The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips

THINQ Media
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Parenting is no joke! Suzanne Phillips has spent years coaching intentional, legacy-minded parents—helping them overcome our increasingly confusing culture and connect the dots between faith, family, freedom and their child's future. Because informed parents make informed decisions. And let's face it, ages 0-25 are called formative years for a reason. Your children are being shaped! What goes in WILL come out. So, tune in to The InFormed Parent, from the THINQ Media Podcast Network, to get the guidance you need to parent with purpose, disciple with direction and leave an intentional legacy.

  1. 9 HR AGO

    S6 E11: Blended Families: Building Strong Foundations in Complex Homes

    Episode Summary Marriage is the foundation of family — and parenting flows from that foundation. But what happens when that foundation is built within a blended or stepfamily? In this insightful and practical episode, Suzanne is joined by Ron Deal, one of the nation's leading experts on blended families. With decades of experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and director of FamilyLife Blended, Ron brings clarity to one of the most complex family dynamics parents face today. Blended families are not rare — they are increasingly common — yet many parents enter them without the tools, discipleship, or understanding needed to navigate the unique challenges they bring. From dating and remarriage to discipline, school decisions, and family culture, this conversation explores the realities that many families don't anticipate — but must learn to navigate. Ron also speaks into marriage itself, sharing warning signs couples should not ignore, common struggles that lead to breakdown, and how intentionality and awareness can build stronger relationships. This episode is both a wake-up call and a roadmap — helping parents move from confusion to clarity in building healthy, God-centered families. Episode Highlights ✔️ Why blended families require intentional discipleship ✔️ Divorce rates among Christians vs. non-believers ✔️ The difference between stepfamilies and blended families ✔️ Why marriage in a blended family is a "package deal" ✔️ Key considerations when dating, remarrying, and involving children ✔️ How school, discipline, and parenting decisions are more complex in blended homes ✔️ Common stumbling blocks families face when they aren't prepared ✔️ Warning signs in marriage that can lead toward divorce ✔️ Insights from The Mindful Marriage ✔️ The role of the Church in supporting blended families ✔️ Practical resources and tools for families navigating this journey Featured Resources 📚 The Smart Stepfamily 📚 The Mindful Marriage Practical, research-based, and biblically grounded resources to help couples and families thrive. 👉 Learn more → https://rondeal.org 👉 FamilyLife Blended → https://familylife.com/blended Links 👉 Website → https://familylife.com/blended 👉 Ron Deal → https://rondeal.org 👉 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/familylifeblended 👉 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/familylifeblended Call-to-Action 📲 Connect with Ron Deal & FamilyLife Blended Instagram → @familylifeblended Website → familylife.com/blended 📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent Instagram → @suzannephillips_ Instagram → @beacon_parent Website → www.beaconparent.com ✨ JOIN PARENT CLUB TODAY FOR MORE If you're navigating parenting, marriage, or family complexity and want ongoing support and biblical clarity: 👉 www.beaconparent.com/parentclub Identity Truth for the Family Strong families are not built by accident — they are built with intention. In blended families especially, clarity, patience, and wisdom are essential to creating unity and stability for both marriage and children. HEY PARENTS! Parents — if your family is navigating remarriage, blending, or complexity, you are not alone. Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement, clarity, or practical tools for building a strong family foundation.

