Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are joined by their friend, CarrieAnn Standfest, to discuss the events of Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas. They focus on the parenting masterclass conducted by Kansas City Head Coach Andy Reid in response to Travis Kelce's sideline outburst.  You can hear CarrieAnn and her husband on The Connected Parenting Minute Podcast. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy  

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan are joined by their friend Jillana Goble for this episode. They discuss how proximity to their kids' stories and families has helped them grow as individuals and understand people more. They reflect on how that proximity has helped them be more compassionate and less judgemental. Click here to purchase Jillana's latest book, A Love Stretched Life NOW! One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan sat down with Kim Botto at the 2023 Replanted Conference where they discussed the power of taking the first step in faith. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan are joined by Charity Clayton, author of the new book Together Forever No Matter What: Can a Family Really Be Forever? They discuss how God can use our stories to help someone else if we are willing to be vulnerable and share. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan are joined by Daniela Coats from With Siblings to discuss why the holiday season can be tough for our kids, why we should perhaps rethink some of our traditions, and discuss how it impacts our biological children. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan are joined by CarrieAnn Standfest to discuss how isolation is unhealthy and why we need to avoid it for ourselves and our families. CarrieAnn is one half of the Connected Parenting Minute Podcast and part of the One Big Happy Home blogging team. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan are joined by the Replanted Conference host, emcee extraordinaire, Currey Blanford. They discuss what it's like to host a conference and why they are such important events for families to attend.  One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

You've heard parts 1 & 2, now hear it the way it was recorded. Double Whammy parts 1 & 2 combined. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Part 2 of Double Whammy with Chris, Kayla, and Ryan tackling how to best respond when our children get into trouble at school and why we should avoid the double whammy at home. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan tackle how to best respond when our children get into trouble at school and why we should avoid the double whammy at home.  One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are joined by their friend Cara DeHaan to discuss nervous system care. Cara is a board member and trainer for The Gathering Well in Sioux Falls, SD. The Gathering Well supports, educates, and inspires adoptive and foster families with relevant connection opportunities and resources.  One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are back for another episode on travel. In this one, they discuss road trip tips. So, sit back, relax, listen, and buckle up!  Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla get together to talk about traveling with children, and to help you learn from their failures! Sit back, listen, and buckle up!  Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

  Chris, Ryan, and Kayla discuss continue their discussion on how fear drives behaviors, but this time they take a look in the mirror and talk about how fear drives our behavior. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla discuss fear responses in this episode and how fear drives our kids' behaviors. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are joined by Jason Johnson for part two to discuss something that they all agree on; parenting transformed all four of them as much if not more than it transformed their kids. CLICK HERE to check out Jason's website. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are joined by Jason Johnson to discuss something that they all agree on; parenting transformed all four of them as much if not more than it transformed their kids. CLICK HERE to check out Jason's website. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Ryan and Kayla are joined once again by Will Standfest to discuss something they get a lot of questions about, connecting with teens. Mentioned in the Episode Connected Parenting Minute Podcast YouTube Facebook Instagram Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

  Ryan and Kayla are joined by Will Standfest to discuss something they get a lot of questions about, connecting with teens. Mentioned in the Episode Connected Parenting Minute Podcast YouTube Facebook Instagram Nikola Tesla Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Ryan and Kayla are without Chris for this one. Together they discuss two valuable tools that any of us can have; flexibility and creativity in parenting. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

In this episode (Part 2 of 2) Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are joined by their friend Melissa Corkum to talk about blocked care, her new book, Reclaim Compassion, and her recent TED Talk. Links The Adoption Connection Melissa's TED Talk Reclaim Compassion: The Adoptive Parent's Guide to Overcoming Blocked Care with Neuroscience and Faith Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

In this episode (Part 1 of 2) Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are joined by their friend Melissa Corkum to talk about blocked care, her new book, Reclaim Compassion, and her recent TED Talk. Links The Adoption Connection Melissa's TED Talk Reclaim Compassion: The Adoptive Parent's Guide to Overcoming Blocked Care with Neuroscience and Faith Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

In this episode, Part 2 of our sibling conflict discussion, Chris, Kayla, and Ryan share practical advice and offer some skill-building strategies for us and our kids. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

