TRUSTED by your teenager with Kristen Duke (formerly Beyond Good Intentions)

The tears came out today! 

I wasn't planning to share this today, but I just got back from the gym where I ran into someone (I barely know) and we talked for an hour... I walked away so benefitted from that experience, that it reminded me of how sharing our vulnerable stories has the opportunity to bless others in countelss ways, many we will never know about.

I share how a friends story she shared 10 years ago stuck in my mind, and helped me bless & support my son, and I'll forever be grateful. (Listen to a follow up to this episode in the next one, number 11).

Come to the Transform Retreat September 9th! https://kristenduke.com/sales-page-retreat/

You can always email me an questions, happy to hop on a call and discuss your desire to attend the retreat with hesitations: kristen@kristenduke.com 

See the retreat highlight bubble on Instagram, special bonus of Marco Polo mentoring when you sign up before Mother's Day!

My son just graduated college! My friends on Instagram saw me travel to his graduation on Thursday this week, and you may remember how I've shared in the past that he chose not to participte in high school graduation (and how I eventually became ok with that) but that he dediced to indeed walk in his college graduation.

I shared a video on IG about him growing up, and the things I EXPECTED him to do that he didn't, and my growth process in all of that. Watch that video here. 

I then had follow up questions from other mama's asking me, "How is your relationship now?" which I touch on here, and delve deeper into here in this podcast episode. 

It's a little choppy towards the end, because as I was chatting on my porch into my voice memo (where I record these episodes) my neighbor came over to talk to me, and I had to stop. Since I had to stitch on the ending part 2 anyway, I cut that part out. 

As always, I share about the benefits of Team Trusted, and how they have helped me and others on the team become a more trusted, safe space for their kids, and we'd love to have you join us.

In this quick episode, I share my observations and thoughts after walking through the halls of the high school today. 

AND....

That I'm sharing a fun series in my bestie club emails in the next few weeks leading up to Mother's Day, so if you're not in that club, and you wanna be, you can join here: https://kristenduke.com/join/ 

I completed 7 podcasts in 7 days, woohoo! I'm digging this new way of chatting, what do you think? You can always leave a review and let me know your thoughts!

Responding to a message from a mom in the community asking about Sibling Rivarly and sharing a few of my thoughts, and I also have a workshop with actionable step by step tips and a family lesson idea over here: https://kristenduke.com/sales-page-squash-sibling-rivalry/

I also referenced confidence building discussions and scenarios here: https://members.kristenduke.com/sales-page-consider-this-cards/

Always thinking of how I can help you become more trusted by your teen!

I got invited to a local event with META, where they share details about their family and parental support. You can read all about that here. 

I love social media and I've successfully guided my teens THROUGH it, and you can too. I have a free guide that I'm updating, so stay tuned on how you can grab that soon.

I also have the Tough Teen Topics PDF with questions to talk to your teen about social media all ready for you insite Team Trusted, JOIN us and earn your teens trust. https://kristenduke.com/teamtrusted/

Today is my daughter Cali's 15th birthday, and I share what we like to do for birthdays AND about getting her drivers permit with some stories of my experience with teaching my teens to drive. 

Dropping 2 episodes today because the one I shared this morning was supposed to be shared yesterday (I recorded it then) and I want to share 7 episodes in 7 days on this kickoff week. 

THEN when I announce that I've pulled out the podcast again, I'll have 7 quick episodes to listen to. I love the number 7, my birthday is 7/7, so it's just a THING with me.

If you're not feeling super connected with your teen, I'd love to invite you to join Team Trusted to become more TRUSTED by your teenager, that SAFE place they can come talk to you. 

Recorded an episode on the road, here's to my goal of 4 episodes in 7 days before I announce this resurgance publically. I still haven't had anyone message me saying they've heard them!

FREE: In this episode, we cover some teen dating thoughts and tips, download the freebie I created for you here: https://kristenduke.com/date-ideas-for-teens/

Included are 27 Creative Teen Date ideas that can ALSO be used to encourage group get togethers with friends! 

I also mention the Dating PDF to discuss dating questions with your teen inside of Team Trusted (I now have Tough Teen Topics and sharing more throughout the year to make it easier to talk to your teen about tough topics!)

Chatting about the need not only for self care, but self improvement, and how much I value and appreciate when I can focus on this.

I ended quickly to make sure I made it under 10 minutes, but details on the link below after you listen!!

If wish we had a REPLY button here on the podcast, because I want to know how you support yourself emotionally, and if you're ready for a transformation. Because I'm ready to show you how! Check out the deets to TRANSFORM and join me in Colorado in September https://kristenduke.com/sales-page-retreat/ 

Email me kristen@kristenduke.com with any questions or reach out on Instagram! 

Hearing others stories are connecting, and helps us all feel less alone, so I will be sharing stories of others (without names or details) to help you better recognize that A) you're not alone and B) You can always do something to improve.

Not only do I share others stories, but also my feedback to them, so you can learn as well. 

Feel free to message me your story, and not only will I reply to you personally, but may share with others to help them learn, too.

For even more hands on help, join Team Trusted where you'll get both trainings on common parenting blind spots and an opportunity to chat with the village: https://kristenduke.com/teamtrusted/

You can also message me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristendukechats/ 

I have been thinking about bringing this podcast back, and today, on a whim, I recorded this quick episode...listen to hear about the new direction I want to take this and WHY I decided to bring it back! 

Grab the new dating freebie here: https://kristenduke.com/date-ideas-for-teens/

Mesage me on Intagram https://www.instagram.com/kristendukechats/

Or email me if you listened to this to hear what special freebie you get (expires April 17th)

kristen@kristenduke.com 

I guess this is season 4, since season 1 was in 2018, season 2 in 2019 and season 3 ended abrubtly just after the pandemic started and just before I moved to Colorado in the summer of 2020!

I have admired Shawni's parenting from afar as I've read her blog 71Toes.com for many years. She is just about 3 years ahead of me in this parenting gig, and I felt inspired seeing how she mothered just a few steps ahead of me. 

I was so delighted to hear her words of encouragement for teens, words she hopes her kids will know before leaving the home and under her roof. She came up with a list of 5 all encompassing hopes for her kids, which I loved hearing her thoughts.

For more on my thoughts, I shared about Episode 41 of 10 things I want my kids to know. 

If you are new around here, I encourage you to scroll and listen to past episode, and join the teen topic discussions on Instagram: @KristenDukeChats

Episode #100!!!! I'm so excited to introduce you to my high school best friend, Natalie. We met right after my 14th birthday, the week I moved from Louisiana to Texas about to begin my freshman year of high school. We had so much fun during our teen years, and you'll hear us talk about the good, the crazy, our parents, and then of course how all of that has affected how we parent our teens.

One of my favorite quotes from Natalie in this episode: 

"Worry is a wast of imagination. I'd like to imagine the best case scenario." 

I invite you all to do that. Imagine the best.

AMAZON is our ever present podcast sponsor, shop through my link for anything you may purchase there. 

Come share on Instagram (@KristenDukeChats) your thoughts after listening, and TAG your high school bestie!

If you missed any previous episodes, check them out! The first year I was really good and writing a blog post sharing a summary here on the home page Beyond Good Intentions Podcast.

Email me if you've listened to all 100 episodes!

In March, we talked all about TEENS and FRIENDS. Friends are SO important for teenagers, and as parents, we often run this challenge about how to navigate friendships we are concerned about, as well as how to help them make friends. If you missed episode #98 with Dr. Justin Coulson about toxic friendships, I encourage you to LISTEN!

But with Katie, she moved with teens, and is in the trenches of helping her kids adjust, and I REALLY wanted to pick her brain, as I knew it was likely in our family future, and as I type this in May (when the interview was in February) we now know we ARE in fact moving, and helping my girls with friendships is high priority for me.

So many wisdom nuggets, even if you aren't moving. Katie is an intentional mom, and I've gleaned so much from watching her share insights over the years. 

After you listen, check out these links!

If you haven't yet, leave an iTunes review!!!

My friends, I've declared this episode among my top 10 favorites in my two years of podcasting. So many wisdom nuggets on information, it's worth the 1 hour listen!

Dr. Coulson not only shares some gems about how to help our teens with toxic friends, but it applies to so many relationships as well. 

You can find @DrJustinCoulson on Instagram and JustinCoulson.com

And his book Miss-Connection on Amazon (kindle best in the US).

I'd LOVE if you can leave an iTunes review!

Shopping through our AMAZON Store link helps support this podcast. 

Join the weekly discussions at @KristenDukeChats

This episode is full of little tidbits about how we can help our teens be a better friends and make good friends. LISTEN and SHARE, and leave an iTunes review if you felt inspired!

My teen friends--have you talked to your parents about sex? I mean, beyond the birds and the bees of "how babies are made?" I would expect that most of you haven't, but if you have...yay! I'm giving you MY thoughts on the sex talk, as if you were my teenagers. 

