LOVE IS FEARLESS

Every family is practicing discipline—even if we don't realize it. But the question isn't whether discipline is happening… it's what kind of discipline is happening—and whether it's forming fear, frustration, or secure, lasting maturity. Some discipline conforms us to the patterns of this world; kingdom discipline transforms us into the truth of who God created us to be. In this episode, we reframe discipline as the quiet, relational work of forming the soul—not controlling behavior. We explore how real discipline starts with us, flows through meaningful conversations, and shapes our families for the long haul. We also share relatable stories, unpack the common pitfalls that often undermine discipline, and invite parents—and grandparents—into a better way to grow. You're in the Right Place If… ✔ You're tired of reacting to your child's behavior and want to lead with love and intentionality ✔ You've ever wondered how to build trust with your children—not just obedience ✔ You want practical ways to guide your kids with integrity, not control ✔ You believe discipline should shape identity, not shrink it with shame Key Takeaways: Discipline isn't punishment—it's the quiet, daily formation of character, identity, and belonging. Meaningful conversations are one of the most powerful tools of discipline when they model safety, truth, and connection. Real growth begins when we stop reacting to behavior and start responding to the deeper needs beneath it. As Hebrews 12:6 reminds us, "The Lord disciplines those He loves." When we let God form us, we're equipped to guide our families with love, not fear. Resources We Mention: Article: Discipline Is Not What You Think: How Habit Training Forms the Soul Practicing the Art of Being Family (eBook): A simple, grace-filled guide for real-life family transformation Episode #161: The Three Instruments of Formation—How Atmosphere, Discipline, and Life Shape Your Family's Story Article: The Three Doors: Why Families Survive, Strive, or Find Freedom The Curated Life Newsletter: Join the community for encouragement and resources to live loved, not afraid Let's Stay Connected: We're a donor-supported ministry that helps families and communities restore the lost art of being family through consulting, curriculum, speaking, and storytelling. Explore more and support our work at John15Academy.com/give. Together, there is great hope.

Every family is being shaped by a story, whether we realize it or not. The question isn't if formation is happening…it's what kind of formation is happening, and whether it's rooted in fear or freedom. In this episode, we introduce The Three Instruments of Formation—Atmosphere, Discipline, and Life—and explore how they help create secure, connected homes where faith and maturity can take root. We also revisit the Three Doors framework and share how real families—maybe even yours—are living in stories of survival, striving, or freedom. Most of us didn't choose the story we grew up in, but we can choose the story we pass on. You're in the Right Place If… You're tired of reacting in the moment and want to be intentional about shaping your home. You've ever wondered why your family feels stuck—and what it would take to create real change. You want practical ways to create a secure, grace-filled environment for your kids. You believe there's more to parenting than behavior management—and you're ready to experience it. Key Takeaways: Formation is always happening—the atmosphere, rhythms, and input in your home are shaping your family's story every day. Secure relationships—not pressure, performance, or perfection, are the foundation for maturity and a life of faith. The Three Instruments of Formation—Atmosphere, Discipline, and Life—are simple, practical tools to help your family align with freedom, not fear. It's never too late to shift the story you're living and passing on. Small, intentional changes make a lasting difference. Resources We Mention: Episode #155: How The Story You Live Shapes the Family You Build The Three Doors Article: The Three Doors: Why Families Survive, Strive, or Find Freedom New Article: How Atmosphere, Discipline, and Life Form Your Family Practicing the Art of Being Family (eBook) — A simple, grace-filled guide for real-life family transformation The Curated Life Newsletter — Join the community for encouragement and resources to live loved, not afraid Let's Stay Connected: We're a donor-supported ministry helping families and communities practice the art of being family—through consulting, curriculum, speaking, and storytelling. Explore more and support our work at John15Academy.com/give. Together, there is great hope.

