Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The MAVEN Parent Podcast

How should you respond when your child bites, hits, or refuses to apologize? Is your child really “good inside”? Popular parenting expert Dr. Becky Kennedy (and many other gentle parenting gurus) would say so. But while much of today’s parenting advice sounds compassionate and appealing, it doesn’t actually line up with reality.

In this episode, Brett and Erin take a closer look at popular parenting expert Dr. Becky Kennedy’s advice on child behavior, human nature, and teaching kids to apologize. And more importantly, analyze if it aligns with what Scripture teaches about the human heart.

Watch the clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqnhSZCl0PM

Does Gentle Parenting work? Here’s our free ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

San Antonio! You don’t want to miss out on the MAVEN Conference THIS WEEKEND: https://www.mavenconferences.com/sanantonio

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

Why do so many kids who grow up in the church walk away from the faith? And is there anything Christian parents can actually do about it? There are no guarantees, but too often the church disciples kids’ hearts while neglecting their minds, leaving them unprepared for the challenges waiting for them after they leave home. In this episode, Brett and Erin share how a college philosophy professor nearly dismantled Brett’s faith and lay out a practical three-stage plan for discipling your kids’ minds, from toddlerhood all the way through high school.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Have-Enough-Faith-Atheist/dp/1433580756

The New City Catechism: https://newcitycatechism.com/

Send your student on a MAVEN Open Enrollment Immersive Experience: https://maventruth.com/open-enrollment/

Join us at the 2026 MAVEN Conference in San Antonio on November 7: https://www.mavenconferences.com

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

What is the purpose of dating? Most Christian parents know what they don’t want for their kids when it comes to love, sex, and relationships, but struggle to explain what God does want and why. And with stories like the Cornell Seven case all over our kids’ social media feeds, the culture is more than happy to answer that question for them. In this episode, Brett and Erin build a biblical framework for dating from God’s original design in Genesis and share the practical boundaries they’ve used with their own kids to guide them toward healthy, God-honoring relationships.

Listen to our series on helping your kids navigate dating:
Helping Your Kids Navigate the Wonderful World of Dating: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPXKcnVPsMM
5 Conversations You Should Have With Your Teens Before They Date: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dG4sfmLjpE
What Boundaries Should Parents Set for Teens and Dating?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYohNhcIdzY

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

People make truth claims all day long. This is true, that's a lie, that's false. Ask them to actually define the word and most of them have nothing.

MAVEN recently hosted a C.S. Lewis Symposium in Southern California with Dr. Jerry Root — Lewis scholar, longtime Wheaton College professor, and a man with a deeply pastoral heart. In this session, Jerry makes the case that truth is simpler to define than we think and far more costly to abandon than we realize. There's a relativist, a blue cow on a piano, a sitcom romance that teaches logical fallacies better than any textbook, and an idea Jerry calls the biggest one Lewis ever had.

Want to hear Jerry in person? He's speaking at the 2026 MAVEN Conference in San Antonio on November 7! Register here: https://www.mavenconferences.com

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Imagine a field trip permission slip that listed the side effects: anxiety, suicidal ideation, obesity, shortened attention span. You'd never sign it. But that's the trip we've sent an entire generation of kids on, and the results are in. In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with Arlene Pellicane, author of The Great Tech Reset: Reclaiming Real Life for Christian Families. Arlene lays out what she calls the A-B-C-D harms of a screen-based childhood, starting with anxiety, and explains why the problem isn't only bad content.

GET THE BOOK FREE: Summit Ministries is giving away copies of The Great Tech Reset while supplies last: https://techresetbook.com

More from Arlene Pellicane: https://arlenepellicane.com/

Watch her free film, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words: https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/film

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book

Download the MAVEN smartphone contract: https://equip.maventruth.com/sign-up

Get the free Navigating a World of Screens course: https://equip.maventruth.com/navigating-a-world-of-screens

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Is Islam a religion of peace? It's one of the most common claims in our culture, especially after a terrorist attack. But what do Islam's own sources actually say?

In this episode, Brett and Erin continue their conversation with Alan Shlemon of Stand to Reason. Christians follow Jesus, and Muslims follow Muhammad, so Alan takes us to the three sources Muslims look to for how to live: the Quran, the hadith, and the sunnah (the life of Muhammad). He explains why he thinks the better question is "Is violent jihad a valid Islamic doctrine?" He also explains why most Muslims you'll meet are peaceful even though, in his view, the doctrine is legitimate.

