Connected Families Podcast

Dr. Bo Bryson, a chiropractor and author with over two decades of experience, shares a powerful parenting story that highlights the 'You are safe with me' framework. He discusses how acknowledging parenting missteps can enhance familial safety and connection. Dr. Bo recounts a pivotal moment with his teenage daughter, emphasizing the importance of being heard and known. His journey underscored how faith plays a role in creating a nurturing environment, leading to stronger family bonds over the years.

Dive into the fascinating world of children's emotional responses! Learn why kids flourish in environments where they feel safe and how fear-based discipline often backfires. Discover the neuroscience behind meltdowns and why a calm, firm approach builds trust. The hosts share insights on transforming disciplinary moments into opportunities for connection, emphasizing the importance of emotional safety in parenting. Equip yourself with practical tools to foster genuine learning and cooperation in your family.

In this special “virtual family time” episode about the Connected Families Framework, you’ll hear Jim and Lynne Jackson join Stacy Bellward (host) for a fun conversation about the incredible growth and impact of Connected Families over the past 20+ years. Using the biblical parable of the talents as their start, Connected Families founders share how they’ve stewarded the ministry’s explosive growth, particularly in the last five years, and cast a vision for the future of grace-filled, Christ-centered parenting resources. Listen in and be a part of our family! Key Points: How zero advertising turned to 2.2 million podcast listeners, and more From prison cells to peaceful homes: one mom’s testimony that changed her family trajectory Vision casting for 2030 Mentioned in this podcast: The Table Community Monthly Giving Program How to Grow a Connected Family – Book Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart – Book Helping Kids with Anger eBook Matthew 25:14 – 25 – Parable of the Talents Connected Families Certified Parent Coaching Program Connected Families Framework Connected Families Ministry Partnership Program Union Gospel Mission – Spokane Connected Families Thursday Email Sign Up Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! This podcast was made possible by members of The Table Community, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table! NEW ON THE PODCAST: Tap “Follow” in your menu so you don’t miss out! Next month, we are dropping 6 mini-episodes every week, all bite-sized pieces of our core content: Discipline That Connects. Each episode is 15 min (or less). Guest Bio: Jim and Lynne Jackson are the Co-Founders of Connected Families in Plymouth, MN. With over 50 combined years of professionally helping families and a love for working in the church, Jim and Lynne have been dedicated to bringing reliable, God-centered, research-based parenting resources to all families since 2002. © 2025 Connected Families Ready to dive in and learn more about the Framework? Our 8-session online course, Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart will guide you through each level of the Framework. If you’re looking for a grace-filled way to parent, this course is for you! Parent with Confidence Discipline with Love Take the 8-session online course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart . REGISTER NOW!

Join Julie Maas, a Board Certified Nurse Coach and Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, as she shares powerful insights on managing children's intense anger. She discusses the importance of recognizing deeper emotional needs and offers brain science explaining how fight-or-flight responses can hinder regulation. Julie emphasizes leading with compassion to create connection before correction and gives rapid de-escalation tactics. Learn about practicing emotional skills during calm moments to help kids choose better responses to frustration!

If you’re searching for angry mom help because you feel like you’re constantly apologizing to your kids for losing your temper, you’re not alone. In this powerful episode, host Stacy Bellward sits down with Elizabeth Andreyevskiy, creator of the Emotionally Healthy Legacy podcast, to provide real solutions for mothers who feel out of control. Key Points: Discover what’s really underlying your angry outbursts Learn the powerful phrase Elizabeth uses out loud in front of her kids when chaos hits How to stop trying to control your kids and redirect toward the one thing you can control—yourself Mentioned in this podcast: FREE resource: How to become a patient mom so you stop screaming over spilled milk Connected Families Anger eBook Emotionally Healthy Legacy New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional by Paul David Tripp Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table! Guest Bio: Elizabeth is a mom of four, an anger management coach for Christian moms, and the podcast host of the Emotionally Healthy Legacy podcast. With a deep passion for emotional wellness and mental health in motherhood, she helps stressed Christian moms break free from explosive anger and cultivate peace in their homes. Elizabeth empowers women to respond with patience, calm, and emotional regulation by building a Christ-centered legacy of emotional health for the next generation. © 2025 Connected Families You can help your child with their anger. Learn how to break the addictive anger cycle. Get the FREE ebook, Helping Kids With Anger.

