Feelings Pt. 2
Last time on License to Parent we talked with John Rosemond about the mental health crisis and how it is affecting our teens. Mr. Rosemond said, “My contention is that it all goes back to the fact that we followed the herd in the early 1970s and we radically overhauled our parenting practices and we “fixed” something that wasn’t broken and we are paying a terrible price for that.” Today we continue this conversation.
Discussing Mental Health with John Rosemond
John is a family psychologist, best-selling author, and a popular speaker on parenting issues. He is husband to his wife, Wilma, of 55 years, father to two successful adults, and grandfather to seven well-behaved grandchildren. John’s goal is to help you parent with love and leadership and to raise responsible adults. You can find his website here.

Episode Highlights:

What difference has Trace seen in parents and kids since smartphones came out in the early 2000s?
What does John say about the statistical data that the mental health field is helping reduce the mental health problem in America?
What does Trace say about epigenetics?
What is one of the most popular questions in psychology from a psychologist to their client?
What does John have to say about that question?

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Feelings
It used to be that when a parent needed advice for parenting they would go to a trusted and seasoned family member like a grandparent, an aunt, or an uncle - even if the child had behavioral problems. And if that didn't help, then the parent usually went to their pastor or clergy. But today we see that behavioral issues are viewed many times as clinical issues and this has given birth to what many refer to as the mental health industrial complex. John Rosemond is going to help us think through what modern mental health has become and the role it should or shouldn’t play in your family's well-being.
Discussing Mental Health with John Rosemond
John is a family psychologist, best-selling author, and a popular speaker on parenting issues. He is husband to his wife, Wilma, of 55 years, father to two successful adults, and grandfather to seven well-behaved grandchildren. John’s goal is to help you parent with love and leadership and to raise responsible adults. You can find his website here.

Episode Highlights:

What does John call psychology?
Why have people tried various times to take John’s license away?
What does John say is the truth about the mental health profession in America?
Emotions are not more important than what?
The more you talk to your child about their feelings the more - what?

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Prodigal
You may have read a myriad of books about raising godly kids and you are truly following the principles, but one of your own kids walks away from God. You could be a Sunday school teacher who taught other parents how to bring up godly kids and yet your child still leaves the fold. Or you are actually the author of a preeminent parenting book and still one of your kids abandons the Lord. As a parent, if you’ve been disillusioned by doing things right this program is for you.

Last time Kari Trent-Stageberg said, “Even though there was not a day that I didn’t hear or know that my parents were crazy about me, and that there was a God who was crazy about me - for me what it really was, was that God just felt incredibly abstract and I wasn’t able at the time to figure out the relationship piece. It made me think, "why would I follow this if it doesn’t actually impact my life?” Today we will continue our conversation.
Discussing Endurance with Dr. John Trent & Kari Trent Stageberg
Dr. John Trent is the Founder and President of the organization Strong Families. He is also the author of the book “The Blessing.” His daughter Kari Trent Stageberg works alongside her dad as CEO of Strong Families and together they help build stronger marriages, coach parents to be better parents, and move everyone toward a closer relationship with God.

Episode Highlights:

How long does Kari say that she lived in rebellion?
What does John Trent say to parents of children who walked away from God 20+ years ago and show no signs of returning?
Where did John go in the Bible to find encouragement while his daughter was walking away from God?
What does Hebrews 13:5 say?
What does Kari say we don't get to choose?

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Walk Away
Let’s say that you have read the myriad of books that have been written about raising godly kids and you are truly following the principles in those books to a “t." Still one of your own kids walks away from God as a teenager. Maybe as a Sunday school teacher, you taught other parents how to bring up godly kids from what you have read in those same books, and yet your Bible Quiz winner has now become an angsty teen. What happens when you’re actually the author of one of those preeminent parenting books and still one of your kids abandons the Blessing that you thought would guarantee you and your family blessing in return? As a parent, if you’ve been disillusioned by doing things right then this program is for you.
Discussing Parenting with Dr. John Trent & Kari Trent Stageberg
Dr. John Trent is the Founder and President of the organization Strong Families. He is also the author of the book “The Blessing.” His daughter Kari Trent Stageberg works alongside her dad as CEO of Strong Families and together they help build stronger marriages, coach parents to be better parents, and move everyone toward a closer relationship with God.

