The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane

If you have a child struggling with addiction, it can seem improbable and even impossible that your child will change. Today's guest Melissa Huray is living proof that anyone can break free from addiction and go from bondage to blessed. Born into an alcoholic home, Melissa found her escape from pain through alcohol. Drinking would steal 15 good years of her life, but after surrendering to Christ, her whole life changed. She found total freedom and she'll share today how you and your kids can too.  Get Arlene's new book, Making Marriage Easier: How to Love (and Like) Your Spouse for Life https://makingmarriageeasier.com/ Today on the show, we'll talk about:  3:00 Growing up with an alcoholic father  7:00 Being drawn to the numbing effects of alcohol as a teen  The enemy primed me for that. He showed me alcohol can help you. It can do something positive for you.  8:15 What can you say as a parent to help your child in addiction  13:00 I needed to stop drinking but everything I tried failed  16:31 Alcoholism is a disease - why this label is not helpful  19:00 No matter what the dependency, you can pursue healing  21:00 What I am trying to do with my teenagers  25:00 Both coming from addicted homes, we had a lot of baggage in our marriage  29:00 Learning to trust God and living in freedom  Melissa Huray is an Emmy award winning news reporter and anchor, and an addiction counselor with a Masters in Physiology. She is the Executive Director at the Lindell Recovery Network. Her books include Blackout to Blessing and Radical Freedom.   Learn more about Melissa Huray and her books https://melissahuray.com/ Help is available at Lindell Recovery Network https://lindellrecoverynetwork.org/ Get Arlene's new book, Making Marriage Easier: How to Love (and Like) Your Spouse for Life https://makingmarriageeasier.com/ Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

We are spending more face to face time with devices than people--and it's hurting us and our kids. There is a reason mental health has plummeted in the past decade. We are experiencing a new type of loneliness and isolation because of the hours we are spending looking at screens. Cindi McMenamin, author of The New Loneliness will share how we can reset and regain the strength that comes from real friendships. It's a message both for us as parents and for our kids.   Order Arlene's new book, Making Marriage Easier: How to Love (and Like) Your Spouse for Life https://makingmarriageeasier.com/ On today's episode, we'll talk about:  2:40 US Surgeon General’s alert on loneliness 4:30 When it’s just easier to stay home instead of going out  6:10 Zoom meetings and communication  8:45 Going deeper with our friendships starts with… 12:00 Mom, you don’t have any friends anymore  15:25 When AI becomes a friend  20:00 Consider this about AI and your kids 21:30 Taking an assessment: Are you lonely?  24:00 When you have a misunderstanding with a friend that hurts  27:10 When you miss your kids during the empty nest  Cindi McMenamin is an award winning writer and speaker. She’s ministered to women for nearly 40 years. Her books include 10 Secrets to Becoming a Worry-Free Mom, Drama Free, and 12 Ways to Experience More with your Husband. Today we’re talking about her latest book, The New Loneliness: Nurturing meaningful connections when you feel isolated  Learn more about Cindi McMenamin and her book, The New Loneliness https://strengthforthesoul.com/ Order Arlene's new book, Making Marriage Easier: How to Love (and Like) Your Spouse for Life https://makingmarriageeasier.com/ Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

You can be in a house filled with family and still suffer from loneliness. How can we fight against the epidemic of loneliness in our culture? There is a way to escape the darkness of loneliness. Becky Harling is here to help us with insights from her book, Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World. Pre-order Arlene's new book, Making Marriage Easier: How to Love (and Like) Your Spouse for Life https://makingmarriageeasier.com/ On today's episode, we'll talk about: 2:32 Does my loneliness need attention or will it go away naturally?  6:15 How to overcome loneliness  10:12 How to keep stepping forward in faith even if I don’t “feel” His presence 12:50 Am I engineering my own loneliness?  17:04 I’m a critical person: help! 22:16 Why we need to be unoffendable Becky Harling has a degree in biblical literature and is a speaker, author and Bible teacher. The host of The Connected Mom podcast, Becky’s passion is to help women find hope, healing, freedom, and life transformation through Jesus Christ. Becky is the author of many books and Bible studies, and today we’re talking about her book, Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World.  Learn more about Becky Harling and her book, Cultivating Deeper Connections in a Lonely World https://beckyharling.com/ Pre-order Arlene's new book, Making Marriage Easier: How to Love (and Like) Your Spouse for Life https://makingmarriageeasier.com/ Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

