The Intentional Parents Podcast

This week, Brook sits down with Andrew Damazio — pastor of Rose Church in Portland and author of My Heart Hurts: A Guide to the Theology of Pain and Suffering.After walking through deep, personal suffering — often multiple losses at once — Andrew emerged with a burden to help others navigate pain with both truth and tenderness. When enduring pain, he was either approached with a highly theological response void of care or a purely pastoral response void of biblical truths. What he wanted — and what he needed — was both.In My Heart Hurts, Andrew brings together sound theology and sincere pastoral care — offering not quick fixes, but a framework for walking through pain with both hope and honesty. Still in the midst of grief after the loss of his father and while walking with a close friend through their own suffering, Andrew speaks not from theory, but from lived experience.In our conversation, Andrew shares his story of growing up as a third-generation pastor’s kid, coming to faith in adolescence, and eventually stepping into ministry. We talk about the difference between suffering in circumstance and suffering in perspective, the way ancient Christians expected suffering while modern believers often try to avoid it, and how we’re prone to unintentionally strip the humanity from Jesus in our search for tidy answers.This is not a conversation that ties everything up neatly. Instead, it's an invitation to sit in the tension — to look honestly at pain, and to find Christ in the middle of it. Whether you're in a season of sorrow or simply preparing for the reality of life in a broken world, this episode offers wisdom, comfort, and the kind of truth that holds up under pressure.Andrew Damazio: Rose Church, Rose Church Podcast, InstagramScripture Mentioned: Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:44, John 21:1-14, 1 Kings 17:1-6, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, 1 Peter 1:5, James 5:16 + 1 John 1:9Book Mentioned: My Heart Hurts: A Guide to the Theology of Pain and Suffering by Andrew DamazioIntentional Fatherhood: Website, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts + YouTubeMotherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

Tyler Staton, the pastor of Bridgetown Church and father of three, shares his journey through a challenging cancer diagnosis. He discusses the spiritual growth that came from confronting mortality and how suffering can be a transformative invitation to focus on what truly matters. Tyler emphasizes the importance of creating margin in family life and the beauty of embracing vulnerability. He also provides insights on fostering a vibrant prayer life in children, highlighting their innate spiritual awareness and potential.

Delve into the complexities of forgiveness, learning when to extend grace in relationships. Discover practical tips for nurturing your marriage during busy seasons filled with kids and work. Explore how to unify parenting decisions while prioritizing your family's core values. Engage in a heartfelt discussion about sharing your family's past with children, balancing honesty with wisdom. Whether you're facing clarity or conflict, gain insights and encouragement for strengthening your marriage.

Dive into the enriching world of spiritual intimacy in marriage. Discover how to nurture faith conversations and support your partner's spiritual journey, even when resistance arises. Learn practical tips to encourage spiritual leadership at home while navigating past emotional wounds together. Explore the unique challenges introverts may face in connecting spiritually. The discussion is laced with humor and insights, making it a valuable resource for couples looking to deepen their relationship and grow together in faith.

Do you ever feel stuck in a reactive cycle as a parent — responding in ways you wish you wouldn't, again and again? Like Paul in Romans 7:15, you might find yourself saying, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”Here’s the good news: you’re not broken — you’re patterned. And patterns can be healed.In this episode, we unpack what it means to be shaped by behavioral patterns, where they come from, and how they show up in our parenting and marriage. We explore the early steps toward recognizing and healing these patterns, and how God’s redemptive work can bring real change.Through scripture, personal stories, and practical steps, we guide you toward deeper awareness — and point you to the healing that leads to freedom and greater connection in your home.We also make an exciting announcement on the podcast today: Intentional Fatherhood is officially launching on Friday, June 13! In the meantime, visit the website, follow @intentionalfatherhood_ on Instagram, and subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Steps for Experiencing Healing From Patterns:1. Name the story2. Grieve the loss of what should have been but wasn’t3. Invite Jesus into that wound4. Practice new patternsReflection:Reflect on one pattern that shows up often in your marriage, parenting or friendshipQuestion:What is that pattern protecting you from and what is it trying to say?Prayer:Ask Jesus to help you be curious and kind about your story.Scripture Mentioned: Romans 7:15, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Romans 7:14-18, Romans 7:22-25, James 1:19-20 + Isaiah 53:3Motherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

