The Intentional Parents Podcast
Intentional
In a world where distractions are endless and culture constantly pulls us in different directions, it’s more important than ever to remain intentional in your marriage and parenting. Brook and Elizabeth Mosser, alongside Phil and Diane Comer, invite you into a conversation about biblical formation — offering wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools for raising passionate Jesus followers. As an intergenerational team that is also family, we bridge the perspectives of different life stages, drawing from both decades-long experience and fresh insight on the topics of parenting and marriage. From vulnerable Q+R sessions to insightful guest interviews, we explore real-life stories of both steady formation and radical transformation — unpacking how God is shaping our lives and the lives of those around us. Join us each week as we pursue God’s design for life, marriage, and parenting — with intention.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 14, 2024 • 1h 38min
Marriage, is therapy biblical, discipline, and what if you have already messed up badly as a parent? (Q+R live from San Diego)
We have a fun show for you today. All four of us recently traveled to a great church in San Diego called Rise City, and we got to sit down at the end of the conference to do a live question and response time. Their community asked many fantastic questions that many of you have asked us, so we thought we would share this with you today. We cover questions about discipline, parenting children with special needs, our best advice for marriage, what we would do differently in our parenting, blended families, parenting when you blew it in the early years, is therapy Biblical, and cultivating digital rule of life for your family. Enjoy! Speaking events: Forest Home Family Camp June 23-29 Follow us on Instagram:@intentional_parents@brook_mosser@Emosser@philmcomer@dianewcomer Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Passionate-Jesus-Followers-Intentional/dp/0310347777 Website: intentionalparents.org Donate: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog GET: The Intentional Film Serieshttps://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series
Jan 31, 2024 • 1h 19min
Anger, triggers and being at your wit’s end (Replay)
Today we are covering the topic of one of the eight primary emotions, anger. Anger reveals what matters to us- both good and not good. Anger becomes a warning signal, compelling humble people to look inside to identify what emotion they are experiencing and why. Fear? Hurt? Sadness? Resentment? Anger is possibly the most important feeling we experience as emotional and spiritual beings because it is the first step to authentic living. It shows our yearnings and hunger for life. We will also cover five ways to start working on being aware of your anger and how to live in the power of the Spirit. Enjoy! Follow us on Instagram:@intentional_parents@brook_mosser@Emosser@philmcomer@dianewcomer Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Passionate-Jesus-Followers-Intentional/dp/0310347777 Website: intentionalparents.org Donate: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog GET: The Intentional Film Serieshttps://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series Interview with Aundi Kolber!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-intentional-parents-podcast/id1462206659?i=1000537701695
Jan 24, 2024 • 1h 12min
The Gift of NO! How kindness + firmness bring flourishing
When we teach our children to accept the word no, we give them a gift to help them as they mature into adulthood. On today’s show, Phil, Diane, Brook, and Elizabeth share some recent events where teaching the word no has proven challenging and has also provided a ton of fruit in their family. Join us today as they unpack the stories and lean into how God teaches us to accept the word no, how welcoming the word no brings contentment in life, and how we can give our children a no without breaking their spirit. Enjoy! 3 Dont’s:1. Don’t be avoidant, if you ignore these conversations it won’t help2. Don’t be dismissive, sometimes you have to slow way down to be fully present 3. Don’t be snarky or sarcastic, it’s belittling 3 Do’s:1. Do put on compassion, you don’t have to feel it, put it on like clothes2. Do listen and reflect back, it’s powerful! “I hear you saying...Do I have that right?” Go into it with curiosity3. Do practice humility, be open Digital Rule of Life PDF Speaking events: Rise City Church January 26-28 Forest Home Family Camp June 23-29 Scriptures mentioned:1 John 5v14-15 Romans 2v41 Timothy 6v6 Colossians 3v122 Thessalonians 2v16-17 Follow us on Instagram:@intentional_parents @brook_mosser @Emosser @philmcomer @dianewcomer FREE TEXT Message Daily Devotional MERCH:Gear for the journey Grab a copy of our book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!) Website: intentionalparents.org Join our Legacy Builders: Blog The Intentional Film Series
Jan 17, 2024 • 1h 15min
Parenting in the Digital Age
