Shows
The MAVEN Parent PodcastBack When Films Reflected the Christian Worldview w/ Dr. Onalee McGraw Is it just us or has it been a long time since a solid film with solid values rocked our culture? So many of the classic films seem to be aware of right and wrong in a way that's painfully absent in Hollywood today. Is it possible to reclaim any of this cultural worldview consensus? In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with Dr. Onalee McGraw, known for her tenure on the National Council on Education Research under the Reagan administration, about her project with the Educational Guidance Institute. Brett and Erin delve into Dr. McGraw's mission: educating kids a...
2023-12-2957 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastDo NOT Underestimate the Social Pressure on Your Kids Recently, the Kunkle family sent their youngest kid to summer camp. When he got home and debriefed Mom and Dad on all of the conversations and encounters, it was a good reminder of the immense social pressure our kids may face, especially when it comes to sexuality and LGBTQ issues. In this episode, Brett and Erin recount the details of that conversation with their son and discuss the powerful influence of the culture in shaping our hearts and minds. In addition, they show how a biblical worldview should set our expectations in such a way that we’re not ca...
2023-07-2053 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastThinking About Your Kid’s Future Wedding The culture’s individualistic emphasis on personal fulfillment at the expense of our obligations to others runs counter to the truth of scripture. A marriage in the Kunkle family illustrates how our children can become a huge blessing to those around them. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss their son’s recent wedding and how we need to help our kids understand that their obedience to God doesn’t just help them to flourish but also blesses and encourages the people around them.
2023-06-0834 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastThinking Carefully About Transgender Ideology Can a boy be “trapped” in a girl’s body or vice versa? Are there any good reasons to detach our biological sex from our gender identity? How does transgender ideology hurt people? How do we best love those who are struggling with gender dysphoria without compromising the truth? In this episode, we present a recent talk that Brett Kunkle gave to a group of fathers at a church in Southern California. It will help you navigate today’s transgender revolution.
2023-05-251h 01The MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Teach Your Kids Critical Thinking: Fallacies — PART 3 A logical fallacy is a mistake in reasoning. And we need to prepare our kids to recognize faulty reasoning. In this episode, Brett and Erin continue their series on how to teach our kids how to think critically by examining some of the most common logical fallacies. In addition, they provide some very helpful resources. Links: The Fallacy Detective — https://www.amazon.com/The-Fallacy-Detective-audiobook/dp/B07XLDZ43R Learning Logic — https://apologetics-store.biola.edu/products/learning-logic?_pos=1&_sid=d44567469&_ss=rThe Defense Never Rests — https://apologetics-store.biola.edu/pr...
2023-04-1334 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Teach Your Kids Critical Thinking — PART TWO Critical thinking is in short supply. Our kids won’t just “catch it” from an anti-intellectual culture. So parents and leaders must be intentional in teaching our kids how to think critically. In this episode, Brett & Erin discuss one of the most practical tools we can use to teach our kids how to reason well and develop critical thinking skills.
2023-04-0643 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Teach Your Kids Critical Thinking — PART ONE We have been dumbed down by the culture. Reason, rationality and careful thinking are absent from so much of life. Indeed, our educational institutions don’t even teach kids logic or critical thinking skills. So Christian parents must step up and take over this part of their children’s training. In this episode, Brett & Erin discuss the proper role of reason in the Christian life and the benefits of teaching our kids how to think critically.
2023-03-3155 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastGod’s Design for Family Has Not Changed! In her 2023 MAVEN Conference talk, Erin Kunkle discusses the undermining of the traditional nuclear family and then explains the biblical case for God’s design for the family. She discusses the implications of God’s design and lays out practical steps we can take to restore the family in a challenging culture. This talk provides the necessary Christian worldview framework for understanding how families can best flourish, even amidst the erosion of this most basic institution within Western Culture.
2023-03-2335 minThe MAVEN Parent Podcast4 Benefits of Young Marriage Is it better for our adult children to marry younger? Or should they delay this significant decision? Do the rates of divorce differ between those who marry young and those who delay marriage? In this episode, Brett and Erin unpack some of the benefits of marrying younger and how the church can support young married couples. Book: The Ring Makes All the Difference — https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Makes-All-Difference-Consequences/dp/080240216XArticle: "The Religious Marriage Paradox: Younger Marriage, Less Divorce” — https://ifstudies.org/blog/the-religious-marriage-paradox-younger-marriage-less-divorce
2023-03-0947 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastShould You Encourage Your Kids to Marry Young? People are waiting longer to get married. The new marriage norm for American men and women is to marry around the age of 30. Is this a good trend? What explains these recent marriage trends? And should we encourage our children to wait, as well? Brett and Erin discuss this current cultural trend in marriage, the secularism that seems to motivate it, and contrast it with the biblical view. Website: Institute for Family Studies — https://ifstudies.org/Article: “Let’s Have More Teen Pregnancy” — https://www.nationalreview.com/2002/09/lets-have-more-teen-pregnancy-frederica-mathewes-green/Article: "The Surprising Case for M...
