In This Together With Dr. Josh + Christi

So often, conversation on kids with intellectual disabilities centers on ministry "to" children with disabilities. What if we instead focused on the ministry "of" children with disabilities?In this episode, Amy Julia Becker presents us with a massive paradigm shift on many levels. After reading her cover article in Christianity Today titled The Ministry of the Disabled, we knew we needed to learn from her.A graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary, Amy Julia's essays about faith, family, and disability have appeared in the Washington Post, USA Today, Christianity Today, the Christian Century, and online for The New York Times, ABCNews, the Atlantic, Vox, and The Huffington Post.Here are some highlights of our conversation: * Changing how we see the word "need." Would you describe yourself as "being needy?" What if it were a necessary and good thing? * Why it's important to receive people (especially our kids) as they are given to us, not through the lens of who we want them to be. *

Parenting children with special needs or medical disabilities brings with it so many added variables. As if having a strong marriage and being a great parent weren't hard enough, what happens when you have to travel for 20 hours of therapy each week in addition to your other tasks and roles?This is the journey Nick and Jackie Tait are walking. With three beautiful children ages five and under, their five year old was born at 23 weeks. Today, he is a walking miracle. However, he has medical disabilities and developing special needs that require added attention and care.In this episode, we talk with Nick and Jackie (a 22:6 family!) about their story. Their countenance and approach alone speaks volumes. They share with us not only what they have done to maintain a strong marriage, but also what they need from others who aren't walking the same road.Here are a few highlights from our discussion with Nick and Jackie: * Grieving the loss of dreams you had for your child * The pressure of social media in comparing y

Money is one of the single biggest reasons for divorce today. If we don't have vision for our money, it will own us.Chris Brown, host of Life, Money, and Hope and a Ramsey Personality, joins us this week to talk about two primary topics:A.) How and why to budget from a Biblical perspective.B.) How to teach our kids about money.Here's a specific overview of what we talked about: * How to tell your money where it's going * How the Western world and Biblical teaching contradicts one another when it comes to money * Why normal in today's world is broken * How to shift your mindset about money * Surprising statistics about families and money today * 3 ways to teach your kids about how to give, save, and spend * A surprising perspective on college debtShow Notes:Check out Life, Money, Hope with Chris Brown. Click here.       Click here for Financial Peace University, Jr. Podcast Sponsors: 

With Father's Day approaching, we want to honor dads. In particular, we share stories from our own dads.In this episode, I (Josh) share about what I've learned about being a dad, from my dad. He went to be with Jesus in November, 2016, but his legacy lives on in our family.Christi also shares memories from her childhood and the influence of her dad to this day.In this episode, you'll hear about: * Dad jokes. Yes, dad jokes. * How to make the most of the moments with our kids and those we love. * The importance of being others-centered. * The power in telling stories of how your dad influenced you.Show Notes:For Celebration of Life Video of David E. Straub, click here. The Boat!       Podcast Sponsors:

Your questions have been so good! We love hearing from each of you. This episode covers more questions related to parenting.In this week's episode we discuss: * How kids handle emotions * New ways to think about your child's overwhelming emotions * The difference between a temper tantrum and an act of disobedience * Sibling rivalry * How to handle grief and loss with kids * And how should we handle family members who don't hold their kids to the same values we hold ours to, especially when we spend a lot of time together with them?Again, if you want to submit a question for a future episode, simply click here to submit your question.It's an honor journeying with you!Show Notes: Click here for Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys by Stephen Thomas and David ThomasClick here for Safe House: How Emotional Safety is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead WellClick here for FREE Feelings Chart for Kids!This week's questions:Emma: I am a part time single parent. My children are 5, 4 and 8 months. Last n

