8 Rules for Families in a Digital World

In this episode, we explore the growing “aura farming” movement — the cultural pressure to project effortlessness, curate our image, and step into our “main-character era.” While the world urges us to amplify our greatness, Jesus invites us into something entirely different.We look at Jesus’ call to become like children in Matthew 18:1–5, a posture marked by humility, dependence, and openness. Aura farming pushes us to present ourselves in a certain light, but spiritual formation pulls us into honesty, groundedness, and a truer way of being. Drawing from Henri Nouwen’s reflections on the Church’s long struggle with relevance, power, and success, we examine the deeper tension between cultural curation and kingdom transformation.From there, we walk through five practices that help move us from aura farming to the way of Jesus. We choose hiddenness over hype, leaning into quiet righteousness rather than performing for others. We pursue honesty and vulnerability, acknowledging that beauty and pain often coexist. We embrace slowness instead of the spectacular, allowing our souls to catch up with our schedules. We cultivate childlike dependence by asking for what we need rather than proving we can manage everything on our own. And we trade curation for authentic presence, resisting the urge to hustle for attention and choosing instead to simply be where we are.As we navigate new seasons — in which the old ways of striving may no longer work — we return to Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28 (MSG): “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.”Scripture Mentioned: Matthew 18:1-5, Matthew 6 + Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to [email protected], mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedIntentional Fatherhood Retreat: February 19-21, 2026 in Costa Mesa, CAIntentional Motherhood Retreat: April 23-25, 2026 in Franklin, TNJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

In this episode, we’re talking about one of the biggest parenting challenges today — raising kids in a digital world. Many of us have overprotected our children in the physical world but underprotected them in the digital world. To help you add some guardrails, we share the practical tools and boundaries our family uses around technology — from phones and iPads to TV — and the eight foundational rules that guide us. We’re not speaking as experts, just practitioners learning through trial and error.We start with the “why.” The data is clear about what technology is doing to us — especially our kids — and now it takes courage to respond wisely. Parenting in this area isn’t black and white, but it’s possible to approach it with grace and hope. In our home, that looks like saving smartphones for older teens, starting with basic phones, keeping devices out of bedrooms overnight, and using contracts and monitoring tools to stay accountable.Technology is always changing, which means our family’s digital rules should too. In fact, it’s okay to adjust your strategy along the way. Above all, we want our kids to grow into freedom — not be thrown into it. As parents, we can lead with empathy, stay connected, and offer a safe place for our kids to learn how to navigate the digital world with maturity and wisdom.Books + Resources Mentioned: Gabb PhonePinwheel PhoneThe Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtRefurbished Phones: Back MarketThe Mossers’ iPhone ContractParental Controls: Life360, Bark, Canopy, Screen Time + iPhone settings like locking apps and setting up downtime10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World by Jean M. Twenge, PhDThe Opt-Out Family by Erin LoechnerThe Hang 10 MovementProtect Young EyesGreta EskridgeSubmit Questions: Send a voice recording to [email protected], mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedIntentional Fatherhood: Website, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts + YouTubeMotherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

Recorded live at the Intentional Motherhood Retreat in Portland, Oregon, this special Q+R features our entire Intentional team, with Joey Odom of Reclaimwell guiding the conversation as we move from humor to depth. From lighthearted moments — like where Diane and Elizabeth’s pant suits came from — to honest questions about self-care, marriage, grief, and limitations, this episode captures the heart of our weekend together.Together, we reflect on the generational swing from overextending ourselves to idolizing self-care, inviting us instead to pursue soul care — a rhythm of rest and renewal with God that enables us to love well. We also share wisdom for marriages: that husbands and wives are both called to lay down their lives in love, not through grand gestures but through small, consistent acts and words that build one another up.We speak tenderly about grief and child loss, pointing to the reality that while suffering is never good, God meets us in it. Grief and joy can coexist, and community is where we help one another carry both. The conversation closes with reflections on social media boundaries and discerning our limitations, reminding us that humility and dependence on God are where true peace and growth begin.Scripture Mentioned: Acts 20:35, Ephesians 5:22-33, Isaiah 53:3, Psalm 116:15, Romans 8:28-29, Luke 16:10, Philippians 1:4-6, 2 Corinthians 10:13, Philippians 1:12 + Psalm 131:1-3Book Mentioned: A Grace Disguised by Jerry L. SittserSubmit Questions: Send a voice recording to [email protected], mentioning your name and where you’re from.Intentional Fatherhood Retreat: February 19-21, 2026 in Costa Mesa, CAIntentional Motherhood Retreat: April 23-25, 2026 in Franklin, TNSowing a Hidden SeedIntentional Fatherhood: Website, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts + YouTubeJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