2023-03-0238 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastShould We Rethink the Traditional Family? — Part 2 The proposal of new “normal" family structures is causing the culture to rethink the supremacy of the traditional family. Same-sex parents. Families where children are conceived by assisted reproduction. Single-parent homes formed by divorce. Stepfamilies. Cohabiting parents. These new ways of being a family raise a host of questions.Are mothers and fathers essential? Do children do just as well in these new family structures? Is it time to set aside our biases for the traditional family? Are we free to reimagine what a family is? In this episode, Katy Faust concludes this discussion, followed by a panel discussion wi...
2023-02-2354 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastShould We Rethink the Traditional Family? — Part 1 The proposal of new “normal" family structures are causing the culture to rethink the supremacy of the traditional family. Same-sex parents. Families where children are conceived by assisted reproduction. Single-parent homes formed by divorce. Stepfamilies. Cohabiting parents. These new ways of being a family raise a host of questions.Are mothers and fathers essential? Do children do just as well in these new family structures? Is it time to set aside our biases for the traditional family? Are we free to reimagine what a family is? In this episode, Brett Kunkle and John Stonestreet begin to tackle these tough qu...
2023-02-1651 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Teach Your Kids the Bible — Part 2 How do we teach our kids the Bible effectively? What practical steps can we take with our kids to get them acquainted and interacting with Scripture? In part two of this two-part podcast series, Brett and Erin offer a host of practical ideas that you can implement RIGHT NOW in your home and family life. Links to Resources Mentioned in the Show: Questioning the Bible by Jonathan Morrow: https://www.amazon.com/Questioning-Bible-Challenges-Bibles-Authority/dp/0802411789 Scribes & Scripture by John Meade & Peter Gurry: https://www.amazon.com/Scribes-Scripture-Amazing-Story-Bible/dp/1433577895 The Epic Story of...
2023-02-0938 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Teach Your Kids the Bible — Part 1 If the Bible is the authoritative Word of God, it should be the primary “textbook” for our kids. But how can we effectively teach them how to read, study, and handle the Bible? In part one of this two-part podcast series, Brett and Erin discuss how our own view of Scripture is the starting point for teaching our kids the Bible. Links to Resources Mentioned in the Show: Questioning the Bible by Jonathan Morrow: https://www.amazon.com/Questioning-Bible-Challenges-Bibles-Authority/dp/0802411789
2023-02-0237 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastShould I Homeschool My Kids? There’s been a lot of upheaval in education over the last few years. As a result, many families have considered homeschooling their children. However, with little to no experience, parents may have a lot of questions and concerns that hold them back. In this episode, Brett & Erin answer the top ten homeschool questions, in order to help you decide whether or not you can and should homeschool your kids.
2023-01-2659 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastRaising Resilient Kids w/ Kathy Koch We’re raising a generation of “fragile” kids. They have difficulty with the regular struggles of life. They define themselves by their negative experiences. And then they blame others for their struggles. As a result, they’re anxious and depressed. So how do we raise RESILIENT kids, who embrace life with confidence? Brett and Erin interview Dr. Kathy Koch about her new book entitled Resilient Kids.
2023-01-1951 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastLiving With Less Stuff Our lives are filled with so much clutter. We often absorb the cultural pressure to consume more material possessions. What does scripture say about “treasures on earth?” How do we re-orient our lives to treasure the things of God and His Kingdom over our possessions? In this episode, Brett and Erin survey some key biblical passages and then lay out practical steps to eliminate the material possessions that often clutter our lives. Book — A Practical Guide to Culture: https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Guide-Culture-Generation-Navigate/dp/0830781242
2023-01-1242 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastGetting Your Family on Track It’s a new year and many of us are motivated to outline new year’s resolutions, set new goals, and make big plans. But how do we do so successfully? What can help keep us from setting goals this month and giving up on them next month? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss a biblical view of planning and offer some practical steps that can help parents and families submit their goal-setting to the Lord and be effective in making and achieving them. Book — Same-Sex Marriage: https://www.amazon.com/Same-Sex-Marriage-Thoughtful-Approach-Response/dp/080101834X
2023-01-0547 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastNavigating False Messages During Christmas During Christmas, families are inundated with all kinds of holiday messages. Some are true and good, while others are false and undermine our focus on the incarnation of Jesus. For parents, this is a key time to “narrate” those messages for our kids. By doing so, we help them notice and become aware of the distractions. In this episode, Brett and Erin walk through some Christmastime examples. In addition, they also discuss a few of their favorite Christmas books, that help our kids and us to direct our attention to the objective meaning of the season.
