It Takes a Family

Eagle Ranch
  • 5.0 (9)
  • PARENTING

Every family has challenges, but sometimes it feels like you're navigating more than your share. How do you find a path to healing and hope? Welcome to It Takes a Family, the podcast that helps parents move from desperation to hope by providing practical guidance and real-world insights. Each week, hosts Andy and Kelly, alongside experts and fellow parents, share stories and lessons from the trenches of difficult family seasons. This season, they’ll break down Eagle Ranch’s proven approach to whole-family healing, from setting healthy boundaries to understanding your child's unique story. This podcast isn't for those who have it all figured out, but for those who need a renewed sense of hope and a reminder that you aren’t alone. Subscribe and follow along as we dive in to bring your family more connection and support.

  1. Creating Tech-Free Spaces (Part 2): Building Rhythms That Last

    6D AGO

    Creating Tech-Free Spaces (Part 2): Building Rhythms That Last

    What does it actually look like to build a tech-wise home in real life? In Part 2 of our conversation on Smart Tech Use, Andy and Kelly sit down with Rachel Medefind, Director of the Institute for Family-Centered Healing & Health at the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Rachel holds a Master of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health from King’s College London, with a focus on children who have experienced early adversity, and is the author of When There Is Crisis. She is also a bio mom, foster mom, and adoptive mom raising five children ranging from teens to young adults. Rachel shares how her family built rhythms over time — not overnight — to protect what matters most. From delaying smartphones to creating screen-free mornings and evenings, she offers a hopeful, practical vision rooted in one foundational idea: Technology decisions must flow from your family’s values — not fear. If you’ve ever thought, “We’re too far gone,” this episode will remind you: it’s never too late to reset. Episode Highlights [08:00] Why parents feel overwhelmed — and how fear can paralyze leadership [11:30] Starting with your family’s “big rocks” before setting tech rules [15:30] Why parents’ device habits must change first [17:45] Delaying smartphones and matching tools to actual needs [19:30] Having teens write and sign their own phone agreements [20:00] Screen-free mornings: prayer, chores, movement before devices [22:30] No devices in bedrooms and protecting sleep [24:30] Baby steps vs. drastic resets — how to make meaningful change [27:00] Why technology is a spiritual formation issue, not just a behavior issue [34:00] Life beyond screens — from reading aloud to 25 days on the John Muir Trail Resources Mentioned 📖 When There Is Crisis — Rachel Medefind 📖 The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt 📖 You on Purpose — Dr. Stephanie Shackelford 📖 The Common Rule — Justin Whitmel Earley 🌐 Christian Alliance for Orphans https://cafo.org Don’t Miss Out! If this episode encouraged you: Subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming conversationsLeave a review on Apple or SpotifyShare this episode with another parent navigating the digital worldAnd as always, connect with us on Facebook and Instagram — unless you’re on a fast. 😉 You don’t have to navigate modern parenting alone. Let’s move from desperation to hope — together.

    37 min
  2. Creating Tech-Free Spaces (Part 1): What the Research Says About Gen Z and Smartphones

    FEB 19

    Creating Tech-Free Spaces (Part 1): What the Research Says About Gen Z and Smartphones

    Are smartphones really that big of a deal… or is this just another cultural panic? Is the concern over smartphones and Gen Z mental health just more noise — or is something truly different? In this first episode of Season 2 of It Takes a Family, Andy and Kelly sit down with researcher and author Dr. Stephanie Shackelford to examine what the data actually says about technology and the rising mental health crisis among Gen Z. This season is built on groundbreaking research conducted with the Barna Group, exploring why anxiety, depression, and loneliness have increased so dramatically among today’s teens and young adults. Dr. Shackelford shares hopeful, research-backed starting points for parents who feel overwhelmed — including two simple boundaries that can make a measurable difference: • No screens at family meals • No devices in bedrooms overnight If you’ve ever thought, “The ship has sailed,” this episode will remind you: it’s never too late to reset rhythms in your home. This conversation kicks off our first Season 2 theme: Smart Tech Use — helping families create intentional tech-free spaces that foster connection, identity, and resilience. Episode Highlights [05:00] The mental health spike that correlates with smartphone adoption [08:00] “Technology is designed to foster obsession.” [10:00] Two research-backed starting points: no screens at meals, no screens in bedrooms [13:00] Why even a phone on the table reduces relational attunement [16:00] The powerful impact of removing phones from the bedroom — for parents too [17:50] Time vs. type of screen use: why communal viewing differs from scrolling [19:00] Is this just another cultural panic? [21:00] Walking as wise in a digital age [23:00] Why it’s never too late to reset boundaries [27:00] The church as a sacred, screen-free refuge [29:00] Teens actually want help being on their phones less Resources Mentioned 📊 Gen Z Mental Health & Well-Being Report (Barna Group)Download the free report here:https://www.barna.com/mental-health/📖 The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt📖 You on Purpose by Dr. Stephanie Shackelford📖 The Common Rule by Justin Whitmel Earley Don’t Miss Out! If this episode encouraged you, challenged you, or gave you a starting point: Subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2Leave a review on Apple or Spotify (it helps other parents find hope)Share this episode with another parent navigating the digital worldAnd as always, connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. We’d love to hear how you’re implementing tech-free rhythms in your own family. You don’t have to navigate modern parenting alone. Let’s move from desperation to hope — together.

