Ep. 311 — Best of Raising Godly Girls: How Making Life Too Easy Hinders a Girl's Character, Mental, and Spiritual Growth with Erin Kunkle

What does it truly mean to be a Godly girl? The same question that closed out 2024 for the Raising Godly Girls Podcast rings in the New Year of 2026. From a foundation rooted in Christ, to a Biblical Worldview active in a girl's life, and finally a thriving daily relationship with the Living God, Godly girlhood is timeless and yet oh so relevant to today's girls. Hear Melissa's favorite Raising Godly Girls Minute—a centerpoint for each episode—and the global reaches this podcast has made in the last year. Hosts Natalie Ambrose and Melissa Bearden seal in the last episode of 2025 in prayer over the regular listeners and their families.     Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:    Psalm 139:14  Galatians 5:22-23  Deuteronomy 31:6  Romans 5:3-5    Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.    To find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.  

Parenting is full of tension—especially when love tempts us to smooth every bump in our daughter's path. In this "Best of Raising Godly Girls" episode, we revisit Episode 271: "How Making Life Too Easy Hinders a Girl's Character, Mental, and Spiritual Growth" featuring AHG Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay and Erin Kunkle, co-founder of MAVEN Ministries. Originally aired September 20th, 2025, this conversation explores the pitfalls of "lawnmower" or overprotective parenting and the lasting impact it can have on a girl's growth in character, resilience, and faith.  Erin and Patti dive into Biblical principles for equipping girls to persevere through challenges, problem-solve, and depend on Christ in everyday life. They offer compassionate insight for parents learning to step back, trust God's guidance, and allow daughters to face age-appropriate struggles—knowing that these moments cultivate courage, independence, and spiritual maturity.  Whether you're listening during a busy holiday morning, on a drive to church, or sipping cocoa by the fire, this episode offers encouragement and actionable wisdom. Parents will walk away with clarity on when to intervene and when to let God—and life—teach their daughters lessons that build lasting strength.  Scripture References:   James 1:2-4   Proverbs 22:6  Three Takeaways for Parents:   Step back and allow age-appropriate challenges to shape your girl's growth.   Encourage perseverance and problem-solving rooted in faith.  Trust Christ to lead your daughter's journey while guiding with wisdom and grace.  This "Best Of" episode is a must-listen for parents seeking to raise resilient, Godly girls who are equipped to walk confidently in character, faith, and independence.  Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.   Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.  

Parenting with grace and wisdom isn't always easy—but it's always worth it. In this "Best of Raising Godly Girls" episode, we revisit Episode 270: "Resilience-Building Parenting Strategies," originally aired on September 18, 2025. Natalie Ambrose and Rachael Culpepper share faith-filled insights for parents learning to step back, trust God's guidance, and help their daughters grow into resilient, confident, and faithful young women.  This episode offers practical strategies for recognizing tendencies toward over-control and anxious parenting, while encouraging families to lean into God's plan for their girls. From celebrating small successes to embracing life's challenges as opportunities for growth, parents will be inspired to cultivate resilience, perseverance, and a lasting faith in their daughters' hearts.  Listeners will leave with actionable guidance to parent with intentionality, patience, and trust in God's timing. Whether you're navigating daily life, holiday busyness, or moments of parenting uncertainty, this episode reminds you that resilience isn't just built in theory—it's cultivated through everyday faithfulness, prayer, and loving presence.  Scripture References:  James 1:2-4   Proverbs 22:6   Three Takeaways for Parents:  Step back and let God guide your daughter's ultimate outcomes.  Recognize and release anxious or over-controlling tendencies.  Encourage growth through challenges and celebrate resilience as a gift from the Lord.  This "Best Of" episode offers encouragement, insight, and prayerful support for parents seeking to raise godly girls who are strong, confident, and rooted in Christ.  Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.   Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.  

