Family Brand: Take Back Your Family

• 244. Chief Reminding Officer: Why Great Leaders Repeat Themselves

  Chief Reminding Officer: The Power of Repetition in Your Family If you've ever felt like a broken record as a parent — constantly reminding your kids (or yourself) of the same things over and over — this episode will make you feel a whole lot better. This week, Chris and Melissa talk about something they've been feeling in both their home and business lately: that quiet drift that happens when you stop doing the simple things that actually work. The routines that keep your house running. The systems that make your marriage stronger. The habits that help your family thrive. And the truth they came back to? Most families don't need a brand-new plan… they just need to remember the one they already have. Chris shares a conversation that pushed him to revisit Excellence Wins by Horst Schulze, the cofounder of the Ritz-Carlton. One line jumped off the page: "Great leaders are really just Chief Reminding Officers." At the Ritz, they review the same guiding principles every 21 days — not because people don't know them, but because repetition is what keeps a culture alive. As Chris and Melissa talk through examples from their own home, you'll hear how easy it is to slip into "sloppy" seasons — dishes piling up, routines disappearing, date nights pushed aside. Not because something is wrong… but because we forget what works. Melissa shares why repetition used to feel boring to her — and how she learned to see it as one of the most loving, grounding things you can do for your family. When you remind your kids who they are, remind your spouse what your marriage is about, or remind yourself what your family values… you're strengthening your culture every single time. This episode will make you feel encouraged, not overwhelmed. You'll walk away remembering that you don't need to reinvent your life — you probably already have the tools, rhythms, and values that work. You just need to return to them, repeat them, and keep reminding the people you love most. LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.  Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Recap: Family Brand Blitz and 20th anniversary reflections 01:30 – Introducing today's topic: becoming the Chief Reminding Officer 02:00 – Why repetition and reinforcement are underrated leadership traits 03:00 – The "authentic conversation" that sparked this episode 04:00 – Lessons from Excellence Wins and the Ritz Carlton's 21 rules 05:30 – "Ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen" — defining culture 06:30 – Why repetition sustains identity better than constant reinvention 08:00 – Applying business lessons to family life 09:00 – How Family Brand uses corporate exercises to shape home culture 10:00 – Responding to the "we need something new" mindset 11:30 – The real fix for "sloppiness" in teams and families 12:30 – Why date nights and routines matter more than new ideas 13:30 – How small sacrifices lead to peace and structure 14:30 – The "Family Works When…" and "Marriage Works When…" exercise 15:30 – Writing down what makes your family thrive 16:30 – Reinforcing vs. reinventing: the real job of leadership 17:00 – Melissa's insight: learning to love the act of reminding 18:00 – Final takeaway: stop fighting repetition — embrace it as the path to peace

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• 243. How to Raise More Free-Range, Confident, and Adventurous Kids

  Have you ever caught yourself saying "no" to your kids' adventures out of pure instinct — only to wonder later if maybe the risk was worth it? In this episode, Chris and Melissa talk about how they're learning to raise kids who are more confident, capable, and adventurous by saying yes a little more often. The idea started after Melissa read The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt — a powerful book that explores how modern parenting and constant digital connection have created more anxious, less independent kids. Together, they reflect on how the shift from outdoor play to screens has changed childhood, and what parents can do to reclaim freedom and resilience for their kids. They share personal stories from their own family — like letting their teenage son navigate New York City solo, their kids exploring Paris and Croatia by themselves, and their 10-year-old's first bike ride to school (which included a coyote sighting and a dog chase). Each story carries the same theme: that a little bit of risk, independence, and real-world adventure is not just okay — it's essential. Chris and Melissa also discuss how media consumption has shaped our fears, why the world may not actually be more dangerous than it used to be, and how giving kids appropriate autonomy builds courage and confidence. They tackle the smartphone dilemma too — why they're rethinking when their kids get phones, and what it means to trade "connection" for constant anxiety. This episode will inspire you to loosen the reins just a bit, trust your kids more, and rediscover the joy of letting them learn through life — not just lectures. As Chris puts it, "Adventure builds confidence. Confidence builds courage. And courage builds character."   LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.  Links For This Episode: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – The inspiration behind today's topic: The Anxious Generation 01:00 – Introducing the Family Brand Croatia Cruise (June 20–27!) 03:00 – Letting their 17-year-old explore New York City alone 05:00 – How independence builds confidence and perspective 06:00 – Kids navigating Paris, Croatia, and new cities on their own 08:00 – The 10-year-old's first solo bike ride (and wild encounters) 10:00 – How small risks create big growth and resilience 11:00 – Is the world really more dangerous than it used to be? 12:00 – The role media plays in fueling parental anxiety 13:00 – What The Anxious Generation teaches about freedom vs. fear 15:00 – Revisiting your family's smartphone rules 16:00 – Chris's powerful analogy: "Would you pay for your child's destruction?" 17:00 – The Harvard study on boredom and why it's good for kids 18:00 – Rediscovering stillness and creative thought 19:00 – Building community around shared parenting values 20:00 – Changing the narrative: why "different" is good 21:00 – Rewriting your family's agreements — it's never too late 22:00 – Holiday reflections: gifts that inspire adventure, not anxiety

