FamilyLife Today®

Ron Deal, a leading expert on blended families and bestselling author, teams up with Gayla Grace, a dedicated stepfamily author and speaker. They debunk pervasive myths about step-parenting, such as the stereotype of the wicked stepmother. The duo emphasizes that blending families takes time and effort, and instant acceptance is unrealistic. They share insights on the importance of open communication and the evolving emotional bonds in blended families, challenging harmful narratives while promoting patience and understanding in these unique dynamics.

Johnny Gibson, a pastor and author of 'The Moon Is Always Round,' shares his poignant journey through grief after the stillbirth of his daughter, Layla. He discusses how he and his wife Jackie navigated their loss, emphasizing the importance of communication and support. Their young son, Ben, asked insightful questions that sparked deep conversations about faith and mortality. They highlight personal rituals to honor Layla's memory and how her legacy inspires others through their book, which funds a scholarship for future Christian leaders.

In this heartfelt discussion, Jackie Gibson, author of 'You Are Still a Mother', shares her journey after losing her daughter, Layla, to stillbirth. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging suffering and draws strength from her faith and community. Jackie offers practical advice for supporting those in grief, stressing the value of showing up and acknowledging the loss. Despite the pain, she reflects on how joy can eventually return and honors Layla’s memory through love and remembrance, fostering hope amidst sorrow.

Jackie Gibson, author of 'You Are Still A Mother', shares her poignant journey through the heartbreak of miscarriage and stillbirth, particularly the loss of her daughter Layla. She reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of anticipation turned sorrow and the challenges of living as a mother without a child to hold. Jackie discusses the crucial support from her husband and the profound role her faith played during this traumatic time. Through her story, she offers hope and insights on finding comfort in community and grappling with grief and faith.

Jordan Raynor, author of "Five Mere Christians", joins the conversation to discuss the impactful lives of Christians who changed the world while holding no formal religious titles. He highlights Fannie Lou Hamer, a courageous activist whose fight for civil rights and voter registration challenged systemic racism. Raynor emphasizes Hamer's Christ-like approach of loving her enemies amidst adversity. The dialogue also delves into the intersections of justice, love, and the importance of resilience in faith today, encouraging listeners to maintain hope through challenges.