What if prayer wasn't about getting the words right, but about being real? In this tender and honest conversation, Janet and Doug sit down with poet and author Tanner Olson, whose new children's book All the Things I Say to God is helping families make prayer a natural part of everyday life. They explore Tanner and his wife's journey through infertility and adoption, the power of surrender, and what it means to live a creative life anchored in faith, family, and honest conversations with God. You're in the Right Place If… You want to raise kids who feel safe enough to talk to God about anything. You're in a season of waiting, wondering where God is in the silence. You've ever wrestled with not being in control, but longed to feel secure anyway. Highlights from the Conversation: Prayer as Presence – How Tanner's book models that sitting quietly with God is just as valid as speaking out loud. Love in the Waiting – Their shared experience of waiting for children—and discovering that grief and joy often share the same space. Peace Over Performance – Why surrender isn't giving up, but choosing safety in God instead of control. Creative Callings – Tanner's story of becoming a poet, the faith of his parents, and the courage it takes to follow a different path. Key Takeaways: Children don't need perfect prayers. They need permission to speak to God like they speak to someone who loves them. Surrendered doesn't mean powerless. It means safe and secure in the hands of a faithful God—even when you don't have all the answers. Waiting can be formative. Love, art, and spiritual maturity often grow in the in-between spaces. We are receivers first. God is the initiator, and our job is to remain open—to receive, respond, and create from love. Mentioned in this Episode: All the Things I Say to God by Tanner Olson Tanner's website: writtentospeak.com Follow Tanner on Instagram: @writtentospeak Help Us Share the Good News: If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend—or post it on social media and tag @john15academy and @writtentospeak. Together, there is great hope.

Today, we have the joy of welcoming Robby Angle, President and CEO of Trueface, to the Love is Fearless Podcast! Robby is passionate about helping people move from simply knowing about grace to living out their true identity in Jesus—with trust, freedom, and relational depth. Before leading Trueface, Robby pastored thousands toward authentic community at North Point Community Church. Now, he's helping steward a powerful new resource called The Path—an experience designed to move believers beyond striving and into a transformational life of trusting God. Also, The Path Experience Guide is designed for community groups to facilitate life change through relationships. Together, we'll explore: What inspired The Path and why it's so needed now How trusting God (not just pleasing Him) changes everything Why following Jesus sometimes feels harder after you surrender—and how that's part of real transformation How families, not just individuals, can be reshaped by grace You're in the Right Place If… You're tired of knowing about grace but still feeling stuck. Maybe you're looking for God's approval. Maybe you're looking for man's approval. Maybe you're tired of looking for approval, and you're ready to admit you're looking for meaning and purpose. You're not sure about Jesus - and you're really not sure about a life of faith. Too much of what you see either lacks authenticity or adds too much pressure…but, honestly, you're tired of dreading Mondays…so if there's more to the Jesus story than you've experienced so far…you're curious. You're ready to stop trying to figure it out alone—and start walking the path of grace with Jesus. Favorite quotes from today's conversation: (Doug's favorite) "Each and every one of us longs for fulfillment. It's in our bones, in our blood, in our breath. We sense that we are made for peace and joy and yet it slips through our grasping fingers like water and wind. Breathe. Find the courage to look at your longing, at your closed fists. And ask: What have I been searching for?" (The City, The Path) (Janet's favorite) "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." (Frederick Buechner) "Every morning we stand on the wild edge of a story unfolding beneath our very feet." (The Story, The Path) 📥 Download the manifesto to start transformative conversations in your marriage, small group, or church community. Get your copy of Practicing the Art of Being Family today and start experiencing a new story of hope in your home. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend and leave a review. Your support helps us spread the message of fearless love and family transformation. You were made for a beautiful life. You don't have to settle for less. 💙

What if your parenting struggles aren't about strategy—but about the story your family is living? In this episode, Janet introduces The Three Doors—a simple but powerful framework that reveals how the emotional and spiritual atmosphere of your home helps conform or transform the people your children become. Whether you're stuck in survival, exhausted from striving, or longing for something more—this conversation will give you hope, clarity, and practical next steps. We're not managing behavior—we're building a culture where transformation grows. 🔑 You're in the Right Place If... You've tried every parenting strategy and still feel like you're falling short. Your home feels either too tense or too checked out—and you're craving connection. You long for grace-based parenting but don't know how to make it practical. You'll Learn: The 3 "story environments" families live in (and how to tell which one you're in) Why language is the fertilizer of transformation How to create a home where identity grows stronger than fear 📌 3 Key Takeaways Every family is living in a story—but not every story leads to transformation. What story are you building? The emotional and relational atmosphere of your home speaks louder than your rules. You don't have to create a new story alone—transformation begins by walking through the door that's already open. 🙌 Final Invitation Today, Jesus isn't asking you to try harder—He's inviting you to step into a free life where transformation grows, not from pressure, but from grace. Your home can be a place where shame loses its grip, and love makes you whole. 🟢 Read the free manifesto 🟢 Visit john15academy.com for articles, podcast episodes, and resources 🟢 Start a conversation about bringing this message to your church or small group 🟢 Partner with us—your gift helps more families walk into Door #3📩 Subscribe to The Curated Life – Get grace-filled parenting insights delivered to your inbox every month. Sign up here! 📲 Follow Us & Stay Connected: 🔗 Instagram | Facebook | Website | Merch Together, there is great hope. New boost

