Helping Immigrant Families Feel Like They Bleong
In this episode of The Roots That Last, Ryan and Madeline sit down with Dr. Kelly Edmiston for a thoughtful and grace-filled conversation about faith, sexuality, bodies, and parenting.
Kelly helps name a tension many Christian parents feel: we know we do not want to pass down shame-based messages about sex, but we are not always sure what to say instead. Through her framework of spiritual sexuality, Kelly invites parents to see sexuality and spirituality as deeply connected rather than separate.
Together, they talk about moving beyond purity culture, why silence still teaches our kids something, how to make conversations about sex more normal and age-appropriate, and why parents can approach this work with honesty, courage, and trust that God loves our children even more than we do.
In this episode of The Roots That Last, Ryan talks with Josue Trevino, Campus Pastor at Ecclesia’s Lindale campus, about how families can practice hospitality toward immigrant families.
Josue shares from his own story of moving to the United States from Mexico as a child, learning English, navigating the pressure to assimilate, and living with the feeling of being “a little out of place everywhere.” He reflects on how encouragement, inclusion, and belonging shaped his own experience, and why those same gifts matter so deeply for immigrant families today.
Together, Ryan and Josue talk about the fear many immigrant families are carrying, the way public narratives can affect children and students, and why simple acts of friendship can carry more weight than we realize. They also offer practical ideas for families who want to take a first step: inviting someone to dinner, writing a note of encouragement, trying another family’s food or language, participating in school cultural events, or joining programs like FriendSpeak.
In this episode, we talk about:
Common misconceptions about immigrant families
The pressure many immigrant children feel to assimilate
Why belonging matters so deeply
How parents can help their kids practice hospitality
Why trying someone else’s food, language, or culture can be deeply honoring
The fear many immigrant families are carrying right now
Simple ways to say, “I’m with you,” even without having all the answers
How FriendSpeak helps build friendship, language, and connection
This conversation is a thoughtful and practical invitation for families to love their neighbors well and help immigrant families know they are seen, welcomed, and not alone.
Guest:
Josue Trevino is the Campus Pastor at Ecclesia’s Lindale campus, a community center and church serving the Lindale neighborhood in Houston. He is also a father of three teenagers in Ecclesia’s student ministry.
Resources Mentioned:
FriendSpeak
Ecclesia Lindale
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👉 Follow us for more: www.ecclesiahouston.org/rootspodcast | @ecclesiahouston
Sports, Anxiety, and Helping Kids Find Joy Again
In this episode of The Roots That Last, Ryan and Madeline sit down with Dr. Kelly Edmiston for a thoughtful and grace-filled conversation about faith, sexuality, bodies, and parenting.
Kelly helps name a tension many Christian parents feel: we know we do not want to pass down shame-based messages about sex, but we are not always sure what to say instead. Through her framework of spiritual sexuality, Kelly invites parents to see sexuality and spirituality as deeply connected rather than separate.
Together, they talk about moving beyond purity culture, why silence still teaches our kids something, how to make conversations about sex more normal and age-appropriate, and why parents can approach this work with honesty, courage, and trust that God loves our children even more than we do.
In this episode of The Roots That Last, Ryan and Madeline talk with Dr. Cali Werner about sports, anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, faith, and how parents can support kids when pressure starts to steal their joy.
Cali shares part of her own story as an accomplished athlete who experienced anxiety and OCD in the middle of high-level competition. She talks about the pressure that came with success, the rituals and intrusive thoughts that began to shape her relationship with racing, and how proper diagnosis and evidence-based treatment helped her begin to find freedom.
Together, Ryan, Madeline, and Cali explore how anxiety can show up in young athletes, why reassurance can sometimes make anxiety stronger over time, and how parents and coaches can help kids develop tools for resilience without making performance the center of their identity.
In this episode, we talk about:
How anxiety can steal joy from a sport kids love
The difference between normal nerves and unhealthy anxiety
How OCD and anxiety can show up in athletes
Why getting the right diagnosis can be freeing
How parents can respond when kids feel pressure to perform
Why constant reassurance does not always help anxiety long-term
How to help kids bounce back after mistakes
Why quitting is not always the first answer when anxiety gets loud
What faith can offer kids who feel overwhelmed by pressure
How to remind children that they are more than their sport, their success, or their performance
Guest:
Dr. Cali Werner, PhD, LCSW-S, CMPC, is the founder of Athlete Rising, author of the children’s book Anxious Annie, and co-host of The Anxiety Society Podcast. Her work focuses on anxiety, OCD, mental health, and helping athletes develop freedom, resilience, and healthier ways of navigating pressure.
