GoodKind Co-Founders, Clayton Greene, and Chris Pappalardo, caught up with Danielle Hitchen on the podcast this week to discuss the significance of Valentine's Day. They're exploring its historical roots, its role as a feast day, and how families can celebrate it meaningfully.

They share personal experiences and insights on teaching children about love, faith, and the importance of recognizing the true essence of holidays. The conversation emphasizes the balance between cultural celebrations and spiritual teachings, providing practical tips for parents to engage their children in meaningful discussions about love and faith.

Takeaways

• Valentine's Day can be a feast day to honor St. Valentine.
• Teaching children about love is essential.
• Valentine's Day has historical roots that can be explored.
• Families can create their own traditions around Valentine's Day.
• It's important to balance cultural celebrations with spiritual teachings.
• Reading stories about St. Valentine can enrich the holiday experience.
• Engaging children in discussions about love is valuable.
• Celebrating holidays can shape children's understanding of faith.

Recommended Resources

Catechesis Books - founded by Danielle Hitchen catechesisbooks.com

• Baby Believer Series (board books)
• First Bible Basics
• Sacred Seasons, book by Danielle Hitchen (for grown-ups!)

Book of Common Prayer

The Parliament of Fowls - poem by Geoffrey Chaucer (origin of Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday)

Till We Have Faces - novel by C.S. Lewis (retelling of the Cupid & Psyche myth)

Building Spiritual Habits in the Home - book by GoodKind Co-founders, Clayton Greene and Chris Pappalardo

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Guest Introduction

02:49 - The Journey of Catechesis Books

05:33 - Parenting and Spiritual Habits

08:25 - Valentine's Day as a Feast Day

11:04 - Cupid and Historical Context

14:05 - Valentine's Day Celebrations with Family

17:27 - Celebrating Valentine's Day Creatively

21:51 - Teaching Love Through Valentine's Day

28:17 - Balancing Cultural and Religious Aspects of Valentine's Day

36:16 - Practical Tips for Meaningful Valentine's Day Celebrations

We spend a lot of time trying to sort people into categories—friends, acquaintances, neighbors—hoping that clarity will tell us how much time, care, or energy each relationship requires. But when we turn to Scripture, Jesus doesn’t let those categories hold.

In this conversation, Clayton, Chris, and Amy explore how the Bible reframes the idea of “neighbor,” not as a label for certain people, but as a way of being. Through Proverbs, the Good Samaritan, and everyday experiences of suburban life, they wrestle with how proximity, technology, and modern rhythms shape our relationships—and why Jesus consistently shifts the question from Who is my neighbor? to Am I being a neighbor?

This episode invites listeners to rethink neighborhood, availability, and love—not as strategies to manage people, but as formation into a different kind of person.

Takeaways

• Scripture distinguishes between acquaintances, friends, and neighbors, but not in a clean or linear way
• Proverbs 18:24 highlights the difference between many companions and a true friend who “sticks closer than a brother"
• In the Good Samaritan story, Jesus turns neighbor from a noun into a verb
• The question Jesus leaves us with isn’t “Who qualifies as my neighbor?” but “Am I acting like one?”
• Modern life—cars, technology, busy schedules—has reshaped how (and how often) we relate to the people closest to us
• Proximity still matters, especially in moments of need, crisis, or shared responsibility
• Availability may be one of the most practical and loving ways to practice neighboring

Chapters

00:00 – Why we try to categorize relationships02:00 – Defining friends vs. acquaintances05:20 – Proverbs 18:24 and biblical language around friendship07:00 – Why “neighbor” feels different than friend or acquaintance08:45 – Jesus, the Good Samaritan, and neighbor as a verb12:45 – Why Jesus refuses to answer questions directly15:30 – What our actual neighborhoods look like19:00 – Proximity, cars, and how modern life reshaped community23:00 – Borrowing eggs, sharing tools, and old-fashioned neighboring26:30 – Environment, cul-de-sacs, and how space forms relationships29:00 – Responsibility to the people closest to us31:30 – Availability as a practice of love34:40 – Mutual indebtedness and long-term neighboring36:30 – Why neighboring is slow—and why that matters

Faith at home, spiritual habits, family rhythms, liturgical calendar, Holy Week, Easter traditions, discipleship in the home

In this episode of The GoodKind Podcast, Clayton Greene, Amy Kavanaugh, and Chris Pappalardo talk about family road trips—and why car time holds a unique kind of power for connection.

