Fireside Talk Radio

Today, Anna and Cathy talk about how can we instill tender, responsive hearts in our kids and grandkids. Hymns and poetry can help. Not only that, they also help young readers learn to sequence their syllables and process deep concepts. Pretty cool stuff. We’re watching as confused leaders are turning our culture into a nation victims. Co-dependence is passed off as compassion. Helping folks stay...

School just started and everyone is swamped. So it may seem really odd to release a podcast on bug collecting now. But Anna and Cathy have NOT lost their minds. They just think we can make the connection between something as simple as bug collecting and, you guessed it, humility. You may have noticed as you swat at flies, dirt daubers, and wasps, the best bug catching time is now. So turn you chil...

Today, Cathy and Anna talk about a big topic in our culture right now: Social Justice. But so much of what we hear is based on codependency. Thomas Jefferson said, “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.” So how do we differentiate between compassion and codependence? How do we teach our children to love true justice? Anna shares how to tea...

In today’s episode, Anna joins Cathy to talk about how volunteering can impact 4 generations or more of your family. Plus, teach kids the difference between compassion and codependence. Anna shares more personal stories, including why she still loves to connect with a hug. Are we cheating our family by saying “no” to other good stuff? The answer is absolutely not. Time with family is limited. Our...

What if you could replace family drama with joy during the holidays? Today, Anna and Cathy share how drama --that is, acting out plays --can actually be a really fun and hilarious family activity! Oh, the benefits of drama! In this episode, Anna shares how the thespians at her school teach students to respect their characters. She talks about teaching family servant-hearted leadership for sons. An...

In this episode, Anna joins Cathy to talk about some of their favorite topics: textile art, creative kids, reading, and our crazy culture. American Patchwork; Americans seem to be holding it together, like one giant crazy quilt. An educator and artist, Anna talks about how textile projects can help kids’ brains connect in wonderful and creative ways. She even shares a super-easy lesson plan she us...

One thing we all learned early, mommies of small children get a ton of anatomy lessons! Especially involving bodily fluids! In today’s episode, Cathy and Anna talk about how medical vocabulary, like words for anatomy, can help our children succeed and set them up to love their own identity. Awkward conversation? You bet! But with laughter and insight, Anna shares personal stories about how her hub...

Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy today to share their family tricks for teaching kids to LOVE reading out loud. Some people hate to read out loud. But the Krafves look for any excuse to read out loud. Fall, winter, spring, summer. Anytime. Some of the benefits include: Ability to identify emotions, Confidence on stage, Story-telling skills, More persuasive communication skills, and Reading changes t...

Cathy and Anna talk about how story-telling is terrific for kids. Social media is swamping us with stories. False? True? Who knows? However, teaching our children to tell stories allows them to listen to other people’s stories with enthusiasm and compassion. But, better yet, it also trains them in discernment. Cathy and Anna share lots of personal stories in this episode. Plus, Anna share lots of...

Anna and Cathy get together to create a series of summer podcasts just for YOU. Summer is the perfect time to change things up a bit. First up? Timelines! Are you, like us, concerned about all the self-rejection free loading around in our culture? Nobody wants a time bomb of self-rejection taking our their kids. Maybe you'll think they're crazy, but Cathy and Anna think timelines are perfect tools...

Jason Karpf returns to give us the details about how he's using sci-fi to knit the generations together. At church! Yep, Cathy asks him some tough questions about the dark side of sci-fi. Jason debunks her preconceived ideas with biblical insight about story telling. He tosses in some insights on how rock and pop music speak to a generation of worshippers. Don't miss this lively and fun conversati...

Jason Karpf joins Cathy to geek out about science fiction. How can we use sci-fi to bring all the generations together at church? If you have a creative child, you’re gonna love today’s podcast with science fiction author, screenwriter, and once-upon-a-time child actor Jason Karpf. You may have seen Jason in episodes of The Bold Ones, The Courtship of Eddy’s Father, or a Krafve family favorite, Bo...

Cathy and Anna talk candidly about how tough the teenage years can be and what parents can do to check rebellion at home. “We are talking about rebellion in teenagers. I changed your title because I think rebellious teenagers is kinda giving teenagers a bad rap,” laughs Anna. “Rebellion in teenagers is a better title because there’s rebellion in my heart and I’m way past being a rebellious teenage...

