The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane

It seems like technology is always bad, especially when it comes to impacting the hearts of kids. But is there a way to use technology to strengthen your family values?  Jess Wolstenholm, VP of Education and Research at Minno, joins Arlene to talk about how parents can use media intentionally during the most formative years of a child's faith. They dig into the "4 to 14 window," why young chi...

When faced with parenting crises, special-needs challenges, fear, and exhaustion, how do you keep moving forward? Today's guest Sarah Walton is an author, wife, and mom of four whose family has faced chronic illness, a son with severe behavioral episodes, and years of uncertainty without answers. In this conversation, Sarah talks about what it looked like to survive the hardest seasons of motherho...

Life isn't all about us. But have you tried teaching that to your kids?! Pastor, author, and super dad Dave Stone will help you raise kids who are humble, generous, and others-focused. He's raised three kids and can walk alongside us, guiding us through stages of parenting, from discipline to friendship. He encourages parents in the hard seasons and reminds us that our family investment is never w...

Larry McCall has been married to his high school sweetheart for more than 50 years and pastored the same church for over 40. He knows firsthand what it takes to enjoy a marriage that lasts. He's also seen the bad things that happen to marriages in the middle and later years. In his book  A Seasoned Marriage , he walks couples through the seasons that can quietly undo a marriage: empty nests,...

Guest favorite Dr. Kathy Koch joins Arlene to explain the changes that happen when your kids grow up. Dr. Kathy's book Resolve Conflict and Find Peace and Hope with Adult Children walks parents through the hard work of releasing control, grieving unmet expectations, and learning to communicate in ways that actually keep the door open. They cover topics like helicoptering through the teen years, us...

There's a lot being said and shown about sex in our culture. Algorithms aren't delivering messages of sexual purity, freedom and health to teenagers. Quite the opposite. Yet purity is not an outdated idea, but it has been misunderstood.  Dannah Gresh, founder of True Girl, is back to help us communicate to our kids with truth and grace about sex. She shares her freedom story of how God redeem...

Dallas Theological Seminary President, Dr. Mark Yarbrough, shares about keeping faith alive in the family. What does faith on fire look like?  What if your faith is waning?  Dr. Yarbrough talks about his new book The Rekindled Heart: 6 Essentials for Reviving Your Faith. He shares how humility shaped a major family decision, why intentional parenting requires a plan, and the campfire sto...

How can you pursue change as a mom without being crushed by guilt or shame?  Abbey Wedgeworth brings a needed message: We don't need more willpower.  We need the power of the Gospel.  Sharing from her book, Help, I'm Ruining My Kids , Abbey talks about her own experience with poor postpartum mental health, the pull between shame and blame, and why our weakness is not the enemy...

Moms carry a lot on their shoulders from meal planning to sports shuttling, boo-boo kissing to homework prodding. What would happen in the home if mom didn't do all the things?  In this Mother's Day episode, Arlene brings a message to make moms laugh and hopefully make them feel wildly appreciated. But she'll also share the dangers of being a helicopter mom and doing too much for your kids. Y...

Kristen Jenson, founder of Defend Young Minds and author of the bestselling Good Pictures, Bad Pictures series, joins Arlene to talk about her newest book written specifically for girls. She unpacks why girls are more vulnerable to pornography than most parents realize and how early, calm conversations are the most powerful protection a parent can give. This episode will give you the tools needed...

Kristy Graham (Billy Graham's granddaughter-in-law) has a front row seat to what God is doing around the world. She's the podcast host of On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse. Maybe you've packed a shoebox with Operation Christmas Child to send the Gospel and gifts to children around the world. How can we raise kids who give generously at Christmas AND as a way of life?   You'll hea...

They're back!  Beloved counselors and bestselling authors David Thomas and Sissy Goff join Arlene to talk about their new book, Capable: How to Teach Your Kids Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience . After 30+ years of counseling, they're sounding the alarm on a generation of kids who are increasingly averse to risk, effort, and discomfort. What if your child doesn't want to b...

Contrary to what many say, most marriages aren't destroyed by parental wounds, unresolved anger, or a sinful past.  Jim Ramos, founder of Men in the Arena, talks candidly with Arlene about his new book  Guardrails: 10 Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage.  They dive into practical wisdom for building a marriage that lasts, drawn from Jim's 34+ years of real-life experience. Jim ha...