Sometimes, the most loving thing we can do for our daughters is…step back. In this "Best of Raising Godly Girls" episode, we revisit Episode 269: "Why Parents Shouldn't Make Life Easy for Their Daughters," originally aired on September 16, 2025. Natalie Ambrose and Rachael Culpepper explore the pitfalls of "helicopter" or "lawnmower" parenting and offer a faith-filled perspective on building resilience in girls.  This episode is for parents who want to love well—but struggle with the temptation to smooth every difficulty or shield their daughters from failure. Together, we discuss how stepping back, allowing natural consequences, and letting girls navigate challenges under God's guidance equips them with confidence, problem-solving skills, and a steadfast faith that will serve them for a lifetime.  Listeners will be reminded that resilience isn't just a personality trait—it's a spiritual posture. By trusting God to guide our daughters through life's skinned knees, disappointments, and learning moments, we cultivate strength, humility, and perseverance. It's an invitation to parent with intentionality, grace, and courage, trusting the Holy Spirit to shape our girls into women of integrity.  Scripture References:  James 1:2-4  Proverbs 22:6  Three Things to Remember:  Let girls experience challenges—they need space to grow and learn.  Parent with grace, not control, trusting God's wisdom and timing.  Celebrate resilience as a gift from God, cultivated over time through life's ups and downs.  This "Best Of" episode is an encouragement to pause, reflect, and lean into God's guidance as you nurture your daughter's character, perseverance, and Godly womanhood.  Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.   Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.  

The Christmas season has a way of filling our homes with warmth and wonder—but what if your holiday décor could do more than make your home look festive? What if it could become a beautiful, daily reminder of the Gospel for your family—and especially for your girl? In this special Christmas message, American Heritage Girls Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay invites listeners to rediscover the meaning behind the decorations we often unpack without a second thought. Instead of centering December around tinsel, lights, and checklists, this conversation encourages you to fill your home with symbols that point your daughter to the Savior who came near.  Through thoughtful reflection and practical ideas, this episode explores how your family can create a holiday environment that disciples your girl right where she lives. Whether it's a nativity set placed intentionally, Scripture woven into ornaments, or simple traditions that direct your girl's heart toward Jesus, you'll find fresh inspiration to transform your décor into a teaching tool—one that speaks quietly but consistently of hope, promise, and God's redeeming love.  As the busyness of December pulls our attention in a thousand directions, this episode gently reminds parents to anchor their home in truth that outlasts the season. When your daughter looks around the room, what does she see? May she see more than glitter and garland—may she see a family committed to celebrating Christ Himself. With encouragement that blends creativity, Scripture, and practicality, you'll walk away with ideas your family can use immediately and a deeper sense of purpose for the atmosphere you cultivate.  Scripture References:  Luke 2:10–11: The joyful announcement of Christ's birth.  Deuteronomy 6:6–7: Impressing God's truths on the hearts of our children.  Isaiah 9:6: The prophecy pointing to the coming Messiah.  Three Things to Remember:  Your décor can be more than beautiful—it can be a discipleship tool.  Small, meaningful symbols can gently shape your daughter's understanding of Jesus.  A Christ-centered home environment helps your girl see the season through the lens of truth, not culture.  Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.    Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.  

The holidays can be a season of joy, but for some families, they come wrapped in worry, fear, and unseen struggles. In this "Best of Raising Godly Girls" episode, we revisit Episode 223: "How to Support Your Daughter Through Suicide, Self-Harm, and Mental Health Struggles" with Dr. Jessica Peck, also known as "Dr. Nurse Mama." Originally aired on May 29, 2025, this episode offers practical, faith-filled guidance for parents navigating one of the most tender and frightening seasons of parenting.  Melissa Bearden and Rachael Culpepper open the conversation with heart and honesty, reminding listeners that God equips parents to shepherd their daughters even in the darkest valleys. Dr. Peck shares compassionate strategies for recognizing warning signs, building trust, and creating safe spaces where difficult conversations can take place—because the most important healing often begins with being seen, heard, and loved.  This episode is a gentle call to action: the holidays are not a time to ignore or delay addressing your daughter's mental health struggles. Instead, it is a time to step forward in courage, anchored in God's wisdom and grace. Parents will be encouraged to walk alongside their daughters with a balance of truth, empathy, and prayerful guidance, modeling the steadfast love of Christ even in moments of fear or uncertainty.  Scripture References:  Psalm 34:18   Romans 15:13  Three Things to Remember:  God equips and sustains parents called to guide daughters through seasons of deep struggle.  Creating a safe, trusting environment opens the door for healing and honest conversation.  The best time to walk in truth, love, and prayer is now—not later, not when it feels convenient.  This "Best Of" episode is an invitation to pause, pray, and listen closely—God is present, and His Spirit brings hope even in the midst of pain.  Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.   Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org. 

