Crazy Cool Family

Don and Suzanne Manning

Want home to be your favorite place in the world? Want to see siblings get along like best friends? Want to send your kid off to college with hope instead of fear? At Crazy Cool Family, we can help you answer all of those questions with a resounding “YES!” We have one simple mission: To show parents how to create amazing families by building their lives around Jesus and helping their kids to do the same. In Matthew 22, Jesus tells us that what is most important in life is our relationship with God and our relationships with one another. We believe that families are our most important relationships and their strength will determine the strength of your family. You will Rethink the Way You Do Family when you see God’s incredible relational design for your families. God wants a Crazy Cool Family for you and we want to help you get there!

  1. 4D AGO

    #333: How To Teach Your Kids to Spend Time with Jesus (Feat. Lauren Lain)

    In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Madeline Jones sits down with her friend Lauren to talk about one of the most important roles of a parent: teaching your kids how to spend time with Jesus.  Drawing from their personal experiences growing up in faith-filled homes—and now raising young children themselves—Madeline and Lauren unpack what it looks like to move beyond religion and into a genuine relationship with God.  Rooted in John 15, this conversation centers on the truth that apart from Jesus, we can do nothing—and that includes parenting.  You’ll hear:  Why a daily relationship with Jesus is the greatest gift you can give your kids   How consistency—not perfection—builds lifelong faith   Practical tools like worship, Word, and prayer for all ages   Creative ways to disciple kids who can’t read yet   How to model authentic faith in everyday family life   From quiet time baskets and Bible story routines to real-life strategies for busy parents, this episode is packed with encouragement and simple, actionable ideas.  The heart behind it all:  When kids learn to meet with Jesus daily, they gain a foundation strong enough to carry them through anything.  Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow deeper as a family, this episode will equip you to raise kids who don’t just know about God—but truly walk with Him.  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

    39 min
  2. #332: Parenting from Overflow: Finding Time with God in Real Life

    APR 8

    #332: Parenting from Overflow: Finding Time with God in Real Life

    Hot Take - Burned out parents don’t build spiritually thriving families. In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne talk about how parents can learn to lead from overflow instead of exhaustion. They share honestly about what their own relationship with God looked like in different seasons of marriage and parenting — from babies and busyness to work stress, spiritual dry seasons, and building rhythms that last.  This episode is a practical and encouraging conversation for parents who want to stay connected to God, but feel like they don’t have enough time, energy, or margin.  In this episode, families will hear:  why parents need overflow to lead well   how to pursue Jesus in busy parenting seasons   practical ways to spend time with God when life feels full   what to do in spiritual dry seasons   how worship, Scripture, prayer, and simple habits can help parents stay spiritually filled   Don and Suzanne also share personal stories, spiritual practices that have stood the test of time, and encouragement for overwhelmed parents who want to raise kids who love Jesus.  If parenting has felt draining lately, this episode is a reminder that God wants to fill parents up first — so they can lead their families from a place of hope, peace, and overflow.  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

    38 min
  3. #331: Marriage Finances 101: How to Communicate, Budget, and Build Unity Around Money

    MAR 18

    #331: Marriage Finances 101: How to Communicate, Budget, and Build Unity Around Money

    Listen to this before your next Credit Card Statement... In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family podcast, Don and Suzanne tackle one of the most tension-filled topics in marriage: money.  After 35 years of marriage, they openly share how finances were one of the biggest sources of misunderstanding and conflict in their relationship — not because of bad intentions, but because they came into marriage with completely different money mindsets.  Don, a CPA with a master’s in tax accounting, approached finances with structure, planning, and spreadsheets. Suzanne, a self-described free spirit, had never balanced a checkbook before marriage and associated financial control with painful childhood memories. What one saw as responsibility, the other experienced as restriction. What one saw as freedom, the other interpreted as carelessness.  The result? Decades of miscommunication, avoidance, and tension around money.  In this honest and practical conversation, they unpack:  How early money misunderstandings created distance in their marriage  Why systems like strict budgeting and cash envelopes didn’t work for their personalities  The importance of building a financial system that fits both spouses  How generosity — especially tithing — changed their posture toward money  A simple “10-10 rule” concept: 10% giving, 10% saving, live on the rest  The importance of aligning spending with shared family values  Why discussing money before it’s spent prevents conflict later  The danger of credit card debt and the power of tackling it together  How hiring a financial coach became a turning point in their communication  They also reflect on how their financial journey shaped their children — and how today their married kids are handling money in healthier, more unified ways because they learned from their parents’ mistakes.  One of the most powerful takeaways from this episode is this: The enemy will use money to create division if you let it.  But through communication, generosity, flexibility, and faith, money can shift from a source of contention to a tool for unity and blessing.  If you are in a season where finances feel tense, tight, or divisive — you are not alone. There is hope. The best is still ahead.  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review! Money Deep Dive MoneySavingMom - podcast from earlier this month and a great resource!

    29 min
  4. #330: Money Matters: Building Families on Wisdom (Feat. Crystal Paine)

    MAR 4

    #330: Money Matters: Building Families on Wisdom (Feat. Crystal Paine)

