In the final episode of our series on Discipline and Discipleship, Rich and Julie Young are joined by Don and Julie Keating for a heartfelt conversation about what it really looks like to disciple our children at every stage of parenting. God has entrusted us with the sacred calling to teach the next generation about Him — and what a privilege that is! But if you’ve ever wondered where to even start, you’re not alone.
We’ll talk about how discipleship begins with the posture of our own hearts, how our children learn more from what we model than what we say, and how to walk this out even when we feel overwhelmed or imperfect. With practical steps and real-life encouragement, this episode reminds us that God loves our children even more than we do — and He is faithfully present to guide us every step of the journey.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Don & Julie Keating, Growing Families leaders
→ Episode 21: Discipline vs. Discipleship: Defining the Difference, Discovering the Benefits // Apple // Spotify // YouTube
→ Episode 22: Heart-Focused Discipline: Teaching our Children, Not Just Punishing // Apple // Spotify // YouTube
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
→ Praying the Scriptures books by Jodie Berndt
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→ The Growing Families Website
→ The Australia & NZ Bookstore
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
Don and Julie Keating return as guests on the podcast as we dive deeper into a discussion on the importance and the necessity of discipline in parenting our children well. When we think of disciplining our children we can often think that only means punishment and doling out consequences.. But to discipline actually means to train a child in right behavior. While this does often involves consequences, there is so much more involved to encourage right behavior. (And this may not be something we want to hear, but to train our children well, we have to be disciplined ourselves.) The discussion involves practical ways to discipline our children at each stage of parenting:
1-Discipline phase: 0-5 years
2-Training phase: 6-12 years
3-Coaching phase: Teen years
We also focus on the importance of the layer upon layering of the foundation that is vital to raising responsible children who bring glory to God, bless the family, and bless others. Enjoy the conversation involving guidance, practical examples, and plenty of admissions of things we wish we had a do-over on.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Don & Julie Keating, Growing Families leaders
Discipline & Discipleship Episodes:
→ Episode 21 // Apple // Spotify // YouTube
→ Episode 22 // this episode
→ Episode 23 // Coming soon!
Speaking Life Podcast Episodes:
→ Episode 2: A matter of life and death. (Speaking Life) // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
→ Episode 3: What’s in your atmosphere? (The Life Giving Home Environment) // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
→ Episode 11 | No Room for Weeds: Nurturing a Healthy Lawn in Your Parenting // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
→ Episode 15 | Is First Time Obedience Worth It? The Neuroscience Says Yes. // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
→ Parenting from the Tree of Life Material
→ Episode 16 | The Hidden Influence: How Structure & Routine Shape Your Child's Development // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
→ Episode 10 | Parenting in the Digital Age: Responsibility & Boundaries with Technology // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
→ Episode 18 | Chores with Purpose: Instilling Work Ethic and a Heart to Serve in Your Children (a discussion with Kurt & Jill Everson) // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
→ Life in the Middle Years Material
Additional Video Segments Related to this episode:
→ Parenting in Moments of Non-Conflict
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→ The Growing Families Website
→ The Australia & NZ Bookstore
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
Join Rich and Julie Young as they welcome special guests, Don and Julie Keating, for an insightful conversation about their parenting journey. The Keatings open up about the principles that have guided their family, emphasizing the power of being a united team and the importance of speaking life into their children. As they put it, they are truly "better together," and this shared front has been essential to their success in raising 5 children who love the Lord and each other.
The discussion also dives deep into a vital distinction for every parent: the difference between discipline and discipleship. While discipline focuses on correcting behavior, discipleship is about training a child's heart. Both are necessary for raising well-rounded children, but an imbalance, as too much of one at the expense of the other can be counterproductive. This episode offers practical wisdom for building a family on a foundation of love and intention.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Don & Julie Keating, Growing Families leaders
Speaking Life Podcast Episodes:
→ Episode 2: A matter of life and death. (Speaking Life) // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
→ Episode 3: What’s in your atmosphere? (The Life Giving Home Environment) // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
→ Preparation for Parenting Material
→ Parenting from the Tree of Life Material
→ Mom Talk Thrive Recording: Discipline vs Discipleship
→ Join us live on Mom Talk Thrive
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→ The Growing Families Website
→ The Australia & NZ Bookstore
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
What happens when one’s emotional growth is stunted by past trauma? It can affect even the most successful, accomplished adults, leaving one with an emotional age far younger than their biological one. In this podcast, the Ezzos and Youngs explore a divine prescription for healing: the Life message.
