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Hey, Family Brand community! Have you ever wondered if you're doing too much for your kids—or maybe not enough? That's the question we're digging into this week after Melissa came across a post from another mom that immediately made her think about some of the choices we've made in our own family. The post shared a few everyday examples: 10-year-olds making their own lunches, a teenager handling her own sports paperwork, and a daughter working through an insurance issue after an accident. The idea was simple: being a supportive parent doesn't always mean doing everything for your kids. Sometimes support looks like cheering, guiding, observing, and loving while still letting them figure things out for themselves. And honestly, that can be hard. As parents, it's so easy to feel guilty and wonder, Should I just do this for them? We've seen that same tension in our own house. Our kids make their own lunches, do their own laundry, and sometimes pay for things we technically could afford to cover for them. They love reminding us that they're "the only kids" who have to do certain things! But we've started looking at those moments differently. Maybe when our kids say, "I'm the only one who has to do this," it doesn't always mean we're doing something wrong. Maybe sometimes we're giving them a chance to build independence, responsibility, resilience, and confidence. One of the biggest distinctions we talk about in this episode is the difference between supporting your kids and doing things for them. Challenging a child to make their own lunch doesn't mean leaving them completely on their own. You can buy the groceries, teach them how to make it, have everything available, encourage them, and still let them be the one who actually does it. Sometimes the more loving thing isn't removing the challenge—it's giving them enough support to learn how to handle it. We also talk about something we've noticed among successful adults who grew up having to figure a lot of things out themselves. Many of them credit those early experiences with teaching them resourcefulness, hard work, creativity, and the belief that they could solve problems. Then they become parents and naturally want to give their kids more than they had. But maybe "more" doesn't have to mean more things or fewer struggles. Maybe it can mean more knowledge, more encouragement, more resources, more connection—and still allowing our children to experience the confidence that comes from figuring something out for themselves. So here's our challenge this week: look at what you're currently doing for your kids and ask yourself, Is there something here they're ready to start doing for themselves? Then have an intentional conversation about it. Don't just suddenly announce that they're responsible for all their laundry forever! Explain why you're making the change, how you'll support them, and what you hope they'll gain from it. And when you see your kids being resourceful, disciplined, independent, or self-driven, call it out. Help them build the identity of someone who knows, I can figure things out. I can take care of myself. I can make things happen. Hit play to hear the full conversation! P.S. We're here to help you build your own Family Brand, one episode at a time. So go ahead, hit play, and let's grow together! Or, if you're ready to dive even deeper into our community, follow the links below.   LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.  Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 What's New With Family Brand 01:00 The Parenting Post That Started This Conversation 02:00 What It Means to Be a "Lighthouse" Parent 03:00 "We're the Only Kids Who Have To..." 04:00 Don't Raise Kids Who Expect Everything Done for Them 05:00 Why Our Kids Do Their Own Laundry 06:00 Should Parents Pay for Everything? 07:00 Supporting Your Kids Without Doing It for Them 08:00 Challenge vs. Support 09:00 What Support Actually Looks Like 10:00 What Skills Are Your Kids Ready to Learn? 11:00 Why Resourcefulness Matters 12:00 Giving Your Kids More Without Doing More for Them 13:00 Letting Your Kids Struggle a Little 14:00 What Can Your Kids Start Doing Themselves? 15:00 How to Introduce More Responsibility 16:00 Catch Your Kids Being Resourceful 17:00 Helping Kids Build an Independent Identity 18:00 If It's Going to Be, It's Up to Me

Hey, Family Brand community! This week, we're talking about something that feels a little confronting for us as parents—one of those areas where, looking back, we can honestly say, we wish we had done some things differently. As our kids get older and closer to leaving home, we've started having those moments where we wonder, Did we teach them this? Did we prepare them for that? Are there life skills we assumed they would just pick up along the way? One of the biggest ones we've been thinking about lately is reliability. Being on time. Following through. Doing what you say you're going to do. Becoming the kind of person other people—and you yourself—can count on. And here's the part that's hard to admit: reliability is one of those things that's caught much more than it's taught. We can tell our kids all day long that they need to be on time for school or follow through on their commitments, but if they've spent years watching us be late, change plans, or not consistently be our word, they've learned something from that too. Over the last 20 years of raising kids, our own relationship with things like punctuality, dependability, and following through has changed dramatically—and now we're seeing some of the ripple effects of what we modeled earlier on. So instead of just lecturing our kids about being more responsible, we've been experimenting with something different: natural consequences and clear agreements. For example, some of our kids have access to cars and phones that we help provide. Rather than constantly reminding, nagging, or getting frustrated in the mornings, we've created agreements around things like being at breakfast and leaving the house on time. Their car and phone aren't simply something they automatically get—they "rent" them with their reliability. If they keep the agreement, great. If they don't, there is a clear consequence that everyone already understands. What we've loved about this approach is that it takes a lot of the emotion out of parenting. Instead of hovering over a teenager saying, "It's 7:14! Hurry up!" the agreement gets to do the work. Of course, there's another uncomfortable lesson in that for us too: if we're asking our kids to be their word, we have to be ours. When a consequence is inconvenient for us or we feel bad enforcing it, we still have to follow through. Otherwise, we're undermining the exact principle we're trying to teach. This isn't really an episode about punctuality. It's about identity. We want our kids to leave home believing, I'm reliable. I'm dependable. I do what I say I'm going to do. Because we've seen over and over—in relationships, work, leadership, and life—that reliability can become one of the greatest differentiators a person has. Talent matters. Ability matters. But if people can't count on you, eventually it costs you. Hit play to hear the full conversation! We're sharing where we think we fell short, what we're trying now, and why becoming more reliable isn't just about getting somewhere on time—it's about creating a life that works. P.S. We're here to help you build your own Family Brand, one episode at a time. So go ahead, hit play, and let's grow together! Or, if you're ready to dive even deeper into our community, follow the links below. LINKS: All Links: Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.    Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 The Parenting Gap We're Trying to Fix 01:00 Why Reliability Matters So Much 02:00 Are We Running Out of Time to Teach Our Kids? 03:00 Kids Learn More From What We Model 04:00 Reliability Is Bigger Than Being On Time 05:00 The Consequences of Being Chronically Late 06:00 What We Wish We Had Modeled Differently 07:00 When Parents Send Mixed Messages 08:00 Teaching Reliability Without Constant Nagging 09:00 Using Natural Consequences 10:00 "Renting" the Car and Phone With Reliability 11:00 Teaching Kids to Manage Their Time 12:00 What Leadership Has to Do With Being On Time 13:00 Reliability Is a Skill You Can Build 14:00 Natural Consequences for Younger Kids 15:00 Letting the Agreement Do the Heavy Lifting 16:00 Why Parents Have to Follow Through Too 17:00 Reliable Kids Become Reliable Adults 18:00 What Unreliability Costs You in Life and Work 19:00 Creating a Life That Actually Works

