The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane

Are you weary from battling with your kids, your spouse, or with the culture around you? Spiritual warfare is happening in your family - what can you do to protect your home from the enemy's attacks? Author Judy Dunagan is here to remind us that we don't have to live in defeat. We have the Lion of Judah on our side. Talking about her new book, The Loudest Roar, in this conversation Judy will share: 2:50 When her grandson met a lion   4:50 When grandmas pray for their grandkids  5:50 Living on the other side of the world with her kids  7:30 Have you made your child an idol in your heart?  9:50 From a young age, I learned what it means to stand in the victory of God  11:30 I’m a natural born worrier…I needed to turn those worries into prayer  12:50 Explain the armor of God to a child in this way  14:45 Our marriage was almost shattered but God… 17:50 When you don’t want your story  19:00 Importance of music in spiritual warfare 21:30 Be strong IN the Lord - it’s all about Jesus  25:39 You can leave a legacy in your family Judy Dunagan is an acquisitions editor for the women's Bible studies and books at Moody Publishers. A wonder seeker of God and His Word, Judy is passionate about discipleship and making God's Word and prayer come alive in everyday life. She is a speaker and Bible teacher and serves on the Board of Deeper Walk International, the ministry her father Mark Bubeck founded. Judy and her husband Rick live in Colorado. Together, they have two grown daughters and five grandkids. Learn more about Judy Dunagan's book, The Loudest Roar: Living in the Unshakable Victory of Christ at judydunagan.com Screen time getting a little out of control? Get Arlene's free monthly resource 5 Ways to Reset Your Tech. These are small, doable changes that bring big results (and more peace in your home). happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe Want to feel closer to your spouse this Valentine's Day? Join Arlene's 31 Days to a Happy Husband Masterclass at happyhomeuniversity.com/happyhusband

Is your marriage a source of strength or a source of stress? Pastor and author Gary Thomas shares how to make your marriage like a fortress, a safe place in stormy times. You don't have to have perfect circumstances to have a strong marriage; in fact, trouble can bring a couple together. You'll learn how to make this happen in today's conversation about: 3:00 Will trouble bring you closer together in a marriage or tear you apart?  4:00 This storm is terrible, but it would be even worse if it took our marriage away too 5:40 We all relate to God differently, here are different ways people worship  7:10 When one spouse is up and one is down  9:00 The fear of MS was even worse than the MS itself  10:00 When you lose a child  11:00 The second year of grieving is often worse than the first  13:01 A new child means a new marriage, let me explain  14:30 We are going to get closer to each other twenty years from now  16:00 When you have a disabled child, how to nurture your other family members too  18:00 How can you tell if you have the symptoms of over busyness  22:50 Different drives and how to navigate that wisely  25:20 Maybe is a very helpful word  28:00 How to get closer to your spouse starting right away  Gary Thomas has authored 20 books such as Sacred Marriage that have sold more than 2 million copies and been translated into more than a dozen languages. Gary enjoys running and has completed 14 marathons including the Boston marathon 3 times. He and his wife Lisa have been married 38 years and have three adult children and 2 grandchildren. Learn more about Gary Thomas' newest book: Making Your Marriage a Fortress. Screen time getting a little out of control? Get Arlene's free monthly resource 5 Ways to Reset Your Tech. These are small, doable changes that bring big results (and more peace in your home). happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe You can also take the quiz, Do You Have a Happy Husband at happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

Are your kids enthusiastic about school? Whether your child goes to public, private or homeschool, author Leah Boden has ideas that will get your children more interested in learning. Many educators are familiar with Charlotte Mason and her philosophy of education. In Leah's new book titled Modern Miss Mason, you'll discover how anyone can use Charlotte Mason's principles to spark curiosity and lengthen attention spans. In today's conversation, you will learn:  3:45 Who was Charlotte Mason and why is she important in education?  6:20 Children are not like a lump of clay that we form 8:00 What is the atmosphere of your home and how is that a tool of education?  11:50 How tech can be used for good in education, to bring out beauty  18:50 What is masterly inactivity? How can you train kids so you can trust them?  21:00 Try this in Bible study to help your kids learn for themselves  23:00 Creating a love of books in the home, how to choose a good book  25:50 What might a day of Charlotte Mason education look like?  28:50 When a homeschooling mom is exhausted  Leah Boden is the author of Modern Miss Mason: Discover how Charlotte Mason’s revolutionary ideas on home education can change how you and your children learn and grow together. Leah is a wife and mother of four. She’s a longtime home educator with over 20 years of experience working with families within the church. She speaks, coaches, and runs workshops to share the beauty of a Charlotte Mason approach to childhood, motherhood, and education. She and her family live in England.  Learn about Leah Boden's book, Modern Miss Mason at leahboden.com Get Arlene's free monthly resource 5 Ways to Reset Your Tech. These are small, doable changes that bring big results (and more peace in your home). happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

