Shows / Raising Boys & Girls
Raising Boys & Girls
Welcome to the Raising Boys and Girls Podcast with Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan. In each episode of this podcast, we’ll share some of what we’re learning in the work we do with kids and families on a daily basis at Daystar Counseling Ministries. Our goal is to help you care for the kids in your life with a little more understanding, a little more practical help, and a whole lot of hope. So pull up a chair and join us on this journey of raising boys and girls. Connect with us…
Episodes
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 363: Girls' Challenges To Capability with David and Sissy
This episode explores how to raise capable girls by addressing three key challenges—feelings, failings, and fear. Sissy Goff shares how girls often feel…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 362: The Key Ingredients to Finding Happiness as a Family with Dr. Arthur Brooks
Dr. Arthur Brooks shares that happiness isn’t a feeling to chase, but a direction shaped by habits—cultivating enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning. He…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 361: The 5 Principles of Parenting with Dr. Aliza Pressman
Dr. Aliza Pressman shares five research-based principles—relationship, reflection, regulation, rules, and repair—that empower parents to raise resilient…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 360: The Crisis of Capability in Parents with David and Sissy
David and Sissy explore how modern parenting has shifted toward anxiety, over-helping, and outsourcing wisdom to experts—often at the cost of building real…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 359: A Roadmap to Technology (and Fun) for Families with Catherine Price
Catherine Price explores how technology is shaping kids’ attention, mood, relationships, and development, while offering a hopeful path forward for families…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 358: The Crisis of Capability in Kids
Sissy Goff and David Thomas explore what they call a growing “crisis of capability” among kids today. Drawing from what they see in their counseling offices…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 357: Increasing Kids Capacity and Capability with Jay and Katherine Wolf
Sissy Goff and David Thomas sit down with Jay and Catherine Wolf to talk about resilience, suffering, and what it really means to raise capable kids. After…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 356: Raising Capable Kids with David and Sissy
Sissy Goff and David Thomas introduce the idea behind their book Capable and discuss the growing mental health struggles they are seeing in kids today—anxiety…
Raising Boys & GirlsCapable Kids Series Coming Soon!
Sissy Goff and David Thomas introduce the Capable series—a conversation about the growing “crisis of capability” they’re seeing in kids today. Drawing from…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 355: How to Help Kids Understand, Love and Engage with God’s Word with Tara-Leigh Cobble
In this conversation with Tara-Leigh Cobble, founder of D-Group and host of The Bible Recap, Tara shares how moving from “Bible exposure” to true “Bible…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 354: Helping Kids (And Grown-Ups) Grow in Friendship with Jesus with Sally Lloyd-Jones
In this deeply moving conversation, Sissy and David sit down with beloved children’s author Sally Lloyd-Jones to talk about her newest book, Jesus, Our True…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 353: Helping Your Kids Move From Feeling to Fact with Dr. Lee Warren
This episode features a powerful conversation with neurosurgeon Dr. Lee Warren about trauma, faith, and the science of hope. Drawing from his experience…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 352: Five Things Kids Need Now Spiritually with Melissa Trevathan
In this deeply grounding conversation, Sissy and David sit down with longtime mentor and educator Melissa Trevathan to talk about what kids need spiritually…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 351: AI and the Tech Wise Family with Andy Crouch
Sissy and David sit down with Andy Crouch to talk about what kids need in a tech-saturated world—and why their deepest needs haven’t changed. Andy explores how…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 350: Porn Proofing Your Kids in a Technology and AI Driven World with Kristen Jenson
Kristen Jenson, founder of Defend Young Minds and author of Good Pictures Bad Pictures, talks with Sissy and David about why parents need to start…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 349: Talking with Kids about Faith, Sexuality and Gender with Dr. Preston Sprinkle
Sissy Goff and David Thomas talk with Dr. Preston Sprinkle about how parents and the church can help kids navigate identity, gender, and sexuality with both…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 348: Protecting Kids Online, In the Real World and All the Awkward Conversations with Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson from Birds and Bees
Sissy and David are joined by Megan Michelson and Mary Flo Ridley from Birds & Bees for a practical, hope-filled conversation about protecting kids in today’s…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 347: Helping Kids Have Conviction and Compassion In These Tumultuous Times with Justin Giboney
In this episode, Sissy Goff and David Thomas sit down with Justin Giboney for a timely, thoughtful conversation about what kids need right now in an…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 346: Five Things Kids Need Now Culturally with David and Sissy
