Crazy Cool Family

What does it mean to "have joy?" We are in the third episode of our new series. This week our 2nd daughter, Madeline, joins us to talk about living with JOY!  We are slowing down our rhythm and releasing episodes EVERY OTHER WEEK!  What is this series all about?  A word we received from God for 2023 is culture. Culture is one our ministry's main themes. It was highlig...

Is your home filled with love? We are in the second week of our FRUITS series and this week we are talking all about LOVE!  We are slowing down our rhythm and releasing episodes EVERY OTHER WEEK!  What is this series all about?  A word we received from God for 2023 is culture. Culture is one our ministry's main themes. It was highlighted to us at the end of 2022 and we are...

Holy Spirit, bring on the fruit!  We are kicking off a new podcast series this week! We are slowing down our rhythm and releasing episodes EVERY OTHER WEEK!  What is this series all about?  A word we received from God for 2023 is culture. Culture is one our ministry's main themes. It was highlighted to us at the end of 2022 and we are diving in with all we've got! If you f...

It's the last week...  Our Family Culture Made Simple series is wrapping up today. What did you learn? How did you see your family change over the last 3-5 months?  This series was designed with your family in mind. In this episode, we unpack a few key reminders and practical ways to cultivate culture in your home. We encourage you to take what you learn into the summer and keep building...

How do you build a Family Name?  If you've been with us for a while, you know about this term, "Family Name." But for anyone new to the podcast or to our CRAZY COOL FAMILY,  Mollie (our oldest daughter) joins us to unpack the concept again! Her take on family is unique and so insightful for families in all seasons.  If your family is having a hard time... Connecting with each other....

How do you define UNITY?  Last week we talked about embracing the differences and uniqueness of each family member and how it helps build unity. Today we are talking about how family values are a great way to unite our family.   First, we define VALUES.  Second, we define UNITY.   Third, we share ways to determine your family's values and use them to build unity!&nbsp...

Are you ready to take your family to the next level? Unity is the fourth culture pillar, and it is NEXT LEVEL! If you can grasp this concept, your family will see breakthrough! God values unity. He says so in his word:   Psalm 133:1 says, how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!  What is unity?   Family unity is celebrating family uniqueness as we u...

It's the last week of our 7 Discipline Drivers. Can you remember what they all are? PSA: Here's your quick reminder to listen to any episodes they haven’t yet!  Each discipline driver has it’s own episode, so go back and listen for a deeper dive. We spent a lot of time talking about practical ways to implement these strategies with kids at all ages!  TODAY we are talking about our last d...

Okay, parents, say this with me... "Natural consequences are MY FRIEND!" This week we are unpacking 2 more discipline drivers in our series: Family Culture Made Simple. So often in parenting, we feel like we are on the opposite side of our kid. Imagine a line, and parents are on one side looking across at their kids on the other side of it. We are on one side telling them what to do, and they are...

Is discipline working in your home? In this episode, we unpack our next two discipline drivers: Act like the parent, not the child AND see life through the eyes of a child.    Driver #3: Act like the parent, not the child Driver # 4 : See life through the eyes of a child     Wanna know how to use these methods to connect with your child and make discipline easier? Listen to Don...

My kids are....  I'm sure you could fill in the blanks with 1,000 different good (and bad) words to describe your kids. This week, we are diving into the Relational Discipline Culture Pillar (say that 5 times fast)! This episode is designed to help you start RETHINKING the way you do discipline.  In Episode 205, we take you through two of the seven discipline drivers.  Parents, meet...

What words come to mind when you hear the word “DISCIPLINE”?  As parents, we get the amazing opportunity to train our kids through every age. In this podcast, we are sharing our vision behind discipline. It’s not about control, it’s about freedom!   We believe God’s view of discipline is about freedom, responsibility, and self-control. His ways are always better than ours. Remember,...

We are faithful parents, not fearful parents.    Creating a Safe Haven is complex and this week we are going to unpack a concept we believe is essential to creating a safe haven for your family.   Concept: Faith vs. Fear Hebrews 11:1 says faith is “confidence is what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”    Faith can be hard to define but it is something we...

