Monica Swanson, author of Boy Mom and Raising Amazing , and blogger at monicaswanson.com, shares encouragement and inspiration for raising amazing kids and building strong families. Monica shares practical advice and biblical wisdom through honest conversations, interviews with experts, and light-hearted humor. The Monica Swanson Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.Chris ...
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TV Tuners is an entertainment podcast that examines the week in television with wit and excitement. Every week, TV connoisseur and pop culture obsessive, Swanson, brings his best pals, Kiorein and Stairmaster, along for an examination of TV news, trailers and the hottest new shows hitting the air. We tell you what's worth watching!
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Join host Swanson as he attempts to turn a guest's taste by subjecting them to their least favorite form of entertainment. From laugh-track sitcoms to country music nothing is off limits on Taste Turners!
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Podcast by Roundhouse Radio 983
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Can we Make Youth Sports Fun Again? With John O’Sullivan
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Note: This is the first of a 3-part summer series on Youth Sports. (I'm so excited about this!) I hope you’ll spread the word and comment over in show notes to keep the conversation going. According to recent research, 70% of kids drop out of organized athletics by the age of 13. Today’s guest, John O’Sullivan, suggests that this is because youth s…
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How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can’t, with Erin Loechner
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"We’ve all heard the mind-boggling statistics about technology and social media use. The numbers don’t lie; our obsession with smartphones and social media is slowly eroding the very essence of our homes and families. We see it. We feel it. We know it. So what do we do about it? "... - Erin Loechner, today's guest. Erin Loechner walked away from ov…
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How to Have a Better Relationship with Your Phone, with Joey Odom
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When Joey Odom missed his son’s first soccer goal because he was looking at his phone, he had a realization: his phone was getting in the way of his best intentions as a Dad and a husband. Since then, he has been on a journey to change his relationship with his phone so that he can change the most important relationships in his life. I heard about …
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Simple rules for decorating any space, with Myquillyn Smith
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Whether you’re a natural at home decorating or, (like me) feel a little lost on the topic, Myquillyn Smith (aka “the nester”) is the friend you need. When I got my copy of “House Rules” with 100 simple, memorable tips for decorating any space, I knew this would be a fun topic for the podcast this summer! I think you’ll enjoy Myquillyn’s laid back (…
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The 3 Best Things I Did as a Dad, with Andrew Pudewa
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Happy Father’s Day week everyone! Today my friend Andrew Pudewa, is with us to offer some lessons and encouragement for all of the dads out there! (Ladies, you'll enjoy this too!) Andrew is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW), father of seven, and grandpa to a whole bunch of kids! Andrew travels and speaks arou…
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A child’s character reflects their convictions, establishes their reputation, and ultimately determines their destiny. In the world today it may seem like a big job to raise kids with biblical character, but today’s conversation should offer a lot of HOPE! Kathy Koch, child development specialist, author, and sought-after speaker, is here to help u…
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss the end of the Streaming Wars and the beginning of the Bundle Era as well as the end of Young Sheldon. Then, the boys discuss some rumors including a fighting game focused on Peacock's stable of properties and a Family Guy anime. Later, the gang sit down to watch Sonic the Hedgehog spin-off Knuckl…
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Why We are So Tired and What to do About it, with Jess Connolly
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Women are mostly all tired, aren’t we? For women today, fatigue has become the norm, and busyness is often worn as a badge of honor. Jess Connolly has lived in that bone-weary place, even to the point of developing chronic panic-attacks, battling anxiety and an autoimmune disease. But with wise practices and a new way of living, Jess discovered the…
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Being a Mission-Minded Family, with Ann Dunagan
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For Christian families in the thick of it, the thought of world missions can seem unrealistic and overwhelming. Many of us feel like we are in survival mode, just taking care of our families and trying to protect our kids from the crazy world. (and that’s all so important!) Yet, in light of the fact that 1/3 of our world has not yet heard the Gospe…
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The Juggle is Real, with Sarah Molitor of Modern Farmhouse Family
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When I come across a wildly popular influencer who is also raising (and homeschooling) 7 children, and keeping their home and marriage in (seemingly) great order, I can’t help but wonder: HOW DOES SHE DO IT ALL? Sarah Molitor is one of those people, and in this interview with Sarah, I dive right into my honest questions: When do you sleep? Do you h…
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200 - The Gundam Gauntlet: A Wakening of the Trailerblazers
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It's episode 200 and the boys find themselves forced into another gauntlet. This time it's all Gundam! Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster sit down to watch 4 different Gundam series before ranking them to decide the best Gundam show (out of these 4 shows.) Shocking revelations, questionable decisions and a plethora of wild character names, all that a…
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Highs and Lows from 25 years of Motherhood (and celebrating a BOOK RELEASE!)