Resource Mentioned:
Athlete Rising: https://www.athleterising.org/
Anxious Annie: https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Annie-Cali-Werner/dp/1665523778
The Anxiety Society Podcast: https://www.anxietysocietypodcast.com/
IOCDF Provider Profile: https://iocdf.org/providers/werner-cali/
👂 Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you love these conversations, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. New episodes drop on the first Wednesday of every month.
🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
👉 Follow us for more: www.ecclesiahouston.org/rootspodcast | @ecclesiahouston
Shame Free Sex Talks
In this episode of The Roots That Last, Ryan and Madeline sit down with Dr. Kelly Edmiston for a thoughtful and grace-filled conversation about faith, sexuality, bodies, and parenting.
Kelly helps name a tension many Christian parents feel: we know we do not want to pass down shame-based messages about sex, but we are not always sure what to say instead. Through her framework of spiritual sexuality, Kelly invites parents to see sexuality and spirituality as deeply connected rather than separate.
Together, they talk about moving beyond purity culture, why silence still teaches our kids something, how to make conversations about sex more normal and age-appropriate, and why parents can approach this work with honesty, courage, and trust that God loves our children even more than we do.
In this episode of The Roots That Last, Ryan and Madeline sit down with Dr. Kelly Edmiston to talk about one of the most important—and often most intimidating—conversations Christian parents have with their kids: sex.
Kelly names the gap many parents feel. We know we do not want to repeat the shame of purity culture, but we also do not want to say nothing. So what does it look like to offer our kids a better, more integrated, more faithful way forward?
Through her framework of spiritual sexuality, Kelly helps parents see that faith and sexuality are not disconnected. Our bodies, desires, questions, and spiritual formation are all part of our life with God.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why many Christians inherited a disconnected view of faith and sexuality
What purity culture tried to solve, and where it caused harm
Why silence around sex still communicates something to our kids
How to move from one big “sex talk” to many small, ongoing conversations
Why parents may need to name and heal from their own sexual shame
How Scripture can help shape a sexual ethic rooted in covenant, community, and consent
Why kids need to know their bodies are good, holy, and loved by God
How to begin age-appropriate conversations from early childhood through the teenage years
Guest:
Dr. Kelly Edmiston is the Lead Pastor at The Vineyard Church in Sugar Land/Stafford and the author of Shame-Free Sex Talks: Guiding Kids to Live Out Their Faith, Love Their Bodies, and Understand the Goodness of Sex.
Resource Mentioned:
Shame-Free Sex Talks by Dr. Kelly Edmiston
👂 Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you love these conversations, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. New episodes drop on the first Wednesday of every month.
🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
👉 Follow us for more: www.ecclesiahouston.org/rootspodcast | @ecclesiahouston
How to Raise Kids with Love & Grace
In this episode of The Roots That Last Podcast, we’re joined by Deb Engen and Ericka Graham—a mother-daughter duo with a whole lot of experience, empathy, and straight-up truth. Deb brings decades of parenting expertise (and yes, she taught Love & Logic to auditoriums full of people), while Ericka shares what it’s like to be a modern parent trying to honor that wisdom without losing her own voice.
They dive into:
The power of encouragement vs. praise
How parenting philosophies shift between generations
The hard truth about setting boundaries with grandparents
What kids really learn from how we live
Why parenting with grace reflects the heart of the Gospel
This one’s full of laughs, warmth, and wisdom for anyone navigating family dynamics while trying to raise kids with faith that lasts.
👂 Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you love these conversations, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. New episodes drop on the first Wednesday of every month.
🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
👉 Follow us for more: www.ecclesiahouston.org/rootspodcast | @ecclesiahouston
Parenting Without Panic: A Conversation About Doubt & Faith With Dr. Steven Turley
In this episode of Roots That Last, hosts engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Steve Turley, director of Baylor's Truett Seminary campus in Houston, and his son, Alejandro. They explore the complexities of navigating doubt and faith within a family context. Dr. Turley and Alejandro share their personal experiences, offering insights on how to create an environment where children feel comfortable asking tough questions and exploring their beliefs. The discussion covers the importance of open communication, the role of role models, and the value of acknowledging the mysteries inherent in faith. They also play a game of "Bible or AI" to test their knowledge of scripture.
Join us for an insightful episode of Roots That Last as we delve into the topic of navigating doubt and faith with Dr. Steve Turley, director of Baylor's Truett Seminary, and his son, Alejandro. Discover how they foster open communication and create a safe space for exploring tough questions about faith. Learn valuable strategies for parents on how to approach their children's doubts, encourage critical thinking, and provide a foundation for a lasting faith. Plus, stick around for a fun game of "Bible or AI" as we test their knowledge of scripture!