2022-12-2345 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastTry THIS to Make Christmas Better The meaning and significance of Christmas are easily muted or lost amidst the busyness and consumerism of the season. By the time Christmas morning arrives, we’re tired and unfocused and left to feel guilty that maybe we didn’t give Jesus His proper place during the holidays. So how can we slow down the Christmas season and cultivate homes where “Jesus is the reason for the season” is not merely a Christian cliche? In this episode, Brett and Erin offer one powerful idea for your family.
2022-12-0148 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastNavigating the Lies of the Culture w/ Alisa Childers Live your truth. Be who you are. Follow your heart. These cultural mantras may sound positive and even enlightening, but they unhinge us from reality and leave us empty. In this episode, Brett and Erin are joined by Alisa Childers to discuss her new book, Live Your Truth and Other Lies. Alisa identifies some of the most prominent lies of our culture and how we can navigate them with our children and students.
2022-11-2536 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastProtecting Our Families From a False Gospel w/ Alisa Childers Brett and Erin are joined by special guest Alisa Childers to discuss her book Another Gospel? and the challenges of Progressive Christianity.
2022-11-1743 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastShould Kids Socialize Through Technology? How our kids “hang out” nowadays is a lot different than when we were growing up. Instead of going outside to play or spending time face-to-face, they constantly chat over text or play video games online while talking to friends with a headset. But should we let them? If so, how much of their socializing should be mediated through screens and technology? Does socialization through technology have an impact on their mental health? In this episode, Brett and Erin think biblically about what it means to be human and how a Christian worldview informs how approach to socialization via tech...
2022-11-1053 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastParents' Questions on Technology Most parents feel ill-prepared to manage their kids’ use of technology and protect them from a myriad of harms. So we solicited parents’ specific questions on technology for this podcast episode. How do monitor and protect kids who are more tech-savvy than their parents? What are the best parental online tools? What about parents who don’t see eye-to-eye on how to manage technology? What are some good books to help parents get on the same page? Brett and Erin weigh in on these important questions.
2022-11-0348 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastPractical Steps to Teach Kids Manners What are examples of the kind of manners we should teach our kids? How do manners have an impact on the character development of our kids? What are some practical tips for effectively teaching our kids manners? Brett and Erin get practical in this episode.
2022-10-2736 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastAre Manners Really a Big Deal? Should parents emphasize the teaching of manners? Are manners that big of a deal in the larger scheme of parenting? How does a Christian worldview inform our view on manners? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss the oft-neglected topic of manners.
2022-10-2046 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastFlourishing in Our Identity Today MAVEN joins forces with the Colson Center’s Strong Woman podcast! Brett and Erin sit down with John and Sarah Stonestreet to discuss humanity's origin story and the implications for men, women, and our families. Amid cultural confusion about what a woman is, John and Brett give practical advice for how to navigate transgender ideology for ourselves and our kids.
2022-10-1356 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastTips to Navigate Culture w/ the Stonestreets How can parents inoculate their kids from the false ideas of the surrounding culture? How do we prepare ourselves for the questions and conversations we will inevitably have to have with kids? And what’s the result if we don’t talk about culture with our kids? In this episode, Brett and Erin collect a few parenting tips on navigating culture with our kids from John and Sarah Stonestreet.
2022-10-0622 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastListener Q & A In this episode, Brett & Erin take some time to respond to questions from our listeners. They address some follow questions from a recent podcast (“Should We Get Rid of Kids’ Sunday Schoo?”) about implementing ideas for kids’ discipleship in the local church and in a couple’s Bible study. Brett and Erin provide some very practical advice. They also address an objection from a listener regarding what a Christian worldview is and how it relates to the topic of discipline. Keep the questions coming!
2022-09-2844 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastValuing Your Child’s Uniqueness God has designed every human being in unique and wonderful ways, and that includes our kids. So how do we discover those things that are special about our children? How can we be intentional in encouraging our kids in their uniqueness? Brett and Erin discuss these questions and offer practical tips.
2022-09-2245 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Deal With Bad News It seems like parents are bombarded with discouraging news headlines every single day. So how do we navigate a world of bad news? How do we think carefully and Christianly about the latest study or negative news story? Brett and Erin discuss a couple of recent headlines and show how we can think our way through them.
2022-09-1539 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastParents, Don’t Google It! So often our first impulse is to take our parenting questions straight to the internet. We’ll ask Siri or Google answers to our questions. But is finding information online the same as gaining knowledge and wisdom? Are there better, more biblical sources that we should first consult? Brett and Erin discuss how scripture points us to true sources of wisdom for our parenting journey.
