Strong Tower

Welcome to the Strong Tower podcast! Leslie and Lisa, with diverse backgrounds, unite in this first season of Strong Tower to address contemporary challenges confronting youth. Leslie's upbringing in a Christadelphian family and Lisa's journey to baptism in 2018 from a mainstream Christian background shape their perspectives. With Lisa’s experience in the field of sexual abuse and exploitation pre...

In this episode, Jason and Ruth Hensley discuss the importance of purposeful parenting to instill meaningful direction in children. Sharing their experiences and challenges in raising four children, they emphasize the need for individualized strategies tailored to each child's unique personality and learning style. The Hensleys highlight the significance of community and mentorship, and the import...

In this episode, hosts Leslie and Lisa engage in a candid conversation with Josiah and Jenny Hewitson, parents of four children aged 15, 13, 11, and 4, about the challenges of parenting in the digital age. The Hewitsons express their concerns about technology and child safety, particularly regarding cell phone usage. They share their approach to introducing cell phones to their children and discus...

In this episode Leslie and Lisa talk with John Perks about the complexities of social media and its effects on children and families. From his perspective of teaching media literacy in schools over the past 24 years, John describes the evolution of social platforms and its addictive nature. Leslie and Lisa reference the US Surgeon General's Report findings. They explore the pervasive presence of s...

In this episode, Leslie and Lisa discuss The Tidings Magazine's initiative "EcclesiaSafe" with Eric Sternad. Eric emphasizes the program's mission: cultivating safe and healthy ecclesias by providing resources to educate and encourage best practices to intervene and prevent abuse effectively. Drawing on his counseling experience he highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing child abus...

In this episode, Leslie and Lisa discuss the topics of online grooming, sexual extortion, and sexting. They emphasize the importance of addressing these issues to protect children and prevent harm. Sexting, the act of sending sexualized images, has become increasingly common among young people and is associated with various negative consequences. The dissemination of sexting material on mainstream...

In this episode, Leslie and Lisa discuss gaming addiction with Jordan Anderson. They explore why gaming is compelling, such as providing escapism and allowing the creation of new identities. The conversation addresses toxic behavior and bullying in online communities and the impact of gaming on mental health and development. Jordan shares his personal experience with gaming addiction, emphasizing...

In this episode, Leslie and Lisa interview Matt Drabenstott about suicide and how to help someone struggling with suicidal thoughts. Matt shares his personal and professional experiences with suicide, including his own loss and his research on youth suicide prevention. They discuss the alarming rise of suicide rates, particularly among young people, and the factors that contribute to it. Matt expl...

In this episode, hosts Leslie and Lisa chat with Beth Lansing about the profound impact of community on family and children. Beth, a mother of four and grandmother to 14, describes her extensive background in teaching at-risk students. She emphasizes the critical need for community support in challenging circumstances. Leslie, Lisa and Beth touch on themes of love, service and the broader family t...