The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane

Contrary to what many say, most marriages aren't destroyed by parental wounds, unresolved anger, or a sinful past. Jim Ramos, founder of Men in the Arena, talks candidly with Arlene about his new book Guardrails: 10 Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage. They dive into practical wisdom for building a marriage that lasts, drawn from Jim's 34+ years of real-life experience. Jim has seen enough marriages crumble to know one thing: most of them didn't fail because of deep psychological wounds or unresolved trauma — they failed because of small, unwise decisions that compounded over time. Tune in for practical wisdom and ways to avoid these costly mistakes for marriages. 2:08 Why Jim & Shannon created guardrails after 34 years 4:51 Navigating opposite-sex coworkers and professional boundaries 8:00 How to receive compliments without opening emotional doors 10:50 Guardrail #9: Always send gifts from us, never just from you 14:00 The story loop problem (King Solomon & the Queen of Sheba) 21:14 Guardrail #3: Staying emotionally connected 24:07 Social media dangers: Jim's personal rules (150k followers, zero apps on his phone) Get a copy of Jim's book, Guardrails: 10 Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage and find out more about his ministry at meninthearena.org. More Resources from Arlene Pellicane: SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the checklist, 7 Warning Signs of Screen Overuse. Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier. Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words. Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Author Addison Bevere joins Arlene to talk about what honest, un-performative prayer actually looks like — for you and your kids. He shares why humility is a parenting superpower, how to guide children toward "second innocence," and why your morning routine might be the most spiritually significant part of your day. Join us for a truly wisdom-filled conversation about prayer and Addison's new book, Words with God. 02:02 The difference between complaining about God vs. going to God in messy intimacy 03:07 Humility creates safety — modeling authentic faith for your kids 08:37 First innocence vs. second innocence — the real goal of protecting your kids 10:39 God won't always deliver you from a thing when that thing will ultimately deliver you to him 12:40 Prayer is about presence, not performance 15:21 Morning routines, brain science, and how God designed us as receptors 20:52 Addison's no-phone morning ritual — and the neuroscience behind it 25:02 "Smart mornings do not include smartphones" 31:49 Insomnia and surrender: how waking up differently changed everything Grab a copy Addison's books: Words With God (book and prayer journal) Connect with Addison at rediscoverprayer.com. More Resources from Arlene Pellicane: SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the checklist, 7 Warning Signs of Screen Overuse. Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier. Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words. Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Blending families isn't easy and you can feel alone in the struggle. But did you know there are several prominent step-families found in the Bible? Smart stepmom, author Laura Petherbridge offers heartfelt insights and solutions for navigating big emotions in complex homes. Her new book is Stepfamilies of the Bible: Timeless Wisdom for Blended Families. God's people have always included families with complex configurations, strained dynamics, and serious problems. The fact that complex, imperfect families have always been part of God's family is good news! In today's conversation, you'll learn: 3:00 53 percent of kids come from complex families, going between two homes 9:00 When my dad got remarried and I got a step-mom... 14:15 When children feel they lost dad to the new stepmom/stepfamily 18:00 When you feel offended by your step-kids 22:15 If a child senses you look down on the other family, he will side with the other family as the underdog 25:00 You don't see two women who hate each other more (Sarah and Hagar) Connect with Laura and get her book, Stepfamilies of the Bible at thesmartstepmom.com. More Resources from Arlene Pellicane: SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the checklist, 7 Warning Signs of Screen Overuse. Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier. Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words. Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE) Learn more about Every Woman's Bible today by visiting: https://hubs.la/Q0427v7r0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by clutter, today's expert Katy Joy Wells is here to help with steps you can implement today! She's helped more than 250,000 families take control of their homes by solving the real clutter problem--what's underneath it all? What if your clutter isn't just a mess problem — it's a heart problem? Katy is the host of The Maximized Minimalist (5M downloads!) and author of Making Home Your Happy Place. She joins Arlene to unpack why traditional decluttering never sticks. Katy breaks down the 4 types of clutter, shares her CBT-rooted 4S Framework for letting go without the guilt, and draws a freeing distinction between clutter and everyday mess. You'll also get to hear some of Katy's story and how her challenges led her to start decluttering. Let's learn together how to declutter without being overwhelmed by taking small, practical steps. 