If you’re a parent, teacher, or mentor of children in today’s world, you probably feel overwhelmed by the news. How do you help the kids and students in your lives engage with what’s going on in the world? How do you disciple them through the news with discernment instead of anxiety?
I'm Kelsey Reed, News Coach for God’s WORLD News, seminary-trained educator, wife, mom of three, and most importantly, follower of Christ. I’m here to come alongside you as you have the important conversations of life, faith, and culture with your kids.
We’ll answer your questions, offer ideas and resources, and hear from other parents and educators to identify the best tools and practices for establishing a non-anxious learning environment, developing news literacy, and cultivating biblical discernment.
Today’s world can feel overwhelming. Let’s press pause together and learn concurrently.
All content for Concurrently: The News Coach Podcast is the property of WORLD Radio and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
If you’re a parent, teacher, or mentor of children in today’s world, you probably feel overwhelmed by the news. How do you help the kids and students in your lives engage with what’s going on in the world? How do you disciple them through the news with discernment instead of anxiety?
I'm Kelsey Reed, News Coach for God’s WORLD News, seminary-trained educator, wife, mom of three, and most importantly, follower of Christ. I’m here to come alongside you as you have the important conversations of life, faith, and culture with your kids.
We’ll answer your questions, offer ideas and resources, and hear from other parents and educators to identify the best tools and practices for establishing a non-anxious learning environment, developing news literacy, and cultivating biblical discernment.
Today’s world can feel overwhelming. Let’s press pause together and learn concurrently.
Free speech. Religious liberty. Where do these rights come from? We’re joined by WORLD’s Steve West to talk about our liberties and their origins.Check out The Concurrently Companion (https://media.gwnews.com/images/articles/Concurrently-Ep-71-Companion-Printable.pdf) for this week’s downloadable episode guide including discussion questions and scripture for further study. Sign up for the News Coach Newsletter at gwnews.com/newsletters (https://gwnews.com/newsletters).We would love to hear from you. You can send us a message at newscoach@wng.org (mailto:newscoach@wng.org). What current events or cultural issues are you wrestling through with your kids and teens? Let us know. We want to work through it with you.See more from the News Coach (https://gwnews.com/newscoach/), including episode transcripts.Further Resources:* Read “Embattled on All Sides, Does Religious Liberty Have a Future?” (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/religious-liberty-future/) by Andrew T. Walker at The Gospel Coalition.* At Axis.org, read “A Parent’s Guide to Sabbath & Rest.” (https://axis.org/resource/a-parent-guide-to-sabbath-and-rest/) * Find more from Steve West (https://wng.org/authors/steve-west) at wng.orgConcurrently is produced by God’s WORLD News. We provide current events materials for kids and teens that show how God is working in the world. To learn more about God’s WORLD News and browse sample magazines, visit gwnews.com (https://gwnews.com/).
Panda politics, bullfight bans, and Google’s big blunder. Read along online.Welcome to the Play-by-Play. Every other week, we’re taking three recent stories from our God’s WORLD News publications and breaking them down to help you spark conversation in the home or the classroom.Today's stories:Discover: Pandas are back. Read it at God’s Big WORLD (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/pandas-are-back). (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/wash-up-and-get-better)Explore: Bullfight ban. Read it at WORLDkids (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/bullfight-ban). (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/an-uh-oh-for-evs)Discern: Google AI Gets a Makeover. Read it at WORLDteen (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/googles-ai-gets-a-makeover). (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/social-media-at-the-senate)Today's Conversation Kickoff: What are your favorite traditions? They could be family traditions, church traditions, or traditions in your local community!But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. — Ephesians 2:4-6
How do we cultivate a right understanding of disability? We’re joined by author Stephanie Hubach to explore culture’s shifting attitudes on this topic and discover a biblical alternative.Check out The Concurrently Companion (https://media.gwnews.com/images/articles/Concurrently-Ep-70-Companion-Printable.pdf) for this week’s downloadable episode guide including discussion questions and scripture for further study. Sign up for the News Coach Newsletter at gwnews.com/newsletters (https://gwnews.com/newsletters).We would love to hear from you. You can send us a message at newscoach@wng.org (mailto:newscoach@wng.org). What current events or cultural issues are you wrestling through with your kids and teens? Let us know. We want to work through it with you.See more from the News Coach (https://gwnews.com/newscoach/), including episode transcripts.Further Resources:* For more from Steph Hubach, visit stephaniehubach.com (http://www.stephaniehubach.com/).* Hear the redemptive story of a young man with Down syndrome on The World and Everything In It (https://wng.org/podcasts/completely-extraordinary-officer-1716427365).* What do we mean by “made in God’s image”? Learn more at the Bible Project (https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/image-of-god/?utm_source=web_social_share&medium=shared_video).Concurrently is produced by God’s WORLD News. We provide current events materials for kids and teens that show how God is working in the world. To learn more about God’s WORLD News and browse sample magazines, visit gwnews.com (https://gwnews.com/).Today’s episode is sponsored by Sam Allberry’s God’s Go-Togethers.Author Sam Allberry has a new book for kids called God’s Go-Togethers. This colorful book features siblings Lila and Ethan as they visit the beach and discover that God not only made the sand and sea to go together,
It’s a presidential election year in the United States. What discipleship pitfalls might election season bring–and what opportunities does it present? We’re joined by author Kaitlyn Sch...