Struggle isn't the enemy, but how we navigate it can either weaken or strengthen our families. In this episode of Love Is Fearless, we're tackling a fundamental shift that can change everything about the way we experience challenges at home and beyond. The world teaches us to fear struggle, to fix it, avoid it, or control it. But the kingdom of God offers a completely different way forward—one that leads to peace, connection, and resilience instead of exhaustion and shame. Today, we're diving into the power of relational terrain—the unseen atmosphere of trust, connection, and security that determines whether struggle will make us stronger or wear us down. 🔑 In this episode, we explore: 1️⃣ Struggle isn't the real problem—fear, isolation, and shame are. It's not the struggle itself that harms us; it's how we respond to it. In the kingdom, struggle is an invitation to growth, not a reason for guilt. 2️⃣ Your home's relational terrain shapes how your family navigates struggle. When kids feel safe, seen, and connected, they develop resilience. But when fear, control, or performance shape the home, struggle feels like a crisis instead of a place to grow. 3️⃣ 3 Steps to Strengthen Your Family's Relational Immune System: The Habit of a Greeting: Simple, daily connection reinforces identity and worth. Technology-Free Zones: Choosing where and when we abide in real connection shapes what fills our minds and hearts. The Habit of a Good Night: Ending the day with peace and presence strengthens security instead of fueling performance anxiety. 🚀 Key Takeaways: 💡 "Struggle doesn't mean you're failing—it means you're growing." 💡 "You don't have to control every challenge. You just need to build a home where love, truth, and security hold steady when struggle comes." 💡 "The terrain of your relationships determines whether struggle strengthens you or breaks you." 📖 Great Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 📚 Education by Design, Not Default – Janet Newberry's book on transformation through relationships, rhythms, and learning in freedom. 📚 Atomic Habits – James Clear's groundbreaking book on how small, intentional habits create lasting change. 📚 Sacred Attachment – Michael Cusick's wisdom on healing and transformation through secure relationships. 📚 The Connected Life – Dr. Todd Hall's guide to relational spirituality and why love changes everything. 💌 Stay Connected & Keep Growing Sign up for The Curated Life, your monthly guide to restoring the lost art of being family. As a subscriber, you'll get: ✅ Early updates on Janet's upcoming e-book, church curriculum, and speaking events ✅ Encouraging blog posts and resources for your family's journey ✅ Exclusive access to download the Restoring the Lost Art of Being Family manifesto for free Join us at john15academy.com and step into a new way of family-ing. 💙 If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and leave a review! Your support helps us spread the message of fearless love and kingdom parenting. 🙏 Thank you for listening! You were made for a beautiful life—you don't have to settle for less.

