License to Parent with Trace Embry

Entertainment Roles

In the past, by and large, Christian parents in America raised their kids to assimilate into the culture, but that was when American culture had, for the most part, accepted and lived by Judeo-Christian moral values. Today the cultural pendulum has swung far from any semblance of the biblical standard that once shaped it. So now we have to raise our kids in a more intentional way. One that prepares them to swim against the flow of our culture. Today we will be talking with Focus on the Family’s Adam Holz about the role entertainment might play not only in shaping our culture but in our homes and churches as well.

Discussing Entertainment with Adam Holz

Adam Holz served as an Associate Editor at NavPress Discipleship Journal and consulting Editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s Reviews. These are reviews of movies, games, books, and music. Adam is the site's director. He and his wife Jennifer have three children. In their free time the Holz’s enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming, and of course- watching movies.

Episode Highlights:

How do SHA students come to understand the emptiness of the world’s promises?

What two things draw the students to Jesus?

What is Plugged In?

What specifically is Plugged In trying to provide?

What is the site's hope?

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The Miracles of Shepherd's Hill

Have you ever taken a step of faith believing that God was directing you and knowing that He would do just that? Trace and Beth Embry saw a need in our world and knew God was calling them to be the answer and to bring healing. So step by step, brick by brick, child by child, through God they are breathing life into our next generation. And they are watching God build something incredible.

Discussing Miracles with Trace Embry

Trace and his wife Beth have a heart and a passion for the parents of the youth of today’s culture. Trace was a former business owner and police officer in the Chicago area, but God led them on a journey. The Embry family basically gave up everything to move to Georgia and begin Shepherd’s Hill Academy. Trace is the author of "The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill". Trace and Beth have 5 kids and 9 grandchildren.

Episode Highlights:

How do you define miracles?

What is the story of Shepherd’s Hill?

How did you know this was from the Lord?

How was the land of SHA a miracle?

What is it like to keep stepping out in faith one step at a time?

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Intentional Parenting

Open the Bible to Proverbs 22 and you will find these words, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” As parents you know you have 18 years to guide, direct, discipline, coach, and train your child “in the way he should go.” Those 18 years set them on a path for success in the world and hopefully eternity. That is what you hope for, right? You’re probably realizing that it takes time! Time and intentionality. Both time and intentionality take work. Being intentional with our time as we prepare our children for what lies ahead.

Discussing Intentionality with Dave Glander

Dave Glander was formerly a devout atheist and is now a deeply committed believer in Jesus Christ, and a Speaker for Reasons for Hope. Dave teaches Christians how to know what they believe and how to defend their faith. He is a pastor and founder of an apologetics youth camp called Equip Retreat and is the author of “How, Why, Where” and “The Faith Survival Guide."

Episode Highlights:

What does Deuteronomy 6:6-7 say?

What does the “as you go” concept mean?

What do our kids need to see in us all the time?

What does Colossians 3:23 say?

What is the average time a parent spends face-to-face with their child?

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Faith Still Moves

Whether in raising our children or in life in general, we exercise faith. The object of our faith makes all of the difference. If you and your family have been blessed by Trace Embry’s book, “The Miracles of Shepherd's Hill,” then stay tuned. Today we will be speaking with Fox News’ Harris Faulker who has also broached the realities and benefits of faith, prayer, healing, and miracles in the face of adversity. It is all in her New York Times Best Selling book, “Faith Still Moves Mountains: Miraculous Stories of the Healing Power of Prayer.”

Discussing Prayer with Harris Faulkner

Harris Faulkner is the author of the New York Times Best Seller “Faith Still Moves Mountains: Miraculous Stories of the Healing Power of Prayer.” She is a six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist. Harris currently anchors two daily daytime programs on Fox News; The Faulkner Focus and she is the co-host of Outnumbered. Outside of her work as a journalist Harris is a motivational speaker, writer, and philanthropist. She is involved in the Green Beret Foundation as well as the Navy Seal Foundation. She helps funds breast cancer research and has received an award for her humanitarian efforts.  Harris and her husband have two daughters.

Episode Highlights:

What was Shepherd’s Hill when Trace bought it?

What was Harris’ motivation for writing her book?

What statistics surprised Harris during her research for her book?

What does Harris say about facing the unknown?

Where does truth come from?

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Sound Minds

It is no secret that grit is something that seems to be lacking in many of our kids today. This even includes some of our 30-something-age kids. So how can we impart a sturdier constitution in our children while they are still at home? Not only for the sake of our children’s future but for our sanity and success as parents. After all, we may likely need the help of an emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually strong offspring to take care of us someday. Find out how to raise kids with sound minds and whole hearts who stand firm in their God-given identities.

Discussing Parenting with Lauren Gaines

Lauren Gaines is an author, speaker, teacher, and mom. She is the creator of Inspired Motherhood which is an online community for moms. Today Lauren is a busy mom of 3 whose unique approach to parenthood can be credited to her Master's Degree in School Psychology. She worked in the public school system and taught Human Development as an Adjunct Professor. Lauren understands the mental overload that families are experiencing today.

Episode Highlights:

What phrase has led to our cultural decline?

What is the best gift we can give our kids?

What does overload do to our kids?

What vital skill do young children not have?

Where does the problem start?

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Supermoms Activated

Throughout all of history, from Bible times until now, it seems that when leadership fails among the male population God has always brought forth brave women to stand in the gap. Today it seems that fewer American males are taking the leadership that they need to, which means that once again men aren't standing up and speaking out to protect their kids and society from the insanity that is infecting our nation. Jacqueline Toboroff wrote the book "Supermoms: Activated" to discuss just this topic. It explains what we can do to stem the tide of government-sponsored child abuse.

