Raising Spiritual Champions with George Barna

This is part 3 of my summer mini-series on parenting and youth sports. Be sure to tune into the last two episodes if you have missed them! In todays episode, my son Luke (20,) joins me talk about his experience pursuing a professional surf career. For context he explains a bit about how competitive surfing works, where he is now in the process, and his ultimate goals. He talks about how he got started surfing competitively, some of his early inspiration, and the twists and turns of youth surfing. Luke talks honestly about some of the ways our parenting shaped his competitive experience (good and bad,) and how his faith has impacted his perspective.  

At the end Luke and I chat a bit about the competitive mindset and some sports psychology principles he has learned more recently. I think this part can apply to most athletes and well beyond the world of sports. 

This is a long one but I think your kids might enjoy and I hope it encourages you in some way too! PS Luke is currently looking at starting his own podcast, so stay tuned and look for where you might follow him over in show notes 

www.monicaswanson.com/luke-swanson 

General podcast page:http://www.monicaswanson.com/podcast 

Looking for new math homeschool curriculum? All of my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bible-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Go todiveintomathto learn more! 

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visitwww.christianparenting.org 

Welcome to part II of our summer series on parenting and youth sports. Be sure to catch last weeks (packed!) episode if you missed it! Today my husband Dave is with us to consider 3 important FAITH PRINCIPLES that impact our kids athletic endeavors.  

Background: Dave played soccer through the collegiate and professional level, and we are both super competitive people. We have navigated parenting our four sons through all kinds of recreational sports, and now our son, Luke, is a professional surfer, and our youngest son, Levi, is passionate about competitive golf.

In today's episode Dave and I are passing on principles that we have learned and are constantly working on in our own family. From the purpose of sports, to helping kids remain grounded in their identity (apart from sports), to keeping our family's priorities straight, I think this is all practical and relevant to all kinds of sports and other activities.

Whether your kids are highly competitive or just do sports for fun, I think we cover a lot of important ground in this conversation! 

Find show notes and links to everything mentioned at: www.monicaswanson.com/dave-swanson

All podcast episodes can be found at: http://www.monicaswanson.com/podcast 

Looking for math or science homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math and science for Bible-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! They believe it was the best preparation for their college studies in engineering and data analytics. Go todiveintomathto learn more! Note: 25 % off SUMMER SALE through the end of July!  

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visitwww.christianparenting.org 

Note: This is the first of a 3-part summer series on Youth Sports. (I'm so excited about this!) I hope youll spread the word and comment over in show notes to keep the conversation going.  

According to recent research, 70% of kids drop out of organized athletics by the age of 13. Todays guest, John OSullivan, suggests that this is because youth sports have become adult-centered, ultra-competitive, and crazy-expensive. I dont think hes wrong. 

Since my husband and I have shared conversations about youth sports on social media this year, Ive heard from a lot of families who wanted more on this topic. I recently read OSullivans book, Changing the Game, and knew that his voice would be a helpful addition to this conversation!

John played collegiate and professional soccer and has spent decades coaching and speaking to coaches and parents about the youth sports culture and how we might reverse some dangerous trends. He has a popular Ted Talk on the topic as well (link to that in show notes!) In todays episode we talk about early specialization, when to give kids the nudge to be more committed to their sport, and how to help all of our kids grow up to love sports and lead an active lifestyle! I think this is a great conversation that will offer you some food for thought as you consider your kids athletic endeavors. 

Find show notes, links to Johns books (including his new one coming out later this year!) and his Ted Talk at: www.monicaswanson.com/john-osullivan 

All show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast 

Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bible-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go todiveintomath.com to learn more! 

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org 

"Weve all heard the mind-boggling statistics about technology and social media use. The numbers dont lie; our obsession with smartphones and social media is slowly eroding the very essence of our homes and families. We see it. We feel it. We know it.

So what do we do about it? "... - Erin Loechner, today's guest.

Erin Loechner walked away from over a million online followers to choose a different way of life for her family. Since then, she has done a lot of research and discovered the possibility of borrowing from the playbook of the tech industry to engage your family in meaningful ways. Erin suggests that we, as parents, can actually be more engaging than the algorithm! Sound hard to believe? Youve got to listen to this conversation!  

Find notes from our conversation at: www.monicaswanson.com/erin-loechner 

All show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast 

 Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bible-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go todiveintomath.com to learn more! 

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org 

When Joey Odom missed his sons first soccer goal because he was looking at his phone, he had a realization: his phone was getting in the way of his best intentions as a Dad and a husband. Since then, he has been on a journey to change his relationship with his phone so that he can change the most important relationships in his life. 

I heard about Joey from our mutual friend (and a favorite podcast guest,) Justin Whitmel Earley who recommended I share Joeys message with my listeners. I am so glad I did! In this interview Joey is sharing data, insights, and encouragement for ways we can all move forward as parents who want to navigate these waters well. I think youll enjoy this conversation and leave it feeling empowered to take some steps to a happier, healthier family life ahead. Find notes from our conversation over on my website at: 

www.monicaswanson.com/joey-odom 

All show notes: www.monicaswanson.com/podcast 

 My TECH-SMART KIDS MINI-COURSE is NOW open for new students. (Only $25 and PACKED with helpful guidelines, lists of best tech-filters, articles, and other resources, and so much more!) Find out more, HERE!

Looking for new science or math homeschool curriculum? All my boys have used DIVE/Shormann Math for Bible-based, short-but-thorough science and math lessons, through AP level! Go todiveintomath.com to learn more! 

The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual resources to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit www.christianparenting.org