Family Meeting
The Family Meeting Podcast is a podcast all about family relationships. Our goal is to help you have the family dynamic that you have always wanted. Thomas and Lysandra invite you to be a part of their family. They pull back the curtain on their family life to share practical tips and advice on everything from marriage, parenting, sex, and everything in between. For helpful posts, videos, podcast show notes, or to book them to speak at your next event, go to www.familymeeting.org.
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FMP 283: Preparing Your Kids for Real-Life Situations
02/25/2026
FMP 283: Preparing Your Kids for Real-Life Situations
You can’t protect your kids from every situation. But you can prepare them. In Episode 283 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra share real-life experiences, including a moment when a stranger approached the car and a situation involving a car accident, and talk about how those moments became powerful teaching opportunities. This episode is about more than fear. It’s about preparation. You’ll learn: How to teach your kids situational awareness without creating anxiety. Clear boundaries for car safety and interactions with strangers. What to do if your child is ever in or witnesses a car accident. Age-appropriate conversations about safety and decision-making. How to build confidence, not paranoia. Biblical wisdom for raising wise, aware, and courageous children. Every parent hopes their child never faces danger. But wise parents train their children for real life. If you want your kids to be prepared, calm, and confident in unexpected situations, this episode gives you practical tools and conversations you can start today. Subscribe for weekly conversations on marriage, parenting, and faith. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Family Safety Conversation Guide. For more information:
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FMP 282: Sexual Baggage in Marriage
02/18/2026
FMP 282: Sexual Baggage in Marriage
Every marriage brings a past into the present. For many couples, that past includes experiences, expectations, wounds, or shame that quietly affect intimacy and connection today. When sexual baggage goes unspoken, it can create distance, insecurity, and misunderstanding between spouses. In Episode 282 of The Family Meeting Podcast, we talk honestly and compassionately about sexual baggage in marriage, what it is, how it shows up, and how couples can move toward healing and healthy intimacy without blame or shame. In this episode, we cover: What sexual baggage really means and where it comes from. How past experiences influence expectations and emotional safety. The impact of comparison, insecurity, and shame on intimacy. How to have difficult conversations safely with your spouse. Biblical principles for forgiveness, renewal, and restoration. Practical steps to rebuild trust and connection over time. If the past feels like it’s affecting your present relationship, this episode offers hope, clarity, and a path forward toward deeper connection and God-honoring intimacy. Subscribe for weekly conversations on marriage, parenting, and faith. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Rebuilding Trust and Intimacy Reflection Guide. For more information:
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FMP 281: Helping Your Kids Handle Rejection
02/11/2026
FMP 281: Helping Your Kids Handle Rejection
Few things hurt parents more than watching their child feel left out or rejected by friends. In Episode 281 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra talk about how to help your kids navigate one-sided friendships, disappointment, and the pain of rejection without becoming bitter or withdrawn. Not every friendship is meant to last, and learning when to let a relationship fade is an important life skill. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to recognize when a friendship isn’t being reciprocated. How to guide your child to let a friendship fizzle without drama or conflict. Healthy ways to help kids process rejection and disappointment. How to encourage your child to pursue life-giving friendships. What parents should say, and avoid saying, when kids feel left out. Biblical principles for identity, belonging, and resilience. If your child is struggling with friendships, feeling excluded, or learning how to move on from unhealthy relationships, this episode will help you guide them with empathy, wisdom, and hope. Subscribe for weekly conversations on marriage, parenting, and faith. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Helping Kids Handle Friendship Rejection Parent Guide. For more information:
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FMP 280: Is Clutter Creating Chaos In Your Relationship?
02/04/2026
FMP 280: Is Clutter Creating Chaos In Your Relationship?
Ever notice how clutter seems to bother one spouse way more than the other? It’s not just personality, it may be biology. In Episode 280 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra explore research showing that household clutter can raise women’s stress hormones significantly more than men’s, affecting mood, energy, and even relationship satisfaction. What looks like “just a mess” to one spouse can feel like constant emotional pressure to the other. And when stress rises, connection suffers. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why clutter impacts women’s cortisol (stress hormone) levels more than men’s. How a messy home can quietly create tension in marriage. The emotional and mental load many women carry. Practical ways couples can work together to create a calmer, more peaceful home. Biblical wisdom for serving one another through everyday acts of care. If household messes are causing arguments, frustration, or emotional exhaustion, this episode will help you understand each other better and take simple steps toward peace. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Calm Home Reset Plan. For more information:
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FMP 279: Help! My Kids Fight All The Time!