Hear how one Minnesota church partners with Connected Families for family ministry ideas that truly equip and support their families. In this episode about partnerships, Stacy Bellward (host) and Cindy Wilson (Connected Families Ministry Partnership & Research Program Manager) are joined by special guests Justie Vavra and Megan Thorp to discover how the transformative Connected Families Framework is available to anyone to bring to their communities. If you’re a parent, caregiver, teacher, or ministry leader, listen in to learn how you can make an impact in your sphere of influence. Key Points: Summer church attendance exploded in Minnesota. What did they do? How high schoolers are applying the CF Framework with sensitive kids How one parent can impact the entire church culture Mentioned in this podcast: Connected Families Certified Parent Coaching Program Connected Families Ministry Partnership Program Book: How to Grow a Connected Family by Jim and Lynne Jackson Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart Online Course Book: Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart by Jim and Lynne Jackson Sensitive and Intense Kids Online Course Grace and Truth for Parents Online Course Discipline That Connects in the Classroom Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table! Guest Bio: Megan Thorp:As a parent coach, Megan helps parents gain confidence and create homes where everyone feels valued and connected. She’ll equip you with skills to build lasting relationships with your kids and bring more peace and joy into your family. Megan has a Master’s in Counseling Psychology and is a Certified Parent Coach through Connected Families. She enjoys time with her husband and 3 kids. Connect with Megan at: megan@connectedfamilies.org or here. Connect with Megan at: megan@connectedfamilies.org or here. Justie Vavra:Justie Vavra is a devoted mother of three (ages 8, 10, and 11) and has been married to her husband Chris for 15 years. A former elementary school teacher, she now serves as Executive Pastor at Mercy Hill Church, which partners with Connected Families. Justie is passionate about guiding the next generation and nurturing connection and growth within her family and community through God’s grace and truth. © 2025 Connected Families Ready to dive in and learn more about the Framework? Our 8-session online course, Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart will guide you through each level of the Framework. If you’re looking for a grace-filled way to parent, this course is for you! Parent with Confidence Discipline with Love Take the 8-session online course Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart . REGISTER NOW!