With that, I encourage you to TALK TO YOUR PARENTS! Ask them questions, invite them into your world of curiosity. My hope is that they will be honest and forthcoming and open with you. 

This is a jumping off of my Teens+Sex chat on the Beyond Good Intentions podcast #96 if you want to share that with your parents. It's got 20 questions to chat about.

I'm happy my guest @KristinBHodson is here to help us know how to best have sex talk with teens. No longer is it enough to have "the talk" just once, it should be an ongoing discussion with 1,000 1 minute conversations, Kristin says.

Kristin runs a practice in Salt Lake City called @TheHealingGroup and is also a professor at the University of Utah.

As often happens, I ended up falling into the therapy chair to discuss my experience on the topic, and Kristin weighs in. 

I wrote a summary blog post with 20 questions to ask your teens, click on the link to grab those!

You will surely walk away from this listen with your mind expanded.

This interview with Wendy about her son Erik coming out as gay is heartwarming. She helps me understand the difference between cisgender (new word for me!) and transgender. Listen and share with any mama warriors out there that could use some support.

Check out our favorite family items and shop in our AMAZON store.

I'd love if you left an iTunes review!

Continue the weekly discussion over on Instagram at @KristenDukeChats

Send Wendy a personal note of gratitude at @WendyvonSosen

Sign up for the weekly Newsletter from KristenDuke.com here.

Listen as Madeleine shares her story of manipulations and sexual abuse from a teen relationship. 

She not only shares tips we can offer our kids to hopefully avoid the same, but also suggestions on how to help, including a specific type of trauma therapy. 

If you're not already a part of the community on Instagram, follow the weekly topics at @KristenDukeChats

You can find Madeleine on IG at @madeliene1 Tell her THANK YOU!

Next time you shop Amazon, we'd love you to go through our link!

Leave an iTunes review for a chance to win a Happy Box!!

Ruby Franke has 6 kids (3 teens) and I really loved our chat all about teens and dating! She is a very intentional mother, and she shares their family adventures on their YouTube channel and Instagram @8passengers. 

They have been preparing their kids for dating since they were little, teaching personal accountability.

Watch Ruby's Love story here: Love Story

Read about my Love Story here: Love Story

***Print 27 Creative Teen date ideas on my website

Other dating points we discussed in our chat:

Please leave an iTunes review if you love this episode. 

Join the weekly teen conversation at @KristenDukeChats on Instagram.

A coordinating TEEN podcast similar to this one can be found on iTunes and Instagram at @FistBump.podcast

Support this free podcast and visit our AMAZON STORE for our favorite family books, games, and more.

My guest Cassie from @Fit_Is_a_Journey shares with us how she struggled with body positivity since she was a teen, and how a dear friend help her out of a tough mental state. 

She shares some tips for parents to watch out for, and how to help our teens find that beauty. 

In this episode, we learn some "do's & don'ts" of how to talk to our teens about what they are eating. Us parents are all well intentioned (that's why we're listening, right?) but sometimes we mess up, and I've asked Laura Solorzano to come chat with us about her eating disorder, and tips for parents to do better.

You can find Laura at @Remarkable_now on Instagram and her website www.RemarkableNow.net

Support this podcast by shopping our AMAZON STORE anytime!

Join the weekly conversation at @KristenDukeChats

Write an iTunes Review if you love this podcast, I'd be grateful!

My dad, Norman Hill, dissects the responsibility & independence continuum between parents and teens in this BONUS episode. It's important to know WHERE your teen lies on this scale, to best know how to parent and what they need most. 

Visuals for this episode will be available on KristenDuke.com (on 1/17) with definitions as well, so make sure you reference that for visual details.

Reach out to Norman via kristenduke@gmail.com

Community discussion at @KristenDukeChats Instagram

Please leave iTunes reviews if you haven't yet!

After I shared about the year of the teenager initiative, I had a handful of people say, “I just can’t get behind that, because I’m in a really hard place with my teen.” My heart hurt for them. One commenter said to me, “I love following along to what you share, but sometimes it makes me feel worse about myself.” That is the complete OPPOSITE of the feelings I want to invoke!

There are so many variables to consider, and so many ways of doing things, but I did some research, and sharing what I pulled together from all of that.

I tackle:

I referenced a few different articles I wanted to site:

As always, grateful for shares, iTunes reviews, and emails with extra thoughts! kristenduke@gmail.com

@KristenDukeChats on Instagram

Kicking off the first interview and episode of the new year talking about teens and stress. Excited to share ways that parents can help teens de-stress and better understand emotions. We also talk about the importance of SLEEP and how it can cause stress (lack of it).

Speaking with Nicci Bontrager, a licensed professional counselor in this episode. She meets with clients in Austin, TX at Joyful Family Counseling and shares tips on her instagram: @JoyfulFamilyLife

Listen to the tips she shares, and join the conversation with the community at @KristenDukeChats this week as we un-package STRESS.

We are grateful for any iTunes reviews, too!

If you have teens that would enjoy listening to the topic, have them find the Fist Bump Podcast with a corresponding episode on a similar topic comes out 2 days later, on Fridays. Nicci shares her thoughts with them on the topic, too.

I'm declaring 2020 The Year of the Teenager as we focus on tactics to strengthen the relationship with our teens. Listen to this short podcast episode that is a recording of the video I shared on Instagram. If you prefer to watch it, you can do that here: 

We Were All TEENAGERS Once IGTV video

As always, I appreciate any shares or podcast reviews!

Hi Friends! I've missed sharing episodes with you this month as I've taken a little time off to work on a few projects. ONE OF THEM I'll be sharing really soon (hopefully less than 2 weeks) and I chat about it in this surprise episode. 

I figured I'd share a little brain dump with my loyal listeners, and ask for your feedback. So PLEASE email me {kristenduke@gmail.com} or reach out in a DM on Instagram {@KristenDukeChats} to share your thoughts.

I talk about some mentoring I've started, and how to get on my free trial list, as well as sharing a little more about the AMAZON STORE. 

Feedback always welcomed!

BONUS EPISODE!!!

We are not all blessed with the same capabilities, work ethic is a lifelong skill, learning how to be a good sport whether you win or lose is a conversation we need to have with our kids!

Kristi Haskins is my guest today sharing all the things, and I'm so happy to have her! Listen with your kids, discuss, it's a conversation that may not happen naturally, but by hearing these tips, will go more productively. 

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST BY SHOPPING ANYTHING AMAZON THROUGH OUR AMAZON STORE LINK!

We love iTunes reviews AND join us to chat on Instagram at @KristenDukeChats

Divorce is hard, and I'm grateful that Chari Pack was willing to come on and share the challenges of blending families, with her 3 teens! From curfews to phone rules, and with teens coming from different rules and expectations, she talks about merging and adjusting. 

Find her on Instagram at @Chari.Pack and @PersnicketyPrints

Catch the highlights and extended discussion on divorce and co-parenting on my Instagram: @KristenDukeChats

Lynette from @ThrowbackParenting is a fabulous guest and we are talking all about letting control go as a parent of teenagers and taking on the Mentoring position. 

This is season 3 of the 4 seasons of parenting she has broken down and I LOVE what she has to say! 

Listen. Share. Implement. 

Find her at www.lynnettesheppard.com as well as a few free courses on her website. She also has a podcast, THROWBACK PARENTING!

On Instagram at @ThrowbackParenting as well.

My friend Emily is just barely 17, already enrolled in college, has a few businesses under her belt, and guess what? Didn't graduated high school! 

There are so many routes to get to a career destination, and Emily opened my eyes to other options. And so did the community this week on @KristenDukeChats on instagram where we talked about all different types of schooling. 

It's ok to seek out alternative options! 

You can find Emily a few places on Instagram:

@TheSheJewels

@EmilyLoderup

@EmLoderupPhotography

I hope you'll look her up! I'm also grateful to those who share this episode or any other episodes on Instagram or texting your friend that might enjoy it.

Our AMAZON store shopping is a great way to support this podcast as well, so check out our favorites!

We ALL love our screen time, and I talk to Andrea from @BetterScreenTime all about how we could do things a little better. I got some great tips for MYSELF and we talked about how isolating screens can be, especially for teens, who over-consume. 

Andrea shared a fabulous TEDxtalk from Adam Atler with me which I reference as well.

We are chatting EXTRA about this topic this week on @KristenDukeChats instagram page. If you miss it, scroll through the highlight bubbles!

PLEASE SHARE with your friends if you found this helpful!

Consider leaving an iTunes review as well, I'd be so grateful;)

We've been talking about teens and dating all week on Instagram, you can catch a recap in the highlights under DATING. I've got my friend Kaylee on to chat with me today. She's in college now, and I've had the opportunity to know her since she was 15 and watch from the sidelines a bit as she navigated dating as a teen. You will surely love her as I do.

