The Intentional Parents Podcast

Intentional
  • 4.9 (1.5K)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

In a world where distractions are endless and culture constantly pulls us in different directions, it’s more important than ever to remain intentional in your marriage and parenting. Brook and Elizabeth Mosser, alongside Phil and Diane Comer, invite you into a conversation about biblical formation — offering wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools for raising passionate Jesus followers. As an intergenerational team that is also family, we bridge the perspectives of different life stages, drawing from both decades-long experience and fresh insight on the topics of parenting and marriage. From vulnerable Q+R sessions to insightful guest interviews, we explore real-life stories of both steady formation and radical transformation — unpacking how God is shaping our lives and the lives of those around us. Join us each week as we pursue God’s design for life, marriage, and parenting — with intention.

  1. The Hidden Blockers of Sexual Desire in Marriage + How to Move Past Them Together

    MAY 6

    The Hidden Blockers of Sexual Desire in Marriage + How to Move Past Them Together

    We’re back with part two of our conversation on sex in marriage, this time getting into some of the hidden blockers of desire, along with a few practical ways to start moving past them. The goal isn’t just more sex, but a relationship where intimacy actually feels meaningful again. A lot of what gets in the way isn’t obvious. Small, unresolved tensions can build up over time and create distance, even if nothing major is “wrong.” When those things go unaddressed, it’s hard to feel close in any sense. On top of that, seasons change, but expectations don’t always keep up. Different life stages, stress, and even things like hormones can all affect desire. If those realities aren’t talked about, it can lead to frustration or quiet disappointment that slowly chips away at connection. And then there’s what a lot of couples experience at some point: slipping into more of a roommate dynamic. Life inevitably gets full, attraction can fade or shift, and responsibilities and tasks can replace relationship and intimacy. The good news is this stuff isn’t permanent. With some intention and healing, things can shift and grow in a healthy direction. Practical Rhythms to Try: Take 10 minutes to have a “state of us” conversation, asking each other: “How can I show up for you today?” and “What is one thing I can do that will make you feel loved?”Repair within 24 hours.Rebuild playfulness. Listen to Part 1, “Sex in Marriage: Communication, Connection + Healing Past Wounds Around Intimacy”: YouTube, Spotify + Apple Podcasts Scripture Mentioned: Hebrews 12:15, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 + Colossians 3:12 Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from. Sowing a Hidden Seed Join Our Legacy Builders Watch on YouTube Follow Us on Instagram:  @intentional_parents  @brookmosser @emosser FREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDF FREE Text Message Daily Devotional Raising Passionate Jesus Followers The Intentional Film Series

    1h 10m
  2. Healing from Trauma in Adulthood, Re-Parenting Yourself + Acknowledging How We’ve Hurt Our Children

    APR 29

    Healing from Trauma in Adulthood, Re-Parenting Yourself + Acknowledging How We’ve Hurt Our Children

    In this episode, Brook and Diane share a candid conversation about their overlapping journeys of healing from trauma, exploring what it means to grow emotionally and relationally. Reflecting on the “narrow way,” they talk about how true healing requires humility, acknowledging the need for God, confessing weakness, and recognizing there is always room to grow. Diane opens up about carrying pain into adulthood and how obedience shifted from rule-following for safety to a pursuit of freedom and intimacy with God. They also dive into the challenge of addressing the ways we’ve hurt others, especially within family. Diane reflects on her upbringing in a home marked by anger and emotional distance, while Brook shares how he’s intentionally inviting his children into his own healing process through honesty and repair. Together, they emphasize breaking generational patterns by creating space for open conversations — with both children and parents — without blame or cancellation. The episode highlights the role of the Holy Spirit as central to healing, alongside the practical help of therapy. Diane shares how her recent ADHD diagnosis brought clarity to her past and helped her confront false beliefs about herself. As they close, both point to simple, consistent practices that sustain their growth — time with God, prayer, and staying connected to trusted community — highlighting the reality that healing is a lifelong journey best walked with others. Scripture Mentioned: Matthew 7:13-14 + Genesis 1-3 Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from. Sowing a Hidden Seed Join Our Legacy Builders Watch on YouTube Follow Us on Instagram:  @intentional_parents  @brookmosser @emosser FREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDF FREE Text Message Daily Devotional Raising Passionate Jesus Followers The Intentional Film Series

