Raising Godly Girls

American Heritage Girls
  • 4.8 (59)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

For over 30 years, American Heritage Girls® has come alongside families and youth ministry leaders in offering Christ-centered, girl-focused character development. Through the Raising Godly Girls® Podcast, presented by American Heritage Girls, listeners get to tap into the advice that seasoned AHG leaders have gleaned over three decades of ministering to girls. Plus, hear from industry experts with solutions to a broad range of issues impacting today's girls. Get Biblically-sound and actionable tips from fellow parents, volunteers, and thought leaders on how to raise up a girl after God's own heart.

  1. Ep. 328 – When Your Girl's Friend Drama Spills into the Family

    7H AGO

    Ep. 328 – When Your Girl's Friend Drama Spills into the Family

    Continuing a week of episodes on Godly friendship, hosts Melissa Bearden and Rachael Culpepper put the friend drama under the spotlight. When boy crazy seasons affect girls' friendships to then folding core relational skills that play into a marriage setting, both hosts share personal issues they've parented through personally.     Leaning on the wisdom of healthy boundaries communicated in grace, Melissa and Rachael share a core tenet of maintaining interactions in the midst of oversharing, obsessive tendencies toward boys, and balancing time spent with each friend to avoid jealousy.     The Raising Godly Girls Minute shows gracious wisdom that comes through Biblical loyalty in friendship. When today's girls are used to swiping left to immediately make something (or someone) undesirable go away, it's important that girls don't adopt the same pattern toward one another in real life. Melissa shares her daughter's experience walking through an instance when this was tested in a specific friendship. Discovering that her friend had changed—and preferred her phone over the person in front of her—was revealing to Melissa's daughter, helping her to cultivate important patterns moving forward.     Rachael shares three Biblical approaches to help girls hop off the friend drama roller coaster and adopt a more consistent pattern in their friendships. From getting to know a friend's parents to allowing trusted mentor and pastoral voices speak into conflict, each approach cuts down an addiction to division and embraces a more mature, Godly friendship.       Three Things to Consider:    Knowing the Friend's Family Helps to Offer Context when head-to-head conflict seems to be the norm.    Grace Comes through the Gentle Truth of Scripture to turn the tide on unhealthy friendship patterns.   When Conflict Boils Over, Lean on Your Village—You don't have to go this parenting journey alone.       Scriptures Shared in this Episode:    Proverbs 17:17  Ephesians 4:32  1 Corinthians 13    Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.      Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

    29 min
  2. Ep. 327 – Key Ingredients for Trusted Friendships in Today's Girls

    2D AGO

    Ep. 327 – Key Ingredients for Trusted Friendships in Today's Girls

    On this Tuesday episode of the RGG Podcast, hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden launch a week of conversations surrounding friendships—something that Christian girls might struggle to navigate Biblically and often the source of a girl's first heartbreak.     With the banner of John 13 in the spotlight, this episode peels back the curtain on Christian girlhood friendships—by showing the world "who and Whose they are" by how they walk out the bond of friendship with other girls. Melissa unhitches from a worldly notion of cancel culture or even bullying tactics when a friendships go awry. Since conflict is inevitable in friendship, it's important to lead girls to stay aligned with the Lord's character when navigating those difficulties.     The Raising Godly Girls Minute poses a provocative mindset shift—what if girls were to offload the pressure of "best friend forever" and opted to embrace true friendship in loyalty? This slight distinction liberates today's Christian girls to take on a Biblical approach rather than a culture-fueled narrative.     From an older girl parenting to a younger girl parenting perspective, both hosts unpack how they lead their daughters to navigate conflict. 'Friendship breaks' can help a girl rein in her own emotions. Rachael shares about all the drama that often comes along with middle school friendships in the midst of hormonal changes. Both hosts land on a healthy approach to boundaries in order to shut down patterns of manipulation and hurtful behaviors.     Rachael offers three key ways to think of a trusted friendship as a recipe, inviting girls to build something beautiful and let God lead the way in her friendships.     Three Things to Consider:    A Trusted Friendship is Christ-centered.   A Trusted Friendship is Flexible & Adaptable.   A Trusted Friendship brings JOY!       Scriptures Shared in this Episode:    John 13:34-35  1 Corinthians 13:4-6  Proverbs 27:17  Romans 12:15      Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.      Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

    30 min
  3. Ep. 326 – Helping Girls Develop a Biblical Worldview in a Culture of Confusion with Dr. Jeff Myers

    5D AGO

    Ep. 326 – Helping Girls Develop a Biblical Worldview in a Culture of Confusion with Dr. Jeff Myers

