Jeff + Terra Mattson
Nothing is off the table!
Each week, husband and wife team, Jeff (MA Org.L) and Terra (MA LPC, LMFT) Mattson, will answer your BIG and small questions about raising kids in today’s anxious world.
With 20 years of experience in marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, leadership development, and pastoral ministry, they bridge the gap between Biblical, clinical, and relational wisdom.
Consider the Mattsons your personal parenting coaches, bringing you practical how-tos that will help you lead your children with greater integrity, always rooted in grace, and remind you that YOU are the right person for this job.
About Jeff and Terra Mattson
Jeff Mattson (MA ORL) and Terra Mattson (MA LPC, LMFT) are Christian Parenting spokespeople and the co-hosts of the Dear Mattsons parenting advice column and the Living Wholehearted Podcast in the Christian Parenting Podcast Network.
After two decades studying and working in leadership and trauma-informed therapy, Jeff and Terra are bridging the gap between Biblical, clinical, and relational wisdom to help leaders live with integrity in the home, work, and community.
They are the co-founders of Living Wholehearted, a professional counseling and organizational development firm. Terra is the author of Courageous: Being Daughters Rooted in Grace and together they co-authored Shrinking the Integrity Gap: Between what Leaders Preach and Live. Jeff and Terra have skin in the game as they raise their two daughters just outside Portland, OR on five acres of old growth woods. There is never a dull moment in the Mattson home!
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Parenting a perfectionist
Podcasts
Dear MattsonsDear Mattsons with Jeff & Terra
Teaching your children to understand their design and wiring will help set them up for success in life. In this episode we will talk through the language to use when parenting a perfectionist, physical outlets when frustration sets in and how to help...
How do I help my shy child engage with others?
Podcasts
Dear MattsonsDear Mattsons with Jeff & Terra
Shy and introverted children are wired to need more information and tend to be more cautious in new situations. We will encourage you to practice and talk through social situations at home, learn what introverts need and speak life into your child and...
Episode 185: Blended Families – the rebirth after death of a spouse or divorce with Bo Stern and Cliff Brady
Podcasts
Going through the loss of a marriage after the death of a spouse or divorce is very difficult. And then trying to blend a family and create something new adds a whole other layer. The average blended family takes at least 7 years to blend, so today -...
Episode 184: What women need to know about finances and divorce with Amy Oliver
Podcasts
Today we want to talk about what women need to know before they consider divorce. There are a lot of confusing messages - especially in the church - about divorce. It’s hard because marriage is meant to be a beautiful image of God’s covenant with...
What to do when your child is NOT a morning person
Podcasts
Dear MattsonsDear Mattsons with Jeff & Terra
What do you do when your child has a hard time getting up in the morning and their attitude affects the whole family? Join us as we talk through strategies to set up a calm morning routine, conversations to have the night before, and how to rewire the...
Episode 186: Dads, Daughters & Anger with Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield
Podcasts
Are you a dad who struggles with anger? Do you have a daughter? Do you want to learn from one of the leading experts on dads and daughters? This podcast episode is for you! Michelle Watson Canfield, PhD, LPC, is a national speaker, author,...
How to teach manners and raise a gentleman
Podcasts
Dear MattsonsDear Mattsons with Jeff & Terra
Teaching manners is always a challenge, but when one parent doesn’t model the behaviors you are trying to encourage in your child, it is extra challenging. Join us as we talk through tips on teaching your son to be a gentleman and discussions to...
Episode 187: Shrinking the Gap: Concentric Circles and How To Actually Live From our Priorities with Jeff and Terra Mattson
Podcasts
There is so much to do. Our kids need to be fed and driven to their activities. Bills need to be paid. Church is asking for volunteers. Friends and family want our time. Bible study. Work deadlines. There are expectations and demands everywhere we...
Encouraging my child to eat healthy and exercise without making it about appearance
Podcasts
Dear MattsonsDear Mattsons with Jeff & Terra
What do you do if your teen is eating unhealthy, not exercising and gaining a lot of weight? Join us as we talk through how to engage your teen, find a fun way to incorporate exercise into the day, and encourage healthing eating without negatively...
Episode 188: Busy to Joy – How to Live for What Matters Most with Crystal Paine
Podcasts
Living Wholehearted co-host, Terra Mattson, is a marriage and family therapist, executive coach, author and co-founder of Living Wholehearted and Courageous Girls. She knows what it's like to be busy - running companies and meeting with clients, while...
What to do when your adult child is in an unhealthy relationship
Podcasts
Dear MattsonsDear Mattsons with Jeff & Terra
Watching your child be mistreated is heartbreaking at any age, and we are here to walk this journey with you. Join us as we discuss how to ask healthy questions, listen, and try to understand why your adult child is choosing an unhealthy relationship....