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My husband Dave is with me today for a special Mother’s Day/book release interview! Dave and I are reflecting on the last 25 years of my motherhood journey...highs and lows, what I have learned, and my advice for younger moms. I share about some of my biggest joys of motherhood, (the laughter and fun, and much more!) and some of my greatest challen…
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Parenting, Homeschooling, and Friendships with Grown Kids, with Sally Clarkson
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Sally Clarkson’s books and podcast have inspired me for years. Living between England and Colorado, Sally’s writing and voice is like a trusted mentor who puts everything in perspective. I have always hoped to meet Sally so this interview was really special. I got to ask Sally about her heart for parenting, what the rhythms in her home were as her …
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss Comedy Central's animated Golden Axe show and Netflix no longer announcing subscription numbers to the public. Then, the boys discuss some rumors we've heard including a Sopranos game by Bethesda, Netflix's latest attempt at audience engagement and shocking plans for season 3 of the Halo show. Lat…
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Raising Spiritual Champions with George Barna
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Renowned researcher and bestselling author, Dr. George Barna is with us to share some startling data, along with a passionate call-to-action for Christian parents. This may be the most important episode you could listen to, and I pray that what we talk about inspires you to a deeper level of commitment in your parenting. (Don’t run away – I promise…
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TV Tuners 20420: The End of The End of Evangelion
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The year is 20420 and Swanson, Kiorein, Stairmaster and Geo have been assigned the task of watching End of Evangelion and finding new things to say about it. ★ Support this podcast ★By TV Tuners Inc.
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss Sylvester Stallone's bad behavior on the Tulsa King set and the end of development on a Game of Thrones sequel all about Jon Snow. Later, the gang watch Amazon's Fallout adaptation and hold out hope for a Vault Boy appearance. Plus, Swanson recounts his treacherous trip to the Denver airport! ★ Su…
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The Fruit of a Purposeful Family, with Melissa Brown
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When you come across a family with a bunch of young adults thriving in their faith, work, and passions, you can’t help but want to ask the parents: “Ok! What is the secret?” (Right?) And for good reason: Yes we can learn through mistakes and struggles, but I vote that it is even better to learn from those who have had successes! Melissa and Jonatha…
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Hard is Not the Same as Bad, with Abbie Halberstadt
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Our most trying moments as a parent can quickly spiral into discouragement, hopelessness, and sometimes even resentment toward God or your family—partly because our culture has conditioned us to believe that anything this hard can’t possibly be good for us. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why me, Lord?” today’s podcast guest will resonate wi…
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This one is especially for the boy moms out there! I know you'll love hearing from Durenda Wilson -- Mom to 8 (five boys!) author, podcaster, and someone I consider a virtual mentor -- as she shares from her new book, Raising Boys to Men. Durenda has homeschooled all of her kids, and now with grown children (and a bunch of grandchildren) she has a …
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Setting the First Tracks: Talk to Your Kids about Everything
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Who do you want to set the first impressions on your kids on topics like: identity and self worth, sexuality and gender, politics, and other cultural hot topics? I vote YOU DO, Mom and Dad. I think most of us would say that we, the parents, are the best people to begin these conversations. Yet, it is easy to put these (sometimes awkward!) conversat…
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss the latest attempt to reboot Baywatch and Tim Allen returning to network TV for yet another family sitcom. Then, the boys play a rousing game of Guess Who's Coming that features English men on horseback and the particulars of murdering in self-defense. Later, the gang watch FX's remake of the clas…
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How to Experience REAL JOY in a world gone mad, with Brant Hansen
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Would you say that joy (a deep sense of well-being, regardless of circumstances) is something you live with daily? Brant Hansen joins us to tell us that this is not only possible, but promised to all who follow Jesus. In fact, through Christ, we can start to see the world in a more childlike, humble, and optimistic way. Brant and I are talking abou…
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Life is Messy, God is Good, with Cynthia Yanof
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Today’s guest, Cynthia Yanof is the friend we all need. She is honest, encouraging, and hilarious. She shoots straight and stays humble. I am so glad she poured all of these things into her new book: Life is Messy, God is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life. In today’s conversation Cynthia and I talk about parenting (she has college age dow…
