Advertise on podcast: Northbrook Next Gen Podcast

In this episode, Jenny Heckman, Pastor of Care, joins me for an honest and hopeful conversation designed to encourage and equip parents—not burden them.  In this episode, we talk about: • Why parents still know their kids best • Simple, powerful habits that support mental health • The real impact of social media on kids’ brains • When to step in—and when to seek help • How faith, hope, and connection make a difference.

Between sports, school events, church activities, and everything in between—family life is BUSY. But is all this activity helping or hurting us? In this honest and practical episode, Pastor Jon Mahlstedt (NextGen Pastor at Northbrook Church) and Pastor Zack Casper (Associate Pastor at Fulton Church) sit down for a real conversation about the silent killer of busyness. They talk about the toll it’s taking on parents, kids, and faith—and how we can fight back with intentional rhythms that honor God. 💬 Why is busyness so normalized in Christian families? 🙇‍♂️ What does it look like to steward your time for God’s glory? 📅 How can we start reclaiming margin in our homes? 🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation.

Why are so many students walking away from their faith after high school? As a Next Gen Pastor, Pastor Jon has seen the trends, had the conversations, and wrestled with the reality that too many young people disengage from church after graduation. In this episode, he unpacks five key reasons why this is happening—and what we can do about it. Whether you're a parent, pastor, or student, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to rethink how we disciple the next generation. Tune in and let’s talk about it!

Today Pastor Jon interviews our upcoming Equip Parenting Conference speaker, Terra Mattson. Terra is a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, clinical supervisor, executive coach, social entrepreneur, and co-founder of Living Wholehearted and Courageous Girls alongside her husband, Jeff. We are thrilled she will be at Northbrook March 7/8 for our Equip parenting conference, and excited to let our audience get to know Terra a little bit before next month! Here is the link to register for the conference and Pastor Jon's email to be entered into a drawing to win a free ticket to the conference! Conference registration page (scroll to bottom of page) Pastor Jon's email Here is the link to Terra's book and website. Courageous book Terra's website

Welcome to helping students in 2025! We all want to help the young people in our lives, but helping starts with understanding. In this episode Pastor Jon dives into four battles students are facing right now and how parents and loved ones can support them.

Pastor Jon and his wife Shalanna share over 20 of their favorite books for parents and teens in categories like parenting, spirituality, leadership, biographies, politics and more. Everyone is sure to hear at least one book they mention that sparks an interest! Find links to all the books they mention below: The Anxious Generation Books by David and Sissy Your New Playlist Ruthless Elimination of Hurry Do Hard Things Habitudes The Dare Truth Matters Practicing the Way Hidden Potential The Road Back to You Tired of Being Tired Breaking Free from Body Shame Not in it to Win it Jesus and the Powers Thirst A Burning in My Bones Love Does Everybody Always

David Thomas answers some of the questions we didn't get to at the Equip parenting conference. Great wisdom for any parent! Road Back to You Enneagram Book Enneagram Made Easy Driven to Distraction Book Raising Boys and Girls

Northbrook parent mentors John and Jill Peterson share their insights on what parent mentoring is, who would benefit from it, and other helpful parenting advice they've learned over the years! Ben Pugh Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ryt1j8QCaoseRPQHw9eSL Books: https://www.amazon.com/Doing-Life-Your-Adult-Children/dp/0310353777/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1707426179&sr=1-1 https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Girls-Melissa-Trevathan/dp/0310272890/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GC7P6N7GWPAV&keywords=raising+girls+sissy+goff&qid=1707426157&s=books&sprefix=raising+girls+siss%2Cstripbooks%2C122&sr=1-1 https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Things-Art-Nurturing-Boys/dp/1414322275/ref=asc_df_1414322275/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312710253827&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11850429507258787461&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018754&hvtargid=pla-435818556871&psc=1&mcid=14ab79d5013234f1851aacb9691f796f&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=61681020945&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312710253827&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11850429507258787461&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018754&hvtargid=pla-435818556871&gclid=CjwKCAiAlJKuBhAdEiwAnZb7lTK38g8xqe6bwJp-btFv8MMBPkG02kiJGIrM0o3e_IQA4mwMuazAZBoCHEUQAvD_BwE https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Love-Logic-Teaching-Responsibility/dp/1631469061/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TXXUQX3PN6Y&keywords=love+and+logic+parenting+book&qid=1707426206&s=books&sprefix=love+and+log%2Cstripbooks%2C132&sr=1-1

Looking to work on your marriage? Whether you have a healthy marriage and want to keep it that way, your marriage is in crisis, or your marriage is somewhere in between, we're here to help! Join Pastor Jon and Pastor Jenny as they share resources provided by Northbrook for marriages in any state of health, and Jenny shares some simple advice to make your marriage healthier in the coming year. Additional Resources: https://www.gottman.com/couples/ https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Principles-Making-Marriage-Work/dp/0553447718/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3OX8LKG84YYB8&keywords=gottman+books&qid=1704731899&sprefix=gottman+book%2Caps%2C849&sr=8-3 https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Marriage-Facing-Complexities-Commitment/dp/1594631875/ref=sr_1_1?crid=59L2R1IPVYC8&keywords=the+meaning+of+marriage+tim+keller&qid=1704731925&sprefix=the+meaning+of+%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-1 https://www.northbrookchurch.org/

This Christmas season Pastor Jon and his wife Shalanna talk about great gift ideas to help kids birth through college grow in their spiritual development, improve mental health, or gifts that facilitate quality time as a family! Next Gen Survey Gift link list: Parent Cue Gift List Stair Slide Beginner's Bible Adventure Bible Action Bible NIV Teen Study Bible God Speaks in Whispers Book Indescribable for Little Ones Books Indescribable 100 Devotions About God and Science Ready Set Move Devotional Into the Unknown Middle School Devotional Your New Playlist Book Do Hard Things Book Truth Matters Book Ruthless Elimination of Hurry Book How to See God Devotional for High School How to Be Human Book Crazy Fort Glow in the Dark Match Up Memory Snack Game Bounce Game Q's Race to the Top Board Game Talking Points Card Game Fat Brain Box and Balls Game Hot Potato Game

David's Books Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build On for Life Strong and Smart: A Boy's Guide to Building Healthy Emotions

Jenny Heckman is our newest Pastor at Northbrook Church. With a background in Pastoral Care and Counseling she offers knowledge and resources to separated or divorced parents. Book Resource: The Parent's Guide to Birdnesting: A Child-Centered Solution to Co-Parenting During Separation and Divorce

Be sure to share this episode to encourage other parents!

Book #1 Book #2

Click here to listen to our "part 1" episode with Mike Bellanti