A Christmas Tale from 1914 with Greta Eskridge

Episode 90 

Amy Hughes is a mom to nine, yes nine! She is also a home schoolteacher and an author. In todays episode we are talking about her brand-new book, Words Like Honey. This book, and our conversation, is all about the power of our words as parents. 

Not that our words have some kind of magical powers or that we can manifest something happening. But that God is the one that gives our words power to bless our children, to nurture them, comfort and exhort them. Its so important for us to remember this as parents. 

Amy and I have a lot to say on this topic because as lovers of words and as authors and communicators, we know very well the power words have. We share stories from our parenting and the way weve learned to speak gently and in life giving ways. Amy shares 4 really practical tips from her book about how to speak life into your children. You wont find this episode overwhelming, but rather encouraging and helpful. I just know youll appreciate it very much. 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Provers 18;21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love will eat its fruit. 

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger. 

*Be sure you are following Greta on Instagram here to get first notification for her upcoming online seminar! 

*Or you can sign up for my newsletter here to get notification of all the things! 

Where to find Amy: 

Find Amys book here 

Find Amy on Instagram here  

Find Amys website here 

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

Episode 89 

Todays episode is with Andrea Davis is the founder of Better Screen Time. Better Screen Time exists to help kids engage with screens in a healthy way. Andrea is a former teacher, a mom to five and her husband is a tech expert. Together they bring a wealth of expertise to Better Screen Time and to all of us who are raising kids in a screen saturated world. 

I found this episode with Andrea to be wildly encouraging and motivating in terms of giving our kids a full childhoodyes all the way through high schoolthat isnt ruled by screens and social media. I know it doesnt feel possible sometimes, but Andreas story reminds us it is!  As a parent, it takes courage to ask that of your child and hold to it. As a child, it takes courage to be the only one not on a smart phone or a social media account. It is absolutely possible and people like Andrea show us the way. 

And if youre kid has been given a smart phone and/or social media, and you realize it is not the best way for your child, remember what Andrea says:  is never too early to prepare and its never too late to turn things around. 

Be sure to check out all of Andreas resources in the show notes below and share this encouraging episode with a friend! 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Learn more about a home phone through VoIp here 

Get Gretas book Its Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn here 

Find Andrea here: 

Find the Better Screen Time website here 

Find Andreas book here 

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

Episode 88 

True to form, this episode starts with me feeling sure that I messed up my guests name. I didnt even bother to edit it out because the reality is, I am who I am. Laugh with me! 

My guest, Eryn Eddy Adkis, is the founder of the company So Worth Loving, and a host of the podcast God Hears Her. 

I loved learning about Eryns upbringing and how it impacted her as an adult and the company she started called, So Worth Loving. This company exists to create product as an entry point to vulnerable conversations. When I read that, I was instantly intrigued. In the work I do, so many people I talk to have been hurt or are hurt. What I find is that they often want to go deep and share vulnerably but it is scary to do so. By going first, I get to help them find the courage to do that. And that is exactly what Eryn is doing with So Worth Loving. 

Eryn and I also talked about the podcast God Hears Her, and the way it has given space for women to have the courage to share their own difficult stories. And that has given Eryn and so many others freedom to walk in freedom and not in shame. What a gift! 

Be sure to look up the work that Eryn is doing with both her company and the podcast. 

You will be blessed. 

Where to find Eryn: 

Find So Worth Loving here 

Find Eryn on Instagram here 

Find God Hears Her podcast here 

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

Episode 87 

Laura Smith is a writer, speaker and mom to four young adults. She is from the charming, small college town of Oxford, not England, but Ohio! These are the kinds of random facts I love getting to know about my guests. 

Even more, I loved learning about Lauras newest book, Brave Women, Mighty God: 30 Things You Can Do. Ive been a Christian my whole life, since I was 3 years old, but I loved learning about some of these women that I have never heard of. And then to think about the women, whose stories I know, in new ways and to learn from them. 

It's so important for us to know and remember that God created us as women with intention and purpose. We have a reason for being, and we matter in His plans for us and His plans for eternity.  

Talking about these stories, and some in particular, with Laura brought me to tears. I felt such a deep connection to many of them and realized I needed the reminder that I am Gods daughter, and I am beloved. This conversation was so encouraging, and I am sure youre going to love it just like me! 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Books about Godly, inspiring women that Greta has loved reading: 

Corrie Ten Boom, Amy Carmichael, Betty Green, Darlene Deibler Rose, Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women of God (great for kids!) 

Find Laura: 

Find Lauras website here 

Find Lauras book here 

Find Laura on Instagram here 

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

Today I got to talk to Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski about their new book, Away GameA Christian Parents Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. This is a new topic for the podcast but as soon as I saw the title pop up in my email, I was intrigued.  Youth sports are such a huge part of the lives of many families, and I love that Brian and Ed are asking the question, where does the Gospel fit into youth sports? 

Brian and Ed were collegiate athletes and now work with an organization called Athletes in Action that brings Christ into the lives of coaches and athletes of all levels. But it was when their own kids began playing youth sports that they decided to begin looking at things like: how kids and families can grow in relationship with Christ through sports, not allowing sports to become an idol, showing grace through failure, reflecting the love of Christ to every other athlete on the field, and so much more.  

In their book, they talk about spiritual formation rather than sports formation.  And I just love their desire to make sports culture something that reflects Jesus heart instead of making it self-focused, like so much of sports can be. We discussed the youth sports industry that really isnt about whats best for our kids, but rather about playing into our own insecurities as a parent, and the pressure we parents are putting on our kids as a result. That led us to talk about the importance of making sports about joy and fun and less about winning. 70% of kids are quitting youth sports by age 13 because the joy of play is gone for them. As Christians our joy isnt in winning or being the best, but in showing and knowing the love of Christ no matter the outcome of the game. 

I found this book and my conversation with Brian and Ed so encouraging and helpful. I know you are going to enjoy it too. 

Where to find Ed and Brian: 

Find their new book here 

Find Brian and Ed on Instagram here 

Find more of Brian and Eds writing here 

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