Hey, Family Brand community! We're trying something new on the podcast this week—new chairs, a new setup, and a conversation that started with something Chris wasn't actually planning to do. A couple of months ago, Chris got a new phone and, when he was setting everything back up, decided not to reinstall social media. There wasn't some dramatic social media detox or big declaration behind it. He just felt like he shouldn't put it back on his phone. What happened next surprised both of us. Chris started noticing that he felt more present—with me, with our kids, with his team, and even with himself. Then he took the experiment a little further. One Saturday, knowing he'd be spending hours doing tractor work, he intentionally left his headphones behind. No podcast. No music. No inspirational content. Just a few hours alone with his thoughts. And strangely enough, that felt uncomfortable at first. It made us wonder: when did being alone with our own thoughts become something we needed to avoid? That question led us somewhere much bigger. We both love books, podcasts, coaches, mentors, and personal development, and they've absolutely changed our lives. But Chris realized that some of the most profound ideas and breakthroughs he's ever experienced didn't actually come from someone else. They came during the times when he slowed down enough to ponder, pray, ask questions, and listen. Melissa has been experiencing something similar while preparing for an upcoming talk at church. By intentionally creating more quiet instead of immediately filling every empty moment with another audiobook or piece of content, ideas and clarity have started coming naturally. It made us wonder: what if the wisdom and inspiration we're constantly searching for is more available to us than we realize? And in today's world, this conversation feels especially important. We can outsource our thinking to influencers, podcasts, experts, social media, and now even AI. Those tools can be incredibly useful—we use them too—but they can't replace your own intelligence, intuition, faith, or understanding of your unique life. Sometimes asking someone else to tell us what to do is simply easier than doing the uncomfortable work of getting clear about what we actually want. Maybe we don't always need another answer. Maybe we need enough silence to hear the answer that's already trying to get through. So we're leaving you with a challenge this week: choose one time when you'd normally reach for stimulation—driving, working out, doing chores, or sitting down at the end of the day—and don't. Skip the podcast. Leave the music off. Put the phone away. Bring one of those questions that's been sitting in the back of your mind and give yourself enough stillness to actually think about it. Pray, ponder, listen, or simply sit with your thoughts and see what comes up. You might be surprised by what you already know. Hit play to hear the full conversation! P.S. We're here to help you build your own Family Brand, one episode at a time. So go ahead, hit play, and let's grow together! Or, if you're ready to dive even deeper into our community, follow the links below.   LINKS:   All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.    Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 A New Look for the Family Brand Podcast 02:00 The Accidental Social Media Break 03:00 What Happened When Chris Deleted Social Media 04:00 Being More Present Without Social Media 05:00 Learning to Be Alone With Your Thoughts 06:00 Why Silence Can Feel Uncomfortable 07:00 Experimenting With Less Stimulation 08:00 Where Our Biggest Breakthroughs Really Come From 09:00 Are We Already Connected to the Answers? 10:00 Melissa's Experience Creating More Quiet 12:00 Making Space for Inspiration 13:00 Is Wisdom Always Available to Us? 14:00 Why Do We Outsource Our Intuition? 15:00 Trust, Control, and Finding Clarity 16:00 Why Thinking for Yourself Is Harder 17:00 Social Media, Podcasts, and AI 18:00 The Danger of "I Don't Know" and "I Probably Should" 19:00 A Simple Challenge for More Clarity 20:00 Spend One Moment This Week in Silence

How to Build a Beautiful Family After Divorce with Wayde Elliott Hey there, Family Brand OGs and newcomers alike! This week, we're joined by our friend Wayde Elliott, who we had the privilege of meeting this summer while cruising through Croatia with our families. We loved getting to know Wayde and his daughter on that trip, and some of the conversations we had together made us realize he had a perspective we haven't shared enough of here on the Family Brand Podcast: what does it look like to intentionally build a strong family when your family doesn't necessarily look the way you originally imagined it would? Wayde spent 20 years as a dentist before transitioning into real estate, where he now develops and operates self-storage facilities. But at the center of his life is his role as a father of three. Going through a divorce forced Wayde to think deeply about what "family" could look like when it no longer matched the picture he originally set out to build. Throughout that process, his priority was making sure his kids could continue experiencing the best of both their mom and dad, even when that meant setting aside some of his own needs to create greater stability for them. In this episode, we talk about some of the intentional choices he made to preserve his relationship with his ex, communicate openly, and create the best situation possible for everyone involved. Of course, co-parenting doesn't mean you're always going to agree. Wayde shares what he's learned from navigating two households, different approaches to parenting, and those moments when it would be really easy to react out of frustration. One of the ideas we loved was his belief that it isn't always the experience itself that determines how we feel—it's the meaning we give the experience. We also talk about ego, forgiveness, personal core values, and Wayde's commitment to living in what he calls a "beautiful state," where he can respond intentionally instead of simply reacting in the moment. One of our favorite parts of this conversation is Wayde's relationship with his kids and his desire to create real, meaningful connection with each of them—not only together as a family, but one-on-one. During our trip to Croatia, Wayde had a powerful conversation with his daughter that reminded him that being a great dad doesn't always mean solving the problem. Sometimes, it