Raise & Release

In this episode of Raise & Release, we dive into one of the most helpful frameworks for understanding our kids — the stages of parenting. Parenting changes as our children grow, and when we know what stage we’re in, we can respond with more confidence, patience, and intention.Rachel walks through the five stages of parenting and what our children need most in each one:1. The Nurturing Stage (birth–1 year)2. The Boundary Stage (1–5 years)3. The Teaching Stage (6–11 years)4. The Coaching Stage (12–18 years)5. The Mentoring Stage (18+ years)6. The Friendship Stage (Adulthood)We also talk about:Why knowing the stage reduces stress and conflictHow to “front-load” the work in the early yearsWhat to do when a stage catches you by surprise (hello, teens!)Trusting the seeds you’ve planted over timeParenting isn’t about using the same tools forever — it’s about changing how we show up as our children change. Understanding these stages helps us move from reacting to responding, and from fear to confidence.Listen to Raise & ReleaseApple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadioContinue the conversationEach week, the Raise & Release Journal helps you reflect, slow down, and think about how this connects to your own parenting.Read this week’s Raise & Release Journal here.Learn moreIf you’re looking for a deeper foundation for healthy, faith-centered parenting, you can learn more about my book, Impact Parenting, here.About Seeds of ImpactSeeds of Impact is the heart behind everything I do. Through this nonprofit we help moms in recovery break unhealthy cycles and build stronger families.Learn more at seedsofimpact.orgConnect with Jenny on ⁠Instagram⁠Connect with RachelFollow along on InstagramJoin the conversation on ThreadsFind me on Facebook

In Episode 3 of Raise and Release, Rachel Gunn shares the four core parenting principles that guide her decision-making and shape how she parents through every stage of childhood. These principles were forged through years of teaching, parenting two daughters, and walking alongside moms in crisis—and they offer clarity for parents who feel overwhelmed, reactive, or unsure of what really matters.If this episode made you feel seen, come hang out with me in my inbox. Sign up here.

In this introductory conversation, host Jenny Swindall sits down with educator, parent mentor, and nonprofit founder Rachel Gunn to unpack the heart behind the podcast’s name and mission.Together, Jenny and Rachel talk honestly about the emotional tension of parenting: the joy of raising children and the grief that comes with watching them grow toward independence. Rachel shares how her background as a sixth-grade teacher, mom of two teenage daughters, and founder of Seed of Impact has shaped her parenting philosophy: principles over quick-fix strategies.At the core of the conversation is a powerful mindset shift: parenting as discipleship. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3:6, Rachel reframes parenting as seed-planting work—faithful, intentional, and ultimately surrendered to God. The episode closes with encouragement for moms who feel burdened by outcomes, reminding them that growth belongs to the Lord.This episode is for every mom—whether you feel confident, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between. If this episode made you feel seen, come hang out with me in my inbox.Sign up here.