Episode Highlights:

How do we reconcile what the Bible says about training up a child when we do it and it doesn’t seem to work?
What was the idea behind the book “The Blessing?"
Where does the Blessing come from?
The Blessing is not a-what?
What caused Kari to walk away from God and her family? What brought her back?

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Daily Hope
No one would disagree that it is difficult to raise teenagers today. However, some would argue- when have parents not found the times unprecedented and the task of raising teenagers difficult? On the surface, this argument might sound plausible, but when we really peel back the onion to see all of the moving parts it seems apples are being compared to oranges. Perhaps a better analogy is that maybe molehills are being compared to mountains. A generation of kids without hope is what too many parents are dealing with today. What we need is hope for every day.
Discussing Hope with Mark Gregston
Mark is an author, speaker, radio host, and the Founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 50 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life Area Director, and now as Executive Director of Heartlight. Today we discuss his new book, "Daily Hope for Families."

Episode Highlights:

What is the second leading cause of death in teens?
What quote does Trace give from Voltaire?
What is the main reason kids feel hopeless?
What main question does Mark ask himself?
What is our role as parents and grandparents?

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Digital Madness
If you haven’t noticed we are living in a time where parents have to raise their kids in a society that itself has become mentally ill. If you have listened in before you may have wondered if we are just being extreme or if our culture really has descended into an emotional, psychological, and spiritual abyss. Unfortunately, the data would suggest the later. Many times we suggest that parents ask what role digital technology may play in all of this. Today we will receive insights from Dr. Nicholas Kardaras' book, “Digital Madness: How Social Media is Driving Our Mental Health Crisis and How to Restore Our Sanity.”
Discussing Tech Addiction with Dr. Nicholas Kardaras
Dr. Nicholas Kardaras is an Ivy League-educated psychologist, best-selling author, internationally renowned speaker, and an expert on mental health, addiction, and the impacts of our digital age. He is one of the country's foremost addiction experts. Dr. Kardaras lives with his wife in Sag Harbor, NY and they have twin sons. He is a frequent presenter and lecturer on the subjects of philosophy, mental health, and both substance and screen addictions.

Episode Highlights:

What quote from Voltaire does Trace give?
What does Trace believe is the real root of our society's mental health problems?
Sin will take us _, cost us _, and keep us _.
Who do Dr. Kardaras and Trace theorize God is using to wake up His people?
“What harm can that do?” What harm does this phrase cause?

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Ask Trace
It’s another installment of Ask Trace where I ask Trace questions that are on your hearts. Today’s topic is kind of sensitive. It is around the topic of LGBTQ youth. Over the last couple of weeks, I have had several conversations about pronouns and how to adjust your thinking around that. In some of those eye-opening conversations, I am seeing parents, teachers, and leaders in the Christian community that are on opposite sides. Both believe that they are on the side of compassion and the gospel. So how does Trace handle this with the teens at Shepherd’s Hill Academy?

Email asktrace@licensetoparent.org to ask your tough questions.
Discussing LGBTQ+ with Trace Embry
Trace Embry is the Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd’s Hill Academy a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd’s Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd’s Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now.

Episode Highlights:

What happens when you start to break down the fundamentals of reality?
What do common definitions of terms provide?
How are the students at Shepherd’s Hill addressed?
What is Shepherd’s Hill here to bring?
What leads to spiritual and psychological healing?

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Moms Raising Men
Family values today are being challenged and even marginalized. Traditional gender roles have also been challenged and even redefined. Our boys are receiving distorted information about what it means to be a man; while more single moms are raising sons without a good male role model to help live out what it really means to be a man. This is becoming generational. Almost to the point that extremists have now convinced many of today’s young men and women that the scientifically backed gender binary is either fluid or non-existent. So what is a single mom to do? How do moms raise sons to be men?

Discussing Raising Men with Rhonda Stoppe
Rhonda Stoppe is a Christian author and speaker with over 30 years of experience as a pastor's wife, a mom coach, a marriage mentor, and a homeschool keynote speaker. Rhonda is Nana to 15 little ones. She also has 2 sons and 2 daughters and loves to share all that she learned through that experience. 10 years ago Rhonda wrote the book, “Moms Raising Sons to be Men” and it has just recently been re-released.

Episode Highlights:

What is the logical outworking of illogical teachings?
Where should any parent find their standards for manhood?
The more a mom tries to control a child the more- what?
Why is it important to allow your child to make mistakes? To sin?
What things did Rhonda’s single mom friends do to raise godly sons into men?

