Brave Parenting

Brave Parenting

We are a network of brave parents who empower & equip others to intentionally develop & train children to have strong character & integrity. We believe brave parenting is doing the right thing even when it is hard. While it seems our children would rather be raised by the internet, the truth is they need strong and courageous parents who will invest in their character.

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep. 207: The Top Questions of 2025 Answered

    Kelly and Ryan answer the most common questions you’ve asked in 2025. Don’t my children need to learn technology to stay relevant and get a job? How can restricting Snapchat and keeping kids from talking to their friends be the best choice? What is the right age for a child to get a phone? What punishments work when taking their phone away doesn’t phase them? How do I explain that screen time rules are rooted in Scripture and not my desire for control? How do I keep my kids from using ChatGPT on their homework? Can video games really be used for educational purposes [and for fun….] What media & tech defined the year 2025? What do you think will define 2026? What was your favorite book this year?   Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    53 min

  2. 12/17/2025

    Ep. 206: Everything Wrong with Social Media is in ‘Coverstar’

    A new app has emerged over the last few years, gaining popularity among preteens. No doubt because the app markets itself as “Gen Alpha’s social media.” Coverstar has the feel of TikTok, but with stricter community guidelines for content, zero tolerance for violations, and no direct messages. While it is perhaps “safer” than TikTok, what does an app that encourages young girls to put themselves on public display and compete for likes and follows actually do for their developing self-worth? Or for their future integrity? In this episode, Kelly digs into the influencer economy and culture, and how this, specifically, is the crux of social media’s harm. Tragically, this economy of harm is thriving on Coverstar. Articles referenced: Brave Parenting Guide to Yope Brave Parenting Guide to Coverstar Reddit: r/apps Pew Research: High School Seniors and Marriage The Dark Side of Social Media Influencers: A Research Agenda for Analysing Deceptive Practices and Regulatory Challenges The influencer effect: Current findings and future directions for research on social media influencers and body image The Impact of Following Instagram Influencers on Women’s Body Dissatisfaction and Eating Disorder Symptoms New Research on Church Attendance: Decline of Women or the Rise of Men? Scripture referenced: Galatians 5 Galatians 6:14 Philippians 3:3 2 Corinthians 10:12 Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    46 min

  3. 12/09/2025

    Ep. 205: The Importance of the Australian Social Media Ban

    It’s Deactivation Week!! On December 10th in Australia (which is really December 9 in the US), the first-ever social media ban will take effect. The major platforms are required by law to deactivate the accounts of children and teens under 16. Kelly reviews the details of the new law, the pushback from Big Tech, advocacy groups, parents, and teens, and why all of this is so important. While we watch and see how this works in Australia, here are some takeaways: Do not wait for the government to save your kids from social media. Social Media is optional for you, too, parents! The burden is on Big Tech, but the opportunity is still on you. Expect pushback, but persevere. Fill the void with real life. Brave Parenting Guides to Lemon8 and Yope (Where Australian kids are rumored to be heading.) Articles referenced: Is This the End of Kids on Social Media? Social Media Ban: Everything You Need to Know Before Deactivation Day Australia says world will follow social media ban Australia is banning social media for teens – others could follow How Australian Teens Plan to Get Around the Social Media Ban Meta Starts Kicking Australian Children Off Instagram and Facebook TikTok to Comply with Australia’s ‘Upsetting’ Social Media Ban YouTube Says it Will Comply With Australian Social Media Ban Australia wants to end the era of kids on social media with international ban hailed as “first domino” in global movement Scripture referenced: 2 Corinthians 11:14 Romans 12 Psalm 82:3-4 Jeremiah 17:9 Ephesians 2:1-3 Romans 1:18-32 Ephesians 6:12 Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ORDER YOUR BRAVE PARENTING MERCH SOON FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    44 min

  4. 12/03/2025

    Ep. 204: Sleep, ,Screens & Spiritual Apathy

    Today, we talk about the connection between sleep (or lack thereof), screens, and spiritual apathy. Kelly walks through five ways screens contribute to sleep deprivation and how children and teens who are sleep deprived are more likely to experience poor mental health, among other negative outcomes. More important for Christian parents is the spiritual apathy that arises in kids who are sleep-deprived. In this episode, you will learn how sleep is both biblical and necessary for children’s and teens’ spiritual health. Armed with this knowledge, you will be encouraged and equipped to make changes to your family structure to reprioritize sleep, remove screens from the bedroom, and reinforce the biblical importance of getting enough rest. SHOP our Wristbands and Other Merch! Articles referenced: Teens & Sleep: The Hidden Cost of Sleep Deprivation How to help your child get enough healthy brain-boosting sleep Teens with insomnia who lack sleep may be at risk for high blood pressure The Critical Connection between Teens’ Sleep and Mental Health Contemporary Screen Time Modalities among Children 9–10 years old and Binge-Eating Disorder at One-Year Follow-Up: A Prospective Cohort Study Sleep in High School Students Maybe the teen mental health crisis is actually a sleep crisis Scripture referenced: Psalm 121:3-4 Genesis 2:2-3 Mathew 11:29 Psalm 62:1 Psalm 23:2-3 Psalm 116:7 Psalm 46:10 Psalm 3:5 Psalm 4:8 Psalm 127:2 1 Peter 1:13, 4:7, 5:8 2 Samuel 11:2-3 Luke 22:45-46, 50, 52 Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    43 min