Do you know how to ask your kids the right questions? We are diving back into our second culture pillar this week called Safe Haven. We have been talking about a lot of difference culture building topics but TODAY'S podcast will challenge and encourage you.     This week we have a special expert joining us Lisa Johnson. She is a family friend and professional psychiatrist. Her...

When was the last time your family took a trip? Trips and breaks during the school year are a great time to be intentional with family.    How do we think ahead and create intentional spaces for our family during these set aside breaks?   Culture is happening around us constantly. It is something we, as parents, have authority over. The culture in your home is being built wheth...

What is a Safe Haven? Is Your Home Safe? TWO MONTHS! We have already been in this series for 2 months.  We hope you are learning about culture and how to cultivate it in your family over this last month.    This week we are stepping into a new piece of culture. Join us as we talk about our next pillar, Safe Haven.    "We want our home to be a SAFE HAVEN wher...

Identity is a HOT TOPIC word in today's culture and we are here to tell you... God created identity and has specific TRUE things to say about you AND your children.  We are finishing up our first culture pillar this week with a guest, John Stickl.  John Stickl is lead pastor of Valley Creek Church. He is also an author who wrote Follow the Cloud. Most importantly, he is a mighty man of G...

99% of parents struggle with anger.... “We think anger is blowing up at someone verbally or physically... but it can be through our glances, harsh tones, snide comments, or even sarcastic joking.” - Suz  If you choose anger often in you parenting, you are not alone. We believe anger is not inherently bad, but often used in the wrong way. The bottom line is anger, when not used right, cre...

We are taking a small pause from our Family Culture Made Simple Series to talk about SUMMER CAMPS!  It's a hot topic in households this time of year.  Can we afford to send our kids to camp?  How do we know they will be safe?  What camp do we entrust our kids to for a whole week?  Can I send my kid for A WHOLE SUMMER (JK JK) 😏 Amy Lowe and Chris Witt join us fro...

Are you a critical/harsh parent? This week's episode hits on a culture pillar called Encouragement - specifically how to correct carefully. If your kids this you are harsh, critical, and correct too much, then this podcast is for you!  The 4 pillars of culture are:     The Power of Encouragement    Safe Haven    Relational Discipline    Unity ...

There's POWER in Encouragement!  This week we are unpacking our first culture pillar - the power of encouragement.  Do you remember our four culture pillars and four declarations?  The 4 pillars of culture are:   The Power of Encouragement  Safe Haven  Relational Discipline  Unity  Each pillar is vital to a family’s culture and we want to show you how!...

Season 5 is HERE!  We are so excited to be back with you~ We LOVE making podcasts because it is like a kitchen table. We get to sit with you and share our hearts. We get to take time and build family together.  Here are a few words we heard from God about this year and this podcast season:  1. SIMPLE We realize we need to simplify our life. How? Letting things go and relaxing i...

It’s been an amazing year and we wanted to spend the last podcast talking about all God has done and spoken through this podcast in 2022. As we wrap up season 4 of the podcast, we wanted to reminisce on a few key things we’ve said this year (or that guests have said).   Then we broke down the word FIGHT and here are the words we highlighted:   F is for FAITH  I is for INSPIRE ...

“Couples that grieve together, grow together.” - Chris  In difficult situation, or extensive grief, who do you turn to? How do you continue to build family when you are struggling? What does it mean to turn to God and turn to people who are safe? Chris Grainger joins Don on the podcast to help parents who are in a difficult season. Through divorce, family loss, and other trials Chris leaned i...

Are you a people pleaser? Are you dreading the holidays because the "needs of others" feel overwhelming?  The amazingly joyful and wise JILL HAWKINS is back on the CCF podcast for Episode 191!  Last time she was on, she shared about physical health and how eating right can change your life. Over the last few years, she has been venturing into other areas of health. She is a "mental fitne...