Do you feel like you're losing connection with your teen—or worse, already have? You're not alone… but it doesn't have to be that way. In this powerful and honest episode, we share 6 strategic parenting techniques that have helped us raise mature, respectful, and emotionally healthy teens —without control, punishment, or endless conflict. If you're frustrated by moodiness, defiance, secretive behavior, or a lack of trust in your relationship with your teen, it might be because you're parenting o...
Jul 03, 2025•29 min•Season 7Ep. 321
Are you wondering why your 18-year-old still acts like a teenager? Science confirms it—they’re not fully adults yet. So how do you parent emerging adults ages 18–25 with wisdom, influence, and connection? In this powerful episode, we share the essential mindset and parenting strategies you need to guide your teens and young adults through their most formative and vulnerable years. We dive into why your role as a parent doesn’t stop at 18—and why your influence matters even more during this criti...
Jul 01, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 320
Do you ever wonder why you're not happy, even when life looks good on the outside ? You’re raising kids, checking off your to-do list, maybe even living in your dream house— but something still feels … off. Like you’re just going through the motions . If that’s you, this episode is exactly what you need. In this honest and actionable conversation, we share 7 specific strategies we use as a couple and family to intentionally practice happiness—no matter how hard, stressful, or chaotic life gets ....
Jun 26, 2025•31 min•Season 7Ep. 319
Are you constantly feeling overwhelmed, irritated, or like you’re just going through the motions of family life? Do you wish you could feel more joy, peace, and connection — but don’t know how to actually get there in the midst of chores, tantrums, and to-do lists? In this episode, we share how to actually enjoy family life —even when it’s hard, boring, or chaotic. We explore how being presen t— truly present— can radically transform your parenting and your emotional state . You’ll learn how to ...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 7Ep. 318
Are the men in your home grumpy, disconnected, or hard to reach emotionally? Do you ever feel like there's a quiet tension simmering under the surface of your marriage? In this raw and honest conversation, we dive into how unmet sexual needs (and/or porn usage) —and a lack of emotional and physical connection— are contributing to frustration, moodiness, and even disconnection in marriage and family life. You might be surprised to learn that it’s not just men who are feeling sexually frustrated—m...
Jun 18, 2025•41 min•Season 7Ep. 317
Are you tired of feeling stuck in the same frustrating patterns of family conflict? Do small arguments keep escalating, leaving you drained, defeated, or disconnected? In this empowering episode, we break down exactly how to step out of the Family Drama Triangle —the toxic cycle of victim, villain, and rescuer that silently sabotages your parenting, partnership, and peace. We share the 3 surprisingly simple steps that will help you break free from reactive patterns and create more calm, connecti...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 7Ep. 316
Are you struggling with how to handle conflicts and tough behavior with your kids? Do consequences often feel harsh or ineffective, leaving your family stressed instead of connected? In this episode, we dive deep into using natural consequences as a powerful tool for conflict resolution in your family. Instead of punishments or power struggles, discover how fun yet impactful consequences can teach kids respect, empathy, and responsibility — all while strengthening your family bonds. Raising seve...
Jun 04, 2025•2 hr 2 min•Season 7Ep. 315
Are you and your spouse constantly disagreeing about HOW to best parent your children? Are you wondering if one (or both) of your parenting styles is hurting your child’s emotional growth? And if so, what do you do about it, especially when you disagree so adamantly? In this episode, we unpack the subtle but powerful effects that parenting styles have on children’s development —especially when it comes to raising resilient, well-adjusted kids . Many parents unknowingly adopt habits that hold the...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Season 7Ep. 314
Do your kids struggle with tantrums, power struggles, or emotional meltdowns—and you’re not sure how to stop the cycle without yelling or harsh discipline ? After posting on Instagram about how we raised our 7 kids without yelling, punishments, or power struggles , we received so much interest and questions from parents wanting to know— is it really possible ? Yes, it is —and in this episode, we share exactly how we did it. Raising emotionally healthy, well-adjusted kids starts with creating a s...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Season 7Ep. 313
Feeling torn between your big dreams and the tiny humans in your care? Do you ever wonder if you’ll ever have the time, energy, or space to pursue the big dreams in your heart — while you're still night nursing, co-sleeping, and managing tantrums between business tasks? You're not alone. In this episode, Rachel gets real about what it takes to be an ambitious mom in the baby and toddler years — and why the real secret isn't doing it all right now... but doing what matters most and learning to tr...
