Growing Hearts Podcast

Pared Foundation
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Monthly

Welcome to the Growing Hearts Podcast, the place where we ignite discussions that help nurture your family's Catholic faith adventure. Join us as we delve into meaningful conversations designed to help you, as parents, explore ways to grow a vibrant and enduring faith in your home. Learn more at https://pared.edu.au/podcasts/

  1. Jun 22

    33. Part 2: What Helps Young People Navigate Life's Changes?

    The university years bring new freedoms, new friendships, and often new challenges to living the faith. In this episode, Denis Setiyo shares practical insights on navigating faith during this important stage of life, from dealing with peer pressure and setbacks to building a personal relationship with God. Together, we explore how parents can continue to support their children through these transitions with prayer, example, and trust. Discussion Points Common faith challenges faced by university students Why faith grows through both understanding and practice Navigating peer pressure, independence, and personal responsibility How parents can support young adults without trying to control them The power of prayer and example in family life Helping young people find their way back when they feel they've drifted from their faith The role of spiritual direction, confession, and trusted mentors Why vulnerability is often the first step towards growth Sharing faith authentically in a university environment Join the Conversation What has helped your child stay connected to their faith during times of transition? You can:   Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast   Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website   Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday   Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

    23 min

  2. May 20

    32. Part 1: What Helps Young People Navigate Life's Changes?

    What happens when children begin to spread their wings — moving from primary school to high school, into university, and eventually the workforce? How can parents support growing independence while helping young people stay grounded in their faith?  In this episode of Growing Hearts, we speak with Denis Setiyo — healthcare professional, mentor, and old boy of Redfield College — about navigating life's major transitions and the role parents play in helping young people grow through seasons of change. Together we unpack some challenges young people face during these transitions, including growing responsibility, time management, freedom, and character growth.  Denis shares practical habits that have helped him — fitness, faith, and family — and reflects on what can provide stability during seasons of growth and uncertainty. This episode offers practical wisdom for supporting young people as they navigate new stages of life, grow in responsibility, and take meaningful steps into adulthood with purpose and confidence.  Key Topics Discussed:  Parents' role in supporting independence through life transitions The importance of trust and healthy dialogue Letting children grow through responsibility Living faith through changing seasons Navigating the transition to university life Join the Conversation  Growing up involves increasing independence, responsibility, and confidence, while still feeling supported and connected at home. This episode invites us to reflect on how we can accompany young people through these transitions and help them build resilience, character, and faith in everyday life. You can:   Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast   Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website   Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday   Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

    25 min

  3. Apr 6

    [Rebroadcast] Fr. Paul & Fr Phil: What Do You Hope For?

    In this episode of Growing Hearts, Fr. Paul and Fr. Phil explore the deep connection between a child's relationship with their parents and their understanding of God. They discuss the weight of expectations—how children internalise them, how they shape their sense of self-worth, and how parents can navigate them in a healthy way.  At the heart of the conversation is the theme of hope, inspired by last year's Jubilee message: A Hope That Does Not Disappoint. The discussion dives into false hopes, the dangers of misplaced expectations, and the true foundation of hope—God's grace.    You can:   Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast   Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website   Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday   Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

    24 min

  4. Mar 24

    31. How Do We Make Peace With Our Limits?

    What if our limitations weren't something to fight—but something to receive? In this episode, we are joined by psychologist and mother of five, Katherine McFarlane, to explore the reality of coming up against our limits in life and in parenting. Together, we unpack how these moments—of impatience, exhaustion, and vulnerability—can become opportunities for growth, deeper relationships, and greater reliance on God. With practical wisdom and honest insights, this conversation invites parents to see their limitations not as failures, but as part of the path to love. Key Topics Discussed: Reframing limitations as "skills not yet learned" The connection between our weaknesses and our gifts Why asking for help is essential in family life The role of faith and stillness (Martha & Mary) in daily parenting Recognising physical and emotional limits Supporting each other as spouses and modelling this for children Letting go of perfection and embracing the mess of family life Join the Conversation  You can:   Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast   Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website   Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday   Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

    35 min

  5. Feb 23

    30. How Can We Grow a Culture of Honesty at Home?

    In this episode, we explore the transformative power of truth, honesty, and authenticity in family life and personal growth. Our guest, Sr Mariam, a Dominican Sister of Saint Cecilia and alumni at Tangara School for Girls in Sydney, shares her personal vocation story and her insights into how truth — lived with love — brings freedom, healing, and deeper relationships.  The conversation reflects on the role of honesty in the home, the importance of authentic relationships between parents and children, and how living in truth shapes character and fosters holiness in everyday life. Sr Mariam explains how even difficult truths, when communicated with love, can become opportunities for growth and trust.  Drawing from her experience in education and spiritual formation, she highlights the family as a privileged place where children learn sincerity, integrity, and self-gift. The discussion encourages parents to model authenticity, create spaces of trust, and guide children toward a deeper understanding of who they are and who they are called to be.    Key Topics Discussed:  1. The freedom of living in truth – paths towards healing relationships and a real grow in authenticity and holiness.   2. Honesty in family life – the primary place where children learn sincerity, trust, and how to relate to others with authenticity.  3. Forming character through virtue - living truthfully helps shape character, strengthen relationships, and develop personal integrity.  4. Authenticity in relationships - genuine encounters — marked by openness and trust — create the conditions for growth and deeper connection.      Join the Conversation  Living in truth can sometimes feel challenging, yet it opens the door to freedom, trust, and deeper relationships. This episode invites us to reflect on how honesty shapes our family culture and how authenticity helps children grow in confidence and character.  How do you create an environment of openness and trust at home?   What does living authentically look like in your family life?   In what ways do you model sincerity and integrity for your children?  How can we communicate difficult truths with love?  We'd love to hear your insights and experiences. Join the conversation and share how your family nurtures honesty, trust, and authentic relationships.    You can:   Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast   Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website   Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday   Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

    33 min

  6. 12/01/2025

    [Rebroadcast] How Can We Find Peace and Joy in the Hustle of Christmas?

