Connected Families Podcast

Asking yourself, “Should I homeschool,” this school year? It’s a weighty question—and one you don’t have to answer on your own. In this episode, host Stacy Bellward is joined by two Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches and seasoned homeschooling moms, Marni Love and Amy Nyvall, who bring 16+ years of combined experience to this conversation.

Rather than handing out a one-size-fits-all answer, Marni and Amy walk through the decision using the Connected Families Framework™. They tackle real questions submitted by the cf community and help you discern what’s best for your family!  

Key Takeaways:

The decision starts with you, not the curriculum. 

Your educational gaps aren’t a disqualifier. Every parent (and every school) has them. 

Motivation is built, not demanded. 

Your child isn’t your report card. Homeschooling doesn’t make you a better parent, and a hard day doesn’t define you 

Mentioned in this Podcast: 

Romans 8:39

The Connected Families Framework

Sensitive & Intense Kids Online Course

cf community

Homeschool Discipline Online Course

Connected Families Certified Parent Coaches

The Table Monthly Giving Program

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Guest Bio:

Marni Love is a former public school teacher who has been a home educator for 16 years. She is a Homeschool Mentor, a Certified Connected Families Parent Coach, and an instructor for CF coaches-in-training. Marni enjoys spending time with her husband, Eric, and their three sons in the beautiful mountains and beaches of Northern California. Marni is available for coaching and speaking. You can connect with her through her website, marnilove.com. 

Amy Nyvall is a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach who lives near Portland, Oregon, where she homeschools her kids ages 14,11, and 9 and leads a vibrant Charlotte Mason Education Community and Co-op. Contact Amy at amynyvall@gmail.com or learn more about her here. Amy is available for coaching and speaking on the Connected Families Framework. You can even find her contributing to events on the CF Community in Mighty so you can interact with here there too.

Want to keep this conversation going?

Join us inside the cf community — a faith-anchored, coach-supported space where parents grow together. Reflect on episodes like this one, ask hard questions, and celebrate the small wins alongside parents from around the world.

👉 Join the cf community today

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents find shows like this one.

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

© 2026 Connected Families

We were never meant to walk the parenting journey alone. In this heartwarming and eye-opening episode, host Cindy Wilson (Director of Education, Equipping, and Research at Connected Families) sits down with Crystal Wilson, the Director of Global Fundraising Strategy at Compassion International. Together, they explore the universal heartbeat of motherhood and the essential, life-giving power of Christian community. 

If lonely motherhood has been weighing on you, and you’re longing to build deeper, more authentic relationships right where you are, this conversation offers a beautiful reminder of how God wired us for connection, grace, and mutual support. 

Key Takeaways:

Discover the universal heart of parenthood from mothers around the world

Learn practical steps to overcome isolation

Discover powerful stories of how local churches worldwide are partnering with organizations to bring joy

Mentioned in this Podcast: 

Acts 2

Galatians 6:2

Matthew 16:18

Compassion International

Compassion’s Survival Program

Connected Families Ministry Partnership Program

The Table Monthly Giving Program

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Guest Bio:

Crystal Wilson is a dynamic leader whose life purpose is to serve the world’s most vulnerable by connecting them with life-changing resources. She currently serves as Director of Global Fundraising Strategy at Compassion International, leading global and multicultural fundraising strategies fueled by her faith, entrepreneurial mindset, and passion for Christ. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Crystal spent 15 years in the automotive industry leading high-performing PR and marketing teams for major brands including Cadillac, Lincoln, and Nissan. Licensed to preach the gospel at age 24, she launched and led a young adult ministry for over five years under her father, Rev. Dr. David L. Roberson, Senior Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, and also served as Director of Children’s Church at Life Changers International Church. She is a co-founder of THRIVE!, Compassion’s Employee Resource Group that supports and empowers working mothers. Above all, Crystal’s most treasured roles are wife to Cameron Wilson and mom to Cameron Ray (14) and Christian David (11).

Want to keep this conversation going?

Join us inside the cf community — a faith-anchored, coach-supported space where parents grow together. Reflect on episodes like this one, ask hard questions, and celebrate the small wins alongside parents from around the world.

👉 Join the cf community today

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents find shows like this one.

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

© 2026 Connected Families

As a self-described sensitive and intense mom raising two sensitive and intense daughters, Laura Way, Content Manager at Connected Families, wraps up our summertime conflict series with a powerful tool we use called Slow, Low, & Listen, which also applies easily when you have kids fighting in the next room!

