This week on Our Perspective, Hal and Chrissy join us for a real and honest conversation about raising a family through infertility, foster care, adoption, and unexpected transitions — all while keeping Jesus at the center of their home.

We talk about the grief and growth that came through infertility, what led them to open their home to fostering, and how they intentionally helped their children navigate change, build compassion, and feel secure through it all. From difficult parenting moments to seeing God’s faithfulness in the middle of uncertainty, this episode is a powerful reminder that God often shapes our families in ways we never planned.

If you’ve ever walked through disappointment, wrestled with fear as a parent, or wondered how to raise bold followers of Jesus in the middle of real life, this conversation will encourage you deeply. Connect with Our Perspective: 💛 Instagram: @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Patricia: @patricia_6710 💛 Mary Grace: @_marygrace_d 💛 Hal Mayer: @halmayer4 💛 Chrissy Mayer: @chrissymmayer

In Part 2 of our conversation with Rachel and Jonathan from the Not a Bad Parent Podcast, we dive into one of the most important conversations a parent can have: identity.

In a world constantly telling our kids who they should be, how they should look, and how they should measure up, how do we help them hear God's voice above all the noise?

This episode explores how our own identity impacts the way we parent, why understanding how God uniquely wired each child matters, and how parents can learn to call out the gifts, strengths, and purpose God has placed inside their children.

We discuss: • Why helping kids understand their identity makes them more resilient and confident • The danger of comparing our children to others • How our own wounds and false identities affect our parenting • The power of "calling out the gold" in our kids • Why encouragement can shape a child's future • The role of community in helping children discover who they are • How to recognize and nurture your child's God-given gifts • The importance of hearing God's voice as parents

One of the most powerful reminders from this conversation is that we cannot help our children know who they are until we are continually learning who God says we are.

If you've ever wondered how to raise confident, secure, faith-filled kids in today's culture, this episode is for you.

Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode with another parent who needs encouragement.

Connect with Rachel & Jonathan Podcast: Not a Bad Parent Podcast

Books & Resources Mentioned

Fearless Living by Jamie Winship

The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis

Key Questions Discussed in This Episode • Who is God to you? • Who are you in God? • What has He given you to do right now?

These simple but powerful questions can transform the way you see yourself, your children, and your purpose.

Every child is uniquely designed by God and sometimes that design looks very different from our own.

In this episode of Our Perspective, Jonathan and Rachael Starrett share what they’ve learned about parenting children with different personalities, communication styles, interests, and ways of seeing the world. It’s easy to connect with kids who think like we do, but what happens when they don’t?

Together, we talk about the importance of leaning in instead of pulling away, choosing curiosity over frustration, and intentionally creating space for our children to be who God made them to be.

We discuss how as parents we need to selflessly lean out from our own preferences and learn the language of our child, and build strong connections that prevent distance and misunderstanding.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from one of your children or wondered how to better understand them, this conversation will encourage you to slow down, get curious, and pursue connection. Because some of the most beautiful parent-child relationships are built when we choose to lean in, especially when it’s not easy.

In this episode of Our Perspective, Carmen and Pat continue sharing what God taught them while walking 500 miles across Spain on the Camino de Santiago.

What started as a physical journey became a deeply healing one.

We talk about: • Building your life around Christ • Keeping the church at the center of your home • Attachment styles and how childhood experiences shape us • Honest conversations between parents and kids • Learning to apologize, forgive, and heal together • How God can reveal wounds we didn’t even realize were there

This episode is raw, honest, emotional, and full of grace. Our prayer is that it encourages families to communicate openly, extend grace to one another, and remember that healing often happens in the middle of the journey.

No parent is perfect. No family is perfect. But God meets us in the hard conversations and brings healing where we least expect it.

One year later… we’re finally sharing the story of our El Camino journey. 🤍

In this episode of Our Perspective, Carmen and her mom reflect on walking 500 miles across Spain on the Camino de Santiago — a trip that became so much more than just an adventure.

From moments of surrender, deep conversations, and unexpected encounters with people from all over the world, to learning how to slow down and truly walk with God… this journey changed both of them forever.

We talk about: • What God taught us on the trail • Learning to surrender control • Sharing our faith with strangers • The beauty of slowing down • Intentional time between parents and kids • How God meets us in the journey, not just the destination

This episode is full of stories, laughter, honest moments, and reminders that your story matters — and that every conversation can point people back to Jesus.

We hope this encourages you to slow down, trust God with the unknown, and create intentional moments with the people you love most.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder to keep walking with God. 🤍

Go leave people better than you found them!

What happens when your kids start being influenced more by their friends than by you? How do you stay a trusted voice in their life without becoming controlling?

In this episode of Our Perspective, we dive into some of the hardest parenting questions about influence, friendships, boundaries, independence, and raising kids with strong identity and character.

Through honest conversation, personal stories, and practical wisdom, we talk about what it looks like to parent intentionally through every stage — from elementary school friendships to middle school influence and preparing kids for adulthood.

In this episode we discuss: - How to teach kids what healthy friendships look like - Why identity in Christ matters so much as kids grow older - The difference between control and intentional influence - How to create open conversations instead of lectures - Setting boundaries without pushing your kids away - Giving age-appropriate freedom and letting kids learn through consequences - Funny family stories, hard parenting moments, and lessons we learned along the way

This conversation is filled with encouragement for parents who want to protect their kids while also preparing them to become confident, independent adults with strong values and faith.

If this episode encouraged you, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with another parent who may need this conversation 💛

Go leave people better.

Welcome back to Our Perspective Podcast! We’re continuing our mini-series where we answer YOUR questions—and this episode is packed with some really honest, practical, and heartfelt conversations around parenting.

In this episode, we dive into:

• How to handle kids who are outgoing at home but shy in public • The balance between building confidence and honoring your child’s personality • What it looks like to discipline with understanding, not shame • And a big question: Is it ever too late to parent differently?

We talk about unpacking your child’s heart, creating safe spaces for growth, and how small, intentional moments can shape confidence over time. We also get real about parenting guilt, grace, and the power of humility, prayer, and starting again—no matter what season you’re in.

If you’ve ever felt unsure, overwhelmed, or like you “missed your moment” as a parent… this conversation is for you.

It’s never too late. Don’t stop showing up.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe Share this with someone who needs encouragement today Connect with Our Perspective: 💛 Instagram: @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Patricia: @patricia_6710 💛 Mary Grace: @_marygrace_d

In this episode of Our Perspective Podcast, we’re doing something a little different… we’re answering your questions completely unfiltered and off the dome.

From parenting through disappointment to helping your kids navigate feeling left out, we get real about what we’ve learned (and what we’re still learning). We talk about the balance of letting kids feel their emotions without letting those emotions define them, and why pointing them back to the truth, not just positivity, matters more than anything.

This conversation is full of honest moments, personal stories, and practical wisdom for navigating tough seasons with your kids—while keeping their identity rooted in Christ.

If you’ve ever wondered: • How do I help my kids through disappointment? • What do I say when they feel left out or rejected? • How do I parent with both truth and grace?

This episode is for you.

We’re not perfect, but we’re intentional. And we hope this conversation encourages you in your own journey.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe—stay tuned Part 2!!! Connect with Our Perspective: 💛 Instagram: @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Patricia: @patricia_6710 💛 Mary Grace: @_marygrace_d