    33 min
  3. HOLIDAY BONUS: Balance Hopes & Expectations with Molly Hughes

    11/20/2025 · BONUS

    HOLIDAY BONUS: Balance Hopes & Expectations with Molly Hughes

    The holidays are here, and with them comes an intense mix of joy, stress, and sky-high expectations. Why do the holidays amplify existing family conflicts and tension? And how can parents navigate that pressure without sacrificing their sanity or their peace? Hosts Andy and Kelly bring back Molly Hughes to tackle the tough topic of managing holiday stress. Molly dives into why we feel the intense pressure to create a "picture-perfect" Christmas and offers the crucial distinction between holding onto hopes and managing expectations. Most importantly, she teaches us the Bagel Method—a simple, powerful exercise to help you identify what you can control (your self) and what you cannot (everyone else's behavior and happiness). Episode Highlights [05:20] The holiday "Would You Rather" challenge: Kidz Bop vs. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.[05:50] Why Molly would rather have a full-blown food fight than cold shoulders and awkwardness.[08:00] Why the holidays intensify stress and conflict in families, and the impact of intensified grief.[09:00] Identifying your family's unique pressure points (like overstimulation, political sensitivity, or grief) and planning sensory breaks for them.[12:15] Why parents feel so invested in creating a "picture-perfect" holiday—and the reasons behind that behavior.[14:15] The crucial Bagel Method exercise: drawing the inner circle (what I can control) versus the outer circle (what I cannot control) and how to apply it to holiday dinner.[21:00] Practical, stress-reducing ideas: bringing a football for family outside time and simple gift-giving solutions.[32:00] The final lesson on boundaries: A boundary is about what I will do, not what I will make someone else do.[35:00] Why no one can break your boundary, and how following through builds integrity. Don’t Miss Out! Want more? Subscribe so you're notified of the next release!Join the conversation! Follow It Takes a Family on Facebook and Instagram, and let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about.Help us reach more parents! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to leave us a review to help other families find us.Resources Mentioned Concept: The Bagel Method (attributed to Dr. John Gottman)

    42 min
  4. BONUS EPISODE! Nurture & Structure: The 5 Steps to Choice & Consequence Training

    11/13/2025 · BONUS

    BONUS EPISODE! Nurture & Structure: The 5 Steps to Choice & Consequence Training

    In this highly practical bonus episode, hosts Andy and Kelly bring back John Cunnings (Boys' Program Director) to finish unpacking the five-step process behind the Choice & Consequence model. This is the bedrock of the structured side of the Nurture & Structure approach, designed to replace a parental posture of control with one of loving training. John reviews the initial steps and then dives deep into the most challenging parts: allowing the child's choice and consistently giving the consequence. He also provides indispensable language tools to help parents shift away from controlling phrases and offers encouragement that plodding with consistency—even if you're only "batting .400"—will yield deep, lasting character change in your children. Episode Highlights [01:10] A reminder of the foundational concept: Nurture and Structure work in concert to train children, not control them.[06:00] Reviewing Steps 1-3: Identify your conviction, identify related behaviors, and set up choices and consequences that are simple, reasonable, and enforceable.[07:42] Step 4: Allow the Choice. Why giving your child permission to make the wrong choice is the hardest, yet most necessary, part of training.[08:20] A practical example of the process: addressing yelling with a consequence like "porch time."[11:30] Step 5: Give the Consequence. Why consistent follow-through is the "icing on the cake" that builds security and trust in your relationship.[14:00] How many convictions should you focus on at once? The wisdom of plodding and starting small.[21:10] Critical Language Tools: John provides examples of controlling language (words to avoid) and choosing statements to fill in the blanks.[23:40] Applying the model to different ages: using simple language like "fun vs. not fun" for younger kids and setting clear, time-based boundaries for older kids who crave autonomy. Don’t Miss Out! Want more? Subscribe so you're notified of the next release!Join the conversation! Follow It Takes a Family on Facebook and Instagram, and let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about.Help us reach more parents! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to leave us a review to help other families find us.Resources Mentioned Book: Choosing to Train by Greg Smith and Candice CouchBook: Setting loving limits and boundaries. Boundaries with Kids by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John TownsendBook: Love and logic – Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline M.D. and Ph.D. Charles FayBook: Connecting and Correcting – The Connected Parent by Karyn Purvis PhD and Lisa QuallsRelated Episode: Nurture & Structure Part 1Downloadable: please email us at cbove@eagleranch.org

