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    Your child has been begging you for a phone (or video game, social media, tablet, etc). You have held out for a long time but this Christmas, you decided to wrap that phone and place it under the tree. What can you expect after the gift is given? What kind of guidelines can you present with the phone? How can you set up your child for success and not failure? On today's 25 Days of Christmas episode, Arlene shares:

    2:00 What was the lamest Christmas present you ever got? 

    5:30 Pre-order Arlene’s new book Making Marriage Easier 

    5:00 The gift (phone, iPad, etc) has been given, now what?

    8:20 You are not manipulated into giving a gift, it’s voluntary 

    9:40 What if my child made a Powerpoint presentation begging me? 

    11:05 Ground rules for the phone 

    13:30 You need systems, not just good intentions 

    15:00 Protect Young Eyes, monitoring and more, DNS, Clean Browsing 

    18:00 Warning signs that your child is not ready for that phone or game 

    20:45 What if you need to take the gift away from your child? 

    24:50 What can I do right now to help my child have a better relationship with technology? How did we get here? 

    Arlene Pellicane is the host of the Happy Home podcast and author of books like Screen Kids (co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman) and Calm, Cool, and Connected: 5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Life. Arlene and her husband James have raised three kids in Southern California who went through high school without smartphones, social media, or video games (and actually enjoyed it).

    Pre-order Arlene's new book, Making Marriage Easier: How to Love (and Like) Your Spouse for Life https://makingmarriageeasier.com/

    You've got a little time - check out family devotions and activities in Arlene's free resource, 25 Days of Christmas. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Read Arlene's book Screen Kids https://arlenepellicane.com/book/screen-kids/

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    As we count down the 25 Days of Christmas, your family could probably use some help in the kitchen! Kathi Lipp has a new cookbook Sabbath Soup with plenty of tips to make meal time easier. Plus you'll be invited to consider the important rhythm of Sabbath rest. Learn how to make the most of meals together with family and friends this Christmas season to enjoy more emotional connection and less fuss and stress. On today's episode, we're talking about: 

    2:50 Help! I don’t know how to cook! 

    4:40 Do this and take the stress out of mealtime 

    8:30 Some tips and tricks for how to save money on groceries 

    13:30 How to honor the Sabbath as a mom 

    21:23 Magic meals???

    25:38 Tips for picky eaters 

    29:00 I need to declutter - but where do I start?

    Kathi Lipp is a Publishers Weekly bestseller of 20 books including the Accidental Homesteader, Clutter Free, and the Husband Project. Her new book is Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to make space for a day of rest. 

    Learn more about Kathi Lipp and her cookbook, Sabbath Soup https://sabbathsoup.com/

    Get Arlene's free 25 Days of Christmas - your family guide which includes 10 devotions, 10 fun and easy activities, and 5 ways to serve. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

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    You're supposed to feel joyful during the holiday season. But if you're honest, you're feeling more tired and overwhelmed. We're counting down the 25 Days of Christmas. How can you delight in Jesus once again at Christmastime and throughout the year? Asheritah Ciuciu will show us how to approach this season with faith, wonder, and worship. Her new book is Delighting in Jesus - Rhythms to restore joy when you feel broken, bored, or burned out. Today we'll talk about:  

    2:35 Where did all of my joy go?

    12:32 How do we delight in Jesus 

    17:07 Is there a difference between joy and happiness?

    19:53 Should we chase happiness?

    25:50 How to get your joy back

    Asheritah Ciuciu is an author, speaker, and founder of One Thing Alone Ministries. She is a wife and mama of three. Her books include Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids, Bible & Breakfast, and Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction. 

    Learn more about Asheritah and her new book Delighting in Jesus. https://onethingalone.myshopify.com/products/signed-copy-of-delighting-in-jesus

    Discover your devotional personality type https://onethingalone.com/

    Get Arlene's free 25 Days of Christmas - your family guide which includes 10 devotions, 10 fun and easy activities, and 5 ways to serve. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    Could you use more bubbles and fun this holiday season and less stress? The one and only Bob Goff shares how we can live daily with joy and expectation from his new book, Catching Whimsy. We are kicking off the 25 Days of Christmas with a fun and meaningful conversation about whimsy, remembering the good, baseball caps, fresh starts and much more. On today's episode, we'll talk about: 

    2:26 What do you mean by whimsy? 