means sitting down, being fully present, and listening. Since that conversation, he's been even more intentional about creating individual time with her and making moments together that actually mean something. It's such a good reminder for all of us: the people we love don't always need our solutions. Sometimes they just need our presence. Hit play to hear the full conversation with Wayde! We talk about divorce, co-parenting, fatherhood, mindset, personal growth, core values, and what it can look like to continue building a beautiful family even when life doesn't go according to the original plan. P.S. We're here to help you build your own Family Brand, one episode at a time. So go ahead, hit play, and let's grow together! Or, if you are ready to dive into our community, follow the links below! About Wayde Elliott Wayde spent 20 years as a dentist before transitioning into real estate, where he now develops and operates self-storage facilities. He's a father of three, and what matters most to him is having a real, meaningful connection with each of his kids, both together as a family and one-on-one. He's intentional about creating experiences with them, not just spending time together, but making moments that actually mean something. Going through a divorce forced him to think hard about what "family" actually means when it's not the picture he originally set out to build. Through it all, his priority was ensuring his kids received the best of both their mom and dad, during the process and afterward, even if it meant setting aside his own needs to keep things steady for them. One thing he's tried to instill in all three of his kids is the importance of mindset: he's always told them, "What you think about, you bring about." Watching that idea start to click for each of them, in their own way, has been one of the most rewarding parts of being their dad. LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.  Links For This Episode: https://www.instagram.com/waydeelliottdmd?igsh=MTc0emRjMDBxcG1mZA%3D%3D https://www.linkedin.com/in/waydeelliottdmd Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 Meet Wayde Elliott 01:00 Why Wayde Chose the Family Trip to Croatia 02:00 Losing His Career While Going Through Divorce 03:00 From Dentistry to a Completely New Career 04:18 Choosing an Intentional Divorce 05:00 Asking, "What Does Success Look Like?" 07:00 Creating a Win-Win for the Entire Family 08:00 Preserving a Relationship With Your Ex 09:00 Why Communication Matters in Co-Parenting 10:00 Parenting Differently in Two Households 12:00 The Meaning You Give an Experience 13:00 Love and Forgiveness Over Criticism 14:00 Deciding What Your Family Will Look Like 15:00 Interested vs. Committed 17:00 Why Ego Can Destroy Relationships 18:00 Responding Instead of Reacting 19:00 Living in a "Beautiful State" 20:00 Wayde's Personal Core Values 22:00 The Conversation With His Daughter That Changed Him 24:00 Your Kids Don't Always Need You to Fix It 26:00 Staying Present With Your Kids After Divorce 28:00 Wayde's Advice for Parents Going Through Divorce 30:00 Choosing the Meaning You Give Hard Experiences

Hey, Family Brand community! Have you ever had an idea that just wouldn't leave you alone? Maybe it was starting a business, improving your health, strengthening your marriage, or trying something completely outside your comfort zone. The question isn't whether you've had those moments—we all have. The real question is: what separates the ideas we simply think about from the ones that actually change our lives? That's exactly what we're exploring in this episode. One of our favorite stories in this conversation comes from Melissa's unexpected "side quest" of starting a vintage business with her sister called Yarn Chasers. It wasn't something they had years of experience doing or a perfectly mapped-out business plan for. They simply decided they were going to do it, rented a booth at a huge market, spent months preparing, and went all in. Whether it lasted forever wasn't the point. The point was that they stopped wondering and started moving. That single decision created opportunities, memories, confidence, and lessons they still carry with them today. Throughout this episode, we talk about something we've both seen play out over and over in our own lives: there's a huge difference between making a decision and truly deciding. It's easy to say, "Someday I'd like to..." It's much harder—and much more powerful—to commit, take action, and move forward before you have every answer. We've found that once you begin moving, opportunities appear, people show up, and clarity often comes through action rather than before it. You don't have to be certain—you simply have to be willing to take the next step. One of our biggest hopes is that this conversation encourages you to look back at your own life. Think about the moments that changed everything. Chances are they began with a simple but powerful commitment: "I'm doing this." Whatever season you're in, maybe this is your reminder to stop waiting for perfect certainty. Choose a direction. Commit to it. Trust that you'll learn along the way, even if the path eventually changes. Sometimes the greatest growth doesn't come from making the perfect decision—it comes from becoming the kind of person who isn't afraid to decide. Hit play to hear the full conversation! We dive into the stories, the mindset shifts, and the powerful quote that inspired this entire discussion—and why we believe commitment often creates the conditions for miracles. P.S. We're here to help you build your own Family Brand, one episode at a time. So go ahead, hit play, and let's grow together! Or, if you're ready to dive even deeper into our community, follow the links below.   LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.  Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 Chris Surprises Melissa With a Question 01:31 Melissa's Yarn Chasers Story 03:37 What Happens When You Go All In 05:45 The Power of Truly Deciding 08:00 Possibility 2.0 and Radical Commitment 10:05 A Quote That Changed Everything 11:38 From Wishing to Doing 13:00 The Difference Between a Decision and Deciding 14:17 Why Commitment Attracts Opportunity 16:00 The Kitchen Table Analogy 17:26 The Hidden Cost of Indecision 18:40 Looking Back at Life-Changing Decisions 20:32 Expect Miracles 22:00 What If You Choose the Wrong Path? 24:08 Why Deciding Is Never Wasted 25:18 Be a Person Who Commits