¡Escucha este nuevo episodio en español del pódcast de Familias Conectadas! Esther Reich conversa con Luisa Wendt acerca de una de las herramientas para entrenar a tus hijos. Esta herramienta te ayudará a tener ojos de fé en medio del mal comportamiento de tus hijos y encontrar los dones que Dios ha puesto en ellos. Temas mencionados en este podcast:  Marco de referencia para una familia conectada Gifts Gone Awry See all our Spanish Resources here! Descubre más recursos que te apoyarán en la crianza. ¿Te pareció útil este episodio? ¡Por favor compártelo con tus amigos! Este podcast fue hecho posible por miembros de La Mesa, cuyo apoyo mensual crea un efecto multiplicador de cambio para futuras generaciones. ¡Nos encantaría que tome un asiento en La Mesa! ¿Necesita un recordatorio? Aproveche el Imán del Marco de Referencia de Familias Conectadas para ánimo en medio de sus desafíos diarios. Comprar el Imán Acerca de Esther: Esther Reich es Asesora de Crianza Certificada por Connected Families. Ella es enfermera profesional especializada en asesoría de lactancia materna y ella y su esposo, Roberto, tienen tres hijos y sirven como misioneros con Serge en Guatemala desde 2018. A través de enfrentar retos en la crianza de sus hijos acudieron a Connected Families para recibir coaching/apoyo. El apoyo que recibieron de Chad Hayenga y de Lynne Jackson les ayudó a ver cambios significativos en ellos mismos y en sus hijos. Todavía hay mucho espacio para crecer como familia, pero la diferencia de antes y después de la intervención de Connected Families es significativa. Además de servir con otros ministerios en Guatemala (Sigo Vivo y Servant Harts), apoyan a padres e iglesias a través de talleres y coaching/apoyo individual para los que enfrentan retos en su crianza de sus hijos incluyendo los que son muy sensibles o intensos. El correo de Esther es esther.e.cummings@gmail.com Acerca de Luisa: Luisa Wendt es Asesora de Crianza certificada por Connected Families nació en Bogotá, Colombia y vive en Iowa con su familia. Luisa y su esposo Jarrett tienen seis hijos, tres en el cielo y tres en la tierra. Dos de sus hermosos hijos llegaron a su familia a través de la adopción. Durante un momento muy complejo en la crianza Connected Families los asesoró y continua asesorandolos y guiandolos en el camino de una crianza basada en la gracia de Dios y la confianza y conexión con sus hijos. Jarrett y Luisa tienen un ministerio que se llama Built on Rock Parent Coaching que nació con el gran deseo de compartir esas enseñanzas con tantas familias como sea posible. Te invitamos a seguir su canal de YouTube, donde todos sus videos tienen subtítulos en español: https://www.youtube.com/@builtonrockparentcoaching Para más información acerca de su historia, ministerio y unas lindas fotos de su familia pueden visitar su página de internet: www.builtonrockparentcoaching.org. En este momento toda la información se encuentra en ingles pero si desean contactarlos para más información o asesorías de crianza en español pueden escribirles a jarrettandluisa@builtonrock.org © 2025 Connected Families Whether you’re just learning the Four Messages of the Framework or have been at it for years, the Parenting Reminders Bundle can help you parent the way you want to parent! GET YOUR BUNDLE NOW!

Youth sports are shaping our kids’ lives in profound ways. Ed Uszynski and Brian Smith, co-authors of Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports, join us in today’s conversation to explore how parents can transform the youth sports experience into powerful discipleship moments that align with God’s design for our families. Whether your child is a budding athlete or just loves to play for fun, this conversation will equip you with biblical wisdom to help sports strengthen your kid’s character. Key points: Discover ways that the sports culture is discipling your kids Learn a game-changing mindset shift to love faithfully within the youth sports system Parents, get equipped with ideas for using youth sports as a mission for God Mentioned in this podcast: Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports Daniel 1:8-21 NIV Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!* Guest Bio: Ed Uszynski is an author, speaker, and sports minister with over three decades’ experience discipling college and professional athletes. His latest book is Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. He’s written articles, essays, and training manuals at the intersection of faith and sport. He has two theological degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a PhD in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. He and his wife, Amy, have four children and live in Xenia, Ohio. Ed can be found at: X: @uszynski32 Facebook: @ed.uszynski.3 Brian Smith is the author of several books including his latest Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports and The Christian Athlete: Glorifying God in Sports. He has been on staff with Athletes in Action since 2008. A graduate of Wake Forest University, Brian has a master’s degree in Theology and Sports Studies from Baylor University. He lives in Lowell, Michigan, with his wife and three kids. © 2025 Connected Families Your Monthly Support Changes the Trajectory of Families Worldwide Join The Table, our monthly donor community, and become part of a dedicated group committed to spreading the same hope and healing you’ve experienced to countless families worldwide. Predictable support helps us plan effectively and reach more struggling families with life-giving resources. LEARN MORE