If you haven't yet, start with part one of our conversation with Alan: https://linktw.in/qtcxbm

Resources mentioned in this episode: The Ambassador's Guide to Islam by Alan Shlemon: https://store.str.org/purchase/the-ambassadors-guide-to-islam

More from Alan Shlemon at Stand to Reason: https://www.str.org/alan-shlemon

Answering Jihad by Nabeel Qureshi: https://www.amazon.com/Answering-Jihad-Better-Way-Forward/dp/0310531381

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi: https://www.amazon.com/Seeking-Allah-Finding-Jesus-Christianity/dp/0310092647

Still the Best Hope by Dennis Prager: https://www.amazon.com/Still-Best-Hope-American-Triumph/dp/0061985139

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Most Christians know a few things about Islam—the Quran, Allah, whatever they've picked up from the news—but not enough to put the pieces together. So when someone says "Muslims and Christians worship the same God," they're not sure how to answer.

In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Alan Shlemon of Stand to Reason, a longtime friend and colleague, for a ground-level introduction to Islam. Alan walks through the three things that matter most in any conversation with a Muslim—who God is, who Jesus is, and how salvation works—and explains why the Islamic doctrine of tawhid makes the Trinity not just wrong but blasphemous, why the Quran actually says more about Jesus than about Muhammad, and how the five pillars fit into a system where your good deeds are weighed against your bad ones.

Get Alan's booklet The Ambassador's Guide to Islam and more resources at Stand to Reason: https://www.str.org/

Register for the C.S. Lewis Symposium: https://www.mavenconferences.com/cslewissymposium

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Abdu Murray grew up in a devout Shia Muslim home where faith wasn't one activity among many—it was identity, family, and daily life woven together. He was confident enough in it to spend years challenging Christians on their own beliefs, and winning. Then came a nine-year investigation into Islam and Christianity that led him to Christ, at real cost to the family and community that raised him.

In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Abdu, president of Embrace the Truth and author of Fake ID, to hear that story from the beginning: the home that formed him, the objections he pressed against Christians, the evidence that eventually broke through, and what it cost him to walk away.

They pull out what Christian parents can learn from it—why Muslim families are often better at forming identity than we are, the two questions our kids are least prepared to answer (Who is God? and Why trust the Bible?), why conversion asks far more of a person than we usually admit, and how to teach our kids about Islam in a way that treats Muslims as image-bearers rather than opponents.

Listen to our first conversation with Abdu on AI and identity: https://linktw.in/rKcxDZ

Learn more about Abdu's ministry Embrace the Truth here: https://embracethetruth.org/

Register for the C.S. Lewis Symposium: https://www.mavenconferences.com/cslewissymposium

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

AI is changing the world and developing faster than we can track. But what if the biggest danger isn't what AI can do, but what it reveals about what we believe about reality and what it means to be human?

In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Abdu Murray, president of Embrace Truth and author of Fake ID, to unpack the convergence of artificial intelligence and identity ideology, why he argues that both are accelerating a reality collapse in our culture, and what this means for Christian parents who are trying to disciple the next generation.

Purchase Abdu's book here: https://embracethetruth.org/fake-id/

Get the parent reader guide for Abdu's book here: https://embracethetruth.org/fake-id-resources-sign-up-form/

Learn more about Abdu's ministry Embrace the Truth here: https://embracethetruth.org/

Register for the C.S. Lewis Symposium: https://www.mavenconferences.com/cslewissymposium

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

What do you actually do when your kids don’t listen? We talk a lot on this podcast about setting boundaries, holding kids accountable, and discipline but what do those strategies actually look like in the nitty gritty of real life with real kids? What do you do when your child ignores you, hits a sibling, speaks disrespectfully, or refuses to do their chores? In this episode, Brett and Erin get incredibly practical by walking you through real-life discipline scenarios and explaining how Christian parents can move from biblical principles to concrete action.