    34 min
  5. What is Gospel Parenting? He Did It All, We Get It All

    11/06/2025

    What is Gospel Parenting? He Did It All, We Get It All

    This episode brings together the five core elements of whole family healing from Eagle Ranch—Your Story, Family Dynamics, Nurture & Structure, Child's Unique Gifts, and Community—and frames them through the lens of the Gospel. Hosts Andy and Kelly welcome Davon Stack, a seasoned ministry leader from Perimeter Church, to discuss what "Gospel Parenting" truly means. Davon breaks down the powerful, simple truth of the Gospel ("We had it all. We lost it all. He did it all. We get it all.") and shares how relying on that truth can transform a parent's sense of helplessness into hope and reliance. He also shares a deeply personal story of how caring for his mother-in-law in her final days provided a profound, practical opportunity to teach his children love and forgiveness in a real-life crisis. Episode Highlights [01:55] Davon shares his family of origin, marked by extreme hospitality and a rich family legacy of service.[08:45] The clear and concise definition of the Gospel and why recognizing "we lost it all" leads to true gratitude and reliance.[11:50] How the Gospel fundamentally shifts parenting from relying on personal strength to relying on the power of the Holy Spirit.[14:20] A tangible example of Gospel Parenting: Davon's family navigates the challenge of caring for his mother-in-law through early-onset Alzheimer's and how it taught their children kindness and forgiveness.[21:20] The difference between surface-level "Christian Parenting" (checking boxes) and Gospel Parenting (relying on a redeemed identity).[25:55] Davon shares words of hope for listeners who are struggling, pointing them to the power and promises already given to us through Christ.[28:15] Why it's vital to rely on the community of God's people and seek out those who are honestly relying on a greater power. Don’t Miss Out! Want more? Subscribe so you're notified of the next release!Join the conversation! Follow It Takes a Family on Facebook and Instagram, and let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about.Help us reach more parents! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to leave us a review to help other families find us.Resources Mentioned Scripture References: 2 Peter 1:3-4, Acts 2:42-47Church: Perimeter Church

    31 min
  6. Your Child's Unique Gifts: Finding Triggers, Currency, and Connection Part 2

    10/23/2025

    Your Child's Unique Gifts: Finding Triggers, Currency, and Connection Part 2

    Every child is an image bearer of a creative God, and discovering their unique gifts is one of the most rewarding parts of parenting. In this episode, hosts Andy and Kelly talk with Wade Pearce, Senior Director of Program at Eagle Ranch, about how to stop trying to control your kids' future and start becoming their greatest talent agent. Wade, an adoptive and foster parent who has welcomed over 40 children into his home, shares hard-won lessons on recognizing a child's passions, the danger of parental anxiety, and why your only vision for your child should be a healthy relationship. He breaks down the Circle of Courage philosophy and explains why embracing your child's interests—no matter how intense or fleeting—is the key to fostering mastery and a sense of self-worth. Episode Highlights [01:36] Wade shares his upbringing, his journey as an educator, and his experience as an adoptive and foster parent of over 40 children.[03:45] Wade explains the concept of the "baby hero" role and his personal experience with striving to please his parents.[10:10] The key to stewarding a child's life: becoming a detective or a talent agent to discover what makes them tick.[14:15] Wade introduces the Circle of Courage and the four things every child needs to thrive: belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.[17:58] Why getting out of the mode of living vicariously through your children is crucial for their long-term success.[19:00] Examples of following and supporting a child's mastery, from fishing to buying and selling shoes.[25:50] How parental anxiety is the enemy and why becoming a non-anxious presence is the key to breaking cycles of control. Don’t Miss Out! Want more? Subscribe so you're notified of the next release!Join the conversation! Follow It Takes a Family on Facebook and Instagram, and let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about.Help us reach more parents! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to leave us a review to help other families find us.Resources Mentioned Concept: Circle of Courage (from Reclaiming Youth International)Author: Dallas Willard

