License to Parent with Trace Embry

New Priorities in Parenting

Where are you taking your parenting cues today? Is it from pop psychology? The media? Science? Scripture?

It is essential for today’s Christian parents to keep their priorities straight. Our parenting manual comes straight from Scripture. We can be confident in our decisions when we are walking in the foundations of God’s word.

Sometimes our way of parenting may seem a little odd or outdated to the rest of the world. But we don’t take our cues from them. If your parenting style, discipline, or general way of life is seen as different; take that as a compliment!

Let’s dive back into our discussion on a different kind of parenting with parent expert and psychologist John Rosemond.

Discussing Parenting Today with John Rosemond

John Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of family psychology.

In the past few years, John has appeared on numerous national television programs including 20/20, Good Morning America, The View, The Today Show, CNN, and CBS Later Today, as well as numerous print interviews.

Good Old Fashion Parenting

Episode Highlights:

Grandma was right! How can we implement the lessons of our parents into our parenting strategy?

Where can we go to seek godly instruction for parenting?

How important are your kids?

Should we focus on the happiness of our children?

How can we both serve and guide our children well?

What is the difference between happiness and joy?

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Politically Incorrect Parenting

When we parent according to Scripture, we aren’t always seen as normal in the eyes of the world. Sometimes we even see strange looks from other Christian parents!

But answer this for me: Are your kids more emotionally well-adjusted than other children? Are they better behaved? Are they easier to handle? Keep this in mind when you see side glances or others begin to question why you choose a Scriptural foundation for your parenting decisions.

It is certainly tempting to update our parenting style to match the culture around us. Maybe no one openly questions your Scripture-based parenting, but you may feel like a parenting primitive who is behind the times for choosing to raise your kids with a different set of restrictions and requirements.

If these statements ring true in your life, then we want to encourage and stand with you. You are a politically incorrect parent! And there is nothing in the world wrong with that.

Discussing Parenting in a Political Correct Culture with 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 is syndicated in approximately 225 newspapers nationwide. He has written eleven best-selling parenting books. He is also one of America’s busiest and most popular speakers and most certainly the busiest and most popular in his field. He’s known for his sound advice, humor, and easy, relaxed, engaging style. 

Raising Our Kids a Little Differently

Episode Highlights:

Is secular mental health the best resource for parenting our children?

What does research say about the parenting styles and methods of today?

What is an integrationist?

Does the Bible talk about self-esteem?

What are the downfalls of self-esteem?

What does handling criticism say about a generation?

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The Absolutes of Manhood

In today’s world, it’s difficult to even have an intelligent conversation about manhood. Why? There are new terms, new standards, new protocols that many of us are still needing clarity on and to become familiar with. In fact, many of the terms being tossed around need to be defined and agreed upon before we can truly communicate on this topic.

Fluidity has overtaken the conversation about boyhood and manhood. Absolutes have disappeared. But more than that, our culture has become ripe and ready for systemic discouragement of young men.

Are we emasculating our boys before they even have a chance to grow into strong men? What we can do about it?

The crisis of manhood extends beyond political correctness. We’ve messed with God’s ecosystem. But somehow, the creation thinks they have a better idea for doing and defining life than the creator. And that’s a disaster waiting to happen.

Discussing the Challenges of Manhood with Gregory Koufacos 

Today we welcome Gregory Koufacos to the program. Gregory is a veteran addiction counselor and therapist. He has just published a book called: The Primal Method: a book for emerging men. This book explores the epidemic of young men failing to launch.

Gregory holds a master’s degree in Psychology from the New School of Social Research. He’s a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor and a nationally certified recovery coach. Gregory’s work helps clients identify what’s gone wrong, why traditional therapy often fails them, and how emerging men can break their debilitating cycles.

The Crisis of Manhood

Episode Highlights:

How can parents mitigate the negative impact of culture while their children are still boys?

How much of this issue is due to all the things our young kids are stimulated with 24/7/365 via technology?

How can parents do a better job at helping their sons find their purpose?

In what way is the authentic connection a part of healing and growth?

What is the primal mind?

What is the difference between finding a purpose and finding your purpose?

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The Evolution of Higher Education & Faith

But today the very mention of having faith in God is something that is often considered equivalent to being a neanderthal.

A Christian Perspective on Higher Education

Many of the nation’s most prestigious institutions actually began as theological establishments. However, today we see a much different picture.

So how can we as parents set our children up for not only academic success, but spiritual growth as they enter the college-bound years? Is there a way to prepare them to enter an environment that may not be receptive, and may even be hostile to their faith?

Should we prepare our kids to stand their ground amidst a hostile environment that challenges their faith to its core? Do we even consent to send our kids to such an environment? How do we guide our children to making a decision that will strengthen rather than hinder their faith?

Discussing the Hostile Environment of Colleges & Universities with Dan Dupee

Dan Dupee is President Emeritus of the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO). He served as President and CEO of the CCO from 1999-2015, and as Chairman of the Board from 2016-2020.