From screen time debates to nostalgic memories of road trip games and long conversations, the hosts explore how modern families navigate travel while still making space for meaningful interaction. They reflect on how the car creates an unusual environment: physically close, removed from daily distractions, and often more open to honest conversation.

The conversation also draws parallels to biblical journeys, noting how travel has long been a context for formation, teaching, and transformation. Rather than rushing through the drive, the hosts invite listeners to embrace the inefficiency of road trips—trusting that the slow, unplanned moments along the way often shape families just as much as the destination.

Takeaways

• Car time creates a unique space for conversation that doesn’t exist at home—or on planes.

• Road trips work because they’re inefficient, not in spite of it.

• Screens don’t automatically ruin connection—they can sometimes make it possible.

• Meaningful family conversations can’t be scheduled or forced; they emerge over time.

• Travel time is one of the key moments Scripture names for forming faith in kids.

• The enclosed, shared space of a car invites vulnerability and openness.

• Non-productive togetherness often forms families more than structured activities.

• The journey itself can shape relationships as much as the destination.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Family Road Trips

00:58 The Importance of Car Time

08:22 Preparing for the Road Trip

15:42 The Unique Opportunity of Road Trips

23:13 Creating Meaningful Conversations

32:13 Embracing Inefficiency in Family Travel

36:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

family road trips, car conversations, meaningful family time, parenting tips, screen time balance, family bonding, travel games, spiritual habits, GoodKind Podcast, family togetherness

In this episode of The GoodKind Podcast, Clayton, Chris, and Amy discuss the importance of celebrating small wins in parenting. They explore how praise can impact children's development, the difference in how children of various ages receive praise, and the balance between performance and process.

The conversation emphasizes the need to define success beyond grades and to focus on character development. Practical strategies for celebrating efforts and creating a culture of encouragement in the home are shared, along with biblical foundations for work and success.

Takeaways

• Celebrating small wins is crucial for children's development.
• Praise should focus on effort and character, not just outcomes.

• Defining success should go beyond grades and performance.
• Encouragement helps build resilience and confidence in children.
• Biblical principles can guide parenting and success definitions.
• Creating a culture of celebration fosters positive behavior.
• Specific praise is more impactful than general compliments.
• Recognizing the process is as important as celebrating the result.
• Parents should practice recognizing and celebrating their children's efforts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts on Praise

02:23 Celebrating Small Wins with Children

05:02 The Impact of Age on Praise Reception

07:40 Performance vs. Process in Parenting

10:17 Defining Success Beyond Grades

12:57 The Role of Encouragement in Development

15:46 Biblical Foundations for Work and Success

18:25 Celebrating Efforts and Character Development

21:00 Practical Strategies for Celebrating Wins

23:42 Recognizing and Celebrating the Process

26:28 The Importance of Specific Praise

29:16 Creating a Culture of Celebration in the Home

parenting, praise, small wins, child development, encouragement, success, biblical principles, character building, celebration, parenting strategies

This episode originally aired last year, but we’re re-sharing it with a new intro and outro because it’s become a foundational conversation for our community. If you’re revisiting it, we hope it lands in a new way this season. If it’s your first time listening, we’re so glad you’re here.

In this GoodKind Podcast episode, Amy is interviewing GoodKind Co-founders and authors, Chris and Clayton, about a foundational question for Christian families: What is a spiritual habit—and why do habits shape faith more deeply than words alone? This conversation reframes spiritual formation away from pressure, perfection, and performance, and toward consistent, practiced rhythms that shape belief over time.

Rather than treating faith as something we primarily teach, the team emphasizes how faith is something we practice—formed through repeated actions, shared rhythms, and everyday choices in the home. They discuss why information alone rarely leads to transformation, how habits quietly disciple both children and adults, and why spiritual growth is often slow, cumulative, and unseen in the moment.