May 14, 2025•54 min•Season 7Ep. 312
Do your kids constantly bicker, tattle, or compete for attention? Are you tired of breaking up fights and wondering if sibling rivalry is just normal ? In this episode, we dive deep into how we've navigated sibling dynamics while raising seven kids —without letting rivalry and resentment take over our home. We share the simple but powerful habits that have helped us create a strong family culture where our kids actually like each other and feel secure in their individual roles. You’ll learn why ...
May 07, 2025•29 min•Season 7Ep. 311
Have you ever worried about whether your parenting methods are building real emotional connection—or unintentionally causing harm? We received a thoughtful question from a listener who shared a heartbreaking personal story: while her mom intended to foster attachment , her methods—like forced "holding time"— ended up destroying trust and psychological safety instead. In this episode, we dive deep into what we do and do not mean when we talk about attachment, emotional safety, and parenting strat...
Apr 30, 2025•55 min•Season 7Ep. 310
Are you struggling with constant meltdowns, defiance, rebellion, or other 'bad' behavior from your child—whether they’re 3 or 23? Do you feel disconnected from them and like they won't listen, share, confide, or trust you? Here’s the truth: “bad” behavior is almost never the real issue. It’s a signal—a symptom of something deeper going on beneath the surface … usually a broken or weakened emotional connection with you, their parent. In this episode, we dive into the root cause of most behavioral...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Season 7Ep. 309
Are you overwhelmed by your child’s clinginess, emotional meltdowns, tantrums, or constant need for attention? Do you want to be a calm, connected parent —but feel touched out, maxed out, and unsure how to respond without creating 'bad habits' in your children? In this episode, we respond to a heartfelt question from a listener who asked: “How do I support my children when they’re being emotionally needy—but I’m running on empty myself? My husband says I'm forming bad habits in my kids and weari...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 7Ep. 308
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the idea of providing an exceptional education for your children? Do you want to foster a love of learning while preparing them for a future filled with curiosity and independence? In this second part of a two-part episode, we address a question from a listener—a successful businesswoman and mom of four—who is struggling to balance her career, homeschooling aspirations , and being the most present mom she can be. She’s driven and accomplished, but overwhelmed, seek...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 7Ep. 307
Are you struggling to balance your business/career while being a present mom at the same time? (We had multiple technical issues with this episode. Please forgive the sudden ending). Achieving work-life balance as a mompreneur can feel impossible, but the small decisions you make every day can either help you manage overwhelm or contribute to burnout. In this episode, we dive deep into how to create a work-life balance without sacrificing your well-being, ambitions, or the time you spend with yo...
Apr 02, 2025•47 min•Season 7Ep. 306
Are you struggling with finding the balance between 'guiding' your kids' choices and empowering them with real (but frightening) agency? In this episode, we answer a listener’s thoughtful question about how to support their kids in developing individual agency while still fostering a strong, supportive parental attachment and safe environment that protects from real risk without being overly controlling and 'helicoptering'. This listener wonders if their parenting approach might be leaning more ...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 7Ep. 305
Are you struggling with how to handle your child's tough emotions or challenging behaviors? Did you know that it's the small, everyday habits that are sabotaging your family's happiness and contributing to misbehavior? In this episode, we dive into the things we NEVER do as parents of 7 children to ensure a positive, nurturing family culture that helps our children grow into well-adjusted, confident, and emotionally resilient individuals. Raising kids is no easy task, but cultivating a loving an...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 7Ep. 304
Does having children or being married make you more unhappy than single or childless individuals ? Many people (rightly) say 'Yes'! That's why more and more people are choosing to remain single, to avoid long-term commitments, and to vow to never have children at all. Because it IS hard and often makes you 'unhappy'. But what if happiness is not the point of life? What if the challenges of marriage and parenting aren't something to avoid, but the very things that make life meaningful? In this ep...