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• 242. Faith, Family, and the Songs That Heal: A Conversation with Angie Killian

  Making Jesus Famous One Song at a Time with Angie Killian This week, Melissa sits down with award-winning songwriter and composer Angie Killian, whose music has touched millions of hearts around the world. Angie's songs — like her viral hit "My Own Sacred Grove" — have been streamed over 30 million times and translated into dozens of languages, inspiring faith, joy, and connection in homes everywhere. But Angie's story didn't start with fame or recognition. It began in the quiet moments of motherhood — rocking a newborn in the middle of the night, wrestling with exhaustion and postpartum depression, and hearing a simple melody that became her lifeline. That small spark of light led Angie to write songs for her children about Jesus, love, and hope — songs that would eventually bless families all over the world. Melissa and Angie dive deep into the power of music — especially for children. Angie shares how melodies and lyrics can plant truth deep in a child's heart and why music is one of the most powerful tools parents can use to teach faith. She offers practical ideas for families who want to bring more music into their homes — from listening in the car to singing together at bedtime or joining a local children's choir. They also explore what it looks like to balance motherhood and creative callings. Angie opens up about the guilt she once felt spending time on her music instead of chores or endless to-do lists — and how she came to realize that pursuing her God-given gifts made her a more joyful, grounded mom. From writing songs during nap times to her new preschool project Tiny Disciple Songs, Angie's story is a powerful reminder that light often breaks through in unexpected places — and that creativity, faith, and motherhood can coexist beautifully.   LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.    Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Introduction: Melissa shares how she discovered Angie's music 02:00 – The piano over countertops story: a mom's early sacrifice for music 04:00 – How a sleepless night sparked Angie's songwriting journey 06:00 – Writing songs for her children through postpartum depression 08:00 – Learning the craft of songwriting and sharing vulnerable work 10:00 – How music shaped her family life — and how her kids now sing with her  13:00 – The joy of raising musical children and creating together 14:30 – Why children's songs hold unique power for faith and memory 16:00 – Practical ways to use music as a spiritual teaching tool in your home 18:00 – Finding balance between sports, choir, and faith-based activities 20:00 – The rise of Christian music in the mainstream (and why it matters) 23:00 – CCM vs. Worship: understanding modern Christian music 24:00 – Angie's favorite songs and how "I Am Thankful" came to life 25:00 – "Making Jesus Famous" — her mission behind the music 27:00 – The miracle behind My Own Sacred Grove and trusting God's timing 30:00 – Navigating creativity, family, and guilt as a mom 32:00 – Why pursuing your calling makes you a better parent 33:00 – What's next: Holy Road, Wonderfully Made, and Tiny Disciple Songs 35:00 – Final thoughts and Melissa's reflections on using music to teach faith    

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• 241. Living with Intention: The Daily Habits That Build a Life You Love

