Upside-Down Parenting

How can Christian parents help their kids truly feel loved? In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting, Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman—the creator of The Five Love Languages—to talk about how parents can better understand their children, strengthen emotional connection, and reflect God's love at home. Drawing from his newest book, The Love Language That...

In this special Mother's Day episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast, Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with author and speaker Rhonda Stoppe for an honest, deeply encouraging conversation about motherhood in God's upside-down Kingdom. Drawing from her book  Moms of the Bible , Rhonda shares wisdom from Scripture and her own parenting journey to help moms move from guilt, comparison, and co...

In this special Mother's Day episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast, Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with Cat Jones to explore what it really means to be a 'good mom' in God's upside-down Kingdom. In a culture that pushes performance, comparison, and perfection, this conversation invites moms into something radically different—faithfulness, surrender, and trust. Cat shares honestly from...

Most dads don't say it out loud—but many feel like they're just trying to keep their heads above water. Balancing work, family, expectations… and quietly wondering if they're falling short. In this episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast , Matt Jones and Janel Greig sit down with Dr. Mark Pitts —author, speaker, and founder of the Midnight Dad Devotional community—to have an honest, hope-fill...

What should your student do after high school—and how can you help without taking over? In Part 2 of this conversation, Matt Jones and Janel Greig dive into one of the most challenging tensions for parents: guiding your child's future while still allowing them to take ownership of their decisions. From gap years to college choices, they explore how to support your student with wisdom, not control....

What should your student do after high school? College, gap year, trade school… the options can feel overwhelming—especially for Christian parents who want their kids to grow not just academically, but spiritually.  In this two-part series of Upside-Down Parenting, we walk through how to think wisely about your teen's next steps after high school. From evaluating Christian colleges to considering...

Did Jesus really rise from the dead—and does it actually matter for how we raise our kids? In this episode, Janel Greig and Matt Jones break down the "Minimal Facts" behind the resurrection—historical claims that even critical scholars accept—and explore why they point to something extraordinary. Then they bring it home, discussing how the resurrection changes everything about Christian parenting,...

Is screen time actually rewiring your child's brain and body? In this episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast , we explore the hidden physical and neurological impact of screen time on kids —and why Christian parents can't afford to ignore the body. Many parents focus on spiritual growth, but what if we're overlooking something critical? God designed our kids as whole beings—body and soul. An...

Is following Jesus just about the "spiritual" side of life—or does the body matter too? In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting, hosts Matt Jones and Janel Greig tackle a topic often overlooked in Christian parenting: the role of the body in raising kids who thrive in God's Kingdom. Joined by Dr. Bryan Crutcher, a professor of Kinesiology and Sport Management at Texas A&M University, this convers...

Parenting kids is challenging—especially when you want them to stand firm in their faith in a world full of confusion and pressure. But guiding them doesn't mean controlling every decision or striving for "perfect parenting." In this episode, part two of our discussion with Alicia Bennett from Mobilizer Mom , we walk you through practical ways to guide your teen's faith, create space for honest qu...

We all want our kids to stand strong in their faith—even when the world feels confusing, challenging, or downright hostile. But raising children who truly own their beliefs isn't about controlling every behavior or hitting the "perfect parenting" mark. It's about creating space for them to wrestle with faith, ask questions, and see God's truth in everyday life. In this episode of Upside-Down Paren...

Welcome to the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast , where we help Christian parents navigate today's culture with biblical wisdom, practical tools, and real encouragement. Parenting has never been simple—but in a world filled with new spiritual ideas, social media influences, and shifting cultural values, many parents are asking an important question: How do we help our kids recognize truth and follow...

In today's rapidly changing culture, many parents feel caught between two extremes: withdrawing from the world or being swept away by it. How can we raise kids who stay grounded in truth while engaging culture with wisdom, courage, and hope? In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting, we're joined by Sarah Stonestreet to explore how families can cultivate resilient, faith-filled kids in a post-Chris...