Feeling overwhelmed with all you have to do? Or maybe you feel insignificant as you look forward to the New Year. Rachael Adams knows what it's like to wonder about the difference she's making in the world as a mom. She's written a new devotion, "A Little Goes a Long Way" to remind us that small acts and invitations often lead to some pretty amazing results. In today's conversation, you'll learn:  4:30 What he was actually asking was “Am I enough?”  6:00 One minute that introduced me to my husband  7:10 I was isolated as a mom and this invitation changed my life  9:50 The value of touch between kids and parents  12:45 You ran a half marathon…once. How did the power of encouragement get you through?   14:30 How to notice those around you and their needs  15:50 I wish my life was bigger…does my little life matter at all?  20:30 Here’s how to have more purpose to our work  23:30 We can start to compare our ministries instead of doing this  Rachael Adams is the host of the popular The Love Offering podcast. She and her husband Bryan run a family business and farm in Kentucky with their two kids and two doodle dogs.  Learn about her new book, A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life at rachaelkadams.com Want to bring in the New Year with healthier screen habits for your family? Get Arlene's free monthly resource 5 Ways to Reset Your Tech. These are small, doable changes that bring big results (and more peace in your home). happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

You know the popular song Silent Night, but you probably haven't had much silence lately. In today's 25 Days of Christmas message, Arlene shares the story of Zechariah, a supporting cast member of the Christmas story found in Luke 2. His prayers were about to be answered about two long awaited sons - one was his own son who would become John the Baptist. The other was Jesus who would become the Messiah the Jews had been waiting for hundreds of years. Zechariah would be struck deaf and dumb as a sign of this promise. What did he learn in this silence? What might we learn by being still before God?   3:10 This was the worst day… 4:00 Who is Zechariah in the Christmas story?  5:15 I did my part God, but you didn’t do your part 7:00 Zechariah did his priestly duty even though he was sad  9:30 Friend, God has heard your prayer  13:00 Zechariah got a sign, probably not what he was expecting 16:00 Our limitations unleash God’s power.  18:44 His name will be… 19:50 His story becomes a faith point for other people  22:45 The approachability of Jesus and the holiness of God Arlene Pellicane is the host of the Happy Home, speaker and author of books like Screen Kids, Parents Rising, and 31 Days to a Happy Husband.  It's not too late to pick up a few family activities and family devotions from Arlene's free guide, The 25 Days of Christmas. Get it here today at happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

It's time for the 25 Days of Christmas here at the Happy Home! Kids love animals right? So why not use a story about animals to bring Christmas alive to kids of all ages?  One of my favorite AccessMore podcasts is Science and God with Dr. G. Today we have Mrs. G on the podcast! Laurel Guillen has written a new novel titled A Bellwether Christmas starring a spunky sheep named Bart. You'll find out about the real life Bart and the profound effect animals have had in her son's life. You won't want to miss the unique way the Guillen family opens their Christmas presents (it's an idea to copy for sure).  In today's conversation about faith, family and Christmas, you'll learn about:  3:08 Living with Bart the Sheep 4:30 Do sheep really know the voice of their shepherd?  5:20 My sheep, the escape artist  7:20 You adopted your son from a foster home…how did you help him catch up on reading?  9:50 How to make the most of moving around a lot  11:00 Try this on your next road trip  12:46 How nature and animals had a major impact on my son  17:00 A totally new way to give out your Christmas gifts  20:00 The holiday decorations of Dr. G  21:50 Falling in love with Italy and Francis of Assisi  23:00 My first idea of a book never materialized…but it led to a Christmas novel  25:00 How did you and your husband Dr. Michael Guillen meet and find Jesus at Cornell 29:00 How science led Dr. Guillen to God  33:00 Here’s what I would tell a younger mom  Laurel Guillen is a Cornell University graduate and former radio, newspaper, and television journalist who has always loved medieval tales. She helped her husband, Michael Guillen, PhD, produce the award-winning family movie Little Red Wagon. Her novel A Bellwether Christmas was inspired by a life-changing trip to Italy and years of caring for some remarkable farm animals. Get a 15 percent discount on Laurel's book, A Bellwether Christmas, here: faithfultext.com Learn more about Laurel here: fb.me/LaurelGblog It's not too late to pick up a few family activities and family devotions from Arlene's free guide, The 25 Days of Christmas. Just subscribe here to get it today. happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

It's time for the 25 Days of Christmas! After explaining that Christmas is about Jesus' birthday, what else can you say to your kids about the meaning of the season? With fresh ideas from ancient Scriptures, Asheritah Ciuciu will help us introduce our kids to the names of Jesus in a fun way. More than 100,000 families have gone through Asheritah's advent devotional Unwrapping the Names of Jesus, and now she has a new children's book to bring the names of Jesus to life to your littles titled Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids. During today's 25 Days of Christmas conversation, you'll learn: 4:00 Why is multi-generational discipleship valuable? 6:50 Ask grandma or grandpa this question to get conversation going 8:40 How to help kids understand the different names of Jesus 10:55 Detecting challenges your kids face 12:25 Two roses, one thorn 15:00 What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? 16:10 You were burned out with Christmas, what turned it around for you? 20:35 Writing a children’s book wasn’t easy… 22:20 Creative ways to read to your kids 24:20 How to say no to a Christmas activity invite Asheritah Ciuciu is a writer, speaker, and founder of One Thing Alone Ministries. She grew up in Romania as a missionary kid and married her high school sweetheart. They have 3 children and live in Ohio.  Find out about her new children's book Unwrapping the Names of Jesus at moodypublishers.com Get Arlene's free 25 Days of Christmas - your family guide which includes 10 devotions, 10 fun and easy family activities, and 5 ways to serve at happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

