Fireside Talk Radio

Today, Anna and Cathy talk about how can we instill tender, responsive hearts in our kids and grandkids. Hymns and poetry can help. Not only that, they also help young readers learn to sequence their syllables and process deep concepts. Pretty cool stuff. We’re watching as confused leaders are turning our culture into a nation victims. Co-dependence is passed off as compassion. Helping folks stay in victim status is NOT compassion. Never has it been more important for moms and dads to teach their kids to respond with wisdom when others are hurting. Don't miss this timely and loving episode, filled with laughter and personal stories.

Today, Cathy and Anna talk about a big topic in our culture right now: Social Justice. But so much of what we hear is based on codependency. Thomas Jefferson said, “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.” So how do we differentiate between compassion and codependence? How do we teach our children to love true justice? Anna shares how to teach your kids to love justice in a simple way. Just teach them to love yard games. She tells personal stories about how her older nieces and nephews live out justice as they play with their young cousins. Plus, she talks about how justice looks in her classroom. Cathy shares the purpose of law. And it’s non-stop affection between this mother and daughter duo. Don’t miss the wisdom and the laughter!

In today’s episode, Anna joins Cathy to talk about how volunteering can impact 4 generations or more of your family. Plus, teach kids the difference between compassion and codependence. Anna shares more personal stories, including why she still loves to connect with a hug. Are we cheating our family by saying “no” to other good stuff? The answer is absolutely not. Time with family is limited. Our kids grow up. We have to make a the most of our time together now. Don't miss Cathy's no-fail cure for being too busy and how their family decides where to serve!

What if you could replace family drama with joy during the holidays? Today, Anna and Cathy share how drama --that is, acting out plays --can actually be a really fun and hilarious family activity! Oh, the benefits of drama! In this episode, Anna shares how the thespians at her school teach students to respect their characters. She talks about teaching family servant-hearted leadership for sons. And as usual, Anna shares embarrassing stories and they laugh a ton! Want to give your kids and grandkids the BEST family Christmas? Theater productions -- even at home -- can give your kids and grandkids a love of history and drama. Plus, create servant-heartedness in your nearest and dearest. And be tons of fun!

In this episode, Anna joins Cathy to talk about some of their favorite topics: textile art, creative kids, reading, and our crazy culture. American Patchwork; Americans seem to be holding it together, like one giant crazy quilt. An educator and artist, Anna talks about how textile projects can help kids’ brains connect in wonderful and creative ways. She even shares a super-easy lesson plan she uses to teach her art students to love sewing. Plus, she shares some ideas for vaccinating your kids against defeat and self-doubt. And how textile art can give your child a sense of belonging and a healthy identity. And she shares how textile art helped her process grief. And she gently edits my definition of mindfulness. Yep, we packed a ton in this episode!

One thing we all learned early, mommies of small children get a ton of anatomy lessons! Especially involving bodily fluids! In today’s episode, Cathy and Anna talk about how medical vocabulary, like words for anatomy, can help our children succeed and set them up to love their own identity. Awkward conversation? You bet! But with laughter and insight, Anna shares personal stories about how her hubby, a nurse, comforts patients. And how having a medical vocabulary kept her heart at peace at a critical moment at the pediatrician’s office. Plus, Cathy shares how YOU can get FREE resources for your small church. This is one episode you don’t want to miss!

Anna Krafve Pierce joins Cathy today to share their family tricks for teaching kids to LOVE reading out loud. Some people hate to read out loud. But the Krafves look for any excuse to read out loud. Fall, winter, spring, summer. Anytime. Some of the benefits include: Ability to identify emotions, Confidence on stage, Story-telling skills, More persuasive communication skills, and Reading changes the culture. Okay, but how? No worries, Anna and Cathy share easy-does-it ways to get started! Don’t miss today’s life-changing podcast designed to inspire life-long, self-learning inYOUR family!

Cathy and Anna talk about how story-telling is terrific for kids. Social media is swamping us with stories. False? True? Who knows? However, teaching our children to tell stories allows them to listen to other people’s stories with enthusiasm and compassion. But, better yet, it also trains them in discernment. Cathy and Anna share lots of personal stories in this episode. Plus, Anna share lots of tips for how to teach story-telling skills to your kids. This podcast is the second in our Podcast Summer Series, created especially for YOU! So sit back and enjoy a little laughter and a break from the summer heat.

Anna and Cathy get together to create a series of summer podcasts just for YOU. Summer is the perfect time to change things up a bit. First up? Timelines! Are you, like us, concerned about all the self-rejection free loading around in our culture? Nobody wants a time bomb of self-rejection taking our their kids. Maybe you'll think they're crazy, but Cathy and Anna think timelines are perfect tools for helping your child recognize and love the identity God gave them. As always, Anna's ideas are creative, simple, and mom-friendly! Because we love ya. And we sure know momma needs a little change of pace, too!

Jason Karpf returns to give us the details about how he's using sci-fi to knit the generations together. At church! Yep, Cathy asks him some tough questions about the dark side of sci-fi. Jason debunks her preconceived ideas with biblical insight about story telling. He tosses in some insights on how rock and pop music speak to a generation of worshippers. Don't miss this lively and fun conversation with a guy who is single-handedly transforming the way churches come together in youth group.

