Ignite Podcast

Language is more than vocabulary. It's memory. It's culture. It's prayer. It's the voice your child hears when they need comfort. This conversation explores what it looks like to raise children in more than one language—not from a place of pressure, but from purpose. The beauty of giving your child access to grandparents' stories, to worship in two tongues, to Scripture that sounds different but c...

Homeschooling isn't just an educational choice — it's a way of doing life together. This conversation brings together two homeschool moms at different stages of the journey, reflecting honestly on what homeschooling is, what it isn't and how it shifts across seasons. From early uncertainty and learning curves to freedom, flexibility, and the confidence that comes with time, Ashley Grant and Sabrin...

A year ago, there was anticipation. Now there's a baby crawling across the floor and a mom reflecting on what she didn't see coming. In this conversation Amy Flattery sits back down with Emmy Nolasco for a one-year follow-up after welcoming baby Ezra. They talk honestly about the emotional whiplash of the first year — how big joy and big overwhelm can exist in the same moment. The newborn trenches...

Not everyone has biological family close by—emotionally, physically, or spiritually. And even when we do, sometimes there are gaps. In this episode, Elly Marroquin sits down with Ecclesia Weltman to talk about building spiritual family—the kind that shows up, speaks life into your kids, answers late-night calls, and becomes "aunties," mentors, and spiritual grandparents along the way. Ecclesia sha...

Parenting moves in seasons. Some arrive gently. Others come with disruption, questions, and a quiet sense of letting go.  Holly Davis joins Pastors Rick and Susan Ross to reflect on what it means to parent through change—when routines shift, roles evolve, and children step into new stages before we feel ready. Drawing from decades in ministry, 46 years of marriage, and life with adult children and...

Parenting comes with pressure—from culture, from comparison, and from our own expectations. In this episode, Josh Wellborn, National Director of Young Adults, sits down with John, National Director of Called, and Alicia Zick for an honest conversation about what intentional, Holy Spirit guided parenting really looks like. Together they share the joys and challenges of becoming young parents, navig...

When you say yes to foster care, you're saying yes to uncertainty—and to love anyway. In this episode, Mark &Janine Forrester share their honest, faith-filled journey through fostering and adoption: the emotional highs and lows, the waiting seasons, and the ways God showed up in every unknown. They talk about how community makes all the difference, what it means to advocate for a child's best inte...

Foster care and adoption are beautiful callings—but they're also marked by heartbreak, hope, and holy surrender. In this deeply moving conversation, Elly Marroquin sits down with Dr. Allen & Rhonda Tennison to talk about what it truly means to love children for a season and trust God for their future. Dr. Tennison, who serves as the Theological Counsel for the Assemblies of God, and his wife Rhond...

Conflict happens—in our workplaces, our homes, and even in our churches. But how we handle it makes all the difference. In this insightful conversation, host Elly Marroquin welcomes back Brenda, a high school student navigator and longtime behavioral specialist, and Troy Renter, a lead pastor, licensed therapist, and network KidMin director. Together, they unpack what healthy and unhealthy conflic...

What every child longs for is to be seen, heard, and valued. Troy and Brenda Renter know this firsthand—Brenda as a high school student navigator and longtime behavioral specialist, and Troy as a lead pastor, licensed therapist, and district KidMin director. In their conversation with Elly Marroquin, they share how parents can build lasting trust and attachment with their kids by slowing down, lis...

Prayer is powerful—but sometimes, it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin. In this episode, Elly Marroquin sits down with Nonda Houston, National Director of AG Women, to talk about what it really looks like to be a praying mom in everyday life. From school drama and family challenges to the weight of injustice and discouragement, Nonda shares honest stories and practical ways to lift our...

Parents and grandparents, your influence can shape faith for generations to come. In this uplifting episode, host Elly Marroquin sits down with Bob Cook—who, together with his wife Sherilyn, leads Senior Adult Ministries for the Assemblies of God (Springfield, MO). With honesty and heart, Bob shares the biblical calling of grandparents, why staying spiritually strong matters, and how to stay engag...