Violins made from boats, AI country music, and Hong Kong’s protest anthem. Read along online.Welcome to the Play-by-Play. Every other week, we’re taking three recent stories from our God’s WORLD News publications and breaking them down to help you spark conversation in the home or the classroom.Today's stories:Discover: Sail into song. Read it at God’s Big WORLD (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/sail-into-song). (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/wash-up-and-get-better)Explore: AI with a Twang. Read it at WORLDkids (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/ai-with-a-twang). (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/an-uh-oh-for-evs)Discern: No Protest Song Allowed. Read it at WORLDteen (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/no-protest-song-allowed). (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/social-media-at-the-senate)Today's Conversation Kickoff: If you could learn to play any instrument, what instrument would you learn? Instruments you already know don’t count!Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. — Psalm 100:1-3
Another school year is ending. The news has us jumping from topic to topic, but we want to reflect, connect the dots, and trace the thread between the conversations. We’re joined by Amy...
We’re joined by Professor Nancy Pearcey to talk about discipling boys in a culture opposed to masculinity. Where did the idea of “toxic masculinity” come from? How do we promote a bibli...
Making light, swimming to sea, and seeking freedom. Read along online. Welcome to the Play-by-Play. Every other week, we’re taking three recent stories from our God’s WORLD News publications and breaking them down to help you spark conversation in the home or the classroom. Today's stories: Discover: He brings light to darkness. Read it at God’s Big WORLD (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/he-brings-light-to-darkness). (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/wash-up-and-get-better) Explore: Swim Free, Baby Orca. Read it at WORLDkids (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/swim-free-baby-orca). (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/an-uh-oh-for-evs) Discern: A Call for Release. Read it at WORLDteen (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/a-call-for-release). (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/social-media-at-the-senate) Today's Conversation Kickoff: Inventors use their God-given talents to improve daily life in all sorts of ways. Which technological invention could you simply not live without? It could be something from recent history or something invented waaaay in the past. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. — Isaiah 61:1
How do we handle mystery and truth without falling for the temptation of conspiracy theories? What makes conspiracy theories so tantalizing? And how can we offer our kids a better story?Check out The Concurrently Companion (https://media.gwnews.com/images/articles/Concurrently-Ep-66-Companion-Printable.pdf) for this week’s downloadable episode guide including discussion questions and scripture for further study. Sign up for the News Coach Newsletter at gwnews.com/newsletters (https://gwnews.com/newsletters).We would love to hear from you. You can send us a message at newscoach@wng.org (mailto:newscoach@wng.org). What current events or cultural issues are you wrestling through with your kids and teens? Let us know. We want to work through it with you.See more from the News Coach (https://gwnews.com/newscoach/), including episode transcripts.Further Resources:* Read “A Parent’s Guide to Conspiracy Theories (https://axis.org/resource/a-parent-guide-to-conspiracy-theories/)” at Axis.* Learn more about the stages of conspiracy theory escalation (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/conspiracy-theories-how-social-media-can-help-them-spread-and-even-spark-violence/) at Scientific American.* Read about the conspiracy theories surrounding the Baltimore bridge collapse (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/27/baltimore-bridge-collapse-conspiracy-theories?utm_source=gsan&utm_campaign=gsan-apr1-2024a&utm_medium=email&emci=9309df60-64f0-ee11-aaf0-002248223794&emdi=f456e84b-f9f0-ee11-aaf2-002248223353&ceid=12227406) and the solar eclipse (https://www.rumorguard.org/post/solar-eclipse-prompts-spate-of-end-times-rumors?).Concurrently is produced by God’s WORLD News. We provide current events materials for kids and teens that show how God is working in the world. To learn more about God’s WORLD News and browse sample magazines, visit gwnews.com (https://gwnews.com/).
