Little Shoots, Deep Roots

This episode is for every mom who’s ever wondered if her daily sacrifices matter. Whether you’re deep in the trenches of parenting littles, guiding teens, or simply trying to hold it all together, Shalene Roberts’s story and wisdom will encourage you to: - Recognize and honor the challenges of feeling unseen and unappreciated - Exchange external validation for seeing yourself through God’s eyes -...

Dragons & Giants in the Bible | Faith, Adventure & Biblical Truth for Christian Families (with Laurie Christine) Why does the Bible mention dragons and giants—and what do these legendary creatures have to do with the gospel and courageous faith? In this epic episode of Little Shoots, Deep Roots, Christie Thomas welcomes special guest Laurie Christine—mom of four boys, creator of the Dragon...

Becky Beresford shares her experiences as a mom of three boys (one on the autism spectrum) and offeres practical wisdom from her book, She Believed He Could, So She Did . Whether you're a parent, church leader, or someone supporting families, here are three key takeaways: ✨ You don't have to be "enough" for your family. ✨ Comparison is a joy-killer. ✨ Small moments matter—even...

Thanks for listening to Season 1! Here's what's up for Season 2. 📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES: 1) ⁠Start Little Guide: 5 simple habits to try today⁠ 2) Book: " ⁠Little Habits, Big Faith⁠ " by Christie Thomas

How do we help our kids grow generous hearts in a culture that says to hold tight to what you have? As parents, we want our children to invest in what truly matters: sharing their time, talents, and treasures with others. But it isn’t always easy! From squabbles over toys to big lessons about money, stewardship starts with small conversations and habits in everyday life. Discover practical ways yo...

Giving isn’t just about money; it’s a practice, like prayer or reading the Bible. It’s best nurtured together, as a family habit. In this episode, discover how you can move your family beyond sporadic giving to a sustainable, joy-filled habit that transforms hearts and blesses others. You'll walk away with creative ideas for making compassion tangible, easy rhythms for giving time, talents, an...

Gratitude isn’t just a nice idea, it’s a powerful habit that can transform your family, your outlook, and even your brain. In today’s episode of Little Shoots Deep Roots, we dive into how practicing intentional gratitude (whether through simple daily lists or creative family rituals) truly reframes challenges and brings us closer to God and one another. The real magic happens when these small acts...

When life feels like a storm—whether in your child’s heart or your own—gratitude can be the calm in the chaos. Discover how developing simple gratitude habits can transform chaotic moments into opportunities for growth, and gain practical, gentle strategies for helping your kids (and yourself!) find joy and contentment...even on tough days. Listen to a heartfelt story from Christie’s own family an...

Welcome to Little Shoots Deep Roots, where we help parents cultivate deep faith in their families, one small habit at a time! In this episode, host Christie Thomas sits down with special guest Sarah Ruth Owens to explore what it looks like to prioritize real family connection (both practically and spiritually) even in the midst of busy schedules and unconventional family rhythms. Discover why toge...

If you’ve ever been worried by the statistic that two-thirds of youth stop attending church as young adults, you’re not alone. But there’s hope! Recent studies show the ONE thing that's most important in developing your child's faith...and you're probably already doing it! Listen in for the reason "family warmth" makes the biggest difference in your child's faith, as well as actionable ideas for h...

Ever wondered how to actually create meaningful Sabbath rhythms, even with reluctant kids and packed weekends? Eryn and Christie share honest stories, practical ideas, and encouragement to help you rediscover Sabbath as a real gift, one that brings joy, connection, and refreshment (not just rules and guilt!). Whether your family’s rest day is more chaos than calm right now, or you’re longing to tr...

If you feel stuck in the constant churn of parenting, work, and activities, this episode is your gentle invitation to pause, breathe, and discover how making room for rest is not only possible, but transformative. You’ll leave with actionable ideas for simple Sabbath habits—plus permission to start imperfectly, one little step at a time. 📚 Read LITTLE HABITS, BIG FAITH 🔗 Read the TRANSCRIPT WHAT...