Drawing from an understanding of God’s character and His life-giving virtues, the Ezzos reveal how the Life message and being a part of a life-giving community can be a powerful antidote to a deep wound caused by either a single traumatic event or a wearing down from a lack of the life message in one’s life. Discover the incredible neurological and spiritual implications of the Life message to bring healing and emotional growth to life’s deepest hurts.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo, founders
Speaking Life Podcast Episodes
→ Episode 2 // Apple Podcasts // Spotify // YouTube
→ Episode 3 // Apple Podcasts // Spotify // YouTube
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
→ Join a Growing Families Class
→ Find a Growing Families Event
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→ The Growing Families Website
→ The Australia & NZ Bookstore
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
Ready to cut through the noise of the endless stream of parenting trends on social media and trying to figure out what is best for your child??
Drawing from the newly updated, Babyhood Transitions book, we dive into topics like baby-led weaning and The Wonder Weeks, examining the science (and sometimes lack thereof) behind popular fads. Parental intentionality coupled with resolve is a better option than baby knows best because baby doesn’t really know best.
We believe that your wisdom and life experience are invaluable. Your children need you to guide them, not just follow their lead. This episode is about empowering you to be an engaged, intentional, and informed parent—someone who invests in their child's development with purpose and resolve. We'll show you how to give your child what they need, when they're ready, without rushing them - all with the purpose of maximizing your child’s potential.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo, founders
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
→ Parenting from the Tree of Life
—--------------------------------------------------
→ The Growing Families Website
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
Join Rich and Julie Young with Kurt and Jill Everson for a practical discussion on chores. This episode redefines chores, exploring their surprising benefits for kids' development and family cooperation. Discover how these tasks build vital life skills and a strong work ethic, plus get actionable strategies for implementing them effectively with children from an early age through to the teen years.
Ever wonder if chores could be more than just… chores? Join Rich and Julie Young, alongside Kurt and Jill Everson, for a game-changing discussion that redefines the very essence of household tasks. This isn't just about tidying up; it's about unlocking surprising benefits for your kids' development and fostering unparalleled family cooperation. Tune in to discover how these seemingly simple tasks build vital life skills, cultivate a robust work ethic, and pave the way for a more harmonious home. Plus, get ready for actionable strategies you can implement with children from their earliest years right through their teens!
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Kurt & Jill Everson, Growing Families leaders
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
→ Podcast episode on entitlement // YouTube // Apple Podcasts // Spotify
→ How to Raise a Responsible Child - the Monkey Teaching (Original Video)
→ How to Raise a Responsible Child - the Monkey Teaching (Video)
Additional Video Segments Related to this episode:
→ Proactive strategies in raising a responsible child (Video)
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→ The Growing Families Website
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
Are you accidentally raising an entitled child? Discover the subtle signs, unintentional enablers, and powerful strategies to cultivate gratitude, responsibility, and resilience in your kids.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Kurt & Jill Everson, Growing Families leaders
Resources mentioned in the episode:
→ Parenting Inside & Outside the Funnel (Article)
→ What Does it Mean to Parent Outside the Funnel? (Video)
→ Getting a Child Back Inside the Funnel (Video)
→ More video segments on the funnel
→ Podcast Episode on Vision part 1 // YouTube // Spotify // Apple Podcasts
→ Podcast Episode on Vision part 2 // YouTube // Spotify // Apple Podcasts
→ Podcast Episode on Chores // Coming soon!