We're back for Season 10 of The Empowered Parent Podcast. In this episode, Chris, Kayla, and Ryan discuss something every parent with at least two kids has to deal with, sibling conflict. They share personal examples (both as parents and siblings), confirm that sibling conflict is normal, and share some additional insights. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families worldwide. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we can pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Ryan and Kayla are joined by their friend Jillana Goble to discuss her new book, A Love Stretched Life. They had the privilege of endorsing A Love Stretched Life and here is what they had to say: "The stories Jillana shares in  A Love Stretched Life are raw and real. You won’t want to put this book down as you begin to read story after story of heartbreak and struggle. But the stories are not only hard, but they are beautiful too. They are stories of choosing to “love against the grain.” For anyone who has considered stepping into the story of a vulnerable child, this book is for you." You can purchase a copy of A Love Stretched Life HERE. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan talk about a topic near and dear to their hearts, open adoption. They share their experiences and all that they have learned from being in a relationship with their daughter's birth mom. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

As we prepare for going back to school, Chris, Kayla, and Ryan discuss how best to advocate for your kids at school.  As mentioned in the episode Chapter 4 of The Connected Child Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla get together to reflect on 500,000 downloads of The Empowered Parent Podcast. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Thank you, thank you, thank you! We've hit half-a-million downloads and wanted to share a bonus episode with you. We record two episodes every time we get together and record. There's the episode that we share with everyone, and there's the episode after the episode (Green Room) that we share with our Patrons. This is the Green Room from our recent episode on Chores. We hope you enjoy it and hope you would consider becoming a Patron of The Empowered Parent Podcast. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

In this episode of the podcast Chris, Kayla, and Ryan are all about chores. They discuss finding the sweet spot between recognizing that no one wants to do chores and that they need to be done. They also address how leading by example and offering to help might be good places to start. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Jamie Finn joins Ryan and Kayla in the episode to discuss her new book Foster the Family. They discuss the similar motivations and expectations they all came to foster care with and how this journey has impacted their families. Mentioned in this Episode Foster the Family: Encouragement, Hope, and Practical Help for the Christian Foster Parent Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan are back. In this episode of the podcast they discuss how to connect with the kid you stuggle to connect with. They share from their personal struggles and victories how they have made progress connecting with all of their children. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan are back with a new season and a new episode. They discuss how connected parenting works in big families. In part one, they discuss how being proactive is a foundational component of connecting at home.  Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

She's back! Chris and Ryan welcome Kayla back for this episode and they're talking about consequences. They talk about how to use them effectively and in ways that can help the parent-child relationship.  As mentioned in this episode Connection Over Consequences S08 - E17 Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris and Ryan are without Kayla again for this episode. They decide to hit record and see where the conversation takes them. Where it takes them to is a discussion of Ted Lasso and the importance of good leadership amongst other things. As mentioned in this episode Ted Lasso Darts Scene The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris and Ryan are without Kayla for this episode. They discuss why the holiday season can be the most wonderful time of the year as well as a very difficult time for us as well. They remind us that we need to "keep our balance" especially at this time of the year.  Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are back and discussing something important, gratitude. We often talk about how we wish our kids had more gratitude, but they discuss how we need to model lives of gratitude for our kids. They share some of the things they are thankful for and why our circumstances sometimes make it hard for us to be thankful. Become a Patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are back and take on the topic of consequences. But before they discuss how to effectively use consequences, they talk about why connection can help make consequences less necessary.  Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan and joined once again by Chris's wife Kelly to continue the discussion on parenting teens.  Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

This episode of the podcast is a special one because Chris, Kayla, and Ryan and joined by Chris's wife Kelly to discuss parenting teens. They don't often discuss this subject, but as the number of teens is growing in their families they thought they would give it a shot. Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris and Ryan are without Kayla for this episode again and pick up where they left off talking about the power of being present with our kids. They share some practical things they have done in their families too. Resources Mentioned in this Episode BUILD: Creating a Foundation of Connection Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris and Ryan are without Kayla for this episode and they discuss the importance of being present and available for our kids. The boys share from their experiences as dads, they focus on the 5 Household Dysfunction ACES, and share why we need to maximize our time with our kids.  Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan pick up where they left off in the previous episode (Getting the Relationship Back on Track) and discuss how we can repair after rupture. They offer why it is important to make things right between us and our children and remind us of the important things to remember when trying to make things right. Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan tackle a potentially difficult topic in this episode, repairing your mistakes with your kids. They discuss how apologizing and seeking forgiveness is a wonderful relationship tool as well as a great way to teach how to take responsibility for words and actions. Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Following up on Episode 7 of this season, Chris gets practical and discusses strategies for managing transitions and meltdowns with Ryan and Kayla. Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan are joined by a very special guest for this episode, our very own Dallas Stacy. He is usually happiest producing, but we asked him to join us on the air to talk about recently becoming a dad.  Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla the difficulties our kids experience with transitions. But they don't leave you hanging, they also share ideas to empower you to manage those transitions well.  Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

