Crazy Cool Family

In this episode, Don sits down with three close friends—each of whom just celebrated a child graduating from high school—to reflect on what it really means to raise kids all the way to launch.  From the emotional moment of watching their children walk across the stage to the everyday choices that shaped those relationships, these dads share honest, practical, and faith-filled insights about parenting over 18 years.  You’ll hear real stories about: The mix of joy, grief, and surprise that comes with graduation  What actually builds strong parent-child relationships over time  The power of listening, presence, and humility  How faith shaped their parenting—and how it changed them  The importance of encouragement, prayer, and speaking identity  Lessons learned from mistakes, busy seasons, and missed moments  Why it’s never too late to reconnect with your kids  Whether you’re parenting a toddler, a teenager, or an adult child, this conversation will remind you that small, intentional moments matter more than perfection—and that God is always at work in your family story.  Key takeaway:You don’t have to be a perfect parent. Stay present, keep learning your child, speak life over them, and trust that God is working—even when you don’t see it yet.    Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

Still Feeling Stuck? Here's Part 2! In Part 2 of this conversation, we shift from personal and marriage goals to setting vision and goals for your family. Healthy family goals don’t start with changing your kids—they start with aligned parents. Building on the foundation of personal growth and marital unity, we talk about how to intentionally design your family culture instead of letting it drift. In this episode, we cover: Why family goals work best when parents are unified How to create family vision without overwhelming your kids The difference between family goals and family values How to invite your children into the process in age-appropriate ways Setting rhythms and priorities that shape your home over time You don’t need a perfect plan—you need clarity, unity, and direction. 🎧 Listen to Episode 327 and start designing your family culture for 2026 with purpose. Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review! Buy the Deep Dive TODAY! (Listen to the episode for a special offer)

Season Finale: Wrapping Up 2025 with Crazy Cool Family As 2025 comes to a close, Don and Suzanne are taking a moment to reflect, celebrate, and cast vision for what’s ahead. 🎉 In this final episode of the year, you’ll hear highlights from Season 7 of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast and learn how God has been using this ministry to impact families across the U.S., Europe, and even Africa. 🌍  This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a global movement to inspire and equip parents to build strong, Christ-centered families. From practical parenting strategies to sibling relationships, guest interviews, and the launch of new resources like The Playbook and Deep Dives, 2025 was packed with tools to help parents win at home.  In this episode, Don and Suzanne share:  🎙 Their favorite moments and guests from the podcast this year  📘 How The Playbook and Deep Dives are helping parents apply simple, powerful principles every day  🌍 Updates on Crazy Cool Family’s international impact, including teaching families in Africa  💡 Their one big piece of advice for parents heading into 2026  Whether you’ve been listening since episode one or just discovered Crazy Cool Family this year, this season finale will encourage and equip you to keep going. Parenting is learned one step at a time, and every family can win.  👉 Tune in now, get inspired, and step into 2026 ready to notice your kids, be present in the moment, and make family your greatest investment.  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

Re-Run ALERT! Two Ingredients for the BEST Thanksgiving Week (Part 2)  Part 2 (Ep. 323, originally Ep. 144) Welcome back, Crazy Cool Families! Today we’re continuing our series, ‘Two Ingredients for the BEST Thanksgiving Week.’ This is part two—originally Episode 144 and now Episode 323. Last week we shared the first ingredient, and today we’ll give you the second one that ties it all together to help your family have the best Thanksgiving yet. Let’s dive in!”  In this episode you’ll hear about:  The second “ingredient”: appreciation—recognizing people with gratitude and value.  Why appreciation changes relationships and creates an atmosphere of connection.  How to use the 5 Love Languages (words, service, gifts, touch, time) to show appreciation at Thanksgiving.  Practical examples for navigating stressful family dynamics with gratitude.  A simple but powerful challenge to share what you appreciate around the Thanksgiving table. Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

