In today’s bonus episode we speak to Lucy Rycroft about her new book Be Still. Anna and Lucy share the highs and lows of parenting for faith in the summer holidays and explore what being still might like like for us as parents and carers even in that chaos! Lucy Rycroft is the founder of thehopefilledfamily.com and a part-time music teacher. She previously worked for BRF Ministries in the Parenting for Faith team. She lives in York with her husband and four children. Be Still, is a collection of...
Aug 13, 2025•34 min
In today’s episode we ask Rachel Turner, founder of Parenting for Faith, your questions. She has worked in churches for over 15 years and continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for church leaders, parents and families around the world. Rachel is the author of nine books, and the original Parenting for Faith course. We asked her these questions: 1:19 - What if your kid decides they hate church and they don’t want to go? 9:59 - Any tips for doing chat and catch with under...
Jul 15, 2025•33 min
In today’s episode we speak to Rosie Jefferson about parenting for faith for adopters and foster carers and her new venture Creative Calm. The conversation explores how to prepare for becoming an adopter or foster carers and who to support the people around us as well as how we can all find calm and self-care strategies as parents or carers. Links: Find Creative Calm on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576083088661 or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creativecalm_uk The podc...
Jul 08, 2025•36 min
In today’s episode we speak to Chine McDonald about imperfection and motherhood, sparked by her new book Unmaking Mary. Chine is a mum, writer, broadcaster, author and director of Theos, the religion and society think tank. She regularly contributes to BBC Religion & Ethics programmes, including Thought for the Day on Radio 4’s Today programme, the Daily Service, and Prayer for the Day. She is vice-chair of Greenbelt Festival and a trustee at Christian Aid and Demos. Links: To find out more ...
Jul 01, 2025•33 min
In today’s episode we speak to Louise Willis about handling anger. Louise is the founder of Hope for Families. She’s married to Garryl and they have four children. She’s a qualified teacher and recently completed her MA in Theology, Mission and Ministry (Children, Young People and Family specialism), researching the impact of Hope for Families’ most popular course, Handling Anger in the Family. Links: Hope for Families - hopeforfamilies.org.uk on Facebook facebook.com/hopeforfamiliesuk and Insta...
Jun 24, 2025•32 min
In today’s episode we speak to Dorothy Mendez about social media, online safety and relationships. Dorothy Mendez is the Mobilisation Coordinator for A21 UK. A21 is a global anti-human trafficking organisation, operating programmes in over 20 countries, with the mission to Abolish Slavery in the 21st century. Links: A21 resources available at a21.org/content/resources-uk This episode was inspired by the social media and p0rnography chapters of an A - Z of Parenting for Faith. Listen the episodes...
Jun 17, 2025•25 min
In today’s episode we speak to Rebecca St James about framing the ups and downs of life. Rebecca St. James is among the most defining artists in Christian music history. She’s a GRAMMY®-winning singer/songwriter, best-selling author, speaker and actress who catapulted into the global spotlight following the release of her self-titled Forefront Records debut in 1994. Rebecca has been involved in multiple podcast partnerships with Christian organizations, and now serves as a resident worship leade...
Jun 10, 2025•28 min
In today’s episode we speak to Debs Peake about Self Worth, drawing on some ideas from the Puberty, Emotions, Eating Disorders and Self Harm chapters in the A - Z of Parenting for Faith book. Debs is a parent of two and Founder of the Charity Know Your Worth which is all about helping teenage girls to grow self-esteem. The charity also supports professionals and parents/carers to support their teens too. Links: - Book onto any of our upcoming zoom courses https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk...
Jun 03, 2025•38 min
In today’s episode we speak to Graham Daniels and Jonny Reid about sport. Dr Graham Daniels is General Director of Christians in Sport. A former professional footballer, he also serves as a director of Cambridge United Football Club. Graham is on the staff of St Andrew the Great Church, Cambridge, UK and an Associate of Ridley Hall Theological College, Cambridge. He is on the Board of Trustees for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Jonny Reid co-leads Town Church Bicester and is Director of E...
May 20, 2025•38 min
In today’s episode we speak to Joy Wendling about emotions. Joy Wendling is a mum of 5 girls, writer, speaker, parent coach, founder of Created to Play, and former family pastor. She has over 25 years of experience in children, youth, and family ministry and a Master’s in Youth, Family, and Culture from Fuller Theological Seminary. The springboard for the conversation was the emotions chapter of An A - Z of Parenting for Faith (out October 2025). Links: Book onto any of our upcoming zoom courses...
