Family Vision: Christian Parenting, Marriage & Family Advice

Dr. Rob & Amy Rienow
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Dr. Rob and Amy Rienow provide practical, encouraging, and real conversations about faith and family. Each episode will give you hope and encouragement to grow in your faith and strengthen your family. Family Vision is the podcast ministry of Visionary Family Ministries. Discover more resources to help your family at visonaryfam.com Questions or comments? Email us at info@visionaryfam.com

  1. Your Body, Food and Identity - with Brooke Rienow

    4D AGO

    Your Body, Food and Identity - with Brooke Rienow

    Negative body images and eating disorders are far too common today—and many of us can trace those struggles back to our early years. In this episode of Family Vision, Amy is joined by a very special guest: her daughter-in-law, Brooke Rienow. Brooke shares her personal testimony of how insecurity and body image struggles began as a young girl, intensified through painful peer experiences, and later escalated in college into a serious battle with anorexia. She describes how "control," comparison, and pride quietly took root, and how an outwardly productive, high-achieving life hid a growing internal darkness. This is a raw and hope-filled conversation about what an eating disorder can look like behind the scenes—and why true healing is not just physical, but spiritual. Brooke also opens up about how her relationship with God became "checkbox Christianity" during the hardest seasons, and how the Lord began to bring her back to real freedom. Amy and Brooke share key Scriptures that provide a foundation for hope and healing. What You'll Learn in This Episode: - How early body image struggles can begin (even in kindergarten) - How comparison and peer cruelty can shape a child's self-image - Why college can become a pressure-cooker for control and insecurity - How eating disorders often shift from "I'm in control" to "it controls me" - Why isolation is one of the most dangerous parts of disordered eating - What anorexia can do physically—and why it becomes life-or-death - Why spiritual healing is essential for long-term freedom Resources: Visionary Parenting – Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/parenting Join the Visionary Family Community – Become part of a global community of families committed to following Jesus: https://visionaryfam.com/community Support the Philippines Mission Trip – Help provide clean water filters and share the Gospel. Donate at: https://visionaryfam.com/hope (Type "filter" in the notes section) Upcoming Events – Visionary Family Conferences and Family Camp details: https://visionaryfam.com/events Connect With Us: If your family is navigating the challenges of an eating disorder and you would like prayer, please reach out to us at podcast@visionaryfam.com. Our prayer team would be honored to pray for your family. You can also request a prayer call with our prayer team leader, Peter Rothermel.

    40 min
  2. Do Kids Belong in Big Church?

    FEB 16

    Do Kids Belong in Big Church?

    For nearly 2,000 years of Christian history, this wasn't even a debated question. When the church gathered for worship, the whole family gathered together. But today, many parents wrestle with what Sunday mornings should look like for their children. In this episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob and Amy Rienow explore what Scripture, church history, and personal experience reveal about children in corporate worship. From Old Testament feasts to New Testament letters addressed directly to children, the biblical pattern consistently points toward multi-generational worship. But this conversation goes deeper than logistics. It's about long-term discipleship, heart connection to the church body, and whether our children truly feel seen, valued, and spiritually formed within the gathered church. What You'll Learn in This Episode: - What the Bible reveals about children participating in corporate worship - Why this question did not exist for most of church history - How separating children from the main service may impact long-term faith - The difference between having kids present and truly valuing them - Practical encouragement for parents navigating Sunday mornings Scriptures Referenced: Exodus 12, Deuteronomy 16, Joshua 8, Joel 2, Ephesians 6:1–3, Colossians 3:20 Resources: Visionary Church – Discover how your church can strengthen families and the next generation. Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/church Not So Perfect Mom – Encouragement for mothers seeking to raise their children with eternal purpose. Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/mom Support the Philippines Mission Trip – Help provide clean water filters and share the Gospel. Donate at: https://visionaryfam.com/hope (Type "Filter" in the notes section) Join the Visionary Family Community – Become part of a global community of families committed to following Jesus: https://visionaryfam.com Upcoming Events – Visionary Family Conferences and Family Camp details: https://visionaryfam.com/events Connect With Us: We would love to hear from you. Send your questions or prayer requests to podcast@visionaryfam.com. Our prayer team would be honored to pray for your family.

