In This Together With Dr. Josh + Christi

"Mom, who sang the first song?" When Ellie Holcomb's then five-year-old daughter, Emmylou, asked her this question, Ellie threw the question back at her. "Well, who do you think sang the first song?" Emmylou's answer is priceless. Yes, you have to listen to find out.But as Ellie thought about it, she had to do some research. Her answers were put into her first children's book called Who Sang the First Song?  In this episode, we go behind the scenes of this incredible story and what it means that God created each of us with a song to sing.Applied to the family, we talk about the "rhythms" God calls us to. With three children, ages six and under, Ellie and her husband, Drew, have some very practical ways they create rhythm for their family. This is an episode you won't want to miss.Show Notes: To download Sing: Creation Songs by Ellie Holcomb, click here.To purchase Ellie's children's book, Who Sang the First Song, click here.Start feeling better today by ordering What Am I Feeling? Click here to order. 

In this episode, we take your questions and talk about them. This week's questions include the following topics: * How to thrive in the survival years with young kids * Should we send our kids to kindergarten early or hold them back * How to manage our own anger and fear so as not to yell at our kids * How to be emotionally safe in the early years * The stage we set up for our kids in our dining roomThe Questions:  * Hi! Absolutely love your podcast and have been a fan since episode one. Could you please post a picture of your living room concert stage? I love the idea behind this simple yet impactful and intentional choice you’ve made in making family memories come to life! God bless! --Suzanna * I absolutely love your podcast and Safe House book! It's completely changed how I view parenting, as I did not grow up in an emotionally safe home. I struggle with control and anger that leads to yelling at my child. How can I safely teach my toddler that she needs to obey her parents without yelling or threatening?

In part 2 of our series on kids and feelings, we talk about kids who can empathize with others. This episode is a deeper dive into the "why" behind our new kid's book What Am I Feeling?So often, it can feel like a pipe dream getting our kids to think about anyone other than themselves. Let's be honest, our world could use more adults who can empathize as well. In this episode, we talk about being teachable, responding to others in empathy, and how our kids mirror our emotions. We also discuss how fear and busyness become barriers to entering our child's world and helping her label her feelings.Show Notes: Start feeling better today by ordering What Am I Feeling? Click here to order.You can also click here to learn about Safe House: How Emotional Safety is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead Well.For a link to the Google study mentioned in the podcast, click here.

Teaching our kids to give their feeling a name and then decide what to do with it—is crucial to helping them love God and love others. Turns out, it's also helpful for juvenile delinquents to develop empathy, and for our kids to one day be successful at major companies like Google.In this episode, we talk about these scenarios and why developing emotional awareness is so important for our kids. As it relates to spiritual growth, this is also where emotional and spiritual maturity go hand-in-hand: the lived out fruit of self-control (Galatians 5:23).But it all starts with us as parents. Being emotionally safe with our kids provides calm to the fear center of their brain. The calmer our kids are in emotionally overwhelming situations, the more likely they are to think straight and make wise decisions.And that’s our privilege as parents—to help our kids learn to name their feeling, make good decisions with that emotion, and begin to think about others. That's what this episode is all about.Show Notes: Start feel

Sometimes, a few nuggets of wisdom just isn't enough. In this episode, we discuss some of the deeper reasons behind why it's so difficult to connect in marriage.We also talk about our own marital journey of late and how counseling has helped us work through the baggage, blindness, and busyness of the day. Yes, three "bee's" that can "sting" your marriage. Dad jokes rock.Of course, the conversation includes practical ways we can connect at a deeper, more intimate level with our spouse.Show Notes: To learn more about Winshape Marriage Intensives and Adventures, click here. To learn more about marriage coaching intensives we offer, or to set up a discovery call, click here.

We live in a beautifully diverse world. Unfortunately, our world is also plagued by racial and ethnic division.As families, we can bring unity and change by embracing our differences. But it requires that we pass onto our kids what it means to walk in love, not fear—a lesson that's easier said, than done.In this episode, author Trillia Newbell, sits down with us to discuss: * How to talk to our kids about families who look different from ours * Whether or not we should raise our kids to be "color blind" * What it looks like for us as adults to model unity and love in our home * How we should talk to our kids about the history of racial tensions * And most importantly, how the gospel transcends racial and ethnic differencesShow Notes:Trillia Newbell is the author of If God is For Me, a 6-week Bible study on Romans 8 (2019), Enjoy: Finding the Freedom to Delight Daily in God's Good Gifts (2016), Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves (2015), United: Captured by God's Vision for Diversity (2014), an

We can get so busy that we allow culture to dictate who we are as a family, rather than our family influencing the culture around us. In this episode, we talk about some of the critical first steps in discovering what makes your family unique.And as Christi so eloquently states, "Your uniqueness is so normal to you, that you often can't see it." That's because our family purpose is often hidden within the generations that went before us--the family stories, patterns, and even moments of overcoming difficult circumstances.In this episode, we outline the beginning steps to discovering your family purpose and why it's important for your kids. And, if the Your Family Purpose group coaching program sounds like something your family could use, simply click here.Show Notes: Your Family Purpose: 4-week Group Coaching Program begins February 11! Click here to learn more. Spots are filling up.Click here to purchase or learn about Safe House: How Emotional Safety is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead Well.