    1h 1m
  3. When Life Doesn’t Look Like You Thought It Would, Stewarding Suffering + Allowing Hope to Heal (w/ Katherine Wolf)

    APR 15

    When Life Doesn’t Look Like You Thought It Would, Stewarding Suffering + Allowing Hope to Heal (w/ Katherine Wolf)

    In this meaningful conversation, we sit down with Katherine Wolf, whose story has deeply impacted our lives and understanding of faith and suffering. At 26, Katherine experienced a massive brain stem stroke that nearly took her life. Now, 18 years later, she lives with significant disabilities, yet continues to live with purpose, joy, and a resilient faith. She shares the long journey of learning to believe that even in hardship, “the boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places,” and how her early years were marked by deep struggle before discovering a renewed sense of calling. Katherine reflects on holding both joy and pain at the same time, and how suffering can shape not only us, but our children and families in meaningful ways. We talk about marriage in the midst of hardship, which includes choosing to come together as a team, extending grace, and recognizing the sacredness of caring for one another. She also speaks to grieving unmet expectations, embracing the life in front of you, and trusting that God’s presence, not a perfect life, is what defines true goodness. This episode is a powerful reminder that our pain is not wasted. Through honest perspective shifts and a deep dependence on Jesus, Katherine points us toward a hope that heals and a life that is still, even now, full of purpose. Katherine Wolf: Hope Heals: Instagram, Books, Camps + Retreats, Speaking + Podcast Scripture Mentioned: Psalm 16:6, Acts 13:36, Matthew 7:24-27, Psalm 84:11, Romans 8:28 + 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Books Mentioned: Treasures in the Dark by Katherine Wolf + Domestic Monastery by Ronald Rolheiser Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from. Sowing a Hidden Seed Intentional Motherhood Retreat: April 23-25, 2026 in Franklin, TN Join Our Legacy Builders Watch on YouTube Follow Us on Instagram:  @intentional_parents  @brookmosser @emosser FREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDF FREE Text Message Daily Devotional Raising Passionate Jesus Followers The Intentional Film Series

    1h 10m
  4. “I’m Not Doing Enough” + The “Should List”: Overcoming Shame and Guilt in Parenting

    APR 8

    “I’m Not Doing Enough” + The “Should List”: Overcoming Shame and Guilt in Parenting

    So many parents carry an unspoken “I should…” list: “I should be more patient, more present, doing more, doing better.” In a world full of parenting advice and constant input, it’s easy to feel like we know so much and yet, still aren’t doing enough. In this episode, we talk about how that pressure often leads to shame and guilt, and why it matters to understand the difference: guilt says “I did something bad,” while shame says “I am bad.” One leads us toward repentance and growth, while the other keeps us stuck, isolated, and disconnected. We explore how shame has been part of the human story since the beginning, and how it still shows up today in the subtle lies we believe about ourselves as parents. But instead of striving for perfection, we’re invited into dependence, trusting that God meets us in our weakness, just as He did with Moses. We also talk about practical ways to respond when shame creeps in: quieting the noise, getting honest about where our expectations come from, pursuing vulnerable relationships, and practicing repair when needed. At the end of the day, parenting isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about walking in faith, holding onto hope, and learning to love our kids well, even in our imperfection. Brook’s Interview on the Open Spaces Podcast: YouTube, Spotify + Apple Podcasts Scripture Mentioned: 2 Corinthians 7:10, Genesis 3:9-11, Hebrews 11:24-28 + Hebrews 10:23-24 Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from. Sowing a Hidden Seed Intentional Motherhood Retreat: April 23-25, 2026 in Franklin, TN Join Our Legacy Builders Watch on YouTube Follow Us on Instagram:  @intentional_parents  @brookmosser @emosser FREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDF FREE Text Message Daily Devotional Raising Passionate Jesus Followers The Intentional Film Series

    59 min
  5. Loving People in Unseen Ways, Trusting God in the Detours + Saying “Yes” to Jesus (America’s Got Talent Winner Dustin Tavella)

