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As believing parents, we know how important it is to raise our kids with love and intentionality. We want to give our kids a full picture of God's love for them every day! But some days, it's really hard! We are stretched thin, tired, and often feel unequipped. The Christian Parenting Podcast gives parents the space and resources to set aside perfection and grow into the perfectly imperfect parents God made them to be.
Join host Steph Thurling and her guests as they discuss practical tips and spiritual guidance for your parenting journey.
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Parenting was never meant to be done alone with Elisa Morgan →
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Lets be honest, parenting can feel incredibly isolating at times. Whether you're in a full house or navigating solo moments between the chaos, its easy to feel like no one really sees what you're carrying. But heres the good news: you were never meant to do this alone. This weeks conversation is a beautiful reminder of that truth.
I had the joy of sitting down with Elisa Morgan. And let me tell you, her wisdom is like a warm hug and a pep talk wrapped in one. We talked all about community: the kind that meets us in our mess, challenges us with grace, and reminds us were not the only ones still figuring this out.
Heres what youll take away from our time together:
- Why showing up as you are is the key to finding meaningful friendships
- How biblical community helps us grow spiritually and emotionally
- What to do when you feel disconnected or unseen
- Ways to nurture authentic relationships in every season of motherhood
Elisa is a speaker, author, and podcaster with Our Daily Bread Ministries, and formerly served as president of MOPS International (now MomCo). She has a deep passion for encouraging women through honest stories of faith and motherhood. Elisas personal experience of brokenness and grace infuses her work with incredible hope and healing.
I hope this episode helps you feel just a little more seenand reminds you that you are never parenting alone.
(00:00) Introduction to Community and Personal Stories
(03:05) The Importance of Community in Parenting
(06:06) Navigating Changing Friendships
(09:12) The Role of Scripture in Community
(11:52) Encouragement for Women to Reach Out
(14:57) Building Relationships with Non-Christians
(18:00) Final Thoughts on Parenting and Community
Connect with Elisa
Resources Mentioned
Christian Parenting Christmas Gift Guide
Fizzlebop Super Science Board Books
Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!
The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
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Finding faith in unanswered prayers with Kara Stout →
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Hey friend,
We all know the ache of unanswered prayer, the kind that keeps us up at 2 a.m., whispering desperate prayers into the dark.
This week on the podcast, I sat down with Kara Stout, who knows that ache all too well. From infertility and adoption to financial stress and deep grief, Karas story is one of wrestling with disappointment, surrendering expectations, and still choosing to trust a good and faithful God.
This conversation is for anyone whos walked through the valley and wondered if God was still near. Kara gently reminds us: He is. Even when it hurts.
Here are a few things we talk about:
- What it looks like to pray through grief instead of performing for God
- How to hold space for fear, faith, and surrender at the same time
- The simple but powerful gift of morning and evening prayer rhythms
- Why honesty with God invites deeper healing
Kara Stout is a writer, speaker, wife, and mom who has walked through more than her share of heartache, but shes also found the beauty of Gods nearness in it all. Her new devotional, An Untroubled Heart, is a 30-day prayer guide to help you start and end your days grounded in Gods presence. She is passionate about helping women grow deeper roots of faith even in hard seasons.
Let this episode remind you that unanswered prayer doesnt mean unseen painand healing often begins in the honesty of the wait.
With love,
Steph
Connect with Kara
Resources Mentioned
Christian Parenting Christmas Gift Guide
Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!
The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CPPODCAST for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com
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Holding on to hope while you wait with Alice Matagora →
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This weeks conversation is tender, powerful, and one that so many carry quietly: the journey of waiting for a child. Im joined by Alice Matagora and she shares her story of infertility with such grace and vulnerability, offering encouragement for anyone walking through a season of waiting or supporting someone who is.
Whether youve walked this road yourself, are in the middle of it, or love someone who is, this episode is an invitation to sit with hope and trust that God is near, even in the waiting.
Here are a few truths Alice helped shine a light on:
- God's timing is never wasted, even when it feels like everything is on pause
- Its okay to feel unseenGod still sees and is working in your story
- Waiting seasons can deepen our faith and strengthen our identity in Christ
- How to support others walking through infertility with compassion and sensitivity
Alice is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a wife, mom, and a missionary with the Navigators. She serves as the leader development initiative program director and is passionate about raising up disciple-makers in everyday life. Alices personal journey through infertility has shaped her deep belief in Gods faithfulness, even in unseen seasons.