    47 min

  2. 19 MAR

    S6 E10: The Well Lit Home

    Episode Summary Parenting today can feel overwhelming. The conversations are heavier. The culture is louder. The pressure is constant. In this personal and powerful solo episode, Suzanne pauses from interviewing guests to speak directly to parents — not about what to do, but about who we are becoming. Because our doing flows from our being… And our being flows from what we believe. Drawing from over 25 years of experience coaching, teaching, and raising her own family, Suzanne shares a defining vision: the call to build a Well Lit Home. In a world that feels increasingly dark, the brightest light our children should experience is inside our homes. Through a vivid story from Easter morning and a deeply practical framework, Suzanne introduces the 7 Facets of a Beacon Parent — the qualities that anchor parents in truth and empower them to lead with clarity, courage, and peace. This episode is an invitation to step out of pressure, step into purpose, and become the steady light your family needs. Episode Highlights ✔️ Why parenting today feels heavier and more complex than ever ✔️ The shift from focusing on what to do → to who we are becoming ✔️ The vision of a Well Lit Home in a dark world ✔️ A powerful real-life story that shaped the Beacon Parent message ✔️ Why parents are not responsible for outcomes — but to their children ✔️ The role of trust in releasing control and fear ✔️ The importance of anchoring parenting in biblical truth ✔️ Why formation matters more than information The 7 Facets of a Beacon Parent These are the qualities that create a home that shines: 1. Supremacy of Christ Christ is central — above every circumstance Releases pressure and the illusion of control Anchors parents in truth during uncertainty 2. Expressed Honor Honor God, others, and family Teach children to value and respect authority and people Strengthens the fabric of family and society 3. Intentional Legacy What you do today shapes tomorrow Parenting is always forming a legacy Your daily choices matter 4. Transformative Wisdom Wisdom changes how we live, not just what we know Seeks truth and applies it Invites intentional, thoughtful decision-making 5. Humble Courage Following God requires action Standing firm often requires courage Leads with patience, curiosity, and conviction 6. Secure Identity Rooted first as a child of God Embraces uniqueness in family and calling Provides stability in a shifting culture 7. Personal Responsibility Parents are the primary shaping influence Formation is happening — intentionally or unintentionally It is an honor to lead and steward a family Key Takeaway A well-lit home doesn't happen by accident. It is built by parents who stay connected to the Source of light — and choose, day by day, to become a steady beacon for their children. Call-to-Actions (CTAs) 📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent Instagram → @suzannephillips_ Instagram → @beacon_parent Website → www.beaconparent.com ✨ Join Parent Club Ongoing encouragement, biblical clarity, and practical guidance for parents navigating today's world. 👉 www.beaconparent.com/parentclub     Identity Truth for the Family The world may grow darker — but light shines brighter in the darkness. When parents stay anchored in Christ, their homes become places of warmth, clarity, and truth. SHARE THE LIGHT  Parents — take a breath. The to-do list will still be there. But who you are becoming matters more than anything you accomplish. If this episode encouraged you, share it with another parent who needs hope and perspective today.

    35 min

  3. 12 MAR

    S6 E9: School Choice and What It Really Means

    Episode Summary School choice is one of the most talked-about education topics in the country right now — but many parents are still unclear about what it actually means. In this episode, Suzanne is joined by Corey DeAngelis, widely known as the "school choice evangelist," to unpack the realities behind the policies, politics, and possibilities surrounding educational freedom. Corey is a leading advocate for parental rights in education and the national bestselling author of The Parent Revolution. With a Ph.D. in education policy and years of research and advocacy, he brings clarity to a conversation that is often filled with confusing rhetoric. But this conversation goes deeper than politics. At its core, school choice is about recognizing that children learn differently. Not every student thrives in the same environment, and the traditional system often fails to consider the diverse ways children grow and learn. Suzanne and Corey discuss why families are increasingly leaving traditional school systems, how school choice policies impact homeschooling families, which states are leading the movement, and what parents can do if they want to take action. This episode will challenge assumptions and encourage parents to think carefully about the future of education. Episode Highlights ✔️ Corey DeAngelis' personal journey into school choice advocacy ✔️ Why many now refer to public schools as "government schools" ✔️ The real reasons families are leaving traditional school systems ✔️ How school choice policies work and who they impact ✔️ Why these policies can benefit homeschool families ✔️ The number of states currently offering school choice options ✔️ Which states offer the most generous programs — and which resist change ✔️ The biggest barriers to passing school choice legislation ✔️ The practical benefits of educational freedom for families ✔️ Concerns homeschool families sometimes raise about these policies ✔️ How parents can take action and advocate for their children ✔️ What the future of school choice could look like in 2026 Featured Resource 📚 The Parent Revolution by Corey DeAngelis A national bestselling book explaining how parents can reclaim control of their children's education. 👉 Learn more → https://amzn.to/47mZXqM   A Call-to-Action 📲 Connect with Corey DeAngelis Follow Corey for ongoing insights and updates on school choice policy and education reform. 👉 X (Twitter): https://x.com/DeAngelisCorey?t=uogaiJZlZh2DMPlmWltEjg&s=09 📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent Instagram → @suzannephillips_ Instagram → @beacon_parent Website → www.beaconparent.com ✨ Join Parent Club If you want ongoing encouragement, biblical clarity, and community as you navigate parenting and education decisions: 👉 Join here: www.beaconparent.com/parentclub Identity Truth for the Family Every child is uniquely created and designed to learn differently. When parents have the freedom to pursue the environment that best fits their child's gifts and needs, education becomes formation — not just information.   In Closing Parents — conversations like this matter because the future of education directly impacts the future of our children. If this episode helped you think more clearly about school choice, share it with another parent navigating education decisions. 🎧 Share Now →