Jordan Raynor, author and podcast host, dives into the sacredness of secular work, challenging the divide between faith and profession. He emphasizes that any job can be meaningful when approached with the right mindset, reflecting on his own decision to forgo a chance with the Cincinnati Bengals. Jordan shares insights from his book, 'Five Mere Christians,' highlighting figures like Fred Rogers and C.S. Lewis, who exemplified faith in their work. Through personal anecdotes, he inspires listeners to see God’s presence in every aspect of their lives.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Ryan Rush and his host discuss the significance of mealtime in family life, focusing on the emotional, spiritual, and physical transformations that can take place when families gather around the table. Dr. Rush, who is also known as "Dinner Table Ryan," talks about his book, Restore the Table, which advocates for the power of shared meals in fostering strong familial bonds. He explains that mealtime is one of the most impactful habits a family can adopt, and it doesn't have to involve gourmet dishes or elaborate plans to be effective.The discussion begins humorously with Dr. Rush admitting he’s not much of a cook but emphasizes the importance of the shared experience over the food itself. He elaborates on the "overachieving meal" as a major mistake many families make when trying to make meals too complex, which often leads to burnout. He advocates for simplicity, recalling his mother’s recipe for sloppy joes and how it became a cherished memory for him, highlighting that meals should be about togetherness rather than perfection.The conversation touches on common pitfalls families face during mealtime, such as diving too deep into heavy conversations too quickly. Dr. Rush and his host share a funny story about a dinner guest who was uncomfortable with a deep question about marriage, illustrating how it's essential to keep conversations at the table light and natural at first. They also discuss the balance between allowing deeper conversations to flow naturally and avoiding turning mealtime into an interrogation. A strategy they recommend is asking open-ended questions like, "Tell me your story," to let people share at their own pace.Additionally, they talk about how mealtimes shouldn't turn into a lecture, particularly for parents who might feel the need to impart lessons to their kids during meals. Instead, mealtime should be about connection and fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and loved. They recount stories of their own experiences with over-serious meal discussions and the importance of creating a joyful atmosphere around the table.The episode also addresses the distractions that modern technology can bring to mealtime, such as phones and TVs. Dr. Rush emphasizes the importance of being fully present during family meals and advises parents to set boundaries around media use during mealtimes. They reflect on how phones, even when not actively being looked at, can still send the message that the person in front of you isn’t as important as whatever might be happening on the device.Lastly, Dr. Rush and his host encourage parents to embrace the chaos of mealtime with young children, understanding that even when things get messy, the act of sitting together and sharing a meal has lasting benefits. They talk about the future regrets parents may have when their children leave home, urging families to cherish these moments before they are gone. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Ryan Rush on his website. Download conversation starters for the family table at familylife.com/tabletalk. Get Ryan's book "Restore the Table" on our shop.  Every donation to FamilyLife in May will be matched. Donate today on our website. Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. See resources from our past podcasts. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Rush and FamilyLife Today hosts Dave and Ann Wilson discuss the power of mealtime and its profound impact on families, relationships, and spiritual growth. The conversation begins with a humorous remark about how the interview feels "wrong" because there's no food present, highlighting the importance of food and mealtimes in their daily lives. This sets the tone for a discussion on the significance of shared meals, something that has been studied by Dr. Rush for years.Dr. Rush explains how meals around the table can restore and strengthen family connections, noting that while people universally agree that mealtime is important, it is often neglected due to busy schedules. The episode delves into the challenges families face in making mealtimes a priority, especially when schedules are jam-packed with activities. However, Dr. Rush emphasizes that finding just a few moments to gather around the table—whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—can make a huge difference in maintaining strong family bonds.The idea of a "Trunk Picnic" is introduced, showcasing how creative solutions like eating in the back of a car can make mealtime a special occasion, no matter how busy life gets. Dr. Rush also shares insights from his own experiences, offering personal anecdotes of how his family has maintained mealtimes despite hectic schedules. This includes how his family holds a weekly meal together at a local restaurant after church and how even in the midst of tough circumstances, meals continue to be a bonding time.The episode further explores the spiritual significance of mealtimes. Dr. Rush highlights how mealtime can be an opportunity for evangelism and building relationships, particularly with neighbors. By inviting others to the table, families can engage in meaningful conversations and show Christ’s love without explicitly preaching. He shares stories from his diverse neighborhood, including connections with people from different cultural and religious backgrounds.The emotional and spiritual growth that can occur around the table is also discussed, especially in light of Dr. Rush’s family’s experiences with their daughter Lily, who has special needs. Despite Lily's nonverbal communication, she plays a central role in the family’s mealtime practices by encouraging prayer and helping the family stay focused on what truly matters.Throughout the episode, Dr. Rush invites listeners to participate in the "Restore the Table" challenge, encouraging them to spend 40 days prioritizing mealtime as a way to strengthen family and spiritual life. He offers practical advice and tips for making mealtimes a regular, cherished part of daily life, and the hosts encourage listeners to read his book, Restore the Table, for further insights. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Ryan Rush on his website. Download conversation starters for the family table at familylife.com/tabletalk. Get Ryan's book "Restore the Table" on our shop.  Every donation to FamilyLife in May will be matched. Donate today on our website. Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. See resources from our past podcasts. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