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss the differences between Star Wars and Dune along with their shared love of spice. Then, the gang sit down to watch Netflix's live action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Together, the boys talk about poor casting choices, useless exposition and the struggles of creating a real world out o…
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Best selling author, teacher and Pastor, John Mark Comer, is here to talk about his newest book: “Practicing the Way”, which explores the concept of being an apprentice of Jesus. John Mark explains that to practice the way of Jesus, we must: “Be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did” (the subtitle to the book.💥) In this conversation we talk…
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss season 4 of True Detective and Kio fills the others in on some big news that they may have missed. Then, the gang sit down to watch the CBS show Tracker and wonder why they decided this milquetoast premise needed a myth-arc. ★ Support this podcast ★…
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Screentime and Other Ways Kids Spend their Days
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If screentime is a challenge in your home (pretty sure that is most of us!) then this episode is for you! Today we’re talking about how we can be intentional about screens, sports, hobbies, and all the ways kids spend their days! - From Chapters 12 and 13 of my book: Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dish…
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No Regrets Parenting in Difficult Cultural Times, with Rhonda Stoppe
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Having a solid mentor in your life is a true gift; mentors offer us wisdom from their life experience and help us navigate all that we face. If you don’t have a mentor in your life, I encourage you to pray for, and seek one out. But I am also thankful that we live in a time when we can have “virtual mentors”, people we may not know in real life but…
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss USA's Suits becoming the most-watched show on streaming in 2023 and Netflix's belated cancellation of Ratched. Then, the boys watch the trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog spin-off Knuckles and wonder what wacky adventures our favorite echidna will get up to. Later, the gang sit down to watch Apple TV+…
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7 Attitudes that will Sabotage Your Marriage (and 7 to Replace them with) with Dave
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Happy Valentine’s Day! My husband Dave is with me as we celebrate our 28th Valentine’s Day together. ☺ In this episode we are talking through a blog post that has been very popular for many years now on my website: “7 Attitudes that Will Sabotage Your Marriage, and 7 to Replace them with.” Dave and I are sharing from our own experience -- as we’ve …
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Let’s Talk about Kids and Dating, with JP Pokluda
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Dating has never been simple (who remembers?!) but today it is more complicated than ever. The world offers all kinds of mixed messages to young adults and teenagers and our Christian culture isn’t giving a lot of alternatives. In such crazy times our kids need a voice of reason and a lot of Biblical wisdom to help them navigate. Pastor Jonathan “J…
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss the Ted TV show becoming Peacock's most watched program and Jon Stewart returning to The Daily Show, but only on Mondays. Then, the boys watch the trailer for Apple TV+'s Constellation including the surprise appearance of Jonathan Banks as a scientist (?) who thinks something weird happened to his…
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Helping Siblings Become Friends, with Luke and Jonah
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Since last March, at the end of each month I have been covering highlights from a chapter of my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover the topic of sibling relationships from Chapter 11, with the help of my two sons, Jonah (22) and Luke (19). I know sibli…
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The Sacredness of Secular Work, with Jordan Raynor
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Jordan Raynor is back with us (he’s been a favorite guest in the past!) with an encouraging message about the eternal value of our work. All of it! As Christians we often talk about how our workplace can be our mission field (and that is so true!) but Jordan suggests that is only part of the story. And he is passionate that we – and our kids, hear …
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss movie-review app Letterboxd adding TV shows to their slate and CBS beginning production on NCIS: Origins. Then, the boys watch the trailer for season 2 of Max's Tokyo Vice and recall their experiences watching the first season. Later, the gang sit down to watch the live-action adaptation of Yu Yu …
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What is Christian Deconstruction? (And how should we respond to it?) with Alisa Childers
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Alisa Childers is back with a conversation I want every Christian parent to hear! A movement called “spiritual deconstruction” is sweeping through our culture, our churches, and (maybe especially) our universities. It is confusing and complex. It is leading young people away from the church and dividing families. In today's interview, Alisa offers …
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discover the wonderful world of slickdeals.net and find a great price for everyday items as well as some mildly funny comments. Then, the boys sit down to look back at the shows they watch in 2023 and pick the best and the worst! ★ Support this podcast ★By TV Tuners Inc.
