In today’s special episode, Doug and Janet share the story behind Rooted in Kerrville—a project born from their deep love of the Texas Hill Country, their partnership with Mercy Gate Ministries, and their heartache for a community forever changed by the devastating July 4 flood. This is more than a relief effort. It’s a long-term investment in soul restoration. When the flood hit, the physical damage was immense—but so was the emotional and spiritual toll. Local nonprofits like Mercy Gate are overwhelmed. Families are grieving. And pastors and helpers are exhausted, yet still showing up. In this episode, we share:

• How our work with Mercy Gate Ministries began—and why it matters now more than ever
• Why we’re developing a brand-new print resource to help Kerrville’s pastors, parents, and leaders rebuild from the inside out
• How you can support this sacred work through prayer, generosity, and presence
• Why we’re also launching a free 40-day reflection series on Substack to walk with Kerrville—and anyone grieving or disoriented—through this season of restoration

We’re not asking the people of Kerrville to give. We’re asking those of us outside the flood zone to say: “We’re still here. We see you. We believe in restoration.” Want to Help? Give to Support Long-Term Restoration - Your gift helps fund:

• The editing, design, and printing of the Rooted in Kerrville: Restoration from the Inside Out guide
• Our continued consulting and formation-based work with Mercy Gate Ministries
• Ongoing presence, training, and relational restoration efforts for the community

Give Now → john15academy.com/kerrville Walk With Us: A Ministry of Presence - We’re also publishing a free 40-day reflection series—short, gentle emails written especially for the people of Kerrville but meaningful for anyone navigating grief, disruption, or the slow work of restoration. The Substack essays are not a fundraising tool. It’s a ministry of presence. An offering of hope. And a way to remember that you’re not alone. Subscribe Free → janetnewberry.substack.com Final Word - You don’t have to be strong to be loved. You don’t have to rush your grief. You’re allowed to feel, to rest, and to heal—one day at a time. Let’s walk this road together. For Kerrville. For each other. For the kind of restoration that starts from the inside out. Together, there is great hope.

Every family is being shaped by a story, whether we realize it or not. The question isn’t if formation is happening…it’s what kind of formation is happening, and whether it’s rooted in fear or freedom.  In this episode, we introduce The Three Instruments of Formation—Atmosphere, Discipline, and Life—and explore how they help create secure, connected homes where faith and maturity can take root. We also revisit the Three Doors framework and share how real families—maybe even yours—are living in stories of survival, striving, or freedom. Most of us didn’t choose the story we grew up in, but we can choose the story we pass on. You’re in the Right Place If…

• You’re tired of reacting in the moment and want to be intentional about shaping your home.
• You’ve ever wondered why your family feels stuck—and what it would take to create real change.
• You want practical ways to create a secure, grace-filled environment for your kids.
• You believe there’s more to parenting than behavior management—and you’re ready to experience it.

Key Takeaways:

1. Formation is always happening—the atmosphere, rhythms, and input in your home are shaping your family’s story every day.
2. Secure relationships—not pressure, performance, or perfection, are the foundation for maturity and a life of faith.
3. The Three Instruments of Formation—Atmosphere, Discipline, and Life—are simple, practical tools to help your family align with freedom, not fear.
4. It’s never too late to shift the story you’re living and passing on. Small, intentional changes make a lasting difference.

Resources We Mention:

• Episode #155: How The Story You Live Shapes the Family You Build
• The Three Doors Article: The Three Doors: Why Families Survive, Strive, or Find Freedom
• New Article: How Atmosphere, Discipline, and Life Form Your Family
• Practicing the Art of Being Family (eBook) — A simple, grace-filled guide for real-life family transformation
• The Curated Life Newsletter — Join the community for encouragement and resources to live loved, not afraid

Let’s Stay Connected: We’re a donor-supported ministry helping families and communities practice the art of being family—through consulting, curriculum, speaking, and storytelling. Explore more and support our work at John15Academy.com/give. Together, there is great hope.

