Explore every episode of the podcast Rebel Parenting with Ryan & Laura Dobson

When someone hurts us—especially someone we love—there’s a deep temptation to make them pay. To bring up past mistakes in future fights. To keep score. But that’s not love—and it’s definitely not forgiveness.

In this second episode of our Love in the Deep End series, Ryan and Laura Dobson talk about what it means to not punish your spouse or your kids for a lifetime. Drawing from their own story of surviving cancer, crisis, and real emotional pain, they explore how grace restores what punishment destroys.

You’ll hear:

• Why “keeping score” is a fast track to disconnection

• The spiritual and emotional cost of dragging up the past

• Parenting in crisis—and why behavior isn’t always the real issue

• How to reset a fight with “Can I try that again?”

• What Scripture says about how God forgives—and how we can follow His lead

This episode is for every parent, spouse, or friend who wants to stop recycling old pain and start building something stronger, even in the deep end.

Key Verse:
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:12

“You can’t prepare for something like this.”

That’s what people say when the diagnosis comes, the pain hits, or the marriage feels like it’s crumbling. But on REBEL Parenting, we don’t believe that.

In this raw and deeply personal episode, Ryan and Laura Dobson open up about surviving Laura’s fourth cancer diagnosis, a life-threatening infection, and the hardest year of their lives—by choosing, over and over, to Go Again.

Kicking off our new series, Love in the Deep End: Preparing for the Unpreparable, Ryan and Laura reveal how faith, honesty, and relentless love became their anchor when everything else was falling apart. They share how building a spiritual foundation—through daily time with God, Scripture, and community—prepared them for storms they never saw coming.

With vulnerability and hard-earned wisdom, they discuss marriage, parenting, repentance, and the power of showing up for each other when life gets ugly. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep going when you’re out of strength, this episode is for you.

📝 Show Notes

In This Episode:

• Why the phrase “you can’t prepare for this” is a myth—and how to replace it with hope

• Laura’s journey through a fourth cancer diagnosis, five surgeries, and a dangerous, antibiotic-resistant infection

• The power of Psalm 136: “His steadfast love endures forever”—and why it became their lifeline

• What it means to “go again” in marriage, especially when crisis leaves you both exhausted and raw

• Parenting with grace when your kids are unraveling too—and why your home should be a safe place for their emotions

• The role of vulnerability, repentance, and asking, “Can I try that again?” in building resilient relationships

• How Jesus is the reason they’re still standing—and still in love

Key Quote:
“Sometimes you’re sick, and it’s worse, and it’s poor. But I made a promise. And that means I’ll go again—until the day I die.”

Scripture Highlight:
Psalm 136 — “His steadfast love endures forever.” (Repeated 27 times, a reminder that God always goes again.)

Takeaway:
You can’t stop the pain, but you can build a foundation strong enough to carry you through it. Go again—one day, one prayer, one act of love at a time.

Listen now and join the conversation about faith, family, and the courage to go again—even when life is at its hardest. 

In this video, Ryan Dobson discusses the importance of deescalation as a crucial skill for navigating conflicts with children. He provides strategies for staying calm, using positive language, listening actively, validating feelings, offering options, and taking breaks to help defuse tensions and find resolutions. This video encourages parents to work on their deescalation skills in order to improve communication and strengthen relationships with their children.

In this video, Ryan Dobson discusses the importance of looking for context when trying to understand and build relationships with our children. By asking open-ended questions, validating their feelings, looking for patterns in their behavior, and seeking out additional resources, we can gain a deeper understanding of our children's actions and support them in developing healthy coping strategies. This video encourages parents to take the time to consider the context surrounding their children's behavior in order to show them love and support.

In this video, we're going to discuss Rebel Parents: how they model good behavior & why other parents should follow their lead. Rebel parents are those who buck the norm and try to do things their own way. They're not afraid to speak their minds and they often set an example for other parents to follow. In this video, we're going to discuss why they're a force to be reckoned with and how you can learn from their example.

In this video, I'm sharing 8 reasons why it is more important to listen to your child than to talk to them.

Listening is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. Not only does it help build a strong relationship with your child, but it also helps them to develop communication skills. By listening to your child, you can help them to feel understood and secure in their relationships.

