Episoder
-
In todayâs episode, Sheldon and Valerie sit down with special guest Chris McKenna for an honest and insightful conversation about something that touches all of our livesâour relationship with technology. They explore how our devices are shaping not just our habits, but our relationships and overall well-being.
Chris brings a thoughtful perspective on what it looks like to parent in a hyper-connected world and makes a compelling case for reintroducing an ancient practice into our modern lives: the sweetness of doing nothing. Together, they unpack why it's more crucial than ever to carve out space for rest, presence, and intentional living in our daily routines.
This interview is part of the upcoming Confident Parent Series, launching April 28, 2025, from FamilyLife Canada. Donât miss out on the full lineup of conversations and free resources designed to encourage and equip parents across the country.đ Sign up for the FamilyLife Canada newsletter to be the first to access this inspiring series and more!
https://mailchi.mp/familylifecanada.com/9ozfzlbmh3Chris McKenna is the founder of Protect Young Eyes and President of The Better Tech Project. Chris is a respected digital safety voice, creating valuable and practical resources for families and schools. His impactful 2019 testimony before the US Senate initiated a series of hearings to further online child protection policy. Years of gritty effort earned PYE the 2020 Dignity Defense Award from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation and the 2024 Child Safety Award from The Phase Alliance.
Recent state-level legislation co-authored by Chris - the Child Device Protection Bill - passed in Utah and moved through multiple chambers in six other states. It will force devices to enable existing content filters when activated by a minor.
He is a technical advisor to Angel Kids AI and works closely with digital safety advocates and legislators to craft policies that reign in abusive technologies. As a representative of the Human Change Movement, Chris spoke at the 2024 and 2025 World Economic Forum.
Under his guidance, the Protect Young Eyes team conducts presentations worldwide to parents, professionals, and schools, and gained recognition by being featured in the Childhood 2.0 movie. Their website, courses, and private parent community show caregivers step-by-step how to prepare and protect their children in digital spaces.
Chris cherishes family, including road trips with his four children, connecting with nature, running, romping with his pups, and almost anything sweet.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/protectyoungeyes/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mckenna-75962211/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/protectyoungeyes
Website: https://protectyoungeyes.com/
Links for items talked about in the episode:
3 Things To Get Started - https://www.protectyoungeyes.com/start-here
5 Habits of a Tech-Ready Home on-demand course for parents - https://www.protectyoungeyes.com/course
The Table - https://www.protectyoungeyes.com/the-table
Processing Questions:
How do you think your children interpret your relationship with technology?How would introducing some sweet nothingness moments in your life help?Whatâs one small step you could take today that could make a big impact in your household tomorrow? -
In todayâs episode Matt Cline from Restored Ministries joins Sheldon to talk about Jesus Centered Sexuality and how our temptations can actually be seen as opportunities if we change our mindset.
Matt is the founder and director of Restored Ministries which aims to equip individuals and churches to have victory over the epidemic of pornography and sexual brokenness in our world. Matt has been a leading speaker and coach in Canada on the topic of sexual brokenness since 2014 and has seen countless lives radically changed all around the world through his ministry.
Restored Ministries - https://www.restoredministries.ca/
Pure Freedom Community - https://purefc.ca/
Processing Questions:
What has shaped your view of sex and sexuality?Next time you are tempted what would it do to ask God âwhat are you teaching me about you in thisâWhere do you turn to find your value? -
Mangler du episoder?
-
Have you ever stopped to think about how God never changes? đ Hebrews 13:8 reminds us: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. But while He remains constant, we are always changingâgrowing, and learning.
And honestly? Thatâs not a bad thing. But sometimes, change can make us feel like we donât recognize the person we married⊠or even ourselves.
Thatâs why today, Sheldon and Valerie are talking about rediscoveryâthe adventure of continually learning about each other in marriage. Think back to the early days⊠the excitement of discovering new things about your spouse, the little surprises, the curiosity. That doesnât have to fade! But it does take intentionality.
Letâs be couples who never stop discoveringâwho stay curious, who lean in, and who pursue each other daily. â€ïžProcessing Questions From Episode:
In what positive ways have you changed since getting married?In what positive ways have you seen your spouse change since getting married?In what area do you feel you need to rediscover your spouse? What ways do you feel you need to reintroduce yourself to your spouse? -
In a world thatâs go-go-go, when was the last time you actually slowed down? đ€ No, not just scrolling on your phoneâbut truly relaxing?
