Connected Families Podcast

We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Communio! Tune in to hear how Communio is strengthening families through data-informed strategies for local churches. In this episode, host Stacy Bellward and Cindy Wilson, the Ministry Partnership & Research Program Manager at Connected Families, sit down with J.P. DeGance, founder and president of Communio and author of Endgame: The Church’s Strategic Move to Save Faith and Family in America. J.P. shares his personal journey into family ministry, the compelling research behind Communio’s approach, and how this partnership will bring Connected Families’ parenting resources into churches across the country, equipping more families with biblical, research-informed tools that transform families for generations.

Key Takeaways:

Announcing the partnership with Communio and Connected Families

Learn about the background of Communio and the research study that reduced divorce rates in Jacksonville, FL

Discover the impact marriage has on multi-generational church attendance

Hear how growing in parenting skills can complement our spiritual growth

Mentioned in this Podcast:

Communio

Book – Endgame: The Church’s Strategic Move to Save Faith and Family in America

The Jacksonville Case Study

Matthew 22: 36-38

Contact Communio – [email protected]

Connected Families Small Group Resources

Connected Families Workshop Speakers

The Table – Monthly Giving Program

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

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!

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

Guest Bio:

J.P. De Gance is the founder and president of Communio and co-author of “Endgame: The Church’s Strategic Move to Save Faith and Family in America.” He leads Communio’s work equipping pastors and churches with data-informed strategies to strengthen congregations through relational health. This approach has been proven through a $20 million initiative that reduced the divorce rate among a network of churches in Jacksonville by 24% between 2016 and 2018. Under his leadership, Communio earned the Heritage Foundation’s 2023 Innovation Prize for its groundbreaking research and church partnerships. J.P. is a husband and father, and lives in Virginia with his wife and 8 children.

© 2026 Connected Families

.stk-f7962e5-inner-blocks{justify-content:center !important;}.stk-f7962e5 {background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-2, #98c1d9) !important;border-top-left-radius:0px !important;border-top-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important;box-shadow:none !important;border-color:var(--theme-palette-color-4, #1e3f52) !important;border-top-width:0px !important;border-right-width:0px !important;border-bottom-width:0px !important;border-left-width:0px !important;max-width:1500px !important;min-width:auto !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;}.stk-f7962e5:before{background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-2, #98c1d9) !important;}.stk-f7962e5 .stk-block-hero__content{min-height:421px !important;max-width:1500px !important;min-width:auto !important;}
.stk-71fb0c5 {background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-2, #98c1d9) !important;box-shadow:none !important;border-style:solid !important;border-top-width:0px !important;border-right-width:0px !important;border-bottom-width:0px !important;border-left-width:0px !important;min-height:0px !important;max-width:1500px !important;min-width:auto !important;padding-top:15px !important;padding-right:15px !important;padding-bottom:15px !important;padding-left:15px !important;margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;}.stk-71fb0c5:before{background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-2, #98c1d9) !important;}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-71fb0c5 {padding-top:30px !important;padding-right:30px !important;padding-bottom:30px !important;padding-left:30px !important;}}
.stk-ee8f1f2-container{margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;min-height:318px !important;}.stk-ee8f1f2 {align-self:center !important;}@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-ee8f1f2 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(33.333% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 1 / 2 ) !important;}}
.stk-5f5f0db {background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-4, #1e3f52) !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;}.stk-5f5f0db:before{background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-4, #1e3f52) !important;}.stk-5f5f0db .stk-img-wrapper{width:100% !important;height:329px !important;}.stk-5f5f0db .stk-img-wrapper img{transform:scale(1) !important;object-fit:contain !important;}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-5f5f0db {min-height:0px !important;align-items:flex-start !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:-39px !important;display:flex !important;}.stk-5f5f0db .stk-img-wrapper{height:400px !important;}}

.stk-734aee9 {align-self:center !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:25px !important;}.stk-734aee9-container{max-width:843px !important;min-width:auto !important;}@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-734aee9 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(66.667% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 1 / 2 ) !important;}}
.stk-b0e3710 {align-items:flex-start !important;max-width:1500px !important;min-width:auto !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;display:flex !important;}.stk-b0e3710 .stk-block-heading__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:47px !important;color:#fffffe !important;line-height:1.1em !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-b0e3710 .stk-block-heading__text{font-size:47px !important;}}Helping Families Thrive

.stk-a248cc0 {padding-top:19px !important;}.stk-a248cc0 .stk-block-text__text{color:#fffffe !important;}Our parenting workshops equip parents in your community with practical tools and biblical wisdom for every stage of parenting.