In our previous episode, Chris, Kayla, and Ryan discussed Challenging Behaviors. In this episode, they discuss how we can proactively build skills in our children to help them when they are struggling. Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

In this episode, Ryan, Kayla, and Chris discuss challenging behaviors. How do we figure out what our kids are trying to communicate to us? What part of the interaction stems from our own triggers, and how can we respond well? Mentioned in this episode The Whole-Brain Child BUILD: Creating a Foundation of Connection Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

In this episode, Ryan and Kayla discuss Jude Cassidy's Hallmarks of Secure Attachment and provide some practical tips to help you work on attachment with your kids. Resources mentioned in this episode The Strange Situation [watch video] The Power of Showing Up [buy book] Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris is back and in this episode, he discusses The Basics of Attachment with Ryan and Kayla. They talk about the stages of regulation, the cycle of attachment, and how our kids were likely to have missed these necessary stages of development. Also, Kayla shares how she has been a bad influence on Ryan Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Produced by Dallas Stacy

Ryan, Kayla, and Chris are back for part two of Help For The Holidays. In this episode, they focus on the importance of setting expectations for your families and for your kids. They discuss being mindful of the desires of others, while also setting important boundaries for your family as things may look entirely different this holiday season. They also end this episode with an important debate, the merits of a fanny pack.   Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School | Patreon Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

A major turning point in our family was when we chose to see difficult behavior as an opportunity for connection. We're not stuck at home with our kids during the coronavirus quarantines, rather we have an opportunity to strengthen the relationship with our children. We have to lead in our homes now more than ever. In that light, we discuss five keys to help parents out: Be flexible and creative Stay structured Be kind Talk about it Stay calm Resources mentioned in this episode Square (Box) Breathing Just Breathe Video Become a patron of the Empowered Parent Podcast We love that we can play a part in bringing hope, encouragement, and healing to families across the world. We are so thankful for the people who have poured into us so we could pour into others. Would you consider supporting our ongoing work by becoming a patron of our podcast? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email | Trauma School Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

Kayla, Ryan, and Chris talk about doing the detective work of helping our kids recognize when they are getting stressed. In doing this, we can help them develop strategies to decompress and regulate.  One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Tapestry Conference 2019 is almost here! The conference will be Friday and Saturday, October 18-19, at Irving Bible Church in Irving, Texas. Chris, Kayla, and Ryan talk about some of the speakers, what attendees can expect, and what they themselves are excited about this year. Podcast listeners can get 10% off the cost of attendance with the code EMPOWEREDPARENT. Register on the conference web site at www.tapestryconference.org Cindy Lee - Children's Books That Teach TBRI-based Lessons to Both Kids AND Parents Making Sense of Your Worth with Cindy Lee Ross King One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

We all rupture the relationship with our kids which allows us opportunities to repair it. Chris, Ryan, and Kayla discuss how to make sure that we are repairing the relationship when we are the ones who rupture it. Repairing relationship hurts let our kids know that they matter and it gives us an opportunity to model humility and making things right. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan welcome Mike and Kristin Berry to talk about their new book, Honestly Adoption. The Berrys are the parents of 8 adopted children and have cared for another 23 as foster parents. They are the founders of Confessions of an Adoptive Parent and together, they host the Honestly Adoption podcast. Their new book is a terrific resource for those considering adoption, as well as those of us who have been in that trenches for years. Resources Mentioned in this Episode Honestly Adoption: Answers to 101 Questions About Adoption and Foster Care - Mike and Kristin Berry One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan take on a listener question about Yes Jar, and expound on why it's important to give our kids as many yeses as possible. Giving a yes is an important building block of trust with kids from hard places. Resources Mentioned in this Episode The Yes Jar Are You Looking For An Easy Way to Say Yes More? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

You may laugh. You may cry. You may decide it's better than "Cats". No, Chris, Ryan, and Kayla aren't singing show tunes in this episode, but they are talking about memories. Implicit vs. explicit, exact reproduction vs. narrative, calm vs. aroused: how do these different types of memories affect our kids' beliefs and behaviors? One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla revisit an important topic: helping our kids from hard places feel safe. As adults, we may intellectually know our kids are safe; safe from physical and emotional harm, safe from not having enough to eat, safe from being homeless, or any number of problem areas. That doesn't mean our kids feel safe from those things, so the discussion goes to how we can help them know and feel it. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Empowering Principles: Creating an Environment of Felt Safety - S3E10 One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Chris wanted to go back to the basics for this episode, so he, Ryan, and Kayla talk about that most important organ in the body: the brain. They dissect—not literally—the components of the brain and talk about how parents of vulnerable children need to pay attention to how things are working in the minds of our kids.  Resources Mentioned in the Episode The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Let's be honest: parenting kids from hard places is exhausting. It can drain us physically, emotionally, and mentally, and leave us feeling like we have nothing else to give. This can be a dangerous place to find ourselves when it comes to our marriages. Chris, Ryan, and Kayla talk about some things to be aware of in your marriage as you parent and offer some thoughts on re-engaging and reconnecting with your spouse. Kids from trauma need strong families, and strong families start with strong marriages. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North    