    34 min
  7. Your Child's Unique Gifts: Finding Triggers, Currency, and Connection Part 1

    10/16/2025

    Your Child's Unique Gifts: Finding Triggers, Currency, and Connection Part 1

    Do you really know what motivates your child, or are you projecting your own expectations onto them? In this insightful episode, hosts Andy and Kelly talk with Dr. Fred Haselden (Director of Education) and Jennifer Smith (Day School Program Counselor) about the critical difference between the gifts you want your child to have and the unique gifts God has actually given them. They share core concepts from psychology, including how your child's nervous system is always choosing between connection and protection, and how to identify their personal triggers and currency. Dr. H candidly shares his "dentist retirement plan" story—a perfect, albeit intense, example of how parental expectations can overshadow a child's true interests. Episode Highlights [05:12] Dr. H and Jennifer introduce themselves and share their personal family stories.[06:00] Dr. H shares his personal and humorous story of "brainwashing" his daughter into thinking she wanted to be a dentist and the powerful lesson he learned about controlling expectations.[11:30] Why many parents struggle with having preconceived notions and expectations for their kids.[12:30] Jennifer explains the difference between a child's nervous system being in protection mode versus connection mode.[16:00] Dr. H and Jennifer define and give examples of a child's trigger and their currency (what motivates them).[19:30] How to implement structured "rhythms of connection"—like a no-screens family dinner or the "Rosebud, Thorn" exercise—to build security.[25:50] A discussion of why building strong community is essential, especially for adoptive parents, when facing the challenge of a child's active rejection.[28:40] The wisdom of sowing good seeds and praying for the harvest, focusing on your efforts, not the outcome. Don’t Miss Out! Want more? Subscribe so you're notified of the next release!Join the conversation! Follow It Takes a Family on Facebook and Instagram, and let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about.Help us reach more parents! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to leave us a review to help other families find us.Resources Mentioned Book: Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors by Robyn Gobbel

    31 min
  8. Community: Thriving in an Epidemic of Loneliness Part 2

    10/09/2025

    Community: Thriving in an Epidemic of Loneliness Part 2

    Community is a lifeline, especially when parenting gets hard. In this episode, co-host Andy Nelson gets vulnerable and shares his personal story of moving from a strong, stable community to a new city where he and his wife, Emily, felt isolated and alone. Andy shares how this experience of being without a "safety net" forced them to intentionally build a new community and how this journey shaped their family's values. He also tells the powerful story of a season of hardship when their community stepped in to help, and how this act of being cared for redefined his understanding of what it means to both give and receive help. Episode Highlights [01:30] Andy shares his background, growing up in a close-knit, loving community and family.[04:00] Andy's story of moving 600 miles away from home and the shock of finding himself without a community.[07:00] The pivotal moment when a small act of kindness helped transform their family's isolated season.[08:50] How Andy and Emily intentionally built a new community and how their different personalities contributed to that.[14:00] Why building a "deep" community is more important than having "thin" relationships.[21:10] The power of being a "helper" and how a season of needing help taught him to receive from others.[23:00] The profound impact of community on family health and well-being. Don’t Miss Out! Want more? Subscribe so you're notified of the next release!Join the conversation! Follow It Takes a Family on Facebook and Instagram, and let us know your thoughts or topics you'd like to hear about.Help us reach more parents! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to leave us a review to help other families find us.Resources Mentioned Book: You Are What You Love by James K.A. SmithNon-profit: Promise 686

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Every family has challenges, but sometimes it feels like you're navigating more than your share. How do you find a path to healing and hope? Welcome to It Takes a Family, the podcast that helps parents move from desperation to hope by providing practical guidance and real-world insights. Each week, hosts Andy and Kelly, alongside experts and fellow parents, share stories and lessons from the trenches of difficult family seasons. This season, they’ll break down Eagle Ranch’s proven approach to whole-family healing, from setting healthy boundaries to understanding your child's unique story. This podcast isn't for those who have it all figured out, but for those who need a renewed sense of hope and a reminder that you aren’t alone. Subscribe and follow along as we dive in to bring your family more connection and support.

Information

  • Creator
    Eagle Ranch
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Eagle Ranch
  • Show Website
    It Takes a Family

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