    MAR 25

    Loving People in Unseen Ways, Trusting God in the Detours + Saying “Yes” to Jesus (America’s Got Talent Winner Dustin Tavella)

    In this spontaneous conversation from the Bless God Summit, Brook sits down with magician Dustin Tavella — best known for winning America’s Got Talent — to hear the powerful and inspiring story behind his life, faith, and calling. Dustin shares about his difficult childhood, marked by addiction and instability in his home, and the couple who stepped in to love and invest in him consistently. Through their presence, he encountered a God who cares personally and pursues the heart, not just circumstances. That experience sparked a transformation in his entire family, leading to restored relationships and a new direction. Throughout the conversation, Dustin reflects on how God uses the things we love to serve others, from launching a homeless ministry that grew into the D PLUS Project, to discovering magic as a way to connect with people and share hope. He opens up about seasons of financial struggle, anxiety, miscarriage, and the journey of adopting their son, all while learning to trust God’s redirection in moments that didn’t go as planned. From early rejection on America’s Got Talent to ultimately winning, Dustin emphasizes that true success wasn’t the platform; it was the daily choice to say “yes” to Jesus. His story is a reminder that following God isn’t complicated: it’s about loving people well, embracing the unseen moments, and trusting that even the detours are part of a greater story. The episode closes with Dustin performing a mind-blowing magic trick, highlighting the beauty of play, joy, and meaningful connection. Scripture Mentioned: Matthew 13:1-23, 1 Corinthians 10:23 + John 2:1-11 Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from. Sowing a Hidden Seed Intentional Motherhood Retreat: April 23-25, 2026 in Franklin, TN Join Our Legacy Builders Watch on YouTube Follow Us on Instagram:  @intentional_parents  @brookmosser @emosser FREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDF FREE Text Message Daily Devotional Raising Passionate Jesus Followers The Intentional Film Series

    1h 32m
  6. Was Parenting Always This Hard… Or Are We Just Failing?

    MAR 18

    Was Parenting Always This Hard… Or Are We Just Failing?

    Is parenting harder than it used to be? In many ways, yes. Today’s parents are navigating a faster, louder, more complex world than generations before us — marked by decision fatigue, rising costs, less community support, and the constant mental load of trying to care for both our kids’ emotional needs and our own. Add in technology, shifting family dynamics, and the pressure of “intentional parenting,” and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But these challenges aren’t excuses; they’re the context we’re parenting in. And the good news is that God meets us right here, not in our perfection but in our limits. His strength shows up most clearly in our weakness. Parenting isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about humility, repair, and learning to depend on Him. In our moments of distress, we’re invited to release the burdens and anxieties we were never meant to carry alone. We also talk about practical steps: starting small instead of waiting for a full “village,” and learning to regularly release fear. Thankfully, we’re not doing this alone — God is with us, strengthening and sustaining us in the middle of it all. Parenting today may be hard, but He has already provided the help we need. Scripture Mentioned: 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, Psalm 55:22, Isaiah 66:2, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 61:2, Isaiah 41:10-13 Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from. Sowing a Hidden Seed Intentional Motherhood Retreat: April 23-25, 2026 in Franklin, TN Join Our Legacy Builders Watch on YouTube Follow Us on Instagram:  @intentional_parents  @brookmosser @emosser FREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDF FREE Text Message Daily Devotional Raising Passionate Jesus Followers The Intentional Film Series

    1h 11m
  7. Sex in Marriage: Communication, Connection + Healing Past Wounds Around Intimacy