    In this weekend edition of the podcast, AHG Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay welcomes Dr. Jeff Myers, apologist and President of Summit Ministries as a guest. From various book titles to teaching work through Summit, Dr. Myers specializes in guiding families into confidence so they can raise well-equipped kids whose faith tracks throughout their lives.     Patti describes a world where girls who believe in absolute truth are often mocked and that the cultural message of "live your truth" is steeped in deception and a shaky foundation. Dr. Myers wants parents to know that apologetics is worth the effort to learn and practice well but doesn't require expertise or many college degrees.    Through a traumatic upbringing, unanswered questions about his faith, and then a nearly fatal car accident, Dr. Myers describes his journey away from and then toward the Gospel with God using Summit Ministries in his own life.     Patti and Jeff talk about the Charlie Kirk legacy of fielding questions in public settings to clarify and invite people into a Gospel relationship with God. Through 1 Peter 3:15 and 2 Peter 2:24, Dr. Myers had the opportunity to counsel Charlie in order to keep his work focused on a Biblical Worldview foundation. Now after Charlie's death, Patti and Dr. Myers both hope his legacy continues.     Dr. Myers and Patti talk through issues that are pressing in on today's girls, including transgenderism as a social contagion. Jeff feels it's not only important to prepare girls to have a response but to have a solid confidence in God in order to push back against this spiking trend. Parents shouldn't feel like they have to start with the heavy-hitter topics though. Dr. Myers feels that the time to start having apologetics conversations is as soon as children can talk. Through natural questions, cueing conversations, and keeping an ongoing connection with kids, Dr. Myers encourages parents to faithfully embrace their place as primary disciplers of their girls.    Patti brings up the relationship between questions, doubt, and discipleship, to which Dr. Myers offers practical approaches for a sustainable path—one that real-life parents can follow. Jeff's wisdom on Biblical Worldview serves as the foundation for both parents and kids, so it's vital for parents to be willing to learn alongside their girls. Finally, Dr. Myers tells about a young woman who skillfully kept open dialogue going through asking good questions and a willingness to listen—thereby facilitating intelligent and helpful conversation in a very casual setting. Dr. Myers sees the influence of these approaches as a deep blessing to many around Christians who practice their Biblical Worldview in these ways.     Dr. Myers tells about Summit Ministries summer intensive for high school and college students and how the influence of alumnae is shaping the current landscape of apologetics in today's world. Patti's final reminder seals in the strength and dept of God's truth—that it can be trusted and can withstand even the toughest critics.     Scriptures Shared in this Episode:    Romans 12:2  1 Peter 3:15  2 Peter 2:24  Genesis 1:26-27  Colossians 3:23      To learn more about Dr. Jeff Myers work, visit summit.org     Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.    Find or start an AHG Troop in your area at americanheritagegirls.org.

    45 min
  4. Ep. 325 – Equipping Girls to Defend the Bible's Toughest Questions

    JAN 29

    Ep. 325 – Equipping Girls to Defend the Bible's Toughest Questions

    To continue this week on the Raising Godly Girls Podcast's deep dive into Apologetics, hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden tease out the basics of how to approach daily conversations so parents can guide girls as they are going in daily life. Both hosts describe 'speechless' moments they each had when they didn't know how to respond to tough questions regarding their faith convictions.     Rachael talks about 'sprinkling apologetics' into normal situations like car rides and daily real life so it doesn't feel like a memorized chorus for girls, rather an infused way of living. Through questions like, "Does that line up with what we know is true?" or "What do you think God is showing us here?" Rachael shares that a girl's faith moves from fragile to fortified one conversation at a time. In an honest moment, Rachael also shares that she doesn't always know 'all the answers' as a mom, so she encourages parents to be willing to learn alongside their girls.     The featured Raising Godly Girls Minute in this episode drops a difficult Bible question that comes up a lot for girls: "God in the Old Testament seems very different from God in the New Testament—are there different God's in the Bible?" With generation alpha's focus on social media algorithm-fueled scroll feeds and YouTube influencer-fed notions (often apart from Scripture), many parents are feeling overwhelmed and hopeless about the current state of the next generation's worldview status.     The hosts remind listeners that real-life apologetics has to happen…in real life! So the old notion of memorized answers and echo-chamber video feeds miss the mark. With three key anchor points, Rachael guides listeners through ways to approach this well. Story Swaps, Debate Club, and Faith Detective all offer creative approaches that easily translate into daily conversation for families. Melissa enthusiastically challenges listeners to 'just start'—at the dining room table, in daily life activities, and often at unexpected times!    Rachael shares her love for the AHG Stars & Stripes Award process, specifically how the Spiritual Walk Essay gives award recipients a chance to unpack their journey in places that God strengthened their faith through adversity.     Three Things to Consider:    Faith is built in the small moments.  Questions are a gift, not a threat.  Equip, don't overwhelm.    Scriptures Shared in this Episode:    Matthew 5:17    Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.      Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

    32 min
  5. Ep. 324 – Why Your Daughter's Faith Needs Apologetics (Now More Than Ever!)