2022-09-0854 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastAre Your Kids Changing Your Beliefs? Is it a real possibility that your kids will have a dramatic NEGATIVE impact on your Christian faith? Are you tempted to compromise God’s moral standards because your kids are? Are your kids catechizing you? Brett and Erin discuss how our kids’ struggles with God can slowly erode the faith of the adults who love them.
2022-09-0234 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastTalking Roe v. Wade with Scott Klusendorf Scott Klusendorf is one of the top pro-life apologists in the nation. Brett & Erin sit down with Scott to discuss his personal story, how he got into pro-life work, the implications of the recent Supreme Court decision regarding Roe v. Wade and how to equip the next generation to defend the life of the unborn.
2022-08-2554 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Raise Expectations for Kids at Church What changes can we make in our local churches, to more effectively teach and train our children and youth? Brett & Erin share a number of practical ideas about how we can do church with our kids and raise expectations for their discipleship.
2022-08-1844 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastShould We Get Rid of Kids’ Sunday School? Is it good that our churches are largely age-segregated? Does our modern way of doing church actually hinder the discipleship of our kids? Brett & Erin share some key insights from their involvement in a church plant in Southern California, that will challenge current thinking about how we do church with our kids.
2022-08-1152 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastPractical Ways to Teach Kids About Truth How do we teach our kids about an abstract idea like the nature of truth? How do we instill in them a commitment to the truth? Brett and Erin outline very practical steps parents can take to train their kids in truth.
2022-08-0347 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastTeaching Kids Truth in a Post-Truth Culture Our kids are growing up in a culture that undermines their confidence in knowing truth and reality. “Live your own truth” and “that’s true for you but not for me” are the mantras of the day. How do we teach our kids truth and restore their confidence that we can know God’s truth? Brett and Erin discuss this ubiquitous parenting challenge and offer ways to think carefully about the nature of truth.
2022-07-2955 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastDo Your Kids HATE Reading?! w/Carole Joy Seid For Christians, reading is vital. God has primarily spoken to us through the written word, in His Holy Word. Therefore, we must cultivate a LOVE for reading in our kids, if we want to equip them with an absolutely essential tool for their spiritual growth. But how can we get our kids to read? How do we help them fall in love with reading? In this podcast episode, Brett and Erin interview Carole Joy Seid. Carole offers practical advice on getting our kids to fall in love with reading.
2022-07-2153 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastDo Kids Have “Impulse Control?” Many parenting experts and psychologists will argue that children, particularly young kids, have no “impulse control.” What does this mean? What are the implications for discipline and parenting? And how do current ideas about impulse control fit with a biblical view of children, discipline and parenting? Brett and Erin tackle these questions in this episode.
2022-07-1355 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastWhy AND How to Teach Church History to Your Kids If you asked most Christian parents, church history is probably not at the top of the list of topics we think we NEED to teach our kids about. However, if we don’t teach them about this vital subject, we can seriously handicap their faith. In this episode, Brett and Erin list the reasons WHY we should teach church history to our kids and then provide practical advice on HOW to teach it effectively. Show notes: https://linktr.ee/mavenpodcast70
2022-06-2944 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastCan Discipleship Defeat Indoctrination? In this episode, Brett and Erin respond to a popular pastors tweet about the indoctrination of kids in school. They discuss whether or not parents should actually be concerned and then evaluate four recommendations the pastor offers parents about the discipleship of our kids.
2022-06-2332 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastDon’t Waste the Summer Break With Your Kids School is out and summer is in full swing. However, having the kids home more or losing the structure of the school-year calendar, can present challenges for parents. Rather than feeling stuck “entertaining” your kids or letting screens take over, parents who are intentional can make summer a very productive time. How? Brett and Erin discuss one simple tool to take control of your kids’ summer.
2022-06-1639 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow the Gender Revolution Shapes Our Kids — Part 2 In the second half of their parent talk at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio in April 2022, Brett and Erin continue to dispel the cultural lies about gender and then begin to paint a biblical picture of God’s design for gender.
2022-05-2558 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow the Gender Revolution Shapes Our Kids — Part 1 How does our culture most powerfully shape us? By presenting to us what is, and therefore should be, normal. And what is the culture presenting to our young people as the norm regarding sex and gender? In this talk given to the parents at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio in April 2022, Brett and Erin walk through a multitude of examples from the culture. Then they provide some clear thinking to help parents navigate these issues in a confused culture.
2022-05-1859 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastResponding to Objections to the Pro-life Position Is it legitimate to legislate our moral views on abortion? Are pro-lifers inconsistent because they only care about the unborn and not the already-born? Brett & Erin bring some clear thinking to help answer these common objections to the pro-life position.
