The Balanced Family
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The Balanced Family episodes

  • 20 The Worst First Date

    BEN GETS ROASTED! Here’s what happens when a chronic underachieving cheapskate asks out the girl who has it all together.

    Dedicated to all the men out there who are just plain dumb sometimes—but still get to be with the girl of their dreams!

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    Use code PODCAST to save 15% on our online courses and exclusive community for expecting parents: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/

    35 min
  • 19 Finding Your Village: Can Online Communities Replace In-Person Relationships?

    People are more connected than ever through online communities. But to what extent can they replace our in-person connections? Today, we’re breaking that question down by sharing specific stories about our own in-person and online relationships and how they’ve both shaped us in powerful ways. We discuss how you can leverage both online and in-person communities for different purposes for your family and it not be an either-or struggle. Lastly, we share how this specific question inspired us to create our own online village for parents and why it is resonating with so many people around the globe.

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    Use code PODCAST to save 15% on our online courses and exclusive community for expecting parents: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/

    39 min
  • 18 Screen Time: How It Looks In Our Home (and How It's Changed Over Time)

    Today we're talking about screen time — and why it's less about strict rules and more about building an intentional family culture. We share how our views on technology have changed over time and why flexibility, trust, and long-term thinking matter more than ever.

    In this episode we discuss:
    - How to set screen time expectations that match your family values
    - Giving yourself permission to adapt as your family grows and changes
    - Preparing now for the teenage years

    Screens are part of lives — but they don’t have to take over our lives!

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    Use code PODCAST to save 15% on our online courses and exclusive community for expecting parents: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/

    48 min
  • 17 Our First Birth Story

    We’re taking it all the way back to where it started—our first birth story!

    In this episode, we share what it was like doing a natural birth at a birthing center, having a midwife, and what we wished we knew beforehand.

    From signs of early labor to hospital transfer, avoiding the cascade of interventions, and the emotional rollercoaster of delivery - this story is honest, unfiltered, and packed with lessons we didn’t even know we needed at the time.

    Warning: if you're currently pregnant and want to protect your peace of mind you may NOT want to listen because this birth was a bit traumatic in a few ways. However, this is still a beautiful story about finding joy when things don't pan out the way you expect, which is an important part of becoming a balanced family.

    In fact, it was this story that planted the seed in our hearts to become content creators.

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    Use code PODCAST to save 15% on our online courses and exclusive community for expecting parents: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/

    59 min
  • 16 Old School Parenting: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Pt. 2)

    In Part 2 of our deep dive into old-school parenting, we’re looking at the darker side of traditional methods—what didn’t age well, what created wounds, and why some things need to be left in the past.


    From emotional distance to the overuse of fear and shame, we explore how certain “tough love” tactics may have built grit—but often at the cost of connection and relationship.


    This isn’t about blaming past generations or glorifying the present—it’s about finding truth in the nuance.


    In this episode, we unpack:

    - The downsides of authoritarian parenting and emotional suppression
    - Why some kids grew up tough but disconnected
    - The danger of equating achievement with worth
    - How we as parents can be strong and firm while also nurturing and relational

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    Use code PODCAST to save 15% on our online courses and exclusive community for expecting parents: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/

    42 min
  • 15 Old School Parenting: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Pt. 1)

    What did old-school parenting get right—and what are we missing today because of it?

    In Part 1 of this conversation, we take a deep dive into the values that shaped past generations: discipline, grit, respect, and good old-fashioned hard work. We talk about how kids used to be expected to pull their weight, take risks, and build resilience—and how those expectations helped shape character and achievement.

    But here’s the tension:

    The American Dream used to be built on hustle. Now, it often feels like it’s built on avoiding trauma and chasing personal fulfillment. Have we lost something in the shift?