Additional resources related to this episode:
→ Bribing in Exchange for Compliance (Video)
→ More video segments on the bribing parent
→ The Danger of Flattery (Video)
→ Destroying Children with Flattery (Video)
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→ The Growing Families Website
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
The words Structure and Routine can sometimes strike fear into the hearts of parents who reject being tied down to a strict schedule where every minute of the day is planned. But that’s not what Structure and Routine is all about. Instead, it is a plan that reduces the amount of correction needed and gives: order to the day, predictability, and best of all FREEDOM! Rich and Julie share the benefits of structure and routine and practical suggestions to implement in your child’s day. Then Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo join Rich and Julie to discuss the neuroscience behind structure and routine and the hidden influence it exerts.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo, founders
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
→ The Brain Benefits of Structure & Routine
→ Speaking Life Podcast Episode // YouTube // Apple // Spotify
Additional Resources Related to Structure & Routine:
→ The Blessings of Structure & Routine
→ Five Benefits of Structure & Routine
→ Daily Activity Planner Template
→ Weekly Activity Planner Template
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→ The Growing Families Website
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
Teaching our children to obey us, first time, is usually more difficult for us, the parents, than it is for the child. It takes work and consistency, and we often don’t realize that we may be undermining our own efforts. Rich and Julie talk about why it’s important for children to be trained in first time obedience, how to do it, and some warnings to prevent us from sabotaging our own efforts. Gary and Anne Marie join Rich and Julie to discuss the neuroscience behind obedience and the rewards our children reap well into their adulthood as a result.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo, founders
Additional Video Segments Related to Obedience:
→ Characteristics of Obedience
→ The “Yes Mommy” & “Yes Daddy” Responses
→ The Five Categories of Moral Education
→ Parenting Words, Sensory Input, & Lasting Impressions
→ The Conscience & the “Moral Why”
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→ The Growing Families Website
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
Ready for a glimpse into family life and language across continents? Geoff and Alicia Bongers, hailing from Down Under, connect with Rich and Julie Young for a lively discussion that spans more than just miles! Get ready to crack the code on delightful differences between Australian and American English, hear about the beautiful transition of children blossoming into married adults, and delve into the heart of family devotions with over 27 years of wisdom implementing the Growing Families Biblical parenting principles. Join us for an engaging conversation filled with wisdom, laughter, and a unique blend of Australian and American perspectives on family, language, and faith!
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Geoff & Alicia Bongers, Growing Families Australia Leaders part of the National Overseeing Team
→ Check out Episode 1 on Couch Time // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
→ Check out Episode 2 on Speaking Life // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
→ Check out Episode 3 on the Life-Giving Home Environment // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
—--------------------------------------------------
→ The Growing Families Website
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
Rich and Julie Young continue a powerful conversation with Bill and Stephanie Lammers. They discuss practical strategies for cultivating family vision, igniting your children's passions, and navigating the digital age with intention. Learn how to nurture a thriving family "lawn" by finding your purpose, setting meaningful boundaries, and having fun together!
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Bill & Stephanie Lammers, Growing Families leaders, founders of Wildfire Leadership
Resources & topics mentioned in this episode:
Vision Episode (pt 1):
→ Spotify
→ Apple
→ YouTube
Vision Episode (pt 2):
→ Spotify
→ Apple
→ YouTube
Parenting in the Digital Age Episode:
→ Spotify
→ Apple
→ YouTube
→ Life in the Middle Years course
→ How to play Bill’s favorite game
→ Video Explanation of the Funnel
Healthy Lawn Episode (Proactive vs Reactive Parenting):
→ Spotify
→ Apple
→ YouTube
—--------------------------------------------------
→ The Growing Families Website
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
Bill and Stephanie Lammers join Rich and Julie Young for a lively discussion on raising children with intention. They delve into the joys and challenges, revealing the valuable lessons they've learned while focusing on speaking life, 'Couch Time,' proactive parenting, and finding their community. Get ready for a dose of inspiration and practical takeaways.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Bill & Stephanie Lammers, Growing Families leaders, founders of Wildfire Leadership
→ https://www.wildfireleadership.com/
Resources & topics mentioned in this episode:
→ Couch Time Episode // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
→ Speaking Life Episode // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
→ Life Giving Home Environment Episode // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
→ Mission Portrait Coaching
—--------------------------------------------------
→ The Growing Families Website
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
As a parent do you ever feel like you are doing more and more correcting, but seeing fewer results? Are you at the point in your thinking that nothing seems to be working, so why try at all? If you’ve ever tried to nurture a healthy lawn then you realize that to cut down on weeds, you need to give your lawn the nutrients it needs to become healthy. Healthy lawns prevent weeds from growing. In a similar way, if you want to cut down on the amount of correction you are giving your children, then give them what they need in order for healthy behaviors to take control.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Resources & topics mentioned in this episode:
→ Parenting from the Tree of Life Book & Course
Speaking Life episodes:
→ Episode 2 // Apple // Spotify // YouTube
→ Episode 3 // Apple // Spotify // YouTube
→ Couch Time episode // Apple // Spotify // YouTube
→ Blanket Time (What is it & how to apply it?)
