159 episodes

Parent with confidence. Lead with grace.

Connected Families Podcast Connected Families

    • Kids & Family
    • 4.9 • 357 Ratings

Parent with confidence. Lead with grace.

    What Mom Needs: An Exciting Chat with the CEO of MOPS Int’l

    What Mom Needs: An Exciting Chat with the CEO of MOPS Int’l

    Listen as we talk with Mandy Arioto about what moms need today based on a new study by the Barna Group.







    Moms are powerful influencers in their families and communities, yet they often feel exhausted and alone. In this episode, Mandy Arioto, President & CEO of MOPS International, reflects with Stacy Bellward (podcast host) on the Motherhood Today study. She offers insights from the study to help moms build resilience and move from surviving to thriving.















    In this podcast you’ll discover:









    * Why Moms have the strongest impact on nearly every aspect of their family’s life, yet often feel that they’re not making a meaningful contribution to the world







    * Reflection questions to help you move past “I should do it all” and “I want to be a perfect mom”







    * That moms with Christian faith have significantly less anxiety about important decisions and less uncertainty about the future than moms who do not have Christian faith







    * The best way to improve your emotional and spiritual life is to have a confidant aside from your spouse







    * It’s ok to lower your expectations and have more fun!









    Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth.







    Mentioned in this podcast:









    * Make a year-end gift to Connected Families







    * Visit Growthechurch.co for a copy of the Motherhood Today study and information about all that Mandy’s doing at Mom Co.









    Guest Bio:







    Mandy Arioto is the President and CEO of MOPS International and is widely known for her unique takes on evangelism, parenting, and cultural issues. Through MOPS, which every year mobilizes millions of women, and partners with tens of thousands of churches, Mandy serves as the voice of one of the most influential outreach organizations in the U.S. and around the world. Mandy has been featured on MSN, FOX, CBS, and hundreds of radio, TV, and print publications. She is the author of three books, the most recent being Have More Fun: How to be Remarkable, Stop Feeling Stuck and Start Enjoying Life. She is an avid rock climber and adventurer and regularly has harrowing stories to tell about her most recent ascent. Mandy and her husband, Joe, live in Denver, Colorado, with their three awesome kids. You can find out more about MOPS and Mom Co. at:







    Website: https://growthechurch.co; https://www.mops.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mops_international/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MOPS.Int/















    .

    A Parenting Framework for Adoption and Fostering? Yes!

    A Parenting Framework for Adoption and Fostering? Yes!

    Listen in as Lynn Beckett, Chad Hayenga, and Stacy unpack a grace-filled lens for navigating parenting and discipline in adoptive and foster care families. These creative and compassionate ideas can benefit any parent!















    When families grow through adoption or foster care, they often experience unique and sometimes challenging circumstances. Today’s conversation highlights ways the Connected Families Framework can guide these families toward deeper connection, secure attachment, and attuned correction. Our guest, Lynn Beckett, is a TBRI® Certified, licensed social worker and serves as the Program Manager and a parent coach at Lifeline Children’s Services. She joins Chad Hayenga (Connected Families Director of Education & Equipping) and Stacy Bellward (podcast host and adoptive mom) to share practical ideas and insights for each level of the Connected Families Framework.







    In this podcast you’ll discover:









    * How your attachment style can influence how you view and respond to your child’s behavior, and how your child’s attachment style affects their behavior as well







    * How the Connected Families Framework can deepen your child’s sense of felt safety







    * Ways to strengthen your attachment with a child who is avoidant or suspicious







    * How you can help heal your child’s negative identity messages from the past through the ABCs of affirmation







    * Ways you may need to adjust discipline and correction as you respond to a child who has experienced trauma









    Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth.







    Mentioned in this podcast:









    * The Connected Families Framework







    * Episode 101: Does Attachment Style Matter?







