License to Parent with Trace Embry

A Redemptive People

I’m talking about obvious and fundamental things like am I a boy or am I really a girl? Am I inferior because of the color of my skin? Could I actually be a racist without realizing it? Is my country systemically racist?

For a child, it can be a confusing time. It’s a time when our kids’ values, worldview, and brain matter are still being developed most. It’s when their security, identity, and emotional and spiritual wellbeing are all being established.

So not being sure about the basic truths of life only exasperates this confusion; especially at a tie when mental illness really is becoming systemic in our nation.

Have the red, white, and blue of our United States actually become the red, white, and black of our divided states? Is your child really a racist? Are you?

Today we look at who, what, and where we are as a people. Is it possible to be a redemptive people living in a redemptive nation?

Discussing Systemic Racism with Bob Woodson

Robert (Bob) Woodson is an American civil rights activist, community development leader, author, and founder and president of the Woodson Center. He is among a collection of prominent and respected black scholars and thinkers that reject the false narrative of history in our society today.

They have come together to correct the record and try to tell the true story of black Americans in all its complexity, diversity of experience, and poignancy. Collectively they paint a picture of black people living the very grand American experience, however bumpy that road maybe along the way. But rather than being apart, he sees blacks as woven into this nation and what makes it unique.

Mr. Woodson has curated and edited a collection of essays on this subject in a brand new book entitled, Red, White, and Black: Rescuing American History from Revisionists and Race Hustlers.

In addition to his book, he has dedicated his life to assisting low-income families transcending impoverished conditions. He has written extensively on this topic in his book, “Lessons from the Least of These” and “The Triumphs of Joseph: How today’s community healers are reviving our streets and neighborhoods.”

A Redemptive Nation

Episode Highlights:

Why is the topic of civil rights important to parents?

What is the 1776 Unites Campaign?

Why do kids have no hope?

What is systemic racism?

What is the more critical crisis facing America?

What is the difference between equality and equity?

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The Term Abortion

But there’s another definition for the term abortion calling it an object or undertaking regarded as unpleasant or badly made, or carried out.

Sadly for some parents, even after choosing to give birth to their child, raising that child can too often be regarded as an unpleasant undertaking that’s badly carried out.

Could this application of the term abortion be accurately applied to successful full-term births that result in lives that are forced to endure extreme neglect, abuse, or other misery?   

However, one definite abortion, when it involves a human life there is no doubt that a miscarriage of justice has taken place.

Today we look at parenting from a different kind of pro-life perspective. Today we speak with Marvin Olasky.

Discussing Pro-Life Living With Marvin Olasky

Marvin Olasky is editor and chief of World News Group. He’s also Dean of the World Journalism Institute. He joined World back in 1992 and has also been a university professor and provost.

He’s written over 20 books including, “Reforming Journalism” and “The Tragedy of American Compassion.” He just completed season three of the podcast, “The Olasky Interview.”

Today Marvin Olasky discusses his newest book, “Abortion at the Crossroads.” Marvin and his wife reside in Austin, Texas, and have four grown children.

The Three Paths Forward

Episode Highlights:

Are the struggles of today’s culture simply “part of growing up?”

How do we be consistently pro-life after children are born?

How does our view of our children impact their future?

Should we think the best of our child?

How do we protect the unborn?

How do we protect the youth we are raising into adults?

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Transformation through Empowerment

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to listen to Part I of our two-part series with Kimball Lewis.

Let’s get into the nuts and bolts of teen and parent interactions. Do you feel stuck? Is your teen rebelling against you? Are you at the end of your rope? If you don’t know how to handle what’s going on in your home or feel that you have lost the power in your home, then this message is for you.

Discussing Practical Parenting with Kimball Lewis

Kimball Lewis is an executive who spent his career using research and technology to improve the lives of individuals and businesses. He began his career as a health, welfare, and child policy researcher for a leading public policy think tank in Washington. He then served as a technologist and executive in his series of successful healthcare start-up businesses before joining empoweringparents.com.

A Real Change in the Home

Episode Highlights:

Why do so many parents find themselves involved in long arguments with their teens or children?

What does walking away from the argument look like in real-time for parents?

What is wrong with training? Why is training a bad thing?

What is the “why trap?”

Why do words matter?

What role does self-esteem play in parenting?

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The Problem Child(ren)

Does your child lie to you and argue with you about virtually everything? Does rebellion just seem to be part of your child’s very nature?

Would you enjoy a total transformation of your child with the help of an expert who’s equipped for empowering parents?

Today we are going to be addressing the emerging issues we see in our children. So much of this is so practical and basic, you’ll be surprised you never thought of it yourself!

Discussing Practical Parenting with Kimball Lewis

Kimball Lewis is an executive who spent his career using research and technology to improve the lives of individuals and businesses. He began his career as a health, welfare, and child policy researcher for a leading public policy think tank in Washington. He then served as a technologist and executive in his series of successful healthcare start-up businesses before joining empoweringparents.com.

He began as the CEO there in 2017 as he continues the work of James Leeman offering practical advice to parents struggling with some of the most challenging child behavior issues. Mr. Lewis resides in Florida with his wife and two teenage sons of his own.

Empowering Parents

Episode Highlights:

Who is the total authority within the household?

Does too much structure restrict growth?

How should reasonable rules be determined?

How do we as parents discuss rules with our children?

What if I don’t like my child?

What is our responsibility to society?

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The Impact of Healthy Families

All of this has combined to put a damper on the security of its people. Those are all vital to the emotional health of our people.

This is a particular challenge for our kids. So when the people and institutions that our kids would have historically trusted most are no longer necessarily trustworthy.

It’s even more important to ensure that we, their parents, can be trusted and we do our best to keep the institution of the family healthy and intact. With enough healthy families, we may just be able to be a part of helping to make America good again.