When every single person in your home feels lavishly loved, life is better. You and your kids know you are loved by God, but sometimes you forget or don't feel loved. Rachael Adams has a new book, Everyday Prayers for Love, which will help you invite the God of love into your home each day. It's about making love the rule of your life, not the exception. In today's episode, we'll talk about:  2:10 How to be a love offering  5:32 How do you describe love?  11:47 How to see God’s love in a tangible way 15:55 Can anger be healthy anger and still loving? 19:45 How to honor your divorced parents  22:28 How to love God with the entirety of yourself Today’s guest Rachael Adams is the host of The Love Offering Podcast, and the author of A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life. She and her husband live in Kentucky with their two children. Her new book, Everyday Prayers for Love is part of the Everyday Prayers series through Million Praying Moms.   Learn more about Rachael Adams https://rachaelkadams.com/ Connect with Rachael on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rachaeladamsauthor Pre-order Arlene's new book, Making Marriage Easier: How to Love (and Like) Your Spouse for Life https://makingmarriageeasier.com/ Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

Your child has been begging you for a phone (or video game, social media, tablet, etc). You have held out for a long time but this Christmas, you decided to wrap that phone and place it under the tree. What can you expect after the gift is given? What kind of guidelines can you present with the phone? How can you set up your child for success and not failure? On today's 25 Days of Christmas episode, Arlene shares: 2:00 What was the lamest Christmas present you ever got?  5:30 Pre-order Arlene’s new book Making Marriage Easier  5:00 The gift (phone, iPad, etc) has been given, now what? 8:20 You are not manipulated into giving a gift, it’s voluntary  9:40 What if my child made a Powerpoint presentation begging me?  11:05 Ground rules for the phone  13:30 You need systems, not just good intentions  15:00 Protect Young Eyes, monitoring and more, DNS, Clean Browsing  18:00 Warning signs that your child is not ready for that phone or game  20:45 What if you need to take the gift away from your child?  24:50 What can I do right now to help my child have a better relationship with technology? How did we get here?  Arlene Pellicane is the host of the Happy Home podcast and author of books like Screen Kids (co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman) and Calm, Cool, and Connected: 5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Life. Arlene and her husband James have raised three kids in Southern California who went through high school without smartphones, social media, or video games (and actually enjoyed it). Pre-order Arlene's new book, Making Marriage Easier: How to Love (and Like) Your Spouse for Life https://makingmarriageeasier.com/ You've got a little time - check out family devotions and activities in Arlene's free resource, 25 Days of Christmas. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe Read Arlene's book Screen Kids https://arlenepellicane.com/book/screen-kids/ Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

As we count down the 25 Days of Christmas, your family could probably use some help in the kitchen! Kathi Lipp has a new cookbook Sabbath Soup with plenty of tips to make meal time easier. Plus you'll be invited to consider the important rhythm of Sabbath rest. Learn how to make the most of meals together with family and friends this Christmas season to enjoy more emotional connection and less fuss and stress. On today's episode, we're talking about:  2:50 Help! I don’t know how to cook!  4:40 Do this and take the stress out of mealtime  8:30 Some tips and tricks for how to save money on groceries  13:30 How to honor the Sabbath as a mom  21:23 Magic meals??? 25:38 Tips for picky eaters  29:00 I need to declutter - but where do I start? Kathi Lipp is a Publishers Weekly bestseller of 20 books including the Accidental Homesteader, Clutter Free, and the Husband Project. Her new book is Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to make space for a day of rest.  Learn more about Kathi Lipp and her cookbook, Sabbath Soup https://sabbathsoup.com/ Get Arlene's free 25 Days of Christmas - your family guide which includes 10 devotions, 10 fun and easy activities, and 5 ways to serve. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

You're supposed to feel joyful during the holiday season. But if you're honest, you're feeling more tired and overwhelmed. We're counting down the 25 Days of Christmas. How can you delight in Jesus once again at Christmastime and throughout the year? Asheritah Ciuciu will show us how to approach this season with faith, wonder, and worship. Her new book is Delighting in Jesus - Rhythms to restore joy when you feel broken, bored, or burned out. Today we'll talk about:   2:35 Where did all of my joy go? 12:32 How do we delight in Jesus  17:07 Is there a difference between joy and happiness? 19:53 Should we chase happiness? 25:50 How to get your joy back Asheritah Ciuciu is an author, speaker, and founder of One Thing Alone Ministries. She is a wife and mama of three. Her books include Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids, Bible & Breakfast, and Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction.  Learn more about Asheritah and her new book Delighting in Jesus. https://onethingalone.myshopify.com/products/signed-copy-of-delighting-in-jesus Discover your devotional personality type https://onethingalone.com/ Get Arlene's free 25 Days of Christmas - your family guide which includes 10 devotions, 10 fun and easy activities, and 5 ways to serve. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

