It Takes a Family

In this season finale of It Takes a Family, Andy and Kelly are joined by Jamie McKnight for Part 2 of their conversation on helping Gen Z cultivate kingdom purpose. As a former coach, teacher, and current leader with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Jamie spends his days walking alongside students, athletes, coaches, and families — helping young people navigate faith, identity, pressure, and...

In this episode of Season 2, Andy and Kelly sit down with Dr. Stephanie Shackelford to explore one of the deepest longings facing Gen Z today: the search for purpose. Drawing from research with the Barna Group, this conversation unpacks why so many young people feel pressure to pursue happiness — yet still feel anxious, empty, or directionless. As Dr. Shackelford explains, happiness was never mean...

In this episode of It Takes a Family , Andy and Kelly continue the conversation on faith and Gen Z with returning guest Davon Stack. Building on last week’s discussion with Dr. Stephanie Shackelford, this episode focuses on the practical side of helping kids develop lasting faith in everyday family life. Drawing from years in student ministry, pastoral care, and parenting, Davon shares what he’s s...

In this episode of Season 2, Andy and Kelly sit down with Dr. Stephanie Shackelford to explore a surprising trend: Gen Z is increasingly open to faith—and even returning to it. Drawing on research from the Barna Group, this conversation unpacks what’s behind this shift. In a world that feels chaotic, hyper-connected, and often meaningless, many young people are searching for something deeper—somet...

In this episode of Season 2, Andy and Kelly sit down with two Gen Z voices, Riley and Tessa, to hear how today’s young people are actually navigating mental health, identity, and resilience. Building on research from the Barna Group and insights from Dr. Stephanie Shackelford, this conversation moves beyond just the research and into real-life experiences. Gen Z is more open than ever about mental...

If we want to help Gen Z thrive, we have to help them tell a better story. In this episode of Season 2, Andy and Kelly sit down with Dr. Stephanie Shackelford to explore how today’s teens are interpreting their lives—and why so many feel stuck. Building on research from the Barna Group, this conversation unpacks a growing trend: Gen Z increasingly views life through a “therapeutic lens,” where emo...

If we want to help Gen Z thrive, we can’t just encourage connection—we have to understand how we’re actually wired for it. In this special bonus episode of Season 2, Andy and Kelly sit down with Dr. Curt Thompson—psychiatrist, speaker, and author—to explore the deep connection between our brains, our relationships, and our need to be known. Building on our Increased Connectedness conversation, Dr....

If we want to help Gen Z thrive, we can’t just encourage connection—we have to help them experience relationships built through shared life. In Part 2 of our Increased Connectedness conversation, Andy and Kelly sit down with Shane Sullards—entrepreneur, adventurer, and Eagle Ranch alumnus—to explore how community is actually formed and why struggle often plays a key role in deepening it. Drawing f...

If we want to help Gen Z thrive, we have to look closely at one of the most powerful influences on their well-being: connection. In this episode, Andy and Kelly sit down with Dr. Stephanie Shackelford to explore what research reveals about relationships—and why, in a world of constant digital interaction, many young people are still experiencing deep loneliness. As part of our series on the Gen Z...

If we want to help Gen Z thrive, we can’t only focus on kids—we have to support the parents raising them. In Part 2 of our Supporting the Guardians conversation, Andy and Kelly sit down with Eagle Ranch counselor Phillip Costa to talk about what parents themselves are experiencing right now—and why their own healing and growth matter so much. Drawing from nearly two decades of counseling experienc...

When we talk about the Gen Z mental health crisis, the focus is often on teens. But what about the people raising them? In this episode of It Takes a Family , Andy and Kelly welcome back researcher Dr. Stephanie Shackelford to explore the second theme from the Barna research: Supporting the Guardians . What the data reveals is both surprising and deeply important—parents are struggling at nearly t...

What does it actually look like to build a tech-wise home in real life? In Part 2 of our conversation on Smart Tech Use , Andy and Kelly sit down with Rachel Medefind, Director of the Institute for Family-Centered Healing & Health at the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Rachel holds a Master of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health from King’s College London, with a focus on c...

