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The MAVEN Parent Podcast

The MAVEN Parent Podcast

Brett and Erin Kunkle 272 Episodes Aug 18, 2026

Brett and Erin Kunkle guide you through Christian parenting in a secular culture, with wisdom and a bunch of practical help.

Episodes

The Differences Between Male and Female and Why it is Good
The Differences Between Male and Female and Why it is Good Aug 18, 2026 4312 What does it mean to be male or female? And why does it matter? Our culture is notoriously confused about sex, gender, and identity. How can Christians cut through the confusion to communicate the truth with both Biblical clarity and compassion? In this episode, Erin exposes three lies shaping culture's conversation about gender and explores how the beauty and goodness of God's design for
Take Your Kids Out of the Sports Cult
Take Your Kids Out of the Sports Cult Aug 11, 2026 2027 Is youth sports slowly becoming the center of your family's life? In this episode, Brett and Erin take a hard look at the growing “sports cult” in American culture and how parents can get sucked in without even realizing. From year-round teams and rising costs to Sunday games, early specialization, and the pressure to chase college scholarships, youth sports can easily move from being a g
Why We Made Our Kids Struggle
Why We Made Our Kids Struggle Aug 4, 2026 2580 Is making life easier for your kids actually making their life harder? In this episode, Brett and Erin explain why they intentionally made their own kids struggle...and why they don't regret it. From chores and earning money to facing consequences and doing hard things, they share practical ways they helped their kids build resilience, confidence, and character, in a culture that encourag
Raising Kids Who Can Actually Think in an Age of Distraction w/ Dr. Matt Burford
Raising Kids Who Can Actually Think in an Age of Distraction w/ Dr. Matt Burford Jul 28, 2026 3534 Today's kids have more information than any generation in history but they struggle to pay attention, think deeply, and engage with truth. Why? In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Dr. Matt Burford, founder of Tactical Faith, to explore the hidden cost of the attention economy and what it's doing to our kids' minds. Together, they build a practical framework for how parents can a
The Parenting Lesson From C.S. Lewis
The Parenting Lesson From C.S. Lewis Jul 21, 2026 2021 "There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it." It's one of the best opening lines in children's literature—and it introduces one of C.S. Lewis's brattiest characters. In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the parenting lessons hidden in C.S. Lewis's unforgettable character, Eustace Scrubb, from "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." What does Lewis's initial des
Parents Break Down what Toy Story 5 got WRONG
Parents Break Down what Toy Story 5 got WRONG Jul 14, 2026 2201 Brett and Erin took their grandkids to see Toy Story 5 recently and wow! Pixar's latest film may have unintentionally created one of the most realistic portrayals of modern parenting yet. An eight-year-old gets her first tablet even though her parents aren't sure they're making the right decision, and within hours, technology has replaced play. Sound familiar? In this episode, they unpack
Why Kids Don't Read Anymore w/Dr. Jason Baxter
Why Kids Don't Read Anymore w/Dr. Jason Baxter Jul 7, 2026 3529 Kids today are reading less and scrolling more. They're being shaped by a digital world that trains them to expect constant stimulation. And at it's core, the decline of reading is a spiritual and cultural problem. In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Dr. Jason Baxter, the Director of the Center for Beauty and Culture at Benedictine College and author of Why Literature Matters, t
The Battle for Your Child's View of America w/ Jeannette Tulis
The Battle for Your Child's View of America w/ Jeannette Tulis Jun 30, 2026 2484 Are you proud to be an American? This week, we're celebrating 250 years of our nation! But nowadays, pride in America is hitting never-before-seen lows. In a culture where it's trendy to despise the United States, how can parents offer a counteracting narrative to our kids amid all the noise? Because if you don't intentionally shape your child's view of America, the culture will do it for
What Every Parent Needs to Understand About Wokeness w/Dr. Neil Shenvi & Dr. Pat Sawyer
What Every Parent Needs to Understand About Wokeness w/Dr. Neil Shenvi & Dr. Pat Sawyer Jun 23, 2026 4252 Your kids are being discipled every day, but by who? Through social media feeds, classrooms, textbooks, influencers, and friends, they are constantly being confronted by competing worldview ideas. And many of the cultural conversations surrounding identity, truth, justice, and what it means to be human are shaped by the ideas behind "wokeness." In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down wit
Progressive Christianity Has Changed w/ Alisa Childers
Progressive Christianity Has Changed w/ Alisa Childers Jun 16, 2026 3286 Progressive Christianity is evolving. As deconstruction content spreads across social media, many students and young adults are encountering challenges to historic Christianity from voices that seem compassionate, relatable, and trustworthy—all delivered in 30-second, bite-sized clips. In this episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Alisa Childers to discuss how Progressive Christianity has
Families Never Eat Together
Families Never Eat Together Jun 9, 2026 2409 In the rush of modern life, family dinner has become increasingly rare. Between work, sports, and endless activities, gathering around the table often falls to the bottom of the priority list. But are families losing something far more important than a shared meal? In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the biblical significance of food, feasting, and fellowship, and why family meals hav
What I Didn’t Expect About Mom Guilt
What I Didn’t Expect About Mom Guilt Jun 2, 2026 3802 Moms, have you ever experienced "mom guilt"? Your child is struggling with potty training, and somehow you're convinced it's your fault—that if they’re having a hard time, you must have done something wrong. Mom guilt is a nearly universal mom experience—but where does it come from? In this episode, Brett and Erin explore the roots of mom guilt, why mothers often feel uniquely responsible

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