Episode Summary: Before a single word is spoken, we’ve already told a story. The emotional and spiritual tone we carry into a room—our atmosphere—is one of the most powerful instruments of formation in family life. In this episode, we unpack what atmosphere is, why it matters, and how it quietly shapes what our children believe about love, safety, identity, and belonging. You’ll discover how the Three Doors framework (Survival, Striving, and Transformation) shows up in the “air” of our homes and why peace-building—not pressure—creates the soil where souls grow. Whether you’re parenting, leading, or simply learning how to abide instead of perform, this episode will help you breathe a little deeper and build relationships that last. You’re in the right place if…

• You sometimes wonder why your home feels tense, even when no one is saying anything out loud.
• You’ve tried all the right parenting strategies, but something still feels off beneath the surface.
• Your child seems anxious, explosive, or withdrawn—and you’re realizing that presence matters more than pressure
• You want to build a home where peace is the atmosphere and formation begins with love, not fear.

Key Takeaways:

1. Atmosphere is the first instrument of formation. Long before our kids hear our words, they feel our presence.
2. Parents—not children—are responsible for the emotional tone of the home. Your nervous system sets the thermostat.
3. You can’t build homes of transformation with materials shaped by fear. Peace is the environment where souls grow.
4. You don’t need to be perfect—you need to be present. The atmosphere of Door #3 is formed by grace, not performance.

If you haven't yet heard other episodes in this series, listen now: #154 - Are You Aiming At The Wrong Target? Why Parenting Feels So Hard #155 - How The Story We Live Shapes the Family We Build Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Three Doors - Why Families Strive, Survive, or Find Freedom (blog post)
• Atmosphere - What Our Children Feel Before We Say A Word (blog post) 
• Purchase the eBook: Practicing the Art of Being Family
• Subscribe to The Curated Life Newsletter
• Read the Manifesto

Let’s Stay Connected: We’re a donor-supported ministry helping families and communities practice the art of being family—through consulting, curriculum, speaking, and storytelling. Explore more and support our work at John15Academy.com/give. Together, there is great hope.

What if prayer wasn’t about getting the words right, but about being real? In this tender and honest conversation, Janet and Doug sit down with poet and author Tanner Olson, whose new children’s book All the Things I Say to God is helping families make prayer a natural part of everyday life. They explore Tanner and his wife’s journey through infertility and adoption, the power of surrender, and what it means to live a creative life anchored in faith, family, and honest conversations with God. You’re in the Right Place If…

• You want to raise kids who feel safe enough to talk to God about anything.
• You’re in a season of waiting, wondering where God is in the silence.
• You’ve ever wrestled with not being in control, but longed to feel secure anyway.

Highlights from the Conversation:

• Prayer as Presence – How Tanner’s book models that sitting quietly with God is just as valid as speaking out loud.
• Love in the Waiting – Their shared experience of waiting for children—and discovering that grief and joy often share the same space.
• Peace Over Performance – Why surrender isn’t giving up, but choosing safety in God instead of control.
• Creative Callings – Tanner’s story of becoming a poet, the faith of his parents, and the courage it takes to follow a different path.

Key Takeaways:

1. Children don’t need perfect prayers. They need permission to speak to God like they speak to someone who loves them.
2. Surrendered doesn’t mean powerless. It means safe and secure in the hands of a faithful God—even when you don’t have all the answers.
3. Waiting can be formative. Love, art, and spiritual maturity often grow in the in-between spaces.
4. We are receivers first. God is the initiator, and our job is to remain open—to receive, respond, and create from love.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• All the Things I Say to God by Tanner Olson 
• Tanner’s website:  writtentospeak.com
• Follow Tanner on Instagram: @writtentospeak

Help Us Share the Good News: If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend—or post it on social media and tag @john15academy and @writtentospeak. Together, there is great hope.