Are smartphones really that big of a deal… or is this just another cultural panic? Is the concern over smartphones and Gen Z mental health just more noise — or is something truly different? In this first episode of Season 2 of It Takes a Family , Andy and Kelly sit down with researcher and author Dr. Stephanie Shackelford to examine what the data actually says about technology and the rising menta...

The holidays are here, and with them comes an intense mix of joy, stress, and sky-high expectations. Why do the holidays amplify existing family conflicts and tension? And how can parents navigate that pressure without sacrificing their sanity or their peace? Hosts Andy and Kelly bring back Molly Hughes to tackle the tough topic of managing holiday stress. Molly dives into why we feel the intense...

In this highly practical bonus episode, hosts Andy and Kelly bring back John Cunnings (Boys' Program Director) to finish unpacking the five-step process behind the Choice & Consequence model. This is the bedrock of the structured side of the Nurture & Structure approach, designed to replace a parental posture of control with one of loving training . John reviews the initial steps and then...

This episode brings together the five core elements of whole family healing from Eagle Ranch—Your Story, Family Dynamics, Nurture & Structure, Child's Unique Gifts, and Community—and frames them through the lens of the Gospel. Hosts Andy and Kelly welcome Davon Stack , a seasoned ministry leader from Perimeter Church, to discuss what "Gospel Parenting" truly means. Davon breaks down the powerf...

Every child is an image bearer of a creative God , and discovering their unique gifts is one of the most rewarding parts of parenting. In this episode, hosts Andy and Kelly talk with Wade Pearce , Senior Director of Program at Eagle Ranch, about how to stop trying to control your kids' future and start becoming their greatest talent agent . Wade, an adoptive and foster parent who has welcomed over...

Do you really know what motivates your child, or are you projecting your own expectations onto them? In this insightful episode, hosts Andy and Kelly talk with Dr. Fred Haselden (Director of Education) and Jennifer Smith (Day School Program Counselor) about the critical difference between the gifts you want your child to have and the unique gifts God has actually given them. They share core concep...

Community is a lifeline, especially when parenting gets hard. In this episode, co-host Andy Nelson gets vulnerable and shares his personal story of moving from a strong, stable community to a new city where he and his wife, Emily, felt isolated and alone. Andy shares how this experience of being without a "safety net" forced them to intentionally build a new community and how this journey shaped t...

Gen Z is the most connected generation in history, but they're also experiencing an unprecedented epidemic of loneliness. In this episode, hosts Andy and Kelly talk with Dr. Stephanie Shackelford , a Senior Fellow at the Barna Group, about her research on teen mental health and the critical role that community plays in our well-being. Dr. Shackelford shares why virtual connection often leads to th...

Some parents care for a few children; others care for 39. In this episode, hosts Andy and Kelly talk with John and Cassie Adams , a couple with a big heart for children, who have welcomed dozens of kids into their home through fostering and house-parenting. John and Cassie share how their wildly different family upbringings and personality types have influenced their approach to parenting. They di...

It's one of the most practical and powerful tools in parenting: nurture and structure . But what does it actually look like in real life? In this episode, hosts Andy and Kelly are joined by John Cunnings , the Boys' Program Director at Eagle Ranch, who has over 20 years of experience applying this model in real homes. John helps us understand the importance of balancing love and connection (nurtur...

No family is a perfect mix. In fact, most are beautifully complicated. In this episode, hosts Andy and Kelly are joined by John and Julie Price , a couple with uniquely different upbringings who came together to raise their own sons and care for hundreds of boys at Eagle Ranch. John, the middle child of 13 kids from a dairy farm, and Julie, a last-born missionary kid who grew up in Brazil, open up...

What does it really mean to have a healthy family dynamic? In this episode, we're joined by licensed professional counselor and family expert, Phillip Costa , who helps us uncover the powerful ways our history and our day-to-day lives shape our families. Philip shares how personal trauma, loss, and even birth order can influence our parenting in ways we're not always aware of. He introduces the po...

In last week’s episode, we learned from an expert about how our childhoods and family history can impact our parenting. This week, our co-host Kelly Brewer gets vulnerable and shares her own deeply personal story of how her upbringing shaped her journey as a parent. In this powerful episode, Kelly dives into her "happy, carefree" childhood and reveals the underlying emotional challenges she faced....