Hey, Family Brand community! Have you ever had one of those moments where nothing is necessarily wrong... but something just feels off? That's exactly where we found ourselves not too long ago. On the surface, life was full of good things—work, activities, commitments, opportunities—but somehow we looked around and realized we didn't actually have much time left to simply be a family. That realization eventually led us to create one of our favorite Family Brand exercises: Take Back Your Family's Time. The truth is, your calendar will always fill itself if you let it. We learned that the hard way. We had said yes to so many good opportunities that there wasn't much room left for the best things—the conversations around the dinner table, family traditions, slow evenings together, or simply doing the things we genuinely love as a family. Sometimes the problem isn't that we're filling our lives with bad things. It's that we're filling them with so many good things that there's no space left for what matters most. One of the first things we did was ask a simple question: "Our family works when..." We started making a list of the moments when we feel the most connected. Maybe it's eating meals together, camping, turning off devices in the evenings, going to church, reading together, or having a nightly family check-in. Every family will have different answers, but identifying those rhythms gave us clarity about what we wanted to protect. From there, we took an honest look at where our time was actually going. It wasn't always easy, but it gave us permission to say "no" to some things so we could say a much bigger "yes" to our family. As another busy season approaches, this is the perfect time to pause and do your own family time audit. Involve your kids in the conversation—they often have incredible insight into what makes them feel most connected. You might be surprised by what they remember and what they value. The goal isn't to create a perfect schedule. It's to intentionally create a life where your family has room to thrive instead of simply trying to keep up. Hit play to hear the full conversation! In this episode, we walk through the entire Take Back Your Family's Time framework, the questions we ask ourselves every year, and the practical exercise you can use with your own family this week. P.S. We're here to help you build your own Family Brand, one episode at a time. So go ahead, hit play, and let's grow together! Or, if you're ready to dive deeper into our community, follow the links below.   LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.  Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 Why We Needed to Take Back Our Family's Time 01:19 When Good Things Become Too Much 02:11 The Family Exercise We Shared in Croatia 03:14 The Wake-Up Call Our Family Needed 04:13 Identifying What Your Family Loves Most 05:00 Good vs. Better vs. Best 05:46 The Story That Changed Our Perspective 06:46 Why Every Family Needs a Time Audit 07:46 Rediscovering Family Traditions 08:27 Preparing for a Busy Season 09:00 "Our Family Works When..." 10:00 A Family Tradition That Inspired Us 11:06 Give Yourself Permission to Say No 11:47 Involve Your Kids in the Conversation 00:00 Why We Needed to Take Back Our Family's Time 01:19 When Good Things Become Too Much 02:11 The Family Exercise We Shared in Croatia 03:14 The Wake-Up Call Our Family Needed 04:13 Identifying What Your Family Loves Most 05:00 Good vs. Better vs. Best 05:46 The Story That Changed Our Perspective 06:46 Why Every Family Needs a Time Audit 07:46 Rediscovering Family Traditions 08:27 Preparing for a Busy Season 09:00 "Our Family Works When..." 10:00 A Family Tradition That Inspired Us 11:06 Give Yourself Permission to Say No 11:47 Involve Your Kids in the Conversation

Hey, Family Brand community! We are so glad to be back in the studio. It probably doesn't feel like we've been gone since we recorded a few episodes ahead of time, but after spending the last few weeks traveling through Croatia and Turkey, we're excited to sit down and share some of the biggest lessons we brought home with us. Every trip has a way of changing us, and this one was no exception. Our first stop was Croatia, where we hosted another Family Brand cruise with our good friend Antony and the Solomori team. If Croatia has been sitting on your travel bucket list, consider this your sign to move it to the top. It's absolutely beautiful, but what impacted us most wasn't just the scenery—it was the culture. Everywhere we went, we saw families making time for one another, preserving traditions, sharing stories, and simply slowing down. Meals weren't rushed. Conversations stretched for hours. We even learned a Croatian word that quickly became the theme of our trip: pomalo—which simply means take it easy, slow down, don't rush. It became a reminder that maybe we're not meant to race through life quite as fast as we often do. Then we landed in Turkey, and talk about a complete shift. Everything felt unfamiliar—in the best possible way. From hearing the call to prayer echo across Istanbul to visiting beautiful mosques, trying a traditional Turkish bath, navigating a language barrier, and experiencing a culture completely different from our own, we found ourselves having conversations as a family that we never would have had otherwise. It challenged some assumptions, expanded our understanding of another faith and culture, and reminded us how valuable it is to step outside what's comfortable. We left with an even greater appreciation for the kindness we experienced everywhere we went and for how much there is to learn simply by being curious. By the time we made it home, each of us had something different we were bringing back. For some of us, it was a renewed commitment to slow down and prioritize family. For others, it was a deeper appreciation for home, or even a desire to start reading physical books again instead of always listening to audiobooks. More than anything, this trip reminded us that growth doesn't just happen through travel—it happens anytime we're willing to be open to new people, different perspectives, and meaningful conversations. Whether your next adventure is across the world or simply across town, we hope it stretches you in all the best ways. Hit play to hear the full conversation! We dive much deeper into the stories, the laughs, the culture, and the lessons that simply can't all fit into a blog post. P.S. We're here to help you build your own Family Brand, one episode at a time. So go ahead, hit play, and let's grow together! Or, if you're ready to dive even deeper into our community, follow the links below. LINKS: All Links Family Brand! stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.  Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 Back in the Studio After Three Weeks Away 00:41 Our Family Trip Through Croatia and Turkey 01:03 The Family Brand Cruise Through Croatia 02:18 Why Croatia Should Move Up Your Travel List 03:05 From Croatia's Coast to Istanbul, Turkey 04:13 A Croatian Village Where Everyone Knows Your Family 06:06 Preserving Family Stories and Traditions 07:15 What Strong Families and Croatian Culture Have in Common 09:28 Pomalo: Slow Down, Relax, and Don't Rush 10:33 Experiencing Istanbul and Turkish Culture 11:26 What Turkey Taught Us About Faith and Perspective 12:30 Stepping Outside Our Comfort Zone as a Family 13:12 Helping Our Kids Experience a Different Way of Life 15:00 What Each of Us Brought Home From the Trip 15:27 Travel, Curiosity, and Learning From Other People 16:21 Slowing Down and Prioritizing Family 17:05 Rediscovering the Joy of Reading 18:13 Here's to the Rest of Summer

