The MAVEN Parent Podcast

Епізоди

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  The Parenting Lesson From C.S. Lewis 21.07.2026 33хв

  "There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it." It's one of the best opening lines in children's literature—and it introduces one of C.S. Lewis's brattiest characters. In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the parenting lessons hidden in C.S. Lewis's unforgettable character, Eustace Scrubb, from "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." What does Lewis's initial description of Eustace teach children about having good vs bad character? What clues does he give about the family that shaped him? And what can Christian parents—and their kids—learn from Eustace's remarkable redemption? Listen to our recent episode on reading and literature: https://linktw.in/qHGugW Register for the C.S. Lewis Symposium: https://www.mavenconferences.com/cslewissymposium MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  Parents Break Down what Toy Story 5 got WRONG 14.07.2026 36хв

  Brett and Erin took their grandkids to see Toy Story 5 recently and wow! Pixar's latest film may have unintentionally created one of the most realistic portrayals of modern parenting yet. An eight-year-old gets her first tablet even though her parents aren't sure they're making the right decision, and within hours, technology has replaced play. Sound familiar? In this episode, they unpack where the parents went wrong in Toy Story 5 and discuss how Christian parents can navigate technology with wisdom and courage. Download the smartphone contract: https://equip.maventruth.com/sign-up Get your free copy of the Navigating a World of Screens course: https://equip.maventruth.com/navigating-a-world-of-screens MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  Why Kids Don't Read Anymore w/Dr. Jason Baxter 07.07.2026 58хв

  Kids today are reading less and scrolling more. They're being shaped by a digital world that trains them to expect constant stimulation. And at it's core, the decline of reading is a spiritual and cultural problem. In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Dr. Jason Baxter, the Director of the Center for Beauty and Culture at Benedictine College and author of Why Literature Matters, to explore how the Great Books shape the imagination, train the affections, and help form the kind of wisdom, attention, and character our kids need to flourish. Read the study on education: https://cepr.harvard.edu/news/2026/05/why-us-test-scores-are-generation-long-decline Read Dr. Baxter's books: https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/my-bookstore Get the reading list: https://jasonmbaxter.substack.com/p/how-to-get-your-kids-to-fall-in-love Read "Help! Where Do I Go From Here?" - https://substack.com/home/post/p-177828655 Learn more about Dr. Baxter: https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/ 
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  The Battle for Your Child's View of America w/ Jeannette Tulis 30.06.2026 41хв

  Are you proud to be an American? This week, we're celebrating 250 years of our nation! But nowadays, pride in America is hitting never-before-seen lows. In a culture where it's trendy to despise the United States, how can parents offer a counteracting narrative to our kids amid all the noise? Because if you don't intentionally shape your child's view of America, the culture will do it for you. In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with Jeannette Tulis, a homeschool mom and library and book enthusiast, about how you can use stories to teach kids about U.S. history and direct them towards a reasoned patriotism. The poll: https://youtu.be/Cofbkllf0Jc?si=MpcFnOdbcuu8t_l5&t=156 Watch our episode on a Reasoned Patriotism: https://linktw.in/vpsipF Jeannette's recommended book list: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gIICAbubHtCQvNkKtveI26OuZFC5iPmi/view Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  What Every Parent Needs to Understand About Wokeness w/Dr. Neil Shenvi & Dr. Pat Sawyer 23.06.2026 1год 10хв

  Your kids are being discipled every day, but by who? Through social media feeds, classrooms, textbooks, influencers, and friends, they are constantly being confronted by competing worldview ideas. And many of the cultural conversations surrounding identity, truth, justice, and what it means to be human are shaped by the ideas behind "wokeness." In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Dr. Neil Shenvi and Dr. Pat Sawyer, authors of Post-Woke, to unpack the worldview behind many of today's cultural debates. Together, they explore how critical theory has influenced our culture, why these ideas continue to resonate with young people, and how parents can help their kids navigate them. Read about the trans athlete mentioned at the beginning - https://abc7.com/post/jurupa-valley-transgender-athlete-ab-hernandez-wins-2-titles-cif-state-track-field-championships/19206586/ Pick up the book "Post-Woke" - https://a.co/d/04pxzEsC Learn more about Neil Shenvi - https://shenviapologetics.com/ Learn more about Pat Sawyer - https://www.patsawyer.org/ Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  Progressive Christianity Has Changed w/ Alisa Childers 16.06.2026 54хв