Learn more about why Gentle Parenting isn't an effective way to parent: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Register for the C.S. Lewis Symposium: https://www.mavenconferences.com/cslewissymposium

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What does it mean to be male or female? And why does it matter? Our culture is notoriously confused about sex, gender, and identity. How can Christians cut through the confusion to communicate the truth with both Biblical clarity and compassion? In this episode, Erin exposes three lies shaping culture's conversation about gender and explores how the beauty and goodness of God's design for men and women goes beyond stereotypes.

Register for the C.S. Lewis Symposium: https://www.mavenconferences.com/cslewissymposium

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Is youth sports slowly becoming the center of your family's life?

In this episode, Brett and Erin take a hard look at the growing “sports cult” in American culture and how parents can get sucked in without even realizing. From year-round teams and rising costs to Sunday games, early specialization, and the pressure to chase college scholarships, youth sports can easily move from being a good thing in a child's life to becoming the thing that dictates the family's priorities.

But this isn't an argument against sports. Sports teaches kids teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. The question is: Have we allowed a good thing to become an idol?

Brett and Erin share their own experiences navigating youth sports with their kids and offer practical ways parents can set healthy boundaries, resist the pressure to specialize, protect family and church priorities, and keep sports in their proper place.

Read the report on youth sports: https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/family-savings/what-families-are-really-spending-to-keep-kids-in-sports

Register for the C.S. Lewis Symposium: https://www.mavenconferences.com/cslewissymposium

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

Is making life easier for your kids actually making their life harder?

In this episode, Brett and Erin explain why they intentionally made their own kids struggle...and why they don't regret it. From chores and earning money to facing consequences and doing hard things, they share practical ways they helped their kids build resilience, confidence, and character, in a culture that encourages parents to remove every obstacle from their kids' lives.

Watch the opening video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1754917668871800/?fs=e&mibextid=wwXIfr&fs=e

Register for the C.S. Lewis Symposium: https://www.mavenconferences.com/cslewissymposium

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Today's kids have more information than any generation in history but they struggle to pay attention, think deeply, and engage with truth. Why? In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Dr. Matt Burford, founder of Tactical Faith, to explore the hidden cost of the attention economy and what it's doing to our kids' minds. Together, they build a practical framework for how parents can address the attention crisis in our young people, helping them to wrestle with big ideas and cultivate wisdom instead of mere information.

Check out Tactical Faith: https://tacticalfaith.com/

Looking for a reading list for kids of all ages? https://jasonmbaxter.substack.com/p/how-to-get-your-kids-to-fall-in-love

Register for the C.S. Lewis Symposium: https://www.mavenconferences.com/cslewissymposium 

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

"There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it." It's one of the best opening lines in children's literature—and it introduces one of C.S. Lewis's brattiest characters. In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the parenting lessons hidden in C.S. Lewis's unforgettable character, Eustace Scrubb, from "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." What does Lewis's initial description of Eustace teach children about having good vs bad character? What clues does he give about the family that shaped him? And what can Christian parents—and their kids—learn from Eustace's remarkable redemption?

Listen to our recent episode on reading and literature: https://linktw.in/qHGugW

Register for the C.S. Lewis Symposium: https://www.mavenconferences.com/cslewissymposium

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Brett and Erin took their grandkids to see Toy Story 5 recently and wow! Pixar's latest film may have unintentionally created one of the most realistic portrayals of modern parenting yet. An eight-year-old gets her first tablet even though her parents aren't sure they're making the right decision, and within hours, technology has replaced play. Sound familiar?

In this episode, they unpack where the parents went wrong in Toy Story 5 and discuss how Christian parents can navigate technology with wisdom and courage.

Download the smartphone contract: https://equip.maventruth.com/sign-up

Get your free copy of the Navigating a World of Screens course: https://equip.maventruth.com/navigating-a-world-of-screens

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Kids today are reading less and scrolling more. They're being shaped by a digital world that trains them to expect constant stimulation. And at it's core, the decline of reading is a spiritual and cultural problem. In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Dr. Jason Baxter, the Director of the Center for Beauty and Culture at Benedictine College and author of Why Literature Matters, to explore how the Great Books shape the imagination, train the affections, and help form the kind of wisdom, attention, and character our kids need to flourish.

