Podcast
The Intentional Parents Podcast
Hosted by Intentional · EN
In a world where distractions are endless and culture constantly pulls us in different directions, it’s more important than ever to remain intentional in your marriage and parenting. Brook and Elizabeth Mosser, alongside Phil and Diane Comer, invite you into a conversation about biblical formation — offering wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools for raising passionate Jesus followers. As an intergenerational team that is also family, we bridge the perspectives of different life stages, drawing from both decades-long experience and fresh insight on the topics of parenting and marriage. From vulnerable Q+R sessions to insightful guest interviews, we explore real-life stories of both steady formation and radical transformation — unpacking how God is shaping our lives and the lives of those around us. Join us each week as we pursue God’s design for life, marriage, and parenting — with intention.
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
ADHD in Kids: What It Looks Like, How to Provide Support + the Hidden Costs of Missing It
5d ago00:49:15Tap to summarizeDisclaimer: The information shared in this episode is based on our personal experiences and is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, or professional advice.Parenting is about stewarding the children God has given us and helping them flourish according to how He uniquely wired them. In this episode, we discuss ADHD in kids, what it is, how it shows up, and why understanding it matters. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, memory, and executive functioning. It’s not a character flaw or intelligence issue, but a different way the brain processes information and experiences the world.We explore how ADHD can look beyond hyperactivity, including forgetfulness, disorganization, emotional overwhelm, rejection sensitivity, and difficulty following through on tasks. We also discuss how ADHD often presents differently in girls, showing up as anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and daydreaming. Drawing from Colossians 3:21, we talk about the importance of understanding our children rather than simply correcting behaviors, helping them feel supported instead of discouraged.We also address the hidden cost of missing ADHD. While many parents worry about labeling their child, failing to recognize what’s really going on can leave children believing they are lazy, behind, not smart enough, or simply “not good enough.” When we understand and name their struggles, we can help replace shame with understanding and equip them with the support they need to thrive.Five Tools for Parents:Educate: Learn about ADHD yourself, help your child understand how their brain works, and educate the important people in their life.Advocate: Speak up for the support and accommodations your child needs, especially in environments where they may be vulnerable.Build: Create scaffolding and systems that help your child succeed, giving them a foundation on which they can learn and grow.Coach: Move beyond correction by teaching practical strategies and guiding your child toward what works, saying, “Not this way, but this way.”Celebrate: Intentionally identify and affirm your child’s strengths, gifts, and progress so they learn to see themselves through a lens of capability rather than deficiency.Instagram Reel Clip MentionedDefinition of ADHD: ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention regulation, impulse control, emotional regulation, motivation, memory, and executive functioning. It’s not an intelligence issue or a character flaw — it’s a brain-based difference in how someone processes and manages information, tasks, emotions, and stimulation. Many kids and adults with ADHD are highly creative, intuitive, energetic, and capable, but they often struggle in systems that weren’t built for how their brain works.Scripture Mentioned: Colossians 3:21Intentional Motherhood Retreat: October 15-17, 2026 in Portland, ORIntentional Fatherhood Retreat: November 12-14, 2026 in Austin, TXSubmit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brookmosser@emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily DevotionalRaising Passionate Jesus FollowersThe Intentional Film Series
Transcribe →
The Hidden Dangers of Technology Every Parent Should Know (w/ Chris McKenna of Protect Young Eyes)
2w ago01:32:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we had the honor and privilege of sitting down with Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes, father of four, and author of 5 Habits of the Tech-Ready Family. Chris shares his personal story of early exposure to pornography and how that experience eventually led him to dedicate his life to helping families navigate the realities of raising children in a digital world.Together, we discuss why today's technology landscape presents challenges previous generations never faced, including the accessibility, affordability, and anonymity that place harmful content just a few clicks away. Chris explains what it means to be a "tech-ready" family, not by bubble-wrapping kids from technology, but by developing habits that help families wisely engage with it. We also talk about the hidden dangers within platforms like YouTube, Roblox and Snapchat, as well as the growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence and its impact on childhood development.Throughout the conversation, Chris offers practical guidance for parents who want to move beyond fear and toward wisdom. From setting boundaries and evaluating risk to staying deeply involved in their children's digital lives, he reminds us that the strongest protection is found in authentic relationships. Chris also challenges churches to take digital discipleship seriously and encourages parents to lead with both grace and truth. Most importantly, he leaves listeners with hope that small, intentional changes can make a lasting difference in their families.Chris McKenna: Protect Young Eyes, Instagram, Facebook + 5 Habits of the Tech-Ready FamilyScripture Mentioned: Philippians 4:8 + John 1:14Books Mentioned: 5 Habits of the Tech-Ready Family by Chris McKenna + The Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtIntentional Motherhood Retreat: October 15-17, 2026 in Portland, ORIntentional Fatherhood Retreat: November 12-14, 2026 in Austin, TXSubmit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brookmosser@emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily DevotionalRaising Passionate Jesus FollowersThe Intentional Film Series
