Katy Faust: Children's Rights, IVF, and Raising Conservative Kids

Katy Faust: Children's Rights, IVF, and Raising Conservative Kids

This week on the Raising Rock Podcast, I sit down with Katy Faust, founder of Them Before Us and author of Raising Conservative Kids in a Woke City. This episode originally aired in 2025, but in light of recent headlines surrounding abortion, Down syndrome, and growing conversations about human value, we felt it deserved another moment in the spotlight. At the heart of Katy's work is a simple but challenging question: What happens when the desires of adults conflict with the rights and needs of children? Together, we discuss children's rights, God's design for family, and some of the most difficult cultural questions facing parents today. We talk about IVF, surrogacy, donor conception, same-sex parenting, and why Katy believes every child has a right to be known and loved by their mother and father whenever possible. We also discuss how parents can raise children with biblical convictions in a culture that increasingly challenges those beliefs. Katy shares practical wisdom from her book, including ways to help children think critically, engage culture with confidence, and stand firm in truth without losing compassion. Whether you agree with every conclusion or are hearing these ideas for the first time, this conversation will challenge you to think deeply about family, human dignity, and what it means to put children first. Topics discussed: • Children's rights and the mission of Them Before Us • IVF, surrogacy, and donor conception • God's design for family • Raising conservative kids in a progressive culture • Teaching children to think biblically • Truth, courage, and compassion in today's world As parents, our goal isn't simply to tell our children what to think. Our goal is to teach them how to think biblically. We hope this conversation helps you do exactly that. How to connect with Katy: Learn more about Them Before Us [https://thembeforeus.com/] Learn more about Katy Faust [https://katyfaust.com/] Follow Katy Faust [https://www.instagram.com/katyfaustofficial/] and Them Before Us [https://www.instagram.com/them_before_us/] on Instagram How to connect with Raising Rock: Learn more about ⁠Raising Rock⁠ [https://raisingrockco.com/]. Follow Raising Rock on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/raisingrockco/?hl=en] and ⁠Pinterest⁠ [https://www.pinterest.com/raisingrockco/]. ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/raisingrockco/?hl=en] On our website, you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock. On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more. As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer). Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Apologetics for Moms: Where to Start

What do you say when your child asks, "How do we know God is real?" Or, "Did Jesus really rise from the dead?" What about the question at the foundation of so many others: "Is there such a thing as truth?" In this episode of Raising Rock, Elise sits down with Tricia Scribner of Dr. Nana Talks and Mama Bear Apologetics to discuss why apologetics matters for families and how parents can begin equipping their children to think critically about faith, truth, and Christianity. Whether you've never studied apologetics before or you're looking for practical ways to have deeper conversations with your kids, this episode will help you navigate some of the biggest questions your children may face. Together, they discuss how to teach kids to defend their faith, how to evaluate competing truth claims, evidence for the existence of God, the historical case for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and why a strong biblical worldview matters in today's culture. More importantly, this conversation is not just for your children. It is for you, too. If you've ever wrestled with questions about faith, doubted your ability to answer hard questions, or wanted greater confidence in what you believe and why you believe it, this episode will encourage and strengthen your own faith journey. Topics discussed include: • Christian apologetics for parents • How to teach apologetics to children • Is there objective truth? • How do we know God exists? • Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus • Defending the Christian faith • Raising children with a biblical worldview • Critical thinking and faith • Answering tough questions about Christianity • Faith-based parenting and discipleship This is a conversation every Christian parent should hear because the goal is not simply to teach our children what to believe, but to help them understand why it is true. How to connect with Tricia: Learn more about Tricia [https://drnanatalksfaith.com/] Follow Tricia on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drnanatalksfaith/] Learn more about Mama Bear Apologetics [https://mamabearapologetics.com/] Follow Mama Bear Apologetics on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mamabearapologetics/] ⁠⁠ [https://raisingrockco.com/]How to connect with Raising Rock: Learn more about ⁠Raising Rock⁠ [https://raisingrockco.com/]. Follow Raising Rock on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/raisingrockco/?hl=en] and ⁠Pinterest⁠ [https://www.pinterest.com/raisingrockco/]. On our website, you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock. On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more. As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer). Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Surrendered Motherhood: They were never ours!!!!