.stk-4bbb5be .stk-button{background:var(--theme-palette-color-1, #ee6c4d) !important;}.stk-4bbb5be .stk-button:before{border-color:var(--theme-palette-color-1, #ee6c4d) !important;}.stk-4bbb5be .stk-button .stk--inner-svg svg:last-child, .stk-4bbb5be .stk-button .stk--inner-svg svg:last-child :is(g, path, rect, polygon, ellipse){fill:var(--theme-palette-color-1, #ee6c4d) !important;}.stk-4bbb5be .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;font-weight:600 !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-4bbb5be .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;}}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-4bbb5be .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:19px !important;}}Book a Workshop

Today’s audioblog explores what’s really happening beneath the surface when kids laugh when in trouble or get silly during correction. Learn practical ways to use the Connected Families Framework™ to build wisdom instead of shame when kids seem to avoid accountability through humor.

Key Takeaways:

Silliness is often an escape hatch, not disrespect

Check your own heart first

Connect before you correct, try stepping into your child’s shoes with playfulness

Build the value of reconciliation in a way that they feel good about

Mentioned in this Podcast:

The Power of Questions online course

Sensitive & Intense Kids online course

Blog Post – Your Child Laughs When in Trouble? How to Build Wisdom, Not Shame

Blog Post – Have You Experienced the Benefits of Child-Led Play?

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

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!

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

© 2026 Connected Families

.stk-cf6a95f {margin-bottom:39px !important;}.stk-cf6a95f-container{background-color:#e2f4f8 !important;}.stk-cf6a95f-container:before{background-color:#e2f4f8 !important;}.stk-cf6a95f-container:hover{box-shadow:0px 2px 20px #99999933 !important;}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-cf6a95f .stk-block-card__image{width:100% !important;height:250px !important;}}
Do you have a child with BIG feelings and BIG needs?

The Sensitive & Intense Kids online course is a game changer. It’s for YOU.

.stk-7a41d3e .stk-button-group{flex-direction:row !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-7a41d3e .stk-button-group{flex-direction:row !important;}}@media screen and (max-width:689px){.stk-7a41d3e .stk-button-group{flex-direction:row !important;}}
.stk-4080859 .stk-button{background:var(--theme-palette-color-1, #ee6c4d) !important;}.stk-4080859 .stk-button:hover:after{background:var(--theme-palette-color-2, #98c1d9) !important;opacity:1 !important;}.stk-4080859 .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;font-weight:600 !important;}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-4080859 .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;}}LEARN MORE

In this thoughtful conversation, host Stacy Bellward sits down with Certified Parent Coach Katie Wetsell and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Jody Goldie to explore how parents can help their children navigate fear and find security when the world feels uncertain and scary. Drawing from Katie’s personal experience supporting her family through a Nashville school shooting and Jody’s clinical expertise in trauma, this episode offers grace-filled guidance for parents walking alongside children through difficult circumstances.

Key Takeaways:

Starting with calm and security in your own heart first

Create space for your child’s emotions

Learn how curiosity helps when your child feels unsafe

Pointing your kids to faith and hope in God’s plan in the midst of painful sin

Mentioned in this Podcast:

Episode 124 | Empowering Your Differently-Wired Child

Psalm 46:1

Jeremiah 19:5

Thursday Parenting Tips Emails – Sign up now!

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

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!

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

Guest Bio:

Katie Wetsell is our online course moderator. She is also a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, pediatric nurse, and mom of four through birth and adoption. She is passionate about encouraging and empowering parents to love their family with confidence and connection. Building on her bedside experience, she has also been trained in SPACE treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) to help parents support their children in overcoming anxiety. Her website is www.parentwithhope.org.