  Progressive Christianity is evolving. As deconstruction content spreads across social media, many students and young adults are encountering challenges to historic Christianity from voices that seem compassionate, relatable, and trustworthy—all delivered in 30-second, bite-sized clips. In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Alisa Childers to discuss how Progressive Christianity has adapted for a new generation, common red flags parents should watch for, and how Christians can help students navigate these ideas with confidence and discernment. Get the student edition of “Another Gospel” - https://a.co/d/0aKvg2DH Learn more about Alisa and her books: https://alisachilders.com/ Check out Alisa's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@alisachilders Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  Families Never Eat Together 09.06.2026 40хв

  In the rush of modern life, family dinner has become increasingly rare. Between work, sports, and endless activities, gathering around the table often falls to the bottom of the priority list. But are families losing something far more important than a shared meal? In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the biblical significance of food, feasting, and fellowship, and why family meals have always played a central role in God's design for families. They also share practical ways to prioritize family dinners and create meaningful connection around the table—even during life's busiest seasons. Read the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19476994/ American College of Pediatricians on Family Dinners: https://acpeds.org/the-benefits-of-the-family-table/ Download our new parenting ebook: https://equip.maventruth.com/gentle-parenting-ebook Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  What I Didn’t Expect About Mom Guilt 02.06.2026 1год 3хв

  Moms, have you ever experienced "mom guilt"? Your child is struggling with potty training, and somehow you're convinced it's your fault—that if they’re having a hard time, you must have done something wrong. Mom guilt is a nearly universal mom experience—but where does it come from? In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the roots of mom guilt, why mothers often feel uniquely responsible for their children's struggles, and how God's design for motherhood can help explain—and redeem—those feelings. Most importantly, they offer practical encouragement for moms who feel weighed down by guilt and challenge husbands with ideas for how they can actively support their wives and share in the responsibility of raising their children. Watch the video Brett and Erin are reacting to: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTDbantAJzK/ The Toxic War on Masculinity by Nancy Pearcey: https://a.co/d/0aA6wP3G Every Moment Holy liturgy books: https://www.everymomentholy.com/ Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  What Your Adult Children Need From You w/ Dr. Kathy Koch 26.05.2026 51хв

  One day, our kids grow up. They move away, start their own lives, and make choices of their own—including some we may not agree with. That transition can be difficult to navigate, often bringing grief, uncertainty, and the temptation to overparent in ways that strain the relationship—especially in a culture where many adult children are cutting off contact with their parents. In this episode, Brett and Erin talk with author Dr. Kathy Koch about the dos and don’ts of navigating life after your children are grown. Get Dr. Kathy's book: https://ckonlinestore.com/ Learn more about Celebrate Kids and Dr. Kathy Koch: https://celebratekids.com/ Watch our other episode on parenting adult children: https://linktw.in/ZRYAma Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  4 Steps to Fix Your Marriage 19.05.2026 32хв

  How you maintain your marriage is more important than the work you put into your relationship with your kids! Marriage is the foundation of the family, and kids suffer without a healthy example to lean on. So, how can we work on making marriages stronger? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss marriage advice from Harvard professor Arthur Brooks and share how these four easy steps have helped them build a strong relationship while raising five kids together. Watch the video from Arthur Brooks: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OXHaeRpJO1I Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  Raise Men. Not Basement Boys. 12.05.2026 50хв