When should I get my child her first phone? Once I get that first phone, how should I set it up? What limits should I set on it? Is my child's phone different than the one I buy?We get so many questions from parents about what to do, and what not to do, when it comes to their child's first phone. Navigating the world of screens can feel scary, but it doesn't have to be!In this episode, we interview Michael Kong, CEO and founder of Forcefield, a parental control product he developed when his girls were in middle school (5 years ago). He shares with us what he's learned first as a dad, and now as a developer.With your kids home for the summer, this is a fascinating episode on screens you won't want to miss.Show Notes: Try Forcefield FREE for 30 days! Just click here. Podcast Sponsor:

In 2015, Corie Weathers was named Military Spouse of the Year. That was in large part because of how her husband, Chaplain Matthew Weathers, nominated and championed her. But as we all know, championing your spouse is much easier when you feel championed.In honor of Military Appreciation Month, we wanted to honor and learn from the marriage of a military family who is also in the trenches serving other military families and first responders.In this episode, Chaplain Matthew and Corie Weathers take us behind their own picture frame and teach us how they connect personally as a military family. Even more, they share with us incredibly powerful insights and tools they use to help military and first responder families thrive.The nuggets harvested from this episode are gold. Here are a few of them: * How to praise your spouse * The power in seeing your spouse as a bonsai tree * How to find purpose together in your marriage, especially for families with traveling spouses * How much is too much to share with your sp

When you hear the phrase, "faith adventure," what comes to mind? Excitement. Risk. Trust. Memories. Miracles. Or does the rational, natural side of your brain kick in? * "But we are in survival mode." * "Maybe when the kids are out of the house." * "I'm too afraid."We ourselves have said everyone of these. In this episode, Christine Caine shares her family's story of living a faith adventure and graciously shows us why we can't afford not to.Here are a few highlights from one our favorite episodes! * How to overcome our, "But, God." * Why marriage and family is a crucial part of Christian witness in the days ahead. * How our paralyzing fear serves nobody, and how to overcome it. * How to bring our kids on the adventure, no matter their age, and why our kids deserve it!Christine Caine is an Australian born, Greek blooded, lover of Jesus, activist, author and international speaker. She and her husband, Nick, founded the global anti-human trafficking organization, The A21 Campaign. They also founded Propel Women

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes that sweet, lovely, and wonderful baby carriage.Then comes our in-laws telling us how to parent.Then comes our parents spoiling our kids.Okay, so that may sound a bit dramatic. At least we hope so for your sake. Truthfully, we loved seeing our parents become grandparents. That doesn't mean we haven't had to figure things out along the way, sometimes with difficult conversations. But it does mean that our parents have our hearts. And because they have our hearts, they have incredible influence in how their grandkids are being raised.In this episode, we go behind the scenes to talk about our own relationship with our parents and how they grandparent our kids.We also discuss practical ways for unity and honor to be the soil for the intergenerational relationships in your family to flourish.Podcast Sponsors:

If parenting is difficult, single parenting is all the more unyielding and lonely. In this episode, we learn from someone walking the road of single parenting. Even more, she gives us insights into her own ministry to single moms in her church community.Nicole C. Mullen, a two time Grammy nominated recording artist and Female Vocalist of the Year Award winner, who is now a single mom of three, shares her story. Since her difficult divorce, she has emerged from a "night season" stronger than she's ever been before. Compiling her story into a new album fittingly titled, Like Never Before, Nicole shares how she had to learn to forgive and relates to those who have walked through betrayal and hurt.Church leaders, single parents, and families with single parent friends will find this episode incredibly insightful, practical, and inspiring!Show Notes: Be sure to check out more of Nicole's story at www.nicolecmullen.com.For Nicole C. Mullen's latest album Like Never Before, featuring her kids, click here. Podcast Sp

