8. Commitment to Community & Connection: A Discussion with Beth Lansing

Introducing Strong Tower

Welcome to the Strong Tower podcast! Leslie and Lisa, with diverse backgrounds, unite in this first season of Strong Tower to address contemporary challenges confronting youth. Leslie's upbringing in a Christadelphian family and Lisa's journey to baptism in 2018 from a mainstream Christian background shape their perspectives. With Lisa’s experience in the field of sexual abuse and exploitation prevention, Leslie explains their collaboration on a webinar series featuring expert Chris McKenna of “Protect Young Minds,” among others, which led to the creation of the Strong Tower podcast. They discuss plans to interview brothers and sisters with expertise in mental health, addiction, parenting, and child welfare. Finally, celebrating God's presence in life's challenges, Leslie and Lisa invite listeners to join them in engaging conversations at Strong Tower where faith intersects with real-world issues. Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

8. Commitment to Community & Connection: A Discussion with Beth Lansing

In this episode, hosts Leslie and Lisa chat with Beth Lansing about the profound impact of community on family and children. Beth, a mother of four and grandmother to 14, describes her extensive background in teaching at-risk students. She emphasizes the critical need for community support in challenging circumstances. Leslie, Lisa and Beth touch on themes of love, service and the broader family that extends beyond biological ties. Beth offers valuable insights and practical suggestions for building a resilient and connected community for children's well-being and identity formation.

7. Please Stay: A Discussion on Suicide with Matt Drabenstott

In this episode, Leslie and Lisa interview Matt Drabenstott about suicide and how to help someone struggling with suicidal thoughts. Matt shares his personal and professional experiences with suicide, including his own loss and his research on youth suicide prevention. They discuss the alarming rise of suicide rates, particularly among young people, and the factors that contribute to it. Matt explains the importance of belongingness and feeling like a burden in understanding suicidal thoughts. They also explore the role of the community in providing support and the significance of open and caring conversations about mental health. They discuss how to support someone who has lost a loved one to suicide, the impact of social media on youth mental health, and how to comfort children who are struggling with a parent figure or older person threatening suicide. Matt emphasizes the importance of being alongside those who are hurting, offering support and resources, and intervening if necessary. He also highlights the complexities of social media, acknowledging both its positive and negative effects. The conversation ends with a prayerful plea for those struggling to stay and a reminder of their worth.

6. Eternity Verses Gaming: Jordan Anderson on Gaming Addiction

In this episode, Leslie and Lisa discuss gaming addiction with Jordan Anderson. They explore why gaming is compelling, such as providing escapism and allowing the creation of new identities. The conversation addresses toxic behavior and bullying in online communities and the impact of gaming on mental health and development. Jordan shares his personal experience with gaming addiction, emphasizing the importance of developing other skills and finding purpose. They discuss the desensitization to violence and detachment from reality due to gaming, particularly concerning the community regarding conscientious objection and the implications for young people in a draft. The episode stresses the importance of self-reflection, seeking help, and choosing appropriate games for children. It highlights the need for parental involvement and awareness of online dangers. The discussion concludes by reflecting on the importance of love and support for those struggling with addiction.

5. Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves: Leslie and Lisa on Sexual Extortion, Sexting, Online Grooming

In this episode, Leslie and Lisa discuss the topics of online grooming, sexual extortion, and sexting. They emphasize the importance of addressing these issues to protect children and prevent harm. Sexting, the act of sending sexualized images, has become increasingly common among young people and is associated with various negative consequences. The dissemination of sexting material on mainstream pornography platforms and the dark web poses significant risks. Leslie and Lisa explore the issue of online predators. Lisa emphasizes the importance of mitigating risks by delaying access to devices, having open conversations, and implementing rules and parental controls. Building trust and creating a safe environment for children is crucial in preventing exploitation. The conversation turns to the permanence of digital content and the traumatic consequences it can have on individuals. Lisa and Leslie consider the impediment to faith caused by sexual abuse and the need for community efforts to prevent such abuse. They conclude the episode by discussing the dangers of AI manipulated images and the need for vigilance in protecting personal information.