    In this episode of Growing Hearts, Claire and John Wall join us to share their experiences, favorite traditions, and insights on keeping Christ at the center of Christmas while managing the busyness of family life with young children. They offer practical tips for blending Catholic traditions with family celebrations, emphasizing ways to encourage generosity, kindness, and a spirit of gratitude throughout the holiday season.  We'd love to hear your Christmas traditions! How do you keep your celebrations Christ-centered? Do you have unique ways of helping your family focus on the true meaning of the season? Share with us on social media with #GrowingHeartsPodcast or send us a message!  Recommended book: God has Made a Bethlehem   You can:   Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast   Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website   Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday   Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

    29 min

  7. 11/12/2025

    29. Are We Teaching Our Children to Be Grateful?

    In this episode of the Growing Hearts Podcast, host Lucia sits down with Margeaux Valdez, Religion Teacher and Mentor at Tangara School for Girls, to reflect on the powerful lessons from a recent service project in Cebu, Philippines.  Mags shares how travelling with 14 Year 11 girls to help local schools and communities opened their eyes to the deeper meaning of joy, gratitude, and service. From teaching hygiene lessons in mountain schools to painting murals and visiting orphanages, the trip offered moments of reflection and transformation — both for the students and their teacher.  Together, Lucia and Mags explore how authentic joy comes from relationships, community, and faith rather than material possessions, and how parents can help their children develop a generous heart and a spirit of gratitude in everyday life.    Key Topics Discussed:  1. The Power of Service in Education: How hands-on service projects help students grow in empathy, perspective, and gratitude.  2. Lessons in Joy and Gratitude: Discovering joy among people who have little, and learning how gratitude transforms our mindset.  3. Faith as the Source of True Happiness: Reflections on how faith and trust in God provide strength and joy, even in hardship.  4. Rethinking Success and Possessions: Why comfort and material comfort don't necessarily lead to happiness — and how parents can model detachment and simplicity.  5. Building Gratitude at Home: Practical ways to cultivate daily gratitude and resilience in children, through conversations, reflection, and simple habits.  6. Teaching the Value of Work and Sacrifice: Encouraging children to appreciate effort and responsibility, and to understand that blessings are meant to be shared.  7. The Gift of Being Present: How disconnecting from screens during the trip reminded students of the beauty of human connection.    Join the Conversation  We'd love to hear from you! How do you help your children develop gratitude and empathy?  What small acts of service have made a difference in your family life?  Do you think your children understand where true happiness comes from?    You can:   Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast   Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website   Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday   Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

    31 min

  8. 10/13/2025

    28. How Can We Support Kids in Owning Their Faith?

    In this episode of Growing Hearts, we are joined by Lourdes Mejia, Principal of Montgrove College, to explore how parents can accompany their children through the joys and challenges of growing up — while making their faith truly their own.  Drawing on more than a decade of experience, Lourdes shares wisdom on fostering authentic relationships with God, balancing freedom with family prayer, and helping children gradually take ownership of their faith. This conversation highlights how faith is first nurtured at home and how schools and parents can work hand in hand to create opportunities for young people to encounter Christ in a personal and lasting way.    Key Topics Discussed:  Faith begins at home – why the family environment is the first school of love and the foundation of a child's relationship with God. Freedom and ownership – helping children grow in faith without it feeling imposed, and encouraging them to discover personal meaning in prayer and practice. Connecting faith and family life – breaking down the divide between "religious practices" and daily family relationships, so that loving God feels natural. Navigating the teenage years – how to embrace questions, challenges, and moments of doubt as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. The role of listening – why attentive listening and guiding with gentle suggestions helps children discover their own path to God. Hope for the future – Lourdes' vision that students grow into happy, hopeful people who know how to love, serve, and face life's challenges with courage.    Join the Conversation  Faith is a journey we walk together as families. It grows not just through routines, but through the everyday love, conversations, and examples children experience at home. It's something children learn to make their own, step by step. Lourdes reminds us that when parents live their faith with joy and openness, they give their children the strongest foundation to build their own relationship with God.    As you reflect on this episode, consider:  How can I make prayer and faith practices in my home more meaningful and personal for my children?  In what ways can I encourage freedom and ownership in my child's relationship with God?  How can I create intentional moments of connection — whether over a meal, during a car ride, or on a simple walk — to really listen to my child?  Do I trust that God is guiding my child's heart, even when I can't see the results right away?    We'd love to hear your thoughts! How do you accompany your children in their faith journey? Share your experiences and continue the conversation with us.    You can:   Follow us on Instagram @growingheartspodcast   Find out more about the Pared Foundation: visit our website   Discover our schools by visiting: pared.edu.au/openday   Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so you don't miss out on any of our future episodes

    30 min
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About

Welcome to the Growing Hearts Podcast, the place where we ignite discussions that help nurture your family's Catholic faith adventure. Join us as we delve into meaningful conversations designed to help you, as parents, explore ways to grow a vibrant and enduring faith in your home. Learn more at https://pared.edu.au/podcasts/

Information

  • Creator
    Pared Foundation
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Growing Hearts Podcast

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