030 - The Gospel of Life: Understanding the How and Why of God’s Love (a discussion with Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo)

030 - The Gospel of Life: Understanding the How and Why of God’s Love (a discussion with Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo)

You may know Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo as trusted voices in parenting, offering wisdom and guidance to families as they navigate raising children. In this episode of the Life Parenting Podcast, Rich and Julie Young sit down with Gary and Anne Marie to discuss Gary’s newest book—his first beyond the topic of parenting—and a message that reaches even deeper. Because before we can fully shape the hearts of our children, we first need to understand the heart of the One who pursues ours. Together, they explore The Gospel of Life and the beautiful story woven throughout Scripture: God pursues, God recovers, God rejoices. This conversation dives into God’s relentless love, the deeper meaning behind redemption, and why understanding His heart transforms the way we live, love, and parent. This isn’t just a conversation for parents—it’s a conversation for anyone longing to better understand the story they’ve been invited into. Whether you’re actively raising children or simply seeking a deeper understanding of God’s heart, this episode offers a perspective that can reshape not only how we see our faith, but also how we love and lead the people entrusted to us. Rich & Julie Young, hosts Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo, founders of Growing Families Resources Mentioned in the Episode: → The Gospel of Life in the bookstore [https://www.gfibookshop.com/products/20-2001-gospel-of-life⁠] → The Gospel of Life on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4sifzmS] —-------------------------------------------------- → The Growing Families Website [https://growingfamilies.life/] → Register for a Class [https://growingfamilies.life/find-a-class] → Our Courses [https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-courses⁠] → The U.S. Bookstore [https://growingfamilies.life/bookshop⁠] → The Australia & NZ Bookstore [https://aushop.growingfamilies.life/⁠] → The Asia Pacific Bookstore [https://growingfamiliessg.life/store/] → The Brazil Bookstore [https://www.lojadafamilia.org.br/⁠] → Contact Mom Ministry // https://contactmom.life/ [https://contactmom.life/] → Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/growingfamilieslife] → Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/GrowingFamiliesLife] → YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@GrowingFamiliesLife] Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life [podcast@growingfamilies.life]

029 - Owner or Steward? The Perspective Shift That Transforms Family Finances

Money can be one of the greatest sources of stress in a marriage followed closely by children and family. That’s why it’s so important that we don’t leave our children to learn about money by accident. In this episode, we explore Biblical principles surrounding money and how to intentionally teach them to our children. We unpack the truth that everything we have belongs to God. We are not owners. We are stewards, called to wisely manage what He has entrusted to us. Using the simple and practical LIVE, GIVE, OWE, GROW framework, we talk through how to shape a God-honoring view of finances at every age: * Live – Understanding essential and discretionary expenses and creating a thoughtful and practical spending plan (otherwise known as a budget) * Give – Seeing generosity as a reflection of the heart. God doesn’t want generosity from us as much as He wants it for us * Owe – Addressing taxes and debt, and why Scripture warns that debt enslaves us. We discuss how to take your kids along on your journey toward becoming debt-free * Grow – Teaching saving and investing as tools for wisdom, provision, and future impact We also introduce a win–win philosophy, one that helps families make financial decisions that align with Biblical values while preparing the next generation to live faithfully, generously, and responsibly. If you want your children to see money as a tool for God’s purposes rather than a source of fear or control, this conversation will give you both vision and practical steps to get started. Rich & Julie Young, hosts Resources Mentioned in the Episode: → Episode 17: The Entitlement Epidemic: A Parent's Guide to Recognition and Remedy // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4m0mrKFOhIsRPCFUhbO4DV?si=dcd2a0d17657478c⁠] // Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000713036331⁠] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/Ff4cK4v8VgE⁠] → Kingdom Advisors [https://kingdomadvisors.com/⁠] → Christian Financial Concepts by Larry Burkett [https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Financial-Concepts-Complete-Principles/dp/B0006X65K0] → Financial Peace Class [https://www.ramseysolutions.com/money/financial-peace⁠] → Dave Ramsey Resources [https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/useful-forms] → Generous Giving organization [https://generousgiving.org/] → JOG: Journey of Generosity [https://generousgiving.org/events/jog/] —-------------------------------------------------- → The Growing Families Website [https://growingfamilies.life/] → Register for a Class [https://growingfamilies.life/find-a-class] → Our Courses [https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-courses⁠] → The U.S. Bookstore [https://growingfamilies.life/bookshop⁠] → The Australia & NZ Bookstore [https://aushop.growingfamilies.life/⁠] → The Asia Pacific Bookstore [https://growingfamiliessg.life/store/] → The Brazil Bookstore [https://www.lojadafamilia.org.br/⁠] → Contact Mom Ministry [https://contactmom.life/⁠] → Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/growingfamilieslife] → Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/GrowingFamiliesLife] → YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@GrowingFamiliesLife]   Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life [podcast@growingfamilies.life]

