Connected Families Podcast

Listen as we wrap up 2023 with Jim Jackson and Anna Braasch chatting about Connected Families’ plans for 2024. Plus, Stacey Rodenbeck shares about the hope she’s found through the Framework. In today’s bonus episode, Jim Jackson (Connected Families Co-Founder) and Anna Braasch (Connected Families Executive Director) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to share about Connected Families’ year-end goals and the plans for 2024. Stacy also interviews Stacey Rodenbeck, a mom from the Connected Families community, about her transformational journey with the Framework. Mentioned in this podcast: Make Change today with a year-end gift to Connected Families Ep 154 | Stories of Transformation…One Mom’s Journey Guest Bio: Stacey Rodenbeck is the widowed mother of Susan (almost 5) and Chris (3.5). The Rodenbecks live in Central Arkansas, where Stacey is employed as an Associate Professor of Biology at Harding University. Since the death of her husband in 2020, Stacey has focused on developing a robust relationship with her children that positions the three of them to operate as a team. They enjoy cooking and baking together as a family, reading aloud, and hiking, and they have recently delved into playing board games together. (Candyland is the family favorite right now!) Stacey is thankful to God for the new mercies of each new morning as she seeks to guide her children and fully embrace the people God created them to be. “Things began to change when…” Be part of the team that brings “aha” moments of grace to families. DONATE TODAY

Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Katie Johnson talks with Stacy about how prayer can help transform your parenting. Have you ever wished you could deepen your prayer life? Or does it feel difficult to find time for meaningful prayer in your day-to-day life with kids? In this episode, Katie Johnson (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) and Stacy Bellward, podcast host, explore prayer from a fresh, practical perspective. Katie shares ideas for prayer that are rooted in scripture and easy for parents to implement. In this podcast you’ll discover: Ways to pray using scripture that are accessible at any moment with whatever time you have How to use the phrases “Thank you,” “Yes,” and “Help” to create prayers from Bible passages How Scripture can act as a guardrail for your prayers when you are desperate and hurting Ideas to model prayer for your kids and grow their joy-filled connection with God Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Free PDF – Refresh Your Parenting With Prayer (see below) Psalms Journal Psalm 84:11 James 1:17 Proverbs 18:10 Episode 139: How To Help Siblings Stop Fighting All the Time Guest Bio: Katie Johnson is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and lives in Madison, WI, with her family. She worked for many years in education and is now beginning the homeschool journey with her 3 young children. She received her M.Ed. from Valparaiso University and currently serves on the board of Safe Families, Dane County. You can find out more about Katie on our Coaching page. Give “change” to others Connected Families relies on your generosity so more families can experience “aha” moments of grace. DONATE & MAKE CHANGE TODAY!

Listen as Stacy chats with two families about the grace-filled changes they’ve experienced through the Connected Families Framework. Whether it’s your child’s defiant attitude or your angry reaction, your family likely has patterns that you’d like to change. Changing default responses like these isn’t easy, but it is possible. In today’s conversation, Stacy Bellward (podcast host) interviews Katrina Baros and Kate Bakker, two moms from the Connected Families community. These moms candidly share how they began to shift the dynamics in their homes and what they’ve learned along the way. In this podcast you’ll discover: How two families began to shift the challenging patterns they experienced The significance of asking, “What’s going on in me?” That “do-overs” are for kids and parents too! Connected Families resources that can support your parenting and help you instigate change in your family How your support can help other families make change Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Parent Coaching The Power of Questions online course Sibling Conflict online course Make a donation today to support transformation in families Guest Bio: Katrina Baros and her husband live in Seattle, WA, with their four sons, ages 5-13. Their family enjoys road-tripping, playing family football games in the yard, and playing board games, especially if snacks are involved. Kate Bakker and her husband are from Austin, TX. They have two biological children, ages 4 & 6, and a 5-month-old foster son. Their family loves to explore the local hiking trails and enjoy family movie nights. “Things began to change when…” Be part of the team that brings “aha” moments of grace to families. DONATE TODAY

