Connected Families Podcast

We were never meant to walk the parenting journey alone. In this heartwarming and eye-opening episode, host Cindy Wilson (Director of Education, Equipping, and Research at Connected Families) sits down with Crystal Wilson, the Director of Global Fundraising Strategy at Compassion International. Together, they explore the universal heartbeat of motherhood and the essential, life-giving power of Christian community. 

If lonely motherhood has been weighing on you, and you’re longing to build deeper, more authentic relationships right where you are, this conversation offers a beautiful reminder of how God wired us for connection, grace, and mutual support. 

Key Takeaways:

Discover the universal heart of parenthood from mothers around the world

Learn practical steps to overcome isolation

Discover powerful stories of how local churches worldwide are partnering with organizations to bring joy

Mentioned in this Podcast: 

Acts 2

Galatians 6:2

Matthew 16:18

Compassion International

Compassion’s Survival Program

Connected Families Ministry Partnership Program

The Table Monthly Giving Program

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Guest Bio:

Crystal Wilson is a dynamic leader whose life purpose is to serve the world’s most vulnerable by connecting them with life-changing resources. She currently serves as Director of Global Fundraising Strategy at Compassion International, leading global and multicultural fundraising strategies fueled by her faith, entrepreneurial mindset, and passion for Christ. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Crystal spent 15 years in the automotive industry leading high-performing PR and marketing teams for major brands including Cadillac, Lincoln, and Nissan. Licensed to preach the gospel at age 24, she launched and led a young adult ministry for over five years under her father, Rev. Dr. David L. Roberson, Senior Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, and also served as Director of Children’s Church at Life Changers International Church. She is a co-founder of THRIVE!, Compassion’s Employee Resource Group that supports and empowers working mothers. Above all, Crystal’s most treasured roles are wife to Cameron Wilson and mom to Cameron Ray (14) and Christian David (11).

Want to keep this conversation going?

Join us inside the cf community — a faith-anchored, coach-supported space where parents grow together. Reflect on episodes like this one, ask hard questions, and celebrate the small wins alongside parents from around the world.

👉 Join the cf community today

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents find shows like this one.

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

© 2026 Connected Families

As a self-described sensitive and intense mom raising two sensitive and intense daughters, Laura Way, Content Manager at Connected Families, wraps up our summertime conflict series with a powerful tool we use called Slow, Low, & Listen, which also applies easily when you have kids fighting in the next room!

Drawing from Scripture, brain science, and her own kitchen-floor moments with her seven-year-old, Laura unpacks why our nervous systems get so easily hijacked by our children’s big emotions and offers a practical, grace-filled path forward. You’ll learn how slowing down, getting low, and listening can transform the way you enter into your kids’ hard moments.

Whether you’re navigating sibling conflict, meltdowns, or daily chaos, this episode offers wisdom and tools to help you respond with the grace-filled presence you long to bring to your parenting.

Key Takeaways:

Why your calm has to come first—and how to find it when your child’s emotions feel overwhelming

The brain science behind why a screaming child can trigger the same response as real danger

 What “Slow, Low, Listen” actually looks like in real life (with Laura’s honest, in-the-moment examples)

How to move from reacting at your child to responding with your child

Mentioned in this Podcast: 

Blog Post – How to Break Habits of Harshness: Try Slow, Low, & Listen

James 1:19–20 

John 8:1-11

Sibling Conflict Online Course

cf community

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Want to keep this conversation going?

Join us inside the cf community — a faith-anchored, coach-supported space where parents grow together. Reflect on episodes like this one, ask hard questions, and celebrate the small wins alongside parents from around the world.

👉 Join the cf community today

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents find shows like this one.

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

© 2026 Connected Families

Bickering. The escalating voices in the next room make you wonder whether to referee or run the other way. If sibling conflict has become the soundtrack of your home, you are so not alone, and this episode is for you!

In week two of our Summertime Conflict series, host Stacy Bellward unpacks the heart of sibling squabbles and offers a refreshing reframe: those arguments happening between your kids right now? As a Christian parent, you have golden opportunities to raise lifelong peacemakers under your own roof.

Whether you’re parenting toddlers or teens locked in a week-long standoff, you’ll walk away with wisdom, hope, and tangible tools to pursue peace in your family. Listen in!

Key Takeaways:

Gain insight into when to step into your kids’ squabbles

From questions to role-playing, discover practical ways to enter into the heat of the moment with your kids

How learning true reconciliation points us to Christ

Our Episode Sponsor

Today’s episode is brought to you by David Richter, owner of SimpleCFO and author of Profit First for Real Estate Investing. We’re grateful for David’s sponsorship, which helps make these conversations possible for families everywhere. You can find more information on his website https://simplecfo.com/.