Wherever you are today, waiting, celebrating, or supporting someone on their journey, know that youre not alone. God sees you.
00:00 The Joys and Challenges of Parenting
02:54 The Journey of Infertility
05:53 Faith and Waiting
09:01 The Impact of Infertility on Relationships
12:01 Navigating Joy and Grief
14:52 Supporting Friends Through Infertility
17:59 The Miracle of Life
21:12 Celebrating the Gift of Children
Connect with Alice
Resources Mentioned
Christian Parenting Christmas Gift Guide
Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!
The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CPPODCAST for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Living in the tension of overwhelmed and grateful as a parent with Jillian Benfield →
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Have you ever felt pulled between being deeply grateful and totally overwhelmed? Youre not alone, and todays conversation will meet you right in that tension.
Im joined by author and TV journalist Jillian Benfield, who shares her powerful story of navigating unexpected challenges and discovering a deeper, more honest relationship with God along the way. We talk about avoiding toxic positivity, embracing lifes hard and holy moments, and learning to live in the and.
Here are a few of my favorite takeaways:
- How the Psalms teach us to see life through the lens of order, disorder, and reorder
- What it means to raise emotionally aware kids using simple practices like highs and lows
- Why honesty with God is more powerful than forced positivity
- How to start practicing daily rhythms of gratitude and lament
Meet Jillian Benfield:
Jillian is a former TV journalist turned author and disability advocate. Her book, Overwhelmed & Grateful, invites readers to reframe unexpected seasons and find deeper purpose in the midst of pain. She writes and speaks with vulnerability, wisdom, and a deep heart for helping others see Gods goodness even when life doesnt go as planned.
With Love,
Steph
(03:02) Navigating Parenting Challenges
(06:08) The Power of Vulnerability
(08:56) Understanding Overwhelm and Gratitude
(11:55) Practicing Honest Gratitude
(14:55) Order, Disorder, and Reorder
(18:02) Finding God in the Everyday
(21:03) Creating a Daily Rhythm of Gratitude
(24:03) Connecting with Jillian Benfield
Connect with Jillian
Resources Mentioned
Biggest Story Holy Bible for Kids
What to Say and How to Say it to Your Teens
Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!
The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CPPODCAST for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
How to start your mornings with God (even if youre not a morning person) with Tara Beth Leach →
* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CPPODCAST for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com
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If your mornings feel more like survival mode than sacred space, this weeks episode is for you.
Im joined by Tara Beth Leach, she's pastor, author, and mom, and were talking all about how to make mornings with God doable and deeply meaningful, even in the busiest seasons of parenting. Tara Beth shares how a personal valley led her to create a simple rhythm that invites God into the start of her day and now shes helping the rest of us do the same.
Whether youre up before the sun or waking to chaos and cartoons, theres something here for you.
Heres a little of what we cover:
- A simple G.R.E.A.T. framework for mornings with God: Gratitude, Reflection, Exalt, Ask, and Trust
- Why five intentional minutes can shift the tone of your whole day
- How to create spiritual connection as a family (yes, even with toddlers!)
- Ideas for inviting your spouse or teens into the rhythm with you
Meet Tara Beth Leach:
Tara Beth is a pastor, preacher, and author with a deep passion for helping people walk closely with Jesus in their real, everyday lives. Her newest book, The GREAT Morning Revolution, invites readers into a grace-filled rhythm of connection with God, no perfect routine or Instagram-worthy quiet time required.
Because the way you begin the day can shape your familys whole rhythm.
(01:58) Transitioning to Morning Time with God
(06:02) Becoming a Morning Person: A Personal Journey
(14:59) Practical Morning Prayer for Parents with Littles
(20:09) Creating a Morning Routine: The GREAT Framework
(21:00) Transforming Morning Routines with God
(32:55) The Impact of Morning Practices on Family Dynamics
Connect with Tara
Resources Mentioned
Bishop's Block & Young Whit and the Shell Game
Christian Parenting Christmas Gift Guide
Biggest Story Holy Bible for Kids
Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!
The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
Our Sponsors:* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code CPPODCAST for a great deal: https://everydaydose.com
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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