Today, we discuss all things digital. How does technology form us? How does technology influence our children? What is our responsibility? The primary thing technology does is change our minds, and God invites us into the renewal of our minds. If it feels hard not to be conformed to the culture around you, you are not alone. On the show today, Brook and Elizabeth share what a digital rule of life is and what their digital rule of life looks like in their home. We have some tools that we hope are helpful as you figure out what guardrails you and your family need. Digital Rule of Life PDF Book:Andy Crouch, The tech-wise family Book:Johann Hari, Stolen Focus Speaking events: Rise City Church January 26-28 Forest Home Family Camp June 23-29 Scriptures mentioned:Romans 12v1-2Proverbs 29v18 Follow us on Instagram:@intentional_parents @brook_mosser @Emosser @philmcomer @dianewcomer FREE TEXT Message Daily Devotional MERCH:Gear for the journey Grab a copy of our book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!) Website: intentionalparents.org Join our Legacy Builders: Blog The Intentional Film Series
Dec 20, 2023 • 1h 3min
Creating a Culture of Connection, Expectations, and the Phonetic Pace at Christmas
In today’s show, we have Diane, Elizabeth, and Sally Lemos Lpc sharing a conversation about Christmas and all the expectations and pressures that can come up. So often, we strive to do everything, but do we know why we are doing everything? Is it to perform for others or even to prove something to ourselves? It’s so easy to make Christmas about what we want instead of focusing on something far more important: how we make others around us feel. We hope this conversation feels like you are sitting with Sally, Diane, and Elizabeth as they dive into some great stories of missing the mark and how it led them to ask these three helpful yet challenging questions: 1. How do we not miss this Christmas? 2. Who or how do I want to be? 3. What kind of culture am I trying to create?Merry Christmas and Enjoy! Scriptures mentioned:1 John 3v19-202 Corinthians 10v13 Follow us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @Emosser @philmcomer @dianewcomer FREE TEXT Message Daily Devotional 👇🏼https://intentional.flocknote.com MERCH: Gear for the journeyhttps://www.intentionalparents.org/store Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Passionate-Jesus-Followers-Intentional/dp/0310347777 Website: intentionalparents.org Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog GET: The Intentional Film Serieshttps://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series Sally’s Website / Instagramhttps://www.newbloomtherapy.com/abouthttps://www.instagram.com/sallylemos
Dec 13, 2023 • 57min
Parenting opposite personalities, repentance from anger, and having kids outside of marriage (Q+R)
Today, we continue answering your questions. Thank you for sending in such great ones! The first one we respond to is how to parent children who have the opposite personality as you; there is a challenge and a blessing that comes with that. Then, we discuss what repentance can look like after you have responded in anger to your kids. Listen in for some hope and helpful practices, even if you blew it. The last question for today is about how to have a conversation with your kids when someone is having a baby outside of marriage. We touch on so many common situations in parenting; there is something for every parent in this show today! Enjoy! Scripture mentioned:Psalm 127v3Proverbs 24v16James 5v16James 1v19Ephesians 4v15John 4 The episode on Anger with Sally Lemos(LPC): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-intentional-parents-podcast/id1462206659? i=1000634877215 Follow us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @Emosser @philmcomer @dianewcomer FREE TEXT Message Daily Devotional 👇🏼https://intentional.flocknote.com MERCH: Gear for the journeyhttps://www.intentionalparents.org/store Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Passionate-Jesus-Followers-Intentional/dp/0310347777 Website: intentionalparents.org Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog GET: The Intentional Film Serieshttps://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series
Dec 6, 2023 • 1h 10min
Overcapacity, navigating death, and fathering from a deficit (Q+R)
Phil+Diane and Brook+Elizabeth respond to a few great questions in today's show. First, they talk about what to do when you feel overwhelmed with the load God has given you. Do you constantly feel like you are living outside of your capacity with no margin? Secondly, they discuss how to navigate the subject of death with your kids. This can be a tough subject when your kids feel afraid and even harder when you, as a parent, have fears around death, too. Lastly, they respond to a question about fathers cultivating a vision for their family and what to do if you never had a good father to show you how to do that for your family. This episode has loads of hope to share! Enjoy! HOPE: Heaven, Oriented, Perspective, Everyday Verses Mentioned: Psalm 54:4Isaiah 40:31Phil 4:13James 2: 14-17 Matthew 26:38John 14:1-141 Thessalonians 4:13-14 Book recommendation: Randy Alcorn: Heaven and Heaven for Kids Follow us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @Emosser @philmcomer @dianewcomer FREE TEXT Message Daily Devotional 👇🏼https://intentional.flocknote.com MERCH: Gear for the journeyhttps://www.intentionalparents.org/store Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Passionate-Jesus-Followers-Intentional/dp/0310347777 Website: intentionalparents.org Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog GET: The Intentional Film Serieshttps://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series
