Crazy Cool Family

#285: Are Men in America ”Slow Quitting”? (Feat. Chris Harper)

How do we take what God is doing in the world and apply it to family?
Chris Harper joins Don as they unpack the 2024 election and what we are called to do.
"God has given fathers a mantle to be the chief priest of his home. His home is a reflection of the greater Kingdom." - Chris Harper
Here are the main topics they discuss:
People's response to the election through the lens of love
Are American fathers "slow quitting"? How do we stop it?
How men stop deconstruction and start living as God calls them
Don's heart for fathers in 2025
Passing faith onto the next generation comes through family and fathers
Quick practical ways fathers can pass down their faith (this may surprise you!)
Milestones and moments - building culture in both
Pray for 15 minutes a day and see how your home changes
Chris shares how fathers are called higher by God for the sake of their families. He calls every father to reclaim the mantle God has given him to lead. The world wants to steal, kill, and destroy what God has said is true. Don and Chris share how we can tear down the current perspective and fight to build back better. If you are a father who is invested in family - this podcast is for you!
Chris Harper and The Better Man organization empower fathers and families. If you want to connect with him - click the link below.
Podcast Resources:
Chris Harper's Resources
Buy the CCF Book
Join the Daily Email
Handing Down the Faith - Book Chris Harper mentioned

#284: Do you want to have a great relationship with your son or daughter?

Do you want to have a great relationship with your son or daughter?
We know the majority of parents want great relationships with their kids BUT do they actually have one?
Don and Suz are focusing on the Parent to Kid and Kid to Kid relational lines this season. They have raised 7 kids and have learned a lot along the way. They are passionate about teaching parents to have great relationships with their kids.
"There is always hope for a relationship." - Don
Here are the 4 main things they discuss in today's podcast:
How to accept your child like God accepted Jesus. Is this even possible? What does acceptance really look like and how do you make your child believe you accept them?
One powerful tool is connection. Don and Suz give practical ways to connect with every kid at every age. Is it possible to be a fun parent AND disciple them at the same time?
Discipleship is the best way to walk alongside our kids - but how do we actually do this?
Inspiration calls our kids up, not out. Don and Suz explain this in depth and give real-life examples of how they inspired their kids in every season.
Podcast Resources:
Check out Basecamp!
Buy the CCF Book
Join the Daily Email
Join the 5 Day Family Challenge (a great place to start if you are new or need a refresh!)

#283: Season 7 Starts TODAY!

Season 7 of Crazy Cool Family kicks off today, and we’re excited to dive into another year of parenting insights! As we enter 2025, we’re focusing on the word CREATE. God, the Creator, has given us the privilege and authority to shape the culture of our homes. It’s not about grinding—it’s about daily choices of love, investment, and energy.
This year, we want to help you create the family culture you desire. We’ll be coaching you in specific areas of family life, and we invite you to walk with us by:
Engaging with our daily emails
Listening to our podcasts
Accessing new resources (more to come!)
Parenting is a cycle of learning and application, and our goal is to make it easier for you. Here’s what to expect from our podcasts this year:
Parent-to-kid and kid-to-kid relational dynamics
Q&A with Don and Suz (send in your questions!)
Topical episodes on key parenting topics
Special guests and surprises
What changes do you want to see in your family this year? Let’s work together to create and grow in 2025!
Podcast Resources:
Buy the CCF Book
Join the Daily Email
Join the 5 Day Family Challenge (a great place to start if you are new or need a refresh!)

#282: Season Finale!

It's the end of a good thing...
Season 6 is ending and as we are taking time today to reflect on all the episodes the season holds.
Season 6 is all about relationships. If you've been around CCF for awhile, you know about the Family Dashboard and the 5 Types of Relationships. In our 2024 season, we took the 5 Types of Relationships and did podcasts on each relational line.
Here is the breakdown:
Parent to God - 7 Episodes
Marriage - 6 Episodes
Parent to Kid - 11 Episodes
Kid to Kid - 2 Episodes
Kid to God - 2 Episodes
Outliers - 10 Episodes
Summer Series - 6 Episodes
This episode reflects on the entire year and how to build each relational line within your family. If you are looking for a way to strengthen your family relationships - this is the season for you. We highly recommend looking through the full list on our website and picking 1 podcast from each relational line. It's worth the investment and your family will see the breakthrough!
As another year ends, we wanted to encourage you to consider supporting Crazy Cool Family with your End of Year Giving. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit ministry. We are run off one-time and monthly donations from amazing listeners just like you! Your contribution could help a family see relational breakthrough! If you feel a nudge to give to CCF, click the link below or email info@crazycoolfamily.com to get started.
Podcast Resources:
End of Year Giving
Follow us on Instagram
Join the 5 Day Family Challenge
Visit the CCF Store

#281: Tips for the Holiday Craziness!

