Podcast

Practice Makes Parent

Kids & Family, Parenting

Dive into the heart of Christian parenting with "Practice Makes Parent," your go-to podcast for actionable insights, faith-based inspiration, and real-life strategies for every stage of parenthood. From the joyous toddler years to the challenging school-age phase, the perplexities of puberty, and the exhilarating journey of guiding your confident teen, this podcast is your trusty companion. Join hosts Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James as they bring you weekly episodes packed with the wisdom of parenting experts. Uncover Biblical truths, effective parenting techniques, and a treasure trove of resources designed to empower moms and dads in today's ever-evolving culture in this fun Christian parenting podcast.

Parenting chart
#77
Episodes
102
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
35 min
On air since
2024
Latest episode
6 days ago

Episodes

102 episodes, newest first

  1. Unsure, Overwhelmed & Alone Moms

    Show notes

    Are you questioning your abilities as a mom? Rebecca and Danny talk with a panel of moms about their pressures, guilt, burnout, and comparison. You can redefine your "success" as a mom through Help Club for Moms! We also answer a listener question that advises balancing a child’s bold faith-sharing with emotional awareness and respectful family conversations.

    Help Club For Moms: Inspiration and Practical Help for You, Your Home, and Your Family

    Connect with Help Club For Moms

    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email

    Speak To A Counselor

    34 min
  2. Solid Parenting Tips

    Episode 155

    Show notes

    Dr. Danny and Rebecca speak with Pastor Jonathan Brozozog and his wife Joanne of Creative Church, and parents of eight. Your famiy is a team with Jesus as head coach. Here are practical ideas for communication—creating safe, phone-free rhythms, one-on-one time, listening, and using conversation. We'll also answer a listener’s question about spiritually leading teen daughters. Send this to someone you know!

    The Home Team: Winning Begins At Home

    Brio Magazine

    Launch Into The Teen Years

    For Parents Only

    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email

    Speak To A Counselor

    35 min
  3. When Parents Are Incarcerated

    Episode 154

    Show notes

    Hosts Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James speak with Betsy Wright and Nikki Mattison from Angel Tree Ministry about children who have absent parents. If you know any grandparent raising their grandchild -- no matter if their incarcerated or not -- make sure to send them this podcast episode! We talk about how kids mask their shame, various trauma-informed approaches, and how to rebuild relationships. In the Q&A, theres advice for a grandmother raising teens to keep praying, encourage consistent communication, prioritize emotional safety, and seek counseling resources.

    Contact Prison Fellowship and Learn More About Angel Tree

    Call Our Counseling Line at 1800-A FAMILY

    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email

    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!

    Speak To A Counselor

    33 min
  4. Learning To Be Limitless with Nick Vujicic

    Episode 153

    Show notes

    If you've ever felt that you "can't" or that the obstacles in your life are too insurmountable, you've GOT to listen to Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James' conversation with Nick Vujicic! This will encourage you and your children to understand that there's purpose, no matter the pain and setbacks we may encounter. This is an inspiring podcast that will challenge your faith and give you confidence that you can have a life without limits. Share this with your friends and family!

    Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life

    Love Without Limits

    39 min
  5. The Parenting Research Roundup

    Episode 152

    Show notes

    Do you have a favorite child? Probably! Are you a dolphin, elephant, or free-range parent? Do you know? Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James go through some recent research that explain, personality types, conscious and unconscious choices in your parenting. If you question your parenting, or if you're anxious about doing the right or wrong things, you'll learn a lot through this episode.

    7 Traits of Effective Parenting

    Want To Know Your Parenting Style?

    Parenting Tools Library

    Join the Focus on the Family Parenting Facebook Group

    Take Our Parenting Assessment

    Reach Out To Our Team of Christian Counselors

    31 min
  6. The ADHD Family (Part 2 of 2)

    Episode 151

    Show notes

    We're continuing our conversation with Dr. Tamara Rosier, author of You, Me & Our ADHD Family, focusing on family communication. She highlights emotional regulation as a key ADHD-related challenges, using a “pool” metaphor for big emotions and encouraging families to develop preplanned self-regulation toolkits. We distinguish defiance from ADHD by responding to patterns once everyone is calm. We address self-medicating and we also take a listener question about using diet and nutrition to help with ADHD symptoms. If you or someone in your family has ADHD, let us know what you think of this program!
    You, Me, and Your ADHD Family
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!
    Speak To A Counselor

    31 min
  7. The ADHD Family (Part 1 of 2)

    Episode 150

    Show notes

    Danny and Rebecca discuss ADHD with Dr. Tamara Rosier, founder of the ADD Center of West Michigan and author of "You, Me, and Our ADHD Family." If you or your children are having difficulty directing attention, Dr. Rosier has helpful advice that describes ADHD parenting as a “goat rodeo” and offers a “monkeys” naming technique to separate people from symptoms. We also answer a listener's question about too many extra curricular activities.
    You, Me, and Your ADHD Family
    Call Our Counseling Line at 1800-A FAMILY
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!
    Speak To A Counselor

