Podcasts · Kids & Family · Religion & Spirituality

Raising Boys & Girls

That Sounds Fun Network

300 episodes

Welcome to the Raising Boys and Girls Podcast with Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan. In each episode of this podcast, we’ll share some of what we’re learning in the work we do with kids and families on a daily basis at Daystar Counseling Ministries. Our goal is to help you care for the kids in your life with a little more understanding, a little more practical help, and a whole lot of hope. So pull up a chair and join us on this journey of raising boys and girls. Connect with us at raisingboysandgirls.com.

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. Episode 422: Managing Emotions in Capable Kids with David and Sissy

    · 29 min

    The episode moves the Capable series from strengths to skills, which are things kids have to be taught and practice, like tying their shoes. Managing emotions comes first. Sissy and David ask parents to notice their…

  2. Episode 421: Writing Your Child's Story While Writing Your Own with Craig Melvin

    · 41 min

    Sissy and David sit down in New York with Craig Melvin to talk about his book Pops, a love letter to his father, who is now in recovery after 15 years of addiction. Craig shares how growing up with an absent dad made…

  3. Episode 420: Growing Gratitude in Capable Kids with David and Sissy

    · 31 min

    Gratitude can sound like the soft strength in the capability series. Sissy and David argue it’s an essential one, because it teaches kids to hold two realities at once instead of pretending the hard thing isn’t there.…

  4. Episode 419: Building Resilience, Perspective, and Hope Amidst Hard News with Vicky Nguyen

    · 33 min

    As part of the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies podcast season, NBC's Vicky Nguyen shares her family's escape from Vietnam by boat and how growing up as the perpetual "new kid" built her grit. Now she and her husband…

  5. Episode 418: Growing Perseverance in Capable Kids with David and Sissy

    · 29 min

    In this episode, Sissy and David explore how kids build perseverance by sticking with hard things, and how parents can stay close without stepping in to rescue them. David tells the story of a freshman cross-country…

  6. Episode 417: Helping Families with Disabilities Experience Their Capability with Amy Juila Becker

    · 41 min

    Amy Julia Becker explains why measuring kids against developmental milestones makes children with disabilities look incapable, and why asking "what's the next small step toward growth?" shows how capable they really…

  7. Episode 416: Growing Flexibility in Capable Kids with David and Sissy

    · 27 min

    Sissy and David open with a "How Flexible Are You Really?" quiz and explain that flexibility is what happens after disappointment. They say they've never seen kids, or parents, struggle with it this much, and they…

  8. Episode 415: Raising Conscious Sons and Daughters with Dr. Shefali

    · 26 min

    Dr. Shefali Tsabary, author of Raising Conscious Daughters and Raising Conscious Sons, explains how technology targets boys through their drive for achievement and girls through their need for approval. She describes…

  9. Episode 414: Growing Competence In Capable Kids with David and Sissy

    · 30 min

    Kicking off a new stretch of their Capable series, Sissy Goff and David Thomas explore the strength of competence, distinguishing it from confidence: confidence says "I think I can," competence says "I've done hard…

  10. Episode 413: A Practical Way of Creating Your Family Legacy with Blake Brewer

    · 34 min

    Blake Brewer joins Sissy and David to tell the story of watching his father drown in Hawaii when he was 19, and how a letter his dad had written him, discovered in his briefcase hours later, anchored him through grief…

  11. Episode 412: Remembering and Hoping Together with David and Sissy

    · 37 min

    Closing out their series on grief, Sissy Goff and David Thomas focus on remembering, living, and hoping. They encourage parents to follow a child's lead on keepsakes and conversations, try tangible practices like…

  12. Episode 411: Prayer as a Family with Tyler Staton

    · 40 min

    Pastor and author Tyler Staton joins David Thomas for an honest conversation about prayer, parenting, and his journey through advanced-stage cancer. Tyler shares creative ways families can help children engage with…

  13. Episode 410: What Kids Need From Us with David and Sissy

    · 35 min

    Sissy Goff and David Thomas share four things grieving children need most: conversation, community, consistency, and coping. They explain how honest, age-appropriate conversations can help children feel grounded, why…

  14. Episode 409: Creating Community for Kids in Time of Grief with Toni Collier

    · 40 min

    Sissy and David are joined by author and speaker Toni Collier for an honest and hope-filled conversation about the power of community in helping kids and families navigate grief and hardship. Drawing from her family’s…

  15. Episode 408: What Grief Looks Like at Different Ages with David and Sissy

    · 30 min

    Grief looks different at every age, and understanding a child’s developmental stage can help parents recognize what they need most. Sissy Goff and David Thomas explore how grief may appear in babies and toddlers,…

  16. Episode 407: Joyful Anyway with Kate Bowler

    · 34 min

    In this episode of Raising Boys and Girls, it features Sissy Goff and David Thomas in an in-person conversation with author and Duke professor Kate Bowler about her newest book, Joyful Anyway. Kate unpacks the…