Motherhood requires relinquishing from the verybeginning. We relinquish sleep. Time. Comfort. Control. Plans. Dreams. And eventually, even our hearts as our children grow and leave home. And as much as we relinquish, there is still this subtlethread of ownership that runs through motherhood. That our children belong to us. In this episode, Elise shares the message she gave onMother’s Day on what it means to truly surrender our children to the Lord through the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel. Because surrendered motherhood is not just about givingthings up. It is about settling ownership. Our children are not ours to control. They are entrusted to us by God to steward. This conversation dives into: • Why control keeps us anxious • How convenience quietly shapes our parenting • Why comfort can become an idol • How to teach our children discernment instead of dependence on us • What it practically looks like to parent with open hands Surrendered Motherhood is hard. A surrendered life is hard. But not surrendering to the Lord is a different kind of hard. Pick your hard.   ⁠⁠ [https://raisingrockco.com/]How to connect with Raising Rock: Learn more about ⁠Raising Rock⁠ [https://raisingrockco.com/]. Follow Raising Rock on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/raisingrockco/?hl=en] and ⁠Pinterest⁠ [https://www.pinterest.com/raisingrockco/]. ⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/raisingrockco/?hl=en] ⁠ [https://www.pinterest.com/raisingrockco/] On our website, you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock. On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more. As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer). Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Made to Magnify with Morgan Krueger | Christian Motherhood, Letting Go of Control, and Choosing Jesus Over Self

Do you ever feel like your happiness depends on everything going your way? As moms, we are constantly managing schedules, meeting needs, and carrying the responsibilities of home and family. Without even realizing it, our peace can become tied to our expectations, our plans, and our desire for things to unfold the way we hoped. When that happens, our focus subtly shifts. Instead of magnifying Jesus, we begin magnifying our own needs, our frustrations, and our circumstances. In this episode of the Raising Rock Podcast, we are joined by author Morgan Krueger to discuss her new book, Made to Magnify: Choosing to Live for Jesus When Everything Tells You to Live for Yourself. Together, we talk about the daily battle between living for our own comfort and happiness and living for the glory of God. Morgan shares biblical encouragement for Christian moms who want to trust God more deeply, surrender control, and find lasting peace by fixing their eyes on Christ. If you have ever felt overwhelmed when life does not go according to plan, this conversation will remind you that true joy is not found in getting everything you want. It is found in making much of Jesus. You were not made to magnify yourself. You were made to magnify Him. How to connect with Morgan: Learn more about Morgan [https://www.instagram.com/morganwkrueger/] How to connect with Raising Rock: Learn more about ⁠Raising Rock⁠ [https://raisingrockco.com/]. Follow Raising Rock on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/raisingrockco/?hl=en] and ⁠Pinterest⁠ [https://www.pinterest.com/raisingrockco/]. ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/raisingrockco/?hl=en] On our website, you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock. On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more. As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer). Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Faith After Infant Loss: Lauren Cummings Johnson on Grief, Obedience, and Hope

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of infant loss and grief. In this deeply moving conversation, Elise sits down with Lauren Cummings Johnson of Choose Joy Nursing to hear her powerful testimony of faith in the midst of unimaginable loss. Lauren shares the story of her daughter, Lily Ann, who was diagnosed with a rare illness and passed away as an infant. She opens up about what it looked like to walk in obedience when God asked her to surrender the child she loved so deeply, how she and her husband navigated grief, and the ways the Lord has sustained them through heartbreak. Lauren also shares what it has been like to carry grief while preparing to welcome her son—holding both sorrow and hope at the same time. In this episode, we discuss: * Infant loss and grieving as a Christian mother * Trusting God when His plan is painful * Walking in obedience during suffering * Pregnancy after loss * Finding hope in Christ * Choosing joy and extending grace in every season If you are walking through infant loss, miscarriage, pregnancy after loss, or deep grief of any kind, we pray this conversation reminds you that God is near to the brokenhearted and faithful in every season. How to connect with Lauren: Learn more about Lauren [https://www.instagram.com/laurencummingsjohnson/]. Learn more about Choose Joy Nursing [https://www.instagram.com/choosejoynursing/]. Listen to the song [https://youtu.be/qyUPz6_TciY] that Lauren discusses on the show. How to connect with Raising Rock: Learn more about ⁠Raising Rock⁠ [https://raisingrockco.com/]. Follow Raising Rock on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/raisingrockco/?hl=en] and ⁠Pinterest⁠ [https://www.pinterest.com/raisingrockco/]. On our website, you’ll find our products and merch, parenting tools and resources, and a deeper look into who we are and the heart behind Raising Rock. On the Resources page, you’ll also discover free downloads created just for families—practical tools to help you raise a ROCK, a Playlist For The Heart, and more. As a thank-you for being a podcast listener, enjoy 20% off your first order with code PODCAST20 (one-time use per customer). Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.