→ Life-Giving Home Environment episode // Apple // Spotify // YouTube
→ Conversation Cards (for family meals together)
→ The Moral Warehouse Explained
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→ The Growing Families Website
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
The digital era we are living in has created all sorts of parenting challenges that previous generations could not have even imagined. But are they really new challenges? Or might they be something closer to home - the same basic parenting challenges but now with a digital “look”. If there is any character weakness flagged, it will not be because a digital device caused it; rather, the device revealed it. Regardless, parents need a plan. We’ll discuss time management, social media, phone rules, and practical ways to protect your children in the digital world.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
*Episode Correction: At 11 min 22 sec, the Bible verse quoted is actually Ephesians 4:29.
Resources & topics mentioned in this episode:
→ Praying the Scriptures books
→ Parenting from the Tree of Life
→ Speaking Life podcast episodes:
Episode 2 // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
Episode 3 // Spotify // Apple // Youtube
→ Facebook live video on parenting in the digital age
—--------------------------------------------------
→ The Growing Families Website
→ YouTube
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
Want to raise kids with Christ-like virtues like self-control and gentleness? It starts earlier than you think. This podcast explores the crucial stepping stones of effective parenting, revealing how simple activities like sitting, focusing, and concentrating lay the foundation for logic, discipline, and future success. Join us as we uncover the often-overlooked steps to achieving your parenting vision and how to train our children to fulfill their God-given capacity.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo, founders
Resources & topics mentioned in this episode:
→ Vision episode part 1 //Spotify //Apple //YouTube
→ Vision episode part 2 //Spotify //Apple //YouTube
→Parenting from the Tree of Life Series (for preschool through early teens)
Check out the Speaking Life content in Episode 2 //Spotify //Apple //YouTube
And Episode 3 //Spotify //Apple //YouTube
—--------------------------------------------------
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
God is love – a foundational truth. But how does this impact our parenting? Christian theology, an understanding of God's nature and purpose, guides us. Past generations often relied on 'because I said so' parenting due to a lack of theological framework. With traditional values fading, understanding God's love and purpose for families is crucial. The Ezzos pioneered a theology of the family rooted in God's Word, leading to the Growing Families ministry. This ministry equips parents with an understanding of God's character and the life-giving principles that flow from Him. Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo join Rich and Julie Young to discuss how this theology shapes effective parenting.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo, founders
Resources & topics mentioned in this episode:
→ Parenting from the Tree of Life book and video series
Additional Resources:
→ Assumptions that Affect Our Lives
(This book explores how hidden beliefs ("worldviews") deeply influence our values and actions, revealing how understanding these assumptions can transform both personal, societal, & even parenting perspectives.)