  Are we raising resilient men or fragile boys? American culture chronically deemphasizes God's good design for men. Parents are encouraged to coddle and protect boys from discomfort, struggle, and risk—robbing boys of the experiences and risks that teach how to be the resilient builders God has designed them to be. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss practical ways parents can encourage and train boys to become godly men who create, build, and work hard for their families. Read the first article: https://substack.com/@anthonybbradley/note/c-243280794?r=1cjmt&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action Read the second article: https://substack.com/@anthonybbradley/note/c-244401324?r=1cjmt&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action Join us for LIVE Q&A on YouTube every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 12 pm Pacific! https://www.youtube.com/@we_are_MAVEN  MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  Christians Must Stop Living By Lies w/ Rod Dreher 05.05.2026 1год 9хв

  Gender identity. Critical Theory. Social justice. Same-sex marriage. The Culture is asking Christians to repudiate Biblical truth at every turn. Refuse and the culture will try to punish you. Author Rod Dreher's book "Live Not By Lies" highlighted this fact in 2020, as it became more evident than ever that Western society was rife with what Dreher calls "soft totalitarianism." And the conditions that created that an environment have not gone away. In this episode, Brett and Erin speak with Rod Dreher about "Live Not By Lies" and discuss the essential role Christian parents play in raising kids who will boldly speak truth amidst a culture that encourages silence and fear. Read Rod's article "Sex After Christianity" - https://www.theamericanconservative.com/sex-after-christianity/ Read more of Rod's articles: https://substack.com/@roddreher Find Rod on X @roddreher Check out Rod's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rod-Dreher/author/B00JV2IX3O Watch the "Live Not By Lies" documentary series: https://www.angel.com/watch/live-not-by-lies 
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  What Not to Do When Jehovah's Witnesses Knock on Your Door 28.04.2026 40хв

  The Great Commission is central to Christianity—we are supposed to share the Gospel with those we encounter. But what's the best way to train your kids in this skill? In this episode, Brett and Erin react to a perfect example of how not to share the Gospel with Jehovah's Witnesses and discuss a strategy practiced in their own home that gets all the kids involved. Learn more about MAVEN's Immersive Experiences: https://maventruth.com/immersive-experience/ Get Greg Koukl’s book “Tactics” - https://a.co/d/01J8jNgA Get Rosaria Butterfield’s book “The Gospel Comes Either a House Key” - https://a.co/d/0hcAHeoa Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  Are Millennial Parents the Most Arrogant Parents Ever? 21.04.2026 43хв

  Millennials have been raising the next generation for a while now and it's time to check in on them. Champions of modern parenting methods such as Gentle Parenting, millennials are fairly confident that their parenting styles will be successful. They focus on empathy, mental health, and leaving behind the parenting practices of previous generations. Overall, they think they're better parents than their own. But what does success really look like? Is it healthy to have this level of confidence in your parenting? In this episode, Brett and Erin look at the data from millennials about how they're assessing their parenting performance, discuss a Biblical perspective of what success really looks like, and some practical action steps you can take to practice a more wise parenting approach. Read the study: https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/blog/millennial-parenting-statistics/ Read how Gen Z is Parenting: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-from-kiddie-academy-reveals-54-of-gen-z-parents-prioritize-preparing-children-for-real-world-302559687.html Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  The Transgender War on Girls’ Sports: Why Christians Need to Get Involved w/ Sophia Lorey 14.04.2026 1год 1хв

  Is the issue of biological males in women's sports "over" now? Last week, we interviewed teen athlete Olivia Viola about her experience running track and field against a biological man. She is far from the only teen athlete who is still having to navigate this issue. There are hundreds of stories of girls forced to play sports or share locker rooms with boys. Maybe there's even a teen in your life facing this issue too? In this episode, Brett and Erin chat with Sophia Lorey from California Family Council about her experiences helping girls and families in California navigate the real life consequences of the transgender sports issues and how Christian parents can best step up to help their students fight for truth. Watch last week's interview with teen athlete Olivia Viola: https://linktw.in/ZFGcTv Learn more about California Family Council: https://www.californiafamily.org See if your state has an organization like CFC: https://familypolicyalliance.com Get "Live Not By Lies" by Rod Dreher: https://a.co/d/0dalr2Q1 Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  One Teen's Bold Stand for Women's Sports at Her High School Track Meet w/ Olivia Viola & Family 07.04.2026 1год 13хв