01/28/2026
FMP 279: Help! My Kids Fight All The Time!
If you feel like a referee in your own home, you’re not alone. In Episode 279 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra tackle one of the most common parenting challenges: kids who fight all the time. From constant arguing to physical fights and emotional blowups, sibling conflict can drain parents and disrupt the entire household. This episode helps you understand: Why sibling conflict happens (and when it’s normal). Common mistakes parents make that unintentionally fuel fighting. How to set clear boundaries and expectations for conflict. When to step in and when to let kids work it out. Biblical principles for teaching peace, self-control, and respect. Practical strategies to reduce daily fights and build healthier relationships. If you’re tired of yelling “stop fighting” and want to teach your kids how to handle conflict in a healthier way, this episode gives you clear tools and encouragement to bring peace back into your home. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Sibling conflict Reset Plan. For more information:
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FMP 278: The Daily Debrief: A 20-Minute Habit That Will Change Your Marriage
01/21/2026
FMP 278: The Daily Debrief: A 20-Minute Habit That Will Change Your Marriage
What if 20 minutes a day could change the direction of your marriage? In Episode 278 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra introduce the Daily Debrief, a simple, intentional conversation that helps couples process the day, release emotional residue, and move into tomorrow with clarity and hope. This practice helps couples: Identify daily wins and losses without blame. Recognize emotional residue that carries into the next day. Decide whether your spouse is a trusted ally, or someone you shield from. Strengthen trust through consistent, safe communication. Replace isolation with partnership and hope. You’ll also hear practical nightly questions that help couples connect emotionally without turning conversations into conflict or problem-solving sessions. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why unprocessed emotions quietly damage connection. How a short daily check-in builds long-term emotional safety. What it means to be your spouse’s safest ally. How to give each other hope at the end of the day. Simple Daily Debrief questions you can start using tonight. If you want to end your day more connected, and start tomorrow stronger, this episode gives you a practical habit that fits real life. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Daily Debrief Questions for Couples Printable. For more information:
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FMP 277: Why Chores Help Your Children Succeed in the Future
01/14/2026
FMP 277: Why Chores Help Your Children Succeed in the Future
What if the path to your child’s future success starts with taking out the trash? In Episode 277 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra explore why chores play a critical role in helping children succeed professionally later in life. Far from being busywork, age-appropriate responsibilities build character traits employers value most, initiative, resilience, teamwork, and accountability. You’ll learn: How chores shape work ethic, responsibility, and perseverance. Why children who contribute at home develop stronger leadership skills. The connection between early responsibility and future professional success. Common parenting mistakes that undermine character development. Biblical principles that affirm the value of work and stewardship. Practical ways to assign chores by age without constant conflict. If you want to raise capable, confident kids who are prepared for real life, not entitled to it, this episode will help you reframe chores as a gift, not a punishment. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Building a Fun, Faith-Filled Family Conversation Guide. For more information:
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FMP 276: Why Worry Is Wrecking Your Marriage
01/07/2026
FMP 276: Why Worry Is Wrecking Your Marriage
What if most of what you worry about in your marriage never actually happens? A study cited by Cornell University found that 85% of the things people worry about never happen. And of the remaining 15% that do, nearly 80% of people say the situation was easier to handle than expected or led to valuable growth. In Episode 276 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra apply this research directly to marriage, where worry often shows up as fear, control, assumptions, and emotional distance. You’ll learn: How worry quietly erodes trust and connection in marriage. Why fear-based thinking leads to control, withdrawal, or conflict. The difference between healthy concern and harmful anxiety. Biblical truth that helps couples move from fear to faith. Practical ways to replace worry with communication, trust, and peace. If you’re constantly bracing for the worst, imagining future conflicts, failures, or rejection, this episode will help you breathe again, reset your perspective, and build a marriage rooted in trust rather than fear. Listen now and discover why most of what you’re worried about won’t happen, and how to handle what does, together. Subscribe for weekly content to help your marriage, your parenting, and your walk with Christ. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our From Worry To Trust Marriage Reflection Guide. For more information:
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FMP 275: What Makes Family Fun, Hard, and Worth It
12/31/2025
FMP 275: What Makes Family Fun, Hard, and Worth It
Family life is beautiful, complicated, loud, messy, and absolutely worth it. In Episode 275 of The Family Meeting Podcast, the Osterkamp girls take over the mic to share their honest perspective on what makes family fun, difficult, and important. From laughter and inside jokes to conflict, expectations, and growing pains, this episode offers a real, unfiltered look at family from the kids’ point of view. You’ll hear: What kids actually enjoy about family life. What makes family hard (and how parents can help). Why family still matters, even when it’s imperfect. What kids wish parents understood more clearly. How everyday moments shape long-term connection. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or someone who grew up in a complicated home, this episode will remind you that strong families aren’t perfect, they’re present. Subscribe for weekly content to help your marriage, your parenting, and your walk with Christ. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Building a Fun, Faith-Filled Family Conversation Guide. For more information:
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FMP 274: Making Christmas Super Special
12/24/2025
FMP 274: Making Christmas Super Special
The moments your family remembers most aren’t always the gifts, they’re the experiences you share together. In Episode 274 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra talk about how to make Christmas super special using games. From simple icebreakers to meaningful traditions, games have a unique way of bringing laughter, connection, and joy into the holiday season, without adding stress or cost. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why games are one of the best ways to create family memories at Christmas. Easy, low-cost Christmas games for all ages. How to use games to spark meaningful conversations and laughter. Ways to keep Christ at the center while having fun together. How intentional play strengthens family bonds during the holidays. Whether you’re hosting extended family or keeping things simple at home, this episode will help you create a Christmas your family will remember long after the decorations come down. Subscribe for weekly content to help your marriage, your parenting, and your walk with Christ. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our 12 Christmas Games To Bring Your Family Together. For more information:
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FMP 273: Sex Struggles Married Couples Face
12/17/2025
FMP 273: Sex Struggles Married Couples Face
Sex is one of the most sensitive, and misunderstood, areas of marriage. When intimacy struggles go unspoken, couples often feel alone, ashamed, or disconnected. In Episode 273 of The Family Meeting Podcast, we talk honestly about the real sex struggles married couples face and how to move toward healing, connection, and God-honoring intimacy. This episode addresses issues many couples deal with quietly, including: One spouse wanting sex without emotional connection. A spouse with little or no desire for sex. How poor personal hygiene impacts attraction. Lust, pornography, and masturbation. Unmet sexual expectations and comparison to past relationships. Lingering memories of an ex. Premature ejaculation and performance anxiety. Difficulty climaxing due to overthinking or stress. Low self-esteem and its effect on intimacy. Rather than offering shame or quick fixes, this conversation focuses on understanding the roots, rebuilding emotional safety, and rediscovering intimacy as a gift meant to unite, not divide, married couples. If sex has become a source of tension, avoidance, pressure, or quiet pain in your marriage, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and biblical wisdom to help you take a healthier next step. Subscribe for weekly content to help your marriage, your parenting, and your walk with Christ. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Rebuilding Sexual Connection in Marriage. For more information:
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FMP 272: How to Get Your Kids to Listen Without Raising Your Voice
12/10/2025
FMP 272: How to Get Your Kids to Listen Without Raising Your Voice
If the only way your kids listen is when you yell… something’s not working. The good news? It can change. In Episode 272 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra break down how to get your kids to listen without raising your voice. From toddlers to teens, every child responds better to calm authority than angry intensity, and this episode shows you how to make that shift. You’ll learn: Why kids stop listening (and how to fix the real issue). How calm, consistent boundaries actually increase obedience. Phrases that work better than yelling or repeating yourself The importance of follow-through, consequences, and connection. Biblical principles that shape respectful, peaceful communication at home. How to regulate your emotions so you can model healthy responses. If you’re tired of yelling, repeating yourself, or feeling disrespected, this episode gives you the practical tools and biblical wisdom to build a more peaceful, cooperative home. Listen now and start shifting the atmosphere in your family, one calm conversation at a time. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our 10 Phrases That Get Kids to Listen (Without Yelling). For more information:
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FMP 271: Loving Through Chronic Illness Part 2
12/03/2025
FMP 271: Loving Through Chronic Illness Part 2
Chronic illness doesn’t just affect the person who lives with it, it affects the marriage, the home, the daily rhythms, and the emotional world of both spouses. In Episode 271 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra open an honest, compassionate conversation about what it’s really like to be married to a chronically ill spouse. From emotional exhaustion to disrupted plans to living with uncertainty, this episode offers hope, understanding, and practical tools for couples walking this difficult road. You’ll discover: The hidden emotional weight carried by both the ill spouse and the caregiver. How chronic illness impacts intimacy, communication, and expectations. Biblical encouragement for couples facing long-term suffering. Ways to stay connected when pain, fatigue, or limitations get in the way. Practical strategies to support your spouse without losing yourself. How to protect your marriage from resentment, burnout, and isolation. Whether you’re living this reality or want to love others who are, this episode brings comfort, clarity, and Christ-centered encouragement for marriages facing chronic illness. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Chronic Illness Marriage Support Guide. For more information:
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FMP 270: Loving Through Chronic Illness
11/26/2025
FMP 270: Loving Through Chronic Illness
Chronic illness doesn’t just affect the person who lives with it, it affects the marriage, the home, the daily rhythms, and the emotional world of both spouses. In Episode 270 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra open an honest, compassionate conversation about what it’s really like to be married to a chronically ill spouse. From emotional exhaustion to disrupted plans to living with uncertainty, this episode offers hope, understanding, and practical tools for couples walking this difficult road. You’ll discover: The hidden emotional weight carried by both the ill spouse and the caregiver. How chronic illness impacts intimacy, communication, and expectations. Biblical encouragement for couples facing long-term suffering. Ways to stay connected when pain, fatigue, or limitations get in the way. Practical strategies to support your spouse without losing yourself. How to protect your marriage from resentment, burnout, and isolation. Whether you’re living this reality or want to love others who are, this episode brings comfort, clarity, and Christ-centered encouragement for marriages facing chronic illness. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Chronic Illness Marriage Support Guide. For more information:
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FMP 269: Family Vacation in the Florida Keys
11/19/2025
FMP 269: Family Vacation in the Florida Keys
Sunshine, snorkeling, and saving money, this episode has it all! In Episode 269 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra share their family’s recent vacation to the Florida Keys, from the planning process to the priceless moments along the way. Whether you’re dreaming of your next getaway or looking for tips to make travel smoother and more affordable, this episode offers a mix of fun stories and practical advice for families on the go. You’ll discover: How we planned our family trip to the Florida Keys step-by-step. What to look for when choosing the right Airbnb for your family. How we decided what to do each day without over-scheduling. Our approach to meal planning on vacation (and saving money while eating well). Budget-friendly travel tips that make big memories without breaking the bank. If you’re planning a family vacation, or just want ideas for stress-free, memory-making travel, this episode will help you do it with purpose, joy, and togetherness. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Family Travel Planner & Budget Worksheet. For more information:
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FMP 268: Parenting Kids in a Culture of Bed Rot
11/12/2025
FMP 268: Parenting Kids in a Culture of Bed Rot
Scrolling in bed for hours. Avoiding responsibility. Calling it “self-care.” Welcome to the culture of bed rot, where rest has turned into withdrawal, and comfort has replaced purpose. In Episode 268 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra unpack what this trend means for families and how parents can respond with both truth and grace. Instead of shaming laziness or enabling disengagement, they explore how to guide kids toward real rest, the kind that restores body, mind, and spirit. You’ll discover: What “bed rotting” really is and why it’s rising among teens and young adults. How screens, stress, and anxiety fuel this cultural trend. The difference between healthy rest and harmful avoidance. Biblical principles for balance, purpose, and meaningful rest. Practical steps to help your kids re-engage with life, faith, and family. If you’ve noticed your child spending more time retreating than participating, this episode will help you approach the issue with understanding, boundaries, and biblical wisdom. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Healthy Rest vs. Avoidance Family Conversation Guide. For more information:
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FMP 267: Are You A Responsive Spouse?
11/05/2025
FMP 267: Are You A Responsive Spouse?