What You’ll Learn:
How to create a safe space for kids to ask tough questions about faith.
The importance of open communication between parents and children.
Strategies for parents to respond to their children's doubts.
The role of role models in shaping a child's faith journey.
Why embracing the mystery of faith is essential.
👂 Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you love these conversations, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. New episodes drop on the first Wednesday of every month.
🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
👉 Follow us for more: www.ecclesiahouston.org/rootspodcast | @ecclesiahouston
How To Parent Without Losing Yourself
Parenting is one of life’s biggest transitions. It changes how you spend your time, how you see yourself, and even how you experience faith. But does it have to mean losing yourself? In this episode, Ryan Bien steps into the guest chair to talk about identity, purpose, and how to navigate parenting without sacrificing who you are. He shares insights on balancing personal faith with family life, why "perfect balance" is a myth, and how embracing your identity as God’s beloved can anchor you through the ups and downs of raising kids.
Parenting flips your world upside down. Suddenly, your time, energy, and focus shift, and before you know it, you start wondering—where did the old me go?
In this episode of The Roots That Last Podcast, we sit down with Ryan Bien to talk about identity, faith, and the struggle of holding onto yourself while showing up fully for your family. Ryan gets real about the challenges of parenting, the myth of perfect balance, and how to embrace your identity as God’s beloved in every season of life.
🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ Why parenting feels like an identity shift (and how to navigate it)
✔️ The tension between sacrifice and self-care as a parent
✔️ How to find purpose beyond just being "Mom" or "Dad"
✔️ Practical ways to stay connected to your faith and personal well-being
✔️ Why community is essential—and how to find your people
👂 Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you love these conversations, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. New episodes drop on the first Wednesday of every month.
🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
👉 Follow us for more: www.ecclesiahouston.org/rootspodcast | @ecclesiahouston
Faith, Doubt & Freedom - How to Let Your Kids Explore Their Faith
This episode of The Roots That Last podcast features Sean and Rochelle Palmer discussing practical ways to have meaningful conversations about faith with children. They share insights from their own parenting journey, emphasizing the importance of creating a home environment where discussions about faith feel natural and open. The Palmers talk about fostering spiritual growth through everyday moments, modeling faith in action, and allowing children the space to explore their beliefs. They also reflect on challenges, including when one of their daughters expressed doubts about faith, and how they navigated that with understanding rather than fear. The episode underscores the value of consistency, openness, and leading by example in faith development.
Faith. Doubt. Growing up. Every child will wrestle with what they believe, and as parents, it can be hard to know how to respond. Should you push them toward faith? Give them space? What if they start questioning everything?
In this episode of The Roots That Last Podcast, we sit down with Sean & Rochelle Palmer to talk about how to guide your kids through their own faith journey—without forcing it. They share real-life parenting stories, including how they navigated a season when their daughter identified as agnostic, the importance of open conversations, and why letting go might actually help your child hold onto faith.
🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ Why questioning faith is a normal part of growing up
✔️ How to create a home where faith conversations happen naturally
✔️ The balance between guidance and letting go
✔️ How to respond when your child expresses doubts about faith
✔️ Practical ways to encourage kids to explore their beliefs
Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! New episodes drop on the first Wednesday of every month.
🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
👉 Follow us for more: www.ecclesiahouston.org/rootspodcast | @ecclesiahouston
Introducing the Roots That Last Podcast!
Join hosts Madeline and Ryan as they embark on an enlightening journey into the world of parenting and faith! In this trailer episode of The Roots That Last Podcast, they introduce the concept of the podcast and share their passion for intergenerational conversations that foster a lasting faith in children and families.
Madeline brings her fresh perspective as a Gen Z voice currently working with teens, while Ryan offers wisdom from his years of ministry and parenting experience. Together, they're committed to providing valuable insights and connecting with you on this meaningful journey.
🌱 Welcome to the Roots That Last Podcast! 🌱
Join hosts Madeline and Ryan as they embark on an enlightening journey into the world of parenting and faith! In this trailer episode, they introduce the concept of the podcast and share their passion for intergenerational conversations that foster a lasting faith in children and families.
🎙️ What to Expect:
• Insightful interviews with experienced parents and faith leaders
• Practical takeaways for navigating parenting challenges
• Discussions on how to guide our children in the love of God
• Engaging dialogues that bridge generational gaps
Madeline brings her fresh perspective as a Gen Z voice currently working with teens, while Ryan offers wisdom from his years of ministry and parenting experience. Together, they're committed to providing valuable insights and connecting with you on this meaningful journey.
📅 New Episodes Monthly! Don’t miss out! We’ll be releasing new episodes on the first Wednesday of every month. Subscribe now to join our community and learn alongside us.