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Resilient Kids
The American culture is full of adults who are ideologically divided, emotionally fragile, addicted, mentally ill, and devoid of God. Sadly many of these adults are also averse to logic, objective truth, common sense, and even science. As responsible parents, we need to foster resilience in our kids like never before. But how do we do this when our kids seem to have lost so much confidence in and respect for the parents of the last few generations? Especially when many of these parents have taught them to trust and even emulate people like teachers, coaches, medical and mental health professionals, lawmakers, law enforcement, media personnel, businessmen, scientists, and too often even clergy. Dr. Kathy Koch will help bring clarity to this issue through the discussion of her book “Resilient Kids: Raising Them to Embrace Life with Confidence.”

Discussing Resilience with Kathy Koch
Dr. Kathy Koch is the Founder and President of Celebrate Kids and the co-founder of Ignite The Family. Dr. Kathy has influenced thousands of parents, teachers, and children in over 30 countries through her messages, seminars, chapels, and other events. She speaks regularly at schools, churches, and pregnancy resource centers. She is a featured speaker for Great Homeschool Conventions and is also on the faculty of Summit Ministries. Dr. Kathy is for kids, especially your kid. Dr. Kathy is a champion in helping parents understand just how smart their kid is.

Episode Highlights:

What do children need to know about their parents which will make them grow in resilience?
Every child and adult is created _?
What has changed recently regarding children’s resiliency?
What has the highlight reel taught our children?
Effort is a part of life. What does it mean?

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The Blessing
Let me tell you about this gift.
There is very little investment involved.  The gift is so much more valuable than the latest gadget your child may want. It’s a gift that can improve their lives now and in their future. It’s unlike most any other gift you know of.  This gift is The Blessing.
So, what is the blessing?  You can find out today on License to Parent.

Discussing Blessing Your Children with John Trent
John Trent has the "best job in the world" according to him.  He is the Founder and President of Strong Families.  John writes, speaks, and trains others to create cultures of blessing in their homes, workplaces, ministries, and around the world.
John has written over 30 books. We’re going to talk to John today about his award-winning book called The Blessing.

Episode Highlights:

How do we bless our kids the most?
What is the greek word for forgiveness? How is it significant?
What is it like to experience the blessing?
Does one’s childhood guarantee success or failure as an adult?

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Healthy Teens
If you have ever thought that we now live in a time and place where it has never been harder to raise healthy teenagers, you'll get no argument from most parents. However, could it be that today's dystopian-like society might be making it impossible? Frequent listeners to License to Parent know the answer. There is a possibility of raising healthy teenagers. Teaching you how to equip your child to navigate the pitfalls and dangers of teen life in a world gone mad is our work. 
Discussing Health with Tom Kersting
Tom Kersting is a nationally renowned licensed psychotherapist, family counselor, author, and educator. He is a regular guest expert on many national television shows and talk shows. He also lectures throughout the country offering expert insight and advice for parents, children, and educators. Tom is the founder and owner of Valley Family Counseling LLC in Park Ridge, New Jersey. He and his wife have two teenage children. His latest book is "Raising Healthy Teenagers: Equipping Your Child to Navigate the Pitfalls and Dangers of  Teen Life."

Episode Highlights:

What are the main issues facing teens today?
What is mental freedom?
What are our kids constantly distracted from?
Why is practicing silent thought helpful?
What are the outworkings of an anhedonic state?

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Words of Love
How many of us have ever had a deep discussion with our kids about love? About what it is and what it is not? Love is a multifaceted term and the English language only has one word for it, but other languages, like Greek,  have many. Greek’s uses of its other terms for love can be for describing a parent, or the love of a spouse. An entirely different word for love is used for the love of a friend. And still, another word for love transcends all the rest. It is the kind of sacrificial and unconditional love that springs from God Himself. It can be so easy for our kids to get a distorted idea about love when this term is applied to the myriad relationship scenarios that life brings our way. We need to ask ourselves what are the biblical perspectives on love?
Discussing Love with Shannon Bream
Shannon is an American journalist and attorney. She is the host of Fox News Sunday and the chief legal correspondent for Fox News Channel. Shannon is also the author of several best-selling books including, “The Love Stories of the Bible Speak.” Shannon is married to her husband Sheldon and they enjoy traveling, fly fishing, and college football.

Episode Highlights:

According to Trace, when does genuine healing begin in the student of Shepherd’s Hill Academy?
How are the love stories of the Bible relatable?
Which characters is her book about?
How is sex like fire?
What is intimacy? What is it not?