SHARE this episode with friends if you found it helpful!

SHOP the AMAZON STORE to help support this podcast (Any item on Amazon purchased through this link within 24 hours of clicking helps in a small way). We've got the store filled with our favorite family games, parenting books, and random other gadgets.

Here is a video of my teens and I chatting about dating.

Leave an iTunes REVIEW.

Join us on INSTAGRAM! @KristenDukeChats

Is your Child Addicted to Pornography? Probably not. If you've found your teen has been seeking out pornography, it doesn't mean they are addicted.

Free in 13 is a program meant to bridge the gap between preventative measures and pornography addiction. Very few teens are addicted and there is a stigma attached to the word "addict" that we don't want our teens to feel.

There is so much information about how to prevent pornography exposure, but what to do if you've found your child is stuck in the trap? There is help!

Look at www.Freein13.com as well as great information on their instagram @Freein13 

We talked about the Children's book: Good Pictures, Bad Pictures

The teen podcast Fist Bump (out 9/20) has some extra info about video gaming, isolation, and the connection with pornography use. Take a listen, and encourage your teens to as well and HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT!

My friend Jenny just graduated from high school and I'm so grateful she was willing to share her story from her sports injuries in high school. 

She shares her highs, her lows, her frustration, and moments of depression. She shares how she treated her parents and what her parents did that was helpful.

If you've got a teen that has had a heartbreaking injury, this may just help, and if not...plan for the future!

My guest Kay from @AWorldwideSisterhood chats with me in this episode and offers some actionable steps about how we could improve our communication with our teens. 

We exchange some funny stories about our imperfectness in parenthood, and how we are striving for great communication, but still working on it!

Listen, share, and leave a review if you found it helpful!

Our AMAZON store has my favorite parenting book that I mentioned: How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk.

We are discussing communication all this week on Instagram @KristenDukeChats, so come be a part of the community!

I'm so grateful to have Amber from @TeenTake30 on the podcast today, sharing how her family suffered from BULLYING, and the consequential move afterwards. 

As parents, we are all TERRIFIED of it happening to our kids, but do we talk about it in such a way that we let them know we are on their side if it does? Do we give them tools to deal with it if it's happening? Have we talked about how to be an up-stander instead of a bystander? All of this is covered and more in this discussion, and I hope you'll listen and SHARE with your friends.

We are discussing this in depth on instagram this week also at @KristenDukeChats. If you listen to this later, look for the discussion in the highlights. 

Shop our AMAZON store for family fun activities and my favorite parenting books.

As a reminder, we always love iTunes REVIEWS!!!

I'm so grateful to be able to share my oldest, Tyler, with all of you, and how he is READY TO LAUNCH, fly the coop, move out of the house, spread his wings. In this episode, we talk about where he is headed, what he learned to prepare him for this, and even why he quit social media years ago!

My emotions are high, and you'll hear that come out in my intro, recorded just 2 days before my son heads out on his 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

If you'd like to follow along on his mission journey, I'll be sharing updates on his Instagram, @Tyler_Duke which he said I can make public so others can see how he's serving.

Sharing in the AMAZON STORE all of the items we got for his mission.

If you'd like to listen to the interviews from my other kids, check out:

Delighted to have my friend @BeckyProudfit chatting with me today about simplifying and not becoming an over scheduled family. I believe it's a goal for all of us, but DIFFICULT in PRACTICE!

Becky is a light, and I love her actionable tips she shares. Make sure you join the conversation after listening over on my Instagram page: @KristenDukeChats and share your insights and perspective. 

Check out our family favorites in our AMAZON STORE.

Grateful for your iTunes Reviews!

We'd love for you to SHARE this episode with a friend who would appreciate it as well.

You can find information about past podcast episodes on the Beyond Good Intentions homepage (we mentioned episode #34 where I chatted with her podcast buddy Becky Higgins).

You can share the version of this episode geared towards teens at the @FistBump.Podcast as well.

This phrase, "preserve the relationship" has been stuck in my mind for about a year, and I've been chatting about it here and there on Instagram at @kristendukechats, but after a comment from a member in our community last week, it really got me thinking, and I knew I needed to dedicate an episode all about this as we begin this journey to strengthen our teens.

What does the word PRESERVE mean to you?

In this episode, I talk about PRESERVING, and how it's a HOPEFUL message in parenting! I share about my search for similar meanings and how I came to a better understanding of what I can do in my parenting to preserve it not just for now, but for later as well.

Please listen and share if you know others that would benefit from this discussion. Then join us on Instagram to further chat this week. 

If you want to see what our family loves in our AMAZON store, that's another way you can support this podcast. 

I've been hinting at a new focus for the podcast, and it's here! This is a short introduction to how things are going to change, and WHY I felt so impressed to turn it to a new direction. There might be a few tears shed by myself as I explain how it all came to be. Thanks for being a part of this journey with me!

Hi friends! I'm back from my vacation and thoughts I'd just share a little brain dump of what's going on in my life. I'm in a little transitional phase with the podcast right now, and sharing some of those changes in this episode, along with some TEARS with behind the scenes thoughts on the goings on in my life. 

Thanks for joining me in this journey and DM me on Instagram if you have thoughts about future topic ideas, who to interview, or responding to my thoughts I shared. @KristenDukeChats on IG or email me at kristenduke@gmail.com

This episode is very dear to my heart!  So much so that I am sharing a FREE e-book with the 13 points outlined, meant for discussion between parents and teens. In this podcast, I explore each point in depth with extra detail.

Grab the e-book HERE: Teens and Social Media

I also chatted about my AMAZON store in the episode:

My favorite phone case and my daughters Air Pods.

Grateful in advance for any shares of this episode, iTunes reviews, or just joining in the party on Instagram at @KristenDukeChats. 

Bonnie just birthed her NINTH child! I always love talking to people with big families, and it was a delight to hear her speak about her joyful chaos with 9 kids, ages 14 and under. 

Check out our family favorites in our AMAZON STORE

Thank you for the reviews, sharing episodes with your friends, and for joining in the community on Instagram at @KristenDukeChats!

I'm so very happy to share my interview with 16 year old Claire, who experiences mental illness. Her mom Cassidy is a dear friend from high school was my interview in episode #4, so listen to that if you haven't yet! Claire goes into detail about how she is happy to dispel the stigma that you don't talk about mental illness and I love her for that!

She shares about some friends of hers wanting to go to therapy but their parents don't believe they are really struggling. 

We talk about social media and her thoughts to parents who are hesitant to introduce social media to teens.

LISTEN and SHARE with whomever will benefit. 

PLEASE LEAVE AN iTunes review if you haven't yet and visit our Amazon store to help support this podcast.

Sarah loves teens as much as I do, and when I met her 6 months ago, I knew we were kindred spirits. She's right in the thick of things with her 3 teens + pre teen, just like me!

She is a nurturer of teens, and it's clear when she shares that her teens friends come over for dinner, and confide in her. I love when she mentioned teens getting a bad rap, and how they deserve to be celebrated...YES! I thought...

She shares home decor on her instagram @BlessedCrazyTXNest as well as ideas to throw parties for family and friends. So check that out for inspiration!

To support this podcast, shop for anything you want on AMAZON by first clicking into our store of favorites. 

Thanks for supporting this podcast through that as well as reviews, and shares when you love it!

Amber is a health coach at @Biceps.After.Babies and shares encouragement that you can choose to live a healthy lifestyle at any age. AND you don't have to sacrifice the foods you love either. 

As part of Amber's business, she coaches people in macro counting and strength training, teaching that body confidence needs to start with loving ourselves, focusing on what we CAN do, and praising our efforts and our childrens.

She and I also spoke on my teen podcast @FistBump.Podcast directly to my teen friends, so encourage your teens to listen!

Surviving childhood leukemia brought on a great deal of survivors guilt for Jamie. She felt like a disappointment, uncertain why she survived when she had known so many other cancer patients that she adored, who weren't so lucky.

She was bullied in high school, felt angry towards her parents, and just didn't understand why she was so special to have survived. She speaks of her suicide attempts, wanting to quiet the voices in her head.

As an adult, and coming through on the other side, she travels around teaching youth about the importance of talking to someone when they are in these dark places. 

I was happy to hear her weigh in on Affirmations, because it's a HOT TOPIC right now. She spoke about the power behind the positive words we speak, when we start to believe them.

Find Jamie at @SurvivingTheBubble on Instagram

Leigh is a therapist specializing in Women's health. In this episode, we talk a lot about self care as well as anxiety which plagues so many people young and adult alike. 

She says, "Depletion is probably the largest pre cursor to depression and anxiety. Self Care is SO important!" When you're stressed, your body shuts down.

Leigh introduced to me The Resiliency System:

Self Awareness Self Compassion Self Talk--not all of your thoughts are accurate Self Care--having benevolent feelings about our bodies instead of frustration

She shares about a program she is developing called Worrier to Warrior. 