  Living with Intention: The Daily Habits That Build a Life You Love This week, Melissa continues the conversation from Episode 239 — The #1 Thing Standing Between You and the Life You Want — where she shared the importance of getting clear on what you want. Now, in Part Two, she goes deeper into what to do once you've found that clarity, and how to live with intention even in the middle of life's stress, chaos, and constant demands. Click here to listen to part one on Apple!  Click here to listen and read on our website! In this episode, Melissa shares insights from a workshop she recently gave to women at her church about living intentionally and managing the mental load that comes with modern life. She explains what "intentional living" really means — making choices based on your values and goals instead of defaulting to busyness or comparison — and walks through a practical exercise you can do right now: asking yourself, What do I really want? She guides listeners through a journaling activity that reveals recurring themes, hidden desires, and areas where you might need more clarity. Then, she moves into the second half of the conversation — managing stress in real life. From a day spent painting with her kids that turned chaotic to simple strategies for lowering stress hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, Melissa shows that living intentionally doesn't mean living perfectly — it means noticing what's working and making small, conscious adjustments. She also highlights one of the most underused yet powerful tools for reducing anxiety and increasing self-awareness: journaling. Melissa shares research showing its benefits and how writing down what's in your head — no matter how messy — can be both healing and clarifying. This episode is a gentle, encouraging reminder that you don't have to overhaul your life to live more intentionally. Sometimes it's as simple as pausing, reflecting, and asking: What's one thing I can do today to move closer to the life I truly want?   LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.  Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Welcome to Part Two of the Living with Intention series 01:00 – Why this episode stands alone but connects to clarity (Part One) 02:00 – What intentional living actually means — and what it doesn't 03:30 – Knowing what you want and living in alignment with it 05:00 – Why this question — "What do I want?" — keeps showing up 06:30 – The writing exercise: ask yourself the question seven times 08:00 – Identifying patterns and themes in your answers 09:00 – How clarity leads to alignment and purpose 10:00 – Transition: managing the mental load of daily life 11:00 – The painting story — and how "small stress" still adds up 12:30 – The four happiness chemicals and how to activate them 13:30 – Dopamine: reward yourself and celebrate small wins 14:00 – Oxytocin: connection through touch, kindness, and service 14:30 – Serotonin: stability through sun, nature, and mindfulness 15:00 – Endorphins: joy through laughter, movement, and music 16:00 – The surprising science behind journaling and stress relief 17:30 – Why journaling is powerful — and why we often avoid it 19:00 – How confronting your thoughts can lead to healing 20:00 – Creating your personal plan of action 21:00 – One small step toward more peace and less stress 22:00 – Closing encouragement: be still, do what brings you joy, and live with intention

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• 243. You Are What You Consume: How Media Shapes Your Family

  You Are What You Consume: How Media Shapes Your Family What we watch, listen to, and read matters more than we realize. In this episode, Chris and Melissa open a conversation that every family needs to have: how the media we consume — from music and books to shows and social media — shapes who we become. It all started with a walk and a conversation about Taylor Swift's latest album, but the discussion quickly turned into something much deeper: how to discern light from darkness in a world full of noise, artificial positivity, and subtle influence. Chris shares the idea of hidden darkness — how things that appear good on the surface can sometimes carry messages that slowly erode our values. Melissa adds practical examples from their own family, from karaoke songs that sounded fun until the lyrics popped up on the screen, to noticing mood and behavior shifts in their kids after certain music or books. They discuss everything from letting kids read Harry Potter too early, to streaming algorithms that quietly shape what we watch, to the way humor and sarcasm in "innocent" family sitcoms can normalize disrespect and contention. Chris and Melissa don't pretend to have it all figured out — in fact, they share openly how they're still navigating this as parents. But they emphasize one thing: the goal isn't perfection, it's vigilance. The takeaway? Be intentional and stay vigilant. Pay attention to what you — and your kids — are consuming. Ask whether it elevates and inspires, or subtly dulls your light. Because as Melissa reminds us, "That's who we become." LINKS: All Links Family Brand!  stan.store/familybrand familybrand.com/quiz familybrand.com/retreats.   Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Family Brand Blitz retreat reminder 02:00 – The Taylor Swift album conversation that sparked this episode 04:00 – "Light or darkness?" — Chris on hidden darkness and artificial light 06:00 – How small influences add up: the justification trap 08:00 – The Pink Pony Club karaoke story (and what it revealed) 10:00 – Joy vs. artificial light — how to discern the difference 11:30 – What happens when your child falls asleep to the wrong playlist 13:00 – How books, music, and media can shift behavior 15:00 – The Harry Potter moment: knowing when your kids are ready 17:00 – Recognizing subtle influences in "family" shows 18:30 – Modeling behavior and what kids learn from on-screen families 20:00 – The danger of "it's not that bad" 21:00 – The justification test: if you're defending it, it's worth questioning 22:00 – Artists who choose light over fame — Forest Frank's example 23:30 – Using your family values as a filter for what you consume 24:00 – The Family Brand lens: "Does this elevate and inspire?"    

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