    3:30 Your first car was...

    6:50 How to get on the same page with your spouse 

    11:14 What is the role of remembering in our lives? 

    18:52 Wait, you cut a hole in your left pocket because...

    20:17 How to start fresh 

    27:22 Helping our children through the “spot” moments of life

    Bob Goff is the New York Times bestselling author of Love Does and Everybody Always. He’s appeared on Good Morning America, NPR, the Dave Ramsey show, Forbes and Relevant. He is the host of the Dream Big podcast and loves balloons, cake pops, and helping people pursue their big dreams.  

    Learn more about Bob Goff and his new book Catching Whimsy here: https://www.bobgoff.com/

    Get Arlene's free 25 Days of Christmas - your family guide which includes 10 devotions, 10 fun and easy activities, and 5 ways to serve. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    Are your kids going to be all right? Is your job secure? Will your marriage get better? We live in an age marked by worry and anxiety for adults and kids. Many who wrestle with anxiety know the Bible calls them to trust God, but how does that actually work? Pastor and author Jonny Ardavanis invites us to open God's Word for answers. In this conversation about his new book, Consider the Lilies, you'll learn:  

    3:30 I had a front row seat to teen anxiety as a camp director 

    5:25 If you’re a parent, this is what you need to know

    7:00 Even if your child doesn’t suffer from anxiety, he or she lives in a performance stressful culture 

    8:30 How can we protect the minds of our kids? 

    10:45 One of the main schemes of Satan is to make sin look normal and righteousness seem strange

    15:00 Every worry is an invitation to get closer to God 

    17:10 What’s the difference between a good godly concern and an ungodly worry? 

    20:00 We were told our daughter had a syndrome with strokes and seizures

    24:00 When your kids have sports injuries 

    27:55 God allows you to go through trials because…

    Jonny Ardavanis is the pastor of Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, TN. He’s the founder and president of Dial In Ministries serving the next generation. He has served as camp director at Hume Lake Christian Camps and as a dean at The Master’s College. He and his wife have two young daughters. Today, we're talking about his new book, Consider the Lilies: Finding Perfect Peace in the Character of God. 

    Learn more about Dial In Ministries https://dialinministries.org/

    Get Jonny's book, Consider the Lilies https://www.amazon.com/Consider-Lilies-Finding-Perfect-Character/dp/0310368243/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yBlnH-e3bSsBJoLo-Hv3vz_bwdX2IgWB9ezQ8PNYtkaw7ElP9_sLVDpE9it02M9F.-mnpeyrtjwUwqjpImQmTFaHlktyPYWQe-SMuf20w318&qid=1722298799&sr=1-1&ref=dialinministries.org

    Subscribe to Arlene's free email list and get your free Gratitude Workout and the 25 Days of Christmas https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    The pressures and demands of life can leave you overwhelmed, discouraged and stressed out. Stress affects us as adults, and it can weigh down our kids too. Counselor and author of "I'm Stressed" Eliza Huie is here to show us how to manage stress better and experience more peace at home. Trade in your stress and anxiety for something far better. On today's podcast, you'll learn:

    2:13 What stress can actually be good 

    6:20 Does my child need counseling?

    11:00 The difference between worry and anxiety 

    14:00 How to change the “what if’s” to “even if’s”

    16:50 What is your responsibility as a parent (and what's not) 

    21:17 How do we become stressed over temptations 

    27:02 What is A.W.E.? 

    Today’s guest Eliza Huie is a biblically trained, professionally licensed counselor. She is the director of counseling at McLean Bible Church in Virginia. She and her husband have three grown children and a grandson. She is an author of several books and a frequent speaker for conferences.  