May 13, 2025•31 min
In today’s episode we speak to Karen Allen about forgiveness. She is an author, speaker and mother of five. Passionate about inspiring and empowering young people challenging the norms and changing the narrative especially as it relates to young black men. Links: Book onto any of our upcoming zoom courses https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/upcoming-events/ Become a friend of Parenting for Faith and partner with us for just £2 a month https://www.brf.org.uk/give/friends/ to help these resou...
May 06, 2025•37 min
Our guest today is Melissa Richards, a wife and mum of four. She is originally from Canada but moved to Australia in 2007.She is the Children's Pastor at Door of Hope Christian Church in Tasmania and became a Parenting for Faith champion six months ago. She talks us through how she used the questions tool (from the big questions chapter of An A - Z of Parenting for Faith) to help her son when his Nana died. This episode explores processing the death of the loved one so feel free to skip this wee...
Apr 29, 2025•35 min
In today’s episode we speak to Chris Morphew. Chris is an author, teacher, youth leader and school chaplain living in Sydney, Australia who has written (he thinks!) 32 books. Anna spoke to Chris about how to explain tricky bits of the Bible and how to tackle tricky questions. The springboard for this was the ‘Tricky parts of the Bible’ chapter in ‘An A - Z of Parenting for Faith) which is out in October 2025. Links: - Book onto the Forge gathering or any of the Parenting for Faith courses on zoo...
Apr 22, 2025•26 min
In today’s episode we speak to Natalie Frisk about her new book A Light To Share. Natalie Frisk has worked in ministry for over 15 years. During which time she earned a Masters in Theological Study (Biblical Studies) and began pursuit of her Doctorate in Practical Theology with an emphasis on the spiritual experience of children (in process). She is now the Director of Curriculum for RaiseUpFaith as she continues doing what she loves: content developing, team building, and pastorally nurturing t...
Apr 07, 2025•37 min
In today’s episode we ask Rachel Turner, founder of Parenting for Faith, your questions. She has worked in churches for over 15 years and continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for church leaders, parents and families around the world. Rachel is the author of nine books, and the original Parenting for Faith course. We asked her four questions: 1) (3:48) I feel like other people have it together, or at least more together than me. When people post pictures of family Bibl...
Mar 31, 2025•33 min
In today’s episode we speak to Craige Young about Easter. Craige Young is a speaker, educator, author, and media creator specialising in growth mindset education. Passionate about empowering children through storytelling, faith, and learning, he helps them develop their skills and share their talents. A certified lay preacher and radio presenter, he creates opportunities for young broadcasters and produces engaging children’s programmes. He chose an extract from the chapter on Easter in An A - Z...
Mar 24, 2025•22 min
In today’s episode we speak to Bethany McIlrath about friendship.Bethany loves to get lost in a book and to help others discover their next read in her marketing role at The Good Book Company. When she's not reading stories, she's usually writing them or dreaming about them as she comes up with real-life creative adventures for friends, her husband, and a doorbell-like dog named Indy. Serving in children's ministry is also one of her greatest joys. Links: Abigail books https://www.abigailseries....
Mar 18, 2025•25 min
In today’s episode we speak to Esther Kuku about Stepparenting. Esther is a bio mum and Stepmum, and has been married for 12 years. She is passionate about step families and compassionate leadership. Stepping Up, her devotional for stepfamilies will be released in June 2026. Links: Send us your questions and stories at parentingforfaith.org/podcast or email us at parentingforfaith@brf.org.uk Preorder Esther’s book, Stepping Up https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stepping-Up-Esther-Kuku/dp/1800394241 Book o...
Mar 06, 2025•26 min
In today’s episode we speak to Wini Heron, a mum of three adopted children (17,8 and 8). Originally from Malaysia she now lives in Tasmania and is the Pastoral Care and Young Adult Minister at her church where she runs Parenting for Faith courses. She’s chosen to speak about gaming, which is a chapter of the A - Z of Parenting for Faith book (out October 2025). Links: Send us your questions about Easter or anything to do with helping kids and teenagers meet and know God at parentingforfaith.org/...
Feb 27, 2025•29 min
In today’s episode we speak to Matthew White. Matthew White is a priest, poet and songwriter whose debut poetry collection, "Propelled into Wonder," was published in September 2024. He is married to Sarah and they have three children (9,7 and 4). We spoke to Matt about Lent and Good Friday, which is a chapter of the A - Z of Parenting for Faith book (out October 2025). Links: Journeying with Jesus free download for Lent - https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/lent-journeying-jesus/ Send us yo...