Leigh's Instagram: @TakeCareOfMom www.TakeCareOfMom.com  

Books she mentioned:

Brainstorm by Dan Seagull

Antidote to Fear---TRUTH. We all have to search for those truths and those truths lead us to believe we can be resilience. 

The 2 terrible thoughts:

I do have what I need to thrive and get through hard things.

Teach our kids: Be able to count on themselves to get through the hard things in life. Thats how we grow.

What lifts shame is how when we talk about things, we can hear the irrational beliefs in them.

To listen to Leigh share with our teen friends about this topic, head to episode #7  of the Fist Bump Podcast just for teens.

My friend Rachelle is a very intentional parent, right in the thick of things with a handful of teens and tweens. Her oldest is about to graduate high school (just like mine) and I was eating up all of the amazing ideas she shared about being service minded and teaching her teens to look outside of themselves. 

Find the ideas Rachelle shares on Instagram or drop her a note of gratitude at @KnowingLivingLoving

Books Rachelle Recommended:

See our family favorites on our AMAZON store.

Share this episode with your friends if you love it, or leave a review on iTunes!

My friend Leigh Anne is here to share her wisdom today not only about parenting adult children, but some fun stories and tips from when her kids were younger and into the teen years. 

My favorite parts:

Make sure you check my AMAZON STORE with my favorite dresses and clothes this season.

Find Leigh Anne on her Website: YourHomeBasedMom.com and Instagram @YourHomebasedMom

Make sure you sign up for her newsletter to get her weekly meal plan!

My youngest child, Cali, is 10 today and we are talking all things TWEEN! She has wanted to be interviewed on the podcast for a while, and I thought her birthday was the best day for that.

You may enjoy the mother daughter back and forth chat we had, and you'll especially get a giggle about half way through as we visit the topic of how exactly the sperm gets to the egg. 

I chatted about Our recent Amazon purchases

Join the conversation on Instagram today, too!

Mar'Lee contacted me after she heard last weeks podcast episode with Erin sharing about her runaway teen. She said this to me in an email, "I have had the impression I needed to do this for awhile, share my story.  Tell Erin thank you.  I was other is gone and I have always wondered how my mother felt.  I came home eventually, and found my faith, but that was a subject we NEVER talked about."   She felt like her story needed to be told, and she shares with me, with us, in this episode. I'm so grateful for her willingness to be brave and share, because I know it will bless others. Others who are grappling for a shred of hope. 

Please hop on over to Instagram and tell Mar'Lee thank you for sharing. I know it will mean so much to her. 

Podcast instagram: @KristenJoyDuke

We're also grateful for any podcast reviews on iTunes! 

CLICK HERE Hit "view in itunes" Open in iTunes Hit Ratings and Reviews Write a Review

I got an email recently from Erin saying that she loved listening to the podcast, but hoped to hear more interviews from people that were going through struggles with their kids. In her message she says, "It is depressing sometimes to listen to a podcast that's amazingly positive when you're having a hard time."

I've said it before and I'll say it again...contact me or nominate someone who has a story that others can hear! Most don't feel comfortable sharing a challenge when they are in it, so let me know!

"I don't have very many answers but maybe even I can offer something to your listeners," Erin shared.

In our chat, she shares about how she adopted two brothers as toddlers, and in raising them, it's been much more of a challenge than anticipated. Her oldest ran away from home as a teen, cut off contact with his parents, and moved from place to place, and she has very minimal contact with him now. 

Her guiding scripture: "Be Still and Know that I am God." I need that reminder that I can sit and be with my own feelings and thoughts, I don't have to be doing something.

Today's sponsor is our AMAZON STORE with our family favorites 

Games her family loves: Sleeping Queens // Cover Your Assets 

"Usually we think our communicating is with our words, but our non-verbal communication is so much more powerful."

Alisa shared so many amazing tidbits of information in our chat, this has definitely become into one of my top 5 favorite interviews on the Beyond Good Intentions podcast. She is so knowledgeable on a topic that I'm striving for daily with my children.

She is a researcher of CONNECTION, and she shares how we can be more connected with individual family members with 10 minutes a day of quality time, the sweet spot of connection. "Long enough to make it meaningful and short enough to make it do-able", she says.

She came upon this concept years ago when chatting with a friend that asked, "How do I be a good parent in a nutshell?"

She had to ask herself in her own parenting as she found real life practice didn't come as naturally as she thought, having all the research. She asked herself, "Where does the theory and research and real life converge?"

The answer: Connection. The most important thing we can strive for as parents.

>>>>Alisa made us an amazing printable to share, 100 ways to have 10 minutes together! You can download and see all of the ideas on my website, Connecting with our Kids in 10 Minutes a Day.

Head on over to KristenDuke.com for the full show notes, with links to the parenting books we discussed, and the download of the 100 ways printable.

Beyond Good Intentions Home Page

@KristenJoyDuke on Instagram to come chat about this episode and ask more questions!

Alisa is @10MinutesTogether on Instagram 

I'm delighted to share with you my chat with Reachel Bagley. We met 8 years ago at a park in Arizona, and haven't seen each other since, but we've interacted online, as she shares wardrobe strategies as she helps others clean out their closets and minds at @CardiganEmpire. 

We talk about how she met her husband, adoption, surprise pregnancy, and how our job as parents is to create a safe environment for our children, as our children are pre-programmed with their own agenda.

We also discussed the commitment of TIME for our children is so much more of a foundation than opportunities presented with money. 

>>>Our episode this week is sponsored by Living Scriptures. A great online resource for streaming children's video and clean movies. Sign up for a month trial to see if it's for you!

Reachel's favorite parenting books we discussed are:

The Whole-Brain Child and Raising Human Beings 

Tawni is a long lost friend that I just discovered, and I'm so grateful I found her on instagram recently. We discuss our love of teenagers, and her podcast, Becoming for Teens, as well as her family life in this episode. 

Tawni shares about her younger brother with special needs, and how he's captivated the hearts of the community. She also shares about how she met her husband, and parenting her 4 young children.  I titled this episode after something she said near the end, a hope for her children to Authentically Be Yourself. 

>>>Our sponsor for this episode is AMAZON. Don't you just LOVE Amazon? I recently put together our family favorites from games to gadgets and gizmos, check out our favorites in my AMAZON STORE.

When you purchase anything on Amazon within 24 hours of clicking that link, it sends a small percentage to me for being a referral. So THANK YOU for supporting this podcast. 

Join us on Instagram @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke to discuss this and other episodes

I've got my big brother in the house, and you better believe we disect our childhood! You'll hear the stories of when we didn't get along, when we did, and how we've weathered the years as siblings. I look up to my brother Ryan a great deal, and am grateful he's willing to look past my shortcomings and sensitivities over the years. 

We talked about groundings, over-reacting, electronics being a "comfort food", and seeing the positive in people. We referenced my podcast discussion with my dad, which you can find in EPISODE #6. 

>>>This weeks sponsor is HomeAway. That is a link to the most recent home we rented. Our family LOVES to stay in homes when we travel, and even when we get together with extended family!

Come continue the discussion over on Instagram! @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke is where you can find us.

"I don't care what my kids end up doing with their life, as long as they always feel that their place in our family is important."

I'm so happy to share with you a chat with my dear friends Kelli and Kristi, twin sisters who grew up with 9 siblings, raising families of their own down the street from each other and within 3 miles of 7 of those siblings (one even next door to their parents)!

We got tears flowing from each of them for various reasons throughout our chat, I love their willingness to be vulnerable and share their hearts in order to bless all of us.

I met them through blogging 7 years ago, and I've been grateful for their friendship over the years, and they've got some parenting GOLD to share with you today! 

HIGHLIGHTS: Teen fist fights, infertility, adoption, life threatening experiences, that's just the tip of the iceberg with todays episode. We spoke about them being a brat to their mom but now a best friend, the shame game, technology, the birds and the bee's, pornography, over-scheduling, we even talked about the wonderful community that social media can be if we let it. 

When you listen, head on over to @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke and share your favorite part! Search #BeyondGoodIntentionsPodcast if you listen a week or more after it goes LIVE and look for the twins!

>>>Our sponsor this week are my photography tutorials, Say NO to Auto and The Camera Academy. If you're into photography, and want to learn how to better use that fancy SLR camera, I'm here to help! 

You can find my friends on their Instagram @LollyJaneBlog

The title of this episode stems from our chat about parenting AND social media. As a child, you want to feel heard by your parents, and of course as parents we want our kids to HEAR us! In social media, (and in parenting) we all need more connection and less isolation. Anna and I talk about all of this in our chat. 

