The Intentional Parents Podcast

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.

A.J. Swoboda, an author and theologian, shares his profound experiences on parenting with emotional scars. He delves into the complexity of giving children what we never received, revealing feelings of shame and jealousy. The conversation highlights practical tools for healing, including mentorship programs for boys, and the impact of community support. A.J. reflects on transformative rituals for young men and emphasizes that confronting our past can foster healthier relationships. Their rich discussion is both heartfelt and hopeful, inviting listeners to embrace their own journeys.

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

Do you ever find yourself at a loss when it comes to disciplining your children as they move beyond the toddler years? Do you wish you could instantly curb the pushback, mood swings, and moments of disrespect?This week, we discuss our Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting resource, which reframes how we respond to our children’s behaviors by emphasizing both correction and connection.After all, God has hard-wired us all for connection — and this should dictate how we relate to our kids, no matter the circumstances. Looking to Jesus as the model for demonstrating both kindness and firmness, we emphasize not only the importance of each, but also the order in which we respond to outbursts or misbehavior.We explore the two extremes we often see in parenting: 1) the authoritarian, emotionless “because I said so” style focused solely on squashing the behavior and 2) the overemphasis on emotional validation without any sense of firm boundaries or consequences.So how do we strike that balance? Tune in to find out!Scripture Mentioned: Romans 11:22, Romans 2:4, Proverbs 3:11-12, Proverbs 22:6, John 1:14, Psalm 94:19, Proverbs 15:1 + 4, Proverbs 29:17 + Matthew 11:28Motherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsBottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting ResourceForest Home Family Camp: Week 6 (All four of us are speaking!)Join 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

Kirk Cameron, known for his roles in Growing Pains and the Left Behind films, shares his powerful journey from atheism to Christianity. He discusses the meaning of marriage, calling it a school for selflessness, and redefines it as a path to holiness rather than mere happiness. Highlighting the importance of responsibilities over rights in relationships, Kirk emphasizes the need for biblical manhood, encouraging men to model meekness for their sons. His new kids' show aims to inspire faith-based values in a noisy world.

This week, we explore procedural memory — the unconscious, long-term memory that drives us to perform actions automatically. Shaped by childhood experiences and behaviors modeled by our parents, procedural memory often feels like running on autopilot or slipping into default mode, especially in how we respond under pressure. It’s that reflexive reaction, internal or external, that surfaces when we’re provoked — sometimes leading to an action you once promised yourself you’d never repeat, perhaps because it’s something you watched your parents do.Once we define the concept, we unpack how to break harmful procedural memory patterns and how, in turn, we can form healthier reflexive habits. While acknowledging our shortcomings and the reality that we will inevitably pass down some forms of negative behavior to our children, we quickly reach a place of incredible hope.We examine the process of transformation and redemption outlined in Scripture, drawing from the hopeful call in Romans 12:1-2 to offer ourselves as living sacrifices and be transformed by the renewing of our minds.By sharing personal stories of generational healing and redemption within our own family, we testify to the ways God has reshaped our hearts and minds, unveiling His power, patience, and grace in the process.This episode is packed with practical tips, scriptural truths, raw vulnerability, and radical hope.Prayers to Pray:“God, help us unlearn what hurt us and relearn what heals us.”“Help us live in ways that our bodies, our families and our children will remember as love.”Scripture Mentioned: Romans 12:1-2, Hebrews 5:14, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 1:17, Romans 5:8, Psalm 118:27, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Philippians 4:9, Matthew 12:34, Romans 7:15-20, 1 John 3:19-20, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:6, Genesis 50:15-21, Romans 5:10, Motherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsMarriage Retreat: SOLD OUTJoin 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

This week, Elizabeth and Diane make an exciting announcement: The Intentional Motherhood Retreat is BACK for 2025 — this time, in Portland, Oregon from October 23-25! They discuss what the retreat is all about, why you should come, and what to expect if you haven’t been before.As retreat speakers and hosts, Elizabeth and Diane reflect on the deep connections, vulnerability, and transformation experienced in past years — building anticipation for what’s to come in 2025.This retreat is for women who desire to be mothers some day, all the way to grandmothers, and everyone in between — mothers of babies, toddlers, young children, teenagers, and adult children. This intergenerational gathering is a chance for all ages and stages of mothers to learn from one another, encourage each other, and simply be together. Because motherhood isn’t meant to be done alone.The late Dallas Willard said “Spiritual formation…can’t be a private thing… It is a matter of whole-life transformation. You need to seek out others in your community who are pursuing the renovation of the heart.”And that is exactly what we are going to do together. So come join us October 23rd through 25th for the Intentional Motherhood Retreat in Portland. We can’t wait to see you!Scripture Mentioned: Colossians 2:2-3Motherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsMarriage Retreat: SOLD OUTJoin 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

This week, we’re diving into the topic of emotional intelligence — the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions in both ourselves and those around us. Developing emotional intelligence helps us navigate life with maturity and stability, while also equipping us to guide our children in naming and managing their emotions with confidence and care.At its core, emotional intelligence is built on four key components: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. These elements work together to shape how we understand ourselves, navigate our emotions, and connect with others.In this episode, we explore each of these components, acknowledging that some may come more naturally than others. We also take a closer look at generational differences in emotional intelligence and how we can break unhealthy patterns to cultivate emotional well-being for both ourselves and our kids.Join us for a candid and thought-provoking conversation filled with wisdom, reflection, encouragement, and scripture!Book Mentioned: Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Jean Greaves, Travis Bradberry and Patrick M. LencioniScripture Mentioned: 2 Corinthians 7:10, Ephesians 4:26, Genesis 4:6, Ephesians 4:25-32, Jonah 4, Psalm 4:4, Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 17:22, Psalm 32:3-5, Psalm 19:11, Psalm 19:14, Philippians 2:3-4, Galatians 4:19 + Romans 13:8-10Marriage Retreat: SOLD OUTJoin 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

This week, the entire Intentional team sits down to respond to your questions, covering a range of topics, including emotional availability, attachment, overstimulation with kids, physical intimacy in marriage, and navigating emotional pain with our children.We discuss the difficult task of staying emotionally present with toddlers while tending to household responsibilities. Elizabeth unpacks common misconceptions about attachment, explaining that secure attachment isn’t about being constantly available but is instead about a continued pattern of relating and knowing how to repair when we inevitably fall short.We delve into the reality of overstimulation and feeling “touched out” with kids — and how that may dissuade us from desiring physical intimacy with our spouse. We discuss practical ways to navigate this challenge, including clear communication and strategies for regulating your nervous system. We also acknowledge that while this season of parenting young children is emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually demanding, it also strengthens our resilience, helping us build tolerance for life’s everyday stresses.Finally, we tackle the question “Can we shield our children from emotional pain?” Instead of striving to protect them from every hardship, we discuss the importance of naming and acknowledging their pain, equipping them with tools to process their emotions, and ultimately pointing them to their heavenly Father as their true source of comfort and strength.Tune in for an honest, encouraging conversation about the complexities of parenting — and the grace we need to navigate it all.Scripture Mentioned: Luke 8:1-3, Luke 9:1-2, Psalm 32:7, Genesis 50:20, Genesis 39:21, Romans 8 + Psalm 91Marriage Retreat: SOLD OUTJoin 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