    51 min

  4. 5 MAR

    S6 E8: Innovative Next Steps After High School Graduation

    Episode Summary For decades, the path after high school seemed obvious: graduate, go to college, get a degree. But today, families are asking better questions. In this refreshing and inspiring episode, Suzanne sits down with Jonathan Brush to explore a bold alternative to traditional college pathways. Jonathan brings nearly 25 years of experience helping young adults ask the right questions, take action, and build lives of meaning and purpose. Unbound is not anti-college — it's pro-intentionality. It challenges the assumption that information equals formation and instead focuses on habits, mentorship, real-world experience, and a biblical worldview as the foundation for adult life. As more parents reconsider what success looks like after graduation, this episode offers clarity, confidence, and a compelling alternative. Because education is not one-size-fits-all — and formation matters as much as information. Episode Highlights ✔️ Jonathan's background and journey into alternative higher education ✔️ What Unbound is — and how it works ✔️ Why questioning the traditional college model is healthy ✔️ How Unbound combines academics, mentorship, and real-world experience ✔️ Retention rates and student outcomes ✔️ What students consistently say about the experience ✔️ The most important takeaway students leave with ✔️ The overall vision: formation, not just credentialing ✔️ Class size and community culture ✔️ What parents and communities are noticing about Unbound graduates ✔️ Why this model works so effectively ✔️ Encouragement for hesitant parents considering a nontraditional path Featured Resource: Unbound A nontraditional, biblically grounded approach to post-high school education focused on formation, mentorship, and real-world learning. 👉 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/be.unbound/ 👉 Website → https://beunbound.us Call-to-Actions (CTAs) 📲 Connect with Unbound Instagram: @be.unbound Website: beunbound.us 📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent Instagram → @suzannephillips_ Instagram → @beacon_parent Website → www.beaconparent.com ✨ Join Parent Club Ongoing support, biblical clarity, and practical guidance for parents navigating education and cultural conversations. 👉 Join here: www.beaconparent.com/parentclub Identity Truth for the Family Success is not defined by a diploma alone. When parents prioritize formation, mentorship, character, and calling, young adults are prepared not just for careers — but for life. In Closing Parents — before you default to the expected path, ask better questions. If this episode gave you fresh vision for your student's next step, share it with another family navigating post-graduation decisions.