    Learn more about Eliza Huie and her book, I'm Stressed: A Path from Pressure to Peace https://www.elizahuie.com/books

    Subscribe to Arlene's free email list and get your free Gratitude Workout for your home https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    Our kids are being bombarded by sexual images through social media, YouTube, porn, and music. As parents, we cannot be silent about sex, but it's such an awkward subject to talk about. Jim Burns is here to help us with conversations from his new book, A Student's Guide to Sexual Integrity: God's plan for sex and your body. In this episode, you'll learn: 

    4:53 Is God like the grinch when it comes to sex and pleasure? 

    7:26 Start conversations like this 

    12:33 How to parent differently within this confusing time 

    16:00 What does God say about sexuality?  

    18:52 How to talk about dating with your kids 

    24:41 Why your kids need to be different (and why they'll thank you) 

    27:09 How to teach your kids how to bounce their eyes

    Jim Burns is the president of HomeWord. He speaks to thousands of people around the world each year and his more than 3 million resources in print in 20 languages. He and his wife have 3 grown daughters. He’s the author of numerous books including Doing Life with Your Adult Children. Today he's talking about his newest book, A Student’s Guide to Sexual Integrity: God’s Plan for Sex and Your Body. 

    Learn more about Jim Burns at Homeword.com https://homeword.com/

    Get the book, A Student's Guide to Sexual Integrity https://homeword.com/product/students-guide-to-sexual-integrity-gods-plan-for-sex-and-your-body/

    Get the online course, A Student's Guide to Sexual Integrity https://homeword.com/product/online-course-a-students-guide-to-sexual-integrity/

    Get Arlene's book Screen Kids (co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802422209/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802422209&linkCode=as2&tag=arlenpelli-20&linkId=837f2447fde5b4a57b13b75b78236083

    Subscribe to Arlene's free email list and get your free Gratitude Workout for your home https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    We all have hopes and dreams for our kids, but what if we are expecting too much? Could we be putting too much pressure on our kids to be perfect? Author and marriage coach Jill Savage joins us to talk about her book, No More Perfect Kids. Get ready to breathe a sigh of relief as we talk honestly about: 

    2:37 Do you have the perfection infection?

    9:00 How to appreciate your kids individually for who they are

    13:57 Excellence is different than perfection 

    20:07 How to fight perfection infection in yourself and your kids 

    25:39 Managing expectations for your children

    Jill Savage is an author of several books and international speaker who helps moms and marriages be the best they can be. She is the founder of Hearts at Home, a mother of five, and has been featured on KLOVE and Focus on the Family just to name a few places. She and her husband Mark serve as marriage coaches. 

    Learn more about Jill Savage here: https://jillsavage.org/

    Get Jill Savage's book, No More Perfect Kids https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Perfect-Kids-Love/dp/0802411525/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1487697432&sr=8-1&keywords=no+more+perfect+kids&linkCode=sl1&tag=jilsav0c-20&linkId=31a159c7ea4880717a7fce880161b282

    Subscribe to Arlene's free email list and get your free Gratitude Workout for your home https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    What happens when you leave everything behind to sail around Africa with your three kids? Raeanne Newquist is here to talk about life on a Mercy Ship and seeing miracles firsthand. But you don't have to take a trip like this to support missions with your family. On today's show, you'll learn about: 

    3:41 Trusting God with the next move 

    6:20 How your kids can have a heart for the world 

    9:10 Going through challenges as a mom doing ministry 

    15:09 How we can involve our kids in reaching others for Christ 

    19:30 What is Mercy Ships all about?  

    27:40 How to trust God with hard decisions

    Raeanne Newquist along with her husband and 3 children joined Mercy Ships in 2019. After leaving everything behind in Southern California, they boarded the Africa Mercy in Las Palmas and made their first sail down to Dakar, Senegal for their first field service. On board, Raeanne volunteered in the communications department and later in chaplaincy. Currently, Raeanne works in the Mercy Ships U.S. Marketing department. Raeanne is the host of the New Mercies podcast, is the voice of the Mercy Minute daily radio broadcast and serves as a staff writer.

