We sat down with Alex Kendrick, the storyteller behind Facing the Giants, Courageous, War Room, Forge, and the upcoming Flywheel movie, for a conversation that goes far beyond moviemaking. Alex opens up about what his parents did to encourage their direction and sibling teamwork. He shares the testimony behind his calling, writing scripts rooted in biblical truth, and the difference between a good idea and a God idea when discerning direction for movies.

He shares a powerful story from their teenage years, when he and his brothers shifted toward encouragement and teamwork with one another, living at the highest and wisest level as a family, and the practical fatherhood rhythms that hold their household together in the midst of the movie business: four family devotions a week, intentional travel together, and one on one time with each child so no one feels like just another task on the list.

Alex shares a personal story of God calling him to deny himself, leading him to exclude himself from acting in one of the movies he wrote.

We get into how attention, affirmation, and affection shape a child's sense of being fathered well. And movie making perspectives on AI as well.

If you've ever wondered how a family builds a legacy of faith while also building a dynamic career, or how to keep from compartmentalizing calling and home life, this episode is for you.

Topics covered:

• Alex's testimony and calling into filmmaking
• The Good Idea vs God Idea filter for discerning direction
• Flywheel's re-release, October 16
• Keeping siblings and family in alignment
• Family rhythms: devotions, one on one time, not compartmentalizing
• Point man mentality in being an effective team running a business with siblings
• Attention, affirmation, and affection as the bedrock of fathering
• Raising up the next generation of Christian filmmakers
• His standards on AI and movie making as a Christian

Learn more about the Kendrick brothers new movie Flywheel at flywheelignitionofthesoulmovie.com

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Isaac and Angie have been married for 26 years, raised nine children together, and have a marriage that's thriving, not by accident, but on purpose. In this episode, they share four principles for proactively protecting and strengthening your marriage during unprecedented times, along with candid stories from their own journey.

If you don't proactively protect your marriage, you'll end up reacting to problems that never needed to happen in the first place. The enemy is actively working to destroy Christian marriages, but the Lord has given us the responsibility to nourish and guard what He's given us.

Listen in, and start applying these four principles to shift your marriage today.

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Don't let overwhelm rob your home of peace, productivity, and joy. In this episode of Courageous Parenting, Isaac and Angie Tolpin share two simple, biblical steps to recalibrate your family with clarity — and build the rhythms that actually last.

Barna's 2026 research found that only 1% of Gen Z holds a biblical worldview — proof that "normal" Christian parenting rhythms aren't working. Don't let your family conform to what's normal. Think clearly about what's best.

This episode gives you a clear two-step plan the Tolpins use to keep thriving as a family whenever overwhelm creeps in. Stop letting overwhelm steal your joy — do these two things today.

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Dustin Garrett was addicted to heroin, nearly took his life in prison, and is now a strong Christian husband and father. Episode 413 of Courageous Parenting.

He shares what he believes his parents could have done better when the early signs of waywardness first appeared — and what his father eventually did that was exactly what he needed, even though he hated it at the time.

You'll hear why tough love becomes necessary once a child is fully in a prodigal season, and how well-meaning help can actually prolong the problem instead of solving it.

Perhaps the most powerful moment in this conversation: the testimony of his grandmother, who kept speaking God's truth over him for years even when no one was listening — and who ended up playing a key role in his eventual return to Jesus. Too many parents let discouragement stop them from pointing their kids to Christ. This episode is a reminder that consistency matters more than results you can see right away.

If you're watching a child drift and aren't sure whether to tighten your grip or let go, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

Here's an Apple Podcasts version — same content, but formatted for Apple's platform conventions (plain URLs instead of markdown links, no video tags since Apple doesn't use them, and structured so the strongest hook lands in the first couple lines, since that's what shows before "see more" gets tapped):

Get a candid behind-the-scenes look at what God's doing with the Tolpin's large family — full of powerful takeaways you can apply in your own. Do you want your family to be even more intentional about serving the Lord together?

Is there anything God wants you to obey Him in, but you're not sure how to move forward? You'll learn something the Tolpins have experienced to be true and were reminded of while on their personal marriage retreat recently.

They'll teach you the new marriage exercise they came up with that encouraged their marriage immensely, and also encouraged them to continue being obedient to the Lord when it isn't clear how it's even possible to do it. They get candid about the Lord's call to plant another Rooted Bible Church in a neighboring town this fall, and invite you to pray with them as they move forward.

This is sure to empower you in the unique journey the Lord has for you and your family.

📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book

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Are you making decisions within God's will — or just your own? It's one of the biggest questions people wrestle with, and if adults struggle to answer it, how do we disciple our children to walk confidently in God's will?

In this episode, Isaac and Angie share insights from two chapters of their new book, Courageous Parenting: Biblical Parenting in Unprecedented Times, unpacking what Scripture says God's will IS — and isn't. Romans 12:2 reminds us that discerning His will requires a renewed mind through the washing of the Word, which changes how we approach decision-making with our kids.

What you'll hear in this episode:

- Tips from two chapters of Courageous Parenting on seeking God, surrendering your will to the Father, and walking by the Spirit, not the flesh

- Why living out what you teach is essential to discipling your children

- How to help your kids tell the difference between God's will, their own fleshly desires, and the "will" others try to place on them

- The spiritual disciplines — prayer, fasting, stillness, abiding in Christ, and seeking wise counsel — that train discernment over time

Whether you're wrestling with a big decision yourself right now or teaching your children to make biblically wise decisions, this episode is one worth taking notes on.

Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book

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Living in a Tent Through a Northern Idaho Winter: Elisha & Katie Voetberg on Sacrifice, Homeschooling, and Building a Dream

How does a family live in a tent while homeschooling six children and building a business? In this episode, Elisha and Katie Voetberg join the Courageous Parenting podcast to share their story of radical sacrifice for a worthy vision.

After buying land in northern Idaho, the Voetbergs made the bold decision to live in a tent through a brutal winter — all while homeschooling their six children, building their online music academy, and running their own top-rated podcast. This is a conversation full of grit, faith, and hard-won wisdom for any family willing to count the cost of pursuing what God has called them to.

In this episode, you'll hear:

How does a family live in a tent while homeschooling six children and building a business? In this episode, Elisha and Katie Voetberg join the Courageous Parenting podcast to share their story of radical sacrifice for a worthy vision.

After buying land in northern Idaho, the Voetbergs made the bold decision to live in a tent through a brutal winter — all while homeschooling their six children, building their online music academy, and running their own top-rated podcast. This is a conversation full of grit, faith, and hard-won wisdom for any family willing to count the cost of pursuing what God has called them to.

In this episode, you'll hear:

— Why the Voetbergs chose to sacrifice comfort for the sake of a bigger vision

— How they homeschooled six kids through a tent-living winter

— Lessons learned building an online business while living off-grid

— How faith carried them through the hardest seasons

— Encouragement for families facing their own season of sacrifice

If you've ever wondered what it takes to pursue a dream that costs you something, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book

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Connect with Be Courageous Ministry:

Website: https://www.becourageousministry.org/

Subscribe for weekly episodes on courageous, gospel-centered parenting.

What's the dominant message your children are hearing about their future?

It's vital that your kids have a balanced perspective on what's ahead — one that lets them navigate life with strength and optimism instead of fear. In this episode, we share three things every parent should be telling their children right now to give them real, lasting hope for the future, no matter what's coming.

This matters in every season of parenting. The sooner you can upgrade the words your children hear about their future, the better — but it's never too late to start shifting the narrative in your home.

Is it realistic to raise kids with the kind of grit America's founders had? We believe it's not just realistic — it's necessary. Today's intentional parenting culture often falls short of preparing kids for real resilience, and our children are heading into a future far more demanding than the one we grew up in.

In this episode, you'll get three practical answers for instilling grit in your children, drawn from real stories and quotes from America's founding fathers. This isn't nostalgia — it's a blueprint for raising kids who can endure hardship, stand firm in conviction, and lead the next generation well.

If you're a Christian parent who wants to raise resilient, courageous kids in an increasingly uncertain world, this episode is for you.

Get the Courageous Parenting book at becourageousministry.org/book

Subscribe for more episodes on biblical parenting, resilience, and raising the next generation of courageous kids.

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#ChristianParenting #RaisingKidsWithGrit #FoundingFathers #Homeschool #BiblicalParenting

What does the Bible actually say about women's roles in the church and gender roles in the home? It's one of today's most debated topics — which is exactly why your kids need more than your opinion, they need to see it in Scripture. In this episode, we walk through the key texts on church leadership and lay out what we believe is God's clear design for elders and pastors, so you can teach your children with confidence and biblical grounding. This isn't about preference — it's about handling God's Word carefully on a question your kids will face whether you address it or not.

Topics: Christian parenting, female pastors, church leadership, elders, deacons, scriptures on gender roles in church.

