Podcasts · Kids & Family · Religion & Spirituality

Connected Families Podcast

Connected Families

300 episodes

A Christ-centered parenting community that is grace-filled, science-based, and trauma-informed. Welcome!

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. Blessed to Be a Blessing: Passing Family Transformation On

    · 22 min · Episode 324

    What happens when a parenting resource changes your family so deeply that you want every parent you know to experience it too? In this episode, guest host Chad Hayenga sits down with Joe Dewey, the new president of…

  2. Christian Parenting, Small Wins, and Hope for What’s Next

    · 14 min · Episode 323

    What does it look like when a family’s whole trajectory begins to change? For the Dewey family, it hasn’t looked like perfection. It has looked like grace, growth, and small wins worth celebrating. Joe and his wife,…

  3. Parenting Stress: New Research on What Actually Lowers It

    · 32 min · Episode 322

    For more than twenty years, Connected Families has heard countless stories: parenting stress decreased, the angry household that got gentler, the relationship that came back to life. Beautiful stories, all of them. But…

  4. Screens On, Dishes Undone: A Grace-Based Parenting Role Play

    · 44 min · Episode 321

    In part two of our conversation, Jim and Lynne Jackson sit down with Stacy Bellward and Chad Hayenga to name what they hope remains true about the grace-based parenting ministry, Connected Families, for decades to…

  5. Jim and Lynne Jackson: 24 Years of Christ-Centered Parenting Ministry

    · 36 min · Episode 321

    Join us at our Celebration honoring Jim and Lynne Jackson at 7 pm (CST) on Thursday, September 24th, 2026. We’d love to have you with us! An occupational therapist and a youth worker walked into a basement with a few…

  6. When Obedience Isn’t The Whole Answer for the Christian Parent

    · 42 min · Episode 295

    What happens when the parenting approach you were told God requires doesn’t match the child God gave you? It’s a question a lot of Christian parents inwardly carry, and it’s named out loud in this episode. Host Stacy…

  7. Changing for the Better: What 500 Parents Found

    · 12 min · Episode 318

    Three months, nearly 500 parents! One space where the questions get honest fast. In this 11-minute celebration episode, Stacy Bellward sits down with Certified Parent Coach and cf community moderator Katie Johnson to…

  8. Your Angry Child Needs a Plan, Not a Perfect Parent

    · 27 min · Episode 317

    New Course Now Available: Find Confidence in Crisis Today! If you have an angry child whose aggressive behaviors keep surfacing, it can be hard to know how to respond with both steadiness and care. In part two of this…

  9. Where to Begin with Your Child’s Aggressive Behavior

    · 19 min · Episode 316

    New Course Now Available: Find Confidence in Crisis Today! When a child’s aggressive behavior fills your home, it can stir up intense feelings in you, too. In this mini-episode, Stacy Bellward, and Certified Parent…

  10. When Your Child Hits You: Finding Calm in the Chaos

    · 28 min · Episode 315

    New Course Now Available: Find Confidence in Crisis Today! When your child hits you, kicks you, or says something that takes your breath away, and a single thought takes over: I have to make this stop. In this honest…

  11. Where to Find Parenting Support That Actually Helps

    · 31 min · Episode 314

    Ready to start a small group this Fall? Explore Connected Families small groups here. The best parenting support often comes from something simple: walking alongside one another instead of carrying the hard moments on…

  12. What to Do About Bad Grades on Your Child's Report Card (Without Nagging)

    · 21 min · Episode 313

    Have you ever felt like your child just doesn't care about their bad grades on their report card, no matter how much you push, remind, or worry? In this audioblog, adapted from two of our blog posts, guest host Chad…

  13. Back-to-School Season: When "I Hate You" Rides Home from Pickup

    · 14 min · Episode 312

    "I hate you!" When those words fly on the ride home after school, it's easy to feel stuck. In this back-to-school season mini episode, host Stacy Bellward pulls back the curtain on a live cf community group coaching…

  14. Toddler Separation Anxiety: Why Does My Toddler Cry at Drop-Off?

    · 22 min · Episode 311

    Those tearful drop-offs at preschool can leave any parent feeling shaken or unsure of what to do next. In this episode, host Stacy Bellward reads one of our most popular blog posts as an audioblog, exploring what's…

  15. Parenting a Neurodivergent Child: How to Advocate at School

    · 31 min · Episode 310

    That sinking feeling when another teacher's email arrives, listing everything your child did "wrong" again? If you’re parenting a neurodivergent child, you likely know this feeling well. In this replay episode, host…

  16. Should I Homeschool? Discerning What's Best for Your Family

    · 31 min · Episode 309

    Asking yourself, "Should I homeschool," this school year? It's a weighty question—and one you don't have to answer on your own. In this episode, host Stacy Bellward is joined by two Connected Families Certified Parent…

