Episodes
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Vulnerability
As we say farewell to all our listeners we are offering one final episode about vulnerability. Both John and Jo have been vulnerable through the past two seasons, but you too can be vulnerable and it’s critical to evangelization and developing strong relationships. Use your vulnerability to bring...
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Setting the Bar
As parents we want our kids to be successful. There’s a debate out there about how much we should be involved in the process and setting the bar of success. Do we let our kids find their own motivation and drive, or do we guide their steps? Jo and John have different approaches that they will...
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Last Minute Christmas
I’m sure most of you are prepared for Christmas. If not, or your desperate for gift ideas for a teen in your life, listen in! Jo provides some ideas for both young men and women, with of course a little unexpected humor from John.
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Thank You, Teens (funny)
Thanksgiving is a time of giving thanks to all those we know, and how they’ve positively impacted our lives. We can’t be too serious on this podcast, so why not thank our kids for the ways we’ve been challenged as parents. This list is meant to make you smile and bring a little humor to your day.
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Grooming for Marriage
Holy and healthy dating…what parent could ask for anything more?? But what influence do we have as parents? The culture is sending messages to teens and young adults about marriage…you need to first be financially secure, you need to be a certain age, you need to settled in your career, etc. But…
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A Foundation of Trust
This episode is part 2 of our last conversation, which involved the value and importance of communication with our children. While our teens have free will to choose to listen and follow our guidance, it’s important to have developed a foundation of trust with them first. Once we’ve earned trust…
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Search for Friendship
We also further our boundary discussion by discussing the influence of friends - why it’s important as parents that we model this for our kids, and how social media plays a critical role. Are our teens finding authentic friendships? What are a few practical things that parents can do to encourage...
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Defining Boundaries
Have you established boundaries in your family? Boundaries are healthy for all relationships, especially with our teens. John shares a story about recent events in his life that empowered him and his wife to define and follow through with boundaries. It’s sometimes hard to follow through on...
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Theology of Driving
If you haven’t been there yet, brace yourself! When it’s time to teach our teens to drive it can be overwhelming and stressful. It’s also difficult to release your control of the pedals!! Listen in as Jo and John share their stories and advice.
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Fighting Against the Culture
We’re happy to be back! During our pause we decided to retarget future podcasts towards raising teens. We have a lot planned going forward, but this episode is dedicated to the value and importance of knowing theology of the body and sharing it with our teens so they can be strengthened against…
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Discipling Your Lost Child
Even if you do all the right things as a parent, your child can stray from the faith. This is especially true and frustrating for parents who work at or for the Church. Find comfort in Jo’s story, or listen in preparation of what could lie ahead for you as a parent.
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Raising Teens
Raising teens is challenging. They have minds of a child and consequences of an adult. These critical years as a parent can be exhausting. Societal pressures, desires of the teen and FOMO take over. Reflecting on the Prodigal Son in scripture can provide us some wisdom and guidance to be ready…
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Gratefulness
In today’s episode we are talking about gratefulness. It is both humbling and healing to reflect on the many things that have made an impact on our lives. It is also an incredible experience to reflect on gratefulness in times of tribulation. Listen in to our conversation and reflect on your...
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Catholic Pride
For many Catholics, June can be a challenging month. Gay pride messages are saturated everywhere you look. What do you say to your children? How do we respond? What is God calling us to do? Listen in as we review the Catechism and share practical tips and resources to help you navigate.
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Trusting God’s Plan
What a treat! Today we are joined by Fr John Ludanha, a missionary priest from Africa. Some often struggle with God’s Plan. It might not be something we wanted or desired, but in the end, we see the beautiful plan our Father in Heaven has orchestrated for us. As Fr John shares his story, you will...
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Gender: Body & Soul
Today we are joined by a special guest - Dr. Susan Selner-Wright. She is helping us to navigate the sensitivity around gender ideology. Susan dissects the Christian viewpoint as well as provides information about a website resource we can all use called “Person and Identity”. So much content is...
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Share Your Zeal
Today we’re talking about our mission of evangelization, which just like Mary Magdalene, is a personal response to your encounter with Jesus. Have you thought about your encounter and how it can be shared with others? And if you haven’t experienced God’s love, now is your time!! No matter your...
