Christian Parent, Crazy World

What story is shaping your child’s life? In a world swirling with competing narratives and cultural confusion, it’s more crucial than ever for Christian parents to help kids understand that they are living inside of God’s bigger story.
In this powerful episode, Catherine sits down with seasoned ministry leaders and authors Randy and Rozanne Frazee, co-authors of Encountering God's Love from Genesis to Revelation. With over four decades of marriage, four children, and five grandchildren, the Frazees know first-hand the joys and the heartaches of parenting—and what grounds a family’s faith through it all.
Many of us grew up knowing fragmented Bible stories—Noah and the ark, David and Goliath—but not the overarching story that ties it all together. When our faith is reduced to a list of rules or isolated lessons, it’s fragile. Our children are left vulnerable to doubt, anxiety, and cultural currents when the storms of life hit.
The Frazees invite listeners to see Scripture as a unified, breathtaking narrative: a love story of creation, fall, rescue, and redemption. Drawing from decades of pastoral experience, Randy shares why it’s vital for families to understand that the Bible isn’t just a rule book—it’s the true story of reality, and your family has a part to play:
“If you’re going to be in church for even a year, you should be able to stand up and talk from Genesis all the way to Revelation—not in great detail, but enough to see that it’s one story,” Randy observes.
Listeners learn:
The difference between just knowing Bible stories and knowing the Story—and why the latter is critical for resilient faith.

How connecting the dots of God’s upper (divine) and our lower (day-to-day) stories helps kids find meaning, hope, and identity—even in messy, confusing seasons.

Why communal Bible engagement (as a family or church) is transformational, not just individually but across generations.

Practical ways to bring faith conversations into everyday family moments, including how mealtimes can become opportunities to discuss God’s story.

How to maintain relationship, speak the truth in love, and remain hopeful when walking through prodigal seasons with your children.

Why parents can be liberated by trusting God for the results, recognizing that only He causes the growth—even when we’ve been faithful but don’t see immediate fruit.

Catherine and her guests get real, sharing personal stories of loss, pain, prodigal children, and disappointment—and how reframing these moments in light of God’s bigger plan brings powerful hope, healing, and perspective. Rozanne movingly recounts her own prayers for a wandering child and what it means to wait, hope, and never cut off relationship as God writes new chapters.
“We have to understand—we’re not inviting God into our story. He’s inviting us into His." ~Catherine
If you’ve ever struggled with the pain of unanswered prayers or wondered how to talk to your kids when life doesn’t make sense, this episode will encourage and equip you to anchor your family in the only story that matters.
Are you helping your kids see themselves as main characters in God’s unfolding story—or as authors of a tale they're left to figure out on their own? This episode will inspire you to set your family’s narrative inside the greatest love story ever told.
Don’t miss this conversation—and consider: how can you help your children see beyond the “lower story” moments of today to the “upper story” that God is writing through their lives?
About the Guests:
Randy and Rozanne Frazee
Randy Frazee is Pastor Emeritus of Westside Family Church, author of The Story, and visionary leader whose work has revitalized churches nationwide; Rozanne Frazee is a writer and compassionate speaker passionate about biblical literacy in families. Together, their newest work, Encountering God’s Love: From Genesis to Revelation, is equipping families to rediscover how the Bible fits together and how every child (and parent!) can find their place in God’s unfolding story.
EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES:
Encountering God’s Love: From Genesis to Revelation (recommended for families, church groups, and homeschoolers)

Randy Frazee's website: randyfrazee.com
The Story Bible engagement campaign
The Jesus Storybook Bible (for young children)

Catherine's Free Resources for Parents
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The everyday choices parents make may matter more than anything else—especially in shaping a child’s faith and future. It’s not the grand gestures, but the consistent, authentic moments—shared meals, honest conversations, and humble apologies—that lay the foundation for a lasting legacy. In a culture that often undermines Christian values, the daily witness of a parent’s genuine faith speaks louder than any church service or lesson. These ordinary routines are where children see faith lived out, and where their beliefs and character take root
In this episode, host Catherine sits down with renowned guests Randy and Rozanne Frazee, a couple married for forty-four years, with four grown children and a legacy of lived faith. Randy, pastor emeritus of Westside Family Church and acclaimed author, together with Rozanne, who brings a warm, grounded wisdom and coauthored their bestselling book Real Simplicity, share personal stories and practical insights into the significance of authentic, everyday Christian parenting.
Key Insights & Takeaways
More Than a Label: Discover the striking difference between nominal ("Christian in name only") families and homes where faith is consistently lived out, imperfectly but authentically.

