License to Parent with Trace Embry

Moms Raising Men

Family values today are being challenged and even marginalized. Traditional gender roles have also been challenged and even redefined. Our boys are receiving distorted information about what it means to be a man; while more single moms are raising sons without a good male role model to help live out what it really means to be a man. This is becoming generational. Almost to the point that extremists have now convinced many of today’s young men and women that the scientifically backed gender binary is either fluid or non-existent. So what is a single mom to do? How do moms raise sons to be men?

Discussing Raising Men with Rhonda Stoppe

Rhonda Stoppe is a Christian author and speaker with over 30 years of experience as a pastor's wife, a mom coach, a marriage mentor, and a homeschool keynote speaker. Rhonda is Nana to 15 little ones. She also has 2 sons and 2 daughters and loves to share all that she learned through that experience. 10 years ago Rhonda wrote the book, “Moms Raising Sons to be Men” and it has just recently been re-released.

Episode Highlights:

What is the logical outworking of illogical teachings?

Where should any parent find their standards for manhood?

The more a mom tries to control a child the more- what?

Why is it important to allow your child to make mistakes? To sin?

What things did Rhonda’s single mom friends do to raise godly sons into men?

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Resilient Kids

The American culture is full of adults who are ideologically divided, emotionally fragile, addicted, mentally ill, and devoid of God. Sadly many of these adults are also averse to logic, objective truth, common sense, and even science. As responsible parents, we need to foster resilience in our kids like never before. But how do we do this when our kids seem to have lost so much confidence in and respect for the parents of the last few generations? Especially when many of these parents have taught them to trust and even emulate people like teachers, coaches, medical and mental health professionals, lawmakers, law enforcement, media personnel, businessmen, scientists, and too often even clergy. Dr. Kathy Koch will help bring clarity to this issue through the discussion of her book “Resilient Kids: Raising Them to Embrace Life with Confidence.”

Discussing Resilience with Kathy Koch

Dr. Kathy Koch is the Founder and President of Celebrate Kids and the co-founder of Ignite The Family. Dr. Kathy has influenced thousands of parents, teachers, and children in over 30 countries through her messages, seminars, chapels, and other events. She speaks regularly at schools, churches, and pregnancy resource centers. She is a featured speaker for Great Homeschool Conventions and is also on the faculty of Summit Ministries. Dr. Kathy is for kids, especially your kid. Dr. Kathy is a champion in helping parents understand just how smart their kid is.

Episode Highlights:

What do children need to know about their parents which will make them grow in resilience?

Every child and adult is created _?

What has changed recently regarding children’s resiliency?

What has the highlight reel taught our children?

Effort is a part of life. What does it mean?

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The Blessing

Let me tell you about this gift.

There is very little investment involved.  The gift is so much more valuable than the latest gadget your child may want. It’s a gift that can improve their lives now and in their future. It’s unlike most any other gift you know of.  This gift is The Blessing.

So, what is the blessing?  You can find out today on License to Parent.

Discussing Blessing Your Children with John Trent

John Trent has the "best job in the world" according to him.  He is the Founder and President of Strong Families.  John writes, speaks, and trains others to create cultures of blessing in their homes, workplaces, ministries, and around the world.

John has written over 30 books. We’re going to talk to John today about his award-winning book called The Blessing.

Episode Highlights:

How do we bless our kids the most?

What is the greek word for forgiveness? How is it significant?

What is it like to experience the blessing?

Does one’s childhood guarantee success or failure as an adult?

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Healthy Teens

If you have ever thought that we now live in a time and place where it has never been harder to raise healthy teenagers, you'll get no argument from most parents. However, could it be that today's dystopian-like society might be making it impossible? Frequent listeners to License to Parent know the answer. There is a possibility of raising healthy teenagers. Teaching you how to equip your child to navigate the pitfalls and dangers of teen life in a world gone mad is our work. 

Discussing Health with Tom Kersting

Tom Kersting is a nationally renowned licensed psychotherapist, family counselor, author, and educator. He is a regular guest expert on many national television shows and talk shows. He also lectures throughout the country offering expert insight and advice for parents, children, and educators. Tom is the founder and owner of Valley Family Counseling LLC in Park Ridge, New Jersey. He and his wife have two teenage children. His latest book is "Raising Healthy Teenagers: Equipping Your Child to Navigate the Pitfalls and Dangers of  Teen Life."

Episode Highlights:

What are the main issues facing teens today?

What is mental freedom?

What are our kids constantly distracted from?

Why is practicing silent thought helpful?

What are the outworkings of an anhedonic state?

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Words of Love

How many of us have ever had a deep discussion with our kids about love? About what it is and what it is not? Love is a multifaceted term and the English language only has one word for it, but other languages, like Greek,  have many. Greek’s uses of its other terms for love can be for describing a parent, or the love of a spouse. An entirely different word for love is used for the love of a friend. And still, another word for love transcends all the rest. It is the kind of sacrificial and unconditional love that springs from God Himself. It can be so easy for our kids to get a distorted idea about love when this term is applied to the myriad relationship scenarios that life brings our way. We need to ask ourselves what are the biblical perspectives on love?

Discussing Love with Shannon Bream

Shannon is an American journalist and attorney. She is the host of Fox News Sunday and the chief legal correspondent for Fox News Channel. Shannon is also the author of several best-selling books including, “The Love Stories of the Bible Speak.” Shannon is married to her husband Sheldon and they enjoy traveling, fly fishing, and college football.

Episode Highlights:

According to Trace, when does genuine healing begin in the student of Shepherd’s Hill Academy?

How are the love stories of the Bible relatable?

Which characters is her book about?

How is sex like fire?

What is intimacy? What is it not?

