'''Diligent study is precisely what got us here." Jamin CollerOur episode this week is with Jamin Coller, dad of six, podcaster and author of Dear Evangelicals.Our conversation is passionate, funny and so very eye-opening. We chat through these questions:1. Your book, Dear Evangelicals, frames deconstruction not as rebellion, but as a painful act of integrity after "stumbling upon information we didn't want." How can parents reframe their children's deconstruction as integrity, not betrayal? How can we help both deconstructionists and their former communities reframe this process as an act of integrity rather than betrayal — especially in the context of parenting?2. You write “We believed it when we were told all questions were welcomed.” What impact does it have on a child’s development when questions are only welcome until they cross an invisible line? And how can parents make space for the kind of questioning that once got them scorned?3. You state that the first wave of shame comes from the community, but the harder wave is internal — “the shame of having shelved obvious red flags for so long.” How do we process that internal shame, and what does it look like to parent from a place of healing rather than guilt?4. The book describes former church members instinctively seeking new spaces to preserve their faith, even after painful exits. What does this tell us about the human longing for spiritual belonging, and how do we model that search honestly for our kids?5. How did diligent study get you “here”? Also, for those of us who were once taught that information was dangerous, how do we now encourage our children to stay curious and think critically without fearing where it might lead?6. You have said that many of us try not to think — because we fear losing our salvation — and try not to speak — because we fear losing our friends. How did this play out for you personally and how do we raise children to value honesty and connection when so many of us were taught to protect belonging at the expense of our inner truth?7. If you could tell your kids one thing for their life journey, what would it be and why?We found Jamin compassionate, wise and funny. If you are wondering how you got to this place of deconstructing your faith, this is the episode for you.You can find Jamin here:Website: jamincoller.comInstagram: @dear_evangelicals and @jamincoller
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58:42
I Would Pick You (Queer Advocacy) - Rachel Pinto-Martin
'''Our job as parents is not to make other people comfortable with how we raise our kids, Our job is to make sure our kids grow up in a family where they’re comfortable being exactly who they are.'' Shelly RobinsonOur episode this week is with Rachel Pinto-Martin, founder of Self Love, Healthy Boundaries Coaching, mom of two, former Mormon and fierce Queer ally and advocate.On this episode, we talk with Rachel about what it means to have self-love along with healthy boundaries and help our kids to do the same. We also dive deep into advocacy on this front for the Queer community.We chat through these questions:1. Many of us have grown up in high control religious environments that doesn’t allow for a lot of individuality. How can we begin to foster a sense of being worthy of love when our faith or upbringing told us otherwise?2. What does it look like to deconstruct faith in a way that allows space for self-love and acceptance, especially for those in the LGBTQ+ community?3. What are some practical ways parents can create an environment where their children feel safe in their own identity and accepted for who they are, especially if the parents are still deconstructing their own beliefs around sexuality and gender identity.4. How can parents help their children navigate the complexities of faith and identity, especially if they are trying to reconcile their own religious background5. What advice do you have for parents who are struggling to reconcile their faith with supporting their queer child?6. How might we respond to members of the faith community or our family who may hold traditional or conservative views about LGBTQ+ issues?7. For families who feel isolated in their religious communities because of their child’s identity, what would you say to them?We found Rachel passionate and our conversation was spicy in all the best ways. We were fired up about the harm done to the Queer community by high-control religion and spoke about the best ways we can continue to change the narrative surrounding full affirmation and inclusion.You can find Rachel here:Website: selflovehealthyboundaries.comInstagram: @selflovehealthyboundaries and @thankyouforranting
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1:03:27
Powerful Parenting - Wendy Snyder