If you have a wild, spirited, strong willed kid, this episode is for you!  Instead of constantly fighting with your child, what if you could learn how to harness the superpower of having a strong will? Parent educator and coach Wendy Snyder has learned how to raise a strong willed child with integrity (and sanity!) based on her own experience. On today's episode, you'll hear:  3:20 She came out of the womb strong willed! 5:20 If you describe your child as demanding, insistent, bossy, fixated, rebellious…  7:30 These strong willed leaders helped me see my daughter differently  8:20 Strong willed kids need to have their power bucket filled  9:45 Do this to prevent power struggles  11:20 When your kid wants to have a pop-up business  13:50 Try this language when your child doesn’t do what they are supposed to do  17:00 How do I break generational struggles? How can I stop yelling at my kids?  20:30 Doing things differently than how I was brought up  24:00 When you have a strong willed kid, the degree of difficulty is so much higher  26:00 You’re living in this way that feels good - you’re making a positive change  27:30 How is your strong willed child now that she’s a teenager?  30:45 When your kids are hiding things…what if they are not trustworthy? 32:00 How has surfing helped you as a mom? Wendy Snyder is the founder of Fresh Start Family offering online seminars, coaching, courses & a membership program to give parents the support and tools they need to raise their children. Wendy obtained her BS in Marketing from San Diego State University and Parenting Certification from the International Network for Children & Families.  Check out her free online power struggles class at freshstartfamilyonline.com Get Arlene's free monthly resource, The Gratitude Workout - 10 ways to build the muscle of thanksgiving in your child's life at happyhomeuniversity.com The Happy Home is sponsored in part by Dwell Bible App. Save 30% off Dwell for Life at DwellApp.io/HappyHome.

Are your kids good at saying thank you? Kids and teens have gained a reputation for being entitled, but what if your kids were known for being grateful?  Dr. Gary Chapman joins me to talk about beefing up the A+ skill of appreciation as we write about in our book Screen Kids. In our conversation, you'll learn:  4:00 Were kids grateful in the generation you grew up in? How did your parents teach you gratitude as a young child?  5:25 The milk toddler tyrant  6:15 The enemy of the A+ skill of appreciation: indulgence  8:35 the value of saying no as a parent  10:00 What if gifts is my child’s love language and I don’t buy what they want - will they feel unloved?  13:00 But everyone else has one!  14:45 These kind of things show gratitude to moms  17:00 Work hard to have a mealtime everyday together  20:20 Dr. Chapman gets a lesson in being thankful  21:35 How do I start with my teenager if he or she hasn’t been grateful?  23:00 It starts with being thankful to God ourselves  25:50 Try this at Thanksgiving  Dr. Gary Chapman is known around the world as the author of The Five Love Languages (20 million copies in print). You (or your child) can take the quiz to find out what your love language is here: 5lovelanguages.com Learn more about Screen Kids, co-authored by Dr. Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane at arlenepellicane.com  Get Arlene's free monthly resource, The Gratitude Workout - 10 ways to build the muscle of thanksgiving in your child's life at happyhomeuniversity.com The Happy Home is sponsored in part by Talk About. Use Promo Code HAPPYHOME to get 1 month free at TalkAboutDiscipleship.com.

Fund conversations that matter: donate.accessmore.comHow close do you feel to your spouse?  No matter what the state of your union, there are things you can do and say to grow closer to one another. Longtime radio cohost of FamilyLife Today, Bob Lepine has a new book titled "Build a Stronger Marriage." On today's episode, we'll talk about:  3:20 It’s my spouse that needs to change, not me 5:00 Finding a mentor couple 8:00 When you’re a morning person and you marry a night person  11:30 What does this psalm of worship have to do with marriage?  14:40 Four areas of the past that you must talk about  16:30 Patterns and problems from your family of origin  19:45 Hurts need to be addressed if we want to be healed  21:05 How to interest your spouse in changing your marriage 22:55 What issues should you confront and what should you overlook?  26:45 Four horsemen of marriage apocalypse 30:00 Try this to celebrate your spouse  Bob Lepine serves as the teaching pastor at Redeemer Community Church in Little Rock Arkansas, and was the long time radio cohost of FamilyLife Today. Bob speaks at marriage and pastors events across the country. You can read Bob's blog here: redeemerlr.org Learn about his new book, Build a Stronger Marriage - The Path to Oneness  Get Arlene's free monthly resource, The Gratitude Workout - 10 ways to build the muscle of thanksgiving in your child's life happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe The Happy Home is sponsored in part by Talk About. Use Promo Code HAPPYHOME to get 1 month free at TalkAboutDiscipleship.com.