License to Parent with Trace Embry

Friend of Trace - Rick Boyer

Rick Boyer is recognized by many in the homeschool network as Uncle Rick.  He is an author, speaker, and homeschool pioneer.  For many years his audio recording have taken Scripture, history, and adventure stories and turned them into character lessons for many children.  Rick and his wife Marilyn created the homeschool curriculum “Character Concepts.”

It's Off to Homeschool We Go!

Today we discuss the challenges of raising children in today's society, where traditional family values seem to be under attack. Trace Embry and Michelle Hill, talk with friend Rick Boyer, a homeschooling pioneer, about the importance of teaching children about their history and equipping them to think critically.

Rick Boyer emphasizes the need for parents to expose their children to different viewpoints and to teach them that there is absolute truth, as found in the Bible. He also discusses the importance of homeschooling in raising future leaders, as it allows children to be involved in designing their own education and encourages individuality and creativity.

Boyer's Uncle Rick Audio Book Club offers resources for parents and children to learn about American history through old books and biographies.

Episode Highlights:

The importance of instilling good character in our kids. 

Have you reviewed the history being taught in the public school system?

What can we do to wake up America?

How are homeschooled kids being taught differently than public school kids?

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Friend of Trace - Tina Marie Griffin

Tina Marie Griffin went from baling hay and milking cows on a dairy farm in Wisconsin to working as an actress in Hollywood.  She enrolled at California State University – Los Angeles to pursue a film and TV broadcasting degree and start her acting career.  Tina is doing a great job as the founder of Counter Culture Mom - Helping Parents Safely Navigate the Pop Culture Chaos!

When she isn’t traveling and speaking, you will find her busy writing radio spots, blogging, cooking, camping, traveling, homeschooling her four munchkins, or having a romantic date night with her best friend and husband Luke.  Listen to her podcast The Counter Culture Mom Podcast with Tina Griffin.

How to Raise Godly Kids in an Ungodly Culture

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, and friend Tina Marie Griffin discuss the challenges of raising children in a culture that increasingly contradicts Christian values.  Tina Marie is also known as the Counter Culture Mom, who shares her insights on how to raise godly kids in an ungodly culture.

Tina Marie, having worked in Hollywood, uses her knowledge of the entertainment industry to inform parents about the negative influences it can have on children. She emphasizes the importance of parents being in the Word of God daily and instilling it in their children. Griffin also discusses the negative impact of mainstream media and encourages parents to seek out positive entertainment alternatives.

She recommends her Counter Culture Mom app as a resource for parents, which provides pop culture updates, resource links, and solution-driven content.

Episode Highlights:

Is it possible to raise kids counter culturally in today's ungodly culture?

What is the most damaging thing happening today to our kids that parents need to be aware of?

Do parents not take it seriously enough the effects that music, movies and the internet have on our kids?

What do public schools, history books and communism have in common?

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Friend of Trace - Michael Farris

Michael P. Farris is a lawyer and founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association and Patrick Henry College. He is the former President & CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom, which he served from 2017 until 2022. Michael is also an author. He's written several titles on homeschooling and parenting.

Bring up a Child the Way He Should Go

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill and guest attorney, Michael Farris from Alliance Defending Freedom discuss the importance of standing up for family's religious convictions and liberties. Michael claims that the government is overstepping its boundaries and imposing its power on parents, particularly in the realm of education.

He believes that parents should have the right to direct the upbringing of their children, especially in terms of their moral and religious beliefs. He also discusses the issue of critical race theory and critical gender theory in public schools, arguing that these theories are promoting a form of systemic racism and undermining parental rights.

Michael Farris encourages parents to consider alternatives to public schooling and to fight back against these issues through litigation.

Episode Highlights:

Why Christian parents need to know about Alliance Defending Freedom. 

What is the most pressing issue regarding parental rights?

Michael Farris' take on systemic racism and the public school system.

Is your religious freedom at risk?

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Friend of Trace - Richard Cohen, M.A.

Richard Cohen, M.A. is the founder and executive director of Positive Approaches To Healthy Sexuality, or PATH, a psychotherapist, educator, and author. He travels the world teaching on such issues as healthy sexuality, marital relations, communication skills, parenting skills, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

He has authored seven books, and also does consultations and speaking engagements at colleges and conferences.

Healthy Touch & Emotional Connection

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, together with guest Richard Cohen, M.A. discuss the changing dynamics of the parent-child relationship in our American culture. They argue that children today have more influence and authority in their homes than previous generations, which some view as progress, while others see it as potentially harmful.

Richard Cohen, M.A. shares about his book "Healing Humanity: Love, Time, Touch, and Talk."  He emphasizes the importance of healthy touch in parenting, arguing that many people in Western culture are oversexed because they are undernourished in terms of healthy, non-sexual touch.

He suggests that parents should introduce healthy touch incrementally and always inform their children before implementing a new parenting skill. Cohen also discusses the importance of parents modeling healthy touch and emotional connection in their own relationships.

Episode Highlights:

Have we helped our kids survive the American Culture norms? 