Welcome back to the podcast! Today is a fun one because we're recording from an Airbnb in Istanbul with a very special guest—our son, Tate. After spending a week with incredible families on our Family Brand retreat in Croatia, we decided to extend our trip and let our kids help choose the next adventure. Somehow, that led us here to Turkey, which also felt like the perfect place to have a conversation we've wanted to record for a long time: homeschooling, education, and what it looks like to create a learning path that's unique to your child. Over the last few years, we've had so many parents ask us about homeschooling. Not because they know they want to do it, but because they're wondering if there's another option besides the traditional path. We certainly didn't have it all figured out when we started. In fact, Tate's educational journey has included charter school, public school, homeschooling, a microschool, community college, and plenty of learning that happened outside of a classroom. Looking back, one of the biggest lessons we've learned is that education doesn't have to look the same for every child. Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop asking, "What's normal?" and start asking, "What's right for this child?" One thing I appreciated hearing from Tate was how honest he was about the experience. It wasn't perfect. There were semesters that went really well and one that went really, really poorly. There were moments where we had to adjust, fill in gaps, and learn alongside him as parents. But that's part of the process. I think so many parents are afraid they'll make the wrong decision and somehow ruin their child's future. This conversation reminded me that kids are incredibly resilient. If there's a gap, it can be filled. If something isn't working, it can be changed. Education doesn't have to be perfect—it just has to keep moving forward. One of the unexpected gifts of taking a less traditional path was the freedom it created. Tate was able to travel with us, take college classes while still in high school, play sports, explore hobbies like cooking, filmmaking, guitar, and even bird watching, and graduate with an associate's degree before most students graduate high school. More importantly, he developed perspective by experiencing different cultures, meeting entrepreneurs, and seeing that learning happens everywhere—not just inside four classroom walls. Those experiences have shaped who he is every bit as much as his academics. At the end of the day, this episode isn't really about homeschooling. It's about giving yourself permission to ask better questions. What kind of education will help your child thrive? What environment helps them become curious, confident, and capable? There may not be one perfect answer, and that's okay. Our hope is simply that this conversation reminds you that you have more options than you may realize, and that the best educational path is often the one that's intentionally designed for your family—not the one everyone else expects you to choose.   LINKS:   All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.  Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Recording from Istanbul + introducing Tate 03:45 – Why we wanted to have this homeschooling conversation 05:00 – Tate's unconventional education journey (K–12) 08:00 – Graduating college before high school 09:00 – Will homeschooling ruin your kids? 10:30 – Tate's biggest academic failure—and what it taught us 12:00 – Why kids are more resilient than parents think 13:30 – The courage to choose an unconventional path 15:00 – The unexpected benefits of homeschooling 16:30 – Why travel became part of Tate's education 18:00 – There are more educational options than ever before 19:00 – Tate shares his biggest regrets and lessons learned 21:00 – Chris and Melissa reflect on parenting through uncertainty 23:00 – Advice for parents considering homeschooling 24:00 – The goal isn't homeschooling—it's finding what works for your child

Welcome back to the podcast. Today's episode is a little different because we're sharing some really exciting—and honestly, emotional—news. If you've been with us for a while, you probably know that Family Brand has been a huge part of our lives for the last seven years. It's been a dream, a calling, a business, and in many ways, something we've grown right alongside our own family. So today, we're sharing that Family Brand has officially been acquired by Libertas. Before we go any further, though, I want you to know this: we're not going anywhere. Chris and I are still very much part of Family Brand, and we're more excited than ever about what comes next. As we've reflected on this journey, I keep coming back to where it all started. Years ago, I found myself at a crossroads, wondering whether I should return to nursing or pursue this little idea that just wouldn't leave me alone. I couldn't fully explain it, but I felt this persistent impression that I was supposed to help build stronger families. I had no idea what that would look like. I didn't know how to start a podcast, build programs, or run a business. I just knew I needed to take the next step. Looking back now, it's incredible to see what can happen when you simply say "yes" to something that feels bigger than yourself. When the opportunity came to partner with Connor Boyack and the team at Libertas, I honestly wrestled with it. Family Brand has felt like one of our children. We've poured our hearts into it, celebrated victories, worked through setbacks, and watched it slowly grow. One day while I was journaling, an analogy came to me that brought so much peace. It felt like giving a child up for adoption—not because she wasn't loved, but because she could have opportunities we simply couldn't provide on our own. And the beautiful part was realizing we weren't saying goodbye. We would still get to watch her grow, cheer her on, and continue being part of the story. That perspective changed everything for me. What makes this transition feel so right is the alignment. From our very first conversations with Connor, it became clear that we shared the same heart: helping families become stronger. We weren't looking to sell Family Brand, but we were looking for ways to reach more people. Seeing Family Brand become part of an organization that already serves families in so many incredible ways feels less like an ending and more like an expansion of the original mission. And already, we're watching ideas we've dreamed about for years begin to take shape with resources and a team that can bring them to life. If there's one thing I hope you take away from this episode, it's this: don't let not knowing how stop you from saying yes to what you're being called to do. So often we think we need the whole roadmap before we begin, but that's almost never how it works. You take the first step, and then the next one appears. Family Brand exists today because we were willing to start before we felt ready. And now, this next chapter exists because we were willing to trust that sometimes the greatest act of stewardship is letting something you've built become even bigger than you imagined. We truly can't wait to see where this journey goes next—and we're so grateful you've been on it with us from the very beginning.   LINKS: stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.  Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – A big Family Brand announcement 01:45 – How an introduction to Connor Boyack started everything 03:20 – Discovering the alignment between Family Brand and Libertas 05:00 – Chris's bold phone call: "Family Brand should be part of Libertas" 06:45 – Why this opportunity felt different from the beginning 08:00 – Melissa shares the emotions behind the decision 10:30 – The journal entry that changed everything 11:00 – "It felt like giving my baby up for adoption" 13:30 – Why Family Brand found the right home 15:00 – Watching dreams become reality with a bigger team 16:00 – Looking back on seven years of saying "yes" 17:15 – The lesson: answer the call, even when you don't know how 18:45 – Chris and Melissa reflect on building Family Brand together 19:30 – Family Brand 2.0: what's next and a thank you to the community