The episode also addresses common misconceptions about spiritual discipline, explaining the difference between habits and legalism, and how grace-driven practices create space for genuine formation. Drawing from Scripture, family life, and lived experience, the conversation highlights how habits function as trellises that support growth—especially in seasons when motivation is low or life feels chaotic.

If you’ve ever wondered why your best intentions don’t stick, how to nurture faith without pressure, or what actually forms belief over time, this episode offers a grounded, hope-filled framework for building spiritual habits that last.

Takeaways

• Spiritual habits shape faith more consistently than teaching or intention alone.
• Faith formation happens through repeated practices, not one-time moments.
• Spiritual habits are not about perfection or performance, but about faithfulness and rhythm.
• Grace-centered habits create space for long-term spiritual growth.
• Healthy spiritual habits help carry faith when motivation fades.
• Building habits in the home shapes both children and adults together.

Chapters

00:00 — What Are Spiritual Habits?03:12 — Why Teaching Alone Doesn’t Form Faith06:45 — Habits vs. Legalism09:58 — Formation Happens Through Practice13:21 — The Role of Repetition and Rhythm16:40 — Habits as a Trellis for Growth20:05 — Faithfulness Over Perfection23:14 — Building Spiritual Habits in the Home26:30 — Long-Term Formation and Grace

Buy Building Spiritual Habits in the Home on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/Building-Spiritual-Habits-Home-Small/dp/0802434304/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1Z8YOBA8SBNM6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qu59ZbacDPX9GZL4rJK2Jtt4lZDB6c0lLMCKQAncVmkf-Cr5ysok9kF0VH3WhHkdsjASUe0SbXXIvZeI5zDWl1mbJJ_68Utl1jwya2wGA0w.8bhF9konQ3ZJ3HqYYfP5omh6Y7QaJEvhK3nVqvV0x54&dib_tag=se&keywords=building+spiritual+habits+in+the+home&qid=1733772078&sprefix=building+spiritual+%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1

spiritual habits, Christian family habits, faith formation, spiritual disciplines, Christian parenting, building spiritual habits in the home, faith practices, discipleship at home, Christian rhythms, spiritual growth, forming faith in kids, Christian family life

Welcome to Season 5 of The GoodKind Podcast! In this episode, hosts Clayton, Chris, and Amy discuss the ineffectiveness of New Year's resolutions, particularly in January and February, which they refer to as the 'gray days.' They explore the cultural narratives surrounding these months, emphasizing the importance of preparation rather than resolution.

The conversation delves into biblical reflections on seasons, the significance of waiting and growth, and practical steps for intentional living that align with the natural rhythms of life.

Ultimately, they advocate for a mindset shift towards viewing January and February as a time for reflection and preparation for the renewal that comes with spring.

Takeaways

• New Year's resolutions often lead to disappointment and should be reconsidered.
• January and February are challenging months, often referred to as the 'gray days.'
• Cultural narratives around the New Year can create unrealistic expectations.
• Biblical teachings emphasize the importance of waiting and preparation during these months.
• Growth is often subtle and requires patience, much like the roots of a plant in winter.
• Intentional living should focus on small, manageable changes rather than grand resolutions.
• Preparation in January and February can set the stage for a fruitful spring.
• The concept of 'January starts in February' encourages a more realistic approach to the New Year.

Chapters

00:00 The Case Against New Year's Resolutions

02:41 Understanding the Gray Days of January and February

05:28 Cultural Narratives and Seasonal Contextualization

08:26 Biblical Reflections on Seasons and Growth

11:19 Preparation Over Resolution: A New Approach

14:07 Practical Steps for Intentional Living

16:56 Looking Forward: Anticipating Spring and Renewal

New Year's resolutions, January, February, gray days, cultural narratives, biblical reflections, preparation, intentional living, spiritual growth, seasonal change

In this GoodKind Podcast episode, Clayton, Amy, and Chris settle into the space between Christmas and New Year’s and talk about what this in-between season really feels like for families. From Advent rhythms and family traditions to debating the best day of the week for Christmas to land, the conversation unfolds into a thoughtful look at rest, celebration, and the slower pace that often arrives after the big day.