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Your Extended Family
What does it mean to register at your parish? Why is it valuable? Both Jo and John have been asked this question before, especially during sacramental prep. It has also been a topic of discussion amongst millennials. During today’s episode we provide some insight and understanding on why you…
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Divine Mercy
Jo’s away, and so John took over the podcast! Today he has special guests - Paul and Colleen Lum Lung. They shared stories about their devotion to Divine Mercy, it’s significance and how families can celebrate it, as well as their memory of crashing Fr Michael Gaitley’s ordination party.
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Stations of the Cross
Do you pray the Stations of the Cross? How does the Lenten season help us to meditate on these prayers? In today’s episode we offer suggestions of where and how you can pray the Stations. Jo also shares her memories of Via Dolorosa in her last pilgrimage to Jerusalem, as well as a spiritual...
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Confession: A Fresh Start
Welcome to our second season! We are in the season Lent, and it’s the perfect time to consider the sacrament of Confession, where we can be healed and can repair our relationship with God. Why do we as Catholics confess to a priest? What are the obstacles that challenge us? Today’s the day for…
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There Are No Shortcuts
How many times as a parent do you use shortcuts? The alternative sounds exhausting and overwhelming, but it’s actually not. Venerable Fulton Sheen wrote a reflection on the three temptations of Jesus. In this episode we discuss how these temptations also affect parents. Some of us accept the...
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Raising Upright Kids, Part 6
The final two chapters of our book study is here! Today we discuss social influences. Those crowds and audiences we allow our children to hang with, as well as ourselves, can and will make an impact. How do we prevent those relationships from negativity affecting our family? How do we encourage…
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Raising Upright Kids, Part 5
On today’s episode we talk about the dreaded accumulation of stuff! How much stuff is too much? How do we declutter and change our habits so our kids can learn from our example? Listen in! Jo and John have a lot to share.
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Raising Upright Kids, Part 4
Social media- What began as a means to update your family and friends who live far away from you, is now a high tech sticker system for instant gratification. Why do we use it? How does it help us to be a saintly person? How does it support our children’s needs? Jo and John share what they’ve...
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Raising Upright Kids, Part 3
In today’s episode we talk about cellphones, and the controversy surrounding them. When do we give one to our kids? How do we control their limits and protect them from danger? There’s so much to navigate in this difficult topic, let Jo and John (and Dr Ray Guarendi) guide you!
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Raising Upright Kids, Part 2
Part 2 of our book study continues with our discussion about being a 1 in 100 parent, and how that means we have to do what’s right, even if it is in opposition to the opinions of the majority. How does socialization affect our decision? What about homeschooling? Listen in as Jo and John help you...
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Raising Upright Kids
Even Jo and John can use some helpful guidance in raising their kids in a culture that wants to water down their parental authority and wisdom. Today we are beginning a book study with “Raising Upright Kids in an Upside-Down World”, a book by Dr. Ray Guarendi. Over the next few weeks we will...
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A Fresh Start
New Year’s is a time for resolutions - an opportunity for us to start over and begin a new journey. For many of us, the resolution is short-lived. Eventually we begin lowering the bar and expectations so it becomes an easier goal to obtain, but maybe all we need is a little fortitude. Jo and John...
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All Alone
Is loneliness a bad thing? For some, it is driven by FOMO (fear of missing out) and envy from what their peers are experiencing. For others, it is an absence of connecting to others through our senses. Jo and John break down this dilemma during Covid-19 and the holidays, and how we can use...
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Holiness in the Ordinary
In honor of the year of St. Joseph and in celebration of the feast of the Holy Family, we dedicate this episode to all of those who live ordinary, yet holy, lives. This is great timing as we approach Christmas in the next few days. Have you ever wondered why it was a manager in a stable that…
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A Quiet Christmas
Yes, COVID has forced us into a quiet Christmas away from the busyness of years past, but it is also a blessing! Time for us to slow down and be still. Time for us to reflect on Christ’s birth. Time for us to spend with our family, and get back to the true meaning of the season. Jo and John talk...
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Fear of Parenting
Yes, it’s a real fear. For some couples, they choose contraception to avoid becoming parents, and for those couples living together before marriage, it is preventing them from discerning the vocation of marriage. Why do we have a fear and how can we overcome it? Listen to Jo and John share their...
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Wrestling for Authority
How many of you have wrestled for authority in your home? Jo openly shares her personal struggles of balancing power and authority in her marriage, and her realization that she’s been pushing her husband out of the way. Can you relate? How can scripture help us? Listen in as Jo and John weigh in...
