Unashamed with the Robertson Family – Ep 1172

“Jase's Son & Daughter-in-Law Share Baby News Alongside a Story of Loss & Hope”
Release Date: September 24, 2025

Overview

This heartfelt episode of Unashamed centers on family, faith, and resilience through both celebration and deep loss. Host Alan, joined by Zach and Jason, welcome Alan’s son Reed and daughter-in-law Brighton for Brighton’s first-ever podcast appearance. The conversation unfolds over topics of parenting, spiritual growth, suffering, and how finding community and a renewed relationship with God transformed their journey. The biggest moment: Brighton and Reed announce they’re expecting their fourth child, soon leading to vulnerable stories of grief, hope, and God’s faithfulness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Announcing Baby Number Four & Parenting Reflections

(04:07 – 06:37)

• Brighton’s Pregnancy Announcement: Brighton shares she is 11 weeks pregnant with their fourth child, confirming their “baby factory” is in full swing.
  • Brighton: “Yeah, we have a three-and-a-half-year-old, two-and-a-half, a 13-month old, and then I’m pregnant with our fourth.” (04:07)
• Parenting the Young Bunch: The family proudly reflect on the good behavior of their children during a recent, long, high-end family dinner.
  • Alan: “They were 3, 2, and 1. They sat there...No one noticed they were even there...” (12:36)
• Lesson: Their parenting approach is rooted in discipline, respect, and intentional, gospel-driven guidance—contrasted humorously and pointedly with current cultural trends of unrestrained child behavior.

2. The Impact of Community & Becoming Better Together

(02:15 – 03:45, 14:13 – 16:29)

• How Brighton “Sanctifies” Reed: Both families affirm that marriage has refined them, making them “better human beings.”
  • Alan: “Something just incredible happened when you met this woman beside you. You just became a better human being.” (03:18)
  • Brighton: “We both sanctify each other a lot.” (03:46)
• Brighton’s Testimony: Her faith was reignited after beginning to listen to 'Unashamed' during a challenging season of solo parenting.
  • Brighton: “I just never heard anyone teach the Bible in this way...since I started listening to Unashamed, I’ve had that thrill about the word of God. And it completely changes the way that I mother and parent every day...” (15:04)
• Valuing Biblical Community: Both Brighton and Reed describe years of loneliness after moving to Nashville—before their accidental introduction to a life-giving, discipling church that changed everything.
  • Jason: “I mean, we searched for community for, I mean, years…We just couldn’t find a church.” (20:47)
  • Brighton: “…I see the Lord’s kindness in us marrying young. We really grew up together...” (20:06)
• Lesson: Don’t stop seeking community—God’s timing and provision surprise us in pivotal moments.

3. Journey Through Grief: Story of Loss and God’s Presence

(21:59 – 32:16, 32:16 – 35:44)

• Losing a Parent: Brighton’s father is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passes away during her first year of marriage; this prompts a prolonged “spiritually dry season.”
  • Brighton: “After my dad...I didn’t believe that God was good.” (24:49)
• Losing Her Nieces and Nephew: Nearly two years later, Brighton’s brother’s children are in a tragic car crash—two are lost, one survives, and Brighton and Reed race to Louisiana to care for their devastated family.
  • Brighton: “I get a call...my niece and nephew...had died in a car accident...you can’t even wrap your head around what that would be like as a parent.” (31:25)
• The Power of Supporting Others: Reed and Brighton drop everything to physically and emotionally care for family, sleeping and comforting, providing nursing care, and bearing one another’s burdens.
  • Brighton: “Maybe this is the only reason God made me a nurse: was just for this week.” (35:08)
• Supernatural Strength and the Role of Faith: Brighton is asked—or volunteers—to speak at the children’s funeral, a feat everyone warned against, but she experiences God’s supernatural peace.
  • Alan (about Brighton’s funeral speech): “That was one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen. I was super proud of you...God uses people.” (43:04)
  • Brighton: “It was an out of body experience, which I think was totally the Holy Spirit...” (43:06)
• On Suffering and Community: Their testimony highlights the critical role of church family and friends—old and new—rallying to offer practical and spiritual support during unfathomable tragedy.
  • Jason: “It really showed the importance of community...if you feel like you don’t have a community, do whatever you got to do to go out and find one.” (39:04)

