Dustin Garrett was addicted to heroin, nearly took his life in prison, and is now a strong Christian husband and father. Episode 413 of Courageous Parenting.

He shares what he believes his parents could have done better when the early signs of waywardness first appeared — and what his father eventually did that was exactly what he needed, even though he hated it at the time.

You'll hear why tough love becomes necessary once a child is fully in a prodigal season, and how well-meaning help can actually prolong the problem instead of solving it.

Perhaps the most powerful moment in this conversation: the testimony of his grandmother, who kept speaking God's truth over him for years even when no one was listening — and who ended up playing a key role in his eventual return to Jesus. Too many parents let discouragement stop them from pointing their kids to Christ. This episode is a reminder that consistency matters more than results you can see right away.

If you're watching a child drift and aren't sure whether to tighten your grip or let go, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

Here's an Apple Podcasts version — same content, but formatted for Apple's platform conventions (plain URLs instead of markdown links, no video tags since Apple doesn't use them, and structured so the strongest hook lands in the first couple lines, since that's what shows before "see more" gets tapped):

Get a candid behind-the-scenes look at what God's doing with the Tolpin's large family — full of powerful takeaways you can apply in your own. Do you want your family to be even more intentional about serving the Lord together?

Is there anything God wants you to obey Him in, but you're not sure how to move forward? You'll learn something the Tolpins have experienced to be true and were reminded of while on their personal marriage retreat recently.

They'll teach you the new marriage exercise they came up with that encouraged their marriage immensely, and also encouraged them to continue being obedient to the Lord when it isn't clear how it's even possible to do it. They get candid about the Lord's call to plant another Rooted Bible Church in a neighboring town this fall, and invite you to pray with them as they move forward.

This is sure to empower you in the unique journey the Lord has for you and your family.

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Are you making decisions within God's will — or just your own? It's one of the biggest questions people wrestle with, and if adults struggle to answer it, how do we disciple our children to walk confidently in God's will?

In this episode, Isaac and Angie share insights from two chapters of their new book, Courageous Parenting: Biblical Parenting in Unprecedented Times, unpacking what Scripture says God's will IS — and isn't. Romans 12:2 reminds us that discerning His will requires a renewed mind through the washing of the Word, which changes how we approach decision-making with our kids.

What you'll hear in this episode:

- Tips from two chapters of Courageous Parenting on seeking God, surrendering your will to the Father, and walking by the Spirit, not the flesh

- Why living out what you teach is essential to discipling your children

- How to help your kids tell the difference between God's will, their own fleshly desires, and the "will" others try to place on them

- The spiritual disciplines — prayer, fasting, stillness, abiding in Christ, and seeking wise counsel — that train discernment over time

Whether you're wrestling with a big decision yourself right now or teaching your children to make biblically wise decisions, this episode is one worth taking notes on.

Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book

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Living in a Tent Through a Northern Idaho Winter: Elisha & Katie Voetberg on Sacrifice, Homeschooling, and Building a Dream

How does a family live in a tent while homeschooling six children and building a business? In this episode, Elisha and Katie Voetberg join the Courageous Parenting podcast to share their story of radical sacrifice for a worthy vision.

After buying land in northern Idaho, the Voetbergs made the bold decision to live in a tent through a brutal winter — all while homeschooling their six children, building their online music academy, and running their own top-rated podcast. This is a conversation full of grit, faith, and hard-won wisdom for any family willing to count the cost of pursuing what God has called them to.

In this episode, you'll hear:

How does a family live in a tent while homeschooling six children and building a business? In this episode, Elisha and Katie Voetberg join the Courageous Parenting podcast to share their story of radical sacrifice for a worthy vision.

After buying land in northern Idaho, the Voetbergs made the bold decision to live in a tent through a brutal winter — all while homeschooling their six children, building their online music academy, and running their own top-rated podcast. This is a conversation full of grit, faith, and hard-won wisdom for any family willing to count the cost of pursuing what God has called them to.

In this episode, you'll hear:

— Why the Voetbergs chose to sacrifice comfort for the sake of a bigger vision

— How they homeschooled six kids through a tent-living winter

— Lessons learned building an online business while living off-grid

— How faith carried them through the hardest seasons

— Encouragement for families facing their own season of sacrifice

If you've ever wondered what it takes to pursue a dream that costs you something, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book

Check out companies we love and use:

REDEEM HealthShare from Samaritan Ministries: https://hubs.ly/Q04n6bxv0

CTC Math: https://ctcmath.com/

Voetberg Music Academy (25% off, code COURAGEOUS25): voetbergmusicacademy.com

Connect with Be Courageous Ministry:

Website: https://www.becourageousministry.org/

Subscribe for weekly episodes on courageous, gospel-centered parenting.

What's the dominant message your children are hearing about their future?

It's vital that your kids have a balanced perspective on what's ahead — one that lets them navigate life with strength and optimism instead of fear. In this episode, we share three things every parent should be telling their children right now to give them real, lasting hope for the future, no matter what's coming.

This matters in every season of parenting. The sooner you can upgrade the words your children hear about their future, the better — but it's never too late to start shifting the narrative in your home.

Is it realistic to raise kids with the kind of grit America's founders had? We believe it's not just realistic — it's necessary. Today's intentional parenting culture often falls short of preparing kids for real resilience, and our children are heading into a future far more demanding than the one we grew up in.

In this episode, you'll get three practical answers for instilling grit in your children, drawn from real stories and quotes from America's founding fathers. This isn't nostalgia — it's a blueprint for raising kids who can endure hardship, stand firm in conviction, and lead the next generation well.

If you're a Christian parent who wants to raise resilient, courageous kids in an increasingly uncertain world, this episode is for you.

Get the Courageous Parenting book at becourageousministry.org/book

Subscribe for more episodes on biblical parenting, resilience, and raising the next generation of courageous kids.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on biblical parenting, resilience, and raising the next generation of courageous kids.

📖 Get the Courageous Parenting book: becourageousministry.org/book

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#ChristianParenting #RaisingKidsWithGrit #FoundingFathers #Homeschool #BiblicalParenting

What does the Bible actually say about women's roles in the church and gender roles in the home? It's one of today's most debated topics — which is exactly why your kids need more than your opinion, they need to see it in Scripture. In this episode, we walk through the key texts on church leadership and lay out what we believe is God's clear design for elders and pastors, so you can teach your children with confidence and biblical grounding. This isn't about preference — it's about handling God's Word carefully on a question your kids will face whether you address it or not.

Topics: Christian parenting, female pastors, church leadership, elders, deacons, scriptures on gender roles in church.

📖 Want to go deeper? Courageous Parenting by Isaac and Angie Tolpin gives you 31 biblical keys to raising children who are equipped to thrive — in their faith, their character, and their relationships.

👉 Get the book on Amazon: Courageous Parenting

Courageous Parenting Podcast is hosted by Isaac and Angie Tolpin of Be Courageous Ministry — helping Christian parents raise kids of faith in unprecedented times.

#ChristianParenting #BiblicalParenting #DisciplingYourChildren #CourageousParenting #womeninministry

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