028 - Marriage that Lasts: What We've Learned in 57 Years of Marriage (a discussion with Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo)

Drawing from 57 years of marriage, Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo share from their deep well of wisdom on what it truly means to love, honor, and grow together as husband and wife. In this authentic conversation, they reflect on how marriage is designed to complete, not compete, and how returning to “that moment” of commitment reminds couples of why they chose to be together.. They explore the power of seeing more in your spouse than they see in themselves, refusing to define one another by their worst moments, and protecting each other’s dignity, especially in public. You’ll also hear practical insight on respecting pain without minimizing it, honoring hesitation and boundaries, recognizing subtle cues, and valuing each other’s expressions of worship. Throughout it all, Gary and Anne Marie remind couples to continually point one another back to God’s faithfulness and goodness. Rich & Julie Young, hosts Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo, founders of Growing Families Resources Mentioned in the Episode: → Parenting from the Tree of Life Material [⁠https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-from-the-tree-of-life] → The Gospel of Life book [https://www.gfibookshop.com/products/20-2001-gospel-of-life⁠] —-------------------------------------------------- → The Growing Families Website [https://growingfamilies.life/] → Register for a Class [https://growingfamilies.life/find-a-class] → Our Courses [https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-courses⁠] → The U.S. Bookstore [https://growingfamilies.life/bookshop⁠] → The Australia & NZ Bookstore [https://aushop.growingfamilies.life/⁠] → The Asia Pacific Bookstore [https://growingfamiliessg.life/store/] → The Brazil Bookstore [https://www.lojadafamilia.org.br/⁠] → Contact Mom Ministry [https://contactmom.life/⁠] → Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/growingfamilieslife] → Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/GrowingFamiliesLife] → YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@GrowingFamiliesLife]   Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life [podcast@growingfamilies.life]

027 - Incremental Change, Eternal Impact: Seeking God’s Vision for Your Family and Life

Join Rich and Julie Young as they invite you to pause and ask a powerful question: What is your preferred future? In this episode, they talk about vision, not just dreaming about what could be, but prayerfully discerning what God desires for your life and family. They explore the temptation to simply decorate the house when the foundation is cracked, and why lasting change requires the courage to inspect what’s underneath. Rather than living stuck in the past, they discuss how to use your past as a tool for evaluation, allowing it to inform the future God is calling you toward. Together, they walk through seven foundational pillars that shape a healthy, God-honoring life and home: 1. Personal spiritual growth 2. Marriage 3. A life-giving home environment 4. Order in the home 5. Finances 6. Health 7. Family identity Small, faithful adjustments in these areas can lead to eternal impact. This conversation will encourage you to evaluate honestly, realign intentionally, and move forward with hope and purpose. Rich & Julie Young, hosts Resources Mentioned in the Episode: → ⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Nc215XXPhmTveq4uGMouA?si=50ef80a7d8a54154]Episode 1: Is ten minutes all it takes? (Couch Time) // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Nc215XXPhmTveq4uGMouA?si=50ef80a7d8a54154] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000675565337] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/BWW9QLtXVpM⁠] → ⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Nc215XXPhmTveq4uGMouA?si=50ef80a7d8a54154]Episode 6: Hit the right target. (Vision part 1) // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Ej4bNYVsCWH9nZtKc4HAo?si=dcdbf7f406d84de5] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000682091515] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/xA1BDpFOFl8] → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Nc215XXPhmTveq4uGMouA?si=50ef80a7d8a54154]Episode 7: Wait for the second marshmallow. (Vision part 2) // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2NjCeVaqn4kgQWprQ4lVdE?si=aba04e5dbc3e4b3e] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000683826270] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/nob586qd-oU⁠] → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Nc215XXPhmTveq4uGMouA?si=50ef80a7d8a54154]Episode 2: A matter of life and death. (Speaking Life) // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5BDHOwiCT9oCRsDYgNSu2H?si=49655cfea72441ec] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000675566311] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/Sate5g6jOVI⁠] → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Nc215XXPhmTveq4uGMouA?si=50ef80a7d8a54154]Episode 3: What’s in your atmosphere? (The Life Giving Home Environment): Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/24YZDaSpfaIndHS08nBLPi?si=679b25eb053c4257] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000677278475] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/CoCfHp3LGV4⁠] → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Nc215XXPhmTveq4uGMouA?si=50ef80a7d8a54154]Episode 20: Speaking Life into Broken Places: Hope After Trauma and Moral Injury // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/3N30Y3myseBB6KiDc4Nj3B?si=5bc67b73078a4817] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000725461489] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/W41iDCIYy8w] → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Nc215XXPhmTveq4uGMouA?si=50ef80a7d8a54154]Episode 16: The Hidden Influence: How Structure & Routine Shape Your Child's Development // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HEFhmZteunMea2e7eLgNo?si=9e3fec18bb1141bf] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000708945515] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/3SL9xPm2sUA] → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Nc215XXPhmTveq4uGMouA?si=50ef80a7d8a54154]Episode 15: Is First Time Obedience Worth It? The Neuroscience Says Yes. // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ow5EsypthOc34dl5Pn3F5?si=30e59e046f03469f] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000706310847] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/8V6BN-3cvDo⁠] Financial Resources: → 2,000 verses in the Bible → Financial Peace Class [https://www.ramseysolutions.com/money/financial-peace] → Parenting from the Tree of Life [https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-from-the-tree-of-life⁠] Video Segments Related to this episode: → Building Family Identity: Interdependent versus Independent [https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-from-the-tree-of-lifeblog/2018/6/1/lsv13-08s-building-family-identity-interdependent-versus-independent⁠] → Building Healthy Identity into Children [https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-from-the-tree-of-lifeblog/2018/6/1/lsv13-07s-building-healthy-identity-into-children] —-------------------------------------------------- → The Growing Families Website [https://growingfamilies.life/] → Register for a Class [https://growingfamilies.life/find-a-class] → Our Courses [https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-courses⁠] → The U.S. Bookstore [https://growingfamilies.life/bookshop⁠] → The Australia & NZ Bookstore [https://aushop.growingfamilies.life/⁠] → The Asia Pacific Bookstore [https://growingfamiliessg.life/store/] → The Brazil Bookstore [https://www.lojadafamilia.org.br/⁠] → Contact Mom Ministry [https://contactmom.life/⁠] → Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/growingfamilieslife] → Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/GrowingFamiliesLife] → YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@GrowingFamiliesLife]   Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life [podcast@growingfamilies.life]