Welcome to our third Q & A episode! As always, we're grateful for the opportunity to journey with you. Thank you for submitting your questions.In this episode, we address questions specifically related to parenting teenagers, dealing with respect, the reasons for increasing anxiety and depression in teens, and managing technology in the home.Here’s a review of the questions we discuss in this episode: * What to do with a teen who is rude and disrespectful when spending too much time on technology. * How to manage our own anxiety and depression and not pass it onto our children. * Why anxiety and depression are increasing in kids and teens. * When to say yes to our teens (so they can prove their trust to us) and when to say no (without overprotecting them). * How to encourage our teenagers to be self-motivated.The questions:I am a Christian, and I struggle with anxiety and depression. I am going to counseling to work through these struggles, and my goal is to hopefully not pass them on to my children. Do y

Entitlement, according to Dr. John Townsend, is "a belief that I am exempt from responsibility and that I am owed special treatment." Unfortunately, you don't have to look too far today to find entitled kids--and adults!As Dr. Townsend states, "This isn't a generational problem; it's a human problem."In this episode, Dr. Townsend helps parents learn how to not raise entitled kids. An incredibly practical discussion, you'll learn the three antidotes to entitlement and hear Dr. Townsend explain the following three ways to apply the antidote: * Change your language * Do hard things first * Keep inconvenient commitmentsDr. Townsend encourages us, "Kids need to grow up at a dinner table where mom and dad are doing interesting things." Here's to being parents who take responsibility, live well, and show our kids how to be grateful.Show Notes: Learn from a Role Play Coach. Join TownsendNOW today!To learn more about Townsend Leadership Program, click here.Learn more about earning a Master's degree through the Townsen

With Mother's Day just around the corner, we wanted to do something special for moms, so I (Christi) decided to host an online Bible study!The study is called Mom Set Free by our friend Jeannie Cunnion, it begins May 17, and it's good news for moms who are tired of trying to be good enough.We love Jeannie and wanted you to have a special opportunity to get to know and learn from her!This episode describes the details of the upcoming online Bible study and also includes our original interview with Jeannie where she talks about "wrestling with the wild grace of God," so she could learn to overcome shame and give grace to her kids in their weaknesses and brokenness.To learn more about the online Bible study and to sign up, click here!Show Notes:Click here to sign up for the FREE online Bible study.Have more questions? Check out the Online Bible Study FAQs.To pick up a copy of the Mom Set Free Bible study book, you can order online or pull off the shelf from your local LifeWay Store.

Does parenting sometimes feel complicated to you?You can't even leave the hospital before having to make a decision on whether or not you're going to immunize your child. Think about some of the other choices we have to make as parents in the twenty-first century.~  “Is it okay that our baby sleep in bed with us?”~  “Should we let our baby cry it out?”~  “Is spanking okay? Or should we do time-outs?"~  “How do I respond to a temper tantrum?”~  “Wait, we're supposed to do time-ins? What's a time-in?"~  “Should I stay home with the kids or put them in day care?”~  “Should we homeschool or send our kids to a private or public school?”~  “How much screen time do I let my kids have?”To be quite honest, we were exhausted. That's why we decided to start with the end in mind. With the outcomes we most desire in our kids when they become adults. What we found is that emotional safety—more than any other factor—is scientifically linked to raising kids who live, love, and lead well.In other words, the posture from which

In the spirit of interviewing people who influence us personally, this episode features marriage mentors of our own, David and Claudia Arp. Married for 55 years, their insights on marriage have influenced the types of conversations we have in our marriage today.In this episode, David and Claudia share the secrets that have kept them enjoying their marriage for more than five decades. In addition, they introduce us to their research based marriage program, 10 Great Dates!Here are some insights you'll hear from them in this episode: * The story of their greatest period of emotional disconnection in their marriage (hint: it was when their kids were young!) * How they overcame this season and the lessons they learned from it * Why having fun in marriage is serious business * The beauty of an anger contract * How both spouses can be right * Why it's important to walk down memory lane * The amazing benefit of intimacy couponsFinally, we had the privilege of being a part of David and Claudia's updated 10 Great Dates