Drawing from Scripture, brain science, and her own kitchen-floor moments with her seven-year-old, Laura unpacks why our nervous systems get so easily hijacked by our children’s big emotions and offers a practical, grace-filled path forward. You’ll learn how slowing down, getting low, and listening can transform the way you enter into your kids’ hard moments.

Whether you’re navigating sibling conflict, meltdowns, or daily chaos, this episode offers wisdom and tools to help you respond with the grace-filled presence you long to bring to your parenting.

Key Takeaways:

Why your calm has to come first—and how to find it when your child’s emotions feel overwhelming

The brain science behind why a screaming child can trigger the same response as real danger

 What “Slow, Low, Listen” actually looks like in real life (with Laura’s honest, in-the-moment examples)

How to move from reacting at your child to responding with your child

Mentioned in this Podcast: 

Blog Post – How to Break Habits of Harshness: Try Slow, Low, & Listen

James 1:19–20 

John 8:1-11

Sibling Conflict Online Course

cf community

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Want to keep this conversation going?

Join us inside the cf community — a faith-anchored, coach-supported space where parents grow together. Reflect on episodes like this one, ask hard questions, and celebrate the small wins alongside parents from around the world.

👉 Join the cf community today

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents find shows like this one.

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

© 2026 Connected Families

Bickering. The escalating voices in the next room make you wonder whether to referee or run the other way. If sibling conflict has become the soundtrack of your home, you are so not alone, and this episode is for you!

In week two of our Summertime Conflict series, host Stacy Bellward unpacks the heart of sibling squabbles and offers a refreshing reframe: those arguments happening between your kids right now? As a Christian parent, you have golden opportunities to raise lifelong peacemakers under your own roof.

Whether you’re parenting toddlers or teens locked in a week-long standoff, you’ll walk away with wisdom, hope, and tangible tools to pursue peace in your family. Listen in!

Key Takeaways:

Gain insight into when to step into your kids’ squabbles

From questions to role-playing, discover practical ways to enter into the heat of the moment with your kids

How learning true reconciliation points us to Christ

Our Episode Sponsor

Today’s episode is brought to you by David Richter, owner of SimpleCFO and author of Profit First for Real Estate Investing. We’re grateful for David’s sponsorship, which helps make these conversations possible for families everywhere. You can find more information on his website https://simplecfo.com/.

Mentioned in this Podcast: 

Ephesians 4:32

Matthew 5:9

Sibling Conflict Online Course

cf community

Episode 305 – Helping Siblings Make Up After A “Fight”

Trash, Truth, Treasure Online Course

Calming Strategies PDF

The Table Monthly Giving Program

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Want to keep this conversation going?

Join us inside the cf community — a faith-anchored, coach-supported space where parents grow together. Reflect on episodes like this one, ask hard questions, and celebrate the small wins alongside parents from around the world.

👉 Join the cf community today

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents find shows like this one.

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

© 2026 Connected Families

Bickering. The escalating voices in the next room make you wonder whether to referee or run the other way. If sibling conflict has become the soundtrack of your home, you are so not alone, and this episode is for you!

In week two of our Summertime Conflict series, host Stacy Bellward unpacks the heart of sibling squabbles and offers a refreshing reframe: those arguments happening between your kids right now? As a Christian parent, you have golden opportunities to raise lifelong peacemakers under your own roof.

Whether you’re parenting toddlers or teens locked in a week-long standoff, you’ll walk away with wisdom, hope, and tangible tools to pursue peace in your family. Listen in!

Key Takeaways:

Gain insight into when to step into your kids’ squabbles

From questions to role-playing, discover practical ways to enter into the heat of the moment with your kids

How learning true reconciliation points us to Christ

Our Episode Sponsor

Today’s episode is brought to you by David Richter, owner of SimpleCFO and author of Profit First for Real Estate Investing. We’re grateful for David’s sponsorship, which helps make these conversations possible for families everywhere. You can find more information on his website https://simplecfo.com/.

Mentioned in this Podcast: 

Ephesians 4:32

Matthew 5:9

Sibling Conflict Online Course

cf community

Episode 305 – Helping Siblings Make Up After A “Fight”

Trash, Truth, Treasure Online Course

Calming Strategies PDF

The Table Monthly Giving Program

Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting!

Want to keep this conversation going?

Join us inside the cf community — a faith-anchored, coach-supported space where parents grow together. Reflect on episodes like this one, ask hard questions, and celebrate the small wins alongside parents from around the world.

👉 Join the cf community today

Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents find shows like this one.

This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We’d love to have you take a seat at The Table!

© 2026 Connected Families