    40 min

  5. 26 FEB

    S6 E7: Sexual Identity: Truth, Love and Hope

    Episode Summary Sexual identity conversations are no longer rare or distant — they are happening in classrooms, friend groups, churches, youth ministries, and homes. In this deeply thoughtful and compassionate episode, Suzanne is joined by Elizabeth Woning, Co-Executive Director of the CHANGED Movement — a community of individuals who once identified as LGBTQ+ and now testify to experiencing transformation through their faith in Jesus Christ. Elizabeth shares her powerful personal story — from openly identifying as lesbian, advocating for LGBTQ affirmation in seminary and church spaces, to a life-altering encounter with Jesus that reshaped her theology, identity, and direction. Today, she works with pastors, parents, and church leaders to navigate one of the most emotionally charged and culturally dominant issues of our time. This episode does not aim to inflame — it aims to equip. With 26% of Gen Z identifying as LGBTQ+, many families feel blindsided and unprepared. Suzanne and Elizabeth discuss how believers can hold firm to biblical convictions while extending grace, patience, and love — especially when the conversation becomes personal. This is an episode about truth without cruelty. Love without compromise. And hope for families walking through difficult identity conversations. Episode Highlights ✔️ Elizabeth's personal story and transformation ✔️ The founding and mission of the CHANGED Movement ✔️ Why sexual identity conversations are accelerating among Gen Z ✔️ The spiritual and emotional layers beneath identity struggles ✔️ How schools and cultural messaging shape identity formation ✔️ The most pressing needs facing families navigating LGBTQ issues ✔️ Trends parents must be aware of in today's cultural climate ✔️ Supporting pastors, parents, and churches with compassion and clarity ✔️ Practical guidance for parents whose child identifies as LGBTQ+ ✔️ Stories of transformation and reconciliation ✔️ The importance of holding truth and love together 🎧 Listen Now   Featured Resource: CHANGED Movement A community of friends who once identified as LGBTQ+ and now celebrate the freedom and comfort found in Jesus Christ. 👉 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/changedmvmt 👉 Elizabeth → https://www.instagram.com/elizabethwoning 👉 Website → https://changedmovement.com 👉 Elizabeth's Website → https://elizabethwoning.com Call-to-Actions (CTAs) 📲 Connect with Elizabeth Woning @elizabethwoning elizabethwoning.com 📲 Learn More About CHANGED Movement @changedmvmt changedmovement.com 📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent Instagram → @suzannephillips_ Instagram → @beacon_parent Website → www.beaconparent.com ✨ Join Parent Club If you want ongoing support, biblical clarity, and a community of parents navigating cultural conversations together: 👉 Join here: www.beaconparent.com/parentclub Identity Truth for the Family Truth and love are not enemies. Compassion and conviction are not opposites. Parents who remain anchored in Christ can create homes where hard conversations are met with both grace and clarity. In Closing Parents — this is not a topic to avoid. It is a topic to approach thoughtfully. If this episode brought perspective, courage, or language to a conversation you've been afraid to have, share it with a trusted friend, small group, or fellow parent. 🎧 Listen Now

    52 min

  6. 19 FEB

    S6 E6: Can Pro-Kingdom and Pro-America Co-Exist?: Where Grace and Gratitude Collide