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla continue the discussion on the importance of play with our kids, this time by providing practical examples for incorporating play. Topics range from finding the time to turning everyday activities into games. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Quelf Jr Game Family Nurture Group TBRI for Teens video One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

  Chris is joined once again by Ryan and Kayla to talk about play. Play is vitally important for children, especially our kids from hard places, some of whom may not have had the opportunities for individual or shared play like they should have. The three talk about different types of play for different ages, and give a few ideas. (Chris is always a proponent for lightsaber fights.) Resources Mentioned in the Episode Play Time Handout to help parents schedule play with their kids Family Nurture Groups One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

In our final episode of 2018, Chris, Kayla, and Ryan again share their thoughts on how to make Christmas Day a success. This time, they discuss practicing outside of the moment when it comes to receiving gifts and traveling for the holidays. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

In this episode, Chris, Kayla, and Ryan share their thoughts on how to make Christmas Day a success. They discuss practicing outside of the moment when it comes to food and extended family. They offer practical tips on how to handle foods your kids don’t usually eat as well as interacting with relatives they don’t know. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

In this final of three episodes with Pam Parish, she, Ryan, Kayla, and Chris talk about Pam's books, including how and why she began writing them.  Resources Mentioned in the Episode Pam Parish  Connections Homes  The Gift: Unwrapping God's Design for Foster Care & Adoption  Ready or Not: 30-Day Discovery for Families Growing Through Foster Care and Adoption  Ready or Not for Battle-Weary Parents  One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

In this second of three episodes with Pam Parish, she, Ryan, Kayla, and Chris discuss how Connections Home was founded, its mission, and why everyone deserves someone. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Pam Parish  Connections Homes  The Gift: Unwrapping God's Design for Foster Care & Adoption  Ready or Not: 30-Day Discovery for Families Growing Through Foster Care and Adoption  Ready or Not for Battle-Weary Parents  One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Ryan, Kayla, and Chris sit down for a conversation with Pam Parish. Pam and her husband Steve adopted seven of their eight daughters through the foster care system. They saw a real need for those who are close to aging out of the foster care system or have already done so. This need, plus that of older children and young adults who are in poverty and homeless, led to their founding of Connections Homes. In addition, Pam has written three devotional books for foster and adoptive parents. In this first of three episodes, the gang talks with Pam about how she and Steve got involved with foster care and adoption.   Resources Mentioned in the Episode 1985 United Colors of Benetton TV commercial   Pam Parish  Connections Homes  The Gift: Unwrapping God's Design for Foster Care & Adoption  Ready or Not: 30-Day Discovery for Families Growing Through Foster Care and Adoption  Ready or Not for Battle-Weary Parents  One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla welcome their long-time friend Cindy Lee to talk about her session for Tapestry Conference 2018. Cindy shares the background of the Making Sense of Your Worth curriculum, how it came to be, and how encouraging the early sessions using it have been. Given the tough times we inevitably encounter as parents of kids from hard times, it's so important for us to have a healthy perspective of our own self-worth, so we can help our children to heal. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Tapestry Conference 2018 The HALO Project 10% Conference Discount Code: EMPOWEREDPARENT One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Jayne Schooler joins Ryan, Kayla, and Chris to give an overview of their Questions to Consider About Self (Soul) Care workshop she and her husband David are conducting on Friday, October 19 at the 2018 Tapestry Conference. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Tapestry Conference 2018 Jayne and David Schooler 10% Conference Discount Code: EMPOWEREDPARENT One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are excited about Tapestry Conference 2018, and you should be, too! They talk about the speaker lineup, featuring Jayne Schooler, and including Cindy Lee, Andrew & Angela Holland, and many more. Ryan and Kayla also share some of the changes in the ministry over the past few months leading up to this year's conference. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Tapestry Conference 2018 Jayne and David Schooler Tapestry Conference 2018 Sponsors Wounded Children, Healing Homes 10% Conference Discount Code: EMPOWEREDPARENT One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla talk about how being an empathetic listener to our children's stories can help with their healing, and why it's important for us to tell our own stories to others to help in our own healing. For when we learn how to help heal ourselves, we can help our children in their own healing. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Dan Siegel explains adult attachment styles Anatomy of the Soul - Curt Thompson One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Some of our kids have big emotions. Chris talks with Ryan and Kayla about how we deal with drama when the emotions go from big to bigger to biggest. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Harry Chapin - The Cat's in the Cradle One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Listener Jamie asks, how do we prepare the kids already in our home for the journey into foster care? This is something as parents we do not always consider, especially if the kids already in our home are very young. Chris talks with Ryan and Kayla about ways to help kids prepare for and deal with the ups and downs of life as a foster family. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Listener Jamie asks the team about resources for family members and friends to help educate them on how they can best support their family as they navigate foster care and adoption journeys.  Resources Mentioned in the Episode The Whole Brain Child TBRI Overview Video The Science of Neglect Video Brene Brown TED Talk on Vulnerability The Connected Child Back2Back Ministries One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North  