Sissy and David unpack five things kids need culturally right now: conversation (parents as the calm, safe first source), protection in the real world…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 345: Parenting Without a Roadmap: Not Carrying Your Childhood Trauma into Theirs with Dr. Juli Fraga
Dr. Juli Fraga invites parents into the often-overlooked work of tending to their own emotions as a foundation for raising emotionally healthy kids. Drawing…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 344: How To Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids with Dr. Marc Brackett
Sissy Goff and David Thomas sit down with Dr. Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, to talk about helping kids—and…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 343: Transforming Toddlerhood with Devon Kuntzman
Sissy Goff and David Thomas welcome Devon Kuntzman, founder of Transforming Toddlerhood, for a practical conversation about what toddlers need most right now…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 342: Five Things Kids Need Right Now Emotionally
This episode emphasizes that kids grow emotionally strong through five key needs: healthy boredom that creates space for creativity and self-direction, agency…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 341: Why Your Kids Need You To Play at Every Age and How To Do That with Whitney and Alex Kimerling
Sissy Goff and David Thomas explore the powerful, research-backed role of play in reducing anxiety, building resilience, and strengthening family connection…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 340: A Story of Autism and Hope with Leland Vittert
Sissy Goff and David Thomas sit down with journalist and author Leland Vittert to talk about his memoir Born Lucky and the profound impact his father had on…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 339: Five Things Kids Need Right Now Socially with David and Sissy
Sissy Goff and David Thomas kick off a new series by exploring five things kids need most socially right now. Drawing from decades of counseling experience and…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 338: 5 Love Languages for Families with Dr. Gary Chapman
In this episode, Dr. Gary Chapman joins Sissy Goff and David Thomas to explore what kids need most right now: feeling deeply and consistently loved. Drawing…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 337: Helpful Habits for the New Year with Justin Whitmel Earley
Sissy Goff and David Thomas talk with Justin Whitmel Earley about his new book The Body Teaches the Soul and how our everyday physical habits—like breathing…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 336: Managing the Holidays with David and Sissy
In this warm and super-practical holiday episode, Sissy and David share 10 grounding tips to help families navigate Christmas with more connection and less…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 335: The Enneagram Comes Home with David and Sissy
Sissy and David reflect on the meaningful conversations and listener feedback from their Enneagram parenting journey, offering a quick, hope-filled recap of…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 334: Moving from Knowledge to Relationship with Kids / Enneagrams Wrap Up with Jill Phillips and Hunter Mobley
In this rich and hope-filled conversation, Sissy and David are joined by beloved friends and Enneagram teachers Jill Phillips and Hunter Mobley to explore how…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 333: Finding Your Peace as a Parent (and Finding Your No, too) with Enneagram 9’s, Hillary Rector & Andy Gullahorn
Hillary Rector and Andy Gullahorn share an honest, thoughtful look at what it’s like to move through the world—and parent—as Enneagram Nines. They discuss the…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 332: Understanding the Peacemaker and Enneagram 9's with David and Sissy
In this episode, Sissy and David dive into Enneagram Nines—their calming presence, deep empathy, and quiet, steady love that makes home feel like a safe place…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 331: When to Speak, When to Listen with Enneagram 8’s, Amy Fenton & Brian Camp
In this Enneagram 8 episode, Sissy and David sit down with longtime friends (and parents of six young adults between them) Amy Fenton and Brian Camp. They…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 330: Understanding the Challenger and Enneagram 8's with David and Sissy
Sissy and David explore the bold, protective world of Enneagram 8s, celebrating their fierce loyalty, honesty, and justice‑driven strength while also naming…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 329: Managing the Holidays with Niro Feliciano
Author and therapist Niro Feliciano joins Sissy and David to talk about her new book, All Is Calm-ish, and how we can find contentment and calm in the middle…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 328: The Power of Pause in Parenting with Enneagram 7s, Mary Killett & Aaron Weber
In this episode, Sissy and David sit down with Enneagram Sevens Mary Killett and Aaron Weber, who share how their natural optimism, humor, and energy shape…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 327: Helping Kids Find Fun & Feelings with Enneagram 7’s with David and Sissy
In this episode, Sissy and David turn their attention to Enneagram Sevens—the Enthusiasts, Optimists, and Adventurers who bring joy, imagination, and energy to…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 326: Anxiety, Trust, and Parenting with Courage / Enneagram 6's with Melissa Trevathan and Allye Gray
In this episode, Sissy and David sit down with two beloved Enneagram Sixes: longtime Daystar founder and leader Melissa Trevathan and Daystar counselor Allye…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 325: Understanding the Loyalist and Enneagram 6's with David and Sissy
