About this episode

David and Sissy discuss the impact of teachers and mentors on children's growth and resilience.

Sissy and David celebrate the powerful role teachers, coaches, mentors, and other trusted adults play in helping kids grow into capable, resilient people. They reflect on the teachers and mentors who made them feel seen, believed in, challenged, and loved, and they remind listeners that one steady, caring adult can change the trajectory of a child’s life. They also talk about the practical ways educators and coaches build capability in kids by helping them feel known beyond performance, offering safe challenge, supporting anxious children with calm and clear expectations, and offering hope. The episode closes with a challenge for parents and kids to thank the people who have made a meaningful impact in their lives. Resources mentioned Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys by Stephen James and David Thomas Raising Girls: Learn How to Encourage, Challenge, and Inspire Your Daughter to Discover Who God Is Calling Her to Be by Melissa Trevathan and Sissy Goff Nashville Coaching Coalition Oprah Winfrey’s interview with her elementary school teacher, Mrs. Duncan “Trees We’ll Never See” by Amy Grant . . . . . .  Sign up to receive the⁠…

People in this episode

Guests: David Thomas, Sissy Goff

Topics covered

• education
• mentorship
• parenting
• resilience
• child development
• supportive adults

Keywords

• teachers
• coaches
• mentors
• capability
• children
• support
• resilience
• parenting

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Nashville Coaching Coalition

Books & works: Capable, Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys, Raising Girls: Learn How to Encourage, Challenge, and Inspire Your Daughter to Discover Who God Is Calling Her to Be, Trees We’ll Never See

More episodes of Raising Boys & Girls

• Episode 394: Capable Connections: Siblings with David and Sissy · July 21, 2026 · 42 min
• Episode 393: Capable in the Classroom with Dan Carpenter (High School Teacher) and Wheat Teller (Elementary School Teacher) · July 16, 2026 · 47 min
• Episode 391: Family Dinners and the One Question Grandparents Need to Ask with Babs Costello · July 9, 2026 · 31 min
• Episode 390: The Power of Family Through Generations with Carole and John Ferguson, Julie Trapp, Ashley Waltemath, & Amy Pipes · July 7, 2026 · 1h 6m
• Episode 389: Capable Connections: Grandparents with David and Sissy · July 2, 2026 · 30 min
• Episode 388: Raising Capable and Mighty Kids in Today's Cultural Landscape with Sharon McMahon · June 30, 2026 · 36 min

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