    March is about Money! Episode 330 is a fun, practical, and faith-filled conversation as Suzanne sits down with Crystal Paine (MoneySavingMom.com) to help families approach money, time, and motherhood with wisdom and peace.  Crystal—mom of six (from almost 21 to age 3), writer, speaker, podcaster, and CEO of a small team—shares how her family learned to live intentionally and stay out of debt during law school by getting creative with groceries, simplifying, and focusing on what actually works in real life. She breaks down why saving money doesn’t have to mean clipping paper coupons (hello, digital deals!) and introduces a powerful mindset shift: time is money—so any “money-saving” habit should be worth the time it takes.  You’ll hear practical, step-by-step encouragement for overwhelmed moms, including why menu planning is the best first step (before trying to overhaul a budget), how to set a realistic grocery budget, and how to make slow, steady progress without stress. Crystal also explains why learning money systems can feel like learning a foreign language—and why starting small is the key to long-term success.  The conversation goes deeper as Crystal shares her parenting journey through a hard season, how God reshaped her heart, and the story of foster care, adoption, and unexpected pregnancies that changed everything. She reminds listeners that the foundation for home management isn’t hustle—it’s starting with prayer, trusting God with the day, and letting Him multiply what we don’t have.  Crystal leaves families with one central takeaway: Emmanuel—God with us. You don’t have to white-knuckle life alone. God is present, powerful, and faithful in the details.  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review! MoneySavingMom

    43 min
  5. #329: Fight Through the Gospel - The Missing Piece in Most Marriage Advice (Feat. McKenzie Reaume)

    FEB 18

    #329: Fight Through the Gospel - The Missing Piece in Most Marriage Advice (Feat. McKenzie Reaume)

    Don't save your marriage for.... later! In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, we sit down with McKenzie (our 4th daughter) to introduce the marriage Deep Dive “Fostering Love in Your Marriage.” She has been married for 4 1/2 years and has two tiny, beautiful daughters.  Together they unpack why the word fostering matters — nurturing, cultivating, and fighting toward something good — and why so many couples drift into fighting against each other instead of fighting for their relationship. Suz and Kenz talk about how marriage can become a “back burner” once kids arrive, but why it’s worth prioritizing again because children can feel unity and disunity in the home. The conversation centers on returning to what God says about love and marriage, using Scripture as the anchor rather than relying only on the world’s tools. They also share practical rhythms couples can start using right away, including making time, practicing honesty, doing regular check-ins, and choosing to love with intentionality. If you are looking for a way to invest in your marriage this month, this is the podcast for you. Listen and share with a friend, today!  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

    39 min
  6. #328: Stop Feeling Like Roommates: Practical Marriage Habits for Parents With Marriage 365

    FEB 4

    #328: Stop Feeling Like Roommates: Practical Marriage Habits for Parents With Marriage 365

    In this episode, Don and Suzanne talk with Casey and Meygan Caston from Marriage365 about simple, practical marriage tools for busy parents. If your relationship feels stuck in logistics, resentment, or disconnection, this conversation gives you actionable habits you can start right away.  You’ll learn how small, daily investments — not grand gestures — build strong, lasting marriages.  In This Episode: The weekly marriage check-in meeting that reduces conflict  How to share the mental load as a couple  Why thriving marriages use tools and systems  How to apologize in a way that actually repairs relationships  The power of forgiveness and humility in family life  Why initiation is leadership in marriage  How to work on your marriage — even if your spouse won’t engage yet  How healthy marriage habits impact your kids  Get Their BOOK! The Marriage Habit — practical habits and tools to build connection, repair conflict, and strengthen your marriage.  Something to Try This Week: Schedule a 30-minute weekly marriage meeting  Practice one intentional apology  Initiate one connection moment daily  Ask your spouse how you can lighten their load  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

    49 min
  7. #327: Purpose Is Not Passive: How to Set Direction for Your Family (Part 2)

    JAN 21

    #327: Purpose Is Not Passive: How to Set Direction for Your Family (Part 2)

    Still Feeling Stuck? Here's Part 2! In Part 2 of this conversation, we shift from personal and marriage goals to setting vision and goals for your family. Healthy family goals don’t start with changing your kids—they start with aligned parents. Building on the foundation of personal growth and marital unity, we talk about how to intentionally design your family culture instead of letting it drift. In this episode, we cover: Why family goals work best when parents are unified How to create family vision without overwhelming your kids The difference between family goals and family values How to invite your children into the process in age-appropriate ways Setting rhythms and priorities that shape your home over time You don’t need a perfect plan—you need clarity, unity, and direction. 🎧 Listen to Episode 327 and start designing your family culture for 2026 with purpose. Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review! Buy the Deep Dive TODAY! (Listen to the episode for a special offer)

    23 min
  8. #326: Purpose Is Not Passive: How to Set Direction for Your Family

    JAN 7

    #326: Purpose Is Not Passive: How to Set Direction for Your Family

    Designing 2026: Goals That Matter  Feeling overwhelmed by goal-setting? In this episode, we share a simple, biblical framework for setting meaningful goals for 2026—starting with you and then your marriage.  Using Mark 12:30, we break goals into four areas: heart, soul, mind, and strength, and talk about how small, realistic steps can lead to real growth over time.  We also dive into: How to set personal goals without burnout  Why the soul is often overlooked—and why it matters  Protecting your mind in a world full of noise  Designing your marriage instead of letting it drift  How to set marriage goals without creating conflict  Progress matters more than perfection.  🎧 Next episode: Setting goals as a family and building unity at home.  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review! Buy the Deep Dive TODAY! (Listen to the episode for a special offer)

    32 min
See All (333)

5
out of 5
69 Ratings

About

Want home to be your favorite place in the world? Want to see siblings get along like best friends? Want to send your kid off to college with hope instead of fear? At Crazy Cool Family, we can help you answer all of those questions with a resounding “YES!” We have one simple mission: To show parents how to create amazing families by building their lives around Jesus and helping their kids to do the same. In Matthew 22, Jesus tells us that what is most important in life is our relationship with God and our relationships with one another. We believe that families are our most important relationships and their strength will determine the strength of your family. You will Rethink the Way You Do Family when you see God’s incredible relational design for your families. God wants a Crazy Cool Family for you and we want to help you get there!

Information

  • Creator
    Don and Suzanne Manning
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    333
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022 Crazy Cool Family
  • Show Website
    Crazy Cool Family

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