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?

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.

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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.”

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.

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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. 

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:

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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.

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:

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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.

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:

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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.

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:

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Just before the advent of the smartphone, it was reported that former US Education Secretary Bill Bennet said, “America is rapidly becoming the kind of nation that civilized nations send missionaries to.” For those who heard Mr. Bennett’s comment, it would have been hard for them to believe the kind of changes that would occur in America over the next 15 years. Smartphones have become a cultural change agent and maybe have even broken down the American Dream and culture. Those change agents seem to have gotten the drop on those who would otherwise use the internet for good. As we head into Easter it’s a good time to ask the question, “does scripture have anything pertinent to say about the digital age and technology that we now have to navigate as parents?”

Chris Kaspar is the founder of Techless an innovative tech start-up that created Wisephone– a pure and simple phone for intentional people. Chris is married to Ciera and is the fun dad of four beautiful daughters. Chris and Ciera have been foster parents for a handful of kids and they live for a deeper purpose.

Episode Highlights:

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It has been long overdue, but in recent years a handful of visionaries and a growing contingent of parents are beginning to wake up to a vital need that can effect positive change not just in families, but in our culture. If you have happened to lookover ways to restore righteousness, peace, and joy to your child-rearing experience in your home then stay tuned. Find out how your family can have a wiser, safer, and more “free” alternative to the dangers and corruptions that threaten your kids through smartphones.

Chris Kaspar is a leader in the creation of healthy tech. He is a part of cleaning things up. He is the founder of Techless an innovative tech startup that created Wisephone, a pure and simple phone for intentional people. Before Techless, Chris founded Dancing Fox Films a film production company and Espresso, an ad agency specializing in brand development. Chris is married to his wife Ciera and is a father to four beautiful daughters. Chris and Ciera have also been foster parents for a handful of kids. They both live for a deeper purpose.

Episode Highlights:

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Many parents invest 18 years into their kids’ lives before sending them out into this great big world. Well, maybe that’s you right now and your child is leaving the nest and that is something you anticipate. Or maybe it’s a time of apprehension, sorrow, and maybe 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. But that sense of loss does not need to mean the loss of your joy.

Jim is the president of the ministry Homeward where he writes and speaks on their core values. Those 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 causing the Burns’ to also experience this empty nest phase. Jim has authored multiple books and his latest is Finding Joy in the Empty Nest.

Episode Highlights:

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Well, let me tell you about this gift.

It does cost a little. It has a little investment involved. But this gift is so much more valuable than the latest gadget that they probably want. It’s a gift that can improve their lives now and in the future. It’s unlike most gifts that you know of. This gift is the blessing.

So exactly what is the blessing? You’ll find out today on License to Parent.

John Trent is the founder and president of Strong Families and claims that he, in fact, has the best child in the world. He writes, speaks, and trains others to create cultures of blessing in their homes, workplaces, ministries, and around the world.

In fact, John’s written over 30 books. We’re going to talk with him today about his award-winning book called The Blessing.

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