Author Addison Bevere joins Arlene to talk about what honest, un-performative prayer actually looks like — for you and your kids. He shares why humility is a parenting superpower, how to guide children toward "second innocence," and why your morning routine might be the most spiritually significant part of your day. Join us for a truly wisdom-filled conversation about prayer and Addison's ne...

Blending families isn't easy and you can feel alone in the struggle. But did you know there are several prominent step-families found in the Bible?  Smart stepmom, author Laura Petherbridge offers heartfelt insights and solutions for navigating big emotions in complex homes. Her new book is Stepfamilies of the Bible: Timeless Wisdom for Blended Families. God's people have always included fami...

If you're feeling overwhelmed by clutter, today's expert Katy Joy Wells is here to help with steps you can implement today!  She's helped more than 250,000 families take control of their homes by solving the real clutter problem--what's underneath it all? What if your clutter isn't just a mess problem — it's a heart problem? Katy is the host of  The Maximized Minimalist (5M downloa...

If you've ever felt guilty for struggling with anxiety or have a child who wrestles with worry, this conversation is for you. Holley Gerth, Wall Street Journal bestselling author and counselor, is on the show to talk about her latest book, Prayers for Peace of Mind: Scripture and Encouragement for Days of Anxiety, Worry and Stress.  Holley shares practical and compassionate tools for families...

With his signature whimsy and curiosity, bestselling author Bob Goff takes us on a journey with the Savior in his new book, A Journey with Jesus: An Interactive Guide Through the Holy Land. Bob shares what being in Israel and walking where Jesus walked taught him about wonder. You'll hear about Bob's adventures in the cockpit of an airplane, the tenacity of faithful friends, and the beauty of expe...

Abbie Halberstadt, mother of 10 kids and author of You Bet Your Stretch Marks , joins Arlene to dismantle the myth that moms should "love every minute" of parenting. Being a parent stretches your capacity like nothing else, but it also fills you with immense joy and has a lasting impact. Motherhood is good.  Abbie shares practical wisdom on prioritizing heart work over housework and reclaimin...

Did you know Dr. Gary Chapman has teamed up with Dr. Les and Leslie Parrott to write a follow up book to his bestselling 5 Love Languages book?  Dr. Leslie Parrott joins Arlene today to talk about the new book, "The Love Language That Matters Most." While most of us know the five love languages, Leslie reveals that each language has specific "dialects" that can make or break how love is recei...

Does your teen get angry? The answer is probably yes--leaving you with the question, "What do I do about it?" Dr. Gary Chapman joins us to talk about his new book,  A Teen’s Guide to Conflict: How to Deal with Drama, Manage Anger, and Make Things Right . Tune in for practical ways parents can guide teenagers through anger, disrespect, and lack of motivation. It turns out you can show up...

Struggling to break free from the same old conflicts in your relationship?  When Ron and Nan Deal suffered the devastating loss of their child, their marriage could have collapsed. For decades, Ron and Nan were stuck in destructive cycles, experiencing ruptures without repair. They sought help from Dr. Terry and Sharon Hargrave whose transformational Restoration Therapy has helped millions. N...

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, bestselling author of Love and Respect (2.3+ million copies sold), shares fresh insights from his new book  Lightbulb Moments in Marriage . Drawing from his work with over 4,000 couples and 52 years of marriage to his wife Sarah, Dr. Eggerichs reveals why couples often feel miles apart when they're really just inches away from breakthrough. In this episode, we'll discov...

Gary Thomas (bestselling author of Sacred Marriage , Sacred Parenting ) is back on the podcast to discuss his latest book,  The Life You Were Reborn to Live: Dismantling 12 Lies About Remaining in God's Love . Gary challenges common parenting myths that Christians often fall into, and offers practical ways on how to live life God's way, not the world's. Let's learn together how to create Chri...

Justin Whitmel Earley, bestselling author of The Body Teaches the Soul , is very familiar with the consequences of ignoring the body. As a young lawyer, he collapsed into anxiety and insomnia. He learned that the healthy and unhealthy habits shaping his life weren't physical or spiritual; they were spiritual AND physical. Justin reveals why the body isn't separate from the soul—it's an impor...