Whether we admit it or not, it's a thought adoptive and foster parents have at least once: how do I love my child when I don't like them? Chris, Kayla, and Ryan explore this in detail, starting with the need to continually remember behavior is an expression of a need. We need to do the detective work to help our kids! Resources Mentioned in the Episode Les Carter - When Pleasing You Is Killing Me: A Workbook One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Listener Jeremy wants to know about prepping kids from hard places for summer camps, so Ryan, Kayla, and Chris discuss the best ways to manage this. They also discuss how those working at these camps might be able to help out in that environment. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Sky Ranch @ Horn Creek Adoptive & Foster Family Camp, August 5-11, 2018 One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North  

It's time once again for another episode of everyone's favorite game show! Okay, alright, maybe not *everyone's* favorite game show, but it's certainly ours. Ryan and Kayla go head-to-head once again in Give Me an Example! They'll discuss repairing your mistakes, how to encourage and praise liberally, and responding to sensory processing needs. Who will win this round? It's a thrill a minute!  Resources Mentioned in the Episode Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Carol S. Dweck One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Toony" by Liberty Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy Executive Producer: Ryan North

Helping kids from hard places involves more folks than just parents. There are teachers and professionals, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and dear friends gathered around our families. If they're not gathered around, we need to bring them in to the fold, because it's important our kids have a TEAM helping them heal and reach their potential. Chris talks with Ryan and Kayla about the best way to do this. One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

There are so many places where our unmet expectations get in the way of connection with our kids. Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are joined again by Allison Highton, and they talk about these various expectations, which begin even before our kids come home. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Mealtime Struggles episode The Connected Child The Body Keeps Score One Big Happy Home Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Podcast Swag Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

Even if you haven't been to an adoption and foster care conference, such as Empowered to Connect or CAFO Summit, you may have attended a seminar or one-day class that had you coming out of it thinking, "Yes! I can do this! I'm going to change the way I parent my kids!" But the excitement wears off. Motivation falters. And what are we left with? In light of the 2018 Empowered to Connect Conference happening April 13-15, and CAFO Summit coming up in May, Chris, Ryan, and Kayla tackle these issues. We all want to start with correcting behaviors, but we'll have long-term success with connection first. Connection is the foundation for everything else to click together. The team walks through how that might look for parents, offering practical examples to get started. Resources Mentioned in the Episode I Love You Rituals by Becky Bailey CAFO Summit 2018 One Big Happy Home: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Window Decal Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are joined by Allison Highton. Allison, along with her husband Russ, is an Empowered to Connect parent trainer in New Jersey. Allison works with Miriam's Heart, a non-profit adoption ministry that radically supports families who take action on behalf of adoptive and foster children. The group discusses various schooling options for our kids from hard places, from public to private to homeschooling. Is your adopted or foster child in public school? You should know what an IEP is, and be your kid's biggest advocate. They also talk about being flexible on the home front after kids get home from school. Back to School: Teachers are Important One Big Happy Home: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Produced by Dallas Stacy

The team discusses how playing with our kids is a great way to connect with them. Play is fun and disarming and makes us enjoy our kids as much as it makes them enjoy us. Play is the language of children but is sadly something most of us are no longer fluent in. One Big Happy Home: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Produced by Dallas Stacy    

Chris is joined once again by Kayla and Ryan North to talk about something that can be quite irritating to all parents: sassy talk. They discuss various ways to counteract it and get our kids to a place where they can talk respectfully not just to parents, but others as well. Baby Owl Lost Her Whoo - Cindy Lee The Frequency and Intensity of Behavior Dictates the Frequency and Intensity of Response - S3E2 One Big Happy Home: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Produced by Dallas Stacy