    * Childhood Wounds: What They Are and How to Free Your Parenting of Them







    * Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches









    Guest Bio:







    Lynn Beckett has worked in the area of foster care and adoption since her graduation fromthe University of Georgia in 1981. She joined Lifeline staff in 1989. Her role atLifeline has included preparing and equipping families for foster care and adoptionand supporting them in the post-placement phase of their journey. She became aTBRI® Practitioner in 2016 and a Certified Parent Coach through ConnectedFamilies in 2021. While providing post-placement services to adoptive and fosterfamilies, she developed the parent coaching program for Lifeline. Lynn iscommitted to the care of vulnerable children and to helping caregivers bring thesechildren to a place of healing.

    • 40 min
    Navigating Family Gatherings

    Navigating Family Gatherings

    With the holidays fast approaching, we are pulling ​a classic podcast from the archives​ where Chad Hayenga joins Stacy Bellward to discuss some ideas for navigating family gatherings. Enjoy!























    Are you looking forward to celebrating holidays with family but dreading unsolicited advice from well-meaning relatives? You are not alone. Changes in your daily routines, travel, lack of sleep, and large gatherings set the stage for parenting challenges. Sometimes these difficult situations may be scrutinized by other adults in your family. This may lead to comments or questions that don’t feel supportive. Navigating family gatherings can be tricky!















    On today’s podcast, Chad Hayenga (Director of Education & Equipping) and Jenna Williams (Connected Families Certified Parent Coach) join Stacy Bellward (podcast host) for a conversation about navigating the holidays with relatives. Specifically, how you can respond when grandparents or other family members criticize you (or your children). Role-playing possible scenarios, Jenna and Chad bring humor and practical wisdom to you just in time for holiday gatherings.







    In this podcast, you’ll discover:









    * proactive strategies to intentionally prepare your family for upcoming gatherings, including evaluating your own expectations, having conversations with your children, and even having conversations with grandparents about their expectations







    * roleplays to help you navigate criticism, unhelpful comments, or harsh discipline by grandparents or other relatives







    * that you can model humility and the value of connection to your parents and kids during holiday gatherings and difficult situations









    Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth.







    Mentioned in this podcast:









    * Connected Families Parent Coaching







    * Connected Families Certified Parent Coach Program







    * Connected Families Framework







    * Unsolicited Advice? 4 Ways to Respond (Connected Families PDF)









    Guest Bio:







    Jenna Williams and her husband, Sam, have been married for ten years. They live in Colorado Springs, CO, and have three amazing children ages 3-7. Jenna is a registered nurse by trade and works in a postpartum unit. She is also a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach and loves caring for and supporting families! Connected Families has been a true blessing for her and her family, and she is excited to share that blessing with others. You can find her on Instagram: mindful_of_the-moment or email her directly: jennwilliams0411@gmail.com

    Blocked Care: Rekindle Compassion in Your Heart | Ep. 155

    Blocked Care: Rekindle Compassion in Your Heart | Ep. 155

    In today’s episode on blocked care, Stacy talks with author Melissa Corkum about her book Reclaim Compassion. “Blocked care (also known as compassion fatigue) is when a parent becomes emotionally unavailable following repeated rejected attempts to support their child. The parent can still meet the child’s physical needs; however, their ability to be attuned and empathetic decreases dramatically.” Blocked care can happen to any parent of a child who is struggling.















    November is Adoption Awareness Month, and today we’re highlighting a valuable resource, especially to the adoptive and foster parents in our community and those who support them. Our guest, Melissa Corkum, is an adoptee, adoptive mom, speaker, and coach. She shares how blocked care can affect any caregiving relationship and offers hope for overcoming blocked care.







    In this podcast you’ll discover:









    * the signs of blocked care







    * how to acknowledge and navigate feelings of shame and grief associated with blocked care







    * that healing blocked care starts with your own internal work—reclaim compassion for yourself first, then for your child







    * a process of daily practices to heal and spend more time out of blocked care







    * steps you can take toward radical compassion









    Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth.







