Focus on the Family Parenting Podcast

In this episode of the Focus on the Family Parenting podcast, host John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta discuss how parents can encourage their children to take risks responsibly. Young adult Caroline Shankle shares her personal journey with comparison, perfectionism, and learning to embrace failure offering practical insights for families navigating anxiety, decision-making, and the fear of getting it wrong.
The Lion and the Bear
Fearless Faith: Navigating Anxiety as a Teen
Helping Your Child Approach Anxiety, Bullying, and Identity (Digital Download)

John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta explore the mental health challenges parents face in the exhausting early years, sharing honestly about spousal tension and the need for personal resets. Jim Daly talks with author Jen Babacan about her book Detoured, the importance of moms refueling themselves, and a memorable Target trip gone awry. The conversation wraps up with practical encouragement around self-awareness, community, and small routines that help parents survive the chaos plus a reminder about Focus on the Family's free counseling line.
Detoured
Discovering Your New Identity as a Stay-at-Home Mom (Digital Download)
Speak to a counselor

Is your anxiety rubbing off on your kids? In this episode of the Focus on the Family Parenting Podcast, host John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta unpack how parental stress becomes contagious, the key difference between fear and anxiety, and why managing your own mental health is essential to showing up well for your children. They're joined by Sissy Goff and David Thomas from the Raising Boys and Girlspodcast, who share practical tools for self-assessment, parenting out of love rather than fear, and simple daily strategies from breathing exercises to building routines that help you reset and model healthy stress management for your family.
Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment
Are My Kids on Track?
Leading Your Child Through Emotional Milestones (Digital)

Faith is often caught more than it is taught. In this episode, John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta discuss a conversation with Stephen and Sarah Williams about standing firm in your faith when it's challenged. As Stephen shares his experience facing opposition as a public school history teacher, you'll discover how parents can model courage, resilience, and biblical conviction for their children, helping them build a faith that remains strong even in a culture that pushes back against Christian beliefs.
Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment
Protecting Your Child's Faith in Public School (Digital)
Resources: Schools and Related Issues

How do you raise kids who will have a good attitude? Arlene Pellicane and Jim Daly give some ideas for how to encourage godly character in your kids instead of entitlement. Also, Danny and John discuss how building character in your kids can help improve their mental health. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.
Parents Rising
Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting Assessment
Raising Godly Children in Today's Culture (Digital Download)
8 Strategies PDF
Can a Parent Expect Respect?