Send us a text Kick off the year 2026 with 25 Parenting tips to start you our on the right foot Contact: podcasts@calfarley.org To Donate: https://secure.calfarley.org/site/Donation2?3358.donation=form1&df_id=3358&mfc_pref=T To Apply: https://apply.workable.com/cal-farleys-boys-ranch/j/25E1226091/ For More Information about Cal Farley's Boys Ranch: https://www.calfarley.org/ Music: "Shine" -Newsboys CCS License No. 9402

Send us a text Predictability isn’t boring when you’re raising an anxious or easily overwhelmed child—it’s a lifeline. We walk through how structure lowers the brain’s threat response, why surprises often backfire for kids with trauma histories, and how to build a simple regulation schedule that targets the toughest moments of the day. You’ll hear concrete examples from home and classroom life, including how a two-minute pre-class check-in turned a dreaded period into a manageable one, and wh...

Send us a text It's the Boys Ranch Christmas Special!!! We swap carols, movies, and traditions while tracing why Christmas music unites people and how simple rituals build belonging for families and kids at Boys Ranch. Stories of Santa surprises, caroling nuns, and a candlelit Cantata bring humor, hope, and heart. • favorite parts of the season, from lights to gifts • when to start Christmas music and why it lifts mood • why shared carols feel universal and participatory • top three Christma...

Send us a text We unpack how regulation, not compliance, drives real change and why the brain’s state decides whether a child can listen, connect, and learn. We share tools for co-regulation, decode hyperarousal and dissociation, and show how to move from chaos to cortex with simple, steady steps. • defining regulation as the capacity to regain control and act with intent • differences between regulation and compliance • arousal continuum from calm to terror linked to brain regions • state-d...

Send us a text We unpack how confidence is the courage to use a skill and competence is the skill itself, then show how kids develop both through safe struggle, real responsibility and calm, consistent coaching. Stories from home, school and sports illustrate when to step in, when to step back and how to turn failure into resilience. • confidence as courage, competence as skill • failure reframed as data for learning • real-world tasks with natural consequences • knowing when to help and whe...

Send us a text We explore how everyday movement regulates kids’ brains, lifts moods, and strengthens family bonds, then trade practical ways to make activity normal, fun, and realistic. From garage gyms to free play and turkey trots, we show how tiny steps become lasting habits. • why physical activity regulates mood and brain development • modeling movement as parents through daily routines • realistic active family habits without perfection • balancing organized sports with unstructured fr...

Send us a text Busy nights don’t have to end with a drive-thru bag on the passenger seat. We unpack how real families build healthier routines without turning dinner into a daily fight. From the science of why protein steadies energy and behavior to the sneaky pull of engineered snack foods, we break down what actually helps when life is packed with practices, homework, and late meetings. We talk practical planning simple menus, grocery lists tied to that plan, and time savers like crockpots...

Send us a text Hard talks don’t have to feel like walking into a storm. Today we will unpack how parents can build trust early, stay steady under pressure, and guide kids through topics like death, sex, bullying, and mental health without shutting them down. The focus is simple and powerful: start small, stay honest, and keep connection at the center. We dig into the conversations many families avoid and the hidden costs of silence, then offer practical steps you can use today. Y...

Send us a text Chaos fades when the calendar leads. We sit down to unpack how predictable routines help kids feel safe, lower tantrums, and give parents room to breathe. From morning transitions to bedtime wind‑downs, we map out the small habits that make days smoother and decisions easier. We dig into the difference between healthy structure and suffocating rigidity, showing how “freedom within fences” lets kids practice choice without derailing the plan. You’ll hear real stories, including...

Send us a text We show how naming triggers turns chaos into connection and why front loading, choice, and curiosity help kids and parents regulate. Real stories illustrate hidden triggers, values clashes, and how to repair with grace after hard moments. • defining triggers and why past experiences matter • front loading schedules and reducing surprises • spotting early warning signs and patterns • using choice to build agency and reduce power struggles • curiosity over control for calmer con...

Send us a text Want your child to trade boredom and entitlement for empathy, confidence, and real-world skills? We unpack how consistent, hands-on service can flip that switch. We dive into why serving others accelerates brain development from self-focus to perspective-taking, and how repeated, real-life interactions build emotional intelligence that screens can’t teach. You'll hear how mission work reframes what kids think they need to be happy. If your teen is stuck, we outlin...

Send us a text Feeling overloaded by family logistics and daily meltdowns? We brought together our counseling, training, clinical, and campus life team to share five brain-based strategies that bring calm, clarity, and connection without adding more stress. You’ll hear how simple routines reduce decision fatigue, why writing the plan where everyone can see it boosts follow-through, and how to hold the line when kids push back so new habits actually stick. If you’re ready for a calmer home an...

Send us a text We end our Parent Trap series by unpacking mixed style parenting—why inconsistency breeds anxiety and mistrust, and how to replace it with steady, human follow-through. We map the biggest traps and share simple, repeatable steps for alignment and repair. If you like the show, please tell a friend or family member, especially if you want to give them some awareness that maybe they're stepping into one of these traps Please visit calfarly.org for more information, employment, pl...

Send us a text Ever feel the pull toward “because I said so” when everything is spinning? We take a hard, honest look at authoritarian parenting traps—how they work, why they’re tempting, and what they cost. We unpack the drill sergeant mindset, Sunday Best performance, image-first “ice sculpture” homes, coach-style lecturing, goal-line outcomes, trophy pressure in youth sports, lockdown limits, and ruler-only households that confuse fear with respect. We draw a sharp line between structure ...

Send us a text We explore the hidden costs of permissive parenting and how clear, calm boundaries increase safety, confidence and connection. Six common traps are unpacked with simple ways to reset routines, share the “why” behind rules and hold the line without guilt. • defining permissive parenting and why it’s rising • structure as safety and the impact on emotional growth • spotting red flags at home, school and church • caveman parenting: caving after nagging and how to stop it • cotton...

Send us a text The path to raising capable, resilient adults is paved with skinned knees, spilled milk, and valuable life lessons. But for many modern parents, the urge to protect our children from every discomfort has created a dangerous parenting trend: lawnmower parenting. This episode dives deep into what happens when we mow down every obstacle in our children's paths. Our expert panel explores how cultural pressures, fear of judgment, and our own anxieties drive us to overprotect our ki...

Send us a text We explore the complex relationship between technology and family life, examining how excessive screen time affects children's emotional regulation, mental health, and relationships. Contact: podcasts@calfarley.org To Donate: https://secure.calfarley.org/site/Donation2?3358.donation=form1&df_id=3358&mfc_pref=T To Apply: https://apply.workable.com/cal-farleys-boys-ranch/j/25E1226091/ For More Information about Cal Farley's Boys Ranch: https://www.calfarley.org/...

Send us a text The Brain-Based Parenting team explores how technology can positively impact families when used with intention and appropriate boundaries. Technology, when used wisely, can be a powerful tool for families. Instant access to information fuels children’s curiosity and learning, while calls, texts, and video chats help family members stay connected across distances. Safety features like location tracking give parents peace of mind, and educational apps, YouTube tutorials, a...

Send us a text Contact: podcasts@calfarley.org To Donate: https://secure.calfarley.org/site/Donation2?3358.donation=form1&df_id=3358&mfc_pref=T To Apply: https://apply.workable.com/cal-farleys-boys-ranch/j/25E1226091/ For More Information about Cal Farley's Boys Ranch: https://www.calfarley.org/ Music: "Shine" -Newsboys CCS License No. 9402

Send us a text Adventure helps children grow in confidence, creativity, and joy, but it requires a balance between safety and freedom. Kids need a secure foundation and supportive adults to feel safe exploring beyond their comfort zones. Real adventure happens through unstructured play, trying new things, and learning through experience—not screens. Small, interest-based adventures can build toward greater challenges, and success is found in the effort, not just the outcome. Let them try. Let...