Are you up to your eyeballs in holiday things?
It's our second to last episode of the season, can you believe it? We want to inspire you and give you tips on how to make this holiday season AMAZING!
Things we don’t want your holiday season to be filled with....
Worry....
Stress....
Outbursts (from your or your kids)...
We often look back and wonder how we survived the holidays with so many kids, expectations, and events. As we look back on our 30+ years of holidays together, here are a few things we have learned:
Recognize the unrealistic expectations and how to manage them
What to do about “treats” during holidays
Ways to “relax” and rest during the holiday craziness!
Having a conversation about what is coming (prepare your kids for the crazy!)
Parenting the dreams and disappointments regarding presents
Making extended families houses feel like home
Build your holiday culture by saying “no” to all the events
This season is all about relationships. God sent his Son to earth for us, to make a way for us. This season is about building relationships and slowing down to recognize God’s goodness. As parents, we get to come alongside our kids and see them, love them, and help them have their best season yet. The reason for the season is the ultimate relationships, Jesus. When we point our kids to Jesus, the whole season takes on a different tone and we enjoy it in our souls. He brings us delight and that is what the season is all about.
“Choose to delight in your kids and show them the delight of this season.” - Suz

#280: God is Moving in Marriages! (Feat. Carl Caton)

Have you checked in on your marriage lately?
Carl Caton is our guest and is deeply passionate about marriages. He is a husband, businessman, and founder of the San Antionio Marriage Initiative. Their vision is centered on restoration of family, by strategically investing in marriage, for the strengthening of communities and the glorification of God.
Carl and his team bring together authors, researchers, counselors, pastors, podcasters, marriage leaders and more. In addition, they maintain a faithful presence in our community to elevate available resources for couples that highlight the value, importance, and hope that is available for all marriages. They seek to be a local presence connecting and uniting people across our community with the shared vision to serve marriages.
He speaks to the struggles of marriage and the ways God is moving across our nation to remedy ALL marriages. There is hope for every marriage. If you are struggling to love your spouse in this season, this podcast is for you.
Highlights from the podcast:
Great marriages learn to: check in daily, date weekly, and get away regularly
Carl unpacks the 3 C’s of marriage: companionship, connection, commitment
The power of marriage intensives and counseling – don't wait!
Practical ways you can invest in your marriage today!
COVID outcomes and how this is a GOOD thing for marriage!
Marriage resource center for your next step
Podcast Resources:
Carl's Resources
Follow us on Instagram
Join the 5 Day Family Challenge
Visit the CCF Store

#279: Sibling Dynamics during Holidays

Today's topic will CHANGE your holidays!
Are your ready?
Parents, we want to teach you how to invest in the sibling dynamics during the holidays.
This podcast is so practical because we give you strategies to help with rivalry, teaching empathy, and family unity during November and December.
"The reality is.... kids are selfish. We believe sibling relationships are the best place to teach our kids to live for something other than themself." - Suz
What we discuss:
Are you aware of your family’s season? Have you taken the time to do a Family Dashboard as you head into the Holidays – this 5–10-minute exercise could SAVE your holiday.
How do you know if your kids are struggling relationally? What are signs and symptoms of rivalry, lack of empathy, or family unity?
How do you speak into those relationships without controlling or nagging? What practical things can you do as a parent to strengthen the relationship?
What are 1-3 practical things parents can start doing today to help them have better sibling relationships for the holidays?
"Sibling relationships are a training ground for real life. There is a purpose in sibling relationships and learning to love every person in your family." -- Don
Podcast Resources:
Buy the Guides!
Follow us on Instagram
Join the 5 Day Family Challenge
Visit the CCF Store