Listen as we talk with Mandy Arioto about what moms need today based on a new study by the Barna Group. Moms are powerful influencers in their families and communities, yet they often feel exhausted and alone. In this episode, Mandy Arioto, President & CEO of MOPS International, reflects with Stacy Bellward (podcast host) on the Motherhood Today study. She offers insights from the study to help moms build resilience and move from surviving to thriving. In this podcast you’ll discover: Why Moms have the strongest impact on nearly every aspect of their family’s life, yet often feel that they’re not making a meaningful contribution to the world Reflection questions to help you move past “I should do it all” and “I want to be a perfect mom” That moms with Christian faith have significantly less anxiety about important decisions and less uncertainty about the future than moms who do not have Christian faith The best way to improve your emotional and spiritual life is to have a confidant aside from your spouse It’s ok to lower your expectations and have more fun! Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Make a year-end gift to Connected Families Visit Growthechurch.co for a copy of the Motherhood Today study and information about all that Mandy’s doing at Mom Co. Guest Bio: Mandy Arioto is the President and CEO of MOPS International and is widely known for her unique takes on evangelism, parenting, and cultural issues. Through MOPS, which every year mobilizes millions of women, and partners with tens of thousands of churches, Mandy serves as the voice of one of the most influential outreach organizations in the U.S. and around the world. Mandy has been featured on MSN, FOX, CBS, and hundreds of radio, TV, and print publications. She is the author of three books, the most recent being Have More Fun: How to be Remarkable, Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Enjoying Life. She is an avid rock climber and adventurer and regularly has harrowing stories to tell about her most recent ascent. Mandy and her husband, Joe, live in Denver, Colorado, with their three awesome kids. You can find out more about MOPS and Mom Co. at: Website: https://growthechurch.co; https://www.mops.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mops_international/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MOPS.Int/ “Things began to change when…” Be part of the team that brings “aha” moments of grace to families. DONATE & MAKE CHANGE TODAY! Related PostsAnna’s Story: When Traditional Parenting Just Doesn’t Cut ItHow To Make Your Child Feel Lavishly Loved and Unquestionably ValuedWant To Show Grace to Your Kids? Soak In It First | Ep. 151

Listen in as Lynn Beckett, Chad Hayenga, and Stacy unpack a grace-filled lens for navigating parenting and discipline in adoptive and foster care families. These creative and compassionate ideas can benefit any parent! When families grow through adoption or foster care, they often experience unique and sometimes challenging circumstances. Today’s conversation highlights ways the Connected Families Framework can guide these families toward deeper connection, secure attachment, and attuned correction. Our guest, Lynn Beckett, is a TBRI® Certified, licensed social worker and serves as the Program Manager and a parent coach at Lifeline Children’s Services. She joins Chad Hayenga (Connected Families Director of Education & Equipping) and Stacy Bellward (podcast host and adoptive mom) to share practical ideas and insights for each level of the Connected Families Framework. In this podcast you’ll discover: How your attachment style can influence how you view and respond to your child’s behavior, and how your child’s attachment style affects their behavior as well How the Connected Families Framework can deepen your child’s sense of felt safety Ways to strengthen your attachment with a child who is avoidant or suspicious How you can help heal your child’s negative identity messages from the past through the ABCs of affirmation Ways you may need to adjust discipline and correction as you respond to a child who has experienced trauma Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: The Connected Families Framework Episode 101: Does Attachment Style Matter? Childhood Wounds: What They Are and How to Free Your Parenting of Them Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches Guest Bio: Lynn Beckett has worked in the area of foster care and adoption since her graduation fromthe University of Georgia in 1981. She joined Lifeline staff in 1989. Her role atLifeline has included preparing and equipping families for foster care and adoptionand supporting them in the post-placement phase of their journey. She became aTBRI® Practitioner in 2016 and a Certified Parent Coach through ConnectedFamilies in 2021. While providing post-placement services to adoptive and fosterfamilies, she developed the parent coaching program for Lifeline. Lynn iscommitted to the care of vulnerable children and to helping caregivers bring thesechildren to a place of healing. Lynn is married to Brian, and they live in Birmingham,Alabama. They have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren. Lynnhas found that being a grandparent is the best “do over” ever. “Things began to change when…” Be part of the team that brings “aha” moments of grace to families. DONATE TODAY Related PostsAn Honest Conversation About Adoption | Ep. 81Blocked Care: Rekindle Compassion in Your Heart | Ep. 155Does Attachment Style Matter? | Ep. 101Why Safety Is Crucial for Adoptive Families