Note: This episode contains mature themes that may not be suitable for younger listeners. Please use discretion.This week, we’re joined by our new friends Jeff and Jourdan Johnson, hosts of the Open Spaces Podcast. They share their remarkable story — a journey marked by honesty, redemption, and deep faith. Jeff opens up about his decades-long battle with same-sex attraction and how bringing his struggle into the light marked the beginning of real freedom. From childhood trauma to seasons of breaking up and coming back together, their story is one of radical acceptance, surrender, and the relentless kindness of God.After years of wrestling with faith and learning to let go of control, Jeff and Jourdan eventually got married and are now raising three children together. Their relationship stands as a living testimony that vulnerability truly leads to freedom. Jeff describes it as a daily surrender — dying to himself, trusting God’s goodness, and finding hope in the truth that even in life’s “unfinished symphony,” God is still writing a story of redemption.In a cultural moment filled with confusion and competing messages about sexuality, Jeff and Jourdan share how important it is for parents to speak about these topics early and without fear — to create space for honesty, and even share their own stories, so their kids know they’re not alone. Through Open Spaces, Jeff and Jourdan invite others to bring hidden struggles into the light, reminding us that God can use even our deepest brokenness and pain for His glory.Open Spaces: Website, Instagram, YouTube + Contact (with Questions)Scripture Mentioned: Romans 8:28Book Mentioned: Wrestling with God by Ronald RolheiserSubmit Questions: Send a voice recording to [email protected], mentioning your name and where you’re from.Intentional Fatherhood Retreat: February 19-21, 2026 in Costa Mesa, CAIntentional Motherhood Retreat: October 23-25, 2025 in Portland, ORSowing a Hidden SeedIntentional Fatherhood: Website, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts + YouTubeJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

In this special episode, we’re sharing a powerful recorded teaching from Diane and Elizabeth at our 2024 Motherhood Retreat. This session dives deep into our God-given desire for connection — the longing to be seen, soothed, safe, and secure — and how that shapes our relationships with one another.Our female relationships can often feel complicated, yet Scripture reminds us that we were created for blessing and belonging. From Genesis to 2 Corinthians, we see that God blesses us so that we might bless others — calling out the good we see in our children, our husbands, our friends, and others we come in contact with.Diane and Elizabeth walk us through what it looks like to cultivate a culture of encouragement: getting curious about what gets in the way (old hurts, insecurities, or fear), learning to speak life over people, and practicing the language of encouragement in everyday moments. Through passages like Proverbs 27:17 and John 1:35–51, we see the power of vulnerability and how Jesus models truly seeing others for who they are.When we learn to see others as God sees them — and to speak that truth out loud — we participate in His work of building one another up. As Proverbs reminds us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our words matter. They shape the culture of our homes, our friendships, and the next generation.Scripture Mentioned: Genesis 1:27–28, Genesis 1:22, Genesis 2:3, Genesis 5:22, Genesis 9:1, Genesis 12:2–3, 2 Corinthians 1:3–4, Proverbs 27:17, John 1:35–51, Romans 12:10, Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 16:24Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to [email protected], mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedIntentional Fatherhood: Website, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts + YouTubeMotherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