Dan is also the author of It’s Not Too Late: The Essential Part You Play in Shaping Your Teen’s Faith, which was published in 2016 by Baker Books. 

Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO) calls college students to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives. They share the Gospel with students and develop passionate disciples of Jesus Christ. They serve together with the church and invite students into the lives of local congregations. They give students a vision for serving Jesus Christ in their studies, jobs, communities, and families.

The Christian Faith & College-Bound Teens

Episode Highlights:

How has our society impacted higher education?

What role has the pandemic played on educational institutions?

Why is there hostility toward the Christian faith?

How can Christian parents prepare their kids for college?

How can our community strengthen and encourage our children through the college experience?

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Manipulation, Money & Modern Parenting

America continues to be a country that sparks not only the curiosity but the desire of those from other nations. Day after day people are trying to get here; whether that be legally or otherwise. If American is such a terrible place to live, then why are we facing a crisis at the border?

There are those that would seek to manipulate our society into hating our country. As the church, we must learn to recognize this for what it is: a history lesson in a failed form of government.

Our kids deserve the rest of the story. Our kids are not naive to manipulation. In fact, I’ve learned through my work with teens that they don’t particularly like to be unjustly controlled, played, conned, or manipulated. They don’t tolerate hypocrisy and lies from anyone; not the government, teachers, bosses, coaches, or even their own parents. So why would they accept being conned by foreign billionaires?

Unfortunately, manipulated is a good word to describe our youth today. And it’s happening by way of lies, revisions to our history, and lore of free stuff.

But our kids aren’t the only victims of this manipulation. Many adults have bought into the lies that society is constantly feeding us. And this includes highly intelligent and educated adults.

Discussing George Soros with Dr. Frank Wright

Dr. Frank Wright has been the president and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) for more than 10 years. He’s also acted as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Salem Communications Corporation. He then joined Dr. D. James Kennedy ministries as its president and CEO in 2015.

Dr. Wright’s organization has produced a documentary that exposes the architecture of left, the well-heeled foundations that make the grants, activist groups that do the work (including Catholic, Protestant, and evangelicals organizations), and politicized media who amplify the message.”

Learning from History

Episode Highlights:

Should our kids be aware of George Soros? Why?

What is a socialist? What is a globalist?

What is the overall goal of Soros?

Should Christians be concerned with the influence of George Soros?

What is the “follow the money” chart?

How do we respond to our kids who think this is just a “conspiracy theory?”

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Navigating Our Culture's Digital Landscape

Can our children navigate the digital landscape free of corruption and addiction?

Is there wisdom in giving our children digital technology? What about virtually unfettered access to digital technology by way of the smartphone?

How can we know when our kids are safe? Or when they’ve crossed the line? When are our kids at risk of becoming eye-slaves to digital tech?

What does healthy technology use look like? How do we teach our children to successfully balance healthy tech use? Do we have what it takes to step in when they cross the line?

The Technology Take Over

For many children in America, screens have become their “other parent.” What impact does technology have on our children? Unfortunately for many, technology has shifted from “parent” to god. Their energy, time, and thoughts are consumed by what they find on the screen.

What does the Bible say about technology use in our lives? Can we find wisdom on this matter in Scripture? Today we discuss how we as parents can install biblical, safe, and healthy wisdom into our kids’ hearts and lives.

Discussing Screens and Teens with Kathy Koch

Dr. Kathy Koch is the founder and president of Celebrate Kids Incorporated, based in Fort Worth, TX. She is the co-founder of Ignite the Family.

Dr. Kathy earned a Ph.D. in Reading and Educational Psychology from Purdue University. She was a tenured associate professor in Education at the University of Wisconsin. She was also a teacher of 2nd graders, a middle school teacher, and much more!

She has also written 6 books including her most recent, Start with the Heart. We have asked her here today to discuss one of her previous books entitled Screens and Teens: Connecting with Our Kids in a Wireless World.

Balancing Screentime at Home

Episode Highlights:

What is happiness? What is joy? Is there a difference?

How can we as parents set up a wise technology protocol in the home?

Why are parents allowing their children to spend so much time in front of screens?

What does a technology addiction look like?

Is using technology in education really more beneficial?

Are there more resources for parents on balancing safe technology use?

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When Our Kids Look to Us in the Unknown

As adults, many of us were completely blindsided by the events of 2020. The careers we held in high esteem, the same careers we planned to retire from, suddenly don’t exist anymore. Positions cut, or moved remote at the very least, initiated a huge shift for our personal lives and for our family.

But the ripple effect of the pandemic didn’t just impact us. It impacted our kids. Normally our children would be seeking our guidance and wisdom on dealing with the unknown. But what happens when we are both sailing in uncharted waters together?

The Impact of a Global Pandemic on Our Child’s Mental Health

Many of us have never experienced a global pandemic. So the old model of teaching our kids and story-telling through our learned experiences doesn’t work here. Our kids are seeing us struggle. They are seeing and working through the very raw and real emotions that we are. That brings with it stress all its own.