  17. Episode 406: What Grief Looks Like in Kids with David and Sissy

    · 24 min

    Grief can look very different in children than it does in adults. In this episode, Sissy Goff and David Thomas share five important ways kids process loss: in small doses, in the middle of everyday life, through…

  18. Episode 405: Where Getting Outside and Homeschooling Meet Capability with Ginny Yurich

    · 39 min

    Ginny Yurich, founder of 1000 Hours Outside, joins Sissy and David to explore how outdoor play, movement, and hands-on experiences prepare children to learn and grow. She shares how homeschooling has shaped her…

  19. Episode 404: Our 5 Favorite Tips for Parent Teacher Conferences

    · 24 min

    Parent-teacher conferences can feel stressful for parents, but Sissy Goff and David Thomas encourage families to approach them as opportunities to build a supportive team around their child. They share practical ways…

  20. Episode 403: The Importance of a Family Devotion with Michael and Melissa Kruger

    · 36 min

    In this episode, Sissy and David sit down with Michael and Melissa Kruger to talk about helping families build meaningful spiritual rhythms together. The Krugers share the heart behind their new book, The Good News…

  21. Episode 402: Our 5 Favorite Tips for Navigating Emotions in the School Year with David and Sissy

    · 16 min

    As kids head back to school, Sissy Goff and David Thomas share five practical ways parents can help them navigate the big emotions that often come with transition. They encourage parents to expect heightened feelings,…

  22. Episode 401: Making Peace with What We Can’t Control with Lysa TerKeurst

    · 37 min

    Sissy Goff and David Thomas sit down with Lysa TerKeurst for a meaningful conversation about making peace with what we can’t control—especially as parents. Lysa shares what she’s learned through raising five children,…

  23. Episode 400: Our 5 Favorite Tips for Navigating Friendships in the School Year with David and Sissy

    · 31 min

    As kids head back to school, friendships can bring just as much anxiety as academics. In this episode, Sissy Goff and David Thomas share five practical ways parents can help kids build social confidence: practice the…

  24. Episode 399: The Back to School Break We All Need with Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson

    · 57 min

    Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson join David and Sissy for a funny, honest conversation about raising capable kids without giving in to pressure, perfectionism, or the urge to rescue them from every hard moment.…

  25. Episode 398: Our 5 Tips for Back to School Transition with David and Sissy

    · 48 min

    As the new school year approaches, Sissy Goff and David Thomas help parents understand why transitions can bring big feelings, physical symptoms, and anxious thoughts for both kids and adults. They share an…

  26. Episode 397: Navigating Complicated Family Relationships with Dr. Dale Atkins

    · 34 min

    Dr. Dale Atkins joins David and Sissy to explore how speed, chronic stress, digital distraction, and intensive parenting are reshaping family relationships and contributing to a crisis of capability in kids. She shares…

  27. Episode 396: Capable Connections: Friendships with David and Sissy

    · 27 min

    Friendships are where kids practice being human, but social anxiety, screens, group dynamics, and “rollercoaster” relationships are making connection harder than ever. Sissy and David offer practical ways parents can…

  28. Episode 395: The Two Biggest Questions Parents Ask the Most About Siblings with Hunter and Katty Connelly

    · 41 min

    Katty and Hunter Connelly join Sissy and David to share what they have learned while raising four very different children. They discuss building capability through honesty, responsibility, hard work, and allowing kids…

  29. Episode 394: Capable Connections: Siblings with David and Sissy

    · 42 min

    Sibling relationships can be some of the longest and most meaningful relationships in a person’s life, helping kids develop empathy, resilience, social skills, and healthy conflict resolution. Sissy and David encourage…

  30. Episode 393: Capable in the Classroom with Dan Carpenter (High School Teacher) and Wheat Teller (Elementary School Teacher)

    · 47 min

    David and Sissy talk with two beloved educators, kindergarten teacher Wheat Teller and high school history teacher Dan Carpenter, about what capability looks like in the classroom from the earliest years through high…

  31. Episode 392: Capable Connections: Teachers and Coaches with David and Sissy

    · 34 min

    Sissy and David celebrate the powerful role teachers, coaches, mentors, and other trusted adults play in helping kids grow into capable, resilient people. They reflect on the teachers and mentors who made them feel…

  32. Episode 391: Family Dinners and the One Question Grandparents Need to Ask with Babs Costello

    · 31 min

    Sissy and David talk with Barbara “Babs” Costello, beloved social media creator, former preschool founder, mom of four, and grandmother of nine, about the lasting impact of words, the gift of intentional…

  33. Episode 390: The Power of Family Through Generations with Carole and John Ferguson, Julie Trapp, Ashley Waltemath, & Amy Pipes

    · 1 h 06 min

    In this conversation, John and Carole Ferguson and their daughters reflect on the rhythms that built a close, capable, faith-filled family across generations. They share how clear expectations, consistent family meals,…