2022-05-1146 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastTalking to Your Kids About Abortion With the leak of the Supreme Court’s draft opinion on Roe v. Wade this week, abortion is THE hot topic. So, should we take this opportunity to talk to our kids about this explosive issue? In this episode, Brett & Erin discuss why and how to talk to your kids about abortion.
2022-05-0548 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastShould You Take Your Kids to Funerals? Parents struggle with how much to protect their kids from the difficulties of life. When it comes to the reality of death, are our kids ready to confront the pain and suffering that accompanies it? Should we take them to a funeral? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss a biblical worldview perspective on life and death and how it should inform our parenting on this tough issue.
2022-04-2840 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastShould You Let Your Kids Watch Disney? Recently, Disney has been in the news for its LGBTQ activism. Disney executives have said they want to incorporate more LGBTQ characters into their shows and movies. So what’s a parent to do? Should Christian parents let their kids watch Disney? In this episode, Brett and Erin work through this issue thoughtfully, while also providing practical steps for parents.
2022-04-2158 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastWhat Does God Have to Do With Time? The Christian Calendar Time is fundamental to life. We live in time. We organize our lives according to it. We can’t escape time. And yet, many of us have never thought about how our Christian faith relates to time. In this episode, Brett and Erin talk about the Christian Calendar and how it is a practical tool to bring God’s Story to the center of our lives and organize our lives around Him, rather than ourselves.SHOW NOTES:The Story … As Told Through the Christian Calendarhttps://vimeo.com/799233369 Things You Should Know About...
2022-04-1452 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastAnswering Parents Questions On Technology Recently, Brett spoke to parents at Arbor Road Church in Southern California. During the Q & A, there were a lot of questions regarding kids and technology, so Brett and Erin decided to tackle them in this episode.
2022-04-0652 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastShould Parents Let Their Kids Throw Tantrums? There's a lot of modern parenting advice out there that says we should let kids "feel what they feel." By allowing them to display any and all emotions, even by way of tantrum, we are allegedly giving them a safe place for those feelings. But how does this modern advice stack up with the ancient wisdom of Scripture? Should parents tolerate tantrums or is there a better way? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss this challenging topic for parents.
2022-03-3154 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastPrayer and Parenting We know we should pray as parents, but WHY do we pray? What does the very act of praying mean? Brett & Erin recently joined the Colson Center for a brief discussion on why prayer is a significant and powerful part of parenting.
2022-03-1730 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastPractical Ideas to Navigate Gender Ideology Ideas have consequences...and bad ideas have victims. When it comes to Transgender ideology, the victims are usually children and students. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss some of the consequences of affirming the culture’s view of gender identity and what practical steps parents can take to help their kids navigate this new reality.
2022-03-0958 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastCan You Tell Me What a Woman Is? Transgender ideology says that one’s gender is determined solely by an individual’s thoughts or feelings about oneself. The result? Gender can be anything you make it. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss how, ironically, this view ends up doing away with any meaningful sense of gender altogether.The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self:https://smile.amazon.com/Rise-Triumph-Modern-Self-Individualism/dp/1433556332/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1646213776&sr=8-1When Harry Became Sally:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-harry-became-sally-ryan-anderson/1125792437?ean=9781594039614
2022-03-0237 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastGender Ideas Have Consequences Women’s collegiate swimming has erupted in controversy, as Lia Thomas, a trans woman who competes on the Penn St. women’s swim team breaks records and dominates competition. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss these recent events and how Christian parents should think about the issues surrounding gender identity and how we can help our kids navigate transgender ideology.https://bariweiss.substack.com/p/watching-lia-thomas-win?utm_source=url
2022-02-2450 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastWhy Parents Need to Teach Their Kids About MIRACLES The Bible is filled with miracle accounts so why don’t Christians talk much about the miraculous? Do we really believe that miracles are possible, even probable? How do miracle stories strengthen our faith in God? Brett and Erin interview Dr. J.P. Moreland about his new book, A Simple Guide to Experience Miracles: Instruction and Inspiration for Living Supernaturally in Christ.Get JP's book on Miracles: https://smile.amazon.com/Simple-Guide-Experience-Miracles-Supernaturally/dp/0310124190/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1645139980&sr=8-1Little Lights books: https://smile.amazon.com/Little-Lights-Box-Set-1/dp/1781918015/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2YELPYSUZBX1L...
