The GoodKind Podcast

What is school actually for?

After a previous conversation about testing and public education sparked unexpected interest in homeschooling, Clayton sits down with friend and homeschool dad Arthur Tew for a follow-up discussion. Rather than debating homeschool versus public school, they dig into a deeper question: What is the purpose of education in the first place?

Together, they explore the difference between education and formation, why children are learning long after the school bell rings, and how parents can intentionally shape their kids through family, church, neighbors, mentors, and everyday life. Whether your children attend public school, private school, or homeschool, this conversation offers a refreshing reminder that raising capable, wise, Christlike adults is about far more than academics.

Takeaways

• Children are being formed every hour of every day—not just during classroom instruction—so parents should think beyond school when considering how their kids are growing.
• The goal of parenting isn't simply to raise high-achieving students; it's to raise adults who are wise, resilient, and enjoyable to be around decades from now.

• Every environment shapes our children, from teachers and classmates to neighbors, church communities, coaches, and trusted adults who invest in their lives.
• Homeschool and traditional school each have strengths and challenges, but neither guarantees a particular outcome. Intentional parenting matters more than the educational model itself.
• Giving kids opportunities to interact with adults, serve others, and navigate different social situations may be just as formative as what they learn in a textbook.
• Parents don't have to outsource all of their children's education. Some of the most important lessons are taught through conversations, shared experiences, and everyday life together.

Chapters

00:00 Why this conversation needed a follow-up

02:45 Should kids ever miss school?

05:30 Is education really a child's "work"?

08:45 The difference between education and formation

12:00 Why school isn't the only place kids learn

16:15 What we're actually trying to raise: capable adults

20:30 Homeschool, public school, and controlling the environment

23:00 The surprising influence of neighbors, church, and mentors

26:10 Why other trusted adults matter so much

27:40 Parents still have to explain what their kids are experiencing

Originally published September 2025 · One of our most requested episodes

We're bringing back one of our favorite (and most requested!) conversations from last year!

Content warning: While we don't use any explicit language in this episode, the discussion centers around cussing, profanity, and the words we choose to use. Parents may want to preview the conversation before listening with younger children. We think it's helpful for kids over age 10 to listen in!

Is cussing always sinful? Does the Bible actually prohibit certain words, or is it more concerned with the heart behind our speech?

In this episode, Clayton, Amy, and Chris tackle a surprisingly nuanced question that many Christian families have wrestled with. Together they explore the difference between profanity, vulgarity, cursing, and coarse language while considering biblical teaching, cultural expectations, and the intentions behind our words.

Rather than simply asking, "Can Christians say these words?" the conversation invites us to ask a deeper question: How can our speech reflect the character of Christ?

Takeaways

• Not all "bad words" are bad for the same reasons—profanity, vulgarity, and cursing each carry different meanings.
• Scripture is more concerned with speech that builds others up than with maintaining a list of forbidden words.
• Context and intent matter when evaluating the appropriateness of language.
• Christians are called to use words that bless rather than curse.
• Teaching kids about language is more effective when we explain why words carry meaning, not just which words they're not allowed to say.
• Replacement words may solve a habit, but they don't necessarily address the heart behind our speech.
• Grace and charity should shape how we respond to people whose convictions about language differ from our own.

Whether you've wondered where the line is, or you've never really questioned it at all, this episode is an honest, thoughtful, and often funny conversation about language, holiness, and the power of our words.

Thanks to everyone who's asked us to bring this one back—we're excited to share it again with both new listeners and longtime friends of the podcast.

Exercise gets harder as we get older—not necessarily because our bodies can't do it, but because it's harder to find purpose, community, and fun in the process. In this episode, Clayton sits down with Chris to talk about the Dad Cathlon: a homemade athletic competition inspired by the Olympic decathlon (with far less risk of injury).

What started as a friendly challenge between two dads became something much deeper: a reason to train together, build friendship, stay healthy, and model an active life for their kids. Along the way, they explore why meaningful competition doesn't have to end after high school, how our children learn more from what we model than what we say, and why dads should keep finding new ways to play.

Whether you're training for a marathon or just trying to keep up with your kids, this conversation is a reminder that movement, friendship, and a little healthy competition are worth making time for.

