If we want to help Gen Z thrive, we can’t only focus on kids—we have to support the parents raising them.

In Part 2 of our Supporting the Guardians conversation, Andy and Kelly sit down with Eagle Ranch counselor Phillip Costa to talk about what parents themselves are experiencing right now—and why their own healing and growth matter so much.

Drawing from nearly two decades of counseling experience, Phillip shares how anxiety, stress, and depression among parents have steadily increased, especially in the digital age. From constant information overload to the pressure of “getting parenting right,” many caregivers today feel overwhelmed and exhausted.

But there is hope.

Phillip explains that lasting change in a family often begins when parents slow down and begin exploring their own story—how they were parented, what triggers them, and how unresolved pain can shape the way they respond to their children.

When parents begin doing that work, something powerful happens: the entire family system begins to shift.

This conversation offers a hopeful reminder that parenting isn’t about perfection. It’s about faithfulness in the process, growing in compassion for ourselves, and building a foundation strong enough to weather the storms that inevitably come.

Episode Highlights

[03:40] The current state of parenting: why anxiety and stress are increasing for caregivers

[05:30] How constant information and “Dr. Google” can fuel parental anxiety

[08:40] Signs a parent may be running on empty and losing margin

[10:30] Why exploring your personal story is essential for growth

[13:30] What keeps parents from slowing down and doing their own work

[14:30] The ripple effect: how parents changing begins to transform families

[16:10] Understanding authoritative parenting: balancing nurture and structure

[18:20] Why tools and parenting tips don’t work without a strong foundation

[20:00] The importance of community when processing your story

[25:30] Encouragement for parents who feel like they’re doing the work but still struggling

Resources Mentioned

📊 Gen Z Mental Health & Well-Being Report (Barna Group)

https://www.barna.com/mental-health/

🎙 Previous Episode with Phillip Costa

Family Dynamics: What Doesn’t Get Healed Gets Transferred (Part 1) — Season 1, Episode 4

📖 You on Purpose — Dr. Stephanie Shackelford

Don’t Miss Out!

If this episode encouraged you:

• Subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming conversations

• Leave a review on Apple or Spotify

• Share this episode with another parent who may need encouragement

And as always, connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. We’d love to hear how you’re implementing these ideas in your own family.

You don’t have to navigate modern parenting alone.

Let’s move from desperation to hope — together.

When we talk about the Gen Z mental health crisis, the focus is often on teens. But what about the people raising them?

In this episode of It Takes a Family, Andy and Kelly welcome back researcher Dr. Stephanie Shackelford to explore the second theme from the Barna research: Supporting the Guardians.

What the data reveals is both surprising and deeply important—parents are struggling at nearly the same rates as their children. Anxiety, loneliness, and chronic stress are affecting caregivers across the board, making it harder to lead families with confidence.

Dr. Shackelford helps unpack what’s happening beneath the surface and why supporting parents is essential if we want to help the next generation thrive.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Why many parents today feel overwhelmed and paralyzed by information

• The growing loneliness crisis among caregivers

• How parental mental health directly impacts children

• The difference between permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative parenting

• Why both warmth and structure are essential for healthy development

• How redefining the goal of parenting—from happiness to flourishing—changes everything

The good news? Parents don’t have to figure this out alone. Small steps toward community, honest conversations, and simple rhythms can make a powerful difference.

Episode Highlights

[03:00] Why the mental health of parents matters just as much as the mental health of teens

[04:00] The loneliness crisis among caregivers and the pressure parents carry today

[08:30] Understanding permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative parenting styles

[10:00] Why children need both connection and boundaries to flourish

[13:30] How your own upbringing may shape the way you parent today

[15:00] Rethinking the goal of parenting: happiness vs. flourishing

[19:30] Returning to basic family rhythms—sleep, nutrition, and time outside

[21:30] When it may be time to seek outside help

[22:30] Why moms often become the emotional safe place for kids—and how dads can step in too

[25:00] An encouragement for overwhelmed parents: you are not alone

Resources Mentioned

📊 Gen Z Mental Health & Well-Being Report (Barna Group)

https://www.barna.com/mental-health/

📖 You on Purpose — Dr. Stephanie Shackelford

Don’t Miss Out!

This is a two-part conversation.

Today we explored the research behind supporting parents and caregivers. Next week, we’ll move into practical ways families can begin building healthier rhythms and support systems at home.

If this episode encouraged you:

• Subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2

• Leave a review on Apple or Spotify

• Share this episode with another parent who may need encouragement

And as always, connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. We’d love to hear how you’re implementing these ideas in your own family.

You don’t have to navigate modern parenting alone.

Let’s move from desperation to hope — together.

What does it actually look like to build a tech-wise home in real life?

In Part 2 of our conversation on Smart Tech Use, Andy and Kelly sit down with Rachel Medefind, Director of the Institute for Family-Centered Healing & Health at the Christian Alliance for Orphans.

Rachel holds a Master of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health from King’s College London, with a focus on children who have experienced early adversity, and is the author of When There Is Crisis. She is also a bio mom, foster mom, and adoptive mom raising five children ranging from teens to young adults.

Rachel shares how her family built rhythms over time — not overnight — to protect what matters most. From delaying smartphones to creating screen-free mornings and evenings, she offers a hopeful, practical vision rooted in one foundational idea:

Technology decisions must flow from your family’s values — not fear.

If you’ve ever thought, “We’re too far gone,” this episode will remind you: it’s never too late to reset.

Episode Highlights

[08:00] Why parents feel overwhelmed — and how fear can paralyze leadership

[11:30] Starting with your family’s “big rocks” before setting tech rules

[15:30] Why parents’ device habits must change first

[17:45] Delaying smartphones and matching tools to actual needs

[19:30] Having teens write and sign their own phone agreements

[20:00] Screen-free mornings: prayer, chores, movement before devices

[22:30] No devices in bedrooms and protecting sleep

[24:30] Baby steps vs. drastic resets — how to make meaningful change

[27:00] Why technology is a spiritual formation issue, not just a behavior issue

[34:00] Life beyond screens — from reading aloud to 25 days on the John Muir Trail

Resources Mentioned

📖 When There Is Crisis — Rachel Medefind

📖 The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt

📖 You on Purpose — Dr. Stephanie Shackelford

📖 The Common Rule — Justin Whitmel Earley

🌐 Christian Alliance for Orphans

https://cafo.org

Don’t Miss Out!

If this episode encouraged you:

• Subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming conversations
• Leave a review on Apple or Spotify
• Share this episode with another parent navigating the digital world

And as always, connect with us on Facebook and Instagram — unless you’re on a fast. 😉

You don’t have to navigate modern parenting alone.

Let’s move from desperation to hope — together.