Family Meeting

Thomas Osterkamp
  • 4.9 (29)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

The Family Meeting Podcast is a podcast all about family relationships. Our goal is to help you have the family dynamic that you have always wanted. Thomas and Lysandra invite you to be a part of their family. They pull back the curtain on their family life to share practical tips and advice on everything from marriage, parenting, sex, and everything in between. For helpful posts, videos, podcast show notes, or to book them to speak at your next event, go to www.familymeeting.org.

  1. FMP 298: What Is Your Spouse Competing With?

    4d ago

    FMP 298: What Is Your Spouse Competing With?

    What does your spouse feel like they're competing with? Your phone? Your work? The kids? Your hobbies? Stress? Exhaustion? In many marriages, emotional distance doesn't happen because love disappears. It happens because connection slowly gets replaced by distractions, priorities, and competing demands. In Episode 298 of The Family Meeting Podcast, we talk about the hidden things spouses often feel they are competing against for your time, attention, emotional energy, and affection, and how those patterns quietly damage intimacy and connection. In this episode, we cover: Why emotional neglect often happens unintentionally. Common "competitors" that slowly pull couples apart. How phones, stress, work, hobbies, and parenting affect connection. Signs your spouse feels emotionally deprioritized. Practical ways to rebuild intentional connection. How to make your marriage feel emotionally safe and prioritized again. Biblical wisdom for protecting intimacy and connection in marriage. Your spouse should not constantly feel like they're fighting for your attention. Healthy marriages are built when couples intentionally protect connection from the things trying to steal it. Subscribe for weekly conversations on marriage, parenting, and faith. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Marriage Connection Audit Guide. For more information: https://linktr.ee/familymeeting

    1h 17m
  2. FMP 297: Why Family Meetings End in Tears or Anger

    Jun 3

    FMP 297: Why Family Meetings End in Tears or Anger

    Why do so many family meetings start with good intentions… but end in tears, anger, or emotional shutdown? Many parents want open communication with their kids, but without emotional safety, healthy structure, and wise communication, family conversations can quickly become tense, defensive, and overwhelming. In Episode 297 of The Family Meeting Podcast, we talk about why family meetings often become emotionally charged and how to create healthier, calmer, and more productive conversations at home. In this episode, we cover: Why family meetings escalate emotionally. Common communication mistakes parents make. How tone, timing, and pressure affect conversations. Why kids cry, shut down, or become defensive. Practical ways to create emotional safety in your home. How to lead difficult conversations without creating fear or resentment. Biblical wisdom for patience, understanding, and healthy communication. Healthy family communication doesn't happen automatically. It must be intentionally built. If your family conversations often end in frustration instead of connection, this episode will give you practical tools to communicate with more peace, trust, and clarity. Subscribe for weekly conversations on marriage, parenting, and faith. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Healthy Family Conversations Guide. For more information: https://linktr.ee/familymeeting

    1h 1m
  3. FMP 296: The Unspoken Expectations That Create Resentment In Marriage

    May 27

    FMP 296: The Unspoken Expectations That Create Resentment In Marriage

    "I shouldn't have to ask." "If they really loved me, they would just know." "I do everything, and they do nothing." These are often signs "secret contracts", unspoken, unagreed-upon expectations we place on our spouse that quietly create frustration, disappointment, and resentment. In Episode 296 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra unpack how hidden expectations damage marriages and why clear communication is essential for healthy connection. In this episode, you'll learn: What "secret contracts" in marriage actually are. Why unspoken expectations lead to resentment. Common hidden assumptions couples make. How unmet expectations fuel conflict and emotional distance. Practical ways to communicate needs clearly and respectfully. Biblical wisdom for humility, honesty, and healthy communication. Strong marriages are not built on mind-reading. They're built on honest conversations. If you've ever felt disappointed because your spouse didn't do what you expected, even though you never clearly communicated it, this episode will help you identify hidden assumptions and create healthier patterns in your relationship. Subscribe for weekly conversations on marriage, parenting, and faith. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Hidden Expectations in Marriage Reflection Guide. For more information: https://linktr.ee/familymeeting

    1h 7m
  4. FMP 295: How to Help Your Child If They Question Their Gender

    May 20

    FMP 295: How to Help Your Child If They Question Their Gender

    What do you do when your child begins questioning their gender? For many parents, this can feel emotional, confusing, and overwhelming. You want to respond with both truth and compassion, but knowing how to navigate the conversation wisely can feel difficult. In Episode 295 of The Family Meeting Podcast, we discuss how parents can support, guide, and love their child while staying grounded in biblical convictions, healthy communication, and strong family connection. In this episode, we cover: How to respond calmly instead of reacting emotionally. Why listening and relationship matter during difficult conversations. The difference between affirming feelings and affirming conclusions. How culture, identity, emotions, and social influences impact children and teens. Biblical principles about identity, truth, compassion, and love. Practical ways to keep trust and communication open in your home. Your child needs more than panic or pressure. They need parents who are grounded, loving, emotionally safe, and willing to walk through hard conversations with wisdom and grace. If your family is navigating difficult identity conversations, this episode will help you approach them with clarity, compassion, and conviction.  Subscribe for weekly conversations on marriage, parenting, and faith. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Navigating Difficult Identity Conversations with Your Child Guide. For more information: https://linktr.ee/familymeeting