Takeaways

• Why exercise often feels less meaningful in adulthood—and how to change that.
• The story behind the homemade "Dad Cathlon."
• How shared physical goals deepen friendships.
• Why kids imitate our habits more than our advice.
• The surprising value of healthy competition later in life.
• How creating memorable traditions can shape your family culture.
• Practical ideas for starting your own version of a Dad-Cathlon.

Chapters

00:00 Why exercise gets harder (and more boring) as we get older

03:20 Why dads should model an active life for their kids

07:15 The origin story of the Dad Cathlon

11:45 Building an event that won't send middle-aged dads to the hospital

15:05 Did the kids—and wives—approve?

18:05 How the Dad Cathlon was scored (and who actually won)

20:50 Why shared fitness goals create deeper friendships

23:35 Could every neighborhood have its own Dad Cathlon?

26:00 The bigger lesson: your kids are watching how you live

Why did Jesus so often respond to questions with another question, a story, or an unexpected answer?

In this episode, Chris and Amy explore one of the most fascinating aspects of Jesus' teaching style: His tendency to avoid giving simple, direct answers. Looking at familiar examples from the Gospels, they discuss how Jesus used questions, parables, and conversation to help people discover deeper truths for themselves.

The conversation also explores what this means for parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to help others grow. Sometimes the goal isn't to provide information—it's to cultivate wisdom.

Takeaways

• Jesus often responded to questions by addressing the deeper issue behind the question itself.
• A direct answer can solve a problem in the moment, but a thoughtful question can create lasting understanding.
• Parables invite people to wrestle with truth rather than passively receive it.
• Great teaching isn't just about transferring knowledge; it's about helping people see differently.
• Parents and leaders can learn from Jesus' example by resisting the urge to immediately provide answers.
• Sometimes the most loving response is helping someone discover truth rather than simply telling them what to think.
• Jesus' wisdom transcends our ability to understand what he might be doing, in the moment of an answer, or even later on.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Introduction
03:15 Why are Jesus' answers so unusual?
07:34 Famous examples of Jesus answering indirectly
12:10 When Jesus was direct—and when He wasn't
12:18 Why Jesus used questions, stories, and parables
14:29 What's really happening beneath a question?
21:36 Parenting parallels: teaching versus telling
22:36 Helping people discover truth for themselves
34:01 Final reflections & closing thoughts

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Summer is supposed to be simple, but somehow everyone has strong opinions about it. In this lighthearted episode, Clayton and Amy share their hottest summer takes—from whether pools are actually fun, to the rise and fall of lemonade stands, to the surprising case for boredom. Along the way, they debate “Women’s Winter,” neighborhood traditions, summer screens, and whether lake houses are secretly overrated. It's a fun conversation about what makes summer memorable and how families can create meaningful moments without overcomplicating the season.

Takeaways

• Summer doesn't have to look the same for everyone—what feels refreshing and life-giving for one person may be miserable for another.
• The best summer memories are often created through simple neighborhood traditions rather than expensive experiences.
• Boredom isn't necessarily a problem to solve; it can be the starting point for creativity, independence, and adventure.
• Parents can unintentionally over-schedule summer and miss opportunities for kids to discover fun on their own.
• Screens become less appealing when kids are given meaningful alternatives and the freedom to explore.
• Community experiences, even quirky ones like lemonade stands, help kids develop confidence and connection.
• Sometimes our strongest opinions about summer reveal what we actually value most about family life and relationships.
• Not every summer tradition deserves universal praise—and that's okay.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Summer Hot Takes Explained
04:26 Hot Take #1: “Women’s Winter” Is Real
09:00 Hot Take #2: Pools Are Only Fun Twice a Year
13:20 Hot Take #3: Lemonade Stands Are Worth Keeping
17:45 Hot Take #4: Kids Need More Summer Boredom
21:15 Hot Take #5: Screens Aren't the Real Problem
24:45 Hot Take #6: Neighborhood Traditions Matter More Than Big Vacations
26:45 Hot Take #7: Lake Houses Are Overrated
29:48 Final Verdicts & Summer Send-Off

If you've been around GoodKind for any length of time, you've probably heard Clayton talk about Dad Camp. What began as a creative way to give his daughter a camp experience she otherwise might not have had has become one of the most meaningful traditions in the Greene family.