  34. Episode 389: Capable Connections: Grandparents with David and Sissy

    · 30 min

    In this conversation, David and Sissy explore the important role grandparents play in helping children grow into capable, resilient adults. They discuss how grandparents provide a unique source of wisdom,…

  35. Episode 388: Raising Capable and Mighty Kids in Today's Cultural Landscape with Sharon McMahon

    · 36 min

    Sissy and David sit down with Sharon McMahon to discuss how parents can help children become informed, resilient, and capable in a complicated world. Sharon shares her journey from classroom teacher to becoming…

  36. Episode 387: An Honest Conversation about Fathers and Daughters with Doug Durr, Allye Gray and Analise Glover

    · 44 min

    Builder and longtime Daystar friend Doug Durr joins his daughters, Allye Gray and Analise Glover, to reflect on the unique bond between fathers and daughters. They share stories of growing up on job sites, farms, and…

  37. Episode 386: Capable Connections: Fathers and Daughters

    · 31 min

    David and Sissy explore the unique role fathers play in helping daughters develop confidence, resilience, and capability. Through personal stories, research, and counseling insights, they discuss how dads build…

  38. Episode 385: Mothers, Sons, and Playing in the NFL with Hunter and Jenny Henry

    · 45 min

    In this Capable Connections conversation, Hunter Henry and his mom, Jenny Henry, reflect on the values and experiences that shaped Hunter from childhood to adulthood. They discuss the importance of faith, grace,…

  39. Episode 384: Capable Connections: Mothers and Sons with David and Sissy

    · 37 min

    David and Sissy explore the powerful relationship between moms and sons, emphasizing that moms are often a boy’s emotional home base and play a key role in shaping his confidence, emotional health, and future…

  40. Episode 383: An Honest Conversation about Fathers and Sons with Scott and Randy Hearon

    · 1 h 00 min

    Sissy Goff and David Thomas sit down with father and son Randy and Scott Hearon for a deeply honest conversation about the father-son relationship. Through stories spanning childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, they…

  41. Episode 382: Capable Connections: Fathers and Sons

    · 32 min

    In episode 382, Sissy Goff and David Thomas continue their Capable Connections series by exploring the unique relationship between fathers and sons. They discuss how fatherhood shapes both men and children, while…

  42. Episode 381: Where Commitment Meets Capability with Shawn Johnson and Andrew East

    · 55 min

    In this episode, Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East discuss the importance of commitment, resilience, and raising capable kids. Drawing from their experiences as elite athletes and parents, they share how supportive…

  43. Episode 380: An Honest Conversation about Mothers and Daughters with Haven Weits and Lisa Whelchel

    · 1 h 10 min

    Lisa Whelchel and Haven Weits share a rich and honest conversation about raising capable kids, cultivating independence, and building a strong mother-daughter relationship that lasts into adulthood. Through stories of…

  44. Episode 379: Capable Connections: Mothers and Daughters with David and Sissy

    · 27 min

    This Episode explores the powerful and often complicated relationship between mothers and daughters, highlighting how deeply girls are shaped by their moms’ words, reactions, and emotional health. Sissy Goff and David…

  45. Episode 378: Learning to Fail, Trusting God and Trick Shots with Dude Perfect

    · 42 min

    This episode features an engaging conversation with Dude Perfect members Cory Cotton and Garrett Hilbert about friendship, faith, perseverance, and raising resilient kids. Joined by Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and…

  46. Episode 377: The Power of Family and Staying Connected Through Adulthood with Dr. Kathy Koch

    · 37 min

    Dr. Kathy Koch joins Sissy Goff and David Thomas to discuss the growing challenges facing today’s young adults and families, especially around resilience, identity, technology, and relationships between parents and…

  47. Episode 376: Helping Teenagers and Young Adults Find Their True Identity and Capabilities with Alena Pitts Franklin

    · 36 min

    In this episode, Alena Pitts Franklin shares how grief, faith, and family shaped her understanding of capability and identity. She reflects on her early acting role in War Room, the loss of her mother Winter Pitts, and…

  48. Episode 375: Capable the Young Adult Years with David and Sissy

    · 22 min

    In this episode, Sissy Goff and David Thomas discuss the growing challenges many young adults face, including entitlement, emotional fragility, difficulty handling feedback, and struggles with responsibility and…

  49. Episode 374: The Cornerstone of Resilience and Capability with Dr. Ken Ginsburg

    · 39 min

    In this episode of the Raising Boys and Girls podcast, Dr. Ken Ginsburg explains that resilience is built through strong, loving relationships and introduces his “7 Cs” of resilience: confidence, competence, character,…

  50. Episode 373: Capable the High School Years with David and Sissy

    · 26 min

    This conversation highlights a growing “capability gap” in teens, where some, often girls, are overwhelmed by pressure and perfectionism while others, often boys, are disengaged and avoidant. David and Sissy connect…

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