So whether you're trying to solve a problem or just have a conversation, make sure to listen carefully! It may just be the best thing you can do for your child! In this video, I'm sharing 8 reasons why it is more important to listen to your child than to talk to them.

Listening is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. Not only does it help build a strong relationship with your child, but it also helps them to develop communication skills. By listening to your child, you can help them to feel understood and secure in their relationships.

So whether you're trying to solve a problem or just have a conversation, make sure to listen carefully! It may just be the best thing you can do for your child!

In this short video, I'm explaining why Rebel Parents value their spouse's input. This is an important message to share because it shows that we are not alone in our struggles and that there is help available. We all face unique challenges as parents, and it's important to have support and advice from those closest to us. That's why Rebel Parents value their spouse's input so much! As a married couple, we understand the importance of communication and collaboration, and we're here to help you through whatever Challenges you face as a parent. Thank you for watching!

Hi Everyone, I’m Ryan Dobson, and this is REBEL Parenting FIVE  MINUTES OR LESS.

 Thank you to you, our supporters, and our sponsors, CovenantEyes.com lose the porn, improve your life. Code REBEL = free month, and new sponsor Gabb Wireless @ gabbwireless.com This is the smart watch I use with Luci. We love it. It’s the world’s safest smart watch & phone! Head to GabbWireless.com use code REBEL for a free smart phone &/or a free smart watch. 

Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”

When my children were young I was so ashamed of my parenting.  It was such a dark place to be. Can you imagine how different my relationship with my kids is now that I see parenting as a reward! I want you to see parenting as a reward too, and one thing that helps me be a better parent, is REBEL Parents know, get to be good parents, they don’t have to be good parents.

Saturday, March 14 I got a call informing me that my contract job was being canceled due to the lockdown… It was 6 months before I got steady work again, and let me tell you since that time, I’ve never “HAD” to go to work again. I GET to go to work!! WOO!

So, how do you show this to your kids? Start by truly appreciating the time you have with your kids. I was at a friend’s house Saturday night watching the UFC fights. Lincoln came with me and was planning on spending the night with his friend. I left around 11:30pm. An hour later I got a text from Lincoln asking if I was “still up?” I knew what was coming. He wanted to be picked up. Now, I didn’t have to pick him up. He planned to spend the night, I was ready for bed, and it was 12 degrees out. Who wants to go out in that? ME! Of course I picked up my son at nearly 1:00 o-clock in the morning. Because, as soon as he gets his driver’s license, I’ll never get to do this again.

The time slips by so quickly. Try not to wast it. Go tell your kids how much you love them and how much you love being their parent.

Thank you for supporting REBEL Parenting, you can donate online at REBELParenting.org click the donate tab. Also TY to GABBwireless.com use code REBEL for a free smart phone &/or a free smart watch. And, CovenantEyes.com lose the porn, improve your life. 

God Bless, have a great week. We believe in you, and so does God. 

I keep seeing books on "How to Discipline Your Children Better," and it's driving me crazy! This is a prime example of "trying to get the LAW to do what only GRACE can accomplish." Let's all learn how to LOVE each other better! You'll need far less discipline when you have the fruit of the Spirit!

Thanks to CovenantEyes.com (code REBEL)

Ryan and Laura are back! Ryan and Laura break down Chapter 3 in Paul David Tripp's book "Parenting." It's a great discussion of The Law vs Grace!

Our Sponsors: Covenant Eyes (Code REBEL for a free month), Summit (Christian Worldview Camp), and YOU!! Our Monthly Donors!

We have a great show for you today! We’re talking about MARRIAGE!! We decided that we would switch off topics each week between Parenting and Marriage. We’ve already started “Parenting,” by Paul Tripp, which we’ll continue next week. And, today we’re diving into one of our favorite books, “The Good News About Marriage,” by Shaunti Feldhahn! And, we’re also going to talk about how to have a better sex life. Don’t forget to LIKE and DESCRIBE! Thank You Sponsors: CovenantEyes.com and use the code “REBEL” for a free month! Also, a big thanks to all of our monthly sponsors! Join the REBEL Army at REBELParenting.org and click the donate tab!

Alright, let's talk MARRIAGE!!

What most people don’t know, but need to

The Big Cultural Problem

NEW STUDY ABOUT SEX!!

Again, Bad News Isn’t Motivating!