2022-02-1646 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Deal With ANXIETY as a Parent The last two years have been difficult and anxiety and depression have hit epidemic levels in both parents and our kids. How do can we navigate anxiety successfully? In this episode, Brett and Erin interview Dr. J.P. Moreland about his book, Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices That Brought Peace.Get JP's book: https://smile.amazon.com/Finding-Quiet-Overcoming-Anxiety-Practices/dp/031059720X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1644487311&sr=1-2
2022-02-1046 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastWhy We Decided to Homeschool In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss their journey into homeschooling. After having kids in both public and private schools, what reasons led them to pursue the homeschool option? And how did they think about objections to homeschooling, like socialization or having our kids be “salt and light” in the public system? Brett and Erin discuss all of this and more in this podcast episode.
2022-02-0257 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastA Mom and Dad Put Each Other on the Hot Seat We’re changing things up for this episode of the MAVEN Parent podcast! Brett and Erin ask each other some unrehearsed and unanticipated parenting questions. Their answers are very personal and reveal some parental wisdom borne out of struggle.
2022-01-2656 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastWhat Rights and Authority Do Parents Have With Their Kids? — Part 2 There have been recent attacks on the idea that parents have certain rights and authority over their own kids. For example, when it comes to education, who has the right to decide what our kids will learn? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss this modern challenge to parental authority.
2022-01-1944 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastWhat Rights and Authority Do Parents Have With Their Kids? — Part 1 There have been recent attacks on the idea that parents have certain rights and authority over their own kids. For example, when it comes to education, who has the right to decide what our kids will learn? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss this modern challenge to parental authority.
2022-01-1240 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Raise Thankful Kids In a world of plenty, where consumerism and materialism dominate so much of our lives, how do we raise kids who are thankful and generous? How do help them cultivate gratitude in their lives? Brett and Erin discuss practical ideas to help raise grateful kids in an entitled world.
2022-01-0548 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow NOT to Ruin CHRISTMAS for Your Kids - Part 2 Are we as intentional as we should be on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, in drawing our kids attention to Christ? In this episode Brett and Erin offer more practical ideas on how to keep Jesus front and center during the holidays.
2021-12-2236 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow NOT to Ruin Christmas for Your Kids - Part 1 Could we possibly ruin Christmas for our kids by the way we give gifts? Given the true meaning of the Christmas holiday--a celebration of the Incarnation--then the answer is yes. In this episode, Brett and Erin help guide us to be intentional in the giving of presents and provide some very practical ideas.SHOW NOTES:Three Wise Kingshttps://smile.amazon.com/Story-Three-Wise-Kings/dp/1534466525/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FPS5ELQURSCA&keywords=three+wise+kings+depaola&qid=1639562031&sprefix=three+wise+kings%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1This Is Stable:https://smile.amazon.com/This-Stable-Cynthia-Cotten...
2021-12-1537 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Strengthen Your Kid’s Belief in God If justification and evidence strengthen our beliefs and help us move from mere belief to knowledge, then how and what should we teach our kids about the evidence for God’s existence? Brett & Erin walk though some practical ways we can teach our children about the powerful evidence for God’s existence.
2021-12-0947 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastWhy It’s Not ENOUGH for Your Kids to BELIEVE in God What does it mean to “believe” something? Are you satisfied with the mere fact that your kids believe in God? Brett & Erin show why merely believing something isn’t enough, explain three important aspects of belief and how we ultimately want to help our kids move from simply BELIEVING in God to KNOWING that God is real.
2021-11-1738 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Manage Your Family Schedule Our lives are filled with busyness and activity. Work, school, church, sports, music lessons, meetings, dinners, etc. In this episode, Brett & Erin offer a simple and practical tool that they’ve been using for more than 20 years, to manage the family schedule.
2021-11-1146 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow To Deal With Kid's Bad Attitudes Talking back. Whining. Dirty looks. Rolling the eyes. Rudeness. Are bad attitudes something parents just need to tolerate from their kids? Brett and Erin help us think carefully about this issue and offer practical advice on how to handle it.
2021-11-0442 minThe MAVEN Parent Podcast6 Ways to Teach Your Kids Theology Theology, the study of God, is the most significant area of knowledge that we can pass on to the next generation. But how can we effectively teach our kids theology? Brett & Erin outline six practical ways to pass on the knowledge of God to our children and youth.
2021-10-281h 03The MAVEN Parent PodcastShould Christians Celebrate HALLOWEEN? How should Christians THINK about Halloween? Is it a pagan holiday that we should avoid? Or is it something that Christians can participate in and even redeem? Brett & Erin discuss HOW to think about this holiday.Inspiring Philosophy’s video on the history of halloween:Inspiring Philosophy’s link to the video on the history of halloween:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu-5BmAzbrUWalt Russell’s study of “the appearance of evil” in 1 Thessalonians 5:22:https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2011/avoid-every-appearance-of-evil-toppling-a-faulty-moral-pillar
2021-10-211h 03The MAVEN Parent PodcastUnderstanding Raising Gen Z w/Jonathan Morrow What does the latest research show about the beliefs and behavior of Gen Z? Gen Z expert Jonathan Morrow joins Brett & Erin for a discussion on how to reach and disciple today’s children and youth.