  17. Lonely Motherhood No More: Finding Connection, Joy, and Support

    · 25 min · Episode 307

    We were never meant to walk the parenting journey alone. In this heartwarming and eye-opening episode, host Cindy Wilson (Director of Education, Equipping, and Research at Connected Families) sits down with Crystal…

  18. How to Stay Calm With Kids Fighting

    · 19 min · Episode 307

    As a self-described sensitive and intense mom raising two sensitive and intense daughters, Laura Way, Content Manager at Connected Families, wraps up our summertime conflict series with a powerful tool we use called…

  19. Sibling Conflict: A Christian Parent's Guide to Raising Peacemakers at Home

    · 23 min · Episode 306

    Bickering. The escalating voices in the next room make you wonder whether to referee or run the other way. If sibling conflict has become the soundtrack of your home, you are so not alone, and this episode is for you!…

  20. Helping Siblings Make Up After a “Fight”

    · 41 min · Episode 305

    What if the goal of your kids’ fighting wasn’t silence, but restored hearts? Most parents want the bickering to stop. But what if helping siblings make up after a fight was actually an invitation? An opportunity to…

  21. Dads, You’re Not Alone: How to Stay Calm When Parenting is Hard | Ep. 304

    · 32 min

    Father’s Day can stir up a lot for dads. For some, it’s breakfast in bed and handmade cards. For others, it’s a quiet moment of reflection: Am I really the dad I want to be? In this special Father’s Day episode, guest…

  22. Sibling Competition and Bedtime Chaos: Hear from the cf community

    · 42 min · Episode 303

    Ever wished you could pull up a chair with seasoned parent coaches and ask your most pressing questions? Whether you’re in the midst of bedtime challenges or working through sibling competition, host Stacy Bellward…

  23. You're Not Parenting Alone: Inside the cf community with Katie Johnson

    · 24 min · Episode 302

    In this special episode, host Stacy Bellward sits down with Katie Johnson, Connected Families' new Community Engagement Manager, Certified Parent Coach, and former educator, to unveil something brand new: the cf…

  24. Parent Ministry That Transforms: A Peek Inside Our Ministry Partnership Program

    · 27 min · Episode 301

    What if your church's parent ministry became the place families pointed to and said, "That's where everything changed for us"? In this eye-opening episode, host Stacy Bellward sits down with Dr. Cindy Wilson,…

  25. The Mental Load of Motherhood: Releasing What's Not Yours to Carry

    · 34 min · Episode 300

    You crawl into bed exhausted, but your brain won't stop spinning. The to-do list. The moment you wish you'd handled differently. The worry you can't quite name. There's a term for what you're carrying: the mental load…

  26. Foster Care and Faith: Supporting Foster Families in Your Community

    · 35 min · Episode 299

    May is National Foster Care Month! For today’s episode, we’ve invited author Jamie Finn to help us discover how faith and foster care are deeply connected. Jamie Finn opens up about the surprising realities that…

  27. Grumpy Morning? Help Your Child Start Their Day Well

    · 11 min · Episode 298

    Does your child often wake up with a grumpy morning attitude — cranky, overwhelmed, or melting down before the day even begins? You’re in the right place. In this audioblog episode, the final installment in our…

  28. Emotional Regulation for Kids: Calm Bodies Come Before Big Conversations

    · 28 min · Episode 297

    Ever feel stuck when your child's big emotions take over, and nothing seems to help? In this audioblog episode, host Stacy Bellward adapts one of our most-downloaded blogs for listeners: 50 Self-Regulation Activities…

  29. Highly Sensitive Kids: A Biblical Approach to Empathy and Connection

    · 20 min · Episode 296

    Does your child melt down over clothing tags, loud noises, or unexpected changes? You're not alone, and you're not failing as a parent. In this audioblog episode, Stacy continues our four-week series on sensitive and…

  30. Big Emotions Start Somewhere: The Hidden Stress Your Child Carries

    · 18 min · Episode 295

    In this episode, we unpack the surprising reasons why some children experience the world more intensely than others, and why their big emotions are rarely about what they seem to be about. You'll discover a reframe…

  31. Why Is Parenting So Hard? Finding Grace and Truth in the Struggle

    · 23 min · Episode 294

    If you’ve ever wondered, “Why is parenting so hard?” this episode is for you. In this deeply personal and practical episode, Connected Families co-founder Lynne Jackson opens up about her own journey from organized…

  32. From Feeling Like a Bad Mom to Deeply Loved

    · 27 min · Episode 293

    What we believe about ourselves shapes how we parent, for better or worse. In this opening episode of the Grace and Truth for Every Parent series, host Stacy Bellward talks with Connected Families' Content Manager,…

  33. Family Meetings for Kids: A Weekly Habit That Builds Family Teamwork

    · 35 min

    What if family meetings for kids can be as simple as a weekly gathering with snacks and a game? In this warm and practical episode of the Connected Families podcast, host Stacy Bellward sits down with Certified Parent…