    23 min
  3. Finding Joy in a Busy Life

    FEB 9

    Finding Joy in a Busy Life

    Does your family ever feel overwhelmed by busyness? Whether you're shuttling kids to activities, managing household chaos, or just trying to get dinner on the table, it's easy to wonder if something's wrong when life feels so full. In this episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob and Amy Rienow share how busyness can be a blessing—and how families can thrive in the middle of the madness. Instead of telling you to slow down or feel guilty, Rob and Amy offer biblical wisdom and practical encouragement for finding joy, purpose, and spiritual connection in the midst of real-life schedules and obligations. Drawing from Proverbs 14, the fourth commandment, and their own busy household, they help you reset expectations and prioritize what matters most—without trying to imitate someone else's "ideal" family life. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why busyness isn't always a sign of imbalance How to maintain spiritual connection even when your calendar is full What Scripture says about work, rest, and the rhythms of family life Why you should not compare your family's pace with others Simple steps for keeping God at the center—even when dinner's on the run Special Opportunity: Provide Clean Water in the Philippines Join us in supporting our Visionary Family mission team heading to the Philippines! They'll be installing Filters of Hope in homes and sharing the Gospel. Each filter costs $40 and provides a family with long-term access to clean water. You can donate directly at https:visionaryfam.com/hope and type the word filters in the comment box. 100% of your donation goes to the mission. Join the Visionary Family Community Families around the world are joining us to follow Jesus and help future generations do the same. Join our growing community at https:visionaryfam.com by clicking Join the Community. Welcome to our newest members—Malene from Florida and Sarah from Casablanca, Morocco! Upcoming Events: D6 Northwest Conference – March 6–7, Lissy Bailey (Rob and Amy's daughter) speaking Visionary Family Conference – Wichita, KS – March 13–15 D6 Southeast Conference – Nashville, TN – April 23–25, Amy & Lissy speaking Family Camp – Cedar Bay, MI – July 18–24 (near Mackinac Island!) Visit https://visionaryfam.com/events for full details and registration. We'd Love to Hear From You: Send your prayer requests, feedback, or questions to podcast@visionaryfam.com. Our prayer team is ready to support you—including phone prayer if desired. Thank you for making time for this episode—and may your family find joy and strength in Christ, even in the busyness of life.

    19 min
  4. Baby Discipleship

    FEB 2

    Baby Discipleship

    How early should parents begin discipling their children? In this episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob and Amy Rienow explore how spiritual formation begins at conception—and how parents can intentionally nurture their child's heart for God from the very beginning. Drawing from Scripture, personal family stories, and decades of ministry experience, Rob and Amy explain why discipleship is not something we delay until children can understand direct teaching. Instead, it begins through prayer, presence, singing, and attachment—especially during pregnancy and infancy. You'll hear about the importance of the mother baby connection, the impact of early attachment, and a story from Amy about praying, singing, and blessing one of their children before he was born—followed by God's faithfulness through a life-threatening birth. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why discipleship begins at conception—not preschool How bonding, attachment, and spiritual formation work together What Scripture teaches about a child's spiritual life in the womb Simple ways parents can bless and disciple babies through prayer and song Special Opportunity: We invite you to support our upcoming family mission trip to the Philippines by donating clean-water filters through Filters of Hope. Each filter provides a family with long-term access to safe drinking water. To give, visit visionaryfam.com/hope and enter the keyword filters. Every dollar given goes directly toward purchasing filters. Join the Visionary Family Community: Families around the world are joining together to follow Jesus and pass faith to the next generation. Learn how you can become part of the Visionary Family Community at https://visionaryfam.com and click Join the Community. Upcoming Events: We'd love to see you face to face at a Visionary Family event! Conferences are coming to Oklahoma, Kansas, Seattle, Nashville, and more. Family Camp at Cedar Bay in Michigan (July 18–24) is filling fast. View the full schedule and register at https://visionaryfam.com/events. We'd Love to Hear From You: Do you have a story, reflection, or prayer request? Email us anytime at podcast@visionaryfam.com. Our prayer team would be honored to pray for your family. Follow the Family Vision podcast—but more than that, may your family follow Jesus.

    21 min
  5. Forging Great Father Son Relationships

    JAN 26

    Forging Great Father Son Relationships

    Building a great father-son relationship doesn't happen by accident. In this inspiring episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob Rienow shares a powerful message from Visionary Family's recent Father-Son Connect event. With honesty, humor, and biblical clarity, Rob calls dads to pursue deeper heart connection and spiritual influence with their sons—especially during the critical teenage years. Drawing from Proverbs, Malachi, and his own parenting journey, Rob unpacks how the enemy targets father-son relationships and how fathers can resist that attack by staying connected through trust, humility, and ongoing conversations. You'll also hear several practical questions used at the event—tools you can use immediately to open the door for meaningful conversations between fathers and sons. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why the teen years are the "death zone" for many father-son relationships How to build heart connection even as your son grows more independent What Scripture says about passing on wisdom from father to son How to talk with your son about hard topics—and how not to Practical questions that build openness, honesty, and trust Scriptures Referenced: Proverbs 23:24–26, Malachi 4:4–6, Ephesians 5 Resources: Father-Son Connect Events – Want to bring this event to your church or school? Email us at podcast@visionaryfam.com to learn more about hosting a future event. Visionary Family Events – We're coming to Oklahoma, Florida, Seattle, and more! See our full 2026 event schedule: https://visionaryfam.com/events Connect With Us: Have a prayer need? Our team prays for every email we receive, and we'd be honored to hear from you: podcast@visionaryfam.com Next Week: Amy returns to the podcast with practical encouragement for moms raising boys. Don't miss it!