2021-10-1352 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastEducation and the Christian Worldview What does the Bible teach about God and man? What are the implications of the biblical teaching for a Christian view of education? And is modern education compatible with the biblical view? In this episode, Brett and Erin walk us through Scripture and then challenge us to re-evaluate our kid’s education.
2021-09-3051 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastThe Most Important Question You Can Ask About Your Kid’s Schooling Are your views on education something you’ve come to through careful and biblical reflection? Or are they simply absorbed from the surrounding culture? Before you decide on public, private or home education, there’s a prior question that must be answered. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss the question every Christian parent needs to answer about their kid’s schooling.
2021-09-2345 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastWhy Would Schools Hide This From Parents? If parents aren’t fully awake yet, it’s time to wake up! Brett and Erin look at what’s happening in some of our public schools around the country, where kids’ gender transitions are being hidden from parents. What are the implications of such actions for the education of our kids? How must parents and churches rethink the education of the next generation?Abigail Shrier Article:https://abigailshrier.substack.com/p/should-public-schools-be-allowedhttps://abigailshrier.substack.com/p/should-public-schools-be-allowedIrreversible Damage: https://smile.amazon.com/Irreversible-Damage-Transgender-Seducing-Daughters/dp/168451228X/
2021-09-1650 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastShould We Use Preferred Pronouns? Our children are being socialized into using people’s “preferred” pronouns. Is this really a big deal? Are pronouns really that important? Is it something we should resist? Brett & Erin offer some clear thinking on this issue.When Harry Became Sally: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-harry-became-sally-ryan-anderson/1125792437Irreversible Damage: https://smile.amazon.com/Irreversible-Damage-Transgender-Seducing-Daughters/dp/168451228X/
2021-09-0946 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastStop Doing Everything for Your Kids Let’s face it, life is EASY in our culture. So how can we allow our kids to struggle and deal with difficulties in a culture that is so pleasure-oriented? Brett and Erin lay out a host of very practical steps that will help parents cultivate resilient kids who aren’t strangers to adversity AND who understand God’s redemptive ways amidst pain and struggle.
2021-09-0150 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastLet Your Kids Struggle Helicopter parents have morphed into Lawnmower parents, attempting to remove every obstacle and barrier in their kids’ lives. But even well-intentioned parents will prevent their kids from maturing in important ways if they don’t let them struggle. Brett & Erin discuss a biblical view of difficulty and struggle.
2021-08-2656 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastOne Very Practical Tool to Help You Teach and Disciple Your Kids Deuteronomy 6:7 tells us to “Impress [God’s laws] on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” But how can we do this practically in our 21st century world? Brett and Erin discuss the concept of narration and how it can be an effective tool in passing on God’s truth to the next generation.
2021-08-1936 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastYour Questions About Blended Families Blended families are reality for most modern families. How do we should we think about blended families biblically and how do we navigate the unique challenges they bring? Brett & Erin discuss insights from the Christian worldview that help us to think properly and realistically about blended families AND offer practical help.Focus on the family resource: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/resources-fostering-or-adopting-children-from-difficult-backgrounds/
2021-08-1253 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow Should We Disagree With Others? In an increasingly polarized and hostile public square, can Christians disagree with others WITH civility and grace? How do we keep our kids from being socialized by the outrage-machine that is social media? Brett and Erin lay out a biblical view and practical steps to help us lead our families in God-honoring disagreement.
2021-08-0550 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastDo Not Shelter Your Kids From False Ideas We live in an increasingly secular culture and our kids are immersed in it, as well. So, it’s inevitable that they will be challenged by the false world views of the culture. How do we prepare them to engage with false ideas AND strengthen their faith in Christ at the same time? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss a strategy to inoculate our kids rather than isolate them from false views of the culture.
2021-07-2255 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastShould I Force My Kids to Go to Church? Is it detrimental to force our kids to attend church even when they don’t want to? What should parents look for when their kids start complaining about church? Does our kid’s reluctance reveal our own unhealthy views or habits when it comes to the local church? In this episode, Brett and Erin unpack this difficult topic.
2021-07-1551 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHelp! My Kid is a Picky Eater! How do we deal with kids that don’t want to eat the food we prepare? Should we make them a separate meals? How has American culture shaped our views about eating in unhealthy ways? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss practical steps to help our kids establish good eating habits.