đš Maybe itâs coloring like you did as a kid.
đ Getting lost in a good book.
đ± Digging in the garden (weeds and all!).
đ Taking a quiet moment with God.However it looks for you, make time for it. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you. đ
In today's episode Valerie and Sheldon continue their R-E series and todayâs word is Relax.
Processing Questions:
What helps you to release tension and find refreshment for your mind and body? When you take time to relax, what benefits do you see in yourself and your relationships?What would you like to add to your schedule to have some intentional relaxation time? -
Welcome back to our RE-series! Last week, we dove into the power of Reconnect, and today, weâre shifting gears to talk about Realignâbecause, letâs be honest, sometimes life completely messes up our plans, and we need a reset!
So, picture this: youâre on a cruise, living your best life, and they hand you a domino set as a gift (fancy, right?). But then comes the challengeâthey ask you to reflect on what happens when someone blocks your move in a game of dominos. UGH. The strategy you carefully planned? Wrecked. Youâre forced to realign, find a new position, and keep playing. Frustrating? Absolutely. Necessary? 100%.
Now, hereâs where it gets realâthis isnât just a dominos thing. This is a marriage thing. Life happens. Unexpected challenges come up. Weâre all human, which means sin, selfishness, and just plain old stress can knock us out of alignment with our spouse. But instead of staying stuck, what if we chose to realign? What if we found a way to reposition ourselves together and get back in the game?
In todayâs episode, Sheldon and Valerie are diving into practical ways to realign in marriageâwhether itâs communication, priorities, or just remembering why you started this journey together in the first place. Because trust us, the game isnât over just because the strategy had to change.
Letâs talk about it! đ§
Processing Questions:What areas do I need to realign in my life?
Where do we need to realign together in our relationship?
What's one thing I could do today to help us realign in our marriage?
-
On your wedding day, you probably thought, âWeâll always feel connected.â But as life gets busy, distractions creep in, and that sense of closeness can start to fade. The good news? It doesnât have to stay that way. In todayâs episode, Sheldon and Valerie dive into some common distractions that pull couples apartâand, more importantly, some key elements that can bring them back together.
Processing Questions:
What keeps you from connecting with your spouse and God? How could a conversation with your spouse about what distracts you from connecting help you to reconnect? When could you have that conversation together?What is one thing you can do this week to connect with your spouse? -
Sheldon and Valerie have the privilege of interviewing Lynne Jackson about the online course from Connected Families called Sensitive and Intense Kids.
Lynneâ has over 27 years of experience as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist working with children with sensory processing disorder, ADHD (including her own kids!), OCD, ODD and autism spectrum disorders. As a speaker, certified life coach, podcaster, and author, Lynne has helped thousands of parents learn to be peaceful, purposeful, and confident. In 2002, she and her husband, Jim founded Connected Families, a ministry that helps parents learn to embody Godâs grace in the midst of family life.
Links:
https://connectedfamilies.org/
https://connectedfamilies.org/courses/sensitive-intense-kids/ -
Sheldon and Valerie talk about the age old when/then lie. The idea that our contentment and gratitude is conditional on something being attained or achieved and how we tend to justify unhealthy behaviour in trying to achieve that condition. We talk about how the escape from this cycle is in rejecting the lie, holding to the promises of God and living with contentment and gratitude.
-
Sheldon and Valerie return to their conversation about having a Rule of Life. This is something they learnt about from Ken Shigamatsu in his book âGod in My Everythingâ.
Ken talks about how we can experience God in every part of our lives when we are intentional in the way we live, caring for and growing in our spirit, mind and body. He says a rule of life is âsimply a rhythm of practices that empowers us to live well and grow more like Jesus by helping us experience God in everything.â
-
What a blessing it was for Sheldon and Valerie to sit and visit with Scott and Joanne Williams this past year. They are two people that absolutely love Jesus and you will hear that in their marriage story.
Scott and Joanne have a story of redemption, forgiveness, healing and Godâs faithfulness. They have the honour of leading marriage ministries at their home church, HopeCity. They are believers in inviting people into their story - mentors in their life have been an integral part of their healing journey. They love serving marriages, families and ultimately God who has done so much for them.
Be encouraged that no story is beyond redemption. God is faithful to do His most amazing work in the lives of those completely surrendered. Scott and Joanne have a desire that marriages would find hope and healing through their story of brokenness and Godâs goodness.