Nov 29, 2023 • 57min
Striving, Distractions, and Living from a Still Place (Interview with Katharine Hill)
It’s our pleasure to welcome back Katharine Hill on our podcast today. Katherine Hill is an Author, speaker, and director for Care for the Family. In our conversation today, we discuss challenges like busyness, distractions, striving, and the digital age. Katharine shares some brilliant thoughts on attentive stillness even when life is busy and the value of being interruptable. We dive deep into finding a slower pace with God despite facing many challenges that want to pull us away. Katharine also shares four helpful habits that she does in her own life to help bring her and her family closer to Jesus. Enjoy! 1) Calm2) Comfortable3) Concealed4) Care-free Katharine Hill:https://www.katharinehill.co.uk/ Katharine’s Book: Born Free: A call to be still, know God, and Flourish in a Hectic Worldhttps://www.amazon.com/Born-Free-Still-Flourish-Hectic/dp/1914553187/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZMREVYTI4I6J&keywords=born+free+by+katharine+hill&qid=1701198451&sprefix=born+free+by+katharine+hill%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1 Book recommendation: Domestic Monasteryhttps://www.amazon.com/Domestic-Monastery-Ronald-Rolheiser/dp/164060670X/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=MBMWZ6NF70YO&keywords=domestic+monastery+by+ronald+rolheiser&qid=1701198500&sprefix=domestic+m%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1 Follow us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @Emosser @philmcomer @dianewcomer FREE TEXT Message Daily Devotional 👇🏼https://intentional.flocknote.com MERCH: Gear for the journeyhttps://www.intentionalparents.org/store Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Passionate-Jesus-Followers-Intentional/dp/0310347777 Website: intentionalparents.org Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog GET: The Intentional Film Serieshttps://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series
Nov 15, 2023 • 1h 22min
Anger, rage, and what it is trying to tell you (with guest Sally Lemos, MS, LPC)
Anger is a part of the human experience and can be unpleasant, but our anger can be a gift when we listen to what it wants to communicate. The incredible Sally Lemos, MS, LPC, is on the podcast again today. Sally shares some helpful ways to learn to be aware of our anger before it turns into rage. We discuss storytellers, limits, how to slow down to go faster, and the unforced rhythms of grace. We give you four practical tools in today's show that will help you as you practice becoming a peaceful presence in your home. Enjoy! Practical tools:1. Notice what is happening in us2. Slow down to pay attention3. Make Repair4. Grounding Practice (Air, Earth, Light, and Water) Where to find Sally Lemos MS, LPC: https://www.newbloomtherapy.com/aboutSally’s Blog: https://www.newbloomtherapy.com/my-blog Verses mentioned:Matthew 11:28-30Philippians 4:8 Follow us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @Emosser @philmcomer @dianewcomer FREE TEXT Message Daily Devotional 👇🏼https://intentional.flocknote.com MERCH: Gear for the journeyhttps://www.intentionalparents.org/store Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Passionate-Jesus-Followers-Intentional/dp/0310347777 Website: intentionalparents.org Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog GET: The Intentional Film Serieshttps://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series
Nov 8, 2023 • 1h 5min
What to do with fear, anxiety, and shame in our parenting?
Our culture is fascinated with fear, but as Christians, how is God calling us to walk with him amid our fears? Today, the whole crew is here, and we talk all about fear, how we naturally respond to fear, how shame comes into play, how we can moralize our fears, and most importantly, how we fear not. We cover 4 points today to help you in your spiritual formation journey that God wants to use to transform us into who we really are. This process takes time, so remember to give yourself loads of grace. Enjoy! 4 Things 1. Notice and Befriend fear 2. Invite 3. Speak truth over yourself 4. Choose trust Book: Resilient Child Discipleshiphttps://www.amazon.com/Resilient-Discipleship-Fearless-Future-Church/dp/1946680648 Book: The faith of our childrenhttps://www.amazon.com/Faith-Our-Children-Discipling-Generation/dp/1614841683/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VRAVEFTMM9J8&keywords=the+faith+of+our+children&qid=1698171150&s=books&sprefix=the+faith+of+our+children%2Cstripbooks%2C185&sr=1-1 Links:https://childdiscipleship.com/https://childdiscipleship.com/resilient-child-discipleship-training/ Follow us on Instagram:@intentional_parents@brook_mosser@Emosser@philmcomer@dianewcomer FREE TEXT Message Daily Devotional 👇🏼 https://intentional.flocknote.com MERCH: Gear for the journeyhttps://www.intentionalparents.org/store Grab a copy of our book: Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)https://amzn.to/3ReOgc4 Website: intentionalparents.org Join our Legacy Builders: https://www.intentionalparents.org/donate-index-impact Blog: https://www.intentionalparents./blog GET: The Intentional Film Serieshttps://www.intentionalparents.org/film-series