*

Anna runs @KidsAreTheWorst which is a humor community of parents sharing, @ThingsAreTheWorst, and also shares media tips at @AnnaIsTheWorst 

*

>>>We talked about the e-book guides that she put together about media and cell phones, which they are great resources for parents. They are all about developing stronger, healthier relationships with the Internet and social media through guided discussions, information, and plans that everyone signs. 

Get Smart: (Ages 3+)  Let's Talk: (Teens on social media) 

CLICK HERE to read all about both books and purchase them. 

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Lots of talk on technology! Our kids are saturated with screens. 

Favorite parenting book (which is actually a business book): Never Split the Difference, by a man who is a crises negotiator, he shares how to talk to people so they can understand.

Favorite Scripture: Perfect love casteth out fear

Motto she loves: First it's hard, then it's easier, then it's fun.

4 Things she wants for her kids:

She expounds on this in our chat. 

If you loved this, please consider leaving an iTunes review, listen to other episodes, and come chat about it at @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke where we discuss all episodes after they are LIVE.

Miranda has so many wonderful things to share, and she's excited about sharing, which I LOVE!  She's got a wonderful enthusiasm for life, and it comes through in our chat. The title of this episode is her trademarked slogan, and she is sharing tips on her website, podcast, and social media about living a minimalist lifestyle with LESS STUFF and MORE ADVENTURE!

One of my favorite things that she said was towards the end, and you'll want to hear more of her explanation, but the gist is the importance of teaching our kids to feel fulfilled and success in everyday life, not just achieving big goals. SO MUCH WISDOM THERE!

Listen as she chats about downsizing their home by half, and my lamenting on the stuff accumulation in my house. Serious goals!

>>This post is brought to you by Budget Boot Camp. My husband and I started a budgeting adventure recently, and have been guided by these lessons by Jordan Page. After using a spreadsheet in the course, we cut some things out and are trying to save 30% of our income. Click the link to learn more!

Come join the discussion from my chat with Miranda over on Instagram and share your favorite part of this episode: @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

I found Ashlee through her instagram @TheMomentsWeStand and right in her bio she mentions surviving infidelity and murder, which is a lot to take in, in one short sentence. 

Ashlee has a story unlike any I've ever known, and she shares it courageously, but it wasn't always the case. She ultimately felt inspired to write out her heart, against original shame from her experience. I applaud her vulnerability in sharing, knowing it will bless others who have experienced trauma in their life, in any form.

I love how when I asked her at the end what she hoped her children KNOW when they leave the house is that each of us are a light. That stuck with me, and thought it would make the perfect title. 

CHECK OUT THIS WEEKS SPONSOR, Chatbooks! Follow that link to receive $10 off my favorite books for everyday family moments! See how we display them in our home HERE.

Come chat about this episode on Instagram, @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

Find more Beyond Good Intentions info on that page on my website. 

>>>How to find Ashlee:

I'm delighted to have my BONUS mom chatting today about parenting, and then grand-parenting! She raised 4 kids in small town Idaho, after growing up in California. She's shared so many nuggets of wisdom in our chat, it's hard to summarize it here!

She shared about her first job working for her dad in the radio business, going to college in Hawaii, and the "2 time stick" she kept visible for her kids to remember to do their chores when asked.

She speaks about being an empty nester, and nurturing your marriage, and then about her husband passing away and re-marrying (my dad).

Here are a few quote-able quotes from our chat:

Stephanie is the QUEEN of silly one-liners, and we talked about how she doesn't even realize she's saying something unique. Here are a few of the one-liners she is known for that my dad mentioned after our chat:

 Join us on Instagram this week to share your favorite part of the episode!

My Chat with Kristen from Be Living Proof was exactly what I needed...a fellow mom of teens, discussing how to be the best parent we can for those pre-adults. Teaching "life isn't fair" and the sooner you realize that, the better! 

We discussed:

We talked about the age she gave her oldest a phone, and the funny story behind that!  

And we have the same FAVORITE PARENTING BOOK, but she's actually read past where I have, and I learned something I need to go look up in that book!

Join the discussion about this episode at @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

Find Kristen on Instagram at: @Kristen.Be.Living.Proof

Her website: Be Living Proof

Favorite parenting book: How to Talk so Kids will Listen, and Listen so Kids will Talk

I'm delighted to share with you a conversation with my husband today. Even though we are chatting about grief, it's lighthearted. It's subdued in the beginning, but not heavy. It's hopeful and introspective as we share our thoughts on the recent passing away of his younger brother. 

We discuss how we each grieve, what we appreciate hearing from others offering their condolences, and how grief isn't just about death.

In our chat we reference my Instagram account where I shared a lot of thoughts before and after his brother passed away (and currently still saved in the highlights under "Steve"). In our chat, I also spoked about a few other blog posts on my website:

I invite you to join the follow up discussion on Instagram (@CapturingJoy.KristenDuke) and share your thoughts on this episode!

***If you loved this episode, share it with a friend! Click the 3 dots by the episode title and it will give you a link.

WE ALSO LOVE AND APPRECIATE iTUNES REVEWS

Welcome to Part 3 of the discussion on my faith, which is all about our most basic beliefs and doctrine, The 13 Articles of Faith. 

As a child, I memorized them, and I've encouraged my kids to do the same. Just 13 verses, but they explain what it is exactly that we believe as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Hopefully you already listened to Part 1, which was an interview with my friend Abby, a recent convert to the faith. And then Part 2 where I share the origin, background, and history of The Book of Mormon and how it came to be. An introduction, if you will. 

If you'd like to read the 13 articles of Faith in full, click on the link, and you're there!

Please feel free to reach out to me via email (kristenduke@gmail.com), Instagram (@CapturingJoy.KristenDuke), with any questions or something you'd love to hear explained even more. I'd be happy to mail you a free copy of The Book of Mormon if you are interested as well. 

As mentioned in the beginning of Part 1, you may have heard of "the Mormons" is a term we don't prefer to be called. I explain that in more detail in this part of the episode.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I want to explain in my own words how it is the church came to be, who we worship, what we read, and what we believe. 

In this Part 2 as well as Part 3, it's just ME solo chatting, explaining things. This introduction is more history based, as I share the origin of the church, including where The Book of Mormon came from, and what Joseph Smith did for the faith.

Hopefully you've already listened to Part 1, which is an interview with my friend Abby discussing her recent conversion, and how it all unfolded in her life. She is a wonderful example to me of listening to her heart, walking in faith, and true sacrifice. 

And after you finish this 2nd part, make sure you listen to the conclusion in Part 3, where I share our basic doctrines, the 13 Articles of Faith.

Below are a few links referenced in this part of the episode that I encourage you to look up further and read for yourself:

Did you know that the term "Mormon" is a nickname that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints don't prefer?

I used it to title this episode because I know that people are familiar with that name, but throughout this 3 part series, you'll hear me refer to the church with the full name, and why.

In this Part 1 episode, I am chatting with my friend Abby, as she shares about her recent conversation to the faith.  She is amazing, and I love when she spoke about her sacrifice to God, and her original thoughts on obedience. It really resonated with me, and I love how she explained it. 

Then in Part 2 I'll share the origin of The Book of Mormon, and how it came to be.

And finally in part 3, I will share our basic beliefs and doctrine with the 13 Articles of Faith. 

I hope you'll take the chance to listen as I share my beliefs and my heart. At the end of part 3, I get a little emotional as I share in detail how I am guided by my faith.  

To see the full show notes, head to the Beyond Good Intentions home page. 

Welcome to Part 3 of this 3 part episode on Parenting with Faith. Elissa and Stu do a great job of sharing about their Jewish faith. In case you missed the other two, make sure you listen!

Part 1: Hinduism 

Part 2: Catholicism 

Part 3: Judaism (you are here!)

Join the discussion on my Instagram page: @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

You can also search other podcast episodes with #BeyondGoodIntentionsPodcast or look at the home page Beyond Good Intentions. 

Welcome to part 2! I'm very excited about this 3 part series on Parenting with Faith. John and Kasey are very thoughtful, intentional parents, I know from first hand experience watching them. I knew they'd be the perfect guests to share about their faith and how it reflects in their parenting. 

In case you missed the intro , head to Part 1 on Hinduism. 

This is how the 3 parts will lay out:

Part 1: Hinduism 

Part 2: Catholicism (you are here!)

Part 3: Judaism

 I sure love these friends, and all that they stand for, and I know you will glean some insightful in formation from them as well.

Tune in to learn more, and join the discussion on my Instagram page: @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

You can also search other podcasts with #BeyondGoodIntentionsPodcast or look at the home page Beyond Good Intentions.

I'm very excited about this 3 part series on Parenting with Faith as I explore (and you get to come along with me) how those of other faiths are led in parenting.

I haven't met Shruti, but we have a common friend, and I'm so grateful she was willing to chat with me (on short notice) and share about her Hindu Faith and how it guides her parenting.

This is how the 3 parts will lay out:

Part 1: Hinduism (you are here!)

