Episodes
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Beyond Fine
Ever feel like asking "How was your day?" only gets you a one-word answer? In this episode, host Jon Mahlstedt sits down with Jenny Heckman to discuss navigating communication breakdowns with pre-teens and teens. Drawing from her experience as a parent, Jenny shares actionable insights on moving...
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Staying on Track
In our busy lives, it’s so easy for faith and family values to become just another event on the calendar—instead of the foundation driving how we actually parent. In this solo episode, host Jon Mahlstedt breaks down how to stay on target and focus on what truly matters. He shares practical,...
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Meet Josh Kilde!
Meet Northbrook’s new Youth Pastor, Josh Kilde! In this special "get to know you" episode, host Jon Mahlstedt sits down with Josh to officially welcome him to the Northbrook family. Tune in to hear about: His Journey: How Josh was called to Northbrook and his path to ministry. Behind the Scenes:...
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Marriage Tools
What are the building blocks of a healthy marriage? Host Jon Mahlstedt sits down with Paul and Jeri Robertson, who have spent years investing in and mentoring marriages. Together they discuss the role of shared faith in marriage, how to navigate seasons of spiritual misalignment, practical advice...
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Understanding Emerging Adults
What does it mean to be a young adult today? In this episode, host Jon Mahlstedt sits down with Steven Argue from the Fuller Youth Institute for an honest conversation about the unique challenges emerging adults face in today’s world. Together, they discuss common misconceptions about young…
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Maintaining a Strong Relationship with Your Kids
Raising kids doesn’t come with a manual—but wisdom helps. This month, host Jon Mahlstedt sits down with Northbrook Lead Pastor, Mike Bellanti, for an honest conversation about building lasting relationships with your kids. Drawing from his experience raising two, now adult children, Mike shares...
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The Top Ten Parenting Questions
Parenting comes with a lot of questions. In this episode, we explore the top ten parenting questions I’ve been asked over the years, and share practical wisdom and encouragement for the journey of raising kids.
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A Journey of Foster Care and Adoption
My guests for this episode are Paul and Katie Bernard. Whether you are thinking about foster care, whether you are in the trenches of foster care, or just curious, you will enjoy this conversation. Paul and Katie have been foster parents of 15 children, 5 of which they have adopted. Resource:...
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Helping Your Child Win the Mental Health Battle
In this episode, Jenny Heckman, Pastor of Care, joins me for an honest and hopeful conversation designed to encourage and equip parents—not burden them. In this episode, we talk about: • Why parents still know their kids best • Simple, powerful habits that support mental health • The real impact…
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Sports, Schedules, and Finding Sabbath
Between sports, school events, church activities, and everything in between—family life is BUSY. But is all this activity helping or hurting us? In this honest and practical episode, Pastor Jon Mahlstedt (NextGen Pastor at Northbrook Church) and Pastor Zack Casper (Associate Pastor at Fulton...
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Why are Students Leaving the Church?
Why are so many students walking away from their faith after high school? As a Next Gen Pastor, Pastor Jon has seen the trends, had the conversations, and wrestled with the reality that too many young people disengage from church after graduation. In this episode, he unpacks five key reasons why...
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Interview with Terra Mattson
Today Pastor Jon interviews our upcoming Equip Parenting Conference speaker, Terra Mattson. Terra is a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, clinical supervisor, executive coach, social entrepreneur, and co-founder of Living Wholehearted and Courageous Girls...
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Four Battles Students Face
Welcome to helping students in 2025! We all want to help the young people in our lives, but helping starts with understanding. In this episode Pastor Jon dives into four battles students are facing right now and how parents and loved ones can support them.
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Summer Book Recommendations
Pastor Jon and his wife Shalanna share over 20 of their favorite books for parents and teens in categories like parenting, spirituality, leadership, biographies, politics and more. Everyone is sure to hear at least one book they mention that sparks an interest! Find links to all the books they...
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Q&A with David Thomas
David Thomas answers some of the questions we didn't get to at the Equip parenting conference. Great wisdom for any parent! Road Back to You Enneagram Book Enneagram Made Easy Driven to Distraction Book Raising Boys and Girls
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An Interview with Northbrook Parent Mentors
Northbrook parent mentors John and Jill Peterson share their insights on what parent mentoring is, who would benefit from it, and other helpful parenting advice they've learned over the years! Ben Pugh Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ryt1j8QCaoseRPQHw9eSL Books:...