Welcome back to the podcast. With Father's Day here, I wanted to have a conversation that would cause all of us to pause and think a little differently about one of the most important relationships in our lives: the relationship we have with our dads. Today's guest is Mick Naples, author of Walking with Grizzlies, a book he wrote after losing his father and realizing there were lessons, conversations, and moments he wished he hadn't taken for granted. What I loved about this conversation is that it isn't really about fatherhood—it's about being a son or daughter and asking what responsibility we have in nurturing those relationships while we still can. One of the things that stood out to me most was Mick's honesty. He openly shares that while he loved his dad, he didn't always appreciate him. In fact, many of the things he now treasures were the very things he overlooked when his dad was alive. As he reflected on his father's life after his passing, he began to see qualities, sacrifices, and acts of love that had always been there but that he simply hadn't fully recognized. It made me think about how often we focus on our parents' shortcomings while missing the gifts they've given us. And while none of our parents are perfect, that doesn't mean they aren't worthy of honor, gratitude, and intentional connection. We also talked about something that we discuss often in Family Brand: relationships don't grow by default. They grow by design. As children become adults, the automatic proximity that once existed starts to disappear. We move away, build our own families, get busy with work, and suddenly years can pass without truly investing in the relationship. Mick challenged me to think differently about that. Instead of asking what our parents could be doing differently, what if we asked what role we have in strengthening those relationships? What conversations have we been putting off? What questions haven't we asked? What stories haven't we taken the time to hear? Another part of the conversation that really stayed with me was the idea that many of the things our parents did that frustrated us as children can look very different through the lens of adulthood. As we become parents ourselves, we start to understand the weight of responsibility, the difficult decisions, and the imperfect ways people try to show love. It doesn't excuse every mistake, but it often creates empathy. And sometimes empathy opens the door to healing, understanding, and deeper connection. More than anything, this episode felt like an invitation. An invitation to be intentional. To make the call. Ask the question. Write the letter. Schedule the visit. Have the conversation you've been meaning to have. Because one of the hardest lessons Mick learned is that sometimes "later" never comes. And if there's one takeaway I hope you carry from this episode, it's this: don't wait until a relationship becomes a memory to start appreciating it. LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.   Links For This Episode: walkingwithgrizzlies.com. Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Introducing Mick Naples and Walking with Grizzlies 02:30 – Why Mick wrote the book after losing his father 04:00 – "If you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly" 05:00 – The kind of father Mick's dad was 07:00 – Losing his dad and the regrets that followed 09:00 – Honoring parents despite their imperfections 11:00 – Why adult children share responsibility in the relationship 14:00 – Building parent relationships by design, not default 15:30 – Seeing the value in your dad 18:00 – When hard parenting is actually an expression of love 20:00 – Why proximity creates connection 22:00 – How becoming a parent changes your perspective 24:00 – Idolize, demonize, then humanize your parents 26:00 – The example we're setting for our own children 28:00 – The regret of "I'll talk to him later" 30:00 – Conversations worth having before it's too late 33:00 – Faith, legacy, and the condition of the soul 36:00 – Mick's challenge for every son and daughter 37:00 – The Walking with Grizzlies resolution 39:00 – Final Father's Day reflections

Welcome back to the podcast! Today's episode started with something that might seem small but actually sparked a much bigger conversation. Melissa recently hit a milestone that she's incredibly proud of—51 consecutive weeks of completing at least one workout every single week. Almost an entire year of consistency. And while the achievement itself is worth celebrating, what really got us talking was what it reveals about how meaningful change actually happens in our lives. For years, Melissa has worked out on and off, but this season has felt different. Part of that comes from seeing the results of consistent effort—not just physically, but in everyday life. Feeling stronger. Having more energy. Being able to play volleyball, jump, run, and keep up with our kids. It's not really about a workout app or even fitness itself. It's about seeing firsthand what happens when you commit to something and keep showing up, especially on the days when you don't feel like it. That led us into a conversation about a phrase we hear all the time: "must be nice." You know the one. Someone shares a vacation, a business success, a healthy relationship, a fitness goal, or an accomplishment, and the immediate reaction is, "Well, that must be nice." The problem is that phrase usually shuts down curiosity. It assumes the result simply happened to someone instead of asking what sacrifices, discipline, consistency, or effort may have gone into creating it. And if we're not careful, it can keep us stuck focusing on what we don't have instead of learning from people who have created something we admire. One of the ideas we explored is that every achievement leaves clues. Instead of asking, "Why do they have that and I don't?" a more useful question might be, "What did they do to create that?" Whether it's health, finances, relationships, faith, or personal growth, the formula is surprisingly similar. Get clear on what you want, commit to it, and stay consistent long enough to see results. It sounds simple, but most of the things we admire in others are often built quietly through daily actions that nobody sees. At the end of the day, this episode is really about personal responsibility and possibility. We all have moments where comparison creeps in or where it feels easier to become frustrated by someone else's success. But what if instead of being threatened by it, we allowed ourselves to be inspired by it? What if someone else's consistency became proof of what's possible rather than evidence of what's unfair? Because the truth is, you're capable of far more than you probably give yourself credit for. And the life you want is usually built the same way Melissa built 51 weeks of workouts—one choice, one day, and one act of consistency at a time. LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.    Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Melissa's big accomplishment: 51 weeks of consistency 02:00 – Why the Sweat app has worked so well 03:30 – The power of tracking progress 04:30 – Why consistency is the great divider 05:30 – Be a lighthouse, not a tugboat 06:30 – How identity is built through repetition 07:00 – Staying active after 40 08:00 – Pickleball with Tanner and the "special rules" 09:00 – The dangerous phrase: "must be nice" 10:30 – What successful people actually do differently 12:00 – Turning jealousy into inspiration 13:00 – The formula for growth in every area of life 14:00 – Who's responsible for how content is received? 15:00 – 100/100 responsibility explained 16:00 – Victim mentality vs. personal ownership 17:00 – Creating change instead of complaining 18:00 – Final encouragement: you're more capable than you think