Your marriage is only as strong as your level of responsiveness. In Episode 267 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra explore the power of being a responsive spouse, emotionally, verbally, and physically. From laughter and listening to affection and empathy, your reactions shape the health of your marriage more than you realize. When your spouse jokes, do you laugh? When they flirt, do you play along? When they share, do you really engage? In this honest and practical conversation, you’ll learn: Why emotional responsiveness is the foundation of healthy intimacy. How small reactions build or break trust in daily interactions. What Scripture teaches about mutual attentiveness and love. Signs you may be emotionally unavailable, and how to change that. Simple habits that create warmth, connection, and joy in your relationship. Whether you’ve grown distant or simply want to reconnect, this episode will help you re-engage your heart and respond to your spouse in ways that strengthen your bond and honor God. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Responsive Spouse Self-Check Worksheet. For more information: .
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FMP 266: Making God Conversations Natural in Everyday Parenting
10/29/2025
FMP 266: Making God Conversations Natural in Everyday Parenting
Faith isn’t meant to live only in church, it’s meant to live in your home. In Episode 266 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra share how to make talking about God a natural part of parenting. Instead of awkward, forced conversations, this episode shows you how to recognize everyday teachable moments, those small but powerful times when your child’s heart is open and listening. You’ll discover: How to bring God into ordinary conversations naturally. What Deuteronomy 6 teaches about faith in the home. How to turn curiosity and mistakes into spiritual lessons. Simple ways to connect faith to daily routines, not just Sunday mornings. How to make God’s presence a normal part of your family’s culture. Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, this episode will help you create a home where faith isn’t just taught, it’s caught. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Everyday Faith Moments Checklist For Parents. For more information: .
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FMP 265: More Play: The Importance of After-Sex Care
10/22/2025
FMP 265: More Play: The Importance of After-Sex Care
Great intimacy doesn’t end when sex does. In Episode 265 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra dive into the importance of after-sex care, what happens in the minutes and hours after intimacy. Too often, couples miss this vital step, leaving one or both spouses feeling disconnected, unseen, or even used. But with intentionality, after-sex care can become a powerful way to deepen love, security, and spiritual connection. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why after-sex connection is just as important as foreplay. How small gestures (touch, conversation, affirmation) build trust and intimacy. The differences between how husbands and wives often process intimacy afterward. Biblical wisdom on cherishing your spouse as more than just a physical partner. Practical “more play” ideas that help turn the bedroom into a place of bonding, not battle. If sex has felt transactional, disconnected, or routine, this episode will help you rediscover God’s design for intimacy as a gift that connects body, soul, and spirit. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our 10 After-Sex Ideas For Couples. For more information: .
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FMP 264: Why Playing Pretend With Your Kids Is Vital
10/15/2025
FMP 264: Why Playing Pretend With Your Kids Is Vital
It might look like simple fun, but pretend play is one of the most powerful tools for your child’s early development. In Episode 264 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra explore why playing pretend with your kids isn’t just silly games, it’s a God-given way for children to learn, grow, and thrive. From building creativity to developing empathy, role play helps shape the skills your kids will carry into the rest of their lives. In this episode, you’ll discover: The science behind imaginative play and brain development. How pretend play builds problem-solving, creativity, and emotional awareness. Why role-playing fosters empathy, kindness, and stronger relationships. Practical ways parents can join in pretend play (without feeling awkward). A biblical perspective on childlike imagination and learning through play. Whether your child is staging a tea party, building a fort, or pretending to be a superhero, this episode will inspire you to join in with joy, knowing you’re helping shape their heart and mind. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our 10 Simple Ways To Encourage Pretend Play At Home. For more information: .
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FMP 263: How Coming from a Divorced Home Affects Your Marriage
10/08/2025
FMP 263: How Coming from a Divorced Home Affects Your Marriage
The family you come from shapes the family you build. In Episode 263 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra explore how growing up in a divorced home affects your marriage. From trust issues to conflict styles to fears of abandonment, the patterns we experience as children often reappear in the way we relate to our spouse. But your past doesn’t have to define your future. In this episode, you’ll discover: 5 common ways a divorced upbringing influences marriage. Why unhealed wounds often resurface in conflict, intimacy, and communication. Biblical truth about breaking generational cycles of brokenness. Practical steps to build trust, stability, and security in your own marriage. How to invite God’s healing into the places divorce left scars. Whether your parents divorced when you were young or later in life, this episode will help you understand how your background affects your marriage, and how to walk forward in wholeness and hope. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Breaking The Cycle Of Divorce Reflection Guide. For more information: .