Sacred Tables: Learn how the dinner table becomes more than a refueling stop—it’s a sacred gathering, mirroring biblical feasts and communion, where something dies so the family can live.

Modeling Vulnerability: Hear how parents who own their mistakes, invite tough questions, and provide space for doubts create a safe place for kids to wrestle with and own their faith.

Science & Scripture: Unpack the neuroscience and statistics behind family meals: a Columbia University study reveals that five shared dinners a week dramatically reduce risks of substance abuse and other pitfalls.

Practical Strategies for Every Family: Get ideas for starting small—one intentional meal a week, using technology (like family video calls), and simplifying meal planning with tools and teamwork.

Anecdotes that Inspire: Listen to Randy’s transformation as a 14-year-old in a warm Christian home, and Rozanne’s moving story of a college guest brought to tears just by being asked to share her day.

Notable Moments & Quotes
"Messages come and go. But relationships—parents who live their faith authentically day in and day out—shape a child’s life forever."
– Catherine Segars
“It is not about perfection; it’s about authenticity. The table is not just a place to eat—it’s the place to truly live and pass on the faith.”
– Randy Frazee
Meet the guests:
Randy Frazee is pastor emeritus of Westside Family Church in Kansas City, the author of numerous influential books including The Story, Believe, and The Joy Challenge. He is recognized nationally for his teachings on the intersection of faith and daily life.
Rozanne Frazee is a coauthor (with Randy) of Real Simplicity and a sought-after speaker on family, faith, and authentic living. Her warm insights on building strong, honest relationships have encouraged Christians for decades.
Married for over forty years, the Frazees have four grown children, several grandchildren, and a passion for strengthening families by making faith a lived reality.
Episode Resources
Randy and Rozanne Frazee’s Website & Writings

Encountering God's Love from Genesis to Revalation
Real Simplicity: Making Room for Life – the Frazees’ book on creating family rhythms that matter

Encountering God’s Love from Genesis to Revelation – their newest release, discussed in the next episode

Catherine's Free Resources for parents
Think On This
Are you making space in your home for authentic faith to be lived out? What one simple shift could you make this week to draw your family closer—to each other and to God?
Tune in for inspiration, practical wisdom, and a renewed vision for parenting God’s way. Don’t miss the next episode, where Randy and Rozanne unveil the heart behind their new book, Encountering God's Love from Genesis to Revelation.
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How Do We Prepare Our Kids’ Faith for Secular College? Start Here.
Few things strike fear in the heart of Christian parents like sending a child to a secular university and wondering, “Will their faith survive?” Recent research shows nearly two-thirds of young adults raised in the church disengage from faith or Christian community after leaving home—a heartbreaking statistic for families who have labored in love and prayer for nearly two decades.
In this episode, Catherine sits down with Dr. Steven Hall, a respected professor at Lee University with decades of experience in pastoral ministry, counseling, and spiritual formation. Dr. Hall brings not only academic insight but a father’s hard-won wisdom—his own daughter lost her faith at a secular arts high school, plunging his family into a prodigal journey that every Christian parent fears.
Key Insights and Takeaways:
It Can Happen to Any Family: Dr. Hall shares with powerful honesty how, despite prayerful and intentional parenting—including homeschooling and Christian education—his daughter’s faith was overturned in just two weeks at a new school. “We put her in the school, and two weeks later, they stole her,” he recalls, highlighting how the environment and sense of belonging can reshape beliefs almost overnight.

The Power of Allies: Both Dr. Hall and Catherine underscore the vital importance of allies: teachers, mentors, counselors, and Christian communities who support and reinforce the faith and values parents instill. “You need an ally in your parenting. Pray for those allies…steward those relationships well,” Dr. Hall urges.

Formation Over Information: As children grow, the need to belong and to form identity intensifies—especially in the teen and college years. Dr. Hall explains, “If you have an environment where your child believes they can belong and retain their faith, you are preparing good ‘soul soil’ for lasting fruit.”

