we gotten so wrapped up in the game of life that we’ve neglected or forgotten the basics? Today we’ll be talking with two men who likely agree that we have; Trace Embry (our host) and Dr. John Rosemond on today’s License to Parent.

Discussing parenting today with Dr. John Rosemond

John Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of Family Psychology. Presently, his time is devoted to speaking and writing. John’s work is syndicated in several hundred newspapers nationwide. He’s written about 20 best-selling parenting books. He’s also one of America's most popular speakers in the field of parenting.

The Role of Childrearing

Episode Highlights:

Psalm 11:3 - What does this verse say and why is it so important for Christian parents today?

How has mental health changed the parenting landscape?

Who do I to when I need parenting advice?

How have parenting principles shifted away from God’s principles?

How did we transition to post-modern and progressive?

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The Devil's in the Details

It’s really no different with our kids. Who they are, how they act, and what they think and do, could be rooted in or at least fueled by the things they see and hear. This includes the music they listen to.

Could the be an inherent danger, or even evil, found in certain songs or types of music? Could there be a danger and evil that is profoundly impacting our kids in a negative way?

Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, and many other great thinkers throughout the world and down through history seem to think so.

In fact, Scottish writer, patriot, and politician Andrew Fletcher is often quoted as having said, “let me make the songs of the nation and I care not who makes the laws.”

Today let’s discuss the rap, rock, and hip hop elephants in the room on License to Parent.

Discussing the power of Music with G. Craige Lewis

G. Craige Lewis has been ministering for over 30 years. He’s been pastoring Adamant Believers Council in North Richland Hills, Texas for over a decade, promoting the message of Christ and fighting against the secularization of God’s church.

Lewis also leads an organization called EX Ministries, established to open the eyes of the body of Christ to the deceptions of the enemy. Although he is often called on to speak about the hip-hop sub-culture, he also shares great insight on the kingdom of God and God’s people being aligned in preparation to reach the world and welcome the return of Christ.

Listening with Your Heart

Episode Highlights:

What have we become as a people when the songs today are winning Grammy’s and our kids’ hearts?

How does music infiltrate your brain without your consent?

How can we as parents impact our child’s music choices?

Should we allow kids to listen to music because “we listened to stuff too?”

Where are musical influences hiding today? How have they infiltrated our lives at ever turn?

Is the music worse today than it was when we were kids?

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Raising Well-Adjusted Kids

With respect to raising healthy, well-adjusted kids, every generation of parents down through the ages have had their own unique challenges during the times that they lived. This has been true whether the challenges be economic depression, sharp social changes, wars, plagues, natural disasters, technological advances, or other negative influences beyond our control.

Now some people would say that parenting challenges in the 21st century are more unique or more challenging than those of the past. Others, however, would beg to differ. But what’s important is identifying, examining, and learning how to overcome today’s challenges.

Helping you do that is our goal today on License to Parent.

Discussing Overcoming Obstacles with Danny Huerta

Dr. Daniel Huerta works with Focus on the Family, overseeing its initiatives that help equip mothers and fathers with biblical principles and counsel for raising healthy resilient children.

Dr. Huerta is a bilingual licensed clinical social worker with a master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado of Colorado Springs. He recently received his doctorate in psychology from California Southern University.

Dr. Huerta maintains a private practice in Colorado Springs and also serves as a board member of the El Paso County Mental Health Association. He has been married for 24 years and he and his wife Heather have 2 children.

The Mental Health of Our Children

Episode Highlights:

Has there ever been a tougher time in America to raise healthy kids?

What are some of the most glaring challenges parents are facing today?

Is it possible to give our kids too many choices?

How do parents cultivate mental health in their homes?

How can we teach our kids to understand their emotions?

How does physical health impact mental wellbeing?

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Peoples is Peoples

But is that true? Within a certain culture, we may all be similar in our beliefs about right and wrong and normal. But what happens when you cross cultural lines, or when you move to another culture? People from one culture often find the practices of another to be backward, too morally progressive, too morally oppressive, even criminal.

For example, most American’s would say that slavery, cannibalism, and pedophilia are appalling practices, yet they are still practiced in other parts of the world. Today though, we want to look at a different cultural line that exists and the differences that we encounter when we cross that line.

What happens when parents allow their children or even equip their children to do things that are harmful, dangerous, abusive, and morally wrong according to the moral tenants of scripture. This is an authority that should transcend any cultural norm; especially when it comes to raising healthy kids.

We’ll unpack this and more with today’s guest, Dr. Nicolas Kardaris, on today’s License to Parent.

Discussing mental health in a digital world with Dr. Nicholas Kardaras

Dr. Kardaras is a psychologist, best-selling author, internationally renowned speaker, professor, and expert on mental health, addiction, and the impacts of our digital age. He has also developed clinical treatment programs and clinics all across the country.

His books include Glow Kids, How Plato and Pythagoras Can Save Your Life, as well as a new book currently in the works.

In his work with adolescents, Dr. Kardaras has discovered that many teens today are suffering from genuine psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and even psychosis-like symptoms as a result of their screen dependence. He understands that smartphones and screen time have become a new type of digital drug that is used as an escape for young people.

Screen time is also incredibly addictive. In researching the effects of screen time on the brain, he found that the effects neurologically mirrored that of actual substance addiction. It is especially troublesome and impactful to children whose brains are still developing.

A Different Kind of Pandemic

Episode Highlights:

What is the shadow pandemic?

How have we shifted away from the way we were meant to live?

How has our intersection with fancy gadgetry impacted our mental health?

Who is the loneliest generation? Why?

Who has the lowest levels of depression?

What is the impact of anhedonia on our society today?

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