Welcome back to the podcast! With summer officially here, we've found ourselves having a lot of conversations about something that many parents seem to be wrestling with right now: how do you raise hardworking, capable, confident kids without accidentally raising entitled ones? We're not coming to this conversation as experts who have it all figured out. In fact, we're right in the middle of it ourselves. As our kids get older, we're constantly asking questions about responsibility, work, money, freedom, and what it looks like to prepare them for adulthood. One thing we've noticed is that almost every parent we talk to is carrying some version of the same concern. Are we teaching our kids enough? Have we given them too much? Are they ready for the real world? Recently we found ourselves in conversations with other parents who were expressing many of the exact same fears. And honestly, it was reassuring. It reminded us that most parents care deeply about raising great kids and are doing the best they can while trying to navigate challenges that previous generations didn't necessarily face in the same way. A big part of this discussion comes back to the relationship between responsibility and opportunity. We've been thinking a lot about what we pay for, what our kids pay for, and how to create clear expectations around things like cars, phones, spending money, and privileges. Not because we want to make life harder for our kids, but because we've seen how powerful it is when people earn something for themselves. There's a confidence that comes from contributing, working, sacrificing, and learning that freedom is often connected to responsibility. The goal isn't to create struggle for the sake of struggle. It's to help our kids discover that they're capable of doing hard things and creating opportunities for themselves. Another idea we've been discussing is the difference between entitlement and empowerment. We recently came across a perspective that challenged us to think differently about how families support the next generation. It raised questions about family businesses, shared resources, multigenerational living, and what intentional support could look like as children become adults. We don't have all the answers, but we do think it's worth asking the question: what kind of future are we intentionally designing for our family instead of simply drifting into? At the end of the day, this episode isn't really about summer jobs, cell phones, curfews, or snacks. It's about intentionality. It's about deciding what values matter most to your family and then creating systems that reinforce those values. Whether your kids are five, fifteen, or twenty-five, one of the greatest gifts we can give them is the opportunity to become capable, confident, and responsible adults. And sometimes that starts by asking a simple question: are we creating conditions that help them rise—or conditions that make growth optional?   LINKS:   All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.    Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Summer is here: parenting conversations we're having 02:00 – Are we accidentally raising entitled kids? 03:30 – The parenting dilemma: provide more or require more? 05:00 – Why parents worry as kids become teenagers 06:00 – Encouraging feedback from other adults about our kids 07:30 – Revisiting expectations around money and responsibility 09:00 – Why every family needs a clear philosophy 10:00 – When expectations are low, performance follows 11:00 – A story about earning phones, cars, and spending money 13:00 – Necessity creates action and confidence 14:00 – The hidden cost of over-providing 15:30 – A different perspective on supporting adult children 18:00 – Designing your family's future intentionally 20:00 – Family businesses, family compounds, and family vision 21:30 – Freedom and autonomy must be earned 23:00 – Real-life examples: cars, curfews, and cell phones 25:00 – Teaching kids the connection between effort and freedom 26:00 – Final thoughts on raising future leaders and capable adults

Welcome back to the podcast! Today's episode is a little different and honestly really special to me. I'm sitting down with my youngest brother, Taylor, for a conversation I've wanted to have for a long time. I'm the oldest of nine kids, Taylor is the youngest, and after my daughter Indy randomly asked me why Taylor had never been on the podcast, I realized this was finally the perfect time to record it. Recently there's been a lot of conversation online around large families, especially after influencer Hannah Neeleman announced the birth of her ninth child. And watching the reactions was fascinating because people seemed split into a few camps: admiration, criticism, and curiosity. Some people thought it looked beautiful. Others questioned whether it was realistic or healthy. And then there were people who were simply fascinated asking, what is it actually like growing up in a family that big? It made me realize—we actually have a pretty unique perspective on that conversation. One of my favorite parts of this episode was reading a paper I wrote as a teenager when my parents announced they were having their ninth baby… Taylor. And to be honest, my initial reaction wasn't exactly excitement. I remember worrying about the comments people made about our family, feeling overwhelmed by the idea of "one more," and wondering how our family could possibly stretch any further. But then I read the ending of the paper, written after Taylor was born, where I admitted something completely different: that our family felt more complete because of him. Reading it back now was hilarious, emotional, and honestly a reminder of how perspective changes over time. Taylor shares what it was actually like growing up as the youngest of nine, and one thing I loved hearing was that what looked "crazy" from the outside just felt normal to him. He talks about how much he loved always having people around, growing up close to nieces and nephews because of our age gaps, and now becoming genuine friends with our siblings as adults. We also talked about how closeness in families doesn't just happen automatically—it comes from prioritizing each other, staying connected, and intentionally creating time together. More than anything, this episode left me feeling deeply grateful. Grateful for siblings, for cousins, for the relationships that continue long after childhood, and especially for my parents. As we talked, I found myself reflecting on how much they gave to create the life we had. And maybe the biggest takeaway from this conversation is this: family life may not always look efficient or easy from the outside, but the relationships built inside of it can become some of the greatest gifts of your entire life. LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.    Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Introducing Taylor + why this episode happened 02:00 – Melissa and Taylor's 17-year age gap 04:00 – The online debate around large families 06:00 – Melissa reads the paper she wrote about baby #9 09:00 – "He makes our family complete" 10:00 – What it was like being the youngest of nine 12:00 – Did the older siblings resent babysitting? 13:00 – The lasting effects of having a big family 14:00 – Becoming friends with siblings as adults 15:00 – The "ingredients" that create sibling closeness 17:00 – Melissa's sisters trip to Paris 19:00 – Challenges of growing up in a large family 20:00 – How their mom raised nine kids with one arm 22:00 – "Shoutout to moms everywhere" 23:00 – Final reflections on family, siblings, and gratitude

