They Come With Instructions

René Anderson
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Parenting

They Come With Instructions is a powerful and insightful podcast inspired by the book of the same name, They Come With Instructions: Biblical Principles for Raising Children. Hosted by author and speaker René Anderson, this podcast challenges the notion that children don't come with instructions-because they do. Rooted in biblical wisdom, each episode provides practical parenting tips, guidance, and encouragement for raising children in today's ever-changing world.  But this podcast goes beyond parenting. René dives into real life challenges-finances, relationships, marriage, and personal growth-offering faith-based principles to navigate life's complexities. With transparency, authenticity, and heartfelt storytelling, she shares personal experiences and hard-earned wisdom to inspire and uplift.  Whether you're a parent seeking direction, an individual looking for encouragement, or someone striving to live a purpose-driven life, They Come With Instructions is here to equip you with the tools and faith you need.  Tune in and be empowered. 

  1. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    ONBOARDING: It's Not Just HR's Responsibility

    Send us Fan Mail Who is responsible for ensuring that a new employee has a successful start? If your answer is Human Resources, it's time to broaden that perspective! Effective onboarding extends far beyond the initial orientation conducted by HR. Supervisors and managers play a critical role in helping employees understand workplace expectations, establish meaningful connections, and successfully integrate into their teams. In this episode of *They Come With Instructions: The Professional Series*, René Anderson draws on more than 25 years of public-sector experience to discuss why onboarding is a shared responsibility and how intentional leadership from day one can influence employee engagement, accountability, and long-term success. And here's an important reminder: An employee doesn't have to be new to your organization to need onboarding. A transfer, promotion, or new assignment presents another opportunity for supervisors to establish expectations and position employees for success. Whether you're a new supervisor, an experienced manager, or an executive responsible for organizational effectiveness, this conversation offers valuable insight into building stronger teams and healthier workplaces. Join the conversation! Share your experiences and perspectives in the comments. If you find this discussion valuable, please like, subscribe, and share it with others in your professional network. For professional development, leadership training, or speaking opportunities, connect with René Anderson. *They Come With Instructions: The Professional Series — Practical insights. Intentional leadership. Healthier workplaces.* Thank you for listening. Let's connect... Contact: TCWI@ReneAndersonWritings.com  YouTube: @René Anderson (TCWI) UCUEuuiiEtqWxB3tVejt_SsQ Website: https://www.ReneAndersonWritings.com (Here you can purchase copies of my books. Thank you) Instagram: Rene.R.Anderson TikTok: @ReneRobinsonAnder

    ONBOARDING: It's Not Just HR's Responsibility

  2. 6d ago

    When You're Not the Favorite Child w/ Goo Goo Atkins (Family and Parenting)

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the people who are supposed to love, nurture, and protect you fall short? And you realize you are not treated the same as your siblings. In this compelling episode of They Come With Instructions, host René Anderson welcomes the dynamic, outspoken, and wonderfully authentic Goo Goo Atkins for a candid conversation about family, faith, forgiveness, and finding healing. Growing up in a large, well-known, faith-filled family came with plenty of love, laughter, unforgettable church experiences, and some painful realities. Goo Goo opens up about her complicated relationship with her father and the emotional challenges of growing up knowing she wasn't his favorite. But this conversation is about so much more than childhood experiences. From hilarious memories of growing up in church to meaningful reflections on family relationships, spiritual maturity, and the power of God's Word, René and Goo Goo explore what it means to remain connected to God even when the people around us fall short. If you've ever felt overlooked, singled out, rejected, or misunderstood within your family, this conversation is especially for you. And if you've struggled to reconcile your faith with the imperfections of people in the church, there's something here for you, too. Goo Goo's testimony offers a powerful reminder that our beginnings do not have to determine our endings, and the wounds we experience do not have to define who we become. Join us for an engaging conversation filled with laughter, transparency, wisdom, and encouragement. You may discover that something Goo Goo shares speaks directly to a place in your own life that still needs healing. Watch, listen, and share this episode with someone who needs to be reminded that healing is possible. Because sometimes the instructions we need are found in the stories we're willing to share. Subscribe to They Come With Instructions for more meaningful conversations about faith, family, personal growth, and the lessons that shape our lives. #TheyComeWithInstructions #GooGooAtkins #FamilyHealing #FaithAndForgiveness #FamilyRelationships #ChristianPodcast Thank you for listening. Let's connect... Contact: TCWI@ReneAndersonWritings.com  YouTube: @René Anderson (TCWI) UCUEuuiiEtqWxB3tVejt_SsQ Website: https://www.ReneAndersonWritings.com (Here you can purchase copies of my books. Thank you) Instagram: Rene.R.Anderson TikTok: @ReneRobinsonAnder