#278: Making Family Traditions

"Traditions give your kids a sense of belonging." - Don
We've been asked by parents how to make the holidays meaningful. It's about more than presents, food, parties, and events. Here's our answer.... traditions! Traditions are ways to build family culture and it's really what your kids will remember.
So how do you build family traditions? Don and Suz unpack mindsets and practical ways to build your family's culture through traditions!
Main points from podcast:
What traditions are and what they communicate to your kids
The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas and how to have traditions with each individual kid
Doing things as a family and creating buy in (even for teenagers)
Using food to build traditions
Using vacations or travel as a form of tradition
Podcast Resources:
Give us a review!
Follow us on Instagram
Join the 5 Day Family Challenge
Visit the CCF Store

#277: Attitude of Gratitude

Is negativity killing your family’s culture?
Today we are talking about gratitude and how powerful it is. Just in time for Thanksgiving (which we did on purpose) we want to talk about gratitude, gratefulness, thankfulness, and joy! As we prepare for Jesus’ birth, we need to start practicing our gratitude muscle – because this season is ALL ABOUT HIM!
“Gratefulness is an attitude of gratitude. When you are full of great if flows out of you!” - Suz
Here are the main topics from today’s episode:
Lead by example – parents, say thank you first!
Building gratefulness in your littles- it starts before they can talk
Gratefulness is a superpower (More on this in Episode #91)
Examples of building a grateful culture
Gratitude is...
The condition or quality of being grateful; an emotion or sentiment of thankfulness. A warm sense of appreciation for kindness received; accompanied by a feeling of good will toward the benefactor, and a desire to repay the favor.
Thankfulness is...
Recognizing who God is and what he has done.
Joy is...
A feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God’s presence and from hope in His word.
Define these with your family this month and practice them! We believe these are the ingredients to a life-giving culture in your home. When we focus on building gratefulness, thankfulness, and joy - gratitude will become the norm. Practice these things this week and watch how your family culture changes for the better!
Podcast Resources:
Give us a review!
Follow us on Instagram
Join the 5 Day Family Challenge
Visit the CCF Store

#276: Empowering Your Child to be Their Best (Feat. Lee Ann Mancini)

Lee Ann Mancini found us through our Guides (which you can purchase through the link below), and we’re thrilled to have her join Don for an insightful conversation on the value of depositing truth into our children. Early in her parenting journey, Lee Ann found herself searching for Biblical materials to teach her kids. When she couldn’t find as many resources as she had hoped, she took matters into her own hands and wrote her own. Today, we’re diving into her newest book, Raising Kids to Follow Christ, where she shares wisdom and practical advice for parents.
Here are the key takeaways from today’s episode:
Raising Kids Amid Today’s Worldly Struggles: Lee Ann discusses the unique challenges parents face in a culture that often conflicts with Biblical values and how to navigate those struggles with intentionality.
Teaching Self-Motivation: Lee Ann shares strategies for cultivating self-motivation in children, empowering them to take initiative and develop a strong work ethic rooted in faith.
Role Playing Scenarios: One of Lee Ann’s practical methods is role-playing scenarios to help kids prepare for real-world challenges. This allows them to think critically and practice their responses before facing difficult situations.
Creating Critical Thinkers by Asking Questions: Instead of simply providing answers, Lee Ann emphasizes the importance of asking thought-provoking questions that help children develop critical thinking skills and deepen their understanding of faith.
Building Parent-to-Kid Relationships and Making Them Feel Safe: Lee Ann shares ways to strengthen the emotional bond with your children, fostering an environment where they feel safe, loved, and heard.
Controlling Behavior vs. Empowering Our Kids: Lee Ann explores the difference between controlling a child’s behavior and empowering them to make wise decisions based on their values and beliefs.
Cultivating Respect and Honor: It goes along with obedience! Lee Ann shares how respect and honor goes hand in hand with discipline and obedience. You model honor first. This creates a relational connection that leads to obedience.
This podcast is packed with practical advice and valuable insights from Lee Ann. It truly feels like she’s sitting at our kitchen table, answering the burning questions that many parents face. If you're looking for wisdom and guidance to improve the relationships within your family, this episode is for you!
As Lee Ann wisely says, “Every adversity is an opportunity.”
Podcast Resources:
Check out Lee Ann's Resources!
Follow us on Instagram
Join the 5 Day Family Challenge
Visit the CCF Store