What if family wasn't meant to be about striving but about abiding? For generations, we've been taught that good parenting means controlling outcomes, managing behavior, and setting our kids up for success. But what if that approach isn't working? Today, we unveiled something deeply personal: our manifesto, Restoring the Lost Art of Being Family. This isn't just a collection of words—it's a call to reimagine what's possible for your family. It's a rallying cry to turn away from fear, shame, and transactional living and step into the freedom of abiding in God's love. 🔹 You're in the right place if… ✔️ You're tired of carrying the invisible weight of parenting shame and wondering if there's a better way. ✔️ You've tried behavior management strategies, but deep down, you know your family needs more than quick fixes. ✔️ You're ready to believe that the Kingdom of God isn't just for someday—it's for your family, right here and now. 🔥 The Problem: We Were Never Meant to Carry This Weight 👉 Our children are not okay—but neither are parents. We live in an upside-down world where stress, anxiety, and shame are the norm. Parents panic over misbehavior, not just because they want what's best for their children, but because their struggles expose something deeper—the shame we carry, too. 🛑 But what if shame was never ours to carry? 🌿 What if the Kingdom of God really is at hand—and that changes everything about how we love and lead our families? 🌱 A New Path Forward: Abiding, Not Striving Jesus didn't come to improve our striving—He came to end it. He came to restore us to the Father, to remind us that we don't have to prove our worth or fight for love. In the Kingdom, our identity is received, not achieved. 💡 What's Possible: More Than Just an Above-Average Life Most families settle for survival—or maybe an "above-average" life. But Jesus promised more: 🕊️ A home where love isn't earned, but given freely. 🔄 A family culture where transformation is the norm, not the exception. 💖 A life where shame no longer holds us hostage, because Jesus carried it to the cross. ✨ A Kingdom Invitation Imagine a family where: 🏡 Your home is a place of peace, not performance. 🪨 You rely on God's presence, not your own capacity. 🌿 You experience the beauty of family as God intended. This is the lost art of being family. Together, there is great hope. 📥 Download the Manifesto 🚀 Final Takeaways ✔️ The problem isn't you—it's the story you've been handed. ✔️ Parents were never meant to carry the weight of shame—and our kids weren't meant to inherit it. ✔️ The Kingdom of God is at hand, and that changes everything. 💙 You were made for a beautiful life. You don't have to settle for less. 📖 Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 📚 Education by Design, Not Default – Janet Newberry 📚 Atomic Habits – James Clear 📚 Sacred Attachment – Michael Cusick 📚 The Connected Life – Dr. Todd Hall Visit john15academy.com and sign up for The Curated Life newsletter—your monthly guide to restoring the lost art of being family in your own home. You'll also receive early updates about Janet's upcoming e-book, church curriculum development, and opportunities to hear Janet speak. Each edition points to insightful blog posts you might have missed and offers encouragement for your journey. The Curated Life will keep you informed whether you want to attend an event or invite Janet to your church or community. This podcast and our work at John 15 Academy are made possible by generous donors and a supportive community. If you'd like to be part of our financial support team, we'd be honored to have you with us. Together, there is great hope. 🙏 Thank you for listening. We'd love to hear how this episode resonates with you—share your reflections and tag us! 👀 Next Episode Teaser: We'll dive deeper into how these ideas change everyday family life. Subscribe to the LOVE IS FEARLESS podcast on your favorite podcast provider and stay tuned!

Joshua Gordon is a son, brother, husband to Sarah, dad to five children, lay pastor, author, and Senior Editor of theleadpastor.com. We're grateful that Joshua agreed to share a dad's response to the challenges of living in an economy of love. In our previous episode (#148), we challenged parents with these questions: If the kingdom of God is at hand, what's really changed in our homes? If the law is love now, what's different? If I trust the finished work of Jesus for my secure identity, how does that change my relationship with God? How does that change my relationship with myself? And with you? In this episode, Joshua Gordon admits we can be triggered when our children respond to us with an attitude instead of respect. Join us in this priceless and vulnerable conversation about navigating our emotions and personal narratives so that the child and our family benefit from the frustrating interaction instead of allowing it to weaken the relational fabric in our home. In our conversation with Joshua, we found wisdom and help for moving forward when our kids are disrespectful by discovering that many of our children's problems today: The books on our shelves don't have answers because they were written several years ago, and our culture is changing quickly. We can find the answers to these problems in conversations with God and others who rely on God in their own stories. We can also help our children listen to God and receive His help. Many of our children's problems are really invitations from God to abide with Him because they have roots in our own unresolved issues. Our children's problems are, in some ways, gifts that require us to ask, "Is my desperation or dependence on Jesus driving my response to this parenting crisis?" Then, we get to talk to God about why we depend on something less than our true identity (and our security with Him) when emotions get messy and problems are real. Visit john15academy.com and sign up for The Curated Life newsletter—your monthly guide to restoring the lost art of being family in your own home. Each edition points to insightful blog posts you might have missed and offers encouragement for your journey. As a subscriber, you'll be the first to know when Janet's Restoring the Lost Art of Being Family Manifesto is published—and you'll get exclusive access to download it for free. You'll also receive early updates about Janet's upcoming e-book, our church curriculum in development, and opportunities to hear Janet speak. The Curated Life will keep you informed whether you want to attend an event or invite Janet to your church or community. This podcast and our work at John 15 Academy are made possible by generous donors and a supportive community. If you'd like to be part of our financial support team, we'd be honored to have you with us. Together, there is great hope.