Fun with physics, inclusive classrooms, and homework no more. Read along online.Welcome to the Play-by-Play. Every other week, we’re taking three recent stories from our God’s WORLD News publications and breaking them down to help you spark conversation in the home or the classroom.Today's stories:Discover: Learn while you play. Read it at God’s Big WORLD (https://newscoach.gwnews.com/podcasts/play-by-play-april-19-2024). (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/wash-up-and-get-better)Explore: Have You Heard? Read it at WORLDkids (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/have-you-heard). (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/an-uh-oh-for-evs)Discern: No More Homework. Read it at WORLDteen (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/no-more-homework). (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/social-media-at-the-senate)Today's Conversation Kickoff: With a big enough tub of oobleck, you can make it feel like you’re walking on water! If you could have a superpower, like water walking, flight, or invisibility, what would you choose?Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. — Proverbs 1:8-9
What’s the difference between a device and a tool? How can families steward the power of technology for good? We’re joined by Andy Crouch to talk about technology, culture making, family, and more. Check out The Concurrently Companion (https://media.gwnews.com/images/articles/Concurrently-Ep-64-Companion-Printable.pdf) for this week’s downloadable episode guide including discussion questions and scripture for further study. Sign up for the News Coach Newsletter at gwnews.com/newsletters (https://gwnews.com/newsletters).We would love to hear from you. You can send us a message at newscoach@wng.org (mailto:newscoach@wng.org). What current events or cultural issues are you wrestling through with your kids and teens? Let us know. We want to work through it with you.See more from the News Coach (https://gwnews.com/newscoach/), including episode transcripts.Further Resources:* See more from Andy Crouch at andy-crouch.com (http://andy-crouch.com).* See more from tech ethicist Tristan Harris (https://www.tristanharris.com/).* Learn more about redemptive entrepreneurship at Praxis (https://www.praxislabs.org/redemptive-entrepreneurship).* Learn more about the VSCO mobile app (https://greglutze.com/project/vsco).* Read more about Venus Aerospace (https://www.venusaero.com/). Concurrently is produced by God’s WORLD News. We provide current events materials for kids and teens that show how God is working in the world. To learn more about God’s WORLD News and browse sample magazines, visit gwnews.com (https://gwnews.com/)
Helping toddlers, hearing the eclipse, and getting arrested LEGO style. Read along online.Welcome to the Play-by-Play. Every other week, we’re taking three recent stories from our God’s WORLD News publications and breaking them down to help you spark conversation in the home or the classroom.Today's stories:Discover: Toddlers are on the move. Read it at God’s Big WORLD (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/toddlers-are-on-the-move). (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/wash-up-and-get-better)Explore: Hearing and Feeling the Eclipse. Read it at WORLDkids (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/hearing-and-feeling-the-eclipse). (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/an-uh-oh-for-evs)Discern: LEGO Loophole. Read it at WORLDteen (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/lego-loophole). (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/social-media-at-the-senate)Today's Conversation Kickoff: If you could take a cosmic vacation—and the real rules of space travel didn’t apply—where would you want to go? The Moon? Mars? Gas giant ROXs 42Bb?Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. — Philippians 2:3-4
How does America’s housing crisis affect our discipleship process with kids and teens? What does it mean to defend family, fight despair, and pursue contentment? We’re SOARing the State of the Nation’s Housing report on today’s episode.Check out The Concurrently Companion (https://media.gwnews.com/images/articles/Concurrently-Ep-63-Companion-Printable.pdf) for this week’s downloadable episode guide including discussion questions and scripture for further study. Sign up for the News Coach Newsletter at gwnews.com/newsletters (https://gwnews.com/newsletters).We would love to hear from you. You can send us a message at newscoach@wng.org (mailto:newscoach@wng.org). What current events or cultural issues are you wrestling through with your kids and teens? Let us know. We want to work through it with you.See more from the News Coach (https://gwnews.com/newscoach/), including episode transcripts.Further Resources: * Read along with us and SOAR with your kids and students! See Habitat for Humanity’s breakdown of the 2023 State of the Nation’s Housing report (https://www.habitat.org/costofhome/2023-state-nations-housing-report-lack-affordable-housing).* Hear Harvard experts break down the report (https://youtu.be/uHtd9OAu1XA?si=1wLek-DQaJmLOzaW) on YouTube. (Note: This is a YouTube link. The Concurrently team has no control over related content YouTube may suggest.)* Learn more about the rising costs of rental housing (https://apnews.com/article/affordable-housing-rent-eviction-price-harvard-congress-f5411012e10fa78d0257c137e60c1be3).* Read more about the SOAR method (https://newscoach.gwnews.com/articles/a-tool-for-engaging-media) at the News Coach blog. Concurrently is produced by God’s WORLD News. We provide current events materials for kids and teens that show how God is working in the world. To learn more about God’s WORLD News and browse sample magazines, visit gwnews.
