License to Parent with Trace Embry Trace Embry

Facing Struggles

When you talk with anyone raising kids today you’ll see that difficulties abound in one form or another. Then the child enters their teens and these difficulties seem to intensify. In the 16th chapter of the Gospel of John verse 33, Jesus told his disciples that “in this life, you will have tribulation, trials, trouble, and sorrows.” So life isn’t always gonna be a bed of roses. This will certainly include your parenting experience. Navigating life’s difficulties in a world gone mad. 

Discussing Difficulties with Anthony Selvaggio

Anthony Selvaggio is a pastor, author, and former practicing attorney. He currently serves as pastor of the Rochester Christian Reformed Church in Rochester New York. His latest book is “Considering Job.”



Episode Highlights:



Why are people in our culture not equipped to process suffering?

Who is responsible for building resilience into children?

Why is failure good for children?

What does the book of Job remind us of?

There is a redemptive purpose to ______.



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The Power of Music

Since the beginning of time philosophers, spiritual leaders, and even musicians themselves have all shared their convictions about the power of music and its ability to influence attitudes and behaviors for good or for ill. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are just a few who affirm these observations. In modern times scientists and musicologists have also weighed in on musics' extraordinary power to affect body and brain chemistry positively and negatively. Yet, many parents still see music as a benign form of entertainment that serves as nothing more than just that; entertainment. Could the music we allow in our homes be a catalyst for some of the ill behaviors that can wreak havoc in our homes?

Discussing Music with Joe Schimmel

Pastor Schimmel has been equipping Christians with the truth of God's word since 1987 and his testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ in his own life can be seen in the powerful expose “They Sold Their Souls for Rock and Roll.” Brother Joe started Good Fight Ministries with a mission to reach a lost and dying world with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Joe’s life work and ministry are dedicated to carrying out the great commission of Jesus Christ.



Episode Highlights:



In what two realms is music targeting our children?

Who invented music?

How is music addictive?

How does God use believers?

What does Hebrews chapter 5 teach us?



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Friend of Trace - Paul Coughlin

Paul Coughlin is an expert witness regarding bullying and the law, and the founder and president of the anti-bullying program The Protectors.  He has appeared in many media outlets.  Paul is a best-selling author of eight books, including the freedom-from-bullying parent and teacher resource Raising Bully-Proof Kids, as well as a former newspaper editor. He works with numerous professional organizations to diminish bullying.  His anti-bullying curriculum is used throughout North America as well as in South Africa, Uganda, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil among other countries.



Paul is a boys varsity soccer coach, where he was voted Coach of the Year twice. Paul has previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees for St. Mary’s School in Medford, Oregon.

He is also a popular men’s conference speaker who has inspired thousands across North America as well as in Wales and England.

Freeing Us from Bullying

Trace Embry and Michelle Hill talk with friend Paul Coughlin.  They discuss the issue of bullying with a focus on how parents can help their children navigate this problem. They share the importance of recognizing that anyone can be a bully, including one's own child, and the need for a plan of action if this is the case. The role of the internet is also highlighted and how it exacerbates bullying as it allows for constant harassment.



Paul Coughlin, author of the book "Freeing Us from Bullying," emphasizes the importance of teaching children to stand up against bullying, and the dangers of allowing them to become victims.  He also differentiates between teasing and bullying, and explains why some people become bullies. The discussion also touches on the misinterpretation of biblical teachings, such as "turning the other cheek," in the context of bullying.



Episode Highlights:



Have you ever considered if your child was the bully? 



Is bullying worse now than it was 20 years ago?

Determine the difference between bullying and kids just playing around.

Does the Bible give examples of bullying and how to deal with it?



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Man and Woman

We learn from the creation story that God didn’t do anything randomly. Day one, God created the light. Day two, was the sky and so on. And then we come to day six. After God created the animals he created humans. Here are the words from Genesis 1:27, “So God created mankind in his own image. In the image of God, he created them. Male and female he created them.” What it means to be male and female is really coming into question today. No, let's say it's coming into hard scrutiny today. The government, doctors, counselors, and teachers. There are many who are telling our children that they get to decide “what is a woman?”