    Mercy Ships, founded in 1978, operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. Mercy Ships bases its work from its two hospital ships, the Africa Mercy®, which went into service in 2007, and the Global Mercy® — the world’s first purpose-built civilian hospital ship—which began serving African nations in 2022.

    Find out more about Mercy Ships here https://www.mercyships.org/

    To learn more about how you might serve on Mercy Ships, visit https://findyourplace.mercyships.org/immediate-needs/

    Get your copy of Parents Rising here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802416608/?tag=arlenpelli-20

    Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025

    Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    In the whirlwind of modern parenting, it can be easy to lose sight of what’s most important. It's time to get back on track to nurture authentic faith and relationship with God above all. Father of five, Barrett Johnson has a new book to help us, Disciple Them Like Jesus: Leading your kids the way Christ led the twelve. What can we learn from Jesus about connection, teaching, and modeling? You'll find out in today's conversation about: 

    2:45 Why is parenting so exhausting nowadays?

    6:10 Your main priority as a parent is…

    12:30 How do you disciple a child? 

    16:49 Noticing the little wins with your children  

    22:20 How dads can uniquely step in  

    28:00 How can we pass on a love of the Bible to our kids

    Barrett Johnson is the founder of I.N.F.O. for Families (Imperfect and Normal Families Only), a nonprofit that helps parents have critical conversations with their kids and much more. He and his wife Jenifer lead marriage and parenting events across the country. They have five children and seven grandchildren.

    Learn more about I.N.F.O. for Families here https://www.infoforfamilies.com/

    Learn more about Barrett's new book, Disciple Them Like Jesus: Leading Your Kids the Way Christ Led the Twelve https://www.infoforfamilies.com/disciple-them-like-jesus

    Get your copy of Parents Rising here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802416608/?tag=arlenpelli-20

    Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025 

    Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet and more free resources from Arlene https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    Are you facing a crisis or challenge in your family? Suffering isn't anything we volunteer for. Today's guest Rachel Wojo knows what it's like to suffer profound losses and cry out to God in desperation. She shares how you can embrace the power of prayer in life's darkest moments with lessons of hope from her new book, Desperate Prayers. In today's conversation, you'll learn about: 

    2:24 A mysterious envelope and an answered prayer 

    9:45 How suffering can bear fruit 

    12:25 Pain presents us with a choice, what will you choose?

    17:52 If you want quick healing, start here 

    20:30 I didn’t know how to move forward 

    23:38 God is a God of second chances 

    28:00 Our incredible adoption story

    Rachel Wojo is an inspirational author, speaker, and podcaster. Through her biblical approach and personal life experiences, Rachel empowers women to discover strength and hope in everyday situations. Despite enduring the loss of her mother, father, and adult special needs daughter, Rachel remains resilient. She is crazy in love with her husband Matt and cherishes her six children on earth and two in heaven.  

    Learn more about Rachel Wojo and her book Desperate Prayers. https://rachelwojo.com/desperateprayers/

    Get Rachel's free When You Can't Pray Guide https://rachelwojo.com/freebie-2/

    Get your copy of Parents Rising here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802416608/?tag=arlenpelli-20

    Save the date: Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego, September 6, 2025
    Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet and more free resources from Arlene https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe
    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    10:00 Why self-esteem didn’t deliver 

    12:15 Kids find fulfillment when they discover this 

    14:00 How to guide children to be respectful 

    16:30 Which is most important: humility, respect or resiliency? 

    18:00 A working definition of humility 

    21:10 Train, don’t entertain 

    23:30 When a teenager goes sideways 

    25:00 My twins entered high school and I had a panic attack 

    29:00 Instilling courage through trying 

    32:00 Using persuasive pressure on kids 

    Jill Garner is the founder of Manners of the Heart, a non-profit to re-awake respect in our society. She has been featured by Focus on the Family and FamilyLife Today. She is an accomplished speaker, advocate, and author.