Part 2: Catholicism

Part 3: Judaism

I really loved learning a bit more about Hinduism.

We talk about:

Tune in to learn more, and join the discussion on my Instagram page: @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

You can also search other podcasts with #BeyondGoodIntentionsPodcast or look at the home page Beyond Good Intentions.

If you are on Instagram, you'll want to check out Shruti where she talks about her Cancer journey on @pajamamama512 

This is PART TWO of the Baptist and a "Mormon" talking about faith, make sure you listen to PART 1 first!

Naomi is one of my dearest friends. She's lived across the street from me for nearly 9 years, and we have formed a friendship that I truly cherish. You'll hear me say early on in our discussion that she is the first person not of my specific Christian faith that I've really been able to discuss religion with in an open minded way.

We talk about:

And so much more!

One of my favorite quotes that her mom said to her, "There is no olympics of pain." Meaning we all have a right to our own pain, with no need to compare it to another's pain. 

I know you will love Naomi as much as I do, and wish she lived across the street from you. 

When you do, I'd love you to come say hello to Naomi on instagram where we will discuss this episode, and tell her what you gleaned from the convo. 

@CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

As always, we love iTunes REVIEWS!!!

Listen in as a Baptist and a "Mormon" talk about faith. 

Naomi is one of my dearest friends. She's lived across the street from me for nearly 9 years, and we have formed a friendship that I truly cherish. You'll hear me say early on in our discussion that she is the first person not of my specific Christian faith that I've really been able to discuss religion with in an open minded way.

We talk about:

And so much more!

One of my favorite quotes that her mom said to her, "There is no olympics of pain." Meaning we all have a right to our own pain, with no need to compare it to another's pain. 

I know you will love Naomi as much as I do, and wish she lived across the street from you. 

This is part 1 of a 2 part episode, don't forget to listen to part 2. When you do, I'd love you to come say hello to Naomi on instagram where we will discuss this episode, and tell her what you gleaned from the convo. 

@CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

As always, we love iTunes REVIEWS!!!

When I read Melissa's story on Instagram, I was crossing my fingers that she'd be willing to share it on the podcast. I'm so grateful she said yes! I am ALSO grateful for her bravery, putting her story out there. WE all make mistakes. All of us parents have made parenting mistakes, we just don't get arrested for them like Melissa did, for doing something that a lot of us have done. 

As most of us would, she kept her story to herself for a while, until it all played out, and all was well. Fortunately, through her mistake, all was ok with her kids, but I know that isn't the case for everyone. 

Important reminders we discussed:

After you listen, I'd love you to share on social media!

We also love reviews on iTunes.

Thank you for being a part of the Beyond Good Intentions community and please join us on Instagram at @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

Find Melissa at @Melissa.PlainAndSimple 

When I realized I was going to make my 3000th post on Instagram today, I thought it was cause to celebrate, and share my gratitude with everyone who has made the choice of joining the community I've been sharing.

I started my instagram account 7 years ago, July 2011, as we were driving from Texas to California for a family vacation. I first thought it was just a photo editing app, then someone told me I could SHARE the images with my friends and I could see their pictures also...I LOVE THIS!  I'd already been family blogging for 5 years, and had my blogging "business" for a year at that point, so I pulled them all together on Instagram.

This episode, the day before Thanksgiving, is dedicated to gratitude...but in the hours before recording it, I felt grumpy, then I didn't want to talk about gratitude anymore. As I walked to dinner all sullen and somber, I told my family my quagmire, and my son Matthew pointed to the yellow sign behind me in our kitchen that says, "Whenever you get sad stop being sad and start being awesome."

So I thought I'd talk about my grumpy, that led to gratitude. I go into more detail on the below in this episode.

Head to the full show notes blog post for the downloadable Gratitude ABC's print.

Lisa has a heart that wants to share. I so appreciate that. She listened to me mentioning in a previous episode that people have a hard time sharing HARD THINGS in life, and that some listeners want to hear more about overcoming life's obstacles.

She reached out to me, and said she wants to share her story. She has had some hard things in life, and she really wanted to share about how she kept waiting for happiness to come, and decided she had to just be happy despite life's curveballs.

"When you beat yourself up, you paralyze yourself. You can't progress, improve, and move forward." That then prohibits you from being the parent you want to be. She shares an activity her therapist recommended about this, and I LOVE it!

You can't spend your life waiting for the next bad thing to happen...why be miserable?  She mentions putting trust in Gods plan, that we can't save our children from mistakes. 

How to Hug a Porcupine--Audio book she mentions

Games: Cash Flow // Ticket to Ride // Heads Up (phone app)

*If you loved this episode, please consider leaving a review on iTunes!

Ayo has lived all over the world, and is now traveling the world full time with her young family.  Even her name is evident of that, a Japanese Hispanic fusion. When we spoke, she was in Peru, and had just visited Machu Picchu the day before, which I had the opportunity to travel to last year, so that was fun to reminisce! 

She grew up partially in Tokyo, her husbands family is from Guatemala, and with their two young kids, they are based in the US during the summer for her husbands job, and this is their first year traveling throughout the "school year."

There is an ever so slight delay in our convo after I ask questions. At the beginning, I wondered if she didn't want to answer a question, or was hesitating, then I realized..."OH! I'm pretty sure there is a slight delay." But really, it's a pretty fabulously clear international chat we had!

A few parenting books she loves:

Favorite quote for kids:

"Do the right thing, because it's the right thing."

Find Ayo and her family on Instagram at @TravelingOurRoots

My visit to Machu Picchu. 

Come chat on Instagram this week and share with Ayo what you loved about her interview! @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

In this episode I share the 10 things I REALLY want my kids to know I'm passionate about. On my 40th bucket list I wanted to make a Legacy Video with things I hope my kids will know...do...and since I haven't made that yet, I thought this episode would do the trick until I do. Why wait until our death bed to share what is most important to us as their parents? I mean, I talk about these things now, too, but these are the 10 things I really want to STICK!

Help me build this community and share your ADVICE TO KIDS in the comments at @CatpuringJoy.KristenDuke on Instagram.

You know I also LOVE REVIEWS (and need them) on iTunes!!!

Welcome to episode #40!  Landmark Occasion, my friends.

I'm excited to introduce you to my new friend Tiffany. She is a fellow podcaster, and I found it recently, and I sure love to listen to she and her friend Allyson chat about life, and delve into hot topics! Make sure you check out The Sisterhood Podcast, and she'll share a bit more about it in the beginning of our chat, too. I knew I wanted to interview both of these ladies eventually, and Tiffany was up for it this week, we can look forward to hearing from Allyson at a later date.

I became intrigued with something Tiffany mentioned in their podcast, that she went to help her brother with his kids for a week. She explains how he is navigating single parenthood after his wife suddenly passed away. It was a sweet sentiment as she shared her love, concern, and service to her brother and his family in this challenging time.

If you're listening, we always love more review on iTunes, and when you SHARE with a tag or link on social media about the podcast, it makes all of the effort put into sharing this come back as a thank you. I DO appreciate it, and just grateful to have you on this journey with me!

A few links from our chat:

Come chat with us on Instagram at @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke to share your favorite part of this conversation! #BeyondGoodIntentionsPodcast 

I'm super excited to share my awesome son Matthew with you all today. He is my second born child, and today he is SIXTEEN years old!  

I wish you could all REALLY know my Matthew. I often have adults who have been a teacher of his, or observed him and said, "that Matthew, he's pretty great." He is comfortable with adults, which tends to be rare with some teens. It warms my heart to see that others see in him what I do: His pure goodness. He's got a mind like a sponge, anxious to learn about life, inquisitive, thoughtful, introspective.

In our chat, we were pretty much all over the place, so bear with me! I thought about editing out some random questions/comments and lulls, but I just didn't want to. 

Here are a few links to things we talked about:

We'd love an itunes review if you have something to say! Do you love this podcast? This episode? Another episode? Please share! Leaving a review on itunes helps us SOOOO much!

You'll have to listen through the end to see why "Be Cool" is the main rule at the Brooks household. I kinda love it! Aly is a dear friend of mine, and you'll hear us chat about how we met a few years ago in the first few minutes of the podcast. We talk about her new business venture in the beginning, which is helping moms with starting or building small businesses, in Mind Your Own Business Mom. 

After those intros, she nervously mentions that there were some hard things in her growing up life. I really appreciate her candid-ness in sharing this, because I hear from a lot of people that they want to hear about the "not so perfect" families, but let me tell you, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT! 

If you know someone that has a HARD story, but they are willing to share to benefit others, I'd love you to nominate them!

Aly talks about how she has developed closeness with her kids, even as they enter the teen years. Rather than look at the behavior, look at the root of what's going on. She gets emotional as she talks about becoming an advocate for your kids, and building them up despite their challenges...from suffering to compassion.

We talk about social media, video games, and being a mean mom sometimes!