Episode 189: Raising Prayerful Kids with Steph Thurling
Podcasts
Parents ask how much is too much? How do I balance all the things? Should we do club sports or music lessons? Should I homeschool or send my kids to public school? How do I make sure my kids don't lose their faith after they leave? Help! If you are a...
How to avoid over committing and say No
Podcasts
Dear MattsonsDear Mattsons with Jeff & Terra
Saying no is hard and mom guilt is real, but we were not made to do everything. Join us as we talk through setting up a support system, language to use when you are put on the spot, and choosing what to commit to. Check out these similar...
Episode 190: Blindspots: Learning to be a non-anxious presence, listen well and handle interruptions with Jeff & Terra Mattson
Podcasts
Blind spots. We all have them, but none of us want to face the reality of what we are missing unless we are ready to grow and become more wholehearted leaders at home, at work and in the community. Join Jeff and Terra Mattson, co-founders of LIving...
Episode 191: What You NEED to Know About Internet Safety for Your Kids with BJ Park
Podcasts
Are you concerned about internet safety for your kids? Where are kids vulnerable today? Is TikTok safe or not? What makes a kid more vulnerable to an online predator? This episode is vital to every parent and any adult working with children today....
Episode 192: Motherhood – Remaining You While Raising Them with Alli Worthington
Podcasts
Motherhood. It’s a loaded word with a vast array of connotations. Some good. Some not so good. Men listening will gain some beautiful insights about the women they walk alongside. Women, whether you want to be a mom, have already launched your kids,...
Episode 193: Rekindling Your Marriage When You Feel Like Roommates with Dr. Smalley
Podcasts
It’s not news to say that marriages are struggling. Statistics show that 50% of first marriages will end in divorce (in and outside the church) and second marriages have an even greater chance of ending in divorce. With twenty years as a Marriage...
Episode 194: God Is Not Done With You – Moving From “Why?” to “What Now, God?” with John Meador
Podcasts
You don’t have to go far in anyone’s story to find suffering, trauma, loss and adversity. In our humanity, we often wrestle with the question, “Why, God? Why?” But what if the story isn’t the focus of our lives and God has something...
Episode 195: Healing Triggers & Trauma with Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield
Podcasts
Triggers. Trauma. These words are thrown around quite frequently in our culture today, but few really understand what they mean and how to find healing. As we consider burnout and how to be a healthy leader in our home, at work and in the community,...
Episode 196: Reset – Getting Beneath the Surface to See Real Change with Debra Fileta
Podcasts
Every year, people make new year’s resolutions. It's August, and by this time, most of us have probably forgotten what they were! There is a reason most people don't change their lives and their habits. Our guest for this episode, Debra Fileta, is...
Episode 197: Breathe – How to find rest in the midst of stress with Bonnie Gray
Podcasts
We love talking with this guest. In fact, we aired her first interview as one of our favorites as she shared her own story of being a leader who has faced the trauma in her past. We are passionate about helping leaders, who often appear quite...
Episode 198: Healing From Church Wounds – Battling the lie, “Your needs don’t matter,” with Jeff and Terra Mattson
Podcasts
Is it selfish or is it healthy to advocate for your needs? In this episode, the first in our series, Healing From Church Wounds, we address the difference between grace-based systems, where imperfect people can safely express their needs, versus...
Episode 199: Healing From Church Wounds – Grace, Grace, Grace with Max Lucado
Podcasts
Are you feeling discouraged by your life, leadership, or church? Are you frustrated with all the broken unhealthy systems? Are you losing hope as you struggle to serve, lead, and do what is right? We get it. There is a lot of hard in the world and...
Episode 200: Healing From Church Wounds – From Deconstruction to Reconstructing Our Faith, with Natalie Runion (@raisedtostay)
Podcasts
We are in the middle of talking about toxic faith and how to untangle the web of healthy versus unhealthy systems so we can heal our church wounds. So many people have experienced hurt within the church setting. The hurt can come from a wide variety...
Episode 201: Healing From Church Wounds – Being Known & Finding Hope in Suffering, with Dr. Curt Thompson
Podcasts
This is the final episode in our series, Healing From Church Wounds. The theology of suffering is one area where we have struggled as a church - but we see signs of improvement. It’s not a fun topic, but it’s at the crux of our human...
Episode 202: Parenting Series – Raising Wholehearted Kids, with Dr. Danny Huerta
Podcasts
This is the first episode in our fall parenting series. As parents ourselves, we know parents need a lot of support. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure about what messages and parenting philosophies to trust. In this episode we talk with...
Episode 203: Parenting Series – Raising Daughters in Today’s World, with Sissy Goff
Podcasts
Being a parent is not an easy leadership role. Parents lead families, one of the greatest organizations on the planet! We often feel equipped until we actually start raising children. Whether you are a parent needing some wisdom on perfectionism,...