Transcribe →
20 Years From Now: What You'll Wish You Focused On As a Parent (w/ Sally Lemos, MS, LPC)
3w ago02:06:12Tap to summarizeWhat if you could fast-forward 20 years and discover what really mattered in parenting…and what didn't? In this rich and encouraging conversation, Elizabeth sits down with her mother, Diane, and our dear friend and mentor, Sally Lemos, to reflect on the lessons they've learned through decades of parenting, faith, healing, and growth.Together, we talk about the pressures parents face in an age of endless information, the fear of getting it wrong, and the anxiety many carry about their children's future. Sally and Diane share what they once thought mattered most — things like keeping a perfect home, focusing on performance, and emphasizing behavior — and why they now believe connection, humility, and relationship are far more important.We also explore the importance of emotional health, repair after mistakes, raising resilient kids, and creating a safe space where our children can bring their whole selves. Finally, we discuss what it looks like to parent adult children, break unhealthy generational patterns, and continue trusting God through the power of prayer. If you're looking for wisdom, perspective, and hope for your parenting journey, this conversation is for you.Sally Lemos, MS, LPC: New Bloom Therapy (newbloomtherapy.com) | sally@newbloomtherapy.comScripture Mentioned: Deuteronomy 7:9-12 + 2 Chronicles 19-20Previous Episodes Mentioned: Was Parenting Always This Hard… Or Are We Just Failing? (YouTube, Spotify + Apple Podcasts) + Generations, Leaving and Cleaving + 6 Ways to Honor Your Parents (YouTube, Spotify + Apple Podcasts)Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brookmosser@emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily DevotionalRaising Passionate Jesus FollowersThe Intentional Film Series
Transcribe →
You're Not Broken: Finding Freedom and Clarity Through an Adult ADHD Diagnosis
4w ago01:18:08Tap to summarizeDisclaimer: The information shared in this episode is based on our personal experiences and is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, or professional advice.This week, Brook and Diane share their experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD as adults and how that journey has given them a deeper understanding of themselves, their childhoods, and the challenges they’ve faced throughout life. For many adults, ADHD went undiagnosed for years, and receiving a diagnosis later in life can bring both relief and grief as unanswered questions begin to make sense.We discuss some of the ways ADHD can impact daily life, including feeling overwhelmed by information, procrastination, hyperfocus, and self-criticism. We also explore some of the unique strengths that can come with ADHD, such as creativity, perceptual reasoning, and the ability to see possibilities and solutions outside the conventional path. Understanding ADHD doesn't excuse our behaviors, but it can help explain them and provide a framework for growth and greater self-awareness.We also talk about the diagnosis process, treatment options, and how medication can serve as a helpful tool. Rather than viewing ADHD as a flaw to be fixed, we've learned to better understand how we're wired and how to work with our strengths and limitations. For us, getting help for ADHD has been a lot like putting on a pair of glasses for the first time, bringing clarity to things that once felt confusing.Our hope is that this conversation removes some of the fear and shame surrounding ADHD and encourages you to approach yourself with curiosity and compassion. Whether you have ADHD, think you might, or love someone who does, we want to remind you that healing, growth, and support are available. As Psalm 139:14 says, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."Definition of ADHD: ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention regulation, impulse control, emotional regulation, motivation, memory, and executive functioning. It’s not an intelligence issue or a character flaw — it’s a brain-based difference in how someone processes and manages information, tasks, emotions, and stimulation. Many kids and adults with ADHD are highly creative, intuitive, energetic, and capable, but they often struggle in systems that weren’t built for how their brain works.Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.Scripture Mentioned: Psalm 139:14Intentional Motherhood Retreat: October 15-17, 2026 in Portland, ORIntentional Fatherhood Retreat: November 12-14, 2026 in Austin, TXSowing a Hidden SeedJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brookmosser@emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily DevotionalRaising Passionate Jesus FollowersThe Intentional Film Series
Transcribe →
Church Hurt, Conflict With Your Spouse, Fairness With Kids + Uninvolved Grandparents (Q+R)
