

Practice Makes Parent
Focus on the Family
Dive into the heart of Christian parenting with "Practice Makes Parent," your go-to podcast for actionable insights, faith-based inspiration, and real-life strategies for every stage of parenthood. From the joyous toddler years to the challenging school-age phase, the perplexities of puberty, and the exhilarating journey of guiding your confident teen, this podcast is your trusty companion. Join hosts Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James as they bring you weekly episodes packed with the wisdom of parenting experts. Uncover Biblical truths, effective parenting techniques, and a treasure trove of resources designed to empower moms and dads in today's ever-evolving culture in this fun Christian parenting podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 17, 2025 • 42min
Growing Kindness: Teaching Kids to Volunteer
Have you ever thought about serving your community as a family? On this episode, Danny and Rebecca speak with Justin Knoop, the founder of Blessing Boys. Justin and his four sons perform free lawn care services for those in need, inspired by their mission work and personal transformation through faith. Justin explains the profound impact of these acts of service on both his family and the community, and we encourage you to explore this idea in your home. We talk about overcoming the awkwardness of helping strangers, instilling values of gratitude and service in children, and balancing energy and discipline in boys. The Crib To College Update shares research done on exposing children to various foods to help prevent food allergies later in life. The Hidden Garden: A Blessing Boys' Adventure Age & Stage Resources What Are Your Parenting Strengths? Find Out Here! Here Are Some Ideas To Serve As A Family Send us your email or voicemail questions here! Support the show! If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

Dec 10, 2025 • 46min
Helping Kids Though The Tough Stuff
Darby Strickland, a seasoned counselor and author, shares her insights on guiding children through tough life transitions and emotional challenges. She highlights the vital role of allowing kids to experience their feelings, especially during changes like divorce or school moves. Darby discusses warning signs of stress in young children and teens, along with effective ways to engage with them through open conversation. Her children's books aim to help kids understand grief and trust in God, providing practical tools for parents to support their kids emotionally.

Dec 3, 2025 • 50min
Christmas Reflections For The Family
Merry Christmas from the entire Practice Makes Parent team! On this episode Danny and Rebecca discuss the joys and complexities of Christmas. They share personal stories, family traditions, and the challenges of maintaining a Christ-centered, less materialistic holiday. We touch on family dynamics, managing expectations, and the impact of grief during the holiday season with commentary from Mary Hunt, Kathy Lip, Greg and Erin Smalley, and Levi and Jenny Lesco. We also talk about how parents can promote charitable activities that will bless others, too. Sign Up For The Free Parenting eNewsletter Send us your email or voicemail questions here! Support the show! If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

9 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 41min
Building A Spiritually Vibrant Home
In this discussion, Don Everts, a senior pastor and author of 'The Spiritually Vibrant Home,' shares insights from his research with Barna Group. He explores the significance of household imagery in representing the Kingdom of God. Don highlights the contrast between ancient households and modern families, advocating for communal living. He identifies key habits of vibrant homes: messy prayers, loud tables, and open doors, emphasizing that these practices foster genuine spiritual growth and connection among family members.

Nov 19, 2025 • 46min
Family Conversations on The Case For Christmas with Lee Strobel
Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss the significance of transforming parenting through the lens of faith, focusing on the true meaning of Christmas with special guest Lee Strobel. He shares insights on nurturing children’s faith, particularly during the Christmas season, recounting personal experiences and the story of St. Nicholas. The discussion shifts to how parents can counter consumerism and instill values of generosity and humility in their children, suggesting practical activities and the importance of curiosity. We even talk about how to share the historical truths of the virgin birth to reinforce faith in your kids. Our Q & A segment gives advice for dealing with kids' materialistic tendencies and emphasizes the benefits of spending quality time, such as reading with children, to enhance their development and family bonds. The Case For Christmas Is Your Kid a Contributor or a Consumer? Family Reading of Scripture Check out Brio Magazine Send us your email or voicemail questions here! Check out Clubhouse Magazine Support the show! If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

Nov 12, 2025 • 57min
Lionhearted-A Father's Guide To Life & Raising Sons
Brandon and David Lindell, both passionate pastors and co-authors of 'Lionhearted,' delve into the modern challenges of fatherhood. They discuss the cultural pressures on men, underscoring the importance of emotional engagement over traditional toughness. The Lindells emphasize vulnerability and the act of modeling humility for sons, promoting healthy family dynamics. They also highlight the crucial role of supportive wives in nurturing a godly home. Finally, they provide practical advice on fostering spiritual leadership and intentional conversations with children.

Nov 5, 2025 • 48min
Sowing Seeds For Your Family
We're getting real and discussing the importance of family culture, emphasizing November as Child Safety and Protection Month. Danny and Rebecca welcome Jessica Smartt, author of Come On Home, and her insights and experiences raising children on an intergenerational family farm. We discuss the challenges and benefits of such a setup, and the principles of grace and forgiveness. We'll go over the different parenting stages, the importance of intentional quality and quantity time with children, and addresses a listener's concern about disciplining practices. Come On Home: A Grace-Filled Guide to Raising a Family Who Loves (and Likes) Each Other Free Download! A Parent's Guide To Today's Technology Support the show! Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment Send us your email or voicemail questions here! If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

Oct 29, 2025 • 21min
Halloween Alternatives For Christian Families
On this special Halloween edition of Practice Makes Parent, Rebecca and Danny discuss the complexities of celebrating Halloween from a Christian perspective. The conversation includes insights from Jesse Florea, editor in-chief of Clubhouse and Brio Magazine. The trio address the historical pagan roots of Halloween, its commercialism, and how Christian families can balance participation while staying true to their faith. We discuss various approaches such as using the holiday for outreach, choosing positive costumes, or opting out altogether. Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? Download Your Free Adventures In Odyssey trial cards to help us share Jesus this October! Join What Does The Bible Say About The Supernatural? Click Here Check out this Video from Danny Support the show! Here's a Discount Code for Focus On The Family Magazines for October/November - MAGS2510- for the online store. You can get $5 off! We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

Oct 22, 2025 • 57min
Mentally Strong Disciplined Kids with Dr. Daniel Amen
This special 100th episode of 'Practice Makes Parent' features renowned psychiatrist and brain health expert, Dr. Daniel Amen. They discuss the importance of brain health in parenting and how small daily habits can build resilience in children. Dr. Amen shares insights from his research on brain imaging and how understanding brain health can transform mental health approaches. Learn how to guard your child's mental health with this free video series Free Digital Download: Focusing On Your Family's Mental Health Join Parenting Scripts: When What You're Saying Isn't Working, Say Something New Support the show! Here's how you can subscribe to Brio Teen Magazine. Here's a discount code for October and November. MAGS2510 We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

Oct 15, 2025 • 58min
Teaching Resilience: Raising An Overcomer
This is an EPIC episode of Practice Makes Parent! Danny and Rebecca discuss the importance of resilience in children and how parents can foster it with Dr. Nicole Wilke. They focus on developing Christlike character, the benefits of challenges, and the role of parental support in children's growth. The Q&A segment addresses handling sibling rivalry, disrespect, and habitual lying, offering advice on fostering respect, grace, and joy in difficult parenting situations. Practical tips for resilience, such as focusing on words, character development, and practicing perseverance make this a great episode to share with your friends! Overcoming: What Scripture and Science Say About Resilience Teaching Kids To Find Purpose in the Mess Ups Join Check out our Free Parenting Assessment Tool! Support the show! Here's how you can subscribe to Brio Teen Magazine. Here's a discount code for October and November. MAGS2510 We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.