Jody Goldie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and received her Master’s degree in Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She approaches the therapeutic relationship with warmth and the belief that all people have the ability to heal. She works with clients who have experienced complex trauma, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. Her training includes a family systems approach and incorporates that into the understanding of work with individuals and couples. Jody enjoys incorporating spirituality into therapy if that is desired by the client. You can find her at: www.mwtraumacenter.com.

© 2026 Connected Families

¡Escucha este nuevo episodio en español del pódcast de Familias Conectadas! Esther Reich conversa con Luisa Wendt acerca de una de las diferentes formas en las que como padres usamos las consecuencias en la crianza. A través de sus historias reales te sentirás inspirado a usar las consecuencias como medio de restauración y vehículo de paz para tu familia.

Temas mencionados en este podcast:

Marco de referencia para una familia conectada

Blog Post: 3 señales de consecuencias poco útiles y que hacer al respecto.

Descubre más recursos que te apoyarán en la crianza.

¿Te pareció útil este episodio? ¡Por favor compártelo con tus amigos!

*Este podcast fue hecho posible por miembros de La Mesa, cuyo apoyo mensual crea un efecto multiplicador de cambio para futuras generaciones. ¡Nos encantaría que tome un asiento en La Mesa!*

.stk-952587e {border-style:solid !important;border-color:var(--theme-palette-color-4, #1e3f52) !important;}
¿Necesita un recordatorio?

Aproveche el Imán del Marco de Referencia de Familias Conectadas para ánimo en medio de sus desafíos diarios.

.stk-8191333 , .stk-8191333 .stk-button{width:100% !important;}.stk-8191333 {flex:1 0 var(--stk-button-group-flex-wrap, 0) !important;}Comprar el Imán

Acerca de Esther:

Esther Reich es Asesora de Crianza Certificada por Connected Families. Ella es enfermera profesional especializada en asesoría de lactancia materna y ella y su esposo, Roberto, tienen tres hijos y sirven como misioneros con Serge en Guatemala desde 2018. A través de enfrentar retos en la crianza de sus hijos acudieron a Connected Families para recibir coaching/apoyo. El apoyo que recibieron de Chad Hayenga y de Lynne Jackson les ayudó a ver cambios significativos en ellos mismos y en sus hijos. Todavía hay mucho espacio para crecer como familia, pero la diferencia de antes y después de la intervención de Connected Families es significativa. Además de servir con otros ministerios en Guatemala (Sigo Vivo y Servant Harts), apoyan a padres e iglesias a través de talleres y coaching/apoyo individual para los que enfrentan retos en su crianza de sus hijos incluyendo los que son muy sensibles o intensos. El correo de Esther es [email protected]

Acerca de Luisa:

Luisa Wendt es Asesora de Crianza certificada por Connected Families nació en Bogotá, Colombia y vive en Iowa con su familia. Luisa y su esposo Jarrett tienen seis hijos, tres en el cielo y tres en la tierra. Dos de sus hermosos hijos llegaron a su familia a través de la adopción. Durante un momento muy complejo en la crianza Connected Families los asesoró y continua asesorandolos y guiandolos en el camino de una crianza basada en la gracia de Dios y la confianza y conexión con sus hijos. Jarrett y Luisa tienen un ministerio que se llama Built on Rock Parent Coaching que nació con el gran deseo de compartir esas enseñanzas con tantas familias como sea posible. Te invitamos a seguir su canal de YouTube, donde todos sus videos tienen subtítulos en español: https://www.youtube.com/@builtonrockparentcoaching Para más información acerca de su historia, ministerio y unas lindas fotos de su familia pueden visitar su página de internet: www.builtonrockparentcoaching.org. En este momento toda la información se encuentra en ingles pero si desean contactarlos para más información o asesorías de crianza en español pueden escribirles a [email protected]