May 2701:02:13Tap to summarizeFor the first time from our brand-new studio, all four of us are together responding to your questions on personal formation, marriage, parenting, and navigating generational relationships.We talk about how to process church hurt while still raising kids in the church, including the importance of separating people’s failures from the character of God, remaining grounded in Scripture, and modeling healing, honesty, and discernment for your children. We also discuss the responsibility leaders carry and what it looks like to pursue restoration with wisdom and humility.We also answer questions about addressing tension in marriage before resentment builds, learning when to absorb small frustrations with grace and when difficult conversations need to happen. From there, we talk through parenting children with different needs and why fairness is not always about equal attention, but about making sure each child feels seen and understood.Finally, we explore the challenges and beauty of multigenerational family relationships, including navigating distant grandparents, helping older generations find renewed purpose, and creating family cultures where everyone feels valued and connected.This episode is a thoughtful, Scripture-packed conversation on relationships, healing, family dynamics, and growing through difficult seasons.Scripture Mentioned: Luke 22, Hebrews 12:15, Hebrews 4:15, Isaiah 53:3, Galatians 6:1, Song of Solomon 2:15, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 1 Peter 4:8, 1 Corinthians 7:3 + Proverbs 17:6Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.Intentional Motherhood Retreat: October 15-17, 2026 in Portland, ORIntentional Fatherhood Retreat: November 12-14, 2026 in Austin, TXSowing a Hidden SeedJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brookmosser@emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily DevotionalRaising Passionate Jesus FollowersThe Intentional Film Series
Transcribe →
Live Q+R from the Motherhood Retreat: Fostering Vulnerability, Receiving Criticism + Parenting Without a Healthy Model
May 2000:40:16Tap to summarizeLive from the Intentional Motherhood Retreat in Franklin, this episode is a candid Q&R conversation around marriage, communication, parenting, and healing from the past. We respond to questions from attendees about how to cultivate deeper vulnerability with your spouse and parenting when you don't have a healthy model to follow.We talk about practical ways to help a spouse open up emotionally, including asking thoughtful questions like “What do you think about this?” instead of “How do you feel?” We also discuss the importance of paying attention to the environment, timing, and tone of hard conversations, recognizing how much those factors shape whether someone feels safe to engage.We also explore what it looks like to stay honest and vulnerable in marriage when feedback is often heard as criticism. Encouragement and affirmation matter deeply, especially when your spouse’s story includes wounds from a lack of affirmation growing up. Knowing your spouse’s story helps you become an agent of healing rather than hurt.The conversation closes with an honest discussion about parenting when you didn’t have healthy examples yourself. We talk about the importance of finding strong models, building a network of support, and acknowledging the pain you may have experienced in your own family before you can begin to relearn healthier patterns. Ultimately, we reflect on the importance of parenting the specific family God has entrusted to you in this season, while remaining open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit instead of trying to control every outcome.Scripture Mentioned: James 1:19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17 + 1 Corinthians 11:1 Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brookmosser@emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily DevotionalRaising Passionate Jesus FollowersThe Intentional Film Series
Transcribe →
The Hidden Blockers of Sexual Desire in Marriage + How to Move Past Them Together
May 601:10:13Tap to summarizeWe’re back with part two of our conversation on sex in marriage, this time getting into some of the hidden blockers of desire, along with a few practical ways to start moving past them. The goal isn’t just more sex, but a relationship where intimacy actually feels meaningful again.A lot of what gets in the way isn’t obvious. Small, unresolved tensions can build up over time and create distance, even if nothing major is “wrong.” When those things go unaddressed, it’s hard to feel close in any sense.On top of that, seasons change, but expectations don’t always keep up. Different life stages, stress, and even things like hormones can all affect desire. If those realities aren’t talked about, it can lead to frustration or quiet disappointment that slowly chips away at connection.And then there’s what a lot of couples experience at some point: slipping into more of a roommate dynamic. Life inevitably gets full, attraction can fade or shift, and responsibilities and tasks can replace relationship and intimacy.The good news is this stuff isn’t permanent. With some intention and healing, things can shift and grow in a healthy direction.Practical Rhythms to Try:Take 10 minutes to have a “state of us” conversation, asking each other: “How can I show up for you today?” and “What is one thing I can do that will make you feel loved?”Repair within 24 hours.Rebuild playfulness.Listen to Part 1, “Sex in Marriage: Communication, Connection + Healing Past Wounds Around Intimacy”: YouTube, Spotify + Apple PodcastsScripture Mentioned: Hebrews 12:15, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 + Colossians 3:12Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brookmosser@emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily DevotionalRaising Passionate Jesus FollowersThe Intentional Film Series
Transcribe →
Healing from Trauma in Adulthood, Re-Parenting Yourself + Acknowledging How We’ve Hurt Our Children