If your children are grown—or even moving back home—and you’ve just now found language for what it means to live loved instead of afraid… this episode is for you. Today, we’re responding to questions from listeners who’ve read the manifesto, heard the message at Network 220, watched this YouTube conversation with Janet and Robby Angle, or started exploring Practicing the Art of Being Family. They’re asking: “Do these truths still apply if my kids are already out of the house?” And, "Is there still great hope if my children are already grown?" The answer is yes. Because you’re still a parent—but you’re first a child of God. And healing begins the moment you stop striving to fix the story, and start living from what’s already true. We explore:

• Why your peace is more important than your perfection
• How formation still happens—no matter how old your kids are
• The difference between carrying your child’s burden and becoming their safe place
• What it looks like to lead your family without fear—even in a season of disappointment, distance, or regret

This episode will meet you where you are—and help you begin again, without starting over. Takeaways:

1. Your family’s story isn’t finished. The Gospel doesn’t expire with age. Restoration is still possible—because transformation begins in you, not your circumstances.
2. You can’t give what you haven’t received. When you abide in your identity as a beloved child of God, you stop asking your children to meet needs only the Father can fill.
3. Peace is your starting point. True leadership isn’t about control or correction—it’s about being the safest, most truthful presence in the room.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

• Trueface – The PATH A new book and discipleship resource helping people walk in truth, identity, and grace.
• Sarah Boyd – Turn Down the NoiseA beautiful book for helping children develop emotional resilience in an overstimulated world. Check out our practical and inspirational conversation with Sarah in episode #156-How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Kids in a Chronically Overstimulated World
• John 15 Academy Manifesto - A free invitation to rethink family through the lens of identity, grace, and formation.
• Practicing the Art of Being Family – eBook - A 3-part framework for restoring the lost art of being family—through atmosphere, discipline, and life.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. Your support helps us spread the message of fearless love and family transformation. You were made for a beautiful life. You don’t have to settle for less. 💙

Today, we have the joy of welcoming Robby Angle, President and CEO of Trueface, to the Love is Fearless Podcast! Robby is passionate about helping people move from simply knowing about grace to living out their true identity in Jesus—with trust, freedom, and relational depth. Before leading Trueface, Robby pastored thousands toward authentic community at North Point Community Church. Now, he’s helping steward a powerful new resource called The Path—an experience designed to move believers beyond striving and into a transformational life of trusting God. Also, The Path Experience Guide is designed for community groups to facilitate life change through relationships. Together, we’ll explore:

• What inspired The Path and why it’s so needed now
• How trusting God (not just pleasing Him) changes everything
• Why following Jesus sometimes feels harder after you surrender—and how that’s part of real transformation
• How families, not just individuals, can be reshaped by grace

You’re in the Right Place If…

• You’re tired of knowing about grace but still feeling stuck. Maybe you’re looking for God’s approval. Maybe you’re looking for man’s approval. Maybe you’re tired of looking for approval, and you’re ready to admit you’re looking for meaning and purpose. 
• You’re not sure about Jesus - and you’re really not sure about a life of faith. Too much of what you see either lacks authenticity or adds too much pressure…but, honestly, you’re tired of dreading Mondays…so if there’s more to the Jesus story than you’ve experienced so far…you’re curious.
• You’re ready to stop trying to figure it out alone—and start walking the path of grace with Jesus.

Favorite quotes from today's conversation: 

• (Doug's favorite) “Each and every one of us longs for fulfillment. It’s in our bones, in our blood, in our breath. We sense that we are made for peace and joy and yet it slips through our grasping fingers like water and wind. Breathe. Find the courage to look at your longing, at your closed fists. And ask: What have I been searching for?” (The City, The Path)
• (Janet's favorite) “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet." (Frederick Buechner) “Every morning we stand on the wild edge of a story unfolding beneath our very feet.” (The Story, The Path)

📥 Download the manifesto to start transformative conversations in your marriage, small group, or church community. Get your copy of Practicing the Art of Being Family today and start experiencing a new story of hope in your home.   If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. Your support helps us spread the message of fearless love and family transformation. You were made for a beautiful life. You don’t have to settle for less. 💙

In this special episode of LOVE IS FEARLESS, Janet and Doug are joined by Sarah Boyd—author, child and adolescent development expert, and founder of Resilient Little Hearts. Sarah’s new book, Turn Down the Noise, offers a much-needed guide to raising emotionally healthy kids in today’s overstimulated world. This warm, insightful conversation explores the realities families face and the hope available when we slow down, simplify, and create a safe emotional atmosphere at home. You’re in the Right Place If…

• You feel caught between wanting to slow down and fearing what will happen if you do.
• You’ve seen big emotions or challenging behaviors in your child and wondered, “Is this anxiety… or are we all just overwhelmed?”
• You’ve ever felt like the pace of modern life is stealing the peace in your home—or wondered why your child’s emotions feel so big (or yours so close to the surface).