    Learn more about Jill Garner and her non-profit, Manners of the Heart https://mannersoftheheart.org/

    Learn more about Jill Garner and her latest book, StrongHeart: Cultivating Humility, Respect, and Resiliency in Your Child. https://jillgarnercontent.org/books

    Did you miss Reset Your Tech month? Go back to last month's episodes, and you can still get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Coming September 6, 2025 - Arlene's next Parents Rising Conference in San Diego. Save the date! 

    Get your copy of Parents Rising here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802416608/?tag=arlenpelli-20

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    It's RESET YOUR TECH month! Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Kids and teens are being absorbed, entranced and harmed by technology use. Mental health problems are multiplying and there is no solution in sight. If we don't act, kids will be even more dependent on tech in the years ahead. What can we do to rescue this anxious generation? Arlene shares what you can do starting today to reverse the trend of harmful social media and gaming in your home. 

    Commenting about the findings in Jonathan Haidt's important book, The Anxious Generation, Arlene addresses: 

    5:00 Why is a rescue for our kids needed?

    10:24 What does social media do to my child’s sleep and well-being? 

    16:51 But I've heard about the benefits of social media for teens 

    18:45 How to help your teen change social media use 

    23:50 Why we overprotect our kids in the real world, and under protect them in the virtual world

    Watch Arlene's free video Screen Kids: In Their Own Words about her kids going through high school without phones https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/film

    Read Arlene's book Screen Kids (co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802422209/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802422209&linkCode=as2&tag=arlenpelli-20&linkId=837f2447fde5b4a57b13b75b78236083

    Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    It's RESET YOUR TECH month! Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    If you keep your kids off social media and video games, will you be ruining their childhood? With the pressure for teens to engage online, is it really a good idea for a parent to delay the smartphone? College student Evan Hempe says yes. After seeing his older brother crash and burn because of video games, Evan's mom Melanie Hempe (last week's podcast guest and founder of ScreenStrong) vowed to raise Evan and his twin brother differently. Evan shares why his phone-free childhood was a remarkable gift as we talk about: 

    4:39 I was afraid of my older brother because of what the games did to him 

    7:08 Having a “real” childhood 

    14:37 There's such a difference between kids who grew up with phones and kids who didn’t 

    17:08 How you can get your kids interested in hobbies other than video games 

    22:04 The truth is social media is not essential for socializing

    Evan Hempe is a student at Liberty University who has a wide range of interests such as piano and art. If you're at a major sports event at Liberty, you'll hear him on the mic welcoming the crowd and kicking off the game. He has spoken alongside his mom, Melanie Hempe, founder of ScreenStrong. 

    Learn how to raise your child the ScreenStrong way at https://screenstrong.org/

    Learn more about the Kids' Brains and Screens Student Course https://kidsbrainsandscreens.com/

    Watch Arlene's free video Screen Kids: In Their Own Words about her kids also going through high school without phones https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/film

    Read Arlene's book Screen Kids (co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802422209/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802422209&linkCode=as2&tag=arlenpelli-20&linkId=837f2447fde5b4a57b13b75b78236083

    Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    It's RESET YOUR TECH month! Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Imagine if your son went from well-rounded and healthy to completely obsessed with video games. This story isn't unusual anymore. Melanie Hempe, mom and and founder of Screen Strong, shares how her oldest son was almost wrecked by video games and how he got his life back. You'll learn how to reverse screen addiction and also how to prevent it. Today you'll learn: 

    2:13 I watched my child be addicted to video games 

    7:07 You can choose the course of your child’s life 

    13:18 There is a giant myth around your child’s social life

    21:35 The best gift you can give your child

    24:09 I’ve already given my teen social media, what do I do?

    35:12 How the older sibling’s behavior will trickle down to the younger sibling

    Melanie Hempe is a registered nurse and the founder of Screen Strong, a nonprofit committed to giving you the fastest way to resolve screen conflicts and build strong families. She is the host of the ScreenStrong Families podcast and has been featured in the WSJ, CBS, CNN, NPR and Psychology Today. She and her husband have four children. 