Read the study on education: https://cepr.harvard.edu/news/2026/05/why-us-test-scores-are-generation-long-decline

Read Dr. Baxter's books: https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/my-bookstore

Get the reading list: https://jasonmbaxter.substack.com/p/how-to-get-your-kids-to-fall-in-love

Read "Help! Where Do I Go From Here?" - https://substack.com/home/post/p-177828655

Learn more about Dr. Baxter: https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/ 

Are you proud to be an American? This week, we're celebrating 250 years of our nation! But nowadays, pride in America is hitting never-before-seen lows. In a culture where it's trendy to despise the United States, how can parents offer a counteracting narrative to our kids amid all the noise? Because if you don't intentionally shape your child's view of America, the culture will do it for you. In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with Jeannette Tulis, a homeschool mom and library and book enthusiast, about how you can use stories to teach kids about U.S. history and direct them towards a reasoned patriotism.

The poll: https://youtu.be/Cofbkllf0Jc?si=MpcFnOdbcuu8t_l5&t=156

Watch our episode on a Reasoned Patriotism: https://linktw.in/vpsipF

Jeannette's recommended book list: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gIICAbubHtCQvNkKtveI26OuZFC5iPmi/view

Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Your kids are being discipled every day, but by who? Through social media feeds, classrooms, textbooks, influencers, and friends, they are constantly being confronted by competing worldview ideas. And many of the cultural conversations surrounding identity, truth, justice, and what it means to be human are shaped by the ideas behind "wokeness." In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Dr. Neil Shenvi and Dr. Pat Sawyer, authors of Post-Woke, to unpack the worldview behind many of today's cultural debates. Together, they explore how critical theory has influenced our culture, why these ideas continue to resonate with young people, and how parents can help their kids navigate them.

Read about the trans athlete mentioned at the beginning - https://abc7.com/post/jurupa-valley-transgender-athlete-ab-hernandez-wins-2-titles-cif-state-track-field-championships/19206586/

Pick up the book "Post-Woke" - https://a.co/d/04pxzEsC

Learn more about Neil Shenvi - https://shenviapologetics.com/

Learn more about Pat Sawyer - https://www.patsawyer.org/

Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Progressive Christianity is evolving. As deconstruction content spreads across social media, many students and young adults are encountering challenges to historic Christianity from voices that seem compassionate, relatable, and trustworthy—all delivered in 30-second, bite-sized clips. In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Alisa Childers to discuss how Progressive Christianity has adapted for a new generation, common red flags parents should watch for, and how Christians can help students navigate these ideas with confidence and discernment.

Get the student edition of “Another Gospel” - https://a.co/d/0aKvg2DH

Learn more about Alisa and her books: https://alisachilders.com/

Check out Alisa's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@alisachilders

Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

In the rush of modern life, family dinner has become increasingly rare. Between work, sports, and endless activities, gathering around the table often falls to the bottom of the priority list. But are families losing something far more important than a shared meal? In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the biblical significance of food, feasting, and fellowship, and why family meals have always played a central role in God's design for families. They also share practical ways to prioritize family dinners and create meaningful connection around the table—even during life's busiest seasons.

Read the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19476994/

American College of Pediatricians on Family Dinners: https://acpeds.org/the-benefits-of-the-family-table/

Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Moms, have you ever experienced "mom guilt"? Your child is struggling with potty training, and somehow you're convinced it's your fault—that if they’re having a hard time, you must have done something wrong. Mom guilt is a nearly universal mom experience—but where does it come from? In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the roots of mom guilt, why mothers often feel uniquely responsible for their children's struggles, and how God's design for motherhood can help explain—and redeem—those feelings. Most importantly, they offer practical encouragement for moms who feel weighed down by guilt and challenge husbands with ideas for how they can actively support their wives and share in the responsibility of raising their children.

Watch the video Brett and Erin are reacting to: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTDbantAJzK/

The Toxic War on Masculinity by Nancy Pearcey: https://a.co/d/0aA6wP3G

Every Moment Holy liturgy books: https://www.everymomentholy.com/

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

One day, our kids grow up. They move away, start their own lives, and make choices of their own—including some we may not agree with. That transition can be difficult to navigate, often bringing grief, uncertainty, and the temptation to overparent in ways that strain the relationship—especially in a culture where many adult children are cutting off contact with their parents. In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with author Dr. Kathy Koch about the dos and don’ts of navigating life after your children are grown.