What if worship isn’t just about singing in church, but about chasing God’s glory through everyday moments—like running, cooking, or simply watching the sunset? Discover how ordinary rhythms can become opportunities to honor God, invite healing, and nurture deeper faith for the whole family. Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, mother of three, children’s author, Bible study teacher, and remarried widow, op...

What is Worship… Really? “Worship” can feel hard to define, but that’s also what makes it so freeing! Let's walk through how worship is woven into everything we do—through music, prayer, service, or even a mindful walk outside. The heart of worship is honoring God in spirit and truth, letting Him shape every part of our lives. 🔗 Episode Webpage (with full transcript) ✨ In this episode: What...

Do grandparents have a role to play in their grandchildren's spiritual development, or are they just here for the cookies and hugs? Today I'm joined by four inspiring grandmothers— Melissa Hyland, Dawn Stevens, Kate Battistelli, and Maureen Miller —who each believe that grandparenting is one of life’s greatest gifts AND a unique chance to help nurture the next generation’s spiritual journey. Each...

Are kids allowed to pray for skittles? How about praying for mosquitoes to go away? What exactly constitutes prayer for children? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Steph Thurling and Sarah Holmstrom—two passionate moms, ministry leaders, and the authors of the book Raising Prayerful Kids. If you’ve ever wondered how to get kids comfortable with prayer (or how to jump in now if you didn’t start whe...

In this solo episode, we'll dig deep into the topic of prayer, and how to nurture a vibrant, approachable prayer life for yourself and your children, even if it feels intimidating or awkward at first. Discover how tiny, intentional moments can help your family cultivate a culture of prayer, why it’s okay to start small (think 30 seconds or less!), and practical ways to anchor prayer into your dail...

Does sharing the gospel with your kids seem like it's a one-and-done event, or like it has to be super formal? Join me as I chat with the incredibly wise Bethany Kimsey, founder of the Warrior Mama podcast and mother of 8, to demystify the Gospel and offer practical, real-life advice on how to genuinely share it with your kids. Discover why “gospel moments” don’t have to be formal or forced, h...

If someone sat down next to you and asked " what do Christians believe? " ...where would you start? Would you hem and haw or would you jump right in? In this episode, you'll hear the story of my first stuttering time I had to explain the Gospel, and I'll share a biblical framework for how to explain the Gospel to anyone, whether it's your child or some dude off the street. Learn how to confidently...

Welcome to Little Shoots Deep Roots - where we become faith gardeners, cultivating deep faith in our families one little habit at a time. Let's dig into the profound impact of Bible memory with special guest Kayla Alonzo, founder of Baby Devotions. Explore enriching techniques for scripture meditation, hear about unique practices, and discover how to make Bible memorization a joyful and meanin...

Welcome to Little Shoots Deep Roots - where we become faith gardeners, cultivating deep faith in our families one little habit at a time. ✨ In this episode: A powerful story of overcoming childhood anxiety with scripture Using the Faith Growth Cycle for a new Bible memory habit Five sustainable steps for making Bible memory a habit Creative ways to deepen and celebrate your family's scripture jou...

I invited Lucy Rycroft (Pastor's wife, author, mom of 4) to share her family's journey of engaging in Bible study with children. Lucy Rycroft is an author and founder of The Hope Filled Family. She lives in York, England, with her church leader husband and four kids. Whether you're a seasoned expert or a parent looking for fresh ideas, this episode offers authentic insights into bringi...

Welcome to Little Shoots Deep Roots - where we become faith gardeners, cultivating deep faith in our families one little habit at a time! In this solo episode, I share how small, intentional steps can deepen both personal and family engagement with Scripture. Discover my personal testimony of how the Bible guided me through a life-changing decision, and learn how you too can create tiny but impact...

Welcome to Little Shoots Deep Roots - where we help parents cultivate deep faith in their families one small habit at a time! In this introductory episode, host Christie Thomas shares her vision for faith gardening - a gentle approach to family discipleship that starts with planting small, intentional seeds of faith. Learn why perfect parenting isn't required (but being present is), understand...

Welcome to Little Shoots, Deep Roots , where we become faith gardeners, cultivating deep faith in our families one little habit at a time. I’m your fellow gardener, Christie Thomas. Download your Start Little Guide here.