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Hard Questions
Last week we spoke with Dr. Don Williams about his book “The Young Christian’s Survival Guide.” In this podcast, he told us that his Grandfather was an illiterate country farmer from central Georgia and yet he had a tradition that marked Dr. Williams’ life forever. He required the youngest of his nine children (who was literate) to read the Bible aloud for him each evening when he came in from the fields. His commitment to scripture marked Dr. Don’s father and in turn, marked Dr. Don. He genuinely loved the Lord and God’s word, despite his flaws. He had a real foundation. And this foundation is where apologetics truly starts. A person’s apologetics can only begin to be effective when that person is living a life of sacrificial love for the Lord. This conversation continues in this week’s podcast.
Discussing Biblical Truth with Don Williams
Dr. Donald Williams is a professor emeritus of Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. Dr. Williams calls himself a border dweller. He says he stays permanently camped out in the borders between theology, literature, serious scholarship, and pastoral ministry. So to speak, Narnia and The Middle Earth. Dr. Williams has authored 13 books including “The Young Christian's Survival Guide: Common Questions Young Christians Are Asked about God, the Bible, and the Christian Faith Answered.” He is a pastor and church planter and has taken the gospel to places like Bulgaria, Uganda, India, and of course here in the United States.

Episode Highlights:

What is the biggest contributor for why kids are walking away from the church?
The problem wasn’t that they didn’t have answers it was what?
What backs up Jesus’ supreme confidence?
What is the purpose of answering a question with a question?
Why are the Beatitudes so “dramatic?"

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Lasting Impact
In our nation's past most people would have found it safe to say that kids who were submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ were more likely to bring joy to themselves and to their families than the kids who chose to pursue the sinful pleasures of the world. Yet in today’s information age the truth of Scripture, and the virtues of faith, family, and common sense are often belied as too restrictive, oppressive, and even immoral. Many now consider the Bible to be an evil collection of dark fairy tales that speak of the evil deeds of an oppressive God- far too horrifying to be true. In this world parents and children need help to answer some of the toughest questions that pertain to the veracity of God and His Word.
Discussing God's Veracity with Don Williams
Dr. Donald Williams is a professor emeritus of Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. Dr. Williams calls himself a border dweller. He says he stays permanently camped out in the borders between theology, literature, serious scholarship, and pastoral ministry. So to speak, Narnia and The Middle Earth. Dr. Williams has authored 13 books including “The Young Christian's Survival Guide: Common Questions Young Christians Are Asked about God, the Bible, and the Christian Faith Answered” He is a pastor and church planter and has taken the gospel to places like Bulgaria, Uganda, India, and of course here in the United States.

Episode Highlights:

What issues does Dr. Williams’ book address?
Who specifically can benefit from the book?
If apologetics is the 2nd most important, what is the 1st?
What does Dr. Williams say about his father’s attempts to raise him to love the Lord?
What made the real difference in Dr. Williams’ walk with God?
Apologetics is only effective when spoken by what kind of people?

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Empty Nesting
Many parents invest 18 years into the lives of their kids before sending them out into this great big world. Maybe that’s you right now and your child is leaving the nest and that is something you excitedly anticipate. Or maybe it is a time of apprehension and sorrow and possibly even dread. Either way, it is a time of significant change and there is a certain sense of loss that is part of this new equation. However, that sense of loss does not have to result in the loss of your joy.
Discussing the Empty Nest with Jim Burns
Jim Burns is the president of the ministry Homeword where he writes and speaks on their core values. The core values are; strong marriages, confident parents, empowered kids, and healthy leaders. Jim and his wife live in southern California and they have three grown daughters. Jim and his wife are finding joy in the empty nest. Jim has authored multiple books, the latest of which is, "Finding Joy in the Empty Nest: Discover Purpose and Passion in the Next Phase of Life."

Episode Highlights:

What is the best way to prepare for your children to leave the nest?
What advice does Jim give empty nesters?
What does "reinventing yourself" look like for an empty nester?
What are some suggestions Jim gives for filling your time?
What things in your life will take intentionality?