Welcome to season 5! This week's episode is full of updates about the upcoming season. In addition, we talk about why we believe "parenting" is the wrong term to use when it comes to raising our children.The best part is that we don't leave you hanging. We talk about what we believe the right term should be and why it matters in how we relate to our kids.Show Notes:To preorder our new children's book, What Am I Feeling? click here. It releases March 1. Your Family Purpose: 4-week Group Coaching Program. Next group begins February 11! Click here to learn more.

What a year in the life of the "In This Together" podcast family. As you'll hear once again through Christi's tears, we love journeying with you. Your stories, questions, podcast reviews, and encouragement fuel our souls. Thank you for making 2018 one of the most joy-filled years for our family.In this episode, we go back and forth, each offering our wishes for your family in 2019. This is a heartfelt episode, offering our blessing over your family for the New Year. We love journeying with you.Show Notes: To learn more about the coaching programs we offer, click here.To learn more about our 4-week Your Family Purpose group coaching program for families, click here. To learn more about Onsite Workshops, click here.

Our podcast “resident therapist," David Thomas, is back with us, live from Daystar Counseling. He talks with us about what our sons need across the developmental lifespan.In this episode, David breaks down what our boys need in the following age groups:Ages 2-4: The ExplorerAges 5-8: The LoverAges 9-12: The IndividualAges 13-17: The WandererAges 18-22: The WarriorSome of the best nuggets of this interview include: * The biggest hurdle of boys today across the developmental lifespan * Ways that boys self-medicate their pain and why * Why helping boys problem solve and use critical thinking is crucial to their development * The importance of placing your hand on your son's shoulder and addressing him by name * Why boys need less words, not more * Helping our boys navigate video gaming in a healthy wayShow Notes: To learn more, click here to purchase David's book, Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing BoysTo buy David’s latest book, Are My Kids on Track?, click here.To learn more, check out: www.raisingboysandgirls.

The next two episodes are gold medallion interviews with our podcast "resident therapists." This week, we interview Sissy Goff from Daystar Counseling about what our daughters need. Next week, we interview David Thomas about what our sons need.In this episode, Sissy breaks down what our girls need in the following age groups:Birth-5: The Discovery YearsAges 6-11: The Adventurous YearsAges 12-15: The Narcissistic YearsAges 16-19: The Autonomous YearsSome of the best nuggets of this interview include: * The growing epidemic of anxiety in girls today * The years our daughters seem disinterested in relationship with dad * How dads can press into their daughters * Why daughters tend to be ambivalent with their moms in the narcissistic years * How moms can press into their daughters in these yearsShow Notes: To learn more, click here to purchase Sissy's book, All You Need to Know About Raising Girls.To buy Sissy's latest book, Are My Kids on Track?, click here.To learn more, check out: www.raisingboysandgirls.comPo

As a social entrepreneur and founder and co-CEO of Noonday Collection, Jessica Honegger aims to do everything with boundless courage. But just as happiness is not the absence of sadness, and faith is not the absence of doubt, courage is not the absence of fear.Now leading the largest fair-trade jewelry company in the world, Jessica gives us a behind the scenes look at her highly-successful business and her journey to get there as a working mom. In this episode, Jessica shares stories of motherhood, adoption, guilt as a working mom, partnership, and friendship.Most powerfully, she explains how she made fear her friend.Speaking from her highly-touted book, Imperfect Courage: Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared, Jessica shares with us her inspiring story and challenges us to have the courage to do the very thing we've been afraid of doing.Show Notes: Buy Imperfect Courage here. It also makes a great gift!To buy gifts from or learn more about Noonday Collection, click here. Subscribe to Jes

This is a special re-released episode on Christmas topics for families, because there's nothing we want more than to experience the joy of Christmas.The problem is that Christmas can leave our time feeling pressed and our wallets stressed.In this episode, we go behind the lens of our own crooked picture frame to discuss some Christmas hot topics. We tell stories about how we were raised and what we implement today in our own family. We also discuss topics like: * Is my gift-giving out of control? * What does an entitled child look like? * Is it okay for my kids to believe in Santa Claus? * What will my kids really remember about Christmas? * How can we truly make it about Jesus’ birth? * Is the attitude I’m modeling for my kids at the holidays one of gratitude or grumbling? * What role do traditions play in our family?As you listen to this episode, think about your own family traditions, values, and what you model for and teach your kids. And be sure to engage the conversation. Tell us stories from your own p

Christmas often comes and goes in the blink of an eye. Not only that, it's easy to miss the magic of the season. Either things don't go the way we had hoped with our family, or we get so buried in our to-do lists we need a search and rescue team just to help us come to the surface.In this episode, we talk about decisions you can make to enjoy the Christmas season with your family. We talk about: * Practical ways we can manage our expectations of the Christmas season * Why it's important to also acknowledge and grieve loss during this season * Being people who include others * How to prioritize Jesus during the holidays--i.e. getting our kids to behave because of Jesus, not for Santa :) * How to make decisions at Christmas based on your family values, not the culture around you * One very practical way husbands can crush it this Christmas * How to be the grace others need at this time of yearShow Notes: To join us in the 25 Characters of the Christmas Story: An Advent Experience for Families, click here!Podcas

