Raising Boys & Girls

Sissy Goff and David Thomas explore what they call a growing “crisis of capability” among kids today. Drawing from what they see in their counseling offices, they discuss cultural shifts that have contributed to kids feeling less able to handle normal challenges—including the rise of smartphones, the loss of play-based childhood, “language inflation” around mental health, and increasing avoidance of discomfort. They encourage parents to help rebuild resilience by normalizing nerves, allowing healthy stress, and creating opportunities for kids to practice courage in small everyday ways. Resources mentioned: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here....... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. SETH AND THE VERY SCARY STORM: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGSethStorm to check out this Lifeway book. YARA THE BRAVE: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGYara to check out this Lifeway book. ADVENTURE BIBLE: Get an Adventure Bible for your child and begin reading and exploring it together to build confidence and curiosity in God’s Word https://tinyurl.com/RBGAdventureBible. OUR PLACE: Stop cooking with toxic cookware, and upgrade to Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/RBG and use code RBG for 10% off sitewide. TONE TODAY: Visit tonetoday.com and use code RBG to get 20% off your first order. HIYA HEALTH: Visit hiyahealth.com/RBG to get 50% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sissy Goff and David Thomas sit down with Jay and Catherine Wolf to talk about resilience, suffering, and what it really means to raise capable kids. After Catherine survived a catastrophic brainstem stroke shortly after the birth of their first son, their family’s life was forever changed. Through their journey of disability, grief, faith, and hope, the Wolfs share how suffering can actually expand our capacity—for gratitude, compassion, and courage—and how parents can model resilience for their kids even in the hardest seasons. Together, they explore how honesty about hardship, practicing gratitude, and inviting kids into meaningful responsibility can cultivate deep capability and maturity in the next generation....... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here....... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. SETH AND THE VERY SCARY STORM: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGSethStorm to check out this Lifeway book. YARA THE BRAVE: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGYara to check out this Lifeway book. ADVENTURE BIBLE: Get an Adventure Bible for your child and begin reading and exploring it together to build confidence and curiosity in God’s Word https://tinyurl.com/RBGAdventureBible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sissy Goff and David Thomas introduce the idea behind their book Capable and discuss the growing mental health struggles they are seeing in kids today—anxiety, isolation, and a lack of confidence in handling challenges. They explain that being “capable” doesn’t mean being fearless or perfect, but having practiced coping with emotions, developing real-life competence, and learning through challenges. The conversation encourages parents to shift from rescuing their kids to helping them build resilience through small moments of discomfort, thoughtful questions, and steady boundaries. Ultimately, they emphasize that with supportive, compassionate adults, kids can discover the strength and capability already within them. Resources mentioned: Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here....... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. SETH AND THE VERY SCARY STORM: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGSethStorm to check out this Lifeway book. YARA THE BRAVE: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGYara to check out this Lifeway book. ADVENTURE BIBLE: Get an Adventure Bible for your child and begin reading and exploring it together to build confidence and curiosity in God’s Word https://tinyurl.com/RBGAdventureBible. HIYA HEALTH: Visit hiyahealth.com/RBG to get 50% off your first order. OUR PLACE: Stop cooking with toxic cookware, and upgrade to Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/RBG and use code RBG for 10% off sitewide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sissy Goff and David Thomas introduce the Capable series—a conversation about the growing “crisis of capability” they’re seeing in kids today. Drawing from decades of counseling experience, they share why many kids feel anxious about growing up and how parents can intentionally build resilience, confidence, and emotional strength through everyday moments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation with Tara-Leigh Cobble, founder of D-Group and host of The Bible Recap, Tara shares how moving from “Bible exposure” to true “Bible engagement” transformed her faith and led to the creation of The Bible Recap for Kids and its companion podcast. She encourages parents to model a genuine love for Scripture, invite kids into conversations about who God is (not just behavior modification), and practice looking for God’s character in daily Bible reading. With practical ideas like sharing a daily “God shot” and engaging Scripture together as a family, Tara offers hopeful, accessible ways to help kids not just read the Bible—but understand it and fall in love with God. Resources mentioned: The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble The Bible Recap for Kids by Tara-Leigh Cobble...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here....... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. SETH AND THE VERY SCARY STORM: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGSethStorm to check out this Lifeway book. YARA THE BRAVE: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGYara to check out this Lifeway book.ADVENTURE BIBLE: Get an Adventure Bible for your child and begin reading and exploring it together to build confidence and curiosity in God’s Word https://tinyurl.com/RBGAdventureBible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this deeply moving conversation, Sissy and David sit down with beloved children’s author Sally Lloyd-Jones to talk about her newest book, Jesus, Our True Friend. Sally shares how her own childhood—being sent to boarding school at eight and clinging to Jesus as her best friend—inspired her lifelong desire to help children know they are never alone. The conversation weaves through themes of perfectionism, grace, hope, and the tender story of Mary and Martha, reminding listeners that God is not disappointed in us—He is delighted in us. It’s a rich, honest, joy-filled episode about getting out of the way so the beauty of the gospel can shine through. Resources mentioned: Jesus, Our True Friend by Sally Lloyd-Jones The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones The Waiting Father by Helmut Thielicke...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here....... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. SETH AND THE VERY SCARY STORM: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGSethStorm to check out this Lifeway book. YARA THE BRAVE: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGYara to check out this Lifeway book. ADVENTURE BIBLE: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features a powerful conversation with neurosurgeon Dr. Lee Warren about trauma, faith, and the science of hope. Drawing from his experience serving in Iraq, battling PTSD, and losing his teenage son, Dr. Warren shares how we can’t always control what happens to us—but we can influence how we experience it. Through the lens of his book, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery, he explains the neuroscience of neuroplasticity and how changing our thoughts can literally reshape our brains. Together, they explore how parents can help kids build agency, resilience, and real capability by teaching them to challenge their thoughts, pause before reacting, and grow stronger through hardship. Resources mentioned: The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery by Dr. Lee Warren Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here....... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. SETH AND THE VERY SCARY STORM: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGSethStorm to check out this Lifeway book.YARA THE BRAVE: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGYara to check out this Lifeway book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this deeply grounding conversation, Sissy and David sit down with longtime mentor and educator Melissa Trevathan to talk about what kids need spiritually right now. Melissa shares that while children’s core longings—to feel safe, loved, and significant—haven’t changed, the intensity of anxiety and pressure has. She emphasizes that spiritual formation happens primarily through relationship, not instruction, and encourages parents to create safe, authentic spaces where kids can ask questions, wrestle with doubt, and experience God’s grace rather than performance. From the power of storytelling and nature with younger kids to helping teens answer “Do I matter?” Resources mentioned: My First Message by Eugene Peterson...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here....... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. SETH AND THE VERY SCARY STORM: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGSethStorm to check out this Lifeway book. YARA THE BRAVE: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGYara to check out this Lifeway book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sissy and David sit down with Andy Crouch to talk about what kids need in a tech-saturated world—and why their deepest needs haven’t changed. Andy explores how today’s screens foster “parasocial” connection, how AI companions could become adolescents’ most trusted voices, and why frictionless digital relationships can keep kids from growing through real-life conflict and disappointment. He encourages families to be “tech-wise, not tech-free,” creating intentional rhythms and boundaries—especially around meals, sleep, and bedrooms—so kids can stay grounded in embodied relationships and grow in wisdom and courage. Resources mentioned: The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World by Andy Crouch My Tech-Wise Life: Growing Up and Making Choices in a World of Devices by Andy and Amy Crouch...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here. If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. SETH AND THE VERY SCARY STORM: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGSethStorm to check out this Lifeway book. YARA THE BRAVE: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGYara to check out this Lifeway book. WAYFAIR: Get organized, refreshed, and ready for the holidays for way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristen Jenson, founder of Defend Young Minds and author of Good Pictures Bad Pictures, talks with Sissy and David about why parents need to start conversations about pornography early—ideally as soon as kids have access to screens. She explains how porn often finds kids through friends’ devices, social media, apps, and even AI, and why proactive, calm conversations help build an “internal filter” that tech safeguards alone can’t provide. Kristen also addresses the link between pornography, addiction, and rising child-on-child harmful behavior, and offers practical steps for parents if exposure happens: stay calm, make a plan, keep talking, and remember that porn is the problem—not your child. Resources mentioned: Good Pictures Bad Pictures by Kristen Jenson Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr. by Kristen Jenson Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Guidebook for Counseling Kids by Kristen Jenson and Shelby DeBause...