    34 min
  8. Bringing God's Word To Public Schools

    Episode 149

    Show notes

    Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss how Christian parents can bring God’s Word into public schools. They talk with Kori Pennypacker, CEO of Bible2School and author of Backpack Faith. She explains that First Amendment freedoms protect students’ rights to express faith at appropriate times, including praying, reading the Bible, wearing religious messages, using faith in assignments, and meeting for Bible studies with equal access rules. We also answer a listener's question about taking her kids out of public school.
    Backpack Faith: Helping Your Child Live Confidently for Jesus in Public School
    Bring Your Bible To School Day
    Get Your Free Download of Important Decisions That Affect Your Child
    ABCDEF Sheet For Parents
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Alliance Defending Freedom
    Speak To A Counselor

    35 min
  9. Raising Gen Alpha/Gen Anxious ( Part 2 of 2)

    Episode 148

    Show notes

    Danny and Rebecca continue their conversation with Dave Boden about raising Gen Alpha (born 2010–2024) in an AI-shaped world. He describes risks of AI chatbots giving unsafe advice and reducing real-life relationships, and he outlines big data’s influence. Practical guidance includes parents learning AI realities, modeling healthy tech habits, answering teens’ identity/purpose/belonging questions through faith, family, and church, and prioritizing in-person rhythms. They also highlight SMART tech benefits and discuss balancing tech limits in homeschooling.
    Raising Gen Alpha
    Take Our FREE Parenting Assessment
    List Of Words Gen Alpha Says
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!
    Speak To A Counselor

    36 min
  10. Raising Gen Alpha/Gen Anxious (Part 1 of 2)

    Episode 147

    Show notes

    Are you raising Gen Alpha? Danny and Rebecca speak with author Dave Boden on the things that have impacted how this generation sees their lives. They emphasize parental self-regulation, asking for help, reframing thoughts, and teaching kids to face discomfort, while grounding their identity in faith. The Q&A covers Gen Alpha slang terms and points every parent should know.
    Raising Gen Alpha
    Take Our FREE Parenting Assessment
    List Of Words Gen Alpha Says
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!
    Speak To A Counselor

    32 min
  11. Christian Worldview At Home & At School ( Part 2 of 2)

    Episode 146

    Show notes

    Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James host part two with Billy Hutchinson, director of Colson Educators at the Colson Center on equipping parents to foster a biblical Christian worldview amid cultural pressures. They discuss, building relational “capital,” treating people as image-bearers, and parenting with an authoritative style. Practical take-a-ways include encouraging a safe space for questions about God, serving others, and meaningful liturgies like prayer and blessings.
    A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today's World
    Equipping Parents for Back To School Download
    A Student's Guide To Culture
    Built For Resilience Webinar
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Parenting Style Quiz
    Speak To A Counselor

    25 min
  12. Christian Worldview At Home & At School (Part 1 of 2)

    Episode 142

    Show notes

    How can you bolster your child's Christian worldview? Danny and Rebecca speak with Billy Hutchinson, of The Colson Center, and he urges parents to be primary disciple makers through intentional teaching and daily practices He gives tips on how to monitor school assignments, assess whether conflicts are occasional or systemic, and even how to request alternate assignments if the school is pushing your parenting boundaries. We also tackle how to address “woke” and LGBT ideologies through our Q & A.
    A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today's World
    Equipping Parents for Back To School Download
    How The Colson Center Can Help Parents Respond To Wokeness
    Truth Rising Documentary: Chloe Cole Story
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Transgender Resources
    Speak To A Counselor

    28 min
  13. Equipping Parents For Back To School

    Episode 141

    Show notes

    Dr. Danny Huerta hosts a special episode with Focus on the Family Policy Analyst, Jeff Johnston to brief parents on recent US Supreme Court developments affecting education. From "opting out" of assignments, to gender specific sports teams, we'll give you what you need to know for the start of the school year. We even discuss how to approach teachers, school administrations, and even school boards when a line has been crossed. Make sure you share this episode with all of the parents you're meeting at your child's school, and download the Equipping Parents for Back to School 2026 resource, too!
    7 Traits of Effective Parenting
    Check Out The Daily Citizen
    Get Your Free Download of Equipping Parents For Back To School 2026
    Bring Your Bible To School Day Information
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Helping Children Through An Identity Crisis
    Speak To A Counselor

    31 min
  14. Helping Moms Understand God's Truth with Erica Ligenza Gwynn

    Episode 140

    Show notes

    Have you ever asked yourself if what you believe is REALLY true? Or is it something that
    culture has influenced in your day-to-day life? Danny and Rebecca welcome Erica Ligenza
    Gwynn to discuss her book, That’s Just Not True. Erica shares how motherhood exposed
    half-truths like “I can do anything,” and discusses trusting God through problems rather than
    doing everything to prevent them. They explore lies such as “I’m stuck,” “I messed it all up”,
    and “I’ll be happy when...”. We're emphasizing joy, gratitude, and contentment. In the Q&A,
    we advise a listener worried about generational patterns of children outside marriage. This
    program encourages prayer, community, and honest future conversations.

