Crazy Cool Family

Don and Suzanne Manning

Want home to be your favorite place in the world? Want to see siblings get along like best friends? Want to send your kid off to college with hope instead of fear? At Crazy Cool Family, we can help you answer all of those questions with a resounding “YES!” We have one simple mission: To show parents how to create amazing families by building their lives around Jesus and helping their kids to do the same. In Matthew 22, Jesus tells us that what is most important in life is our relationship with God and our relationships with one another. We believe that families are our most important relationships and their strength will determine the strength of your family. You will Rethink the Way You Do Family when you see God’s incredible relational design for your families. God wants a Crazy Cool Family for you and we want to help you get there!

  1. #330: Money Matters: Building Families on Wisdom (Feat. Crystal Paine)

    3D AGO

    #330: Money Matters: Building Families on Wisdom (Feat. Crystal Paine)

    March is about Money! Episode 330 is a fun, practical, and faith-filled conversation as Suzanne sits down with Crystal Paine (MoneySavingMom.com) to help families approach money, time, and motherhood with wisdom and peace.  Crystal—mom of six (from almost 21 to age 3), writer, speaker, podcaster, and CEO of a small team—shares how her family learned to live intentionally and stay out of debt during law school by getting creative with groceries, simplifying, and focusing on what actually works in real life. She breaks down why saving money doesn’t have to mean clipping paper coupons (hello, digital deals!) and introduces a powerful mindset shift: time is money—so any “money-saving” habit should be worth the time it takes.  You’ll hear practical, step-by-step encouragement for overwhelmed moms, including why menu planning is the best first step (before trying to overhaul a budget), how to set a realistic grocery budget, and how to make slow, steady progress without stress. Crystal also explains why learning money systems can feel like learning a foreign language—and why starting small is the key to long-term success.  The conversation goes deeper as Crystal shares her parenting journey through a hard season, how God reshaped her heart, and the story of foster care, adoption, and unexpected pregnancies that changed everything. She reminds listeners that the foundation for home management isn’t hustle—it’s starting with prayer, trusting God with the day, and letting Him multiply what we don’t have.  Crystal leaves families with one central takeaway: Emmanuel—God with us. You don’t have to white-knuckle life alone. God is present, powerful, and faithful in the details.  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review! MoneySavingMom

    43 min
  2. #329: Fight Through the Gospel - The Missing Piece in Most Marriage Advice (Feat. McKenzie Reaume)

    FEB 18

    #329: Fight Through the Gospel - The Missing Piece in Most Marriage Advice (Feat. McKenzie Reaume)

    Don't save your marriage for.... later! In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, we sit down with McKenzie (our 4th daughter) to introduce the marriage Deep Dive “Fostering Love in Your Marriage.” She has been married for 4 1/2 years and has two tiny, beautiful daughters.  Together they unpack why the word fostering matters — nurturing, cultivating, and fighting toward something good — and why so many couples drift into fighting against each other instead of fighting for their relationship. Suz and Kenz talk about how marriage can become a “back burner” once kids arrive, but why it’s worth prioritizing again because children can feel unity and disunity in the home. The conversation centers on returning to what God says about love and marriage, using Scripture as the anchor rather than relying only on the world’s tools. They also share practical rhythms couples can start using right away, including making time, practicing honesty, doing regular check-ins, and choosing to love with intentionality. If you are looking for a way to invest in your marriage this month, this is the podcast for you. Listen and share with a friend, today!  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

    39 min
  3. #328: Stop Feeling Like Roommates: Practical Marriage Habits for Parents With Marriage 365

    FEB 4

    #328: Stop Feeling Like Roommates: Practical Marriage Habits for Parents With Marriage 365

    In this episode, Don and Suzanne talk with Casey and Meygan Caston from Marriage365 about simple, practical marriage tools for busy parents. If your relationship feels stuck in logistics, resentment, or disconnection, this conversation gives you actionable habits you can start right away.  You’ll learn how small, daily investments — not grand gestures — build strong, lasting marriages.  In This Episode: The weekly marriage check-in meeting that reduces conflict  How to share the mental load as a couple  Why thriving marriages use tools and systems  How to apologize in a way that actually repairs relationships  The power of forgiveness and humility in family life  Why initiation is leadership in marriage  How to work on your marriage — even if your spouse won’t engage yet  How healthy marriage habits impact your kids  Get Their BOOK! The Marriage Habit — practical habits and tools to build connection, repair conflict, and strengthen your marriage.  Something to Try This Week: Schedule a 30-minute weekly marriage meeting  Practice one intentional apology  Initiate one connection moment daily  Ask your spouse how you can lighten their load  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

    49 min
  4. #327: Purpose Is Not Passive: How to Set Direction for Your Family (Part 2)

    JAN 21

    #327: Purpose Is Not Passive: How to Set Direction for Your Family (Part 2)

    Still Feeling Stuck? Here's Part 2! In Part 2 of this conversation, we shift from personal and marriage goals to setting vision and goals for your family. Healthy family goals don’t start with changing your kids—they start with aligned parents. Building on the foundation of personal growth and marital unity, we talk about how to intentionally design your family culture instead of letting it drift. In this episode, we cover: Why family goals work best when parents are unified How to create family vision without overwhelming your kids The difference between family goals and family values How to invite your children into the process in age-appropriate ways Setting rhythms and priorities that shape your home over time You don’t need a perfect plan—you need clarity, unity, and direction. 🎧 Listen to Episode 327 and start designing your family culture for 2026 with purpose. Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review! Buy the Deep Dive TODAY! (Listen to the episode for a special offer)