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five day returns BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. SETH AND THE VERY SCARY STORM: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGSethStorm to check out this Lifeway book. YARA THE BRAVE: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGYara to check out this Lifeway book. OUR PLACE: Stop cooking with toxic cookware, and upgrade to Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/RBG and use code RBG for 10% off sitewide. TONE TODAY: Visit tonetoday.com and use code RBG to get 20% off your first order. HIYA HEALTH: Visit hiyahealth.com/RBG to get 50% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sissy Goff and David Thomas talk with Dr. Preston Sprinkle about how parents and the church can help kids navigate identity, gender, and sexuality with both clarity and compassion. Preston emphasizes being a non-anxious presence, starting age-appropriate, Jesus-centered conversations early, and building strong relationships that keep hard conversations open. Together, they explore how conviction and kindness can coexist, why discomfort builds resilience, and how parents can respond without panic or pressure. Resources mentioned: Theology in the Raw From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership by Preston Sprinkle...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here....... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. BRODO: Go to Brodo.com/RBG for 20% off your first subscription order, plus an additional $10 off when you use code RBG at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sissy and David are joined by Megan Michelson and Mary Flo Ridley from Birds & Bees for a practical, hope-filled conversation about protecting kids in today’s fast-moving, tech-saturated culture. Together, they share how resilience, discernment, and safety are built through connection, calm parental leadership, and ongoing age-appropriate conversations—rather than one big “talk.” From body boundaries and screen safety to helping kids trust their intuition, the key message is clear: connection equals protection, and starting early helps kids grow up informed, confident, and unafraid to come to their parents. Resources mentioned: The Chronicles of Narnia The Harry Potter series Anne of Green Gables...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Pre-order our new book, Capable and grab tickets for Capable - The Book Tour here! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here....... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. OUR PLACE: Visit fromourplace.com/RBG and use code RBG for 10% off sitewide. HIYA HEALTH: Visit hiyahealth.com/RBG to get 50% off your first order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Sissy Goff and David Thomas sit down with Justin Giboney for a timely, thoughtful conversation about what kids need right now in an increasingly polarized world. Justin weaves together faith, history, and parenting wisdom to explore how compassion and conviction are not opposites but essential partners in forming resilient, grounded kids. Drawing from the Civil Rights Movement, personal stories, and his own parenting, he encourages parents to focus on formation over reaction, to model humility and fortitude, and to help kids build an identity rooted first in who God says they are. Resources mentioned: Compassion (&) Conviction: The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement by Justin Giboney, Michael Wear, Chris Butler, & Barbara Williams-Skinner Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around: How the Black Church's Public Witness Leads Us out of the Culture War by Justin Giboney...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Access Raising Boys and Girls courses here! Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠raisingboysandgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Owen Learns He Has What it Takes: A Lesson in Resilience⁠ ⁠Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage⁠⁠...... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sissy and David unpack five things kids need culturally right now: conversation (parents as the calm, safe first source), protection in the real world (body-safety skills and wise supervision), online protection (tools + ongoing check-ins), critical thinking (helping kids evaluate what they see and hear), and a spiritual foundation (identity, hope, and guidance). Their main point: culture will shape kids—but intentional parents can shape them more. Resources mentioned: Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan God Made All of Me by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones My First Message by Eugene Peterson The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Access Raising Boys and Girls courses here! Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠raisingboysandgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Owen Learns He Has What it Takes: A Lesson in Resilience⁠ ⁠Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage⁠⁠...... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. SETH AND THE VERY SCARY STORM: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGSethStorm to check out this Lifeway book.YARA THE BRAVE: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGYara to check out this Lifeway book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Juli Fraga invites parents into the often-overlooked work of tending to their own emotions as a foundation for raising emotionally healthy kids. Drawing from her book Parents Have Feelings Too, she explains how parenting can activate old wounds, how to tell when a big reaction belongs to us rather than our child, and why calm, repair, and self-compassion matter more than getting it “right.” Julie offers practical tools—like the Change Triangle—to help parents name emotions, avoid shame spirals, and model healthy emotional expression, all while reminding listeners that asking for support and doing inner work is not weakness, but a gift to the whole family. Resources mentioned: Parents Have Feelings Too by Dr. Juli Fraga Mothering Without a Map by Kathryn Black...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Access Raising Boys and Girls courses here! Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠raisingboysandgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Owen Learns He Has What it Takes: A Lesson in Resilience⁠ ⁠Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage⁠⁠...... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sissy Goff and David Thomas sit down with Dr. Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, to talk about helping kids—and parents—understand, express, and regulate emotions with wisdom and compassion. Drawing from his own story and decades of research, Marc unpacks why all emotions are information, explains the RULER framework in a practical, parent-friendly way, and offers concrete tools for navigating big feelings at home. From being an “emotion scientist” instead of a judge to learning how to observe rather than absorb our kids’ overwhelm, this episode is full of hopeful, actionable insights for raising emotionally healthy kids in today’s world. Resources mentioned: Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett Dealing with Feeling: Use Your Emotions to Create the Life You Want by Marc Brackett...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Access Raising Boys and Girls courses here! Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠raisingboysandgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Owen Learns He Has What it Takes: A Lesson in Resilience⁠ ⁠Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage⁠⁠...... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. OUR PLACE: Stop cooking with toxic cookware, and upgrade to Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/RBG and use code RBG for 10% off sitewide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sissy Goff and David Thomas welcome Devon Kuntzman, founder of Transforming Toddlerhood, for a practical conversation about what toddlers need most right now. Devon reframes challenging toddler behavior as communication—not defiance—explaining how immature brain development, limited language, and sensory overload shape big emotions. She encourages parents to focus on co-regulation, connection, and skill-building rather than punishment, offering realistic strategies for setting boundaries, repairing relationships, and weaving play into everyday routines. Devon reminds caregivers that progress—not perfection—is the goal, and that showing up as a calm, human presence lays the foundation for resilient, emotionally healthy kids. Resources mentioned: Transforming Toddlerhood: How to Handle Tantrums, End Power Struggles, and Raise Resilient Kids---Without Losing Your Mind by Devon Kuntzman Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton...... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Access Raising Boys and Girls courses here! Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠raisingboysandgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Owen Learns He Has What it Takes: A Lesson in Resilience⁠ ⁠Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage⁠⁠...... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode emphasizes that kids grow emotionally strong through five key needs: healthy boredom that creates space for creativity and self-direction, agency that helps them feel capable and in control within boundaries, opportunities to experience discomfort so they learn they can handle hard feelings, fortitude built by sticking with challenges over time, and parents who trust their own instincts rather than outsourcing confidence to overwhelming outside influences. Together, these practices help children develop resilience by facing difficulties with steady support instead of avoidance or overprotection....... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Access Raising Boys and Girls courses here! Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠raisingboysandgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Owen Learns He Has What it Takes: A Lesson in Resilience⁠ ⁠Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage⁠⁠...... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order.HIYA: Visit hiyahealth.com/RBG to get 50% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sissy Goff and David Thomas explore the powerful, research-backed role of play in reducing anxiety, building resilience, and strengthening family connection. They unpack why unstructured play has declined, how play shapes kids’ brains and emotional health, and why adults need play just as much as kids do. The conversation offers five practical ways to bring play back into everyday family life—without pressure or perfection—and culminates in a joyful interview with Alex and Whitney Kimerling of Hootenanny Games, who share how screen-free games foster connection, confidence, and core memories across generations....... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Access Raising Boys and Girls courses here! Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠raisingboysandgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Owen Learns He Has What it Takes: A Lesson in Resilience⁠ ⁠Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage⁠⁠...... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sissy Goff and David Thomas sit down with journalist and author Leland Vittert to talk about his memoir Born Lucky and the profound impact his father had on his life growing up with autism. Leland shares candid stories of adversity, resilience, and learning to navigate a world that wasn’t built for him—highlighting how character, hard work, and perseverance are formed not by removing hardship, but by walking through it with steady support. With honesty and hope, this conversation encourages parents that while they can’t erase their child’s challenges, their presence, belief, and commitment to helping their child do hard things can make a life-changing difference....... Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Access Raising Boys and Girls courses here! Connect with David, Sissy, and Melissa at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠raisingboysandgirls.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Owen Learns He Has What it Takes: A Lesson in Resilience⁠ ⁠Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage⁠⁠...... If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns. BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply. ATHLETIC GREENS: Go to DRINKAG1.com/RBG to get their best offer… For a limited time only, get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order! Only while supplies last. COOK UNITY: Go to cookunity.com/RBG or enter code RBG before checkout to get 50% off your first order WAYFAIR: Get organized, refreshed, and ready for the holidays for way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. OUR PLACE: Stop cooking with toxic cookware, and upgrade to Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/RBG and use code RBG for 10% off sitewide. HIYA: Visit hiyahealth.com/RBG to get 50% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices