Reading scores are dropping across the country, and behind every statistic is a child trying to make sense of words, meaning, and identity. In today's episode of Facing the Dark, Wayne and Dr. Kathy unpack why reading matters so deeply, not just for academics but for confidence, identity, and a child's formation. They explore a Georgia district working to retrain teachers, explain why vocabulary and decoding are such obstacles today, and show parents simple, powerful ways to support struggling readers using the 8 Great Smarts. With wisdom from Scripture, especially the beautiful pattern in Acts 8, this episode gives parents practical hope: you can help your child learn to read, and you don't have to panic or do it alone.

Gender confusion doesn't begin in the body, it begins in the mind. And the way kids think is shaped by the worldview they're given. In today's episode of Raising Gender-Confident Kids, Wayne and Dr. Kathy unpack Chapter 4 of Raising Gender-Confident Kids and explain how worldview becomes the lens through which kids interpret reality, identity, feelings, and truth. They explore why kids need a worldview big enough to handle disappointment, how emotions can hijack decision-making, and why mentoring kids through the Five Core Needs builds clarity instead of confusion. Practical, deep, and hope-filled, this episode will help you guide your kids to see themselves the way God sees them.

Holiday gatherings can feel like a joyful reunion, or a pressure-filled performance. In this Thanksgiving episode of Facing in the Dark, Wayne and Dr. Kathy unpack why kids struggle during big family events, how parents can prepare them beforehand, and what it looks like to approach the holidays with patience, curiosity, and a heart aimed at connection rather than perfection. You'll learn how to lower anxiety, handle family dynamics, create space for rest, and help kids feel secure as they reconnect with relatives they barely know.