  Ideas have consequences and those consequences impact real people. Olivia, a high school track athlete, never expected to find herself at the center of a national conversation. But when she was forced to compete against a transgender athlete, everything changed overnight. In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with the Viola family and discuss their story and how they navigated their daughter's bold decision to make a stand for truth on the track field. Watch Olivia's Fox News Interview: https://www.foxnews.com/video/6374060934112 Get "Live Not By Lies" by Rod Dreher: https://a.co/d/0dalr2Q1 LIVE Parenting Q&A: https://linktw.in/vzofLE Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  Is an Ancient Burial Cloth Powerful Evidence for Jesus' Resurrection? w/ Doug Powell 31.03.2026 1год 19хв

  In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with apologist and author Doug Powell to explore the mystery of the Shroud of Turin—a centuries-old burial cloth believed by many to be the cloth that wrapped Jesus after His crucifixion. Is the Shroud truly the burial cloth of Jesus, or is it a sophisticated medieval forgery? Doug walks us through the immense historical, scientific, and forensic evidence behind the Shroud, examining what it reveals about Jesus’ death—and why this fascinating artifact is one that families and churches should be talking about. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8brziJ6byT0 Learn more about Doug: https://www.dougpowell.com/ Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at https://www.summit.org/promotions/maven/ MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  What Should Parents Do When Teens Lie and Break Trust? 24.03.2026 45хв

  What's the best way to respond when your teen lies, breaks trust, and refuses to listen? In this episode, Brett and Erin tackle a difficult—but common—parenting situation: a listener writes in about their teen repeatedly lying, pushing boundaries, and pursuing a relationship against their parents’ guidance. How should parents respond when trust is broken? What actually works when consequences don’t seem to stick? And how can you guide your teen towards better choices? Watch "Why We Need to Let Kids Ask Questions About Faith" - https://youtu.be/T9JyEltssGY Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at https://www.summit.org/promotions/maven/ MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  Helping Kids Explore Beauty, Art, and Saint Patrick w/ Ned Bustard 17.03.2026 58хв

  The modern church has sometimes struggled with encouraging artists to use their gifts for the glory of God. How do artists and art fit into the Great Commission? Also, who was St. Patrick and how can we pass along a knowledge of our church family to our kids? In this episode, Brett and Erin speak with author, graphic designer, and award-winning children's book illustrator Ned Bustard about art, his theology of art, church history, and his children's book "Saint Patrick the Forgiver." Watch the video of Ned working: https://vimeo.com/368367334 Get "St. Patrick the Forgiver:" https://a.co/d/09F3TKRn Find out more about Ned here: https://www.worldsendimages.com/ Follow Ned on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nedbustard/ Check out "Every Moment Holy" books: https://a.co/d/02vC5UUb Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at https://www.summit.org/promotions/maven/ MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 
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  Why Family Breakdown Leads to Cultural Breakdown w/ Katy Faust 10.03.2026 53хв

  From the sexual revolution to no-fault divorce to the legalization of gay marriage, there's no mistake that the definition of marriage has dramatically shifted over the decades. What is marriage for? Is it primarily about adult fulfillment, or is marriage about protecting and nurturing the next generation? And what happens to society when those priorities shift? In this episode, we're playing a powerful talk from given at the 2026 California MAVEN Conference by Katy Faust, an author and founder of Them Before Us, on the connection between family structure and cultural stability. This conversation explores the major revolutions that brought our culture to it's current point and how modern cultural messages about family often overlook the needs of kids. Check out Katy's organization Them Before Us: https://thembeforeus.com/ Check out the Greater Than campaign: https://greaterthancampaign.com/ Get Katy's books: https://katyfaust.com/books/ Invest in your student’s faith by sending them to Summit’s Student Conferences! Use code MAVEN26 to save $250 today at https://www.summit.org/promotions/maven/ Register for the 2026 MAVEN Gala: https://maventruth.ticketspice.com/2026-maven-gala MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/