Bedtime--it's that sometimes elusive and dreaded time of the day, especially if you have young kids. Yet, bedtime can be the most significant time of the day to connect with your kids, and even your teens.In this episode, we discuss the spiritual and emotional significance of bedtime. We also get super practical about turning it into one of the most memorable--and maybe even enjoyable--parts of your day. Even more, bedtime could be the environment that shapes your family and child's story for years to come.We talk about: * Why even Moses championed bedtime * When it's okay to call an audible * Practical ways to keep our kids in bed and not dread the process * Guilt free and emotionally safe ways for either laying with our kids to help them fall asleep or making them stay in bed * Questions we can ask our kids to draw out what's happening in their inner worldShownotesClick here for 15 Conversation Starters for Tucking Your Kids into Bed.Click here for Dr. Ross Greene's book, The Explosive Child: A New Approach

For many of us, inviting people into our lives and homes feels more like inviting judgment on our entertaining skills and stress on our already maxed-out schedules. And with the holidays approaching, you may be feeling the pressure.But what if you knew that opening your front door had the power to radically change the world around you? To make an impact and leave a legacy with everyday invitations?Jen Schmidt has set out to reframe how we think about hospitality and to equip us to walk a road of welcome in our daily lives. Jen knows that every time we choose open-door living—whether in our homes or by taking hospitality on the road—those we invite in get to experience the lived-out love of Jesus, our kids grow up in a life-lab of generosity, and we trade insecurity for connection.In this episode, we talk to Jen about how you and your family can offer the life-changing gift of invitation, no matter the stage of life your family is in. We talk about: * The freedom of hospitality, not the burden of it * How invi

What happens when our son is exposed to pornography at a young age? Or our daughter begins hearing about sex at school and asking you questions? Many of our own parents didn't model for us how to have these difficult conversations with our kids. Not only that, our kids seem to be exposed to sex at even younger ages today.In this episode, we revisit with Linda Noble and Linda Stewart, two leading voices helping parents talk to their children about body image and sex through THE Conversation Workshop. This is part two of a two part series.In this episode, Linda and Linda discuss with us how to talk to our kids about sex through a simple, yet powerful framework of flourishing.We discuss: * how to talk to our kids about difficult topics, like when they discover their private parts * why a Theology of the Body is an important framework for us as adults as well * age-appropriate ways--from preschool through the teen years--to talk to our kids about sexIn the show notes below, you can also gain access to free PDF do

What happens when our daughter tells us she's fat? Or our son begins to ask questions about his private parts? These questions are enough to throw off any good parent. So how can we raise our kids to have a healthy body image in a culture that has distorted it?That's the conversation we have today with Linda Noble and Linda Stewart, two leading voices helping parents talk to their children about body image and sex through THE Conversation Workshop. This is part one of a two part series.In this episode, Linda and Linda discuss a framework for the Theology of the Body, and how we as parents can be ready anytime these conversations arise with our kids.We discuss: * the 2 most common parenting approaches to the body and the one we need to take * the 3 truths we need to instill in our kids about their body-selves on an ongoing basis * practical questions we receive from parentsIn the show notes below, you can also gain access to free PDF downloads from THE Conversation Workshop that help you have these conversatio

There are eyes on your marriage. If you have kids, they watch how you interact. If you lead others in your community, those you lead watch how you live. In other words, your marriage is in a fishbowl.Some feel it more than others. But regardless of who's watching, if we don't pursue a marriage we'd wish on our kids, or we keep leading others without tending to our own marital garden, it will catch up to us. And besides, isn't it better to enjoy life with our spouse than merely tolerate it and go through the motions?We think so. That's why this episode covers four ways we can become teammates in marriage and why it's so important.Show Notes:To learn more about our Coaching Programs, click here.To learn more about Winshape Marriage Intensives and Adventures, click here. Podcast Sponsors:

This episode is a treat. Lisa Harper joins us to talk about her newly released children's book, Who's Your Daddy: Discovering the Awesomest Daddy Ever.But she's not the only one to join us! After the break, her daughter Missy joins us - along with our kids - to sing and talk about Sid the Science Kid, the Greatest Showman, and Sing. They also talk about God and people they know in heaven. It is a precious portion we decided to keep in. We hope you enjoy the "real" interaction.The best description of this episode comes directly from the children's book:Missy has lived with her new mommy (Lisa) ever since she was adopted from Haiti. But when someone asks little Missy a BIG question—"Who's your daddy?"—she starts thinking and learning a lot about daddies.Missy could be sad that she doesn't have a "skin" daddy who can make her pancakes and take her to soccer practice. But through lots of talks with Mommy, Missy realizes that she DOES have a Daddy! In fact, no matter what our family looks like, we all have the sam