© 2026 Connected Families

.stk-52f3e7b{border-top-left-radius:0px !important;border-top-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-right-radius:0px !important;border-bottom-left-radius:0px !important;overflow:hidden !important;border-style:solid !important;border-top-width:0px !important;border-right-width:0px !important;border-bottom-width:0px !important;border-left-width:0px !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-right:25px !important;margin-bottom:25px !important;margin-left:25px !important}
.stk-b72ddf3{background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-2,#98c1d9) !important;overflow:hidden !important}.stk-b72ddf3:before{background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-2,#98c1d9) !important}.stk-b72ddf3-container{padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-b72ddf3{flex:1 1 calc(30.6% - var(--stk-column-gap,0px) * 1 / 2 ) !important}}

@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-71f8819{flex:1 1 calc(69.4% - var(--stk-column-gap,0px) * 1 / 2 ) !important}}
.stk-820c6ca .stk-block-text__text{font-size:26px !important;color:var(--theme-palette-color-3,#293241) !important}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-820c6ca .stk-block-text__text{font-size:26px !important}}Whether you’re just learning the Four Messages of the Framework or have been at it for years, the Parenting Reminders Bundle can help you parent the way you want to parent!

.stk-99484cc{margin-top:0px !important}
.stk-b8dae6a{margin-top:20px !important}.stk-b8dae6a .stk-button{padding-right:30px !important;padding-left:30px !important}.stk-b8dae6a .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:20px !important}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-b8dae6a .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:20px !important}}GET YOUR BUNDLE NOW!

Strong on correction but struggling to connect? In this third episode of the “Don’t Stay Stuck” series, host Stacy Bellward and Certified Parent Coach Katie Wetsell take on a challenge many who value strict parenting face: how to soften without losing structure? If you value obedience but want warmer relationships with your kids, this episode offers hope and practical next steps.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding the God-given strengths of parents who lean toward the top of the Connected Families Framework™

Rethinking immediate obedience

Living out loud and setting an example for your children

Pitfalls of high-demand and low-compassion parenting

Practical tools for getting unstuck and finding balance in your parenting

Mentioned in this Podcast:

Katie Wetsell – Connected Families Certified Parent Coach

Free Parenting Assessment PDF

Blog Post – First-Time Obedience: Should I Require Immediate Obedience from My Child?

Ephesians 6:4

Galatians 6:1

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

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!

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show!

Guest Bio:

Katie Wetsell has always had a calling on her heart to care for children. She has worked as a pediatric oncology nurse and pediatric nurse practitioner. After experiencing the benefits of parent coaching through Connected Families, Katie later resigned from nursing and became a Certified Parent Coach. She and her husband have four children (three boys and a girl) through birth and adoption. Katie is also trained in SPACE treatment to help parents learn how to support their children struggling with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. You can learn more about Katie at parentwithhope.org, and on Facebook @parentwithhopecoach and Instagram @parentwithhopecoach.

© 2025 Connected Families

.stk-059b2f5-inner-blocks{justify-content:center !important}.stk-059b2f5{background-image:url(https://connectedfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/pexels-kindel-media-7978483-1.jpg) !important;padding-top:64px !important;padding-right:64px !important;padding-bottom:64px !important;padding-left:64px !important}.stk-059b2f5:before{background-color:#000000 !important;opacity:0.1 !important}.stk-059b2f5-container{background-color:rgba(41,50,65,0.5) !important}.stk-059b2f5-container:before{background-color:var(--theme-palette-color-3,#293241) !important}.stk-059b2f5 .stk-block-hero__content{min-height:500px !important;max-width:400px !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-left:0px !important}
.stk-3f6d6d5 .stk-block-heading__text{color:#FFFFFF !important}Dare to dream of peace again.

.stk-e7e3470 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:18px !important;color:#FFFFFF !important}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-e7e3470 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:18px !important}}It’s not hopeless. You can ENJOY YOUR KIDS AGAIN.

.stk-12f93b8 .stk-button{background:var(--theme-palette-color-1,#ee6c4d) !important}.stk-12f93b8 .stk-button:hover:after{background:var(--theme-palette-color-2,#98c1d9) !important;opacity:1 !important}.stk-12f93b8 .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important;color:var(--theme-palette-color-8,#ffffff) !important;font-weight:600 !important}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-12f93b8 .stk-button__inner-text{font-size:21px !important}}CONNECT WITH A PARENT COACH