How should parents and teachers understand the concept of trauma? What do we make of terms like “ghosting” and “gaslighting?” Pastor and licensed counselor Michael Coggin joins the podcast to walk us through these difficult ideas.Check out The Concurrently Companion (https://media.gwnews.com/images/articles/Concurrently-Ep-62-Companion-Printable.pdf) for this week’s downloadable episode guide including discussion questions and scripture for further study. Sign up for the News Coach Newsletter at gwnews.com/newsletters (https://gwnews.com/newsletters).We would love to hear from you. You can send us a message at newscoach@wng.org (mailto:newscoach@wng.org). What current events or cultural issues are you wrestling through with your kids and teens? Let us know. We want to work through it with you.See more from the News Coach (https://gwnews.com/newscoach/), including episode transcripts.Further Resources: * Learn more about trauma and PTSD (https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/what-trauma-what-ptsd-who-affected-and-how-get) at the Anxiety & Depression Association of America.* Is it okay to judge those who have harmed us? Listen to Adam Young’s podcast (https://sites.libsyn.com/118541/72-judging-others-is-it-okay-to-judge-those-who-have-harmed-me).* Hear Dr. Diane Langberg explore the idea of redeeming power (https://www.dianelangberg.com/2023/04/redeemingpowertrinityforumconv/). Concurrently is produced by God’s WORLD News. We provide current events materials for kids and teens that show how God is working in the world. To learn more about God’s WORLD News and browse sample magazines, visit gwnews.com (https://gwnews.com/).
Geese police, sweltering heat, and a new NATO nation. Read along online. Welcome to the Play-by-Play. Every other week, we’re taking three recent stories from our God’s WORLD News publications and breaking them down to help you spark conversation in the home or the classroom. Today's stories:Discover: Meet the geese police. Read it at God’s Big WORLD (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/meet-the-geese-police). (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/wash-up-and-get-better) Explore: Too Hot for School Read it at WORLDkids (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/too-hot-for-school). (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/an-uh-oh-for-evs) Discern: Sweden Joins NATO. Read it at WORLDteen (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/sweden-joins-nato). (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/social-media-at-the-senate) Today's Conversation Kickoff: What’s your favorite way to beat the heat on a summer day? Running through the sprinkler? Eating ice cream? Staying inside at all cost? The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. — Proverbs 18:10
Is there ever a time to lie? We’re looking at an oft-misquoted commandment to see how ancient wisdom helps us solve modern dilemmas.Check out The Concurrently Companion (https://media.gwnews.com/images/articles/Concurrently-Ep-61-Companion-Printable.pdf) for this week’s downloadable episode guide including discussion questions and scripture for further study. Sign up for the News Coach Newsletter at gwnews.com/newsletters (https://gwnews.com/newsletters).We would love to hear from you. You can send us a message at newscoach@wng.org (mailto:newscoach@wng.org). What current events or cultural issues are you wrestling through with your kids and teens? Let us know. We want to work through it with you.See more from the News Coach (https://gwnews.com/newscoach/), including episode transcripts.Further Resources: * Listen to “Degrees of Truth” (https://wng.org/podcasts/legal-docket-degrees-of-truth-1708722819) from Legal Docket on WORLD Radio.* How should we think about Old Testament law? Read “The Threefold Use of the Law” (https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/threefold-use-law) at Ligonier Ministries. * Read more about the law at the Gospel Coalition. (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/continuity-moral-law/) Concurrently is produced by God’s WORLD News. We provide current events materials for kids and teens that show how God is working in the world. To learn more about God’s WORLD News and browse sample magazines, visit gwnews.com (https://gwnews.com/).