In this episode, Clayton, Chris, and Amy explore the value of intentionally setting aside dedicated time with your kids—not as a vacation, but as a focused season of presence. They discuss what makes camp experiences so memorable, why novelty and tradition both matter, and how parents can create meaningful moments without spending a fortune or planning elaborate activities. Whether you're considering a week-long Dad Camp, a weekend getaway, or simply carving out intentional time together, this conversation offers encouragement to prioritize connection over perfection.

Takeaways

• Children often remember the dedicated attention they received more than the specific activities they did.

• Creating intentional time with your kids doesn't require expensive trips or elaborate plans—presence is the most valuable gift.

• The best camp experiences combine novelty with familiar traditions that children can anticipate year after year.

• Stepping away from normal routines creates space for conversations and connections that don't always happen in everyday life.

• One of the greatest gifts parents can offer is being fully available, emotionally and physically, for a concentrated period of time.

• Dad Camp isn't really about camp at all—it's about creating opportunities for deeper relationships with your children.

Chapters

00:00 — Why Dad Camp Matters

06:25 — How Dad Camp Started

10:35 — Creating Intentional Time With Your Kids

14:10 — Could Every Family Benefit From a "Camp" Week?

17:30 — What Makes Camp So Memorable?

20:10 — Novelty, Traditions, and Family Memories

23:20 — The Power of Being Fully Present

25:20 — Why Every Parent Should Consider Dad Camp

Summary

Are we accidentally teaching our kids that fun is something you buy, schedule, or constantly optimize? In this episode, Clayton, Chris, and Amy explore the pressure many parents feel to create memorable experiences, especially during the summer months, and how that pressure can shape the way our children think about fun, boredom, and togetherness. The conversation examines the value of unstructured time, the role boredom plays in creativity and growth, and why some of our most meaningful family memories come from simply being together rather than consuming the next great experience.

Takeaways

• When every moment has to be entertaining, kids can begin to expect fun instead of learning how to create it.

• Boredom is not a parenting failure—it often becomes the starting point for creativity, imagination, and independence.

• Constantly escalating experiences can unintentionally teach children that ordinary life is never enough.

• Some of the best family memories are formed through presence and connection, not expensive activities or perfectly planned events.

• Parents don't have to carry the burden of making every summer day unforgettable.

Chapters

00:00 — Is Fun Something You Buy?

05:35 — The Pressure to Create Memorable Experiences

11:12 — Why Boredom Is Actually Good for Kids

16:54 — Expectations, Consumption, and Family Culture

24:08 — Teaching Kids to Create Their Own Fun

31:08 — What We're Changing After This Conversation

What’s the difference between being a good person and being a Christian? In this conversation, Clayton, Chris, and Amy wrestle with a question many parents eventually face: if our neighbors, friends, and classmates seem kind, generous, and moral, what actually makes Christianity different? Along the way, they explore how Christian values have shaped our culture, why outward behavior doesn’t tell the whole story of a person’s faith, and how grace—not performance—is at the center of the Christian story. This episode is a thoughtful discussion about faith, morality, judgment, humility, and the challenge of helping our kids understand what it means to follow Jesus in a world where many people look similar on the surface.

What’s the difference between being a good person and being a Christian? In this conversation, Clayton, Chris, and Amy wrestle with a question many parents eventually face: if our neighbors, friends, and classmates seem kind, generous, and moral, what actually makes Christianity different? Along the way, they explore how Christian values have shaped our culture, why outward behavior doesn’t tell the whole story of a person’s faith, and how grace—not performance—is at the center of the Christian story. This episode is a thoughtful discussion about faith, morality, judgment, humility, and the challenge of helping our kids understand what it means to follow Jesus in a world where many people look similar on the surface.