Consistent Adequacy—Not Perfection: Parents often carry guilt over prodigal seasons, but Dr. Hall and Catherine offer hope: even God, the perfect parent, had children who chose rebellion. “You don’t have to be exceptional—just consistently adequate,” Dr. Hall reassures, stressing faithfulness over perfection.

Practical Soul-Forming Rhythms: Sabbath, prayer, fasting, and engaging in faith routines as a family are crucial. “We’re not just training for faith, we’re shaping a way of life,” says Dr. Hall.

There Is Good News: Encouraging research from Barna now shows a rise in personal commitment to Jesus and Bible reading among Gen Z and Millennials. The hunger for authentic, lived faith is growing—and parents can help nurture that by living and modeling genuine discipleship.

Anecdotes & Notable Quotes:
“If you want to protect your child from the negative influences of the world, when they're about seven, put them in a barrel and feed them through the knothole. At fourteen, plug the knothole. There's no foolproof method!”—Dr. Hall (quoting Mark Twain)

“God is not looking for extraordinary, perfect parents. He’s looking for consistency. Trust the creature to the Creator.”

About the Guest:
Dr. Steven Hall is Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Lee University, with a doctorate in Spiritual Formation and decades serving as a Church of God minister, clinical pastoral counselor, and founder of Ministry Oasis—a resource dedicated to the soul health of ministry families.
Are you praying for allies to join you in shepherding your child’s soul? Who are the people and communities partnering with you for the spiritual health of your family? Share your journey, struggles, and wins—and remember: you don’t have to do this alone. Tune in and find the encouragement, practical wisdom, and hope that God is still writing your child’s story.
Episode Links & Resources
Ministry Oasis
Dr. Steven Hall’s website offers free resources for soul health, spiritual disciplines, Sabbath practices, and more—especially helpful for pastors and their families, but practical for all parents.
Visit Ministry Oasis
Barna Research – Youth Exodus & Spiritual Renewal
New Research: Belief in Jesus Is on the Rise, and It’s Fueled by Younger Adults (Apr 2024)

Millennials and Gen Z Drive a Bible Reading Comeback (Nov 2023)

Gen Z, Millennials, and the Changing State of Faith in America

Soul Health Planning, Sabbath & Family Rhythms
Soul Health Plan PDF, Sabbath Practice Guides, Video Library

Dr. Hall’s sermon series and practical tips for sabbathing with young children

Scripture Prayers & Prodigal Bundle
Catherine’s free resources for parents—Scripture lists, prayer guides, and her ebook for raising children in a faith-challenging culture.
Subscribe to Catherine Segars’ Website for The Prodigal Bundle
Recommended Books
The Domestic Monastery by Ronald Rolheiser

God in My Everything: How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God by Ken Shigematsu

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero

Want prayer or a network of allies?
Email Catherine directly at [email protected] or subscribe to her site for encouragement, practical faith-filled resources, and ways to connect with praying parents.

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How can Christian parents safeguard their children in a world where sexual exploitation is hidden in plain sight—even within their own homes?
In this crucial episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine welcomes Dr. Rondy Smith, founder and CEO of Rest Stop Ministries—the first long-term residential restoration program in Tennessee for female survivors of sex trafficking. Dr. Smith brings decades of frontline experience walking with women through profound trauma toward hope and restoration.
The conversation delves into one of the most urgent questions facing parents today: “How can we protect our kids from being sexually exploited?” Drawing on powerful personal stories—including a heart-wrenching letter from a survivor whose abuse spanned eight years without her parents’ knowledge—Dr. Smith exposes the shocking reality: predators are often familiar faces, and exploitation is happening everywhere, not just distant or impoverished places.
Key insights and takeaways:
Myth-Busting: Over 60% of victims know their traffickers; they could be family friends, relatives, or acquaintances. Familiarity is not safety.

Cybersex Trafficking: Dr. Smith recounts how online predators exploit children’s innocence and manipulate them through social media and gaming platforms, turning everyday devices into “porn boxes” with unfettered access to vulnerable youth.

Warning Signs: Parents must trust their intuition and watch for behavioral changes such as panic over losing access to devices or withdrawal from routine activities.

Open Communication: Survivors say they wish someone had intervened sooner—parents must foster safe spaces where children feel supported, not judged, regardless of what has happened.

Hope and Restoration: No matter how deep the trauma, God is able to bring healing. Stories shared in the episode highlight recovery, reconciliation, and new beginnings for survivors and their families.