Apr 2901:00:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Brook and Diane share a candid conversation about their overlapping journeys of healing from trauma, exploring what it means to grow emotionally and relationally. Reflecting on the “narrow way,” they talk about how true healing requires humility, acknowledging the need for God, confessing weakness, and recognizing there is always room to grow. Diane opens up about carrying pain into adulthood and how obedience shifted from rule-following for safety to a pursuit of freedom and intimacy with God.They also dive into the challenge of addressing the ways we’ve hurt others, especially within family. Diane reflects on her upbringing in a home marked by anger and emotional distance, while Brook shares how he’s intentionally inviting his children into his own healing process through honesty and repair. Together, they emphasize breaking generational patterns by creating space for open conversations — with both children and parents — without blame or cancellation.The episode highlights the role of the Holy Spirit as central to healing, alongside the practical help of therapy. Diane shares how her recent ADHD diagnosis brought clarity to her past and helped her confront false beliefs about herself. As they close, both point to simple, consistent practices that sustain their growth — time with God, prayer, and staying connected to trusted community — highlighting the reality that healing is a lifelong journey best walked with others.Scripture Mentioned: Matthew 7:13-14 + Genesis 1-3Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brookmosser@emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily DevotionalRaising Passionate Jesus FollowersThe Intentional Film Series
Transcribe →
When Life Doesn’t Look Like You Thought It Would, Stewarding Suffering + Allowing Hope to Heal (w/ Katherine Wolf)
Apr 1501:10:01Tap to summarizeIn this meaningful conversation, we sit down with Katherine Wolf, whose story has deeply impacted our lives and understanding of faith and suffering. At 26, Katherine experienced a massive brain stem stroke that nearly took her life. Now, 18 years later, she lives with significant disabilities, yet continues to live with purpose, joy, and a resilient faith. She shares the long journey of learning to believe that even in hardship, “the boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places,” and how her early years were marked by deep struggle before discovering a renewed sense of calling.Katherine reflects on holding both joy and pain at the same time, and how suffering can shape not only us, but our children and families in meaningful ways. We talk about marriage in the midst of hardship, which includes choosing to come together as a team, extending grace, and recognizing the sacredness of caring for one another. She also speaks to grieving unmet expectations, embracing the life in front of you, and trusting that God’s presence, not a perfect life, is what defines true goodness.This episode is a powerful reminder that our pain is not wasted. Through honest perspective shifts and a deep dependence on Jesus, Katherine points us toward a hope that heals and a life that is still, even now, full of purpose.Katherine Wolf: Hope Heals: Instagram, Books, Camps + Retreats, Speaking + PodcastScripture Mentioned: Psalm 16:6, Acts 13:36, Matthew 7:24-27, Psalm 84:11, Romans 8:28 + 2 Corinthians 4:8-9Books Mentioned: Treasures in the Dark by Katherine Wolf + Domestic Monastery by Ronald RolheiserSubmit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedIntentional Motherhood Retreat: April 23-25, 2026 in Franklin, TNJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brookmosser@emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily DevotionalRaising Passionate Jesus FollowersThe Intentional Film Series
Transcribe →
“I’m Not Doing Enough” + The “Should List”: Overcoming Shame and Guilt in Parenting
Apr 800:58:41Tap to summarizeSo many parents carry an unspoken “I should…” list: “I should be more patient, more present, doing more, doing better.” In a world full of parenting advice and constant input, it’s easy to feel like we know so much and yet, still aren’t doing enough. In this episode, we talk about how that pressure often leads to shame and guilt, and why it matters to understand the difference: guilt says “I did something bad,” while shame says “I am bad.” One leads us toward repentance and growth, while the other keeps us stuck, isolated, and disconnected.We explore how shame has been part of the human story since the beginning, and how it still shows up today in the subtle lies we believe about ourselves as parents. But instead of striving for perfection, we’re invited into dependence, trusting that God meets us in our weakness, just as He did with Moses. We also talk about practical ways to respond when shame creeps in: quieting the noise, getting honest about where our expectations come from, pursuing vulnerable relationships, and practicing repair when needed.At the end of the day, parenting isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about walking in faith, holding onto hope, and learning to love our kids well, even in our imperfection.Brook’s Interview on the Open Spaces Podcast: YouTube, Spotify + Apple PodcastsScripture Mentioned: 2 Corinthians 7:10, Genesis 3:9-11, Hebrews 11:24-28 + Hebrews 10:23-24Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalparents.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.Sowing a Hidden SeedIntentional Motherhood Retreat: April 23-25, 2026 in Franklin, TNJoin Our Legacy BuildersWatch on YouTubeFollow Us on Instagram: @intentional_parents @brookmosser@emosserFREE Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Parenting PDFFREE Text Message Daily DevotionalRaising Passionate Jesus FollowersThe Intentional Film Series
Transcribe →