Conversation Takeaways - 

• Overstimulation is not a parenting failure—it’s a cultural reality. But it’s not inevitable. We can shape environments that help our children thrive.
• Emotional maturity in children begins with emotional safety—and safety begins with us. Slowing down is not weakness; it’s wisdom.
• Simplifying our home rhythms isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing what matters most: creating space for connection, rest, and delight. The emotional atmosphere of our home doesn’t have to feed the chaos. Home can become a place of healing.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• 🌐 Sarah’s Website – Resilient Little Hearts
• 📘 Preorder Sarah’s new book – Turn Down the Noise
• 📕 Children’s Book – The Boy Who Stood Up Tall

Follow Sarah Boyd - 

• Instagram: @resilientlittlehearts
• Facebook: Resilient Little Hearts

Explore More from John 15 Academy

• Read the Manifesto
• Dive into the eBook 
• Stay tuned for our upcoming family and church curriculum!

📩 Subscribe to The Curated Life – Get grace-filled parenting insights delivered to your inbox every month. Sign up here! 📲 Follow Us & Stay Connected: 🔗 Instagram | Facebook | Website | Merch Together, there is great hope.

What if your parenting struggles aren’t about strategy—but about the story your family is living? In this episode, Janet introduces The Three Doors—a simple but powerful framework that reveals how the emotional and spiritual atmosphere of your home helps conform or transform the people your children become. Whether you’re stuck in survival, exhausted from striving, or longing for something more—this conversation will give you hope, clarity, and practical next steps. We’re not managing behavior—we’re building a culture where transformation grows. 🔑 You’re in the Right Place If...

• You’ve tried every parenting strategy and still feel like you’re falling short.
• Your home feels either too tense or too checked out—and you’re craving connection.
• You long for grace-based parenting but don’t know how to make it practical.

You’ll Learn:

• The 3 “story environments” families live in (and how to tell which one you’re in)
• Why language is the fertilizer of transformation
• How to create a home where identity grows stronger than fear

📌 3 Key Takeaways

1. Every family is living in a story—but not every story leads to transformation. What story are you building?
2. The emotional and relational atmosphere of your home speaks louder than your rules.
3. You don’t have to create a new story alone—transformation begins by walking through the door that’s already open.

🙌 Final Invitation Today, Jesus isn’t asking you to try harder—He’s inviting you to step into a free life where transformation grows, not from pressure, but from grace. Your home can be a place where shame loses its grip, and love makes you whole. 🟢 Read the free manifesto 🟢 Visit john15academy.com for articles, podcast episodes, and resources 🟢 Start a conversation about bringing this message to your church or small group 🟢 Partner with us—your gift helps more families walk into Door #3📩 Subscribe to The Curated Life – Get grace-filled parenting insights delivered to your inbox every month. Sign up here! 📲 Follow Us & Stay Connected: 🔗 Instagram | Facebook | Website | Merch   Together, there is great hope. New boost

