Raise & Release

In this episode of Raise and Release, Jenny and Rachel dive into how to approach dating with your kids thoughtfully and intentionally. Rachel shares her family’s real-life approach, including what worked, what didn’t, and how early conversations, clear boundaries, and ongoing dialogue helped prepare her daughters to navigate relationships with maturity. From middle school boundaries to high school trust, this episode emphasizes equipping kids with wisdom rather than controlling their choices.

Topic Covered

• Starting Conversations Early
• Why They Chose “No Dating in Middle School”
• Using Real-Life Moments as Teaching Opportunities
• Allowing Feelings Without Encouraging Relationships

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Most parents wait until their teen is already interested in someone or deep in the “talking stage.” But by then, they’re already navigating pressure, emotions, and expectations without a clear foundation.

In this episode, we talk about why the best time to have these conversations is before it even begins and how to approach them in a way that feels natural, ongoing, and effective.

We break down the key conversations every parent should be having with their kids, from setting boundaries in texting to understanding healthy relationships, recognizing red flags, and building an identity that isn’t tied to attention or validation.

This episode is full of practical language you can use with your kids right now to help them navigate relationships with confidence, clarity, and strong values.

What You'll Learn

• Start Early, Not Later
• Teach Boundaries in Communication
• Redefine the Talking Stage
• Anchor Their Identity
• Recognize Healthy Effort

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In this episode of Raise and Release, Jenny and Rachel kick off a powerful three-part series on dating, diving into how today’s teen dating culture looks very different from what most parents experienced growing up. With honesty and humor, they explore the tension between “old school” dating rules and the modern realities kids are navigating.

Rachel shares insights from her own parenting journey, including what she learned as her daughters entered the dating world. Together, they unpack why traditional rules like “girls don’t call boys,” “no dating until 16,” and “boys should always pay” don’t translate neatly into today’s culture of texting, group hangouts, and slow-building relationships.

Rather than clinging to rigid rules, the conversation centers on identifying the principles behind those rules, such as self-respect, emotional readiness, and mutual kindness. Rachel introduces a practical framework for parents to evaluate dating guidelines: understand the principle, adapt it to today’s culture, and question whether the rule is still necessary at all.

The episode emphasizes the importance of equipping kids, not controlling them, helping them build confidence, communicate well, and navigate relationships in healthy ways. Parents are encouraged to shift from enforcing rules to guiding with intention, creating space for conversations, and fostering trust as their children grow.

This episode sets the foundation for the series, offering a refreshing, thoughtful approach to parenting through the evolving world of teen dating.

Key Topics Covered

• How modern teen dating differs from traditional dating norms

• Why old-school dating rules don’t always apply today

• The importance of identifying principles behind parenting rules

• Teaching teens self-respect, boundaries, and emotional readiness in relationships

• Shifting from control-based parenting to guidance and equipping kids for healthy dating

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In this episode of Raise and Release, Rachel sits down with her daughter, Katelyn, for an honest conversation about what it was actually like to be parented with intention.

After exploring discipline, teachable moments, and communication in previous episodes, Rachel invites Katelyn to share her perspective—what stood out, what felt meaningful, and what made a lasting impact.

Through real-life stories and candid reflection, they unpack how discipline can move beyond punishment, why connection changes how correction is received, and how trust is built over time through consistency and repair.

Katelyn offers a unique lens into how parenting choices are experienced on the other side, reminding us that while kids may not always agree with our decisions, they can still understand and respect them when we communicate clearly and lead with intention.

This episode is a powerful reminder that parenting is not about control. It’s about building influence, trust, and a relationship that lasts beyond childhood.

Key Topics Covered

• Discipline as consequences, not punishment
• Curiosity, conversation, and correction in real-life parenting
• The importance of logical consequences that connect to behavior
• Repairing through apology and taking responsibility as a parent
• Using teachable moments instead of a lecture
• How reputation and trust are built over time
• Why “because I said so” can damage long-term influenceShifting from control rooted in fear to communication rooted in connection

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In this episode of Raise and Release, Jenny and Rachel unpack a powerful and relatable idea: parenting doesn’t need to change its heart; it needs to change its messaging.

Most parents deeply desire to guide, protect, and equip their children, but what kids often experience instead is control, correction, and criticism. This disconnect can quietly erode trust and influence over time.

