What if one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the opportunity to struggle?

Bestselling author Jessica Lahey joins Ginny for a powerful conversation about two of the biggest challenges facing families today: raising capable, independent kids and protecting them from a culture of addiction. Drawing from her books The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation, Jessica explains why our instinct to protect children from discomfort can unintentionally rob them of confidence, resilience, and the ability to solve problems on their own.

They discuss why kids need real responsibility, how unstructured play and outdoor adventures build self-efficacy, and why allowing children to experience manageable failure is one of the most loving things a parent can do. Jessica also shares evidence-based research on substance use prevention, including why delaying alcohol and drug use matters, how clear family expectations reduce risk, and why connection—not control—is one of the strongest protective factors we can offer our children.

From helicopter parenting and grade portals to dopamine, executive function, anxiety, and the importance of letting kids figure things out for themselves, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and encouragement for every parent navigating the teenage years—and the years leading up to them.

If you've ever wondered whether you're helping too much, or how to raise children who are prepared for real life, this episode will challenge and inspire you.

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Every great story leaves you different than it found you. Filmmaker Chris Dowling joins Ginny to talk about the art of telling stories that make people laugh, think, and see the world a little differently. They dive into his new faith comedy Bad Counselors, why summer camp is the perfect setting for transformation, what it takes to make a movie that feels honest instead of preachy, and why choosing presence with your family is sometimes the greatest creative decision you can make. Whether you love movies, care about raising great kids, or simply appreciate a story that stays with you long after the credits roll, this conversation will leave you seeing storytelling in a whole new way.

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The fertility crisis isn't just about adults who are trying to have a baby. It may start years earlier than we realize. In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Ann Shippy shares why the everyday choices we make as families can shape not only our own health but the health of generations to come. Ginny and Dr. Shippy talk about environmental toxins, nutrition, stress, time outside, the surprising role dads play in fertility, and why she believes parents should already be thinking about protecting their teenagers' fertility. If you've ever wondered whether the little choices really matter, this episode offers both practical ideas and genuine hope. Learn more about Dr. Shippy and The Preconception Revolution at https://annshippymd.com and https://everybabywell.com.

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The world our kids are growing up in has changed faster than most of us can keep up with, but this conversation left me more hopeful than afraid. Dave Boden shares practical wisdom for raising Gen Alpha in an age of anxiety, AI, endless screens, and constant pressure to perform. We talk about resilience, emotional health, why kids need stretch zones instead of comfort zones, and how parents can help children build the kind of character that will matter no matter what the future looks like. If you've ever wondered how to prepare your kids for a world that didn't exist when you were growing up, this episode will leave you encouraged and equipped. Dave's book, Raising Gen Alpha, is available wherever books are sold. Connect with Dave at https://daveboden.uk and subscribe to his newsletter, Empowering the Next Generation.

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Some of life's biggest questions don't have easy answers, but maybe they aren't meant to. In this thoughtful conversation, Faith Eury Cho shares why curiosity is a gift, how motherhood changed her understanding of God's presence, and what it looks like to trust Him before everything makes sense. Her idea of "practicing sacred assumptions" offers a fresh way to walk through disappointment, grief, and unanswered prayers without losing hope. Whether you're reading Never Alone with your kids or wrestling with your own questions, this conversation is an invitation to know God more deeply, right in the middle of ordinary life.

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Every parent reaches a moment when someone else has an opinion about what's best for their child, but there comes a point when you realize the responsibility ultimately rests with you. In this conversation, Paul Voss shares the deeply personal story behind his daughter May's autism diagnosis, the fear and uncertainty that followed, and the unexpected hope his family found along the way. We talk about navigating conflicting advice, making difficult health decisions, raising eight children through extraordinary challenges, and discovering that love often grows strongest in the places we never would have chosen. Whether you're parenting a child with special needs or simply trying to make thoughtful decisions for your family, this episode is a moving reminder that no one will ever know your child the way you do.

Grab your copy of Autism Sucks here.

Find out more about Paul and all the resources he offers here

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There is no expertise that supersedes a parent who knows their child. That idea sits at the heart of this conversation with Dr. Siobhan Dunnavant, an OB-GYN with more than 25 years of experience who believes the best doctors don't silence questions. They invite them. We talk about finding the confidence to trust your instincts, navigating medical decisions without fear, raising kids in a world of screens, and why connection, movement, and time outside still shape healthier families. If you've ever walked away from an appointment feeling unheard or wondered whether you're allowed to question the experts, this conversation is for you. Learn more and find support at HealthyKidsAlliance.com .

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Most of us assume we'll appreciate life more someday. Gretchen Rubin makes the case that "someday" starts with the next choice we make. In her second visit to the podcast, we talk about why happiness is less about getting everything you've ever wanted and more about noticing what's already good, letting go of the little things that steal your joy, finding your people, and making room for more play, more gratitude, and more delight. I left this conversation wanting to pay better attention to my own life, and I think you will too. Listen in, then tell me which idea you're going to try first.

Get your copy of The Happiness Project here

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There is so much more possible for your children than you've been led to believe. In her fourth visit to the podcast, bestselling author Jennifer Pepito shares why homeschooling isn't about replicating school at home. Instead, it's about creating an environment where curiosity, character, creativity, and confidence can flourish. Drawing from the stories of Leonardo da Vinci, Booker T. Washington, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Blaise Pascal, and other remarkable people who learned outside traditional classrooms, Jennifer offers a hopeful vision that replaces fear with freedom. If you've ever wondered whether your own mistakes, limitations, or lack of experience disqualify you from giving your children an extraordinary education, this conversation is the encouragement you've been waiting for.

Grab your copy of The Inspired Homeschool and check out https://www.thepeacefulpress.com

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Artificial intelligence is changing faster than any of us can keep up but this conversation will leave you feeling more hopeful, not more afraid. Dr. Dana Suskind explains why the future doesn't belong to the child who can outperform a machine, but to the one who learns empathy, curiosity, resilience, creativity, and connection through real life. From playground conflicts to bedtime conversations, she makes a compelling case that the ordinary moments of childhood are preparing our kids for an extraordinary future. This episode is a powerful reminder that your presence matters more than perfection and that raising deeply human children may be the greatest gift we can give them.

Listen in, then grab Dr. Suskind's new book, Human Raised, and join us in protecting what makes childhood irreplaceable.

Connect with Dr. Suskind here

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