Mar 12, 2025•58 min•Season 7Ep. 303
Are you feeling confused, frustrated, or angry about the noise of politics and social media? Constantly caught between opposing views, trying to figure out what’s true? In this episode, we explore the idea that true change begins with YOU . Instead of getting caught up in the endless political cycle, we focus on self development and taking control of your own life . As the world seems more divided than ever, the only way forward is to navigate through the chaos with a balanced perspective —just ...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 302
" What are some practical steps to change our emotional state? How do we change the energy that we radiate ? You guys emphasize that it’s a choice, we can choose... but why does that feel so difficult and strange ? How do you do it so that it is genuine and not a mask ?" In this episode, Greg and Rachel explore the powerful impact of emotional awareness and emotional intelligence on family life -- especially on your ability to parent well . They dive into these thoughtful questions, explaining w...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 7Ep. 301
In this powerful episode, we delve into the concept of EXTREME Gratitude — a mindset that can shift the way we experience life's challenges and blessings . Join us as we reflect on the fragility of life and how tragedy can serve as a stark reminder to cherish every precious moment with our children. From personal stories of heartache and near-loss to practical advice for cultivating a deeper sense of appreciation , this episode encourages parents to embrace gratitude over frustration. Learn how ...
Feb 19, 2025•21 min•Season 7Ep. 300
You don’t eat vegetables???!!! This question came from a listener after hearing Greg and Rachel’s radical approach to nutrition. You might be thinking the same thing, but stick with us –they dive deep into the reasons behind their decision to stop eating vegetables, how they moved to an animal-based diet, why salad is a 'toxic sludge', how the food pyramid is a scam, and the evidence on how transforming their eating as helped them achieve the best health of their lives -- which includes NO disea...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 7Ep. 299
A strong, thriving marriage can bring immense joy and happiness to your life -- but a struggling one can create unnecessary pain and misery. In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning unlock the secret to "marriage magic" that can be the foundation of true happiness and fulfillment. They share how to break free from marriage mediocrity by setting high expectations for your relationship and making intentional efforts to create something extraordinary. They dive into important topics like conflict r...
Feb 05, 2025•57 min•Season 7Ep. 298
"Is there room for doubt? Or are you always certain (in this podcast, etc) that your decisions/choices about how to navigate this life are the way everyone should also do things? Because if you are certain, that leaves no room for tolerance or unity, which isn't necessarily a good thing. " In this episode, we discuss certainty and the role it plays in the choices we make and the lives we live . We are VERY CERTAIN about many things we talk about on this podcast, but is that always a good thing? ...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 7Ep. 297
In this episode, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning tackle a question from a listener about navigating family dynamics, particularly when your lifestyle choices conflict with those of your in-laws. The listener expresses frustration about her family's refusal to respect her parenting choices, from food habits to childcare practices, and the toll this has taken on her relationship with her in-laws and her own family culture. The Denning’s dive deep into how to respond to family members—especially in-l...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 7Ep. 296
In this episode, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning dive into the vital concept of taking control of family life and prioritizing family values over societal norms. They encourage listeners to refuse to participate in the pressure to conform to mainstream expectations and instead focus on building a life centered around personal and family growth, self-and-family improvement, and family connection. Greg and Rachel discuss how fostering a strong, purposeful family unit starts with the individual’s com...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 295
In this episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, Greg and Rachel Denning share powerful new year motivation for parents seeking to inspire and guide their children. They discuss the importance of setting goals, embracing discomfort, and preparing kids to face life’s challenges with resilience . By modeling adaptability and growth, parents can foster a supportive environment where their children learn to thrive, not just listen . The Dennings emphasize that identity transformation— shift...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 6Ep. 294
In this episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning explore the complexities of marriage dynamics, offering valuable insights on how communication, understanding, and mutual growth are essential for a thriving partnership. They dive into the challenges couples face, such as betrayal and rejection, and provide practical advice on how to navigate these issues with empathy and reassurance. Rather than focusing solely on traditional counseling, the Dennings encour...
Jan 01, 2025•51 min•Season 6Ep. 296
In this thought-provoking episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning explore the profound impact of societal systems on parenting and family life. They delve into the concept of “the matrix” — the conventional structures that shape education, success, and personal identity — and how these systems can keep families stuck in unproductive patterns, preventing them from creating an extraordinary, significant life. They emphasize the importance of fostering a stro...
Dec 25, 2024•1 hr 57 min•Season 6Ep. 292
