Not a Bad Parent is a living-room conversation about parenting with the two most valuable tools we’ve been given by God: the Bible and His Holy Spirit living inside us.
Hosted by Jonathan and Rachael—parents for 14 years and still learning—this podcast is about raising kids with confidence, humility, and trust in God’s leading. Each month, we sit down with other parents (and sometimes grandparents or kids) to talk honestly about the messy, awkward, surprising parts of parenting. No topic is off limits.
Whether you’re Bible-based or just doing your best to figure it out, you’ll find practical tools, encouragement, and a reminder: you’re not perfect, you’re not alone, and you’re not a bad parent.
What Unconditional Love Really Looks Like in Parenting ft. Dwayne & Indira Cardenas | Ep.007
What do you do when parenting gets harder, your kids start pulling away, and the answers that used to work no longer seem enough?
In this episode, Jonathan and Rachael sit down with Dwayne and Indira to talk about unconditional love, influence, listening, humility, forgiveness, and what it looks like to repair the relationship when you get it wrong.
Through honest stories from their own marriage and parenting journey, they share how God’s love changed the way they respond to their kids, especially in the seasons when control, frustration, and fear want to take over.
Timestamps:
00:00 Can You Love Your Kids Without Trying to Control Them?
04:31 How Has God Shaped the Way You Parent?
06:43 Are You Controlling Your Kids or Influencing Them?
13:03 How Do Different Parenting Styles Work Together?
15:22 What Do You Do After You Get Parenting Wrong?
20:20 What Happens When Your Child Is Hurting and You Don’t Have the Answers?
23:17 What Do You Do When Your Relationship With Your Child Is Falling Apart?
26:02 What Does Unconditional Love Actually Look Like?
31:49 How Can Parents Help Each Other Grow?
34:41 What Do Dads Need to Know About Loving and Leading Their Kids?
37:24 What Do Moms Need to Know About Listening and Loving Their Kids?
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DOWNLOAD THE SHOW NOTES: https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1ozPRE8M7n0yq8Yka124PF6d4if1-dvLR
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
https://www.instagram.com/dwanecardenas/
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HOSTS:
https://www.instagram.com/jonathanstarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/rachael.starrett/
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1 Sept 2026
Intentional Parenting: Values, Discipline & Letting Go ft. Hal & Chrissy Mayer | Episode 006
Parenting with intention isn’t about perfection—it’s about knowing what matters most.
In this episode, Jonathan and Rachel sit down with Hal and Chrissy Mayer to talk about family values, discipline, obedience, freedom, and parenting with the end in mind. They share practical wisdom on creating a home where faith is lived out, kids have room to grow and fail, hard conversations happen early, and parents are willing to admit when they get it wrong.
If you want to raise kids who know who they are, know who God is, and are prepared to make wise decisions on their own, this conversation is for you.
Timestamps:
00:20 Meet Hal and Chrissy Mayer
00:33 Creating Intentional Family Values
05:29 Modeling What You Believe
08:20 Discipline That Teaches, Not Just Punishes
15:06 Obedience: “Right Away, All the Way”
18:41 Humility, Apologizing, and Making Home a Safe Place
20:23 Giving Kids Freedom to Fail and Grow
27:22 Parenting With the End in Mind
28:02 Having the Hard Conversations Before Culture Does
32:09 Habits, Time Management, and Family Rhythms
37:56 Overscheduled Kids and Learning When to Say No
42:25 It’s Never Too Late to Become an Intentional Parent
43:16 Teaching Your Kids to Hear the Holy Spirit
46:31 Owning Your Mistakes and Starting Again
49:02 You Can Still Make a Difference
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DOWNLOAD THE SHOW NOTES:
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1kSriMx4ODEYGh8Dlulh3rp1n-tCgmTgB
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
https://www.instagram.com/halmayer4/
https://www.instagram.com/chrissymmayer/
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HOSTS:
https://www.instagram.com/jonathanstarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/rachael.starrett/
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#ChristianParenting #IntentionalParenting #FamilyValues #FaithAndFamily #ParentingTips
18 Aug 2026
Letting Go of the Family You Imagined ft. Mike & Brittany Durham
Parenting can feel overwhelming—especially when life looks different than you expected.