Discussing Mental Health and Crisis with June Hunt

June Hunt is an author, speaker, singer, and founder of Hope for the Heart. Hope for the Heart is a worldwide biblical counseling ministry founded in 1986. The ministry offers practical help through biblical counsel, coaching, and content for contemporary concerns in more than 60 countries on 6 continents. June’s books have sold more than a million copies. In February, June released her newest book called Anxiety: Calming the Fearful Heart. Today June and Trace Embry will look at the impact Covid-19 has had on our teens.

Discovering Healing in a Pandemic

Episode Highlights:

How has Covid-19 impacted our children and teens?

Is my teen struggling with finding hope and a will to live?

How can I tell when my teen is anxious? Afraid? Suicidal?

What phrases are common to teens in a time of crisis?

What causes teens and children to feel hopeless?

What is the role of hope in our lives?

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Explicit Content & Our Children

Today, sexually explicit images aren’t just those naughty magazines sold from behind the drug store counter. Milder or “soft” versions of it can be seen on billboards along the highway. Stronger forms are readily available out in the open now as well. They may be lurking just next to the candy aisle at your local convenient store.

These images are not only in the line of sight of your children but well within their grasp. But this isn’t the worst of the readily available images. Many parents are continuing to harbor explicit images and scenes by way of satellite or cable TV packages. These images are in high-definition motion picture and living color, truly bringing these scenes to life and leaving nothing to the imagination.

Could there be anything worse? Unfortunately, yes! Many parents have given (often unknowingly) their children their own private access to it. The access comes by way of the devices they carry to school, to play, and even to bed each night! All of this and more are available with a simple click on their smartphones.

How do we protect the eyes, hearts, minds, souls, and spirits of our kids against a now socially acceptable poison? Listen in as we discuss with Kristen Jensen.

Discussing Christian Parent’s Roles in Protecting Our Kids from Pornography with Kristen Jensen

Author Kristen Jensen speaks with us today to give us an update on a cultural pandemic. Kristen is the author of Good Picture Bad Pictures, a read-aloud series of books for kids that has sold over 150,000 copies worldwide! These books help kids develop an internal filter against inappropriate content.

Kristen is also the founder of Protect Young Minds, an organization dedicated to helping parents empower themselves with tools to resist and reject pornography.

She is a mom of three children and recently became a grandmother.

Empowering Parents to Raising Healthy Children

Episode Highlights:

Is it possible to do anything about what our children see in our society today?

How should we be educating our kids about pornography?

Should we be talking to our kids about sex? When? How?

How can Good Pictures Bad Pictures assist parents in having healthy conversations with their kids?

How does pornography harm our child spiritually?

How can parents prepare and empower their children to have healthy marriages?

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Healthy Boundaries & Our Children

Even as parents, we also need to adhere to boundaries both for ourselves and in other interpersonal relationships. But what if you were told that in some areas of life, even in your child’s life, that there may not be a reason to adhere to boundaries at all.

What if you were told that boundaries, in some cases, might actually be detrimental?

When it comes to spiritual growth and Christ’s character in our kids and ourselves, growth has no boundaries. Let’s explore what that kind of growth actually looks like today as we speak with Dr. Henry Cloud.

Discussing Boundaries with Dr. Henry Cloud

Dr. Henry Cloud is a graduate of Southern Methodist University with a BS in Psychology, he completed his PhD in Psychology at Biola University. Dr. Cloud is a New York best-selling author where his book Boundaries, sold over 15 million copies worldwide. His latest book is called Growth Has No Boundaries.

Boundaries and the Christian Home

Episode Highlights:

Should our children have boundaries?

Are boundaries positive? Are they negative?

What are the indicators that our child(ren) are experiencing spiritual growth?

How can we, as parents, help to facilitate and empower spiritual growth?

Do you find it difficult to see your child(ren) fail? You’re not alone!

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Technology Use for Good & Evil

It seems as though as soon as you get a new computer it has already sneaked in its replacement and it’s already out of date.

If you’re looking for the latest apps for your smartphone, anything you download today will surely be obsolete tomorrow.

Now we’ve often said that technology isn’t bad in and of itself. It’s a tool that can be used to do great things. But in the wrong hands or when used in the wrong way, some technology can actually be a dangerous weapon.

Case in point; smartphones. They represent multiple ways to communicate but they also offer unencumbered access to the internet. We’re not fans of that!

Discussing the Gabb Wireless Alternative with Anne Marie McDonald

Last week we talked with Anne Marie McDonald, Vice President of Public Relations and Strategy at Gabb Wireless. Gabb is a tech company offering not only wireless phone service but also wireless phones. And that suggests that there may be a safe alternative. 

How Gabb Can Be a Solution for Your Family

Episode Highlights:

What is Gabb doing to give parents and children a safe option for families?

How does Gabb allow kids to be kids?

What does the Gabb phone look like?

What are the functionalities of the Gabb device?

What resources are available to parents concerning wise tech use?

How do we prepare our kids while raising them up with biblical principles?

Use code WISEPHONE to receive $10 off your Gabb Wireless Device.

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