Crazy Cool Family

School is a huge part of your child’s world—but it can also become a huge opportunity for connection. In Episode 347, Don and Suzanne talk about how parents can connect with their kids through school without becoming their homework police. Instead of focusing only on grades, assignments, and performance, learn how to get into your child’s world, use the in-between moments to connect, ask better qu...

Sick days are inevitable—but they can also become unexpected opportunities to connect with your kids. In this episode, Suzanne and McKenzie talk about how to slow down, nurture your child, and be intentional about connection when sickness hits your home. From meeting your child where they are physically and emotionally to helping them understand their bodies and inviting God into the process, you’...

What if your child’s health didn’t have to become another thing to nag them about—but instead became an opportunity to connect?   In this episode, Don and McKenzie talk about what it looks like to build healthy rhythms in your family through movement, food, sleep, and wellness. They share their own family experiences about the power of being an example instead of simply giving instructions ,...

Connection Is the Goal: How to Reconnect With Your Kids   What if connection—not perfect behavior, perfect routines, or perfect parenting—is the real goal?   In this episode, Suzanne and Macy kick off a new conversation about one of the things Crazy Cool Family cares about most: connection. They talk about why God designed us for connection, why our kids are wired to seek it from us, and...

How our technology habits shape our kids, our marriages, and the culture of our homes Our phones are incredible tools—but they make terrible masters. In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning take an honest look at something almost every parent struggles with: our relationship with technology. This conversation isn't about creating guilt or giving you another list of rules for your kids. Instead, i...

Transitions happen all day long—getting out the door, moving from playtime to dinner, bedtime routines, or starting a new school year. While they may seem like small moments, they often become the biggest source of conflict in our homes.   In this episode, Don, Suzanne, and Madeline explore why transitions are so challenging for both parents and kids, and how these everyday moments...

When your kids are constantly arguing, it's easy to feel like your full-time job is breaking up fights, deciding who's right, and handing out consequences. Before long, parenting can start to feel less like leading a family and more like officiating a game.   But what if there was a better way?   In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning introduce one of the...

Sibling Fighting Is Not Failure   If your kids seem to argue over everything—from who gets the blue popsicle to whose turn it is with the toy—you are not failing as a parent.   In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning challenge one of the biggest misconceptions about parenting: sibling conflict isn't the problem. Poor conflict skills are.   Instead of seeing ever...

In this episode,  Don  sits down with three close friends—each of whom just celebrated a child graduating from high school—to reflect on what it really means to raise kids all the way to launch.   From the emotional moment of watching their children walk across the stage to the everyday choices that shaped those relationships, these dads share honest, practical, and faith-filled ins...

What do today’s teens need most from their parents? According to research involving more than 2,500 young people, the answer isn't better technology rules, stricter discipline, or more information—it's identity, connection, and purpose. In this powerful conversation, Don Manning sits down with James McLamb, founder of Generation Youth, to discuss the biggest challenges facing today's teenagers and...

Am I Doing This Right??  In this heartfelt episode, Suzanne sits down with her oldest daughter, Mollie, to wrap up the “Letters to Moms” series with an honest conversation about motherhood, grace, family culture, and the everyday moments that shape our kids. Together, they talk about the tension every mom feels—the desire to raise kids well while often wondering if you’re doing enough. Mollie...

Homeschooling isn’t just an educational choice—it’s often a deeply personal calling. In this honest and encouraging conversation, Suzanne sits down with her daughter Madeline to talk about the real-life joys, challenges, and purpose behind homeschooling in today’s world.   From managing toddlers while teaching reading to navigating self-doubt, Madeline share...

Dear Angry Mom,  Anger in motherhood isn’t something we like to admit—but it’s something so many moms quietly carry.   In this honest and deeply relatable episode, Suzanne sits down with her daughter Macy to talk about the reality of being an “angry mom.” From toddler tantrums to constant overstimulation, Macy vulnerably shares how this season of parenting has brought...