Episode 204: Parenting Series – Teens and Anxiety with Dr Kristin Valerius
Podcasts
We are in the middle of our fall parenting series. Being a parent is one of the most important leadership roles you can have, and ironically, with all the books and wisdom offered in the world, there is only one of you and one version of your child -...
Episode 205: Do the Thing With Grace and Grit, with Rebecca George
Podcasts
Our guest for this episode is author and podcaster Rebecca George. She is here to spur us on with her latest book entitled, Do the Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption, and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl (Esther Press at David C. Cook, April 4, 2023)....
Episode 206: The Power of “No” as You Prepare for the Holidays with Jeff and Terra Mattson
Podcasts
It's NOVEMBER! The holidays are upon us. Some of you have already been watching Hallmark movies and others are in denial, as you anticipate being overwhelmed by all the extra things that will clamor for your time and attention…Christmas...
Episode 207: Adopting and Fostering Through a Trauma-Lens with Dr. Sharen Ford
Podcasts
National Adoption Day is November 18. At Living Wholehearted, we work with leaders and their families. From professional counseling with children, teens, couples and families to executive coaching and organizational and leadership development,...
Episode 208: Overcoming the Impact of Divorce on your Leadership with Brandi Wilson
Podcasts
Divorce was not the end of her story. In 2016, Brandi Wilson watched as her husband – a megachurch pastor – walked away from their church and their family. As her marriage dissolved, Brandi also lost her church community, her dreams...
Episode 209: Disobedient God – When God Goes Off-Script with Albert Tate
Podcasts
If you lived a little and journeyed a while with God, you might have come to realize that God has His own ways that often appear to run counter to ours. Hard times come. Our prayers get answered, but in ways we never anticipated. God goes “off...
Episode 210: Problems Leaders Face & The Wholehearted Leadership Cohort with the Mattsons and Connie Armerding
Podcasts
"Wherever you go, there you are." Whether you are a leader at home, in the workplace, in a faith community, or somewhere else, your individual story and wiring inform the type of person you are when you show up to lead. Today Terra and Jeff Mattson...
Episode 211: Creating Homes & Spaces for Peace, Comfort and Deeper Connection with Anh Lin
Podcasts
We are ending 2023 with some lighter topics! So let's talk about our HOME and the spaces we live in. The word HOME has layers of meaning for so many. If you pause long enough to reflect, you might find some good, or not so good, emotions floating...
Episode 212: Forgiveness – What It Is and What It’s Not with the Mattsons
Podcasts
As we reflect on 2023, it's important to consider the fact that we’ve all picked up offenses over the past twelve months. One of the ways we stay healthy and wholehearted is doing our forgiveness work. The church isn't always clear about how to...
Episode 213: How to Ditch Your Control with Tara Sun
Podcasts
Tara Sun is the host of Truth Talks with Tara and author of, Surrender Your Story: Ditch the Myth of Control and Discover Freedom in Trusting God (Thomas Nelson, March 7, 2023). After trying to white-knuckle her way through life, Tara discovered that...
Episode 214: Pacing Ourselves – Finishing Well with the Mattsons
Podcasts
It's a new year and new year's resolutions are on the rise - while anxiety, business and lack of clarity are too. What if we committed our year to PEACE and PACE? What if wholehearted leaders took time to assess all of who they are and where they are...
Episode 215: Digital Fasts: Bringing More Peace and Connection with Josh and Jaelyn Harrel
Podcasts
It’s a new year and we are setting new trends. What if we all decided to fast from our digital devices for 40 days? What do you think would happen? What do you think would be the effects on your mental health, your spiritual growth, your marriage,...
Episode 216: Leaders Accept Their Limits with Sara Hagerty
Podcasts
So many messages, particularly those heard in leadership circles, urge us to move past our limits. No pain no gain. This message is loud and clear at the gym, and some of us even hear it at church. Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s in your...
Episode 217: Marriage – The Power of our Story with Chris Bruno
Podcasts
Marriage is an amazing gift. And yet, it can reveal a lot of our weaknesses, vulnerabilities and our growth edges. Today we talk with Chris Bruno about the most common struggles for marriages today and how we can fulfill our greatest desires for deep...
Episode 218: Friendship Part 1 – Healthy Vs. Unhealthy, Myths and More with Connie Armerding
Podcasts
Every healthy leader has good friends. Our personal friendships help us sustain our integrity over the long-haul of life. So it's worth spending two full episodes to unpack the healthy and unhealthy elements of friendship. Terra Mattson, co-host of...
Episode 219: Friendship Part 2 – Healthy Vs. Unhealthy, Myths and More with Connie Armerding
Podcasts
Today we are continuing our conversation around friendship with an emphasis on boundaries, unhealthy friendships, and where counseling and coaching come in throughout the seasons of life. Every healthy leader has good friends. Our personal friendships...
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