2021-07-0855 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastDisciplining Together—How Moms & Dads Can Be on the Same Team How can parents overcome their differences and become unified partners in the discipline of their children? Brett and Erin offer very practical steps to help your spouse and you come together as a team.
2021-07-0126 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Discipline Kids at the Older Years (High School) The older years. How should we discipline our kids when they move into their teen years? How should we shift what we do to respect their growing independence and yet still guide them with wisdom? Brett and Erin tackle the challenges of disciplining our teenagers.
2021-06-241h 01The MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Discipline Kids in the Middle Years The middle years. How do we begin to transition into giving our children the reasons why we have the limits and rules that we have? How can we continue to discipline well as they grow towards their teen years? Brett and Erin give practical advise for navigating discipline through the preteen years.
2021-06-1740 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Discipline Kids at the Younger Years (Continued) In this episode, Brett and Erin continue laying out very practical steps on how to discipline children during the younger years. These steps will lay a foundation for discipline that carry into the later stages, as well.
2021-06-101h 03The MAVEN Parent PodcastHow to Discipline Kids During the Younger Years Navigating discipline with our children can be rough, so Brett & Erin begin with some challenge and encouragement in this episode. In addition, they begin to lay out a three-stage framework for how to discipline kids at different ages, starting with the younger years.
2021-05-2056 minThe MAVEN Parent Podcast4 STEPS Toward HEALTHY Discipline If discipline is defined as “training that corrects,” then it’s a lot more than punishing our kids. In this episode, Brett and Erin lay out four steps that prevent such reductionistic thinking about discipline and instead, help to lay a healthy foundation.
2021-05-1359 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow Discipline Instills Life-Changing Habits in Our Kids When we discipline our kids well, we not only teach them obedience to God’s moral laws but we also instill in them habits that shape their desires and loves. Yes, we can help them not only do what is good but also love what is good! In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss five life-long and life-changing habits brought about by good discipline.
2021-05-0746 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastHow the Christian Worldview Makes Sense of Discipline When it comes to the discipline of children, we CAN’T start with the how-tos. We must makes sense of WHY we should discipline in the first place. In this episode, Brett and Erin show how the Christian worldview connects discipline back to God’s existence and character, providing us with the necessary framework that makes sense of the discipline of our kids.
2021-04-2942 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastDiscipline is Out & Mutual Understanding is In? How does our Christian worldview guide us in the discipline of our kids? Is discipline ineffective and outdated in raising today’s kids? Where do we start when thinking about discipline? In this episode, Brett & Erin begin to lay down a biblical foundation for disciplining children.
2021-04-1437 minThe MAVEN Parent Podcast7 Practical Steps to Help Your Kids Navigate the Gender Chaos How do we develop a theology of gender? How do we create homes where healthy gender distinctions are modeled and affirmed? Brett and Erin provide practical steps that families can take with their kids.
2021-04-0755 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastWhat Does it Mean to Be Male and Female? Are men and women different? If so, does that mean one is inferior to the other? And what does it even mean to be male or female? Brett and Erin unpack how human design is vital for understanding human functioning and flourishing and how God has uniquely designed men and women.
2021-03-3155 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastDo We Get to Determine Our Own Gender? Can boys be girls and girls be boys? Is gender identity merely a matter of feelings? In this episode, Brett and Erin help untangle us from the lie that we can determine our own gender and discuss how our biological sex fits with our gender identity, so we can help our kids navigate this cultural challenge.
2021-03-2440 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastFive Steps to Help Your Kids Navigate Technology Brett & Erin Kunkle discuss five very practical steps you can take with your kids RIGHT NOW, to help your kids manage and navigate the challenges of technology...and help them fight screen addiction!
2020-08-1134 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastAn AMAZING Tool to Teach Your Kids About God Parents need tools, especially tools that will help them teach their kids about God. Brett and Erin Kunkle discuss a very practical tool they've implemented in their family, called "Morning Time" (thanks to Cindy Rollins for this great idea!), that serves as an important way the Kunkle parents disciple and teach their four kids (that are still at home).
2020-02-1841 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastTHIS is What Christian Parenting is ALL ABOUT What should Christian parents desire ABOVE ALL ELSE for their kids? What is the MAIN parenting GOAL for Christian parents? Brett & Erin Kunkle discuss how our parenting must start with the end in mind AND what that end goal should be for followers of Jesus Christ.
2020-02-1727 minThe MAVEN Parent PodcastOur Beautiful Messy Journey Into Parenting What happens when a youth pastor goes on a blind date with a single mom? You get the beginnings of the Kunkle Family! Hear how Brett & Erin met, how they started their parenting journey and how God has worked through all of it.
2020-02-1624 min