    21 min
  6. 10 Ideas for Building Strong Siblings

    JAN 19

    10 Ideas for Building Strong Siblings

    Do your kids treat their friends better than their siblings? Are you longing to see deeper connection and less conflict between your children? In this practical and hope-filled episode of Family Vision, Amy Rienow shares her top 10 strategies for building strong sibling relationships—starting from toddler years through the teen season and beyond. You'll hear about real-life examples from the Rienow home and how simple tools like "Kids' Night," conflict resolution checklists, and creative consequences can transform sibling dynamics. Amy also shares why parents should view sibling conflict as a vital training ground, not a distraction, and how families can work toward lasting bonds that reflect the love of Christ. What You'll Learn in This Episode: - 10 practical ideas to foster sibling friendship and unity - Why teaching conflict resolution is more important than checking off schoolwork - How "early brainwashing" can set the tone for lifelong sibling love - Creative tools like the Brother Offended Checklist and under-the-table talks - Why it's critical to include siblings during playdates and friendships Resources Mentioned: Visionary Family Community – Join families around the world seeking to pass faith to the next generation. Learn more and get started: https://visionaryfam.com Brother Offended Checklist – A biblical tool for helping kids (and parents!) walk through conflict with grace: https://www.amazon.com//dp/1891206052/  Connect With Us: We'd love to hear your ideas for building strong sibling relationships—or pray for your specific needs. Email us anytime at podcast@visionaryfam.com. Upcoming Events: See where Rob and Amy will be speaking next, including Visionary Family Conferences and D6 appearances: https://visionaryfam.com/events

    15 min
  7. Navigating Post-High School Options

    JAN 12

    Navigating Post-High School Options

    What should Christian families consider when their kids graduate from high school? In this episode of Family Vision, Rob and Amy Rienow respond to a heartfelt question from the Jacks family about helping teens navigate life after graduation—whether that means college, work, missions, a gap year, or something else entirely. Drawing from personal experience raising their seven children, the Renos unpack practical, biblical principles for this pivotal life stage. They challenge the one-size-fits-all mindset often found in both homeschool and traditional school circles, and instead emphasize prayer, discernment, responsibility, and relationship. If your family is approaching (or already facing) the post-high school transition, this episode offers both wisdom and encouragement. What You'll Learn in This Episode: - Why there is no one "right path" after high school - The pros and cons of college, gap years, trades, and entrepreneurship - How to know when your teen is ready for independence - Why relationships and responsibility are key to maturity - How to help your child walk in faith as they discover God's calling Scripture Referenced: Colossians 3:23–24 Resources: Visionary Parenting (Read a Free Sample) – Get equipped to lead your family spiritually: https://visionaryfam.com/parenting VFM Live Events – Connect with us at a Visionary Family event or retreat: https://visionaryfam.com/events Unbound.org – A discipleship program helping young adults discover their calling: https://beunbound.us Connect With Us: Have a question or prayer request? We'd love to hear from you. Send an email to podcast@visionaryfam.com. Our prayer team reads and prays over every message.

    22 min
  8. Life Changing Books for 2026

    JAN 5

    Life Changing Books for 2026

    Books can shape families—and strengthen faith. In this inspiring episode of Family Vision, Rob and Amy Rienow respond to a listener question about the books and resources that have deeply impacted their worldview and parenting journey. Rob and Amy each share two powerful books that have helped them understand God's truth more clearly and disciple their family with purpose. You'll hear about titles that confront the cultural lies of secularism, explore the foundations of biblical education, and help your family see history and current events through a Gospel lens. If you're looking to build your own family's library of truth, this episode is a great place to start. What You'll Learn in This Episode: - How worldview books have shaped the Reinows' faith and family - Why it's valuable to read authors you don't 100% agree with - The difference between Greek and Hebrew models of education - Why Christian history matters for raising Gospel-centered kids - How to find trustworthy books for family discipleship Books Referenced: • How Should We Then Live? by Francis Schaeffer • What Your Child Needs to Know When by Robin Sampson • What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? by D. James Kennedy • All Through the Ages by Christine Miller Resources: Visionary Parenting (Read a Free Sample) – Discover God's purpose for your parenting: https://visionaryfam.com/parenting VFM Live Events & Family Camps – Join us at a future conference or family camp near you: https://visionaryfam.com/events Connect With Us: We'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, book suggestions, or prayer requests to podcast@visionaryfam.com. Our team prays for every email and would be honored to connect with you personally.

    22 min
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About

Dr. Rob and Amy Rienow provide practical, encouraging, and real conversations about faith and family. Each episode will give you hope and encouragement to grow in your faith and strengthen your family. Family Vision is the podcast ministry of Visionary Family Ministries. Discover more resources to help your family at visonaryfam.com Questions or comments? Email us at info@visionaryfam.com

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