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MFP271: Why an Intentional Culture is Essential

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Release Date: 01/29/2024

MFP 284: Is Your Child Addicted to Screens? show art MFP 284: Is Your Child Addicted to Screens?

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

The destructive effects of video games are not on boys' cognitive abilities or their reaction times, but on their motivation and their connectedness with the real world. ~Dr. Leonard Sax Technology can be a blessing or a curse. It can be used for great good and yet it can expose people to grave evil. Helping our children learn how to responsibly navigate the use of technology, especially social media, is one of the immense parenting challenges of our age.  In this podcast, we look at the unique challenges that technology presents to parents and why parents must meet this challenge...

info_outline MPF 283: Marriage, Divorce, and Hope show art MPF 283: Marriage, Divorce, and Hope

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“We can only see our spouse clearly when we look at Jesus first.” - Dan Lawson   Summary In this podcast, we tackle some hard issues in marriage.  What makes couples believe that they need to get divorced?  Why is it essential for couples to have a vision for their individual lives and for their marriage?  What is the pattern in successful marriages that we can emulate?  We even talk about what to say to a person who tells you they are getting a divorce - a very difficult and sensitive topic, but one that we have to discuss.  Dan Lawson is a Catholic therapist...

info_outline MFP 282: These People are Driving Me Crazy! Growing in Patience show art MFP 282: These People are Driving Me Crazy! Growing in Patience

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

It’s easier to be patient after we come to realize how patient our Heavenly Father is with us.   Why is it so hard for parents to be patient with their children?  People who thought they were good and normal adults find themselves tearing their hair out over the things done by a child half their size and a fraction of their age!  One thing we tell parents over and over is that parenting is supposed to change you.  It is supposed to form you.  It is supposed to be challenging, so if you are struggling, that is OK!  But we do have some tips for you and some...

info_outline MPF 281: Your Intimacy Questions Answered show art MPF 281: Your Intimacy Questions Answered

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“I now am taking this kinswoman of mine, not because of lust, but with sincerity.  Grant that she and I may find mercy and that we may grow old together.” Tobit 8:7   Summary Physical intimacy between spouses is a topic that is difficult to talk about, but one that is absolutely essential in Catholic circles.  You see, Satan’s plan is for people to have as much sex as possible BEFORE they are married and as little sex as possible AFTER they are married!  These lies and confusion need to be addressed in a way that is respectful but also practical for married...

info_outline MFP 280: 12 Parenting Tips show art MFP 280: 12 Parenting Tips

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Parenting is not an inborn skill. It is something that we learn over time from trial and error and with help from others.    Summary Over the past 28 years raising our 10 kids we have made a lot of mistakes, but also learned from them!  In this podcast, we go over 12 tips that we have found make a big difference in the life of a family.  They are principles that we live by and how we have gotten where we are today.  None of them are rocket science - but they are things you may not have thought of before or realized how essential they are.  We have released this...

info_outline MPF 279: What do Families Need? Interview with Archbishop Naumann show art MPF 279: What do Families Need? Interview with Archbishop Naumann

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Summary Most of us rarely have an opportunity to sit down and talk to a priest, let alone a bishop!  We were so blessed to have a conversation with not just a bishop, but an archbishop and one who loves the Lord, loves families, and who leads with the heart of a shepherd.  Join us as we talk to Archbishop Naumann of Kansas City who shares his story of growing up without a father and how his mother and family gave him the stability and security he needed to flourish and become the man God called him to be.  He provides insights to families in our conversation along with a good...

info_outline MPF 278: Conversations with Kids show art MPF 278: Conversations with Kids

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Summary In this episode, Mike and Alicia Hernon explore the transformative impact of conversations with children. They emphasize the importance of fostering a family culture centered around meaningful dialogue. From toddlers to teens, discover practical strategies for nurturing curiosity, understanding, and mutual respect within the parent-child relationship. Don't miss out on this engaging discussion that highlights the profound influence of conversations in shaping both children and parents alike. For more information on this and other topics visit:   Key Takeaways Conversations...

info_outline MPF 277: Girl Power! An interview with the Given Institute show art MPF 277: Girl Power! An interview with the Given Institute

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“Thank you, every woman, for the simple fact of being a woman! Through the insight which is so much a part of your womanhood you enrich the world's understanding and help to make human relations more honest and authentic.” ~ John Paul II, Letter to Women   Summary Women have particular gifts to bring to the world which were identified by John Paul II as the “genius of women”.  The Given Institute was created by religious superiors of the major orders in the United States and works with young women in all states of life to help them realize that they are gift, work to discover...

info_outline MPF 276: Why are Boys so Aggressive? show art MPF 276: Why are Boys so Aggressive?

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

“It's our experience that parents who don’t allow their children to play with weapons have little boys who will chew their toast into the shape of a gun”   Summary Hello, I wanted to ask a question in regard to violent play for a toddler. My 4 year old boy is obsessed with all types of toy swords, lasers, etc. Any suggestions on how to manage it in a way that lets him explore but also places limits on it?   This question came from a listener who is a mom of a normal boy!  But often this type of behavior catches parents unaware.  Our culture gives so many...

info_outline MFP 275: Where do Bishops Come From? An interview with Bishop Joseph Coffey show art MFP 275: Where do Bishops Come From? An interview with Bishop Joseph Coffey

Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family

Join Mike and Alicia Hernon on this enlightening episode of the Messy Family Podcast as they sit down for an insightful interview with Bishop Joseph Coffey of the Archdiocese of the Military (United States). Together, they explore the intriguing question, "Where do Bishops Come From?" and delve into Bishop Coffey's personal journey of faith, discernment, and leadership within the Catholic Church. With candor and wisdom, Bishop Coffey shares his unique perspective on the role of bishops in today's world and offers valuable insights into the formation and responsibilities of these spiritual...

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Your family culture is the operating system in your home.  It communicates to your children more powerfully than any written word.

Family culture is something that we are passionate about in this ministry!  We believe that this is the secret weapon of the Catholic family and something that every mom and dad needs to be very intentional about.  The culture within the home is like the operating system in your family and it communicates more powerfully than any written word.  In this episode we give the foundations of family culture and explain why it's important.  Because there is so much to cover, we only get to talk about the spiritual life of the home and what that means for the children.  This is a re-release of a previous episode, but the information is timeless and the principles are the foundation of many of our courses and guides.  Re-release MFP096 Building a Family Culture

For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/

Key Takeaways

  • Parents don’t create a culture, they steward it.  All the members of the family participate. 

  • Family Culture is the unspoken system that binds your family together and communicates your expectations, beliefs, and values more powerfully than any written word.  

  • Your culture must be stronger and more attractive than the secular culture and it must communicate more powerfully.

  • A wise family learns how to manage the urgent and prioritize the important.

  • The spiritual life of your home needs to be the foundation of your culture because it is our connection to God that gives meaning to our lives.

Couple Discussion Questions

  • There is a culture in our home right now.  What is this culture communicating to our children? 

  • What are some values that we want our children to learn from our culture?  How can we do this better? 

  • What are the Urgent things in our life that we need to manage better? 

  • What are the Important things that we are putting off? 

Resources