Could you use more bubbles and fun this holiday season and less stress? The one and only Bob Goff shares how we can live daily with joy and expectation from his new book, Catching Whimsy. We are kicking off the 25 Days of Christmas with a fun and meaningful conversation about whimsy, remembering the good, baseball caps, fresh starts and much more. On today's episode, we'll talk about:  2:26 What do you mean by whimsy?  3:30 Your first car was... 6:50 How to get on the same page with your spouse  11:14 What is the role of remembering in our lives?  18:52 Wait, you cut a hole in your left pocket because... 20:17 How to start fresh  27:22 Helping our children through the “spot” moments of life Bob Goff is the New York Times bestselling author of Love Does and Everybody Always. He’s appeared on Good Morning America, NPR, the Dave Ramsey show, Forbes and Relevant. He is the host of the Dream Big podcast and loves balloons, cake pops, and helping people pursue their big dreams.   Learn more about Bob Goff and his new book Catching Whimsy here: https://www.bobgoff.com/ Get Arlene's free 25 Days of Christmas - your family guide which includes 10 devotions, 10 fun and easy activities, and 5 ways to serve. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

Are your kids going to be all right? Is your job secure? Will your marriage get better? We live in an age marked by worry and anxiety for adults and kids. Many who wrestle with anxiety know the Bible calls them to trust God, but how does that actually work? Pastor and author Jonny Ardavanis invites us to open God's Word for answers. In this conversation about his new book, Consider the Lilies, you'll learn:   3:30 I had a front row seat to teen anxiety as a camp director  5:25 If you’re a parent, this is what you need to know 7:00 Even if your child doesn’t suffer from anxiety, he or she lives in a performance stressful culture  8:30 How can we protect the minds of our kids?  10:45 One of the main schemes of Satan is to make sin look normal and righteousness seem strange 15:00 Every worry is an invitation to get closer to God  17:10 What’s the difference between a good godly concern and an ungodly worry?  20:00 We were told our daughter had a syndrome with strokes and seizures 24:00 When your kids have sports injuries  27:55 God allows you to go through trials because… Jonny Ardavanis is the pastor of Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, TN. He’s the founder and president of Dial In Ministries serving the next generation. He has served as camp director at Hume Lake Christian Camps and as a dean at The Master’s College. He and his wife have two young daughters. Today, we're talking about his new book, Consider the Lilies: Finding Perfect Peace in the Character of God.  Learn more about Dial In Ministries https://dialinministries.org/ Get Jonny's book, Consider the Lilies https://www.amazon.com/Consider-Lilies-Finding-Perfect-Character/dp/0310368243/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yBlnH-e3bSsBJoLo-Hv3vz_bwdX2IgWB9ezQ8PNYtkaw7ElP9_sLVDpE9it02M9F.-mnpeyrtjwUwqjpImQmTFaHlktyPYWQe-SMuf20w318&qid=1722298799&sr=1-1&ref=dialinministries.orgSubscribe to Arlene's free email list and get your free Gratitude Workout and the 25 Days of Christmas https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

The pressures and demands of life can leave you overwhelmed, discouraged and stressed out. Stress affects us as adults, and it can weigh down our kids too. Counselor and author of "I'm Stressed" Eliza Huie is here to show us how to manage stress better and experience more peace at home. Trade in your stress and anxiety for something far better. On today's podcast, you'll learn: 2:13 What stress can actually be good  6:20 Does my child need counseling? 11:00 The difference between worry and anxiety  14:00 How to change the “what if’s” to “even if’s” 16:50 What is your responsibility as a parent (and what's not)  21:17 How do we become stressed over temptations  27:02 What is A.W.E.?  Today’s guest Eliza Huie is a biblically trained, professionally licensed counselor. She is the director of counseling at McLean Bible Church in Virginia. She and her husband have three grown children and a grandson. She is an author of several books and a frequent speaker for conferences.   Learn more about Eliza Huie and her book, I'm Stressed: A Path from Pressure to Peace https://www.elizahuie.com/books Subscribe to Arlene's free email list and get your free Gratitude Workout for your home https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! speaking@arlenepellicane.com Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025