Building a strong, grace-filled family with Jessica Smartt
Aug 19 • 30:54
Building a strong, grace-filled family with Jessica Smartt
Episode:

Building a strong, grace-filled family with Jessica Smartt

August 19, 2025 • 30:54 • Steph Thurling

Hey Friends,

What does it really mean to build a strong family? Not a perfect one, but one grounded in love, grace, and connection? Thats exactly what were digging into this week on the podcast. Im joined by the wonderful Jessica Smartt, and this conversation is the cozy encouragement every parent needs right now.

From navigating sibling squabbles to embracing the uniqueness of your kids, Jessica brings both wisdom and warmth. If your heart feels weary or your home feels chaotic, I promise this episode will feel like a deep breath and a much-needed hug.

Here are four takeaways from our conversation:

  • Why embracing your kids' personalities makes space for stronger connection
  • The role of prayer in anchoring your home in peace
  • How to guide sibling dynamics with grace (not just control!)
  • Ways to cultivate a home that feels safe, joyful, and full of belonging

Jessica is a homeschooling mom of three, speaker, and author of several books including her newest release, Come On Home: Building a Home That Welcomes and Strengthens Your Family. With a relatable, heartfelt voice, Jessica shares from her own family life, encouraging moms to press into the everyday moments that matter most.

If youve ever needed a reminder that strong families are built, not born, this episode is for you.

With Love, 

Steph

Resources Mentioned

A Great Cloud of Witnesses prayer journal

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Podcast:

The Christian Parenting Podcast

With Steph Thurling
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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In this episode, Sarah Colbert shares wisdom on navigating time, identity, and priorities in the in-between years of parenting. We talk about how to balance caring for yourself, your family, and the everyday responsibilities of life, why so many moms feel stretched thin in this season, and how small, consistent changes can lead to meaningful transformation. 

Sarah is the host of the Balanced Mom Life podcast and encourages moms to prioritize their time with purpose and without guilt as their kids grow and become more independent.

Resources Mentioned

Balanced Mom Life podcast

Time Reset workshop

Sarahs website

Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide

Sign up for Morning Minute

Open a LearningRX center

Prefer video? Find this and other episodes on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 21 • 33:51
Why our kids need discomfort to grow with David Thomas and Sissy Goff

Raising kids who are confident, resilient, and grounded in their faith is a deep desire for most parents, but in todays world, it can feel like were constantly pulled between protecting our kids and preparing them for real life.

In this episode, Steph sits down with Sissy Goff and David Thomas to talk about what they call a crisis of capability in kids today. Steph, Sissy, and David talk about how our desire to keep kids happy can sometimes work against their long-term growth. They discuss the importance of allowing discomfort, setting boundaries, and helping kids build the skills they need to face life with confidence. 

Sissy and David are counselors, speakers, and co-hosts of the Raising Boys & Girls Podcast. Together, theyve spent over 30 years working with kids and families. Their new book, Capable, offers practical tools, encouragement, and over 100 exercises to help parents raise kids who are ready for lifes challenges.

Resources Mentioned

Daystar Counseling

Capable Book

Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide

Sign up for Morning Minute

Open a LearningRX center

Prefer video? Find this and other episodes on YouTube!

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 14 • 37:35
Raising Kids with Character in an Entitled World with Monica Swanson

As part of our Best of The Christian Parenting Podcast series, were revisiting some of our most helpful and encouraging conversations for families.

In a culture that often encourages entitlement, many parents wonder how to raise kids who are grateful, responsible, and grounded in strong character.

In this episode, Monica Swanson joins the conversation to talk about practical ways parents can push back against entitlement at home. We discuss the importance of teaching responsibility, giving kids opportunities to work hard, and helping them develop a genuine heart of gratitude.

Monica is an author, speaker, and host of The Monica Swanson Podcast, where she shares practical wisdom on raising kids with faith, character, and resilience.

Connect with Monica

MonicaSwanson.com

Instagram

Resources Mentioned

Character training course

Raising Prayerful Kids book

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World

Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide

Sign up for Morning Minute

Open a LearningRX center

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Apr 7 • 33:19
Healing, boundaries, and raising emotionally healthy kids with Melanie Shankle

As part of our Best of The Christian Parenting Podcast series, were revisiting some of our most helpful and encouraging conversations for families.

Raising emotionally healthy kids often begins with doing our own work as parents. When we address our own wounds and learn to set healthy boundaries, we create a stronger foundation for our children.

In this episode, Melanie Shankle shares insights on generational patterns, emotional healing, and the impact relationships can have on young girls. We also talk about how parents can help their kids navigate friendship challenges, like mean-girl culture, while modeling emotional health at home.

Melanie is a bestselling author, speaker, and host of The Big Boo Cast. Her book Here Be Dragons explores the importance of healing, boundaries, and building healthier relationships.

Connect with Melanie:

The Big Mama Blog

The Big Boo Cast podcast

Instagram

Here be Dragons book

Resources mentioned:

Sign up for Morning Minute

Open a LearningRX center

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Mar 31 • 39:30
Discipling our kids doesnt have to be intimidating with Sarah Holmstrom

As part of our Best of The Christian Parenting Podcast series, were revisiting some of our most helpful and encouraging conversations for families.

Discipling our kids to know, love, and follow Jesus is one of the most important callings of Christian parenting, but it can also feel complex and uncertain.

In this episode, Sarah Holmstrom shares wisdom on what discipleship can look like in everyday family life. We talk about how to approach discipleship with kids who have different personalities, what daily faith formation can look like at home, and why praying for our children truly matters.

Sarah and Steph also share personal experiences from their years of ministry encouraging families to make prayer and spiritual growth a natural part of the rhythms of home life.

Sarah serves alongside Steph in the ministry Raising Prayerful Kids, and they co-authored the book of the same name, helping parents nurture a culture of prayer in their homes.

Connect with Sarah:

Website: www.raisingprayerfulkids.com

Social media:

@sarahmholmstrom

@raisingprayerfulkids

Resources mentioned:

Raising Prayerful Kids book

Get the digital Discipleship Simplified guide

Sign up for Morning Minute

Open a LearningRX center

The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
About the Host

Steph Thurling

Steph Thurling is Executive Director of Christian Parenting and host of The Christian Parenting Podcast.

Steph has her master’s in youth, family, and culture from Fuller Theological Seminary and has a background in youth and children’s ministry. She is co-author of Raising Prayerful Kids, a book that shares easy, life-giving, and fun ways to teach kids to pray. She loves helping families grow closer to each other and to God through meaningful experiences and conversations. Steph is a frequent speaker at churches and mom groups and is known for her relatable stories, practical ideas, and gentle encouragement.

Steph lives in Minnesota with her husband and three amazing and hilarious kids. When she is not hanging out with her family, you can probably find her on a walk with a friend, organizing things that won’t stay organized, or somewhere cozy reading a book.

More from Steph →