Through honest conversation and practical examples, this episode introduces the concept of a Parent PR Makeover, which is all about aligning your communication with your true intentions. By shifting language, tone, and approach, parents can maintain their standards while building stronger relationships and deeper trust with their kids.

This episode is a reminder that parenting is not about policing behavior, but about cultivating connection, influence, and long-term impact.

Key Topics Covered

• Why parents need a PR makeover
• What are our goals as parents
• Reframing our job as parents
• The language shift that changes how kids experience us
• Moving from control to influence

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Episode Summary

In this episode, Jenny and Rachel talk about the power of teachable moments in parenting. Instead of relying on lectures or correcting behavior in the heat of the moment, parents can use everyday experiences to guide their children toward wisdom and maturity.

Rachel shares practical examples from her own parenting journey and explains how teachable moments help parents plant seeds that shape character over time. The conversation also explores the importance of timing, emotional awareness, and letting go of the pressure to force understanding or agreement in the moment.

This episode encourages parents to slow down, stay relational with their kids, and trust that intentional conversations today will bear fruit in the future.

Key Topics Covered

00:25 – Introduction to Teachable Moments

Jenny and Rachel introduce the topic and discuss how parents often miss opportunities to guide their children through everyday situations.

03:16 – What Teachable Moments Really Are

Rachel explains how teachable moments differ from lectures and why they focus on relational conversations rather than correcting behavior.

06:00 – Real-Life Examples of Teachable Moments

Rachel shares parenting stories about school rumors and a dress code incident that became lessons about critical thinking and reputation.

12:05 – When Teachable Moments Work (and When They Don’t)

Why timing matters, how emotional escalation blocks learning, and why parents should focus on planting seeds rather than forcing understanding.

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Episode Summary

In this episode, we talk about what healthy discipline actually looks like and how it changes as our kids grow. Instead of seeing discipline as punishment, we explore how it can be a tool for teaching, guiding, and building trust with our children. Using the stages of parenting framework, we discuss how discipline shifts from setting clear boundaries in the toddler years to teaching and shaping the heart in the elementary years, and eventually to coaching and influence as our kids move into the teen years. As highlighted in Impact Parenting, effective discipline is about guiding children toward understanding their actions while nurturing their growth and character.

We also walk through practical approaches parents can use in each stage, including the PBS model for younger children and the curiosity–conversation–correction approach for older kids. Throughout the conversation, we share real-life scenarios and examples of how curiosity and connection can lead to better outcomes than reacting in frustration. The goal of discipline isn’t control. It’s helping our children learn to manage themselves and make wise decisions as they grow.

Key Topics Covered

• The three stages of discipline: boundary, teaching, and coaching.
• The PBS model: polite, behavior-focused, and simple discipline.
• Curiosity, conversation, and correction when addressing behavior.
• Why connection matters before correction
• Moving from control to influence as children grow

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In this honest and sometimes hilarious conversation, Rachel sits down with her two daughters to talk about real-life power struggles. From phone rules and life jackets to sibling comparisons and navigating the shift into young adulthood, this episode gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually feels like to grow up in a home committed to intentional parenting.

Together, they unpack:

• Power Struggles
• How Rules Can Evolve
• The Older Sibling Dynamic
• Young Adulthood vs. Adulthood

This conversation highlights the tension between independence and accountability, especially during the teen and young adult years. It is real, reflective, and filled with insight for parents navigating similar seasons.

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In this episode of Raise and Release, Jenny and Rachel unpack one of the most emotionally charged parts of parenting: power struggles. What if power struggles are not signs of failure or disrespect, but opportunities for growth?

Power struggles are often viewed as signs of disrespect or failure, but they can actually signal healthy development. In this episode, we explore the difference between defiant and resistant power struggles and how parents can shift from control to influence. Instead of trying to eliminate conflict, the goal is to turn power struggles into meaningful conversations that build independence, respect, and long-term connection.

Topics Covered

• Defiant vs resistant power struggles and why the difference matters
• Moving from rules and control to influence and coaching
• Teaching children to challenge authority respectfully
• Using real-world consequences, offering choices, and disengaging calmly when needed

Key Takeaways

• Resistance is often a normal part of growth, especially in the teen years.
• When children feel heard, even if the answer is no, conflict de-escalates.
• Clear boundaries paired with respect build trust and influence.
• The goal is not to win the argument, but to prepare your child to navigate the world with confidence and responsibility.