Feb 17, 2025•32 min
In today’s episode we speak to Kate Fear, Emerging Generations Coordinator at Trinity Church Nottingham. Kate loves Jesus and loves being an invested adult to many children including her nephew, five godchildren and the children at her church. She shares some thoughts on the shame chapter of the A-Z Parenting for Faith Book (out October 2025). Links: Book a group or church onto the original Parenting for Faith couse, which starts in March. https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/parenting-for-f...
Feb 11, 2025•25 min
In today’s episode we speak to CK and Chidiuto Imediegwu, a young christian couple from Milton Keynes. They are new parents looking forward to raising their daughter to meet and know God. They share some thoughts on the worship chapter of the A-Z Parenting for Faith Book (out October 2025). Links: Book a group or church onto the original Parenting for Faith couse, which starts in March. https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/parenting-for-faith-courses/products/the-original-parenting-for-faith...
Feb 04, 2025•32 min
In today’s episode we speak to Matt and Alison Keddilty. Matt and Alison are a couple on mission in the North East of England. They love ministering to, and with, families, including their own six children. As an interacted couple, Matt loves ultra running and Alison loves her wheelchair. They chose the chapter from the A-Z of Parenting for Faith book on illness to share some of their story and how to navigate parenting for faith through the illness of a parent. Please be aware, this is an incre...
Jan 27, 2025•48 min
In today’s episode we speak to Olof Bradt, who works at both the Bible Society in Sweden and Scripture Union Sweden . He is married to Rachel and they have four children, aged between 2 and 16. He shares some thoughts prompted by the chapter of the A-Z Parenting for Faith Book on helping older kids engage with the Bible and the Here To Stay research in Sweden. Links: Book a group or church onto the original Parenting for Faith couse, which starts in March. https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collection...
Jan 20, 2025•30 min
In today’s episode we speak to Caitlin Boddy, a single mum to an 11-going-on-15 year old, from the outskirts of Edinburgh. Caitlin used to be a primary teacher and now works for her local church. We asked Caitlin to share her thoughts on arguments, not because she’s especially argumentative but because A is top of our list! She chose two extracts from the arguments chapter in A - Z of Parenting for Faith (out in Oct 2025), one called ‘More than obedience’ on helping our kids be who they’re calle...
Jan 13, 2025•27 min
For our first episode of 2025, Anna Hawken, Parenting for Faith Ministry Lead shares about the A-Z of Parenting for Faith - a brand new book which will be out in October 2025 and the focus for this season’s podcast. We’ll be picking all sorts of hot Christian parenting topics, collating the wisdom of previous guests and finding out what this looks like on the ground by interviewing you! Links Book onto the original Parenting for Faith course on zoom starting 6 March - https://www.brfonline.org.u...
Dec 17, 2024•26 min
Today, we're discussing how we can disciple our adult children. Becky and Kate, from the Parenting for Faith team, are sharing their wisdom on this topic. DATE CHANGE. We're now running the Parenting for Faith course on zoom from 6 March not 16 Jan as earlier advertised. Book the Parenting for Faith Zoom course here - https://www.brfonline.org.uk/collections/events/products/the-original-parenting-for-faith-zoom-course-2025 Watch the Parenting for Faith course online here - https://www.parentingf...
Dec 10, 2024•42 min
Many of us are trying to disciple our children without the example of our own parents. Perhaps we came to faith through friends in our teens or adulthood, or the faith our parents have now is not one that they had when we were growing up. How do we nurture our kids’ faith when we have no example to follow? How do we help them not to make the same mistakes we made? And what are the basics of family discipleship? Here to help us navigate these issues is writer Hope Bonarcher. Native New-Yorker Hop...
Dec 02, 2024•33 min
Statistics show the importance of an active dad in a child’s life. How can dads be a positive presence in their kids’ spiritual lives, even if they don’t live with them, and how can we all support dads to be the best they can be? The Father’s Club is an initiative led by Christian dads in south-east London to support and equip each other across the generations. Today we welcome founders Isaac Frimpong, Tsion Martins and Gary Baah-Sackey to share their story of setting up the club and their insig...
Nov 25, 2024•35 min
Many of us feel despondent if our children tell us they don’t believe in God anymore, or they don’t wish to come to church or pursue their faith. We feel like that’s it - there’s no more hope for our kids to find Jesus - and often feel like we’ve failed in some way. Parenting for Faith founder Rachel Turner is our guest today to tell us that that’s not true! There are no dead ends when it comes to discipleship - only new conversations and new waves to surf. Rachel shares ideas to help us at ever...
Nov 19, 2024•34 min
