In This Together With Dr. Josh + Christi

We love getting your questions and discussing the topics dear to your heart. In this week's episode, we discuss the following topics and questions: * Kids should be allowed to feel anger, but should we allow our kids to stomp off in their anger? It feels like such a fine line to walk. * When our children don't transition well, or don't want to transition well, from one activity or event to another, what do I do? * As a single mom, how do I compensate for my children not having a father? * I'm emotionally safe for my kids, but my husband is not. Are there extra things I can do? * I'm a foster mom and our kids are transitioning back to their parents. How can I prepare them?The Questions: I have a 4-year-old little girl and 1-year-old twins. I can't wait to get your feelings book. Something you guys mentioned in your Kids Who Can Empathize episode was that we should allow our kids to feel that anger. I think you mentioned allowing your kids to stomp. This may be a ridiculous question, but is stomping always acce

We all seek to find our life purpose. But have you ever thought about your marital purpose? The purpose God has for your marriage? He has one for you--but it may not be for what you think.In this episode, we talk with Ryan and Selena Frederick from Fierce Marriage about how your marriage is designed to bring God glory. But what does that mean? And how can we do that, especially in an age of confusion?Ryan and Selena break down what it means to be transparent in marriage and cover such topics as: * Exposing ourselves to meaningful risk * How to have a "see through" mentality * What it means to be vulnerable with one another * Why self-discovery is crucial for transparency * To be "unoffendable"Show Notes: To order Ryan and Selena's book, Fierce Marriage, click here. To subscribe or listen to The Fierce Marriage Podcast, click here. Sponsor: For FREE downloadable lunch notes and games, or to order Homegrown: Cultivating Kids in the Fruit of the Spirit, click here. 

Sex is our most requested topic lately for the podcast. And the types of questions we receive about sex reveal the power it holds in how well--or not--we connect with our spouse.In this episode, Ryan and Laura Dobson join us to talk about the joys and difficulties of sex in marriage.We discuss: * How to begin talking about sex in your marriage * The power sex has on how well we feel emotionally connected * How to discuss and overcome past hurts to rediscover--or maybe discover for the first time--an enjoyable sex life * Sexual satisfaction and the early years of parenting * What porn does to marital intimacy and some ways to get through it * The spiritual significance of sex in marriageShow Notes:To learn more about marriage or family coaching with the Straubs, click here. To find a Christian counselor in your local area, click here. To find a counselor in your local area, click here.To listen to REBEL Parenting Podcast with Ryan and Laura Dobson, click here.  

Feeling exhausted, or simply tired of going through the motions? The modern world is a machine of a thousand invisible habits, forming us into anxious, busy, and depressed people. The trouble is that our habits are almost invisible to us. In fact, habits form us more than we form them. So what can we do about it?Welcome to The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose in an Age of Distraction. In this week's episode, we interview Justin Whitmel Earley, a mergers and acquisitions lawyer who nearly crashed and burned in his own panicked lifestyle. As a husband and father to four young boys, Justin knew he needed help.In what turned out to be a fateful moment of self-discovery, Justin's compelling story led him to create The Common Rule, four doable daily and four weekly habits designed to help us create new routines and transform frazzled days into lives of love for God and neighbor.Looking for a doable routine for your family that leads to freedom and rest for your soul? This episode is for you.Show Notes: To purchase Th

This episode is a discussion about what we describe as the "art of becoming." Too often we get so focused on the day-to-day sleep, discipline, or behavioral issues with our kids that we lose sight of what really influences who they become.Don't get us wrong, it's not that these day-to-day issues don't matter. However, it's easy to get so lost in the day-to-day, that we neglect who we're becoming.In this episode, we talk about a recent research study that connected more parenting information to increased parenting anxiety and decreased self-confidence. As one article suggests, we get more anxious when we think there is one answer to our parenting problem, and we don't have it.Our hope is that this discussion encourages you to create the spiritual and emotional environment you and your kids need to thrive.Show Notes: Click here to learn more about Homegrown, to watch the video trailer (a must see!) and to receive free downloads for your kids.Click here to purchase the new children's book, What Am I Feeling?Arti

The Bible consistently uses botanical growth to describe our spiritual maturity and how we grow. Applied to us as parents, we want to raise children who love God and share His love with the world. But how do you prepare a spiritual seedling to become fully grown?In this episode, we talk about our new parent Bible study that you can do with your kids to cultivate them in the fruit of the Spirit. But what does this look like, especially at a practical level?This week, we discuss: * What botanical growth looks like * The necessary ingredient for the fruit of the Spirit to grow, is to die to our flesh (Gal. 5:24, John 12:24). * Cultivating kids in the fruit of the Spirit is connected to the spiritual environment of our home * Connection to Jesus (John 15) and a Church community is necessary and important for growth * The practical ways you can cultivate and water your seedlings during the four key times of the day (Deut. 6:7, Proverbs 22:6).Show Notes: Click here to learn more about Homegrown, to watch the video

Our 100th episode! And what better way to celebrate than talking with two amazing humans--Ryan and Laura Dobson--about being emotionally healthy for your family.This is arguably our most raw and vulnerable episode to date. We talk with Ryan and Laura about mental illness, addictions, pornography, and other self-medicators. Even more, we talk about grace and the path to healing. No matter your family history or past mistakes, you have a story you get to live--a story that's being passed on from one generation to the next.Our discussion is all about how we can engage a path of healing and become emotionally healthy for our spouse and kids. Feel like you're messing up a lot? You're not alone. In this episode, you will find grace and a few next steps.Show Notes: Our next Emotionally Safe Marriage Coaching Group begins April 15, 2019. Click here to learn more. Spaces are limited.Check out Ryan and Laura's Podcast Rebel Parenting by clicking here. Check out Winshape Marriage Intensives by clicking here.To learn mor

In this episode, we take your questions and talk about them. This week's questions include the following topics: * What educational apps we would recommend * How to handle a co-parenting situation where you have no control with what's happening in the other home * How to help our kids with bad dreams and night terrors * How to further talk to your kids about Santa, Easter bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc. * Managing a child who craves being social more than we have the energy forThe Questions:  * I am a first grade teacher in public school. I often get asked about educational apps that I would recommend. Knowing what you know about screen time, what is your opinion about using a tablet for educational purposes? * I'm a stepmom of three children who live with their mom 70% of the time. My husband and I do plan to fight for more custody this year. My question relates to how to co-parent with someone who is working from a different worldview. Their mom is more focused on herself and her life than the kids. She frequently

"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