In this Q+R episode, we’re tackling your questions about parenting through some of the more complex seasons — from helping phone-free tweens stay connected to navigating sibling rivalry and reflecting on what we might have done differently with our younger kids.We start with communication and technology, sharing practical ways to help teenagers connect with friends without giving them full phone access. From using your own devices intentionally to trying creative tools like the Gabb Watch, Gabb Phone, or even a landline, we talk about modeling healthy communication in a digital world.We also look back on the preschool years and what we’ve learned since — how much those little minds absorb, and how we wish we’d focused less on behavior and more on heart formation. Rhythms like reading Scripture at meals (1 Timothy 4:13) and recognizing the difference between willful disobedience and emotional dysregulation have shaped how we parent now.Finally, we dig into sibling rivalry and the hope that our kids will one day be close friends. We share thoughts on speaking that vision over them, teaching repair in relationships, and remembering that these seasons ebb and flow. Proverbs 31:26 reminds us that “the law of kindness” should guide our words — especially when helping our kids learn to love each other well.Scripture Mentioned: 1 Timothy 4:13 + Proverbs 31:26Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to [email protected], mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedIntentional Fatherhood: Website, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts + YouTubeIntentional Fatherhood Retreat: February 19-21, 2026 in Costa Mesa, CAMotherhood Retreat 2025: October 23-25, 2025 in Portland, ORJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

In this episode, we dive into what it looks like to raise kids in today’s clickbait culture. With endless information at our fingertips, outrage-driven headlines everywhere, and our children frequently walking through traumatic national events, it can be hard to know what’s real, what matters, and what doesn’t. No matter how many boundaries we put in place, outside voices are loud — and that makes it more important than ever to raise critical thinkers who can stand against the noise.Together, we explore what Scripture says about having a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) and why this matters so much in a world full of half-truths and emotional extremes. We talk through how to help our kids not just think with the masses, but instead form opinions rooted in reality and truth. This means giving them space to wrestle, normalizing curiosity, and asking good questions to help them develop discernment and wisdom for themselves. It is an ongoing process — one that requires conversation after conversation, guided by the Holy Spirit.We also look at practical tools: delaying social media use (based on Jonathan Haidt’s brilliant research), talking openly about tragedies and current events, and modeling what it looks like to think critically and empathetically. Along the way, we highlight how teaching kids to sit in the tension, see the gray, and understand others’ stories helps them grow in empathy — and ultimately shapes them into leaders with their own convictions.You’ll also hear about the “3M Parent Trap” (model, mimic, mad) from Joey Odom and the importance of relying on God’s Spirit to do what we cannot in our own strength (1 Peter 1:14). Because without His power, all of this falls flat.We wrap up with a look ahead to our upcoming episode: what to do when the time finally comes to give your kids technology. If you have questions or ideas you’d like us to cover, email us at [email protected] Mentioned: 2 Timothy 1:7, Proverbs 14:15, Philippians 1:9-10, Romans 12:2 + 1 Peter 1:14-16Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to [email protected], mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedMotherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsIntentional Fatherhood: Website, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts + YouTubeJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

In this Q+R episode, we dive into some real-life questions about family patterns, parenting decisions, and initiating difficult conversations.First, we talk about the fear of repeating unhealthy family patterns. How can we learn from our past while creating a different path for our own kids? And what do we do when we notice ourselves falling into the same habits? We share how naming those fears — sometimes even out loud to our kids — can strip them of their power. Recognizing patterns is half the battle, and when we fail, honesty and apology go a long way.From there, we explore the hard but necessary work of saying no to even good things in order to live more Spirit-filled lives. Whether it’s homeschooling or another pursuit, it’s not always a black-and-white issue — it’s about prayerfully discerning our true capacity. God often uses our kids to bring hidden struggles to the surface, and part of leading them well is letting them see us wrestle with weakness and lean on Jesus.Finally, we answer a question about starting conversations with parents who don’t understand or accept the idea of breaking generational patterns. We talk about starting with curiosity — inquiring about their story — and then sharing honestly about what we’re noticing in ourselves and what we don’t want to pass on to our kids. We talk about the difference between being peacekeepers, who avoid conflict, and peacemakers, who bring truth with gentleness. Honoring our parents doesn’t mean we can’t have these conversations; it means we approach them prayerfully, carefully, and with grace.Throughout these responses, we explore how honesty, grace, and intentional choices can help us break old patterns, lead our kids well, and walk more faithfully in the freedom God offers.Scripture Mentioned: Ephesians 6:2-3, Psalm 138:3, Psalm 131:1-2, Hebrews 12:1-3 + Hebrews 12:7-11Previous Episode Mentioned: Breaking Generational Patterns, Knowing Your Story, Healing Family Wounds, Finding Freedom, and Passing On Faithfulness (Spotify, Apple Podcasts + YouTube)Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to [email protected], mentioning your name and where you’re from.Motherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsSowing a Hidden SeedIntentional Fatherhood: Website, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts + YouTubeJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