The team reflects on Advent practices in their own homes, including using the Family Guide, graduating kids into new rhythms, and how traditions evolve as children grow. From there, they zoom out to the calendar itself — unpacking how the day Christmas falls on shapes travel, work expectations, school breaks, and the overall emotional tone of the holiday season.

They introduce the idea of “Christmas Tide” (or what they jokingly call “overtime”) — the days between Christmas and New Year — as a gift of unstructured time. This conversation explores why that stretch can be especially meaningful for reflection, rest, and resetting as a family, without rushing straight into resolutions or productivity.

The episode also touches on how January functions differently than we often expect. Rather than a month for immediate habit changes, the team talks about January as a season of reflection, with February becoming a more natural place to begin new rhythms. Along the way, they share honest stories about family schedules, staying home instead of traveling, post-Christmas transitions, and the quiet beauty of not always knowing what day of the week it is.

If you’ve ever felt torn between holding onto Christmas and feeling ready to move forward — or wondered how to create space for reflection without pressure — this episode offers a gentle, grounded way to think about the season between celebration and the year ahead.

Takeaways

• The days between Christmas and New Year can be a meaningful season of rest, reflection, and transition for families.

• Advent and Christmas traditions naturally evolve as kids grow, and flexibility helps those rhythms stay life-giving.

• The day of the week Christmas falls on shapes work, school, and family expectations more than we often realize.

• “Christmas Tide” or "Overtime", as the hosts call it, offers space to slow down without rushing into goals or resolutions.

• January works best as a reflective month, with new habits forming more naturally later on.

• Letting Christmas end — without dragging it out or cutting it short — can help families transition well.

• Unstructured time and slower rhythms play an important role in shaping healthy family habits.

  
  

Chapters
00:00 Season Five teaser and what’s ahead
02:15 Advent rhythms and family traditions
04:45 Graduating kids into new holiday practices
07:30 What’s the best day of the week for Christmas?
10:40 Work, school breaks, and holiday expectations
13:20 Introducing “Christmas Tide” and overtime
16:10 Staying home, reflecting, and post-Christmas rhythms
18:55 January as reflection, not resolution
22:30 Letting the season end well
24:45 Closing thoughts and encouragement

Keywords
Christmas traditions, Advent practices, Christian family rhythms, Christmas Tide, parenting during holidays, family reflection, January reflection, Christian parenting podcast, holiday habits, seasonal rhythms

In this GoodKind Podcast episode, Clayton, Amy, and Chris explore how artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping everyday life — from school and creativity to productivity and parenting. What begins as a practical conversation about using AI for efficiency quickly turns into a deeper discussion about discernment, formation, and what should (and should not) be offloaded to technology.

The team unpacks what AI does well — summarizing information, organizing ideas, brainstorming, and speeding up tasks — while also naming its limitations, including its tendency to sound confident even when it’s wrong. They discuss why better prompts matter, how AI can short-circuit learning if used too early, and why struggle and effort still play a critical role in creativity, wisdom, and growth.

They also reflect on how parents are already navigating AI in schools, writing assignments, music, and communication — often faster than expected — and why modeling intentional use matters more than setting rigid rules. Throughout the conversation, they return to a central question: Which human is this replacing? — and how that question can guide healthier decisions around technology.

If you’ve ever wondered whether using AI is making things easier at the cost of meaning… or how to integrate helpful tools without letting them become formative forces… this episode offers a thoughtful, grounded framework for using AI with clarity, boundaries, and purpose — especially in family life.

• You learn how AI works best as a support tool for information and efficiency, not a replacement for creativity or wisdom.

• Clear prompting leads to better results, while vague questions often produce shallow or incorrect output.

• AI excels at summarizing, brainstorming, and organizing information — but still requires discernment.

• Not everything should be offloaded; relationships, creativity, and formation matter too much.

• Overusing AI can weaken creative and learning muscles, especially for kids.

• Asking “Which human is this replacing?” helps clarify whether AI use is appropriate.

• Modeling intentional AI use shapes how children understand effort, learning, and meaning.