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FMP 262: Families Staying Strong in the Midst of Foster Care
10/01/2025
FMP 262: Families Staying Strong in the Midst of Foster Care
Foster care is one of the most beautiful and challenging callings a family can walk through. It stretches your faith, tests your patience, and sometimes leaves you feeling overwhelmed, but it also reflects the very heart of God, who welcomes the vulnerable into His family. In Episode 262 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra open up about how families can stay strong in the midst of foster care. Whether you’re fostering now, considering it, or supporting foster families in your church, this episode will encourage you to lean on God’s strength and not your own. You’ll learn: The unique emotional and relational pressures foster families face. How to guard your marriage and family unity in the middle of chaos. Biblical wisdom for loving children through trauma and transition. Practical ways churches and communities can support foster families. Encouragement for weary parents who feel like giving up. This episode is for foster parents, adoptive families, and anyone who wants to understand how to walk this journey with faith and resilience. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our 10 Scriptures To Pray Over Your Foster Family. For more information: .
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FMP 261: Emotional Maturity vs. Emotional Integrity Part 2
09/24/2025
FMP 261: Emotional Maturity vs. Emotional Integrity Part 2
Emotions are a gift from God, but how we express them can either build up or tear down. In Episode 261 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra explore the difference between emotional maturity (controlling and managing emotions) and emotional integrity (honestly expressing emotions without shame or suppression). Too often in Christian homes, we either explode in anger or shut down in silence, when God calls us to handle emotions with both truth and grace. In this conversation, you’ll learn: The difference between emotional maturity and emotional integrity. Why denying your feelings is just as damaging as losing control of them. Biblical principles for expressing emotions in a healthy, God-honoring way. How emotional maturity and integrity strengthen marriage and parenting. Practical steps for creating a safe space for emotions in your home. If you’ve ever wrestled with when to speak up, when to hold back, or how to express emotions without sinning, this episode will give you clarity and hope. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Healthy Emotional Expression Worksheet. For more information: .
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FMP 260: Emotional Maturity vs. Emotional Integrity Part 1
09/17/2025
FMP 260: Emotional Maturity vs. Emotional Integrity Part 1
Emotions are a gift from God, but how we express them can either build up or tear down. In Episode 260 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra explore the difference between emotional maturity (controlling and managing emotions) and emotional integrity (honestly expressing emotions without shame or suppression). Too often in Christian homes, we either explode in anger or shut down in silence, when God calls us to handle emotions with both truth and grace. In this conversation, you’ll learn: The difference between emotional maturity and emotional integrity. Why denying your feelings is just as damaging as losing control of them. Biblical principles for expressing emotions in a healthy, God-honoring way. How emotional maturity and integrity strengthen marriage and parenting. Practical steps for creating a safe space for emotions in your home. If you’ve ever wrestled with when to speak up, when to hold back, or how to express emotions without sinning, this episode will give you clarity and hope. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Healthy Emotional Expression Worksheet. For more information: .
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FMP 259: Dropping Your Kid Off at College
09/10/2025
FMP 259: Dropping Your Kid Off at College
Few parenting moments feel as bittersweet as dropping your child off at college. It’s the moment years of raising, guiding, and praying culminate in a new season of independence, not just for your child, but for you as a parent. In Episode 259 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra share their heart and personal experiences about this milestone moment. From the tearful goodbyes to the quiet drive home, they unpack both the challenges and the opportunities this transition brings. You’ll discover: Why letting go is one of the hardest acts of parenting. How to trust God with your child’s future when you’re no longer right beside them. The emotional rollercoaster parents face during this season, and how to process it with grace. Practical ways to stay connected without controlling. How to embrace the new rhythms of marriage, family, and faith after your kids leave home. Whether you’re preparing to send a child to college soon or simply want to understand what this transition feels like, this episode offers comfort, encouragement, and biblical wisdom for the journey. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Prayer for Parents Sending Kids to College. For more information: .
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FMP 258: External Marriage Threats
09/03/2025
FMP 258: External Marriage Threats
Sometimes the greatest dangers to your marriage don’t come from within, but from outside influences trying to pull you apart. In Episode 258 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra discuss the external threats that can slowly weaken your marriage if left unguarded. From unhealthy friendships and toxic family patterns to work stress, financial pressure, and even digital distractions, these outside forces can create cracks in your relationship if you’re not intentional. You’ll learn: 6 common external threats every couple must recognize. How to set healthy boundaries with extended family, work, and social media. Why “good things” like success and busyness can still harm your marriage. Biblical strategies for keeping your covenant strong against outside pressures. How to build a united front that resists division and distraction. Listen now and learn how to protect your marriage from the outside in. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our Guarding Your Marriage: External Threats Checklist. For more information: .
