Crazy Cool Family

What do today’s teens need most from their parents? According to research involving more than 2,500 young people, the answer isn't better technology rules, stricter discipline, or more information—it's identity, connection, and purpose.
In this powerful conversation, Don Manning sits down with James McLamb, founder of Generation Youth, to discuss the biggest challenges facing today's teenagers and the critical role dads play in helping their children thrive. Drawing from years of research and ministry experience, James shares how teens are asking three fundamental questions: Who am I? Where do I belong? Why am I here?
Together, Don and James explore how fathers can help answer those questions by intentionally investing time in their kids, speaking life into them, and helping them discover their God-given purpose. They discuss why connection must come before correction, how family traditions help build identity, and practical ways parents can create meaningful conversations with their teens—even in today's busy world.
Whether you're raising elementary-aged children or navigating the teenage years, this episode offers practical encouragement and biblical wisdom for helping your kids develop a strong sense of identity in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
Why identity is the foundation of a teen's confidence and faith.
The three biggest struggles facing young people today.
How dads can move from correcting to coaching.
Practical ways to build connection through everyday moments.
Why purpose gives teens motivation and direction.
If you've ever wondered how to better connect with your child and help them become who God created them to be, this conversation will equip and encourage you.
Listen now and discover how intentional connection today can shape your child's future for years to come.
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Check out James McLamb

Am I Doing This Right?? 
In this heartfelt episode, Suzanne sits down with her oldest daughter, Mollie, to wrap up the “Letters to Moms” series with an honest conversation about motherhood, grace, family culture, and the everyday moments that shape our kids.
Together, they talk about the tension every mom feels—the desire to raise kids well while often wondering if you’re doing enough. Mollie shares openly about the mental gymnastics of parenting young kids: figuring out consequences, responding with wisdom in the moment, and constantly seeking God’s help as new situations arise.
One of the most powerful themes throughout the episode is that parenting happens little by little. Through repeated conversations, consistent values, and small intentional moments, kids slowly begin to absorb the culture of the home. Mollie shares a story about her son explaining to someone else why he does summer schoolwork—not because he has to, but because “it’s good for me” and because “mom and dad asked me to.” That moment reminded her that even when it feels like kids aren’t listening, the seeds are taking root.
The conversation also touches on anger, grief, infertility, homeschooling, sibling relationships, prayer, and the importance of hearing God’s voice correctly—not through shame or condemnation, but through love and conviction.
This episode is a deep encouragement for moms in every season: you do not have to do motherhood perfectly. You simply have to keep showing up, inviting God into the process, and trusting that the small things matter more than you know.
Want more encouragement like this? Our “To the Mom Who…” Deep Dive is a powerful resource filled with letters, wisdom, and practical guidance for moms in every season. Don’t miss it—grab your copy today and be reminded that you’re not alone in this journey. 
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Homeschooling isn’t just an educational choice—it’s often a deeply personal calling. In this honest and encouraging conversation, Suzanne sits down with her daughter Madeline to talk about the real-life joys, challenges, and purpose behind homeschooling in today’s world. 
From managing toddlers while teaching reading to navigating self-doubt, Madeline shares what it actually looks like to homeschool in a busy, full house. Together, they unpack the beauty of flexibility, the power of connection, and the eternal impact of investing daily time into your children—not just academically, but spiritually and relationally. 
Suzanne brings wisdom from years of experience raising seven children through a variety of schooling choices, reminding moms that homeschooling doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. Whether it’s tailoring education to each child, embracing slower rhythms, or simply surviving a hard day, this episode is full of grace and practical encouragement. 
If you’ve ever wondered if you’re doing enough—or questioned if homeschooling is worth it—this conversation will remind you that your “yes” matters more than you think. 
Want more encouragement like this? Our “To the Mom Who…” Deep Dive is a powerful resource filled with letters, wisdom, and practical guidance for moms in every season. Don’t miss it—grab your copy today and be reminded that you’re not alone in this journey. 
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Dear Angry Mom, 
Anger in motherhood isn’t something we like to admit—but it’s something so many moms quietly carry. 
In this honest and deeply relatable episode, Suzanne sits down with her daughter Macy to talk about the reality of being an “angry mom.” From toddler tantrums to constant overstimulation, Macy vulnerably shares how this season of parenting has brought out levels of frustration and anger she never expected—and how discouraging that can feel. 
