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The glow of the microwave clock, an untouched Advent wreath, and a pile of unwrapped gifts—sound familiar? We open with a scene that many parents know too well and move toward a countercultural claim: December isn’t a test of endurance, it’s a training ground for unity. Through a vulnerable story about trying to do everything alone, we explore the moment a marriage turns from survival to connection and how that pivot reshapes the entire season.

We look to Mary and Joseph for a framework that’s both spiritual and practical. Their first Advent was anything but curated: confusion, travel, risk, and exhaustion were all there. Yet they walked together—Joseph listening and acting with steady courage, Mary trusting with humble strength. That unity didn’t erase hardship; it allowed peace to enter the chaos. Drawing from their example, we invite parents to redefine success: not a perfect tree or matching pajamas, but a home where mom and dad choose each other and make space for Christ in everyday routines.

You’ll leave with clear, doable practices to anchor your days. Start with one small act of connection: a long morning hug, a short bedtime prayer, or a simple text that says “I’m with you.” Then try the ten-touches challenge to flip the script on phone time and elevate your marriage. These tiny habits soften stress, stabilize the household, and become the living nativity your kids remember—love steady, Christ present, and parents united. If this resonates, subscribe, share it with your spouse, and leave a review to help other families find a gentler, holier way to walk through Advent together.

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(RE-BROADCAST) On this episode of Respect Life Radio, hosts Emma and Jennifer interviewed our very own podcast host & Executive Director of Families of Character, Jordan Langdon.

In this interview, Jordan shares her personal journey of marriage and raising three children, reflecting on how embracing this Christ-centered model transformed her family life. Through seasons of struggle and growth, she and her husband discovered the power of viewing family as a team—one rooted in love, joy, and mutual service. Jordan also emphasizes the importance of prayer, and how transformative it is in the foundation of marriage and family life.

Check out other episodes of the Respect Life Radio show.

Contact Jordan at jordan@familiesofcharacter.com for any speaking opportunities or parenting workshops.

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the show

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.
Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!

our website

Send us a Text Message and suggest a topic or guest!

What if the most powerful way to raise courageous kids is hidden in small, repeatable moments at home? Former Navy SEAL and father of four Jimmy Graham joins us to share the lived wisdom behind his new children’s book, How Do You Love a Fish?, a field-tested guide to forming character through short stories, scripture, and simple nightly rituals. We explore how parents can lead with clarity in a chaotic world by pairing modeled behavior with true words that bless and build.

Jimmy walks us through practical tools you can use tonight: the “High Five” confidence cue (posture, eye contact, handshake, strong voice, smile), a family liturgy of affirmation that becomes oxygen for the soul, and the powerful reframe that love means meeting needs, not projecting preferences. We talk about teaching kids to say “May I please” and “Thank you,” why manners are a form of respect and self-mastery, and how choosing silence over venting can be strength, not weakness. From “don’t be distracted,” accountability, to “say true words” & have integrity, this conversation turns faith into action without fluff.

We also take on the so‑called war on decency with a calm, constructive plan: turn devices off, read a short 3 pg chapter of this book with your child, ask three questions, set a small challenge, and close with a promise and a prayer. Jimmy also shares about the tender practice of telling your children, “You are my treasure,” so they carry that truth wherever they may be in life.

"How Do You Love a Fish" is a rich, honest, and highly practical blueprint for parents who want their kids to grow up safe enough to play and strong enough to stand.

If this conversation encourages you, share it with a parent who needs a boost, subscribe for more character‑first parenting, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Then grab a copy of How Do You Love a Fish? and start one small practice tonight.

To access other episodes with Jimmy Graham, go to #72, #131 & #167.

The Thriving Family Accelerator provides an easy, 3-step process to lower stress, parent as a united team, and enjoy a true friendship with your spouse & relationship with your kids. Sign up now for this live parent coaching with proven methods for positively engaging your family and redistributing the mental load.

Support the show

Give $20 to keep the mic on. We're a 501 c(3) non-profit and produce this show for parents around the globe.
Discover the secrets to building a connected + thriving family. All you'll need is a few minutes of your week—it's easy!

our website