    MAR 11

    Sex in Marriage: Communication, Connection + Healing Past Wounds Around Intimacy

    In this episode, Brook and Elizabeth sit down for an honest conversation about sex, intimacy, and connection in marriage. We begin with a few updates — including reflections from the Fatherhood Retreat, the upcoming Intentional Motherhood Retreat, and an update on Elizabeth’s back surgery — before diving into the topic. Just as the gospel reminds us that we are fully known and fully loved, marriage invites that same kind of vulnerability. Yet many couples carry shame from past experiences, including sexual abuse, pornography, cultural messages, or purity culture wounds, and those things often affect intimacy in marriage. We also discuss some of the common differences between men and women. Many men tend to feel emotionally connected after physical intimacy, while many women need emotional connection in order to feel open to physical intimacy. For many moms especially, exhaustion and constant demands can make intimacy feel like one more need to meet. Often, simple shifts in communication and care can make a significant difference. Throughout the conversation, we emphasize that intimacy is not just about physical consumption or emotional communication alone — it’s about a deeper connection where emotional, spiritual, and physical intimacy work together. That requires honest conversations, clear expectations, and a willingness to serve one another rather than compare our marriage to outside expectations. We close with a few practical invitations for couples this week: have one calm conversation about sex, initiate non-sexual affection, and spend time praying together. Husbands might also ask their wives a simple question: “What helps you feel safe with me?” If this conversation was helpful and you’d like to hear a part two on this topic, email us at hello@intentionalparents.org. Scripture Mentioned: Genesis 2:25, 1 Corinthians 7:4 + Ephesians 5:22-33 Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from. Sowing a Hidden Seed Intentional Motherhood Retreat: April 23-25, 2026 in Franklin, TN Join Our Legacy Builders Watch on YouTube Follow Us on Instagram:  @intentional_parents  @brookmosser @emosser FREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDF FREE Text Message Daily Devotional Raising Passionate Jesus Followers The Intentional Film Series

    1 hr
  8. Anger Q+R: Transformation Through Prayer Over Time, Choosing Compassion with Your Spouse + Healing Within Your Family of Origin

    FEB 25

    Anger Q+R: Transformation Through Prayer Over Time, Choosing Compassion with Your Spouse + Healing Within Your Family of Origin

    In this follow-up episode on anger, the four of us sit down to respond to your honest, relatable questions — especially where anger shows up in parenting, marriage, and our own personal healing. We start with a common parenting struggle: when it feels like kids only listen after we get angry. We talk about identifying what’s underneath that reaction, learning to respond calmly, and following through with consistency. Sometimes that means creating space, by either separating kids in conflict or stepping away yourself, so you can respond with clarity and calmness instead of raw emotion. We also address the discouragement of slow growth. When it feels like “one step forward, ten steps back,” it’s easy to lose heart, even in prayer. But real transformation takes time. Prayer is never wasted; it’s like small, faithful deposits that eventually lead to lasting change. We also explore how anger directed at us can leave deeper wounds, and what it looks like to begin healing by finding safety in God, telling the truth about our story, and grieving what was lost. In marriage, we talk about the challenge of responding to a spouse’s anger without taking it on ourselves. We can’t control one another, but we can choose compassion, wisdom, and healthy boundaries. And for those navigating anger in young children, we highlight how normal those big emotions are developmentally, and how creating structure, paying attention to triggers, and patiently training over time can make a meaningful difference. Finally, we touch on engaging with anger from our families of origin. Healing doesn’t require cutting people off, but it does require forgiveness and bringing our pain to Jesus, who understands and cares deeply for us. Scripture Mentioned: Proverbs 4:7, Galatians 6:1-6, Hebrews 3:12, James 1:20, 1 Peter 3:1-2, Matthew 6:9-15, Isaiah 53:3 + 1 Peter 5:7 Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from. Sowing a Hidden Seed Intentional Motherhood Retreat: April 23-25, 2026 in Franklin, TN Join Our Legacy Builders Watch on YouTube Follow Us on Instagram:  @intentional_parents  @brookmosser @emosser FREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDF FREE Text Message Daily Devotional Raising Passionate Jesus Followers The Intentional Film Series

    47 min
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About

In a world where distractions are endless and culture constantly pulls us in different directions, it’s more important than ever to remain intentional in your marriage and parenting. Brook and Elizabeth Mosser, alongside Phil and Diane Comer, invite you into a conversation about biblical formation — offering wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools for raising passionate Jesus followers. As an intergenerational team that is also family, we bridge the perspectives of different life stages, drawing from both decades-long experience and fresh insight on the topics of parenting and marriage. From vulnerable Q+R sessions to insightful guest interviews, we explore real-life stories of both steady formation and radical transformation — unpacking how God is shaping our lives and the lives of those around us. Join us each week as we pursue God’s design for life, marriage, and parenting — with intention.

Information

  • Creator
    Intentional
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    261
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019 Intentional Parents International LLC.
  • Show Website
    The Intentional Parents Podcast

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