    Mentioned in this podcast:









    * Reclaim Compassion book







    * Free Blocked Care Assessment







    * Foundations for Overcoming and Preventing Blocked Care – Course







    * How to Help a Spouse with Blocked Care from the AdoptionWise podcast







    * Parent Coaching with Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches







    * What Causes Anger Issues in a Child | Episode 46 with Lisa Qualls and Jim & Lynne Jackson







    * Hebrews 4:15









    Guest Bio:







    As an adoptee and adoptive mom, Melissa Corkum provides insight and resources to parents and professionals through her speaking, coaching, and writing. She is a TED Speaker, Safe and Sound Protocol Practitioner, Cultivate Connection Facilitator, Certified Enneagram Coach, and co-founder of AdoptionWise. Additionally,

    • 33 min
    Stories of Transformation…One Mom’s Journey

    Stories of Transformation…One Mom’s Journey

    Listen as we chat with Anna Braasch about finding hope through the Connected Families Framework.







    Do you remember when a friend introduced you to Connected Families? Or, maybe you are brand new to Connected Families’ resources–we’re so glad you found us. Regardless of when you found us and how familiar you are with the Framework, today’s podcast will likely resonate with you.















    Today, Connected Families Executive Director, Anna Braasch, shares her story of finding hope through the Connected Families Framework. Anna candidly talks about her struggles as a young mom and how finding Connected Families’ resources changed her relationship with Christ and her approach to parenting. Anna also shares about Connected Families’ vision for the future and how you can get involved.







    In this podcast you’ll discover:









    * one mom’s journey to hope (there were bumps along the way!)







    * that transformation in your family may be slow, but it is worth the effort







    * Connected Families’ three-year vision







    * how you can join the Donor Team to help support transformation in families









    Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth.







    Mentioned in this podcast:









    * Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart book







    * Parenting Tips emails from Connected Families







    * Serenity Prayer – Connected Families version – free download







    * Grace & Truth for Moms online course







    * 2 Corinthians 10:5







    * Things Began to Change When…. To give a one-time donation







    * Make a 3-year commitment to support Connected Families’ long-term vision

















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    A Circle of Support: What Does a Mentor Do for Your Child?

    A Circle of Support: What Does a Mentor Do for Your Child?

    Here at Connected Families, we often talk about how you can pass your faith on to your kids. Have you thought about how you can help sustain your child’s faith into their adult years? Research reveals that 60 percent of teens who have faith in high school will leave their faith by the time they are 30 years old. Thankfully, this does not have to be the case if you take proactive steps as your children grow.















    In today’s podcast, Ben Bevis (Executive Director of Encircled) joins Stacy Bellward (podcast host) to share what a mentor can do for a child. Ben introduces resources for parents, youth workers, and even grandparents to support a young person’s faith, purpose, and calling from early childhood through their young adult years. You’ll be encouraged and inspired to support sustaining faith in your family today.







    In this podcast you’ll discover:









    * what mentorship can look like at different ages







    * how to build a circle of support around your child







    * the impact that 5 intentional adults can have in the life of a young adult







    * things you can do at any age to notice and develop your child’s unique giftings







    * resources to guide you or your community in developing mentor circles









    Thanks for listening to today’s podcast. Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting, and don’t forget to reach out if you have questions. We are a listener-supported podcast, so your donation fuels our work! It is our joy to walk the parenting journey with you as you parent your kids in God’s grace and truth.







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    Looking for a transcript?







    Want to revisit certain parts of the podcast, or struggling to keep up with the audio? Click the button below to access a written transcript of this podcast episode.









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    Mentioned in this podcast:









    * TreeHouse Hope







    * Encircled resources (use code CF50 for 50% off!)







    * The Intentional Father by Jon Tyson







    * 1 Peter 4:10







    * Ephesians 2:10









    Guest Bio:

    • 27 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
357 Ratings

357 Ratings

Lovemesometruth ,

Help that was NEEDED

I couldn’t raise my twins without the help of this podcast!

Justamommadoingherbest ,

Love this content

I come to Connected Families podcasts over and over again - have found every message to have at least one thing to take away or consider as I navigate the challenges of parenting and other relationships. Love the scripture based content and am so grateful to have found this ministry!

Hsuehwen ,

Must-have

This podcast is a must-have for whoever is struggling to be a godly parents but have no godly model.

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