Get Dr. Kathy's book: https://ckonlinestore.com/

Learn more about Celebrate Kids and Dr. Kathy Koch: https://celebratekids.com/

Watch our other episode on parenting adult children: https://linktw.in/ZRYAma

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

How you maintain your marriage is more important than the work you put into your relationship with your kids! Marriage is the foundation of the family, and kids suffer without a healthy example to lean on. So, how can we work on making marriages stronger? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss marriage advice from Harvard professor Arthur Brooks and share how these four easy steps have helped them build a strong relationship while raising five kids together.

Watch the video from Arthur Brooks: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OXHaeRpJO1I

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Are we raising resilient men or fragile boys? American culture chronically deemphasizes God's good design for men. Parents are encouraged to coddle and protect boys from discomfort, struggle, and risk—robbing boys of the experiences and risks that teach how to be the resilient builders God has designed them to be. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss practical ways parents can encourage and train boys to become godly men who create, build, and work hard for their families.

Read the first article: https://substack.com/@anthonybbradley/note/c-243280794?r=1cjmt&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

Read the second article: https://substack.com/@anthonybbradley/note/c-244401324?r=1cjmt&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN 

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Gender identity. Critical Theory. Social justice. Same-sex marriage. The Culture is asking Christians to repudiate Biblical truth at every turn. Refuse and the culture will try to punish you. Author Rod Dreher's book "Live Not By Lies" highlighted this fact in 2020, as it became more evident than ever that Western society was rife with what Dreher calls "soft totalitarianism." And the conditions that created that an environment have not gone away. In this episode, Brett and Erin speak with Rod Dreher about "Live Not By Lies" and discuss the essential role Christian parents play in raising kids who will boldly speak truth amidst a culture that encourages silence and fear.

Read Rod's article "Sex After Christianity" - https://www.theamericanconservative.com/sex-after-christianity/

Read more of Rod's articles: https://substack.com/@roddreher

Find Rod on X @roddreher

Check out Rod's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rod-Dreher/author/B00JV2IX3O

Watch the "Live Not By Lies" documentary series: https://www.angel.com/watch/live-not-by-lies 

The Great Commission is central to Christianity—we are supposed to share the Gospel with those we encounter. But what's the best way to train your kids in this skill? In this episode, Brett and Erin react to a perfect example of how not to share the Gospel with Jehovah's Witnesses and discuss a strategy practiced in their own home that gets all the kids involved.

Learn more about MAVEN's Immersive Experiences: https://maventruth.com/immersive-experience/

Get Greg Koukl’s book “Tactics” - https://a.co/d/01J8jNgA

Get Rosaria Butterfield’s book “The Gospel Comes Either a House Key” - https://a.co/d/0hcAHeoa

Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Millennials have been raising the next generation for a while now and it's time to check in on them. Champions of modern parenting methods such as Gentle Parenting, millennials are fairly confident that their parenting styles will be successful. They focus on empathy, mental health, and leaving behind the parenting practices of previous generations. Overall, they think they're better parents than their own. But what does success really look like? Is it healthy to have this level of confidence in your parenting? In this episode, Brett and Erin look at the data from millennials about how they're assessing their parenting performance, discuss a Biblical perspective of what success really looks like, and some practical action steps you can take to practice a more wise parenting approach.

Read the study: https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/blog/millennial-parenting-statistics/

Read how Gen Z is Parenting: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-from-kiddie-academy-reveals-54-of-gen-z-parents-prioritize-preparing-children-for-real-world-302559687.html

Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Is the issue of biological males in women's sports "over" now? Last week, we interviewed teen athlete Olivia Viola about her experience running track and field against a biological man. She is far from the only teen athlete who is still having to navigate this issue. There are hundreds of stories of girls forced to play sports or share locker rooms with boys. Maybe there's even a teen in your life facing this issue too? In this episode, Brett and Erin chat with Sophia Lorey from California Family Council about her experiences helping girls and families in California navigate the real life consequences of the transgender sports issues and how Christian parents can best step up to help their students fight for truth.