Learn what healthy touch is within the family, community, church and the culture?

Is it possible to have a deep need and desire for appropriate touch by others without realizing it, particularly by one's parent?

How to attach and show affection to your child in a healthy way?

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Friend of Trace - John Rosemond

John Rosemond earned his masters in psychology in 1971 from Western Illinois University, and is licensed in North Carolina.  During his career he has directed several mental health programs for children, and has help numerous families and children every since.

John devotes his time to speaking and writing now. John is syndicated in well over 225 newspapers nationwide. He has written over eighteen best-selling parenting books, and travels to speak all over the country sharing his parenting experience and humor with so many others.

He lives in North Carolina with his wife Wilma, a.k.a. "Willy."  They have been married over 50 years.  He is also the founder of ParentGuru, where he helps parents to raise responsible adults.

Prepare Your Kids for the World

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, together with John Rosemond, author of The Bible Parenting Code, share about the importance of traditional parenting methods and the dangers of modern psychology's influence on parenting.

John Rosemond argues that parents should not strive to be in a relationship with their children, but rather should focus on disciplining and preparing them for the world. He also discusses the importance of parents being on the same page and putting their marriage first.

John Rosemond suggests that parents should not compromise their standards to secure a relationship with their children.  He advises parents of adult children who have cut off communication with each other to pray about it rather than pursue it.

Episode Highlights:

What's John's advice to parents with adult children? 

Do parents need to change the way they are doing parenting?

What is the importance of parents being on the same page in their parenting style?

What does Scripture say about parenting?

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Friend of Trace - Dr. Nicholas Kardaras

Dr. Kardaras is an Ivy-League educated psychologist, a well known speaker and addiction expert. He is also the CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of Maui Recovery in Hawaii and Omega Recovery in Austin, Texas.  Dr. Kardaras is the author of the book titled "Glow Kids."  Please visit his bio page to learn more about his amazing accomplishments.

Keep Your Kids from Glowing in the Digital Age

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, and Dr. Nicholas Kardaras speak about the dangers of excessive screen time for children and its impact on their emotional, social, physical, and spiritual health.  They highlight the importance of face-to-face interaction and the role of parents in setting examples for their children.

They also discuss the influence of digital technology on the mental health of young people, particularly the addictive nature of devices and the impact of social media influencers.  They suggest that the excessive information and lack of critical thinking skills can lead to mental health issues, self-destructive behaviors, and even suicide.

They advocate for delayed access to devices, regulation of screen time, and avoidance of social media and gaming to protect children from the harmful effects of digital technology.

Episode Highlights:

How has technology affected how we parent our kids? 

Learn the influence of digital technology on the hearts and minds of human beings, particularly kids.

What is impulsivity & who has it?

Younger females contracting Tourette syndrome.

What percent of mass shootings are linked to mental illness?

Culprits of Digital Addiction?

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Friend of Trace - Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is a Retired (1998) US Army Ranger, a paratrooper, and a former West Point Psychology Professor.  He has become one of our nation’s leading trainers for military, law enforcement, mental health providers, and school safety organizations. He has a Black Belt in Hojutsu, the martial art of the firearm, and has been inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Lt. Col. Grossman has five patents to his name, published many books including his bestseller "On Killing" and a New York Times best-selling book co-authored with Glenn Beck.  He is well-known for his research, has been cited by the President of the United States, and has presented papers before the national conventions of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Today, Lt. Col. Grossman is the director of Grossman On Truth, LLC.  After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he has written and spoken extensively on the terrorist threat with articles published in many leading law enforcement journals.  He has been inducted as a “Life Diplomate” by the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, and is a “Life Member” of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute.

Parents Know the Danger Violence has on Your Kids

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill and our friend Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, who is an expert on human aggression and violence, together discuss the potential negative effects of violent video games on children.  They also speak about other dangers of technology on our young people.

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman shares his research and knowledge that the addictive nature of video games, combined with the violent content, can lead to serious issues such as sleep deprivation, impaired judgment, and increased aggression.  He also criticizes the video game industry for fighting against regulations that would limit children's access to violent games.

Trace Embry and Lt. Col. Grossman agree that parents need to be proactive in monitoring their children's gaming habits and enforcing age-appropriate content.  They also recommend resources like Lt. Col. Grossman's book "Assassination Generation" and the website of our friend Melanie Hempe, ScreenStrong.org, for parents seeking guidance on this issue.

Episode Highlights:

How has technology affected how we parent our kids? 

Is social media designed to be addictive?

How sleep deprivation affects our behavior.

Do you believe video games generate violence?

How can parents push back on big tech and social media?

Is violence tolerated more today than 5o years ago & how does it affect our emotions?

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Friend of Trace - Gary Chapman, Ph.D.

Gary Chapman, Ph.D. is an author, speaker, and counselor who has a passion for people to help them form lasting relationships.  He is a well-known marriage counselor and director of marriage seminars.  The 5 Love Languages® is one of Dr. Chapman’s most popular titles with millions of copies sold and on the  New York Times bestsellers list since 2007.  Find all of Dr. Chapman's resources at his Store.