  3. Sep 22

    Something New... Professional Series Introduction

    Send us Fan Mail The Professional Series expands They Come With Instructions beyond parenting and family support into workplace leadership. Supervisors, managers, HR professionals, and emerging leaders will find practical guidance on performance management, employee engagement, documentation, communication, accountability, and creating healthy, productive work environments. While René has shared glimpses of her experience as an HR director through the parenting and family platform, this series showcases her professional expertise with greater depth and practical application. Listeners are encouraged to listen closely, take the wisdom to heart, and apply these valuable tools to become more confident, effective, and accountable leaders. Thank you for listening. Let's connect... Contact: TCWI@ReneAndersonWritings.com  YouTube: @René Anderson (TCWI) UCUEuuiiEtqWxB3tVejt_SsQ Website: https://www.ReneAndersonWritings.com (Here you can purchase copies of my books. Thank you) Instagram: Rene.R.Anderson TikTok: @ReneRobinsonAnder

    Something New... Professional Series Introduction

  4. Aug 27

    Graced for This; A single mom with Special Needs Child. Featuring Ashley Berkley

    Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode of They Come With Instructions, I sit down with Ashley Berkley for an honest conversation about single motherhood, raising a child with autism, advocacy, and finding strength in circumstances you never expected. I've known Ashley for years and have had the privilege of watching her grow as a young woman and as the mother of her beautiful daughter, Annalise. Long before Annalise was diagnosed with autism, I witnessed Ashley navigating some of the challenges of raising a young child while learning, like all of us do, how to become the parent her child needed. Today, I see a mother who is intentional, informed, incredibly mature, and deeply committed to giving both herself and her daughter every opportunity to succeed. In our conversation, Ashley candidly shares her story, and, most importantly, the role her relationship with Christ has played in giving her the strength and peace to navigate this journey. But something unexpected happened during our conversation. Ashley's willingness to be vulnerable invited me to become vulnerable too. I found myself sharing a part of my own life that I had never publicly shared before: becoming pregnant as a teenager and ultimately losing that pregnancy. It reminded me why conversations like these matter. We don't tell our stories simply for the sake of telling them. We don't expose every private experience or painful chapter of our lives because everyone is entitled to know it. But there are times when sharing what God has brought us through can become a source of strength for someone who is still trying to make it through. Revelation 12:11 reminds us that “they overcame him (the accuser of the brethren) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” There is power in testimony. There is strength in being able to look back at what you've experienced and recognize that it did not destroy you, disqualify you, or determine the rest of your story. Whether you are raising a child with special needs, navigating single motherhood, adjusting to a diagnosis you never anticipated, carrying shame from an earlier season of your life, or simply trying to become the parent God has called you to be, I believe there is something in this conversation for you. I am incredibly proud of Ashley, grateful that our paths crossed, and excited to see her continue using her voice to educate, advocate, and encourage this generation. Come join us for a beautiful conversation and witness the strength we find when we are no longer ashamed of our stories. 🎙️ They Come With Instructions Thank you for listening. Let's connect... Contact: TCWI@ReneAndersonWritings.com  YouTube: @René Anderson (TCWI) UCUEuuiiEtqWxB3tVejt_SsQ Website: https://www.ReneAndersonWritings.com (Here you can purchase copies of my books. Thank you) Instagram: Rene.R.Anderson TikTok: @ReneRobinsonAnder

  5. Jul 11

    For Leilani: A Single Father's Heart w/ Ricky Brown

    Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt episode, René sits down with Ricky Brown — a young father navigating life, love, and loss while raising his daughter, Leilani. What began as a simple desire to share his voice unfolds into an honest and tender conversation about fatherhood, responsibility, and the deep love he carries for his little girl. Ricky opens up about what he wants most for Leilani — happiness, security, and the unwavering knowledge that she is loved. He also shares the powerful truth he will one day pass on to her about her mother — that she fought to stay, and that her love never left. While every step of his journey is still unfolding, one thing is clear: Leilani has her father’s heart. In this conversation, you’ll hear a young man willing to listen, to grow, and to seek more — from pursuing faith and community to considering the importance of guidance and support along the way. This episode is a reminder that parenting doesn’t come with perfection — but it does come with intention, love, and the opportunity to grow into the role. Because sometimes, the journey of becoming the parent your child needs… happens in real time. Thank you for listening. Let's connect... Contact: TCWI@ReneAndersonWritings.com  YouTube: @René Anderson (TCWI) UCUEuuiiEtqWxB3tVejt_SsQ Website: https://www.ReneAndersonWritings.com (Here you can purchase copies of my books. Thank you) Instagram: Rene.R.Anderson TikTok: @ReneRobinsonAnder