Watch last week's interview with teen athlete Olivia Viola: https://linktw.in/ZFGcTv

Learn more about California Family Council: https://www.californiafamily.org

See if your state has an organization like CFC: https://familypolicyalliance.com

Get "Live Not By Lies" by Rod Dreher: https://a.co/d/0dalr2Q1

Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Ideas have consequences and those consequences impact real people. Olivia, a high school track athlete, never expected to find herself at the center of a national conversation. But when she was forced to compete against a transgender athlete, everything changed overnight. In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with the Viola family and discuss their story and how they navigated their daughter's bold decision to make a stand for truth on the track field.

Watch Olivia's Fox News Interview: https://www.foxnews.com/video/6374060934112

Get "Live Not By Lies" by Rod Dreher: https://a.co/d/0dalr2Q1

LIVE Parenting Q&A: https://linktw.in/vzofLE

Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with apologist and author Doug Powell to explore the mystery of the Shroud of Turin—a centuries-old burial cloth believed by many to be the cloth that wrapped Jesus after His crucifixion. Is the Shroud truly the burial cloth of Jesus, or is it a sophisticated medieval forgery? Doug walks us through the immense historical, scientific, and forensic evidence behind the Shroud, examining what it reveals about Jesus’ death—and why this fascinating artifact is one that families and churches should be talking about.

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8brziJ6byT0

Learn more about Doug: https://www.dougpowell.com/

Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at https://www.summit.org/promotions/maven/

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What's the best way to respond when your teen lies, breaks trust, and refuses to listen? In this episode, Brett and Erin tackle a difficult—but common—parenting situation: a listener writes in about their teen repeatedly lying, pushing boundaries, and pursuing a relationship against their parents’ guidance. How should parents respond when trust is broken? What actually works when consequences don’t seem to stick? And how can you guide your teen towards better choices?

Watch "Why We Need to Let Kids Ask Questions About Faith" - https://youtu.be/T9JyEltssGY

Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at https://www.summit.org/promotions/maven/

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The modern church has sometimes struggled with encouraging artists to use their gifts for the glory of God. How do artists and art fit into the Great Commission? Also, who was St. Patrick and how can we pass along a knowledge of our church family to our kids? In this episode, Brett and Erin speak with author, graphic designer, and award-winning children's book illustrator Ned Bustard about art, his theology of art, church history, and his children's book "Saint Patrick the Forgiver."

Watch the video of Ned working: https://vimeo.com/368367334

Get "St. Patrick the Forgiver:" https://a.co/d/09F3TKRn

Find out more about Ned here: https://www.worldsendimages.com/

Follow Ned on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nedbustard/

Check out "Every Moment Holy" books: https://a.co/d/02vC5UUb

Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at https://www.summit.org/promotions/maven/

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From the sexual revolution to no-fault divorce to the legalization of gay marriage, there's no mistake that the definition of marriage has dramatically shifted over the decades. What is marriage for? Is it primarily about adult fulfillment, or is marriage about protecting and nurturing the next generation? And what happens to society when those priorities shift? In this episode, we're playing a powerful talk from given at the 2026 California MAVEN Conference by Katy Faust, an author and founder of Them Before Us, on the connection between family structure and cultural stability. This conversation explores the major revolutions that brought our culture to it's current point and how modern cultural messages about family often overlook the needs of kids.

Check out Katy's organization Them Before Us: https://thembeforeus.com/

Check out the Greater Than campaign: https://greaterthancampaign.com/

Get Katy's books: https://katyfaust.com/books/

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at https://www.summit.org/promotions/maven/

Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala

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The data is in! Does Gentle Parenting really work? It may feel easier in the moment, but is it actually effective in raising resilient, respectful kids in the long run? In this episode, Brett and Erin take a close look at a new study from The Institute of Family Studies about strict parenting, structure, and its effect on long-term parent-child relationships. While modern culture often equates authority and firm consequences with harshness, the data paints a far more nuanced picture: one where saying “no,” enforcing boundaries, and following through on consequences may create short-term conflict but ultimately lead to long-term trust and respect.