Welcome to our second Q & A episode! Thank you for submitting your questions.In this episode, we address questions specifically related to marriage, sex, and what to do when you and your spouse are not on the same page.Here’s a review of the questions we discuss in this episode: * How can I stop from feeling wrong and dirty about sex with my spouse? * What do I do when my spouse isn't "on the same page." * How can I encourage godliness in my son when his dad isn't actively growing in his faith? * What is the best way to help our kids heal after years of marital turmoil we are now trying to fix?The questions:From Amanda: My husband and I have been married for about 4 1/2 years and have had sex about 4 times. Every time I begin to feel good I also feel incredibly wrong and dirty. I believe this may stem from my abstinence, true love waits upbringing, but in marriage it's now time to stop waiting. Mentally, I can grasp this concept but I'm having a hard time letting my body catch up. Are there any resources

The resurrection of Jesus changed everything. But how do we help our kids understand the resurrection in a concrete way? How can we communicate to our kids the power that Christ has in our life?Don't get us wrong, we love chocolate and Easter eggs, but how can we make sure Easter isn't just another holiday for our kids.In this episode, we clarify four ways we can turn the abstract message of the resurrection into a concrete message our kids can begin to understand. * Live out the resurrection for our kids. * Use resurrection eggs. * Raise caterpillars. This is our favorite. * Die to something that has power over you.Being families who live, love, and lead well begins with the resurrection. Let's not allow Easter to slip by as just another holiday. Instead, let's be intentional about walking daily in the authority and resurrection of Jesus. Our kids are watching, and always learning.Show Notes: To purchase Resurrection Eggs, click here.To purchase caterpillars, click here. For the blogpost, How I'm Dying in my

If you love stories that lead to practical truths, this episode is for you! Frank Tate is one of Josh's closest friends on the planet. Even more, his insights as a dad have revolutionized the way we parent our kids.Growing up as a foster kid, Frank came to know "invisible Jesus" as his dad. During that time, Frank began asking Him what good dads do. Then, in Sunday School as a little boy, Frank remembers learning that wisdom cries aloud in the streets (Proverbs 1:20). With this newfound truth, Frank ventured into the world looking for "screaming data" on what it takes to be a good dad, because he never wanted his own children growing up the way he did.The "screaming data" Frank learned through the years and the stories he tells will leave you wanting more. One of the most invaluable truths Frank discusses is that, as parents, we can't hear screaming data if we're screaming data. Too often, we don't listen to our kids' passions or see their strengths. That's because we're too busy trying to make them into the

Jonathan and Wynter Pitts have four beautiful girls. At one point, three of them were in diapers at the same time. As you can imagine, Wynter was overwhelmed. But in the middle of the exhaustion and discontentment, she found purpose and contentment. During this time, the Lord revealed to her a need he wanted her to fill for girls in today’s culture.Today, she leads a ministry called For Girls Like You, a magazine for girls that unravels the heart of God for them. Her passion for raising girls who find their identity in Christ is contagious.In this episode, Wynter, along with her husband Jonathan, who serves as Executive Director for the Urban Alternative (the ministry of Dr. Tony Evans), describe practical ways they shepherd the hearts of their girls.Fellow dads, you also want to listen to what Jonathan has to share. The conversation in this episode is so rich and applicable to each of us, but to dads especially, Jonathan will encourage you.Here are a few highlights from this episode: * How to see the art of

This is our first Q & A episode! Thank you for submitting your questions.In this episode, we address questions specifically related to parenting young children.Here's a review of the questions we discuss in this episode: * What are good, practical survival tips for our marriage? * How do I hit the reset button after blowing up at my kids? * I struggle with setting limits on technology. * I'm a single mom and I'm all alone.The questions:From Jody: In September, we will be welcoming into the world our fourth child in 5 years. We are very excited. But it is definitely tough because we have zero help from grandparents and are on our own. What are some good practical survival tips for our marriage in this season to keep it "till death do us part and not till kids do us part?"From Jenny: Two sick toddlers + one sick mommy = a terrible, horrible morning today. After the dust settles though, how do I come back from that? My kids recover more quickly than I do. How do I hit the reset button after blowing up at my