Dr. Chapman has been directly involved in real-life family counseling since the beginning of his ministry years, and his nationally-syndicated radio programs air nationally on Moody Radio Network and over 400 affiliate stations.  His Podcasts are Building Relationships & A Love Language Minute.

Dr. Chapman holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in anthropology from Wheaton College and Wake Forest University, respectively. He received his Ph.D. degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has taken postgraduate work at the University of North Carolina and Duke University.

Dr. Chapman and his wife, Karolyn, have been married for more than 45 years, reside in North Carolina and have two grown children.

How to Help Your Child Feel Loved 

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill and our friend Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages of Children, discuss how parents can foster emotional wellbeing in their children by understanding their love languages.  He explains that each child has a primary love language, which could be physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, or quality time.

Parents can identify their child's love language by observing their behavior, listening to their complaints, and noting their requests.  Dr. Chapman emphasizes that while all love languages are important, speaking the child's primary love language is crucial for them to feel loved.  He also suggests that discipline should be wrapped in the child's love language to ensure fairness and understanding.

Dr. Chapman shares a sad story of a young man who never really knew his father.  This was shared with Dr. Chapman by the young man at his father's graveside service.  Therefore leaving Dr. Chapman sad knowing it was now too late for that father to know his child's love language.

Episode Highlights:

Can you name the 5 Love Languages? 

Ask yourself, "Do your children feel loved?"

How to identify your child's love language.

When is it NOT a good time to offer advice to your child?

Why is it so important to spend time with your children?

What are Primary and Secondary love languages?

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Friend of Trace - Melanie Hempe, BSN

Melanie Hempe, BSN, is an author, speaker and the founder of ScreenStrong and Families Managing Media (FMM).  She received her bachelors of Nursing from Emory University and has worked with technology experts and researchers on the impact of social media and video game use.  She helps families avoid problematic screen use, i.e., video games, pornography, social media, etc. in their kids’ lives.

Through ScreenStrong, she provides resources and education courses on brain development and the effects of screen use on kids, and solutions for parents who desire to free their kids from screen addictions. Melanie hosts the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast and has been featured in Psychology Today, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, "Screened Out" (the movie), and many other news and television outlets.

Melanie lives in North Carolina with her husband, Chris, and their four children.  As a family they enjoy reading good books, spending time with friends in their home and just good family fun without screens.

Life on the Other Side of the Screen Delima 

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill and guest Melanie Hempe, BSN discuss the dangers of screen time and digital addiction with our children, comparing its effects on the brain to that of cocaine and heroin. The conversation brings out passions how the constant exposure to screens can lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.

Trace and Melanie also highlight the importance of parents taking responsibility for their children's screen time and setting boundaries.  Then Melanie Hempe shares the personal experience she encountered with her own son's gaming addiction and how she managed to help him overcome it.

Melanie emphasizes the importance of real-life social interactions for children and warns against the false sense of social fulfillment that social media provides.  She encourages parents to stick together with other like minded parents.  The three of them encourage parents to seek support and gather resources to help manage their children's screen time effectively.

Episode Highlights:

Effects of addiction to screens is much like substance abuse. 

What changes has the pandemic brought on regarding digital addiction?

Will we look back on too much screen time like smoking cigarettes?

What was Melanie's son addicted to and how did he overcome it?

Parents have to ask themselves; "Is it worth it to let my kid have a smartphone?"

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Friend of Trace - John Rosemond

John Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of psychology. In 1971 he earned his masters in psychology from Western Illinois University, and is licensed in North Carolina.  During his career he has directed several mental health programs for children.

For the last 30 years or so, John devotes his time to speaking and writing. John is syndicated in well over 225 newspapers nationwide. He has written over eighteen best-selling parenting books, and travels to speak all over the country sharing his parenting experience and humor with so many others.

He resides in North Carolina with his wife of over 50 years, Wilma, a.k.a. "Willy."  He is also the founder of ParentGuru, where he helps parents to raise responsible adults.

Help for Parents from the ParentGuru 

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, and psychologist John Rosemond discuss John's latest book, "The Bible Parenting Code: Revealing God's Perfect Plan for Parenting."  John shares an amusing personal experience of raising his son using modern psychological methods, which resulted in his son being the worst behaved child his teacher had seen in 20 years.

After this revelation, John and his wife Willy decided to raise their children the way they were raised, which led to a significant improvement in their son's behavior and academic performance.

John Rosemond is a critic of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and refers to it as a book of bogus diagnoses.  He emphasizes the importance of relying on God's perfect parenting plan as outlined in the Bible. He also discusses the congruence between Scripture and recent astrophysical facts as a way to affirm the truthfulness of Scripture.

Episode Highlights:

Why does John call his wife of 50 years "Willy?"

Learn how John & Willy dealt with their worst behaved child.

What does John say about children's feelings?

Is modern psychology all it's cracked up to be?

John's contrast of astrophysics and Scripture.

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