In this episode, Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth Chapman share honestly about what 40 years of marriage has looked like through parenting, grief, counseling, career changes, and the constant transition of family life. We talk about how differences that once felt charming can become challenging over time, why repentance and humility have been essential in their marriage, and how they’ve learned to “bear with one another in love” through every season.

Steven and Mary Beth also share about the role counseling, mentors, and Christian community have played in helping them navigate hard seasons together. They offer encouragement for couples who feel weary, disconnected, or discouraged, reminding listeners that marriage is not about perfection but about continually turning back toward each other and toward the Lord.

Steven Curtis Chapman is a Grammy-winning Christian artist and songwriter, and together he and Mary Beth Chapman are authors, speakers, and longtime advocates for faith and family ministry.

(00:00) Introduction and Family Update

(03:09) Navigating Marriage Through Seasons

(06:04) The Importance of Humility and Repentance

(08:49) Seeking Help: Counseling and Mentorship

(12:06) The Journey of Parenting and Grandparenting

(15:07) Finding Joy in Long-Term Marriage

(18:01) Encouragement for Struggling Couples

Resources Mentioned

Still Here book

Steven Curtis Chapman website

Mary Beth Chapman website

Open a LearningRX center

Summer Reading Picks

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

In this episode, Doug McKelvey shares how prayer and liturgy can become powerful tools for discipling kids through all of life’s stages, but specifically the transition to adulthood.

We talk about the value of written prayers alongside spontaneous prayer, how ancient rhythms can help reorient our hearts in a noisy world, and why giving our kids words for their faith matters more than we might realize. We also discuss the challenge of releasing control as parents and learning to trust God with our children’s stories in every season.

Doug is the author of the Every Moment Holy series, including his newest book, Rites of Passage, which offers liturgies designed to support young adults as they navigate life, identity, and faith.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Doug McKelvey

(02:57) The Journey of Every Moment Holy

(06:07) The Relevance of Ancient Prayers

(08:55) The Shift in Prayer Practices

(12:11) The Impact of Written Prayers

(14:57) Supporting Young Adults in Transition

(18:04) The Role of Parents in Young Adult Faith

(21:06) Trusting God in Parenting

(23:54) Conclusion and Resources

Resources Mentioned

Rites of Passage book

Every Moment Holy books

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

In this episode, I sit down with my two closest friends, Kelly Karpe and Kate Hann, for an honest conversation about how our parenting has changed over time.

We talk about the expectations we had as young moms, how God reshaped our hearts through different seasons, and what it looks like to release control and trust God more as our kids grow.

These women have known me for a long time, so we share personal stories about comparison, surrender, friendship in motherhood, the importance of community in raising kids who love Jesus, and our hopes for our families in the years ahead.

Resources Mentioned

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

What do you do with yourself as your kids get older and your roles and rhythms begin to change? Parenting our kids while managing the shifting seasons of motherhood can feel overwhelming and weird!

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

Sarah’s 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

Raising kids who are confident, resilient, and grounded in their faith is a deep desire for most parents, but in today’s world, it can feel like we’re 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, they’ve 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 life’s 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

As part of our Best of The Christian Parenting Podcast series, we’re 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

As part of our Best of The Christian Parenting Podcast series, we’re 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

As part of our Best of The Christian Parenting Podcast series, we’re 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