THE CELEBRATE KIDS PODCAST

THE CELEBRATE KIDS PODCAST

Embracing the Joy of Kids
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Embracing the Joy of Kids

Celebrating a child’s life is about more than momentary happiness; it’s about guiding them toward a fuller understanding of love, purpose, and belonging. That’s the real beauty of this journey.

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Getting Kids To See Success
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Getting Kids To See Success

The “success sequence” isn’t just a statistic—it’s an invitation. It’s about giving your kids a map that works, showing them that stability isn’t boring, it’s empowering. So, go ahead. Start the conversations. Take the field trips. Eat the ice cream. And show your kids that they have what it takes to build a life they’ll be proud of—one step, one choice at a time.

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Talking to Kids in the Aftermath of Tragedy
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Talking to Kids in the Aftermath of Tragedy

Have you ever found yourself staring at your phone, jaw dropped, heart racing, as another tragic headline flashes across your screen? Maybe you’ve been mid-laundry-fold or waiting in the car line when the weight of the world just crashes down. It doesn’t take long for those headlines to turn into a question—How do I explain this to my kids? Should I even bring it up?

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Fact-to-Face with Character.ai and Artificial Friends
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Fact-to-Face with Character.ai and Artificial Friends

We’re at a crossroads. The tools of our time, artificial intelligence and social media, aren’t going away. They’re only growing in influence. If we don’t equip children with the ability to discern the good from the harmful—now, early—we’re setting them up to trust a world that doesn’t always have their back.

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AI Friends Taint The Power of Belonging
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

AI Friends Taint The Power of Belonging

Friendship is a gift from God, a tool for shaping who we are. Good friends challenge us, push us toward our God-given potential, and remind us of who we were created to be. Let’s help kids choose wisely and grow through every connection, knowing that the friendships they nurture today will shape who they’re becoming tomorrow.

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Growing Together During the Holidays
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Growing Together During the Holidays

This season isn’t just about their growth; it’s about our growth—together. When we approach this transition with open hearts, curiosity, and a good dose of humor, we build a relationship that’s strong enough to navigate this new phase. So let’s lean in, love big, and celebrate who they’re becoming while never forgetting the joy of simply being together.

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Growing Up With Nowhere To Go
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Growing Up With Nowhere To Go

Safe spaces don’t mean “bubble-wrapped” zones where nothing goes wrong. Teens need room to fail, take risks, and bounce back. They build resilience and strength in these messy, uncertain moments.

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Kids Have Present Value
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Kids Have Present Value

Here’s something amazing: Your child is already enough. Sure, they’ll grow and change, but right now, they’re full of unique gifts and talents that make your family and your community better. Whether it’s their silly jokes, endless questions, or fierce determination to do it “all by myself,” they are showing you glimpses of who God made them to be.

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Teaching Kids The Power of Boredom
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Teaching Kids The Power of Boredom

Boredom isn’t the enemy—it’s the beginning of something new. The next time your child whines about being bored, take a deep breath, smile, and see it as an opportunity. With your guidance, they’ll learn to face those blank moments with curiosity and creativity. They’ll see boredom as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block.

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Celebrating Kids with Boundaries From Online Influences
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Celebrating Kids with Boundaries From Online Influences

As we guide our kids, we’re helping them become the people God designed them to be. We’re shaping their hearts to value real connection over quick validation. We’re teaching them to celebrate who they are instead of comparing themselves to a filtered version of someone else. We’re equipping them to navigate the digital world with confidence, kindness, and discernment.

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Breaking Kids Free from the "Romantic-Only" Mindset By Building the Church
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Breaking Kids Free from the "Romantic-Only" Mindset By Building the Church

The best relationships mirror the way God loves us—unconditionally, faithfully, and abundantly. And here’s the beauty of it: When we find our security and identity in God, it changes how we show up in relationships. Instead of needing people to fill our emotional gaps, we can bring wholeness, generosity, and grace.

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With the Rise of Anxiety in Teens Parenting Approaches Must Change
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

With the Rise of Anxiety in Teens Parenting Approaches Must Change

Today’s challenges are unique and require a commitment to understanding the world your children are growing up in. Raising them well means helping them navigate day-to-day tasks and preparing them to thrive in a world vastly different from the one you grew up in.

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Reading Aloud for Children’s Success: A Timeless Gift
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Reading Aloud for Children’s Success: A Timeless Gift

In a world that often divides us, reading together unifies, encouraging understanding and connection in priceless ways. By making reading aloud a priority, we’re building a future where our children feel capable, connected, and inspired. So, let’s turn the pages together and help shape their story.

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Beyond Comparison: Helping Young Women Find Confidence in Their Identity
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

Beyond Comparison: Helping Young Women Find Confidence in Their Identity

Parenting draws from the confidence and security that we hold. Hebrews 13:6 reminds us that confidence in the Lord offers peace and resilience, grounding us as we parent. Through these layered conversations—celebrating the women in our lives and nurturing unique identities—we model the beauty of a purposed and competent life grounded on Jesus Christ.

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The Rise of Mental Health Support and Problems
Wayne Stender Wayne Stender

The Rise of Mental Health Support and Problems

The rising complexity of youth mental health isn’t about finding just one solution. It’s about giving young people tools that fit them as individuals—tools to face challenges, celebrate their unique strengths, and hold onto hope. We need to build both an awareness of their struggles and an unshakeable sense that they’re equipped and loved through it all.

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