    JAN 27

    Ep. 324 – Why Your Daughter's Faith Needs Apologetics (Now More Than Ever!)

    In this Tuesday episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden take on the lofty topic of Christian Apologetics with an aim to bring it down to bite-sized chunks for families seeking to disciple their girls according to a Biblical Worldview in today's busy life.    Both hosts share the first times they figured out that people outside of their homes had different worldviews and how that shifted them into a new era of maturity as Christ followers. Rachael shares that girls are hearing big questions sooner, and from more directions, than any generation before them and that cultural discipleship will naturally happen unless parents actively step in to guide their daughters! Melissa reminds listeners that a girl's worldview needs to be established as well as strengthened in Scripture, otherwise it will crumble the first time it is questioned.     As a mom of a now college-aged girl, Melissa offers wisdom to listeners that a daughter's questions are not evidence that she's abandoning her faith—rather evidence of the opposite; she's seeking to strengthen her faith. She shares that she initially freaked out when the questions came, but the Holy Spirit equipped and empowered her to offer guidance rather than abandoning the conversation. Rachael balances the conversation by sharing that parenting is a long-haul journey, so these important apologetics conversations will build over time. It's certainly  not a one-and-done approach!    By embracing a girl's questions, defining and fleshing out competing worldviews, and landing on God's solid foundation, Rachael walks listeners through three key approaches to ensure that a Biblical Worldview lens guides the conversation.    Both hosts give resounding encouragement that parents don't have to be apologetics experts to guide their girls through these tough questions. In true Raising Godly Girls fashion, it's deeply good for parents and girls to learn TOGETHER!      Three Things to Consider:    Start with Her Questions  Help Her Recognize Competing Worldviews  Teach Her that God's Truth Holds Up under Pressure    Scriptures Shared in this Episode:    Deuteronomy 6:4-9  Matthew 28:18-20    Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.       Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

    26 min
  6. Ep. 323 — Raising a Gender-Confident Girl in a Confused Culture with Dr. Kathy Koch

    JAN 24

    Ep. 323 — Raising a Gender-Confident Girl in a Confused Culture with Dr. Kathy Koch

    In this Saturday episode, AHG Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay welcomes Dr. Kathy Koch back to the podcast as a returning guest to talk about ways we can raise gender-confident girls in a world steeped in confusion. Even when the culture tells us that Scripture is antiquated and oppressive, girls can embrace the clarity, purpose, and peace God offers us through His Word—a solid foundation for both Patti and Dr. Kathy in this conversation.    Dr. Kathy shares about her new book Raising Gender-Confident Kids, co-authored with Dr. Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries.     Dr. Kathy courageously describes the intention behind the book with Dr. Jeff Myers to embolden parents to push back and say 'no' to a deceptive notion of transitioning kids to different genders by altering their physical bodies. Patti draws out the direction of the book's title—gender-confident rather than gender-confused. Dr. Kathy unpacks the joy behind this theme by rooting a family's confidence in God first and then trickling down to a girl's understanding of her gender. Patti recalls her mother's phrase, 'God doesn't make mistakes.' This led the discussion to understanding God as the Potter at the wheel designing and crafting our bodies with perfect intention and meticulous care.    Dr. Kathy shares her personal journey as a girl learning to embrace things about herself that she previously ached to change, then under her mom's wise leadership shifting her thinking to love the unique facets of her body's design. From her height to her voice, Dr. Kathy shares wisdom, joy, and hope for girls struggling with their body's design.     Dr. Kathy offers precision in regard to gender confusion, settling that it is loving for a parent to correct confusion in gentleness and love. Patti and Dr. Kathy address the notion of labels that has changed drastically over the last 50 years in western cultures. To calm the strife, Dr. Kathy guides listeners to celebrate both the strength and softness of a girl's femininity rather than letting culture guide our views. Through the lens of a Biblical Worldview, Dr. Kathy teaches ways to let Scripture guide a girl's understanding, both with quoted chapter and verse as well as values of the Bible woven into daily conversations. Dr. Koch and Dr. Myers' book includes conversation starters so parents have a helpful launch-point when issues come up.     Scriptures Shared in this Episode:    Genesis 1:27  Isaiah 64:8  Psalm 139:13-14    For more information on Dr. Kathy's work, visit: celebratekids.com   Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.    Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