Episode Summary: Parenting is exhausting—but what if the struggle isn’t because you’re doing it wrong, but because you’re aiming at the wrong target? In this episode, we unpack the story of an Olympic athlete who hit the bullseye—but lost everything because he was aiming at the wrong lane. This powerful analogy helps parents recognize how our culture trains us to aim at compliance instead of wholeness—and why that’s a costly misalignment.   If parenting feels like a constant battle to "get it right," this episode will help you reframe your target and find a path that leads to peace, connection, and lasting transformation. You're in the Right Place If... ✔ You feel exhausted trying to get your kids to listen and obey. ✔ You wonder why your best efforts still lead to tension at home. ✔ You’re looking for a way to parent that brings peace, not pressure. Key Takeaways: 🎯 The Target Determines Everything – If we aim at compliance, we might get short-term results but miss long-term maturity. The right target is wholeness through transformation. 💨 Stress Shrinks Perspective – When we’re overwhelmed, we default to control. But pressure and compliance don’t create maturity—they hijack it. 🌱 Maturity happens through trust, not control. Read More & Continue the Conversation 🔗 Related Articles: 📖 Struggling in the Kingdom vs. the Upside-Down World – How your response to struggle shapes everything. 📖 Transformational vs. Transactional Relationships – Why parenting is about more than "just getting kids to behave." 📖 The Way of Jesus vs. The Way of the World – The parenting shift that changes everything. 🎧 Listen to Past Episodes:

• Episode #153: Why We Struggle With Struggle—3 Steps to Strengthen Emotional Resilience

Take the Next Step: 💡 Pause and reflect. Where am I aiming? Am I focusing on behavior or cultivating a secure connection? 📝 Journal Prompt – Where does stress cause me to default to control? What small shift can I make today to trust God in my parenting? 🎙 Share Your Thoughts! – Leave us a review or share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement. 📩 Subscribe to The Curated Life – Get grace-filled parenting insights delivered to your inbox every month. Sign up here! 📲 Follow Us & Stay Connected: 🔗 Instagram | Facebook | Website | Merch

Struggle isn’t the enemy, but how we navigate it can either weaken or strengthen our families. In this episode of Love Is Fearless, we’re tackling a fundamental shift that can change everything about the way we experience challenges at home and beyond. The world teaches us to fear struggle, to fix it, avoid it, or control it. But the kingdom of God offers a completely different way forward—one that leads to peace, connection, and resilience instead of exhaustion and shame. Today, we’re diving into the power of relational terrain—the unseen atmosphere of trust, connection, and security that determines whether struggle will make us stronger or wear us down. 🔑 In this episode, we explore: 1️⃣ Struggle isn’t the real problem—fear, isolation, and shame are. It’s not the struggle itself that harms us; it’s how we respond to it. In the kingdom, struggle is an invitation to growth, not a reason for guilt. 2️⃣ Your home’s relational terrain shapes how your family navigates struggle. When kids feel safe, seen, and connected, they develop resilience. But when fear, control, or performance shape the home, struggle feels like a crisis instead of a place to grow. 3️⃣ 3 Steps to Strengthen Your Family’s Relational Immune System:

• The Habit of a Greeting: Simple, daily connection reinforces identity and worth.
• Technology-Free Zones: Choosing where and when we abide in real connection shapes what fills our minds and hearts.
• The Habit of a Good Night: Ending the day with peace and presence strengthens security instead of fueling performance anxiety.

🚀 Key Takeaways: 💡 “Struggle doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re growing.” 💡 “You don’t have to control every challenge. You just need to build a home where love, truth, and security hold steady when struggle comes.” 💡 “The terrain of your relationships determines whether struggle strengthens you or breaks you.” 📖 Great Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 📚 Education by Design, Not Default – Janet Newberry’s book on transformation through relationships, rhythms, and learning in freedom. 📚 Atomic Habits – James Clear’s groundbreaking book on how small, intentional habits create lasting change. 📚 Sacred Attachment – Michael Cusick’s wisdom on healing and transformation through secure relationships. 📚 The Connected Life – Dr. Todd Hall’s guide to relational spirituality and why love changes everything. 💌 Stay Connected & Keep Growing Sign up for The Curated Life, your monthly guide to restoring the lost art of being family. As a subscriber, you’ll get: ✅ Early updates on Janet’s upcoming e-book, church curriculum, and speaking events ✅ Encouraging blog posts and resources for your family’s journey ✅ Exclusive access to download the Restoring the Lost Art of Being Family manifesto for free Join us at john15academy.com and step into a new way of family-ing. 💙 If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! Your support helps us spread the message of fearless love and kingdom parenting. 🙏 Thank you for listening! You were made for a beautiful life—you don’t have to settle for less.