Episodios

  • How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex

    How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex
    May 7 2025
    Need some help navigating the tricky terrain of talking to your kids about sex? Join counselor Austin Conner as he interviews Kristen Miele, a certified health education specialist and founder of Sex Ed Reclaimed, for an empowering conversation on guiding kids through this vital topic with confidence and faith. Kristen shares her journey from viewing sex as taboo to embracing it as God’s good creation, offering practical tools to help parents, caregivers, and mentors foster healthy, shame-free discussions. Whether you have young kids, teens, or work with children, this episode equips you to reclaim the conversation from cultural distortions and lead with love. You’ll hear about… Why it’s critical to talk to kids about sex and sexuality Common fears and myths that hold parents back Age-appropriate ways to teach kids from preschool to high school As you listen, you’ll learn how to start open, honest conversations, respond to tough questions (like exposure to porn), and recognize signs of potential harm. Kristen’s insights, rooted in 15 years of teaching and her Sex Ed Reclaimed curriculum, will inspire you to address your own brokenness, lean on the Holy Spirit, and guide kids toward a godly view of sexuality. We hope this episode empowers you to step boldly into these discussions, trusting God is with you in the weeds. Connect with us & Subscribe to our weekly newsletter! Website: withyouintheweeds.com Instagram: @withyouintheweeds Facebook: @withyouintheweeds X: withyou_weeds
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    55 m
  • The Journey of Parenting a Child With ADHD

    The Journey of Parenting a Child With ADHD
    Apr 30 2025
    Want a behind the scenes look at parenting a child with ADHD? Buckle up for an honest conversation as Lynn interviews fellow WYITW co-host Austin Conner and his wife Polly about how they’ve navigated and managed life with a kiddo with ADHD. Austin and Polly open up about the unexpected challenges and joys of this journey, offering hope and practical wisdom for parents who are struggling to know how to find their way through the maze of this diagnosis. You’ll hear about… What life was life before the diagnosis The turning point: figuring out the diagnosis What life has been like since the diagnosis As you listen, you’ll learn when to seek evaluation for your child, how to build a support team, the changes you’ll need to make in your parenting, and how to manage the stress that comes with unpredictable behaviors and extra energy from your child with ADHD. You’ll also be encouraged that your child can grow, adapt and accomplish incredible things through their creativity and tenacity. We hope the practical and specific insights in this episode will help you feel validated and strengthened as you consider next steps for you and your family. If you want to explore more on this topic, check out these books and podcasts below: Book: ADHD 2.0 Book: Healing ADD Podcast: Calm Parenting Podcast Podcast: Shining with ADHD - The Childhood Collective Your reviews and ratings help us reach more people so please leave a review and a 5-star rating! If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who needs encouragement in their own healing journey and join the WYITW community on IG & FB @withyouintheweeds.com.
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    1 h y 2 m
  • Parenting in a Blended Family

    Parenting in a Blended Family
    Apr 23 2025
    **Have you heard the news? With You in the Weeds has been nominated for “Best Local Podcast” in Inside Columbia magazine’s “Best of Columbia” contest! You can help us win by voting today and EVERY DAY through April 30th. Here’s the link to cast your vote and thanks so much for your support!** In this heartfelt episode of With You in the Weeds, Austin Conner chats with Chris and Amanda Horn about the ups and downs of parenting in a blended family. As part of the Parenting in the Weeds series, they share their experiences raising three kids across multiple households, offering honest insights and practical tips for navigating co-parenting, conflict, and building strong family bonds. Whether you’re in a blended family or know someone who is, this conversation brings hope and encouragement for the journey. You may be able to relate as Chris and Amanda describe their blended family life as challenging, sacrificial, and yet strengthening, as they emphasize the process of growth through hardships. In any blended family, there will be trade-offs: logistical and emotional challenges balanced by the joy of their kids’ growing sibling bonds. They have learned to embrace the chaos, keep co-parenting communication open and accept discomfort while trusting that God is in control, even in the toughest seasons life brings. If you want to remember what you learned in this episode, and didn’t have time to take notes while listening, subscribe to our newsletter at withyouintheweeds.com to receive our weekly episode summary and to find our library of resources on all the topics we cover. Your reviews and ratings help us reach more people so please leave a review and a 5-star rating!
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    41 m
  • Managing Sibling Conflict

    Managing Sibling Conflict
    Apr 16 2025
    **We are honored to be nominated for “Best Local Podcast” in Inside Columbia magazine’s “Best of Columbia” contest! You can help us win by voting today and EVERY DAY through April 30th. Here’s the link to cast your vote and thanks so much for your support!** In this episode of our “Parenting in the Weeds” series, Austin Connor and Shay Roush tackle the universal challenge of sibling conflict. Whether you're dealing with daily squabbles between young kids, quiet resentment among teens, or lingering rivalries into adulthood, this episode offers practical insights and strategies to manage conflict effectively. Conflict amongst siblings is real and spans all ages: from fights over toys and screen time with young kids to resentment over perceived favoritism among teens or adults. The goal isn’t to eliminate conflict entirely but to manage it, acknowledging its presence and working toward healthier relationships. Shay and Austin discuss the 3 main causes of sibling conflict, as well as 5 practical solutions to handle it including: Connect with each child individually Delight, celebrate, and laugh together as a family Avoid comparing your children Set patterns of reconciliation, apologizing, and forgiveness Be proactive about end-of-life matters and money The biggest takeaway from this episode is that “Your children may be competitive and compete with each other, but they should never have to compete for your love.” If you want to remember what you learned in this episode, and didn’t have time to take notes while listening, subscribe to our newsletter at withyouintheweeds.com to receive our weekly episode summary and to find our library of resources on all the topics we cover. Your reviews and ratings help us reach more people so please leave a review and a 5-star rating! If this conversation resonates with you, share it with a friend and join the WYITW community on IG & FB @withyouintheweeds.com.
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    40 m
  • Loving the Kid You Have, Not the Kid You Want

    Loving the Kid You Have, Not the Kid You Want
    Apr 9 2025
    **Exciting news! With You in the Weeds has been nominated for “Best Local Podcast” in Inside Columbia magazine’s “Best of Columbia” contest! You can help us win by voting TODAY and EVERY DAY through April 30th. Here’s the link to cast your vote and thanks so much for your support!** Welcome back to our Parenting in the Weeds series! In this episode, we dive into a common parenting trap - the temptation to control your child rather than love them for who they are. While this desire often comes from a good place, such as wanting them to be successful or safe, it can lead to unintended harm. Listen in as John, Lynn and Shay explore the ways parents try to mold their kids in their own image instead of fostering their unique God-given design. You will learn about three common parenting traps - the Perfection Trap, the Mini-Me Trap, and the Take Care of Me Trap - as well as how to break free from them by focusing on the true goal of parenting. Key Takeaways: The Goal of Parenting: Helping children develop character qualities and the skills necessary to meet the demands of life. Supporting their unique design and pointing them toward Jesus. Modeling love and guidance without trying to control their every outcome. Three Parenting Traps: The Perfection Trap: Expecting children to meet impossible standards can lead to anxiety, fear, and struggles with self-worth. The Mini-Me Trap: Trying to live out unfulfilled dreams through your child instead of embracing their individuality can lead to rebellion. The Take Care of Me Trap: Relying on children for emotional support rather than allowing them to develop independence can hinder your child’s emotional maturity. How You Can Break Free of These Traps: Acknowledge that your child is not yours to control - they belong to God. Recognize when fear, ego, or personal baggage drives parenting decisions. Give children space to grow, make mistakes, and develop their own faith and identity. Trust that God is working in your child's life, even when they take unexpected paths. Be encouraged that even if you recognize yourself in any of these traps, you're not alone! Parenting is a journey of learning, adjusting, and leaning into God’s grace. Book recommendation: Men of Courage by Larry Crabb
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    49 m
  • Parenting Wars: “Gentle Parenting” vs. “Tough Love”

    Parenting Wars: “Gentle Parenting” vs. “Tough Love”
    Apr 2 2025
    **Exciting news! With You in the Weeds has been nominated for “Best Local Podcast” in Inside Columbia magazine’s “Best of Columbia” contest! You can help us win by voting TODAY and EVERY DAY through April 30th. Here’s the link to cast your vote and thanks so much for your support!** Welcome to our brand-new series, Parenting in the Weeds! This series is dedicated to parents who feel tired, confused, or frustrated - because let's be honest, parenting isn't just hard; sometimes, it feels impossible. In this episode, we dive into the challenges of parenting today and explore the tension between two popular approaches: gentle parenting and tough love parenting. John, Lynn and Austin discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each and introduce a balanced framework - love and limits - that can help parents find a more effective and sustainable way to raise their children. Whether you're a parent or someone who interacts with kids in any capacity, there's something in this episode for you! Here’s what we cover: Understanding the extremes: Gentle Parenting: Focuses on emotional attunement, empathy, and attachment but can sometimes lack necessary boundaries. Tough Love Parenting: Emphasizes structure, discipline, and authority but can sometimes be overly rigid and emotionally distant. A Better Way – Love and Limits: Parenting is about balancing emotional connection and boundaries. Parenting the way God parents us means we are offering love while providing guidance. Structure without relationship leads to rebellion, and unchecked emotions can create chaos. Practical Parenting Takeaways: Reflect on whether your parenting leans too heavily on love or limits and make adjustments, tailoring your approach to each child’s unique needs. If you default to tough love, ask for feedback from your kids, acknowledge any past mistakes, and be willing to apologize. If you lean towards gentle parenting, start setting and enforcing boundaries - even if your child protests at first. Be prepared for the extinction burst - behavior may initially escalate when limits are introduced but will stabilize over time. The truth is that parenting is challenging, but the good news is that you're not alone! God sees and cares about where you are in your parenting journey, and he is with you in the weeds of parenting. Recommended Resources: Parenting from the Inside Out – Dan Siegel The Connected Parent – Karen Purvis & Lisa Qualls Boundaries with Kids – Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend If you want to remember what you learned in this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at withyouintheweeds.com to receive our weekly episode summary and to find our library of resources on all the topics we cover. Your reviews and ratings help us reach more people so please leave a review and a 5-star rating! If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who needs encouragement in their own healing journey and join the WYITW community on IG & FB @withyouintheweeds.com.
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    47 m
  • How Do I Know When I've Healed From Trauma?

    How Do I Know When I've Healed From Trauma?
    Mar 26 2025
    In the final episode of our Surviving and Thriving After Trauma series, hosts Lynn Roush, LPC, John Tinnin, MDiv, MFT and Austin Conner, MDiv, PLPC reflect on the key takeaways from the series and answer listener-submitted questions about trauma, healing, and resilience. This series was dedicated to helping you define trauma, understand its impacts, and begin the journey toward healing. Not only have we learned from the many trauma survivors we’ve interviewed, we have also come to see the powerful presence of Jesus in the face of suffering. These are the listener questions we tackle in this episode: Are some traumas worse than others? What should you say (or not say) to someone who has experienced trauma? What skills do I need to work through trauma in my life and help others? How do I know when I’ve healed from trauma? The key takeaways we want you to remember are: Trauma impacts every aspect of your being—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Healing is a journey, not a one-time event. You may never feel "fully healed," but you can experience post-traumatic growth and resilience. The presence of a safe, understanding person can be one of the most powerful tools in trauma recovery. Scripture provides deep comfort, but timing and approach matter when offering biblical encouragement. Healing includes recognizing the reality of trauma, holding responsible parties accountable, and embracing God’s sustaining grace. Resources to help you on your healing journey: On the Threshold of Hope – Diane Langberg Safe People – Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend Your Emotional Dashboard (Our very first episode!) "In this world, you will have tribulations. But take heart, I have overcome the world." John 16:33 If you want to remember what you learned in this episode, and didn’t have time to take notes while listening, subscribe to our newsletter at withyouintheweeds.com to receive our weekly episode summary and to find our library of resources on all the topics we cover. Your reviews and ratings help us reach more people so please leave a review and a 5-star rating! If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who needs encouragement in their own healing journey and join the WYITW community on IG & FB @withyouintheweeds.com.
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    48 m
  • Breaking the Cycle of Generational Trauma with Gina Birkemeier

    Breaking the Cycle of Generational Trauma with Gina Birkemeier
    Mar 19 2025
    As we near the end of our “Surviving and Thriving After Trauma” series we are covering the essential topic of generational trauma - a hidden force that shapes our beliefs, relationships, and sense of self. Our guest, Gina Birkemeier, a licensed professional counselor, author, and trauma specialist, joins us to explore how trauma patterns are passed down through generations and what it takes to break free. Key takeaways in this episode: The impact of inherited trauma and how it shapes your perceptions. How to recognize patterns like shame and control, and the way dysfunction gets passed down through families. What it takes to break the cycle and how to create a new, healthy legacy. Why forgiveness doesn’t mean reconciliation and how it leads to freedom. How you can shift family narratives and transform future generations. In this interview with Austin, Gina shares personal insights from her book, Generations Deep: Unmasking Inherited Dysfunction and Trauma to Rewrite Our Stories Through Faith and Therapy, offering both hope and practical guidance for those ready to stand up against the forceful current of generational dysfunction. To learn more you can visit ginabirkemeier.com or find Gina on Instagram @myoutloudvoice for more great content on this topic. If you want to remember what you learned in this episode, and didn’t have time to take notes while listening, subscribe to our newsletter at withyouintheweeds.com to receive our weekly episode summary and to find our library of resources on all the topics we cover. Your reviews and ratings help us reach more people so please leave a review and a 5-star rating! If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who needs encouragement in their own healing journey and join the WYITW community on IG & FB @WithYouInTheWeeds
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    43 m
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