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
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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