This week, all four of us sit down for an honest and emotional conversation about trauma and crisis — how to respond when it strikes, and how to navigate it as a family. The reality is that at some point in life, you will walk through seasons of pain, and the question becomes: how do we carry each other’s burdens as Galatians 6:2 calls us to? Together, we share raw, personal stories of both acute trauma and ongoing struggles, reflecting on how presence in the middle of crisis can bring healing even when it can’t remove the burden. Simply being seen and acknowledged matters deeply.We talk about the power of prayer, the importance of lowering expectations for those in crisis, and how fumbling words are always better than silence. Scripture reminds us of the value of deep, intimate knowing — taking extra steps to learn, acknowledge, and show up for others in their suffering. Drawing from our own mistakes, we also warn against having a savior complex or tying everything up with a bow.Practically, we encourage families to get good at asking for help, develop a care team, guard their energy, and be honest about where they’re at so they can know what they specifically need in hard seasons.Phil closes the conversation with Scripture, reminding us of Galatians 6:5 and Psalm 46:1 — that each one shall bear his own load and pointing us back to the truth that God is a very present help in times of trouble.Scripture Mentioned: Galatians 6:2, Matthew 7:12, Romans 15:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Psalm 139:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, Galatians 6:5, Psalm 46:1 + Colossians 1:24Previous Episode Mentioned: Tragedy, the Most Beautiful Women in the World, and Children with Special Needs: The Story of Birdie James (Spotify + Apple Podcasts)Book Mentioned: A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows through Loss by Jerry L. SittserSubmit Questions: Send a voice recording to [email protected], mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedIntentional Fatherhood: Website, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts + YouTubeMotherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series

In this episode, we explore how generational sin, trauma, and family stories shape who we are — and how God invites us into healing and freedom. Scripture reminds us in Numbers 14:18 that the effects of sin can ripple through generations, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, those patterns don’t have to define us.We talk about epigenetics — how experiences like stress and trauma can actually impact us on a biological level — and why understanding our parents’ and grandparents’ stories matters. Context doesn’t excuse the harm done, but it helps explain it, leading to empathy, compassion, and deeper healing. When we begin naming the wounds, lies, and patterns we’ve inherited, they start to lose their power over us.We also unpack what a healing apology looks like, why repentance is essential, and how God can redeem even the darkest parts of our stories (Romans 8:28). While the pain you’ve experienced may not be your fault, your response is your responsibility — and it’s never too late to choose a different path.The good news is that just as trauma can be passed down, so can faithfulness. Each generation has the opportunity to take intentional steps toward freedom, wholeness, and hope.Scripture Mentioned: Numbers 14:18, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:13, Psalm 32:5 + Psalm 51:1-4Previous Episode Mentioned: Generational Trauma, Wounded Parts and How Trauma is Passed Down Interview with Sally Lemos, MS, LPC (Spotify, Apple Podcasts + YouTube)Book Mentioned: Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I? by Timothy KellerSubmit Questions: Send a voice recording to [email protected], mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedIntentional Fatherhood: Website, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts + YouTubeMotherhood Retreat 2025: More Info + Purchase TicketsJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brook_mosser @emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily Devotional MerchGrab a Copy of Our Book:Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Now available in audiobook!)BlogThe Intentional Film Series