Dr. Dale Atkins joins David and Sissy to explore how speed, chronic stress, digital distraction, and intensive parenting are reshaping family relationships and contributing to a crisis of capability in kids. She shares practical wisdom for building stronger connections across generations, including listening without becoming defensive, respecting adult children as independent people, offering guidance without taking over, and staying curious when experiences or memories differ. The conversation also highlights the importance of unstructured family time, emotional safety, intergenerational relationships, and modeling kindness through small, everyday actions.

Resources mentioned:

• Dr. Dale Atkins website

• The Turquoise Butterfly by Dr. Dale V. Atkins

• Dear Deer by Dr. Dale V. Atkins

. . . . . . 

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Friendships are where kids practice being human, but social anxiety, screens, group dynamics, and “rollercoaster” relationships are making connection harder than ever. Sissy and David offer practical ways parents can help kids recognize healthy friendships, develop realistic expectations, practice conversation and initiation, understand reciprocity, set kind boundaries, and navigate awkward moments. Rather than managing every relationship, parents can coach kids to find good friends, have a “good picker,” and become the kind of friend they hope to have.

Resources mentioned

• Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff

• I Am Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff

• Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build On for Life by David Thomas

• Brave: A Teen Girl's Guide to Beating Worry and Anxiety by Sissy Goff

• Ephesians 5 in The Message

. . . . . . 

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Katty and Hunter Connelly join Sissy and David to share what they have learned while raising four very different children. They discuss building capability through honesty, responsibility, hard work, and allowing kids to experience the consequences of their choices rather than constantly stepping in to fix things. They also offer encouragement for navigating sibling conflict, treating children fairly without treating them exactly the same, launching young adults, and trusting that strained sibling relationships can grow stronger over time. Through plenty of honesty about their own mistakes, Katty and Hunter remind parents that apologizing, letting go, and consistently communicating unconditional love can help preserve connection through every stage of family life. 

. . . . . . 

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Sibling relationships can be some of the longest and most meaningful relationships in a person’s life, helping kids develop empathy, resilience, social skills, and healthy conflict resolution. Sissy and David encourage parents to see sibling comparison, fairness battles, and everyday arguments as opportunities to build lifelong skills rather than problems to eliminate. They share practical ways to strengthen sibling connection, including allowing kids time to work through disagreements, coaching rather than controlling conflict, practicing repair, creating shared experiences and responsibilities, protecting each child’s individuality, and looking beneath difficult behavior to understand what may really be going on.

Resources mentioned

• Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff

• I Am Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff

• The VOMP conflict-resolution framework: Voice your hurt, Own your part, Walk a Mile in the other person’s shoes, and Make a Plan

. . . . . . 

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Order our new book, Capable, here!!

See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here.. . . . . . 

If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form.

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BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply.

ADVENTURE BIBLE: Get an Adventure Bible for your child and begin reading and exploring it together to build confidence and curiosity in God’s Word https://tinyurl.com/RBGAdventureBible.

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David and Sissy talk with two beloved educators, kindergarten teacher Wheat Teller and high school history teacher Dan Carpenter, about what capability looks like in the classroom from the earliest years through high school. Together, they discuss the importance of letting kids struggle in age-appropriate ways, resist the urge to rescue, build emotional regulation, develop independence, and learn through challenge and even failure. Wheat and Dan also talk about the effects of busyness and screens, the need for reading, family dinners, focused study time, and slowing down enough for kids to experience the joy of learning.

. . . . . . 

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BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply.

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Sissy and David celebrate the powerful role teachers, coaches, mentors, and other trusted adults play in helping kids grow into capable, resilient people. They reflect on the teachers and mentors who made them feel seen, believed in, challenged, and loved, and they remind listeners that one steady, caring adult can change the trajectory of a child’s life. They also talk about the practical ways educators and coaches build capability in kids by helping them feel known beyond performance, offering safe challenge, supporting anxious children with calm and clear expectations, and offering hope. The episode closes with a challenge for parents and kids to thank the people who have made a meaningful impact in their lives.