    Episode Summary Can we raise children who are deeply rooted in the Kingdom of God and grateful for the country they live in? In this important and thought-provoking episode, Suzanne sits down with Jill Simonian, Director of Outreach and co-creator of PragerU Kids. With over 20 years of experience in media, parenting commentary, and education advocacy, Jill brings clarity and courage to conversations surrounding merit-based education, patriotism, parenting trends, and digital culture. Together, Suzanne and Jill unpack a bold question: Can America survive with unpatriotic youth? This conversation explores the tension parents often feel — wanting to raise children who serve God first while also teaching gratitude, civic responsibility, and love for the freedoms we've been given. From divisive policies in schools to the erosion of merit standards, from grit and self-reliance to digital overconsumption, this episode challenges parents to think clearly and lead intentionally. Because what happens under our roof shapes what happens in our nation. ⸻ Episode Highlights ✔️ The mission and "why" behind PragerU and PragerU Kids ✔️ Over 1,200 free pro-America resources for families and schools ✔️ What "merit-based education" really means — and why it matters ✔️ Why children cannot afford to "make zeros" academically or character-wise ✔️ How divisive school policies (DEI mandates, restorative discipline, gender ideology) impact students ✔️ Teaching capability, self-reliance, resilience, and grit at home ✔️ Digital consumption — where parents must draw lines ✔️ Can America survive with unpatriotic youth? ✔️ How PragerU Kids resources are being used in education (including Oklahoma) ✔️ What's next for PragerU Kids 🎧 Listen Now ⸻ Featured Resource: PragerU Kids Over 1,200 pro-America videos, books, lesson plans, worksheets, and character-building resources — available FREE for families and schools. Resources teach: Values & character U.S. & world history Civics Financial literacy Cultural literacy 👉 Website: PragerUkids.com ⸻ Call-to-Action 📲 Connect with Jill Simonian Instagram: instagram.com/jillsimonian X: x.com/jillsimonian   📲 Explore PragerU Kids Instagram: instagram.com/pragerukids Website: PragerUkids.com   📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent Instagram: @suzannephillips_ Instagram: @beacon_parent Website: www.beaconparent.com   ✨ Join Parent Club Biblical clarity, cultural discernment, and practical leadership support for parents navigating today's world. 👉 Join here → https://community.beaconparent.com/offers/mLSFLoXT/checkout 🏫 Considering Alternative Education or Homeschool Pod? Explore The Pod Packet — a step-by-step guide for creating simple, intentional learning communities for your family. 👉 https://www.thepodpacket.com ⸻ Identity Truth for the Family Gratitude for our nation does not compete with allegiance to God's Kingdom. Children can be formed with humility before God and appreciation for the freedoms that allow them to live it out. Parents who teach truth, history, gratitude, and responsibility raise leaders — not spectators ⸻ In Closing  Parents — the future of our nation is shaped in living rooms long before it's shaped in legislatures. If this episode encouraged you to think more intentionally about how you're forming your children, share it with another family, educator, or small group.

    51 min

  7. 12 FEB

    S6 E5: Preparing Families for the Age of AI

    Episode Summary Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than most parents can track — and it will shape our children's future far more than it will ever shape ours. In this essential episode, Suzanne Phillips is joined by Ryan Findley — a Christian, husband, father of three, former teacher turned tech professional, and founder of Evergreen Faith. Having spent six years working in Silicon Valley, Ryan has seen firsthand how quickly AI capabilities are expanding and how easily they could follow the same dangerous trajectory as social media and smartphones if parents don't act now. This conversation moves beyond fear or hype and equips parents with a biblically grounded framework for thinking clearly about AI. Together, Suzanne and Ryan explore how to prepare children for a world we haven't lived in — not just practically, but spiritually — by addressing the root issues of discernment, formation, and worldview. If you feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or underprepared for the Age of AI, this episode will bring clarity, language, and direction. ⸻ Episode Highlights ✔️ Ryan's journey from education into the tech world ✔️ Why AI will impact our children more than any generation before them ✔️ How Christians should approach AI from a biblical worldview ✔️ A helpful framework for parents: shortcuts, supports, and superpowers ✔️ Why "doing nothing" is not a neutral option ✔️ How parents can begin setting boundaries and forming discernment now ✔️ What churches and schools must consider in the Age of AI ✔️ Practical steps families can take today — without panic ✔️ The shadow side of AI: Stunted development & digital sloth Siloed and severed lives Substitution of AI for human growth Superiority thinking & detachment from reality 🎧 Listen Now: ⸻ Featured Resources AI Parenting Course A comprehensive course equipping parents to navigate AI wisely and biblically. 👉 www.aiparentingcourse.com 💸 Use Code BEACON1 for $10 off AI Self Defense (For Kids & Families) Tools to help children understand, recognize, and respond to AI risks. 👉 www.aiselfdefense.kids 💸 Use Code BEACON1 for $5 off Evergreen Faith A hub for parents, churches, and schools seeking support in the Age of AI. 👉 Visit evergreen.faith online for guidance and resources ⸻ A Call-to-Action 📲 Learn More from Ryan Findley & Evergreen Faith Explore resources that help families integrate AI safely and intentionally. 📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent Instagram: @suzannephillips_ Instagram: @beacon_parent Website: www.beaconparent.com   ✨ Join Parent Club Foundational discipleship, cultural clarity, and community support for parents navigating today's challenges. 👉 Join here → https://community.beaconparent.com/offers/mLSFLoXT/checkout 🏫 Considering Alternative Education or Homeschool Pod? Explore The Pod Packet — a step-by-step guide for creating simple, intentional learning communities for your family. 👉 https://www.thepodpacket.com ⸻ Identity Truth for the Family Technology will shape the future — but formation shapes discernment. When parents lead with truth, wisdom, and intentional boundaries, children learn to engage innovation without losing their humanity or their faith. ⸻ In Closing Parents, you were not called to raise children who simply keep up with the future — but children who can discern it. If this episode helped you think more clearly about AI, share it with another parent, pastor, or educator who needs language and confidence for this conversation.