    In this episode, we cover:
    - Why structure, boundaries, and consequences created safer, more grounded kids
    - How grit and responsibility were once non-negotiables
    - The role of respect and authority in shaping community
    - What’s changed in how we view work, purpose, and success
    - The danger of either romanticizing the past or thinking we’ve outgrown it

    This is a conversation about values, not just parenting styles—and why many of us are still wrestling with which traditions to hold onto and which to leave behind.

    Part 2 drops next week—we’ll dive into the bad and the ugly side of old-school parenting. Don’t miss it!

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    Use code PODCAST to save 15% on our online courses and exclusive community for expecting parents: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/

    42 min
  • 14 Camping with Littles: Tips and Tricks

    It’s that time of year! It’s warming up and many families get the itch to go camping. But is it even possible to take little ones along? We think so, but you definitely have to count the cost!

    Today, we’ll share our journey as long-time camping and adventure addicts - plus - outline some tips and tricks that helped us make it more enjoyable when our kids were especially young.

    Happy camping!

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    Use code PODCAST to save 15% on our online courses and exclusive community for expecting parents: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/

    39 min
  • 13 Why We Sleep Trained Our Kids (and How)

    Few parenting topics spark as much controversy as sleep training. Some swear by it, others call it cruel. But here’s the thing—what if sleep training isn’t what you think it is? What if it’s possible to have a balanced approach – one that is responsive to your baby’s needs and actually helps them develop healthy sleep habits?

    In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on why (and how) we sleep trained our kids—and why we’d do it again in a heartbeat. Spoiler: it wasn’t harsh, neglecting or self-serving. Instead, it was about balance, sanity, and creating a home where everyone slept better.

    Today, we’re tackling:

    • The biggest myths about sleep training (and why people get it wrong)
    • How this helped shape our entire parenting philosophy (parent-centric vs. child-centric homes—can there be a balance?)
    • The practical, non-extreme approach we took to help our babies sleep (without guilt or exhaustion)
    • Why good sleep isn’t just about the baby—it’s about you, your partner, and your family’s well-being

    We’re not saying our approach is the only way for kids to sleep. Far from it! We’re just sharing what worked for us.

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    Use code PODCAST to save 15% on our online courses and exclusive community for expecting parents: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/

    47 min
  • 12 Baby #1 vs. Baby #2: Which Transition Is Harder?

    Which is harder: having your first baby or adding a second? In this episode, we dive into the debate that every parent has an opinion on! We’ll break down the biggest challenges of both transitions—going from no kids to one vs. one to two—based on our own experience and what we’ve heard from other parents. We’ll also give some really helpful tips for parents entering either one of these transitions.

    What about YOU? Was 0-1 or 1-2 the harder transition for you? Let us know by commenting on Spotify, social media, or shoot us an email at [email protected]

    Text us your thoughts

    Support the show

    Use code PODCAST to save 15% on our online courses and exclusive community for expecting parents: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/

    35 min
  • 11 Love After Baby: A Roadmap for a Thriving Marriage

    Parenthood puts tremendous strain on even the healthiest marriages. But are there expectations we put on ourselves and our spouses that make things harder than they need to be? Is a happy marriage even possible during this period or is the hardship just something to tolerate? Today, the Lagrones break down how they faced marital strain while raising kids and discuss the keys to keeping their love authentic and fresh.

    TAKE THE 30-DAY CHALLENGE: Listen to Episode 02 with your spouse. Then, commit to the challenge we share in the episode for AT LEAST 14 days (30 days = even better). Tell us how it’s impacted your marriage by emailing us at [email protected]. We’ll select one lucky couple’s story to read aloud in a future episode and gift them a $100 “date night gift card”!

    Text us your thoughts

    Support the show

    Use code PODCAST to save 15% on our online courses and exclusive community for expecting parents: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/

    51 min

About The Balanced Family

From the publisher's feed

The Balanced Family podcast is a heartfelt talk about building a family in a polarized, stressed-out world. Ben and Jessica Lagrone, former teachers and parents of three, share their experiences…