Resources mentioned

• Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff

• Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys by Stephen James and David Thomas

• Raising Girls: Learn How to Encourage, Challenge, and Inspire Your Daughter to Discover Who God Is Calling Her to Be by Melissa Trevathan and Sissy Goff

• Nashville Coaching Coalition

• Oprah Winfrey’s interview with her elementary school teacher, Mrs. Duncan

• “Trees We’ll Never See” by Amy Grant

. . . . . . 

Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share!

Order our new book, Capable, here!!

See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here.. . . . . . 

If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form.

QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.

BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply.

ADVENTURE BIBLE: Get an Adventure Bible for your child and begin reading and exploring it together to build confidence and curiosity in God’s Word https://tinyurl.com/RBGAdventureBible.

CHRISTIAN HEALTHSHARE MINISTRIES: Take charge of your healthcare by visiting chministries.org/solution.

LIBERTY HEALTH SHARE: Visit LibertyHealthShare.org to learn more about healthcare sharing options for your family. 

HIYA HEALTH: Visit hiyahealth.com/RBG to get 50% off your first order.

OUR PLACE: Stop cooking with toxic cookware, and upgrade to Our Place today. Visit fromourplace.com/RBG and use code RBG for 10% off sitewide.

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Sissy and David talk with Barbara “Babs” Costello, beloved social media creator, former preschool founder, mom of four, and grandmother of nine, about the lasting impact of words, the gift of intentional grandparenting, and creating a home that feels peaceful rather than perfect. Babs shares wisdom from her new children’s book, Did Your Mother Ever Tell You?, encouraging parents to make space for kids’ big feelings while speaking life-giving words over them. She also offers practical homemaking advice, including her simple “15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night” routine, and makes a strong case for screen-free family dinners as a meaningful way to build connection. 

Resources mentioned

• Did Your Mother Ever Tell You? by Babs Costello
• Homemaking with Babs by Babara Costello
• Celebrate with Babs by Babs Costello
• Every Day with Babs by Babs Costello
• Find Babs on Instagram

. . . . . . 

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See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here

.. . . . . . 

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BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply.

ADVENTURE BIBLE: Get an Adventure Bible for your child and begin reading and exploring it together to build confidence and curiosity in God’s Word https://tinyurl.com/RBGAdventureBible.

CHRISTIAN HEALTHSHARE MINISTRIES: Take charge of your healthcare by visiting chministries.org/solution.

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In this conversation, John and Carole Ferguson and their daughters reflect on the rhythms that built a close, capable, faith-filled family across generations. They share how clear expectations, consistent family meals, chores, service, hospitality, gentle correction, and intentional time with extended family gave their children both security and responsibility. As grandparents, John and Carole emphasize the importance of prayer, showing up for meaningful moments, supporting without managing, welcoming spouses as family, and helping each grandchild feel deeply loved, accepted, and known.

Questions David mentions:

1. When you think about your family growing up, what did your parents do that made you feel most safe, seen, and known?

2. Grandparents often have influence in ways they don’t even realize. What are some things your parents did—or still do—that shaped the way you parent today?

3. For the daughters—what are some things your parents did growing up that you now realize were actually building capability in you?

4. For the grandparents—what has been the biggest surprise about moving from parenting children to parenting adult children… and now grandparenting?

5. How do you stay supportive without overstepping? Especially when you may parent differently than your adult children do?

6. What does healthy involvement from grandparents actually look like? What helps adult children feel supported instead of managed?

7. There’s so much research—including work from Lisa Miller—about how grandparents can deeply shape a child’s spiritual life. How have you seen that play out in your family?

8. What are some of the most meaningful traditions, rhythms, or small moments that have helped create connection across generations?

9. For the daughters—what do your parents do now that makes you feel most encouraged as an adult?

10. For the grandparents—what would you say to grandparents who feel unsure of their role or worry they’ve missed their chance to make an impact?

11. If each of you could finish this sentence: “One thing every child needs from a grandparent is…” what would you say?

Resources mentioned:

• Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff
• The Spiritual Child: The New Science on Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving by Dr. Lisa Millert

. . . . . . 

Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share!

Order our new book, Capable, here!!

See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here.. . . . . . 

If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form.

QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.

BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply.

ADVENTURE BIBLE: Get an Adventure Bible for your child and begin reading and exploring it together to build confidence and curiosity in God’s Word https://tinyurl.com/RBGAdventureBible.