Suzanne meets her with empathy and experience, sharing her own journey of battling anger during the early years of motherhood. Together, they unpack a powerful truth: anger isn’t the problem—it’s a signal. A red flag pointing to deeper needs, unmet expectations, exhaustion, or a lack of support. 
Through personal stories, biblical encouragement, and practical tools, they offer hope that change is possible. From identifying triggers to asking for forgiveness, from caring for your own needs to inviting the Holy Spirit into the moment—this episode reminds moms that they are not stuck and they are not alone. 
Most importantly, they remind you: you don’t have to be a perfect mom—you just have to be a growing one. 
If this conversation hits close to home, don’t stop here. The To The Mom Who… Deep Dive is filled with letters, practical strategies, biblical truth, and encouragement for moms in every season—including the mom who feels angry. 
Grab your copy of the "To The Mom Who…" Deep Dive and start taking real steps toward peace, patience, and a healthier home today. 
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Motherhood is beautiful—but let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming, exhausting, and, at times, like you’re barely staying afloat. In this heartfelt episode, Suzanne and her daughter McKenzie sit down to talk directly to moms in every season—from the joyful to the struggling, from the confident to the completely worn out. 
Together, they introduce a powerful new resource: letters to moms—written from decades of experience, deep compassion, and a desire to remind you that you are not alone. Whether you feel angry, unseen, bored, fulfilled, or like you’re drowning under the weight of it all, this conversation meets you right where you are. 
One of the most powerful reminders from this episode? When you feel like you’re sinking, it’s not a sign you’re failing—it’s an invitation to reach for Jesus. Just like Peter walking on water, we can cry out, “Lord, save me,” and trust that He will meet us with grace, strength, and peace. 
You’ll walk away encouraged, seen, and equipped with simple, practical ways to “win the day”—even in the chaos. 
If this episode resonates with you, don’t stop here. The To The Mom Who… Deep Dive is filled with personal letters, biblical truth, practical encouragement, and reminders you can return to again and again. 
Grab your copy of the To The Mom Who… Deep Dive and let us walk alongside you in this season of motherhood. 
Podcast Resources:
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In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Madeline Jones sits down with her friend Lauren to talk about one of the most important roles of a parent: teaching your kids how to spend time with Jesus. 
Drawing from their personal experiences growing up in faith-filled homes—and now raising young children themselves—Madeline and Lauren unpack what it looks like to move beyond religion and into a genuine relationship with God. 
Rooted in John 15, this conversation centers on the truth that apart from Jesus, we can do nothing—and that includes parenting. 
You’ll hear: 
Why a daily relationship with Jesus is the greatest gift you can give your kids  
How consistency—not perfection—builds lifelong faith  
Practical tools like worship, Word, and prayer for all ages  
Creative ways to disciple kids who can’t read yet  
How to model authentic faith in everyday family life  
From quiet time baskets and Bible story routines to real-life strategies for busy parents, this episode is packed with encouragement and simple, actionable ideas. 
The heart behind it all: 
When kids learn to meet with Jesus daily, they gain a foundation strong enough to carry them through anything. 
Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow deeper as a family, this episode will equip you to raise kids who don’t just know about God—but truly walk with Him. 
Podcast Resources:
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Hot Take - Burned out parents don’t build spiritually thriving families.
In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, Don and Suzanne talk about how parents can learn to lead from overflow instead of exhaustion. They share honestly about what their own relationship with God looked like in different seasons of marriage and parenting — from babies and busyness to work stress, spiritual dry seasons, and building rhythms that last. 
This episode is a practical and encouraging conversation for parents who want to stay connected to God, but feel like they don’t have enough time, energy, or margin. 
In this episode, families will hear: 
why parents need overflow to lead well  
how to pursue Jesus in busy parenting seasons  
practical ways to spend time with God when life feels full  
what to do in spiritual dry seasons  
how worship, Scripture, prayer, and simple habits can help parents stay spiritually filled  
Don and Suzanne also share personal stories, spiritual practices that have stood the test of time, and encouragement for overwhelmed parents who want to raise kids who love Jesus. 
If parenting has felt draining lately, this episode is a reminder that God wants to fill parents up first — so they can lead their families from a place of hope, peace, and overflow. 
