No Seriously, How Do I Do This?

In honor of Christmas, we are giving you a little gift. This episode is one for the whole family. Gather around as we share three stories, perfect for getting you into the Christmas spirit. We encourage you to discuss the themes, relive your favorite moments, and welcome Jesus into your family's celebration. From our family to yours, have a very merry Christmas.

No matter how often we told ourselves we were never going to be controlling parents, the tendency rises up in all of us. We want the best for our kids and the stakes are especially high when it comes to faith. So what do we do? Patrick Mayberry is a recording artist, worship leader, and dad of four. He shares his perspective on influencing kids to pursue their best life on this week's episode.

This week we wrap up our three-part series on adoption with Brittany Whatley's story of choosing and persevering. Her journey started smoothly and appeared to be anointed. Shortly after bringing her daughter home, everything started to fall apart. Join us as Brittany shares hope and freedom from shame.

We had so much fun with this episode last year that we bringing it back as a special bonus Thanksgiving treat for you. I mean, it's no pumpkin pie but it's up there... right?

Sarah Hoesch joins us for the second installment of our mini series on adoption. Sarah had never really considered adoption as the solution for building the large family she'd always dreamed of, until repeated loss stole hope and joy from her and her husband. Once they walked through the door of adoption they felt called to do it twice. Join us this week to hear how God healed their hearts, and filled their home, by introducing them to the children that were always meant to be theirs.

To ring in National Adoption Month we are bringing you a three-part series highlighting very different adoption journeys. This week recording artist Austin French shares how he and new bride, barely more than kids themselves, were startled by God's call to adopt. Austin shares his heart for adoption while offering so much wisdom around the hope God offers all of us through Christ.

This week we revisit an episode we aired in January. While there is talk of New Year's resolutions, if you can look past that you'll find a message that is truly timeless. Kim Dolan Leto shares of her own journey- from obsessing over the number on the scale for purely selfish reasons, to surrendering her fitness to God, she inspires and advises with hard-earned wisdom. Whether you are hearing this for the first time, or revisiting it, it is worth the listen.

While the challenges we and our children face are myriad, for some the challenges will follow them throughout life. How do you react when you receive a diagnosis of neuro divergence for your child? How do you move forward when you feel overwhelmed? Where do you turn for help? Melissa had no experience when the diagnosis first came. And when it came for the second time, with a different child, the diagnosis was even scarier. But she took the knowledge she'd gained through the challenges she'd faced and she used them to help guide others. Find encouragement and friendship on this week's episode.

When Laura Story was a little girl she would never could have imagined how life would have turned out for her. Certainly, having her husband suffer a brain injury and debilitating disability so shortly after marriage would have made her vision board. Every time she thought she had gotten a handle on what her life and what the next chapter would be, things pivoted and she learned to hang on and enjoy the ride. If you've ever felt caught off guard by your circumstances, I invite you jump in on this week's conversation.

Have you ever felt alone as a parent? Overwhelmed, concerned, confused, guilty, sad? Yeah. Me too. Joy too. We are all a little lost sometimes and without opening up about those struggles we may never learn that others feel the same way. That's what Joy found when she was floundering early on in her journey as a new mom. She wasn't bonding like she thought she was supposed to, she had so many questions, and cried so dang much. It was only when she talked about it that she realized just how normal she really was. You're going to love Joy. She is open, honest, and hysterical. And she is just as messy as the rest of us. Find hope and find a friend in this week's episode.