Notable moments include Rondy's passionate call for parents to “think like a predator”—not out of fear, but out of wisdom and love for their children. The episode closes with a moving time of prayer and encouragement, affirming that Christian parents are called to be active peacemakers: to engage, educate, and advocate for their kids and their communities.
Quote from the episode:
"Wherever your kids are, the predators are there. We have to begin thinking like a predator and know that they’re out there." – Dr. Rondy Smith
Anecdote:
The episode features a survivor’s letter detailing eight years of secret exploitation, her eventual disclosure, and her journey to healing—a story that could “be happening in your home right now and you don’t know it,” as Catherine observes.
Call to Action:
Have you built an open channel of communication with your children? Are you prepared to spot the signs and have the hard conversations, even when it’s uncomfortable?
Take today's conversation beyond the episode—pray, seek wisdom, and consider supporting ministries like Rest Stop. Share this episode and equip your family for the world we live in. Because awareness, prevention, and restoration are not just vital—they are part of our calling as Christian parents.
EPISODE LINKS:
Learn more about Rest Stop Ministries: reststopministries.org

Rest Stop: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

The Exodus Road: What Are Human Trafficking Warning Signs?

NCOSI: National Center on Sexual Exploitation

Subscribe for free parenting bundles at catherinesegars.com

Tune in to learn the truth, equip yourself, and make your home a place where darkness cannot hide.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Sex Trafficking: A Crisis Closer Than You Think
Sex trafficking is one of the greatest human rights crises of our time—a dark, shocking reality that is not just happening “somewhere else,” but in neighborhoods and communities across America. In this crucial episode, Catherine is joined by Dr. Rondy Smith, founder and CEO of Rest Stop Ministries, to confront the overwhelming issue of sex trafficking head-on and, more importantly, to explore what Christians can do about it.
A Call to Step Into the Darkness
Rondy didn’t become an activist because of a personal story—she stepped into this fight after witnessing the devastating effects of sexual exploitation on women she ministered to. In her journey from church leadership to founding the first long-term residential restoration program for female survivors in Tennessee, Rondy reveals the magnitude of the crisis:
27 million people currently enslaved worldwide

80% are female and over 50% are children trafficked for sexual exploitation

Children as young as five are among the victims

The conversation brings these tragic numbers to life, grounding the issue in both global statistics and heartbreaking personal experiences.
Understanding the Hidden Reality
Listeners will get a vital overview of how sex trafficking operates—not just through stereotypes like “street prostitution,” but in more insidious forms such as:
The “boyfriend syndrome,” where traffickers pose as romantic partners

Familial trafficking, where children are sold by family members due to poverty or addiction

These abuses touch every ZIP code in the United States, often hidden in plain sight.
Hope and Action: What Christians Can Do
But this episode goes beyond exposing darkness; it’s filled with practical insights and urgent encouragement for action. Catherine and Dr. Rondy Smith discuss:
The importance of seeing victims as ourselves—rejecting the temptation to look away out of overwhelm or helplessness

Biblical imperatives for confronting oppression and injustice, with powerful reference to scriptures like Proverbs 24:11

How Rest Stop Ministries walks alongside survivors for years of restorative healing and reintegration

Ways every Christian and every church can get involved, from supporting local ministries to prevention education

A profound recognition of the spiritual battle involved—and a stirring call to pray for those on the front lines

A Personal Update: The Cost of the Battle
The episode closes with a deeply personal update from Catherine about ministry friends who stepped forward in faith to found a refuge for survivors, only to face their own heart-breaking trials. This underlines the costly battle against this evil and the desperate need for community support and prayer.
Guest Bio
Dr. Rondy Smith is an ordained minister, educator, mentor, and CEO of Rest Stop Ministries, a pioneering restoration program for female survivors of sex trafficking in Nashville, Tennessee. With decades of experience across ministry, academia, and leadership, she is deeply committed to the spiritual and practical healing of those marked by exploitation.
Important Resources
Learn more or get involved at reststopministries.org

Follow Rest Stop Ministries on Facebook, Instagram, and X

Pray for Rusty and Krista's ministry, Hope Filled Refuge, and for all on the front lines

Rusty's Go Fund Me Page
Next Episode: Prevention and Protection
Don’t miss the next episode, where Dr. Rondy Smith returns to share how predators operate and essential steps Christian parents must take to safeguard their children.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.