    23 min
  5. #326: Purpose Is Not Passive: How to Set Direction for Your Family

    JAN 7

    #326: Purpose Is Not Passive: How to Set Direction for Your Family

    Designing 2026: Goals That Matter  Feeling overwhelmed by goal-setting? In this episode, we share a simple, biblical framework for setting meaningful goals for 2026—starting with you and then your marriage.  Using Mark 12:30, we break goals into four areas: heart, soul, mind, and strength, and talk about how small, realistic steps can lead to real growth over time.  We also dive into: How to set personal goals without burnout  Why the soul is often overlooked—and why it matters  Protecting your mind in a world full of noise  Designing your marriage instead of letting it drift  How to set marriage goals without creating conflict  Progress matters more than perfection.  🎧 Next episode: Setting goals as a family and building unity at home.  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review! Buy the Deep Dive TODAY! (Listen to the episode for a special offer)

    32 min
  6. #325: Wrapping Up 2025 With Crazy Cool Family

    12/10/2025

    #325: Wrapping Up 2025 With Crazy Cool Family

    Season Finale: Wrapping Up 2025 with Crazy Cool Family As 2025 comes to a close, Don and Suzanne are taking a moment to reflect, celebrate, and cast vision for what’s ahead. 🎉 In this final episode of the year, you’ll hear highlights from Season 7 of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast and learn how God has been using this ministry to impact families across the U.S., Europe, and even Africa. 🌍  This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a global movement to inspire and equip parents to build strong, Christ-centered families. From practical parenting strategies to sibling relationships, guest interviews, and the launch of new resources like The Playbook and Deep Dives, 2025 was packed with tools to help parents win at home.  In this episode, Don and Suzanne share:  🎙 Their favorite moments and guests from the podcast this year  📘 How The Playbook and Deep Dives are helping parents apply simple, powerful principles every day  🌍 Updates on Crazy Cool Family’s international impact, including teaching families in Africa  💡 Their one big piece of advice for parents heading into 2026  Whether you’ve been listening since episode one or just discovered Crazy Cool Family this year, this season finale will encourage and equip you to keep going. Parenting is learned one step at a time, and every family can win.  👉 Tune in now, get inspired, and step into 2026 ready to notice your kids, be present in the moment, and make family your greatest investment.  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

    29 min
  7. #324: Turning 90 Days of Holidays into Lasting Family Memories

    12/03/2025

    #324: Turning 90 Days of Holidays into Lasting Family Memories

    Holiday Chaos or Holiday Memories? Creating Traditions That Last  The holiday season is here—and with it comes the mix of joy, chaos, and never-ending to-do lists. 🎁 From decorating the house to wrapping gifts, baking cookies, and attending every school or church event, it’s easy for parents to feel more overwhelmed than joyful.  In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne Manning share candid reflections and look back on 30+ years of parenting seven kids through the holiday hustle. They’ve been through the late-night wrapping sessions, Christmas concerts, chaotic car rides to find the “perfect tree,” and even baking sessions where the cookies didn’t turn out quite right. Through it all, they’ve discovered that holidays aren’t about perfection—they’re about shaping memories.  You’ll hear practical ideas and “holiday hacks” for: Including your kids in the preparations (even if it’s messier and slower). Shifting the focus from getting to giving through serving neighbors, writing notes, or sibling gift exchanges.  Creating simple family traditions—from decorating bedrooms with mini trees to baking monkey bread—that knit kids’ hearts to yours.  Letting go of busyness and embracing peace, even when schedules get overwhelming.  Whether you’re a parent of toddlers, teens, or grown kids, this conversation will encourage you to slow down, laugh at the chaos, and focus on what truly matters. Because the greatest gift you can give your children this season isn’t perfect cookies or matching wrapping paper—it’s the gift of connection.  👉 Tune in today and start creating holiday traditions that will outlast the chaos and shape your family for generations.  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

    22 min
  8. #323: Re-Run ALERT! Two Ingredients for the BEST Thanksgiving Week (Part 2)

    11/26/2025

    #323: Re-Run ALERT! Two Ingredients for the BEST Thanksgiving Week (Part 2)

    Re-Run ALERT! Two Ingredients for the BEST Thanksgiving Week (Part 2)  Part 2 (Ep. 323, originally Ep. 144) Welcome back, Crazy Cool Families! Today we’re continuing our series, ‘Two Ingredients for the BEST Thanksgiving Week.’ This is part two—originally Episode 144 and now Episode 323. Last week we shared the first ingredient, and today we’ll give you the second one that ties it all together to help your family have the best Thanksgiving yet. Let’s dive in!”  In this episode you’ll hear about:  The second “ingredient”: appreciation—recognizing people with gratitude and value.  Why appreciation changes relationships and creates an atmosphere of connection.  How to use the 5 Love Languages (words, service, gifts, touch, time) to show appreciation at Thanksgiving.  Practical examples for navigating stressful family dynamics with gratitude.  A simple but powerful challenge to share what you appreciate around the Thanksgiving table. Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

    24 min
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5
out of 5
69 Ratings

About

Want home to be your favorite place in the world? Want to see siblings get along like best friends? Want to send your kid off to college with hope instead of fear? At Crazy Cool Family, we can help you answer all of those questions with a resounding “YES!” We have one simple mission: To show parents how to create amazing families by building their lives around Jesus and helping their kids to do the same. In Matthew 22, Jesus tells us that what is most important in life is our relationship with God and our relationships with one another. We believe that families are our most important relationships and their strength will determine the strength of your family. You will Rethink the Way You Do Family when you see God’s incredible relational design for your families. God wants a Crazy Cool Family for you and we want to help you get there!

Information

  • Creator
    Don and Suzanne Manning
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    330
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022 Crazy Cool Family
  • Show Website
    Crazy Cool Family

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