2:07 The 4 types of clutter: the "clutter onion" framework 6:52 How to overcome scarcity and identity clutter 10:59 Too many toys? 11:31 Set physical boundaries as your decluttering goal 17:54 Katy's story and her shift to holistic decluttering 22:05 Pull the weed by the root — why clutter comes back and how to stop it 27:37 Navigating sentimental clutter & guilt clutter Listen to Katy's podcast, The Maximized Minimalist, grab a copy of her new book, Making Home Your Happy Place, and connect with Katy on Instagram @katyjoywells. More Resources from Arlene Pellicane: SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the checklist, 7 Warning Signs of Screen Overuse. Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier. Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words. Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE) Learn more about Every Woman's Bible today by visiting: https://hubs.la/Q0427v7r0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

If you've ever felt guilty for struggling with anxiety or have a child who wrestles with worry, this conversation is for you. Holley Gerth, Wall Street Journal bestselling author and counselor, is on the show to talk about her latest book, Prayers for Peace of Mind: Scripture and Encouragement for Days of Anxiety, Worry and Stress. Holley shares practical and compassionate tools for families navigating fear and worry, sharing on what God wants us to do with our anxieties, and what He really means when He says, "Do not fear." 3:27 How to turn your anxiety into excitement 5:58 Emotions: great messengers, terrible bosses 8:00 The real reason social media makes you anxious 13:22 You are beloved-- anchor yourself in this truth 16:30 Introverts, anxiety and the overstimulation connection 23:41 How to signal to your kids that they are safe 27:27 The prayer that carried Holley through her hardest season Connect with Holley Gerth and grab a free, 5-day excerpt of her book at holleygerth.com/peace. More Resources from Arlene Pellicane: SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the checklist, 7 Warning Signs of Screen Overuse. Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier. Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words. Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE) Learn more about Every Woman's Bible today by visiting: https://hubs.la/Q0427v7r0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

With his signature whimsy and curiosity, bestselling author Bob Goff takes us on a journey with the Savior in his new book, A Journey with Jesus: An Interactive Guide Through the Holy Land. Bob shares what being in Israel and walking where Jesus walked taught him about wonder. You'll hear about Bob's adventures in the cockpit of an airplane, the tenacity of faithful friends, and the beauty of experiencing life in person (not just watching a screen). 2:39 The Power of Second Touches and Authenticity 3:53 Making Bible Study Accessible for All 7:21 The Importance of Genuine Curiosity 13:00 The Value of Lame Friends and What They Can Teach Us 18:06 Keeping Eyes Fixed on Jesus Amidst Challenges 19:52 The Impact of Curiosity and Travel Connect with Bob Goff and grab his book at bobgoff.com. More Resources from Arlene Pellicane: SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the checklist, 7 Warning Signs of Screen Overuse. Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier. Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words. Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE) Learn more about Every Woman's Bible today by visiting: https://hubs.la/Q0427v7r0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Abbie Halberstadt, mother of 10 kids and author of You Bet Your Stretch Marks, joins Arlene to dismantle the myth that moms should "love every minute" of parenting. Being a parent stretches your capacity like nothing else, but it also fills you with immense joy and has a lasting impact. Motherhood is good. Abbie shares practical wisdom on prioritizing heart work over housework and reclaiming parental authority in a culture that overemphasizes children's emotions. This is a Biblical conversation for any mom who feels overwhelmed, frustrated that the kids won't listen, or guilty that she's not enjoying motherhood "enough." 05:17 - The myth of "loving every minute" of motherhood 10:08 - Dealing with comparison and mom guilt 12:18 - The danger of making parenting your identity 14:45 - Prioritizing heart work over housework 18:39 - Teaching kids to serve vs. being served 25:09 - "My kids won't listen to me" - understanding parental authority 26:30 - The problem with emotion-centered parenting 29:21 - Why kids need to know that "mama means what she says" Learn more about Abbie Halberstadt on https://misformama.net/ or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/m.is.for.mama/ Check out Abbie's podcast, M is For Mama, and grab her book, You Bet Your Stretch Marks, anywhere books are sold. More Resources from Arlene Pellicane: SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the checklist, 7 Warning Signs of Screen Overuse. Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier. Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words. Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE) Learn more about Every Woman's Bible today by visiting: https://hubs.la/Q0427v7r0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Did you know Dr. Gary Chapman has teamed up with Dr. Les and Leslie Parrott to write a follow up book to his bestselling 5 Love Languages book? Dr. Leslie Parrott joins Arlene today to talk about the new book, "The Love Language That Matters Most." While most of us know the five love languages, Leslie reveals that each language has specific "dialects" that can make or break how love is received. You will learn how to personalize love so your spouse, child, family member, or friend can really feel it. Leslie explains why the love language that matters most is the OTHER persons (not yours), how to stay curious, and the power of asking, "What is one thing I could do to fill your love tank this week?" 04:12 - The love language that matters most is THEIRS, not yours 05:28 - The role of curiosity in loving well 10:08 - How to understand and best utilize love language "dialects" 19:25 - Loving your children in their love language 22:04 - How to adjust when your child becomes a teenager 24:37 - The power of brief connections with adult children 25:47 - Sometimes space and time ARE love 26:10 - The heart behind the book: Helping people deeply feel loved Connect with Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott at lesandleslie.com and grab their new book with Dr. Gary Chapman The Love Language that Matters Most anywhere books are sold or at 5LoveLanguages.com Take the Premium Love Language Assessment here More Resources from Arlene Pellicane: SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get the FREE CHECKLIST to find out the 7 warning signs of screen overload. Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier. Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words. Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE) Learn more about Every Woman's Bible today by visiting: https://hubs.la/Q0427v7r0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Does your teen get angry? The answer is probably yes--leaving you with the question, "What do I do about it?" Dr. Gary Chapman joins us to talk about his new book, A Teen’s Guide to Conflict: How to Deal with Drama, Manage Anger, and Make Things Right. Tune in for practical ways parents can guide teenagers through anger, disrespect, and lack of motivation. It turns out you can show up in a loving way even if your teen doesn't. Dr. Chapman emphasizes using loving consequences, modeling honor and responsibility, distinguishing healthy vs. unhealthy anger, building connection through shared experiences, and using books/discussion to help teens mature emotionally and relationally. We'll talk about: 01:37 Why rules & consequences are loving 04:38 Handling disrespect and teaching honor 11:35 Anger management, good vs. bad anger, confronting wrong kindly 17:50 Escaping victim mentality & returning good for evil 28:04 How to motivate withdrawn teens & the importance of dialogue Pick up a copy of A Teen's Guide To Conflict and Dr. Chapman's other books including The Love Language That Matters Most at 5lovelanguages.com. More Resources from Arlene Pellicane: SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get access to 12 free resources to help you as a parent. Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier. Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words. Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE) Learn more about Every Woman's Bible today by visiting: https://hubs.la/Q0427v7r0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Struggling to break free from the same old conflicts in your relationship? When Ron and Nan Deal suffered the devastating loss of their child, their marriage could have collapsed. For decades, Ron and Nan were stuck in destructive cycles, experiencing ruptures without repair. They sought help from Dr. Terry and Sharon Hargrave whose transformational Restoration Therapy has helped millions. Now for the first time, Ron and Nan share their journey from a marriage on the brink of collapse to complete transformation. It happened for them and it can happen for you. Their new book is "The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself." On today's episode, they open up about how they kept repeating negative patterns—despite loving God and each other—until they learned to manage themselves rather than trying to fix each other. Let's listen in as Ron and Nan give practical tools to find peace through humility and Biblical truth. 02:42 The crisis point: when their marriage was coming apart 06:21 Ruptures vs. repair in relationships 09:12 Am I "dysregulated"? 13:09 The shift from fixing your spouse to fixing yourself 18:56 How seeking help and humility can change everything 21:23 These four steps transformed our marriage 30:14 Why saying the steps out loud is critical 33:36 What to do when past trauma gets triggered 37:12 Surviving amidst devastating loss: The story of losing their son Connor Stay connected with Ron and Nan Deal and their ministries at rondeal.org. More Resources from Arlene Pellicane: SUBSCRIBE to Arlene's newsletter "What I'm Learning This Week" and get access to 12 free resources to help you as a parent. Check out Arlene's BOOKS including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier. Follow Arlene on Instagram and/or Facebook Go to Arlene's YouTube Channel How did Arlene's kids adapt to not having phones, video games or social media? Watch the free video, Screen Kids: In Their Own Words. Have a question for Arlene to address on the podcast? Want to invite Arlene to speak to your group? Email speaking@arlenepellicane.com Not sure about a smartphone for your child? Check out the Gabb Wireless phone for kids and teens (use the promo code ARLENE) Learn more about Every Woman's Bible today by visiting: https://hubs.la/Q0427v7r0 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.