Crazy Cool Family

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 every argument as something to stop as qui...

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 insights about parent...

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 shar...

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 shares what it actually looks like to homescho...

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 out levels of frustration and...

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 powerful new resource: letters to moms—wr...

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 beyond religion and into...

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, spiritual dry seas...

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 because they came into marri...

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 durin...

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 toward something good —...

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 strong, lasting marriages.  In This Ep...

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 drift....

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 growth over time.  We also dive into:  How to set...

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. 🌍  This i...

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 and Suzanne M...

Two Ingredients for the BEST Thanksgiving Week (Part 1)  Part 1 (Ep. 322, originally Ep. 143)  Thanksgiving can be one of the most joyful times of the year—or one of the most stressful. In this episode, we’re bringing back one of our favorite holiday conversations to help your family lean into joy, peace, and purpose this Thanksgiving. We kick off our two-part series with the first ingredient for...

Two Ingredients for the BEST Thanksgiving Week (Part 1)  Part 1 (Ep. 322, originally Ep. 143)  Thanksgiving can be one of the most joyful times of the year—or one of the most stressful. In this episode, we’re bringing back one of our favorite holiday conversations to help your family lean into joy, peace, and purpose this Thanksgiving. We kick off our two-part series with the first ingredient for...

From Chaos to Connection: 30+ Years of Parenting Lessons  After 33 years of parenting seven kids, Don and Suzanne Manning are stepping into a brand-new season: empty nesters! But before you picture peace and quiet, join us for this powerful episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast where we look back at decades of parenting, the lessons learned, and the incredible fruit that comes from choosing fam...

In this episode, Macy rapid-fires questions at Suz, drawing out three decades of parenting wisdom from raising seven kids to navigating the empty-nest season. Together, they unpack the heart of family as God’s idea—where parenting is discipleship, connection matters more than tasks, and playing the long game pays off. From marriage teamwork and practical rhythms to the power of community, prayer,...

Do we Celebrate Halloween as a Family or No? How do you celebrate Halloween as a family and is it bad to do?   RE-RUN ALERT!! Halloween hasn't changed over the years and our conversation about it/beliefs on the topic remain the same. Do you need help deciding how your family celebrates Halloween? Then this podcast is for you! First off, your family needs to personally seek God and obey what he is...

Kids can’t learn new skills when their nervous system is flooded. In this episode, Suz and Kenzie show you how to regulate first and coach second using our MONSTER cue: My Only Need: Start To Emotionally Regulate. You’ll learn a faith-filled, brain-wise plan for toddler tantrums, big-kid blowups, and teen flare-ups—without losin;g your own peace.  You’ll Learn Thermostat vs. thermometer parenting:...

Parenting Through Meltdowns: Turning Chaos into Connection  Every parent has been there—the dreaded meltdown. Whether it’s your toddler on the kitchen floor, your teenager slamming a door, or even you holding back tears in the car, meltdowns are part of family life. But what if these moments aren’t just problems to solve, but opportunities to connect?  In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podc...

Can you parent with grace and discipline at the same time? Absolutely. In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning explain how to combine God’s favor (grace) with training to standards (discipline) to build self-control, connection, and freedom in your home. You’ll learn the difference between firm vs. harsh, how to respond not react, and a simple “same-side of the line” visual that moves you from po...