They live in Fredericton, NB where they work together in their business and have raised 3 incredible children â Taylor (27), Micah (23) and Tori (21).
-
Valerie and Sheldon had the privilege of sitting down with their dads, Terry Breker and David Dean, earlier this year to talk about their journey of fatherhood. It was another great episode from 2024, full of personal stories with once again a few tears.
-
As the year draws to a close we are returning to 4 episodes from 2024. Each week weâll play an episode from this past year that was highly listened to and ones that Sheldon and Valerie received comments on.
Today we are returning to the interview Sheldon and Valerie did with their mothers Brenda Breker and Edith Dean. The interview is about their journey of motherhood and is full of laughter and tears. We trust it will be an encouragement once again.
-
Sheldon and Valerie talk about some changes they have made to be able to enjoy the Christmas season. It hasnât always been merry and bright, but there have been unmet expectations, and frustrations over the years. The reason we celebrate is Jesus but the âcelebrationsâ this time of year can be difficult at times.
-
Ever had the thought⊠âI think my spouse becomes a different person when we are around extended family.â
Sheldon and Valerie have a conversation on what to do if you or your spouse become different around family as well as some reasons why that might be happening. With Christmas right around the corner this is a timely conversation and something that has affected Sheldon and Valerie in the past.
Processing Questions:
Has a change in you or your spouse around extended family affected your marriage?
What's one thing you can do to address this in a healthy way?
Blog link from Les and Leslie Parrott - Help! My Spouse Is A Completely Different Person With Family
https://www.symbis.com/blog/help-my-spouse-is-a-completely-different-person-with-their-family/?utm_source=Devotion+by+Les+and+Leslie&utm_campaign=b1c418513c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_11_26_07_36&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-b1c418513c-138746289&mc_cid=b1c418513c&mc_eid=9930e824af -
Sheldon and Valerie continue their conversation on how our sex lives in marriage are intertwined and connected to the rest of our relationship. Today they talk about some differences that could be affecting the physical intimacy in your marriage.
Links from episode:
Weekend Getaway - https://events.familylifecanada.com/weekend-getaway-marriage-conferences
Java with Juli - https://www.authenticintimacy.com/podcast/
Pure Victory - https://www.restoredministries.ca/purevictory
-
Sheldon and Valerie talk about how our sex lives in marriage are intertwined and connected to the rest of our relationship. So if we want to improve our sex life the first place to start could be to look at the satisfaction and health of the rest of our relationship.
Links:
Weekend Getaway Pricing - https://events.familylifecanada.com/weekend-getaway-marriage-conferences/#rates-and-offers
Weekend Getaway Locations - https://events.familylifecanada.com/weekend-getaway-marriage-conferences/#locations -
Sheldon and Valerie sit down with Jared and Courtney LaCoste to talk about their marriage journey.
Jared and Courney have been married for 13 years and have called Regina home for the last 4.5 years. They have three kids together ages 9, 8 and 6. Jared works in Regina full time with Athletes in Action as a sports chaplain with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Regina Pats. Courtney works as a Registered Nurse. They keep busy following their kids around to hockey games, figure skating, gymnastics and football games if they arenât at home that is where they will be.
-
Sheldon and Valerie talk A Rule of Life. Something they learnt about from Ken Shigamatsu in his book âGod in My Everythingâ. Ken talks about how we can experience God in every part of our lives when we are intentional in the way we live, caring for and growing in our spirit, mind and body. He says a rule of life is â simply a rhythm of practices that empowers us to live well and grow more like Jesus by helping us experience God in everything.â
-
Sheldon and Valerie talk about three ways that Jesus related to people. He was compassionate, made connections and showed courage. There are lessons we can learn from Jesus in relating to our spouse and kids. Compassion is a heart posture that moves us to action. Building connection through question asking and seeking just as Jesus did in his interactions The courage to love the way Jesus did, confront how Jesus confronted and forgive the way Jesus did.
-
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!!!
Sheldon and Valerie talk about the importance of gratitude and together they process seeing the good or bad in a situation, how we can make a shift in our thinking and the importance of honesty.
Processing QuestionsWhat are you thankful for today?
What would help you to deal with issues rather than complain about them?
Where do you focus more, on the good or the bad, and is it dependent on the situation and person? Why do you think that is?
- Se mer