In this episode, Jonathan and Rachel sit down with Mike and Brittany Durham for an honest conversation about raising two children with special needs, strengthening their marriage, and trusting God through every season.
They share practical wisdom on comparison, communication, asking for help, celebrating small wins, prioritizing time together, and using worship to shift their perspective.
Whether you feel exhausted, isolated, or unsure of what to do next, this conversation will remind you that you were never meant to carry the weight alone. Because strong families aren’t built through perfection—they’re built through faith, honesty, community, and choosing each other again and again.
Timestamps:
00:35 Meet Mike and Brittany Durham
02:44 Parenting Through Special Needs
05:24 Resentment, Comparison, and Marriage
07:25 Grieving the Life You Expected
09:05 Celebrating the Small Wins
13:07 Honest Communication in Marriage
16:20 Daily Surrender and Trusting God
22:08 Prioritizing Your Marriage
24:13 Worship as a Weapon
30:06 Letting People In and Asking for Help
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DOWNLOAD THE SHOW NOTES: https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1WHKvqQG_YOGBva0G4xIJ4nklRJOZz9Wc
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
https://www.instagram.com/mikedurham1718/
https://www.instagram.com/brittanymariedurham/
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HOSTS:
https://www.instagram.com/jonathanstarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/rachael.starrett/
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#ChristianParenting #SpecialNeedsParenting #ParentingPodcast #FaithAndFamily #MarriageAndParenting
18 Aug 2026
Parenting Through Every Season of Life ft. Craig & Debbie Altman | Episode 004
Every parent hopes to leave a legacy that lasts. But building a strong family doesn't happen by accident.
In this episode, Jonathan and Rachel sit down with Grace Family Church founding pastors Craig and Debbie Altman for an honest conversation about parenting, prayer, family, and generational legacy.
Drawing from decades of ministry, marriage, and raising children, Craig and Debbie share practical wisdom on guiding your kids, creating healthy boundaries, communicating through challenges, and trusting God with the outcome. They also discuss the importance of consistency, humility, prayer, and learning to see each child for who God created them to be.
Whether you're raising young children, navigating the teenage years, praying for a prodigal, or simply trying to be faithful in the season you're in, this conversation will encourage you to keep showing up, keep praying, and keep trusting God. Because in the end, legacy isn't built through perfection—it's built through faithfulness.
Timestamps:
01:18 Parenting Seasons
02:09 Praying for Your Kids
05:12 Knowing Your Child's Heart
09:06 Discipline and Boundaries
14:37 Building a Legacy
17:14 When Kids Walk Away
18:46 The Power of Consistency
19:47 Apologizing to Your Children
21:54 Resetting Your Family
23:18 Prayers for Your Children
24:04 Speaking Life Over Your Kids
26:43 Parenting in Unity
28:15 Honest Family Communication
31:43 Overcoming Shame
35:39 Family and Ministry
39:07 Parenting Different Personalities
42:44 A Prayer for Parents
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DOWNLOAD THE SHOW NOTES: https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1ZXgPftlOa2doGN80OCikvTmmBJF0cRGp
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
https://www.instagram.com/gfccraigaltman/
https://www.instagram.com/darabrent/
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HOSTS:
https://www.instagram.com/jonathanstarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/rachael.starrett/
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#Parenting #ChristianParenting #FamilyLegacy #FaithAndFamily #GenerationalImpact #GraceFamilyChurch
1 Jun 2026
How to Parent Through Pornography & Social Media ft. Kevin + Jenn Miller | Ep. 003
Talking to your kids about sex, dating, pornography, and relationships can feel overwhelming… especially when nobody taught you how. In this episode of Not A Bad Parent, Jonathan and Rachael sit down with Kevin and Jen Miller for one of the most honest parenting conversations yet. They talk about creating a home where kids feel safe asking hard questions, how to respond without fear or shame, navigating social media and pornography exposure, parenting teenagers through dating, and why honest communication has to start long before the “big talk.” Through vulnerable stories, practical wisdom, and real-life parenting moments, this episode is a reminder that your kids don’t need perfect parents… they need safe ones. Because the goal isn’t just protecting your kids from the world. It’s building enough trust that they’ll keep coming back to you when the world gets confusing. Timestamps: 0:33 — How do you create honest communication with your kids? 3:28 — What should parents do when tough questions catch them off guard? 