Through Rough Waters

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Chris McKenna, founder and CEO of Protect Young Eyes and author of the new book, “5 Habits of the Tech-Ready Family.” We talk about where technology stands today, how kids & families should be interacting with technology, and ways - both relationally and technically - parents and caregivers can keep their kids safe in today’s technologically saturated wo...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Nicole Fryling from West Michigan Wellness Group as we continue our “Back to Basics” mini-series by talking about Christian counseling, including how Christian counselors use the Bible and its truth as the foundation of all their conversations, the relationship and interconnection between between pastoral counseling and Christian counseling, and the diff...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Nicole Fryling from West Michigan Wellness Group. Together, we’re kicking off our Spring mini-series called “Back to Basics.” We start our conversation by answering the question, “What is counseling?” We’ll also take a look at the biblical foundation of the entire concept of “counsel,” define the professional relationship between a counselor and a client...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Bridgett Blood to talk about how Christian singles & Christians who are dating can engage their God-given and God-wired sexuality in a healthy, Biblical, and God-honoring way. We talk about reframing this conversation from lists of “dos and don’ts” to honoring the way God created us, while still holding appropriate and Biblical boundaries. We also talk a...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Nicole Fryling to talk about loving through disappointment. We talk about some of the reasons disappointing relationships exist, how to look at yourself first to see what can change, the importance of healthy lament, and how to pray & love through a disappointing relationship. If you have a question for this season’s Q&A, you can email throughroughwaters...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by marriage therapist Jim Brazel to talk about how to be emotionally intelligent, spiritually intelligent, and romantically intelligent spouses, and why it’s so critical to turn toward (and not away from) your spouse during conflict. If you have a question for this season’s Q&A, you can email throughroughwaters@wcsg.org or submit your question anonymously a...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Nicole Fryling as we continue our series on relationships by talking about how we can move from loneliness to being known. We discuss how social media creates the illusion of community and being connected, the importance of being vulnerable and showing our “true” selves, and ways we can take steps toward healthy, biblical community. If you have a questio...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin kick off our fall series all about relationships. We talk about how God designed us for relationship & community, look at what healthy, Biblical relationship looks like, why interdependence - and not independence or dependence - is key, and the role that therapy & counseling can play in strengthening our relationships. If you have a question for this season’s Q&A, you...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Nate Wagner, Director of Health & Counseling Services at Cornerstone University. Nate helps us through our conversation about how important it is to be kind to ourselves, how to show ourselves grace as we work through our struggles, and how shame is one of the biggest barriers to finding our identity in Christ. If you have a question for this season’s Q&...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by dietician, chef, and nutrition counselor Kristi Veltkamp. We talk about how important it is to have a healthy perspective about the food we eat and our bodies, how to show love to ourselves in the midst of struggling with nutrition, and some ways to make healthy changes to support better mental health. Connect with Kristi: www.thefaithfilleddietitian.com...

In this episode, Zach, Kevin, and some of our guests from our parenting series answer your questions - including, “How do I help my child understand that therapy will help them?” “When should parents intervene when children are having problems at school?” and “How should parents respond when their child tells them they are same-sex attracted?” If you have a question for this season’s Q&A, you can...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Laurie Krieg from the Hole In My Heart Podcast and The Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender to talk about how to talk to your kids about sex in a gospel context. Laurie shares what she’s learned as she’s been writing a book, video series, and curriculum about this conversation, and we discuss how important it is to not shy away from talking about sex...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by therapist Kristi Kinzler to talk about parenting through grief and loss. Kristi shares her personal story of her husband’s sudden passing, how God showed up in her and her family’s story after that loss, and why she started the Kinzler Foundation to help other families going through their own sudden grief and loss. The Kinzler Foundation https://kinzlerf...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by therapist Marge Lucas to discuss co-parenting. We talk about how parents can navigate raising their kids when they don’t have them all of the time, what a “loyalty bind” is, and why that’s so damaging to put kids in, what an ideal co-parenting arrangement can look like, and how to walk through parenting when the other parent isn’t cooperative or an equal...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by therapist Kathy Monroe to continue our series on parenting by talking about equipping parents with some skills to help model and manage behavior. We talk about how parents are like mirrors and children will match what they see in their parents, how important it is to give good directions, and go through some practical exercises about how to respond to be...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Nicole Fryling to talk about parenting emerging adults. We discuss the transition into adulthood, why turning 18 doesn’t automatically make someone an “adult”, how parents can maintain a healthy relationship - and partnership - with their adult children, and ways to repair a relationship that may have been damaged. If you have a question for this season’...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by therapist Linda Saum as we continue our parenting series by talking about building confidence & resilience in our kids. We talk about helicopter- and snowplow-parenting, how simply removing obstacles from our kids’ lives isn’t always the best thing for them, and ways we can create safe environments for kids to become more confident and courageous. If you...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by therapist Brooke Holmes as we kick off a new season and a new series on parenting. We talk about why we’re focusing on parenting, identifying trauma, taking the first steps toward helping our kids through trauma, and what to do when our own trauma as parents is impacting our children. If you have a question for this season’s Q&A, you can email throughrou...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin wrap up Season 2 of Through Rough Waters by talking about stress. We talk about how stress isn’t automatically a bad thing, what stress actually is and how it shows up throughout our entire selves - both mind and body, and some ways we can respond to stress in a healthy way. If you have a question for our Q&A segment, you can email throughroughwaters@wcsg.org or submi...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined again by Julianne Lettinga, LPC, to continue the conversation around body image by talking about eating. We talk about undereating and what it looks like to deprive ourselves, the difference between overeating and binge eating, how our family experiences growing up can contribute to disordered eating, body dysmorphia, and the reasons behind people having th...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Julianne Lettinga, LPC, to talk about body image. We talk about how important it is to remember that we have been created in the image of God, how parents and friends can help their loved ones, and the importance of therapy when someone struggles with their body image. Connect with Julianne Website: https://juliannelettingalpc.clientsecure.me/ Instagram:...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Laurie Krieg from the Hole In My Heart Podcast as they begin a new series about self-image by talking about shame. Laurie shares her testimony and talks about the power of being seen, and how that is the way to heal from feelings of shame. We talk about how to pursue healthy community as a part of healing, and we also answer a listener’s question about h...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Brooke from West Michigan Wellness Group as they continue their conversation about depression by talking about self-harm. They discuss what it is, some of the reasons that it can happen, and what the road toward healing looks like. *DISCLAIMER: This is a frank conversation about a hard topic. If you or someone you know is actively dealing with self-harm,...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Nicole from West Michigan Wellness Group as they continue their conversation about depression by focusing on what it’s like to be the caretaker of someone going through depression. Nicole shares some of her own story, and how to both take care of someone going through depression - and how caretakers need to make sure they are also taking care of themselv...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by therapist Amanda Moore, as she shares her personal journey through depression, and how God met her in that story. Amanda’s Book: Chameleon and the Color of Brave If you have a question for our Q&A segment, you can email throughroughwaters@wcsg.org or submit your question anonymously at www.wcsg.org/podcasts/through-rough-waters/. Thanks to West Michigan...