  34. How to Motivate Children: What the Research Says

    · 14 min · Episode 291

    Every parent knows the feeling: you need the dishes done, the toys picked up, or the laundry folded… and your child is nowhere near motivated to help. What if the key to raising genuinely responsible kids isn't about…

  35. How to Start Family Meetings Your Kids Won't Want to Miss

    · 19 min · Episode 290

    Join Connected Families’ Director of Education & Equipping, Chad Hayenga, in this audioblog about Family Meetings. These are two words that might make you cringe or add to your mental "should-do" list. But what if they…

  36. Teaching Kids Responsibility Without Nagging and Frustration

    · 38 min · Episode 289

    Why are chores such a struggle in families? Join Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches, Katie Johnson and Marni Love, to unpack why it’s hard, and what to do about it. They discuss the biblical foundation for…

  37. A Parent Training Program that Meets You Where You Are

    · 13 min · Episode 288

    In this special announcement episode, host Stacy Bellward welcomes Chad Hayenga, Connected Families' Director of Education and Equipping, to introduce an exciting new program: The CF Intensive! This new parent training…

  38. Strengthening Families Through the Local Church: A Powerful New Partnership

    · 29 min · Episode 287

    We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Communio! Tune in to hear how Communio is strengthening families through data-informed strategies for local churches. In this episode, host Stacy Bellward and Cindy…

  39. The Surprising Reason Kids Laugh When in Trouble

    · 14 min · Episode 286

    Today’s audioblog explores what's really happening beneath the surface when kids laugh when in trouble or get silly during correction. Learn practical ways to use the Connected Families Framework™ to build wisdom…

  40. BONUS Episode | Help Your Child Feel Safe Through Scary Events

    · 44 min

    In this thoughtful conversation, host Stacy Bellward sits down with Certified Parent Coach Katie Wetsell and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Jody Goldie to explore how parents can help their children navigate…

  41. Consecuencias: ¿Castigar o Restaurar?

    ¡Escucha este nuevo episodio en español del pódcast de Familias Conectadas! Esther Reich conversa con Luisa Wendt acerca de una de las diferentes formas en las que como padres usamos las consecuencias en la crianza. A…

  42. Moving Beyond Strict Parenting: Balancing Boundaries and Connection | Ep. 285

    · 1:31

    Strong on correction but struggling to connect? In this third episode of the "Don't Stay Stuck" series, host Stacy Bellward and Certified Parent Coach Katie Wetsell take on a challenge many who value strict parenting…

  43. Kind and Firm: Setting Boundaries with Kids | Ep. 284

    · 31 min · Episode 284

    In this second week of our Don’t Stay Stuck series, we’re shifting our focus to parents who are “stuck” at the bottom of the Connected Families Framework™. Being naturally bent toward compassion is a God-given…

  44. Don’t Stay Stuck: Hopeful Change in Your Default Parenting Habits

    · 33 min · Episode 283

    Ever wonder why you keep defaulting to the same old parenting habits? Stacy Bellward and Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Lori Menikheim explore what causes parents to get stuck, and how to find their way…

  45. My Child Refuses to Listen: A Compassionate Approach to PDA

    · 36 min · Episode 282

    Happy New Year! Welcome back to another year of exciting content that we pray will leave you equipped and ready for the unique calling of parenthood you’ve been gifted with this year. You may be wondering, “What is…

  46. Behind the Scenes: Intentional Parenting in 2026 and Beyond!

    · 33 min · Episode 281

    In this heartfelt year-end episode, Connected Families team members Stacy Bellward, Chad Hayenga, and Joe Dewey gather to reflect on a transformative year and share exciting plans for 2026 to continue to encourage you…

  47. Blessed to Be a Blessing: Marriage, Parenting & Legacy

    · 25 min · Episode 280

    What does it look like to live out the Connected Families Framework? What does it look like to live it out in your own heart and relationships? In this final episode of our 3-part series, Hope for the Long Haul, Jim…

  48. Surviving the "Helpful" Advice at Holiday Gatherings

    · 15 min · Episode 279

    In this audioblog, we take on a topic relevant to holiday gatherings: what to do when you receive unsolicited advice from well-meaning relatives? From preparing ahead of time to helping your kids navigate criticisms,…

  49. Loving (and Liking) My Kids for a Lifetime

    · 28 min · Episode 278

    Keeping "like" alive is what an enduring connection is all about! This week, Connected Families Co-Founders Jim and Lynne Jackson share more about the importance and benefits of lasting connection over time and why…

  50. When Parenting Styles Differ: Finding Unity with Your Strong-Willed Child

    · 30 min · Episode 279

    Whether you're just starting your parenting journey or you’ve hit a rough spot, today’s episode is a reminder that God’s grace is sufficient through it all. Seeing God’s mercy toward us in the midst of challenging…

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