As the holiday season draws near—a time filled with lights, celebration, and connection—this special "Best Of Raising Godly Girls" episode steps into one of the most tender topics facing families today: how to navigate self-harm with wisdom, compassion, and Christ-anchored hope. In this replay of Episode 222, originally aired on May 29, 2025, listeners revisit a powerful, heartfelt conversation designed to equip parents walking through the fear, grief, and questions that often accompany a daughter's struggle.  Melissa Bearden opens this episode reminding listeners that December can heighten emotional and mental strain for girls who are already hurting. While the world celebrates, many families carry unseen wounds. This "Best Of" series is a way to rest, reflect, and re-engage important truths—because even in seasons meant for joy, God invites us to shepherd our daughters with attentiveness and grace. This episode offers clarity about the signs of self-harm, practical guidance for parents, and biblical encouragement for moments when hope feels fragile.  As you listen, you'll be reminded that God has not abandoned your girl to patterns of destruction—His Spirit is near, attentive, and able to restore what feels broken beyond repair. Whether your family has recently discovered a struggle with self-harm or you've spent much of 2025 navigating emotional highs and lows, this episode encourages you to hold tightly to Christ's promises. His healing is real. His love is constant. And His presence goes with you into every conversation, every fear, every quiet moment of worry.  This revisited conversation is an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and allow God to strengthen you as you walk beside your daughter. If little ears are nearby, you may want to save this one for a private moment—this episode includes themes best discussed with maturity and care. But whenever you listen, may the truth settle deeply in your heart: you are not alone, your girl is not beyond hope, and Jesus is faithfully present in every season, even this one.  Scripture References:  Psalm 147:3   Isaiah 41:10  Three Things to Remember This Week:   Your daughter's struggle does not signal God's absence—He is already at work in the hidden places of her heart.   Your calm, compassionate presence can become a lifeline that models the tender nearness of Christ.   Hope and healing are possible, even in seasons filled with overwhelm; Jesus meets families in the midst of their pain.    Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.   Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org. 

As we enter a season filled with celebration, gatherings, and full calendars, this special "Best Of" episode invites moms to slow down and become intentionally attuned to the inner world of their girls. In this replay of one of our most listened-to conversations, hosts revisit Episode 221: Recognizing Girls' Mental Health Signals, a heartfelt and faith-forward discussion designed to help parents discern the often-hidden signs of emotional and mental struggle in their daughters. While the holidays bring joy, they can also magnify stress, loneliness, or anxiety—and this episode offers gentle wisdom for navigating it all with compassion.  Melissa Bearden sets the stage for a December series focused on some of the most impactful topics from the Raising Godly Girls Podcast. This week spotlights mental health and self-harm—a tender theme, but one that equips families with clarity and courage as they step into the holiday season. The heart of this episode is rooted in God's nearness to the hurting, reminding listeners that the Lord sees every tear, hears every unspoken fear, and remains close to the brokenhearted. Through a biblical lens and practical insight, this conversation encourages moms to pursue their daughters with the same gentle presence and attentiveness that the Holy Spirit extends to us.  Whether you're re-listening or hearing this message for the first time, you'll be reminded that recognizing a girl's emotional signals is not about panic—it's about presence. It's about creating space for honesty, asking caring questions, and modeling a peace anchored in Christ. This revisited episode is an invitation to approach your girl with empathy, patience, and prayer, trusting that God restores hope even in seasons of heaviness. And as you fold laundry, plan meals, wrap gifts, or drive from one holiday activity to the next, these truths can settle into your heart and prepare you to shepherd your daughter with grace.  Before you step into your week, carry these simple reminders with you: God is near to your girl even when she feels overwhelmed; the Holy Spirit equips you for meaningful, healing conversations; and your compassionate presence can be a lifeline in a busy, demanding season. We pray this "Best Of" episode strengthens your courage, deepens your discernment, and reminds you that even in December's rush, God is faithfully tending the hearts within your home.  Scripture References:  Psalm 34:18  Romans 15:13  Three Things to Remember This Week:  God is near to girls who feel overwhelmed or anxious, especially in emotionally demanding seasons.  Your steady, compassionate presence mirrors the gentle pursuit of the Holy Spirit.  Hope, healing, and peace are possible as you shepherd your daughter with prayerful attentiveness.  Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.   Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.  