Parenting in today's culture can feel overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes even upside-down. But you're not alone, and you don't have to figure it out by yourself. In this episode of Upside-Down Parenting, we sit down with Aaron Klemm, Director of Content & Publishing at Summit Ministries, to talk about an important shift happening at Summit Ministries: a growing commitment to supporting parents...

Did Jesus ever actually say things like, "Just follow your heart," or "Believe in yourself?" Today on the Upside-Down Parenting podcast, Matt Jones and I are talking about well-intended phrases Christian parents often use—phrases that sound biblical, but may actually misrepresent Jesus. Over time, these kinds of statements can subtly shape a fear-based, performance-driven faith instead of one root...

Today, we're talking about a topic that can feel heavy, confusing, and even scary for parents: how to walk alongside your child who is questioning their faith or wrestling with doubt. Now is the perfect time to equip ourselves with understanding, patience, and the right tools—because when our kids struggle with faith, what they often need most is not answers, but a safe space to explore their ques...

As we kick off a new year, we're diving into a topic that impacts every family: money. Teaching our kids to steward money and resources well can feel stressful, overwhelming, or even divisive—but it doesn't have to be. A New Year reset is the perfect opportunity to rethink how our families handle finances, cultivate generosity, and live with joy and purpose. In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Sh...

Welcome back to the Upside-Down Parenting podcast! I'm your host, Janel Greig, and today we're launching into a conversation to help set your family's faith on the right path for the new year—a true New Year Reset for Christian parents. In this episode, we're excited to welcome Natasha Crain, author of several books, including Talking with Your Kids About God , Keeping Your Kids on God's Side , an...

Welcome to the Upside-Down Parenting podcast! Technology is shaping our kids' world faster than ever—and artificial intelligence is at the center of the conversation. How can Christian parents raise discerning, faithful children in this digital age? In this episode, we'll hear from Sarah Siegand, founder of Parents Who Fight , who joins us to explore wise, faith-filled parenting in the age of tech...

Welcome back to the Upside-Down Parenting podcast, and Happy New Year! We're so glad you're kicking off the new year with us. Today we're diving into a conversation that could set the tone for your entire year as a family. The truth is, most families don't drift toward purpose—they drift toward busyness, apathy, or passivity. And if we're not intentional, we let the world dictate our schedules ins...

Welcome to the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast! As we step into the Christmas season —a time filled with joy, anticipation, and plenty of emotion—we're glad you're here. I'm joined by my co-host, Matt Jones, and together we're slowing things down to talk about what it really looks like to flourish as a family during the holidays. Whether you're wrapping gifts, driving to a Christmas program, or grab...

Who doesn't love a good Q&A podcast ? Today, we're diving into some of the biggest and most pressing questions Christian parents are asking right now—questions about raising resilient kids in a rapidly shifting culture, standing boldly for biblical truth, and helping your children embrace God's upside-down Kingdom in their everyday lives. In this episode, we'll unpack practical parenting strategie...

As parents, we all want to raise kids who can recognize truth, love what's good, and stand firm in a world that often feels confusing or apathetic. In this episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast , hosts Matt Jones and Janel Greig talk with global children's advocate Katy Faust about how ordinary moms and dads can find their voice and confidently lead their families. Katy shares her inspiring...

Parenting is an incredible adventure—but it can also feel confusing and overwhelming, especially when your teen drifts into apathy about faith. In this episode of the Upside-Down Parenting podcast from Summit Ministries, Matt and Janel unpack what apathy really is, why it shows up, and how parents can help their kids reawaken desire for God through meaningful, everyday practices. We kick things of...

Why do so many teens seem to lose spiritual interest, disconnect from faith, or drift into apathy? And what can parents do about it? In this episode of the Upside-Down Parenting Podcast from Summit Ministries, hosts Matt Jones and Janel Greig open with real-life stories to highlight the surprising moments when God uses ordinary experiences to shape our kids' hearts. Then they dive into the rising...