"Where did we ever get the notion that in order for children to behave better, they first have to feel worse?" Our episode this week is with Wendy Snyder, founder of Fresh Start Family, mom of two teens, podcaster and certified positive (or as she likes to call it), powerful parenting coach.On this episode, we talk with Wendy about what it means to be an empowered parent and how can we parent out of compassionate connection and NOT fear and force.We chat through these questions:1. What is your overall philosophy on parenting? Are there any core principles you always encourage parents to follow?2. How has your faith journey shaped the way that you encourage parents in their parenting journeys? Are their old beliefs around parenting that you have let go of or that have evolved? 3. What is one of the things that parents come to you the most about? 4. What are the most common challenges parents come to you with? How do you help parents balance discipline with love and understanding?5. What are some effective techniques for managing challenging behaviors? How can parents address negative behaviors while maintaining a positive relationship with their child?We found Wendy full of surprises, wisdom, vulnerability and real passion as she shares her own journey to leaving behind parenting with fear and force and leaning into empowered, compassionate connection. She is a fierce advocate for doing parenting in a way that heals our own souls while meeting the needs of our kids. It's a must-listen if you want practical help, hope and humor in them middle of the mayhem of parenting. THIS IS A GOOD ONE!!You can find Wendy here:Website: freshstartfamilyonline.comInstagram: @freshstartwendyFacebook: Fresh Start Family
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58:10
Jesus vs the Bad Guys? - Jared Neusch and Connor Shram
"In the end, Jesus proved that forgiveness is more powerful than punches and kicks. And in the end, love wins over hate." - Jared Neusch and Connor Shram in their book: Jesus vs. the Bad GuysOur episode this week is with two dads, one a corn hole champion and Biblical scholar (Dr. Jared Neusch) and the other a comedian and change-maker (Connor Shram), both authors of a new book perfect for this time of year, Jesus Vs. the Bad Guys: a Story of Love and Forgiveness.On this episode, we talk with Jared and Connor about reconsidering the Easter story in light of active peace-making and non-violence.We chat through these questions:1. How do we introduce children to the person of Jesus without reinforcing the fear-based, dualistic messages many of us were taught in high-control religious environments? (We are thinking of good guys vs bad guys here) Do you believe there are good guys and bad guys?2. Why does it feel important to you that kids have a love of Scripture? What is it about Scripture that feels valuable to you?3. Can the stories of Jesus’ arrest, conviction, and crucifixion be shared with young children in age-appropriate ways that honor both their emotional development and spiritual curiosity?4. Your book emphasizes Jesus’ “weapons” of forgiveness, peacemaking, nonviolence, and love—how might these values challenge the cultural parenting norms we inherited from high-control religious systems?Jared and Connor were gentle, wise, funny and so easy to talk with. We didn't want the conversation to end. If you have the desire to reconsider Easter this year and perhaps discover new ways to engage with your kids and this very complicated story, this podcast episode is for you.You can find Jared here:Instagram: @jaredneuschYou can find Connor here:Instagram: @connorshram
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54:31
Reimagining Easter - Sarah Swartzendruber
You don’t have to the answers to why Jesus died to talk about Easter with your kids. (Sarah Swartzendruber)Our episode this week is with our resident Children's Pastor, childhood development expert, mom to two and Bible scholar, Sarah Swartzendruber.On this episode, we talk with Sarah about reimagining the Easter story by diving into atonement theories and practical ways we can talk about it with our littles, middles and bigs.We chat through these questions:1. What's your current take on the Easter story? What do you personally believe?2. What are the seven main atonement theories (reasons people believe Jesus died)?3. What do we do about Easter and our kids? How can we navigate the complicated adult themes that the Easter story holds?4. Can you share with us specific age appropriate ways we might be able to study the Easter story with our kids?5. Are there themes or ideas that you stay away from when you’re teaching the Easter story?6. How do we create an environment where our kids feel safe to ask hard questions and also encourage them to honor differing beliefs? Sarah is brilliant and funny, always a welcome guest at our podcast table. If you are struggling with how to celebrate (or NOT) Easter this year and what the heck to do with your kids and the messy, complicated themes surrounding it, this podcast episode is for you.You can find the Sarah in these spaces:Instagram: @parentingafterdeconstructionWebsite: www.parentingafterdeconstuction.com
If you are trying to figure out how to navigate the tricky tightrope of parenting while you have questions, doubts and wonderings about your spiritual journey, this podcast is for you. It doesn't matter if your kids are smalls, middles, or bigs. We will explore what and how we are deconstructing from churchianity, harmful belief systems, and diving deep into the ways we can work this out in parenthood. We will also work through ideas for reconstructing a space for our families to thrive under new systems of love and freedom. We can't wait to bring you some hope that you are not alone and that it's really okay, even good, to explore all the possibilities that may have felt closed off in the past. This podcast will offer you grace and space to be exactly where you are and who you are. We are glad you are here.
Sverige