Takeaways

• Many of the values we consider "common sense" today—kindness, equality, compassion, and dignity—have deep roots in a Christian understanding of the world.
• It’s possible for someone who isn’t a Christian to appear more moral than someone who is, because we rarely know the full story of a person’s heart, struggles, or spiritual journey.
• Christianity isn’t ultimately about being a good person; it’s about receiving grace and being transformed by Jesus over time.
• The closer we get to people, the more we discover that surface-level similarities often hide deeper differences in beliefs, priorities, and motivations.
• Humility grows when we recognize that, apart from God’s grace, we are capable of the same failures we often judge in others.
• Faith changes people, but that change is usually seen most clearly through a person's long-term direction rather than isolated moments.
• One of the most important conversations parents can have with their kids is helping them understand the difference between earning God's love and responding to God's love.

Chapters

00:00 — Sports, Parenting, and a Bigger Question

04:16 — Good People vs. Christians

11:34 — How Christianity Shaped Our Culture

18:38 — Morality, Faith, and Grace

27:54 — Faith, Works, and Spiritual Growth

32:34 — Why We Need Better Conversations

In a culture that constantly pushes achievement, performance, and productivity, many families are left asking an important question: What is school actually for?

In this episode, we explore the growing pressure kids face academically and socially—and the ways parents can unintentionally reinforce the idea that grades, accomplishments, and success determine a child’s worth. We discuss how to pursue excellence without making achievement the center of family life, and why character, emotional health, relationships, faith, and identity matter just as much as academic performance.

This conversation is not anti-school or anti-achievement. It’s an invitation to think more holistically about what we hope our children become—and how we can help them flourish as whole people, not just high performers.

Takeaways

• School matters, but academic success was never meant to carry the full weight of a child’s identity or future happiness.

• Parents often communicate priorities unintentionally through stress, praise, schedules, and expectations.

• Emotional health, friendships, faith, creativity, and character formation deserve just as much attention as grades and accomplishments.

• Children need space to fail, grow, rest, and develop resilience without feeling like every outcome defines them.

• Celebrating small wins and everyday growth can help shift family culture away from constant performance pressure.

• Excellence is a healthy goal, but it becomes unhealthy when achievement starts replacing connection, joy, or peace.

• One of the most important things parents can do is remind kids that they are loved for who they are—not simply for what they achieve.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and the pressure surrounding achievement
05:42 – What is the primary purpose of school?
12:18 – When grades and performance become identity
19:37 – The emotional and relational cost of achievement culture
27:11 – Helping kids pursue excellence without burnout
34:45 – Why character and faith matter beyond academics
41:26 – Celebrating growth, effort, and small wins
48:03 – Practical ways families can reduce pressure and build healthier rhythms

Recommended Resources

• Cart-echism Questions from GoodKind
  https://goodkind.shop/blogs/goodkind-core/catechisms-for-kids-questions-every-parent-should-be-asking-their-kids-about-their-faith-and-identity

• Celebrating the Small Wins Podcast Episode from GoodKind
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-good-grades-celebrating-small-wins-in-parenting/id1626299321?i=1000744792956

Summer has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute it feels like spring, and the next everyone is mentally checked out for vacation mode. In this episode, Clayton, Amy, and Chris talk about the rhythms of “Summer One” — that magical stretch between Memorial Day and July 4th where life feels lighter, slower, and full of possibility. They explore why paying attention to seasons matters for family life and spiritual habits, how “season mixing” keeps us from enjoying the moment we’re actually in, and practical ways to make the most of summer at home. From pool bags and porch dinners to sunglasses and laundry shortcuts, this episode is all about embracing the pace of summer and creating meaningful moments with your family before the chaos of “Summer Two” arrives.

Takeaways

• Summer has its own rhythm, and families thrive when they lean into it instead of resisting it.
• “Season mixing” happens when we try to live like it’s still spring instead of embracing summer’s slower pace.
• Small environmental shifts — like eating outside or setting up a pool bag station — help create meaningful moments naturally.
• Summer is a great time to simplify routines and let go of unnecessary pressure.
• Paying attention to timing, rhythms, and seasonal habits can help families feel more connected and present.

Chapters

00:00 — Summer Sneaks Up on Us

05:44 — The Six Seasons of the Year

08:58 — What Is “May-cember”?

12:08 — Why Season Mixing Doesn’t Work

15:13 — Defining “Summer One”

18:09 — What Summer One Feels Like

20:12 — Practical Ways to Embrace Summer

31:05 — Adjusting Rhythms and Expectations