Parenting Without Panic: A Conversation About Doubt & Faith With Dr. Steven Turley

How to Raise Kids with Love & Grace

What happens when a parenting expert becomes a grandma—and her daughter becomes a parent? In this fun and honest episode, Deb Engen and Ericka Graham reflect on decades of parenting, grandparenting, and growing together. They unpack real-life lessons from Love & Logic, talk about the difference between praise and encouragement, and explore how parenting philosophies shift over time. This mother-daughter duo will leave you laughing, nodding, and rethinking how you parent—with love, grace, and logic. Being a parent is hard. Being a grandparent who raised a parent? Also hard. But also hilarious. And heart-melting. And full of wisdom. In this episode of The Roots That Last Podcast, we’re joined by Deb and Erika Graham—a mother-daughter duo with a whole lot of experience, empathy, and straight-up truth. Deb brings decades of parenting expertise (and yes, she taught Love & Logic to stadiums full of people), while Erika shares what it’s like to be a modern parent trying to honor that wisdom without losing her own voice. They dive into: 💬 The power of encouragement vs. praise 🤹‍♀️ How parenting philosophies shift between generations 🚫 The hard truth about setting boundaries with grandparents 🧠 What kids really learn from how we live ❤️ Why parenting with grace reflects the heart of the Gospel This one’s full of laughs, warmth, and wisdom for anyone navigating family dynamics while trying to raise kids with faith that lasts. 🎙 Episode Title: Faith, Grace & Love and Logic – Parenting Across Generations 💡 Episode Summary: What happens when a mom who taught parenting for decades becomes a grandma—and her daughter becomes a parent? Deb Engen and Ericka Graham open up about how their relationship has evolved, the joys and tensions of grandparenting, and how grace-centered parenting can be both deeply practical and deeply spiritual. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro to Deb & Ericka 04:00 – What Ericka learned from her mom’s parenting 06:30 – Bedtime prayers, gratitude, and faith in childhood 10:00 – Transitioning from daughter to mom—and finding her own voice 14:00 – The beauty and tension of being a close-by grandparent 17:00 – The difference between praise and encouragement 21:00 – Using Love & Logic with toddlers, teens, and everyone in between 25:00 – Why following through is so hard (but necessary) 31:00 – The connection between Love & Logic and the gospel 36:00 – Encouragement, identity, and grace in parenting 39:00 – Why modeling matters more than rules 💬 Key Takeaways: Encouragement is specific. Praise is generic. One builds identity; the other doesn’t. Kids need boundaries and empathy—grace and truth. Parents and grandparents need healthy boundaries too. Love & Logic isn’t just a method—it’s a mindset that mirrors God’s grace. Your kids don’t need perfection. They need your presence and your example. 📚 Resources Mentioned: Parenting with Love & Logic by Charles Fay & Jim Fay 📣 Join the Conversation: Got a question or story to share? Email us at info@ecclesiahouston.org Follow along for more: @ecclesiahouston 🔔 Subscribe & Leave a Review! If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend and leave a quick review—it helps us keep creating great content for families like yours!

Parenting Without Panic: A Conversation About Doubt & Faith With Dr. Steven Turley

This week on Roots That Last, we welcome Dr. Steve Turley and Alejandro Turley to discuss navigating doubt and faith within the family. Dr. Turley, a seminary director, and Alejandro, a thoughtful high school senior, share their experiences and insights on creating an environment where children feel comfortable asking tough questions and exploring their beliefs. Discover practical tips for parents on fostering open communication, embracing the mysteries of faith, and encouraging critical thinking. Podcast Show Notes: Episode Title: Navigating Doubt & Faith with Dr. Steve Turley & Alejandro Turley Hosts: Madeline Robinson & Ryan Bien Guests: Dr. Steve Turley - Director of Baylor's Truett Seminary in Houston, Texas Alejandro Turley Key Topics: Creating a safe space for children to ask questions about faith The importance of open communication within families How to approach tough questions and doubts about faith The role of role models in shaping faith Acknowledging the mysteries inherent in faith Balancing faith and reason The "Bible or AI" game Resources Mentioned: BioLogos: www.https://biologos.org/ [https://biologos.org/] (website exploring the intersection of science and faith) InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Subscribe to Roots That Last on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more insightful conversations on faith and family. Share this episode with a friend who might find it helpful. Connect With Us: Website: www.ecclesiahouston.org Social Media: @ecclesiahouston