4. Motherhood Reframed: Surrendering Control and Focusing on the Heart

(47:44 – 51:54, 53:17 – 54:52)

• Letting Go and Trusting God: In the shadow of tragedy, Brighton learns to surrender control of her children, seeking to shape their hearts, not just their outward behavior.
  • Brighton (quoting her sister-in-law): “I did everything right...but I still couldn’t control any of it. Ultimately, they’re the Lord’s. And that changed so much of the way that I parent because...I’m just not as worried about those things I can't control...” (47:44)
• Gospel-Driven, Intentional Parenting: She and Reed emphasize shepherding their children’s hearts toward Christ, not just producing well-mannered children for appearances.
  • Brighton: “…I want to go after their heart...our goal here is to shepherd their heart and to point them to Jesus...” (49:17)
• Ephesians 6 and Parenting with Grace: The family discusses the biblical balance: discipline without exasperation, aiming for children who know how to be “sons or daughters of the Almighty.”
  • Zach: “You walk that line...you want to teach them how to be a son or daughter of the Almighty, because then they'll be able to be ready for whatever happens.” (50:12)

5. Breaking Distraction & Cultivating a Spiritual Life

(53:17 – 55:54)

• Escaping Distraction: Brighton describes the trap of constant phone and social media use, which brings comparison, dissatisfaction, and numbs real life.
  • Brighton: “The enemy...the best thing he can do is keep us distracted. I was spending a lot of time on my phone, a lot of time just...comparing myself and just being so distracted every day.” (53:17)
• Transformative Discipline: Now, she intentionally immerses in Scripture, especially during her children’s naptime (a daily “three hours” in the Word), and encourages other moms to do the same.
  • Brighton: “Now...during nap time...I only read my Bible now. I try not even to pick up my phone...It will change your life.” (54:34)
• Lesson: True satisfaction is found in God alone, not the endless scroll of comparison.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Marriage and Growth
  • Alan: “Something just incredible happened when you met this woman...You just became a better human being.” (03:18)
• On the Gospel’s Thrill
  • Brighton: “May we never lose the thrill of the gospel like Phil had...since I started listening to Unashamed, I’ve had that thrill about the word of God.” (15:04)
• On Parenting with Perspective
  • Brighton (quoting Casey): “I did everything right...But I still couldn’t control any of it. Ultimately, they’re the Lord’s.” (47:44)
• On Community
  • Jason: “If you feel like you don’t have a community, do whatever you got to do to go out and find one.” (39:04)
• On Suffering and Faith
  • Alan (referencing C.S. Lewis): “God whispers in our pleasures, but in our pain, he uses a megaphone to awaken a deaf world.” (41:32)
• On Breaking Distraction
  • Brighton: “The enemy...best thing he can do is keep us distracted...the only thing that can satisfy us is the Lord, truly.” (53:17)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• (01:42) — Brighton’s first time on a podcast; banter about family and being in Nashville
• (04:07) — Pregnancy announcement: “I’m 11 weeks.”
• (13:06) — Parenting strategies in public; behavioral success stories and French fries
• (15:04) — Brighton shares how 'Unashamed' reignited her faith
• (20:06 – 22:59) — Grieving her father’s illness and passing
• (32:16 – 35:44) — Loss of niece and nephew, practical support, community in crisis
• (43:06) — Speaking at the funeral, the reality of God’s strength
• (47:44) — “I did everything right...ultimately they’re the Lord’s.” Motherhood and releasing control
• (53:17) — Battling distraction and finding fulfillment in scripture over social media

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, vulnerable, and warm. The Robertsons and their guests use everyday, relatable language, peppered with humor, gentle teasing, and frequent references to their Louisiana roots. Biblical language and spiritual discussion is authentic, non-preachy, and rooted in lived experience. The atmosphere feels like a family table—a place where faith, hurt, hope, and love are all brought out into the open.

Closing Impression

This episode stands out as an intimate and brave conversation on what it means to build a Christ-centered family in the midst of joy, suffering, and transformation. Brighton and Reed’s story offers hope and practical inspiration—finding the thrill of the gospel anew, seeking authentic community, and learning to point children to Jesus in a world full of chaos and comparison. For listeners, especially parents and young families, this installment resonates as both an encouragement and a call to intentional living, faith, and perseverance.