    Get Your Copy of "That's Just Not True" for a donation of any amount.

    Have you seen our Parenting Assessment Tool?

    Get a "GratiKube" for your family!

    Help your child Launch Into the Teen Years.

    Leave a Comment or Ask Your Question HERE

    Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster.

    Speak with one of our counselors

    43 min
  15. Q & A Session

    Episode 139

    Show notes

    It's another Q & A Show where Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James answer your parenting questions. This time, we advise a single mom in Compton, address a worried mom about her 17-year-old pursuing entertainment, and we respond to a child who dislikes spanking, We also help a mom whose 12-year-old is cutting, and counsel a dad of a sensitive 5-year-old to affirm his temperment and sexuality. Have you sent your questions in? Just click on the show notes and you can be a part of our next Q & A Show.
    7 Traits of Effective Parenting
    Check Out Our Parenting Assessment Tool!
    Here's Some Support For Single Parents
    Here Are Tips About Spanking
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Here's a Helpful Article Regarding Self-Harm
    Speak To A Counselor

    36 min
  16. Teaching Children Values

    Episode 138

    Show notes

    Rebecca St. James and Dr. Danny Huerta discuss concerns about declining patriotism among younger Americans with Dr. Ben Carson, who shares his childhood story of poverty, his mother’s emphasis on reading and personal responsibility, and how it shaped his trajectory. There are lots of resources mentioned for parents to help their children learn about history in this one. We know you'll enjoy it!
    The Perilous Fight: Overcoming Our Culture's War on the American Family
    Bring Your Bible To School Day Sign Up!
    God Bless Our Country
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!

    38 min
  17. Fun Ways to Teach Theology

    Episode 137

    Show notes

    What are ways to teach your children about the Glory of God? Ryan Frederick, co-founder of FierceMarriage.com and author of the Adam and Iota series, explains vocabulary and theology to help children build discernment and strengthen their identity in Christ. We also answer a listener question from an overwhelmed mom with three young kids.

    Meet Atom & Iota
    Check Out Our Parenting Assessment Tool!
    Simple Ways To Start Family Devotions
    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email
    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!

    41 min
  18. Understanding Adaptability in Parenting

    Episode 136

    Show notes

    In this episode of 'Practice Makes Parent,' Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss the significance of adaptability in effective parenting. They share personal anecdotes and strategies for being flexible with children. They also introduce concepts like psychological flexibility, maintaining a bigger picture mindset, continuous learning, and creating a de-stress menu. We also help a listener with her question on when to start disciplining a child. They conclude with the '7, 7, 7 Parenting Technique' for fostering stronger family bonds through focused attention. Pass this link on to your friends and family!

    7 Traits of Effective Parenting

    Take the FREE Parenting Assessment

    Sign up for the FREE Age & Stage Resources

    Questions To Support Adaptability In Parenting

    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email

    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!

    Support the show!

    If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

    35 min
  19. Dealing with Anger In Parenting

    Episode 135

    Show notes

    Anger is common and contagious in families. How do you handle anger in parenting? Janel Breitenstein, author of "How to Stop Yelling Up the Stairs" shares her story with Danny and Rebecca. They explore how anger can reveal stress, deeper emotions, and heart issues. We'll give you some ideas to work on. We also answer a listener question on whether outsiders should confront disrespectful teens. Send us your thoughts, too!

    How To Stop Yelling Up The Stairs

    Built For Resilience

    Check Out Our Age & Stage Resources

    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email

    Enjoying music as a family can bring everyone closer. Check out Focus Live, powered by Godcaster. It’s a great way to get Focus On The Family content and expose your kids to great worship music!

    Support the show!

    If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

    54 min
  20. Launching Into the Teen Years

    Episode 134

    Show notes

    Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James discuss Launch Into the Teen Years curriculum, and Rebecca’s daughter Gemma shares how she felt as a young girl going through it. You'll hear flexible ways families use the six-session resource, and we share how to have relational, age-appropriate conversation about bodies, boundaries, identity in Christ, peer pressure, and God’s design for sex within marriage with kids. We also take a listener question about what to do when your kids walk in on you and your spouse having sex.

    Launch Into The Teen Years

    Who Gets A Vote? Conversation Starter

    Check Out Brio Magazine For Your Teen!

    Ask Us Your Question via Voicemail or Email

    Support the show!

    If you enjoyed listening to Practice Makes Parent with Dr. Danny Huerta and Rebecca St. James, please give us your feedback.

    49 min