How To Parent Without Losing Yourself

Parenting is one of life’s biggest transitions. It changes how you spend your time, how you see yourself, and even how you experience faith. But does it have to mean losing yourself? In this episode, Ryan Bean steps into the guest chair to talk about identity, purpose, and how to navigate parenting without sacrificing who you are. He shares insights on balancing personal faith with family life, why "perfect balance" is a myth, and how embracing your identity as God’s beloved can anchor you through the ups and downs of raising kids. Episode Title:Faith, Doubt & Identity – How to Be a Parent Without Losing Yourself Episode Summary: Becoming a parent changes everything—but does it mean losing yourself in the process? This week, Ryan Bien joins the conversation to unpack what it means to hold onto your identity and purpose while navigating the demands of parenting. From finding balance (spoiler: it’s a myth) to embracing your identity as God's beloved, this episode is packed with real talk, wisdom, and encouragement. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro – Parenting & the fear of losing yourself (04:05) The identity shift of becoming a parent (10:00) Balancing parenthood, purpose & faith (15:30) The myth of perfect balance (& why it doesn’t exist) (22:10) Practical ways to stay connected to your faith and self (30:45) The power of community & finding your inner circle (40:00) Final thoughts & key takeaways Key Takeaways: Parenting will change you, but it doesn’t have to erase you. Your identity isn’t just "Mom" or "Dad"—you are God’s beloved first. Finding balance is more about rhythm than perfection. Community is essential—don’t try to do this alone. Join the Conversation: 📩 Have a question or story to share? Email us at info@ecclesiahouston.org 📲 Connect with us @ecclesiahouston 🔔 Subscribe & Leave a Review! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts—it really helps others find the show!

Faith, Doubt & Freedom - How to Let Your Kids Explore Their Faith

Faith. Doubt. Growing up. Every child will wrestle with what they believe, and as parents, it can be hard to know how to respond. Should you push them toward faith? Give them space? What if they start questioning everything? In this episode of The Roots That Last Podcast, we sit down with Sean & Rochelle Palmer to talk about how to guide your kids through their own faith journey—without forcing it. They share real-life parenting stories, including how they navigated a season when their daughter identified as agnostic, the importance of open conversations, and why letting go might actually help your child hold onto faith. 🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ Why questioning faith is a normal part of growing up ✔️ How to create a home where faith conversations happen naturally ✔️ The balance between guidance and letting go ✔️ How to respond when your child expresses doubts about faith ✔️ Practical ways to encourage kids to explore their beliefs Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! New episodes drop on the first Wednesday of every month. 🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube 👉 Follow us for more: www.ecclesiahouston.org/rootspodcast [http://www.ecclesiahouston.org/rootspodcast] | @ecclesiahouston 📌 Show Notes: Episode Title: Faith, Doubt & Letting Go – How to Help Your Kids Explore Their Own Faith Episode Summary: In today’s episode, we talk with Sean & Rochelle Palmer about how to navigate faith, doubt, and exploration in parenting. As kids grow up, they start questioning everything—including their faith. So how do we, as parents, help them wrestle with these questions without pushing them away? The Palmers share their personal experiences, including: ✅ The moment their daughter said she was agnostic and how they responded ✅ Why “don’t be a Twitter atheist” became a core parenting lesson ✅ How to create an environment where faith conversations happen naturally ✅ The power of letting go and trusting your child’s faith journey ✅ How family rhythms, discussions, and personal example shape kids' beliefs Timestamps: (00:00) Intro – Why this conversation matters (03:15) The adolescent crisis – when kids realize parents aren’t always right (08:40) What to do when your child expresses doubt about faith (15:30) How to balance guidance with giving kids space (22:10) Why forcing faith can backfire & what to do instead (30:45) Practical ways to encourage spiritual exploration (45:00) Final thoughts & key takeaways Join the Conversation: 📩 Have a question or story to share? Email us at info@ecclesiahouston.org 📲 Connect with us @ecclesiahouston 🔔 Subscribe & Leave a Review! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts—it really helps others find the show!

Introducing the Roots That Last Podcast!

Welcome to the launch of the Roots That Last podcast! In this special introductory episode, hosts Madeline and Ryan share their excitement and vision for the series. Together, they explore the essence of creating a lasting faith in families and the vital role intergenerational conversations play in this journey. Get to know Madeline’s fresh Gen Z perspective and Ryan’s seasoned insights from ministry and parenting. Tune in to discover what’s in store and why this podcast is a must-listen for Christian parents seeking to guide their children in love and faith. Listen now and subscribe to join our community! Hosts: Madeline & Ryan Episode Highlights: Introduction to the podcast’s theme and purpose Insights into Madeline and Ryan's backgrounds and perspectives Discussion on the importance of intergenerational dialogue Overview of upcoming content and exciting guest appearances Call to Action: Subscribe to the podcast to stay updated on monthly episodes Connect with Us: Website: www.ecclesiahouston.org [http://www.ecclesiahouston.org/] Instagram: @ecclesiahouston [https://www.instagram.com/ecclesiahouston] Release Schedule: New episodes every first Wednesday of the month Thank you for tuning in! We’re thrilled to have you on this journey with us.