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There's no denying that combatting the counter-biblical narratives of culture and their influence on our children can be daunting at best, scary at worst. How do we maintain a voice in our kids' lives as they grow? What do we say when we're stumped and honestly don't know the biblical answer to their questions? Author, mom, and discipleship specialist, Sarah Cowen Johnson, goes there with us on this week's episode.

Whether or not we'd fess to it, we all have expectations for the holidays. We have traditions, or a way we think things should go. But what happens when they don't? This week Rylie Karges, Hayley Powell, and Amanda Carroll share their stories of when Christmas fell apart. Together we can learn to see God in those times when He shows His favor in unexpected ways.

Recast from 2020... As our gift to you this Christmas, we have put together a little something for you to enjoy and listen to with your family. We hope it helps you understand, just a little bit more, the significance of the Savior being born on the floor of a stinky barn. We pray that it draws you closer to the Reason of the Season and to each other as we head headlong into the most wonderful time of the year... wrapping up (pun intended) a tumultuous 2020. God bless you and from our family to yours, Merry Christmas.

Every once in awhile an experience comes around that rocks your world and shifts your perspective. A recent trip the Dominican Republic with OneChild did that for me. Coming home to kids who sometimes struggle with gratitude was a challenge, so pull up a chair as I share with them about my recent trip and offer you a chance to join with us in changing lives by becoming a Child Champion! Learn more at OneChild.org/summer

This week we wrap up our three-part series on adoption with Brittany Whatley's story of choosing and persevering. Her journey started smoothly and appeared to be anointed. Shortly after bringing her daughter home, everything started to fall apart. Join us as Brittany shares hope and freedom from shame. 

Sarah Hoesch joins us for the second installment of our mini series on adoption. Sarah had never really considered adoption as the solution for building the large family she'd always dreamed of, until repeated loss stole hope and joy from her and her husband. Once they walked through the door of adoption they felt called to do it twice. Join us this week to hear how God healed their hearts, and filled their home, by introducing them to the children that were always meant to be theirs. 

To ring in National Adoption Month we are bringing you a three-part series highlighting very different adoption journeys. This week recording artist Austin French shares how he and new bride, barely more than kids themselves, were startled by God's call to adopt. Austin shares his heart for adoption while offering so much wisdom around the hope God offers all of us through Christ. 

With October being Infant Loss Awareness Month, and November being Adoption Awareness Month, it felt only right that the story to be told on the cusp of the two was Michelle's. Michelle adopted her son, James, and had 12 wonderful weeks with him before he was claimed by SIDS. In the aftermath of his passing she lost herself and struggled to redefine her story. She now uses her experiences and education to assist others in the midst of difficult transitions. Learn more about her work on Facebook: @michelle.vandehey

Too often we hear from people speaking about troubles they've faced in the past tense. It's easy to feel isolated and like we're on the wrong side of the finish line. "I can't wait to be able to talk about this- when it's all done." Summer shares some of the storms she has been weathering lately, and invites a few friends along to share their insights, expertise, experiences, and hope. Featuring: Dr. Melissa Mork, Drew Ghelfi, Megan Brown, and Lydia Laird, along with Lydia's song, "I'll Be Ok." Things get real, and real encouraging, on this week's episode.

The belief that youth is a time of unadulterated innocence and hopefulness is fondly held, but sorely misplaced. The recent suicide of 10-year old Kodie Dutcher reminds us that children are not immune to social pressures or mental illness. In this week's episode Dr. Melissa Mork seeks to equip us with the knowledge and tools we need to not only recognize the problem, but intervene before the problem grows. You will leave assured that there is help, and there is hope. 

Andy had a good thing going. He was pre-med at a prestigious school, he was playing college football, and doing well at all of it. But the day came when he came face-to-face with the hidden opponents he was up against all along: anxiety and depression. As an athlete, Andy had to work to find help. The support wasn’t readily available. Having found his way to a healthier place, Andy now helps lead The Hidden Opponent- an organization that seeks to help student athletes around the country get the mental health support they need. Join us this week for insight into how you can help prepare your children to stand up to their own hidden opponent. 

As a species, humans love stories. We cling to the ones that make us feel something, and we use them to help explain our world and circumstances. But what happens when the stories we have inherited are bad? Are there things you believe about yourself or others that don’t line up with God’s Word? How do these narratives affect our parenting? Singer-songwriter Matt Maher joins me this week to discuss what it looks like to confront and overcome the lies we believe. 

There are few topics more difficult to talk about openly in the Church than addiction. There is a belief that Christians don’t suffer, shouldn’t struggle, and are not burdened by such things. Jack Larkin shares his journey of finding Christ through his addiction, and offers hope for others on the journey, and some practical tips on how parents can be a safe place for their children as they face temptation themselves. 

If you have listened to No Seriously for any amount of time, you're likely familiar with our recurring guest Dr. Melissa Mork. She's brilliant, hilarious, and loves Jesus. Well, Dr. Mork has a podcast and we are taking this week to introduce you to it. "Mental Health with Dr. Melissa Mork" seeks to destigmatize mental health and to offer the hope of Christ in the midst of it. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Today it’s not just celebrities who are living life in public, at risk of unwelcome advice or unwarranted criticism. Social media invites comparison and conflict, as much as it invites connection and community. So how do we live and parent boldly for Jesus in this sphere? Matthew West has seen the good and bad of social media play out in his life and career and joins us once again to pull back the curtain and share honestly out of his own experience and wisdom.  

  In this day and age we are both more and less connected than ever. There are so many potential distractions vying for dominance in our lives and showing up for our kids in the moment is getting harder and harder. On this week’s episode Chris Cleveland, of Stars Go Dim, shares his experience with missing out, striving for presence, and the fruit he has seen from his efforts. 

There are seasons in life where I look around and notice that those I love are struggling more than usual with feelings of shame and guilt over their identity as parents. There are seasons when I feel that way as well. This is one of those messages that I keep going back to so I can be reminded that the first step toward being an example of Christ's grace to others is to learn to show grace to ourselves. There is no guest on this episode. I am excited to share my heart with you and my own journey of messy brokenness.

In this episode we took the show on the road. While working in Orlando, FL recently, I invited the band MercyMe to an impromptu recording session in my hotel room. With barely enough room for everyone to fit, we laughed and shared freely about what it's like to parent kids that are grown, and how we can manage the fear that comes with worrying that we didn't do enough.

The world is grieving today. We have been grieving since we first heard about the horrific shooting at Robb Elementary School yesterday. Dr. Mork returns to the podcast to sit with us in the pain and help us process. We do not seek to offer platitudes or to tie things up with a bow. We seek to offer you tools you can employ in talking with your children and sitting with your own hurt, as we all ask, "No seriously, how do I do this?"

Whether it’s your role as parent, spouse, employee, pastor, or soldier, any time we cling to something outward as our identity, we will struggle. Tony was a soldier who had found purpose in his work, and crisis when he returned home. He then found his identity in his ministry, and that too caused chaos. Join us as Tony shares all that he has gleaned from his journey of missteps and makeups, of successes and failures, on his way to finding his true identity and thus saving his marriage.