Raise & Release

Rachel Gunn
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Raise & Release is a Christian parenting podcast for moms who want to learn how to parent themselves out of a job by raising confident, healthy children. Author and parent educator Rachel Gunn, with the help of her good friend, Jenny, offers faith-based parenting advice, practical principles, and honest conversations for moms parenting toddlers, teens, and young adults. Parenting is discipleship: we plant, we water, and we trust God with the growth. Here, Rachel offers a soft place to land for moms in every season.

  1. 1D AGO

    Dating Rules

    In this episode of Raise and Release, Jennie and Rachel kick off a powerful three-part series on dating, diving into how today’s teen dating culture looks very different from what most parents experienced growing up. With honesty and humor, they explore the tension between “old school” dating rules and the modern realities kids are navigating. Rachel shares insights from her own parenting journey, including what she learned as her daughters entered the dating world. Together, they unpack why traditional rules like “girls don’t call boys,” “no dating until 16,” and “boys should always pay” don’t translate neatly into today’s culture of texting, group hangouts, and slow-building relationships. Rather than clinging to rigid rules, the conversation centers on identifying the principles behind those rules, such as self-respect, emotional readiness, and mutual kindness. Rachel introduces a practical framework for parents to evaluate dating guidelines: understand the principle, adapt it to today’s culture, and question whether the rule is still necessary at all. The episode emphasizes the importance of equipping kids, not controlling them, helping them build confidence, communicate well, and navigate relationships in healthy ways. Parents are encouraged to shift from enforcing rules to guiding with intention, creating space for conversations, and fostering trust as their children grow. This episode sets the foundation for the series, offering a refreshing, thoughtful approach to parenting through the evolving world of teen dating. Key Topics Covered How modern teen dating differs from traditional dating normsWhy old-school dating rules don’t always apply todayThe importance of identifying principles behind parenting rulesTeaching teens self-respect, boundaries, and emotional readiness in relationshipsShifting from control-based parenting to guidance and equipping kids for healthy dating Listen to Raise & Release Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio Continue the conversation Each week, the Raise & Release Journal helps you reflect, slow down, and think about how this connects to your own parenting. Read this week’s Raise & Release Journal → HERE Learn more If you’re looking for a deeper foundation for healthy, faith-centered parenting, you can learn more about my book, Impact Parenting, here. About Seeds of Impact Seeds of Impact is the heart behind everything I do. Through this nonprofit, we help moms in recovery break unhealthy cycles and build stronger families. Learn more at seedsofimpact.org Connect with Jenny on Instagram Connect with Rachel Follow along on Instagram Join the conversation on Threads Find me on Facebook

    19 min

  2. MAR 31

    Katelyn: Connection Over Control

    In this episode of Raise and Release, Rachel sits down with her daughter, Katelyn, for an honest conversation about what it was actually like to be parented with intention. After exploring discipline, teachable moments, and communication in previous episodes, Rachel invites Katelyn to share her perspective—what stood out, what felt meaningful, and what made a lasting impact. Through real-life stories and candid reflection, they unpack how discipline can move beyond punishment, why connection changes how correction is received, and how trust is built over time through consistency and repair. Katelyn offers a unique lens into how parenting choices are experienced on the other side, reminding us that while kids may not always agree with our decisions, they can still understand and respect them when we communicate clearly and lead with intention. This episode is a powerful reminder that parenting is not about control. It’s about building influence, trust, and a relationship that lasts beyond childhood. Key Topics Covered Discipline as consequences, not punishmentCuriosity, conversation, and correction in real-life parentingThe importance of logical consequences that connect to behaviorRepairing through apology and taking responsibility as a parentUsing teachable moments instead of a lectureHow reputation and trust are built over timeWhy “because I said so” can damage long-term influenceShifting from control rooted in fear to communication rooted in connection Listen to Raise & Release Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio Continue the conversation Each week, the Raise & Release Journal helps you reflect, slow down, and think about how this connects to your own parenting. Read this week’s Raise & Release Journal → HERE Learn more If you’re looking for a deeper foundation for healthy, faith-centered parenting, you can learn more about my book, Impact Parenting, here. About Seeds of Impact Seeds of Impact is the heart behind everything I do. Through this nonprofit, we help moms in recovery break unhealthy cycles and build stronger families. Learn more at seedsofimpact.org Connect with Jenny on Instagram Connect with Rachel Follow along on Instagram Join the conversation on Threads Find me on Facebook