Ryan and Kayla join Chris to talk about mealtime struggles. The team discusses the typical concerns parents of adopted and foster kids see at meals: food sensory issues; eating too much; before-meal snacking; not wanting to eat what is being served, and actually getting kids to the table! They talk about setting expectations and using transitions, as well as other things that have worked in their families. One Big Happy Home: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Email Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris talks with Ryan and Kayla about how the brain processes trauma, and how this affects our kids' relationships with us and the world at large. The Whole Brain Child The Brain with David Eagleman Tapestry's Empowered to Connect Podcast: Lying Join our Facebook Community Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Produced by Dallas Stacy

With all of the craziness that comes this time of year, Chris, Ryan, and Kayla talk about some ways families can simplify holiday time to reduce stress on moms, dads, and the kids. The team discusses everything from gifts to traditions, holiday travel, extended family, and more. Join our Facebook Community Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla respond to a lister email asking about one-on-one/play time with their children. The team discusses things they have tried in the past and how creating an environment of felt safety changes the way their kids interact with them. Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

Listener Tracy writes in asking about an episode devoted to TBRI with kids under the age of 4. How do we use compromise and other tools seen in The Connected Child when our little ones don't always have the words or understanding to utilize them. Chris, Ryan, and Kayla talk about how these concepts can be put into practice for toddlers and preschoolers in our households. I Love You Rituals - Becky Bailey Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

Ryan and Kayla North join Chris Turner and they discuss why the holiday season is so difficult for many of our kids. They share personal insights from their experiences, as well as ways that they have learned to help their children, and themselves, navigate the holidays successfully.   Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla discuss a listener's question, "How important is maintaining biological family relationships for foster/adoptive children? Is this something that we should put a lot of effort into for long-term benefit? Will our children remember visits from when they are very young, and will those be something they look back on an appreciate?" Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris is joined once again by Ryan and Kayla as the team talks about the need for mindfulness. As Curt Thompson says, "You need to pay attention to what you're paying attention to." They discuss why this is especially important with adoptive and foster children. Star Wars | A Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure! Goo Timer Spiral Timer Liquid Motion Timer Toy Liquid Motion Zig Zag Timer Toy Adorox Liquid Bubble Drop Motion Wheel Zig Zag Desk Toy Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy    

The 2017 Tapestry Conference will feature Curt Thompson, author of Anatomy of the Soul and The Soul of Shame. Dr. Thompson's work is an integral part of the Empowered to Connect Parent Training classes; Anatomy of the Soul is one of the books that parents read as part of the training. The 2017 Tapestry Conference will be held October 20th and 21st at Irving Bible Church, in Irving, TX. Use the discount code PODCAST20 for 20% off your registration. Anatomy of the Soul The Soul of Shame Cindy Lee on Amazon Cindy Lee on the Tapestry Podcast Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla discuss why self-care is an important but overlooked part of parenting. The team offers advice on how to take better care of yourself and why self-care can be effective in 15-minute increments.  Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

We are back from family vacations and the start of the school year with a special episode. Directed at parents of kids from hard places in the Houston area, devastated by Hurricane Harvey, Chris is joined by Ryan and Kayla, and special guest Toni Steere. Toni is the Director of Legacy 685, an Adoption, Foster & Orphan Care Ministry at Houston’s First Baptist Church. She has been caring for orphaned and vulnerable children for the past 17 years. She served for many years as a teacher, house-parent & social worker at a large orphanage in Central America. During her time there she adopted a baby boy who is now 16! As a mom of a child from a hard place, Toni understands both the immense joy and the unexpected challenges of the journey. She leads Empowered to Connect's Spanish Training Team, she is a TBRI Educator, and a Sexual Abuse Prevention Instructor, among many other disciplines involving foster care, adoption, and trauma.    If you would like to help Toni and Houston's First with disaster relief efforts, you can find more at http://houstonsfirst.org/LoveFirst. If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area and would like to help with relief efforts for Houston evacuees to the area, you can find more information at our web site, http://www.irvingbible.org/relief.   Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris invites Ryan and Kayla to participate in another game of sharing examples of various TBRI parenting tools. They discuss: Total Voice Control Time-In instead of Time Out Think Before You Consequence Respond to Fear with Connection Who will take this round’s trophy? Listen and find out! Goo Timer Spiral Timer Liquid Motion Timer Toy Liquid Motion Zig Zag Timer Toy Adorox Liquid Bubble Drop Motion Wheel Zig Zag Desk Toy   Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy    

Parenting is hard enough, but add traumatized children, and the difficulties can increase exponentially. Chris, Ryan, and Kayla discuss these hardships, and why it’s so important to build a community around your family that understands trust-based relational parenting and is supportive of your efforts to parent this way. Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

