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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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.

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

. . . . . . 

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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.

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

. . . . . . 

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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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. . . . 

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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

. . . . . . 

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David and Sissy explore the unique role fathers play in helping daughters develop confidence, resilience, and capability. Through personal stories, research, and counseling insights, they discuss how dads build capability by spending time with their daughters, teaching practical skills, staying emotionally engaged, and continuing to pursue connection even during the challenging adolescent years. They also address common pitfalls, such as aligning with daughters against moms or withdrawing when daughters seem distant, and offer practical ways fathers can strengthen connection through shared experiences, curiosity, encouragement, and consistent presence. 

Resources mentioned:

• Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff
• The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan
• Books by Dan Allender

. . . . . . 

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In this Capable Connections conversation, Hunter Henry and his mom, Jenny Henry, reflect on the values and experiences that shaped Hunter from childhood to adulthood. They discuss the importance of faith, grace, character, perseverance, family dinners, and meaningful connection, as well as the challenges of giving kids increasing independence as they grow. Through stories about sports, family life, and parenting missteps, they highlight how strong relationships, encouragement, and trust help children develop confidence, resilience, and capability.

Resources mentioned:

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

. . . . . . 

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David and Sissy explore the powerful relationship between moms and sons, emphasizing that moms are often a boy’s emotional home base and play a key role in shaping his confidence, emotional health, and future relationships. They discuss how boys often express their biggest emotions where they feel safest and encourage moms to respond with warmth, steadiness, and clear boundaries. The conversation also highlights the importance of helping boys build responsibility, self-regulation, and respect while avoiding unhealthy patterns of over-accommodation.

Resources mentioned

Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff

Strong and Smart: A Boy's Guide to Building Healthy Emotions by David Thomas

The Art Of Family: Rituals, Imagination, and Everyday Spirituality by Gina Bria

Cleveland Clinic Study: Mom Burnout: Are You Dealing With Depleted Mother Syndrome?

. . . . . . 

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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 Goff and David Thomas sit down with father and son Randy and Scott Hearon for a deeply honest conversation about the father-son relationship. Through stories spanning childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, they explore the messages boys receive about identity, capability, performance, faith, and belonging. Randy reflects on his growth as a father, including the impact of addiction, sports culture, and grace, while Scott shares how his dad’s presence, vulnerability, encouragement, and willingness to grow alongside him shaped his life. Together they discuss the importance of helping boys know they have what it takes, the dangers of performance-based identity, and the power of authentic relationships, forgiveness, and faith in building lasting connections between parents and children.

Resources mentioned:

• Promise Keepers
• The Crossing Rite of Passage from Boyhood to Manhood: Young Men's Manual by Richard Rupp
• Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
• Season of Life: A Football Star, a Boy, a Journey to Manhood by Jeffrey Marx

. . . . . . 

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In episode 382, Sissy Goff and David Thomas continue their Capable Connections series by exploring the unique relationship between fathers and sons. They discuss how fatherhood shapes both men and children, while highlighting challenges boys face around performance, emotional expression, and isolation. Through research, personal stories, and practical advice, they encourage dads to help sons build healthy identities, strong relationships, and emotional resilience by modeling vulnerability, prioritizing connection, and reminding boys that their worth is not based on achievement. 

Resources mentioned:

• “Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” - Robert Fulghum
• American Academy of Pediatrics research on youth sports burnout
• Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff

. . . . . . 

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In this episode, Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East discuss the importance of commitment, resilience, and raising capable kids. Drawing from their experiences as elite athletes and parents, they share how supportive parents helped them build confidence through challenges rather than rescuing them from discomfort. The conversation highlights the value of letting children develop independence, discover their unique passions, learn from failure, and stick with things that matter, while emphasizing that growth and joy often come through perseverance rather than quick success.

Resources mentioned:

• The Courage to Commit: Embrace the Radical Power of Sticking With Something by Shawn Johnson and Andrew East
• Couple Things with Shawn and Andrew
• Family Made

. . . . . . 

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