What if one of the most important windows in your relationship with your child is shorter than you think? In Episode 45 of The Refinery Podcast, Rick Burris sits down with speaker, author, strength athlete, father, and grandfather Russell Jones for a powerful conversation about why the years between roughly 10 and 13 deserve a parent's attention and intentionality. Russell’s mission grew out of profound personal loss. After a 1987 car accident took the life of his 11-month-old son and severely injured his wife, he began rethinking what it truly meant to be a father. Years later, another unexpected experience—breaking 18 inches of concrete in front of an audience—became both a literal and spiritual breakthrough and eventually inspired what Russell calls the “Wall of Negative.” Russell and Rick talk about fear and faith, grief, resilience, affirmations, self-discipline, physical health, purpose, parenting, and the invisible walls built from doubt, guilt, discouragement, excuses, comparison, and negative self-talk. They also explore Russell’s belief that parents must do more than provide and protect. We have an opportunity to equip our children for the challenges that will eventually come. Russell shares the thinking behind his 60-day Top Secrets of Success 4 Kids & Parents program, designed for parents and their middle-school-aged children to experience together through short lessons, conversations, written exercises, affirmations, goal-setting, and principles for building healthy minds, bodies, habits, and relationships. And perhaps Russell’s most important message to parents is simple: cherish the time, be intentional, stay the course, and don’t quit. Russell’s ResourcesTop Secrets of Success 4 Kids & Parents — 60-Day ProgramLearn about the program FREE — I Did the Best I Could! AudiobookGet Russell’s free parenting audiobook Books — including Sick & Tired of Being Sick & TiredSee Russell’s books Book Russell for a Speaking EventSpeaking programs and booking information Health & Fitness / Intelligent StrengthLearn more about Russell’s fitness work