Discussing Gender with Tim Wildmon and Kendra White

Tim Wildmon is the executive director of “In His Image.” He is also president of the American Family Association and American Family Radio. American Family Association is a national organization that advocates for biblical teaching on morality and values. Tim also hosts a daily program on American Family Radio’s 180+ stations. Tim and his wife Allison have three children and ten grandchildren.



Kendra White is the producer for America Family Studios which is the film division of American Family Association. She co-wrote and directed American Family Studios’ first feature film “Summer Snow” with her brother Jeremy. Kendra is passionately pursuing Christ and loves to encourage other women to fall in love with the Savior who is in her heart. Kendra is married and is pregnant with their first child.



Episode Highlights:



What is the reason In His Image was made?

What did the study in the UK find?

What is the difference between gender confusion and gender dysphoria?

How are schools grooming kids to approach these issues?

What do we as parents need to understand?



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Friend of Trace - Rick Boyer

Rick Boyer is recognized by many in the homeschool network as Uncle Rick.  He is an author, speaker, and homeschool pioneer.  For many years his audio recording have taken Scripture, history, and adventure stories and turned them into character lessons for many children.  Rick and his wife Marilyn created the homeschool curriculum “Character Concepts.”

It's Off to Homeschool We Go!

Today we discuss the challenges of raising children in today's society, where traditional family values seem to be under attack. Trace Embry and Michelle Hill, talk with friend Rick Boyer, a homeschooling pioneer, about the importance of teaching children about their history and equipping them to think critically.



Rick Boyer emphasizes the need for parents to expose their children to different viewpoints and to teach them that there is absolute truth, as found in the Bible. He also discusses the importance of homeschooling in raising future leaders, as it allows children to be involved in designing their own education and encourages individuality and creativity.



Boyer's Uncle Rick Audio Book Club offers resources for parents and children to learn about American history through old books and biographies.



Episode Highlights:



The importance of instilling good character in our kids. 



Have you reviewed the history being taught in the public school system?

What can we do to wake up America?

How are homeschooled kids being taught differently than public school kids?



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Friend of Trace - Tina Marie Griffin

Tina Marie Griffin went from baling hay and milking cows on a dairy farm in Wisconsin to working as an actress in Hollywood.  She enrolled at California State University – Los Angeles to pursue a film and TV broadcasting degree and start her acting career.  Tina is doing a great job as the founder of Counter Culture Mom - Helping Parents Safely Navigate the Pop Culture Chaos!



When she isn’t traveling and speaking, you will find her busy writing radio spots, blogging, cooking, camping, traveling, homeschooling her four munchkins, or having a romantic date night with her best friend and husband Luke.  Listen to her podcast The Counter Culture Mom Podcast with Tina Griffin.

How to Raise Godly Kids in an Ungodly Culture

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, and friend Tina Marie Griffin discuss the challenges of raising children in a culture that increasingly contradicts Christian values.  Tina Marie is also known as the Counter Culture Mom, who shares her insights on how to raise godly kids in an ungodly culture.



Tina Marie, having worked in Hollywood, uses her knowledge of the entertainment industry to inform parents about the negative influences it can have on children. She emphasizes the importance of parents being in the Word of God daily and instilling it in their children. Griffin also discusses the negative impact of mainstream media and encourages parents to seek out positive entertainment alternatives.



She recommends her Counter Culture Mom app as a resource for parents, which provides pop culture updates, resource links, and solution-driven content.



Episode Highlights:



Is it possible to raise kids counter culturally in today's ungodly culture?



What is the most damaging thing happening today to our kids that parents need to be aware of?

Do parents not take it seriously enough the effects that music, movies and the internet have on our kids?

What do public schools, history books and communism have in common?



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