As this year winds to a close and new year soon begins, many of us will soon be making resolutions to start fresh—but there's one commitment that carries eternal impact: growing deeper in God's Word. In this inspiring episode, host Patti Garibay, American Heritage Girls Founder & Executive Director Emeritus, sits down with author and Bible teacher Trillia Newbell to explore how parents can help their daughters develop a faith that endures for a lifetime.  Through her newest resource, 52 Weeks in the Word: Student Edition, Trillia invites kids and families to experience the joy of reading Scripture together—from Matthew to Revelation—discovering that time in God's Word is not a task to complete, but a relationship to cultivate. Patti and Trillia discuss practical ways families can weave Scripture into everyday life, from dinner table conversations to bedtime devotions, and how simple consistency can yield powerful spiritual growth.  Whether your daughter is just beginning to explore the Bible or already loves studying it, this episode will equip you to nurture her curiosity, deepen her understanding, and inspire her to treasure God's Word in her heart. It's a gentle reminder that faith grows not through grand gestures, but through the steady planting of small seeds—one verse, one prayer, one act of trust at a time.  Learn more about Trillia's books—including 52 Weeks in the Word: Student Edition—at trillianewbell.com. Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com. Find or start an AHG Troop in your area at americanheritagegirls.org. 

As the year draws to a close and families begin to look toward January with fresh hope, this episode invites moms to consider the quiet, powerful work God is already doing beneath the surface. Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose explore how the seeds of faith planted today can flourish throughout 2026—not because of our perfect consistency, but because of God's unwavering faithfulness. Drawing from the imagery of tending soil and nurturing growth, they encourage families to start the New Year anchored in God's Word, trusting that He has already prepared the way ahead.  Reflecting on Patti Garibay's Raising Godly Girls Minute, Rachael and Natalie talk about the value of looking back with gratitude while also stepping forward with confidence in God's mercy, as beautifully expressed in Deuteronomy 4:29–31. They remind listeners that God is present in the days we have already lived and present in the ones we have not yet walked. With warmth and honesty, they discuss Biblical literacy, simple tools to spark a deeper love for Scripture, and how small, faithful steps can yield meaningful growth over a full calendar year.  The conversation also highlights the importance of community in cultivating spiritual habits. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 4:12, Rachael and Natalie encourage families to pursue Bible study together, to invite accountability, and to lean on other believers when distractions or discouragement arise. They share how planned moments of praise throughout the year—intentional pauses to recognize God's goodness—can shape a family's posture toward worship and gratitude, echoing the joyful invitation of Psalm 105:2–3.  As always, the episode closes with three simple truths to carry into the week: start in gratitude for God's provision in 2025 and His promise for 2026; nurture and cultivate your family's time in God's Word with community and intentional rhythms; and plan moments of praise now, trusting that God will meet you in every season of the year ahead. This New Year conversation is a gentle, hope-filled reminder that when families plant their faith in God's truth, He brings growth in His perfect timing.  Scripture References in This Episode:  Deuteronomy 4:29–31  Ecclesiastes 4:12  Psalm 105:2–3  Three Points to Remember This Week:  Start your family's 2026 journey in gratitude for the God who carried you through 2025.  Nurture and cultivate your time in God's Word with intentionality, community, and consistency.  Plan times of praise now, trusting that God will shepherd your family through every month of the coming year.  Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.   Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.