With the holidays fast approaching, we are pulling ​a classic podcast from the archives​ where Chad Hayenga joins Stacy Bellward to discuss some ideas for navigating family gatherings. Enjoy! Are you looking forward to celebrating holidays with family but dreading unsolicited advice from well-meaning relatives? You are not alone. Changes in your daily routines, travel, lack of sleep, and large gatherings set the stage for parenting challenges. Sometimes these difficult situations may be scrutinized by other adults in your family. This may lead to comments or questions that don’t feel supportive. Navigating family gatherings can be tricky! On today’s podcast, Chad Hayenga (Director of Education & Equipping) and Jenna Williams (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about navigating the holidays with relatives. Specifically, how you can respond when grandparents or other family members criticize you (or your children). Role-playing possible scenarios, Jenna and Chad bring humor and practical wisdom to you just in time for holiday gatherings. In this podcast, you’ll discover: proactive strategies to intentionally prepare your family for upcoming gatherings, including evaluating your own expectations, having conversations with your children, and even having conversations with grandparents about their expectations roleplays to help you navigate criticism, unhelpful comments, or harsh discipline by grandparents or other relatives that you can model humility and the value of connection to your parents and kids during holiday gatherings and difficult situations Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Connected Families Parent Coaching Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Program Connected Families Framework Unsolicited Advice? 4 Ways to Respond (Connected Families PDF) Guest Bio: Jenna Williams and her husband, Sam, have been married for ten years. They live in Colorado Springs, CO, and have three amazing children ages 3-7. Jenna is a registered nurse by trade and works in a postpartum unit. She is also a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and loves caring for and supporting families! Connected Families has been a true blessing for her and her family, and she is excited to share that blessing with others. You can find her on Instagram: mindful_of_the-moment or email her directly: jennwilliams0411@gmail.com Spread the “aha” moments of grace Connected Families relies on your generosity so more families can experience “aha” moments of grace. DONATE & MAKE CHANGE TODAY!

In today’s episode on blocked care, Stacy talks with author Melissa Corkum about her book Reclaim Compassion. “Blocked care (also known as compassion fatigue) is when a parent becomes emotionally unavailable following repeated rejected attempts to support their child. The parent can still meet the child’s physical needs; however, their ability to be attuned and empathetic decreases dramatically.” Blocked care can happen to any parent of a child who is struggling. November is Adoption Awareness Month, and today we’re highlighting a valuable resource, especially to the adoptive and foster parents in our community and those who support them. Our guest, Melissa Corkum, is an adoptee, adoptive mom, speaker, and coach. She shares how blocked care can affect any caregiving relationship and offers hope for overcoming blocked care. In this podcast you’ll discover: the signs of blocked care how to acknowledge and navigate feelings of shame and grief associated with blocked care that healing blocked care starts with your own internal work—reclaim compassion for yourself first, then for your child a process of daily practices to heal and spend more time out of blocked care steps you can take toward radical compassion Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Reclaim Compassion book Free Blocked Care Assessment Foundations for Overcoming and Preventing Blocked Care – Course How to Help a Spouse with Blocked Care from the AdoptionWise podcast Parent Coaching with Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches What Causes Anger Issues in a Child | Episode 46 with Lisa Qualls and Jim & Lynne Jackson Hebrews 4:15 Guest Bio: As an adoptee and adoptive mom, Melissa Corkum provides insight and resources to parents and professionals through her speaking, coaching, and writing. She is a TED Speaker, Safe and Sound Protocol Practitioner, Cultivate Connection Facilitator, Certified Enneagram Coach, and co-founder of AdoptionWise. Additionally, she co-authored Reclaim Compassion: The Adoptive Parents Guide to Overcoming Blocked Care with Neuroscience and Faith and Foundations for Overcoming and Preventing Blocked Care: The eight-session program for helping parents reclaim compassion. Melissa and Patrick live in Maryland and have six kids and two grandchildren. You can find all of Melissa‘s resources at https://adoptionwise.org.

Listen as we chat with Anna Braasch about finding hope through the Connected Families Framework. Do you remember when a friend introduced you to Connected Families? Or, maybe you are brand new to Connected Families’ resources–we’re so glad you found us. Regardless of when you found us and how familiar you are with the Framework, today’s podcast will likely resonate with you. Today, Connected Families Executive Director, Anna Braasch, shares her story of finding hope through the Connected Families Framework. Anna candidly talks about her struggles as a young mom and how finding Connected Families’ resources changed her relationship with Christ and her approach to parenting. Anna also shares about Connected Families’ vision for the future and how you can get involved. In this podcast you’ll discover: one mom’s journey to hope (there were bumps along the way!) that transformation in your family may be slow, but it is worth the effort Connected Families’ three-year vision how you can join the Donor Team to help support transformation in families Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Mentioned in this podcast: Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart book Parenting Tips emails from Connected Families Serenity Prayer – Connected Families version – free download Grace & Truth for Moms online course 2 Corinthians 10:5 Things Began to Change When…. To give a one-time donation Make a 3-year commitment to support Connected Families’ long-term vision “Things began to change when…” Be part of the team that brings “aha” moments of grace to families. DONATE & MAKE CHANGE TODAY!