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FMP 257: Internal Marriage Threats
08/27/2025
FMP 257: Internal Marriage Threats
Most marriages don’t fall apart because of outside pressure. They weaken from the inside. In Episode 257 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra unpack the internal marriage threats that quietly erode love, trust, and unity. Left unchecked, these hidden struggles can turn small cracks into deep divides. You’ll learn: The most common internal threats couples face (bitterness, pride, selfishness, secrecy, poor communication) Why unresolved conflict poisons intimacy and trust Biblical warnings about what happens when hearts grow cold Practical steps to guard your marriage against internal drift How humility, forgiveness, and intentional connection bring healing If your marriage feels distant, strained, or stuck in cycles of hurt, this episode will help you identify the real issues and take steps toward restoration. Listen now and strengthen your marriage from the inside out. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our “Marriage Threats Self-Check” Worksheet. For more information: .
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FMP 256: Loving Your Child Enough to Say No: Boundaries, Discipline, and Biblical Parenting
08/20/2025
FMP 256: Loving Your Child Enough to Say No: Boundaries, Discipline, and Biblical Parenting
Saying “yes” feels easier in the moment, but real love is strong enough to say “no.” In Episode 256 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra talk about why loving your child sometimes means setting limits, holding boundaries, and saying no, even when it’s hard. In a culture that pushes parents to keep kids constantly happy, giving in can feel easier than standing firm. But in the long run, it weakens character and undermines trust. You’ll discover: Why boundaries actually make kids feel safer, not restricted. How saying “no” shapes responsibility, resilience, and self-control. Biblical wisdom on discipline and love in action. Practical ways to enforce limits without shame or anger. How to handle guilt, pushback, and parenting pressure. If you’ve ever struggled with guilt after saying no, or wondered if you’re being too hard on your kids, this episode will encourage you to see boundaries as an act of love. Listen now for biblical parenting wisdom and practical tools to help you raise confident, faith-filled children. Bonus Resource: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our “Healthy Boundaries for Christian Parents” Checklist. For more information: .
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FMP 255: Sleeping With The Enemy
08/13/2025
FMP 255: Sleeping With The Enemy
Sex is meant to connect, not divide. In Episode 255 of The Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra tackle a difficult but crucial topic: what happens when physical intimacy in marriage feels disconnected, obligatory, or even adversarial. Instead of fostering closeness, the bedroom becomes a source of resentment, pressure, or avoidance, and both spouses feel the distance. We explore: How unresolved conflict spills over into the bedroom. The emotional cost of duty-driven intimacy. Why pressure and performance kill connection. Biblical truth about intimacy as a reflection of love and unity. Practical ways to rebuild trust, desire, and safety in your physical relationship. If sex has become a source of stress instead of joy in your marriage, this episode will help you address the root issues and take steps toward restoration. Listen now + subscribe for an honest, grace-filled conversation about turning intimacy from a battleground into a safe place. BONUS RESOURCE: Send an email to info@familymeeting.org for our “Rebuilding Connection in Marriage” Guide. For more information: .
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FMP 254: How Parental Hypocrisy Undermines Your Influence
08/06/2025
FMP 254: How Parental Hypocrisy Undermines Your Influence
Your kids are watching, and they see more than you think they do! In episode 254 of the Family Meeting Podcast, Thomas and Lysandra confront a hard but necessary truth: parental hypocrisy destroys credibility. When our actions don't line up with our words, we teach our children that appearances matter more than authenticity, and that faith is something we perform, not live. Rooted in Luke 12:1-3, Jesus warns that nothing hidden will stay hidden. In a culture of image and performance, your home must be a place of honest, Christ-centered integrity. In this episode, you'll discover: 5 subtle signs of hypocrisy in Christian parenting. How children internalize the gap between what we say and what we do. Why humility and repentance are more powerful than pretending. What it means to model faith that's real, not just visible. How to rebuild trust if your past actions have hurt your witness. Whether you're a new parent or raising teens, this episode will help you lead with conviction, not contradiction. BONUS RESOURCE: Send an email to for our "Live What You Say' Parenting Reflection Tool. For more information:
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