Welcome back to the podcast! Today's conversation is one I've been looking forward to for a long time. I'm sitting down with bestselling author Bruce Feiler to talk about families, transitions, rituals, and the stories that shape us. I first came across Bruce's work years ago through his article The Stories That Bind Us, and it completely changed the way I thought about family culture and the role our stories play in our kids' lives. One of the things Bruce shares in this conversation is that strong families aren't strong because they avoid hardship—they're strong because they know how to navigate it together. He talks about research showing that children who know more about their family history tend to have greater resilience and emotional well-being. Not because they think their family is perfect, but because they understand that every family goes through challenges, setbacks, loss, growth, and reinvention. I loved this reminder that one of the best things we can do for our kids is tell the truth about our stories in age-appropriate ways. Not hiding the hard parts, but helping them see that difficult seasons are part of life—and that people can make it through them. We also spent a lot of time talking about rituals, which is the focus of Bruce's new book, A Time to Gather. Before this conversation, I think I mostly associated rituals with formal traditions or religious ceremonies. But Bruce reframed it in such a practical and meaningful way. He describes rituals as shared acts that help people feel connected and grounded during moments of change. And honestly, the more we talked, the more I realized how much families need this right now. In a world that moves fast and constantly pulls us in different directions, rituals create space to pause, gather, reflect, and reconnect. One of my favorite moments in the episode was when Bruce helped me think through creating a meaningful graduation ritual for my oldest son. As we talked about him preparing to leave home, I found myself emotional realizing that this season really is the end of a chapter for our family. And instead of just letting that moment pass by, Bruce showed how intentional gatherings and small symbolic acts can help families honor transitions in a way that feels memorable and grounding. This conversation reminded me that families don't need to do everything perfectly to create meaningful connection. Sometimes the most powerful things are also the simplest: gathering around a table, telling stories, asking good questions, celebrating milestones, or creating intentional moments during seasons of change. More than anything, this episode feels like an invitation to slow down and create space for togetherness—because those moments are often the ones our families remember most. LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.  Links For This Episode: Bruce's substack is at this link: https://brucefeiler.substack.com/ Most recent post about his upcoming book release and some other exciting announcements: https://brucefeiler.substack.com/p/its-time-to-gather-watch-me-on-cnn A pre-order link for the book: https://greenlightbookstore.com/book/9780593656433   Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Introducing Bruce Feiler and his work 02:00 – Bruce's journey from travel writer to family expert 04:00 – Why Bruce started studying families 06:00 – The modern challenges families face today 07:30 – Why parenting advice feels overwhelming 11:00 – The Stories That Bind Us explained 14:00 – Why family stories build resilient kids 16:00 – The "oscillating family narrative" 18:00 – Why kids need to hear about family struggles 19:00 – The importance of extended family and community 22:00 – Family mission statements and values 24:00 – Bruce shares his family mission statement 26:00 – How family values shape everyday decisions 28:00 – Introducing Bruce's new book: A Time to Gather 30:00 – What rituals actually are (and aren't) 32:00 – Why rituals are disappearing in modern culture 33:30 – The rise of reinvented family rituals 36:00 – How rituals help with loneliness and transition 38:00 – Bruce shares a story about grief and gathering 41:00 – Melissa workshops a graduation ritual for her son 48:00 – Why rituals don't need permission or perfection 50:00 – Bruce's three most important pieces of family advice 52:00 – "Family is not the most important thing—it's the only thing"

Welcome back to the podcast. Today we want to talk about something that we think almost every family can relate to—the pursuit of more. More money, more success, more stability, more opportunities, more experiences. And on the surface, none of those things are bad. But recently, we've both had some conversations and experiences that made us pause and ask a deeper question: what are we really pursuing—and why? For most of our lives, we both felt this constant pull toward "more." And if we're honest, a lot of it came from the belief that the next milestone would finally be the thing that made us feel whole, fulfilled, or enough. Whether it was financial success, recognition, or even just a sense of stability, it felt like if we could just get there, everything would click. But what we've come to realize—and what we've seen in others—is that it often becomes an endless pursuit. You reach one level, and there's always another. And if the pursuit is rooted in comparison or trying to prove something, it can feel surprisingly empty. What's been helpful for us is redefining what "more" actually means. Because more itself isn't the problem. In fact, when you look at the original meaning of the word, it wasn't about accumulation—it was about becoming greater. Growth. Expansion. And that shift has been really powerful. Instead of chasing more things, we've been asking: what would it look like to pursue more purpose, more fulfillment, more impact? And to do that from a place where we already believe we're enough—not from a place of trying to prove it. We've also seen how this shows up in family life. It's not just about what we pursue individually—it's what we create for our kids. It's easy to get caught in the mindset of more activities, more opportunities, more experiences, thinking that's what will create a better life for them. But sometimes it just creates more noise, more pressure, and more overwhelm. And the truth is, with how much access we have today—technology, comparison, constant input—it's easier than ever to fall into that cycle without even realizing it. For us, one of the most grounding questions has been this: what is all of this for? Not in a negative way, but as a way to realign. Are we building something that actually leads to a meaningful life? Are we pursuing more in a way that helps us become better, serve others, and live with purpose? Because at the end of the day, more isn't the enemy—but if we don't define it intentionally, it can quietly take us somewhere we never meant to go. LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.  Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Intro + recent trips and conversations 01:30 – The "endless pursuit of more" 03:00 – Why more doesn't always lead to fulfillment 04:30 – Defining "more" in a meaningful way 06:00 – How life has changed over the last 100 years 07:30 – Why we're overwhelmed with options today 09:00 – The original meaning of "more" (growth vs accumulation) 10:30 – A personal story: rebuilding life and chasing more 12:00 – The shift: from building our kingdom to serving something bigger 13:30 – Asking: what is all of this for? 14:30 – Final takeaway: pursue becoming, not just having