    22 min

  3. MAR 24

    Parent PR Makeover

    In this episode of Raise and Release, Jenny and Rachel unpack a powerful and relatable idea: parenting doesn’t need to change its heart; it needs to change its messaging. Most parents deeply desire to guide, protect, and equip their children, but what kids often experience instead is control, correction, and criticism. This disconnect can quietly erode trust and influence over time. Through honest conversation and practical examples, this episode introduces the concept of a Parent PR Makeover, which is all about aligning your communication with your true intentions. By shifting language, tone, and approach, parents can maintain their standards while building stronger relationships and deeper trust with their kids. This episode is a reminder that parenting is not about policing behavior, but about cultivating connection, influence, and long-term impact. Key Topics Covered Why parents need a PR makeoverWhat are our goals as parentsReframing our job as parentsThe language shift that changes how kids experience usMoving from control to influence Listen to Raise & Release Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio Continue the conversation Each week, the Raise & Release Journal helps you reflect, slow down, and think about how this connects to your own parenting. Read this week’s Raise & Release Journal → HERE Learn more If you’re looking for a deeper foundation for healthy, faith-centered parenting, you can learn more about my book, Impact Parenting, here. About Seeds of Impact Seeds of Impact is the heart behind everything I do. Through this nonprofit, we help moms in recovery break unhealthy cycles and build stronger families. Learn more at seedsofimpact.org Connect with Jenny on Instagram Connect with Rachel Follow along on Instagram Join the conversation on Threads Find me on Facebook

    15 min

  4. MAR 17

    Teachable Moments

    Episode Summary In this episode, Jenny and Rachel talk about the power of teachable moments in parenting. Instead of relying on lectures or correcting behavior in the heat of the moment, parents can use everyday experiences to guide their children toward wisdom and maturity. Rachel shares practical examples from her own parenting journey and explains how teachable moments help parents plant seeds that shape character over time. The conversation also explores the importance of timing, emotional awareness, and letting go of the pressure to force understanding or agreement in the moment. This episode encourages parents to slow down, stay relational with their kids, and trust that intentional conversations today will bear fruit in the future. Key Topics Covered 00:25 – Introduction to Teachable Moments Jenny and Rachel introduce the topic and discuss how parents often miss opportunities to guide their children through everyday situations. 03:16 – What Teachable Moments Really Are Rachel explains how teachable moments differ from lectures and why they focus on relational conversations rather than correcting behavior. 06:00 – Real-Life Examples of Teachable Moments Rachel shares parenting stories about school rumors and a dress code incident that became lessons about critical thinking and reputation. 12:05 – When Teachable Moments Work (and When They Don’t) Why timing matters, how emotional escalation blocks learning, and why parents should focus on planting seeds rather than forcing understanding. Listen to Raise & Release Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio Continue the conversation Each week, the Raise & Release Journal helps you reflect, slow down, and think about how this connects to your own parenting. Read this week’s Raise & Release Journal → HERE Learn more If you’re looking for a deeper foundation for healthy, faith-centered parenting, you can learn more about my book, Impact Parenting, here. About Seeds of Impact Seeds of Impact is the heart behind everything I do. Through this nonprofit, we help moms in recovery break unhealthy cycles and build stronger families. Learn more at seedsofimpact.org Connect with Jenny on Instagram Connect with Rachel Follow along on Instagram Join the conversation on Threads Find me on Facebook

    19 min

  5. MAR 10

    Discipline

    Episode Summary In this episode, we talk about what healthy discipline actually looks like and how it changes as our kids grow. Instead of seeing discipline as punishment, we explore how it can be a tool for teaching, guiding, and building trust with our children. Using the stages of parenting framework, we discuss how discipline shifts from setting clear boundaries in the toddler years to teaching and shaping the heart in the elementary years, and eventually to coaching and influence as our kids move into the teen years. As highlighted in Impact Parenting, effective discipline is about guiding children toward understanding their actions while nurturing their growth and character. We also walk through practical approaches parents can use in each stage, including the PBS model for younger children and the curiosity–conversation–correction approach for older kids. Throughout the conversation, we share real-life scenarios and examples of how curiosity and connection can lead to better outcomes than reacting in frustration. The goal of discipline isn’t control. It’s helping our children learn to manage themselves and make wise decisions as they grow. Key Topics Covered The three stages of discipline: boundary, teaching, and coaching. The PBS model: polite, behavior-focused, and simple discipline. Curiosity, conversation, and correction when addressing behavior. Why connection matters before correctionMoving from control to influence as children growListen to Raise & Release Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio Continue the conversation Each week, the Raise & Release Journal helps you reflect, slow down, and think about how this connects to your own parenting. Read this week’s Raise & Release Journal → HERE Learn more If you’re looking for a deeper foundation for healthy, faith-centered parenting, you can learn more about my book, Impact Parenting, here. About Seeds of Impact Seeds of Impact is the heart behind everything I do. Through this nonprofit, we help moms in recovery break unhealthy cycles and build stronger families. Learn more at seedsofimpact.org Connect with Jenny on Instagram Connect with Rachel Follow along on Instagram Join the conversation on Threads Find me on Facebook

