Does your child struggle with being lonely? It is heartbreaking when a son or daughter says, "I don't have any friends." Loneliness is something we all experience from time to time. How can we help our kids know they are not alone because they are loved by us and more importantly, by God? Beloved author Max Lucado is here to shout good news to every soul. His new children's book, Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone, will bring comfort to you and your kids. In today's conversation, you'll learn: 

2:20 Receive this encouragement not just for your kids, but for you

7:44 How has technology affected the way a family communicates 

11:37 How can we as parents become “missionaries” for our children 

17:20 What to say to your child who may feel lonely at school 

20:06 How can you help your child when you feel lonely yourself? 

22:47 How to avoid leaving marriage behind while raising your kids

Max Lucado is a prolific author, pastor, and host of the Encouraging Word podcast on AccessMore. He's written more than 40 books since the 1980s that have been translated into 50 languages, selling more than 145 million copies worldwide. He's been dubbed "America's Pastor" by Christianity Today and "The Best Preacher in America" by Reader's Digest. He serves the people of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio TX. 

Learn about Max Lucado and his new children's book we talked about on today's episode, Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone. maxlucado.com

Great news! The Parents Rising Conference sessions can now be watched at home! Purchase access to the conference videos and mp3s at happyhomeuniversity.com/conference

Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

More Resources for Your Family:

Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's Happy Home YouTube Channel @arlenehappyhome

Every girl deserves a faith-filled adventure click here for the NIV Kingdom Girls Bible 

Your child has disobeyed you for the tenth time and it's only 9 AM. How do you get your children to do what you tell them to do? Maybe you've tried rewards and punishments but find they aren't working as well as they used to. Dr. Scott Turansky will fill your parenting toolbox with exactly what you need to reach the heart of your child effectively and thus change behavior. This is an episode you won't want to miss if you have been frustrated with your child's behavior or attitude lately. In today's conversation, you'll learn:

2:25 What is meant by the word "heart"? Is it the same as emotions?

4:55 How to be firm with your children while maintaining the love in your relationship

10:30 Training yourself to become a firmer parent

12:28 When correcting your child, try this instead of a time-out

17:50 How to “take a break” even with your teen

19:39 What if my child is totally unmotivated to do the right thing?

22:53 Start with spiritual development

26:28 How to think positively about your child when they are not cooperating

Dr. Scott Turansky is the co-founder of the National Center for Biblical Parenting. He holds two master's degrees from Western Seminary and his doctorate from Fuller. He and his wife Carrie have 5 children and 11 grandchildren. He’s been a pastor for more than 40 years and has trained over 400 parent coaches. He’s written several books including "Motivate Your Child" and the "Christian Parenting Handbook".

Learn about Dr. Turansky and the book we talked about on today's episode, Parenting is Heart Work at biblicalparenting.org

Great news! The Parents Rising Conference can now be experienced at home! Purchase access to the conference videos and mp3s at happyhomeuniversity.com/conference

Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

More Resources for Your Family:

Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's Happy Home YouTube Channel @arlenehappyhome

Every girl deserves a faith-filled adventure click here for the NIV Kingdom Girls Bible

Our kids are growing up in a confusing world where wrong seems right. How do you plant godly values in the heart of your child? Today's guest Adam Griffin will help us prepare our kids to live for Christ in a world that doesn't. Even in a hostile culture, our kids can learn to do the right thing and it starts with immersing them in the Word of God. We're talking about Adam Griffin's new kid devotional, "When Wrong Seems Right - A Kids Bible Study on Making Good Choices." You'll hear about: 

4:15 Why your child shouldn’t “follow their heart” 

7:03 How to seek God, not Google, in our families 

12:20 How to model being a follower of Christ to your kids 

15:55 Getting your kids into studying the Bible when they are not interested

20:13 Explaining the fear of God to your kids 

24:28 God gave you your kids for YOU to parent them 

28:17 Raising boys who know who they are in Christ

Adam Griffin is the lead pastor of Eastside Community Church in Dallas, Texas. He is the host of the Family Discipleship Podcast and the author of several books and resources for families including his newest book, "When Wrong Seems Right - A Kids Bible Study on Making Good Choices."  

