Media Savvy Moms

Whose fight is this? You know us. We are moms—media savvy moms. We're concerned about kids, family, and relationships. But ours is not the only voice needed. Nor is it the only voice being heard. We stand alongside amazing dads. Dads who have a vision for a world without exploitation. It's this gentle strength of dads to fight porn that will help change the world.

Love is the antidote to porn. We know this. And it takes both dads and moms to model what real love looks like for kids. Simply, there are things kids learn from dads, and other significant men in their lives, they can't learn from moms. Most importantly: how men treat women, and how to be a great dad mentor. Moms can teach this. But dads show it.

Josh Gilman joins us on the show this week. He is the director of Strength to Fight, an organization based in Ottawa, Canada fighting for a porn-free community. They get their message out through dynamic presentations in schools, churches and special events. But at the root of it, Josh is in this fight because of his role as a dad. He wants to see a better future for his kids.

Josh Gilman is a speaker, author and the Executive Director of Strength To Fight. His background is a blend of Ministry and Communications. He worked for five years in the radio industry, including spending several years as a News Anchor and Reporter. Josh lives in Ottawa with his wife Megan and their four children, determined to create a different Internet for his kids than the one he grew up with.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete podcast notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

There's no question. In our media saturated world, our kids will be exposed to porn at some point. But what's the right age to start talking about it?

This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to give you just that. Tune in to the podcast to hear the whole scoop, and check out the show notes for helpful tools and information. If you'd like to submit a question, click here to Contact Us.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

What do you do when you've been taught one thing and your day-to-day experience is completely different? Things don't add up. You question everything but have nowhere to go for answers. You start to believe that there's no one else like you. How can I be a girl and like pornography? How can I be a woman and be addicted? Where do I place all this shame?

Jessica Harris first stumbled upon pornography at age 13. It didn't take long for curiosity to turn to compulsion. Hours upon hours were spent consuming porn and entering chat rooms on her home computer (dial-up modem). By the time she graduated high school it felt like an addiction. She was scared and she wanted out. But it wasn't happening. She had tried and failed multiple times on her own.

Two defining, yet completely opposite, experiences in college opened her eyes to the plight of girls and women. She was not alone! Despite what society tells girls, they do have a sex drive, they can become trapped by pornography, and there is such a thing as female addiction.

Beggar's Daughter: From the Rags of Pornography to the Riches of Grace is her beautifully written response to these experiences. Jessica tenderly tells about her own struggles with pornography, and her path to healing and recovery. Her hope is to give women a voice in this conversation. We encourage you to read it and share it. Let her words change your perspective.

But first, listen to the podcast! Here she shares with us what we can do to improve the conversation we're having with our own daughters.

Jessica Harris is an international speaker, creator of beggarsdaughter.com, and author of the book, Beggar's Daughter: From the Rags of Pornography to the Riches of Grace. She's one of the leading voices in the conversation about the sexual struggles of women in the church and how we can meet those struggles with grace. She lives in Maryland with her husband and their baby girl and has recently released a devotional for moms. She is passionate about having open and honest conversations about sex and sexual struggles because she believes if you're silent about the struggle, you're silent about grace.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete podcast notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

Just when we thought we had online safety figured out … time for a playdate! When our kids are away, will they still be safe? How do we bring up our concerns about online safety and playdates with the other parents?

This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to give you just that. Tune in to the podcast to hear the whole scoop, and check out the show notes for helpful tools and information. If you'd like to submit a question, click here to Contact Us.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

What do teens really want parents to know about pornography and growing up in a media saturated world? Sure, we can talk about how to connect with our teens. We might even turn to researched-based theories to refine our parenting skills. But teens are tricky. And despite our best efforts, we're often left scratching our heads wondering if we're on the right track.

Ahhh, wouldn't it be great if we could read their minds? We'd know exactly what to say and when. Maybe then we could avoid awkward moments, scathing eyerolls, bursts of anger, or tears of misunderstanding. (Not to mention their reactions!!—LOL)

Alas, telepathy is not our game plan. We opted instead to speak with Creed Orme, co-host of Breaking the Silence, a podcast by Reach 10. Creed is 26 years old. So, not so far removed from teen life. Plus, he's got sound advice for parents of teens who struggle with addiction to pornography—because he's been there himself.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete podcast notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

We know racism in the media is a tricky topic. But that's what we do here at Media Savvy Moms. Honest conversations in a media saturated world? That's our jam. Hang on, parents. You got this.

This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to do just that. Tune in to the podcast to hear the whole scoop, and check out the show notes for helpful tools and information. If you'd like to submit a question, click here to Contact Us.

Dear Savvy: There is so much about racism in the media, especially right now with all the violence and riots around the U.S. My son approached me the other day and wanted to know what it's all about. Do you have any advice for talking to my kids about this touchy subject?