Mentioned in this Podcast: 

Ephesians 4:32

Matthew 5:9

Sibling Conflict Online Course

cf community

Episode 305 – Helping Siblings Make Up After A “Fight”

Trash, Truth, Treasure Online Course

Calming Strategies PDF

The Table Monthly Giving Program

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Want to keep this conversation going?

Join us inside the cf community — a faith-anchored, coach-supported space where parents grow together. Reflect on episodes like this one, ask hard questions, and celebrate the small wins alongside parents from around the world.

👉 Join the cf community today

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents find shows like this one.

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

© 2026 Connected Families

What if the goal of your kids’ fighting wasn’t silence, but restored hearts?

Most parents want the bickering to stop. But what if helping siblings make up after a fight was actually an invitation? An opportunity to show your kids a glimpse of the gospel itself, where broken relationships are made new, and joy is rediscovered on the other side of hard moments.

In today’s replay episode, Jim and Lynne Jackson (Co-founders of Connected Families) join host Stacy Bellward for a rich, hope-filled conversation about building the value of restoration in your home. Drawing from Scripture and decades of personal experience, Jim and Lynne paint a beautiful picture of what’s possible when parents shift from solving conflict to restoring relationships.

Key Takeaways:

How to develop a value of reconciliation rooted in Christ

Why modeling restoration in your own relationships (marriage, friendships, even with your own parents) is the most powerful teacher

Practical, lighthearted ways to guide kids through conflict

How to prepare your kids outside of conflict

Age-appropriate ways to celebrate restored hearts 

Our Episode Sponsor

Today’s episode is brought to you by David Richter, owner of SimpleCFO and author of Profit First for Real Estate Investing. We’re grateful for David’s sponsorship, which helps make these conversations possible for families everywhere. You can find more information on his website https://simplecfo.com/.

Mentioned in this Podcast: 

Galatians 6:1

Matthew 5:23-24

Book of John

Episode 139 – How to Help Kids Stop Fighting All The Time

Book – Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart

Sibling Conflict Online Course

cf community

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Guest Bio:

Jim and Lynne Jackson are the Co-Founders of Connected Families in Plymouth, MN. With over 50 combined years of professionally helping families and a love for working in the church, Jim and Lynne have been dedicated to bringing reliable, God-centered, research-based parenting resources to all families since 2002. 

Want to keep this conversation going?

Join us inside the cf community — a faith-anchored, coach-supported space where parents grow together. Reflect on episodes like this one, ask hard questions, and celebrate the small wins alongside parents from around the world.

👉 Join the cf community today

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents find shows like this one.

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

© 2026 Connected Families

What if the goal of your kids’ fighting wasn’t silence, but restored hearts?

Most parents want the bickering to stop. But what if helping siblings make up after a fight was actually an invitation? An opportunity to show your kids a glimpse of the gospel itself, where broken relationships are made new, and joy is rediscovered on the other side of hard moments.

In today’s replay episode, Jim and Lynne Jackson (Co-founders of Connected Families) join host Stacy Bellward for a rich, hope-filled conversation about building the value of restoration in your home. Drawing from Scripture and decades of personal experience, Jim and Lynne paint a beautiful picture of what’s possible when parents shift from solving conflict to restoring relationships.

Key Takeaways:

How to develop a value of reconciliation rooted in Christ

Why modeling restoration in your own relationships (marriage, friendships, even with your own parents) is the most powerful teacher

Practical, lighthearted ways to guide kids through conflict

How to prepare your kids outside of conflict

Age-appropriate ways to celebrate restored hearts 

Our Episode Sponsor

Today’s episode is brought to you by David Richter, owner of SimpleCFO and author of Profit First for Real Estate Investing. We’re grateful for David’s sponsorship, which helps make these conversations possible for families everywhere. You can find more information on his website https://simplecfo.com/.

Mentioned in this Podcast: 

Galatians 6:1

Matthew 5:23-24

Book of John

Episode 139 – How to Help Kids Stop Fighting All The Time

Book – Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart

Sibling Conflict Online Course

cf community

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Guest Bio:

Jim and Lynne Jackson are the Co-Founders of Connected Families in Plymouth, MN. With over 50 combined years of professionally helping families and a love for working in the church, Jim and Lynne have been dedicated to bringing reliable, God-centered, research-based parenting resources to all families since 2002. 

Want to keep this conversation going?

Join us inside the cf community — a faith-anchored, coach-supported space where parents grow together. Reflect on episodes like this one, ask hard questions, and celebrate the small wins alongside parents from around the world.

👉 Join the cf community today

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents find shows like this one.

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

© 2026 Connected Families