    51 min

  8. 5 FEB

    S6 E4: Taking Back Gaming: Biblically Authentic Entertainment for Families

    Episode Summary Screens are not going away — but what our children consume on them matters more than ever. In this timely and encouraging episode, Suzanne Phillips sits down with Brent Dusing, founder and CEO of TruPlay, a Christian entertainment platform created by parents, for parents. Brent shares his remarkable journey from venture capital and major tech exits to building a biblically grounded gaming platform that protects children while reinforcing faith, character, and joy. At the same time, this conversation exposes the real battle happening behind the scenes: faith-based content being flagged, throttled, or banned — while sexually explicit, violent, and agenda-driven material is freely promoted to children through algorithms. This episode offers parents both clear warning and practical direction — reminding families that while reducing screen time is wise, having aligned, trustworthy options is essential in a digital world children already inhabit. Episode Highlights ✔️ Brent's entrepreneurial journey — and why TruPlay was born ✔️ Why "safer" entertainment isn't enough — alignment matters ✔️ What TruPlay Games actually is and how it works ✔️ The resistance faith-based platforms face from Big Tech ✔️ How algorithms push sexualized and violent content to kids ✔️ Three key ways parents can protect children in digital spaces ✔️ The hidden mental health cost of toxic screen exposure ✔️ Why faith-based entertainment reinforces discipleship at home ✔️ How gaming can nurture character instead of eroding it ✔️ Encouragement for parents who feel exhausted and behind 🎧 Listen Now! Featured Resource: TruPlay A safe, ad-free, biblically authentic entertainment platform where kids can play, learn, and grow in faith — without hidden agendas or chat rooms. 👉 Website → https://www.truplaygames.com 👉 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/truplaygames 👉 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/truplaygames 👉 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCutwcoaalmdoIoxaZ2coQhA   Call-to-Action 📲 Connect with TruPlay: @truplaygames https://www.truplaygames.com 📲 Stay Connected with Beacon Parent: Instagram → @suzannephillips_ Instagram → @beacon_parent Website → https://www.beaconparent.com ✨ Parent Club (Monthly Membership) Ongoing discipleship, teaching, community, and support for parents navigating culture, technology, and family formation with clarity and conviction. 👉 Join here → https://community.beaconparent.com/offers/mLSFLoXT/checkout 🏫 Considering Alternative Education or Homeschool Pod? Explore The Pod Packet — a step-by-step guide for creating simple, intentional learning communities for your family. 👉 https://www.thepodpacket.com Identity Truth for the Family Entertainment shapes imagination — and imagination shapes belief. When parents choose content that aligns with truth, beauty, and goodness, screens can become tools for reinforcement rather than erosion of faith. In Closing Parents, you don't have to choose between total screen shutdown and surrendering your children to digital chaos. There are better options — and choosing them is an act of leadership. If this episode encouraged or equipped you, share it with another parent who is navigating screens, gaming, and digital boundaries in their home.

    45 min
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About

Parenting is no joke! Suzanne Phillips has spent years coaching intentional, legacy-minded parents—helping them overcome our increasingly confusing culture and connect the dots between faith, family, freedom and their child's future. Because informed parents make informed decisions. And let's face it, ages 0-25 are called formative years for a reason. Your children are being shaped! What goes in WILL come out. So, tune in to The InFormed Parent, from the THINQ Media Podcast Network, to get the guidance you need to parent with purpose, disciple with direction and leave an intentional legacy.

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