This week, we’re getting honest about our inadequacies as parents — when all we can say is, “I can’t.”Inspired by The Fellowship of the Withered Hand, a concept from John Ortberg’s Steps, we explore how embracing our weaknesses can actually be a gateway to deeper healing and growth. Rather than hiding our shortcomings, what if we brought them into the light — to both God and to trusted community — and found strength in surrender?Rooted in the story from Mark 3 where Jesus heals a man’s withered hand, we talk about the courage it takes to stretch out the broken parts of ourselves. As parents, that might mean owning our impatience, our fears, or the lies we tell ourselves about needing to have it all together.Because the truth is, we all have withered hands. The question isn’t if we’re broken — it’s whether we’re willing to hold out our hands for healing.Steps to Addressing Our Inadequacies:Admit: Acknowledge that you have “withered hands” and name what they are.Invite: Ask God for help in your weaknesses.Release: Let go of control over your shortcomings and the outcomes of them.Remember: You are not alone in this journey!Questions to Ask Yourself:Where in my parenting do I say, “God, I can’t?”What would it look like to make prayer my first parenting move — not my last?Prayers to Pray:God, what keeps me from admitting my weaknesses? What shame is hurting me and keeping me from admitting?God, point me to the books, podcasts, teachings and people you want to use to speak into my life.Books Mentioned: Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn’t Enough by John Ortberg + Soul Keeping: Caring For the Most Important Part of You by John OrtbergScripture Mentioned: Mark 3:1-6, Matthew 5:3, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Isaiah 66:1-2, Psalm 8:4, Mark 5:25-34, Matthew 8:23-27, Hebrews 4:14-16, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Matthew 7:7, 2 Corinthians 12:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9 + James 5:16Motherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

The conversation dives into the often-overlooked moments of everyday forgiveness that can heal or harm close relationships. Personal stories reveal how generational patterns of unforgiveness shape responses to hurt. The impact of resentment, bitterness, and passive-aggressiveness is discussed alongside practical strategies for fostering forgiveness. The importance of understanding each other's emotional triggers is emphasized, along with biblical insights on forgiveness as a continuous journey. Tune in for a refreshing take on nurturing resilient connections.

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome back our dear friend A.J. Swoboda — author, professor, theologian, lay pastor, and fellow podcaster — for an honest conversation about what it means to parent while carrying our own scars. Like physical ones, emotional scars tell the story of pain endured and healing found.We talk about the reality that many of us are giving our kids something we never received — emotional health, spiritual guidance, or intentional presence. While that’s a beautiful gift, it can also bring up unexpected feelings of shame or even jealousy as we confront the gaps in our own stories.We discuss some practical tools for parenting with scars, including Jon Tyson’s Primal Path, a discipleship program for fathers and sons. We also reflect on how our children often become the ones who draw our scars into the light, asking questions that push us to face painful parts of our past.Ultimately, we highlight the fact that healing is a slow, intentional process — and how parenting through our scars invites both challenge and redemption. We found our conversation with A.J. to be rich, emotional, and full of hope — and we think you will too.Book Mentioned: His Face like Mine: Finding God's Love in Our Wounds by Russell W. JoycePrevious Episode Mentioned: Procedural Memory: How God Redeems Reflexes, Rewrites Patterns and Renews the Mind (Spotify + Apple Podcasts)Scripture Mentioned: Genesis 2:24A.J. Swoboda: A Teachable SpiritSubversive Sabbath Other BooksWebsiteSlow Theology PodcastNewsletter InstagramMotherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

Explore the beauty of the ordinary in parenting as Brook and Elizabeth highlight how mundane tasks can become sacred moments. They discuss overcoming guilt in prayer, emphasizing sincerity over perfection. Discover how to integrate breath prayers into everyday life, transforming routine into spiritual practices. The hosts share humorous anecdotes from chaotic mornings, reminding you that divine encounters can emerge from the chaos. Embrace the spiritual significance of daily actions and find peace amidst parenting's challenges.

This week, Brook sits down once again with author, professor, theologian, lay pastor, and podcaster A.J. Swoboda to talk about the importance of having a teachable spirit in today’s world. Centered around his latest book, A Teachable Spirit, this episode invites listeners to see teachability not just as a personality trait, but as a deeply spiritual discipline.We begin by naming a sobering truth: “We have become a culture that demands repentance but shames people who actually do it.” In response, A.J. points us to a better way — the way of Jesus — urging us to become teachable people rooted in humility and grace.Starting with the definition of a teachable spirit, we explore the role of humility, the difference between teachability and impressionability, how we remain teachable in marriage and parenting, the value of repair with our kids, and the gift of childlike faith — pointing out the countercultural idea that “things are better when kids are in the room.” A.J. also previews the groups in his book that we must learn how to learn from: experts, the dead, strangers, culture, children, and more — even when it's uncomfortable for us as Christians.Ultimately, we land on the “why” behind it all: why is this posture essential to the mission of the Church? A.J. ends with a moving picture of extreme humility and teachability — carried all the way to our last dying breath.Our conversation is full of humor, vulnerability, depth, insight, and, of course, humility. If you’re longing to grow — or simply wondering what it means to become a more teachable person — don’t miss this one.A.J. Swoboda: A Teachable Spirit, Subversive Sabbath Other Books,Website,Slow Theology Podcast,Newsletter InstagramScripture Mentioned: 2 Peter 3:16, Daniel 1, Genesis 2:20-24, Matthew 19:13-15, Luke 6, John 7 + Matthew 16Motherhood Retreat 2025Join Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series