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Ask Trace
If you could sit down and get some free advice from a 20+ year expert on troubled teens, what would you ask? Here I ask questions on behalf of you, our listening friends. Every once in a while we sit Trace Embry down and ask him questions about parenting difficult teens. As you know Trace is the Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd's Hill Academy. Shepherd's Hill has turned around many young people that are heading in the wrong direction. Trace is skilled in working with teens and knowing what it takes to help your teen thrive. Find answers to questions about bullying, discernment, and more. Email asktrace@licensetoparent.org to ask your tough questions.
Discussing Parenting with Trace Embry
Trace Embry is the Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd’s Hill Academy a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd’s Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd’s Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now.

Episode Highlights:

What is the #1 problem parents have today?
A family is not a democracy. What is it?
A child will be unhappy even though, what?
We are fundamentally-what?
Why is it important for parents to make their kids do things?

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Rebel Parenting
The cultural revolution in the 1960’s changed the face of America. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll led the way to much of what we still see today in rebellion and immorality. After all it's the youth of that generation that are the grandmas and grandpas of today. Now many parents, the children of the rebel generation, are having to navigate this new cultural norm and they’re finding that Biblical parenting flies in the face of what they were taught and what much of the culture now believes. Do today's Christian parents face a different kind of rebellion as they raise their kids? Perhaps a rebellion against the rebellion?

Discussing Parenting with Ryan Dobson
Ryan Dobson is a dad of two and he's the son of parenting expert Dr. James Dobson. Ryan has written six books. He speaks most weekends to people wanting help with their families and he is host of the podcast Rebel Parenting.
Episode Highlights:

How do you win the spiritual war?
What does a “weirdo” look like?
Who can learn to live in grace?
What is your family’s common denominator?
How does Ryan posture himself to reach his daughter?
What is the greatest experience in life?

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God in Tech
Just before the advent of the smartphone, it was reported that former US Education Secretary Bill Bennet said, “America is rapidly becoming the kind of nation that civilized nations send missionaries to.” For those who heard Mr. Bennett’s comment, it would have been hard for them to believe the kind of changes that would occur in America over the next 15 years. Smartphones have become a cultural change agent and maybe have even broken down the American Dream and culture. Those change agents seem to have gotten the drop on those who would otherwise use the internet for good. As we head into Easter it's a good time to ask the question, “does scripture have anything pertinent to say about the digital age and technology that we now have to navigate as parents?”
Discussing Tech with Chris Kaspar
Chris Kaspar is the founder of Techless an innovative tech start-up that created Wisephone- a pure and simple phone for intentional people. Chris is married to Ciera and is the fun dad of four beautiful daughters. Chris and Ciera have been foster parents for a handful of kids and they live for a deeper purpose.

Episode Highlights:

How are the 7 deadly sins related to tech?
What is the purpose of Techless?
What is God’s purpose for technology?
How does Chris define technology?
What Biblical passages does Chris offer to parents?

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The Blessing
If I said that I knew what the perfect gift was that you could give your child for their next birthday you would want to know what it was, right? This gift does cost a little bit of money, and it has a little investment involved, but it is more valuable than the latest technology. The one that they probably want. This is a gift that can improve their lives now and in the future. It is unlike most gifts that you know. This gift is The Blessing.
Discussing Blessing with John Trent
John Trent is the founder and director of Strong Families. He claims to have the best job in the world. He writes, speaks, and trains others how to create cultures of blessing in their homes, workplaces, ministries, and around the world. John has written over 30 books including his award-winning book “The Blessing." He and his wife have two wonderful daughters.

Episode Highlights:

How do we bless our kids most?
Who is the only perfect parent?
How many people does it take to make a difference in someone's life?
Where did John first see the blessing?
 What does “curse” mean in Hebrew?
What does every kid deserve?

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Ask Trace
If you could sit down and get some free advice from a 20+ year expert on troubled teens, what would you ask him? Find answers to questions about bullying, discernment, and starving children- but not from hunger. Email asktrace@licensetoparent.org to ask your tough questions.
Discussing Parenting with Trace Embry
Trace Embry is the Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd’s Hill Academy a Christ-centered, outdoor-focused, year-long, therapeutic boarding academy for troubled youth. Trace and his wife Beth started Shepherd’s Hill Academy in 2001 to bring healing to hurting families. They came to Christ after becoming parents and learned a lot through that process as well as in their leadership roles at Shepherd’s Hill. Trace is also the author of “The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill: An Extraordinary Odyssey of Divine Interventions” which accounts for the full journey of how Trace and Beth came to where they are now.

Episode Highlights:

What are our children starving for?
Science is the new- what?
How do we start feeding our children what they need?
Who else is training our children?
How can a previously lax parent make changes?

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