Sibling relationships can always be tenuous, and even more so when it comes to kids from hard places. Chris, Ryan, and Kayla talk about strategies for dealing with these rivalries and the struggles of sibling interaction. Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla respond to an email about children who engage in sneaking behaviors. Listen as they discuss if it's developmentally appropriate or trauma related, and why you need to become the world's leading expert in your children. Yes Jar: Video | Article   Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere Engineered and Produced by Dallas Stacy  

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla talk about the fear that connected parenting doesn't prepare our kids for the real world, and why the reasons behind this fear are unfounded. Cast Away on IMDB Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla spend some time discussing teenagers. The teen years are difficult for most as identity and power struggles are magnified. TBRI for Teens video Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla discuss a question they get from many parents. And that question is, "why do my children lie and what can I do about it"? The answer requires a lot of grace and may not be what most people think it is. Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla are joined once again by Maggie Popp and they discuss how to implement TBRI concepts and strategies in large families. The three families have 15 kids between them.    Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere

  Chris, Kayla and Ryan are joined by Maggie Popp to discuss why traditional parenting doesn't work for foster and adopted kids. They discuss, amongst other things, why time-outs and yelling don't work. Maggie is an Empowered to Connect parent trainer with her husband Brian in the St. Louis metro area. They have six children: two adopted out of the foster care system, three biological kids, and one foster child. Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere    

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan discuss how we can create an environment of felt safety in our homes with predictability. A lack of consistency and can be processed as chaos by our children and they need predictability to feel safe.   Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan preview the upcoming Empowered to Connect Conference in Franklin, TN April 7-8. They discuss what you can expect, why you should attend (in person or at one of the 450 simulcast sites), and why it's good for you to attend even if you're not new to connected parenting. Click here to find a simulcast site near you Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Donate Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter One Big Happy Home | Ryan's Blog Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere

The team discusses why empowering our kids is a crucial part of their healing process and can move them from fear-based responses to trust-based responses. A key component is creating an environment of felt safety in our homes. They offer practical examples you can use at bed time and explain why it's important that we learn to speak our kids language.  Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere

Chris Turner plays a round of "Give me an Example" with Ryan and Kayla North. Our team has some fun sharing examples of what a "yes" sandwich is amongst other things. Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere

Chris invites Ryan and Kayla for another "lightning round" of Give Me an Example, this time focusing on the Parenting Tools taught in the Empowered to Connect class. They discuss: Focus on Nonverbal Communication Encourage Feelings Get Your Child Moving Feelings Flashcards - Todd Parr Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere

Chris, Kayla, and Ryan answer some listener questions about struggles at nap time, whether their child's behavior is trauma-related or a developmental delay, and resources for play with our kids. Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter Intro/Outro Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere

Chris, Ryan, and Kayla talk about the fear that connected parenting doesn't prepare our kids for the real world, and why the reasons behind this fear are unfounded. Cast Away on IMDB Tapestry: Web | Facebook | Twitter Empowered to Connect: Web | Facebook | Twitter Music: "Home" by Moses Uvere

Ryan and Kayla North are joined by Chris Fonte as they discuss one of the most commonly heard concerns about being a foster parent; "It would be too hard to let anyone go." They share from their experiences how they have dealt with and processed the realities of foster parenting.  Tapestry Web | Facebook | Twitter Empowered to Connect Web | Facebook | Twitter Into/Outro Music: Moses Uvere Audio Engineering and Editing: Chris Fonte

We have all failed as parents and wondered if our mistakes have impacted our kids negatively, but we cannot allow our past failures to keep us from being the parents our kids need us to be. The team discusses how parenting can be a source of shame and regret and how they have found that a long range view of healing can bring a new perspective to our families. Tapestry Web | Facebook | Twitter Empowered to Connect Web | Facebook | Twitter Into/Outro Music: Moses Uvere Audio Engineering and Editing: Chris Fonte  

Chris is joined by Ryan and Kayla North to discuss how so many of us parent from a place of fear. We all have regrets because we now know that we could have done better, but we can't let our regrets prevent us from doing better. We have to learn from our mistakes and do the best we can now that we know better.  "Do the best you can until you know better, and when you know better do better." - Maya Angelou Tapestry Web | Facebook | Twitter Empowered to Connect Web | Facebook | Twitter Into/Outro Music: Moses Uvere Audio Engineering and Editing: Chris Fonte

The team discusses how the frequency and intensity of your child's behavior must determine the frequency and intensity of your response. Our kids need consistent, safe adults who will stay by their side when they need us the most. Tapestry Web | Facebook | Twitter Empowered to Connect Web | Facebook | Twitter Into/Outro Music: Moses Uvere Audio Engineer: Chris Fonte Editing: Chris Fonte  (c) 2017 Irving Bible Church

2016 was a difficult year for race relations in the United States. As we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, we wanted to share an interview we hope leads to better understanding for parents raising children of a different race. Dr. King wasn't interested in a world where no one saw color. He desired a world where people saw color, but saw no difference in it. At the Tapestry Conference this past October, Chris and Kayla sat down with Nisia Murray who has been a long-time source of encouragement, mentoring, and a voice of hope in helping white parents know the world their black children are growing up in.