Discussing Action with Jacqueline Toboroff

Jacqueline Toboroff is a power hitting mom who is leading a nation wide revival. She has taken a stand for her two kids and also for you. Jacqueline is a private citizen from Manhattan who ran for city counsel and was appointed VP of the Manhattan GOP. Jacqueline is a speaker and author of the book "Supermoms: Activated."  She is providing a platform for mothers who are fed up with having their parental rights challenged by the government.

Episode Highlights:

What does Isaiah 5:20 say?

How does our knowledge of history impact our ability to be effective leaders today?

Psalm 14:1 says what?

How does Jacqueline describe her book?

What 3 things do we need to know about Jacqueline's book?

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Vertical Marriage

One of the keys to success for just about any endeavor in life is setting proper priorities. Proper priorities are important for having a healthy marriage, bringing up healthy kids, and for managing a healthy family. Dave and Ann Wilson will be talking with us about proper priorities for keeping families upright amidst the chaos of a world that has gone sideways. It is what they call vertical marriage. Find the book here.

Discussing Priorities with Dave and Ann Wilson

Dave and Ann Wilson are speakers, authors, and co-founders of Kensington Church which is a national multicampus church based in the Detroit area. They are also hosts of the radio program Family Life Today. Dave and Ann have been married for more than 42 years and have spent the last 37 teaching and mentoring couples and parents across the country. They are featured speakers at Family Life’s Weekend To Remember, and they also host their own marriage conferences across the county. Dave and Ann have three grown sons and a growing number of grandchildren.

Episode Highlights:

Why is a child-centric parenting paradigm not good for children?

What is Vertical Marriage about?

Where do our eyes go when they are not on Jesus?

What is the first step to re-prioritizing your family dynamic?

How can the unprioritized spouse confront the "offending" spouse on their priorities?

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In His Image

We learned from the creation story that God didn’t do anything random. Day One God created the light, Day Two was the sky, and so forth. Then we come to Day Six. After God created the animals He made humans. Here are the words from Genesis 1:27, “So God created mankind in His own image. In the image of God, He created them. Male and Female, He created them.” What it means to be male and female is really coming into question today. Or rather, it is coming under hard scrutiny today. The government, doctors, counselors, teachers, and more are telling our children that they get to decide “What is a woman?” Today we will be talking to the director and producer of a film called “In His Image”.

Discussing Gender Identity with Tim Wildmon and Kendra White

Tim Wildmon is the executive director of “In His Image”. He is also president American Family Association and American Family Radio. American Family Association is a national organization that advocates for Biblical teaching on morality and values. Tim also hosts a daily program on Amercian Family Radios 180+ stations. Tim and his wife Alison have three children and seven grandchildren.

Kendra White is the producer for American Family Studios which is the film division of American Family Association. She co-wrote and directed American Family Studio’s first feature film “Summer Snow” with her brother Jeremy White. Kendra is passionately pursuing Christ and loves to encourage other women to fall in love with the Savior who has stolen her heart. Kendra is married and has one daughter.

Episode Highlights:

What was the inspiration behind the making of "In His Image"?

What are the proposed reasons for the astronomical growth in women transitioning?

What is the difference between gender dysphoria and gender confusion?

What was the simple reality that the 11-year-old girl was struggling with which had her convinced she was gay?

Who does the LGBTQ+ community want to be to your children?

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Loving Our Children

For most parents loving our kids is as natural as breathing. It’s hardwired into us. And though they would usually agree that we really do love them, our kids may not necessarily always agree that we always make them feel loved. At least not in a way that fosters security and emotional well-being. How can you foster that security and emotional well-being in your children? Dr. Gary Chapman is the 5 Love Languages guy and today we will be talking about his book “The 5 Love Languages of Children”.

Discussing Love with Dr. Gary Chapman

Dr. Gary Chapman is best known for working to improve or heal our most important relationships. Since the success of his first book, Dr. Chapman has expanded the Love Language series to specifically reach out to teens, singles, men, children, and military families. Dr. Chapman is a pastor, marriage counselor, conference speaker, and author. His book "The Five Love Languages of Children" can be found here.

Episode Highlights:

What are the 5 love languages?

What is your primary love language?

What is/are your child(ren)'s primary love language(s)?

Do you know for certain that your children feel loved?

What is the value of affirming effort?

Do gifts always have to cost money?

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Father Figure

Though you wouldn’t think anyone would have to make an argument for it, fathers are a big plus toward healthy emotional and spiritual development in their kids. While no family functions optimally without a father, fatherlessness still compromises 80% of American households in some areas of the country. Not surprisingly these are also the most crime-ridden areas. Is that a coincidence or is there a link between fatherlessness and lawlessness? Both in our homes and in our society at large? Today we will be talking to Dr. Meg Meeker as she argues for the importance of every household having a strong father.

Discussing Fathers with Dr. Meg Meeker

Dr. Meg Meeker is one of the global leading experts on child-father relationships. She has over 30 years of experience as a pediatrician, is the author of the best-selling book, and now movie, "Strong Fathers Strong Daughters". As an expert in the field, Dr. Meg equips Dads with tools and training built through extensive practical experience and research. Dr. Meg says that "hero dads are game changers".

Episode Highlights:

Why should a woman be teaching men about fatherhood issues?

What helps dads become who they need to be?

What is the hard yet simple thing that Dr. Meg references?

What answer do the students of Shepherd's Hill give to the question, "What can we never stop doing?"

What do parents believe about conflict?

What two things do children need?

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