Kids today are reading less and scrolling more. They're being shaped by a digital world that trains them to expect constant stimulation. And at it's core, the decline of reading is a spiritual and cultural problem. In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Dr. Jason Baxter, the Director of the Center for Beauty and Culture at Benedictine College and author of Why Literature Matters, to explore how the Great Books shape the imagination, train the affections, and help form the kind of wisdom, attention, and character our kids need to flourish.

Read the study on education: https://cepr.harvard.edu/news/2026/05/why-us-test-scores-are-generation-long-decline

Read Dr. Baxter's books: https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/my-bookstore

Get the reading list: https://jasonmbaxter.substack.com/p/how-to-get-your-kids-to-fall-in-love

Read "Help! Where Do I Go From Here?" - https://substack.com/home/post/p-177828655

Learn more about Dr. Baxter: https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/ 

Are you proud to be an American? This week, we're celebrating 250 years of our nation! But nowadays, pride in America is hitting never-before-seen lows. In a culture where it's trendy to despise the United States, how can parents offer a counteracting narrative to our kids amid all the noise? Because if you don't intentionally shape your child's view of America, the culture will do it for you. In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with Jeannette Tulis, a homeschool mom and library and book enthusiast, about how you can use stories to teach kids about U.S. history and direct them towards a reasoned patriotism.

The poll: https://youtu.be/Cofbkllf0Jc?si=MpcFnOdbcuu8t_l5&t=156

Watch our episode on a Reasoned Patriotism: https://linktw.in/vpsipF

Jeannette's recommended book list: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gIICAbubHtCQvNkKtveI26OuZFC5iPmi/view

Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Your kids are being discipled every day, but by who? Through social media feeds, classrooms, textbooks, influencers, and friends, they are constantly being confronted by competing worldview ideas. And many of the cultural conversations surrounding identity, truth, justice, and what it means to be human are shaped by the ideas behind "wokeness." In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Dr. Neil Shenvi and Dr. Pat Sawyer, authors of Post-Woke, to unpack the worldview behind many of today's cultural debates. Together, they explore how critical theory has influenced our culture, why these ideas continue to resonate with young people, and how parents can help their kids navigate them.

Read about the trans athlete mentioned at the beginning - https://abc7.com/post/jurupa-valley-transgender-athlete-ab-hernandez-wins-2-titles-cif-state-track-field-championships/19206586/

Pick up the book "Post-Woke" - https://a.co/d/04pxzEsC

Learn more about Neil Shenvi - https://shenviapologetics.com/

Learn more about Pat Sawyer - https://www.patsawyer.org/

Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Progressive Christianity is evolving. As deconstruction content spreads across social media, many students and young adults are encountering challenges to historic Christianity from voices that seem compassionate, relatable, and trustworthy—all delivered in 30-second, bite-sized clips. In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Alisa Childers to discuss how Progressive Christianity has adapted for a new generation, common red flags parents should watch for, and how Christians can help students navigate these ideas with confidence and discernment.

Get the student edition of “Another Gospel” - https://a.co/d/0aKvg2DH

Learn more about Alisa and her books: https://alisachilders.com/

Check out Alisa's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@alisachilders

Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

In the rush of modern life, family dinner has become increasingly rare. Between work, sports, and endless activities, gathering around the table often falls to the bottom of the priority list. But are families losing something far more important than a shared meal? In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the biblical significance of food, feasting, and fellowship, and why family meals have always played a central role in God's design for families. They also share practical ways to prioritize family dinners and create meaningful connection around the table—even during life's busiest seasons.

Read the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19476994/

American College of Pediatricians on Family Dinners: https://acpeds.org/the-benefits-of-the-family-table/

Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Moms, have you ever experienced "mom guilt"? Your child is struggling with potty training, and somehow you're convinced it's your fault—that if they’re having a hard time, you must have done something wrong. Mom guilt is a nearly universal mom experience—but where does it come from? In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the roots of mom guilt, why mothers often feel uniquely responsible for their children's struggles, and how God's design for motherhood can help explain—and redeem—those feelings. Most importantly, they offer practical encouragement for moms who feel weighed down by guilt and challenge husbands with ideas for how they can actively support their wives and share in the responsibility of raising their children.

Watch the video Brett and Erin are reacting to: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTDbantAJzK/

The Toxic War on Masculinity by Nancy Pearcey: https://a.co/d/0aA6wP3G

Every Moment Holy liturgy books: https://www.everymomentholy.com/

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

One day, our kids grow up. They move away, start their own lives, and make choices of their own—including some we may not agree with. That transition can be difficult to navigate, often bringing grief, uncertainty, and the temptation to overparent in ways that strain the relationship—especially in a culture where many adult children are cutting off contact with their parents. In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with author Dr. Kathy Koch about the dos and don’ts of navigating life after your children are grown.

Get Dr. Kathy's book: https://ckonlinestore.com/

Learn more about Celebrate Kids and Dr. Kathy Koch: https://celebratekids.com/

Watch our other episode on parenting adult children: https://linktw.in/ZRYAma

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

How you maintain your marriage is more important than the work you put into your relationship with your kids! Marriage is the foundation of the family, and kids suffer without a healthy example to lean on. So, how can we work on making marriages stronger? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss marriage advice from Harvard professor Arthur Brooks and share how these four easy steps have helped them build a strong relationship while raising five kids together.

Watch the video from Arthur Brooks: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OXHaeRpJO1I

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Are we raising resilient men or fragile boys? American culture chronically deemphasizes God's good design for men. Parents are encouraged to coddle and protect boys from discomfort, struggle, and risk—robbing boys of the experiences and risks that teach how to be the resilient builders God has designed them to be. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss practical ways parents can encourage and train boys to become godly men who create, build, and work hard for their families.

Read the first article: https://substack.com/@anthonybbradley/note/c-243280794?r=1cjmt&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

Read the second article: https://substack.com/@anthonybbradley/note/c-244401324?r=1cjmt&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN 

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Gender identity. Critical Theory. Social justice. Same-sex marriage. The Culture is asking Christians to repudiate Biblical truth at every turn. Refuse and the culture will try to punish you. Author Rod Dreher's book "Live Not By Lies" highlighted this fact in 2020, as it became more evident than ever that Western society was rife with what Dreher calls "soft totalitarianism." And the conditions that created that an environment have not gone away. In this episode, Brett and Erin speak with Rod Dreher about "Live Not By Lies" and discuss the essential role Christian parents play in raising kids who will boldly speak truth amidst a culture that encourages silence and fear.

Read Rod's article "Sex After Christianity" - https://www.theamericanconservative.com/sex-after-christianity/

Read more of Rod's articles: https://substack.com/@roddreher

Find Rod on X @roddreher

Check out Rod's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rod-Dreher/author/B00JV2IX3O

Watch the "Live Not By Lies" documentary series: https://www.angel.com/watch/live-not-by-lies