Strong families don't happen by accident. They are built through ordinary habits, shared life, and intentional choices.

In this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by Laura Kraus, founder and CEO of the Family Digital Foundation, to explore why the family remains the foundation of every healthy society. Drawing from history, modern research, and her own work at the intersection of technology and family life, Laura explains why our homes shape everything from character formation to the future of civilization.

Together they discuss how today's distractions, overscheduled lives, and personalized technology can quietly erode family relationships, and how parents can reclaim the simple practices that build lasting bonds.

Tune in to hear:

• Why the family is the "first institution" that shapes every other institution.
• What decades of research reveal about the connection between close family relationships and lifelong happiness.
• How technology is changing family life, for better and for worse.
• Practical ways to strengthen family bonds through everyday rhythms.
• Why saying "no" to overscheduling may be one of the best gifts you can give your children.
• How healthy families create healthier communities and cultures.
• A hopeful vision for using technology to serve families instead of competing with them.

Whether you're raising young children, navigating the teen years, or simply wanting to build a stronger home, this conversation offers both encouragement and practical wisdom for cultivating a flourishing family.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

As parents, it's easy to believe that everything depends on us. If we just choose the right curriculum, set the right boundaries, or say the right words, our children will turn out well.

But Scripture reminds us that we were never meant to carry that burden alone.

In this episode, bestselling author and Bible teacher Jodie Berndt joins Davies Owens to explore one of the most powerful, and often most neglected, tools God has given parents: prayer. Drawing from decades of experience as a mother, speaker, and author of the Praying the Scriptures series, Jodie shares practical ways to pray God's Word over our children through every season of life.

Rather than treating prayer as a last resort or a religious obligation, this conversation invites parents to see it as a daily relationship with God that not only shapes our children, but also transforms our own hearts.

Tune in to hear:

• Why prayer is far more than asking God for outcomes
• How praying Scripture gives depth and confidence to your prayers
• Finding peace in seasons of waiting and uncertainty
• Encouragement for parents carrying guilt, anxiety, or fear
• Practical ways to begin praying, even if you don't know where to start
• How prayer changes us while we wait for God to work in our children
• Why no child is ever beyond God's reach

Whether you're raising toddlers, teenagers, or adult children, this episode offers biblical encouragement to entrust your family to the One who loves them even more than you do.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

After years of encouraging families through counseling, conferences, and conversations on BaseCamp Live, Keith McCurdy's long-awaited book, Raising Sturdy Kids, has finally arrived.

In this episode, Davies and Keith celebrate the book's release while exploring the foundational principles behind it. Rather than focusing on quick parenting fixes, Keith explains why healthy struggle, responsibility, and service are essential for helping children grow into capable, resilient adults.

Together they discuss why modern parenting often prioritizes comfort over character, how children move from consumers to contributors, and why it's never too late to strengthen the foundations of your family.

Tune in to hear:

• Why healthy struggle is one of the greatest gifts parents can give their children
• The importance of moving kids from consumers to contributors
• How responsibility and service build maturity and resilience
• Why parenting is about raising future adults - not simply happy children
• Encouragement for parents who feel they've already made mistakes
• The story behind Keith's new book and why he finally decided to write it

Whether you're parenting toddlers, teenagers, or adult children, this conversation offers practical encouragement and timeless wisdom for raising children who are prepared not just for school, but for life.

Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:

Wisdom and Eloquence
The Herzog Foundation
Life Architects
Wisephone by Techless
ZipCast
Wilson Hill Academy

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.