    Learn more about Screen Strong https://screenstrong.org/

    Learn more about the Kids' Brains and Screens Student Course https://kidsbrainsandscreens.com/

    Read Arlene's book Screen Kids (co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802422209/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802422209&linkCode=as2&tag=arlenpelli-20&linkId=837f2447fde5b4a57b13b75b78236083

    Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    It's RESET YOUR TECH month!

    Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet at https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Today's average teenager is spending hours on a phone, immersed in social media, entertainment, and gaming every day. The result has been a mental health epidemic. If normal isn't working, why not be a screen rebel? My daughter Noelle joins us today to talk about her journey through public high school in Southern California without a smartphone or social media. If your child says it's impossible to exist without a phone, you're about to find out it can actually be amazing. In today's conversation, you'll learn: 

    3:18 Social interactions for your child are possible without having a smartphone???

    8:24 Why social media is so dangerous

    15:17 How your kids can find friends that respect them, even if they don’t have social media 

    17:17 What happens if I tell my kids they can’t have phones?

    21:15 Do not be afraid to protect your kids from addictive technology 

    24:32 Finding connection in God, not social media 

    29:04 Seeing the fruit of honoring your parents

    Noelle Pellicane is a high school graduate who thrived without a cell phone or social media. She excelled in school, taking five Advanced Placement exams her senior year and being awarded the sportsmanship award and #1 singles player in tennis. She is currently studying mechanical engineering at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. She has a smartphone now but has opted out of social media. She enjoys using her phone to call her mom.

    Want to know the secret sauce? Read my book Screen Kids, co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802422209/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802422209&linkCode=as2&tag=arlenpelli-20&linkId=837f2447fde5b4a57b13b75b78236083

    Learn more about Summit Student Conference (Biblical worldview conference Noelle recommends) https://www.summit.org/programs/student-conferences/

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    More Resources for Your Family:

    Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet at https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    Are you 100 percent thrilled with how your family uses technology? 

    If you say no, then welcome to the club! This month's theme is RESET YOUR TECH. Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet at https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    If your kids opted out of having a smartphone, social media and video games, would they be better or worse off? Imagine saying goodbye to parental controls, fights, and time limits. Today's guest Erin Loechner is the author of The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't. As you can imagine, I love this book! Today's we're going to talk about: 

    3:00 What an “opt-out” family looks like

    5:00 Why is social media so dangerous for children?

    10:43 What the algorithm of social media does

    14:10 The burden of social media on girls

    21:00 Does having a smartphone truly help your child in their social life?

    23:30 How can we “opt-in” to other things as we “opt-out” of social media? 

    27:10 The main concerns with AI

    29:45 Why easier is not better

    Erin Loechner is a former social media influencer who walked away from a million fans to live a low-tech lifestyle and is now teaching others to do the same. She's been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, the Today Show. Erin is the founder of the global tech-free movement the Opt-Out Family.

    Learn more about Erin Loechner and her new book (which is launching with no social media of her own), The Opt Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't. https://www.optoutfamily.com/

    Learn how to dumb down your smartphone https://www.optoutfamily.com/tip/

    Read Arlene's book Screen Kids (co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802422209/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802422209&linkCode=as2&tag=arlenpelli-20&linkId=837f2447fde5b4a57b13b75b78236083

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    Get your free "Reset Your Tech" tip sheet at https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    Our kids aren't growing up in a culture that supports following Jesus. Yet kids and teens are spiritually curious. How can we reach the spiritual curious with the good news of Jesus? How can we help our kids engage their friends about faith? Mark Matlock, senior fellow at Barna, is here to explain the culture we live in and why spiritual openness is on the rise. Sharing from his book, Faith for the Curious, you'll learn: 

    2:05 What does it really mean to be curious?

    8:30 How do we give space for curiosity and still give our kids guidance?