4:02 — How do you explain sex to young kids in an age-appropriate way? 11:15 — Should parents wait for kids to ask questions about sex? 12:09 — How do you talk to kids about pornography and online temptation? 14:26 — Kevin shares his personal struggle with pornography addiction 16:16 — “Whoever is first becomes the expert” 22:11 — What boundaries and tech safeguards should parents use? 30:38 — How do you guide teenagers through dating and relationships? 40:45 — A powerful prayer every parent should pray for their kids ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DOWNLOAD THE SHOW NOTES: https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=16S-0O97vBhXA0aM5bHhEynAsZFmfCCiN LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS: https://www.instagram.com/kevmill/ https://www.instagram.com/thejennmiller/ RUN! 👉 https://www.kevmill.com/store/p/run-book LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HOSTS: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanstarrett/ https://www.instagram.com/rachael.starrett/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #ChristianParenting #Pornography #SexandDating #NotABadParent
7 May 2026
The Real Challenges of Single Parenting ft. Patricia Davis + Mary Grace | Ep.002
Parenting can feel even heavier when you’re carrying it alone. In this episode of Not A Bad Parent, Jonathan and Rachael sit down with Patricia and her daughter Mary Grace to talk about single parenting, raising kids through hard seasons, and building a home rooted in faith, honesty, and love. Through vulnerable stories and practical wisdom, they explore trusting God when you feel helpless, why presence matters more than perfection, how to listen to your kids with humility, and the power of creating a safe relationship that lasts into adulthood. Because the truth is… you’re probably not a bad parent — you’re just doing one of the hardest jobs in the world. Timestamps: 00:24 - Your Family Dynamic 02:31 - What’s One Word to Describe Her as a Mom? 04:30 - How Do You Raise Kids Who Want Relationship Later in Life? 07:52 - Did God Bring the Right People Into Your Kids’ Lives Organically? 10:04 - How Do You Help Strong-Willed Kids Without Forcing Them? 13:07 - What’s One Word to Describe Mary Grace? 19:32 - How Do Parents Stay Present and Not Miss the Growth of Their Kids? 25:54 - How Do the Holy Spirit and God’s Word Guide Parenting? 26:24 - How Do You Detect Lies Your Kids Are Believing? 30:51 - What Does It Feel Like When a Parent Sees Through Your Walls? 32:13 - How Do You Let Go and Trust God With Your Kids’ Future? 35:57 - How Do You Balance Protection, Control, and Trust as a Parent? 37:32 - What Do You Say to Parents Who Feel Like They’re Failing? 42:16 - Our Perspective Podcast ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DOWNLOAD THE SHOW NOTES: https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=10--lm2dXp7I4rkboGlL2z2tnGy5I63uI LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
https://www.instagram.com/patricia_6710/
https://www.instagram.com/_marygrace_d/
https://www.instagram.com/ourperspective.podcast/
Our Perspective Podcast 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@Ourperspective.podcast/featured
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HOSTS:
https://www.instagram.com/jonathanstarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/rachael.starrett/
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23 Mar 2026
How to Raise Kids Without Losing Yourself ft. Daryl and Tracy Black
Parenting can make even the best parents feel like they’re failing.
In this episode of Not A Bad Parent, Jonathan and Rachael sit down with Pastor Daryl and Tracy Black to talk about Bible-based, Spirit-led parenting and how the Holy Spirit guides us in the moments when parenting feels overwhelming.
Through honest stories and practical wisdom, they explore how to raise kids who love God, how to handle the pressure of “getting it right,” and why faithfulness matters more than perfection.
Because the truth is… you’re probably not a bad parent — you’re just doing one of the hardest jobs in the world.
Timestamps:
00:24 - The Pressure of Parenting is Supposed to Last
06:20 - Standards + Space
15:33 - Routines Reduce Anxiety
19:39 - Spirit-Led Parenting Requires Supernatural Help
30:11 - Anxiety, Overthinking, and Sleep
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LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
https://www.instagram.com/mrdarylblack/
https://www.instagram.com/tracy7black/
Daryl's Book 👉 https://a.co/d/05svnSUA
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HOSTS:
https://www.instagram.com/jonathanstarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/rachael.starrett/
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