Dear Listener,

Whether we are black, brown, white, or any combination of colors, it's time for our families to hit the subject of racism head-on. And although racism in the media and current events might feel scary or intimidating, it actually provides a great avenue for us to break the silence. It's so important to talk to our kids about racism, and this is a perfect opportunity to do that!

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization that helps families develop safer screen habits. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

Pornography is like a drug. It draws in consumers and hooks them. Many say they've tried to quit over and over. But progress can feel almost imperceptible. It's easy to get discouraged and want to give in. Those who succeed learn that victory is about preparing for the long game. It takes endurance to overcome pornography.

In this episode we sit down with Garrett Jonsson. He's a father, a fighter, and an endurance enthusiast. He shares with us what it takes to overcome pornography. Not just personally, but also as a dad fighting for his family and his community. Plus he's got advice for parents whose kids are consuming pornography. And finally, a call to all dads to take up the fight.

There are those of us who fight pornography. And then there are those who fight pornography by running 30 marathons in 30 days, then hop on a bike for another 56 days and cycle from Virgina to California. Ok, scratch that. There's only one fighter like Garrett! Tune in to the podcast and listen to his incredible story.

Garrett Jonsson is an endurance enthusiast. From riding his bicycle 3,800 miles across the country to running 30 marathons in 30 days, he doesn't give up easily but insists raising children requires the most stamina. He loves the outdoors, road trips, and fighting for love. As one of Fight the New Drug's veteran presenters, he's spoken to more than 160 audiences from around the globe about the harmful effects of porn. He is also host of Fight the New Drug's biweekly podcast, Consider Before Consuming.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete podcast notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

Everybody knows it's there. And that kids do find it. That they will look. And look again. But when it happens to you, in your home, with your kid, you feel completely caught off guard. Some parents describe it as a sucker punch. A flood of negative emotions. From anger to fear and everything in between. So what do you do when you find your kid is looking at pornography?

There's a growing number of resources to help parents focus on prevention. (So good.) And it seems like there are a lot of recovery options to help adults who want freedom from pornography. (Also good.) But doesn't it feel like there's a big gap in the conversation? As if no one wants to talk about what to do when a KID is looking at pornography? And how to help them stop?

We get it. It feels awkward and uncomfortable. But "what to do when a kid is looking at pornography" is not something we shy away from on the Media Savvy Moms Podcast. Cycle back to past episodes and you'll notice this is a question we ask our guests over and over. We always want to provide you with the best practical information.

Today we're giving you our take on this important topic. Be sure to tune in to the full episode!

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete podcast notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

It has happened to all of us at one time or another. We're lured into a false sense of security. We think we're in a safe space. And then we (or our children!) are assaulted by an inappropriate image or message. Learn how the Choose Change campaign can give us ways to fight back!

Pornography and sexual exploitation are a huge plague in our society. But have you ever thought about the big bucks behind them? Did you ever consider that you can reach some of the organizations that are fueling the problem and actually make a difference?

What if it was as easy as the click of a button? Would you take time to help?

This is Glendyne Gerrard's mission. To educate members of the community. To defend children and families. And to make it easy to get involved in causes that will make a difference. As co-founder of Defend Dignity, the organization behind the annual Choose Change campaign, she is doing just that.

Glendyne Gerrard helped found Defend Dignity, an initiative of The Christian & Missionary Alliance, in 2010 after meeting and being challenged by a survivor of prostitution. She has been giving direction to this non-profit organization ever since. She is passionate about ending all forms of sexual exploitation in Canada. She has been married for 42 years to her husband Doug. Together they have three married children and eight grandchildren. They live in Oakville, Ontario.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete podcast notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.

You know it has to be done. The porn talk. Cue the sweaty palms and racing heart. And what about our kids? How do we pull this off without stressing them out? Wouldn't you like to know?

This show is actually a sneak peek of the content in our FREE guide, 10 Surprisingly Natural Ways to Talk to Your Kids About Pornography. Find the link in our complete podcast notes at Parents Aware. You'll get awesome ideas for starting great discussions with your kids. All in surprising natural ways!

Most parents know they need to talk to their kids about pornography. They just get stuck on how to do it. It's the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about. It feels scary, awkward and uncomfortable.

A lot of parents also wonder when they should start the porn talk. Our answer is always the same—start today!

Do you have young children? No worries. Everything we talk about in this episode can be adapted to any age. Maybe you have teens? That's good too. Research shows that teens actually want their parents to start honest conversations with them about sex and pornography.

Media Savvy Moms is a podcast by ParentsAware, an organization dedicated to helping parents talk to kids and teens about pornography and healthy sexuality. For complete show notes, visit http://parentsaware.info/index.php/podcast/.