Read the study: https://ifstudies.org/blog/hard-parenting-better-relationships-new-evidence

Read Dr. Danish's X post: https://x.com/operationdanish/status/2026438158989332842?s=20

Check out The Institute for Family Studies: https://ifstudies.org/

Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at https://www.summit.org/promotions/maven/

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Last week on the podcast, we spoke with Dr. Leonard Sax, a family doctor and author, about the key ideas from his book, "The Collapse of Parenting." In this episode, Brett and Erin debrief that conversation and reflect on how accurately his work diagnoses the problems with modern parenting, especially how today's culture often encourages disrespect in kids while simultaneously undermining parental authority. Listen to our interview with Dr. Sax: https://linktw.in/REIYnr Pick up Dr. Sax's book "The Collapse of Parenting": https://a.co/d/0jc50Z31 Listen to our recent episode on discipline and coddling: https://linktw.in/vJMKZm Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at www.summit.org/maven MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

Parents, have you wondered how much modern culture—with its screens and shifting philosophies—has changed the way we raise our kids? The impact may be more serious than many of us realize. In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with Dr. Leonard Sax about his important book "The Collapse of Parenting" and how immensely the culture has shifted the parenting landscape leading to a collapse in parental authority. Together, they discuss practical ways parents can re-establish healthy leadership for a family culture where children can truly thrive.

Get the "Collapse of Parenting" - https://a.co/d/0hBmRmuF

Check out Jean Twenge's "10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World" - https://a.co/d/0cYiz9iB

Join us THIS WEEKEND (Feb 21st) at the California MAVEN Conference! Register here: https://www.mavenconferences.com/california

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at www.summit.org/maven

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

Should you discipline your kids in public? How do we navigate those situations when our kid talks back or kicks off a tantrum in the middle of the grocery store? In this episode, Brett and Erin dig into Ephesians 6:4 and address a tension many parents feel: how to practice strong, authoritative discipline without humiliating your child when they're losing it in public.

Check out last week's podcast about why kids don't listen the first time: https://linktw.in/vJMKZm

Join us at the California MAVEN Conference! Register here: https://www.mavenconferences.com/california

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at https://www.summit.org/promotions/maven/

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Parents, we've all been there: You’ve said "No" about five times at this point. You’ve given a warning. Maybe you've even explained the consequence…and still nothing changes! This cycle can feel exhausting and ineffective. How can we actually get discipline to work? In this episode, Brett and Erin talk about what actually makes discipline effective at home, explain why repeated warnings, empty consequences, and emotional reactions often undermine our authority, and how calm consistency builds respect over time.

Check out the children's book "No, David" - https://a.co/d/06A6wtho

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at www.summit.org/maven

Learn more about the MAVEN Conference here: https://www.mavenconferences.com/california

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

You don’t need a theology degree to help your kids understand the Bible. But you do need the right strategies. In this episode, Brett and Erin share some of the practical background questions parents can use at home to help their kids go deeper during family Bible time, followed by a recent sermon Brett gave that highlights what it looks like to apply these strategies in real study. These foundational tools will help you encourage your kids in their ability to think carefully about what Scripture is actually communicating.

Check out Walt Russell's book "Playing With Fire" - https://a.co/d/4EpY5Xa

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at www.summit.org/maven

Learn more about the MAVEN Conference here - https://www.mavenconferences.com/california

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In this episode, Brett and Erin reflect on a real-life parenting mishap: a missed writing class, a dropped-off teenager, and a problem that had to be solved without a phone, an adult, or a rescue. What could have spiraled into panic instead became a powerful lesson in resilience and confidence. Through this real-life example, they explore why overprotecting our kids can actually hinder their growth and how small, age-appropriate responsibilities prepare children to become resilient problem-solvers later in life.

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at www.summit.org/maven

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

As a new year begins, many of us are setting new goals, habits, and resolutions. But before we set goals for our spiritual growth, we need to examine our expectations. Are we challenging ourselves and our kids to goals that will really grow us in our relationship and knowledge of the Lord? In this episode, Brett and Erin reflect on a recent article by Bible teacher Jen Wilkin, discuss how the growing crisis of biblical literacy in the church and low expectations for discipleship and learning are failing both adults and the next generation.

Read the article by Jen Wilkin: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/01/bible-reading-plan-literacy-jen-wilkin/

Read the State of Theology report: https://thestateoftheology.com/

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Go to www.summit.org/maven and use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today.

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

Apathy and faith deconstruction are increasingly common among the next generation, while much of the biblical teaching and discipleship students receive remains shallow. So how can we help students move beyond indifference toward a faith that is thoughtful, resilient, and lived out? In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with Ryan Pauly, MAVEN’s Director of Immersive Experiences, about what he’s seen effectively help students move from apathy about their faith to genuine conviction, and even a desire to share it with others.