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Monica’s (work and life!) Updates for 2024
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Hey friends! Today I hope you can grab a cup of coffee (or your tennis shoes!) and join me for a more personal chat. I’m sharing updates from my podcasting and writing life, as well as personal reflections as I look at the year ahead. From my next book release (May 7!) to my fitness plans (💪🏼), from podcast topics, to skin-care in my 50’s (🤗) it’s …
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The Value of Just Showing Up, with Drew Dyck
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Happy New Year! Whether you are heading into 2024 with goals and resolutions, a word-of-the-year, and a whole lot of confidence, or you are just barely…plodding your way into it, this episode is for you! Drew Dyck, author of JUST SHOW UP, is with us to offer some encouragement and perspective. Drew reminds us that there is great value in every smal…
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss Netflix producing a new anime based on One Piece and if the time investment will be easier without all the filler. Later, the boys sit down to watch season 2 of Amazon's Reacher and take great joy in seeing a very big man beat people up. ★ Support this podcast ★…
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3 Ways to naturally instill character into your kids every day
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With a little intentionality, we can develop character in our kids’ throughout the natural rhythms of our days. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, this episode will equip you with some great tools for practical character development! Today I am pulling from chapters 9 and 10 of my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like…
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss a new Mexico-based spinoff for The Boys and streaming services partnering up to offer ad-supported bundles. Then, the gang watch the trailer for Amazon's Fallout and get leery when they see the Westworld creators attached. Later, the boys sit down to watch Netflix's animated adaptation Scott Pilgr…
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10 Do’s and Don’ts for a Happy Family Christmas, with Dave and Monica
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Happy Christmas week everyone! 🎄Join my husband Dave and I for a fun and hopefully helpful “date-night” style conversation! Dave and I are sharing wisdom we have gleaned over 28 Christmases together, most with a house full of boys...Some important “do’s” as well as a few “don’t”’s! Hopefully a few will be encouraging reminders and a few will make y…
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6 Discipline Mistakes to Avoid During the Holidays
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One of the most important and challenging jobs we have as parents is that of disciplining our kids. Most of us wish it weren’t necessary (and a lot of parents today mostly ignore it!) but I have learned that good discipline is one of the greatest keys to raising amazing kids! Back when my oldest sons (now 24 and 22 years old) were very young, I rea…
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Be a Memory Making Mom this Christmas, with Jessica Smartt
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As moms we want to fill the holidays with all kinds of magic and meaning for our families. We want to celebrate Advent, bless our kids with good food, special gifts, and then come out of it all with great memories, right? Yet, all of our best intentions often lead to a lot of overwhelm and frustration. (it’s not just me, is it?) If you feel any of …
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss the upcoming end of Young Sheldon and have a few ideas for the next Sheldon-based show. Then, the boys watch the teaser for Peacock's Ted and try to remember anything appealing about the films. Later, the gang sit down to watch Nathan Fielder's new show The Curse and talk about the fine line betwe…
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The Power of Parenting with Yeses and Nos
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36:10
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I am so happy to be back with another monthly podcast covering highlights from my book, Raising Amazing: Bringing up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked! Today we get to cover Chapter Eight: All about the importance of saying YES…and NO…to our kids. This is one of my personal favorite chapters/topics and I th…
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This week, Swanson, Kiorein and Stairmaster discuss the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike and what they look forward to with Hollywood back up and running. Then, the boys watch the trailer for Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender and compare it to the previous M. Night Shymalan version. Later, the gang sit down and watch NBC's l…
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Happy Thanksgiving with Luke and Levi: Q&A, Gratitude, and Giggles
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Happy Thanksgiving week! Today I am sharing a very real, laughter-infused episode with my two youngest sons, Luke and Levi. Though it is a replay from 2 years ago, it’s still a listener favorite. Invite your kids to join as Luke and Levi answer a few questions, share what they are grateful for, and keep it all very real. Basically, this offers a sn…
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