You can connect with Adam Griffin at FamilyDiscipleship.com 

Great news! The Parents Rising Conference can now be experienced at home! Purchase access to the conference videos and mp3s at happyhomeuniversity.com/conference

Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

Every girl deserves a faith-filled adventure click here for the NIV Kingdom Girls Bible 

If you could make a wish, what would you wish for? Sometimes we stop hoping and dreaming because it seems to lead only to disappointment. If you want to move forward in your life, even when it hurts to hope again, this episode is just for you.  Rachel Miller shares from her new book "When It Hurts to Hope: Honest Conversations about Living with Unmet Longing." We're going to talk about: 

3:35 You're not alone. Everyone has “unmet longing.”

9:07 Here’s something we can all learn from newlyweds...

11:25 How do we still believe God is good when we don’t get what we want?

15:12 How to be a friend to someone who has an unmet longing 

20:10 Living between pessimism and optimism during tough times 

26:43 How community can help when we get lonely

29:25 If you are going through a hard time, do this

Rachel Miller has written for Lifeway, YouVersion, Proverbs 31 MInistries, The Daily Wire and Ramsey Solutions. Her new book is "When It Hurts to Hope: Honest conversations about living with unmet longing." rachelmillerauthor.com

You can follow Rachel on Instagram @rachel.s.miller

Get plan and hope for your family's technology use and read Screen Kids by Arlene and Dr. Gary Chapman.

More Resources for Your Family:

Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's Happy Home YouTube Channel @arlenehappyhome

Every girl deserves a faith-filled adventure click here for the NIV Kingdom Girls Bible

There's a lot of talk about being limitless, but the truth is, we are limited creatures. We've got too much laundry, too many bills, too many responsibilities, and too little strength. But what if limitations can actually turn into blessings? Bestselling author Sara Hagerty shares how being a mom of seven has helped her discover the beauty in her boundaries. Sharing from her new book, "The Gift of Limitations," we'll talk about: 

2:50 What it means to live inside the fence line 

7:30 The things we think are going to “kill” us actually can be life-giving 

10:05 Talking yourself through your limitations 

14:33 When limitations get in the way of accomplishing your dreams 

18:20 How to name our limitations 

20:17 What to do if you are feeling overwhelmed as a mom 

24:45 What, I don't always have to be productive???

27:50 Living “slower still”

Sara Hagerty is a bestselling author and speaker who loves to offer God's hope to readers facing unexpected life circumstances. She and her husband adopted four children from Africa and then had three miracle babies. Her new book is "The Gift of Limitations: Finding Beauty in your Boundaries." 

You can follow Sara on Instagram @sarahagertywrites and on Substack 

More Resources for Your Family:

Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's Happy Home YouTube Channel @arlenehappyhome

We all face conflict - whether it's with your spouse, child, parent, neighbor, or co-worker. We don't always agree! How can you navigate conflict better? Is there a way to prevent fights in the first place? Donna Jones has written a new book to help us, "Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life." On today's podcast, you'll learn: 

2:09 The surprising truth about conflict 

6:03 You may be causing conflict without even realizing it  

8:50 What makes marriages last 

11:40 This secret ingredient makes all the difference in conflict 

16:10 Recognizing the patterns of our conflicts and fixing them 

24:17 Handling situations where emotions are running really high

Donna Jones is a national speaker, church planter, pastor's wife, and mom of three adult children. She’s appeared on Focus on the Family and other media outlets. Her new book is "Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life." 

Find out more about Donna and her book "Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life" on her website. donnajones.org

You're invited to the Parents Rising Conference on March 2, 2024, in San Diego, CA. Speakers include Dr. Gary Chapman, Arlene Pellicane, Bill and Pam Farrel, and Sally Burke. happyhomeuniversity.com/conference

More Resources for Your Family:

Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's Happy Home YouTube Channel @arlenehappyhome

Family life can be overwhelming, sloppy, tricky, and downright challenging. How can you find sanity in the chaos of everyday living? Cynthia Yanof is here to remind us that even when life is messy, God is still good. God isn't caught off guard when we drop the ball, lose our cool, or can't find anything clean to wear. He can use our ridiculous messes for good! In today's conversation based on Cynthia Yanof's new book, "Life is Messy, God is Good," you'll learn: 

2:14 How to find the funny when life isn't going how you'd planned  

7:10 Why it's insane to pay for something you don't have to 

11:30 The things God calls you to do can change you (and this is good) 

14:00 What holy discontent looks like 

18:40 Learning how NOT to parent from a place of reputation 

25:38 If you've ever been disappointed with the church, listen here  

Cynthia Yanof is a wife, mom, and podcaster who is ridiculously committed to not taking herself too seriously.  She is the host of the MESSmerized podcast and her new book is "Life is Messy, God is Good."

