The Family First Podcast

Susan and I have raised 5 children through the teen years. Teenagers are trying to figure out life…who am I? Where am I going? Do I have what it takes? Am I beautiful? Teens have a lot going on under the surface that they either haven’t identified, are afraid to say, or don’t know how to tell you. So it remains inside, alone and unattended. What if we did know? It might change the way we parent teens. What do you think? Do you want to know how to parent a teenager better?

Too many marriages end in divorce. One of the reasons for this is couples today are not prepared for all the good and bad that may happen in marriage. So are you prepared? On today’s podcast, Jackie and Stephana Bledsoe will be discussing with us three of the seven stages, or 7 Rings of Marriages, […]

Joy: We all want it, but few of us have it. Why? Because every day, people and circumstances overwhelm our lives and steal our joy. Things like fear, anxiety, jealousy, death, loneliness, and illness sneak in. These difficulties consume our thoughts and drain our energy until we're left feeling incapable of joy. But in spite of these setbacks, I believe joy is still possible. And I believe you deserve to find that joy! So on today’s podcast, my wife, Susan, and I will be sharing 3 ways to find joy in the daily grind.

The difficulties we face in life have the power to break or strengthen our marriage...the choice is up to us. We can choose to harbor resentment and unforgiveness or we can choose to embrace love and restoration. It all comes down to one thing: if we have faith that our marriage is worth fighting for. Luckily, God offers us this faith and works alongside us to restore our marriage no matter how difficult the trial. Even after experiencing the pain of adultery, failure, and loss, Justin and Trisha Davis made the decision that their marriage was worth fighting for. This husband and wife duo founded RefineUs Ministries---a church movement to build healthy marriages and families. They currently live in Nashville as speakers and teachers. So on today’s podcast, we’ll be talking with this couple about how faith restored their marriage.

Presents...snow...mistletoe...There's nothing better than the holiday season! Except when you throw in angry shoppers, long lines, and sleepless nights wrapping gifts. That's when the chaos has a way of overwhelming the cheer. And Christmas becomes more stressful than peaceful. But not this year! Because this year, my wife, Susan, and I pledge to be better elves.

Sometimes the storms of life are quiet rain showers that barely faze us. Other times the storms of life are more like hurricanes with 100 miles per hour winds! But whatever type of storm we may be facing, it's important that we learn how to be resilient in our most important relationship: our marriage. Why? Because being resilient empowers us to conquer any storm. In his newest book Resilient: Your Invitation to a Jesus-Shaped Life, Sheridan Voysey who is an Australian-born, Oxford-based writer, speaker, and broadcaster discusses the tough topic of resilience based on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. So on today’s podcast, we’ll be discussing the 4 factors of resilience

Does your child believe they deserve certain things? That they are entitled? An entitlement is something that is granted to someone without them having to earn it. It is given without any effort. It is a right. And unfortunately, our culture is encouraging our children to pursue this sense of entitlement. But with Thanksgiving right around the corner, it seems fitting to discuss how to replace our children's sense of entitlement with a spirit of thankfulness. Well, on today's podcast, my wife, Susan, and I will be sharing how to break your child's sense of entitlement.

I'll be the first to admit that patience has never been a strength of mine. I function best when things go on time and according to plan. So when that doesn't happen, my natural reaction is to get frustrated and become impatient. Impatience is a common trait that many of us struggle with in our lives and in our marriages. So is there any solution? Well, on today's podcast, my wife, Susan, and I will be sharing 3 key ways to practice patience in your marriage.

We've all heard the common phrase: Men are from Mars and women are from Venus. So how can we create successful marriages between two opposite people? Well, it's all about recognizing and understanding the needs of women versus the needs of men. So on today’s podcast, we’ll be talking with keynote speaker and best-selling author Rick Johnson about the needs of women versus the needs of men based on his most recent book, Romancing Your Better Half.

Martin Luther King Jr. told us what greatness is all about when he said, “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” One of our jobs as parents is to talk to our kids about the significance of serving others and show them how to do it. Today, we’re going to talk about some places you and your kids can serve others…in your home, your neighborhood, your community, your country, your world.

In today’s culture, divorce has become an all-too-common word. Why? Because marriages are falling apart left and right. So if someone were to ask you the secret to saving a marriage, what would you say? Feeling “in love”? Having less conflict? Creating more passion? In an all-new, updated edition of Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts, […]

Picture this: You’ve just finished an hour long argument with your spouse. There was yelling, name-calling and fingerpointing. But then came apologies and reconciliation. So everything was good…until 5 minutes later when you began arguing about the dirty dishes still laying in the sink. And so it goes. Sometimes marriage begins to feel like one conflict […]

It’s easy to find a fair-weather friend. But how do we find someone to stand by us through the storms? Authentic relationships require evaluation, reconciliation, and restoration. We must evaluate where we may have wronged someone, reconcile that issue, and then restore the relationship through faith and healing. So on today’s podcast, we’ll be talking […]

We all wish marriage communication was like a proverbial walk in the park. Oftentimes though, it’s more like a blindfolded sprint through the middle of the jungle! Emotions run high and feelings get hurt. And so we’re left wondering if healthy marriage communication is even possible. Well, Susan and I are here to tell you […]

All marriages go through good seasons and not-so-good seasons. Good seasons mean easy communication, stable finances, and obedient kids. On the other hand, not-so-good seasons mean hairpulling, name-calling, and plenty of misunderstandings. So how can we persevere through life’s most challenging times? Well, it all begins with recognizing the challenges in marriage and creating a […]