The Good News 

The Real Reason Pornography Hurts Your Sex Life

• Roe v Wade and the Supreme Court Decision
• How the Govt spent the COVID relief funds
• Are your Children yours or someone else’s 
• Border Disaster
• The Orwellian “Ministry of Truth & Disinformation”
• Ukraine & War With Russia & China
• A Win for Free Speech!

Thank you to today’s sponsors.

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Remember, Stay informed, stay involved!!

Today, Ryan & Laura discuss the topic of grace from their upcoming book, "REBEL Parenting," & Paul Tripp's book, "Parenting" Chapter 2.

Support Our Sponsors!!

Join the REBEL Army, become a monthly supporter

Covenant Eyes Code "REBEL" for a free Month!

Welcome to the REBEL News Roundup: This is the program where we discuss cultural and government issues impacting the family.

On today’s program we’ll discuss: What “Legacy Media'' vs “Modern Media”, The dangers of “Echo Chambers” in Legacy Media, Ukraine, Disney, our Southern Border, and a crisis of violence in the Police Force you aren’t expecting.

Sponsors:

Covenant Eyes.com (REBEL) free month

Consider becoming a monthly donor at REBELParenting.org

• Yale Study

Remember Stay Informed, Stay Involved

Welcome Back Laura Dobson aka: Hug Dealer, aka: the Atomic Mom!

The Fruit of the Spirit in Parenting & Marriage

Paul Tripp's "Parenting" Parenting is a "Calling!"

SPONSORS:

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summit.org (Code "REBEL22" for $100 off the summer program)

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Ryan continues with Kindness in Marriage, and... why it's hard! Don't give up, you can do this! 

Next we talk about REBEL Parenting! Here are some great ways to build your relationship with your kids through gratitude! You will get better results with gratitude than anger. New ways to reach kids at any age. Learning from our past mistakes in parenting will lead to closeness with our kids. "Kids will tell you 'everything' if you will listen to 'everything'"

Ryan closes with a portion of next month's REBEL Upgrade, Paul Tripp's "Parenting" Can you guess the subject? :)

Sponsory:

www.Summit.org code "REBEL22"

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Ryan delves into the latest news cycle, talks about "reasonable" vaxcine advice, & what we know so far. With the news of Neil Young & Joni Mitchel pulling their music from Spotify over Joe Rogan's "misinformation," Ryan talks about another possibile reason for the move. Did you know neither Neil Young nor Joni Mitchel own their musical catalog? If htey don't own it, then who made the decision to pull the music & WHY??

So thrilled at the survey response. Looks like in marriage people would like help with COMMUNICATION & SEX LIVES, and with kids, everyonen wants help in ALL areas! AMAZING! We're lining up the BEST guests to help with all of these issues! THANK YOU! 

Next we talk about the resistance you will encounter whenever you try to improve yourself & ANY situation. And, there is help! There is a great book titled, "The War of Art" that deals directly with this issue!

Showing kindness to your spouse can transform your marriage! Ryan gives hard evidence that the practice of kindness can revolutionize your marriage. All links and resources found at www.rebelparenting.org

REBEL Parenting, the fastest path to a GREAT relationship with your kids!

1. Ryan discusses the REBEL Parenting mindset

2. Get To vs. Have To

3. Learning how to listen so that our kids will talk more!

Ryan talks about his recent accident, surgery, and healing process. Then, Ryan talks about his new book project which deals with MARRIAGE & PARENTING!! We start Part 1 in this series on how to repair, rebuild, strengthen, and fix relationships alone. Make your marriage better even when your spouse isn't on the same page. It works and it's awesome!!

Good News!! NO CANCER!!

Thank you to our sponsors for providing cost free advice and help to you all!! 

mypillow.com Code "REBEL" for a big discount!

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Ryan & Laura started off their marriage with BAGGAGE!! Ryan had been married & divorced and Laura's parents divorced when she was in High School. How do two broken people make a marriage and family work? By INVESTING in their marriage! The investment is WORTH IT!!

rebelparenting.org for more info

On today's episode Ryan dives into the science of learning. When learning something new, often the process involves feeling and looking silly or foolish. When we avoid those feelings it halts our learning process. Our kids go through this all the time throughout childhood and adolescence. We can foster a lifetime of learning if we can teach ourselves and our children to embrace these feelings by example. The tool is board games. Don't miss this engaging episode.