Here at Connected Families, we often talk about how you can pass your faith on to your kids. Have you thought about how you can help sustain your child’s faith into their adult years? Research reveals that 60 percent of teens who have faith in high school will leave their faith by the time they are 30 years old. Thankfully, this does not have to be the case if you take proactive steps as your children grow. In today’s podcast, Ben Bevis (Executive Director of Encircled) joins Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to share what a mentor can do for a child. Ben introduces resources for parents, youth workers, and even grandparents to support a young person’s faith, purpose, and calling from early childhood through their young adult years. You’ll be encouraged and inspired to support sustaining faith in your family today. In this podcast you’ll discover: what mentorship can look like at different ages how to build a circle of support around your child the impact that 5 intentional adults can have in the life of a young adult things you can do at any age to notice and develop your child’s unique giftings resources to guide you or your community in developing mentor circles Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Looking for a transcript? Want to revisit certain parts of the podcast, or struggling to keep up with the audio? Click the button below to access a written transcript of this podcast episode. CLICK HERE FOR TRANSCRIPT Mentioned in this podcast: TreeHouse Hope Encircled resources (use code CF50 for 50% off!) The Intentional Father by Jon Tyson 1 Peter 4:10 Ephesians 2:10 Guest Bio: Ben Bevis is the Executive Director of Encircled and is passionate about getting Mentor Circles around youth! Ben is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Life Coach and has been a youth volunteer at his church for many years. Ben has been married to his wife Sara for 20 years. Together they have 3 wonderful children: Sophia (17), Reid (15), and Sam (12). They live in Minnesota and love to mountain bike, nordic ski, and go on adventures together. Questions about Encircled? You can email Ben directly at Info@encircled.org . Know your strengths. Your best mom or dad instincts are exactly what your kids need. So identify them. Take the free Parenting Strengths Assessment. FREE PARENTING STRENGTHS ASSESSMENT

Children today face threats to their safety that are difficult to discuss. How do you help your kids process a school shooting or other violent attack? How can you hold the fear and anxiety they feel when you’re experiencing the same emotions? The answers aren’t simple, but you can support your child in helpful ways as they process scary situations. In today’s conversation, Jody Goldie (LMFT at Midwest Trauma Center) and Katie Wetsell (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to discuss feeling safe when the world feels unsafe. Katie shares wisdom from her personal experience navigating a school shooting, and Jody shares her expertise in trauma-related therapy. Together they will offer you grace and confidence as you navigate these situations with your children. In this podcast you’ll discover: the importance of processing your own emotions before trying to support your kids how to be a safe landing place for your kids to process their emotions during traumatic experiences what you can do when you sense that your child is feeling unsafe (with big or little things) ways to move past simple reassurances and build confidence and trust how to draw faith into the conversation as you wrestle with your kid’s toughest questions (it’s okay to not have all the answers!) Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth. Looking for a transcript? Want to revisit certain parts of the podcast, or struggling to keep up with the audio? Click the button below to access a written transcript of this podcast episode. CLICK HERE FOR TRANSCRIPT Mentioned in this podcast: Episode 124 | Empowering Your Differently-Wired Child Psalm 46:1 Jeremiah 19:5 Parenting Tips Emails – Sign up now! Guest Bio: Katie Wetsell is our online course moderator. She is also a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, pediatric nurse, and mom of four through birth and adoption. She is passionate about encouraging and empowering parents to love their family with confidence and connection. Building on her bedside experience, she has also been trained in SPACE treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) to help parents support their children in overcoming anxiety. Her website is www.parentwithhope.org. Jody Goldie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and received her Master’s degree in Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She approaches the therapeutic relationship with warmth and the belief that all people have the ability to heal. She works with clients who have experienced complex trauma, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. Her training includes a family systems approach and incorporates that into the understanding of work with individuals and couples. Jody enjoys incorporating spirituality into therapy if that is desired by the client. You can find her at: www.mwtraumacenter.com. Dare to dream of peace again. It’s not hopeless. You can ENJOY YOUR KIDS AGAIN. CONNECT WITH A PARENT COACH Related PostsHelp! My Anxious Child Cries When Dropped Off at DaycareTrust Expert Dr. Henry Cloud Chats With Us About Parenting | Ep. 146Your Child Laughs When in Trouble? How To Build Wisdom, Not Shame