From Chaos to Connection: 30+ Years of Parenting Lessons  After 33 years of parenting seven kids, Don and Suzanne Manning are stepping into a brand-new season: empty nesters! But before you picture peace and quiet, join us for this powerful episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast where we look back at decades of parenting, the lessons learned, and the incredible fruit that comes from choosing family—over and over again.  In this episode, Don reflects on: The early years of parenting and what he would tell his younger self.  How focusing on connection over control transformed his family.  Why choosing family as your “main thing” is always worth it.  How chaos and failure became tools God used to shape him as a dad.  You’ll hear raw and relatable stories—from dragging toddlers down the carpet (oops!) to persevere through teenage disconnect. Don reminds us that parenting isn’t about being perfect—it’s about never quitting. Mistakes don’t disqualify you; disengaging does.  This conversation isn’t just for parents with littles. It’s for every stage: young parents learning the ropes, families juggling the chaos of multiple kids, and those entering the bittersweet transition of launching young adults. You’ll walk away encouraged, challenged, and reminded that family is worth it.  Whether you’re knee-deep in diapers or navigating curfews with teens, this episode will inspire you to choose connections, embrace grace, and build a family culture that lasts for generations.  👉 Tune in now and be reminded: parenting is hard, but it’s the greatest, most rewarding work you’ll ever do.  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

Do we Celebrate Halloween as a Family or no? How do you celebrate Halloween as a family and is it bad to do?   RE-RUN ALERT!!Halloween hasn't changed over the years and our conversation about it/beliefs on the topic remain the same. Do you need help deciding how your family celebrates Halloween? Then this podcast is for you! First off, your family needs to personally seek God and obey what he is saying for your family. There is no right or wrong. Obeying God is top priority!   Secondly, if you do decide to dress up and go house to house here are some mindsets you can empower your kids with.   Focus on Light vs. Darkness: Emphasize themes of light, drawing from verses like John 1:5 ("The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it").   Use Halloween as a time to connect with neighbors and friends. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages fellowship and building each other up, which can be reflected in community activities. Share the gospel or pray for people as you go door to door.   Encourage creative expression through costumes and decorations. This encourages creativity and imagination in them - and honestly it is just so fun to dress up.   Teach children about discernment, focusing on Philippians 4:8, which encourages thinking about things that are true, noble, and right. Discuss the difference between fun and fear and avoid anything that glorifies evil.  These are simple mindsets to help place in our kids' minds as we approach this holiday!  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

Parenting Through Meltdowns: Turning Chaos into Connection  Every parent has been there—the dreaded meltdown. Whether it’s your toddler on the kitchen floor, your teenager slamming a door, or even you holding back tears in the car, meltdowns are part of family life. But what if these moments aren’t just problems to solve, but opportunities to connect?  In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne share wisdom from raising seven kids and over 30 years of parenting experience to help you reframe how you see meltdowns. We’ll dive into why meltdowns happen, how they make us feel as parents, and—most importantly—how to respond in ways that build character, strengthen relationships, and reduce chaos in your home over time.  You’ll learn practical strategies for handling toddler tantrums, school-day meltdowns, and teenage blow-ups without adding fuel to the fire. From turning a “no” into a redirect, to knowing when to pause and offer grace, this conversation will help you see meltdowns as moments to disciple, not just discipline.  We’ll also explore the spiritual side of meltdowns—how God uses adversity to grow us, and how we can model compassion, patience, and love even when emotions run high.  Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. So, if you’ve ever felt embarrassed, overwhelmed, or unsure in the face of a meltdown, this episode is for you.  👉 Tune in now and discover how to transform meltdowns into meaningful, crazy cool parenting moments.    Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!

In this episode, Don and Suzanne Manning share how to teach kids integrity without lectures. Learn how to model honesty, coach truth-telling with a “respond, don’t react” approach, and create a family culture of integrity. Get age-by-age strategies for littles, middles, and bigs that make character building stick. Anchored in Proverbs 10:9 and John 8, this episode equips you to help your child keep their word, repair quickly, and walk securely.   What you’ll learn:   Why modeling + quick repair beats perfection   A 6-step script to coach honesty (lower shame, raise truth)   Age-specific tools for Littles (2–7), Middles (8–12), Bigs (13+)   Family language that makes truth-telling safe   Bible stories (Jonah; Woman caught in adultery) that illustrate integrity and kindness    🎧 Listen now and start your 3:1 Praise Challenge this week. Then share your family’s integrity win with us!  Podcast Resources: Click here for everything Crazy Cool Family! Give us a review!