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Healthy Marriages in 2024 with Pastor Jenny Heckman
Looking to work on your marriage? Whether you have a healthy marriage and want to keep it that way, your marriage is in crisis, or your marriage is somewhere in between, we're here to help! Join Pastor Jon and Pastor Jenny as they share resources provided by Northbrook for marriages in any state…
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Christmas Present Ideas for Parents/Grandparents
This Christmas season Pastor Jon and his wife Shalanna talk about great gift ideas to help kids birth through college grow in their spiritual development, improve mental health, or gifts that facilitate quality time as a family! Next Gen Survey Gift link list: Parent Cue Gift List Stair Slide...
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Equip Conference Preview: Interview with David Thomas
David's Books Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build On for Life Strong and Smart: A Boy's Guide to Building Healthy Emotions
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Helping Divorced or Separated Parents
Jenny Heckman is our newest Pastor at Northbrook Church. With a background in Pastoral Care and Counseling she offers knowledge and resources to separated or divorced parents. Book Resource: The Parent's Guide to Birdnesting: A Child-Centered Solution to Co-Parenting During Separation and Divorce
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Parenting Your High School Student
Be sure to share this episode to encourage other parents!
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Parenting Your Middle School Student
Book #1 Book #2
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Tips for Parenting Your Young Adult (Part 2) ”What Our Parents Did Well”
Click here to listen to our "part 1" episode with Mike Bellanti
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Tips for Parenting Your Young Adult with Mike Bellanti
Thanks for listening to this episode! Part 2 will be coming out soon!
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Next Gen Parenting Equip Conference Recap with Pastor Jon and his wife Shalanna.
Thanks for listening to this episode! Here are some relevant resources below: Raising Boys and Girls Podcast Raising Boys and Girls Website
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Cultivating Community in Your 20’s
"Find Your People" by Jenni Allen Life Groups at Northbrook Serving opportunities at Northbrook
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Preschool to Elementary
Thanks for listening to this episode! Here are some relevant resources below: NbKids Page with Parent Cue info at the bottom
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Are My Kids On Track with David Thomas
Thanks for listening to this episode! Here are some relevant resources below: Raising Boys & Girls
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No Kids to Kids
Thanks for listening to this episode! Here are some relevant resources below: Vikie's Email Next Gen Website Next Gen Life Groups
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Helping Students Navigate Mental Health With Jenny Heckman
In this episode, Jon sits down with licensed family counselor Jenny Heckman to have a conversation about some of the trends Jenny is seeing with students mental health coming out of covid. Jenny also provides some tips and advice to help parents partner with their children in their mental health...
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Smart Parenting for Smart Phones
For today's episode, we have Northbrook's Youth Pastors (Jon Mahlstedt + Janelle Mosley) to talk about 9 tips on how to fight for your kids. We touch on real life experiences and give practical steps for parents. Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/northbrookchurch/...
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9 Tips for Fighting For Your Kids
For today's episode, we have Northbrook's Youth Pastors (Jon Mahlstedt + Janelle Mosley) to talk about 9 tips on how to fight for your kids. We touch on real life experiences and give practical steps for parents. Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/northbrookchurch/...
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High School to Young Adult transition
For today's episode, we have Northbrook's Pastor of Connections, Taylor Klopatek, to talk about the transition from High School to Young Adult. We touch on real life experiences, practical steps for parents, and resources that Northbrook offers them through this transition. Follow us on…
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8th to 9th Grade transition
For today's episode, we have Northbrook's Youth Pastors (Jon Mahlstedt + Janelle Mosley) to talk about the transition from 8th to 9th grade. We touch on real life experiences, practical steps for parents, and resources that Northbrook offers them through this transition. Follow us on Instagram!...
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5th to 6th Grade transition
For today's episode, we have Northbrook's Youth Pastors (Jon Mahlstedt + Janelle Mosley) to talk about the transition from 5th to 6th grade. We touch on real life experiences, practical steps for parents, and resources that Northbrook offers them through this transition. Follow us on Instagram!...
About this show
Equipping families and empowering the next generation.
Hosted by
Northbrook Church
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