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Thanksgiving Traditions
Thanksgiving is a great time to not only be thankful for our blessings, but to reminisce about our childhood. From making homemade stuffing to watching the annual parade to sharing the holiday with friends and family...we can all express gratitude about something. This is especially important…
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Conjugal Love and the Sacredness of Marriage
During the last episode, we discussed grace from the sacrament of marriage. But why does our faith call us to follow a particular order, including marriage IN THE Church, rather than the beach or other locations? What does sex communicate to our spouse? Why is it good and necessary? Join Jo and...
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Grace from Marriage
Jo and John talk about the grace we receive from the sacrament of marriage. They both share their experiences, including marriage preparation, cohabitation, and the roles we take on as husband and wife. But more importantly, they explain why we need God and should encourage our loved ones to…
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Lessons From Purgatory
Jo and John discuss the feast of All Souls, and the importance of not only praying for our deceased loved ones, but keeping our children engaged in the faith so they can pray for us when we pass from this world. Do you doubt the existence of purgatory? There’s evidence from a museum that we can’t...
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Election 2020: Finding Common Ground
The election is just around the corner! As Catholics we are challenged with how to vote and how to share our viewpoints with others. Katalyst is a new nonprofit that was created to empower the laity in the public square. Executive Director Kelly Dore is in the studio to share her experiences,...
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One Day at a Time
Irritations are riding high as we struggle to adapt to more changes and adjustments to our schedule. For most parents, they are frustrated with school, homework and not receiving the same output for the work they put in. Jo and John discuss this matter and share how God provides us hope if we…
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Trick or Treat: Halloween 2020
With much of our city still under restrictions, what does that mean for Halloween? Jo and John discuss ideas and new ways to enjoy this annual tradition, including honoring the Saints.
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Family Game Night
We love game night! For Jo and John, it has been a great opportunity to step outside of their crazy life and reconnect with the family. In today’s episode they share some of their favorite games and memories, and why you too should carve out time each week for a personal hobby or a family fun night!
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Fighting Fair With Your Spouse
Jo and John have a discussion about resolving conflict in their relationships, and how our environment and timing can make a big impact. USCCB’s initiative, For Your Marriage, published an article with suggestions. Jo and John review the list and share their perspectives.
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The Domestic Church, Part 2: Corporal Works of Mercy
In followup to last week’s episode, Jo and John discuss the impact that corporal works of mercy make on the family, and their community. Between both episodes, there’s a necessary dualism that takes place of the soul and the body. Consider our suggestions or others so we can bring Jesus to others.
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The Domestic Church, Part 1: Spiritual Works of Mercy
What is the domestic church? How can we practice and embody it in our homes? Jo and John begin a two-part series to explain this idea. Today’s episode talks about the spiritual works of mercy, and how they can help us as families to model Christ’s love to the world!
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Friendships after Marriage
There’s a difference between friendships before and after marriage. Things quickly begin to change. What’s to be expected and how do you navigate the waters are all a part of our conversations this episode. Listen in and if you want to share your feedback check out our Facebook and Instagram page!
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Potty Training Memories with Mandy Cox
For some of us, we will hold these memories with us FOREVER!! We’re talking potty training. If you haven’t done it yet, this episode will provide some tips and resources. If you’ve “been there, done that”, listen in and laugh along! Jo, John and Mandy will share their stories.
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It’s OK to be Selfish
Is it really? Well, if we’re talking about how it feels to prioritize time for yourself when you’re busy carrying and providing for your family...then, YES! Jo and John have a honest conversation about time and terminology, and how strategic pause and silence can rejuvenate your soul.
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It’s Not Your Time
Jo and John catch up with each other and share information about an upcoming mental health conference in their area. Jo’s daughter, Anna, also stops by to talk about her journey with suicide ideation, and share some valuable advice.
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Birds and the Bees
Jo is away. In substitution, Mandy Cox joins her husband, John, in the studio to discuss their experience with teaching sexuality to their children. They also share their childhood stories, as well as practical resources for Catholic families. Check out www.tobet.org!
About this show
Honest and humorous discussions about raising teens in the Catholic faith, navigated by Catholic scholar John Cox and family life expert Jo Holt.
Hosted by
Jo Holt & John Cox
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