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In this episode of Raise and Release, we unpack the three main parenting styles and explore the powerful shift from “power over” to “power with” in our homes. If you’ve ever wondered why the teen years feel like a battle for control or why you and your spouse handle situations so differently, this conversation will give you language, clarity, and practical next steps.

Key Topics Covered

• The Three Main Parenting Styles

• Authoritarian: High Rules, Low Relationship

• How to Shift Your Parenting Style

• When You and Your Spouse Parent Differently

• Power Over vs Power With

Main Takeaways

• Parenting is not a dictatorship, nor is it a friendship.

• We do hold authority, but we are responsible for how we use it.

• The teen years are not meant to be a battlefield for control.

• Our goal is not compliance in our presence, but conviction in our absence.

• The shift from control to collaboration changes everything.

Coming Next Week

We continue the conversation on power by diving into power struggles. What are they really about, and how can we stop engaging in battles we were never meant to fight?

If this episode helped you put words to something you’ve been feeling at home, share it with a friend and continue the conversation.

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In this episode of Raise & Release, we dive into one of the most helpful frameworks for understanding our kids — the stages of parenting. Parenting changes as our children grow, and when we know what stage we’re in, we can respond with more confidence, patience, and intention.

Rachel walks through the five stages of parenting and what our children need most in each one:

1. The Nurturing Stage (birth–1 year)

2. The Boundary Stage (1–5 years)

3. The Teaching Stage (6–11 years)

4. The Coaching Stage (12–18 years)

5. The Mentoring Stage (18+ years)

6. The Friendship Stage (Adulthood)

We also talk about:

• Why knowing the stage reduces stress and conflict

• How to “front-load” the work in the early years

• What to do when a stage catches you by surprise (hello, teens!)

• Trusting the seeds you’ve planted over time

Parenting isn’t about using the same tools forever — it’s about changing how we show up as our children change. Understanding these stages helps us move from reacting to responding, and from fear to confidence.

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In this special and deeply personal episode of Raise and Release, Rachel is joined by her oldest daughter, Katelyn, for an honest conversation about what it was like to be parented by her. Together, they reflect on boundaries, freedom, mistakes, apologies, authority, and trust—through both a parent’s and a child’s perspective.

This episode offers parents a rare gift: insight into what intentional parenting feels like on the other side. Katelyn shares how being heard, respected, and guided—rather than controlled—shaped her confidence, honesty, and willingness to come to her parents when it mattered most.

In Episode 3 of Raise and Release, Rachel Gunn shares the four core parenting principles that guide her decision-making and shape how she parents through every stage of childhood. These principles were forged through years of teaching, parenting two daughters, and walking alongside moms in crisis—and they offer clarity for parents who feel overwhelmed, reactive, or unsure of what really matters.

In Episode 2 of Raise and Release, Rachel Gunn gets real about parenting—the wins she’s proud of, the mistakes she still cringes about, and why recovery matters more than perfection. Joined again by co-host Jenny Swindall, Rachel shares personal stories from raising two daughters, including intentional choices that built body confidence, moments when emotions took over, and parenting fails that still make her laugh (and sweat).

This episode is an honest reminder that knowing what to do as a parent is very different from doing it perfectly—and that growth, humility, and repair are where real parenting impact happens.

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In this introductory conversation, host Jenny Swindall sits down with educator, parent mentor, and nonprofit founder Rachel Gunn to unpack the heart behind the podcast’s name and mission.

Together, Jenny and Rachel talk honestly about the emotional tension of parenting: the joy of raising children and the grief that comes with watching them grow toward independence. Rachel shares how her background as a sixth-grade teacher, mom of two teenage daughters, and founder of Seed of Impact has shaped her parenting philosophy: principles over quick-fix strategies.

At the core of the conversation is a powerful mindset shift: parenting as discipleship. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3:6, Rachel reframes parenting as seed-planting work—faithful, intentional, and ultimately surrendered to God. The episode closes with encouragement for moms who feel burdened by outcomes, reminding them that growth belongs to the Lord.

This episode is for every mom—whether you feel confident, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between.

If this episode made you feel seen, come hang out with me in my inbox.