Some parents care for a few children; others care for 39. In this episode, hosts Andy and Kelly talk with John and Cassie Adams, a couple with a big heart for children, who have welcomed dozens of kids into their home through fostering and house-parenting.

John and Cassie share how their wildly different family upbringings and personality types have influenced their approach to parenting. They discuss their experience with a "strong-willed" child and how it pushed them to discover the true balance of nurture and structure. This episode is a powerful conversation about finding your own parenting balance, leaning into outside support, and why sometimes, taking a step back is the most loving thing you can do.

Episode Highlights

• [01:10] John and Cassie share their family of origin stories and introduce their family of three biological children, and the 39 they've cared for in 15 years of marriage.
• [04:20] The motivation behind their decision to step into foster care and how their purpose has evolved over time.
• [08:55] The Adams discuss discovering the balance of nurture and structure and how it's not a one-size-fits-all solution for every child.
• [13:00] Cassie shares a personal story of taking a step back from "grade monitoring" and how it created a healthier family dynamic.
• [16:50] John and Cassie explore the difference between training and controlling, and how sometimes you have to let go to let them learn.
• [20:00] Advice for single parents and why seeking outside community and counseling is so important.
• [24:00] The first steps to take if you're a parent who feels like what you're doing isn't working.

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It's one of the most practical and powerful tools in parenting: nurture and structure. But what does it actually look like in real life? In this episode, hosts Andy and Kelly are joined by John Cunnings, the Boys' Program Director at Eagle Ranch, who has over 20 years of experience applying this model in real homes.

John helps us understand the importance of balancing love and connection (nurture) with boundaries and rules (structure). He shares how the choice and consequence model is a fundamental tool for this, and he gives parents a step-by-step guide to implement it. Get ready for some deeply practical advice, including a "400 parenting average" analogy and the power of a simple apology.

Episode Highlights

• [03:00] John shares his background as a military kid and a single parent raising two girls.
• [05:00] Defining the essential balance of nurture and structure in parenting.
• [06:30] Introducing the choice and consequence model and its foundation in training, not control.
• [08:00] The difference between discipline and training, and how one leads to true growth.
• [12:30] How to set up a choice and consequence system in your own home in three practical steps.
• [16:00] An explanation of "porch time" and how it creates opportunities for connection and reflection.
• [26:00] The "400 parenting average" and why you only need to be right 40% of the time to have a positive impact.

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Resources Mentioned

• Book: What Happened to You? by Bruce Perry

No family is a perfect mix. In fact, most are beautifully complicated. In this episode, hosts Andy and Kelly are joined by John and Julie Price, a couple with uniquely different upbringings who came together to raise their own sons and care for hundreds of boys at Eagle Ranch.

John, the middle child of 13 kids from a dairy farm, and Julie, a last-born missionary kid who grew up in Brazil, open up about the challenges and rewards of their family and house-parenting journey. They share deeply personal stories about learning to relinquish control, embracing vulnerability, and the transformative power of a simple apology. This episode is a powerful reminder that every family has a dynamic to navigate and that authenticity is the key to building real connection.

Episode Highlights

• [01:10] John and Julie introduce themselves, their radically different backgrounds, and their roles at Eagle Ranch.
• [06:20] How their diverse family histories prepared them for a life of working with children and families.
• [11:00] Julie's personal story of learning to love without control while house-parenting seven teenage boys.
• [17:00] The powerful impact of apologizing to your children and teaching them to ask for forgiveness.
• [21:00] Practical tips for parents of adolescent boys, including why they crave respect and authenticity.
• [25:50] A heartwarming story of a son's vulnerability and a powerful conversation on trust.

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