Jason Karpf joins Cathy to geek out about science fiction. How can we use sci-fi to bring all the generations together at church? If you have a creative child, you’re gonna love today’s podcast with science fiction author, screenwriter, and once-upon-a-time child actor Jason Karpf. You may have seen Jason in episodes of The Bold Ones, The Courtship of Eddy’s Father, or a Krafve family favorite, Bonanza. Maybe you find yourself wondering how to inspire your child’s imagination so they won’t get bored. Can’t keep up with their reading or viewing? There’s nothing worse than wondering if your child is getting weird stuff pumped into their brains! You’re gonna love the encouragement in this lively conversation with Jason.

Cathy and Anna talk candidly about how tough the teenage years can be and what parents can do to check rebellion at home. “We are talking about rebellion in teenagers. I changed your title because I think rebellious teenagers is kinda giving teenagers a bad rap,” laughs Anna. “Rebellion in teenagers is a better title because there’s rebellion in my heart and I’m way past being a rebellious teenager!” Take that, Mom! Well, you can see it's a fast paced, very real conversation between mother and daughter. Both tell stories from their teenage years. If you're wondering what to do with your "teenager in rebellion," listen in now because they loaded this episode with tons of practical ideas that work and lots of laughs!

Robin Melvin returns to talk to Cathy about true identity. She offers some insight about how the Church can help dispel identity confusion in our culture. Of course, with Robin, all her wisdom is served up with a heaping helping of gentleness and personal stories. She even shares how she developed empathy for her parents. How do we foster confident hearts in a culture that keeps telling us self-rejection is normal and healthy? The secret is knowing our true identity. You're gonna love Robin's insight and her big, beautiful heart!

Author Robin Melvin joins Cathy to take on IDENTITY- the big controversial subject of our day. But is identity really something we pick for our self? What if we feel like we're out of place in our own skin? Hiding and pretending can become our identity. You're gonna love the way Robin succinctly tells of her childhood, explaining a phenomenon many people experience in families where trauma has taken its toll. She gives us hints about approaching any transition, especially midlife. Plus, shares a whole lot more about how to flip the script on negative self-talk. True identity can settle our hearts and minds. Just ask Robin.

In this episode, Anna shares a bunch of fun personal stories about how to encourage children to move from reading reluctant to book nerd status. “I love maps. And I absolutely believe they are more fun to read than other things. Because inevitably maps have monsters and treasure at the end. They’re so exciting.” Anna and Cathy fully believe maps and signs are a great way to coach kids on how symbols convey meaning, just like the crazy squiggles called letters convey words and ideas. Plus, they throw in some well-timed thoughts about moderation! Don't miss the signs in your children's lives as you help them map out a GREAT future!

This week, Dr. James McAndrew returns to answer more questions about E.D. Erectile Dysfunction. We know, we know. Kind of an odd topic for Father's Day. But so many men have thanked us already for last week's interview. Recently retired, Jim has nothing to sell, no pills, no procedures, no gimmicks. Cathy couldn’t wait to ask this trustworthy doctor for answers to the difficult questions men have asked her. Next week, we'll add Dr. McAndrew's testimony and his Philosophy of Medicine to our blogs. Please share both with all your friends, especially your doctor! You’ll find our blog at CathyKrafve.com. You're gonna love what this compassionate man has to say! Get ready to be encouraged a bunch!

Retired Urologist Dr. McAndrew joins Cathy today to talk about E.D. With a lifetime of experience as a urologist, Jim is also compassionate, professional, down-to-earth, and funny! Today we get started on basics about E.D., but first Cathy asks him for his story which includes his next college degree: the Chemistry of Fermentation Science! Yes, we consider Dr. McAndrews an answer to prayer because men have quietly asked us when we would talk about erectile dysfunction. It’s so difficult to get trustworthy, confidential info. Fortunately for us all, Dr. McAndrew has no pills, no procedures, no gimmicks to sell. Just straight talk. This is so compassionate and serious, you’ll want to share it with your friends. Quietly, of course!

Becky Carpenter joins Cathy to share 3 tips for coping with grief and suffering. Plus, she shares more funny Skylar stories about the lasting impact of her daughter’s faith and unconditional love for everyone. They also talk about running into heaven. What would it look like at our funeral if our family knew we ran into heaven? How would it look today if we put on our running shoes and start running in that direction now, with all our might? Tender. Compassionate. Funny. You won’t want to miss what Becky has to share!

Today, the amazing Becky Carpenter joins Cathy to talk about how God shows up. When you walk into devastating moments who stands with you? Could the God of the universe speak to a mom? When God lights up the sky, you’ll know it, according to Becky. When her beautiful teenage daughter was killed in a bus accident on a field trip with her school, Becky recognized His voice. Clearly, Skylar was one of those kids who lit up every room she ever entered. Imagine losing such a precious daughter in a heartbeat. Maybe you don’t have to imagine. If you or someone you love is grieving, today’s blog is for you. With our love.