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Listen to this before your next Credit Card Statement...
In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family podcast, Don and Suzanne tackle one of the most tension-filled topics in marriage: money. 
After 35 years of marriage, they openly share how finances were one of the biggest sources of misunderstanding and conflict in their relationship — not because of bad intentions, but because they came into marriage with completely different money mindsets. 
Don, a CPA with a master’s in tax accounting, approached finances with structure, planning, and spreadsheets. Suzanne, a self-described free spirit, had never balanced a checkbook before marriage and associated financial control with painful childhood memories. What one saw as responsibility, the other experienced as restriction. What one saw as freedom, the other interpreted as carelessness. 
The result? Decades of miscommunication, avoidance, and tension around money. 
In this honest and practical conversation, they unpack: 
How early money misunderstandings created distance in their marriage 
Why systems like strict budgeting and cash envelopes didn’t work for their personalities 
The importance of building a financial system that fits both spouses 
How generosity — especially tithing — changed their posture toward money 
A simple “10-10 rule” concept: 10% giving, 10% saving, live on the rest 
The importance of aligning spending with shared family values 
Why discussing money before it’s spent prevents conflict later 
The danger of credit card debt and the power of tackling it together 
How hiring a financial coach became a turning point in their communication 
They also reflect on how their financial journey shaped their children — and how today their married kids are handling money in healthier, more unified ways because they learned from their parents’ mistakes. 
One of the most powerful takeaways from this episode is this: The enemy will use money to create division if you let it. 
But through communication, generosity, flexibility, and faith, money can shift from a source of contention to a tool for unity and blessing. 
If you are in a season where finances feel tense, tight, or divisive — you are not alone. There is hope. The best is still ahead. 
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Money Deep Dive
MoneySavingMom - podcast from earlier this month and a great resource! 

March is about Money!
Episode 330 is a fun, practical, and faith-filled conversation as Suzanne sits down with Crystal Paine (MoneySavingMom.com) to help families approach money, time, and motherhood with wisdom and peace. 
Crystal—mom of six (from almost 21 to age 3), writer, speaker, podcaster, and CEO of a small team—shares how her family learned to live intentionally and stay out of debt during law school by getting creative with groceries, simplifying, and focusing on what actually works in real life. She breaks down why saving money doesn’t have to mean clipping paper coupons (hello, digital deals!) and introduces a powerful mindset shift: time is money—so any “money-saving” habit should be worth the time it takes. 
You’ll hear practical, step-by-step encouragement for overwhelmed moms, including why menu planning is the best first step (before trying to overhaul a budget), how to set a realistic grocery budget, and how to make slow, steady progress without stress. Crystal also explains why learning money systems can feel like learning a foreign language—and why starting small is the key to long-term success. 
The conversation goes deeper as Crystal shares her parenting journey through a hard season, how God reshaped her heart, and the story of foster care, adoption, and unexpected pregnancies that changed everything. She reminds listeners that the foundation for home management isn’t hustle—it’s starting with prayer, trusting God with the day, and letting Him multiply what we don’t have. 
Crystal leaves families with one central takeaway: Emmanuel—God with us. You don’t have to white-knuckle life alone. God is present, powerful, and faithful in the details. 
Podcast Resources:
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MoneySavingMom

Don't save your marriage for.... later!
In this episode of the Crazy Cool Family Podcast, we sit down with McKenzie (our 4th daughter) to introduce the marriage Deep Dive “Fostering Love in Your Marriage.” She has been married for 4 1/2 years and has two tiny, beautiful daughters. 
Together they unpack why the word fostering matters — nurturing, cultivating, and fighting toward something good — and why so many couples drift into fighting against each other instead of fighting for their relationship. Suz and Kenz talk about how marriage can become a “back burner” once kids arrive, but why it’s worth prioritizing again because children can feel unity and disunity in the home.
The conversation centers on returning to what God says about love and marriage, using Scripture as the anchor rather than relying only on the world’s tools. They also share practical rhythms couples can start using right away, including making time, practicing honesty, doing regular check-ins, and choosing to love with intentionality.
If you are looking for a way to invest in your marriage this month, this is the podcast for you. Listen and share with a friend, today! 
Podcast Resources:
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