During Tapestry Conference 2016, Cindy Lee and Kayla North joined Chris behind the mics to talk about Cindy's TBRI-based children books. Cindy shares the story of the books' creation, and the trio talk about the different ways the lessons within have impacted and helped their families. Cindy also shares a road map of upcoming books in the series. Cindy is the Executive Director of HALO Project, which is an intensive intervention program for foster and adoptive children who have experienced relational trauma. All proceeds from her book sales go to HALO Project in Oklahoma City, and The Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development. All of Cindy's books can be found on Amazon.

Ryan and Kayla North join Chris Turner and they discuss why the holiday season is so difficult for many of our kids. They share personal insights from their experiences, as well as ways that they have learned to help their children, and themselves, navigate the holidays successfully.  

Chris talks with Jason Weber, National Director of CAFO's (Christian Alliance For Orphans) Foster Care Initiative, about Jason's new book, Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn. Based on a true story, it's a children's book with lots of parallels to foster care and the church's involvement in helping kids in foster care. You can purchase your copy of Farmer Herman and the Flooding Barn: A story about 344 people working together to solve a big, big, big problem on AMAZON. Be sure to check out all of the resources available at MoveTheBarn.Org 

During Tapestry Conference 2016, Chris was able to chat with Kayla North and Mandy Howard on how trauma is developmental. An Assistant Professor of Psychology at Samford University, Dr. Howard talked about how as a child develops and ages, how they process and express past trauma will change, too. How do we handle the trauma when our child is fifteen versus when they were five? How do we recognize the need behind our child's behavior?

During Tapestry Conference 2016, Chris sat down with Bruce Kendrick, founder of Embrace Texas, to discuss Embrace's role in partnering with local churches to meet the needs of foster children. They discuss our nation's collective mindset about adoption and foster care, and the need for the Church to partner with state child welfare agencies and local case workers to ensure the best care for children in the foster care system. More information about the mission of Embrace Texas, and how they can help your church, can be found at http://embracetexas.org.

Chris Turner discusses the 2016 Tapestry Adoption & Foster Care Conference with Ryan and Kayla North. The 2016 Tapestry Adoption & Foster Care Conference will be held October 21-22 at Irving Bible Church. Last year we went Back to Basics, so this year we decided to go Beyond the Basics. Each of our presenters will spend the first part of their sessions introducing connected parenting principles and strategies and then they will share creative and next level ways to implement them. Our kids need parents who are committed to their healing and who are willing to be creative in their parenting. tapestryconference.org

Chris Turner is joined by Ryan and Kayla North as well as a very special guest, his wife Kelly. The four of them discuss some of the old parenting ways that they are trying to leave behind and how they repair their mistakes with their kids when they fail. Listen as the group share openly and honestly about their parenting struggles. Tapestry  Empowered to Connect Tapestry Conference

Teachers are a big part of our kids' lives. It is important that we interact with them in appropriate ways while treating them well too. Listen as Chris discusses what's appropriate and how to advocate for your child with their teacher as well as the school with Ryan and Kayla. Creating Trauma Informed Classrooms The Connected Child The Whole-Brain Child

It's August and it's time to start thinking about getting back to school. Chris Turner discusses why getting into the school routine (practicing outside of the moment) and proper nutrition and sleep are necessary for a successful start to the school year with Ryan and Kayla North. Notes: TheBreakfast Station Tapestry Empowered toConnect

Chris Turner plays a round of "Give me an Example" with Ryan and Kayla North. Our team has some fun sharing examples of what a "yes" sandwich is amongst other things.

Chris Turner discusses compassion, what it is, and why it's a vital component of our parenting with Ryan and Kayla North. They discuss how sympathy and empathy are both necessary in order to have longevity to our compassion amongst other things. 

Ryan North sits down with Irving Bible Church Executive Pastor Bryan Eck and discusses a little of Tapestry's history and why it is important that the church embrace and support Adoption and Foster Care.