Have you ever wondered why God created both the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? In this episode, we explore the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis, and take a biblical look at God’s design for relationship, freedom, and the human will—and how it all connects to the way we lead and love our kids.

You’ll learn:

• Why the existence of love requires the freedom to make a choice
• The deeper meaning behind the two trees in the Garden of Eden
• How God parents us through love, not force
• Why true obedience only grows in the soil of connection

Why do kids push back, resist, or seem downright defiant when we try to get them to obey? In this episode, we explore the concept of counterwill—the instinctive resistance to being controlled—and how it plays a critical role in your child's development, autonomy, and attachment.

You’ll learn:

• Why coercion and manipulation often backfire in parenting
• How healthy attachment creates true influence
• What to do when your child resists—even over simple things
• The difference between power and leverage
• Practical ways to gain your child’s attention, respect, and cooperation without bribes, punishments, or power struggles

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of conflict, this episode will help you shift from control to connection—and rediscover the real power of relationship-based parenting.

Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

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Words have power — not just emotionally, but neurologically. In this episode, we explore how the words we use impacts brain development, emotional connection, and relational safety. Whether you're a parent, spouse, educator, or friend, understanding the science of words can transform how you communicate and connect.

In this episode we covered:

• The forming of neural pathways
• How words affect our relational connection
• How to repair relational bonds when our words are damaging
• Why our day-to-day language matters more than we think

Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Order our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shop

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Send us an email: brianandkatie@makinghesstory.com

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The shift that needs to happen in the life of every believer is from worship of self to worship of God.

The values that the culture of the world is built upon are generally selfish in nature, and will result in people being the lord of their life, seeking to build their own kingdoms.

The values that the culture of God's Kingdom is built upon are generally focused on learning to love like Jesus and build His Kingdom.

Join Brian and Katie as they continued the conversation on the reality that much of our lives have been shaped by the values of the world, and why we need to be internal in orienting ourselves towards the ways of Jesus and His Kingdom.

Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Order our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shop

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinghesstory/

Send us an email: brianandkatie@makinghesstory.com

Website: http://www.makinghesstory.com

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingHesstory

Right now you are either intentionally being discipled by Jesus, or you are unintentionally being discipled by the world. The same will be true for your kids, and there is no third direction.

Jesus didn't ask His followers to make converts - He asked them to make disciples.

A convert is willing to trust Jesus as their Savior, but sees little growth and waits to die to experience God's Kingdom.

A disciple, on the other hand, is willing to trust Jesus as both Savior and Lord, and works towards creating a lifestyle that reflects the ways and practices of Jesus in an effort to bring the Kingdom of God here and now.

Join Brian and Katie as they talk about why we'll never accidentally become more like Jesus, and why we need to be intentional in how we choose to live.

Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Order our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shop

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Send us an email: brianandkatie@makinghesstory.com

Website: http://www.makinghesstory.com

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In many parts of the world, words like "Christian" and "disciple" have nearly lost their meaning. For countless believers, actively practicing the ways of Jesus is optional and typically reserved for the few "radical" Christians.

But this mindset will only lead to a weak and powerless church consisting of people who believe in the existence of God while lacking love, power, and authority.

In this episode, Brian and Katie discuss what it truly means to be a disciple (apprentice) of Jesus and share some practical ways to bring discipleship into your home.

Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Order our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shop

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinghesstory/

Send us an email: brianandkatie@makinghesstory.com

Website: http://www.makinghesstory.com

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingHesstory

God is good and He does good things, but He also allows us to experience difficult circumstances in life in the interest of helping us grow up and become people of love, hope, and joy.

In this episode Brian and Katie discussed the nature and source of the trials we face, why we might need to revisit our definition of "good," why joy can be found in the difficulties of life, and how this all relates to raising kids.

Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Order our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shop

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinghesstory/

Send us an email: brianandkatie@makinghesstory.com

Website: http://www.makinghesstory.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550195135910

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingHesstory

It's normal to want our kids to be happy...but what if the goal of "happiness" is robbing us and our kids of something better?

Happiness is good, but it's fragile and circumstantial.

Joy, on the other hand, is lasting, and is something that we can choose even when life gets hard.

Join Brian and Katie as they discuss the difference between happiness and joy, and why loving our kids well requires that we aim higher than to simply make them happy.

Want to connect with us? Use the links below to find us on social media, send us an email, buy our books, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Order our books: https://makinghesstory.com/shop

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinghesstory/

Send us an email: brianandkatie@makinghesstory.com

Website: http://www.makinghesstory.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550195135910

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MakingHesstory