The Growing Families Website // https://growingfamilies.life/
Register for a Class // https://growingfamilies.life/find-a-class
Our Courses // https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-courses
The Bookstore // https://growingfamilies.life/bookshop
Contact Mom Ministry // https://contactmom.life/
Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/growingfamilieslife
Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/GrowingFamiliesLife
YouTube // https://www.youtube.com/@GrowingFamiliesLife
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
Continuing the discussion of the importance of having vision as we raise our children and shooting at the right targets, we discuss the importance of delayed gratification and how to instill that value into our children. As our children gain the skill of being able to look beyond the “here and now” to the future, they gain a greater understanding of the power of a vision based on God’s truth that is filled with hope and life.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Check out part 1 of this topic in Episode 6 // Spotify // Apple // YouTube
Resources & topics mentioned in this episode:
→ Practically Teaching Self-Control
The Growing Families Website // https://growingfamilies.life/
Register for a Class // https://growingfamilies.life/find-a-class
Our Courses // https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-courses
The Bookstore // https://growingfamilies.life/bookshop
Contact Mom Ministry // https://contactmom.life/
Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/growingfamilieslife
Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/GrowingFamiliesLife
YouTube // https://www.youtube.com/@GrowingFamiliesLife
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
As parents we desire to have “success” as we raise our children. So we choose some parenting targets, and “ready, aim, fire.” But are we even aiming at the right target? How do we know? And once we determine the right targets, how do we go about staying focused to shoot straight?
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
The Growing Families Website // https://growingfamilies.life/
Register for a Class // https://growingfamilies.life/find-a-class
Our Courses // https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-courses
The Bookstore // https://growingfamilies.life/bookshop
Contact Mom Ministry // https://contactmom.life/
Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/growingfamilieslife
Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/GrowingFamiliesLife
YouTube // https://www.youtube.com/@GrowingFamiliesLife
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
The Ezzos and Youngs talk a variety of subjects relating to parenting in the past, present, and future and acknowledge that, unfortunately, one thing has been constant in every generation of parents is fear. Are we doing a good job? Will my children like me? Will they turn out ok? Or am I ruining them? We can become easily confused and this confusion only fuels our fear which can paralyze us or lead us to popcorn parenting which may be a good snack, but it isn’t a good way to parent. Thankfully, one of the great compensators of fear is hope, and this episode discusses a myriad of ways we can find hope as we raise our children. The Ezzos encourage us that the teen years are not something to be dreaded but that they can and should be some of the best years of the parent-child relationship. The importance of making the authority to influence transition as a parent is a key part of that success and is described in this episode. We also talk about “influencers” and how every parent needs one or several, preferably 3D ones and definitely ones that have gone before us and done it well.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo, founders
Resources mentioned in this episode:
→ Life in the Middle Years series // https://growingfamilies.life/life-in-the-middle-years
→ Parenting from the Tree of Life series // https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-from-the-tree-of-life
The Growing Families Website // https://growingfamilies.life/
Register for a Class // https://growingfamilies.life/find-a-class
Our Courses // https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-courses
The Bookstore // https://growingfamilies.life/bookshop
Contact Mom Ministry // https://contactmom.life/
Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/growingfamilieslife
Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/GrowingFamiliesLife
YouTube // https://www.youtube.com/@GrowingFamiliesLife
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life
Dinart Barradas, Growing Families Brazil Ministry Director, joins the podcast and shares how parenting is different in Brazil (it’s not), when we have regrets as parents and how to redeem them, and what it means to have vision for our family using intentionality, diligence, and humility. Dinart wants to prevent pain coming to parents’ hearts and Gary warns us of the dangers of letting the tyranny of the urgent captivate us instead of letting the hearts of our children captivate us.
Rich & Julie Young, hosts
Gary Ezzo, founder
Dinart Barradas, Growing Families Brazil Ministry Director
University of the Family // https://udf.org.br/
Check out Episodes 2 & 3 for more on Speaking Life & creating a Life-Giving Home Environment.
The Growing Families Website // https://growingfamilies.life/
Register for a Class // https://growingfamilies.life/find-a-class
Our Courses // https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-courses
The Bookstore // https://growingfamilies.life/bookshop
Contact Mom Ministry // https://contactmom.life/
Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/growingfamilieslife
Facebook // https://www.facebook.com/GrowingFamiliesLife
YouTube // https://www.youtube.com/@GrowingFamiliesLife
Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life