  6. Jun 7

    Parentified: Carrying Secrets, Raising Siblings, and Finding Healing

    Send us Fan Mail Some children lose pieces of childhood long before anyone realizes it. In this powerful episode of They Come With Instructions, I sit down with Jasmine Cox for one of the most remarkable interviews we’ve had to date. Jasmine shares her journey of growing up in the shadow of addiction, carrying responsibilities far beyond her years, protecting family secrets, and stepping into a role no child should have to carry. As the oldest daughter, she became more than a sister — she became a caretaker. But this episode is not just about pain. It is about resilience. It is about forgiveness. It is about learning to release the guilt carried by a little girl who believed far too much rested on her shoulders. Together we talk about parentification, recovery, faith, emotional healing, family dynamics, and the courageous work of making peace with the child version of ourselves. Jasmine’s story is honest, brave, and deeply moving. And yet, what makes Jasmine’s story so remarkable is not only what she endured — it is who she became.  Behind the calm, poised, and beautifully refined woman is humor, warmth, strength, faith, and a quiet resilience that points back to God. This episode also speaks to the power of church community, spiritual family, and the relationships formed among the saints. Jasmine shares how faith, connection, and the presence of God became part of her healing journey — reminding us that restoration often happens in community. If you have ever been the strong one… the responsible one… the oldest child who grew up too fast, this conversation is for you. And if you have ever wondered whether God can restore what life tried to take… This story is proof that He still heals. 🎙️ Listen. Share. Be encouraged. Because sometimes the child carrying everyone else… still needs someone to carry them. #TheyComeWithInstructions #JasmineCox #Remarkable #Parentification #HealingJourney #FaithAndFamily #ChurchCommunity #EmotionalHealing #OldestDaughter #BreakingGenerationalCycles #ChristianPodcast #Resilience #HealingAndHope They Come With Instructions (Book) - https://www.ReneAndersonWritings.com Follow Host -      Facebook: Rene' Robinson Anderson      Instagram: rene.r.anderson      TikTok: @renerobinsonander Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/they-come-with-instructions/id1803252254 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ #parenting #faith #family #coaching Thank you for listening. Let's connect... Contact: TCWI@ReneAndersonWritings.com  YouTube: @René Anderson (TCWI) UCUEuuiiEtqWxB3tVejt_SsQ Website: https://www.ReneAndersonWritings.com (Here you can purchase copies of my books. Thank you) Instagram: Rene.R.Anderson TikTok: @ReneRobinsonAnder

  7. Mar 9

    Difficult Conversations that Heal Families w/ Duke Anderson

    Send us Fan Mail Season 2 of They Come With Instructions kicks off with a lively and heartfelt conversation between René Anderson and her oldest son, Duke. Known for his energy, humor, and honesty, Duke joins the podcast for a conversation full of laughter, reflection, and meaningful dialogue about family relationships and personal growth. Together they explore sensitive but important topics—including father-son dynamics, expectations within families, and the courage it takes to have difficult conversations with the people we love most. This episode reminds us that while hard conversations may feel uncomfortable, the healing, understanding, and love that follow are often worth the effort. René reflects on the blessing of watching her son grow into a thoughtful young man, while Duke shares his perspective on life, identity, and becoming the man he is meant to be. Season 2 begins with laughter, wisdom, and a powerful reminder that healthy family relationships are built through patience, honesty, and grace. Thank you for listening. Let's connect... Contact: TCWI@ReneAndersonWritings.com  YouTube: @René Anderson (TCWI) UCUEuuiiEtqWxB3tVejt_SsQ Website: https://www.ReneAndersonWritings.com (Here you can purchase copies of my books. Thank you) Instagram: Rene.R.Anderson TikTok: @ReneRobinsonAnder

  8. 12/10/2025

    Grief, Grace, and Guardianship w/ Tanya Franklin

    Send us Fan Mail In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and colleague Tonya Franklin—a woman whose strength has carried her through one of the most unexpected seasons of her life. When tragedy struck her family earlier this year, Tanya found herself navigating grief, new responsibility, and a role she never imagined stepping into. In this heartfelt conversation, Tanya shares how she’s supporting little Leilani, managing her own emotions, and learning to balance honesty, compassion, and resilience day by day. Her story is tender, raw, and full of the quiet strength that so many women carry without applause. Join us for a powerful close to Season 1 as we talk about love, loss, unexpected assignments, and the grace to keep going even when life takes a turn you never planned for. Thank you for listening. Let's connect... Contact: TCWI@ReneAndersonWritings.com  YouTube: @René Anderson (TCWI) UCUEuuiiEtqWxB3tVejt_SsQ Website: https://www.ReneAndersonWritings.com (Here you can purchase copies of my books. Thank you) Instagram: Rene.R.Anderson TikTok: @ReneRobinsonAnder

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

They Come With Instructions is a powerful and insightful podcast inspired by the book of the same name, They Come With Instructions: Biblical Principles for Raising Children. Hosted by author and speaker René Anderson, this podcast challenges the notion that children don't come with instructions-because they do. Rooted in biblical wisdom, each episode provides practical parenting tips, guidance, and encouragement for raising children in today's ever-changing world.  But this podcast goes beyond parenting. René dives into real life challenges-finances, relationships, marriage, and personal growth-offering faith-based principles to navigate life's complexities. With transparency, authenticity, and heartfelt storytelling, she shares personal experiences and hard-earned wisdom to inspire and uplift.  Whether you're a parent seeking direction, an individual looking for encouragement, or someone striving to live a purpose-driven life, They Come With Instructions is here to equip you with the tools and faith you need.  Tune in and be empowered. 

Information

  • Creator
    René Anderson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 They Come With Instructions
  • Show Website
    They Come With Instructions