    31 min
  7. BONUS EPISODE — Giving a Voice to the Most Vulnerable & Relentless Advocacy for Pre-Born Life with Abby Johnson

    JAN 23 · BONUS

    BONUS EPISODE — Giving a Voice to the Most Vulnerable & Relentless Advocacy for Pre-Born Life with Abby Johnson

    In this Bonus Episode on Raising Godly Girls, Patti Garibay sits down with Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood clinic director and founder of And Then There Were None, for a special bonus episode ahead of the 2026 March for Life. Abby shares her powerful journey from working inside the abortion industry to becoming one of the most influential voices in the pro-life movement. Her story is a testimony to redemption, courage, and the unwavering value of every human life.  Abby opens up about the "fire in her belly" moment that changed her path, the challenges and victories of helping abortion clinic workers transition out of the industry, and the inspiration behind her new film Unthinkable. Moms and families will gain practical insight into talking about life, faith, and compassion with their daughters, even in a culture that often devalues life.  Together, Patti and Abby explore the spiritual and emotional preparation for public witness at events like the March for Life, as well as the importance of cultivating a pro-life mindset in the home. Listeners will hear encouragement, hope, and concrete steps to raise daughters who are compassionate, courageous, and grounded in the belief that every life matters.  Whether you're attending the March for Life, raising Godly girls, or simply seeking encouragement in standing for truth, this episode equips and inspires.     Scripture Referenced in This Episode:  Jeremiah 1:5—"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;"  Psalm 51:6—"Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart."  Psalm 32:1-2—"Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit."  Romans 5:20—"...but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more..."    To learn more about Abby Johnson and her new film, visit abbyj.com and abortionworker.com.  Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.    To find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.

    54 min
  8. Ep. 322 — Gender Roles, Modern Family, & the Christian Ethic

    JAN 22

    Ep. 322 — Gender Roles, Modern Family, & the Christian Ethic

    This Thursday episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast dives into the often misunderstood world of gender roles and seeks to offer Biblical freedom and joy in places that have previously been understood as stifling and rigid. Throughout the conversation, hosts Natalie Ambrose and Melissa Bearden maintain anchors in a Biblical Worldview regarding gender and the various roles that girls and women play within the Kingdom of God.    After a fun discussion of 'girls' chores' versus 'boys chores', Melissa and Natalie settle into the contentment and joy God has for girls of all personalities, strengths, and preferences—all aiming to edify and refine God's people and to embrace the world around us for the sake of the pure Gospel message.    The Raising Godly Girls Minute in the middle of this episode opens the door to some great discussion on the color pink and how that can morph and fade for some girls. Melissa shares her mothering journey of teaching her girl to embrace who God made her to be and now relishing in the fruit of that ongoing conversation now that her daughter is in college.    Using Scripture as a guide, Natalie offers three key anchors to guide families' understanding of Biblical femininity and gender roles—especially as girls grow into the next generation of Christian leaders.      Three Things to Consider:    Scriptures to Guide a Christian Girl's View of Gender Roles:    Proverbs 31:30—no matter a girl's place on the spectrum of 'girly' to 'tom boy', she can reflect her Lord through a heart that wants to walk with Him.    Luke 1:46-48—Known as 'The Magnificat' this passage of Scripture showcases Mary's open heart to follow the Lord's command for her life. Your girl can have the same heart to follow God as Mary!    Galatians 5:22-23—The Fruit of the Spirit passage of Scripture is a great reminder that no matter the strengths, every girl can grow in areas that reflect Christ.    Scriptures Shared in this Episode:    Proverbs 31:30   Luke 1:46-48   Galatians 5:22-23     Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.        To find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.

    31 min
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4.8
out of 5
59 Ratings

About

For over 30 years, American Heritage Girls® has come alongside families and youth ministry leaders in offering Christ-centered, girl-focused character development. Through the Raising Godly Girls® Podcast, presented by American Heritage Girls, listeners get to tap into the advice that seasoned AHG leaders have gleaned over three decades of ministering to girls. Plus, hear from industry experts with solutions to a broad range of issues impacting today's girls. Get Biblically-sound and actionable tips from fellow parents, volunteers, and thought leaders on how to raise up a girl after God's own heart.

Information

  • Creator
    American Heritage Girls
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    332
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Raising Godly Girls

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