Motherhood is beautiful—but let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming, exhausting, and, at times, like you’re barely staying afloat. In this heartfelt episode, Suzanne and her daughter McKenzie sit down to talk directly to moms in every season—from the joyful to the struggling, from the confident to the completely worn out.   Together, they introduce a power...

In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Madeline Jones sits down with her friend Lauren to talk about one of the most important roles of a parent:  teaching your kids how to spend time with Jesus.   Drawing from their personal experiences growing up in faith-filled homes—and now raising young children themselves—Madeline and Lauren unpack what it looks like to move be...

Hot Take - Burned out parents don’t build spiritually thriving families. In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne talk about how parents can learn to  lead from overflow instead of exhaustion . They share honestly about what their own relationship with God looked like in different seasons of marriage and parenting — from babies and busyness to work stress, spirit...

Listen to this before your next Credit Card Statement... In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family podcast, Don and Suzanne tackle one of the most tension-filled topics in marriage:  money .   After 35 years of marriage, they openly share how finances were one of the biggest sources of misunderstanding and conflict in their relationship — not because of bad intentions, but becau...

March is about Money! Episode 330 is a fun, practical, and faith-filled conversation as Suzanne sits down with Crystal Paine (MoneySavingMom.com) to help families approach money, time, and motherhood with wisdom and peace.   Crystal—mom of six (from almost 21 to age 3), writer, speaker, podcaster, and CEO of a small team—shares how her family learned to live intentionally and stay out of debt...

Don't save your marriage for.... later! In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, we sit down with McKenzie (our 4th daughter) to introduce the marriage Deep Dive “Fostering Love in Your Marriage.”  She has been married for 4 1/2 years and has two tiny, beautiful daughters.  Together they unpack why the word   fostering   matters — nurturing, cultivating, and fighting &...

In this episode, Don and Suzanne talk with Casey and Meygan Caston from Marriage365 about  simple, practical marriage tools for busy parents . If your relationship feels stuck in logistics, resentment, or disconnection, this conversation gives you actionable habits you can start right away.   You’ll learn how small, daily investments — not grand gestures — build stron...

Still Feeling Stuck? Here's Part 2! In Part 2 of this conversation , we shift from personal and marriage goals to setting vision and goals for your family . Healthy family goals don’t start with changing your kids—they start with aligned parents. Building on the foundation of personal growth and marital unity, we talk about how to intentionally design your family culture instead of letting it drif...

Designing 2026: Goals That Matter   Feeling overwhelmed by goal-setting? In this episode, we share a simple, biblical framework for setting meaningful goals for 2026—starting with  you  and then your  marriage .   Using  Mark 12:30 , we break goals into four areas:  heart, soul, mind, and strength , and talk about how small, realistic steps can lead to real...

Season Finale: Wrapping Up 2025 with Crazy Cool Family As 2025 comes to a close, Don and Suzanne are taking a moment to reflect, celebrate, and cast vision for what’s ahead. 🎉 In this final episode of the year, you’ll hear highlights from Season 7 of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast and learn how God has been using this ministry to impact families across the U.S., Europe, and even Africa. 🌍  ...

Holiday Chaos or Holiday Memories? Creating Traditions That Last  The holiday season is here—and with it comes the mix of joy, chaos, and never-ending to-do lists. 🎁 From decorating the house to wrapping gifts, baking cookies, and attending every school or church event, it’s easy for parents to feel more overwhelmed than joyful.   In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast , Don a...

Re-Run ALERT! Two Ingredients for the BEST Thanksgiving Week (Part 2)  Part 2 (Ep. 323, originally Ep. 144) Welcome back, Crazy Cool Families! Today we’re continuing our series, ‘Two Ingredients for the BEST Thanksgiving Week.’ This is part two—originally Episode 144 and now Episode 323. Last week we shared the first ingredient, and today we’ll give you the second one that ties it all togethe...