Find out more about Cynthia and her book "Life is Messy, God is Good" on her website. 

You're invited to the Parents Rising Conference on March 2, 2024, in San Diego, CA.  Speakers include Dr. Gary Chapman, Arlene Pellicane, Bill and Pam Farrel, and Sally Burke. 

More Resources for Your Family:

Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. 

Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's Happy Home YouTube Channel 

Has Valentine's Day become more about showering your kids with gifts than your spouse? It's easy to drift away from the person who was once your dream come true. It is time to fall in love again...with your spouse! Arlene shares how you can turn your heart towards your spouse this week, relive the feelings of love, and strengthen your commitment to have and to hold forever. It's National Marriage Week (Feb 7-14) and it's time to celebrate marriages, starting with yours. In today's episode, Arlene shares: 

3:00 I couldn’t believe he saw this in my eyes 

4:30 How do we keep falling in love through the years (with the same person)?

5:40 Do you find your spouse more interesting than your phone? 

7:10 What is the greatest predictor of happiness? 

10:30 My husband was listening to something that surprised me 

15:00 Sometimes we put ourselves against a measurement that doesn’t even exist 

16:45 What Dr. Gary Chapman did when someone asked to live with his family for one year 

19:00 What is National Marriage Week? 

Arlene Pellicane is the host of the Happy Home, author, speaker, and spokesperson for National Marriage Week. You can find out more about National Marriage Week (and get free date night ideas) at MarriageWeek.org 

Get Arlene's books 31 Days to a Happy Husband and 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife 

You're invited to the Parents Rising Conference on March 2, 2024, in San Diego, CA. Speakers include Dr. Gary Chapman, Arlene Pellicane, Bill and Pam Farrel, and Sally Burke. 

More Resources for Your Family:

Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's Happy Home YouTube Channel @arlenehappyhome

Maybe you used to be employed, married, or healthy. When you suffer a loss, you enter the realm of "used to be." Licensed counselor Ashley Elliott is here to help us build new thinking patterns when life doesn't turn out how we thought it would. Ashley and her husband Chuck are the authors of "I Used to Be..." In this episode, you'll learn how to navigate losses in life as we talk about: 

2:19 What I used to be...

4:27 How to use “switch theory” to combat negativity 

9:04 Here's how you can get back into a positive space with your spouse 

11:17 Recognizing the triggers that cause negative spaces 

14:08 How to get through your grief 

19:00 Understanding your “anger wall”

24:55 How to help others who are grieving 

28:28 How to know when to seek help with your grief  

Ashley Elliott and her husband Chuck have been working with couples since 2009. They are certified in eight different psycho-educational programs aimed toward building relational success. Ashley is a counselor with Auxilium Psychological Services.  Ashley and Chuck have three boys and enjoy hiking and mountain biking. 

Check out Ashley & Chuck's book, I Used to Be... - How to Navigate Large and Small Losses in life and Find Your Path Forward. 

You're invited to the Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, CA on March 2, 2024.  Speakers include Dr. Gary Chapman, Arlene, Bill Pam Farrel, and Sally Burke. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/conference

More Resources for Your Family:

Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. 

Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's Happy Home YouTube Channel 

What do you do if you find your child looking at porn? The Internet has made pornography so easily accessible and parents must act to protect kids from the dangers of bad pictures and harmful ideas about sexuality. Austin Fruits, a speaker for Josh McDowell Ministries, knows what it is like to struggle with porn as a teen. In this honest and redemptive conversation, you'll learn: 

4:10 When you may not be feeling God, He is still working in the darkest places 

10:27 Porn is about much more than desire 

12:45 How real repentance is key to the healing journey 

15:25 Porn is not your problem, it is your medication 

20:35 Why do we need to talk to our kids about uncomfortable topics like sex 

24:10 How to help prevent your child from watching porn 

28:55 Why being set free from porn is so liberating

Austin Fruits is a speaker for Josh McDowell, a ministry of CRU. He has a passion for apologetics, evangelism, and wholeness. He has his degree in psychology and counseling from Liberty University and also graduated from Talbot School of Theology. Find out more about Austin at Josh.org

It's not too late to come to the Parents Rising Conference on March 2, 2024, in San Diego, CA. Speakers include Dr. Gary Chapman, Arlene, Bill and Pam Farrel, and Sally Burke. happyhomeuniversity.com/conference

More Resources for Your Family:

Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's Happy Home YouTube Channel @arlenehappyhome

Special thanks to HireMyMom.com