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Hard Questions

Last week we spoke with Dr. Don Williams about his book “The Young Christian’s Survival Guide.” In this podcast, he told us that his Grandfather was an illiterate country farmer from central Georgia and yet he had a tradition that marked Dr. Williams’ life forever. He required the youngest of his nine children (who was literate) to read the Bible aloud for him each evening when he came in from the fields. His commitment to scripture marked Dr. Don’s father and in turn, marked Dr. Don. He genuinely loved the Lord and God’s word, despite his flaws. He had a real foundation. And this foundation is where apologetics truly starts. A person’s apologetics can only begin to be effective when that person is living a life of sacrificial love for the Lord. This conversation continues in this week’s podcast.

Discussing Biblical Truth with Don Williams

Dr. Donald Williams is a professor emeritus of Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. Dr. Williams calls himself a border dweller. He says he stays permanently camped out in the borders between theology, literature, serious scholarship, and pastoral ministry. So to speak, Narnia and The Middle Earth. Dr. Williams has authored 13 books including “The Young Christian's Survival Guide: Common Questions Young Christians Are Asked about God, the Bible, and the Christian Faith Answered.” He is a pastor and church planter and has taken the gospel to places like Bulgaria, Uganda, India, and of course here in the United States.

Episode Highlights:

What is the biggest contributor for why kids are walking away from the church?

The problem wasn’t that they didn’t have answers it was what?

What backs up Jesus’ supreme confidence?

What is the purpose of answering a question with a question?

Why are the Beatitudes so “dramatic?"

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Lasting Impact

In our nation's past most people would have found it safe to say that kids who were submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ were more likely to bring joy to themselves and to their families than the kids who chose to pursue the sinful pleasures of the world. Yet in today’s information age the truth of Scripture, and the virtues of faith, family, and common sense are often belied as too restrictive, oppressive, and even immoral. Many now consider the Bible to be an evil collection of dark fairy tales that speak of the evil deeds of an oppressive God- far too horrifying to be true. In this world parents and children need help to answer some of the toughest questions that pertain to the veracity of God and His Word.

Discussing God's Veracity with Don Williams

Dr. Donald Williams is a professor emeritus of Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. Dr. Williams calls himself a border dweller. He says he stays permanently camped out in the borders between theology, literature, serious scholarship, and pastoral ministry. So to speak, Narnia and The Middle Earth. Dr. Williams has authored 13 books including “The Young Christian's Survival Guide: Common Questions Young Christians Are Asked about God, the Bible, and the Christian Faith Answered” He is a pastor and church planter and has taken the gospel to places like Bulgaria, Uganda, India, and of course here in the United States.

Episode Highlights:

What issues does Dr. Williams’ book address?

Who specifically can benefit from the book?

If apologetics is the 2nd most important, what is the 1st?

What does Dr. Williams say about his father’s attempts to raise him to love the Lord?

What made the real difference in Dr. Williams’ walk with God?

Apologetics is only effective when spoken by what kind of people?

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Empty Nesting

Many parents invest 18 years into the lives of their kids before sending them out into this great big world. Maybe that’s you right now and your child is leaving the nest and that is something you excitedly anticipate. Or maybe it is a time of apprehension and sorrow and possibly even dread. Either way, it is a time of significant change and there is a certain sense of loss that is part of this new equation. However, that sense of loss does not have to result in the loss of your joy.

Discussing the Empty Nest with Jim Burns

Jim Burns is the president of the ministry Homeword where he writes and speaks on their core values. The core values are; strong marriages, confident parents, empowered kids, and healthy leaders. Jim and his wife live in southern California and they have three grown daughters. Jim and his wife are finding joy in the empty nest. Jim has authored multiple books, the latest of which is, "Finding Joy in the Empty Nest: Discover Purpose and Passion in the Next Phase of Life."

Episode Highlights:

What is the best way to prepare for your children to leave the nest?

What advice does Jim give empty nesters?

What does "reinventing yourself" look like for an empty nester?

What are some suggestions Jim gives for filling your time?

What things in your life will take intentionality?

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Ask Trace

If you could sit down and get some free advice from a 20+ year expert on troubled teens, what would you ask? Here I ask questions on behalf of you, our listening friends. Every once in a while we sit Trace Embry down and ask him questions about parenting difficult teens. As you know Trace is the Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd's Hill Academy. Shepherd's Hill has turned around many young people that are heading in the wrong direction. Trace is skilled in working with teens and knowing what it takes to help your teen thrive. Find answers to questions about bullying, discernment, and more. Email [email protected] to ask your tough questions.

Discussing Parenting with Trace Embry

Trace Embry is the Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd’s Hill Academy a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd’s Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd’s Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now.

Episode Highlights:

What is the #1 problem parents have today?

A family is not a democracy. What is it?

A child will be unhappy even though, what?

We are fundamentally-what?

Why is it important for parents to make their kids do things?

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Rebel Parenting

The cultural revolution in the 1960’s changed the face of America. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll led the way to much of what we still see today in rebellion and immorality. After all it's the youth of that generation that are the grandmas and grandpas of today. Now many parents, the children of the rebel generation, are having to navigate this new cultural norm and they’re finding that Biblical parenting flies in the face of what they were taught and what much of the culture now believes. Do today's Christian parents face a different kind of rebellion as they raise their kids? Perhaps a rebellion against the rebellion?

Discussing Parenting with Ryan Dobson

Ryan Dobson is a dad of two and he's the son of parenting expert Dr. James Dobson. Ryan has written six books. He speaks most weekends to people wanting help with their families and he is host of the podcast Rebel Parenting.

Episode Highlights:

How do you win the spiritual war?

What does a “weirdo” look like?

Who can learn to live in grace?

What is your family’s common denominator?

How does Ryan posture himself to reach his daughter?

What is the greatest experience in life?

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