00:00 Introduction to AI and Everyday Life
02:41 What AI Is Good At (and What It’s Not)
05:28 Prompting, Accuracy, and Discernment
08:47 AI, Creativity, and the Cost of Ease
12:11 Parenting, School, and Early AI Exposure
15:36 Which Human Is This Replacing?
18:42 Modeling Healthy Technology Habits
21:10 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Keywords:
artificial intelligence and families, Christian parenting and technology, AI and creativity, using AI responsibly, parenting in the age of AI, technology and formation, discernment with AI, raising kids with technology, meaningful learning vs convenience

TakeawaysChapters

In this GoodKind Podcast episode, Clayton, Amy, and Chris dive into the confusing world of apologies — especially how kids (and adults) use the words “I’m sorry” to mean very different things. What starts as a lighthearted moment with an accidental speaking-over-one-another jab, quickly moves into a surprisingly rich discussion about forgiveness, empathy, conflict, and how families can model healthy emotional habits.

The team identifies three distinct categories of apology:

1. Forgiveness Apologies — “I did something wrong. Will you forgive me?”

2. Empathy Apologies — “I’m sorry that happened to you.”

3. Excuse-Me Apologies — small, accidental, social-grace moments that don’t require forgiveness.

They explore why kids mix these up, why parents often do too, and how to narrate the difference for your family. They also get honest about patterns in marriage (“Do I need forgiveness or is this a small misstep?”), sibling conflict without true repentance, and how to respond when someone apologizes in a different category than you expect.

If you’ve ever wondered why your child apologizes for bumping into a cabinet… or why you bristle when your spouse says “I forgive you” for something you didn’t think was a big deal… this episode will give you a simple, practical framework for navigating daily conflict with more clarity, grace, and emotional honesty.

Takeaways

• You learn that there are three kinds of “sorry”—forgiveness, empathy, and “excuse me”—and naming the difference brings clarity to family conversations.
• Kids often confuse empathy with apology, and simple, clear language helps them separate the two.
• Real repair happens when someone can say, “Will you forgive me?” and take ownership for actual harm.Not everything needs forgiveness; some moments only need a brief acknowledgment of a small mistake.
• Conflict gets easier when you recognize which apology category you’re in—and when someone else is in a different one.
• Empathy becomes a tool for deciding what kind of repair a situation really needs.
• Modeling healthy, honest apologies as parents helps shape the emotional habits of the whole home.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Apologies and Forgiveness

02:32 Understanding Different Types of Apologies

05:15 The Complexity of Apologies in Parenting

07:43 Navigating Apologies with Children

10:50 The Role of Empathy in Apologies

13:31 Clarifying Misunderstandings in Apologies

16:22 Teaching Children About Apologies

19:19 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

apology types, family communication, Christian parenting, teaching kids forgiveness, sibling conflict resolution, emotional literacy for kids, Christian family habits, how to apologize well, empathy vs forgiveness

Now that we're officially in the Christmas season, it's time for a festive, music-filled episode of The Goodkind Podcast. Clayton, Chris, and Amy dive headfirst into the holiest of holiday debates: Which Christmas songs are actually good… and which ones should be banned forever?
From Mariah Carey to claymation classics, from nostalgic hymns to deeply questionable novelty tracks (looking at you, Dominick the Donkey), the team drafts their best and worst Christmas songs and explains why music shapes the season so powerfully.

They explore what makes a Christmas song meaningful, singable, memorable, or downright chaotic — and along the way share childhood memories, musical hot takes, and a few moments of friendly Christmas-themed outrage.

Whether you’re blasting the classics the moment Halloween ends or refusing to hit play until December 1, this episode will make you laugh, think, and probably text someone your own list of “songs that should be deleted forever.”

Takeaways

• There are only about twelve classic Christmas songs… but apparently unlimited opinions.

• Not all Christmas songs are created equal (some need to be retired immediately).

• Meaningful lyrics, singability, and nostalgia shape which songs stick with us.

• Memories tied to music often matter more than the song itself.

• Playfulness and joy in music help anchor us in the season’s meaning.

• Christmas music connects generations and believers from many backgrounds.

Find The King Is Coming song on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube!

https://open.spotify.com/album/4Dcg0c7cME2X1Ov6EypkWs?si=xaMlCE3bSsy-RrWhWnwSTQ

Learn more about GoodKind and the products we make at www.goodkind.shop