Back-to-school stress is a real thing! Lynne Jackson sits down with Certified Parent coaches, Jason and Jewelia Jacobs, to encourage us through this back-to-school season. Parents themselves, the Jacobs’ know firsthand the various stressors this season can bring to families. Packed with resources, this episode is one you’ll want to have your pen and paper ready for as they fill us with hope in communicating to our kids: “You are Safe, Loved, Called and Capable, and Responsible!” Key Takeaways: The Foundation Shift: How to cast our cares on the Lord and not our children The brain benefits of sleep and how Proverbs 27 can help us in the morning Discover how to equip your kids with their purpose during the school day Learn how to turn grades into character-building tools Mentioned in this podcast: Proverbs 27:14 Numbers 6:24-25 Psalm 127:2 Your Amazing Brain Book by Jessica Sinarski Connected Families Sleep Ebook – Transform Bedtime Struggles Into Nighttime Snuggles Episode 193 | Agape Love: The Surprising Time Your Child Needs It Most Podcast Episode Facing Mighty Fears About Being Apart From Parents by Dawn Huebner Blog Post: Help! My Anxious Child Cries When Dropped Off At Daycare Episode 143 | Is your Child Crying at School or Daycare Drop-Off? Episode 239 | Back-to-School Transition Tips for Sensitive Children with Sarah Collins MSOT, OTR/L Children’s Key Information Form *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!* Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! Guest Bio: Parents of three girls, Jason and Jewelia Jacobs, found Connected Families after trying many other parenting approaches and resources. Jewelia brings a background working with families of children with special needs in both professional and ministry spaces. Jason is experienced in training and working with children, families, and teachers. They both work to bring grace and healing, while helping families lead with confidence and intentionality. © 2025 Connected Families Your Monthly Support Changes the Trajectory of Families Worldwide Join The Table, our monthly donor community, and become part of a dedicated group committed to spreading the same hope and healing you’ve experienced to countless families worldwide. Predictable support helps us plan effectively and reach more struggling families with life-giving resources. LEARN MORE

In today’s podcast we offer many practical tools and back-to-school transition tips for sensitive children. Whether it’s you or one of your kids, we all know someone who has woken up on the “wrong side of the bed.” Hear from Stacy, our host, and Occupational Therapists Lynne Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) and Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L, as you discover how to think through your daily rhythms in unique ways to help balance the sensory needs of your family this back-to-school season. Key Takeaways: Practical ideas to meet your kids’ unique morning needs How your kid’s backpack can become a regulation tool Ways that code words, chocolate, and swings can help you throughout the day Learn to navigate picky eating at dinner Mentioned in this podcast: Back-to-School Sensory Plan PDF Worksheet A Chameleon Tale: A Colorful, Sensory Story Book by Sarah Collins Connected Families Podcast Ep. 219 | From Quirky to Distressing: Understanding Sensory Sensitivities Sensitive & Intense Kids Course Morning Sensory Dysregulation Article Solve That After-School Crabbiness Article Picky, Picky! My Child Won’t Eat Anything But Junk Food Ebook Transform Bedtime Struggles Into Nighttime Snuggles Ebook Visit our website for additional resources to support your parenting needs. Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! *This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!* Guest Bio: Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist (OT) with a background in pediatrics and home health. She is also a homeschooling parent, and her company, Homeschool OT, was established in 2019. She focuses on helping parents make the match between the homeschool and their children’s current skill set, all while working toward what their children specifically need and want to do to occupy their time. She does this by consulting, teaching, building community, and communicating at conferences. Lynne Jackson is one of the Co-Founders of Connected Families. As a parent coach and mom of three intense kids herself, Lynne has walked alongside hundreds of parents to encourage and bring hope. She is also a research enthusiast and loves leaning into the brain science and research to better equip parents and caregivers. Most importantly, as a follower of Christ, she brings biblical wisdom, abundant grace, and a “no shame” policy. © 2025 Connected Families Do you have a child with EXTRA needs? Parenting isn’t easy, but when you’ve got an extra INTENSE or SENSITIVE child with big feelings… it’s even harder. The Sensitive and Intense Kids online course will equip you to parent well, even with these unique kiddos. LEARN MORE