CHRISTIAN HEALTHSHARE MINISTRIES: Take charge of your healthcare by visiting chministries.org/solution.

LIBERTY HEALTH SHARE: Visit LibertyHealthShare.org to learn more about healthcare sharing options for your family.

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In this conversation, David and Sissy explore the important role grandparents play in helping children grow into capable, resilient adults. They discuss how grandparents provide a unique source of wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional love while reinforcing the values parents are teaching at home. The episode also highlights the power of family stories, meaningful traditions, and intentional connection in helping kids develop a stronger sense of identity, belonging, and confidence.

Questions David mentions:

1. When you think about your family growing up, what did your parents do that made you feel most safe, seen, and known?

2. Grandparents often have influence in ways they don’t even realize. What are some things your parents did—or still do—that shaped the way you parent today?

3. For the daughters—what are some things your parents did growing up that you now realize were actually building capability in you?

4. For the grandparents—what has been the biggest surprise about moving from parenting children to parenting adult children… and now grandparenting?

5. How do you stay supportive without overstepping? Especially when you may parent differently than your adult children do?

6. What does healthy involvement from grandparents actually look like? What helps adult children feel supported instead of managed?

7. There’s so much research—including work from Lisa Miller—about how grandparents can deeply shape a child’s spiritual life. How have you seen that play out in your family?

8. What are some of the most meaningful traditions, rhythms, or small moments that have helped create connection across generations?

9. For the daughters—what do your parents do now that makes you feel most encouraged as an adult?

10. For the grandparents—what would you say to grandparents who feel unsure of their role or worry they’ve missed their chance to make an impact?

11. If each of you could finish this sentence: “One thing every child needs from a grandparent is…” what would you say?

Resources mentioned:

• Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff
• NIH: Effects of grandparents’ involvement on young children’s resilience: mother’s parenting stress and family strength as mediators

. . . . . . 

Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share!

Order our new book, Capable, here!!

See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here.. . . . . . 

If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form.

QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.

BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply.

ADVENTURE BIBLE: Get an Adventure Bible for your child and begin reading and exploring it together to build confidence and curiosity in God’s Word https://tinyurl.com/RBGAdventureBible.

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Sissy and David sit down with Sharon McMahon to discuss how parents can help children become informed, resilient, and capable in a complicated world. Sharon shares her journey from classroom teacher to becoming “America’s Government Teacher,” and talks about the importance of balancing protection and preparation as kids grow. Together, they explore how children can handle difficult topics when guided by trusted adults, why self-awareness is essential for modeling calm engagement, and how teaching kids to focus on “the next needed thing” helps build confidence and agency. Sharon also shares the inspiring story of civil rights leader Septima Clark and explains why her new children’s book encourages kids to believe that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference. 

Resources mentioned:

• We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing by Sharon McMahon
• The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement by Sharon McMahon
• @sharonsaysso

. . . . . . 

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Order our new book, Capable, here!!

See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here.. .

. . . . 

If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form.

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Builder and longtime Daystar friend Doug Durr joins his daughters, Allye Gray and Analise Glover, to reflect on the unique bond between fathers and daughters. They share stories of growing up on job sites, farms, and adventures with their dad while learning lessons about grit, resilience, service, and character. Doug discusses the importance of hard work, staying present through every season of life, and walking with his children through both joys and challenges. The family also opens up about grief, recovery, and the role counseling and honesty played in keeping them deeply connected. Ultimately, this conversation highlights how unwavering presence, truth, and love help build strong family relationships that last a lifetime.

Resources mentioned:

• Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff
• I Am Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff

. . . . . . 

Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share!

Order our new book, Capable, here!!

See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here.. . . . . . 

If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form.

QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.

BOLL & BRANCH: Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at Bollandbranch.com/rbg⁠. Exclusions apply.

SHOPIFY: Go to https://tinyurl.com/RBGShopify to learn more about Shopify!

THE WONDER PROJECT: Subscriber support makes more great content like I Gotta Ask with Annie F. Downs possible. The Wonder Project subscription on Prime Video is available in the U.S. for $8.99/month or $89.99/year after a 7-day free trial. Visit IGottaAsk.com to learn more!

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