Check out more about MAVEN's Immersive Experiences: https://maventruth.com/immersive-experience/

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Go to www.summit.org/maven and use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today.

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As Christmas and the end of the year approach, it’s easy to get caught up rushing from one holiday party to the next shopping trip and miss the deeper purpose of the season. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss why Advent and Christmas are meaningful opportunities to slow down as a family, remember Christ’s birth, and intentionally look back on the year to see God’s faithfulness. They offer practical ideas and family traditions to help you do this together at home as the year comes to a close.

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The news never slows down! And if staying informed feels overwhelming for adults, it’s no wonder we may hesitate to bring global events into conversations with our kids. But God is at work everywhere—and our kids need to see that and build the skills they’ll need to navigate the news as adults. In this podcast, Brett and Erin are joined by Brian Basham and Caleb Bailey from WORLD Watch, a Christian news show that helps families explore world events together through short, compelling, 10-minute episodes.

Check out WORLD Watch: https://worldwatch.news/

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If your kids ask, “Why can’t all religions lead to God?”, would you know how to answer? In this episode, Brett and Erin continue their discussion about why Jesus is the only way to salvation and illustrate how you can respond to the top 3 most common objections to this critical Christian doctrine.

Watch our first conversation on this topic "What Does the Bible Teach About Jesus?": https://linktw.in/xGhuRL

Learn more about the "Soul Searching" study of teens mentioned by Brett: https://a.co/d/0IY23Ya

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Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to teach kids gratitude, but it’s easy for us to get distracted by busyness and miss those moments of reflection and thankfulness. In this episode, Brett and Erin share simple but meaningful family liturgies and traditions you can incorporate around the dinner table this Thanksgiving to help you reclaim the gratitude at the heart of the holiday.

Get "The Thanksgiving Story" by Alice Dalgliesh - https://a.co/d/0plUxW2

Get "Thank You Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving" - https://a.co/d/6UgzQVb

Get "The Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving" by Ann Mcgovern - https://a.co/d/86NgDcA

Get "Thanksgiving: The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience" by Melanie Kirkpatrick: https://a.co/d/9sLw7ZJ

Check out the Erin's Strong Woman interview with Melanie Kirkpatrick: https://youtu.be/UdNP-2fBhCQ?si=tRUpv9VD7CBHfcxI

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Go to www.summit.org/maven and use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today.

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

Christian pop star, Forrest Frank made some viral comments in recent months giving his reasons for why he doesn't drink anymore. Much of Evangelical Christianity would share Frank's view and advocate for total abstinence. But what does Scripture say about alcohol? Is it sinful to drink? In this episode, Brett and Erin look at Frank's reasons for abstaining from alcohol, what Scripture teaches, and what our view of alcohol says about our wider understanding of sanctification.

Watch Forrest Frank's video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LXkmEa9goX8

Check out the book "What Would Jesus Drink?" by Joel McDermin: https://a.co/d/5RqZW4O

Check out the book "Wine in the Word" by Gisela H. Kreglinger: https://a.co/d/d4MDqbW

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Go to www.summit.org/maven and use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today.

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

Parenting teenagers is intimidating. It's a whole new season that's full of change—one that can be both daunting and difficult. But beyond the teenage eye rolls and moodiness, there's real joy and opportunity to be found in this season. In this episode, Brett and Erin speak with Shelley Komoszewski, from Josh McDowell Ministries and a mom of two girls, about how you can navigate the task of being a parent to teenagers, how to set them up for successfully becoming adults, and the unexpected joy of this often tough season of growth.

Watch Shelley's 2024 MAVEN Conference talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwyAk9xDPJg

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Go to www.summit.org/maven and use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today.

MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

A core Christian doctrine is that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. But in today's culture of pluralism and inclusivity, this is a widely unpopular belief—one that's often branded as unloving. So why do we, as Christians, hold to it? In this episode, Brett and Erin examine what the Bible says about who Jesus is and why He is the only way. They also share practical ways to help you answer your kids’ questions and objections about this crucial truth of the Christian faith.

Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Go to www.summit.org/maven and use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today.

Learn more about Impact 360 at https://www.impact360institute.org/

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