    24 min

  6. MAR 3

    Girls Talk: Rules & Conflict

    In this honest and sometimes hilarious conversation, Rachel sits down with her two daughters to talk about real-life power struggles. From phone rules and life jackets to sibling comparisons and navigating the shift into young adulthood, this episode gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually feels like to grow up in a home committed to intentional parenting. Together, they unpack: Power StrugglesHow Rules Can EvolveThe Older Sibling DynamicYoung Adulthood vs. Adulthood This conversation highlights the tension between independence and accountability, especially during the teen and young adult years. It is real, reflective, and filled with insight for parents navigating similar seasons. Listen to Raise & Release Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio Continue the Conversation Each week, the Raise & Release Journal helps you reflect, slow down, and think about how this connects to your own parenting. Read this week’s Raise & Release Journal → HERE Learn more If you’re looking for a deeper foundation for healthy, faith-centered parenting, you can learn more about my book, Impact Parenting, here. About Seeds of Impact Seeds of Impact is the heart behind everything I do. Through this nonprofit, we help moms in recovery break unhealthy cycles and build stronger families. Learn more at seedsofimpact.org Connect with Jenny on Instagram Connect with Rachel Follow along on Instagram Join the conversation on Threads Find me on Facebook

    20 min

  7. FEB 24

    Power Struggles

    In this episode of Raise and Release, Jenny and Rachel unpack one of the most emotionally charged parts of parenting: power struggles. What if power struggles are not signs of failure or disrespect, but opportunities for growth? Power struggles are often viewed as signs of disrespect or failure, but they can actually signal healthy development. In this episode, we explore the difference between defiant and resistant power struggles and how parents can shift from control to influence. Instead of trying to eliminate conflict, the goal is to turn power struggles into meaningful conversations that build independence, respect, and long-term connection. Topics Covered Defiant vs resistant power struggles and why the difference matters Moving from rules and control to influence and coaching Teaching children to challenge authority respectfully Using real-world consequences, offering choices, and disengaging calmly when neededKey Takeaways Resistance is often a normal part of growth, especially in the teen years. When children feel heard, even if the answer is no, conflict de-escalates. Clear boundaries paired with respect build trust and influence. The goal is not to win the argument, but to prepare your child to navigate the world with confidence and responsibility. Listen to Raise & Release Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio Continue the conversation Each week, the Raise & Release Journal helps you reflect, slow down, and think about how this connects to your own parenting. Read this week’s Raise & Release Journal → HERE Learn more If you’re looking for a deeper foundation for healthy, faith-centered parenting, you can learn more about my book, Impact Parenting, here. About Seeds of Impact Seeds of Impact is the heart behind everything I do. Through this nonprofit, we help moms in recovery break unhealthy cycles and build stronger families. Learn more at seedsofimpact.org Connect with Jenny on Instagram Connect with Rachel Follow along on Instagram Join the conversation on Threads Find me on Facebook

    20 min

  8. FEB 17

    Power Over vs Power With

    In this episode of Raise and Release, we unpack the three main parenting styles and explore the powerful shift from “power over” to “power with” in our homes. If you’ve ever wondered why the teen years feel like a battle for control or why you and your spouse handle situations so differently, this conversation will give you language, clarity, and practical next steps. Key Topics Covered The Three Main Parenting Styles Authoritarian: High Rules, Low Relationship How to Shift Your Parenting Style When You and Your Spouse Parent Differently Power Over vs Power With Main Takeaways Parenting is not a dictatorship, nor is it a friendship. We do hold authority, but we are responsible for how we use it. The teen years are not meant to be a battlefield for control. Our goal is not compliance in our presence, but conviction in our absence. The shift from control to collaboration changes everything. Coming Next Week We continue the conversation on power by diving into power struggles. What are they really about, and how can we stop engaging in battles we were never meant to fight? If this episode helped you put words to something you’ve been feeling at home, share it with a friend and continue the conversation. _______________________________ Listen to Raise & Release Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio Continue the conversation Each week, the Raise & Release Journal helps you reflect, slow down, and think about how this connects to your own parenting. Read this week’s Raise & Release Journal → HERE Learn more If you’re looking for a deeper foundation for healthy, faith-centered parenting, you can learn more about my book, Impact Parenting, here. About Seeds of Impact Seeds of Impact is the heart behind everything I do. Through this nonprofit, we help moms in recovery break unhealthy cycles and build stronger families. Learn more at seedsofimpact.org with Jenny on Instagram Connect with Rachel Follow along on Instagram Join the conversation on Threads Find me on Facebook

    21 min
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About

Raise & Release is a Christian parenting podcast for moms who want to learn how to parent themselves out of a job by raising confident, healthy children. Author and parent educator Rachel Gunn, with the help of her good friend, Jenny, offers faith-based parenting advice, practical principles, and honest conversations for moms parenting toddlers, teens, and young adults. Parenting is discipleship: we plant, we water, and we trust God with the growth. Here, Rachel offers a soft place to land for moms in every season.

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel Gunn
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rachel Gunn
  • Show Website
    Raise & Release