The Bible Simplified : Going Deeper in Faith, Teaching Kids the Bible, and Seeing Jesus in Every Story :: Zach Windahl [Ep 530]
Do you long to go deeper in your faith and help your children fall in love with Scripture — not just the stories, but the whole story?
Today Zach Windahl shares what led him to dedicate years to studying scripture. He emphasizes the importance of simplifying the Bible for others, particularly for those who feel overwhelmed or confused. After moving to Australia and enrolling in a transformative Bible study program, everything changed. He discovered how the entire Bible connects — from Genesis to Revelation — and how understanding Scripture through a Hebrew lens opens up a whole new depth of meaning. The Bible isn’t random. Every story, every verse, every command points to Jesus. Here is some of what we cover:
Why modeling your faith matters more than preaching to your kids
The difference between a Greek vs. Hebrew mindset when reading Scripture
What to do when Christian culture and actual Jesus living don’t align
Connect with Zach Windahl:
Website: Zach Windahl
Facebook: Zach Windahl | Facebook
Instagram: Zach Windahl (@zachwindahl)
Links Mentioned:
The Bible, Simplified: By Zach Windahl
The Bible Study: By Zach Windahl
See the Good: By Zach Windahl
Practicing the Way: By John Mark Comer
Revolutionary Parenting: By George Barna
Zach Windahl – The Brand Sunday
Related Episodes:
Consistency in Bible Study :: Katie Orr [Ep 352]
Every Mom a Theologian :: Phylicia Masonheimer [Ep 389]
Why Read the Entire Bible :: Tara Leigh Cobble [Ep 312]
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Helping Your Teen Choose College with Purpose, Not Pressure : Insights from a College Strategist :: Shellee Howard [Ep 529]
Many of you have been on this journey with me since the potty-training days, and now you’re facing the incredible milestone of sending your kids off to college. In this episode, my friend Shellee Howard joins us to discuss the complexities of the college application process, the importance of early preparation, and strategies for securing scholarships and financial aid.
Shellee shares her journey into becoming a college strategist and offers insights on how parents can support their children in navigating their educational paths. Here is some of what we cover:
What to do if your teen doesn’t know what they want to be yet
How to help your child discover their core values and articulate their “why” for college
How to negotiate the cost of college like a pro (yes, it’s possible!)
Pursue meaningful extracurriculars (music, leadership, service projects, and more)
Which college stats matter most—and how to see through the sales pitch on college tours
Connect with Shellee Howard:
Website: College Counseling Services | Graduate Debt-Free with Expert Guidance
Facebook: Shellee Howard
Instagram: College Ready Plan
Links Mentioned:
College Ready Questionnaire (Shellee)
Personal Values Assessment | Discover Your Values
Podcast — College Ready | College Admissions Consulting
The College Admissions PLAN Simplified: Shellee Howard
How to Send Your Student to College Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money Shellee Howard
Related Episodes:
Navigating Senior Year: College Prep, Family Talks, and Faithful Waiting :: Lee Cordon and Barrett Ball [Ep 523]
Demystifying Financial Aid :: Kristi Steele [Ep 440]
Long Game Parenting :: Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson [Ep 337]
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Knox and I recently had the incredible opportunity to go on a Compassion International vision trip to El Salvador. Today, I’m joined by my friend Nicki Koziarz to help recap this life-changing experience.
Nicki is an author, Bible teacher, and podcaster—and also a mom of six, including three boys adopted from Haiti. She brings a powerful perspective on the global impact Compassion is making and the heartbreaking reality that, in many cases, poverty is the only reason a mother has to give up her child.
We dive into how Compassion is partnering with local churches to go into the hardest places—providing food, medical care, and the hope of Christ to transform lives and futures. Nicki also shares about their amazing Survival Program, which walks alongside mothers from pregnancy through a child’s first year, ensuring families have the support they need to stay together when possible.
I’m so grateful for the chance to witness firsthand what God is doing through Compassion in El Salvador—and I can't wait to share more with you in this episode.
Connect with Nicki Koziarz:
Website: Nicki Koziarz – Author | Speaker | Bible Teacher
Facebook: Nicki Koziarz
Instagram: nickikoziarz
Links Mentioned:
Last time Nicki was on the show (Ep 121)
*Join Heather and Help End Child Poverty*
Compassion Survival - Compassion International
Related Episodes:
Secure Borders and the Compassionate Christian :: Bri Stensrud [Ep 455]
Exploring Global Cultures at Home :: Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young [Ep 327]
Compassion Changes Everything :: Jonathan Almonte [Ep 264]
Featured Sponsors:
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TALK to Raise a Reader: How to Build Strong Reading Skills at Home :: Maya Smart [Ep 527]
Kids all read at different ages, stages, and times, but how can we, as parents, ensure they are getting all the tools and skills they need to become great readers? Today, Maya Smart joins me to talk about her new book Reading for Our Lives. She delves into the science of how kids become not just readers, but also comprehend and think critically. Here is some of what we cover:
Why you are your child’s chief vocabulary builder
TALK stands for: Take turns, Ask questions, Label and point, Keep the conversation going
Why literacy still matters—even in an AI world
Literacy is relational, not just instructional
Early vocabulary and sound awareness are critical foundations
Connect with Maya Smart:
Website: Maya Smart - Helping Parents Raise Readers | Become a Reader
Facebook: Maya Smart
Instagram: Maya Smart - Parent Educator and Literacy Advocate (@mayasmarty)
Links Mentioned:
Reading for Our Lives: By Maya Smart
Related Episodes:
How to Stay Calm with School Stress :: Kirk Martin {Ep 88}
“What is Typical When Learning to Talk?” :: Stephanie Cohen [Ep 486]
Supporting Students with Dyslexia :: Kerri Irvin [Ep 317]
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Can We Keep Teens Safe on Social Media? What Every Parent Needs to Know from Meta :: Tara Hopkins [Ep 526]
In this episode, I sit down with Meta’s Global Director of Public Policy, who also happens to be a mom of two teenagers, to discuss the realities of raising kids in a digital-first world. There is a lot that goes into ensuring our teens are safe online, and Tara explains how Instagram is becoming a leader in this arena. Whether you’re worried about screen time, inappropriate content, or online bullying, this conversation is packed with insight and practical help. Here are some topics we cover:
How Meta uses cutting-edge technology for age verification
The three biggest concerns parents have about social media- who can contact their teen on Instagram, whether the content their teen sees is age-appropriate, and how much time their teen is spending on social media
Encouraging open conversations when your teen sees (or does) something online they shouldn’t
Connect with Tara Hopkins:
Instagram: Tara Hopkins
Links Mentioned:
Meta Family Center
Related Episodes:
Creating a Family Tech Plan :: Andrea Davis [Ep 470]
Cultivating a Healthy Relationship with Tech :: Joey Odom [Ep 425]
Braving the Tech Landscape Through Connection :: Chris McKenna [Ep 424]
Creating Digital Safe Spaces :: Chris McKenna [Ep 360]
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Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, connects you the listener with people and resources to help you feel less alone. Consider it an invitation to "withness".
South Africa