Sissy and David celebrate the strengths of Enneagram Sixes—their loyalty, courage, diligence, and care for the common good—while naming the real challenges…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 324: You're More Prepared than You Think / Enneagram 5's with Kris Plunkett & Lauren Rupley
Enneagram 5 parents Lauren Rupley and Kris Plunkett talk curiosity, intentionality, and energy management in family life. They describe how fives’ love of…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 323: Understanding the Investigator and Enneagram 5's with David and Sissy
Enneagram Fives—the Investigators—bring curiosity, insight, independence, and a calming, steady presence to both life and parenting. Sissy and David highlight…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 322: When you Struggle with the Practical in Parenting / Enneagram 4's with Jon McLaughlin & Kendra Allen
What a heartfelt and deeply human conversation with two incredible Enneagram Fours—therapist Kendra Allen and artist Jon McLaughlin. Jon McLaughlin is a…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 321: Understanding the Individualist and Enneagram 4's with David and Sissy
Fours bring depth, texture, and beauty to the world—helping all of us see what’s true and lovely through story, song, nature, and the poetry of everyday life…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 320: Letting Go of Pressure & Performance with Enneagram 3 Parents, Kelli Haywood & Brandon Verner
We loved this honest, hopeful conversation with two dear friends—Kelli Haywood and Brandon Verner—who both live as Enneagram 3s at home and at work. If you’re…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 319: Understanding the Achiever and Enneagram 3's with David and Sissy
In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of Enneagram Threes—the Achievers. Threes bring incredible energy, focus, and drive into everything they do…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 318: Not Getting Tangled Up in Our Kids Emotions / Enneagram 2's with Sherman Bucher & Heather Flener
In this week’s episode, we sit down with two of our favorite Twos—Heather Flener and Sherman Bucher—for a conversation full of warmth, laughter, and…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 317: Understanding the Helper and Enneagram 2's - David and Sissy
In this week’s episode, we’re diving into one of our favorite Enneagram numbers—Twos, “The Helpers.” We love Twos. They’re the nurturers of the world—nurses…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 316: Parenting Beyond Perfectionism / Enneagram 1's - with Briana Pitt & John Allen
Oh, friends, what a beautiful conversation about the heart of Type Ones! We love how this episode unpacks the inner world of these incredible, responsible…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 315: Understanding the Reformer and Enneagram 1’s with David Thomas and Sissy Goff
As 1’s, we want to do good things in the world, we want to redeem things in the world. We want so much to bring goodness and rightness to the world… Stay with…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 314: Enneagram Intro with Suzanne Stabile and Rev. Joe Stabile
Folks, when we began dreaming about the Parenting Personalities series, we had a lot of fun ideas about what we’d hoped to cover. The central idea for the two…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 313: Enneagram Intro with David Thomas and Sissy Goff
Okay I’m going to read a quote, “If you’re not paying attention to how you affect other people, you’re missing a big piece of what makes life work. What you…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 312: Understanding Attachment Styles with Dr. Alison Cook
We are so excited for you to listen to this conversation with our friend Dr. Alison Cook. Folks are going to feel so hopeful! It’s so easy to just feel…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 311: Understanding Attachment Styles with David Thomas and Sissy Goff
Attachment has become a buzzword in parenting circles—but what does it really mean for your kids and your family? In this episode, we unpack the history of…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 310: A Deeper Dive: Understanding Birth Order with Dr. Kevin Leman
Okay you guys, Buckle up! We just interviewed Dr. Kevin Leman, whose work on Birth Order, we have talked about, referenced, more times than we could possibly…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 309: Understanding Birth Order with David Thomas and Sissy Goff
We’re jumping back in with another episode in our Parenting Personalities series, and we are excited about this episode! This episode is on Birth Order, and…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 308: Raising Introverted Kids in an Extroverted World and the One Question Every Parent Needs to Ask with Holley Gerth
Holley Gerth is an expert on introversion and extroversion and what a great conversation we had, I loved it! Every bit of it. I feel like I learned so much…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 307: Understanding Extrovert and Introvert with David Thomas and Sissy Goff
We’re so excited about this episode, because we want every kid who may be extroverted or introverted to know that their gifts are amazing and that their…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 306: Parenting Personalities Intro with David Thomas and Sissy Goff
We are so excited about this new series! It is something we wanted to talk about for a really long time. It’s something we talk about in our offices with kids…
Raising Boys & GirlsEpisode 305: What Does Speaking Truth over your Kids and the Bachelor have in Common with Madi Prewett Troutt
Ya’ll it was the first time in history that we have had a contestant from the Bachelor, and let me tell you in my counseling office how many years I’ve been…