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
Aug 10, 2022 • 54min
Trauma, Catastrophic Loss, and A Grace Disguised (Interview with Jerry Sittser) Part 1
Today we have a treat for you! Jerry Sittser is the author of A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss. Jerry has suffered catastrophic loss and is no stranger to pain. He has done an outstanding job of helping those who suffer understand the more important story of their lives. In this episode, Brook and Elizabeth sit with Jerry and have a candid conversation about suffering, loss, trauma, and the way forward. 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 A Grace Disguised:https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Disguised-Revised-Expanded-through/dp/0310363594/ref=sr_1_1?crid=JM8GUYJZ1TKB&keywords=a+grace+disguised+by+jerry+sittser&qid=1660079101&sprefix=A+grace+%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-1
Jul 20, 2022 • 44min
Are the various gender roles in marriage just cultural constructs? What is the purpose of the different roles in a marriage, and what does the Bible say about it? Part 4 (Wives)
Ladies! Today is for you. We are wrapping up a mini-series on gender roles in marriage. Elizabeth, Brook, and Diane cover what a woman’s part is in marriage from a biblical perspective. We cover the foundational terms of the Hebrew word “helper” (Ezer). We talk about the dance that wives and husbands play and how to live them together. We also cover the six questions for self-exam, which are: 1. Am I cultivating a life that has space to become the type of woman Proverbs refers to? 2. Am I relying on my own power or the power of the Holy Spirit to be a Godly wife, mother, and disciple? 3. Am I begrudgingly giving my husband respect because I don’t think he deserves it? 4. Have I willingly accepted my God-given role as a partner with my husband? 5. Am I continuing to develop the gifts and passions God has entrusted to me? 6. Are you trusting God with what you can’t control, fix, or understand? 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 Tim Keller Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life/id352660924
Jul 13, 2022 • 41min
Are the various gender roles in marriage just cultural constructs? What is the purpose of the different roles in a marriage, and what does the Bible say about it? Part 3 (Wives)
Ladies! Today is for you. We are continuing a mini-series on gender roles in marriage. Elizabeth, Brook, and Diane cover what a woman’s part is in marriage from a biblical perspective. We cover the foundational terms of the Hebrew word “helper” (Ezer). We talk about the dance that wives and husbands play and how to live them together. 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 Tim Keller Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life/id352660924
Jun 29, 2022 • 1h 6min
Are the various gender roles in marriage just cultural constructs? What is the purpose of the different roles in a marriage, and what does the Bible say about it? Part 2 (Husbands)
We are continuing a mini-series on gender roles in marriage. Today Elizabeth, Brook, and Phil cover what a man's part is in marriage from a biblical perspective. We cover six things that husbands need to be aware of and focus on in their God-given role and so much more. The six things are 1. Are you serving your family currently? 2. Are you teachable? 3. Does your schedule indicate that your family is a top priority in time, energy, and focus? 4. Are you taking the initiative to lead your wife spiritually by sharing the things God is teaching you? 5. Are you a good listener? 6. Are you accepting equal responsibility for the children? Even if your wife is better at some aspects of parenting, your children are your responsibility. Your wife needs a partner who willingly shares the load with her. 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
Jun 22, 2022 • 55min
Are the various gender roles in marriage just cultural constructs? What is the purpose of the different roles in a marriage, and what does the Bible say about it? Part 1
Today we are starting a mini-series on gender roles in marriage. Recently Brook was asked to do a teaching on the topic of gender roles in marriage, and this launched us into the idea of talking more about the subject. We all have different expectations coming into marriages, whether from media, our family of origin, or even our other friend's marriages. We will cover what did God initially intended for gender roles in marriage? How have men and women corrupted that good? What has Jesus done to redeem gender roles? We will also cover six questions for husbands to ask themselves and six questions for wives to ask themselves to see how this is playing out in their marriage. 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
Jun 15, 2022 • 1h 12min
Five ways to make big life decisions, living led, and being the skin of God to others
Today we have a BIG family update, but that’s not all! The team discusses how to discern God’s will for you and your family and the five ways to live led. The five ways are...1. Surrender 2. Reading Scripture 3. Counsel 4. Open Doors 5. Prayer. We also cover how to be the skin of God to our friends and family and how to be with your people during times of great suffering. 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 Books Mentioned: A Grace Disguised (Jerry Sittser)https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Disguised-Revised-Expanded-through/dp/0310363594/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1655222253&sr=8-1
Jun 1, 2022 • 56min
Perfectionism and Idealism in your marriage, what does Jesus mean by being perfect and hoping for miracles when we are called to manage
Today we talk about Perfectionism and its cousin Idealism. How does that play out in our lives and marriage? Is Idealism that big of a deal? What about being a perfectionist? Can that hurt me or those I love? Carl Jung said, "Every form of addiction is bad, whether the narcotic is alcohol or morphine or idealism." So how are we to live differently and undo some of the cycles of pain that perfectionism and idealism cause? We cover three ways to begin healing your marriage and home with Jesus at the center and what happens to children that grow up in a perfectionist home. 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
May 18, 2022 • 1h 13min
Passivity, Big T trauma, healing, the rhythms our children need + servant leaders (Interview with author C.S. Fritz)
Today we have C.S. Fritz on the show! Casey is an author, pastor, illustrator, and a phenomenal human! How do we give our greatest dreams over to God? How do we recover from intense trauma to not pass on our pain to our children? We talk through the importance of church for your family, how passivity destroy, and how God can heal and redeem your life even in spite of your pain and trauma. 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 Check out C.S. Fritzhttps://www.csfritz.art Check out Albatross Book Cohttps://www.albatrossbookco.com
May 11, 2022 • 56min
Struggling with self-worth as a parent, how to be a better man, letting God parent you, overexposing our kids and Kevin McCallister. (Live Q+R)
Today we respond to YOUR questions! We cover what if you're struggling with self-worth as a parent? How to become a better man for your wife and children? How does God parent us? What is overexposing our kids in our current time and culture? We cover these questions and more. 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
May 4, 2022 • 57min
Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity: The four questions your children are asking you
We are living in an attention crisis! What does this mean for us, our families, and our culture? How does our distraction impact our marriage and our children? Does your child know that you care for them more than your phone? Today we cover the four questions your children are asking, even if you know it or not. We cover how we can undo the cycle of distraction and how we can answer the deep questions your child's soul that need to be answered. The questions they are asking are 1. Do you see me? 2. Do you care that I'm here? 3. Am I enough for you, or do you need me to be better in some way? 4. Can I tell that I'm special to you by how you look at me? 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 The Blessing Episodes:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-intentional-parents-podcast/id1462206659?i=1000556388829 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-intentional-parents-podcast/id1462206659?i=1000557445138
