In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Madeline Jones sits down with her friend Lauren to talk about one of the most important roles of a parent: teaching your kids how to spend time with Jesus.

Drawing from their personal experiences growing up in faith-filled homes—and now raising young children themselves—Madeline and Lauren unpack what it looks like to move beyond religion and into a genuine relationship with God.

Rooted in John 15, this conversation centers on the truth that apart from Jesus, we can do nothing—and that includes parenting.

You’ll hear:

• Why a daily relationship with Jesus is the greatest gift you can give your kids

• How consistency—not perfection—builds lifelong faith

• Practical tools like worship, Word, and prayer for all ages

• Creative ways to disciple kids who can’t read yet

• How to model authentic faith in everyday family life

From quiet time baskets and Bible story routines to real-life strategies for busy parents, this episode is packed with encouragement and simple, actionable ideas.

The heart behind it all:

When kids learn to meet with Jesus daily, they gain a foundation strong enough to carry them through anything.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow deeper as a family, this episode will equip you to raise kids who don’t just know about God—but truly walk with Him.

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
• Give us a review!

In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne talk about how parents can learn to lead from overflow instead of exhaustion. They share honestly about what their own relationship with God looked like in different seasons of marriage and parenting — from babies and busyness to work stress, spiritual dry seasons, and building rhythms that last.

This episode is a practical and encouraging conversation for parents who want to stay connected to God, but feel like they don’t have enough time, energy, or margin.

In this episode, families will hear:

• why parents need overflow to lead well
• how to pursue Jesus in busy parenting seasons
• practical ways to spend time with God when life feels full
• what to do in spiritual dry seasons
• how worship, Scripture, prayer, and simple habits can help parents stay spiritually filled

Don and Suzanne also share personal stories, spiritual practices that have stood the test of time, and encouragement for overwhelmed parents who want to raise kids who love Jesus.

If parenting has felt draining lately, this episode is a reminder that God wants to fill parents up first — so they can lead their families from a place of hope, peace, and overflow.

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
• Give us a review!

In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family podcast, Don and Suzanne tackle one of the most tension-filled topics in marriage: money.

After 35 years of marriage, they openly share how finances were one of the biggest sources of misunderstanding and conflict in their relationship — not because of bad intentions, but because they came into marriage with completely different money mindsets.

Don, a CPA with a master’s in tax accounting, approached finances with structure, planning, and spreadsheets. Suzanne, a self-described free spirit, had never balanced a checkbook before marriage and associated financial control with painful childhood memories. What one saw as responsibility, the other experienced as restriction. What one saw as freedom, the other interpreted as carelessness.

The result? Decades of miscommunication, avoidance, and tension around money.

In this honest and practical conversation, they unpack:

• How early money misunderstandings created distance in their marriage
• Why systems like strict budgeting and cash envelopes didn’t work for their personalities
• The importance of building a financial system that fits both spouses
• How generosity — especially tithing — changed their posture toward money
• A simple “10-10 rule” concept: 10% giving, 10% saving, live on the rest
• The importance of aligning spending with shared family values
• Why discussing money before it’s spent prevents conflict later
• The danger of credit card debt and the power of tackling it together
• How hiring a financial coach became a turning point in their communication

They also reflect on how their financial journey shaped their children — and how today their married kids are handling money in healthier, more unified ways because they learned from their parents’ mistakes.

But through communication, generosity, flexibility, and faith, money can shift from a source of contention to a tool for unity and blessing.

If you are in a season where finances feel tense, tight, or divisive — you are not alone. There is hope. The best is still ahead.

Podcast Resources:

• Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family!
• Give us a review!
• Money Deep Dive
• MoneySavingMom - podcast from earlier this month and a great resource!