Robin Melvin returns to talk to Cathy about true identity. She offers some insight about how the Church can help dispel identity confusion in our culture. Of course, with Robin, all her wisdom is served up with a heaping helping of gentleness and personal stories. She even shares how she developed empathy for her parents. How do we foster confident hearts in a culture that keeps telling us self-re...

Author Robin Melvin joins Cathy to take on IDENTITY- the big controversial subject of our day. But is identity really something we pick for our self? What if we feel like we're out of place in our own skin? Hiding and pretending can become our identity. You're gonna love the way Robin succinctly tells of her childhood, explaining a phenomenon many people experience in families where trauma has tak...

In this episode, Anna shares a bunch of fun personal stories about how to encourage children to move from reading reluctant to book nerd status. “I love maps. And I absolutely believe they are more fun to read than other things. Because inevitably maps have monsters and treasure at the end. They’re so exciting.” Anna and Cathy fully believe maps and signs are a great way to coach kids on how symbo...

This week, Dr. James McAndrew returns to answer more questions about E.D. Erectile Dysfunction. We know, we know. Kind of an odd topic for Father's Day. But so many men have thanked us already for last week's interview. Recently retired, Jim has nothing to sell, no pills, no procedures, no gimmicks. Cathy couldn’t wait to ask this trustworthy doctor for answers to the difficult questions men have...

Retired Urologist Dr. McAndrew joins Cathy today to talk about E.D. With a lifetime of experience as a urologist, Jim is also compassionate, professional, down-to-earth, and funny! Today we get started on basics about E.D., but first Cathy asks him for his story which includes his next college degree: the Chemistry of Fermentation Science! Yes, we consider Dr. McAndrews an answer to prayer because...

Becky Carpenter joins Cathy to share 3 tips for coping with grief and suffering. Plus, she shares more funny Skylar stories about the lasting impact of her daughter’s faith and unconditional love for everyone. They also talk about running into heaven. What would it look like at our funeral if our family knew we ran into heaven? How would it look today if we put on our running shoes and start runni...

Today, the amazing Becky Carpenter joins Cathy to talk about how God shows up. When you walk into devastating moments who stands with you? Could the God of the universe speak to a mom? When God lights up the sky, you’ll know it, according to Becky. When her beautiful teenage daughter was killed in a bus accident on a field trip with her school, Becky recognized His voice. Clearly, Skylar was one o...

Award-winning author and pastor, Andy Clapp, returns to talk to Cathy about how to refresh our own souls. He shares 3 tips, which he and mutual friend Michelle Medlock Adams call, "Plant the Word, Pray the Word, Work the Word." Plus, he shares a personal story about how when he forgave, his life turned around immediately. Wow! So much scholarly insight and practical, personal help in less than 30...

Speaker, award-winning author, scholar, pastor, and down home guy, Andy Clapp joins Cathy to talk about how we claim joy this Spring. Or anytime. It seems like God wants us talking, especially in the church, about how much people are suffering right now. “You know, Jesus had to withdraw from the crowds at times and pray,” explains Andy, “If He needed that connection with the Father, how much more...

Kristin Faith Evans returns to share her hacks for joy no matter the circumstances with Cathy. How do we keep the sunshine of joy when dark clouds threaten? God gave Kristin a second chance at life after a suicide attempt and she embraced life. Now a mental health therapist and mother of two special needs kids, Kristin understands what all moms need. Starting with a little compassion, please! Are...

Kristen Faith Evans joins Cathy to talk about the challenges of days spent at the hospital with her babies. All mommies feel isolated and in the dark sometimes. A normal mommy day is tough enough, but what about when your life gets complicated because your kids are in pain? How do you pull down oxygen for yourself so you can take care of the emergencies your family may face? Kristen will share wha...

CrossRiver Media Publisher and author, Tamara Clymer joins Cathy to talk about the battles women are facing in our culture right this minute. We’ll talk about what it means to be a battle worthy woman. No one needs to feel isolated or defeated. How do we build a battle ready marriage? Can we raise kids who stand firm in the face of life’s ultimate challenges? Is battle ready warrior mode part of y...