Come chat with us about this episode at @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke on Instagram 

Stephanie from @Nutrition.Redefined is spreading a message that ALL women need to hear: STOP OBSESSING ABOUT YOUR BODIES...more specifically, what we eat and trying to get to a certain weight.

She talks a lot about intuitive eating, and how we need to better model for our children how to be healthy, but more importantly, being happy with ourselves so that we can live a happier life. 

You may identify with me and all of my questions, confusion, clarification, and Stephanie was so patient with me!

Come on over to Instagram and chat with us about this episode at @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke 

Did the title grab your attention? I hope so! This topic is VERY important to talk about, and I'm extremely grateful my friend Rhonda reached out to me, because I wasn't quite sure how I as going to incorporate this discussion into an everyday parenting chat here on the podcast. Not everyone is comfortable with this conversation, but we NEED TO BE, if only for our kids sake.

We cannot be embarrassed.

We cannot avoid the topic.

We cannot wait until they come to us with questions.

We need to bring up these topics to our kids. 

Rhonda is a certified life coach who councils married women who have a negative association with intimacy. Often from a shame based experience from their childhood. When we spoke about how we would present this to the Beyond Good Intentions audience, I asked her if we could approach it from a point-of-view of teaching our kids about sex when they are young with love and not fear, so that they don't struggle with it as adults.

Download her free guide: How to teach your child about sex without shame or embarrassment. You can also find her at @CoachWithRhonda on IG or Facebook.

For more show notes and links to the books we spoke about, head to the Beyond Good Intentions main page and click to episode #36 for that extra info.

As always, head to CapturingJoy.KristenDuke on instagram to weigh in and share your thoughts! How were you raised? How are you raising your children, is it hard for you to talk about intimacy with them?

Ralphie has spent the last several years doing intensive research on positive parenting, and now shares her knowledge with parents thirsty for the information. 

My two favorite parts of our conversation were when I asked how we know if our kids are "entitled" and I LOVED her answer. Another part I loved was when she spoke about making the SWITCH to positive parenting when her oldest was 10, which tells me...we don't have to have it all figured out from the beginning!

I loved talking about family cultures, and so many other tidbits. After you listen, I hope you'll share in the continued discussion on my Instagram @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke Be sure to also check out Ralphie at @SimplyOnPurpose. 

As always the full show notes with links will be at the Beyond Good Intentions homepage on KristenDuke.com

Make sure you check out the details at the end of the episode about the content we are running the next week!

As with all of my interviews, we talked about EVERYTHING parenting, but the overarching thought I had when I finished my interview with Brooke is that I need to take charge of the technology: in my home, and be an advocate for my kids in their schools. 

Brooke is a successful writer and shares often on her website BrookeRomney.com and recently had an article published in The Washington Post titled, "U.S. Students need a cell phone detox."

During our convo, I felt grateful for the new phone rule at my kids middle school, and happy for her that her advocacy made a difference in her kids school. Don't be afraid to go in and talk to the administrators if you don't like what's going on! 

Please hop on over to Instagram and share your insights, thoughts, questions, "ah-ha" moments! @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke is where we will be chatting! 

You can also leave a review on iTunes if you love this podcast, share it with your friends, have a parenting podcast CLUB discussion! The more you chat about what you want to do, the more likely you'll do it.

You can also find Brooke on Instagram @BrookeRomneyWrites

Jason is a father to 7, co-parenting with 3 households. He wears many hats, including hosting his own podcast. We chat about when he interviewed me, as well as his other jobs, mainly as father.

"Adjust while staying SOLID to core principles." This is the insight I really loved when Jason described parenting teens. Flexibility, all parents have to have it!

Sometimes, you have to go deeper than "because I said so." Explaining the WHY you feel so passionately is important not just in a co-parenting situation, but important in life anyway, if we want our kids to really understand WHY we have the rules that we have. 

Of course we talked about technology, including phones in a cupboard, UNPLUGGING, and turning off Notifications.

A few favorite quotes from our chat:

Head to @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke on Instagram to give Jason some love and share your insights from this episode.

Search: Help Me Understand the Book of Mormon on iTunes for Jason's podcast.

I'm so delighted to have Becky Higgins on the podcast, sharing how she grew up and raising her family now.  Becky has a fabulous enthusiasm for life, that I believe is contagious, and it shines through in our conversation. She is a working mom who has built an empire out of her passion for helping others to cultivate a good life and record it.

I've admired her for a long time (as you'll hear right from the start) and having this chat with her made me love her even more. I just know you'll feel the same. 

We talked about her growing up in a small town, what her parents did that built her self esteem, and choosing friends in high school. I also had so many questions about her thoughts on being a working mom, something I've grappled with myself throughout my life, and even touched on how she met her husband, which I then told her about my 30 chapter love story I've typed out.

Favorite quotes:

"Kindness Always Wins"

"The purpose of the task is to strengthen the relationship."

"If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all."

I probably asked more questions than the average person might about her business, and we may have veered off on a few tangents, but I truly do feel like she and I are kindred spirits, and I just know you all will adore her by the end of our conversation, too. She is a storyteller, and I LOVE it! 

We talk about my August value of the month: KINDNESS! If you aren't already following along on my Instagram account, I decided I wanted MORE parenting discussions and I want to hear from all of YOU, as well! Follow along at @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke or Search the hashtag #IntentionalParentingProject to weigh in on the month themes and share your input as well! Come on over to my Instagram and give Becky some LOVE and tell her what stuck out to you from our conversation that you hope to implement in your family. 

You asked, we deliver, love hearing from more teens! Katie just graduated from high school, and as she embarks on college life, she reflects back on how she was able to cultivate a great relationship with her parents, which I think is excellent insight for any parent out there! 

From social media to choosing friends to the birds and the bee's talk with her parents, we cover the whole gamut, and I know that both teens and adults will love what she has to say. 

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from our chat:

"No amount of validation on social media will measure up to what happens in the real world."

"Seek to understand before you're understood."

"Hearing adults challenges brings me hope, it's a success story, because they made it through!"

"Teens: Cultivate self confidence."

Please head on over to Instagram: @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke to give Katie some love and tell her your favorite parts of the discussion. 

You can also head on over to the Beyond Good Intentions home page to see pictures of Katie from the past to present!

I am so delighted that Jenny agreed to do an interview with me for this podcast: Beyond Good Intentions. She shares incredible stories about creative mothering through hard times, and now being a traveling grandmother.

When she told me about making matching clothes for her kids for family pictures, she became my newest soul sister! She had no way of knowing how much I love taking family pictures, but I just loved this about her. Head to her podcast full show notes on my website KristenDuke.com 

If you are new to this podcast, I encourage you to scroll through the other titles, and also read the summaries. Choosing to sum up a life in just a few words for a title has proven to be VERY challenging for me!  I truly believe there is something for everyone in each episode. 

To see pictures and full show notes of this interview, head here: Jenny Doan Interview. 

Our conversation was filled with so many fabulous nuggets, here are just a few to look forward to when you listen:

A few favorite quotes:

"If you can't get along in your living room, how will you get along in the world?"

"You love the people you serve."

"I remember the year I realized I couldn't do everything."

"You can't always have your bucket full, but sometimes you just need to fill a little cup."

"They're so empty that they are reacting instead of acting."

"Nothing compares to the heartache of parenting adult children, because you can't fix it and make it all better."

"When you make a quilt, that outlives you. It becomes a treasured piece of art."

Continue the discussion and share your favorite part on Instagram: @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

I LOVE the mission that Tiffany and Keirstyn are on, and I'm so grateful they are willing to share their stories.

They are out to bless the world, and free victims from broken-ness in relationship trauma. It's a brave journey they are taking, and I whole heartedly commend them! They want to help people become better, and I'm very happy to help spread their message with all of you.

I believe in marriage, in working through issues, in forgiveness, but when it comes to abuse, I fully support the victims getting out. They talk about the shame, but they want the world to know that you don't have to be perfect to be loved. 

These ladies talk a lot about what we can do NOW as we are raising our children, to help them feel their own individual worth, and I was EATING IT UP!

"It's not enough that we are saying uplifting things to our kids, they have to say it to themselves." 

I just hope and pray that the words of these ladies will bless others, and if you know someone that would benefit from hearing their stories, PLEASE share this episode with them.

Please see the links in the show notes to find them on their website, social media, join their forum, check out the workshops and resources they have to offer at TheRelationshipRecovery.com 

I would love you to join me over on instagram: @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke to discuss this episode, and give Tiffany and Kierstyn some LOVE and THANK THEM for sharing their story! Share on instagram what tidbit you are taking home.

Sherri shares right from the start that she has a passion for helping teenagers and young adults to find a path that will lead to fulfillment in life. She runs Imagine College Coaching, a website and services that helps guide her passion.