Discussing Making America Good with Joe Battaglia

Joe Battaglia is the founder and president of Renaissance Communications, a media company providing platforms for gifted communicators of biblical truth. He is also the executive producer and general manager of the nationally syndicated radio program “Keep the Faith.” He is the author of several books including Make America Good Again: 12.5 Biblical Principles to Unite Our Nation, Restore True Greatness & Reshape Our Political Rhetoric.

Restoring True Greatness

Episode Highlights:

What is the difference between greatness and goodness?

How can we become good again?

Why is Joe’s book good for parents and kids?

Why is oneness important?

Why is it important to understand oneness?

What does science say about forgiveness?

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Standing Strong

Well, it’s no doubt that as parents we would do everything we can to stand strong to stop the abuse, to teach our kids to fight back against it, and get as far away from it as possible.

Let’s also remember that abuse comes in many forms. There’s sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional abuse. But what about this: secularism, depravity, immorality, and apathy? These are all around us. Moral relativism says it’s ok. Just because it isn’t right for you doesn’t mean it’s wrong for someone else. Christians who say otherwise are hit with a borage of hate and intolerance.

Unfortunately, we the parents have, in many ways, taken the guard rails down rather than standing strong and teaching our kids to do likewise. Is it any wonder then that so many kids lose their faith by the time they are in college? We are the closest representative to Christ that our kids have, after all. If we don’t stand strong, how can they?

Discussing Standing Strong with Ken Ham

Ken Ham is the CEO and Founder of Answers in Genesis and the High-tech Creation Center and Museum located in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, and the visionary behind “Ark Encounter” located in Kentucky.

Ken is a biblical apologist and his work addresses such topics as the reliability of the Bible, how compromise over biblical authority undermines society.

He’s the author of a number of books including Already Gone, The Lie Evolution, and Gospel Reset. Most recently he wrote the book Will They Stand, and it addresses today’s topic head-on. Will our children be equipped to stand strong against cultural giants that previous generations never imagined, or will our kids be overcome.

Equipping the Next Generation

Episode Highlights:

Why is it important to raise strong believers in today’s society?

What does it mean to be standing today?

What does church attendance say about this generation?

How does moral relativism impact your biblical foundation?

How do parents share with their kids the authority of the bible?

What is the importance of Genesis when it comes to answering questions about culture today?

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The Divine Reset

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

Discussing America 2.0 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.

Collective Culture & the American Way

Episode Highlights:

What roles can parents take to create change in their own communities?

How does relocation impact American thought?

What can we learn about culture through the study of creation?

What is the woke culture?

Why are hierarchies important and essential to life?

How can we prepare our kids to live and find love in today’s culture?

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America 2.0

I mean let’s face it. The world we grew up in at least seemed to be a bit more straightforward. Not everyone followed the rules but at least most people agreed on what right and wrong were.

In many ways, screens and keyboards have become our kids’ gateway to the culturally accepted source of moral inspiration and discernment. Or lack thereof. We might say that they are the new alters of worship.

Many of the things our culture now accepts are contradictory to scripture, logic, science, and what used to be called common sense. If you’ve been waiting or even praying for some dynamic, spiritual, or even political leader to come along and put a halt to all of this madness, you may be in for a long wait.

What seems to be needed is a reboot. America 2.0. Or maybe Christianity 2.0. Imagine what that would look like if it were birthed in our own Christian homes.

Discussing a Reboot 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.”

Awaken from the Woke

Episode Highlights:

What is The Divine Reset?

Are we losing the cultural war?

What is the extent of the damaging effect our culture is having on our kids?

What role does courage play in our culture?

How can we, as parents, exhibit courage and godliness in our culture?

What can we expect when we live differently than others in our world?

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The Impact & Dangers of Technology

There is a lot of conversation about healthy child-rearing. In this current age, and for generations to come, parents will be faced with concern and discussion surrounding one very important topic: digital technology.

In a world saturated by media and digital technology, our children may just be at risk of being impacted every waking hour of every single day for the rest of their lives. How do we, as parents, handle this challenge and prepare them for a healthy and successful future?

Discussing How to Disconnect with Tom Kersting

Tom Kersting is an expert in the field of mental health and families and parenting in the digital age. Tom authored the book “Disconnected, how to protect your kids from the harmful effects of digital dependency.” Tom holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Saint Thomas Aquinas College, a Master’s Degree in Counseling and human development, a second Master’s in administration and supervision, both from Montclair State University and a Ph.D. in clinical hypnotherapy from Kona University.

Parenting & Technology

Episode Highlights:

How can sanity be restored in our families and communities?

Is technology connected to narcissism? Hypocrisy? Violence?

What is the difference between loneliness and aloneness?

How can false knowledge and lies from the internet affect the parent/child relationship?

What are the three simple parenting tips? How can you apply them in your home?

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A Generation Raised on Technology

Raising kids today is certainly different than a generation ago. There are many different ways that technological innovations have made parenting (and life in general) much easier. In other ways, digital technology and information access have actually complicated our approach to raising kids.

There’s an argument to be made that technology is actually hindering parents' ability to impart, maintain and preserve moral standards, wisdom, and spiritual maturity. Additionally, there’s no question that it plays a role in the influence of young people to leave the church in droves.

What can we do to better establish a biblical worldview in our kids? How can we remain relevant in a society that marginalizes people of faith? Can digital technology actually be part of the solution rather than just part of the problem?

Discussing Parenting with Technology 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.

From Problem to Solution

Episode Highlights:

How do parents best model technology use?

Protecting vs. equipping our kids

Is there a way to use technology to rekindle our children’s love for Christ?

What resources are available for kids?

How can our lifestyle impact our kids?

Why is showing up for our kids so important?

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