📖 Want to go deeper? Courageous Parenting by Isaac and Angie Tolpin gives you 31 biblical keys to raising children who are equipped to thrive — in their faith, their character, and their relationships.

👉 Get the book on Amazon: Courageous Parenting

Courageous Parenting Podcast is hosted by Isaac and Angie Tolpin of Be Courageous Ministry — helping Christian parents raise kids of faith in unprecedented times.

#ChristianParenting #BiblicalParenting #DisciplingYourChildren #CourageousParenting #womeninministry

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Regret is a treadmill — you're exhausted but going nowhere.

Every parent has mistakes in the rearview. The question isn't whether you've fallen short — it's whether guilt is still running your parenting today. If your head is stuck in the past, your influence in the present takes the hit.

It's never too late to make a real difference. But that requires decisive change — not just good intentions. You can't expect different outcomes when your responses, habits, and influence stay the same.

This isn't about getting up to speed with normal Christian parenting — it has to be stronger than that. Parenting with a biblical lens, daily and intentionally, is required. The times demand more than previous generations of Christian parents were willing to give.

In this episode, you'll get practical steps to break the guilt cycle and step into a new season of parenting — with the Lord's help.

Topics: Christian parenting, raising kids with real faith, performance-based religion, heart-level discipleship, intentional parenting, family rhythms, homeschool family, faith that lasts.

📖 Want to go deeper? Courageous Parenting by Isaac and Angie Tolpin gives you 31 biblical keys to raising children who are equipped to thrive — in their faith, their character, and their relationships.

👉 Get the book on Amazon: Courageous Parenting

Courageous Parenting Podcast is hosted by Isaac and Angie Tolpin of Be Courageous Ministry — helping Christian parents raise kids of faith in unprecedented times.

#ChristianParenting #BiblicalParenting #DisciplingYourChildren #CourageousParenting #ChristianFamily

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You can say you are intentional parents, but is your intentionality actually encouraging real faith, or performance-based faith that doesn't last? Conservative intentionality can still lead children down the deadly trough of performance-based religiosity. Listen to this with an open mind as you reflect on your own parenting and family rhythms and see if you discover opportunities to dismantle performance-based faith and encourage real faith in your children.

There's nothing as important as where your children will spend eternity, and while you can't save your children and are to trust God with them, He's also trusting you with them. He's counting on you and your spouse to disciple them daily with an approach that reaches the heart — not just looks the part.

Topics: Christian parenting, raising kids with real faith, performance-based religion, heart-level discipleship, intentional parenting, family rhythms, homeschool family, faith that lasts.

📖 Want to go deeper? Courageous Parenting by Isaac and Angie Tolpin gives you 31 biblical keys to raising children who are equipped to thrive — in their faith, their character, and their relationships.

👉 Get the book on Amazon: Courageous Parenting

Courageous Parenting Podcast is hosted by Isaac and Angie Tolpin of Be Courageous Ministry — helping Christian parents raise kids of faith in unprecedented times.

#ChristianParenting #BiblicalParenting #DisciplingYourChildren #CourageousParenting #ChristianFamily

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What do you do when your child hurts someone they love — and doesn't seem to get it? This episode gives you a biblical framework for coaching your kids through sin in real time, not just correcting behavior but shaping their heart toward repentance, restoration, and genuine change.

Isaac and Angie walk you through how to have the hard conversations that actually disciple your children in the moments that matter most — when emotions are high, relationships are strained, and your child needs more than a timeout.

In this episode:

• Why in-the-moment discipleship is more powerful than after-the-fact lectures
• How to coach your child toward owning their sin rather than deflecting it
• Practical language you can use to guide your child through repairing a relationship
• Why loving others biblically starts with what we teach at home

Scriptures referenced: James 1:26 · Romans 15:1-2 · Philippians 2:3-4 · Mark 12:31

📖 Want to go deeper? Courageous Parenting by Isaac and Angie Tolpin gives you 31 biblical keys to raising children who are equipped to thrive — in their faith, their character, and their relationships.

👉 Get the book on Amazon: Courageous Parenting

Courageous Parenting Podcast is hosted by Isaac and Angie Tolpin of Be Courageous Ministry — helping Christian parents raise kids of faith in unprecedented times.

#ChristianParenting #BiblicalParenting #DisciplingYourChildren #CourageousParenting #ChristianFamily

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Are you becoming more intentional as a parent but struggling to find a strong biblical community? Perhaps you're not meant to find it — you're meant to cultivate it.

In this episode, Isaac and Angie share four practical tips for building biblical community right where you are, and show you how to use the new Courageous Parenting book as a tool to do it alongside other families.