She shares about growing up in a small East Texas town, in an area that was not prioritizing college/education, and she had to figure out a lot all on her own.

She discusses the 4 points of balance, which are tools to get out of a pit. She also talks a lot about self motivation, and also the comparison game that comes from social media of not measuring up.

"If you want to do something or be something, in America, there is a way to make it happen."

"Parenting is the greatest privilege I've ever been given. Open communication is the most valuable. I want to be a safe place.  Share your failures and your kids will be more open to share theirs."

"Give them salt and make them thirsty. Help kids to be thirsty to have a zest for life."

We talked about a video I made that aligns with her focus: Treating Teens with Respect

I knew before I recorded my conversation with Jennifer that it would go over my 1 hour intended goal for each episode. I've watched her raise her family for nearly 16 years, weather life's storms, and I knew she would have so many great things to share. 

Her youngest of 6 kids just graduated high school, and she now also has 4 small grandchildren from her older kids, and she has so much wisdom and perspective. As you can see from the title, she is also a widow, and we discuss her husband passing away 8 years ago, and how she has parented before and after that time. 

Yes, she is a widowed mom, but she is so much more than that. She talks about how her life's experiences have blessed her to be less judgemental and love more, and can't we all do that a little bit more? I loved hearing about her growing up in an unconventional parenting situation with a corporate working mom, cop dad, and full time Nanny Maria from across the boarder. 

She is someone that I've always seen as an intentional mother, and to watch the beautiful relationship she has with her adult children, it is truly something to aspire to. Without further delay, enjoy my chat with Jennifer.

After you've listened, head on over to the Beyond Good Intentions homepage to peruse more episodes, and see pictures of Jennifer and her family on her episode web page.

I'd love for you to hop on over to instagram {CapturingJoy.KristenDuke} and tell Jennifer and myself the parts of our chat that stuck out to you most, that you hope to implement. 

When I saw the picture on Krista's website that said, "World's Okay-est Mom" I fell in love. YES! I thought...it's OK to be OK! This ideal that we have to be the perfect parents is so disheartening, and to be OK MOST of the time, GREAT another percentage, and not so great sometimes is JUST RIGHT. Lets all give ourselves a break, can we?  Krista raises her family deep in the heart of New York City and tells about her 11 year old son taking the subway to school by himself...love it! As much as that terrifies me, being from the suburbs, that's their life and it works for them. I love hearing stories about how others raise their families in different environments, thriving. 

Krista is also a life coach, and she talks about some parenting tools that I think benefits everyone, so list and share and head on over to Instagram @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke to share your highlights!

Find Krista at her website: WhyAmIYelling.com and see her resources section. 

Last weekend, I had a girls weekend get together with some of my closest friends to usher in my 40th birthday. I thought it would be fun to put a microphone in the middle of all of us, round robin style, while we sat on the couch chatting about various questions late at night. They weren't so sure they were excited about this idea. I assured them these were light questions, meant to be fun, and I thought it WAS pretty FUN!

We talked about favorite games, favorite meals, funny mom moments, things we DON'T do as a mom, what we hope our kids don't get into, what we'd do with no responsibility for a few days, dream family vacations, and some mom truths.

Head over to the full show notes on my website KristenDuke.com in the Beyond Good Intentions section of my site, to see us in our pink pinstripe pajamas, and how we were sitting/arranged on the couch as we talked about these topics.

I've also got a link to all of the family games we mentioned!

Join the follow up discussion on Instagram:

@CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

Leave me a review on itunes if you loved it! 

I am thrilled about this episode. When I told my kids I was interviewing Hank Smith for the podcast, I was met with quite excited responses. They were kinda star struck, because they think he is a rockstar. He'll go into detail a little better about what he does in our chat, but he's basically a motivational speaker that travels around, encouraging youth and even adults to do good...be good...and even secrets to a happier life through humor and seriousness and then humor again. It is truly a talent, and we can't get enough of it in our family.

He has the ability to make serious things funny for kids and turn it into real life discussions. Thought provoking and insightful. But if you're coming for this interview for comedy, I hope you won't be disappointed, but I really enjoyed all he had to share, the life behind the spiritual comedian. A peek into his world, why he does what he does, and how he is raising his family.

He shares his thoughts on PATIENCE with kids, things take TIME.

He also share a conversation with his daughter on trust vs. her judgement and her brain developing. Those teens are almost there, but still an apprentice learning the trade of life, he says, and I love that.

Listen and Subscribe to the podcast so you can hear future episodes, and join the journey to strengthen your family.   If something stuck out to you from this episode or another, I'd love you to LEAVE A REVIEW and also come to instagram and share your thoughts with the community there (CapturingJoy.KristenDuke).

To see more links about the books and other things we chatted about, head to the Beyond Good Intentions home page and click on Episode #024 with Hank Smith.

I interviewed my daughter and asked her all about middle school! Cliques, bullying, social media, friends, and she was candid about it all. With summertime, it's challenging to put out a podcast episode each week, but I'm committed to it!

My daughter is the cutest, in that she volunteered me to interview her when she overheard me talking to my friend Shelley (episode #17) about what I should do this week when I had my interviewee postpone!

I've planned to have my kids and other teens on to chat, but this just kick started it, and I hope you enjoy. 

Give my daughter some love on instagram or in the reviews, I'm grateful for her willingness to share!

@CapturingJoy.KristenDuke on Instagram to share your thoughts, ask questions, or favorite parts!

I'm so so excited to share the interview with my dear friend Laurie! She and I met in college, but I was actually friends with her husband FIRST. We may chat a little bit more about her love story than I normally would with others, because I was THERE for it! It's a great story! 

Laurie grew up in a very small town on a Hawaiian Island with 2000 people, but is raising her family in Montana--how fun is that?? I loved hearing about her growing up years, and We also talked a lot about how she was a teenager bride, what her parents thought about that, and what they think NOW, after they've been married 19 years. 

I'm grateful Laurie was willing to talk about Nuerofeedback Therapy as a treatment for Anxiety, because I really think others hearing this will find it helpful. I'm quite fascinated by it myself!

Listen along to this episode to hear all about her life, parenting, and of course a discussion on electronics and social media with teens. She also shares about a late pregnancy mis-carriage, and how she and her family dealt with her passing.

Continue the discussion with us on Instagram: @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

And see more notes and links to her favorites on the podcast homepage Beyond Good Intentions

Jessica grew up working HARD in the theater her parents ran, and talked about how that has blessed her throughout her life, in working hard at whatever it is she is doing. Cleaning urinals and scrubbing gum off of theater chairs turned into flipping houses, starting a DJ karaoke business in college, and now running 150 Orthodontic offices all over the US, Smile Doctors. 

Not only did the theater teach her hard work, but she says, "Confidence is built on stage, as well as being quick on your feet." 

They've moved a few times, and she speaks of the resilience of kids, and the opportunity for growth when their family has moved. You gain more friendships and experiences.

Living on their working ranch, she hopes to live completely sustained by it someday. 

She speaks of her health challenges with Lupus, and how her kids have had to help take care of her at times. 

Positivity is key in any ailment that you're dealing with.

She talks about being "pro child" and not just go along with the norms, but listen to their needs.

The proper way to raise your children is with the proper amount of neglect--listen to hear THAT ONE explained!

Hard Knock rules of life is that you live and learn. Watch your kids make mistakes and fail, the greatest lessons in life.

Head on over to my instagram: @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke to share your favorite parts of this episode!

You can also view the show notes and past episode on the Beyond Good Intentions home page. 

Intuitive eating, I was thirsty for this conversation with Amy, and it couldn't have come at a better time in my parenting. Teaching children intuitive eating has been heavy on my mind in the past few years, and I just love everything Amy had to say! Coming from someone who has struggled with a binge eating disorder, she has a lot of really great insight on the topic.

 My heart broke when Amy said that she cried to her mom in the 4th grade because she felt overweight, but looking back at that little girl, she wasn't at all, just different shaped. I hung on her every word as she told me what she would say right now to that little girl, an important perspective that I think every parent should hear. She spoke about a binge eating disorder, and how after therapy for it, she gained 100 pounds.

She gave a lot of really great insight on teaching children intuitive eating, highlighting words she feels we should and shouldn't use.

It's SUCH A TOUGH thing for adults to get under control, that intuitive eating, even harder to know how to best teach our children. But they model us, so we need to figure it out to best guide them. 

We discussed complementing our kids, and how society has made it tricky, and that we need to retrain the brain with positive affirmations to not be about looks.

I definitely had a lot to think about after our conversation, I'm really grateful for her perspective.

On Instagram:

Follow Amy at BeautifullyBrokenJourney.com and on Instagram: @BeautifullyBrokenJourney

Continue the discussion of this episode on Instagram at @CapturingJoy.KristenDuke

Would love for you to leave a REVIEW on iTunes if you liked this! Almost to 100!!