    1h 8m
  5. FMP 294: How Unhealthy Boundaries Are Ruining Your Family

    May 13

    FMP 294: How Unhealthy Boundaries Are Ruining Your Family

    Do you constantly feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or stretched too thin? For many families, the problem isn't just a busy schedule, it's poor boundaries. When you say yes to everything, carry responsibilities that aren't yours, or never create margin, stress becomes a permanent way of life. In Episode 294 of The Family Meeting Podcast, we talk about how healthy limits bring peace to your marriage and family and why poor boundaries often lead to burnout, resentment, emotional exhaustion, and constant tension. In this episode, we cover: What unhealthy boundaries actually look like. Why people-pleasing creates perpetual stress. How poor boundaries damage marriage and family relationships. The connection between emotional exhaustion and weak limits. Practical ways to establish healthy emotional and relational boundaries. Biblical wisdom for protecting your peace and priorities. Not every need is your responsibility. Not every opportunity deserves your yes. Healthy boundaries are not selfish. They're necessary for emotional, relational, and spiritual health. Subscribe for weekly conversations on marriage, parenting, and faith. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Healthy Boundaries Self-Assessment Guide. For more information: https://linktr.ee/familymeeting

    53 min
  6. FMP 293: How to Prepare Your Kids for a Healthy Marriage

    May 6

    FMP 293: How to Prepare Your Kids for a Healthy Marriage

    You're not just raising kids for today, you're raising someone's future spouse. In Episode 293 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra talk about how to raise children who grow up to be great husbands and wives. The habits, attitudes, and values your kids develop now will directly shape how they love, communicate, and commit in marriage later. Marriage preparation doesn't start in premarital counseling. It starts in your home. In this episode, you'll learn: Why marriage training begins in childhood. The key character traits that shape strong future spouses. How your marriage models relationship patterns for your kids. Practical ways to teach respect, responsibility, and selflessness. How discipline, boundaries, and consistency prepare kids for commitment. Biblical principles for raising children who honor God in relationships. Your kids are learning how to love by watching you. If you want to raise children who are emotionally healthy, committed, and ready for lifelong relationships, this episode will help you parent with long-term vision and purpose. Subscribe for weekly conversations on marriage, parenting, and faith. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Raising Future Spouses Parenting Guide. For more information: https://linktr.ee/familymeeting

    1h 2m
  7. FMP 292: Shared Financial Goals in Marriage

    Apr 29

    FMP 292: Shared Financial Goals in Marriage

    Money isn't just a financial issue in marriage. It's a unity issue. In Episode 292 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra talk about the importance of creating shared financial goals, and why so many couples struggle to get on the same page when it comes to money. Different spending habits, priorities, and expectations can quietly create tension, conflict, and distance. But when couples align financially, they build trust, clarity, and long-term stability. In this episode, you'll learn: Why couples often struggle with money conversations. The difference between individual vs shared financial goals. How misaligned priorities create conflict in marriage. Practical steps to create a unified financial vision. How to communicate about money without arguments. Biblical principles for stewardship, contentment, and planning. Financial unity doesn't happen by accident. It happens through intentional conversations and shared direction. If you want less stress and more alignment in your marriage, this episode will help you build a financial plan you both believe in. Subscribe for weekly conversations on marriage, parenting, and faith. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Couples Financial Alignment Worksheet. For more information: https://linktr.ee/familymeeting

    1 hr
  8. FMP 291: Should Kids Follow Their Heart?

    Apr 22

    FMP 291: Should Kids Follow Their Heart?

    "Follow your heart." It sounds inspiring, but is it actually wise? In Episode 291 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra tackle a popular cultural message and ask a deeper question: Should we really teach our kids to follow their heart? While feelings are real, they aren't always reliable. When children are taught to let emotions lead, they can struggle with decision-making, discipline, and long-term wisdom. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "follow your heart" can be misleading for kids. The difference between feelings and truth. How to teach your children to think, not just feel. Biblical guidance on the heart, wisdom, and decision-making. Practical ways to help kids process emotions without being controlled by them. How to raise children who are grounded, wise, and emotionally healthy. Parenting isn't about ignoring emotions. It's about teaching your kids how to lead their emotions, not be led by them. If you want to raise children who make wise decisions in a feelings-driven world, this episode will help you parent with clarity, confidence, and biblical truth. Subscribe for weekly conversations on marriage, parenting, and faith. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Helping Kids Make Wise Decisions Guide. For more information: https://linktr.ee/familymeeting

    50 min
See All (298)

4.9
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

The Family Meeting Podcast is a podcast all about family relationships. Our goal is to help you have the family dynamic that you have always wanted. Thomas and Lysandra invite you to be a part of their family. They pull back the curtain on their family life to share practical tips and advice on everything from marriage, parenting, sex, and everything in between. For helpful posts, videos, podcast show notes, or to book them to speak at your next event, go to www.familymeeting.org.

Information

  • Creator
    Thomas Osterkamp
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    298
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020 Thomas Osterkamp
  • Show Website
    Family Meeting

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