Churches often struggle to teach biblical parenting — but you could be the catalyst for change in your own community. You weren't meant to parent alone, and there are families around you who want the same thing. They just need someone to go first.

Buy the Book, it comes out June 3rd on Amazon

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Do you ever feel like your parenting just isn't working — no matter how hard you try?

For Christian parents today, conviction erodes quietly. Consistency breaks down across the areas that matter most: discipline, discipleship, screen time, peer and family influences, reaching your kids' hearts, and handling bad attitudes. And the pressure of an increasingly hostile culture only makes it harder.

In this episode, Isaac and Angie Tolpin identify the 3 core mistakes fueling discouragement in Christian parents right now — and give practical wisdom and personal stories on how to overcome them. They also share content from their new book Courageous Parenting, releasing June 2nd, 2026.

If you're a Christian mom or dad who's tired of feeling like you're failing, or want to sharpen your focus, marriage alignment and follow through, this episode is for you.

Join the book launch team here → becourageousministry.org/book

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Humility about your parenting is the beginning of a catalyst to new growth and fruitfulness in your mission at home. When you model humility, long term you will see it help your family stay united despite conflict or disagreements. They must see it while they are young to be it in their own relationship when they get older. Isaac and Angie just returned from giving 12 messages at two conferences to parents over the last couple of weeks and while none of those messages were about Church, they made small comments within some of them about the importance of biblical community. Surprisingly, the questions they received the most were about the age-integrated Church they planted in Idaho. People are starving for real authentic community with people running the race in the same direction. Join the Tolpins as they recorded this the morning after the last conference from their hotel room with so many fresh perspectives to share.

Learn more about the NEW COURAGEOUS PARENTING book and sign up for the launch team at becourageousministry.org/book

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A candid conversation from the Tolpins hotel room after giving six messages at the Teach Them Diligently Conference packed full of practical wisdom. Isaac gives an unprecedented times warning to fathers he calls the three W’s. Angie pours into a topic that struck a deep chord with women putting many in tears during one of her sessions. Get fresh wisdom on being Courageous Parents that you can apply today. What does it mean when you hear Christian parenting? It can mean all kinds of things that don’t align with scripture today; Courageous parenting is all about biblical parenting, but to parent biblically in today’s high pressure environment to conform takes more courage than previous generations of parents. Isaac and Angie invite you to join the book launch team that hundreds have already signed up for. 

Learn more about the NEW COURAGEOUS PARENTING book and sign up for the launch team at becourageousministry.org/book

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The younger years of parenting can reveal disunity and disagreements on specific issues within a marriage; and not only that, all first time parents are learning and growing and constantly experiencing the realities of being sanctified as they wrestle with the decisions they need to make. Isaac and Angie share biblical truths that warn us about where we should and should not be getting parenting advice while also sharing part of their personal story of the first 5 years of parenting and trying to navigate hard decisions and be biblical in the midst of opposing advice and experiences. Some decisions can be confusing, there are pros and cons for everything, and not everyone has the same life circumstances either, which makes it so important to remember that we must seek God’s unique will for each of our own families and hold our decisions open-handed before the Lord with a surrendered heart and mind ready to obey what He leads us in. God’s word is clear and there are many truths that do apply across the board collectively as Christ followers, but there are some decisions that are disputable and require us to seek His wisdom in. We must remember that some parenting decisions are not decisions that are cookie cutter for every single family; while also holding firmly to the biblical truths that are indisputable. 

Join Isaac and Angie for this scripture rich podcast episode that will be relatable while also being biblically encouraging. 

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All parents have had to deal with the reality that their children are sinners. After all, all humans sin. But the perspective we have when they sin makes all the difference. Within the Christian community over the years we have seen and heard discipline and discipleship taught as if they were different aspects of parenting, but we share our biblical reasoning, with scripture, on why we believe discipline is actually just another aspect of discipleship, and why this is so crucial in our parenting. Everything we do as parents is essentially an opportunity for discipleship, because discipleship according to Duet. 6:5-9 is woven through the fabric of one’s everyday lives. Our perspective on discipline MUST shift from being something we just do to obey God ourselves, to an opportunity to lead our children to Christ and understanding of the gospel and truly understanding their need for a Savior and a thankfulness for what He has done for us. Join Isaac and Angie for this engaging discussion, filled with biblical truth, as they share from their own personal experience in parenting nine children over the past 25 years.

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Get the FREE “Cultivating an Unshakable Family” workshop with the Tolpins at https://www.becourageousministry.org/workshop