  5. 11/26/2025

    Ep. 203: Giving Tech As Gifts

    Before you start Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping for the latest and greatest tech gadgets, toys, and tools, it is important to have a biblical approach to gift-giving. In this episode, you’ll learn: The biblical nature of gift-giving and gift-receiving The call for Christians to give sacrificially What Scripture considers “good” gifts The top tech gifts promoted as “what teens want” this year, along with the top tech you should reject buying Why you shouldn’t give tech tools as a gift (for Christmas or Birthdays) The importance of communicating a “no tech toys preference” with extended family As a bonus, there is a deeper dive into AI toys that are saturating the toy market.  One AI-powered bear has been shown to provide sexual fetish information for kids! There is one great takeaway: Do not allow your children to come into contact with any AI-powered toy, robot, or chatbot. Check out BRAVE PARENTING MERCH!! Our wristbands make for great stocking stuffers! Articles referenced: China’s New AI Toys Are Headed For American Shelves AI-Powered Stuffed Animal Pulled From Market After Disturbing Interactions With Children The ChatGPT-powered teddy bear is officially on ice Do Not, Under Any Circumstance, Buy Your Kid an AI Toy for Christmas Teens Need More Friction – Not the iPhone 17 BP Podcast #142: AI Robots for kids Brave Parenting Guide to AI Robots for Kids Media & Tech for Kids under 12 (for gift ideas) Scripture referenced: John 3:16 John 15:13 James 1:17 Luke 6:38 Matthew 7:9-11 Matthew 6:19-21 Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    58 min

  6. 11/21/2025

    Ep. 202: The “Keys” to Snapchat Safety

    Snapchat released a digital safety course helping teens navigate the bullying, illicit drug activity, nude and intimate images, and sextortion found on their platform. Some may consider this altruistic, but it reveals a deeper problem with Snapchat’s very design. In this episode, Kelly walks through five points of contention with Snapchat’s design and the so-called “safety” options offered. Snapchat’s recent design upgrades further reveal that this is not an app for basic communication with friends. It’s an app that will do anything to make a profit – even if that means addicting them or exposing them to harmful content. The difference between digital safety courses and biblical discipleship is wisdom. This episode provides parents with the facts about Snapchat’s current operations – an apologetic for prohibiting its use, to be used in discipling children to navigate a world that demands they use social media to connect and communicate Articles referenced: The Keys to Snapchat Safety Snapchat’s CEO Outlines Difficult Path Forward for the App Snapchat Adds Infinite Retention and Group Streaks Metricool 2025 Study Unveils 70% Surge in Short-Form Video Snap and Perplexity Partner to Bring Conversational AI Search to Snapchat Snapchat rolls out ‘Topic Chats’ for public conversations Snapchat and Instagram are starting to chase the same growth strategy Scripture referenced: Proverbs 25:28 1 Peter 5:8 John 14:27 Hebrews 12:3 Isaiah 30:21 Galatians 6:6-8 Documentary referenced: Can’t Look Away   Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    40 min

  7. 11/12/2025

    Ep. 201: Ten Kids & a Mission with Guest Michelle Lazor

    Today, Kelly interviews Michelle Lazor of Mud Hen Mama. Michelle has ten biological children and a mission to provide books that support the biblical worldview for families. At Brave Parenting, we are so passionate about children reading – but not just any reading, it should be quality, enriching stories. That is what her website, Mud Hen Mama, provides: books vetted for Christian families. Not only is she providing a wonderful resource, but her story is inspiring, and you’ll love hearing from a fellow brave parent. Go to Mud Hen Mama to do your booking shopping this year! Support a Christian, family-owned business and use the discount code: BRAVE PARENTING to save 10% off your order!   Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    52 min

  8. 11/05/2025

    Ep. 200: Tailored to You – The Dangers of Hyper-Personalization

    In a world where Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon tailor everything “just for you,” convenience quietly and subtly reshapes our kids’ worldview, identity, and habits. In this 200th episode, Kelly & Ryan unpack how hyper-personalization works, why it feels so good, and where it becomes dangerous. From echo chambers to the illusion of control (and even AI-generated media), we explore the risks and offer practical, biblical responses for families. Five Tech Rules for Kids 12 & Under Article and Approved Technology for Children Under 12 Podcast Articles Referenced: How Target Figured Out A Teen Girl Was Pregnant Before Her Father Did Spotify “Wrapped” Campaign Artwork Personalization at Netflix The Psychology of Hyper-Personalization The Problem with Hyper-Personalization in Online Learning Alpha School: AI Powered Private School Parents Fell in Love with Alpha School’s Promise. Then They Wanted Out. Google Gemini Storybooks Billboard Says at Least One AI-Generated “Artist” is Charting Every Week Now Books Referenced: Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly   Book a Speaking Event!! Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated) Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups. Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!

    49 min
See All (100)

5
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

We are a network of brave parents who empower & equip others to intentionally develop & train children to have strong character & integrity. We believe brave parenting is doing the right thing even when it is hard. While it seems our children would rather be raised by the internet, the truth is they need strong and courageous parents who will invest in their character.

Information

  • Creator
    Brave Parenting
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 Brave Parenting LLC
  • Show Website
    Brave Parenting

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