With so much cultural discussion around mental health, we’re re-releasing an early episode of Concurrently. The CDC and the American Psychological Association have declared a mental health crisis among kids and teens. How can parents and educators approach mental health from a biblical perspective?Check out The Concurrently Companion (https://media.gwnews.com/images/articles/Concurrently-Ep-6-Companion-Printable.pdf) for this week’s downloadable episode guide including discussion questions and scripture for further study. Sign up for the News Coach Newsletter at gwnews.com/newsletters (http://gwnews.com/newsletters). We would love to hear from you. You can send us a message at newscoach@wng.org (mailto:newscoach@wng.org). What current events or cultural issues are you wrestling through with your kids and teens? Let us know. We want to work through it with you. See more from the News Coach (https://gwnews.com/newscoach/), including episode transcripts. Further Resources: * Read “Make resilience cool again” (https://wng.org/opinions/make-resilience-cool-again-1708392925) by Maria Baer at WORLD Opinion.* Read A Parent's Guide to Anxiety (https://4066524.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4066524/Anxiety%20PG%20(Awana).pdf?utm_campaign=The%20One%20Conversation%20Journey&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=243735769&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--99II5F_0169myvR97IwxHn6o0Kuj2QPQyH6uzkKafWs4DSFHTzmrjtQloSU99XOprm-OHCwUAHAyCJrfspAmmMZLEGA&utm_content=243267460&utm_source=hs_email), an excellent resource from Axis.org.* From the Gospel Coalition, explore six questions (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/need-counseling-questions/) to determine whether you need counseling.* Learn more about Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions (https://positivepsychology.com/emotion-wheel/) and the incredible range of emotions we and our children can experience. Concurrently is produced by God’s WORLD News.
Robot companions, grocery inflation, and cutting cables. Read along online.Welcome to the Play-by-Play. Every other week, we’re taking three recent stories from our God’s WORLD News publications and breaking them down to help you spark conversation in the home or the classroom.Today's stories:Discover: Can a robot be a friend? Read it at God’s Big WORLD (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/can-a-robot-be-a-friend). (https://godsbigworld.gwnews.com/articles/wash-up-and-get-better)Explore: Customers Fight Inflation. Read it at WORLDkids (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/customers-fight-inflation). (https://kids.gwnews.com/news-shorts/an-uh-oh-for-evs)Discern: Data Cables Cut in Red Sea. Read it at WORLDteen (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/data-cables-cut-in-red-sea). (https://teen.gwnews.com/news-bytes/social-media-at-the-senate)Today's Conversation Kickoff: If you could design a useful robot, what sort of robot would you design? How would it help you or others? A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. — Proverbs 13:17 Together, let’s get the conversation started. He has equipped you for the work.
If you’re a parent, teacher, or mentor of children in today’s world, you probably feel overwhelmed by the news. How do you help the kids and students in your lives engage with what’s going on in the world? How do you disciple them through the news with discernment instead of anxiety?
I'm Kelsey Reed, News Coach for God’s WORLD News, seminary-trained educator, wife, mom of three, and most importantly, follower of Christ. I’m here to come alongside you as you have the important conversations of life, faith, and culture with your kids.
We’ll answer your questions, offer ideas and resources, and hear from other parents and educators to identify the best tools and practices for establishing a non-anxious learning environment, developing news literacy, and cultivating biblical discernment.
Today’s world can feel overwhelming. Let’s press pause together and learn concurrently.