    13:05 How to have essential conversations with your kids when they are curious about the “wrong” things 

    18:36 Living in Digital Babylon 

    21:28 Helping our kids reach their spiritually curious friends 

    26:48 How to create opportunities to talk about faith using curiosity

    Mark Matlock is an author, senior fellow at Barna, the founder of WisdomWorks, and currently serves as the Executive Director of Urbana for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Mark's books include Faith for Exiles, and today we're talking about his new book, Faith for the Curious. 

    Learn more about Mark Matlock and his book Faith for the Curious on his website. https://markmatlock.com/

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    More Resources for Your Family:

    Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    We may live in a broken world, but that doesn't mean the goodness of God is out of reach. We can live with joy, abundance, and confidence right now! Beloved Bible teacher Carol McLeod is here to encourage your heart with truth from the book of Colossians and her own experience raising five children. Based on Carol's new book, Overflowing: Living Abundantly in a Broken Culture, you'll learn how to flourish as a family. We'll talk about:  

    2:22 How can you live abundantly as a family in this broken, toxic culture?   

    6:29 Do you live in an invisible prison?  

    8:45 What does walking with the Lord look like day-to-day?  

    13:30 Practical tips for loving difficult people in your life (especially when they are your kids or spouse)  

    18:26 Kids have superpowers (but it's not what you think)  

    23:32 How can we cultivate more gratitude in the home  

    26:25 Living in God’s will doesn't have to be a mystery  

    29:24 Never nag about chores again  

    Bible teacher Carol McLeod is a mom to five grown children and Marmee to 10 grandchildren. Her YouVersion devotionals have been downloaded more than 4 million times. Carol has devoted her life to teaching women the Word of God. She is the author of several books included her new book based on the Book of Colossians, Overflowing: Living Abundantly in a Broken Culture. 

    Learn more about Carol McLeod and her book here https://www.carolmcleodministries.com/

    Learn more about Carol's video teaching here https://www.carolmcleodministries.com/shop-main/p/overflowing-bundle

    Getting into fights with your kids over screen time? Read Arlene's book Screen Kids co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802422209/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802422209&linkCode=as2&tag=arlenpelli-20&linkId=837f2447fde5b4a57b13b75b78236083

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    More Resources for Your Family: 

    Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

  • Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here.



    Playing on a sports team can be a great learning experience for your child, but it can also lead to overcommitment and exhaustion. How can you tell if your commitment to sports is working for or against your family? Dr. David Fraze is here to coach us up. He has a new book full of good advice for student athletes and the families who are cheering for them (and driving them to games). The book is Practical Wisdom for Athletes and Their Families (co-authored with Dr. Monica Williams). During today's interview, David will answer many questions like: 

    3:20 Wait, I don’t have to go crazy driving my kids to all different sports? 

    5:00 Look at your pocketbook…

    6:00 Start here if you are struggling with juggling sports 

    8:20 What if the sports schedule conflicts with church or other Christian activities? 

    12:00 If you have a problem with the coach, how should you approach him or her? 

    15:30 How can we bring glory to God through sports?  

    17:50 What if your child is becoming more vulgar / less godly because of the team? 

    20:00 My kid wants to quit, what should I do?

    23:00 When parents act poorly in the stands 

    25:30 How to reset while you’re playing a game

    Dr. David Fraze is an associate professor and Endowed Chair of Youth and Family ministry at Lubbock Christian University. He has worked for more than 35 years with youth in church, school, and athletic settings, working with coaches, student athletes and families specifically for the last 15 years.

    Learn more about his book, Practical Wisdom for Athletes and Their Families here https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Wisdom-Families-Athletes-Ultimate/dp/1684260035/

    Need solid teaching to up your game as a parent? Get access to all the sessions of this year's Parents Rising Conference with Dr. Gary Chapman, Bill and Pam Farrel, Sally Burke, and Arlene Pellicane here. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/conference

    Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Please email Arlene your questions and the topics you want covered on the show! [email protected]

    More Resources for Your Family:

    Subscribe to Arlene's free email list where she shares what she is learning in her home for yours. https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/subscribe

    Watch a VIDEO clip from the podcast on Arlene's Happy Home YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@arlenehappyhome