026 - Holiday Harmony: Navigating Extended Family, Differing Viewpoints, and Travel (a discussion with Darrell & Janelle Downs)

In this episode, Rich and Julie Young welcome guests, Darrell and Janelle Downs. They dive head first into the beautiful—and sometimes bumpy—reality of spending the holidays with extended family. From navigating differing viewpoints to traveling with kids, they explore how to stay grounded, prayerful, and united when the season gets complicated. They talk about how to show up prayed up, relying on the Holy Spirit to give us the strength to speak life, love well, and handle challenging interactions with grace. You’ll hear practical, heartfelt wisdom on preparing kids for awkward family dynamics, protecting them from what they’re not ready for, and preserving meaningful traditions even while staying in someone else’s home. They also share strategies for keeping kids on track during travel—why you “train at home, not on the road,” the importance of consistent sleep schedules, and how to reset rhythms once you return. Plus, they unpack how unity as a couple shapes the whole family experience (and how GFI principles support that), and what to do when unsolicited advice comes your way. The holidays are a prime opportunity to teach our children how to love well, extend grace, serve joyfully, and engage thoughtfully. Wherever you go, your family identity goes with you—and this episode helps you carry it with confidence, peace, and purpose. Rich & Julie Young, hosts Darrell & Janelle Downs, Growing Families leaders Resources Mentioned in the Episode: → Episode 2: A matter of life and death. (Speaking Life) // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5BDHOwiCT9oCRsDYgNSu2H?si=49655cfea72441ec] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000675566311] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/Sate5g6jOVI⁠] → Episode 3: What’s in your atmosphere? (The Life Giving Home Environment) // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/24YZDaSpfaIndHS08nBLPi?si=679b25eb053c4257] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000677278475] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/CoCfHp3LGV4⁠] → Episode 1: Is ten minutes all it takes? (Couch Time) // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Nc215XXPhmTveq4uGMouA?si=50ef80a7d8a54154] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000675565337] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/BWW9QLtXVpM⁠] → Episode 6: Hit the right target. (Vision part 1) // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Ej4bNYVsCWH9nZtKc4HAo?si=dcdbf7f406d84de5] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000682091515] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/xA1BDpFOFl8] → Episode 7: Wait for the second marshmallow. (Vision part 2) // Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2NjCeVaqn4kgQWprQ4lVdE?si=aba04e5dbc3e4b3e] // Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-parenting-podcast/id1774999134?i=1000683826270] // YouTube [https://youtu.be/nob586qd-oU⁠] —-------------------------------------------------- → The Growing Families Website [https://growingfamilies.life/] → Register for a Class [https://growingfamilies.life/find-a-class] → Our Courses [https://growingfamilies.life/parenting-courses⁠] → The U.S. Bookstore [https://growingfamilies.life/bookshop⁠] → The Australia & NZ Bookstore [https://aushop.growingfamilies.life/⁠] → The Asia Pacific Bookstore [https://growingfamiliessg.life/store/] → The Brazil Bookstore [https://www.lojadafamilia.org.br/⁠] → Contact Mom Ministry [https://contactmom.life/⁠] → Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/growingfamilieslife] → Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/GrowingFamiliesLife] → YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@GrowingFamiliesLife]   Email questions or topic suggestions to podcast@growingfamilies.life [podcast@growingfamilies.life]