The first day of school—especially in a brand-new setting—can bring a swirl of emotions. In this encouraging episode, Elly Marroquin sits down with educator Laura Mooney to talk through how to approach the back-to-school season with calm, confidence, and faith. You'll hear practical tips for easing transitions, creating a peaceful rhythm at home, and helping your child feel seen and supported. No...

Single parenting can feel like a heavy load—but you don't have to carry it alone. In this heartfelt episode, Elly Marroquin sits down with Ashley Grant with Compact Family Services, to talk about the honest, everyday struggles solo parents face—many of which often go unseen. From custody exchanges and emotional overwhelm to self-care and boundary-setting. Ashley offers practical advice rooted in g...

Ever catch yourself snapping, shutting down, or spiraling—and wonder where did that come from? You're not alone. In this compassionate episode, Elly sits down with Dr. Vanessa Snyder, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, for an honest conversation about how our own unhealed wounds and emotional blind spots can shape the way we show up as parents. Together, they unpack what it means to be "The P...

Foster parenting often involves stepping into a child's story mid-chapter — one that may include wounds of sexual trauma or confusing, sexualized behaviors. In this compassionate grace-filled conversation, Elly welcomes back Dr. Vanessa Snyder, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, to help foster parents navigate these deeply sensitive moments with wisdom, grace, and clarity. Together, they expl...

Raising kids in today's hypersexualized culture can feel daunting—but you don't have to do it alone. In this insightful and compassionate episode, Elly is joined by Licensed Marriage Family Therapist Dr. Vanessa Snyder for an honest conversation about childhood sexuality and how parents can respond with calm, confidence, and care. Together, they break down what healthy sexuality looks like, how to...

Painful experiences often leave lasting marks—shaping how we parent and connect with our children. Licensed Professional Counselor Heather Bixler and Licensed Master Social Worker Leah Musacchio share clinical insight and practical tools for recognizing unresolved trauma, managing triggers, and setting healthy expectations. We explore how trauma can be passed down through generations, and how heal...

Have you ever struggled with feeling disconnected in your relationships, battled low self-worth, or found it hard to set healthy boundaries? You're not alone. In this heartfelt episode, Heather Bixler, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Leah Musacchio, Licensed Master Social Worker, sit down to talk about the "mother wound" – what is it, how it shows up in our lives, and why it matters. Together...

Join us as we welcome back Dr. Jimmy White, his wife, Renata, and their three kids—Jocelyn, Jordan, and Jathan—for an engaging discussion on the joys and nuances of being grandparents. Hear their personal stories about becoming first-time grandparents and the importance of clear communication about parenting preferences. They also explore the unique dynamics of adopted and blended family grandpare...

Growing up as a preacher's kid comes with added pressures, such as the expectation of perfection, constant observation and evaluation by church members, and boundary ambiguity. Listen in as Dr. Jimmy White, his wife Renata, and their three children—Jocelyn (Hampton), Jordan, and Jathan—engage in a candid and humorous conversation about growing up in a pastor's home. They reveal the unique pressure...

As the old saying goes, "opposites attract," and while that may not always be true, we can be confident that every couple will encounter moments when they have different ways of thinking and opinions. Dr. Jimmy White, National Adult Discipleship Director for the Assemblies of God, and his wife, Renata White, candidly share insights into their 35-year marriage, highlighting key differences they've...

Description: What happens when your child's neurodivergent diagnosis turns your understanding of parenting upside down? Join Elly Marroquin in this warm and inviting episode as she chats with Julie Pratt, the Assemblies of God Director of Children's Discipleship. Together, they share an honest and heartfelt conversation about Julie's journey as a mom to her wonderful son, Sam, who is autistic. Jul...

As a parent, learning to navigate the pressure of parenting in a world full of social media judgment, screen time struggles, and handling your child's faith struggles can be difficult. Join host Josh Wellborn, National Young Adult Director of the Assemblies of God, and guest, Austin Westlake, National Youth Director of the Assemblies of God, in this engaging episode as they dive into real-life par...

The pain of watching a loved one face an unexpected diagnosis is profound, but when it's your own child, the grief is unimaginable. In this heartfelt episode, Mike Rakes, President of Evangel University, and Darla Rakes, Ambassador to Students and Donors at EU, join us to share their deeply personal journey of receiving a terminal diagnosis for their daughter Whitney. Mike & Darla open up about th...