In this episode of FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson discuss the profound importance of family meal times, a topic that resonates deeply with both the hosts and their guest, Dr. Ryan Rush. The conversation begins with a heartfelt recollection from one of the hosts about the special memories they have of their childhood dinner table, where laughter, stories, and a sense of security thrived. Dr. Rush shares his own passion for the family dinner table, emphasizing how the simple act of sitting down together can have a lasting impact on relationships, mental health, and overall family cohesion.Dr. Rush, who pastors in Katy, Texas, explains his approach to family life through the lens of intentionality, highlighting how meals together offer families a unique opportunity to connect and foster relationships. He references his book Restore the Table, which explores how families can cultivate meaningful, distraction-free meals, even in today's fast-paced world. According to Dr. Rush, studies have shown that families who share meaningful meals regularly (about five times a week) experience better mental health, improved academic performance, and stronger relationships. These meals, while seemingly simple, serve as a place for connection and bonding.Dr. Rush also discusses how his own family’s journey shifted when they embraced Christ, which brought about a deeper commitment to intentional family time, especially around the table. His upbringing in a busy household with a father who worked hard and was often absent contrasts with the transformative shift they experienced when they began prioritizing shared family meals.The conversation dives into practical advice on how families can make meals meaningful, emphasizing the importance of setting aside distractions (such as phones and TV), scheduling regular meal times, and creating an environment where meaningful conversations can happen. Dr. Rush gives examples of simple conversation starters and shares tips on how to make mealtime a time for connection, even for families that may have struggled in the past or are dealing with conflict.The hosts and Dr. Rush also discuss the broader impact of mealtime discussions, particularly for teens, who may seem distant but still deeply desire connection with their parents. Dr. Rush stresses that family meals can be transformative, even if it initially feels awkward or forced, and encourages parents to be intentional in carving out this time. He also highlights how this approach has led to restored marriages and reconnected families in his church, demonstrating how powerful family meals can be in the healing process.The conversation also touches on the role of single parents or families with different dynamics, noting that meaningful meal times are not exclusive to traditional family units. Dr. Rush shares his experiences mentoring young people, illustrating that even if a child lacks one or both parents, meaningful connection over a meal can still have a profound impact.In conclusion, the podcast episode emphasizes the transformative power of shared family meals. Through intentional time at the table, families can foster deep relationships, create a culture of meaningful conversation, and experience spiritual growth. The episode serves as a call to action for families to make mealtime a priority and restore the tradition of connection that can strengthen bonds and build lasting memories. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Ryan Rush on his website. Download conversation starters for the family table at familylife.com/tabletalk. Get Ryan's book "Restore the Table" on our shop.  Every donation to FamilyLife in May will be matched. Donate today on our website. Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. See resources from our past podcasts. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

In this podcast episode, Dave and Ashley Willis return to discuss their ministry, Naked Marriage, with hosts Dave and Ann Wilson, focusing on the importance of emotional and spiritual openness within marriage. The episode starts with an update on their four children, including the unique characteristics of each child and how they keep the couple both young and old at the same time. The conversation then dives into the topic of “secrets” in marriage, specifically addressing the issue of pornography and its impact on relationships. The Willises explore the emotional pain caused by hidden secrets, especially when one partner reveals something like pornography use, which feels like a betrayal. Ashley shares her personal experience of battling anxiety, which she kept hidden from Dave, and the impact it had on their relationship. A major point of discussion centers around how couples can navigate such revelations, with Dave sharing his past struggles with pornography and how he dealt with them. He discusses how keeping secrets, particularly regarding pornography, can lead to guilt and shame, and how the act of keeping such secrets can create a cycle of deceit in relationships. Ashley offers advice to women who are dealing with the revelation of such secrets from their husbands, emphasizing the need to feel and process emotions like anger and grief, but also not to let those feelings dictate the future of the relationship. She underscores that it’s important for couples to face the truth and the pain together. The couple also talks about how boundaries and accountability tools are critical in relationships to avoid temptation, especially in today's digital age. The conversation also touches on the importance of open communication with children about pornography and the necessity of setting up safeguards, like filtering software, to protect young minds. Dave and Ashley emphasize how their open dialogue about sex with their children has been crucial to creating a safe space for them to ask questions without shame. Finally, the episode delves into the broader theme of healing from past trauma and secrets, encouraging listeners to bring the truth into the light for healing and freedom. They discuss the importance of not keeping any secret that might weigh heavily on the relationship, with both partners sharing their past struggles and the power of vulnerability in marriage. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about Dave and Ashley Willis and sign up for their  9 Days to Great Sex eBook at their website. Listen to the "Marriage on the Line" podcast. Every donation to FamilyLife in May will be matched. Donate today on our website. Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. See resources from our past podcasts. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network   See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy